A Moroccan study analyzing five cannabis cultivars grown between 2014 and 2016 found that the local strain Beldiya showed significantly greater chemical stability than four imported hybrids. Researchers concluded that Beldiya's consistent cannabinoid profile makes it a strong candidate for regulated medical and industrial cannabis use in Morocco. A recently published study on Cannabis chemistry in northern Morocco has found that the traditional local cultivar Beldiya displays far greater chemical stability than four imported hybrid strains. Conducted over three years, between 2014 and 2016, the research analyzed the phytocannabinoid profiles of five Cannabis sativa L. cultivars grown under identical environmental conditions in central-northern Morocco. Researchers focused on one traditional variety, Beldiya, and four exotic hybrids: Avocat, Khardala, Mexicana, and Critical Plus. Using advanced liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/TSQ), they examined the resin of the plants and identified 13 cannabinoid compounds. Of these, five were categorized as major cannabinoids based on their concentration levels: THCA-A, CBDA, CBD, Δ9-THC, and CBN. Among all the cultivars studied, only Beldiya maintained a consistent chemical profile across the three growing seasons. «This stability is attributed to the uniform and stable seeds selected by local farmers, as well as the cultivar's early blooming stage, which facilitates hybridization with other cultivars», the researchers explained. Beldiya more stable than imported varieties In contrast, the imported cultivars showed significant year-to-year variation. For instance, Δ9-THC levels were highest in 2014, CBD peaked in 2015, and in 2016, cannabinoid levels dropped across the board, reads the study considered the first of its kind in the region. The samples were grouped into three distinct chemical clusters based on their compositions and seasonal variability. Beldiya consistently formed a separate cluster, highlighting its unique and stable profile. The findings represent a major contribution to the scientific understanding of Cannabis grown in Morocco, especially at a time when the country has recently legalized cannabis for medical, therapeutic, and industrial use. The consistent chemical profile of Beldiya makes it a promising candidate for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications, and the study also offers new genetic markers for identifying chemical polymorphism. These markers could inform future breeding and cultivation programs both in Morocco and globally. This research was carried out by a group of scientists from Moroccan institutions, including the Laboratory of Biology, Ecology, and Health at Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in Tetouan; the Laboratory of Marine Biotechnologies and Environment (BIOMARE) at Chouaib Doukkali University in El Jadida and the Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute in Rabat.
