Technological Approach for the Development andOptimization of Decarboxylation Processes in DriedFlower and Ethanolic Extracts of Cannabis for MedicalPurposes

Cannabis is an annual, dioecious, self-pollinating plant, from the genus of flowering plants belonging to the Cannabaceae family. Three main species of cannabis, are commonly recognized: Cannabis sativa spp. sativa L., Cannabis sativa spp. indica L. and Cannabis sativa spp. ruderalis L. Preparations obtained from cannabis are used for various medical purposes, including the treatment of stress, nervousness, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, inflammatory processes, pain and others. Cannabis has also been shown to support maintain intestinal flora, alleviate nausea and vomiting—particularly in cancer patients during chemotherapy or radiation therapy and relieve pain of various origins. Cannabis-based preparations can also be used for muscle spasms and for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (Hourfane et al., 2023). Phytocannabinoids the bioactive compounds naturally synthesized in the cannabis plant, are the key components responsible for many of these therapeutic effects. The most important of these phytocannabinoids include: Δ9- tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and Δ8- tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) – a psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) – a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, cannabigerol (CBG), Δ9- tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ9-THCV), cannabivarin (CBV), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabinol (CBN), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabinodiol (CBND), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabitriol (CBT), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), which are synthesized from a common precursor – cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) (Singh, Yadav et al., 2023).