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Following the legalization of cannabis in Canada in 2018, the industry quickly grew into a billion-dollar sector. However, decades of prohibition left cannabis behind other major crops in terms of breeding tools and genetic understanding. This project, a collaboration between UBC and Aurora Cannabis, aimed to establish the resources and tools needed to launch a genomics-enabled cannabis breeding program, with a focus on identifying genes that confer resistance to powdery mildew—a disease causing millions in crop losses annually.

The project was carried out in four phases. First, the team sequenced the genomes of 12 genetically diverse cannabis lines to assess existing genetic diversity. Second, they assembled and genetically characterized a collection of 500 lines (the CanD population), representing a wide range of cultivated cannabis varieties. Third, the CanD population was exposed to powdery mildew to identify resistant and susceptible lines, and genomic analysis was used to pinpoint resistance genes. Finally, genetic markers linked to these resistance traits were used to breed powdery mildew resistance into high-quality modern cannabis varieties.

The project produced several key outcomes. It significantly expanded knowledge of cannabis genetic diversity and domestication, laying the groundwork for future research. It successfully identified and introduced new sources of disease resistance, reducing reliance on pesticides and lowering production losses. Lastly, it helped establish a genomics-based breeding program at Aurora, enhancing its competitive position globally. The genomic resources developed are now being applied to a wide range of traits, supporting the ongoing improvement of cannabis varieties in Canada and beyond.