Cannabis, or marijuana, refers to a group of plants known collectively as the genus Cannabis. Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica are two of the most popular species cultivated for their psychoactive effects; Cannabis Ruderalis is another.
While the cannabinoid content, psychoactive properties, and agricultural background of these three species are all distinct from one another, they do share one thing in common: trichomes.
The word “trichome” originates from the Greek word for “hair,” so it’s no surprise that these structures resemble tiny tresses when viewed through a microscope. Trichomes accumulate cannabinoids such as CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and other compounds in all Cannabis species.
Cannabis Has a Greater Number.
As a dioecious plant, cannabis has a greater number of trichomes on its female plants. As a result, the cannabis plant’s female flowers are the ones typically collected for their ability to influence physiological processes. The sticky, pungent quality of dried cannabis is due to trichomes.
They help Cannabis plants before harvest by discouraging small herbivores from eating them due to the potent taste. Farmers can tell when their cannabis is ready to be harvested because the trichomes turn from clear to amber as the plant develops.
Trichomes have a variety of functions in other plants, including protecting the leaves from frost, retaining moisture, and attracting pollinators. Trichophores are found on the scale-like leaves of pineapples and the prickles of plants like stinging nettle, which injects irritants.
Cottrell argued that similar to over-the-counter and grocery store medications, it is important for patients to know exactly what they are taking. According to him, that’s ground zero for guiding patients toward the right marijuana strain and dose.
Patients with a weakened immune system are particularly vulnerable to the side effects of the medication, he warned. Patients can’t see mould and micro toxins unless they “have a microscope and know what they’re looking for,” so it’s imperative that we test only mould- and toxin-free samples. When he discovers mould or pesticides, Cottrell informs his clients, who can decide to distribute the pot or destroy it.
Read More: Medical Cannabis for Arthritis: The Facts About Cannabis Oil (medical Marijuana)!
The Testing Results.
The testing results would determine whether he was “the most hated man in the industry” or “the most loved man in the industry,” he joked. There is no requirement for pesticide or fertiliser testing in Arizona dispensaries, but there is a requirement that they list the chemicals they use in their cultivation processes. According to the state health director who oversees the medical marijuana programme, citizens urged officials not to require testing during the rule-making process because they feared it would drive up medicine prices.
When asked if testing should be mandatory in Arizona, the director of the state’s Department of Health Services, Will Humble, responded through a spokeswoman that it is up to individual consumers to decide whether or not they prefer to purchase cannabis from dispensaries that perform such tests. Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia now have legal medical marijuana programmes. Even though most states don’t mandate testing, one national expert predicted that more states would follow the lead of mandated testing states like Massachusetts and Illinois.
A representative for the cannabis industry, Betty Aldworth, stated, “even if it’s not required, it tends to be sort of a standard.” In response to Aldworth’s argument that pharmacists can educate patients about the active ingredients in pain relievers, Aldworth asks, “Why is medical marijuana any different?” She explained that “we have an expectation that we are doing it with known quantities,” especially when dealing with a chronic condition.
The Purchase Are Free of Harmful Substances.
“It’s the same for marijuana used for medical purposes. The public has a right to know that the medications they purchase are free of harmful substances, especially those who have compromised immune systems due to chronic illness.” This is the core belief of Cottrell’s system. In Colorado, his family ran a medical and dental laboratory for biological monitoring. After losing his 11-year-old son to lymphoblastic Burkitt’s leukaemia, he began considering opening a medical marijuana testing business. According to Cottrell, his son Kindahl was diagnosed in 2001 and passed away that same year.
“I started looking into things that hurt cancer, and things that kill cancer,” Cottrell said. “Additionally, I discovered that cannabis was helping patients and reducing many of the factors that had contributed to my son’s demise. Because the chemotherapy was so powerful, my son was unable to eat, and his immune system quickly collapsed.”
Arizona finally approved medical marijuana in 2016. With the help of his savings, Cottrell opened his own company. He started going to medical marijuana conventions, where he could talk with advocates, hear from patients, and share information with caregivers.
Dispensaries were initially enthusiastic about participating in the state’s programme, but the ongoing legal and political battles made them wary of getting involved for fear that the programme would be shut down.
Read More: Â Enlighten Cannabis: Marijuana Industry Is Getting Smarter Because to Enlighten!
His Fees Range from $40 to $80.
Cottrell, however, opened his first lab in the closet of a friend’s Tempe, Arizona, business in 2011. Cottrell was able to expand his customer base as public opinion of the medical marijuana sector improved. More than a year ago, he relocated his company to Phoenix.
The two of them are still not getting paid, he said. His regular income from his full-time job covers all of his expenses. His fees range from $40 to $80, depending on the kind of analysis his customers need. He claims that testing about 1 gramme for every 2 to 3 pounds grown from individual strains is an adequate representation.