How Seth and Eric Crawford Pioneered High-CBG Cannabis Seeds
How Seth and Eric Crawford Pioneered High-CBG Cannabis Seeds
Long before high-CBG cannabis seeds became widely available, two brothers in Oregon were pioneering the genetics that would help establish an entirely new sector of the cannabis industry - and a potential pillar of cannabinoid health and wellness.
Today, CBG-dominant cannabis is a recognized category, but developing commercially viable, high-CBG seeds was once a serious breeding challenge.
At the forefront of this work were Seth and Eric Crawford, the brothers behind our beans. Through years of selective breeding, cannabinoid analysis, and scientific research, they helped transform CBG from a relatively obscure cannabinoid into a treasured cannabinoid for the masses.
The Challenge of Breeding High-CBG Cannabis
Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) is a central precursor in cannabinoid biosynthesis. In most cannabis plants, enzymes convert CBGA into other cannabinoids, including THCA and CBDA. Consequently, mature flowers typically contain relatively little CBGA.
Developing cannabis plants that accumulate high concentrations of CBGA while producing very little THC required identifying rare genetic traits and understanding their inheritance. As a recessive trait, it takes working with two CBG dominant plants to breed another variety that carries the trait. If a CBG dominant plant is crossed with a variety dominant in CBD or THC, its chemotype is basically over powered by the others.
The challenge wasn't simply finding a CBG-dominant plant, but how to get it into stabilized, feminized seed form.
Learn more about these challenges in our article, CBG Breeding 101: Why Aren't There More CBG Seeds?.
The Crawford Brothers' Breakthrough in CBG Genetics
Seth and Eric Crawford founded Oregon CBD in 2015 with a focus on scientific cannabis breeding and specialized cannabinoid profiles.
In 2016, the Crawfords conducted breeding experiments with "The White", a long favored THC variety. They discovered plants exhibiting a rare Type IV cannabinoid profile, characterized by CBGA dominance rather than THCA or CBDA dominance.
This work became the foundation of our high-CBG breeding program.
By 2017, the program had developed what we identify as North America's first pure CBG line, along with early CBG-dominant autoflowering genetics.
One particularly remarkable achievement was a CBG-dominant plant exhibiting an approximately 100:1 CBG-to-THC ratio, demonstrating the potential to produce substantial concentrations of CBG with exceptionally low THC levels.
This pioneering work was later documented in a peer-reviewed study published in Genes in 2021:
Co-authored by Seth Crawford, the research identified a genetic marker associated with CBGA dominance and advanced the scientific understanding of CBG-rich cannabis.
White CBG and Stem Cell CBG: Bringing High-CBG Seeds to Market
The Crawford brothers' early breeding achievements led to the development of commercially successful CBG varieties that remain important today.
White CBG
White CBG became one of Oregon CBD's foundational CBG varieties. Known for its high CBG content, resinous flowers, and exceptionally low THC production, White CBG helped demonstrate that CBG-dominant cannabis could be commercially viable for both flower and biomass production.
Today, growers can also explore White CBG Seedless, a triploid version offering reduced fertility and excellent resin production.
Stem Cell CBG
Stem Cell CBG was another important breakthrough, combining high CBG production with vigorous growth and excellent agricultural performance.
The variety also became the subject of scientific research examining how chromosome number influences cannabis characteristics.
A 2021 study, Characteristics of the Diploid, Triploid, and Tetraploid Versions of a Cannabigerol-Dominant F1 Hybrid Industrial Hemp Cultivar, Cannabis sativa 'Stem Cell CBG', included Seth and Eric Crawford as co-authors.
This research helped advance the understanding of polyploid cannabis breeding and contributed to the development of modern triploid varieties.
Both foundational genetics remain part of GTR Seeds' expanding collection of high-CBG cannabis seeds.
Continuing Innovation in CBG Seeds
What began with rare CBG-dominant plants has evolved into a diverse breeding program producing feminized F1 hybrids, autoflowering varieties, and triploid CBG seeds.
Triploid cannabis plants contain three sets of chromosomes rather than two, substantially reducing fertility and helping minimize unwanted seed formation.
GTR Seeds continues developing CBG-rich genetics with improved aromas, flower quality, cannabinoid production, and agricultural performance.
New releases, including White CBG Seedless and Stem Cell CBG Seedless, build upon the original genetics while incorporating advances in modern cannabis breeding.
Learn more about our ongoing work in New Exotic CBD, CBG, CBDV, & THC Seeds.
A Lasting Legacy in Cannabis Breeding
Today, high-CBG cannabis seeds are available from numerous seed banks, but the development of reliable, commercially viable CBG genetics required years of research, experimentation, and selective breeding.
Seth and Eric Crawford were among the pioneers who helped turn rare CBG-dominant plants into dependable cannabis seed varieties suitable for commercial agriculture.
Their contributions extended beyond seed production, helping advance scientific understanding of cannabinoid inheritance, genetic selection, and cannabis polyploidy.
That legacy continues at Oregon CBD and GTR Seeds, where ongoing research and breeding innovation are producing the next generation of high-CBG genetics.
Explore our high-CBG cannabis seeds and discover the genetics developed by the breeders who helped pioneer commercial CBG cultivation.