Cannabis

Cannabis Industry

The cannabis sector encompasses an array of businesses involved in the manufacture and sale of cannabis-derived products. This includes enterprises ranging from cultivators and processors to retailers, technology firms, and manufacturers. With the legalization of recreational marijuana use in several states, the sector has seen heightened popularity, leading to an influx of investment and fostering industry innovation.

Assortment of Cannabis Products

A myriad of products is produced within the cannabis industry. These comprise flower—the dried, cured buds of the cannabis plant; concentrates—extracted oil products with higher cannabinoid content; edibles—food and beverages infused with cannabis; topicals—creams and salves that incorporate cannabis; and vaporizers—devices designed for cannabis inhalation. The industry also caters to a range of other product categories, including tinctures and capsules.

Businesses Within the Cannabis Sector

The cannabis sector is composed of numerous businesses—cultivators, processors, retailers, technology firms, and manufacturers. Cultivators are tasked with growing cannabis plants, which they supply to processors. The processors then extract oils from these plants to create concentrates and a host of other products. Retailers make these products available to consumers via dispensaries or online platforms. Companies focused on technology provide software and other services specific to the industry, while manufacturers take care of hardware and packaging production.

Investment in the Cannabis Sector

Recent years have seen the cannabis sector attracting substantial investment as more states move to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. This surge in capital has fostered increased innovation within the industry and allowed for more expansive growth.

Terms and Definitions

A type of flowering plant in the Cannabaceae family. It has been used for both recreational and medicinal purposes due to its psychoactive properties, which are primarily derived from a compound called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

A chemical compound found in cannabis that is responsible for the plant's psychoactive effects. When consumed, THC interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the brain, inducing the feelings of euphoria often associated with cannabis use.

A class of diverse chemical compounds that act on the cannabinoid receptors in cells. Through this interaction, they alter neurotransmitter release in the brain. Cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, are naturally occurring in the cannabis plant.

A type of cannabinoid found in cannabis. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce a state of euphoria or a "high." It is often used for its potential health benefits, such as reducing anxiety and alleviating pain.

A complex cell-signalling system in the human body that plays a part in regulating a range of functions and processes such as sleep, mood, appetite, and memory. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD interact with this system when cannabis is consumed.

The two primary species of the cannabis plant. Indica plants are typically shorter with broad leaves, and are known for their relaxing effects. Sativa plants are taller with thin leaves, and are known for producing more stimulating, energizing effects.

A variety of the Cannabis Sativa plant species that is grown primarily for the industrial uses of its derived products. It has low levels of THC and high levels of CBD. It is used to make a variety of commercial and industrial products including rope, textiles, and biofuel.

Specific varieties of the cannabis plant, which include pure breeds and hybrid varieties, created through selective breeding. Strains are often categorized by their content and ratios of THC and CBD.

The use of the cannabis plant or its chemical compounds for the treatment of diseases or conditions. The two primary cannabinoids used in medicine are THC and CBD.

The use of cannabis to induce a state of euphoria, often referred to as a "high." Recreational use is often associated with relaxation, increased creativity, and altered sensory perception. Despite legalisation in some areas, recreational cannabis use may carry certain health and societal risks, such as addiction and cognitive impairment.
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