Comparative Genetic Structure of Cannabis sativa Including Federally Produced, Wild Collected, and Cultivated Samples

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Pharmacology
• Cannabis Science

Background:

• The University of Mississippi is the sole US facility licensed to cultivate Cannabis sativa L. for research, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
• Research on cannabis flower consumption relies on NIDA-supplied "research grade marijuana."
• Previous studies indicated that cannabinoid levels in NIDA-supplied cannabis do not match commercially available products.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the genetic identity of NIDA-supplied cannabis in relation to common cannabis categories.
• This study represents the first genetic analysis including NIDA's "research grade marijuana."

Main Methods:

• Analyzed 49 cannabis samples, including Wild Hemp, Cultivated Hemp, NIDA samples, CBD drug type, and high THC drug types (Sativa, Hybrid, Indica).
• Employed ten microsatellites targeting neutral non-coding regions for genetic analysis.
• Utilized clustering and genetic distance analyses to assess genetic relationships.

Main Results:

• Genetic analyses supported a clear division between hemp and drug-type cannabis.
• All hemp samples clustered together genetically.
• No distinct genetic separation was found among the Sativa, Hybrid, and Indica subcategories within retail marijuana samples.
• The two NIDA "research grade marijuana" samples were genetically distinct from most drug-type cannabis found in retail dispensaries.

Conclusions:

• The "research grade marijuana" provided by NIDA is genetically distinct from the majority of drug-type cannabis consumed by patients and patrons.
• These genetic discrepancies may have implications for the generalizability of research findings to real-world cannabis use.