Geneticists worldwide are racing to breed a cannabis seed not yet in existence: One that thrives in climates with only 12 hours of daylight all year but remains low in THC. Long the province of illicit criminals and smugglers, cannabis genetics now draw top botanists as a growing number of countries authorize cannabis production, whether for adult recreational or medicinal use, or for low-THC industrial hemp use.

The U.S. military and researchers at a Wisconsin university are discussing making hemp fiber to replace imported polyester and polymer in Army vehicles – a potential partnership that would return the state to the days it was the epicenter of fiber production during both World Wars.

Mexico is poised to become the world’s most-populous country with legal marijuana and hemp next month – and, unlike its northern neighbor, Mexico is setting nationwide regulations to cover all forms of cannabis, no matter the THC content, instead of having a patchwork of laws for the two plants.