Want some fun facts? We do, too! We rounded up a couple of interesting cannabis facts so you can expand your knowledge on this wonderful plant. You might think you know a lot about marijuana, but chances are you don’t know everything. Here are 20 things you didn’t know about cannabis.
- The word “marijuana” comes from the Mexican Spanish word “mariguana”, which is believed to have originated from the Chinese word “ma ren hua” (hemp seed flower).
- Cannabis is one of the oldest cultivated crops, with evidence of its use dating back to ancient China and India.
- The cannabis plant has over 100 different cannabinoids, including THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
- Cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States, meaning it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
- However, some states in the US have legalized cannabis for medical and/or recreational use.
- The first recorded use of cannabis as a medicine dates back to ancient China, where it was used to treat various ailments such as pain and nausea.
- Cannabis was also used by ancient Egyptians as a treatment for glaucoma and inflammation.
- The psychoactive effects of cannabis are caused by the THC compound, which binds to the CB1 receptors in the brain.
- Cannabis can be consumed in various forms, including smoking, vaping, edibles, and topicals.
- The first ever recorded cannabis sale in the United States took place in 1619 in Virginia, where farmers were required by law to grow hemp.
- The first cannabis coffee shop opened in Amsterdam in 1972, and the city has since become known for its liberal cannabis laws.
- Cannabis use can cause an increase in heart rate, which can be dangerous for people with pre-existing heart conditions.
- The use of cannabis can also lead to an increase in appetite, also known as the “munchies”.
- Cannabis has been shown to have potential medical benefits for conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and anxiety.
- The cannabis plant can be male, female, or hermaphroditic (having both male and female reproductive organs).
- Hemp, a variety of the cannabis plant, is used to make a variety of products including paper, textiles, and building materials.
- The cannabis plant is highly adaptable and can grow in a wide range of climates and soil types.
- The use of cannabis has been linked to a decrease in opioid use and opioid-related deaths.
- Cannabis use can impair short-term memory and cognitive function, making it dangerous to drive or operate machinery while under the influence.
- The United Nations estimates that approximately 158.8 million people around the world use cannabis.
