Radula marginata

Radula marginata (Wairuakohu) is a species of plant in genus Radula, a genus of liverworts. It is endemic to New Zealand.^[1][2] It has been found to contain cannabinoids.^{[3] [4]}

Cannabinoids

Users smoking the plant have experienced different effects.^[5] The cannabinoid is not THC, the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis, but it is of similar molecular structure.^[3] The liverwort contains perrottetinene and perrottetinenic acid.^[3] The quantity of cannabinoid present is much less than in cannabis.

Legal status

The liverwort grows as a common weed. Owning, growing and distributing the liverwort is legal.

Radula marginata has a long history of traditional use as a rongoā (Māori herbal medicine),^[6] and is a taonga of the Māori people of New Zealand, so any attempt to prohibit its use would be a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi .

References