Medicinal Cannabis: Phytochemistry and Biotechnological Advances

Dear Colleagues,

Various forms of cannabis have been employed for their medicinal properties since ancient times. Cannabis contains over 500 identified constituents, with cannabinoids representing the most significant class. Among these, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the two primary naturally occurring cannabinoids, exhibiting highly different pharmacological profiles and considerable therapeutic potential. Following the discovery of Δ⁹-THC, the principal psychoactive component of cannabis, research largely focused on Δ⁹-THC and its derivatives. Cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive compound discovered before Δ⁹-THC, received relatively little attention for many years. Recently, however, interest in CBD and CBD-rich cannabis varieties has surged due to their therapeutic promise in treating a range of conditions, including childhood epilepsy (such as Dravet syndrome) and other disorders.

Despite its long history of medicinal use, cannabis was classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, a status it still retains. With the enactment of medical marijuana laws in many U.S. states and worldwide, there has been renewed interest in the medicinal value of cannabis, and many cannabis-derived products are now widely available for public use. Therefore, it is important for growers, processors, and healthcare providers to have a good understanding of this plant, including the production of biomass consistent in secondary metabolites using both traditional and advanced biotechnological methods, its constituents, and the complexity of its chemistry.

This Special Issue explores the cannabis plant, its chemistry, the biotechnological approaches involved in its propagation and processing, and its evolving role as a recognized botanical drug and/or phytopharmaceutical agent.

Prof. Dr. Suman Chandra
Prof. Dr. Hemant Lata
Prof. Dr. Mahmoud A. ElSohly
Guest Editors

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