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Review
. 2024 May 20;29(10):2397.
doi: 10.3390/molecules29102397.

Opportunities, Challenges, and Scientific Progress in Hemp Crops

Kacper Piotr Kaminski  1 , Julia Hoeng  2 , Fernando Goffman  3 , Walter K Schlage  4 , Diogo Latino  5
Affiliations
Review

Opportunities, Challenges, and Scientific Progress in Hemp Crops

Kacper Piotr Kaminski et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

The resurgence of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) has been propelled by changes in the legal framework governing its cultivation and use, increased demand for hemp-derived products, and studies recognizing the industrial and health benefits of hemp. This has led to the creation of novel high-cannabidiol, low-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol varieties, enabling hemp crop expansion worldwide. This review elucidates the recent implications for hemp cultivation in Europe, with a focus on the legislative impacts on the cultivation practices, prospective breeding efforts, and dynamic scientific landscape surrounding this crop. We also review the current cultivars' cannabinoid composition of the European hemp market and its major differences with that of the United States.

Keywords: CBD; cannabidiol; cannabinoids; cannabis; hemp; terpenes.

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Conflict of interest statement

Julia Hoeng is an employee of Vectura Fertin Pharma, which sponsored this review. The remaining authors are paid consultants for Vectura Fertin Pharma, including Fernando Goffman, who operates through company Seedcraft S.L.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Three-dimensional chart of European Union and Swiss varieties of C. sativa L. Concentrations of THC, CBD, and CBG contents as percentage (%) of dry weight.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Concentrations of THC and CBD in cannabis varieties in the United States, Europe, and Switzerland. Data sourced from producers’ Certificates of Analysis as well as scientific publications. The full data are available as Supporting Table S1. Varieties in Europe are represented by circles, those in the Switzerland by squares, and those in the USA by triangles. Additionally, the THC concentration of each variety is shown in blue-red scale. An enlarged image of the European and Swiss varieties is provided on the right side of the figure.
Figure 3
Figure 3
CBD concentrations (% of dry weight) in cannabis varieties in the United States, Europe, and Switzerland. Respective total cannabinoid concentrations are represented by red-blue color code (% dry weight). Mean, median, standard deviation, and number of varieties are indicated in boxes next to respective chart cloud bars.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Concentrations (% of dry weight) of total terpenes in THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, and THC/CBD-balanced cannabis varieties in the United States.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Concentrations (% of dry weight) of particular terpenes in (a) THC-dominant, (b) CBD-dominant, and (c) THC/CBD-balanced cannabis varieties.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Concentrations (% of dry weight) of particular terpenes in (a) THC-dominant, (b) CBD-dominant, and (c) THC/CBD-balanced cannabis varieties.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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