New genetic test predicts whether cannabis will be rich in THC or CBD

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have validated a genetic test that can predict whether a cannabis plant will produce primarily CBD or THC, a tool that will be useful in the U.S. to prevent farmers from growing hemp with THC levels above 0.3%.

The scientific team studied three cannabis varieties from industrial hemp growers, National Institute on Drug Abuse samples and wild cannabis. She compared the plants' genetic markers with their THC:CBD ratio.

George Weiblen, professor at College of Biological Sciences and Scientific Director and Curator of Plants at the Bell Museum, whose laboratory led the study, said he hoped his technique could «help certify new seeds for the hemp industry».

«For hemp to take off in Minnesota and elsewhere, there must be ways to assure growers that they won't have to destroy their crops at the end of the season.» a explained Weiblen in a statement.

In the article, published in’American Journal of Botany, the researchers argue that basing the definition of hemp on THC alone does not correspond to biology and, instead, propose ratios of THC and CBD. The researchers also noted that it was very rare to find THC-rich wild cannabis plants, one chance in 100.

«The presence of more than one of the three cannabinoid classes in wild, industrial and clinical populations renders the dichotomy between «hemp» and «marijuana» botanically meaningless,» says the study. «The dichotomy between «hemp» and «marijuana» perpetuates culturally biased and pejorative assumptions about C. Sativa that have hampered scientific research for nearly a century.»

The researchers state that 'a decorrelated definition recognizing THC-type, CBD-type, intermediate-type and CBG would be more botanically accurate and perhaps more practical as the use and regulation of C. Sativa continues to expand and diversify.»