Cultivating research grade cannabis for the development of phytopharmaceuticals

Abstract

Cannabis has been used as medicine since ancient times in different forms. With over 500 known constituents, of which cannabinoids are the most important class (120 known). δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (δ9-THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are the two major natural cannabinoids having very different pharmacological profiles with tremendous therapeutic potential. After the discovery of δ9-THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, research had been revolving around δ9-THC and its derivatives. Cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive compound which was discovered before δ9-THC did not receive much attention for a long time. However, in last few years, research has intensified on CBD or CBD rich cannabis varieties due to its therapeutic potential in the treatment of a variety of ailments including childhood epilepsy (Dravet syndrome) and other disorders. In this chapter, we address cannabis botany, chemistry, its indoor and outdoor cultivation, harvesting, processing and its current status as a botanical drug.