We use cookies for certain features and to improve your experience. See our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy to learn more

Leafly

Shop legal, local weed.

Open
advertise on Leafly
ShopDeliveryDispensariesDealsStrainsBrandsProductsCBDDoctorsCannabis 101Social impact
  • Sign in
  • Create account
  • Strains
  • Shop
  • Shop
  • Delivery
  • Deals
  • Dispensaries
  • CBD Stores
  • Brands
  • Products
  • Learn
  • Cannabis 101
  • News
  • Leafly Learn
  • Science of cannabis
  • Doctors
  • Social impact
  • Lab partners
  • Download the Leafly App
  • Advertise on Leafly
    • Leafly.comUSA flag
    • Leafly.caCanadian flag
    • Leafly.deGerman flag
  • Help
  • News
  • Cannabis 101
  • Growing
  • Strains & products
  • CBD
  • Politics
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science & tech
  • Industry
  • Reports
  • Canada
  • Podcasts
  • Leafly Lists
Science & tech

Will Tomorrow’s THC Be Brewed in a Lab?

Max Savage LevensonPublished on February 28, 2019 · Last updated July 28, 2020
(nicolas_/iStock)

The fungi we call yeast gave humanity its bread and beer. Our cannabis buzz may be next.

Yesterday, researchers at University of California Berkeley announced they had successfully hacked yeast genes to grow cannabis’ main active ingredients. Their findings, published in the scientific journal Nature, add to research on using synthetic biology to produce “green drugs” like cannabis’ happy chemical, THC.

They spliced 15 genes into brewers yeast, including genes from five strains of other bacteria, and genes from the cannabis plant.

Cannabis plants secrete a class of chemicals dubbed “cannabinoids” that fit into human nerve cell receptors like keys into a lock, altering cell function.

Genetically modified bacteria can secrete custom cannabinoids at a fraction of the cost of farming, meaning more targeted cannabinoid drugs, bulk production of rare molecules like tetrahydrocannabivarin (THC-V), and cannabigerol (CBG), plus, access to medicine in places where cannabis farms won’t work.'Blade Runner 2049' Time?

Franken-Yeast Yields THC, CBD, And More

Synthetic biologists at Cal performed some serious transgenic science, too. They spliced 15 genes into brewers yeast, including genes from five strains of other bacteria, and genes from the cannabis plant. The resulting GMO-yeast eats acid and excretes precursors for THC and CBD.

Getting THC the old-fashioned way, of course, takes seeds, soil, water, nutrients, sun and labor. Yeast THC could be quicker and cheaper.

“For the consumer, the benefits are high-quality, low-cost CBD and THC: you get exactly what you want from yeast,” explained Dr. Jay Keasling, a synthetic bioligy pioneer, and paper co-author. Dr. Keasling previously used yeast to grow insulin, human growth hormones, and more.

Dr. Keasling pointed out his discovery will make it possible to grow a wide range of cannabinoids: “the rare ones that are nearly impossible to get from the plant, or the unnatural ones, which are impossible to get from the plant.”

Related
Fight the Munchies With These West Coast THCV Products

He’s also a businessman. In 2015, he launched a biotech company called Demetrix, which has licensed research to Cal. He’s bullish on taking the technology to market, where both Big Ag and Big Pharma could be interested.

“The economics look really good,” Keasling said. “The cost is competitive or better than that for the plant-derived cannabinoids. And manufacturers don’t have to worry about contamination—for example, THC in CBD—that would make you high.”

No matter how you cut it— it looks like experiencing the effects of cannabis, if not necessarily the plant itself, could become much lighter on your wallet.

 Would you dab up some low-cost yeas-THC?

YouTube’s ‘Pot Scientist’ Fired for Answering Burning Questions image
Politics
YouTube’s ‘Pot Scientist’ Fired for Answering Burning Questions
Bruce Kennedy

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • See all dispensaries
See all dispensaries
research
Max Savage Levenson
Max Savage Levenson
Max Savage Levenson likely has the lowest cannabis tolerance of any writer on the cannabis beat. He also writes about music for Pitchfork, Bandcamp and other bespectacled folk. He co-hosts The Hash podcast. His dream interview is Tyler the Creator.
View Max Savage Levenson's articles

The latest in Science & tech

  • Researchers say cannabis may help treat Covid-19 image
    Researchers say cannabis may help treat Covid-19
    Emily Earlenbaugh
  • Weed & exercise Part III: Can cardio make you fail a drug test? image
    Weed & exercise Part III: Can cardio make you fail a drug test?
    Nick Jikomes, PhD
  • How THC impacts your heart, lungs & exercise performance image
    How THC impacts your heart, lungs & exercise performance
    Nick Jikomes, PhD
  • Here’s the euphoric chemistry behind your runner’s high image
    Here’s the euphoric chemistry behind your runner’s high
    Nick Jikomes, PhD
Get good reads, local deals, and strain spotlights delivered right to your inbox.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.



Stay In Touch

Receive updates on new products, special offers, and industry news.

Something went wrong, please try again.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Leafly mobile app
Get high for less.
Download the Leafly app.
Download Leafly: Marijuana Reviews on the App StoreDownload Leafly Marijuana Reviews on Google Play

Business Solutions
  • List your store
  • List your CBD store
  • List your brand
  • List your practice
  • Business log in

About Leafly
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Investor relations
  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Accessibility

Dispensaries in
  • Los Angeles
  • Seattle
  • Portland
  • San Francisco
  • Toronto
  • Detroit

Privacy & Terms
  • Terms of use
  • Commercial terms of use
  • Privacy policy
  • Do not sell my personal information

* Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice.


© 2025 Leafly, LLC
Leafly and the Leafly logo are registered trademarks of Leafly, LLC. All Rights Reserved.