CBD Was Only the Beginning
For years, CBD dominated the conversation surrounding legal commercial hemp products.
CBD oils appeared everywhere.
Then came balms, capsules, gummies, cosmetics and increasingly sophisticated formulations.
But cannabinoid science didn't stop with CBD.
The industry is now discussing a much broader collection of compounds, including CBG, CBN, THCA, THCP, HHCP and commercially marketed formulations using names such as THCX.
So where does everything go from here?
Expect More Cannabinoid Research
Cannabis is chemically complex.
As analytical techniques improve, researchers are able to examine individual cannabinoids and related compounds in greater detail.
However, scientific interest shouldn't be confused with established medical evidence.
That's an important distinction.
The future of the industry needs better research — not bigger unsupported promises.
Expect Better Testing
Customers are becoming more sophisticated too.
Writing "lab tested" on a package increasingly isn't enough.
People want to know:
Who tested it?
What was tested?
Which batch?
Which cannabinoids were measured?
What contaminants were included in the analytical panel?
Does the documentation actually correspond with the product being sold?
We think that's a positive development.
Expect Regulation to Keep Changing
Regulation will continue developing alongside the market.
The UK's response to emerging cannabinoids demonstrates this already. Government consideration of THCA and semi-synthetic cannabinoids means businesses need to keep checking current legislation rather than relying on something written several years ago.
For CBD foods, the novel-food regime remains another important regulatory layer.
Businesses operating professionally in this space therefore need to accept something:
Compliance isn't a one-time job.
It needs continual review.
The Future Isn't Just About Cannabinoids
The broader hemp story shouldn't be forgotten either.
Hemp has applications extending far beyond cannabinoid products, including food, fibres and other industrial uses.
We want our content to explore that wider world too.
Where Does New Amsterdam Fit?
Right in the middle of it.
We want to stock quality established brands.
We want to develop New Amsterdam's own products.
We want to grow our educational library.
We want to develop our involvement with the CBD Ambassador community.
And we want to keep watching where this industry goes next.
The future of hemp won't stand still.
Neither will New Amsterdam.
Follow our journey at New Amsterdam CBD.