Panakeia, new THC-free strain with high CBG
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Panakeia, 18% CBG and 0% THC
Research and Development in the field of cannabis breeding have accomplished a new achievement thanks to Hemp Trading, a Spanish company that recently introduced a new strain high CBG content and free of THC, the main psychoactive component of cannabis. This new strain has been developed in collaboration with the Universitat Politècnica de València (Technical University of Valencia), and for the time being, it will only be distributed in US territory.
Listed as a hemp strain high in cannabigerol (CBG), the launch of this new specimen is a step forward in the field of medical cannabis, as this cannabinoid offers a great number of therapeutic properties that could be useful for a large number of patients. And thanks to the introduction of this new strain, CBG research will also be strengthened, as securing a large amount of this interesting compound for its study will be much easier.
Cannabigerol, the key to THC and CBD synthesis
That's right, CBG or cannabigerol plays a key role in the chemotype of cannabis plants, as following the biosynthetic route, this cannabinoid leads to the formation of other well-known compounds, such as THC, CBD and CBC. This way, and according to Hemp Trading’s CEO, Ernesto Llosa, it’s been possible to create a strain that blocks the biosynthetic route of cannabinoids, leading to CBG buildup instead of being transformed into other substances like THC.
The advantages of this type of strain are clear; on the one hand, it can be grown 100% legally, as it doesn't contain any psychoactive compounds, being entirely THC free. On the other, its high CBG concentration (of up to 18%!!) makes it possible to obtain large amounts of this cannabinoid each harvest, which simplifies both the manufacturing of extracts and the research on the substance itself. Thanks to its zero content of THC, Panakeia has managed to position itself as one of the most interesting hemp strains available in the USA, remaining out of what they called hot hemp, or hemp with a certain amount of THC, which can sometimes be illegal (US legal THC limit is 0.3%).
When a specific strain exceeds this 0.3% THC limit, their growers are not only required to get rid of the harvest, in some cases, they also have to face the legal consequences of growing strains that exceed this cannabinoid legal limit. And the same problem applies when trying to perform resin extractions from plants that were under the legal limit while alive but exceed the THC limit in their concentrated form. This won't happen with Panakeia, which has a certified 0.00% level of THC, and therefore, it's totally safe to use in both hemp crops and to make CBG extractions.
Cannabigerol CBG: The main precursor to all cannabinoids
CBG or cannabigerol is one of major cannabinoids, since it's precursor to many compounds of the cannabis plant like THC or CBD. The huge therpeutic potentia of CBG has caused an increase in the number of studies and research conducted about it, from both cannabis breeders and the scientific community.
As you can see, according to the latest investigations, CBG could be useful to treat several conditions such as glaucoma, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and Crohn's disease, among others. In fact, it’s been credited with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antibiotic and antispasmodic properties, among many others. For more in-depth information about CBG read the linked article.
Panakeia is being launched in the U.S.
The partnership between Hemp Trading and the UPV has reached the American market led by two US companies: Front Range Biosciences and Tesoro Genetics, in a deal that was closed in December 2019 during the last MJBizCon edition in Las Vegas. For the moment, these two companies will be responsible for the distribution of both Panakeia seeds and clones in the USA, with the help of a certification and marketing process that is currently under development. For the time being, nobody knows when it will be available for growers from other parts of the world.
We have thus presented with a new cannabis strain classified as hemp, with an unusual cannabinoid content that could be especially useful for medical marijuana patients. Given its cannabinoid and terpene profiles, with a complete absence of THC, it won't be appealing for the recreational user, but it will definitely be a turning point for many patients who even today are finding it difficult to obtain a medicine that helps them alleviate their ailments.
Happy smoking!
