Medicinal hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has gained global attention due to its high-value phytocannabinoids, particularly cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which exhibit significant therapeutic potential. Protected cultivation offers a climate-resilient and sustainable strategy to optimize hemp production by controlling environmental factors, ensuring year-round supply, and improving quality attributes. This paper outlines the key principles and technologies for protected hemp cultivation, including light spectrum management, temperature and humidity control, CO₂ enrichment, nutrient and water management, pest and disease suppression, and post-harvest handling techniques. Advanced greenhouse and indoor production systems enable precise regulation of microclimate, reduce crop losses, and enhance cannabinoid and terpene profiles compared to open-field production. The integration of smart technologies and autonomous control systems can further enhance operational efficiency and consistency. The paper concludes that protected cultivation systems represent an effective approach to overcome climatic uncertainties and meeting the increasing demand for medicinal hemp production on sustainable grounds.

Rapidly changing climates and fertile land scarcity are points of high concern for agricultural productivity at the global scale. Plasticity in agricultural production systems is highly desirable f...

Mutation breeding is a powerful tool for inducing genetic diversity and facilitating the development of crops with novel and desirable traits. These genetic variations will consequently expand available germplasm of a crop. This study aimed to create hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) mutants with enhanced industrial and medicinal characteristics through gamma irradiation. Two seed groups i.e., pre-irradiation hydropriming (G1) and post-irradiation hydropriming (G2) were subjected to four gamma radiation doses (150 Gy, 300 Gy, 450 Gy and 600 Gy) using a Co60 source. Seeds were hydro primed before radiation exposure in G1 and after irradiation in G2 for 12 hrs. Higher doses of radiation led to greater phenotypic variation among the surviving plants. Out of forty isolated mutants, six exhibited significant improvements. Mutant ‘M1’ (G1D1) showed superior industrial traits including increased plant height, stem thickness and shoot weight, while, ‘M31’ (G2D3) demonstrated medicinal traits such as enhanced axillary shoots, trichome number and trichome size. These mutants will be advanced for potential use as new industrial and medicinal varieties of hemp. Variants with superior traits may be included in future breeding programs as well.