How science and technology are helping to bring new and innovative cannabis products to market

In the last three decades, the cannabis industry has revolutionized drastically. It started with the legalization of medical marijuana in California in 1996. Later in 2012, states like Colorado and Washington also legalized the use of recreational marijuana. Now, more than half of the states have authorized the use of medical marijuana or recreational marijuana or both. More states are expected to follow soon.

Due to the increasing legalization of marijuana, the use of technology in the industry is becoming bolder and more relevant in production, sale, and consumption. Additionally, as more people are embracing the benefits of marijuana, more technology companies have been emerging nationwide. With the proliferation of technology, the cannabis industry is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Below are different ways in which technology is impacting the industry.

Technology in The Cultivation

Although marijuana has been found to provide a lot of benefits, there is lacking reliable information on how to grow the plant. Since cannabis was illegal for many years, cultivation was confined to smaller-scale operations and involved a lot of secrecy. However, the involvement of technology is becoming beneficial in the cultivation of the plant.

Recently, machine learning has been infiltrating into almost every aspect of human lives. One of the fascinating technologies in cannabis farming is virtual reality and artificial intelligence. The best part is that the technologies are affordable even to small home growers. Artificial intelligence is eliminating the hard part of maintaining the plant through an automated monitoring system. Sensors and cameras are used to monitor the pH levels, temperature and light to provide individualized care for each plant. AI technologies significantly reduce labor and therefore cut down cost. The grower is only required to plant the seed and will be notified when the plant is ready for harvesting.

Lab Testing Technologies

Initially, it was difficult to identify the various strain and composition of compounds in the cannabis plant. However, technology has provided tremendous assistance in cannabis testing, and consumers can make better purchasing decisions. In fact, improved testing is crucial in the production of medical marijuana to offer patients specific therapeutic effects. Although the testing requirements vary with different states, there are specific procedures that are common in the industry. For instance, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) has been the most widely used technique in testing the levels of CBD and THC, which are the two most common cannabinoids.

Unlike other industries, there are no specific guidelines and regulations on the testing methods of marijuana. This can lead to a lot of inconsistency in the potency data and composition of the cannabinoids. However, testing is crucial to ensure safety for the consumer.

Mobile Applications in The Cannabis Industry

Mobile apps are providing smartphone users with a lot of conveniences. Due to the rapid advancement of technology, applications are developed daily. There are several mobile applications that target cannabis users.

MassRoots is one of the most significant mobile apps in the cannabis industry. It is a social networking platform where users can share content, read the news, and interact. Recently, the platform has been gaining popularity at a rapid pace, and it is now estimated to have over a million users. Furthermore, various dispensaries have linked with the application to provide an enhanced experience to the users.

Green Bits is another application that is changing the marijuana industry. It is a point-of-sale (POS) software for marijuana retailers that provides an improved way of making and tracking sales. The application is cloud-based, making it easier to scan products, monitor the inventory, and track sales. Interestingly, it can be integrated with other cannabis applications such as Leafly and WeedMaps.