Cannabis Quality Research Articles

“California on the Vistula River?” Cannabis users’ engagement with licit and illicit cannabis markets in Poland

Purpose Poland, like many other countries, is experiencing a shift in its drug policy as reflected with the decision of its government to legalise medical cannabis in 2017. This paper aims to explore the engagement of cannabis consumers with legal and illegal markets for cannabis in Poland. Design/methodology/approach Data comes from the Polish Ministry of Health and a survey of 571 cannabis users. The questionnaires were posted on Polish Facebook groups consisting of users, and other people interested in science/politics associated with cannabis. The users were asked if they currently use the illegal market to buy cannabis, and if yes then why. Findings Most respondents report that they do not engage with the illegal market for cannabis. Those who described themselves as medical users now enjoy a better access to cannabis, but even recreational users are finding ways to use the system. Some, however, continue to use the illegal market for cannabis due to reasons associated with honesty, access, price and quality of cannabis. Research limitations/implications Given a convenience sample, generalisable conclusions cannot be made on the impact of the medical cannabis policy on the illegal market for cannabis yet. However, what can be concluded is that increasingly more users are likely opting out for the regulated medical market than the traditional illegal market. This could be associated with an increasing willingness of medical practitioners to prescribe medical cannabis. Originality/value Only a handful of articles have been written on the Polish medical cannabis policy. This is the first article to show that the Polish medical cannabis policy has changed very significantly since the early enactment. Very probably contrary to the wishes of the policymakers who wanted to create a stricter model than the one in California, for example, which they named as more permissive one.

"That's Pot Culture Right There": Purchasing Behaviors of People Who Use Cannabis Without a Medical Cannabis Card.

The legal landscape surrounding purchasing cannabis without a medical cannabis card (i.e., without MCC) is changing rapidly, affecting consumer access and purchasing behaviors. Cannabis purchasing behaviors are related to subsequent use and experiencing greater cannabis-related negative consequences. However, purchasing behaviors of individuals who use cannabis without MCC are understudied. The current study analyzed qualitative data from focus groups with adults who use cannabis without MCC (n = 5 groups; 6-7 participants/group; n = 31 total participants). Focus groups followed a semi-structured agenda, and were audio recorded and transcribed. Two coders applied thematic analysis to summarize topics pertaining to cannabis purchasing attitudes and behaviors. Focus groups occurred in 2015 and 2016 in Rhode Island, when purchasing and use of cannabis without MCC was decriminalized but still considered illegal. On average, participants (72% male) were 26 years old (SD = 7.2) and reported using cannabis 5 days per week (SD = 2.1). Thematic analysis revealed three key themes related to cannabis purchasing behaviors: (1) regular purchasing routines (i.e., frequency, schedule, amount of purchases), (2) economic factors (i.e., financial circumstances), and (3) contextual factors (i.e., quality of cannabis, convenience/availability) were perceived to influence purchasing decisions. Dealers' recommendations affected participants' purchases, who also reported minimal legal concerns. Participants reported saving money and using more cannabis when buying in bulk. Purchasing behaviors were found to vary and were perceived to be affected by individual-level (e.g., routines) and contextual factors (e.g., availability) that, in turn, may impact use patterns. Future research should consider how factors (e.g., availability) that differ across contexts (e.g., location) and demographic groups interact to affect purchasing behaviors.

Factors Influencing the Efficacy of Biological Control Agents Used to Manage Insect Pests in Indoor Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) Cultivation

Current biological control strategies in cannabis (Cannabis sativa) cultivation have resulted in poor efficacy for managing certain insect pests. The cannabis industry has grown at a rapid pace, surpassing our ability to develop knowledge on the production systems for this crop. Currently, the research focus is on optimizing agronomic and environmental factors to maximize the yield and quality of cannabis. However, cannabis growers are increasingly challenged by severe insect pest pressure, with few effective options. Decades of research have optimized biological control strategies in other crops. The implementation of effective biological control strategies in cannabis is hindered by a variety of morphological, biochemical, and agronomic factors unique to this crop. Here, we review the rather limited literature relevant to insect pest management in indoor cannabis production. Further, we have identified three factors that we believe are primarily responsible for the ineffectiveness of biological control in cannabis: Plant morphology including trichome density and floral resources, effects of plant biochemistry on prey suitability, and finally the effects of supplemental lighting including photoperiod, intensity, and spectrum. We highlight the importance of prioritizing the evaluation of these factors to improve our understanding of the tritrophic interactions governing the success of biological control in cannabis cultivation. As intensive research efforts are underway to optimize agronomic practices for cannabis, it is also important to consider their relevance to biological control.

GMP/GACP - new standards for quality assurance of cannabis

In 2015, in Republic of North Macedonia, a new law for narcotics has been adopted, where the changes include legal cultivation of cannabis for medicinal use as well as legal production of cannabis extracts for medicinal use. In order to gain high quality of cannabis and cannabis products for medicinal use and to meet some quality standards that will guarantee consistency, traceability and continuous quality of the product, it is necessary to implement Quality Systems. Good quality system is ISO standard system but for cannabis for medicinal use, GACP, GMP and GLC standards are used more often. Production of cannabis for medicinal use consists of: process of cultivation where GACP standards are applicable, primary processing where GMP standards are the most important and quality control of final product regulated with GLP standard. In this review, explanation of these standards as well as overview of modes of their implementation has been made. Keywords: GxP, GMP, GACP, GLP

The Effect of Light Spectrum on the Morphology and Cannabinoid Content of Cannabis sativa L.

Cannabis sativa L. flowers are the main source of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) used in medicine. One of the most important growth factors in cannabis cultivation is light; light quality, light intensity, and photoperiod play a big role in a successful growth protocol. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of 3 different light sources on morphology and cannabinoid production. Cannabis clones were grown under 3 different light spectra, namely high-pressure sodium (HPS), AP673L (LED), and NS1 (LED). Light intensity was set to ∼450 µmol/m²/s measured from the canopy top. The photoperiod was 18L: 6D/21 days during the vegetative phase and 12L: 12D/46 days during the generative phase, respectively. At the end of the experiment, plant dry weight partition, plant height, and cannabinoid content (THC, cannabidiol [CBD], tetrahydrocannabivarin [THCV], cannabigerol [CBG]) were measured under different light treatments. The experiment was repeated twice. The 3 light treatments (HPS, NS1, AP673L) resulted in differences in cannabis plant morphology and in cannabinoid content, but not in total yield of cannabinoids. Plants under HPS treatment were taller and had more flower dry weight than those under treatments AP673L and NS1. Treatment NS1 had the highest CBG content. Treatments NS1 and AP673L had higher CBD and THC concentrations than the HPS treatment. Results were similar between experiments 1 and 2. Our results show that the plant morphology can be manipulated with the light spectrum. Furthermore, it is possible to affect the accumulation of different cannabinoids to increase the potential of medicinal grade cannabis. In conclusion, an optimized light spectrum improves the value and quality of cannabis. Current LED technology showed significant differences in growth habit and cannabinoid profile compared to the traditional HPS light source. Finally, no difference of flowering time was observed under different R:FR (i.e., the ratio between red and far-red light).

Qualitative research in Spanish cannabis social clubs: “The moment you enter the door, you are minimising the risks”

BackgroundCannabis social clubs (CSCs) in Spain are non-profit organisations that connect regular adult cannabis users. One of their functions is to supply cannabis to the closed circuit of members. The CSCs do not breach any international treaties. The aim of the paper is to present the findings of a qualitative study among Spanish CSCs in order to assess their potential for minimising the harm resulting from cannabis use (such as respiratory and mental health risks, the risk of dependence, and social risks). MethodA convenience sample of 11 CSCs was selected from four regions of Spain – the Basque country, Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and Galicia. 94 respondents took part in 14 focus groups (FGs). The number of participants in a FG ranged from two to 12. A semi-structured interview guide and a structured questionnaire were used in the FG. FindingsMembers described a variety of risk minimising features of the CSCs: the availability of a quality product and mechanisms for its control, availability of different strains of cannabis and knowledge about their different psychoactive effects, increased control over personal cannabis use, informal information sharing and interaction, reduced stigma, and reduced criminal risks. ConclusionsThe fact that the CSCs have no incentive to increase members’ consumption means that they should be considered to be feasible spaces for the implementation of public health policies. Policy objectives could include a requirement that CSC members have control over the quality of cannabis, that different strains of cannabis are available together with information on their effects, that quantity of cannabis at intake is restricted and planned for each member, and that harm minimisation activities are both formally and informally implemented in the clubs.

Small-Scale Cannabis Growers in Denmark and Finland

Aims: To compare domestic cannabis cultivation in Denmark and Finland to describe national characteristics in small-scale cannabis growing. Design: A Web survey conducted among small-scale cannabis growers in Denmark (June to November 2008) and Finland (May to June 2009). Participants: Current cannabis growers (Denmark, 401; Finland, 1,054). Measurements: Comparisons in regard to social background, growing history, practices, purposes and motives of growing, and perceptions of risks. Findings: Cannabis was cultivated primarily for own use, but sharing with friends and avoiding criminal circles also were significant motives for growing. Finnish growers prioritized indoor cultivation, whereas the Danes were more in favor of open-air plantations. Risks of getting caught by the police were observed to be greater in Finland. Growing for medical purposes was twice as prevalent in Finland as in Denmark. Conclusions: Cannabis growing is a stronger and more novel phenomenon in Finland than in Denmark, but both countries have been influenced by international trends. Finnish and Danish small-scale cannabis cultivators can be considered to be ideologically oriented lifestyle growers. Differences in the magnitude of the phenomenon may reflect differences in the availability and quality of cannabis in national drug markets. The Internet had promoted the spreading of the trend.