pathway can be deleted or down-regulated to generate hemp cultivars containing
very low or no cannabinoids (Stout et al. 2012 ; Altpeter et al. 2016 ). The
U.S.-based company 22nd Century Group Inc. has already set this goal for their
business plan. As stated on their company website,“The elimination of cannabi-
noids in hemp is expected to revitalize the hemp industry worldwide”(http://www.
xxiicentury.com/our-cannabis-hemp-technology/).
In conclusion, gene transfer technologies are playing a vital role in supporting
cannabinoid research and in the development of commercial therapeutics. Further
biotechnological advances will be possible once efficient transformation and
regeneration of Cannabis plants become a reality.
Acknowledgements This work was supported by a BBSRC grant (BB/J017582/1) for MF and an
NSERC Discovery Grant to ZKP.
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