processing can also be used to separate stems and seeds from the useable biomass
product (Fig.3.12c).
Dried and processedCannabisbiomass can be stored in a FDA approved sealed
fiber drums containing polyethylene liners at* 18 – 20 °C for short term storage
(Fig.3.12d). However, for long term storage, -10 °C (freezer) under dark condi-
tions is recommended. Stability ofΔ^9 -THC and other cannabinoids content in
Cannabisbiomass and its products under different environmental conditions is
reviewed by several authors (Turner et al. 1973 ; Narayanaswami et al. 1978 ;
Harvey 1990 ; Mehmedic et al. 2006 ). Extraction of plant material can be done
either by supercriticalfluid extraction or solvent extraction. Decarboxylation of the
acidic cannabinoids to the neutral cannabinoids can be accomplished using the
extract or the plant material itself can be subjected to decarboxylation before
extraction by heating.
Acknowledgements This work was supported in part by the National Institute on Drug Abuse
(NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services, USA,
Contract No. N01DA-15-7793.
References
Bing X, Ning L, Jinfeng T and Nan G (2007) Rapid tissue culture method ofCannabis sativafor
industrial uses. CN 1887043 A 20070103 Patent (pp 9)
Bócsa I, MáthéP, Hangyel L (1997) Effect of nitrogen on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in
hemp (Cannabis sativaL.) leaves at different positions. J Int Hemp Assoc 4:80– 81
Borjigidai A, Hikosaka K, Horose T, Hasegawa T, Okada M, Kobayashi K (2006) Seasonal
changes in temperature dependence of photosynthetic rate in rice under a free year CO 2
enrichment. Ann Bot 97:549– 557
Braemer R, Paris M (1987) Biotransformation of cannabinoids by a cell suspension culture of
Cannabis sativaL. Plant Cell Report 6:150– 152
Brenneisen R, Egli A, ElSohly MA, Henn V, Spiess Y (1996) The effect of orally and rectally
administeredΔ^9 -tetrahydrocannabinol on spasticity: a pilot study with 2 patients. Int J Clin
Pharmacol Ther 34:446– 452
Ceulemans R, Jiang XN, Shao BY (1995) Effect of elevated CO 2 on growth, biomass production
and nitrogen allocation of two populous clones. J Biogeogr 22:261– 268
Chandra S, Lata H, Khan IA, ElSohly MA (2008) Photosynthetic response ofCannabis sativaL.
to variations in photosynthetic photonflux densities, temperature and CO 2 conditions. Physiol
Mol Biol Plants 14:299– 306
Chandra S, Lata H, Mehmedic Z, Khan IA, ElSohly MA (2010) Assessment of cannabinoids
content in micropropagated plants of Cannabis sativa L. and their comparison with
conventionally propagated plants and mother plant during developmental stages of growth.
Planta Med 76:743– 750
Chandra S, Lata H, Khan IA, ElSohly MA (2012a) Temperature response of photosynthesis in
different drug andfiber varieties ofCannabis sativaL. Physiol Mol Biol Plants 17(3):297– 303
Chandra S, Lata H, Khan IA, ElSohly MA (2012b) Photosynthetic response ofCannabis sativaL.,
an important medicinal plant, to elevated levels of CO 2. Physiol Mol Biol Plants 17(3):291–
295
Clarke RC, Merlin MD (2013) Cannabis: evolution and ethnobotany. University of California
Press, Los Angeles
3 Cannabis sativaL.: Botany and Horticulture 97