Marijuana is a plant whose scientific name is Cannabis sativa. Its leaves, seeds, stems, and/or roots are consumed by marijuana users for the purpose of feeling intoxicated (“high”). Although the plant contains hundreds of compounds, the one that has major intoxicating effects is called tetrahydrocannibinol (THC). Although medical marijuana is legal in a few states of the United States, it is one of many illegal drugs in most jurisdictions. Specifically, laws in most states deem it illegal to engage in possession of marijuana, either for the purpose of your own use or for the purpose of distributing it to others.
Types of Marijuana
There are three distinct types of marijuana leaves and they sit among three different categories; Sativa, Indica and Hybrid. The plants of Cannibis indica and Cannabis sativa have been around since the 18th century with Cannabis Hybrid as a new introduction. Hybrid indicates the mixing of seeds from different geographic locations around the world.
A much revered pastime in the cannabis culture is to perfect the growing and harvesting. The flavors and diversity is comparative to how many cookies exist around the world, it’s endless. There are many a connoisseurs’ too, choosing what they buy based on the strain alone. It should be mentioned that most of the marijuana offered is a mix of Sativa and Indica.
1. Indica
The origin is believed to come from the Hindu “Kush” region close to Afghanistan. Anyone who knows anything about marijuana knows that Kush is really strong weed. In this area of Afghanistan, the strain developed thick coats of resin as a mean of protecting themselves due to the harsh climate. Characteristics of Indica include flowering time, yields, geography of where seeds came from and various flavors. Some of the epic names given to top flavors include; Purple Haze, Granddaddy Purple and Northern Lights.
The Indica strain is a more relaxing effect with the tendency of making you want to hang out on the couch. I sometimes wonder if the gaming companies are in cahoots with the marijuana industry as they seem to go hand in hand.
2. Sativa
The Sativas strain alternatively has energizing effects which is why they’re often used for morning or afternoon use. This strain of marijuana is used primarily for depression and exhaustion. Its morphology is a growth of up to 20 feet high, it is narrow with loose branches.
The effects of Sativa are said to be uplifting and allow you to bring your creative side out. Medicinally, it can treat ADD and mood disorders. Some of the more popular flavors under the Sativa strain include Sour Diesel, Jack Herer and Lemon Haze.
3. Hybrid
There are many variables for the two ancient strains which is where Hybrid comes in. The seeds of many geographical areas are cross germinated to balance marijuana with both strains. This offers the marijuana user a balance between the two so you get the best of both worlds.
Following is an illustration that will give you an idea about pairing of Indica and Sativa plants, it also breaks down how their constituents of cannabis might look like when compared to each other.
Countries that Smoke the Most Marijuana
The UN somehow seems to know the annual drug use of each country. I am doubting that the report is 100% accurate as it comes from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. This would somehow indicate that they’re aware of all the secret spots where young people come together to smoke. If they’re that good, it scares me a little on what else they know about us. Regardless, here’s the top countries that use marijuana.
- In Jamaica, 10% of the population enjoy marijuana and lucky for them, it has recently been decriminalized.
- Despite the fact it’s illegal, 10% of Australians consume marijuana in one way or another
- In Spain, over 10% of the population smoke marijuana. It’s illegal to sell or produce to the public but totally legal for personal use.
- 12 % of Canadians enjoy marijuana which is great because it’s legal for medical use and although it’s illegal for recreational use, it’s widely accepted.
- Nigeria is at a whopping 14% of the population using marijuana although it is completely illegal.
- Italy matches Nigeria’s marijuana consumption at 14%. It’s decriminalized for personal use but illegal to produce and sell.
- In Iceland, a total of 18.3% of the population smoke marijuana and it’s illegal
Health Benefits
I remember watching a man talk about how marijuana was detrimental to his ability to function. He got MS at a young age and because it’s a degenerative disease, it’s debilitating when you’re young. He was shaking uncontrollably and you couldn’t understand a word he was saying. He had someone hold up a vaporizer to his mouth because he was shaking too hard to hold it himself. Within seconds, the shaking stopped and his voice was perfect.
While for the longest time, the medical and pharmaceutical companies along with government bodies told us how bad marijuana was. Many of those original naysayers have been proven wrong based on research. Here are some of the ways marijuana can heal;
- Used for glaucoma because marijuana decreases the inner pressure of the eye. This was proven back in the 70’s. Effects of marijuana slows the progression of the disease which prevents blindness.
- Marijuana can assist greatly in regards to epilepsy. Epileptic rats were given marijuana extract and the results showed that the drug prevents seizures for up to 10 hours. The THC controls seizures as they latch onto brain cells that are the culprit of controlling excitability.
- Marijuana is an excellent way to assist those with nerve disorders. Likely the youngest marijuana user is a 5 year old Charlotte Figi. She suffers from a severe nervous disorder, Dravet’s Syndrome and her seizures decreased from 300 per week to just 1 after being given medical marijuana.
- The CBD found in marijuana prevents cancer from spreading as it turns off a gene known as Id-1. The Id-1 gene is where cancer cell can create more “copies and allow it to quickly spread through your body.
- Decreases anxiety, depression, stress and insomnia
- THC slows progression of Alzheimer’s Disease by blocking the “amyloid plaques” which are what is responsible for killing brain cells
Health Hazards
First I want to say that anyone who smokes marijuana will tell you that there are absolutely no health hazards with all natural marijuana. The neighbour I reviewed for this article is from an area that is liberal about marijuana in Denmark. He has a keen sense of what marijuana is all about. He had this to say about hazards, “Many people abuse it, it sets you into another mood and if you can control that mood and if you are in balance yourself, it’s good for you. For other people that are over thinkers or depressed, it can perpetuate these feelings. Keep in mind how tolerant you are and how much you smoke.”
There are people constantly upping the ante with marijuana and the current trend is THC-rich resins. These consist of;
- Hash oil
- Wax which is a soft solid
- Shatter-a really intense experience that looks like a hard chunk of glass.
When you take any of these extracts, there is so much THC in it that you can end up in the hospital. It’s not just the intensity but the fact that in preparation of making them, there is an involvement of lighter fluid. This can cause massive fires or explosions and reports have stated that people have been burned badly.
