I suppose it’s only fitting that China now has over half (306) of the 606 total patents relating to marijuana, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization.
After all, Cannabis originated in China, and China boasts the earliest records of medicinal use (which go back to 2727 BC).
Of course, the Chinese are merely placing a very good bet on the likely spread of the decriminalization movement that is sweeping across the US and nations around the world. Yet ironically, this push for patent recording is taking place despite the government’s harsh stance towards marijuana use by its own citizens – it’s illegal to possess, sell, transport or cultivate marijuana in China, and you could be sentenced to death for trafficking. Moreover, the Chinese government appears to back this ant-Cannabis view by asserting that Cannabis is an addictive, dangerous drug.
But if money talks, China listens.
While its marijuana is considered mediocre by some sources, China is already a leader in manufacturing industrial hemp, and has vast territories and a multitude of micro-climates favorable for large-scale cultivation. And remember, Cannabis is originally native to China. So you can bet that if/when the time is right, China can and likely will dominate the world in terms of total production and, perhaps, quality as well.
Yes, many will balk at this, but don’t forget that China had absolutely no wine making tradition up to several years ago, yet has already developed a burgeoning domestic industry that is likely to threaten French fine wine industry in the not too distant future: dominating marijuana culture, by comparison, would be a far, far easier task.
But I digress.
Is China truly poised for world Cannabis domination?
I think not.
The noted surge in marijuana patents coming out of China is interesting, but in my opinion does not really threaten the US or other foreign exploitation opportunities, much less hamper big drug companies. Most of the Chinese patents appear focused on natural Cannabis-based herbal remedies: simple concoctions made to address things like, indigestion, for example.
In addition, it would seem that China would have to relax its attitude toward pot, markedly, to create an atmosphere conducive to attracting people knowledgeable of sophisticated and cutting-edge growing and cultivation methods. It would be a big corner for China to turn – going from sentencing possession with death to trying to advance medicinal Cannabis use globally? I frankly can’t see it.
Although unlikely, if China did forget about saving face, embraced decriminalization and turned its attention and resources towards the improvement and advancement of medicinal Cannabis cultivation and strain genetics, I suspect that the “Dragon” would absolutely rock the pro-cannabis world.
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