Harnessing Cannabis sativa as a dual-use platform for biohydrogen production and pharmaceutical synthesis: a hypothesis and theory

Cannabis sativa , long established as a cornerstone of the pharmaceutical and industrial fiber markets, represents a radical and underexplored platform for renewable energy innovation. In this Hypothesis and Theory framework, we introduce a novel, patented (Provisional Patent No. 63916615) dual-use bio-refinery paradigm. This model harnesses engineered cannabis photosynthesis to drive green hydrogen production without compromising its established value as a high-yield medicinal crop. By strategically redirecting photosynthetic electron flow toward oxygen-protected hydrogenase activity, it is possible to generate molecular hydrogen at commercially relevant scales while maintaining plant viability. Unique to this model is the ability to leverage over $10 billion in existing controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) infrastructure, bypassing the capital-intensive barriers that have hindered traditional algal biohydrogen systems. We outline a tripartite circular economy strategy that integrates hydrogen capture during the vegetative phase with the subsequent harvest of therapeutic cannabinoids and industrial biomass. This convergence of synthetic biology, clean energy, and biomedicine positions cannabis as a uniquely versatile multipurpose crop capable of fueling both the pharmaceutical industry and the global transition to a sustainable hydrogen economy.