Colorado Cannabis Potency is Rising

It’s been two years since Colorado has settled into cannabis legalization. With every passing month, the industry is improving its craft. Since the start of legalization in the state, a steady incline of THC percentages have been reported, and all signs point to a continued growth in THC levels for the future too.

“I think we’re the best industrial growers of cannabis in the world,” said Medicine Man Marijuana CEO Andy Williams, in an interview with CNN. Williams gave CNN an inside look into his business, offering an exclusive tour of the 12,000-square-foot facility. “While we don’t do genetic engineering here, we’re constantly looking for better genetics. That means good, big and fast. So, it’s been a constant evolution of our genetics over time,” Williams continued. Medicine Man Marijuana grows between 50-60 different strains, and a few strains vary from six percent THC to 28 percent.

Dr. Kari Franson of the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy commented on the cannabis growing business in the state. “It’s one product that’s fairly old-fashioned, compared to the hundreds that all these manufacturers and growers in Colorado are currently creating. They’re kind of creating a Frankenstein cannabis,” Franson said.

The constant mixing of different genetics is leading to the possibility of even higher THC percentage. Earlier in 2016, state legislators proposed an amendment to limit the potency of sold cannabis to 16 percent, however it didn’t gain enough support to become law. However, it will continue to be an important part of the cannabis industry to keep an eye on. One cannabis testing lab, Slatkin, recently reported testing a strain at an almost unheard of 32 percent THC.

With more potent cannabis comes more tolerant users too, and that’s where the Colorado cannabis industry is moving. The countless cannabis companies operating in the state are working to make the best strains for their customers, including both low and high THC products, “Having that range of products that has a great flavor, that has a great effect, that’s repeatable and consistent for our consumers is what our goal is,” Williams said.