The impact of biotechnology and genomics on an ancient crop: Cannabis sativa

The growth, distribution, and use of Cannabis sativa (cannabis) have been tightly restricted for decades due to the therapeutic and psychoactive molecules it produces. Despite long-standing cultivation, scientific research on cannabis has been limited, with past efforts to breed and improve this crop largely supported by an illegal global economy. The easing of legal restrictions and the rapid growth of genomic tools and biotechnology have accelerated research and targeted trait development in cannabis. These advances have enabled the establishment of regulatory standards that ensure safe products for human consumption, and supported efforts to bioengineer cannabinoid production for an eco-conscious future. This chapter discusses societal and scientific influences on the cannabis plant, with a focus on the impact of genomics and biotechnology on cannabis research, and the legal and environmental challenges faced by the future of this industry and its impact on the global bioeconomy.