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Sep 16 2016

Where Does Cannabis Get its Beautiful Colors?

Easily the most distinctive attribute of finely-grown medical marijuana is the rich color it displays. This characteristic can instantly separate pharmaceutical-grade flowers from the rest. While patients often delight in examining individual strains and observing the rainbow of subtle hues they exhibit, the science behind cannabis’ colors is actually quite complex:

Some strains of cannabis change color as they flower. What’s the secret? Genetics. Anthocyanins are a group of around 400 water-soluble pigment molecules classified as flavonoids. They appear red, blue, or purple according to their pH. Interestingly, flavonoids are generally yellow, hence the latin root “flavus“, meaning yellow. They also have nothing to do with flavor, being extremely bitter. Think of the tree leaves in fall. As temperatures drop, they change from green to red, orange, yellow, or gold. Cannabis doesn’t produce the colors until the latter half of the flowering stage, with a few exceptions. Once the green fades, they can come forth and shine. [Herb.co]

These effects are especially pronounced within the sophisticated microclimates indoor cultivators create. Seasonal changes that would ordinarily be spread throughout the year are simulated and sped-up to increase cannabinoid content and shorten the plant’s natural growth cycle. Dramatic changes in plant chemistry occur at a rapid pace, producing very visible and often beautiful results.

granddaddy purple AZ medical marijuana — Granddaddy Purple

Still, the factors that determine the color profile of finished cannabis flowers are part nature and part nurture. Individual strains may possess a genetic predisposition towards certain pigmentation. For example, the famous purples and oranges seen in the Granddaddy Purple strain are typically visible in most examples of the genetic. However, cultivation conditions contribute as well and factors such as temperature and nutrients have a significant impact on the color of cured flowers. For patients seeking to select the highest quality medicine, it’s important to note that color itself is not directly indicative of potency. The abundance and condition of the plant’s trichomes are a better measure, but color can certainly serve as evidence of an individual genetic’s authenticity and the conditions in which it was grown. Since unusual coloration can also be achieved by deliberately adjusting room temperatures and nutrient ratios, patients should be cautious about assuming that an extreme appearance is synonymous with exceptional quality. In some cases, atypical color variations could also be indicative of a nutrient deficiency or exposure to excessively cold temperatures. For better or worse, the great range of cannabis genetics and cultivation techniques employed currently in the medical cannabis industry ensure that patients can expect variation in the appearance of their medicine. This is true even between separate examples of the same strain, grown under different conditions or at different times. Part of the magic of the cannabis plant is its ability to adapt to its environment. Color, like aroma and flavor, thus becomes an attribute that experienced patients rely upon to identify and remember particular strains that stood out for them. We are fortunate, one might argue, that a plant of such importance to the health of so many is also capable of exhibiting such great beauty.

Sep 01 2016

Why Does Cannabis Have to be Heated?

There are many ways to consume medical cannabis, but they all have one thing in common: heat. Smoking requires an open flame, vaporizers use heating coils, and edibles are first baked in the oven. The importance of heat is often overlooked, particularly since many non-smoked forms are consumed at room temperature, but you can be sure that almost any cannabis medicine you come across will have undergone a heating process. The importance of heating is well understood and rests at the core of cannabis pharmacology. Cannabinoid acids found within the plant’s resin glands contain an extra carboxyl molecule that render them psychoactively inert. These molecules must be removed through a heating process known as decarboxylation. Through this process, THCA is converted to THC, CBDA is converted to CBD and so forth. Interestingly, a cured cannabis flower actually contains very little THC until this heating process is complete, hence the testing data patients see at dispensaries technically reflects anticipated, rather than actual, THC content. In the case of smoked or vaporized medical cannabis, the decarboxylation process takes place in real time, as the patient heats and inhales the medicine. When preparing edibles, the process is typically carried out at lower temperatures and proper decarboxylation is achieved by applying moderate heat for a specific period of time in order to maximize potency. Similarly, a partial decarboxylation process also occurs during the curing phase, which is why freshly harvested cannabis flowers can’t be immediately consumed without sacrificing significant medicinal effect. The role of heating in cannabis pharmacology is widely misunderstood and may, in fact, play a significant role is shaping public perceptions of medical marijuana itself. Critics of the medicinal use of cannabis frequently cite methods of administration such as smoking and baked goods as evidence that patients aren’t using a “real” medicine. A quick lesson in cannabis science could clear up these misconceptions and explain why patients and providers rely on these trusted methods for maximizing marijuana’s medical potential.

Sep 01 2016

New Policy Opens Door to More Medical Marijuana Research

Research into the medical efficacy of marijuana could be significantly expanded under a new policy announced this month:

The Obama administration is planning to remove a major roadblock to marijuana research, officials said Wednesday, potentially spurring broad scientific study of a drug that is being used to treat dozens of diseases in states across the nation despite little rigorous evidence of its effectiveness. The new policy is expected to sharply increase the supply of marijuana available to researchers. And in taking this step, the Obama administration is further relaxing the nation’s stance on marijuana. President Obama has said he views it as no more dangerous than alcohol, and the Justice Department has not stood in the way of states that have legalized the drug. [New York Times]

Although a wealth of data does exist illustrating the medical benefits of cannabis, scientists have historically faced obstacles in obtaining it for research purposes. Until now, the only official supply available for approved scientific study has been grown at the University of Mississippi, which researchers often found difficult or impossible to access. Additionally, scientists have expressed concern that the available strains lacked the diversity and elevated cannabinoid content commonly produced by expert cultivators serving patients in regulated medical marijuana programs.

In order to address these issues, academic institutions will now be able to apply for federal licensing to produce research-grade cannabis. This has the potential to create a diverse supply that better reflects the variety and high quality of commercially available medical cannabis in states where it is legally available to patients. Although it is not yet known how many cultivators will be licensed, the possibility of being able to choose between suppliers and seek out specific strains is exactly what researchers have been hoping to see. In our daily work with medical marijuana patients suffering from a wide range of conditions and symptoms, we’ve seen countless incredible outcomes. Existing data, though impressive, do not yet reveal the complete picture we need in order to understand how and why medical marijuana works so well for so many people. The answers we seek are now closer than ever to be being realized, and this creates exciting new possibilities for patients, physicians and policy makers seeking to understand the importance of cannabis medicines.

Aug 31 2016

New Study Traces Marijuana Use in Ancient Cultures

For obvious reasons, painting a complete picture of how marijuana was used in ancient cultures is difficult to do. Fortunately, as the role of medical cannabis in modern healthcare comes to be better understood, interest in its history is leading to important new discoveries:

It must have been something in the air. During a short time window at the end of
the last ice age, Stone Age humans in Europe and Asia independently began using a new plant: cannabis.

That’s the conclusion of a review of cannabis archaeology, which also links an intensification of cannabis use in East Asia with the rise of transcontinental trade at the dawn of the Bronze Age, some 5000 years ago.
…
It is often assumed that cannabis was first used, and possibly domesticated, somewhere in China or Central Asia, the researchers say – but their database points to an alternative.

Some of the most recent studies included in the database suggest that the herb entered the archaeological record of Japan and Eastern Europe at almost exactly the same time, between about 11,500 and 10,200 years ago. [New Scientist]

The data illustrate a couple interesting points that expand our understanding of the plant’s history. First, the documentation of cannabis use in both Japanese and Eastern European societies more than 10,000 years ago suggests its value may have been discovered independently by different cultures in different parts of the world. While little is known about its specific uses at that time, these early agricultural records open the door to new discoveries that could further extend the historic timeline.

Additionally, the observation that increased evidence of cannabis use began about 5,000 years ago paints an interesting picture of how new societies were introduced to the plant. This timing coincided with the emergence of transcontinental trade routes and the use of horses to facilitate long-distance travel. The researchers speculate that cannabis became a valuable trading commodity at that time, resulting in more widespread archaeological evidence of its use.

In light of all that we now know about the numerous medicinal properties of the cannabis plant, it’s fascinating to consider how these early societies may have made use of it. Many questions remain to be answered, such as what medical applications were understood and how cannabis was cultivated and consumed by ancient cultures. We know that the use of cannabis as an herbal remedy was first recorded in China just a few centuries later, but the likelihood of as-yet-undiscovered medical use of the cannabis plant in ancient cultures is considerable now that we can confirm how widely distributed it truly was at that time.

Today, modern cultivators rely on advanced technology, sophisticated breeding techniques and extensive medical literature to meet the needs of medical marijuana patients treating a wide range of ailments. As we work tirelessly to advance our understanding of this important plant, considering its historic origins may provide new insight into its place in our culture and its role in promoting public health.

Aug 31 2016

How do the Strains Get Their Names?

AZ medical marijuana strains — Sour Diesel is named for its distinctive lemon-fuel aroma

Anyone visiting a dispensary for the first time could easily be overwhelmed by an initial glimpse at the menu. The unique and sometimes strange names attached to the various available marijuana strains can be a lot to digest and to be honest, some don’t sound so appetizing. When the sales associate tells you Sour Diesel tastes delicious, for example, you can be forgiven for raising an eyebrow. Fortunately, the story of how we got here is an interesting one that illustrates the complex history and unique biology of the plant itself.

Thousands of years before the first dispensary opened its doors, cannabis grew freely in the mountains of Afghanistan. With the help of its first human enthusiasts, the plant spread gradually across the globe, evolving to meet the challenges of new climates. These adaptations would eventually exhibit the plant’s remarkable biodiversity and form the foundation from which skilled breeders would seek to derive specialized genetics.

As interest in cannabis expanded dramatically in the 20^th century, growers seeking to meet consumer demand discovered distinctive varieties and began branding them accordingly. The first famous strains were frequently named for their geographic origins. Varieties such as Hindu Kush, Acapulco Gold, Panama Red, Maui Wowie, and Thai Stick became highly sought after and developed a lasting legacy in marijuana folklore.

Naming conventions expanded dramatically as subsequent generations of popular cannabis genetics emerged from Dutch seed banks and eventually American medical marijuana markets. Some strains were named for their unique aromas (Skunk, Lavender, Diesel), while others were named for icons of the cannabis community (Jack Herer, Willie Nelson). A vast array of fruit-inspired strains (Blueberry, Lemon OG, Strawberry Cough) reflects the fascinating variety of flavors skilled breeding can achieve.

In order to endure, however, a strain name must be attached to a genetic of some importance. Not every new hybrid created will be prized by patients, and hence not every name will become established in the ever-expanding lexicon of cannabis knowledge. Those that stick do so because they identify a specific strain with remarkable attributes; Sour Diesel, for example, exhibits a rich lemon-fuel flavor and aroma that explains its name to the consumer and creates a memorable experience. When coupled with its pleasurable effects, the Sour Diesel brand was able to transcend a spectrum of other similar strains to become one of the most sought-after cannabis plants on the planet.

Just as an effective name can create interest in a strain, a badly-branded genetic can quickly drift into obscurity. Consider, for example, a little-known strain simply called Cush. Though exceptional in quality, Cush suffered from being identified only by a misspelling of the popular Kush term. Worse still, it was a fruity Sativa that contained no Kush genetics. Kush fans who sampled it were likely to be disappointed, while Sativa fans who might appreciate it aren’t typically attracted to Kush-dominant options. The strain remained virtually unknown until notorious cannabis connoisseur Snoop Dogg sampled it and was so energized that he nicknamed it “Green Crack” and made it famous overnight. The new name stuck because it better described the strain’s uplifting effects and attracted patients who were more likely to find it helpful. Unfortunately, this name too was understandably found objectionable by many in the medical marijuana community. As a result, this otherwise excellent strain still struggles to find its true brand identity.

Today, the number of well-known marijuana strains far exceeds what any dispensary could carry. Many are closely related and quality is determined as much by the skill of the cultivation team as the individual strain selection. Still, there remain a select few elite genetics of particular importance to patients. SWC Arizona works to curate a menu that includes both classic cannabis strains and emerging genetics together to ensure that we meet the needs of each patient we see.

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