Marijuana Prize - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it even possible?

Absolutely. Our experts tell us that it is easily possible to do with today's genetic engineering technology. All that needs to happen is someone with the correct expertise needs to do it.

One expert related that they have seen undergraduates in college biology courses do similar things in a few hours. See Best Plants for a list of plants that would be best suited to this research.

How long will it take and how much will it cost?

Our experts tell us that a person with the right technical skills and access to the proper equipment could produce the first seeds within days or weeks.

Proving that the plant meets the requirements will require growing at least two generations of the plant. With the proper skills and equipment, it is possible to go from concept to proven plant in less than a year. The first seeds and other commercial products based on these plants could be on the market one to two years after the plants are proven. Their appearance on the market will depend on the laws on marijuana and genetically modified plants in each locality.

The estimated cost, using 2008 technology, will be about $20,000. The costs are dropping as technology advances.

How much is the prize?

The cash amount of the prize is currently: To Be Announced.

The amount will be increased as contributions are received from the public.

However, we feel that the amount of the prize will not be the important issue. The cost to do this is not prohibitive, and is certainly within the means of any average person who is really interested to do it. Money is not really the issue. Lots of people spend more than $20,000 on their hobbies.

The real issue is the inspiration to do it. We want to provide that inspiration.

If you want to help by contributing to the prize fund, you can do so by going to How Can You Help?

What if the prize fund gets bigger than the amount required to do it?

If the prize fund gets to be larger than the amount required to do it, then we will use the money to hire the required technical resources to do it ourselves -- in a place where it is legal, with all the proper licensing, of course. We will publish the technical procedures and results on the web.