What a stupid question right? What is Cannabis. Everyone from the rowdy teenager to your grandmother knows what it is. Pot, marijuana, weed, hemp, hash, wacky tobacky, devils lettuce, etc. You do not have to look very far to find some. In fact, almost every city has SOMEONE who has access or knows someone who does. But what is it really? A year ago I would have been in the boat of "its evil! Keep it away from people! It's the worst!". Not so much anymore.
What you are looking at is a ready to prune and dry adult cannabis plant, but what do you smoke? I'll give you a hint, its not the leaves. First you prune off all the buds (that's why its called bud!), then you dry them either by hanging, heating it on low in an oven, or using a dehydrator. Afterwords you will grind up that bud, put in your smoking instrument of choice, and fire it up. No kidding some might say, but there is a large majority who wouldn't know that! Great! Now we know what it is and how to smoke it! Done right? Nope.
We still have not actually answered the question what it is. Why smoke it? Why does it get you high? Why would I want to smoke it if i don't want to get high? Well lets start with the two major compounds inside the flower. THC and CBD.
THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol, is a psychoactive compound found in the bud of the flower, assumed to be the plants self defense system. Animal/bug will eat the flower and start tripping balls and therefore not eat the rest of the plant! It does however have some very practical uses outside of getting really high. THC messes with your neurons and receptors, which cause the trip. This to the average person getting high probably doesn't mean too much, but to me and others who are interested in the practical uses of this, it can be used to treat things like Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis, and other types of pain not usually helped with ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylonol) or even codeine! Not to mention the fact that cannabis is much much MUCH easier on the stomach than the above, and it is very hard to over take cannabis. THC is also great for an appetite stimulant, which is why the whole "munchies" thing exists!
CBD,or Cannabidiol, unlike THC, doesn't really do anything. No psychoactive components, no trips, no intoxication at all. The effects however are unbelievable. Firstly, it is an ANTI-addictive, meaning that use of CBD can lower dependencies on alcohol, tobacco, and opioids! That right there is a really good reason to like it! It also has been found to have effects in the following:
I hope that this kind of helps shed some like on what cannabis really is why if you are opposed to it, should give it a chance and do some research. Maybe you will change your mind. Or you won't. Either way, my goal here was just to educate anyone who doesn't really know what good can come from legalization, with legalization coming to Canada soon, and anyone else willing to listen!
Thank you all for reading, until next time
Mordekai Moriarty
