b'great lengths to stabilize the genetics on the parental sides and the inbreds to get the uniformity and performanceWHAT ARE CBG AND CBD?thats needed and to finish really early, Shultz adds. The time from flowering to harvest is shorter than manyCannabigerol (CBG) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid other varieties out there, which in Canada is a huge benefit.that could possibly have benefits in treating glaucoma, But the amount of research needed to get there is signifi- inflammatory bowel disease, and as an appetite cant, so to open up the space like this and allow these CBDstimulant.varieties to be grown in Canada is a leap forward.Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-narcotic and may hold CBG promise in treating anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain. Its not just CBD that the cannabis industry in Canada is looking to bring to market. Other so-called minor can-nabinoids, including cannabigerol (CBG), are in demand as well. Panakeia, a THC-free and high-CBG hemp variety from Ottawa biotech company Cannabis Orchards, was also added to the approved cultivar list. The variety, technical name HURV19PAN, is the firstTHE CANNABIS SPACE REALLY IS BEING THC-free, high-CBG variety approved by Health Canada, as well as the only CBG variety currently available in theREVOLUTIONIZED AND GIVING PEOPLE A HOST OF country.NEW THERAPEUTIC OPTIONS.The variety, expected to contain 14 per cent CBG in the field, was developed with partner Hemp Trading Jamie GhosseinS.L.U. and the Polytechnic University of Valencia in Spain. The development of Panakeia was made possible through cross and selective breeding by inhibiting specific path-ways of the biosynthetic route of cannabinoids, thus preventing the formation of THC, the psychoactive com-ponent of the plant, and increasing the accumulation of CBG, a cannabinoid that until now was only found in tinyfor production and sale of seed, clone and plant matter in amounts in the plant.Canada.That means a double achievement: not only has THC been totally eliminated, but the concentration of CBG hasChallengesbeen boosted. The result is a strain specially developed forDespite the excitement in the cannabis community sur-medicinal cannabis patients for its therapeutic properties asrounding minor cannabinoids like CBG, there are hurdles. well as for researchers and pharmaceutical companies inter- The biggest one Cannabis Orchards faces at the moment, ested in exploiting the medicinal properties of cannabis. Ghossein says, is producing enough feminized seed, culti-Jamie Ghossein is chief executive officer of Cannabisvating enough acreage and making it available to as many Orchards, based in Ottawa, Ont. Hes also a full-timepeople that need it as possible. physician at Ottawa Hospital. The potential held in can- The company just purchased some land and is plan-nabinoids like CBG is what inspired him to get into thening on building a dedicated feminized hemp seed cannabis industry. production facility, what Ghossein says will be the first of I call this new wave of minor cannabinoids Cannabisits kind.3.0. The cannabis space really is being revolutionized andA big issue is preventing pollen contamination giving people a host of new therapeutic options, Ghosseinbetween varieties when youre working with more than says. I get so many emails from people excited to have aone. Right now, were only working with one variety, new option in CBG, and that excites our whole team. which makes it very simple. But we obviously want to Cannabis Orchards has held a Health Canada plantincrease the number of varieties that are available and breeding industrial hemp license since 2018. The licensethe number of minor cannabinoids that were offering. includes the cultivation, import, export, sale and produc- Meeting quality standards when working with multiple tion of hemp seed and flower, as well as the cultivationvarieties is the next bridge we have to cross.of unapproved cultivars for the purposes of registration,The more feminized seed the company can produce, research and field testing. the more acreage can be cultivated and the more CBG The company, which specializes in indoor feminizedcan be extracted for the market, he notes. seed production, holds the exclusive rights to PanakeiaA big goal for us is actually to produce as many seeds SEPTEMBER 2021 GERMINATION.CA 11'