Opinions are great. They help us understand each other & come to well rounded solutions to a mired of problems. Marijuana is a hot topic right now, but we’re not getting into opinions today.

Instead, we’re talking facts. We’re talking scientific facts: We’re talking parts of a plant; We’re talking uses of the crop. We’re talking historical facts: We’re talking where it came from; We’re talking documented societal and personal benefit & potential consequences; We’re talking physiological and ecological impact; We’re talking (US) laws. …Of a plant.

Sure, cannabis isn’t your average plant, but it’s a plant nonetheless & let’s try to remember that today.

Scientific Facts

Parts of the plant & Uses of the crop

Like like many plants on Earth, cannabis is a very versatile crop. While many can’t get away from the psychological effects certain parts of the plant could have on some people, those same people are ignoring many of the pharmaceutical and everyday household uses of this very American plant:

Leaves/Flowers

• animal bedding
• mulch / compost
• medical uses
• recreational uses

Stalk

• fiber
  • textiles (clothing, linens, etc.)
  • insulation
  • rope / string / thread
• hurds
  • paper products
  • compost
  • fiberboard
  • animal bedding

Seeds

• oil
  • cooking
  • dietary supplement
  • personal care products
  • fuel
  • paint
• seed cake
  • flour
  • beer
  • animal feed
• hemp nut
  • dairy products
  • baked goods
  • granola
  • protein supplement

Roots

• medical uses
• compost

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Historical Facts

According to the history channel:

Burned cannabis seeds have been found in the graves of shamans in China and Siberia from as early as 500 BC.

The origins of this plan can be traced back to Central Asia where the climate allowed for the crop to grow abundantly. Due to its popularity along many industries, this was one of those seeds that spread around the world quickly. Asia to Europe & Africa and, then to the Americas.

It’s unclear exactly when cannabis immigrated to the Americas, however it’s been shown that many American colony farmers were required to grow hemp in the early 1600s. Hemp was used mainly as a textile, but the seeds were also eaten.

The Medical Marijuana Movement began in the 1800s, when doctors started discovering & acknowledging the positive medical effects cannabis could have on ailing patients. & Has since seen much progress, but also much regression since then.

The Recreational Marijuana Movement, in the United States at least, is extra confusing because at first weed wasn’t illegal at all, and it certainly isn’t dangerous. But I’ll let Adam explain that one.

The effects of cannabis vary per product & strain used. Below is a list of definitions within which I have provided specific examples.

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The plant (as defined by U.S. federal law):

Cannabis – the whole plant

Marijuana – viable seeds, leaves & flowers

Hemp – sterilized seeds, stems, stalks and roots

The active ingredients:

Cannabinoid – a group of six (6) natural chemicals found in cannabis

CBD (cannabidiol) – a non-psychotropic cannabinoid with many medicinal applications

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) – the primary psychoactive cannabinoid 

Cannabichromene (CBC) – antiproliferative*, antimicrobial, bone-stimulant and anti-inflammatory

Cannabidivarin (CBDV) – exhibits bone stimulating properties

Cannabigerol (CBG) – bone stimulant, antibacterial and antiproliferative

Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA) – the main constituent in raw cannabis, THCA is both antiproliferative and antispasmodic**

*antiproliferative – inhibits cell growth
**antispasmodic – relieves involuntary muscle spasms

The strain classifications:

Sativa

• ideal climate: hot, dry, long days, full sun (Africa, Central America, SE Asia, etc.)
• appearance: tall & thin, lighter green; slow growth
• make up: low CBD, high THC
• effects: head high, energizing, anxiety relief, increased productivity, etc.

Indica

• ideal climate: adapted to harsh, dry, turbulent (Middle East Asia, Eastern Europe, etc.)
• appearance: short & stocky, darker green; average growth
• make up: high CBD, low THC
• effects: body high, relaxing pain & nausea relief, increased appetite, etc.

Ruderalis

• ideal climate: adapted to extreme cold, low to no sun (Eastern Europe, the Himalayan region, etc.)
• appearance: short & bushy, medium green; fast growth
• make up: some CBD; almost no THC, some plant are not active with either
• effects: low potency, few effects

Hybrid

• ideal climate: depends
• appearance: on the
• make up: hybrid
• effects: 🙂

Hemp uses:

(a recap): medical, recreational, household, personal, industrial,

Marijuana products:

Flower, Concentrates (oil, wax, has, etc.), Edibles/Drinkables (tincture, etc.), Topicals (creams, ointments, etc.)