Understanding Cannabis sativa L.: Current Status of Propagation, Use, Legalization, and Haploid-Inducer-Mediated Genetic Engineering

Abstract

Cannabis sativa L. is an illegal plant in many countries. The worldwide criminalization of the plant has for many years limited its research. Consequently, understanding the full scope of its benefits and harm became limited too. However, in recent years the world has witnessed an increased pace in legalization and decriminalization of C. sativa. This has prompted an increase in scientific studies on various aspects of the plant’s growth, development, and use. This review brings together the historical and current information about the plant’s relationship with mankind. We highlight the important aspects of C. sativa classification and identification, carefully analyzing the supporting arguments for both monotypic (single species) and polytypic (multiple species) perspectives. The review also identifies recent studies on suitable conditions and methods for C. sativa propagation as well as highlighting the diverse uses of the plant. Specifically, we describe the beneficial and harmful effects of the prominent phytocannabinoids and provide status of the studies on heterologous synthesis of phytocannabinoids in different biological systems. With a historical view on C. sativa legality, the review also provides an up-to-date worldwide standpoint on its regulation. Finally, we present a summary of the studies on genome editing and suggest areas for future research.

Recent Advances in Endocannabinoid System Targeting for Improved Specificity: Strategic Approaches to Targeted Drug Delivery

“…A further spike in interest occurred in the 1990s when the description of cannabinoid receptors and the discovery of the internal endocannabinoid system was reported [ 51 ]. The WHO recommended the rescheduling of Cannabis which was adopted by the United Nations’ Commission for Narcotic Drugs in December 2020 [ 66 , 67 ]. There is certainty in the therapeutic benefits of Cannabis sativa , although limited by the high concentration of Δ9-THC compounds which dominates the present-day Cannabis sativa plant due to the changes in cannabis potency over the last few decades [ 68 ].…”

The development of a next‐generation sequencing panel targeting cannabinoid synthase genes to distinguish between marijuana and hemp

“…Hemp and marijuana are both derived from the same species, Cannabis sativa L. ( C. sativa ) [1]. Hemp is defined as C. sativa with a Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol content of less than 0.3% by dry weight, as defined by the H.R.2 Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill).…”

Investigation of the Effect of the Auxin Antagonist PEO-IAA on Cannabinoid Gene Expression and Content in Cannabis sativa L. Plants under In Vitro Conditions

“…Various phytohormones have been tested to improve cannabis micropropagation protocols, such as thidiazuron (TDZ) [17,25], 1-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) [26] for shoot proliferation and regeneration, and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) [21] and NAA [27] for rooting induction, while Lata et al (2016) tested meta-topolin (mT) for a shoot and root induction from nodal segments [18]. Large-scale micropropagation, genetic conservation, and the development of plant biotechnologies for advanced new plant breeding technologies (NPBTs) might be promising tools for future research and commercial production of cannabis, although the plant is still understudied [10,[28][29][30].…”