Yo, cannabis just got a major glow-up. Researchers from Colorado and South Korea have teamed up to drop what they’re calling the most complete weed genome ever. And the star of the show? A new strain called Pink Pepper that’s not just pretty but packed with CBD power.
Straight out of Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Institute of Cannabis Research (ICR), this collaboration with Kangwon National University in South Korea is shaking up the cannabis game. Pink Pepper isn’t just another CBD-heavy strain—it’s a whole new blueprint for understanding how hemp and CBD-rich cannabis grow.
“This strain, Pink Pepper, comes with a fully mapped-out genome,” says Dr. Sang Park, the ICR’s top plant scientist. “It’s like the holy grail for cannabis breeders and researchers. It’s got everything we need to improve CBD production, understand the plant’s evolution, and dig deeper into how cannabinoids and terpenes are regulated.”
Let’s rewind for a sec: the first attempt at a cannabis genome was with Purple Kush back in 2011. Cool, but it had a lot of gaps. Scientists straight-up called it “poorly aligned with low resolution.” Translation: It left a lot of questions unanswered.
Now, fast-forward to Pink Pepper. This bad boy has a genome map with 99.6% accuracy. That’s nearly perfect, folks. The more complete the genetic map, the more consistent the traits—like potency, yield, and the CBD content. And that’s a game-changer for growers, scientists, and even the people who just want to chill or manage their health better with some high-quality CBD.
Oh, and about that color—Pink Pepper isn’t playing. It’s got a vibe that ranges from hot pink to deep purple, with a magenta glow in between. But don’t get it twisted—that eye-popping look was a total accident, according to Dr. Park.
