Cannabinoids occur mostly in the plant resin that’s produced by the structures known as trichomes. Trichomes help protect cannabis from insects, animals, fungi, light contaminators and other environmental attackers. The sticky resin is also rich in terpenes, which are responsible for the plant’s smell, taste and therapeutic effects.

To help influence your plant’s cannabinoid profile, the best method is to select a seed whose genes have the potential to produce the potency you desire. For example, if you live in the mountains, you may select a seed that was specially bred for high-altitude growth. But you may also influence how much resin a plant produces through its micronutrients, temperature exposure, humidity levels, harvest methods and water quality.

As laws continue to change in the U.S., the need for standardized and consistent potency testing is necessary to keep consumers safe from unwanted side effects. For hemp, potency testing is required to prove that it contains less than the maximum limit of THC (0.3%).

Potency testing also allows scientists to research how cannabinoids may work differently based on whether they are contained in flower, oils or topicals. This type of research can enhance the ability to market your product to the targeted customer that could benefit from its effects the most.

It’s also important to understand your product’s potency to meet market demand for high THC or CBD levels. You can also utilize potency results to educate your customers with information they need to determine the proper dose for their specific symptoms. When a product’s cannabinoid profile is transparent and documented, customers can work with their dispensary professional to find the best strain for them.

For example, cannabinoids interact with the body’s ECS by connecting to various endocannabinoid receptors that are present in the brain (known as CB-1 receptors) and throughout the body (CB-2 receptors). Depending on which CB receptor the cannabinoid attaches to, the effects on the body can be significantly different, which can be important if you’re considering a cannabis strain that is needed for pain relief, for instance, as opposed to mood regulation. Cannabis plants can produce anywhere between 80-100 different types of cannabinoids that synergize to make up the therapeutic and cognitive effects of the strain. The two most in-demand cannabinoids are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), but other compounds such as cannabinol (CBN) are also starting to emerge. Customers understand these compounds at a basic level and expect to see potency levels that match their desired effects.