Water into wine? That’s old news. How about sugar into weed? Did you know that that you can turn sugar into cannabis? As perplexing as it might sound, it is possible. Here’s what you need to know.
Understanding cannabinoids
Recently, cannabis researchers have been using yeast to make THC successfully in laboratories. Delta-9 TetraHydroCannabinol, more commonly known as THC, is the cannabinoid responsible for producing the psychoactive effects of cannabis we all know and love. Additionally, CBD can make in the labs. CBD is another one of the many discovered cannabinoids within cannabis. CBD is the catalyst that yields the medicinal and non-psychoactive effects attributed to medical marijuana. Believe it or not, all of this is done with the help of brewer’s yeast and modified yeast.
The relationship between THC, CBD, and yeast
Now that you know professionals use yeast to make THC and CBD in labs, it is time to learn how it is done. Scientists are using brewer’s yeast or modified yeast to craft THC and CBD, respectively. Thanks to the enzymes within the yeast, the byproduct creates a cannabinoid known as CBGA. This cannabinoid is the core cannabinoid thanks to its shape-shifting properties. Cannabigerol, or CBG, is a cannabinoid that can be molded (yeast pun unintentional) into one of three other cannabinoids: CBGA, CBDA, or THCA. These cannabinoids are the acidic variants of their respective namesakes.
When using yeast to make THC, the cannabinoid CBGA is converted into TetraHydrocannabinolic Acid or THCA. This cannabinoid can be converted into the more commonly-known THC with a small amount of heat. When using yeast to craft CBD, the process is not that different. Yeast-made CBGA can make CBDA, the cannabinolic acid version of CBD, with the proper heat.
Evaluating synthetic cannabinoids
The world is growing more socially aware and health-conscious with each new day. This means the majority of the typical consumer concerns themselves with factors such as the process, origin, and overall health concerns associated with products and ingestible. Buzz words such as ‘non-GMO,’ ‘vegan,’ ‘organic,’ ‘cage-free,’ and ‘toxic’ play a huge role in evaluating products. Cannabis is no different.
With consumers learning that cannabinoids such as THC and CBD can be crafted in labs with the help of brewer’s yeast and modified yeast, concerns tend to rise (pun intended.) Consumers are worried that this process has not been researched enough. Moreover, the cannabis community could fear that legal markets will avoid using ‘natural’ cannabinoids and begin mass-producing these ‘synthetic’ cannabinoids. Juxtaposed, when exploring the reason for using yeast to make THC and CBD, there might not be any fear at all.
Reviewing yeast-based cannabinoids
With the political landscape of medicinal and recreational cannabis advancing with every new legislative session across the globe, the typical consumer most likely has one concern: “Why?” What is the purpose of using yeast to make THC and CBD when other forms of cannabinoids are naturally accessible? The short answer is “because we can.” The extensive version is a bit more philosophical. The reason scientists, brewers, and other craftswomen and craftsmen are partaking in the creation of cannabinoids with the use of modified yeast and brewer’s yeast is because it is genetic. We, as a species, are perpetually seeking advancements in technology, schools of thought, employment, and virtually all other everyday happenings in life.
Moreover, once we have explored the epistemology of using yeast to make THC and CBD, it is time to apply. Suppose a higher power can craft water into wine, and man can make a fire while discovering life-changing forms of agriculture and technology. In that case, the ability to create recreational and medicinal cannabinoids will be thoroughly explored simply because ‘we can.’