30 Fun Facts About Cannabis (Marijuana)

🌿 30 Fun Facts About Cannabis (Marijuana)

History & Culture

1. Ancient Use: Cannabis has been used by humans for at least 5,000 years, with evidence of it being used medicinally in ancient China, Egypt, and India.

2. Emperor’s Tea: The earliest documented use dates back to 2737 B.C., when Chinese Emperor Shen Nung (regarded as the father of Chinese medicine) prescribed cannabis tea for ailments like gout and rheumatism.

3. The Original Canvas: The word “canvas” is thought to derive from “cannabis,” because hemp fiber was historically used to make ship sails and artist’s canvas.

4. Colonial Mandate: In the 17th century, laws in the American colonies (like Jamestown) required farmers to grow hemp due to its value for fiber, rope, and textiles.

5. Presidential Farmer: George Washington grew hemp at Mount Vernon, primarily for its industrial fiber use.

6. Literary Influence: Traces of cannabis were found in pipes unearthed from the garden of William Shakespeare, suggesting the famous playwright may have consumed it.

7. The Bliss Molecule: The human body naturally produces its own cannabis-like compounds, called endocannabinoids. One of these is named anandamide, which comes from the Sanskrit word ānanda, meaning “bliss.”

8. First E-Commerce: The very first commercial transaction over the internet (Arpanet, a precursor to the internet) was a sale of a bag of marijuana between students at Stanford and MIT in 1971.

9. The Lord of Bhang: In Hindu tradition, the god Shiva is sometimes referred to as the “Lord of Bhang” (a traditional cannabis-infused drink), acknowledging the plant’s sacred status.

10. The Dollar Bill: For a time, the paper used to print U.S. dollar bills was made primarily from hemp fiber.

Science & Plant Biology

11. More Than Just THC: The cannabis plant contains over 100 different cannabinoids, with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) being the most well-known.

12. The “High” Molecule: THC is the primary psychoactive compound responsible for the “high.”

13. The Non-Psychoactive Molecule: CBD (Cannabidiol) typically does not cause significant intoxication and is often studied for its therapeutic properties.

14. Terpenes, Not Just Cannabinoids: The distinct aromas (citrus, pine, berry, etc.) and flavors of cannabis are caused by compounds called terpenes, which also contribute to the plant’s overall effects.

15. It’s a Girl Thing: The sticky, resinous buds that are typically consumed come from the female cannabis plant. Male plants are primarily used for breeding and pollination.

16. Giant Growth: Under ideal conditions, certain cannabis plants can grow to be up to 20 feet tall in a single season.

17. Fat-Soluble Compounds: Cannabinoids are fat-soluble, which is why cannabis is often infused into butter or oil to make edibles, ensuring proper absorption in the body.

18. The ECS: The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a complex network of receptors (CB1 and CB2) in the human and animal body that specifically interacts with cannabinoids. It helps regulate functions like mood, pain, appetite, and sleep.

19. Varying Potency: The THC content in dried cannabis flower has dramatically increased over the decades, rising from an average of under 3% in the 1980s to over 15-20% in modern strains.

20. Boiling Point: THC’s boiling point is around $157^\circ\text{C}$ ($315^\circ\text{F}$), which is why vaporization (vaping) is often done at lower temperatures than combustion (smoking).

Laws & Modern Usage

21. No Fatal Overdose: Unlike drugs like alcohol or opioids, cannabis does not affect the brain regions that control respiration, making a fatal overdose from cannabis alone medically impossible.

22. The 0.3% Rule: Industrial hemp is legally defined in many places (like the US) as any cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.

23. Prescription Cannabinoids: The FDA has approved synthetic cannabinoids, such as Dronabinol (synthetic THC) and Nabilone, for treating chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting and appetite stimulation in HIV/AIDS patients.

24. Global Legal First: Uruguay was the first country in the world to fully legalize the recreational sale, consumption, and cultivation of cannabis in 2013.

25. The Most Used Federally Illegal Drug: In the United States, cannabis remains the most commonly used federally illegal drug.

26. Edibles’ Delay: When cannabis is eaten (edibles), the THC must first pass through the liver, which converts it into a more potent compound called 11-hydroxy-THC. This is why the effects take longer (30 minutes to 2 hours) to kick in and can be more intense.

27. Synonyms Galore: The plant and its products have countless nicknames, including “Mary Jane,” “pot,” “weed,” “ganja,” “hashish,” “shatter,” and “dabs.”

28. Medical Conditions: The most common conditions for which medical marijuana is legally recommended often include chronic pain, chemotherapy-related nausea, and muscle spasms associated with Multiple Sclerosis.

29. Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS): Chronic, heavy cannabis use can, in some rare cases, lead to a condition characterized by recurrent bouts of severe vomiting and abdominal pain, which is often relieved by taking a hot shower.

30. Microdosing Trend: A modern trend involves micro-dosing (taking very small doses, typically 2-5mg of THC) for subtle relief and focus without significant intoxication.