Israeli biotech company BioHarvest claims to have grown a compound that contains all the active ingredients of cannabis. It would be 12 times more potent and also a lot more environmentally friendly than growing normal plants.
The company announces the invention as a breakthrough that cannabis cheaper and more environmentally friendly, because it does not require nearly as much water or fertilizer. Ilan Sobel, CEO of BioHarvest: “We 'grow' them in huge bioreactors in just three weeks – while regular cannabis takes 14 to 23 weeks. Our technology can also significantly increase the levels of active ingredients, as a percentage by weight, compared to what is normally found in the plant.”
Composition of cannabis
“By adjusting specific conditions to which the cells are exposed, we can create different desired compositions of active ingredients, which means we can fine-tune the different cannabinoids [compounds],” Sobel told the Times of Israel.
It also requires no genetic modification and perfectly replicates all CBD, THC and minor cannabinoid compounds found in naturally grown weed. In addition, it takes a lot less water and 90 percent less space according to BioHarvest's calculations to produce the same amount compared to normal plants.
The company has applied for licenses to sell the product in the US and Israel for medical purposes. The question, of course, is whether the substance is approved and whether people actually want to try it. BioHarvest claims its substance can be smoked, taken in pill or drop form, or used in chewing gum. BioHarvest even plans to test its products in space, after partnering with retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield.
Source: futurism.com (EN)
