Distribution of Chemical Phenotypes (Chemotypes) in European Agricultural Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Cultivars. Issue 3 (26th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Borroto Fernandez, Eduviges; Peterseil, Verena; Hackl, Gerald; Menges, Sonja; de Meijer, Etienne; Staginnus, Christina
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic sciences. Volume 65:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 715
• Page End: 721
• Publication Date: 2019-11-26
• Subjects: 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; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14242
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1198

Abstract

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.