Cannabis roots: the untapped value beneath the canopy

Most cannabis growers obsess over canopy management, trichome development, and final flower weight. But there’s an entire half of the plant we're essentially throwing away, says Thomas Walker.

- By Thomas Walker

Your cannabis root systems might represent untapped commercial value and environmental solutions that South African operations can't afford to ignore anymore. Walk through any commercial cannabis facility after harvest, and you'll see the same scene: mountains of root balls heading straight to waste. We've become so fixated on the flowers that we've forgotten the other end of the plant entirely. That's a mistake, because emerging research suggests cannabis roots contain bioactive compounds with genuine commercial potential, and their physical properties could address some serious agricultural challenges facing South African growers.

WHAT'S ACTUALLY THERE

Cannabis roots aren't pharmacologically inert. Historical records show various cultures used cannabis root preparations for inflammation, joint pain, and skin conditions, though these traditional applications were never subjected to modern clinical standards. More interesting for commercial operations are the recent phytochemical analyses showing what's actually present.