New Genetics Test Determines If Cannabis Will Be THC or CBD-Rich

Researchers at the University of Minnesota published a paper in the American Journal of Botany where they validated a genetic test that could help prevent cannabis farmers from cultivating hemp that is in violation of state or federal laws. They studied cannabis varieties of wild cannabis (or ditch weed), as well as samples from industrial hemp growers and the National Institute on Drug Abuse in order to compare genetic markers with the ratio of THC versus CBD. This comparison verified that genetics is a good predictor of the THC/CBD ratio.

The validated genetic test proved to be effective in predicting whether the plant will produce mostly CBD or THC and researchers hope that this finding will lead to new seed certification for the hemp industry.