Comparative Study of Three Varieties of Cannabis sativa L. Cultivate in Different Region of Morocco

In this study, an experiment of hemp crops was conducted between in four different regions of the country, and concerned three varieties Santhica 27, Epsilon 68 and Futura 75. The tests were conducted in areas with geographical, climatic and soil characteristics different than European cultures, that’s why it was necessary to verify the behavior of these plants by controlling their Δ-9-THC content. Sampling, drying and Δ-9-THC evaluation in these crops were performed according to procedure B of European Regulation, and using a simplified method based on the determination of the ratio α = Δ-9THC/CBD. The best dry matter yields, plant height and density are obtained with the variety Futura 75 in the four sites, followed by Epsilon 68 and Santhica 27. The average contents of these crops in Δ-9-THC were ranged from 0.013% to 0.027% for the variety Epsilon 68, between 0.023% and 0.035% for the variety Futura 75. Analysis of this latter variety by GC / MS SIM mode and LC/MS/MS allowed the identification of traces of Δ-9-THC. In the other hand, the ratio α has been evaluated to 0.042 and 0.047 respectively for Epsilon 68 and Futura 75 varieties which is similar to those usually obtained for hemp fiber crops and stays much lower than 0.2. The Principal Component Analysis confirms the existence of possible correlations for each variety separately. Overall, the results reveal the existence of correlations between different parameters including the one between the dry matter yield, plant height and density.