The Hop Latent Viroid (HpLVd), a single-stranded, circular infectious RNA, runs rampant in the hemp and cannabis growing communities.  Cannabis infected with HpLVd may or may not manifest any apparent symptoms but understanding what those symptoms can be is important to combat this virus.

HpLVd can cause physical symptoms in Cannabis sativa such as stunted growth, a brittle stem, or noticeable malformation of the leaves. Because cannabis plants grow shorter with smaller leaves and tighter node spacing during infection their buds are also stunted, growing smaller, more spaced out, and with far fewer trichomes. On top of these physical symptoms, a dangerous element is found in its name: Hop Latent Viroid. The virus can remain latent or inactive within infected plants, making it nearly impossible to detect without testing. Overall, these contribute to the invisible problem: a lack of potency. Plants infected with HpLVd may have half the cannabinoid content of their healthy counterparts.

Controlling The Spread Through Testing

Since the discovery of HpLVd in 2017, research has been performed and there are now answers and the ability to test. Green Leaf Lab is delighted to announce that they are now offering HpLVd testing.

The state-of-the-art infrastructure and top-of-the-line testing equipment found at our California analytical laboratory enables us to provide advanced HpLVd screening services to our customers.  This allows us to detect even the most asymptomatic samples and alert our customers if they have a HpLVd outbreak amongst their stock.

To learn more about Hop Latent Viroid (HpLVd) in cannabis, best practices in preventing the spread, and how Green Leaf Labs can protect your business and its reputation by identifying potential infections, read this month’s blog on HpLVd and visit our website.