Cannabis ruderalis

Cannabis ruderalis is a low-THC species of Cannabis which is native to Central and Eastern Europe and Russia. Many scholars accept Cannabis ruderalis as its own species due to its unique traits and phenotypes which distinguish it from Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa; however, it is widely debated as to whether or not ruderalis is a sub-species of Cannabis sativa. Cannabis ruderalis was first described by Russian botanist D. E. Janischewsky in 1924. The term ruderalis is derived from the Latin rūdera, which is the plural form of rūdus, a Latin word meaning rubble, lump, or rough piece of bronze. A ruderal species refers to any plant that is the first to colonize land after a disturbance removing competition. It is widely accepted C. ruderalis is its own species, rather than a subspecies from C. sativa. C. ruderalis as classified in 1924 by D. E. Janischewsky, noting the visible differences in seed, shape and size from previously classified Cannabis sativa. ruderalis represent feral types of cannabis which have higher CBD levels and a more cerebral effect, this combined with the high delta9-thc levels from the C. sativa gives the most potent strains , c. ruderalis occupies regions farther north in latitude. Chemotaxanomic analysis reveals that C. ruderalis is shown to have lower THC levels to the feral biotype of C. sativa. However, these numbers are quite different from average THC + CBD levels the hemp biotype of C. sativa. The study conducted by Karl W. Hillig and Paul G. Mahlberg does support evidence that C. ruderalis is its own species, because there is significant difference found between Central-European and Asian ruderal accessions. This supports the longstanding theory proposed by Vavilov that C. ruderalis is his own species, but still considered by some as a sub-species of C. sativa. Most specialist scientists, however do accept C. ruderalis as its own species, due to its unique environment, as well as its specific traits and phenotypes. Crossbreeds between C. ruderalis and C. sativa are by far considered the most potent for recreational use and medical use, specially for pain relief and issues as depression, epilepsy, bipolar disorder, gut and stomach issues due to aggressive medications. It also is a strong, natural, anti-inflammatory agent. Cannabis ruderalis is smaller than other species of Cannabis. C. ruderalis rarely grows over two feet in height. Plants have 'thin, slightly fibrous stems' with little branching. Foliage is typically open with large leaves, C. ruderalis reaches maturity much quicker than other species of Cannabis, typically in a five to seven week period from seed. Unlike other species of cannabis, Cannabis ruderalis enters the flowering stage based on the maturity of the plant, rather than its light cycle. With C. sativa and C. indica varieties, it is possible to keep the plant in the vegetative state indefinitely by maintaining a long daylight cycle. C. ruderalis, however, will enter the flowering stage regardless of daily light duration. Cannabis geneticists today refer to this feature as 'auto-flowering'. It has less THC in its resin compared to other Cannabis species. However, it is often high in cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabis ruderalis was first scientifically identified in 1924 in southern Siberia, although it also grows wild in other areas of Russia. The Russian botanist, Janischewski, was studying wild Cannabis in the Volga River system and realized he had come upon a third species. C. ruderalis is a hardier variety grown in the northern Himalayas and southern states of the former Soviet Union, characterized by a more sparse, 'weedy' growth. Similar C. ruderalis populations can be found in most of the areas where hemp cultivation was once prevalent. The most notable region in North America is the midwestern United States, though populations occur sporadically throughout the United States and Canada. Large wild C. ruderalis populations are also found in central and eastern Europe, most of them in Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, Latvia, Estonia and adjacent countries. Without human selection, these plants have lost many of the traits they were originally selected for, and have acclimated to their environment.