If you are a medical cannabis patient, have you ever wondered how the products you use make it to retail pharmacy shelves? The process is likely more complicated than you know. It is governed by multiple layers of rules, regulations, and licensing. You enjoy access to the products you need because everyone along the supply chain contributes something unique.
Medical cannabis is regulated at the state level. Therefore, the process of getting cannabis from seed to shelf can differ dramatically from one state to the next. This post will offer a general description of how it all works. Note that the details in your state might differ.
Step #1: Licensing
The first step in any state choosing to approve medical cannabis is licensing. I will use Utah as an example. The Beehive State licenses four different types of cannabis businesses: cultivation, processing, inspection, and retail. Retell licenses go to approved medical cannabis pharmacies like Salt Lake City’s BeehiveFarmacy.com
States often determine license types and limits before implementing medical cannabis programs. All the licenses need to be in place before any real work can begin. Most states also establish strict criteria regarding who can apply for a license.
Step #2: Cultivation
Next up is cultivation. Licensed growers set up their operations and begin cultivating plants. Interestingly, it is rare for cultivators to start with wild seeds. Most start by buying plants and then using those plants to cultivate new ones.
Growers need to demonstrate expertise in both agriculture and pharmaceutical practices to obtain a license. They must also follow strict rules to keep those licenses. The rules include maintaining standards for THC content, plant purity, and plant safety.
Step #3: Processing and Production
Harvested plant material is sent to operators at the next stage of the chain. These are processors licensed to transform harvested cannabis into medical cannabis products. There are two models through which this is done:
- Raw Flower – Some of the plant material is preserved as raw flower. The flower is cleaned, inspected, and then individually packaged in whatever small amounts state law allows. Packages are labeled and then prepared for shipment.
- THC Products – The majority of plant material isn’t packaged is raw flower. Rather, it undergoes a process whereby THC is extracted from it. Then, the THC is used to make vapes, tinctures, edibles, and topical applications.
Getting back to the raw flower, the states do not allow medical cannabis users to smoke plant material. Raw flower can be dry heated in specialized vaporizers or added to patient recipes at home.
Step #4: Inspection
Inspection is listed as the fourth step despite the fact that it happens many times throughout the process. Regardless, products must undergo state-mandated inspection before they can be shipped to retailers. Products are tested for purity, safety, and THC content.
Many states also test hemp plants for THC content before harvest. Any plant containing more than 0.3% THC by volume is considered marijuana rather than hemp. A hemp grower would be forced to destroy the crop if that were the case.
Step #5: Retail Sales
Products shown through testing to meet regulatory standards are then shipped to retail pharmacies for sale. The pharmacies stock their shelves in anticipation of meeting customer demands. And finally, the pharmacy dispenses the medicines to its customers.
Now you know how medical cannabis gets from seed to sale. It is all pretty complex when you dig into the details. Hopefully, this overview has given you a new appreciation for what it takes to ensure you have access to the medicines you need.