The cannabis industry has seen a significant boom in recent years, with an ever-growing number of strains available for consumption. Breeders are capitalizing on the diversity of cannabis, creating unique combinations of flavors and effects that cater to a wide range of preferences. The legalization and decriminalization of cannabis in many parts of the world have also contributed to the ease at which breeding is taking place, allowing seed distributors to offer a larger variety of strains to consumers.
Understanding the lineage of cannabis breeds can be challenging due to the extensive crossbreeding that has taken place over the years. Cannabis has a long history, with evidence of its use dating back thousands of years. The spread of cannabis across different continents led to the development of various strains tailored to different climates and purposes. From hashish in the Middle East to medicinal use in Africa, cannabis has played a significant role in human history.
Today, there are four widely agreed-upon classifications of cannabis: sativa, indica, afghanica, and ruderalis. Sativas are known for their tall stature and long leaves, while indicas are shorter with wider leaves. Afghanica strains are short and potent, ideal for cold climates, while ruderalis is typically less than two feet tall and is known for its auto-flowering genetics.
Identifying whether a plant is indica or sativa has become increasingly difficult due to crossbreeding. Genetic tests for pure indica or sativa strains do not exist, making it challenging to classify modern-day strains accurately. However, breeders continue to develop new hybrids by selecting the right combination of cannabinoids over several plant generations.
Breeding cannabis involves crossing male and female plants from different strains to produce seeds with genes from both parents. Backcrossing is often done to strengthen and improve the qualities of the new strain. Popular hybridized strains include Skunk #1, Northern Lights, Blueberry, AK-47, and Blue Dream.
Breeders aim to capture various qualities in their strains, such as flavonoids for flavor, terpenes for fragrance, resistance to drought and disease, higher quantities of CBD for medicinal purposes, higher quantities of THC for stronger highs, better workability, and specific effects like pain relief or energizing properties.
The modern cannabis plant has been bred to be highly potent and psychoactive, with large flowers glistening with trichomes. Compared to cannabis from previous decades, today’s weed is significantly more potent, with testing revealing that it is three times stronger than cannabis from the mid-’90s. With rapid changes in genetics and breeding practices, consumers may find it challenging to know exactly what they are purchasing.
In conclusion, the world of cannabis breeding is vast and ever-evolving. Breeders continue to push boundaries and create new and exciting strains that cater to a diverse range of consumer preferences. As legalization spreads globally and attitudes towards cannabis evolve, we can expect even more innovation and growth in the industry in the years to come.
