Cannabigerol - a Brief Breakdown
CBG is one of hundreds of cannabinoids present in cannabis. As a lesser known cannabinoid, it typically makes up less than 1% of most cultivars. However, due to increased interest, marijuana genetics breeders began to hone in on strains with a higher percentage of CBG. At the recent MJBizCon, the largest business to business trade show for the cannabis industry, several companies showed off buds with up to 13% CBG.
Another way to produce CBG is through extraction. Pulling fresh buds at week six of an eight week flowering cycle has been found to be the optimal time for extracting CBG. Any longer and naturally-occurring enzymes convert CBG into other cannabinoids during the curing process, hence its nickname as “the mother of all cannabinoids.”
CBG Effects
As noted above, CBG is non-psychoactive but it appears to have several uses including as a treatment for pain, anxiety, inflammation, and nausea. It has been touted as a potential treatment for glaucoma; researchers in Poland found CBG to be effective at reducing intraocular pressure. An Italian study conducted in 2013 concluded CBG could help treat inflammatory bowel disease. Further research in 2015 by Spanish scientists found CBG protected neurons in mice with Huntington’s Disease, a disorder that causes nerve cells to die in the brain.
CBG may also help improve mood by boosting anandamide (the body’s “bliss” molecule) and acting as a GABA reuptake inhibitor - which may make it a fantastic alternative to prescription antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.
CBG and Cancer
Cannabigerol is also gaining a lot of attention due to its perceived ability to reduce tumor growth. In a 2014 study, CBG was shown to inhibit colorectal cancer cells in mice. The fact that it was effective with both tumors and chemically-induced colon carcinogenesis proved to be very exciting for researchers. However, further human studies must be conducted in order to learn more about the cannabinoid’s future role in cancer treatment.
Other Uses for CBG
In addition to having anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and neuroprotectant capabilities, CBG may also be an effective antibacterial tool. Yet another Italian study published in 2008 found CBG - along with several other cannabinoids, including CBD, THC, and CBN - has the power to fight methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a vicious bacteria that several classes of drugs have been unable to treat.
Is CBG the Next Big Thing?
As the cannabis industry continues to grow (no pun intended), so will interest in lesser known cannabinoids such as CBG. While CBD seemed to dominate 2019, 2020 promises to be the Year of CBG. More cannabis companies are introducing CBG-dominant products than ever before, indicating a consumer demand.
But with the high cost associated with the production of the cannabinoid, it may take time for the masses to catch up. Regardless, research into the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids including CBG is certain to increase, especially as an alternative to powerful medications that currently dominate the market.
So which states will legalize marijuana next? Here’s our predictions.
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So which states will legalize marijuana next? Here’s our predictions.
New Jersey
Residents of the Garden State will officially vote on full legalization in November, after state lawmakers failed to come to an agreement on the topic last legislative session. Governor Phil Murphy, who was elected in 2018, made legalization a key issue in his campaign. New Jersey has had medical marijuana since 2010 and according to recent polls, 65% of residents are in favor of adult-use, making the upcoming vote appear to be a virtual formality.
Minnesota
The Bold North decriminalized simple marijuana possession when Jesse “The Body” Ventura was governor at the dawn of the millennium, though medical didn’t come until 2014. Due to an anti-pot administration at the time, Minnesota’s medical marijuana program is one of the most restrictive in the nation. However, the election of a new governor in 2018 brought along renewed enthusiasm for adult-use.
According to Newsweek, state legislators will vote in February on a bill similar to Illinois’ legalization bill, which goes into law January 1st. The Democractic-controlled House is expected to pass the bill, but it faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled Senate.
New York
Like it’s neighbor New Jersey, New York was close to legalizing marijuana in 2019. Disagreements about taxation and social equity put the kibosh on adult-use, but negotiations are set to resume when lawmakers recovene.
"I think that 2020 could be the year we get it done,” said state Sen. Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan), co-sponsor of The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, in a speech to cannabis industry professionals last October, according to SILive. She added that concerns about pricing and public safety will be addressed thoroughly before the next vote.
Arizona
Voters in The Grand Canyon State narrowly voted down a measure to legalize recreational marijuana in 2016 but will revisit the issue during the next election cycle. The organization behind the ballot initiative, Smart & Safe Arizona, is currently boasting 50% support of the bill and efforts to push that a couple points up are at a fever pitch. With neighboring states California and Nevada already offering legal cannabis, it’s more than likely that Arizona will fall in line next time around.
Kentucky
A bill to fully legalize cannabis in Kentucky was recently introduced by a Democratic lawmaker and while it seems like a long shot, residents of the state have been slowly warming up to the idea. United States Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) has been a staunch supporter of the burgeoning hemp industry and is seen as a key figure in efforts to reform cannabis laws as well. If he comes out in support of full legalization, voters in his home state are sure to follow.
Tell us, which states do you think will legalize cannabis in 2020?
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Schedule I Status for Cannabis Under Scrutiny
One provision that should bode well for the cannabis industry as a whole is the request for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to “provide a brief report on the barriers to research that result from the classification of drugs and compounds as Schedule I substances” under federal law within 120 days.
The Schedule I status that marijuana currently holds ranks it alongside heroin and LSD in terms of its danger to society. NIDA has previously indicated its support for removing cannabis from the list of Schedule I substances and that its current designation impedes research efforts.
Studies into Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids to Increase, Regulatory Framework Takes Hold
Other science-minded provisions include the appropriation of $1 million in grants to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to study both cannabidiol (CBD) and kratom as alternatives to opioids. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health have been tasked to “consider additional investment in studying the medicinal effects and toxicology of cannabidiol and cannabigerol (CBG).”
$2 million was also set aside for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement regulations for hemp-derived CBD. 2019 was a shaky year for the hemp industry after the FDA sent strongly-worded letters to several major CBD brands chiding them for allegedly making health claims.
The lack of federal oversight into cannabidiol products has been a major issue, one that this provision intends to mitigate through, “research, policy evaluation, market surveillance, issuance of an enforcement discretion policy, and appropriate regulatory activities with respect to products under the jurisdiction of the FDA which contain CBD and meet the definition of hemp,” lawmakers said.
Domestic Hemp Program to Improve
Separate legislation earmarked $16.5 million for the implementation of a domestic hemp program. The program was initiated in the 2018 Farm Bill, which effectively legalized hemp cultivation and production. An additional $1 million will go towards revenue protection insurance for hemp farmers, something that was desperately needed this past season when early frosts hurt crops nationwide.
“Hemp producers across the country are looking to Kentucky for our expertise and leadership with this exciting crop, and I’m committed to helping our farmers, processors and manufacturers take full advantage of hemp’s potential,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) declared in a press release. “These federal resources will help us continue our progress to ensuring hemp is treated just like every other legal commodity.”
Senator McConnell has long pushed for hemp reform, but has shied away from supporting full cannabis legalization. However, he did engage in several meetings with cannabis and hemp industry figures last October, signalling an effort to pass the proverbial olive branch.
Cannabinoids are a group of compounds that are active constituents of cannabis; each cannabinoid is responsible for certain chemical effects that interact and bind with the cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system.
CBN is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that stems from CBGA (cannabigerol acid), the precursor cannabinoid to the three main cannabinoids: tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and cannabichromene acid (CBCA).
When the plant develops THCA, with time, and exposure to heat and prolonged UV light, the THCA cannabinoid loses a carbon dioxide molecule, then synthesizes to eventually become THC, the intoxicating cannabinoid that is most commonly found in cannabis. THCA can also be converted into CBNA over time with prolonged exposure to air that will cause the THCA to oxidize and lose hydrogen leaving us with CBNA, and like the other acidic cannabinoids, exposing CBNA to heat or UV light will convert CBNA to CBN.
CBN can be found in high amounts in older cannabis and is best known for its sedative properties, however, researchers have discovered the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits of CBN when tested on strains of MRSA bacteria which cause infections in different parts of the body and most commonly found on the skin, nose, and moist areas of the body. Along with the benefits mentioned above, studies show that CBN can also reduce intraocular pressure which is one of the most significant risk factors for glaucoma as well as delay the onset of ALS and other neurodegenerative conditions and help with stimulating appetite.
The effects of cannabis are fascinating; many consumers assume the intoxicating high comes from the potency of the strain, a.k.a THC or CBD but the high you feel comes from an entourage effect of cannabinoids and terpenes that work together to create a full-spectrum experience that amplifies your high and activates therapeutic benefits.
Traces of CBN can be found in cannabis but as the flower ages and begins to degrade CBN becomes the prominent cannabinoid next to THC and CBD. Cannabinoids work together with terpenes to create an ensemble of effects and give the cannabis flower its personality. Terpenes contribute to the way a cannabis strain tastes and smells, and they are primarily responsible for the therapeutic relief from inflammation and anxiety we experience.
A human study performed in the 1970’s determined that CBN alone did not induce sedation, but THC by itself did cause subjects to become drowsy therefore researchers began to believe that it is the combined effects of cannabinoids and terpenes that deliver the entourage effect of benefits.
Dr. Ethan Russo, a leading cannabis researcher, and neurologist explains that CBN is not mainly sedative but because high traces of it are found in aged cannabis flower, many assume that it is the component that is going to help with insomnia, but it is the simplest monoterpenoids that have evaporated leaving a more sedating oxygenated sesquiterpenoids which contain three isoprene units that may be responsible for the sedation.
Myrcene is a monoterpene generally found in cannabis, and along with linalool, are known to help with insomnia. As cannabis ages, the terpenes begin to evaporate and morph into oxygenated isoprene units that work in sync with the cannabinoids to create the intoxicating but therapeutic high.
Because CBN research is still premature, it is challenging to identify CBN as a sedative cannabinoid without taking the strain’s terpene profile and other cannabinoids into consideration.
The traits of cannabis strains are often lost or disappear as a result of poor storage. When oxygen is sealed with your cannabis flowers, the oxygenating process begins immediately and starts to convert cannabinoids and strip away beneficial terpenes.
Proper storage in an airtight glass container like the Canlock is highly recommended for all strains of flower. Heavy-duty sealed glass devices such as the Canlock will keep your batch of flowers fresh and preserve the strain’s cannabinoid and terpene profile for a full-flavored smoke while preventing flowers from oxygenating and losing its therapeutic value.
]]>If you're smoking cannabis that hasn't been properly cured, you could be left with a batch of moist and harsh-tasting weed with low-THC. Curing is the final step of harvesting and begins immediately after drying when the cannabis is cut and separated from the plant forcing the plant to use up its remaining nutrients and will help shape the quality and flavor of the smoke.
Growers use glass mason jars to cure cannabis because the glass walls won't leach unwanted chemicals into your product and circulates the trapped air allowing buds to biosynthesize and convert cannabinoid compounds into new blends. This is the process in which the cannabis plant produces cannabinoids biologically identical to those of the cannabis plant and convert compounds such as THCA into THC, the main intoxicating compound in cannabis.
Storage is a major key when it comes to curing; however, it is imperative that the buds are sealed in an airtight jar to prevent excess oxygen from stripping away the terpenes and beneficial cannabinoids.
Standard mason jars are equipped with a two-stage lid that creates a partial vacuum but storing cannabis in a glass container with a built-in airtight lid will decompress the right amount of air from the glass container and allow cannabis to cure. Using a storage solution with airtight technology will also help with keeping a controlled environment for your weed to cure.
Improperly curing cannabis can result in a moldy batch of marijuana. For proper storage during curing, glass jars should be 75% filled with marijuana— you'll want to leave a little air at the top to prevent the buds from being crushed, and moisture lock. Mold thrives when a moist batch of flowers is sealed in an airtight container.
The Cure for Curing
The Canlock Quarter+ offers the ideal storage solution for curing flowers — Its compact size and design circulate the remaining oxygen in the handheld glass container to facilitate the biosynthesis process and ensure your flowers are cured to perfection. For maximum yield of cannabinoids and terpenes, it is best to keep the Canlock Quarter+ in the dark controlled environment, at a humidity of 60-65% and a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Curing and storing cannabis in a Canlock Quarter+ will accentuate potency and flavor and extend the shelf-life of your weed up to a month. With just a push of a button, the built-in airtight seal in the lid prevents oxygen from stripping the strain’s cannabinoid profile and terpenes so you can always travel with a #FreshStash.
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