Distribution of Chemical Phenotypes (Chemotypes) in European Agricultural Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Cultivars |
| |
Authors: | Eduviges Borroto Fernandez PhD Verena Peterseil MSc Gerald Hackl DiplIng Sonja Menges PhD Etienne de Meijer PhD Christina Staginnus PhD |
| |
Institution: | 1. Österr. Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit GmbH (AGES), Spargelfeldstraße 191, A-1220 Wien, Austria;2. Bundeskriminalamt, Wiesbaden, D-65173 Germany;3. GW Pharmaceuticals plc., Kingsgate House, Newbury Road, Andover, SP10 4DU U.K;4. Department of Forensic Science, Landeskriminalamt (LKA) Rheinland-Pfalz, Valenciaplatz 1-7, D-55118 Mainz, Germany |
| |
Abstract: | In Europe, more than 50 approved cultivars of fiber hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) are in agricultural production. Their content of psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is legally restricted to <0.2% (%w/w in the dry, mature inflorescences). Cannabis strains with much higher THC contents are also grown, illegally or under license for drug production. Differentiation between these two groups relies on biochemical quantification of cannabinoid contents in mature floral material. For nonflowering material or tissue devoid of cannabinoids, the genetic prediction of the chemical phenotype (chemotype) provides a suitable method of distinction. Three discrete chemotypes, depending on the ratio of THC and the noneuphoric cannabidiol (CBD), can be distinguished: a “THC-predominant” type, a “CBD-predominant” type, and an intermediate chemotype. We present a systematic genetic prediction of chemotypes of 62 agricultural hemp cultivars grown in Europe. The survey reveals the presence of up to 35% BT allele-carrying individuals (representing either a THC-predominant or an intermediate chemotype) in some cultivars—which is unexpected considering the legal THC limit of 0.2% THC. The fact that 100% of the seized drug-type seeds in this study revealed at least one BT allele, reflects that plant breeding efforts have resulted in a fixation of the BT allele in recreational Cannabis. To guarantee a sincere forensic application based on a genetic chemotype prediction, we recommend not to classify material of unknown origin if the samples size is below nine genetically independent individuals. |
| |
Keywords: | forensic science THCA synthase Cannabis sativa L chemotype genetic prediction of chemotypes European agricultural hemp cultivar cannabidiol CBD tetrahydrocannabinol THC BT allele locus B genotype |
|
|