Medical Cannabis plant basics

If you’re looking to understand how Lyphe Clinic’s medical cannabis treatment may be able to help you, you may want to know a little bit more about where it comes from too. In this article, we lay out some of the basics of the cannabis plant and how it is grown.

Cannabis plant species use for medical cannabis.

The predominant two species of plant, and likely the only two plants you will encounter in the medical cannabis market are Sativa and Indica, although the two have been crossbred so extensively, they are all hybridised plants at this point, with a slight lean towards one or the other dominance.

What are the differences between an Indica or Sativa cannabis plant?

It is possible to identify a Sativa or Indica plant by sight. The Sativa plant, originating from Central Asia, tends can grow as high as 15 feet tall with long, pointed leaves and is grown in its female form for its flowers which produce cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

The Indica plant grows much squatter around 4 feet with broader, rounder leaves and originates from the Indian Subcontinent. It is an annual herbaceous plant which is grown in its female form for its flowers which produce cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

Sativa, Indica or hybrid plants can also contain minor cannabinoids like CBN, and CBG which are just two examples of being currently researched. THC and CBD are the most commonly known cannabinoids, but not the only ones.

As these research developments occur, you may start to hear Sativas referred to as “narrow leaf variety” and Indicas as “broad leaf variety” as people begin to move away from the indica/sativa language.

What are the effects of Indica or Sativa?

When looking at the effects supposedly exhibited by each species, it is believed that pure Indica strains garnered a more sedating and relaxing effect whilst Sativa strains create a more stimulating effect.

Again, through modern interbreeding it has meant that these once ‘distinct’ effects of the strains have become increasingly blurred with time. We also have to take into consideration that individual endocannabinoid systems play a part in determining what ‘effects’ the plant may have from person to person and the generalisation of Sativa or Indica ‘effects’ is becoming an increasingly outdated idea.

Did you know: Cannabis is classified as a flowering herb.

How is medical cannabis grown?

As it is grown as medication, it must be produced under very strict guidelines, using approved and tested biologicals that are safe for human consumption.

Every plant our Gro-Vida facility produces is cloned from a female ‘mother’ plant which is harvested from the plant and ‘planted’ in a rock mineral grow medium in the nursery. This phase is the most delicate of the growing process and each clone is put in propagation trays under controlled lighting until they are deemed strong enough to move on.

Why is medical cannabis grown in rock mineral?

Although it may seem counterintuitive, rock mineral grow medium is far more sanitary than soil which comes with too many organic variables or other potential pests and threats to the plant’s health.

How long does medical cannabis take to grow?

From clone to bud phase, it takes around three months (depending on the specific cultivar), going from nursery clone, through a hardening phase, a vegetation phase, spending 42-46 days of that in the final flowering stage, before harvest.

What do you need to grow medical cannabis?

Aside for a sanitary environment, guaranteed hours of light and good ventilation are essential as well as proper fertigation and irrigation.

Did you know: Everyone who enters the Gro-Vida growing facility must change their shoes to lab shoes, wear clean lab coats, hairnets and sanitise their hands before entering the facility and every room after. The Gro-Vida growing rooms have a one-way system – if you want to go back a room, you must start over again with a fresh change of clothes! It’s a serious business!

So, what type of cannabis plant will my medication be?

All our medication is grown as hybrid plants, so it will always be a combination of Indica and Sativa, with a lean to one slightly more than the other. The exact medication you need will depend on your condition and the amount of THC or CBD that’s an effective treatment.

Each plant will be grown inGro-Vida’s greenhouse facility under their official cultivation codes, the ‘traditional’ or ‘street’ names they are known to the public under, are given to them by the buyer. A lot of these names have a legacy from before medical cannabis was legalised in 2018.

Did you know: Medical cannabis producers obtain their plants from other legal operators, referred to as ‘breeders’. ‘Cannabis breeding’ or ‘Cannabis Genetics’ companies have their own set of regulations and stringent procedures to follow to ensure the plants they are providing to the market are safe and free from disease.

So how do I know which medical cannabis plant is right for me?

Once the flowers are harvested and dried in a GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) facility, this is when they come into legal jurisdiction as a controlled API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) material. At this point a sample of the specific strain is sent to be tested for its THC and cannabinol content.

The grower then receives a Certificate of Analysis (COA) which is a legal document that must be presented on import and export and, more importantly, tells your GMC (General Medical Council) registered doctor how strong it is, so they can use their expertise to prescribe the dose which is best for your condition and its severity.

So, will I have to smoke medical cannabis?

No – in fact, combusting it for inhalation (or smoking it) is illegal in the UK.

Aside from the flower (or bud) we have spoken about above, which is only legal in UK law to be heated and inhaled, there are also oil options which are for oral use and prefilled vapes which are inhaled as well as tablets. We recommend speaking to your doctor in your initial consultation to discuss you options and any concerns about how you would prefer to take your medication.

Did you know: Oral use medical cannabis oils are strictly designed for pipet application in the mouth and should never be vaporised.

At Lyphe, our specialists will identify the appropriate medical cannabis care plan following a comprehensive assessment which includes an in-depth evaluation of the main symptoms being targeted, current medications, pattern of symptoms and lifestyle factors such as safety-sensitive occupations.

To find out more about your medical cannabis eligibility, click here

Or to discover if we can help treat your condition click here, or how your treatment plan might work, click here.