The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says a genetically modified version of hemp produced by researchers in Wisconsin "may be safely grown and bred in the United States" and is "unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk compared to other cultivated plants."
The hemp variety, dubbed "Badger G," does not produce THC or CBD but is designed to have higher levels of the cannabinoid CBG. It's at least the second type of genetically modified hemp to get the OK from APHIS after another modified plant, which produces lower levels of THC and CBC, was approved in October.
USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said on Wednesday that the modified hemp, along with five other unrelated engineered plant varieties, "are not subject to regulation under 7 CFR part 340," which regulates the movement of genetically modified organisms (GMO).
The genetically modified hemp variety was developed by the University of Wisconsin's Crop Innovation Center. In its application for a USDA regulatory status review, the university said Badger G "is absent of CBD/CBDA and THC/THCA through a gene editing knockout of the endogenous CBDAS gene." Eliminating that gene, says the application from senior scientist Michael Petersen, "will provide U.S. growers with agronomic and compliance benefits, including higher levels of the cannabinoid CBG/CBGA and elimination of THC/THCA."
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