International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 2025, Vol.15, No.1, 51-63 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmeb 51 Feature Review Open Access The Origin, Domestication, and Global Spread of Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) Shanyu Chen1*, Huijuan Tang2*, LinaTang3,Wei Yang 4, Shengshu Xing5, Si Jie 1, Guanhai Ruan1 , Wenjun Wang 3 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 Co-corresponding authors email: 13906520484@163.com; wangwenjun81@126.com * These authors contributed equally to this work 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 Copyright © 2025 Chen et al., 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. Preferred citation for this article: 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) Abstract 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 sativasubsp. indicavar. 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. Keywords Cannabis (Cannabis sativa); Origin; Domestication process; Natural selection; Global spread 1 Introduction Cannabis, a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae, has a rich history that spans thousands of years. The genus includes three broadly recognized species: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis, all of which may be considered subspecies of Cannabis sativa (Lipman, 2017). The plant is indigenous to central Asia and the Indian subcontinent but has since spread globally. Cannabis sativa, in particular, has been an important source of fiber, oil, and medicinal compounds, with its psychoactive and non-psychoactive components, such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), being extensively studied for their pharmacological properties (Kopustinskiene et al., 2022). The plant's domestication history dates back to early Neolithic times in East Asia, with evidence suggesting that all current hemp and drug cultivars diverged from an ancestral gene pool in China (Ren et al., 2021). Cannabis has played a significant role in various cultures throughout history. In ancient China, it was documented for medical use as early as the 28th century BC (Artiles et al., 2019). The plant was also integral to Hindu religious practices in India, where it was offered to the deity Shiva during ceremonies (Kuddus et al., 2013). In Africa, the use of cannabis has deep roots in the ancient cultures of the Zambezi Valley. African tribes have documented the use of cannabis in religious rituals and for medical and recreational purposes (Nikolaas, 2010).In the West, W.B.O Shanghnessy began using the current medical system to study the pharmacological mechanisms of cannabis (Russo, 2018).By the 19th century, Europe and the United States had published nearly 100 articles in medical journals about marijuana as a drug,cannabis was accepted as a mainstream medication, with numerous patented marijuana tinctures available for a range of medical conditions (Lipman, 2017). Despite its medicinal benefits, cannabis faced sociopolitical challenges, leading to its prohibition in many parts of the world by the early 20th century (Lipman, 2017). However, the illicit drug market has continued to involve the use of cannabis and
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