Researchers from Université Laval in Quebec have mapped key genetic markers responsible for cannabinoid production in marijuana, a discovery they say could revolutionize strain development and genetic selection in the legal cannabis industry. The findings were published in Plant Genome.

Using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 174 marijuana strains from Canada’s legal market, the team analyzed over 282,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to identify 33 markers linked to the production of 11 cannabinoids, including THC, CBD, CBDA, THCV, and CBN. The study also pinpointed 18 candidate genes, some of which contain variants that alter protein function in ways that may affect how much THC or CBD a plant produces.

Among the most important discoveries was a massive haplotype—a block of genes that are inherited together—on chromosome 7. This haplotype was present in roughly 95% of THC-dominant (Type I) strains and is strongly associated with high THC content and the absence of CBD. The findings support a codominant inheritance model in which certain allele combinations determine whether a plant is THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, or produces a balanced mix.

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According to a new study, researchers have developed a 3D-printed stent designed to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) using cannabidiol (CBD), potentially offering a targeted alternative to conventional antibiotic therapy.

The study, published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics, was conducted by scientists from the University of Bern in Switzerland and the University of Rome in Italy. The researchers created a customizable stent made of a laponite-alginate hydrogel and infused it with CBD-loaded PLGA microparticles to allow for controlled and sustained drug release. The stent, tailored for the female urethra, was engineered to maintain structural integrity for at least 14 days under simulated physiological conditions, delivering localized CBD directly to the site of infection.

In laboratory testing, the device demonstrated prolonged antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Researchers say this targeted approach could reduce the need for systemic antibiotics, potentially lowering the risk of side effects and improving adherence while helping combat the global issue of antibiotic resistance.
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A new study published in Neuropharmacology suggests that even a very low dose of cannabidiol (CBD) may be enough to partially reverse symptoms of depression brought on by chronic stress.

Researchers from the Universitat de Barcelona and the University of Greifswald used a well-established mouse model of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) to examine the effects of CBD. Mice exposed to chronic stress were treated with just 1 mg/kg of CBD, a significantly lower dose than what is typically tested in similar studies.

The results showed notable improvements in brain regions associated with mood regulation, particularly the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Mass spectrometry revealed changes in several neurotransmitter systems, including glutamatergic and serotonergic pathways—both of which are commonly implicated in depression. Further analysis using microstructural techniques showed that CBD restored mature synapses in the mPFC, suggesting that the treatment helped repair brain circuitry damaged by stress.
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A new double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study has found that cannabidiol (CBD) led to behavioral improvements in about two-thirds of boys with autism spectrum disorder, though researchers emphasize that a strong placebo effect complicates interpretation of the results.

Conducted by the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, the trial involved autistic boys aged 7 to 14 with severe behavioral challenges. Over two eight-week phases separated by a four-week washout, participants received either CBD (up to 20 mg/kg per day of Epidiolex®) or placebo. Behavioral assessments were conducted before and after each phase.

Improvements were observed across both treatment and placebo groups on the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Scores on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) improved during the placebo phase, but this disappeared when factoring in other medications taken by participants.
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