The global marketplace now offers medical cannabis products in many different forms. Patients can choose their preferred delivery method (i.e. inhalation, oral, or topical), as well as the type of cannabinoid – the type of chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. The two most well-known cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). It is important for investors and consumers to understand the difference between these two compounds and how they are extracted from cannabis.
NuSierra starts with high-quality Colombian-cultivated cannabis and extracts both THC and CBD using supercritical carbon dioxide – a modern, environmentally friendly extraction technique. Supercritical CO2 is an important commercial and industrial solvent due to its low toxicity and low environmental impact. It is also a safe process, as it relies on relatively low heat (87.9F/31C). The high-quality extraction process ensures that NuSierra’s THC and CBD cannabis oils meet world-wide pharmaceutical standards and that users experience their desired benefits without fear of contamination.
Pharmaceutical benefits of THC and CBD
The cannabis plant has hundreds of chemical compounds, and well over 60 of these are considered to be cannabinoids. To date, cannabis research up has focused on the effects of THC and CBD, but additional research into cannabinoids may lead to new uses for cannabinoids. For example, a compound known as cannabinol (CBN) appears to act as an effective sleep aid with little or no psychoactive effects. Another cannabinoid, known as cannabigerol (CBG), has shown possible neuroprotective properties in the treatment of Huntington’s disease.
When trying to understand the effects of cannabinoids – particularly, THC and CBD – it’s first important to understand that the human body actually has an endogenous cannabinoid system. This means that we all have specific endocannabinoid receptors on human cells that act as receptors for cannabinoids, altering neurotransmitters in our brains.
THC is the cannabinoid known for its psychoactive properties – in other words, it’s the chemical that produces the “high” feeling. The cannabis high itself can create euphoric feelings, relaxation, increased appetite, and increased sensory perception.
The pharmaceutical benefits of THC also include pain relief, nausea reduction, appetite stimulation, and more*.
CBD is the other increasingly well-known cannabinoid. It is considered by most to be non-psychoactive, because it does not bring about the euphoric high that THC causes.
However, some researchers are starting to argue that its anti-depressive and anti-anxiety benefits mean that it is technically psychoactive. CBD also seems to have a major positive impact on brain activity for epileptic patients suffering from seizures. Products high in CBD are often used by patients suffering from seizures and have been shown to dramatically reduce the incidence of seizures.
Some research has shown that when these two cannabinoids are used in equal proportions, CBD actually counteracts the high-producing effects of THC by blocking certain cannabinoid receptors.
One advantage of ingesting cannabis oil rather than smoking is that it allows consumers to be more precise about the CBD to THC ratio. Cannabis oil can be taken in the desired dose under the tongue, applied topically onto the skin, or mixed into food.
Demand in the Global Marketplace for THC and CBD oil
The global medical cannabis market is expected to grow 239% from 8.28 billion USD in 2017 to 28.07 billion USD in 2024, according to data from Energias Market Research.
CBD oil, in particular, has become a big part of the global medical cannabis marketplace, with product development and consumer demand increasing rapidly. A report from Forbes estimates that the CBD market alone is estimated to grow 700% to $2.1 billion USD by 2020.
The CBD market is on the rise for a variety of reasons. Research on this compound has increased. Prospective consumers of CBD oils include people who previously wanted to avoid the psychoactive effects of cannabis products high in THC levels. Also, e-commerce now makes it easier for vendors to reach customers.
Both CBD and THC cannabis oil products are completely legal for medical purposes. But, it’s still unclear how Canada’s impending recreational cannabis legalizations will impact the medical cannabis market.
Recreational (i.e. “adult-use”) legalization will likely lower prices due to greater supply, demand, and competition. At the same time, it will also compete with the medical market for resources, and could mean an insufficient supply of Canadian-grown cannabis and higher prices for compliant, high-quality medical products. It is likely that there will be a greater demand for imported cannabis products in order to meet the demand for high-quality pharmaceutical cannabis.
About NuSierra
NuSierra is meeting this emerging demand with its high-quality cannabis oils.
From the Sierra Nevada mountains to your dispensary, NuSierra connects Colombian cannabis oil to the global marketplace.
NuSierra’s medical cannabis is grown naturally by horticulturists and master growers in the sunny heartland of Colombia. We partner with companies licensed cannabis companies in Canada and throughout the world to provide them with the highest-quality cannabis oils on the market.
If you’re in a legal medical Cannabis market and able to import medical cannabis, contact us to learn how we can help you grow your business.
* FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or treat any diseases.
