The Cannabis Industry in the United States by Brett Eliasz, PE, Bergmann I’m still wondering what it would be like to walk in a store today and buy products from a Cannabis Plant, or of course, just go and look. I’m also wondering what the future holds for the general population. It was illegal back in the 60’s and 70’s, however, nobody seemed to care if it was being used according to a select few baby boomers I have spoken with. It seemed, during my younger years anyways (90s and 00s) that it was classified as a gateway drug, easy to get a hold of, minimal effects but penalties were much stricter. Now look at today where some states have legalized medicinal use as well as recreational use! The intent of this article is to brush up on some facts about the Cannabis Industry. It seems like a good time as this Industry has really taken off over the past few years. No, this is not a “Scratch and Sniff” article and free samples won’t fall out of the magazine, but hopefully I can retain your attention.
Definitions and slang terms: “Pot” and “Weed” and “Whacky-tobacky” are some popular slang terms. THC (Tetrahydorcannabinol) is the main ingredient in Cannabis which causes the “high.” Marijuana is the term given to the leaves and flowers of the Cannabis plant. Also, typically referred to as a “drug” plant and grown to solely deliver high amounts of THC. Cannabis is the official scientific name of the plant. It includes both hemp and marijuana plants. Hemp is the term given to the stems, stalks and seeds and roots of the Cannabis plant. Typically grown for the purpose of making hemp and CBD oils due to its low THC content. CBD is found throughout all parts of a Cannabis plant but typically derived from hemp plants since marijuana plants are used for their high THC content.
Concentrations of THC per product type: Anything greater than .3% is considered to have a psychoactive effect on the user. Marijuana strains are usually between the 5% and 35% THC. Hemp strains are always less than .3%. CBD oil is always less than .3% It is important to note that Marijuana plants or “drug plants” are mostly female that contain the flowers which contain the most THC. Hemp plants look like female plants minus the flowers or “buds” and they are used to derive hemp and CBD oils due to their low (<.3%) THC content. The photo to the right represents a “bud” which is used to obtain high amounts of THC content as well as insulation material made from hemp. As more states legalize marijuana for recreational use, mfg. companies are 12 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2020
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