Cannabis rasta is purported to be a new species discovered by Simon Gilmore of the Canberra Insitute of Technology. Gilmore ran DNA analyses of 196 sample plants by their mitochondria and chloroplasts. He drew these plants from sources grown for drugs and hemp as well as wild specimens from Europe, Asia, Africa, Mexico, and Jamaica.

The study results revealed three distinct "races" of cannabis according to their DNA. Plants from central Asia were predominantly Cannabis indica, while those from western Europe were primarily Cannabis sativa. Samples from south-east Asia, India, Africa, Jamaica and Mexico showed a predominance of the rasta variant. In appearance it is similar to the sativa species, but generally contains higher levels of THC.

Because the study was of DNA rather than a formal taxonomic study, "Cannabis rasta" is not an official species. It appears to be identical to the narrow-leafed drug biotype of Cannabis indica. =See Also=

• Hemp
• Cannabis sativa
• Cannabis indica
• Cannabis ruderalis

=References=

• New Scientist Article on Discovery (From pg 12, issue 2517 of New Scientist magazine, 20/9/05)

Cannabis strains