A Cannabis leaf
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis sativa L. (also known as marijuana, grass, ganja, herb, etc.) has been growing almost all over the planet for thousands, if not millions, of years. The plant has enjoyed multiple medicinal, recreational and religious implementations with respect to one of its main active ingredients: THC or tetrahydrocannabinol. In modern days, Cannabis and hemp plants are classified according to the amount of this drug contained in the plant. Less than 0.3% THC indicates that the plant is hemp, and therefore used for industrial, nutritional and medical purposes, and any plant with more than 0.3% THC is considered Cannabis, used for medicine, recreation and religion, and illegal worldwide.
The name Cannabis encompasses hundreds of thousands of plants all over the planet, which are then divided into three main families: Cannabis, hemp, and Ruderalis (an automatically flowering variety used for breeding, also known as “Russian hemp”). Different varieties of hemp are used to produce a range of products and are also cultivated through varying methods. Regarding Cannabis, the variance between strains (varieties) can be found in their country of origin.
There are four primary families of intoxicating Cannabis: Sativa, Haze, Afghan, and Indica. The former two are found in hot tropical and sub-tropic environments, with the pure Sativa or “Haze” originating at the Equator. These types of Cannabis contain high THC levels, which makes the user experience a very uplifted and happy feeling (cerebral) and is a bronchial dilator and nausea reducing drug. Therefore, Sativa-dominant strains are often used to treat ailments such as depression, asthma, glaucoma and post-chemotherapy cancer patients.
The other families, Indica and Afghan, encompass some of the oldest known strains on the planet, including those from the Hindu Kush region (thought to be the birthplace of Cannabis). The Indica and Afghan varieties impart a very full-bodied “stoned” (corporal) and relaxed effect, due to low THC content coupled with a high level of CBD, or cannabidiol. CBD treats medical patients as a muscle-relaxant, sedative and anti-inflammatory, leading to their use in treating ailments such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis and epilepsy.
Cannabis is also used recreationally; in fact, it is the most widely used illicit drug in the world. The plant is used to aid in relaxation, as a social drug, to help people sleep, and is often even smoked for its flavour as each variety has its own unique taste, scent and effect. Regarding cultivation great differences also exist between the major families of Cannabis.
