The Past, Present, and Future of Cannabis Breeding: A Global Expert Panel

The Evolution of the Plant: From Landrace Origins to Industrial Stability

In this technical symposium hosted by Segra International, Michael Williamson, Chief Operating Officer of Catalyst BC, moderates a roundtable with the world’s foremost authorities on cannabis genetics. This panel features Rob Clarke, Ryan Lee, Mojave Richmond, and Mark Lewis, tracing the journey of the cannabis plant from its botanical roots to the future of broad-acre industrial agriculture.

The Science of Cannabis Taxonomy

The discussion begins by deconstructing the “Indica vs. Sativa” myth. The experts explain how these labels, while pervasive in marketing, have become scientifically obsolete in an era of intensive poly-hybridization.

The Legacy of Landrace Genetics

• Botanical Origins: Understanding the dioecious nature of cannabis and how human migration shaped the global gene pool.
• The “Afghani” Influence: How prohibition and law enforcement eradication programs forced a shift toward faster-flowering, shorter plants suitable for clandestine indoor cultivation.
• Genetic Bottlenecks: Why the commercial obsession with a few “hyped” strains has narrowed the gene pool, leaving the industry vulnerable to specialized pathogens.

The Future of Industrial Breeding

As the industry moves away from the “clandestine” era, breeding objectives are shifting toward the rigorous requirements of the global legal market.

The Transition to Stable Hybrid Seeds

A primary focus of this session is the inevitable move from clonal propagation to stable homozygous hybrid seeds. Michael and the panel explore how this shift is essential for:

• Labor Efficiency: Reducing the massive overhead of mother-plant maintenance.
• Pathogen Mitigation: Eliminating the vertical transmission of Hop Latent Viroid (HLVd) and other pests common in clonal systems.
• Broad-Acre Scaling: Enabling true industrial-scale farming similar to corn or soy.

Chemical Profiling & Consumer Education

Mark Lewis introduces PhytoFacts, a visual tool designed to move the market beyond “THC-only” metrics. By focusing on full terpene and cannabinoid ratios, breeders can finally target specific physiological outcomes, allowing consumers to choose products based on the “entourage effect” rather than simple potency.

Strategy and Execution with Catalyst BC

At Catalyst BC, we integrate this level of deep genetic science into our operational consulting. Led by COO Michael Williamson, our team fuses decades of pharmaceutical and legacy operational experience to help you “Plan to Win” through superior facility design and genetic strategy.