Trading Ingredients
Cannabis refers to a group of three plants with psychoactive properties, known as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. When the flowers of these plants are harvested and dried, you’re left with one of the most common drugs in the world. Some call it weed, some call it pot, and others call it marijuana.
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01 Origins and Traditional Uses
Cannabis has been used for centuries for its medicinal, recreational, and industrial properties. Its origins can be traced back to Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Historical evidence suggests that cannabis has been used since at least the third millennium BCE and possibly even earlier. Traditional uses of cannabis include:
- Medicinal: Cannabis has been used in traditional medicine for a variety of conditions, including pain relief, nausea, and for its anti-inflammatory properties. It was listed in many ancient pharmacopeias, from traditional Chinese medicine to Ayurveda in India.
- Recreational: The psychoactive properties of cannabis have been used for recreational purposes to alter consciousness and induce a state of euphoria or relaxation.
- Industrial: Hemp, a variety of Cannabis sativa with low THC content (the psychoactive component), has been cultivated for its fiber, which is used in making textiles, rope, and paper.
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02 Use in Foods
Cannabis is used today in a variety of food products, known collectively as “edibles.” These can include baked goods, candies, gummies, chocolates, beverages, and more. The infusion of food with cannabis for recreational and medicinal purposes has a long history, but its commercial use in foods is a relatively recent development, coinciding with the legalisation of cannabis in various jurisdictions.
- Recreational Edibles: In regions where cannabis is legalized for recreational use, edibles are popular for their potency and the convenience of consumption without smoking.
- Medical Edibles: Patients who use cannabis for medical reasons may prefer edibles for their ease of dosing and the longer-lasting effects compared to inhalation.
- CBD-infused Foods: With the rise of CBD (cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive component of cannabis) popularity for its potential health benefits, a growing market of CBD-infused foods has emerged, targeting wellness and health-conscious consumers.
The regulation of cannabis-infused foods is stringent, with specific guidelines on THC content, packaging, and labeling to ensure safety, prevent accidental ingestion, and restrict access to minors. The burgeoning edible market continues to evolve, with ongoing research into the effects, benefits, and risks of cannabis consumption in food forms.
Current Regulatory Environment
The regulatory environment for cannabis varies significantly around the world, reflecting diverse cultural attitudes and historical contexts. As of my last update in April 2023:
In the United States, cannabis legality is complex, with it being illegal at the federal level but legalized or decriminalized for medical and/or recreational use in many states. The U.S. has also legalized hemp (and hemp-derived products, such as CBD) at the federal level under the 2018 Farm Bill.
Canada legalized cannabis for recreational use nationwide in 2018, under the Cannabis Act, which controls and regulates its production, distribution, and sale.
In Europe, the legal status varies by country. Some countries have decriminalized possession of small amounts, others allow medical cannabis, and a few have created a regulated market for adult use.
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided on an as-is basis for general background. Independent, verified research should be conducted on all ingredients in food, supplements, and consumer products.
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