Gregor Johann Mendel, the founder of modern genetics and famous abbot from Brno, is best known for his experiments with peas. However, new research reveals a little-known fact: Mendel ordered cannabis seeds and was able to grow them in the monastery’s greenhouse. Jakub Treml, the Vice Dean for External Relations, Strategy, and Development, has published a very interesting article on this topic, which you can now read as well.
Historical documents show that in the 1870s, Mendel ordered 20 grams of Cannabis gigantea seeds from the German company Benary. The cannabis of this variety most likely originated in China and grew to a height of several meters.
What did Mendel want with cannabis? His goal was either to improve industrial hemp, as taller plants have longer and stronger fibers suitable for the textile industry, which was significant in Brno at the time. At the same time, however, Mendel may have been interested in the medicinal uses of cannabis and thus sought to enhance these properties. Hemp was already being used in medicine at that time, for example to treat pain or insomnia.
Interestingly, Chinese hemp varieties likely contained higher levels of the psychoactive component THC. It is therefore not out of the question that Mendel experienced the plant’s effects firsthand—even though direct evidence is lacking.
“If Mendel did indeed experiment with cannabis, it would be further proof of his extraordinary curiosity and breadth of interests,” says study author Jakub Treml from the Faculty of Pharmacy MU. The study was published in the journal Folia Mendeliana in 2025.
Today, Mendel would surely be amazed by the diversity of modern cannabis strains—from industrial hemp to medicinal varieties with precisely defined levels of active compounds. His story serves as a reminder that science is often born from the courage to explore uncharted territory.
Publication details: Did Gregor Mendel Grow Cannabis?
Between 7-11 March, San Antonio in Texas hosted a prestigious international conference and exposition on laboratory science. One of the presenters was our very own, Dr Václav Trojan from the faculty's Department of Natural Drugs. He showcased his work on Medicinal Cannabis Plants, In Vitro Cultivation and Standardized Production.
The Faculty of Pharmacy Masaryk University successfully hosted a specialized workshop titled “The Use of Isolated Heart Systems for Cardiovascular Research and Testing of New Antiarrhythmic Drugs,” which attracted those interested in modern experimental approaches in pharmaceutical and biomedical research. The course, offered as part of continuing education, provided a unique opportunity to gain insight into the world of ex vivo models and to gain hands-on experience working with an isolated heart system.
