5 Interesting Facts About the Cannabis Plant

The cannabis plant has a long and varied history and is becoming increasingly popular. In fact, 93% of US voters support the legal use of marijuana in all states.

For years, people have used it recreationally and medicinally without the medical community’s support. Now, however, cannabis consumption is also attracting the favor of mainstream medicine.

Keep reading to learn five interesting cannabis facts.

1. Breast Milk Has Cannabinoids

There’s a natural abundance of the cannabinoids found in the marijuana plant in human breast milk. Human breast milk is nutrient-rich. More importantly, it’s what gives newborns the desire to eat and prevents undernourishment.

2. Cannabis Started in Asia

Researchers believe that Asia is the homeland of cannabis. There are ancient Asian oral traditions relating to cannabis dating back to 2737 BC. In these tellings, people believe that Shen-Nung—a mythological Chinese ruler— tried cannabis and created various cannabis cures.

3. Shakespeare May Have Liked the Pot

South African researchers believe Shakespeare may have created some of his greatest works while smoking cannabis. Scientists at the University of Witwatersrand excavated 17th-century tobacco pipes from Shakespeare’s garden in England.

After forensic studies, the scientists report finding trace amounts of nicotine and cannabis. Although these findings aren’t concrete evidence that Shakespeare smoked marijuana, they’ve created considerable speculation about the point.

4. Beer Hops and the Cannabis Plant Are Close Cousins

In nature, beer hops are the most closely related genus to cannabis. Both cannabis and beer hops are botanical members of the Cannabaceae flowering plant family. In fact, US beer brewers have begun blending cannabis flower and beer, making quite the tasty brews.

5. Cannabis Was the First Thing Sold on the Web

Today, you can buy nearly anything online. Whether you want to survive an apocalypse or check your home for surveillance bugs, you can find what you need on the internet.

Still, what you might not know is that Stanford University students brought cannabis from their MIT peers using the ARPANET—the early version of the internet—in what’s potentially the first e-commerce transaction. Journalist John Markoff backed up this account in his book and claimed that the event took place in the 70s.

Types of Cannabinoids

The most popular cannabinoids—THC and CBD—don’t come directly from cannabis. However, cannabis produces several cannabinoid acids. Consumers must then activate these acids, typically with heat, to create THC or CBD.

Cannabis can produce several cannabinoid acids. These acids include:

• Cannabichromenenic acid (CBCA)
• Cannabichromevarinic acid (CBCVA)
• Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA)
• Cannabidivarinic acid (CBDVA)
• Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA)
• Cannabigerovarinic acid (CBGVA)
• Tetrahydrocanabivarinic acid (THCVA)
• ?9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA)

The most abundant marijuana strains are typically THCA and CBDA.

Taking a Toke

It can prove challenging to choose extracts or concentrates and figure out the best way to consume them. If you go to a local dispensary or smoke shop, for instance, you’ll find a wealth of options. These options may include:

• BHO
• Budder
• CO2 oil
• Edibles
• Shatter
• Tinctures
• Wax

There are many kinds of concentrates and extracts, like this liquid phase CBN extract. They’re a great way to enjoy the benefits of cannabis.

Here’s to Your Health!

You now know five interesting facts about the cannabis plant. Hopefully, you’ve also learned a few things that will help you lead a healthier life.

When it comes to our health, many things may surprise you. Check out our Weird Health section to learn more interesting facts about leading a healthy lifestyle.

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