Cannabis in urban food systems: advancing clonal propagation as a foundation for sustainable food, fiber, and material innovation

Abstract

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is increasingly recognized as a multifunctional crop at the intersection of urban food systems, sustainable material innovation, and circular economic development. This thesis situates hemp within urban food systems, emphasizing its capacity to contribute to food production, industrial applications, and environmental sustainability. Hemp-derived products such as seeds, oils, and protein powders offer nutrient-dense, plant-based alternatives aligned with evolving dietary preferences. Fiber and hurd fractions support applications in textiles, biocomposites, and construction materials. These diverse outputs enable hemp to support all three pillars of sustainability by promoting local economic development, supporting community-based enterprises, and delivering environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration, phytoremediation, and reduced agrochemical inputs.

Despite its versatility, hemp production systems remain largely agronomic and seed-based, prioritizing scalability over uniformity. In contrast, clonal propagation is standard in high-THC Cannabis systems to ensure genetic consistency and predictable crop performance. This separation highlights a key limitation in current hemp production: genetic variability can constrain product standardization and market reliability. As urban and controlled-environment agriculture systems demand greater uniformity and efficiency, propagation practices are a key area of innovation. As such, advancing clonal methods adapted to hemp is necessary to enable consistent, high-quality plant material that supports hemp’s integration into urban agriculture and value-added supply chains.

This research gap was addressed by experimentally evaluating the effects of fertilization and propagation environment on the quality of rooted hemp cuttings. Across three experiments with multiple cultivars, propagation systems, substrates, and fertilizer regimes, results showed that propagation environment had a greater influence on cutting quality than fertilization. Intermittent mist improved root development, while subirrigation enhanced foliage quality by reducing chlorosis. Fertilization, whether slow-release or soluble, did not significantly improve rooting success under the conditions tested. This research contributes to developing optimized propagation protocols and supports the broader thesis that refining plant production techniques is critical to unlocking hemp’s full potential in sustainable, urban, and controlled-environment agricultural systems.