Scientists Are Sending Cannabis to Space for This Reason

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On June 23, a SpaceX Falcon 9 launched from Vandenberg carrying a unique payload: 150 cannabis seeds inside the MayaSat‑1 incubator, part of a broader biological mission including fungi, algae, and human DNA.
In polar low Earth orbit, the seeds will be exposed to up to 100× more radiation than near the ISS—crucial data for understanding survival in space’s extreme environment.
Cannabis: A Spacefaring Crop?
Led by Božidar Radišič and the Martian Grow project, the experiment aims to determine if cannabis can serve multiple roles for lunar or Martian settlers—as food, medicine, building material, fiber, and even bioplastic.

Cannabis’s natural resilience to UV radiation and harsh climates—from Afghanistan to Tibet—points to its promise .
Decoding Cosmic Genetic Shifts
Radiation in space can induce random genetic mutations—activating or disabling genes or entire pathways
After the return, scientists in Slovenia will study multiple generations of clones over a two-year period, analyzing changes in cannabinoid composition (like THC and CBD), leaf structure, root systems, and stress responses.
Expert Voices Back the Mission
Gary Yates, cultivation lead at Hilltop Leaf in the UK, praises cannabis as “a leading contender” for extraterrestrial farming due to its hardiness, low-water needs, and soil remediation qualities.
Purdue’s D. Marshall Porterfield points out these radiation-induced mutations may reveal new traits important for space agriculture.
Pioneering Beyond Earth’s Orbit
Although previous cannabis experiments—like tissue cultures on the ISS in 2019—went unpublished, this mission marks a milestone. It’s also a precursor to more ambitious experiments, including NASA’s LEAF project planned for Artemis III in 2027.

Professor Porterfield notes that for deep-space missions, understanding how plant genetics respond to cosmic radiation is vital for long-term crop viability.
From Cannabis to Cosmic Crops
The implications extend beyond marijuana. The mission could reshape agriculture for space colonies: yielding radiation-resistant food plants, biomechanical fibers, or medicinal crops. However, success depends on growing cannabis—or other plants—in closed ecosystems against Martian-like conditions.
Next Phase: Testing the Results
Once the capsule is recovered near Hawaii and shipped to Slovenia, analysis begins. If space‑exposed seeds show beneficial changes, Genoplant plans to test them in simulated extraterrestrial soil and low-gravity greenhouses—laying the groundwork for future missions.
You might also want to read: How Does Cannabis Affect Your Brain?