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Cannabis Potency Through Time

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Estimated reading time: 9 minutes


Introduction

1970 cannabis vs. 2023 cannabis – A world of difference!

They came in kilo bricks. By boat, in trucks, and in cargo planes, pounds of dried-up flakes and pieces of plants; worked their way up from Colombia to be distributed and sold throughout the world. Cannabis has been a part of some cultures since day one. Cannabis today is certainly not what it used to be. Not only has the industry changed, but so have the plant’s potency and general appearance.

Cannabis potency

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So, what exactly were those free-spirits smoking in the 1970s? Cannabis was named a class 1 drug in 1970. The Natural Center for Natural Projects Research (NCNPR) at the University of Mississippi has been testing cannabis samples confiscated in U.S. cannabis raids. In agreement with popular belief, today’s cannabis is 57-67% more potent when compared to samples from the 1970s. Here, potency is measured by the levels of psychoactive cannabinoids (THC) present in individual plant samples. The reasoning behind this massive increase in potency is quite complicated.

Beginning in the 1970s, the majority of cannabis consumed for recreational use was imported illegally from source countries. In the 1970s, around 72% of cannabis in circulation was brought into various countries. Rather than produced on the home front. Of that 72%, between 50 and 60% was brought in from Colombia. Between growing time, transportation, and distribution, the cannabis found in the 1970s was on average much older due to the time it took to get from farm to consumer.

Knowledge about Cannabis potency

An increase in general knowledge about cannabis has also had a huge effect on the quality of the usable product. Back in the ’70s, much of the cannabis brought in was a mixture of leaves, stems, flowers, and hodgepodge pieces of the plant. Very little of the mass-produced product was actually the feminized flower (sensilla). This means that when people used cannabis, they were not using the plant parts high in , the most well-known compound in cannabis that produces psychoactive effects.

It wasn’t until the “growing without soil “systems became widespread in the 1980s that cannabis imports slowed and there was a jump in the potency of the average sample. This new technology allowed more people to grow discretely right in their own backyards (or, more likely, their basements), which resulted in fresher cannabis closer to home. This new ability to produce cannabis on a local level meant the beginning of the boom in higher quality strains developed with specific properties.


Cannabis potency – The next phase

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Another big jump in potency occurred in the early 2000s. While brick cannabis was popular throughout the 1990s, the imported product was out of favour by 2010. In 2000, 3.2% of sampled cannabis came from sensilla, yet by 2010 sensilla became normal, representing a whopping 60% of seized samples. As more cannabis was being produced, there was an opportunity for research and observation.

In perhaps one of the most revolutionary moments in cannabis culture, industry members distinguished the sensilla as the best source of cannabinoids in the plant. Now, just a few years later, the potency of cannabis continues to increase as the industry becomes more high-tech than ever.  The amount of THC in cannabis has increased dramatically in recent decades. In the mid-1990s, the average THC content of confiscated weed was roughly 4 percent. By 2014, it was about 12 percent, with a few strains of pot containing THC levels as high as 37 percent.


Cannabis potency – limits and boundaries

After all of these statistics, there are a few questions that need to be asked. How much more potent can cannabis get? Each month, more and more countries legalize cannabis for medicinal use.

The rush to legalization is a step toward turning reality into a safe policy. Yet, as technology continues to advance and strains become more specialized (bred specifically for potency and targeting for medicinal effects), the potential for turning cannabis into a different plant altogether only increases. Are these increases in potency a hopeful sign for the medical cannabis industry? or do they suggest that cannabis is going down a different pharmacological route? Right now, the future of cannabis seems wide open and we have an exciting future in the world of healing naturally.

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A trip through time

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Looking at how the potency of cannabis has changed over time and how that has affected how people use it today

In the past few years, there has been a big rise in the popularity and acceptance of the cannabis business. Since cannabis is now allowed in many countries and states, more people can get their hands on this useful plant. As the number of people who want to buy cannabis goods grows, so does interest in how strong it is. This piece looks at the interesting history of how potent cannabis has become over time. It shows how potency has changed and shaped the modern cannabis scene.

How Cannabis Got to Be So Strong

Cannabis was grown and used in different ways by different old civilizations thousands of years ago. But there wasn’t as much focus on how well something worked as there is now. The most important things about the plant were its fibres for making clothes and its seeds for food and oil.

Finding Your Own Strength

As people learned more about cannabis, they also became more aware of its medical uses. Ancient societies, like those in China and India, used cannabis for its healing properties. During this time, people started to pay more attention to how strong the weed was and look into the plant’s psychoactive and healing properties.

The rise of modern ways to grow plants

With the improvement of farming techniques and scientific understanding, it has become much easier to grow cannabis with the qualities that people want, such as potency. Growers started breeding plants to improve certain traits, which led to the development of more powerful breeds.

The Rise of Cannabis

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Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of the most well-known substances in cannabis, is what makes it make people feel high. During the 20th century, scientists tried to figure out what chemicals were in cannabis. This led to the finding and isolation of THC. This discovery led to more research into THC-rich types, which gave people access to even stronger marijuana.

The Age of Mixing and Matching

Hybridization techniques have changed the cannabis business a lot in the last few decades. Growers can make hybrids with unique effects, flavours, and levels of potency by crossing two or more strains. This process of crossing different kinds of cannabis has led to a huge rise in the variety and potency of cannabis.

Learn about THC and CBD potency

(CBD) has got a lot of attention for its promise as a medicine. THC is still the main focus when it comes to how strong recreational cannabis is. CBD could be good for your health in a number of ways. However, it doesn’t get you high like THC does. People who want medicinal relief without the euphoric high have developed strains that are high in CBD.

How it affects what people buy

The way people use cannabis has been changed by the way its strength has changed over time. In the past, people usually smoked cannabis. However, as its strength has grown, new ways to use it have become possible. Today, people can choose from a wide range of products, such as edibles, tinctures, topicals, and concentrates. Each of these products has a different level of potency to fit the tastes and needs of each person.

The Future of How Strong Cannabis Is

As long as the cannabis business keeps growing, we can expect to see more improvements in growing methods and scientific research. Breeders will probably keep making new types that are stronger and have more . Also, current research into how different cannabinoids and work together may give us important information about how to make cannabis more potent and useful as a medicine.

Conclusion – Cannabis Potency through time

The journey of cannabis potency shows how the cannabis plant and its connection with people are always changing. From its low beginnings to today, the potency of cannabis has gone through a huge change that has changed how we see and use this plant. As we move forward, it’s important to keep looking into the possible benefits and risks of powerful


FAQ – Potency of Cannabis through time

What’s the difference between 1970s cannabis and modern cannabis?

The biggest differences are in potency and appearance. Today’s cannabis is significantly more potent, often 57-67% more, compared to the 1970s. This change is attributed to advances in cultivation techniques and a deeper understanding of the plant, leading to higher levels of THC.

Why has cannabis potency increased over time?

Potency has increased due to improvements in growing techniques, a shift towards cultivating THC-rich parts of the plant like the sensilla, and selective breeding for specific traits.

How has the legal status of cannabis changed over the years?

From being named a class 1 drug in 1970, there has been a significant shift towards legalization for medicinal and recreational use in many countries. This change has spurred research, innovation, and acceptance of cannabis, influencing both its potency and how it is consumed.

What role does THC play in the potency of cannabis?

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive component of cannabis that produces the “high.” Over the years, the focus has been on increasing THC levels in cannabis strains, leading to the development of plants with much higher THC content than in the past.


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