Future trends in I&M: The next generation of measurement technology for medicinal cannabis production

Across the globe, legislation surrounding the application of cannabinoid compounds towards human health is gaining momentum. Corresponding with new regulations is a dramatic increase in cannabinoid-based treatment options—from just a few drugs in the early 2000s to now over 300 medical products currently in human trials for ailments such as post-traumatic stress disorder, nervous system degeneration, depression, epileptic seizures, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia. Consumption of medicinal cannabis is currently legal in over 40 countries and 33 states in the US, with the global sector estimated by some industry analysts to be worth over USD 62.6 billion by 2024 [1]. Legalization of medicinal cannabis is under consideration in over a dozen other countries, and more jurisdictions can be expected to follow suit if the evidence for efficacy of medicinal cannabis increases.