Difference between revisions of "Journal:Differentiating cannabis products: Drugs, food, and supplements"
Shawndouglas (talk | contribs) (Saving and adding more.) |
Shawndouglas (talk | contribs) (Saving and adding more.) |
||
| Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
Classifications for different cannabis species continues to be a highly debated topic amongst taxonomists and [[Botany|botanists]]. [Sawler 2015] Although some experts recognize three different species of ''Cannabis''—''C. sativa'', [[Cannabis indica|''C. indica'']], and [[Cannabis ruderalis|''C. ruderalis'']] (Pollio, 2016)—and other experts only one monospecific species (''C. sativa'' L.) with two subspecies (subsp. ''sativa'' and subsp. ''indica'' [Lam.]) [Small and Cronquist, 1976, UNODC.org], neither of these nomenclature systems accurately reflects the diversity and complexity of modern cannabis plants. Because cannabis species have been [[Cannabis cultivation|cultivated]] globally over many years to exhibit nearly indistinguishable [[phenotype]]s with overlapping genotypes, ''Cannabis sativa'' L. varieties are now most accurately identified by cultivar or chemotype, including specific cannabinoid profiling, and even subtyping. [Sarma et al., 2020] (Recently proposed suggestions for chemotyping will be discussed later in this article.) | Classifications for different cannabis species continues to be a highly debated topic amongst taxonomists and [[Botany|botanists]]. [Sawler 2015] Although some experts recognize three different species of ''Cannabis''—''C. sativa'', [[Cannabis indica|''C. indica'']], and [[Cannabis ruderalis|''C. ruderalis'']] (Pollio, 2016)—and other experts only one monospecific species (''C. sativa'' L.) with two subspecies (subsp. ''sativa'' and subsp. ''indica'' [Lam.]) [Small and Cronquist, 1976, UNODC.org], neither of these nomenclature systems accurately reflects the diversity and complexity of modern cannabis plants. Because cannabis species have been [[Cannabis cultivation|cultivated]] globally over many years to exhibit nearly indistinguishable [[phenotype]]s with overlapping genotypes, ''Cannabis sativa'' L. varieties are now most accurately identified by cultivar or chemotype, including specific cannabinoid profiling, and even subtyping. [Sarma et al., 2020] (Recently proposed suggestions for chemotyping will be discussed later in this article.) | ||
Although it has valuable nutritional capacity, hemp material was initially cultivated mainly to produce textiles and ropes. Due to expanded applications of synthetic fibers over the past two centuries, its cultivation decreased precipitously. In recent years, hemp regained popularity due to the rediscovery of its nutritional benefits, economic value, and variety of medicinal uses. [Farinon et al., 2020] Despite the resurgence of hemp, ongoing efforts to curtail recreational drug use have prompted several countries and states to restrict the cultivation of cannabis varieties with high concentrations of Δ<sup>9</sup>-THC, the primary psychoactive metabolite of the plant. [Aguilar et al., 2018] | |||
For the past several decades, a lack of understanding and proper differentiation between hemp- and marijuana-type plants has slowed the development of cannabis research on the potential health benefits of the plant. [Farinon et al., 2020] And despite having clearer definitions, improper use of these terms is still regularly seen in the literature. It is pertinent to clarify terminology and provide useful tools and legal definitions to differentiate between food, drug, and supplement derivatives of cannabis. | |||
In this review we focus mainly on the question, “What is essential for defining ''Cannabis'' as a food, supplement, or drug?” We also investigate the nutritional potential of hempseed and seed oil, the medicinal benefits of certain phytocannabinoids (one of the predominant [[phytochemical]] groups in ''Cannabis'') as drugs and supplements, and the regulatory status of cannabis and cannabis products across the globe. Finally, we review several [[:Category:CannaQAwiki journal articles on cannabis testing|analytical techniques]] for the detection and quantification of cannabinoids in [[Cannabis concentrate|cannabis extracts]], samples, and other products. | |||
==Definitions, production practices, and uses== | |||
Revision as of 16:13, 7 January 2023
| Full article title | Differentiating cannabis products: Drugs, food, and supplements |
|---|---|
| Journal | Frontiers in Pharmacology |
| Author(s) | Salehi, Arash; Puchalski, Keely; Shokoohinia, Yalda; Zolfaghari, Behzad; Asgary, Sedigheh |
| Author affiliation(s) | Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine |
| Primary contact | Email: sedighehasgary at gmail dot com |
| Editors | Lupica, Carl R. |
| Year published | 2022 |
| Volume and issue | 13 |
| Article # | 906038 |
| DOI | 10.3389/fphar.2022.906038 |
| ISSN | 1663-9812 |
| Distribution license | Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International |
| Website | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.906038/full |
| Download | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.906038/pdf (PDF) |
 |
This article should be considered a work in progress and incomplete. Consider this article incomplete until this notice is removed. |
Abstract
"Hemp" refers to non-intoxicating, low delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) cultivars of Cannabis sativa L. "Marijuana" refers to cultivars with high levels of Δ9-THC, the primary psychoactive cannabinoid found in the plant and a federally controlled substance used for both recreational and therapeutic purposes. Although marijuana and hemp belong to the same genus and species, they differ in terms of chemical and genetic composition, production practices, product uses, and regulatory status. Hemp seed and hemp seed oil have been shown to have valuable nutritional capacity. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid with a wide therapeutic index and acceptable side effect profile, has demonstrated high medicinal potential in some conditions. Several countries and states have facilitated the use of THC-dominant medical cannabis for certain conditions, while other countries continue to ban all forms of cannabis regardless of cannabinoid profile or low psychoactive potential.
Today, differentiating between hemp and marijuana in the laboratory is no longer a difficult process. Certain thin-layer chromatography (TLC) methods can rapidly screen for cannabinoids, and several gas and liquid chromatography techniques have been developed for precise quantification of phytocannabinoids in plant extracts and biological samples. Geographic regulations and testing guidelines for cannabis continue to evolve. As they are improved and clarified, we can better employ the appropriate applications of this uniquely versatile plant from an informed scientific perspective.
Keywords: cannabis, cannabidiol, CBD, hemp, marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, THC
Introduction
Cannabis sativa L. is a member of the Cannabaceae family, a small family of annual herbaceous plants that includes the widely cultivated genus, Humulus (hops), and eight other genera. [Jin et al., 2019] The terms "hemp" and "marijuana" both refer to plants derived from the Cannabis sativa L. species, but from different cultivars or chemotypes having either low or high delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) content, respectively. The general term "cannabis" includes both hemp and marijuana types of plants. [Johnson, 2019] Cannabis has been utilized by several populations for millennia. Central and southeast Asia are considered plausible origins. [Steven et al., 2016] It has been claimed that the application of the herb for various purposes dates to 12,000 years ago based on Neolithic evidence found in Taiwan. [Li, 1974] Hemp is reputed to be the oldest cultivated fiber plant [Cherney and Small, 2016], and hemp seed and seed oil have historically been used as food. [Farinon et al., 2020] Marijuana has long been utilized for recreational as well as medical purposes. [Piluzza et al., 2013] The oldest report of the medical use of cannabis dates to 5,000 years ago when it was used for the treatment of fatigue, rheumatism, and malaria. [Abel, 2013] The Assyrians, Egyptians, Indians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans are all reported to have used cannabis for medical purposes. [Leghissa et al., 2018a]
Classifications for different cannabis species continues to be a highly debated topic amongst taxonomists and botanists. [Sawler 2015] Although some experts recognize three different species of Cannabis—C. sativa, C. indica, and C. ruderalis (Pollio, 2016)—and other experts only one monospecific species (C. sativa L.) with two subspecies (subsp. sativa and subsp. indica [Lam.]) [Small and Cronquist, 1976, UNODC.org], neither of these nomenclature systems accurately reflects the diversity and complexity of modern cannabis plants. Because cannabis species have been cultivated globally over many years to exhibit nearly indistinguishable phenotypes with overlapping genotypes, Cannabis sativa L. varieties are now most accurately identified by cultivar or chemotype, including specific cannabinoid profiling, and even subtyping. [Sarma et al., 2020] (Recently proposed suggestions for chemotyping will be discussed later in this article.)
Although it has valuable nutritional capacity, hemp material was initially cultivated mainly to produce textiles and ropes. Due to expanded applications of synthetic fibers over the past two centuries, its cultivation decreased precipitously. In recent years, hemp regained popularity due to the rediscovery of its nutritional benefits, economic value, and variety of medicinal uses. [Farinon et al., 2020] Despite the resurgence of hemp, ongoing efforts to curtail recreational drug use have prompted several countries and states to restrict the cultivation of cannabis varieties with high concentrations of Δ9-THC, the primary psychoactive metabolite of the plant. [Aguilar et al., 2018]
For the past several decades, a lack of understanding and proper differentiation between hemp- and marijuana-type plants has slowed the development of cannabis research on the potential health benefits of the plant. [Farinon et al., 2020] And despite having clearer definitions, improper use of these terms is still regularly seen in the literature. It is pertinent to clarify terminology and provide useful tools and legal definitions to differentiate between food, drug, and supplement derivatives of cannabis.
In this review we focus mainly on the question, “What is essential for defining Cannabis as a food, supplement, or drug?” We also investigate the nutritional potential of hempseed and seed oil, the medicinal benefits of certain phytocannabinoids (one of the predominant phytochemical groups in Cannabis) as drugs and supplements, and the regulatory status of cannabis and cannabis products across the globe. Finally, we review several analytical techniques for the detection and quantification of cannabinoids in cannabis extracts, samples, and other products.
Definitions, production practices, and uses
References
Notes
This presentation is faithful to the original, with only a few minor changes to presentation. Some grammar and punctuation was cleaned up to improve readability. In some cases important information was missing from the references, and that information was added.
