A new study on marijuana genetics reveals that the legal cannabis industry may be unintentionally reducing the plant’s genetic diversity. The push for faster-growing plants with higher cannabinoid content, mainly for economic and regulatory reasons, has led to a narrowing of the genetic pool.
The study, conducted by graduate student Caleb Y. Chen at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, draws from both genetic data and interviews with cannabis breeders. According to Chen, selective breeding practices in the current “post-prohibition” market are creating what he refers to as a genetic “bottleneck.”
While humans have always shaped cannabis genetics to suit their needs, recent breeding has focused narrowly on certain traits like high THC levels, a strong terpene profile, and consistency in chemical composition.
These choices may make sense in a market driven by regulation and consumer demand, but they come at a cost. In an earlier paper from 2021, Chen pointed out that many growers select high-THC strains not because they prefer them, but because state regulations and consumer expectations push them in that direction. As a result, genetic variation is being lost.
The issue isn’t exclusive to cannabis. Many crops face similar reductions in genetic variety due to selective breeding. However, cannabis seems especially vulnerable. The study highlights that what are often described as “wild” marijuana plants today are most likely just escaped domestic strains, not true wild varieties.
Natural processes like wind pollination can spread pollen from hybrid plants to local landrace strains, erasing their distinct genetic identities. This kind of contamination has been reported in countries like Thailand, Jamaica, India, and Mexico.
Chen warns that even without the history of prohibition, the cannabis plant is at risk of becoming genetically uniform. Today, only a small number of cultivars dominate the global market. These strains are treated much like other mass-produced crops, with little regard for preserving their genetic uniqueness.
He also points out that “craft marijuana,” while often used as a marketing label, represents a smaller, more diverse subculture within the industry. Some breeders and growers believe that current testing methods overlook certain compounds that contribute to the overall experience of using cannabis.
Chen’s research also touches on marketing practices, noting that commercial interests sometimes lead to misleading labels on cannabis strains. Growers may intentionally misname their products to meet consumer expectations or fit into regulatory categories.
The study concludes that modern cannabis regulations, falling product prices, and the push for higher yields are all contributing to reduced genetic diversity. It urges policymakers to recognize the importance of maintaining diverse cannabis genetics and recommends that breeders’ knowledge be taken seriously in future regulatory decisions.
It would be interesting to hear what major cannabis brands like Cresco Labs Inc. (CNX: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) think about concerns that marijuana genetic diversity is being sacrificed at the altar of commercial interests.
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