The world is evolving at litespeed. With this evolution has come the emergence of new technologies. Everyday a new gadget hits the market, sparking our inherent human desire for more. This desire inevitably leads to new jobs being created, new products being manufactured, and even new industries expanding and prospering. An example of such an industry can be found in none other than the budding cannabis space.
The cannabis market is projected to reach sales in the eleven-digit range within the next few years. This can be attributed to many different factors, but one key factor revolves around the disruptive technologies within the space. From various products being easily accessible and sold online, such as vapes or CBD gummies for sale, to the types of products being sold, everything from vapes, topicals, edibles, tinctures, capsules, and creams, there is no shortage of innovation occurring at all corners of the cannabis industry. Let’s take a closer look at the technologies taking the cannabis industry by storm.
Vaping
Similar to the tobacco industry, vaping has taken over the cannabis industry. But what is vaping, exactly? And how does it work? Vaping is the act of heating cannabis without combustion. Vaping enables consumers to inhale a form of mist (vapor), which many people believe is a safer alternative to smoking cannabis flower. Smoking cannabis flower can be irritating to the lungs. Vaping alleviates the irritation due to how thin vapor particles are.
Another interesting tidbit about vaping cannabis is the odor. Smoking cannabis flower is extremely pungent and can be smelled from very far away. It’s also worth noting that cannabis flower has a strong odor in its natural state. On the contrary, vapes use cannabis oil instead of cannabis flower, which doesn’t have as potent of a smell.
Also, since cannabis vapes emit vapor, once exhaled, the smell isn’t nearly as intense smelling as exhaling cannabis flower. Cannabis vapes are a great way to try cannabis if you’ve never indulged before. They’re also a great gift for those looking for an exciting, out of the box present. Overall, cannabis vapes provide cannabis consumers with a lighter-on-the-lungs smoking experience that isn’t as aromatic as smoking cannabis flower.
Topicals
Topicals are cannabis-infused lotions, balms, and oils. These products are applied on the skin and absorbed for pain relief, soreness, and inflammation. One draw to cannabis topicals is they’re non-intoxicating. Go ahead and tell Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa – tell the whole family! Not only are topicals appealing to inexperienced cannabis users, but also patients who want the therapeutic benefits of cannabis without the intoxicating effects. But what’s so high-tech about cannabis topicals? The intricacies of how they work is where the technology lies. Cannabis topicals work by binding to cannabinoid receptors. These receptors are found throughout the body. What makes this so interesting is that the cannabis doesn’t breach the bloodstream, which explains why topicals don’t cause intoxication. Topicals may look like the standard lotion or balm, but there’s much more going on than the eye can see.
Track-and-Trace
There are many business practices that successful cannabis businesses are implementing, including improving employee management, but there are also unique practices that are specific to the cannabis industry. One of these practices is called Track-and-Trace. When lawmakers envisioned the legal sale of cannabis, they wanted a system in place to track plants and products. There are several Track-and-Trace systems out there, all of which have the same goal: to track cannabis products across the entire supply chain. Track-and-Trace software is a distinct database in which cannabis businesses must record milestones in the lives of their growing plants, and when they transfer plants or products between businesses. Imagine this: you’re at the grocery store. You pick up a tomato and wonder, “what kind of journey has this tomato been on? Where did it come from? How do I know what soil, fertilizer, climate, or whatever else was used to grow it?” Providing answers to questions like these is exactly the goal of Track-and-Trace. The cannabis industry prioritizes its customers and its products with a technological system like Track-and-Trace. Not only does track-and-trace ensure cannabis consumers that their cannabis products are legitimate, but it also filters out low quality cannabis products from reaching consumers in the first place.
Looking Into the Future
The cannabis industry is growing by leaps and bounds in front of our very eyes. While this transformation is occurring in real time, expect to see a number of technological advances in the coming years. New technologies are already reshaping the industry, or are on the verge of doing so. Cannabis products like vapes and topicals are developing robust consumer bases due to their innovation, while cannabis software like Track-and-Trace is maintaining the integrity of the cannabis industry and filtering out bad actors. Cannabis technologies and processes will continue to be filtered out, but there is still room for more disruption. Strap on your seat belts, folks, this industry is going on one bumpy ride!
