JANUARY 2020 95
CANNABIS
COUSINS
Put simply, mari-
juana and hemp
are cousins in the
cannabis family. The
primary difference
is that marijuana
contains more tetra-
hydrocannabinol,
or THC, which has
psychoactive effects
on the human brain.
Hemp, on the other
hand, has extremely
low levels of THC
(0.3% or less) and
is nonintoxicating.
Both contain scores
of cannabinoids
(including canna-
bidiol, or CBD) and
terpenes, which are
aromatic chemical
compounds that
many believe can
aid relaxation, cause
changes in mood,
and decrease inflam-
mation. Most CBD
on the market is
derived from hemp
and has no psycho-
active effects.
140
%
Increase in first-
time cannabis
consumers thanks
to adult use
legalization
43
The average age
of an edibles
consumer
25
%
Increase in
baby boomers
among cannabis
consumers
92
%
Total growth
in number of
women cannabis
consumers from
2017 to 2018
WH O
USES?
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Without guidelines from the FDA (which is still exploring how to regulate CBD),
it’s critical that consumers do their homework before purchasing CBD products.
Ashlae Warner of SuperGood, a CBD company based in Denver, recommends
going to a company’s website and looking for the Certificate of Analysis (COA),
or third-party testing results that show the quantity of cannabinoids in the prod-
uct. If the company won’t share one, move on. When it comes to THC edibles,
states where recreational marijuana is legal, including California, Colorado,
Massachusetts, and Nevada, require testing for potency and contaminants by a
third-party laboratory—but standards vary. A good sign that the product you’re
considering is legit? Prominent dosing information and testing by an accredited
lab right where you can see it: on the label or on the website.
WHERE IS IT LEGAL?
Currently, 10 states have legalized recreational marijuana, plus Washington, D.C., and
Guam. On January 1, 2020, marijuana use will become fully legal for adults in Illinois.
SOURCE: BDS ANALYTICS AND EAZE 2018 STATE OF CANNABIS REPORT
FULLY LEGAL MEDICAL USE OK ILLEGAL
PHOTOGRAPHY: (P. 92 AND OPPOSITE) STEFEN ROSS. MAP: WINSLOW TAFT
