Cannabinoid content in industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) varieties grown in Slovenia

Cannabinoid content in different hemp varieties from the Common catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species is not well known. Hemp (Cannabis saliva L., subsp. saliva) contains a wide range of cannabinoids, where cannabidiol (CBD) and ( - )-trans-Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9) -THC) are the constituents with known therapeutic activity. Also, Delta(9)-THC is recognized as an illicit drug; therefore, cultivation of hemp is restricted to a 0.2 % limit of THC content in many European countries. In this study, the cannabinoid profiles of 15 hemp varieties, accessible to our research group, were analysed. The content of 13 cannabinoids was determined with HLPC (high-performance liquid chromatography) analysis. Large variations in cannabinoid content among varieties that grew in uniform conditions (ANOVA p < 0.05) and also within a single variety were found, which shows on tinuniform genetic profiles of the seed material. The varieties Fedora 17, USO 31, Tisza, Tiborszallasi, and Antal all displayed good response to growth conditions, related to cannabinoid content, in Slovenia.