Navigating the Cannabis Maze:

In recent years, the cannabis industry has seen tremendous growth, with new products and brands emerging at a rapid pace. As of July 2024, 24 States and Washington D.C. have all legalized recreational cannabis and 38 states are currently medicinal (DISA)​​ (Cannabis Business Times)​. With this being the case, consumers are faced with an overwhelming array of choices, especially with hemp derived products being accessible for delivery to your doorsteps even! Yet, despite the abundance of options, obtaining comprehensive information about individual cannabis products remains a significant challenge.

The Information Gap

While many companies provide detailed descriptions on their websites, these often focus on marketing the product rather than offering transparent insights into its composition and origins. Consumers are left with questions: Where are these products made? What exactly is in them? Are they free of harmful pesticides? How reputable is the brand? The benefits of the plant can be extraordinarily helpful to some, but where can I find who does it best vs. not.

These are critical concerns, particularly for those using cannabis for medical purposes, where product consistency and safety are paramount. However, the industry lacks standardized regulations, making it difficult to access reliable and consistent information. Hemp products, in particular, suffer from less stringent testing compared to cannabis-derived products, adding another layer of complexity for consumers trying to make informed decisions. Hemp, defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC, was legalized federally in the U.S. under the 2018 Farm Bill as many know by now. However, the FDA has not yet established comprehensive regulations for hemp-derived products, which means testing requirements vary widely by state or even be absent altogether​ (Leafly)​​ (Cannabis Science and Technology)​.

I heard through the grapevine about the industry in Montana, where someone, inquired about distillate (a method of extraction using solvents such as butane or propane to drip through and extract the crude forms of cannabinoids, terpenes, fats, waxes, and other parts of the plant). The response received from a worker, “the Cannabinoids are in the sugar coating”. My eyes widened when hearing this and they went so far to even say they sprayed an infused coating just onto regular gummy bear type candies. If I hadn’t worked in the industry, this is something I never would have known as a consumer, and it is often sold at twice the price than California.

Brief Distillate Process Image. Butane or other solvents are sent through tube to extract crude from the plant. From there, concentrates, wax, tinctures, or gummies are able to be made.

Understanding the Ingredients

A significant hurdle for consumers is the opacity surrounding the ingredients in cannabis products. While companies might list cannabinoids and terpenes, other components such as carrier oils, flavorings, and preservatives often remain undisclosed as mentioned above. This lack of transparency can be worrying for those with allergies or sensitivities, not to mention the potential for undisclosed contaminants.

Pesticide use in cannabis cultivation is another concern. Companies like Curaleaf, Med Men, and Kiva have all had recalls in the past. Although some regions require testing for pesticides, the lack of uniformity across different markets means consumers cannot always be confident in the safety of what they are consuming. This is especially true for hemp-derived products.

Brand Reputation and Trust

The proliferation of new brands and products makes it difficult for consumers to assess the credibility and reliability of a brand. While reviews and ratings can provide some guidance, these are often influenced by marketing efforts or may not be entirely genuine. Consumers are left to navigate a sea of information without knowing who to trust.

Where can you find a reputable source?

In order to learn about the products ingested, the focus on getting the THC, CBG, or CBN you need for your daily routines/health, or just ensuring you have pleasant experiences, an application called Buddy Social recognized these challenges when they released their own line of Buddy Gummies. They sought to develop an application that specifically identifies you as a Cannabis consumer, match products to you based on your dosage levels and what affects you are seeking and provide a way to ask questions not just about brands, or cannabis in general, but to give the ability to ask anything about specific products and product flavors.

Buddy Social is stepping up to bridge the information gap in the cannabis industry. This app is designed to empower consumers with the knowledge they need to make informed choices.

Learn about the Company here:

buddy (buddybrand.us)

By leveraging AI and a robust database, Buddy Insight offers information into where products are made, their ingredient lists, and whether they have been tested for pesticides and other contaminants. This feature allows consumers to truly understand what they are ingesting, fostering a sense of trust and confidence in their choices.

A Transparent Future

At Buddy Social, they believe in a future where cannabis consumers have easy access to comprehensive, reliable, and transparent information. By providing detailed product insights, we aim to elevate the cannabis experience, ensuring that consumers can enjoy the benefits of cannabis with peace of mind.

As the cannabis industry continues to evolve, the need for transparency and education will only grow. Buddy Social is Leading the charge to Revolutionize Cannabis.

buddy (buddybrand.us)