The CBC reports on research published at Plos One: Prof. Jörg Bohlmann and a team of researchers at the University of British Columbia have found 30 genes within the cannabis genome that determine the aroma and flavour of the plant.
The findings are the first step toward creating flavour standards that can be replicated. With Canada on the cusp of legalizing pot, Bohlmann said "standards could be created that follow the wine industry, where the types of grapes and effects of climate and terrain on the crop's flavour produce specific and replicable varieties of wine."
Of course this now opens the door to multinationals taking control of the pot industry, introducing GMO strains, and driving the craft industry out of business.
(Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Monday April 03 2017, @04:47PM (4 children)
We don't need no stinking standards because guess what, we already have them.
If you think about it, the current marijuana trade is actually an excellent example of a properly functioning free market. There is plenty of competition between dealers and growers to deliver the best product. When I want sour diesel or OG kush I know I'm going to get what I want because if that dealer sells me otherwise, them I'm taking my business elsewhere. Same would go for a grower trying to sell low quality crap as higher end strains. Experienced smokers will immediatly know when they get garbage. If a dealer sold tainted garbage and says otherwise, then they are deceptive and will soon find themselves out of business. Free market FTW!
So after all these years and the free market finding its own way, a good one where when you ask for quality you get it, you think we need the government and big business to step in?
(Score: 1) by khallow on Tuesday April 04 2017, @05:14AM (3 children)
(Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Tuesday April 04 2017, @12:42PM (1 child)
Does the government tell:
Phillip Morris what their Marlboro should taste like or name it?
Lays how a bag of BBQ chips should taste like or name it?
Sam Adams what a bottle of Lager should taste like or name it?
No.
So why are we arguing what a brand name bag of weed should taste like or get you high? It's nothing more than government overreach and corporations laying the foundation for taking over the market. And there should be no way a corp should ever be able to trademark any pre-existing strain or hybrid names.
You want regulation? Fine. List the ingredients which is "Marijuana" And perhaps a THC and the cannabinoid percentages like they list vitamin and nutrient contents. End of regulation. I would be fine with that.
(Score: 1) by khallow on Tuesday April 04 2017, @02:39PM
But having said that, establishing standards is a relatively lightweight application of government. It gets heavily when we're regulated to follow those standards, particularly when they are vague, inconsistent, conflicting, and established without regard for the cost to the subjects of the standard or to society.
(Score: 2) by urza9814 on Tuesday April 04 2017, @02:09PM
Just because it's a national brand doesn't mean you know what you're getting. [politico.com]
The fact that it's sold legally in the open is what provides the protection and standardization. Whether it's produced by a major corporation or some guy down the street doesn't matter so much. In fact, assuming sufficient regulation/testing, I'd probably trust the stuff from the guy down the street more. He's not trying to shave off every last cent from a national production chain, and he probably doesn't have the equipment to be screwing around with additives and such, he's just gonna cut/dry/roll.