Proving That Hemp Is Not Marijuana May Be Easier Than Ever Thanks To Texas A&M AgriLife Research Team

While hemp is legal in Texas, laboratory testing is required to prove that hemp is not marijuana. As a result, a truck driver spent weeks in prison waiting for the result to come back stating the goods he was carrying were legal. Due to situations like this, Texas A&M AgriLife researchers developed a handheld spectrometer as a hemp scanner.

CBD, a popular compound found in the plant, is known to help with anxiety, pain, and depression. However, CBD-products can only be sold if they have less than 0.3% THC. To know this, farmers need a quick way to know how much THC their plant contains. An easy test would be a dream come true for both farmers and for the police.

Kurouski’s lab was experienced in using a technique called Raman spectroscopy to create quick and noninvasive tests for plant diseases and foods’ nutritional content. The technique uses harmless laser light to illuminate structures within materials.

The scan of each material is as unique as a fingerprint. The next step was to find a way to scan the plants to search for patterns to see how their Raman spectra varied. The team tested a wide range of plants and the device was able to differentiate hemp and marijuana with a success rate of 100%. The team is now looking to collaborate with the industry to make it available to the people. Additionally, they are also working to create a similar test for CBD.

Read Full Article: https://today.tamu.edu

CBD is one of many powerful cannabinoids found in hemp known for helping to support our body and mind. Here at Healing Dragon CBD we do not intend to make unfounded medical claims about the health benefits of CBD. The FDA has not confirmed that CBD cures, treats, or prevents any diseases or conditions. Before reading this article please take a moment to read our full disclosure statement.