Cafe Botanique, January 10, 2018; 6:30-8 p.m.

Cannabis sativa: What genetics tell us about the “devil’s lettuce”
Anna Schwabe, M.S., UNC, Greely

Cannabis sativa is a multi-billion dollar crop, and yet, relatively little is understood about genetic relationships among varietals and the wide phenotypic diversity within the species. Decades of prohibition have severely delayed Cannabis research, and, as such, there are large gaps in our scientific understanding of this incredibly important plant. Multiple genetic studies show variation within strains, which is problematic for consumers expecting specific effects.

Anna Schwabe, M.S. is a doctoral candidate at the University of Northern Colorado. Anna has strong connections with Denver Botanic Gardens as she is not only a graduate of the School of Botanical Art and Illustration, but she is also the former manager of the Research and Conservation genetics lab. Although she wears many hats, she considers herself an evolutionary biologist. Her current research uses a multifaceted approach to determine relationships in Cannabis sativa. Ultimately, she aims to answer questions surrounding variation observed within strains of plants that are largely propagated through cloning.
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Denver Botanic Gardens – Gates Hall

6:30-8 p.m.