USDA authorizes cultivation of genetically modified hemp variety

A variety of hemp genetically modified to produce little or no THC has been approved by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) as safe to grow and reproduce on US soil.

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a notice last week concerning these plants, created and submitted by the company Growing Together Research, an Indiana-based biotech company specializing in cannabis, hemp, psychedelics and agriculture. APHIS regulates the «movement of genetically engineered or modified organisms».

«APHIS found that this modified hemp was unlikely to present an increased risk of plant pests compared to other cultivated hemp,» says USDA opinion. «Consequently, it is not subject to 7 CFR part 340 regulations. From the point of view of phytosanitary risk, this hemp can be cultivated and bred safely in the United States.»

Growing Together Research announced in June this year that it had succeeded in modulating the amount of delta-9-THC expressed in plants. They explained that their experiment was intended to help American hemp growers whose crops sometimes exceed the limit of 0.3% THC due to environmental conditions, a threshold above which the law requires the entire crop to be destroyed.

GTR's announcement also hinted at experiments underway to try and get Cannabis plants to produce more THC than normal.

«Based on its demonstrated ability to reduce or turn off genes encoding THC expression, GTR is now applying the same techniques to increase THC expression. GTR will soon begin collaborating with Canadian-based academic and commercial partners to create a cannabis cultivar with increased THC expression. A first series of high-THC cultivars is expected to be created by the third quarter of 2023,» said GTR in June.

According to GTR, nearly 10% of US hemp crops had to be destroyed between 2018 and 2020 due to too high delta-9-THC levels.

«Understanding the mechanisms of the THC pathway is perhaps the most important element in truly unlocking the promise of cannabis and hemp,» said Sam Proctor, Managing Director of GTR. «We are very excited about the results to date and look forward to continuing to innovate for the benefit of stakeholders in the cannabis and hemp supply chain.»

In April 2024, a second GMO hemp variety authorized in the United States.