Shanyu Chen^1* , Huijuan Tang^2* , Lina Tang³ , Wei Yang⁴ , Shengshu Xing⁵ , Si Jie¹ , Guanhai Ruan¹ , Wenjun Wang³

1 Institute of Crops and Nuclear Technology Utilization, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310021, Zhejiang, China
2 Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, Hunan, China
3 Institute of Industrial Crops,Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin,150000, Heilongjiang, China
4 Daqing Branch of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Daqing, 163000, Heilongjiang, China
5 Heilongjiang Xiancao Technology Co., Ltd, Harbin, 150000, Heilongjiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 2025, Vol. 15, No. 1   doi: 10.5376/ijmeb.2025.15.0005
Received: 06 Jan., 2025    Accepted: 14 Feb., 2025    Published: 25 Feb., 2025

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Chen S.Y., Tang H.J., Tang L.N., Yang W., Xing S.S., Jie S., Ruan G.H., Wang and W.J., 2025, The origin, domestication, and global spread of cannabis (Cannabis sativa), International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 15(1): 51-63 (doi: 10.5376/ijmeb.2025.15.0005)

This study systematically reviews the entire process of cannabis from its origins in Central Asia to its global spread. The research notes that cannabis originated in Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent and was initially domesticated in East Asia, then gradually spread globally due to its unique phytochemical properties and its uses in textiles and medicine. A case study of the “Indica” variety, Cannabis sativa subsp. indica var. afghanica, illustrates the specific adaptation processes driven by natural selection in response to local climatic conditions, as well as the impact of human migration and trade networks on the spread of this variety. By examining historical records and legal changes regarding cannabis in different regions, this study explores how cannabis adapts to different cultures and environments and analyzes the impact of various legal frameworks on the spread of cannabis. Furthermore, the study discusses how modern technologies like genetic editing and systematic breeding play roles in optimizing cannabis traits. This research not only reveals the complexity of cannabis as a plant but also reflects its significance as an economic and medicinal resource on a global scale.

Cannabis (Cannabis sativa); Origin; Domestication process; Natural selection; Global spread