FAQs

No, CBD (cannabidiol) is a compound defined by its chemical characteristics distinguishing it from all other compounds in the physical universe. Any suggestion that CBD derived from hemp is different from that of marijuana is false. This would be akin to suggesting that calcium derived from a cow's milk is different from that of a goat. It is less contentious since hemp and marijuana are slight variants of the same species.   The final CBD extract from a hemp cultivar may indeed differ from that of a marijuana strain for features such as terpene and cannabinoid profile. However, these characteristics will also distinguish different strains of marijuana since they have been selected for other attributes (e.g., %THC). There is no reason that a hemp variety could not create a CBD extract identical to that of marijuana, differentiated only by its low THC content.  The quality of marijuana or hemp may vary, but the essential compound of CBD remains.    

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. Bócsa I, Mathé P, Hangyel L. (1997) Effect of nitrogen on N tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in hemp (Cannabis sativa) L.) leaves at different positions. J. Int. Hemp Assoc. 4: 80–81. Clarke RC (1981) Marijuana Botany: An Advanced Study: The Propagation and Breeding of Distinctive Cannabis. Ronin, Berkley CA Etienne P. M. de Meijer, Manuela Bagatta, Andrea Carboni, Paola Crucitti, V. M. Cristiana Moliterni, Paolo Ranalli and Giuseppe Mandolino (2003) The Inheritance of Chemical Phenotype in Cannabis sativa L. Genetics 163: 335–346 Flores-Sanchez IJ, Verpoorte R. PKS activities and biosynthesis of cannabinoids and flavonoids in Cannabis sativa L. plants. Plant Cell Physiol. 2008 Dec;49(12):1767-82. Flores-Sanchez IJ, Choi YH, Verpoorte R. Metabolite analysis of Cannabis sativa L. 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 Cannabis sativa L., Horticulture Research, 2023;, uhad207, https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhad207 Harm van Bakel, Jake M [...]

Cannabinoids are a subset of terpenophenolics that are unique to the species C.. sativa. There are 70 known cannabinoids in Cannabis Sativa (Flores-Sanchez and Verpoorte 2008), with the most abundant being Δ9 THC (Δ9 Tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (Cannabidiol) and CBN (Cannabinol). Several of the genes controlling the biosynthesis of these compounds from a Cannabigerol precursor have been identified (Taura et al. 1996). The amount and type of cannabinoids produced is influenced by both genetic variation among Cannbis sativa plants and the environment (de Meijer et al. 2003). Cannabinoids are at highest concentration in glandular trichomes of the plant, and therefore genes controlling trichome development will also influence the amount of cannabinoids a given plant produces.

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. Can I buy your high CBD seed? We will not sell our high CBD seed in the United States yet, but what New West Genetics can do is work with interested companies and contract to grow these high CBD seeds on the client’s behalf. 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 [...]