Why do some call it Cannabis sativa instead of industrial hemp?
The Federal Farm Bill in 2014 first defined hemp as “the species Cannabis sativa with a THC content of 0.3% or less”. The same species is grown in either instance, but hemp undergoes selective breeding or genetic control to ensure compliant THC levels. NWG is primarily interested in and promotes the grain and fiber markets, or “industrial” hemp. However, aside from THC, hemp does contain all the other 80+ cannabinoids and terpenes found in what is typically thought of as “marijuana.” To ensure scientific accuracy, we refer to marijuana as “high THC cannabis” and hemp as “low THC cannabis.” Currently, NWG works solely in hemp due to regulatory fluidity. Everything we improve in hemp can be applied and transferred to higher THC varieties should customers want to license traits for higher THC breeding lines.