A group of scientists has unveiled a breakthrough this week that could revolutionise how we gauge the potency of cannabis-infused food products.

New Method Promises Accurate THC Measurement

At the recent National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), researchers announced a significant advancement: a new technique for precisely measuring the amount of cannabis in edibles.

Previously, methods like high-performance liquid chromatography struggled with the presence of sugars, starches, and fats in edibles, complicating accurate THC measurement. Dr. Jahan Marcu, affiliated with Americans for Safe Access and the vice-chair of ACS’ Cannabis Subdivision, highlighted the issue, noting, “These machines weren’t designed to analyse cookies.”

This unreliability has plagued the industry, with Melissa Wilcox of Grace Discovery Sciences noting, “Edible producers receive vastly different THC results from different labs.”

The new approach, employing flash chromatography, promises both reliability and accuracy in THC measurement.

The Mystery of Edibles Unravelled

While the precision of these measurements is promising, part of the allure of edibles lies in their unpredictability. Only 17% of the tested edibles were correctly labelled with THC content, indicating widespread mislabeling. Interestingly, cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive compound prized for its medicinal benefits, was found in over half of the samples, yet none of the labels disclosed its presence.

Dr. Marcu emphasised the unique challenges of edibles, noting their delayed onset and prolonged effects compared to smoking or vaping cannabis. “Edibles require patience,” he explained. “The effects can take an hour or more to manifest, making it tricky to gauge one’s tolerance.”

A Matured Cannabis Industry on the Horizon

Looking ahead, Dr. Marcu sees widespread adoption of this new testing standard as the next logical step. “Training technicians and scaling up equipment will be crucial,” he remarked. This development signifies a maturing cannabis industry in the US, poised to leave behind the days of uncertain highs and unexpected experiences.

In conclusion, while the era of waiting an hour to understand an edible’s impact may soon be nostalgia, the promise of reliable potency measurement heralds a new era of transparency and precision in cannabis consumption.

 

Disclaimer: This article provides information for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any THC related product.