Marijuana Fun Facts: 9 Weird Things You Didn’t Know About Weed

Did you know that 61% of Americans are in support of legalizing marijuana? Are you surprised?

Or are you one of them?

Regardless of what side you fall on, there’s no denying that marijuana is an interesting, controversial topic. It’s been around for thousands of years, providing the world with its services. From hemp products to catching a buzz to pain relief, the uses are plentiful.

If you’ve landed on this article, chances are you have a little interest in the topic. Or maybe you have a lot. Maybe you’re even smoking a joint right now!

Curious what all the buzz is about? Then check out these marijuana fun facts.

1. Its Legal Status

Ready for some crazy statistics?

As of 2018, medical marijuana is legal in over half of the U.S. Thirty states are now reaping the benefits of the THC plant.

And business is booming.

In 2017, the medical marijuana industry hit a staggering high of $9.7 billion in sales. Not only is this a 33% increase from the previous year, but it’s not slowing down, either. Researchers expect that by 2021, sales will have grown to $24.5 billion.

Wow.

That’s not including the recreational side of things. Nine U.S. states also offer legal recreational marijuana. Any persons 21 and up can buy weed as if it were a 6-pack of Corona.

2. The Landrace

Think about dog breeds for a second.

We’ll boil it down to two kinds: Pure-bred, and mutt.

A pure-bred dog is what it is. But a mutt can be a combination of any number of dogs down the genealogical line.

The same applies to marijuana. Long before the crazy cross-breeds like Conspiracy Kush, El Chapo OG, and Cat Piss, smokers harvested a purer form. These are landrace strains.

These guys are geographically specific, domesticated plants that grow in certain areas only. Consider these strains the marijuana heirloom breeds. They are the true roots of all the breeds you’ll find in dispensaries today.

3. Battle of the Sexes

A WSU study has revealed that women may develop a tolerance to weed quicker than men.

The study conducted was with male and female mice. Scientists wanted to observe and record the pain-relieving effects of marijuana.

In the beginning, female mice were more sensitive to its properties. But 10 days after the study began, female mice now needed more THC to achieve the same effects.

Male mice received the same dosage throughout the experiment.

4. Back to Square One

It’s strange to think about how hard people are fighting right now to legalize marijuana. Because not so long ago, marijuana was legal for medical use.

We’re reversing the steps of one Harry Anslinger. Who is he?

For one, he was the head of the Department of Prohibition in the 1920s. He was in charge of a large movement that ultimately failed. And when prohibition ended, he was left wondering what to do with his time.

So he turned his back on marijuana, something he once claimed wasn’t harmful. He ignored the scientific data from 29 scientists explaining cannabis wasn’t dangerous. Instead, he believed the words of the one who did.

And thus, the marijuana ban is born. And we’ve been fighting it ever since.

5. Weed-Commerce

We mean e-commerce.

In the early 1970s, some Stanford students developed an online buying system – or e-commerce as we call it now. They communicated with their friends at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. And what did they first sell online?

“An undetermined amount of marijuana,” of course.

6. Dispensaries > Starbucks

Move aside, overpriced coffee. There’s a new kid in town.

It’s marijuana dispensaries – or the place where one exercises their marijuana prescription.

At least, that’s the case in Denver, Colorado. There are more than two times the number of dispensaries than there are Starbucks.

No, you didn’t misread that statement. You’re not high, are you?

The mile-high city is. In fact, many areas have as many as 9 more dispensaries than they do coffee shops. You’re more likely to run into a weed supplier than a coffee roaster in certain neighborhoods.

7. What’s In a Name

Marijuana, cannabis, weed, pot, bud. Those are some of the many, many, many names for the plant.

But let’s focus on the word “marijuana.” Its connotation wasn’t always as free-loving as it is now. In fact, it used to be the opposite: the name has racist roots.

In the early 1900s, Mexican immigrants came to the U.S. to escape political tension. This was when marijuana was under scrutiny in the U.S.

And with them, they brought along a habit: smoking marijuana. Or marihuana, as they called it.

Enter Harry Anslinger again. He attached the negative connotations of weed to Mexicans and blacks. He blamed violence on them and the drug, inducing an unjustified fear in U.S. citizens.

8. It’s All in the Terpenes

That aroma you love? That flavor you can’t resist? The effects you enjoy?

These come from the terpenes of marijuana, says research from UCANNTECH. Terpenes are an aromatic (read: smelly) hydrocarbon made only by plants and a few insects.

These terpenes offer everything from the attractive smell to the soothing effects. They also have many medicinal qualities, ranging from anti-inflammatory to anti-tumor.

We bet Harry Anslinger didn’t know that.

9. “Bless You!”

Did you sneeze?

Some people can develop allergies to the marijuana plant. This makes sense when you consider the fact that it really is just that: a plant! Like poison ivy or pollen, you may become irritated by marijuana.

A particularly sensitive strain? Anything from the Cannabis sativa can be more annoying in its allergens.

Smoking, inhaling secondhand, touching, or eating marijuana can cause symptoms to occur. Anything from itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezes, sore throat, and the like.

Most people only suffer mild to moderate symptoms. Avoidance is the #1 prevention technique.

Marijuana Fun Facts Galore

There’s more where this came from.

Did you like these marijuana fun facts? Then you’re going to love our article on the 10 weird ways people have smoked pot over the years!

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