Relation between Humulus lupulus and Cannabis sativa
Research has shown that Humulus lupulus (the plant that makes hops) and Cannabis sativa (also called hemp and marijuana) are closely related,[1][a] and it may be possible to create novel cultivars of hops that express valuable chemicals similar to commercial hemp. Both hops and cannabis contain terpenes and terpenoids; tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a terpenoid.[3][4] Hops lack the enzyme that could convert cannabigerolic acid into THC or CBD,[5] but it could be inserted using genetic engineering as was done in 2019 for yeast.[6][7]
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Andre, Christelle M.; Hausman, Jean-Francois; Guerriero, Gea (2016), "Cannabis sativa: The Plant of the Thousand and One Molecules", Frontiers in Plant Science, 7 (19): 19, doi:10.3389/fpls.2016.00019, PMC4740396, PMID26870049
Briggs, Dennis E.; Brookes, Peter A.; Stevens, Roger; Boulton, Chris A. (2004). "Hops – Botany". Brewing Science and Practice. Elsevier Science. pp. 228–230. OCLC469858708.