Yielding Morphological Characteristics and Biochemical Analysis of “Karma lemon” Cannabis Producing Cannabinoids in Thessaloniki-Greece

Cannabis has been widely used by humans over many centuries as a source of fiber, oil and for medicinal purposes. Its use was illicit in numerous countries, including Greece and Lebanon. “Karma Lemon”, one of the newest cannabis strain originated from Italy, is selected in this study to analyze its components using various techniques starting from the extraction, isolation and identification of cannabinoids using separatory compounds and NMR techniques as well as the main important morphological traits of this strain to be harvested at an appropriate time for medicinal uses in Greece and later on, in Lebanon. Thirty different samples were selected from the field of respected “Hemp Way Company” in Thessaloniki and studied for morphological traits. These were related to the length of the plant at harvest time (1.809 m) needed for the use of combines and the weight of inflorescence (213.5 g fresh and 40.8 g dry) for oil or seed production. Three samples of Karma Lemon cannabis strain inflorescence were analyzed at the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece, after proper extraction and isolation using ethanol and other separation compounds. TLC and NMR techniques were used to visualize and identify cannabinoids present after isolation. Cannabinoid acids, CBG, CBN, THC, CBD and other cannabinoids were identified and isolated.