The use of Cannabis has been stigmatized due to its psychoactive effects; however, it has several uses in industry and medicine.

Cannabis contains more than 500 components. Two of these have been the subject of scientific investigation due to their pharmacological properties: 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Other plant-derived cannabinoids include cannabinol (CBN).

Cannabis as a drug and industrial hemp both derive from the species Cannabis sativa and contain the psychoactive component tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), yet they are distinct strains with unique phytochemical compositions and uses. Hemp has lower concentrations of THC (0.3% or less) and higher concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD), which means minimal to no psychoactive effects. The legality of industrial hemp varies widely between countries. Some governments regulate the concentration of THC and allow only hemp that is bred with an especially low THC content.

The discussion on the use and legality of each of these plants, even if they are from the same family, must be carried out for each of them. Separating it into the legal, productive, and social fields would also make it possible to differentiate the recreational, medical, and wellness uses of marijuana from the industrial, medicinal, and useful properties of hemp. This would, in turn, motivate research, health, industrial, and economical advancement, improving the quality of life for hundreds of patients.

USES OF CANNABIS

Recent reports indicate that Cannabis production is increasing and that cannabinoid formulations have been changing over the last two decades, especially with regard to their THC and CBD concentrations.

Therapeutic applications of Cannabis and cannabinoids

THC is the psychoactive principle of Cannabis, inducing the Cannabis inebriation sought by many users. Its addictive potential and negative consequences are now well known. The effects of CBD are distinct and, in many cases, the opposite of THCs effects. CBD seems not to induce euphoria and seems to have antipsychotic, anxiolytic, antiepileptic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

According to an evaluation (in 1999) by the Institute of Medicine in the United States, on Cannabis as a medication, the future of medical Cannabis lies in isolating its cannabinoid components and their synthetic derivatives. The variable composition within the raw Cannabis plant and especially the differing THC/CBD ratios make therapeutic applications of these products quite complex.

The following medical applications have been described for Cannabis:

THC

Analgesic

Anti-bacterial

Anti-cancer

Anti-inflammatory

Anti-spasmodic

Bronchodilator

Neuroprotective

THCV

Anti-convulsive

Appetite Suppressant

CBD

Analgesic

Anti-anxiety

Anti-bacterial

Anti-cancer

Anti-convulsive

Anti-depressant

Anti-emetic

Anti-inflammatory

Anti-insomnia

Anti-ischemic

Anti-psychotic

Anti-spasmodic

Bone Stimulant

Immunosuppressive

Neuroprotective

Anti-fungal

Anti-inflammatory

CBG

Anti-cancer

Anti-depressant

Anti-fungal

Industrial uses

Hamp has been refined into a variety of commercial items, including the following listed below:

TEXTILES

Clothing

Diapers

Handbags

Denim

Shoes

Fine Fabrics

INDUSTRIAL TEXTILES

Rope

Canvas

Tarps

Carpeting

Netting

Caulking

Molded Parts

PAPER

Printing

Newsprint

Cardboard

Packaging

BUILDING MATERIALS

Oil Points

Varnishes

Printing Inks

Fuel

Solvents

Coatings

Fiberboard

Insulation

Acrylics

Fiberglass Substitute

FOODS

Hemp Seed Hearts

Hemp Seed Oil

Hemp Protein Powder

EFA Food Supplements

BODY CARE

Soaps

Shampoos

Lotions

Balms

Cosmetics

PRODUCTION OF CANNABIS

Millennia of selective breeding have resulted in varieties that display a wide range of traits; e.g. suited for particular environments/latitudes, producing different ratios and compositions of terpenoids and cannabinoids (CBD, THC, CBG, CBC, CBNetc.), fiber quality, oil/seed yield, etc. Hemp grown for fiber, for example, is planted closely, resulting in tall, slender plants with long fibers.

The high THC concentrations obtained from the various Cannabis varieties result from technical advances in production, such as genetic manipulations, cross-breeding, and improvements in indoor hydroponic cultivation. As advanced techniques and more potent seeds have become more widely available, a steady increase of THC concentrations in Cannabis has been made possible.

Genetic modification and engineering could enable industrial-scale production of cannabinoids that have pharmaceutical potential, and provide more efficient alternatives.

The PCT application No. PCT/US2019/017433 describes a method of increasing the cannabinoid levels in a genetically modified Cannabis sativa plant which includes genetically modifying the plant to induce the overexpression of the gene that controls the expression of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) synthase and/or cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) synthase.

The PCT application No. PCT/IL2019/050653 discloses methods of in vitro clonal propagation, regeneration and transformation in Cannabis.

Some researchers and biotechnology companies are aspiring to replace Cannabis plants with microorganisms that have been genetically enhanced to produces THC, the non-psychoactive compound cannabidiol (CBD) and many other cannabinoids of pharmaceutical interest. Others are aiming to modify chemical synthesis in the Cannabis plant by genetically altering its cells to make the desired molecules from shoot to tip, thereby boosting yield.

US patent application No. 16/594,733 discloses a method of generating and selecting mutant new varieties of Cannabis plants through chemical mutagenesis of Cannabis cell suspensions.

Benefits of microbial synthesis include the ability to mass-produce rare cannabinoids that are usually present in plants only in trace amounts or even molecules not found in nature. Transgenic plants can also be engineered for superior resistance to pests and environmental stresses.

Ploidy manipulation is a valuable tool in plant breeding. Important consequences of genome doubling can include larger organs and improved production of secondary metabolites, often linked to increased tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. Polyploid forms also provide a wider germplasm base for breeding. Polyploids have yet to be implemented in most breeding programs for Cannabis.

US patent application No. 16/357,999 describes a method for inducing polyploidy in a Cannabis plant, the method comprising treating the Cannabis plant or a part thereof with an amount of a dinitroaniline compound effective to induce polyploidy.

The PCT application No. PCT/US2017/027643 discloses a plant of the genus Cannabis that does not require flowering in order to produce trichomes comprising secondary compounds. The disclosed plants have a high mass% of secondary compounds and a high degree of trichome coverage on the surface of the plant.

US patent applications Nos. 16/560,260 and 16/510,032 describe the identification and use of particular CBDa synthase alleles, more particularly the use of these alleles to produce Cannabis plants having very high rations of CBGa to CBDa and/or THCa.

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Improvements in production of cannabis for medical and industrial uses and their protection - Lexology