Cannabis Did Not Always Produce THC and a New Study Shows How Evolution Figured It Out

OG article by Anthony Martinelli

January 9, 2026

Cannabis plants didn't always produce THC; evolution gradually refined this ability. A Wageningen University study in Plant Biotechnology Journal reconstructed ancient enzymes, revealing early versions were generalists producing mixed cannabinoids from CBGA. Gene duplications later specialized them for THC, CBD, or CBC pathways. Testing resurrected enzymes in yeast showed ancestors were more robust and flexible, ideal for biotech. This challenges prior assumptions, suggesting psychoactive compounds emerged early for defense. Findings enable engineering high-CBC strains or microbial production, addressing medical demand. Evolution favored specialization after initial diversity.