FAQs

Identifying which cannabinoids affect which neuropathways takes a tremendous team of professionals from multiple disciplines in science. The ability to use marker-assisted breeding expedites this research and pinpoints the pathways desired for selection with certainty. This will make medicinal solutions more stable and predictable for product makers and consumers. New West Genetics has developed the knowledge to move Cannabis sativa’s potential into a data-based reality.

In 1988, Devane et al. reported the existence of cannabinoid-binding sites in the human brain. This CB1 receptor was cloned in 1990 and identified as part of the family of G protein-coupled receptors. A second cannabinoid receptor, CB2, was discovered in 1993 (Munro et al. 1993). We now know these two cannabinoid receptors exist in all chordates and evolved hundreds of millions of years ago (Pertwee et al. 2010). The presence of these receptors implies that humans (and other chordates) produce their own compounds that bind to these receptors. Two such endogenous or endocannabinoids have been discovered and characterized. There is currently an ongoing effort to understand which cannabinoids affect which neuropathways; this involves a tremendous team of professionals from multiple disciplines in science.

Bielecka M, Kaminski F, Adams I, Poulson H, Sloan R, Li Y, Larson TR, Winzer T, Graham IA. Targeted mutation of Δ12 and Δ15 desaturase genes in hemp produce major alterations in seed fatty acid composition including a high oleic hemp oil. Plant Biotechnology J. 2014 Feb 10. Flores-Sanchez IJ, Verpoorte R. PKS activities and biosynthesis of cannabinoids and flavonoids in hemp plants. Plant Cell Physiol. 2008 Dec;49(12):1767-82. Flores-Sanchez IJ, Choi YH, Verpoorte R. Metabolite analysis of hemp by NMR spectroscopy. Methods Mol Biol. 2012; 815:363-75. Gadzicki D, Müller-Vahl K, Stuhrmann M. A frequent polymorphism in the coding exon of the human cannabinoid receptor (CNR1) gene. Mol Cell Probes. 1999 Aug;13(4):321-3. George M Stack, Stephen I Snyder, Jacob A Toth, Michael A Quade, Jamie L Crawford, John K McKay, John Nicholas Jackowetz, Ping Wang, Glenn Philippe, Julie L Hansen, Virginia M Moore, Jocelyn K C Rose, Lawrence B Smart, Cannabinoids function in defense against chewing herbivores in hemp, Horticulture Research, 2023;, uhad207, https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhad207 Harm van Bakel, Jake M Stout, Atina G Cote, Carling M Tallon, Andrew G Sharpe, Timothy R Hughes and Jonathan E Page (2011) The draft genome and transcriptome of hemp Genome Biology 2011, 12:R102 Johnson, Renee (2012) Congressional Research Service Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity, a report prepared for Congress -RL 32725 http://www.naihc.org/images/NAIHC/crs_report_2012.pdf Kreitzer FR, Stella N. The therapeutic potential of novel cannabinoid receptors. Pharmacol Ther. 2009 May;122(2):83-96. Lydon JA, Teramuraand H, Coffman CB (1987) UV-B radiation effects on photosynthesis, growth and cannabinoid production of two hemp chemotypes. Photochem. Photobiol. [...]

What is Plant Breeding & Genetics? Plant breeding is human selection of plant populations and began around 10,000 years ago. Plant breeders make crosses of their most promising lines, test as many offspring as possible and select the best to plant for the next generation. In the past 150 years the laws of inheritance and principles of genetics have been discovered and incorporated into the modern breeding process. Within species varieties differ in DNA sequence and phenotype. In agriculture, this is basis of the heritable variation that humans have exploited for the past 10,000 years of breeding. Modern Plant Breeding & Genetics By combining molecular biology and statistical genetics, modern breeders and geneticists are able to more effectively identify and select desirable genotypes in breeding populations. The recent ability to compare a superior variety to a less improved variety and understand the genomic basis of that difference in yield can greatly increase the efficiency of the breeding process. The process starts with the identification of molecular markers which are statistically associated with important traits such as disease and insect resistance or grain quality traits. These markers are then used to analyze DNA collected from seedlings of new breeding populations and select those that carry the trait. The advantage of this approach is that it can be performed cheaper and more accurately than traditional phenotypic analyses. The fundamental breeding process of cross pollination among desirable breeding lines has not changed. The paradigm shift is in the ability to rapidly and accurately select [...]

Can I buy seed from you? As of Winter 2017, all of New West Genetics seed has been spoken for until Q4 of 2018! We will however be contacting farmers and growers to contract grow some of the 2018 season. Please sign up here if you are interested sign up here. Can I buy grain from you? Absolutely! Rely© is a certified grain variety that is bred specifically for the Western region. In season 2018 we will have Rely grain readily available for retail product makers. What is Brewer’s Hemp©? Brewers’ Hemp refers to specialty varieties bred and designed after working in collaboration with brewers to develop flavor profiles based on specific, unique terpene and cannabinoid content. NWG verifies that each unique profile meets exact brewer’s specifications and enhances their craft brewed beverages. People are making beer out of hemp? The similarities in the aromas emitted by the flowering plants Humulus lupulus (hops) and Cannabis sativa (marijuana) has led to a movement among commercial and home brewers. The Cannabaceae plant family is very unique and quite exclusive; among its’ limited members are Cannabis and Humulus. Aside from their similar flower structure both of these species contain terpenes, which are found in most of the plant and fungi across the planet. Terpenes are responsible for the aromatic compounds that give cannabis its aroma and beer its distinct flavor. Brewers are crafting new recipes using these varying and isolated terpene profiled hemp plants to make beer in delectably exciting new flavors. What does [...]

What does New West Genetics sell? We are the engine enabling the rapid development of scalable, diverse and sought after products for the industrial hemp and cannabis industries. We serve other businesses by providing specialty bred hemp genetics (seed only), wholesale hemp flower, and cannabinoid extracts intended for use in several industries. We are pleased to further serve our customers by expanding our product line at the end of the 2017 season to include commercial grain seed.. What markets do you serve? Currently, New West Genetics has customers in the nutraceutical cannabinoid industry, the brewery industry, and in the human and animal food nutrition markets. What is the TAM? The cannabinoid or cannabis industry is estimated to be 14 Billion by 2020. (Forbes) The craft brewery market was 22 Billion in 2015. (Brewers Association) The hemp grain market in 2015 was estimated at 600 million. (HIA) What regulatory agency are you certified by? In compliance with the 2014 Federal Farm bill section 7606, we are registered with the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Why do you call it Cannabis sativa when you’re growing hemp? The federal farm bill of 2014 defines hemp as “the species Cannabis sativa with compliance of 0.3% or less”. The same species is grown in both instances but hemp undergoes selective breeding to ensure compliance. Hemp does in fact contain all of the other 80+ cannabinoids and terpenes. Currently, NWG works solely in industrial hemp, due to regulatory fluidity.