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Don't Smoke Pot... Get Your THC From Yeast

posted by cmn32480 on Thursday September 17 2015, @01:09PM   Printer-friendly
from the get-the-twinkies dept.

CoolHand writes:

Researches have created a strain of yeast with THC, as well as other parts of marijuana.

In August, researchers announced they had genetically engineered yeast to produce the powerful painkiller hydrocodone. Now comes the perhaps inevitable sequel: Scientists have created yeasts that can make important constituents of marijuana, including the main psychoactive compound, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.

Synthetic versions of THC are available in pill form under brand names like Marinol and Cesamet; they are generally used to treat nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite caused by H.I.V. infection or cancer chemotherapy. Genetically modified yeast could make THC in a cheaper and more streamlined way than traditional chemical synthesis.

Using yeast could also shed light on the clinical usefulness of cannabis-derived compounds. Marijuana is increasingly embraced as medicine, yet there is limited evidence that it is effective against many of the conditions for which it is prescribed. Researchers hoping to separate fact from wishful thinking will need much better access to marijuana's unique constituents. Modified yeast may provide them.

Why can't they just legalize cannabis, and none of this would be necessary?

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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 18 2015, @06:09AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Friday September 18 2015, @06:09AM (#237845)

    I'm pretty sure THC isn't toxic. Either way the point of DUI laws are to reduce very dangerous drivers not to arbitrarily punish people who drink alcohol that would otherwise drive safely. It would be interesting to see what threshold of THC levels would be used for the law. The .08 threshold for alcohol probably had something to do with how it affects driving ability. Would the THC threshold be set at a similar impairment level as alcohol or would a new standard be used?

  • (Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Friday September 18 2015, @10:56AM

    by The Mighty Buzzard (18) Subscriber Badge <themightybuzzard@proton.me> on Friday September 18 2015, @10:56AM (#237893) Homepage Journal

    The 0.8 standard was more likely set by insurance company lobbyists as low as they possibly could get it. Never try to ascribe pure motives to legislation.

    I'd say a rational standard should be used after proper scientific testing to determine what it should be but, again, it will be insurance company lobbyists that will eventually set any limits we're placed under.

    --
    My rights don't end where your fear begins.