Cannabis

Cannabis is one of the most widely grown plants in the world and the only major misused drug grown within the United States’ borders. Cannabis grows wild throughout the world and is cultivated in many countries; however, the most powerful strains of cannabis sativa are now grown in the United States. The drugs that are derived from cannabis are marijuana, hashish, and hashish oil. From the cannabis plant, marijuana is the most widely used and readily available drug comprised of dried leaves and flowers of the cannabis sativa plant, better known as the hemp plant.

History

A man standing in front of cannabis plants.

The Origins of Cannabis

The oldest known written record on cannabis use comes from the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung in 2727 B.C. Ancient Greeks and Romans were also familiar with cannabis, while in the Middle East use spread throughout the Islamic empire to North Africa. In 1545 cannabis spread to the Western Hemisphere where Spaniards imported it to Chile for its use as fiber. In North America cannabis, in the form of hemp, was grown on many plantations for use in rope, clothing, and paper.

The Use of Cannabis

Cannabis sativa grows wild throughout many tropical and humid parts of the world. Its seeds have been used for animal feed, its fiber for hemp rope, and its oil as a vehicle for paint.

The Cannabis Plant

Cannabis is dioecious, meaning it comes as separate male and female plants. Male plants are taller and thinner and have flower-like pods that contain the fertilizing, pollen-generating anthers. The female plant is darker and shorter and has short hairs protruding at the end of the bracteole pods.

Medical Use

The topic of legalizing marijuana for medical use is a controversial issue since the therapeutic properties of marijuana are presently at question when claiming medicinal purpose. The impairment of cognitive abilities when under the influence of cannabis or THC and the short-term effects of marijuana use can include problems with memory and learning, distorted perception, coordination, and increased heart rate.

Cannabis: A Schedule I Substance: Having no current accepted medical use in the United States and a high potential for misuse, cannabis is a Schedule I controlled substance. Click here to review detailed descriptions of each drug schedule.

Marijuana Dispensaries: In a variety of vending machines, it is common to find marijuana packed at maturity, marijuana candies, marijuana gum, and sometimes marijuana cigarettes.

Current Medical Use: Research over the years has resulted in the development and marketing of the dronabinol (synthetic THC) product, Marinol®, for the control of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of cancer and to stimulate appetite in AIDS patients. In 1999 Marinol® was placed in Schedule III of the CSA.

Forms

There are several forms of cannabis. Each can contain different levels of THC and be used for a variety of purposes. Browse the images below to learn more.

Chunks of hashish next to a penny for scale

Hashish, also known as hash, is the most concentrated and potent form of cannabis containing high levels of THC. Hash is derived from the dried resin of the plants flowering tops and is compressed into a variety of forms such as balls, cakes, or sticks. The Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are the main sources of hashish. Pieces of hash are broken off and placed in pipes (similar to marijuana) and smoked.

Hash oil is the refined oily extract of the cannabis plant. Depending on the refining technique the oil can vary in color from amber to dark brown with an average THC content of approximately 15 percent. The oil is usually mixed with tobacco or marijuana and smoked.

One of the first fiber plants to be cultivated, prior to the widespread use of cotton, hemp has been referenced to originate in Central Asia. In the Middle East and India hemp was largely used in religious settings; however, it was also used as a natural medicine. Hemp later made its way to Europe where its use as a fiber was highly ideal in many countries. Eventually, hemp landed in the Americas where it was popular for rope, clothing, and paper.

An assortment of marijuana candy products

In Oakland and Emeryville, California, four individuals pleaded guilty for their role in the manufacture and distribution of marijuana plants and products that mimicked well known candy and soft-drink commodities. Some of the products include “Munchy Way,” “Pot Tarts,” “Twixed,” and “Puff-A-Mint Pattie.”

Marijuana and hemp have been and are used in a variety of products. Some of the most common foods and drinks include cereal, candy, coffees, and teas. Hemp is also found in body lotions, make up, and shampoo.

Today, hemp fibers are more commonly used in clothing and jewelry.

Cannabis Varieties and Strains

With a variety of cannabis strains the potency of marijuana varies greatly. The highest concentration of cannabinoids is found in the flowers of the female marijuana plant. Marijuana is much more powerful today than it was 30 years ago. The average THC levels rose from less than 1 percent in the mid-1970's to more than 6 percent in 2002 to 8.5 percent in 2008.

As cannabis strains are continually discovered and grown the potency changes too. The differences in marijuana potency are what make various strains popular. One of the most potent early strains is sinsemillas, which is seedless marijuana from the inflorescences of the female cannabis plants. Other more current strains known for their potency include: Purple Haze, Early Girl, Big Bud, and Hindu Kush.

Effects of Marijuana on the Body

Smoking marijuana can be addictive. Marijuana use impairs a person’s ability to form memories and shift attention from one thing to another. Marijuana smoke contains 50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than tobacco smoke. Smoking marijuana may promote cancer of the respiratory tract and disrupt the immune system. Long term use of marijuana may increase the risk of chronic cough, bronchitis, and emphysema.

The THC Molecule: The most common psychoactive compound in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. However, the plant also contains more than 60 related compounds known as cannabinoids. Marijuana's psychoactive effects are caused by the THC level.

A brain scan showing marijuana's effects on the user

Marijuana and the Brain: When marijuana is smoked THC travels throughout the body, including the brain, to produce its many effects. THC attaches to sites called cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells in the brain which affects the way those cells work. Cannabinoid receptors are more abundant in parts of the brain that regulate movement, perception, coordination, learning, memory, and higher cognitive functions such as judgment.

Two smashed cars after a traffic accident

Consequences of Marijuana Use: Marijuana use affects alertness, concentration, perception, coordination, and reaction time which are all skills necessary for driving. The person operating this car was high on a combination of alcohol and marijuana. The driver killed himself and critically injured a mother and her baby.

Production, Distribution, and Trade

Marijuana is grown and trafficked all over the world, while cannabis seized in the United States is either grown domestically or smuggled from Mexico or Canada. Other countries known for producing and distributing marijuana to the U.S. are Colombia, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Thailand, South Africa, and Nigeria.

Forming marijuana into compact bricks is one of the more popular ways to transport bulk amounts of marijuana across borders and within the United States.

A map of marijuana and hashish trade routes.

A brick of marijuana.

Marijuana Plants in U.S. National Forests

Most of outdoor cannabis cultivation in the U.S. occurs on public lands where cultivators take advantage of remote areas to minimize the risk of forfeiture. More than 3 million marijuana plants, which equates to 3,000 metric tons, have been found and destroyed in National Forests in the United States since 1997. These marijuana farms have been planted in protected areas, often destroying the surrounding areas by the use of herbicides and pesticides.

A map of cannabis grown in national parks. Photo courtesy of the National Drug Intelligence Center.

Cannabis growing in a U.S. national park.

Home-Grown Marijuana

Home-grown horticulturists have gained knowledge in breeding by cross-pollination and nurturing a vast variety of strains. Many breeders now concentrate on developing varieties in the plant by controlling the growth process. This is done by using heating lamps, fluorescent bulbs, ventilation, soil nutrients, hydroponics (growing without soil by using a liquid solution which contains nutrients and minerals), and salt-free sand.

A home-grown marijuana setup.

A home-grown marijuana setup.

Marijuana Growing and Cultivation in Soil

Successful outdoor grows will depend on Mother Nature. Having sufficient water and rich soil will increase the chances of having a good crop. However, like any other crop, the grower has limited impact due to climate. Indoor plant operations are the most successful because the grower can control the growing environment. For both types of grow, the basic requirements needed are light, heat, ventilation, food, and water.

Step One: Once the seed is planted growers wait until germination has taken place. After evidence of a healthy root system begins to emerge from the base of the medium and the first leaves appear, the seedlings are ready to be transplanted or repotted.

Step Two: Once the seedlings have begun to grow they will produce a male or female plant. Determining the sex of the cannabis plant usually occurs within two weeks with the male plant showing their sex first.

Step Three: Once the male plant is identified they must be cut down and disposed of to avoid contaminating the female plants with pollen. Female plants produce one or two small white hairs called pistils, which develop into dense buds.

Step Four: After four or five weeks the female plant will develop flowering buds.

Step Five: Soon the plant is ready for harvest. Plants are cut and hung to dry for curing.

Hydroponics

Hydroponics simply means growing without soil, using a liquid solution that contains all the nutrients and minerals required to produce a healthy plant. Many experienced growers prefer hydroponics due to the faster growth rates and larger plant yields.

Marijuana Production and the Environment

The production of marijuana can also harm the environment by contaminating waterways and destroying vegetation and wildlife habitat through the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Indoor grows are also harmful because of the increased fire risk posed by rewiring or jury-rigging electrical bypasses in grow houses.