Maximum Yield Cannabis USA February/March 2018 | Page 20

grow
The New Wave
of
annabinoids
by Tony Van Liefde
THC-V-, CBD-V-,
and CBG-rich cannabis
THC and CBD usually get all the glory, but breeders are now developing
strains rich in other cannabinoids. Here’s a primer on three of them—THC-V,
CBD-V, and CBG—and a look at why growers want to boost their levels.
G
rowers are constantly breeding new cannabis variet-
ies, and some of these breeders are trying to create
strains with high concentrations of unusual cannabi-
noids. Specifically, the breeding community is very close
to releasing cannabis varieties rich in tetrahydrocannabi-
varin (THC-V), cannabidivarin (CBD-V), and cannabigerol
(CBG). The first of these varieties is likely to be seen in
2017 or 2018, assuming the final breeding all goes to plan.
These new varieties with elevated levels of THC-V,
CBD-V, and CBG are being created by selective breeding
techniques in combination with extensive lab testing.
This means parent plants with known cannabinoid
levels are crossed together and the seeds are collected
and grown. Normally, some of the offspring will show
higher levels of the desired cannabinoid than the
parents. These offspring are crossed and the process
continues over many generations. Its a labor- and
time-intensive process, but it’s the only way to create
elevated levels of the desired cannabinoids. It’s also the
same process that was used several years ago to create
the first CBD-rich varieties, which are those that contain
four or more per cent CBD in the dried buds. At the
moment, it still isn’t clear what the final levels of THC-V
and CBD-V will be in these new strains, but it could be
around two to seven per cent, with an upper target of
10 per cent. Cannabigerol levels are expected to be in
the region of four per cent when stabilized.
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TETRAHYDROCANNABIVARIN
As the name suggests, THC-V has a similar molecular
structure to THC, with a few slight differences.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin is psychoactive, and early indications
suggest that THC-V may have the ability to enhance the
euphoric effects of THC. So, this could be a cannabinoid that
recreational users take great interest in. Of course, medical
marijuana users could find great use of THC-V. In fact, GW
Pharmaceuticals is investing heavily in research into THC-V
as a possible oral medicine to treat diabetes.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin has a high boiling point, around 220˚C,
so your vaporizer may need to be on a higher temperature setting
to release it. For comparison, THC boils at about 160˚C.  
Like other cannabinoids, THC-V has been the subject of little
research due to cannabis prohibition. One of the most interesting
queries still to be answered is how THC-V will modulate or affect
the traditional THC high. Will elevated levels of THC-V provide
a more enjoyable experience? If so, how will that happen? Will
THC-V amplify the effects of THC or will it counteract them? 
Another important question is “What will medical users get
from the presence of high levels of THC-V?” Will THC-V improve
the medical qualities of cannabis and if so, which conditions
will benefit the most? Although there has been plenty of specula-
tion about THC-V and some suggested benefits, breeders expect
many of the answers will come within the first year or two of
THC-V rich varieties being on sale.
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