How to document lineage evidence (GB-ID evidence levels L0-L4)

Short answer. Treat "A x B" as a claim and attach the strongest evidence you have. A name alone is L0. A sourced community report is L1. The certified breeder's own statement is L2. An archivist-accepted document from the time (catalogue, dated post, patent, lab certificate) is L3. A genomic report consistent with the parent-child relationship is L4. Crosses recorded on GenetixBay as they happen carry a separate "witnessed" flag.

What's happening

Cannabis lineage history is mostly oral. Genetic studies show names and reported ancestry often don't match the DNA ^[3]. GenetixBay doesn't try to declare one "true" story. It records each claim, who made it, the evidence attached and any conflicting claims, in an append-only history (platform spec §6) ^[1].

The evidence ladder

Rules to know ^[1]: - A record shows the highest accepted level, with the number of conflicting claims beside it. - Levels change only through events; nothing is deleted. - A verified breeder account is shown separately from verified genetics. A certified breeder can still make an L2 claim that turns out wrong. - Witnessed lineage (witnessed=true): when both parents are GB-IND/GB-CUT records and the pollination event is logged on the platform at the time, parentage is machine-verifiable within the platform's records. It is a distinct flag, not a substitute for L4 DNA confirmation.

What makes good evidence

Step by step: documenting a new cross (BRD-510 practical)

1. Before pollinating, make sure both parents exist as GB-IND or GB-CUT records with photos.
2. Log the pollination event on the day: female ID, male ID, date, branch.
3. Create the GB-BAT at harvest: seed count, feminised/regular, storage.
4. Attach tests as GB-DOCs: germination, sex check, chemotype.
5. Register the GB-GEN with LIN claims to the parents (L2 as a certified breeder, plus the witnessed flag).
6. Optional L4: send leaf samples from the parents and several offspring to a genotyping lab; attach the report.

Step by step: documenting an old (heritage) line

1. Collect every source: dated posts, catalogues, magazine articles, interviews, pack photos.
2. Separate first-hand (the breeder, at the time) from second-hand (later retellings).
3. Submit each as a separate claim with its own evidence. Conflicting claims sit side by side.
4. Request archivist review for L3.
5. If living material exists, compare its DNA to other samples sold under the same name (see genotyping).

Disputes

Any member with rep ≥25 can dispute a claim with a reason and evidence. The claimant has 14 days to respond; a three-person panel rules upheld, overturned or unresolved. Losing claims are marked disputed or superseded, never deleted, and there is one appeal ^[1].

Common mistakes

• Treating a lab THC certificate as proof of parentage.
• Citing a seed shop's description of someone else's line.
• Uploading screenshots without URL and date.
• Raising your own line's level by repeating your own claim across accounts (this is a moderation offence).

Evidence

• Claims-and-evidence structure: GenetixBay policy ^[1].
• DNA parentage analysis principles: Established ^[2].
• Mismatch between names and DNA: Supported ^[3].
• Naming and publication principles: Established ^[4].