The cannabis industry is continuously evolving, but it isn’t alone. The weed market has had to learn from and collaborate with other industries, such as retail, horticulture, and technology.
Cannabis technology, in particular, has seen rapid growth as the result of cannabis laws, market changes, and higher demand. This growth may directly impact what you see on dispensary shelves in years to come.
What Is Cannabis Technology?
The cannabis technology industry, nicknamed “CannaTech” or “WeedTech,” is still developing with the greater cannabis industry. It comprises various weed businesses and tech companies aiming to provide solutions for the constantly evolving market. That said, most CannaTech solutions fall into two categories: software and production technology.
Cannabis Software
Cannabis software aims to improve various processes for cultivators, dispensaries, and other cannabis businesses. For instance, while a dispensary could hypothetically use Microsoft Excel for its inventory, the program has its limits. Most weed businesses now use cannabis-specific software to complete their processes, reducing the risk of measurement errors and legal setbacks.
Cannabis software and programs fulfill many purposes, including:
- Online orders and delivery
- Product inventory
- Supply and distribution
- Market research
- Advertising and marketing
- Legal compliance
- Security
Cannabis Production Technology
CannaTech has also advanced weed cultivation and production processes. This technology allows for new products and strains to enter production with more reliable and cost-efficient cultivation strategies.
The uses of cannabis cultivation technology include:
- Climate control systems: Most greenhouses use climate control systems that keep the temperature at the ideal level for each plant’s growth. These ensure that weather conditions don’t set production back.
- Plant monitoring: Cameras, sensors, and other devices track and report plants’ growth. This can help cultivators identify potential issues without constantly checking each plant. These sensors can also trigger the sprinklers or thermostats, as necessary.
- Artificial intelligence (AI): Many cultivators now use AI machine learning to study each plant’s growth, which often includes complex data. This helps them identify the best possible conditions for growing high-quality cannabis.
- Extraction processes: Weed extract is a synthetic concentrate derived from the weed plant’s most potent parts. New technological processes have expanded cannabis’s extraction possibilities, opening the doors for hash oils, live resin, and countless other options.
Cannabis Technology Then and Now
Weed’s legalization has changed the CannaTech industry in various ways. At a base level, tech businesses can now operate legally in the cannabis industry. This synchronicity has allowed businesses to develop software, extraction processes, and other technology that may not have existed otherwise.
Much of the climate control and greenhouse technology needed to cultivate cannabis already existed. However, new developments, such as AI and plant monitoring, are pushing the limit of what’s possible for both the cannabis and horticulture industries.
Of course, cannabis cultivation as a whole isn’t anything new. Cannabis and hemp have been used for at least 4,800 years of human history. Weed’s prohibition set cannabis technology back and inspired harmful stigmas and myths. Fortunately, we can hope to see more technology develop as the public’s perception continues to change.
Reap the Benefits of Cannabis Technology at Harbor House Collective
As cannabis technology continues to evolve, weed products may become more affordable and offer more variety. At Harbor House Collective, we are dedicated to working with other businesses that stay atop the latest CannTech. This way, we can guarantee the safest, most accessible products for our community.
Visit our online shop to explore our expanding variety of products.
