Not all pot is created equal. Like the differences among the many varieties of tomatoes, roses or other plants, growers have developed hundreds of strains from the two major species of cannabis. While some are bred specifically for particular smell, taste or psychoactive effect; there are also popular options specifically bred to reduce the amount of the chemical that makes consumers ìhigh,î while increasing the medicinal effect.More than 80 chemicals in the class called cannabinoids are found in cannabis plants, according to Pure Analytics, a cannabis safety and potency testing lab in California. Two of the chemicals get the most attention from regulators and advocates ó Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and Cannabidiol, CBD.THC is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid; the percentage of THC is usually used to differentiate between marijuana and industrial fiber hemp. Canada, the European Union and the United States use the same standard of 0.3 percent THC by weight to distinguish between marijuana and hemp, said Zev Paiss, executive director of the National Hemp Association.Cannabis is usually grown from two major species, Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa. Hybrids and commercial strains will use selective breeding techniques and crosses between indica and satvia strains to create the intended psychoactive and medicinal effects.The 0.3 percent THC standard has allowed entrepreneurs to leverage increasing interest in marijuana nationwide, while not overstepping remaining federal drug laws. Roasted hemp seeds are available at natural food stores and mainstream outlets, including Costco. ìYou can go on Amazon and buy hemp CBD oil,î said Anthony Franciosi of Honest Marijuana Co. ìThe difference is between taking a plant that is being grown carefully for specific cannabinoids versus industrial use.îOne high CBD ratio strain developed in the Pikes Peak region made news nationwide for being specifically bred for high CBD content and low THC levels: Charlotteís Web, a cross between a strain of marijuana and industrial hemp. The low-THC result was originally named ìHippie’s Disappointmentî because of the low psychoactive effects. Stanley Brothers Social Enterprises of Teller County renamed it after Charlotte Figi of Black Forest, a child with Dravet Syndrome whose seizures from the disease were treated with the high-CBD content oil from the strain.Charlotte’s Web-based oils are tested to consistently have less than the 0.3 percent of psychoactive THC that allows the extracts to be classified as a hemp product. That allows the oils, extracts and products containing it to be shipped to any state, except Florida, according to CW Botanicals, the Stanley Brothers subsidiary that markets and manufactures Charlotte’s Web.A downside of breeding for CBD content is that since cannabis plants don’t contain as much CBD as THC naturally, more plants are required to process CBD oils than are currently legal to grow on private property in Colorado, said Rachel Gillette, executive director of Colorado NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws). ìIt’s especially important for medical patients who rely on cannabis for medicinal reasons, but when buying from the store it is cost prohibitive,î Gillette said. ìIf you’re doing a treatment like oils, water extraction or concentrates, it will require a lot of plants.îIn August, the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners passed a land-use zoning regulation limiting cannabis grows to 12 plants per household, regardless of the number of adults or medicinal marijuana patients living on the property.ìIt’s important that when it comes to medicinal use sometimes the restrictions do not allow people who depend on cannabis for their treatment to grow enough to fill their needs,î Gillette said. ìLocal governments need to consider circumstances where 12 is not sufficient for the needs of a cannabis patients.îThe Charlotte’s Web Medical Access Act was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in March. The act would exclude CBD and CBD-rich plants from the definition of marijuana for federal controlled substances laws. The act is currently before the House Judiciary and House Energy and Commerce committees.
