How mapping marijuana DNA could change the future of pot
Scientists hope that a "cannabis genome" could mean better results for growers and patients – but will it allow big pharma to take over?
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Scientists are currently in the midst of exploring uncharted territory: The cannabis genome. Unlike with other plants, researchers don't have a long history of closely analyzing the genetic makeup of the plant. But for the past seven years – as more and more states legalize medical and recreational pot – researchers have been working on producing a high-quality marijuana genome. Everyone from low-level researchers to larger companies are part of this effort, and they say mapping the cannabis genome could be highly beneficial to people who grow or use cannabis. Phylos Bioscience released its first reference genome for cannabis at the end of 2016.