University of Minnesota researchers said they have identified genes producing tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, which is the psychoactive substance in marijuana. Studying the genes could also lead to new and better drugs for pain, nausea and other conditions, the scientists, led by Professor David Marks, said.
The researchers said they discovered the genes are active in tiny hairs covering the flowers of cannabis plants. In marijuana, the hairs accumulate high amounts of THC, whereas in hemp the hairs have little. Hemp and marijuana are difficult to distinguish apart from differences in THC.
With the genes identified, finding a way to silence them and thus produce a drug-free plant comes a step closer to reality. Another desirable step, the scientists said, is to make drug-free plants visually recognizable. Since the hairs can be seen with a magnifying glass, this could be accomplished by engineering a hairless cannabis plant.
Hemp has many industrial and commercial uses but its association with marijuana has limited its cultivation.
The research appears in the Journal of Experimental Botany.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
You people are so gullible.
You people are so gullible. This is just what they're saying in the grant applications and their published papers. They'll put those genes to their proper use, don't worry.
What's the point?
1. Industrial hemp already has virtually no THC.
2. THC has distinct and well documented anti-cancer properties.
Given the above realities, what in God's name would be the purpose of eliminating THC from the plant besides a continuance of lame-brained attempts at government control over the substance.
wrong
"In marijuana, the hairs accumulate high amounts of THC"
Well the genes may be centered in the hairs but any pot grower worth his salt knows the thc is concentrated in the trichromes not the hairs. The little clear/amber mushroomy things on the leaves and buds. i think these college students need to go back to pot school.
So can they do the opposite also?
Hemp's a nice fiber, kind of like linen, ecologically better than cotton because it doesn't need pesticides, and the seeds are tasty as well. But if they're going to take the THC genes out of it, shouldn't they put them into something else, chrysanthemums or whatever, so we can take advantage of what they've learned?
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