Spend more than a few minutes with a cannabis cultivator, and without fail, the conversation will drift toward the topic of cannabis genetics. It’s no surprise, as genetics is what impacts the flower’s effects, flavors, vigor, and growth attributes. Over the years, innovative cultivators have created thousands of unique strains through complex breeding processes and technical growing methods.
In many ways, cannabis genetics hold the key to the future of the industry. The spread of legalization across the U.S. will only place greater significance on the role of genetics. The focus will shift from quantity to a more consistent quality of strains.
Cannabis Genetics and the Consumer
As the cannabis industry evolves, so too has the customer experience – both in how they purchase and consume.
In the past, cannabis products were simply defined based on THC percentage, aesthetic, odor, and whether a strain was sativa, indica, or a hybrid. Now, consumers understand cannabis is more complex than a simple strain name or smell. They are starting to place a greater emphasis on the role of terpenes, flavonoids, and other active compounds. With that, they expect more consistency and better quality of the products they consume.
What does this mean for cultivators? It is fairly clear – refine operational practices to create products that can meet evolving expectations that are transferred from end users to dispensaries to cultivators and on down the line. But, what is the best way to go about this?
Maximize Your Cannabis Cultivation Operation
The modern cannabis cultivator wants to have the best of both worlds. A system that is consistent and compliant but also allows their best growers to create better genetics. That’s where cannabis genetic tracking technology comes in.
With an increased focus on quality standards, there will be pressure for the broader adoption of Good Manufacturing Process (GMP). Data collection, tracking, and reporting from those systems will not only be beneficial but will be demanded by customers and government regulators.
Cultivators will also look to identify strains with particular beneficial and differentiated characteristics. As we mentioned at the top, cultivators should start looking beyond THC and CBD to the more than 100 other cannabinoids and terpenes to create the unique benefits of the ‘the entourage effect’ for targeted customers. CBN, for example, has been on the rise due to its perceived properties that support sleep. Tracking and analyzing this data will be critical in developing competitive intellectual property.
Proper Tracking of Your Cannabis Genetics
Tracking and managing the genetic strain of a cannabis grower is key to its profitability and quality.
Are you looking to improve the way you track the genetics of your plants in your cannabis cultivation operation? MJ Platform’s strain listing capability, enables you to manage a variety of details about a strain. This includes things like pollen donor, mother plant, strain code and abbreviation, custom genetics, as well as unique abbreviations for a phenotype.
With our crop planning and forecasting capabilities, you can forecast the growth cycle, average plant yield, and total harvest yield, giving you insight into what you can expect from your future harvests.
Check out our Cannabis Genetics Tracking & Management Demo today to learn more.
