Nutritive Value and Cannabinoid Potency of Diverse Hemp ( <i>Cannabis sativa</i> L.) Varieties Grown under Different Light Conditions and Harvested across Multiple Time Points as a Possible Feed Source for Livestock

L.) grown in California, USA, to determine how these affected agronomic and nutritive values relevant to animal feed metrics, as well as the expression of cannabinoids. Cannabinoid potency was quantified using a newly developed UPLC-DAD method. Light sensitivity, light intensity, and harvest time significantly influenced agronomic and nutritional characteristics, in addition to the plant's cannabinoid profile. High light intensity increased agronomic and nutritional variables, but the response varied by genotype. Cannabinoids increased in photosensitive varieties grown under high light intensity, while the latter harvests demonstrated the highest values in all varieties. This indicates that specific plant genotypes and their response to light availability may be a means to optimize hemp's nutritional profile and address safety concerns surrounding cannabinoid expression for use as a livestock feed source.