Tochigishiro

'Tochigishiro' (Japanese: とちぎしろ) is a cultivar of hemp grown in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. It meets international standards of non-narcotic agricultural hemp at about 0.2% THC,[1][2] reckoned "remarkably low" by Sensi Seeds.[3] It was grown in the early 20th century at Arlington Experimental Farm near the United States capital.[4] The modern variety was developed beginning in 1973 by Fukuoka University professor of pharmacy Itsuo Nishioka from seeds "found in southern Japan",[5] and completed c. 1982 by the Tochigi prefectural government at Tochigi Agricultural Experiment Station in Tochigi-shi.[6][7] According to a National Institute of Mental Health-affiliated researcher, the strain is missing the enzyme tetrahydrocannabinolic acid synthase that makes most Cannabis capable of producing THC.[8] It is the most widely grown cultivar in Japan in the 21st century, being exempt from prohibition under the Cannabis Control Law, due to its low levels of psychoactive chemicals.[9][10] Approximately 90% of the hemp grown in Japan is the 'Tochigishiro' variety (as of 2007).[11]

A research report on an experimental plot at Kitami Agricultural Experimental Station on Hokkaido suggests that it may be the most productive known crop for biomass, yielding 52.7 tonnes/ha in a single season.[12] The crop grows about 3 metres (9.8 ft) tall.[7]