Albinism

Albinism in cannabis refers to a rare genetic condition where plants produce little to no chlorophyll, resulting in white, pale, or severely yellowed foliage. Affected seedlings typically cannot sustain photosynthesis and die within days or weeks of germination. This trait is generally recessive and appears sporadically in breeding programs rather than being deliberately cultivated. Understanding albinism is important for seed producers and breeders seeking to identify and cull non-viable genetics early. The condition has been documented across multiple strain lineages and serves as a marker for underlying genetic variation in breeding populations.

Breeders monitor seedling populations for albino individuals as an early indicator of seed viability and genetic purity. The appearance of albinism in offspring can signal carrier status in parent plants and inform selection strategies for future crosses.