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The relationship between the cannabis plant and humankind goes back many, many years. But where did it originate? Could genomic research determine its origins? <\/p>\n
You will be hard-pressed to find a plant that is as dynamic as the cannabis plant, which is why it\u2019s been so popular among humans for so long.<\/p>\n
Humans all over the world have used the cannabis plant to make clothing and other textiles for centuries, as well as using cannabis for medical purposes.<\/p>\n
By comparison, cannabis use for recreational purposes is a relatively new phenomena. However, it has also occurred for many, many years.<\/p>\n
Historically, researchers thought that cannabis was first domesticated in Central Asia. A new study suggests that may not be accurate.<\/p>\n
A team of international researchers recently sequenced and analyzed over 100 cannabis genomes in an attempt to try to pinpoint the start of humans domesticating cannabis.<\/p>\n
After looking over the compiled information, the researchers concluded that the cannabis plant was likely not domesticated in Central Asia, but rather in East Asia (China).<\/p>\n
The analysis applies to both hemp-grade cannabis as well as cannabis with higher THC levels, and researchers believe that domestication started roughly 12,000 years ago.<\/p>\n
As part of the study, researchers compared samples of feral cannabis from Switzerland, China, India, Pakistan, and Peru as well as samples from \u201ccommercial\u201d sources.<\/p>\n
The compiling of samples and related study took place over the course of four years.<\/p>\n
To anyone that is familiar with China\u2019s long history with the cannabis plant, the results of this study are likely not too surprising.<\/p>\n
After all, Chinese pottery dating back to 10,000 BC included imprints of hemp fiber and hemp cloth is thought to have originated in China during the Chou Dynasty.<\/p>\n
China is also believed to be the first place that cannabis was used for medical purposes, with cannabis being listed among the \u201c50 Fundamental Herbs of Traditional Chinese Medicine.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sad irony is that China currently prohibits cannabis, with the exception of hemp, and people caught possessing, selling, and\/or cultivating cannabis face stiff penalties.<\/p>\n