USPP31874P3

USPP31874P3 - Cannabis plant named ‘HOLY CRUNCH’

Info

Publication number: USPP31874P3
Application number: US15/999,234
Authority: US
Inventors: Mark Anthony LEWIS; Steven Robert Haba
Original assignee: BIOTECH INSTITUTE LLC
Current assignee: Biotech Institute LLC
Priority date: 2017-12-08
Filing date: 2018-08-28
Publication date: 2020-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2038-08-28
Also published as: US20190183005P1; US20190183009P1; US20190183003P1; USPP31752P3; USPP31918P3; US20190183010P1; USPP31917P3; USPP31724P3; USPP32473P3; USPP31535P3; US20190183006P1; USPP33000P3; US20190183004P1; US20190183008P1; US20190183007P1; USPP31707P3; US20210045311A1; US20190254213P1

Abstract

The present invention provides a new and distinct cannabis cultivar designated as ‘HOLY CRUNCH’. Disclosed herein are main terpenes of ‘HOLY CRUNCH’, which are beta-caryophyllene, limonene, myrcene, linalool, alpha-humulene, trans-ocimene, alpha-bisabolol, and alpha-pinene. Also, the present invention provides the estimated concentration of the THCmax, CBDmax, and CBGmax, about 6.56-16.74%, about 6.49-15.28%, and about 0.25-1.87%, respectively, at the time of assaying metabolites from flower samples of ‘HOLY CRUNCH’.

Description

Latin name of genus and species: Cannabis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘HOLY CRUNCH’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cannabis cultivar designated as ‘HOLY CRUNCH’.

This new cultivar is the result of controlled-crosses between proprietary cultivars made by the inventors. The new cultivar of ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ was asexually reproduced via a stem ‘cutting’ and ‘cloning’ method by the inventors at Salinas, Calif. Asexual clones from the original source have been tested in greenhouses, nurseries, and/or fields. The properties of each cultivar were found to be transmissible by such asexual reproduction. The cultivar is stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

TAXONOMY AND NOMENCLATURE

Cannabis, more commonly known as marijuana, is a genus of flowering plants that includes at least three species, Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis as determined by plant phenotypes and secondary metabolite profiles. In practice however, cannabis nomenclature is often used incorrectly or interchangeably. Cannabis literature can be found referring to all cannabis varieties as “sativas” or all cannabinoid producing plants as “indicas”. Indeed the promiscuous crosses of indoor cannabis breeding programs have made it difficult to distinguish varieties, with most cannabis being sold in the United States having features of both sativa and indica species.

Human cultivation history of Cannabis dates back 8000 years (Schultes, R E., 1970, Random thoughts and queries on the botany of Cannabis. Pages 11-38 in: C R B Joyce, and S H Curry eds., THE BOTANY AND CHEMISTRY OF CANNABIS. J. & A. Churchill. London, England). Hemp cloth recovered in Europe dates back 6000 years (Small, E, Beckstead, H D, and Chan, A, 1975, The evolution of cannabinoid phenotypes in Cannabis, ECONOMIC BOTANY 29(3):219-232). The written record of the pharmacologic properties of Cannabis goes back more than 4000 years (Ti, H. 2737 BC. NEI JING SU WEN HUANG TI, Yellow Emperor's Classic on Internal Medicine; referred to without citation in Small et al. 1975 Supra).

The taxonomy and nomenclature of the highly variable genus Cannabis (Emboden, W A, 1974, ECONOMIC BOTANY 28(3):304-310; Small, E and Cronquist, A, 1976, TAXON 25(4):405-435; Small E and Cronquist, A, 1977, TAXON 26(1):110; Hillig, K W and Mahlberg, P G, 2004, American Journal of Botany 91(6):966-975), remains in question. This is in spite of the fact that its formal scientific name, ‘Cannabis sativa L.’, assigned by Carolus Linneaus (Linnaeus, C, 1753, SPECIES PLANTARUM, 2:1027, Salvius, Stockholm, Facsimile edition, 1957-1959, Ray Society, London, U.K.), is one of the oldest established names in botanical history and is still accepted to this day. Another species in the genus, ‘Cannabis indica Lam.’ was formally named somewhat later (de Lamarck, J B, 1785, ENCYCLOPEDIE METHODIQUE DE BOTANIQUE, 1(2):694-695), but is still very old in botanical history. In 1785, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck published a description of a second species of Cannabis, which he named Cannabis indica. Lamarck based his description of the newly named species on plant specimens collected in India. C. indica was described as relatively short, conical, and densely branched, whereas C. sativa was described as tall and laxly branched (Schultes R. E. et al, 1974, Harvard University Botanical Museum Leaflets, 23:337-367). C. indica plants were also described as having short, broad leaflets whereas those of C. sativa were characterized as relatively long and narrow (Anderson L. C., 1980, Harvard University Botanical Museum Leaflets, 28:61-69). C. indica plants conforming to Schultes' and Anderson's descriptions may have originated from the Hindu Kush mountain range. Because of the often harsh and variable (extremely cold winters, and warm summers) climate of those parts, C. indica is well-suited for cultivation in temperate climates.

Three other species names were proposed in the 1800s to distinguish plants with presumably different characteristics (C. macrosperma Stokes, C. chinensis Delile, C. gigantean Vilmorin), none of which are accepted today, although the epithet “indica” lives on as a subspecies of C. sativa (‘C. sativa ssp. indica Lam.’, Small and Cronquist 1976 Supra).

In the 20th century, two new names were added to the liturgy of proposed ‘Cannabis species: C. ruderalis’ Janischevsky and a hybrid, x ‘C. intersita’ Sojak. (Small, E, Jui, P Y, and Lefkovitch, L P, 1976, SYSTEMATIC BOTANY 1(1):67-84; Small and Cronquist 1976 Supra). Further, numerous names have been proposed for horticultural variants of ‘Cannabis’ but as of 1976, “very few of these have been validly published as formal taxa under the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature” (Small and Cronquist 1976 Supra). Moreover, other recent work continues to focus on higher-order evolutionary relationships of the genus. Cannabis has been variously ascribed as belonging to mulberry family (Moraceae) (Engler, H G A, Ulmaceae, Moraceae and Urticaceae, pages 59-118 in: A. Engler and K. Prantl eds., 1889, DIE NATURLICHEN PFLANZENFAMILIEN 3(1). W. Engelmann, Leipzig, Germany; Judd, W S, Sanders, R W, and Donoghue, M J, 1994, HARVARD PAPERS IN BOTANY 5:1-51; Humphries, C J and Blackmore, S, A review of the classification of the Moraceae, pages 267-277 In: Crane and Blackmore 1989 id.); nettle family (Urticaceae) (Berg, C C, Systematics and phylogeny of the Urticales, pages 193-220, in: P. R. Crane and S. Blackmore eds., 1989, EVOLUTION, SYSTEMATIC, AND FOSSIL HISTORY OF THE HAMAMELIDAE, VOL. 2, HIGHER HAMAMELIDAE, Clarendon Press, Oxford, U.K.); and most recently in its own family with hops (Humulus), Cannabaceae, or hemp family (Sytsma, K J, et al, 2002, AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 89(9):1531-1546). While the work of Small and Cronquist 1976 Supra, seemed to effectively confine the genus to a single species with 2 subspecies (C. sativa s., C. s. indica), each with two varieties (C. s. s. var. sativa, C. s. s. var. spontanea; C. s. i. var. indica, C. s. i. var. Kafiristanica) largely on the basis of chemotaxonomy and interfertility of all forms, more recent work (Sytsma et al. 2002 Supra), proposes a two-species concept, resurrecting the binomial C. indica Lam. Since Sytsma et al. (2002) provides no key for discriminating between the species, the dichotomous key of Small and Cronquist (1976), which accounts for all forms in nature, whether wild or domesticated, is preferred to classify the characteristics of the plants.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinctive cannabis cultivar designated as ‘HOLY CRUNCH’.

The objective of the breeding program which produced novel plants disclosed herein was primarily to develop a cannabis cultivar with its unique blend of various cannabinoids and/or terpenes for (a) medicinal effects such as improving appetite and reducing nausea, vomiting and/or chronic pain, as well as neurological and cardiovascular effects, (b) psychoactive effects such as increased motivation and energetic behavior rather than indifference, passiveness and lethargy, and (c) recreational effects with enhanced enjoyment such as food and aroma.

As used herein, the term “cultivar” is used interchangeably with “variety”, “strain”, and/or “clone”.

Cannabis plants produce a unique family of terpeno-phenolic compounds. Cannabinoids, terpenoids, and other compounds are secreted by glandular trichomes that occur most abundantly on the floral calyxes and bracts of female plants. As a drug it usually comes in the form of dried flower buds (marijuana), resin (hashish), or various extracts collectively known as hashish oil. The cannabis plant has at least 545 distinct compounds that span 20 chemical classes including cannabinoids, terpenes, terpenoids, amino acids, nitrogenous compounds, simple alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, lactones, acids, fatty acids, steroids, non-cannabinoid phenols, pigments, flavonoids, vitamins, proteins, enzymes, glycoproteins, and hydrocarbons. Terpenes and/or cannabinoids, in particular, have shown great potential in terms of medicinal value.

Terpenes and/or cannabinoids have been shown to be largely responsible for beneficial effects of a cannabis plant. In fact, each cannabis plant has the varying concentrations of medically viable compounds depending on different strains (genotypes) and their resulting chemotypes. Even a small variation in terpene and/or cannabinoid concentration can cause noticeable differences in the entourage and/or synergistic effects of a cannabis plant, which distinguishes one variety from another. Research shows that it relies heavily on the physiological effects produced by terpenes and/or cannabinoids.

Over 100 different kinds of terpenes have been identified in cannabis plants although not being as well-studied as cannabinoids, they are instrumental in giving rise to the physiological and psychoactive effects in cannabis.

Terpenes are a large and diverse class of organic compounds, produced by a variety of plants. They are often strong smelling and thus may have had a protective function. Terpenes are an important component, not only influencing taste and smell of each cannabis strain but also influencing its effects on the mind and body of a subject such as humans and animals. Terpenes are a classification of organic molecules that are found in a wide variety of plants and animals. These molecules are known for their characteristic scents and flavors. The varying terpene concentrations found in cannabis plants directly influence the resulting taste and smell, as well as the observed effects. Non-limiting examples of terpenes include Hemiterpenes, Monoterpenes, Sesquiterpenes, Diterpenes, Sesterterpenes, Triterpenes, Sesquarterpenes, Tetraterpenes, Polyterpenes, and Norisoprenoids. The main terpenes found in cannabis plants include, but are not limited to, myrcene, limonene, caryophyllene, pinene, terpinene, terpinolene, camphene, terpineol, phellandrene, carene, humulene, pulegone, sabinene, geraniol, linalool, fenchol, borneol, eucalyptol, and nerolidol.

Cannabinoids are the most studied group of the main physiologically active secondary metabolites in cannabis. The classical cannabinoids are concentrated in a viscous resin produced in structures known as glandular trichomes. At least 113 different cannabinoids have been isolated from cannabis plants. The main classes of cannabinoids from cannabis include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN). Cannabinoid can be at least one of a group comprising tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN) cannabichromene (CBC), cannabinodiol (CBDL), cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabivarin (CBV), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabidivarin (CBDV), cannabigerovarin (CBGV), cannabichromevarin (CBCV), cannabigerol monomethyl ether (CBGM), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabicitran (CBT), cannabinol propyl variant (CBNV), cannabitriol (CBO), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), tetrahydrocannabivarinic acid (THCVA), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and cannabinerolic acid.

Most cannabinoids exist in two forms, as acids and in neutral (decarboxylated) forms. The acidic form of cannabinoids is designated by an “A” at the end of its acronym (i.e. THCA). The cannabinoids in their acidic forms (those ending in “-A”) can be converted to their non-acidic forms through a process called decarboxylation when the sample is heated. The phytocannabinoids are synthesized in the plant as acidic forms. While some decarboxylation does occur in the plant, it increases significantly post-harvest and the kinetics increase at high temperatures (Flores-Sanchez and Verpoorte, 2008, Plant Cell Physiol. 49(12): 1767-1782). The biologically active forms for human consumption are the neutral forms. Decarboxylation is usually achieved by thorough drying of the plant material followed by heating it, often by combustion, vaporization, heating, or baking in an oven. Unless otherwise noted, references to cannabinoids in a plant include both the acidic and decarboxylated versions (e.g., CBD and CBDA).

The molecules lose mass through the process of decarboxylation. In order to find the total theoretical active cannabinoids, the acid forms should be multiplied by 87.7%. For example, THCA can be converted to active THC using the formula: THCA×0.877=THC. The maximum THC for the sample is: THC_max=(THCA×0.877)+THC. This method has been validated according to the principles of the International Conference on Harmonization. Similarly, CBDA can be converted to active CBD and the yield is determined using the yield formula: CBDA×0.877=CBD. Also the maximum amount of CBD yielded, i.e. max CBD for the sample is: CBD_max=(CBDA×0.877)+CBD. Additionally, CBGA can be converted to active CBG by multiplying 87.8% to CBGA. Thus, the maximum amount of CBG is: CBG_max=(CBGA×0.878)+CBG.

The biologically active chemicals found in plants, phytochemicals, may affect the normal structure or function of the human body and in some cases treat disease. The mechanisms for the medicinal and psychoactive properties of a cannabis plant, like any medicinal herb, produce the pharmacologic effects of its phytochemicals, and the key phytochemicals for a medical cannabis plant are cannabinoids and terpenes.

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for many of the effects such as mild to moderate pain relief, relaxation, insomnia and appetite stimulation. THC has been demonstrated to have anti-depressant effects. The majority of strains range from 12-21% THC with very potent and carefully prepared strains reaching even higher. While Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is also implicated in the treatment of disease, the psychotropic activity of THC makes it undesirable for some patients and/or indications.

Tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, is the primary psychoactive and medicinal cannabinoid and is the result of the decarboxylation of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THC-A), its acidic precursor. THC-A, (6ar,10ar)-1-hydroxy-6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro-6h-benzochromene-2-carboxylic acid, is found in the trichomes of the plant and converted into THC, which actually exists in only minute quantities in the living plant, after harvest and drying.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the principal cannabinoids found in a cannabis plant and is largely considered to be the most medically significant. CBD occurs in many strains, at low levels, <1%. In some cases, CBD can be the dominant cannabinoid, as high as 15% by weight. CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning that unlike THC, CBD does not cause a noticeable “high”. CBD has shown potential for medical properties in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases and symptoms, including cancer, nausea, chronic pain, spasms, seizures/epilepsy, anxiety, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcoholism, strokes, multiple sclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. CBD also has been reported to act as a muscle relaxant, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and bone stimulant, as well as to improve blood circulation, cause drowsiness, and protect the nervous system. It can provide relief for chronic pain due to muscle spasticity, convulsions and inflammation, as well as effective relief from anxiety-related disorders. It can offer relief for patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Fibromyalgia and Epilepsy. CBD has also been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth when injected into breast and brain tumors in combination with THC.

A cannabis cultivar can be used to achieve the desire of patients to be treated with CBD without the adverse side-effects (e.g., psychoactivity) of THC.

Cannabichromene (CBC) is a rare, non-psychoactive cannabinoid, usually found at low levels (<1%) when present. It has been shown to have anti-depressant effects and to improve the pain-relieving effects of THC. Studies have demonstrated that CBC has sedative effects such as promoting relaxation.

Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabichromene (CBC) are both non-psychoactive and end products of CBG metabolism, like THC, so that they can be used medically.

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. CBG-acid is the precursor to both THC-acid and CBD-acid in the plant usually found at low levels (<1%) when present. It has been demonstrated to have both pain relieving and inflammation reducing effects. CBG reduces intraocular pressure, associated with glaucoma. CBG has been shown to have antibiotic properties and to inhibit platelet aggregation, which slows the rate of blood clotting. While Cannabigerol (CBG), is not considered psychoactive, it is known to block the psychoactive effects of THC and is considered medically active in a variety of conditions. Its precursor, cannabigerolic acid, CBG-A, (E)-3-(3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl)-2,4-dihydroxy-6-pentylbenzoic acid, is being studied medically.

Cannabinol (CBN) is an oxidative degradation product of THC. It may result from improper storage or curing and extensive processing, such as when making concentrates. It is usually formed when THC is exposed to UV light and oxygen over time. CBN has some psychoactive properties, less strength than THC. CBN is thought to enhance the dizziness and disorientation that users of cannabis may experience. It may cause feelings of grogginess, but has been shown to reduce heart rate.

High potency cannabis plants contain large quantities of specific terpenes as well as various assortments of other terpenes. For instance, a cannabis plant may have a profile with either a high level of, a moderate amount of or a small amount of various terpenes depending on its cultivar and environmental conditions.

Various cultivars of ‘Cannabis’ species have been cultivated in an effort to create a cultivar best suited to meet the interest of inventors according to their own need. The particular plant disclosed herein was discovered in the area where the inventors were intentionally cross-pollinating and cultivating plants described below using standard Mendelian breeding procedures well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. This resulted in the progenies of the inventors' crosses.

The progenies resulting from any selection stage of either the crossing, selfing or backcrossing versions of the breeding regimes of the present invention were asexually reproduced to fix and maintain the desirable THC content, CBs content, terpenes content, the aroma and flavor(s) typical of the desired class, and the other desirable phenotypic and/or genotypic characteristics. The resultant selected cannabis cultivar is designated as ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ disclosed herein.

The inventors reproduced progenies asexually by stem cutting and cloning. This is the origin of this remarkable new cultivar. The plant has been and continues to be asexually reproduced by stem cutting and cloning at the inventors' greenhouses, nurseries and/or fields in Salinas, Calif., Oakland, Calif., and/or Washington, D.C.

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing chemical characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal conditions in Salinas, Calif. Chemical analyses of the new cannabis variety and the check variety (or the parental varieties) disclosed herein were performed using standard chemical separation techniques well known to those skilled in the art. Samples for assaying were obtained from flower tissues of the cannabis plant disclosed herein. Cannabinoid composition of this cultivar can be determined by assaying the concentration of at least one cannabinoid in a subset (e.g., sample) of the harvested product.

Table 1 includes detailed information of the cannabis plant named ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ including the concentration ranges of terpenes and cannabinoids as tested on flowers at least eight different times. The cannabis plant has been tested in a laboratory setting and/or facility to determine cannabinoids and terpenes concentrations in the cannabis plant named ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ according to the procedures provided in Giese et al. (Journal of AOAC International (2015) 98(6):1503-1522).

- 1) The main terpenes found in ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ are beta-caryophyllene, limonene, myrcene, linalool, alpha-humulene, trans-ocimene, alpha-bisabolol, and alpha-pinene; and
- 2) The estimated concentration of the total THC_max, CBD_max, and CBG_maxis about 6.56-16.74%, about 6.49-15.28%, and about 0.25-1.87%, respectively, at the time of assaying metabolites from flower samples of ‘HOLY CRUNCH’.

Terpene and cannabinoid profiles of ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ demonstrate that ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ has a phenotypically unique profile, particular insofar as to the level of terpenes and cannabinoids. This data is presented in a tabular form in Table 1.

TABLE 1

Ranges of Active Cannabinoids and Terpenes

Ranges of Active Cannabinoids (% by weight)

Max THC	6.56-	Max CBD	6.49-	Max CBG	0.25-
	16.74%		15.28%		1.87%

Ranges of Terpenes (% by weight)

thujene	0.00%	gamma-	0.00%	hexyl hexanoate	0.00%
		terpinene
alpha-pinene	0.03-	linalool oxide	0.00%	octyl butyrate	0.00-
	0.11%				0.02%
camphene	0.00-	terpinolene	0.00-	beta-	0.16-
	0.01%		0.01%	caryophyllene	0.60%
sabinene	0.00%	fenchone	0.00%	alpha-humulene	0.08-
					0.29%
beta-pinene	0.05-	linalool	0.05-	cis-nerolidol	0.02-
	0.08%		0.32%		0.06%
myrcene	0.03-	fenchol	0.02-	trans-nerolidol	0.03-
	0.40%		0.07%		0.04%
alpha-	0.00%	—	—	caryophyllene	0.03-
phellandrene				oxide	0.04%
carene	0.00%	camphor	0.00%	alpha-bisabolol	0.00-
					0.15%
alpha-	0.00%	isoborneol	0.00%	nerol	0.00%
terpinene
limonene	0.12-	(−) borneol	0.00-	geraniol	0.00%
	0.57%		0.03%
beta-	0.00%	menthol	0.00%	geranyl-acetate	0.00%
phellandrene
cineole	0.00%	hexyl butyrate	0.00%	methyl-eugenol	0.00%
cis-ocimene	0.00%	alpha-terpineol	0.03-	Total Terpenes	1.11-
			0.07%		2.37%
trans-	0.00-	citronellol	0.00%	—	—
ocimene	0.22%

The cannabis plant named ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ has a complement of terpenes, including but not limited to, relatively high levels of beta-caryophyllene, limonene, myrcene, linalool, alpha-humulene, trans-ocimene, alpha-bisabolol, and alpha-pinene compared to other terpene compounds. This unique combination of differently concentrated terpenes further distinguishes ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ from other varieties in its odor, its medical qualities, and its effects on mood and mentation.

Asexual Reproduction

Asexual reproduction, also known as “cloning”, is a process well known to those of ordinary skill in the art of cannabis production and breeding and includes the following steps.

The cannabis cultivar disclosed herein is asexually propagated via taking cuttings of shoots and putting them in rock wool cubes. These cubes are presoaked with pH adjusted water and kept warm (˜80° F.). Full trays are covered, left under 18 hours of light and allowed to root (7-14 days). Upon root onset, the plantlets are transplanted into rigid 1 gallon containers filled with a proprietary soil mix A and remain in 18 hours of daylight for another 14-21 days. Once root-bound, plants are transplanted into rigid 3 gallon containers filled with proprietary soil mix B. Immediately, the light cycle is altered to 12/12 and flower initiating begins. The plants remain in 12/12 lighting until harvesting. They undergo a propriety nutrient regimen and grow as undisturbed as possible for 60-70 days depending on chemotype analysis.

All sun leaves are removed and the plant is dismantled to result in approximately 12″ branches covered in inflorescences and trichomes. The goal in harvesting is to actually harvest trichome heads but not ‘buds’. Thus, great care is taken not to disturb the trichome heads and as much of the plant remains intact as possible to promote even and slow drying. Slow drying is followed by a one to two months curing process.

Observation of the all female progenies of the original plant has demonstrated that this new and distinct cultivar has fulfilled the objectives and that its distinctive characteristics are firmly fixed and hold true from generation to generation vegetatively propagated from the original plant.

Under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographs depict characteristics of the new ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ plants as nearly true as possible to make color reproductions. The overall appearance of the ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ plants in photographs is shown in colors that may differ slightly from the color values described in the detailed botanical description.

FIG. 1 shows an overall view of the ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ plant from the side.

FIG. 2A shows a close view of a single leaf of the check variety BLK03 plant.

FIG. 2B shows a close view of a single leaf of the new variety ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ plant.

FIG. 3A shows top parts (including inflorescence) of the BLK03 plant from the side.

FIG. 3B shows top parts (including inflorescence) of the ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ plant from the side.

FIG. 4 shows a close view of flowers of the ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ plant at the late flowering/mature stage.

FIG. 5 shows another close view of flowers of the ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ plant at the late flowering/mature stage.

FIG. 6 shows a reproductive part of a sample cannabis plant, indicating position/location of a flower, a bract and a stipule in the plant. The sample cannabis plant in FIG. 6 is not the claimed ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ plant.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘HOLY CRUNCH’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions, and the phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment. The following observations, measurements, and comparisons describe this plant as grown at Salinas, Calif., when grown in the greenhouse, nursery or field, unless otherwise noted.

Plants for the botanical measurements in the present application are annual plants. In the following description, the color determination is in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

The cannabis plant disclosed herein was derived from female and male parents that are internally designated as below.

A GNBR internal Code of the cannabis plant named ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ is R8.P4.01, also known as RED08.P08P0104.01. A GNBR Breeding Code is (R08)x(P08.P01.04).01. The additional number ‘0.01’ was only assigned to the 1^stindividual plant (i.e. ‘HOLY CRUNCH’) selected from progenies of the cross event between pollen acceptor (RED08) and pollen donor (P08.P01.04). ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ is a fertile hybrid derived from a controlled-cross between two proprietary cultivars: (i) RED08 (pollen acceptor; female parent), also known as R08 and (ii) P08.P01.04 (pollen donor; male parent), also known as P08P0104. The initial cross between two parental cultivars was made in February 2016. The primary phenotypic criteria used to select the new and distinct cannabis cultivar disclosed herein is as follows: structure score, nose/organoleptic testing, mold susceptibility/resistance, and insect susceptibility/resistance. Also, the first asexual propagation of ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ occurred on Aug. 20, 2016 in Salinas, Calif.

The following traits in combination further distinguish the cannabis cultivar ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ from the check variety ‘BLK03’, which is set as a standard for phenotypic comparison. Tables 2 to 6 present phenotypic traits and/or characteristics of ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ compared to the check variety ‘BLK03’ as follows. All plants were raised together and evaluated when 100 days old (i.e., 25 days in vegetative stage, 15 days in propagation stage, and 60 days in flowering times).

TABLE 2

General Characteristics

Character-
istics	New Variety	Check Variety (BLK03)

Plant life	An herbaceous plant (herb)	An herbaceous plant (herb)
forms
Plant	An upright, tap-rooted annual	An upright, tap-rooted annual
growth	plant; forming fibrous roots	plant; forming fibrous roots
habit	when asexually propagated	when asexually propagated
Plant	A controlled-cross between	A controlled-cross between
origin	pollen acceptor (RED08) and	pollen acceptor (GLD13) and
	pollen donor (P08.P01.04)	pollen donor (BSIA)
Plant	Asexually propagated by stem	Asexually propagated by stem
propa-	cuttings and cloning	cuttings and cloning
gation
Propa-	Moderate	Moderate
gation
ease
Height	1.0-1.9 m	0.5-2.5 m
Width	102 cm	119.5 cm
Plant vigor	High	Medium
Time to	14 weeks	8 weeks
Harvest
(Seed to
Harvest)
Resistance	Resistant to pests as follows;	Not Resistant to pests as
to pests	(1) Two-spotted spider mite	follows; (1) Two spotted spider
or	(Tetranychus urticae (Koch));	mite (Tetranychus urticae
diseases	(2) Aphids species such as:	(Koch)); (2) Aphids species
	Cannabis Aphids (Phorodon	such as: Cannabis Aphids
	cannabis), Green Peach Aphid	(Phorodon cannabis), Green
	(Myzus persicae (Sulzer)),	Peach Aphid (Myzus persicae
	Foxglove Aphid (Aulacorthum	(Sulzer)), Foxglove Aphid
	solani), Peach Aphid	(Aulacorthum solani), Peach
	(Macrosiphum euphorbiae),	Aphid (Macrosiphum
	Black Bean Aphid (Aphis	euphorbiae), Black Bean Aphid
	fabae);(3) Whitefly (Tria-	(Aphis fabae); (3) whitefly
	leurodes vaporariorum; (4)	(Trialeurodes vaporariorum);
	Lepidoptera species such as:	(4) Lepidoptera species such as:
	Armyworm (Spodoptera frup-	Armyworm (Spodoptera
	perda), Cabbage Whites (Pieris	frupperda), Cabbage Whites
	rapae), Painted Lady (Vanessa	(Pieris rapae), Painted Lady
	cardui), Lepidoptera sp.	(Vanessa cardui), Lepidoptera
	Resistant to diseases as	sp.
	follows; Botrytis/Flower Rot	Not resistant to diseases as
	(Botrytis cinerea) and Pow-	follows; Botrytis/Flower Rot
	dery Mildew (Podosphaera	(Botrytis cinerea) and Powdery
	xanthii)	Mildew (Podosphaera xanthii)
Geneti-	NO	NO
cally-
modified
organism

TABLE 3

Leaf/Foliage

		Check Variety
Characteristics	New Variety	(BLK03)

Leaf	Alternate	Alternate
arrangement
Leaf shape	Palmately compound	Palmately compound
Leaf structure	Obovate leaflet blades with	Linear-lanceolate leaf-
	glandular hairs	let blades with gland-
		ular hairs
Leaf margins	Dentate, coarsely serrated, and	Dentate, coarsely ser-
	the teeth point away from the tip	rated, and the teeth
		point away from the tip
Leaf hairs	Present on both upper and lower	Present on both upper
	surfaces; dense	and lower surfaces
Leaf length with	38.5 cm	16.6 cm
petiole at
maturity
Leaf width at	10.8-19.4 cm	10.7 cm
maturity
Petiole length at	17.0 cm	6.5 cm
maturity
Petiole color	142B	140C
(RHS No.)
Intensity of	Weak/absent from early	Medium (vegetative
petiole	vegetative stage until later	stage); very strong
anthocyanin	flowering at which point the	(late flowering stage)
	anthocyanin coloration could be
	considered very weak
Stipule length at	0.9 cm	0.7 cm
maturity
Stipule shape	Elliptical	Elliptical
Stipule color	140C	149B
(RHS No.)
No. of leaflets	3-5	5-7
Middle largest	20.2 cm	9.8 cm
(longest) leaflet
length
Middle largest	5.4 cm	2.3 cm
(longest) leaflet
width
Middle largest	20.2:5.4	9.8:2.3
(longest) leaflet
length/width
ratio
No. teeth of	25	25
middle leaflet
(average)
Leaf (upper	133A; dark green	132A
side) color
(RHS No.)
Leaf (lower	137C	134D
side) color
(RHS No.)
Leaf glossiness	Strong at the upper surface	Strong at the upper
		surface
Vein/midrib	Obliquely continuous	Obliquely continuous
shape	throughout leaflet	throughout leaflet
Vein/midrib	145B	144C
color
(RHS No.)
Aroma	Fuel, diesel-spice, and earth	Spicy

TABLE 4

Stem

Characteristics	New Variety	Check Variety (BLK03)

Stem shape	Large, thick, and entire	Hollow, ribbed, textured
Stem diameter	3.5 cm	2.8 cm
at base
Stem color	140B	N144D
(RHS No.)
Depth of main	Shallow	Absent
stem
ribs/grooves
Internode length	10.4-17.9 cm	2.4-4.9 cm

TABLE 5

Inflorescence (Female/Pistillate Flowers)

		Check Variety
Characteristics	New Variety	(BLK03)

Flowering	Cymes	Cymes
(blooming)
habit
Proportion of	100% pistillate	100% pistillate
female plants
Inflorescence	Even	Even
position
Flower	Cymose (Inflorescence	Cymose (terminal bud
arrangement	s are very compact, and	matures, while lateral
	therefore bracts over-
	lap within each cluster	flowers mature
	of flowers. Thus, the	thereafter)
	flowers are overlapping
	within each node)
Number of	65-140 flowers per	80-120 flowers per
flowers per	cyme	cyme
plant
Flower shape	Calcarate-urceolate	Calcarate-urceolate
Flower	0.7 cm	0.7 cm
(individual
pistillate) length
Flower	6.8 cm	3.8 cm
(compound
cyme) diameter
Corolla shape	No defined corolla	No defined corolla
Corolla size	n/a	n/a
Corolla Color	n/a	n/a
(RHS No.)
Bract shape	Urceolate-Ovate	Urceolate
Bract size	0.4-2.2 cm	0.2-0.8 cm
Bract color	135A	N134C
(RHS No.)
Calyx shape	No defined calyx	No defined calyx
Calyx color	n/a	n/a
(RHS No.)
Stigma shape	Globular	Acute
Stigma length	1.1 mm	2.2 mm
Stigma color	159B	159D
(RHS No.)
Trichome shape	Capitate-stalked glandular	Capitate-stalked glandular
Trichome color	157A at day	157A at day 40
(RHS No.)	50 in flowering	in flowering
Other types of	Capitate sessile trichomes	Capitate sessile trichomes
trichomes	are present on the leaves	are present on the leaves
	of plants, as well as being	of plants, as well as being
	noticed in the flowers	noticed in the flowers
	(color: 157A at day	(color: 157A at day
	50 in flowering).	40 in flowering).
	During later flowering, i.e.	During later flowering, i.e.
	day 60 to day 70 in	day 48 to day 60 in
	flowering, the capitate	flowering, capitate stalked
	stalked trichomes are	trichomes are present
	present (color: N30B).	(color: N30B).
		Bulbous and non-glandular
		trichomes are also present
		and most noticeable on the
		petioles, stems, and leaves
		(color: 157A).
Terminal bud	Oblong	Oblong
shape
Terminal bud	131A	203C
color (RHS
No.)
Pedicel	Absent	Absent
Staminate shape	No staminate flowers pro-	No staminate flowers pro-
	duced naturally; however,	duced naturally; however,
	male flower (staminate)	male flower (staminate)
	can be induced	can be induced
	with chemical compounds	with chemical compounds
	(such as silver nitrate	(such as silver nitrate
	and silver thiosulphate	and silver thiosulphate
	anionic complex).	anionic complex).
Pollen	Absent	Absent
description
Seed shape	Striped and ovate	Smooth and globular
Marbling of	Weak	Absent (non-existent)
seed
Petal	Apetalous	Apetalous
description
Max THC	About 6.56-16.74%	About 18.88-19.37%
content
Max CBD	About 6.49-15.28%	0.00%
content
Max CBG	About 0.25-1.87%	About 0.84-0.91%
content

n/a: not available

TABLE 6

Other Characteristics

Characteristics	New Variety	Check Variety (BLK03)

Time period and	8-10 weeks	7-9 weeks
condition of
flowering/
blooming
Hardiness of	Hardy to 25 ambient	Hardy to 25 ambient
plant	temperature	temperature
Breaking action	Strong, non-flexible	Strong, non-flexible
Rooting rate	99%-vigorous	70%-moderate
after
cutting/cloning
Types of	Stem	Stem
Cutting for
Cloning
Shipping quality	High/great	Moderate
if available
Storage life if	Long (3-8 months	Medium (2-6 months
available	with minor changes in	with minor changes in
	physical appearance	physical appearance
	and/or smell/taste)	and/ or smell/taste)
Market use	Medicinal	n/a
Productivity of	Approximately 0.227-	Approximately 0.14-
flower if	0.34 kg can	0.45 kg can
available	be produced per plant,	be produced per plant;
	dependent on finished plant	dependent on finished
	size (1.0-1.9 m);	size (0.6-1.2 m);
	Growing conditions/	Growing conditions/
	environment will dictate	environment will dictate
	final yield/output	final yield/output

n/a: not available

In general, ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ is larger in width and height than both parents, pollen acceptor (R08) and pollen donor (P08P0104). ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ is more robust in terms of growing performance, time to rooted clones, and time to flower maturity. As ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ has greater resistance to pests and diseases, such as resistance to Botrytis sp. (i.e. bud rot), it yields higher than both parents. Since ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ has stronger/larger branches and thicker stems with greater flexibility than both parents, its main and lateral branches gives ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ ability to produce higher yields under different growing conditions. The flowers of ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ are not as large as the pollen donor parent (R08), which makes ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ not to readily rot in humid conditions like that of the R08 parent. ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ clearly demonstrates hybrid vigor, and outperforms both parents overall. Chemically, ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ has a higher cannabinoid content, a higher THC:CBD ratio as well as a higher terpene content than either parent.

When ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ is compared to the check variety ‘BLK03’, ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ is a little smaller than ‘BLK03’ in plant height and width. ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ has higher plant vigor, but shows longer time to harvest than ‘BLK03’. ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ has longer leafs than ‘BLK03’ in terms of whole leaf length including petiole. Also, ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ has longer and wider leaflets than ‘BLK03’ when comparing the middle largest leaflet. ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ has a longer petiole and stipule in average than ‘BLK03’ at maturity. Regarding the average stem diameter at base, ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ is longer than ‘BLK03’. Furthermore, the internode length of ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ is longer than that of ‘BLK03’. When comparing the compound cyme diameter, ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ is a longer than ‘BLK03’, and individual pistillate flower of ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ is similar to that of ‘BLK03’ in length. ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ has a longer bract than ‘BLK03’, while having a little shorter stigma. With respect to aroma, ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ have a smell of fuel, diesel-spice and earth, while ‘BLK03’ has a generally spicy smell.

When ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ is compared to the known cannabis plant named ‘ECUADORIAN SATIVA’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,475), there are several distinctive characteristics. For example, overall form of ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ is similar in height, but is wider across at the widest point than the ‘ECUADORIAN SATIVA’ plant. ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ plant has a longer middle leaflet (without petiole), petiole and whole leaf (with petiole) length at maturity than the ‘ECUADORIAN SATIVA’ plant. Also, ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ plant has a wider middle leaflet width than the ‘ECUADORIAN SATIVA’ plant. Regarding stem diameter at base, ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ is longer than ‘ECUADORIAN SATIVA’. While the aroma of ‘ECUADORIAN SATIVA’ is strongly mephitic with hints of limonene, ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ has a smell of fuel, diesel-spice and earth. When comparing total THC content between ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ and ‘ECUADORIAN SATIVA’, the total THC content of ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ is between 6.56-16.74%, while ‘ECUADORIAN SATIVA’ accumulates 12.45% total THC.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Cannabis plant named ‘HOLY CRUNCH’ substantially as shown and described herein.