How the excessive pursuit of high THC content is harming cannabis culture

In recent years, cannabis consumption has become part of a global trend. More and more countries are allowing cultivation, medical use, and even recreational use. All of this has affected the market. The most important thing is the percentage of THC. If a variety has about 30% THC, it is considered a sign of quality. Such products are more expensive. However, this creates a distorted picture. After all, hemp contains dozens of other active substances. However, only one gets attention. It is similar to winemakers evaluating wine only by alcohol content. And the taste, aroma, and structure would not matter. The desire for high THC has shifted the focus from a holistic perception to a single element.

Cannabis is not only THC

Hemp contains dozens of compounds. The main ones are cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. The most famous of them is THC. But there are others: CBD, CBG, CBN. They do not have a pronounced psychoactive effect, but can have a therapeutic effect. It is thanks to them that cannabis helps with anxiety, insomnia, pain, inflammation.

Another group is terpenes, they give the smell: citrus, coniferous, fruity, diesel, etc. Terpenes interact with cannabinoids and change their effect. For example, linalool has a calming effect. And pinene can improve concentration.

When breeders focus only on THC, all these other substances lose their importance. Their content decreases. As a result, the effect becomes rough and monotonous. What is called the entourage effect disappears - when all the substances act together, reinforcing each other.

Genetic wealth under threat

To increase THC, breeders have been crossing plants with a high content of this substance for decades. They select several parent varieties and re-breed new lines. This practice allows you to quickly get the desired result. But genetic diversity is reduced. Most modern commercial varieties come from several hybrids. The market is based on a narrow genetic base. What are the risks? First, such plants become less resistant. They react worse to climate change. They are more often affected by pests and diseases. Second, selection loses flexibility. Third, cultural heritage disappears. Old varieties that were grown by generations of farmers in Asia, Africa or Latin America disappear from circulation.

Who is harmful to excessive THC

Many consumers are sure that the stronger the effect, the better. But this is not always the case. For beginners or sensitive people, products with high THC can be unpleasant, cause anxiety, dizziness, and rapid heartbeat. Such reactions occur more often when the variety has almost no CBD. After all, it is it that softens the effect of THC. Without it, the effect becomes sharp and heavy. People who use cannabis to relieve pain, reduce nausea or treat insomnia are not looking for a strong stone or high. They need a soft, controlled effect.

Growing for THC harms the environment

To obtain high THC, special growing conditions are required. These are greenhouses or closed rooms with controlled light, temperature and humidity. A large amount of electricity is spent on heating, cooling, ventilation.

Chemical preparations are also often used: growth stimulants, pesticides, fungicides. Without them, plants may not give the desired result. But these substances get into the soil and water. They harm insects, microorganisms, fish.

What can be changed today

To save cannabis culture, we need to change our approach. Key steps:

• supporting old varieties; not all of them are commercially profitable, but they are important for the gene bank; they can be crossed with modern hybrids to create new, more resistant plants;
• developing balanced varieties; selection should take into account not only THC, but also other cannabinoids: CBD, CBG, CBN; together they create a more comfortable effect;
• explanatory work; consumers need to understand that stronger is not always better;
• returning to outdoor cultivation reduces costs and harm to nature.

If you choose this path, cannabis will not only be powerful, but also safe, high-quality, sustainable and diverse. The future of cannabis is in balance, not in extremes.

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