Technology has always played a part in the CBD industry. It was advancements in research and technology that first identified the first cannabinoid in cannabis in 1940. Two years later, the difference between THC and CBD was defined for the first time. Research and technology advancements have continued for over 6 decades and as we head into 2021 the CBD industry is primed for more advancement.
CBD Industry Jump Start
The 2018 Farm Bill played an instrumental role in jumpstarting the CBD industry. While it does not specifically decriminalize cannabis or explicitly allow for the production, sale, and use of CBD products, it creates the conditions for legal domestic hemp agriculture. Several state laws allow for the use of cannabis products like CBD and since the Farm Bill doesn't prevent states from passing their own legislation around cannabis, states have spent the last 22 years legalizing hemp based products like CBD. CBD can now be found in stores and specialty shops all over the country. The CBD industry is now advancing so fast it is expected to be a 22 billion dollar industry by 2022.
Key Advancements
Technology Driven Farming - Research is ongoing, but new technologies are being developed and used in the cultivation of cannabis. Seeds from suppliers like Weed Seeds USA are being planted by machines in greenhouses with technology to accurately measure every aspect of the environment to ensure the plants are growing under the most ideal conditions.
Better Quality Products - Technology is being used to cultivate stronger strains of cannabis plants. The cannabinoid molecules from the enhanced strains are being encapsulated to allow for better absorption by the body, making the products produced more reliable and effective.
New Methods of Extraction - CO2 extraction is one of the most common methods of getting the cannabinoids out of the plant. Many companies are moving to the use of the rosin presses. A rosin press heats and cools the cannabis plant while pressing it to create a more potent compound. This method increases the amount of CBD extracted from each plant, which increases productivity. Another extraction technique being studied is ultrasonic extraction. this method uses ultrasonic waves to break down the plant's cellular walls, allowing for targeted extraction of desired compound in each plant.
Quality Assurance - Consumers want to know what is in their CBD products. The more that is known about the product and where it came from, the more confidence the consumer has in the product. Software companies have taken the first steps to create apps that would allow consumers to scan their products in the store and get information instantly on the origins of the product and how it was produced.
Nanotechnology - No matter how good a product you have, the human body can only absorb a small percentage of the CBD in the products we buy. The body discards 80% of the CBD consumed. One solution being explored to improve product absorption is nanotechnology. This process occurs in CBD at the molecular level and studies have shown that when you break the molecules down to nanoparticles, they can bind more effectively to both lipids and water, which makes them easier for the body to process and use.
As the CBD industry grows, technology is playing a more critical role in meeting the demands of the industry. Advancements in farming, product design and quality, and in how the products react within our bodies are becoming standards in the industry. 2021 promises to continue to push the industry forward as the demand for CBD products continues to grow.
