Equally as important as the lovely female plants that produce our big, beautiful buds of cannabis medicine, and exist as our invaluable mother plants, are their male counterparts! Cannabis is considered dioecious, which means that each individual plant is genetically either male or female. Males contribute 50% of their offspring’s genetics during pollination and these genes are continuously passed on through various methods of propagation. Cannabis breeders look for male plants that are physically sturdy with a well-established root structure, have a desirable potency and smell, as well as ample pollen production.
Their importance cannot be overstated when it comes to the preservation of genetic stability in established strains and the overall health of their offspring. Cultivation of strong male plants for breeding allows for the natural genetic diversity that is necessary to preventing the future generation’s vulnerability to diseases and pests. Male plants also contain THC, CBD and terpenes but in much lower quantities than the female plants. Additionally, most of their cannabinoids and terpenes are stored in the leaves of the plant, as opposed to the flowers in females. Cannabinoids and terpenes are the cannabis plant’s natural defense mechanisms which is just one of the reasons why male plants with higher concentrations of these are preferable (1).
When we consider the qualities of these male cannabis plants, it becomes clear that they mirror so many of the qualities valued in all father figures. They model protection, strength and dependability for the future generations. The relationship could be summarized in a quote from Wade Boggs’ Hall of Fame speech; “Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.”
Source:
- Hemraj, Dipak. “The Importance of Male Cannabis Plants”. Cannabis Plants, Leafwell, July 18, 2020, https://leafwell.co/blog/the-importance-of-male-cannabis-plants/. May 18, 2021.