Here is one rare opportunity to ground the present into history, by pin-pointing the actual origin of this 0.3 % Delta-THC limit which got gradually adopted in many countries:
Summary
Variation in Cannabis is evaluated in the context of the confusing systematic history of the genus. aside from some experimentally produced polyploids, all Cannabis is diploid (n = 10), and there appear to be no barriers to successful hybridization within the genus. The present pattern of variation is due in large part to the influence of man. Two widespread classes of plant are discernible: a group of generally northern plants of relatively limited intoxicant potential, influenced particularly by selection of fibre and oil agronomic qualities, and a group of generally southern plants of considerable intoxicant potential, influenced particularly by selection of inebriant qualities. These two groups are treated respectively as subsp. sativa and indica, of C. sativa, the only species of the genus Cannabis. Within each subspecies two parallel phases are recognizable. The "wild" (weedy, naturalized or indigenous) phase is more or less distinguishable from the domesticated (cultivated or spontaneous) phase by means of an adaptive syndrome of fruit characteristics. The resulting four discernible groups are recognized as varieties.
Introduction
This paper is based largely on garden, laboratory, and herbium studies of Cannabis carried out during the past several years by Small at Ottawa, together with a comprehensive review of the extensive literature bearing on the taxonomy of the genus. Small has previously presented segments of his studies dealing with catology and breading behaviour (Small, 1972a), chemical variation (Small and Beckstead, 1973a, 1973b; Small et al., 1975), morphology of the achenes (Small, 1975a) and numerical taxonomic analysis (Small, 1974a, Small et al., 1976).
Cronquist's studies, though less intensive than Small's, have led him to the same conclusions, and the two authors have been in frequent consultation since 1972. Cronquist has also been able to examine the type specimens of Cannabis sativa L. and Cannabis indica Lam., and to lectotypity the names Cannabis sativa var. spontanea Vavilov and Cannabis indica var. kafiristanica Vavilov.
It might have been possible to reach the taxonomic conclusions here presented from the literature alone, if due attention had been paid to papers in the Russian language as well as to those in English, German, and French, but such a literature-based interpretation would have lacked the quality of necessity that we believe is provided by the recent work done at Ottawa.
In out opinion the studies reviewed in this paper lead innevitably to the conclusion that Cannabis consists of a single highly variable species. This is true regardless of whether one emphasizes traditional morphologic and geographic features, or chemical features, of cytology and breading behaviour as essential specific criteria, and whether one analyzes the phenotypic data by inspection or with the aid of a computer. Our taxonomy at the infraspecific level is perhaps debatable, but we believe that it too is strongly supported by the evidence.
Ref.: 'A Practical and Natural Taxonomy for Cannabis', Ernest Small & Arthur Cronquist, August 1976. DOI 10.2307 1220524
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