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Product Information Sheet on Marihuana (Cannabis SPP.) Seeds

November 2004

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General Information:

The marihuana seeds have been culled from marihuana plant, Cannabis sativa L. 'Indica', cultivated and harvested by Prairie Plant Systems Inc. under a contract with Health Canada. These seeds are the first generation product of the hybridization of MS-17/338 female plants and the MS-17/596 male plant. The MS-17/338 breeding line female plants are used in the preparation of dried marihuana product currently distributed.

The packets of Cannabis sativa L. 'Indica' seeds should be stored refrigerated until sowing.

Description:

• The seeds are obtained from a strain of pistillate (female) Cannabis sativa L. 'Indica' (marihuana), which produced plants described as moderate in height (90-120 cm) with a moderate degree of branching (10-15 side branches) from the main stalk. The main stalk (branch) terminates in a dense, conical, resin laden flowering head of an average length of 25-45 cm, and the side branches bear smaller resin laden flowering heads.
• The plants are green to light green in colour and possess an aroma described as fresh and fruit-like.
• All aspects of cultivation and harvesting are done under strict and controlled conditions by Prairie Plant Systems Inc. utilizing standard operating procedures (SOPs) in order to ensure product consistency and quality.
• The marihuana plants are cultivated without pesticides, herbicides and plant growth hormones. All fertilizers used consist of water-soluble hydroponic vegetable fertilizers commercially available for horticulture. The plants are cultivated in a pasteurized soil-free medium and irrigated with potable water, which is monitored monthly for microbial and metal contents including heavy metals.

Concentration and Chemical Profile:

• Even though marihuana contains over 60 cannabinoids and several hundred other chemical substances, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most prominent psychoactive cannabinoid component and its concentration determines the "potency" of marihuana.
• Cannabis sativa L. 'Indica' MS-17/338 is a breeding line with THC concentration typically higher than 10%. The plant component containing the highest concentration of THC is mature flowering heads.
• Many factors may influence the cannabinoid concentration and chemical profile. Genetic stock of marihuana plant is a predominant factor as well as moisture content at the time of analysis, methods of cultivation and harvesting, and general chemical degradation of stored material.
• Despite the ease of cultivation of marihuana plants, the THC concentration of mature flowering heads and other plant materials may vary significantly due to lighting and fertilization conditions. A 12 hours photoperiod is recommended at flowering time.

Germination:

• The typical germination rate for these seeds is 80% with typically greater than 50% of the seedlings being pistillate (female). Results may vary.

For more information on the product you received today, or if you have any questions on marihuana for medical purposes, please contact Health Canada toll-free at 1-866-337-7705.