If the last couple of decades of exponential change are any indication, the modern world of cannabis is clearly at the forefront of technological innovation. With cannabis reform steadily becoming more normalized across the country, alongside increasing research and accessibility to knowledge surrounding the plant, it may not be surprising that we’ve witnessed so many advancements in such a short period of time.

As cannabinoids like THC and CBD — even an array of minor cannabinoids like CBG, CBC, THC-V, and more — are steadily making their way into the mainstream, we could very well be entering a new era where these compounds don’t need to come from cannabis or hemp plants at all. In fact, a number of pioneers are already traversing the world of biosynthetic cannabinoids and the many potential benefits they could offer. Of course, especially in the midst of a still budding industry, there are plenty of outstanding questions surrounding the emerging technology.

What Are Biosynthetic Cannabinoids?

Biosynthetic cannabinoids describe cannabinoids that are produced through other biological processes, rather than being extracted from cannabis or hemp plants. In brief, an array of hosts, like yeast or algae, for example, can be used instead, undergoing genetic manipulation to emulate the action of cannabinoid-producing trichomes of cannabis and hemp plants, and ultimately producing the same cannabinoids.

Synthetic biologists have explored this new avenue for cannabinoid production more heavily in the past five years, with numerous companies and start-ups emerging in an attempt to capitalize on the potential this emerging technology could offer. While the practice is still gaining momentum, it’s possible that synthetic cannabinoids will eventually be developed and scaled broadly enough for them to be considered a prominent alternative to standard extraction.

Potential Benefits Of Biosynthetic Cannabinoids

Looking at the processes behind other natural products, from flavors to fragrances to other medicines, biosynthetic chemistry often follows as a means to increase production efficiency and lower costs. Biosynthetic cannabinoids are no exception, as successful scaling allows for a much more bountiful cannabinoid harvest than possible from plants. Not only does it offer a more cost-effective avenue, cannabinoid biosynthesis could also produce the same amount of cannabinoids as a crop in a fraction of the full harvest time — effectively a much less labor-intensive process than managing a grow operation

The environmental implications are also worth noting, given that biosynthetic cannabinoids would not need the power or water that a cannabis and/or hemp harvest needs. While CBD and THC remain some of the most popular cannabinoids, biosynthesis may be a more viable option to create higher yields of minor cannabinoids that are harder to produce and regularly occur in very low concentrations through standard means. 

Especially looking at the changing nature of the cannabinoid consumer, many are turning toward tinctures, capsules, edibles, and topicals instead of flower, which could further open other doors for cannabinoid production without a need for the flower itself.

Are We Ready For Biosynthetic Cannabinoids?

While this technology is out there, flower remains king — for now. There’s no shortage of ambition surrounding biosynthetic cannabinoids and their potential, but it’s clear that this industry isn’t nearly as fast moving as other facets of cannabis have been in recent years. We saw the first inklings of this topic around 2018-2019 along with forecasts predicting an industry boom in years that have since passed. 

There are numerous studies showing the viability of the biosynthetic process, and in recent years a handful of companies announced their intent to explore the field, though cannabinoid biosynthesis remains fairly under the radar. Many of these industry benchmarks are already gathering dust, with few new indications on where the tech stands or other recent developments, although technically, this industry is already active. Companies like BayMedica and others manufacture bulk cannabinoids, which are sold by their distribution partners and can be purchased as tinctures, gummies, isolates, and more online.

Perhaps these products got lost in the dizzying hemp-derived cannabinoid industry that ballooned over the same time period, similarly offering easy-to-buy cannabinoids online with digital retail spaces that can look nearly identical to synthetic cannabinoid sellers. It’s no question that the standard cannabis consumer is changing, but the plant has always been paramount to the community. The recent shift in policy we’ve seen is a result of determined, passionate cannabis advocates, and among many of today’s long-time consumers, that community ethos is still alive. 

The desire to support growers, the historical and communal contexts that make cannabis culture so rich, and a simple reluctance to explore synthetic options over readily available natural options could easily explain why consumers aren’t racing to make the leap.

It’s hard to believe that we’ll ever witness a cannabinoid market without utilizing plants at all, though it’s likely that we will eventually witness a wider embrace of biosynthetic cannabinoids as reform and research continues to expand, along with the consumer demand for these products and the relief they can provide. But plant extracts still reign supreme, at least for now.

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