Some of Iowa's first legal hemp crops set on fire because THC exceeds federal limits

[mexcurandero420]

https://terpenesandtesting.com/cannabis-under-stress-produces-more-thc/

Actually, it can happen.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) polarizes cultivators. Medicinal cannabis growers usually seek to maximize THC content. Hemp farmers must minimize THC as a matter of law. Strategies to control THC are therefore paramount in cannabis cultivation. One variable is stress. Stressful environmental conditions may cause Cannabis sativa L. plants to boost production of THC and other cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD).

One recent study applied controlled drought to flowering cannabis plants. [1] The researchers withheld fertigation for 11 days starting at week 7 of the flowering period. This increased tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) by 12% and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) by 13% compared to the well-irrigated control. THC and CBD yields per unit growing area were 50% and 67% higher, respectively. [1] For hemp farmers, this means that even short periods of drought or insufficient fertilization may push THC beyond the 0.3% legal threshold.

Another example is ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation, which can easily destroy plants in sufficient quantities. But in small amounts during flowering, UV-B light boosts THC accumulation in cannabis, an act of self-protection reminiscent of sunscreen. [2,3]

Mansouri et al [4] applied abscisic acid (ABA), a sesquiterpene that acts as a plant hormone, to flowering cannabis plants. ABA inhibits growth and is produced by plants in response to environmental stressors, including (but not limited to) drought, UV radiation, cold, and salinity. [5] After exogenous application to cannabis, the researchers noted increased THC and ?-tocopherol but decreased chlorophyll, carotenoids, and phytosterols. [4]

It thus appears that stress promotes THC production. But hemp farmers are not necessarily at the mercy of the elements. As noted in a 2020 investigation, cultivators who secure seed genetics with two CBDA synthase alleles (rather than the more common combination of a CBDA synthase allele and a THCA synthase allele) may eliminate THC spikes. [4] This strategy targets the plant at the genetic level to avoid any possibility of THC production. It is unclear how (or if) stress boosts CBD and other legal cannabinoids in plants lacking the THCA synthase allele.

THC and other cannabinoids are plant defense mechanisms, and cannabis responds to environmental stress with decisive chemical action. But it’s a fine balance. Too much stress or stress at the wrong time may damage or kill plants. Plant genetics also modulate these responses.

Since a few years there is an increase in the UV rate during spring and summer, so there is a high chance that hemp reacts on that with a higher THC than what is allowed.It would be better when the guidelines for THC content will changed in a max of 1% just like in Switzerland.

 

[aridbud]

Since a few years there is an increase in the UV rate during spring and summer, so there is a high chance that hemp reacts on that with a higher THC than what is allowed.It would be better when the guidelines for THC content will changed in a max of 1% just like in Switzerland.

Doubtful that will happen in the USA. No clear guidelines except <0.3 thc.

 

[St. Phatty]

Expecting Intelligent Behavior from the American DEA and its subservient agencies ...

 

[G.O. Joe]

Trends which could be seen through data analysis of the available information from 89923 test samples, 42843 with some terpene quantification:

The phytochemical diversity of commercial Cannabis in the United States

The legal status of Cannabis is changing, fueling an increasing diversity of Cannabis-derived products. Because Cannabis contains dozens of chemical compounds with potential psychoactive or medicinal effects, understanding this phytochemical diversity is crucial. The legal Cannabis industry...

doi.org

Of the 1243 samples of CBD strains, few over 8% CBD were under 0.3% THC - hardly any over 15%.

 

[armedoldhippy]

is there any public info source on HOW they check a field? one bud off of each plant, or ? could just one plant be hot & forfeit the whole field? that would suck biggly...