Mike Robinson, founder of the Global Cannabinoid Research Center (GCRC), has announced the creation of PhytoMend, a product designed to address the growing problem of Phyto-domestication Syndrome (PDS) in large-scale agriculture.
Robinson's company is now filing the official Statement of Use with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, solidifying its commitment to transforming the future of agriculture and sustainability.
Mike Robinson
"This project started to get off the ground about 4 years ago, but the hurdles were there when it came to finding a joint venture partner that could stay in business or keep their operation going for long enough to get the product made and out to the world during the pandemic," explained David Uhalley the operations manager and partner in charge of IP. "Mike decided that filing for Trademark protection over the name was a good idea, and we're poised now to file the final Statement of Use with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on this; we've got a prototype made but are looking for large scale manufacturers who want to do something about the need for GMO's based on photo-domestication in plants that bear the food we all need to survive."
Tackling Phyto Domestication Syndrome
Phyto Domestication Syndrome is the loss of genetic diversity and robustness in plants bred and cultivated extensively in industrial agricultural systems. Over time, these plants' DNA erodes, leading to reduced resilience, lower nutrient density, and diminished yields. This issue is particularly prevalent in crops that have undergone intensive breeding programs, including cannabis and hemp varieties tailored for large-scale production. "What's fascinated me about this creation from the start was the focus being only on Cannabis, but then our founder started looking at the plants of Cannabaceae, which is the very diverse plant family cannabis is part of. He found that those plants that stayed wild did not lose their genetic makeup and continued to grow the same way over hundreds or even thousands of years. We wouldn't need GMOs in Big Ag if crops yielded what they once did; many think it's about greed when the farmer is truly trying to succeed."
These plants, once naturally hardy "weeds," were bred into commercial varieties to meet industry demands. However, this process often came at a cost: the rapid degradation of their genetic integrity compared to Landrace genetics, which thrive naturally in the wild. "Plants that grow as true 'weed' in the wild maintain a robust DNA structure that allows them to adapt and survive. Industrial strains, by contrast, are often stripped of these essential traits," Robinson explains. "What's the difference between a certain breed of Kush grown now and what we saw 25 years ago from the same cultivar? It's been domesticated, grown indoors in huge places that created seeds or clones, and the plant's genetics are weakening; many believe this is causing less efficacy."
PhytoMend is designed for plants across vast agricultural systems, offering a scalable solution to improve crop yields and sustainability. "The agricultural industry is facing a critical turning point. Phyto Domestication Syndrome is not just a hemp or cannabis problem; it impacts food crops, biofuels, and fibers globally," Robinson states. "PhytoMend has the potential to restore the natural balance in plants while supporting farmers in achieving higher productivity and resilience against climate challenges."
For more information:
Global Cannabinoid Research Center
globalcannabinoidrc.com/