Eureka! Institutional Repository

Along with the decriminilisation of certain types of cannabis, which took place during the last years in many countries, including Greece, there was also a rise in interest for this plant. One of the subjects that preoccupy both the public and the scientists is the pharmaceutical qualities exhibited by many of cannabis’ substances. Research revolves around phenolic compounds, terpenoids and mainly around cannabinoids. Taking into account this interest, there’s also a need for the cultivation of plants that will meet the expectations of the pharmaceutical industry. The attributes and the quality standards that are needed in pharmacy, differ significantly from those that are required in all the other uses. The basic requirement in the production of pharmaceutical cannabis is the greatest possible degree of plant-to-plant uniformity and the perfect repeatability of their phytochemical attributes. The aim of this thesis is to highlight the current cultivation practices through which the aforementioned goal is pursued. Also, the presentation of cultivation issues that complicate this process and their possible solutions. A precondition for understanding better these cultivation practices consists in understanding cannabis itself as a plant, its highly complex phytochemical profile, as well as its complicated interaction with the human body. Thus, after the introductory chapter and prior to the presentation of cultivation issues, an analysis of the chemical and pharmaceutical character of cannabis is attempted