The Origin of Cannabis Revealed by Genetic Analysis Marijuana users have often wondered about the origins of their beloved—but also heavily criticized—plant. Now, they no longer need to question it: new genetic research reveals that cannabis traces its roots back to what is now northwest China, where local varieties closely resemble the original strain of cannabis cultivated over 12,000 years ago. The study - the largest ever conducted on the complete genomes of cannabis plants, adding 82 more genomes to the 28 that had already been sequenced - shows that cannabis was likely first domesticated in the early Neolithic period...

A Little-Known but Rich Heritage Introduction Japan is now known for having some of the strictest anti-cannabis laws in the world. Possession of cannabis can lead to up to five years in prison, and illegal growers can face up to seven years behind bars. About 2,000 people are arrested for cannabis-related offenses every year, and their names are often published in the news, ruining their careers. This harsh prohibition also prohibits medical cannabis research, forcing Japanese scientists to conduct their studies abroad. However, this situation may be about to change thanks to a growing awareness of Japan's forgotten cannabis history....

From the book: "Thai Stick: Surfers, Scammers, and the Untold Story of the Marijuana Trade" In the 1970s, one of Thailand's most famous exports was an extremely potent strain of marijuana known as Thai sticks. Soon, a five-part documentary series and a television series will be produced to explore the illegal drug trade and the individuals who smuggled these sticks from Thailand into the Western world. These projects are based on the book "Thai Stick: Surfers, Scammers, and the Untold Story of the Marijuana Trade", co-authored by historian Peter Maguire and former smuggler Mike Ritter. This book, although not available...

An Exploration of Potential Connections Introduction Gluten intolerances, such as celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, have seen a significant increase in recent decades. At the same time, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have become ubiquitous in modern agriculture. This convergence has led some to wonder whether GMOs might play a role in the rise of gluten-related disorders. This article explores this complex question by examining the available scientific evidence and discussing the potential implications. Gluten Intolerances: An Overview Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, triggers an immune response that damages...

Greenpeace's destruction of a GM wheat trial: a more political than ideological act? In the early hours of Thursday morning, Greenpeace destroyed a GM wheat trial plot in a northern Canberra suburb, sparking outrage among scientists. The destruction was called “mindless vandalism” by the Australian Academy of Science, and was roundly criticised on Twitter, even compared to Chris Monckton’s anti-science. Debates Around GMO Crops Opposition to genetically modified (GM) crops ranges from outright denial to measured criticism of the testing and regulatory processes. Greenpeace stands out for its concerns about the testing, approval and labelling of GM products. The organisation...