Cannabis is the officially name for the drug that most people refer to as marijuana, weed, or pot. It is a substance that is derived from a plant called cannabis sativa and it grows wild in a variety of tropical and temperate areas of the world. It is a plant that can be cultivated to grow in just about any climate and is very commonly done indoors using hydroponic technologies.
Delta-9 tetrahydro-cannabinol, the technical name for THC, is the main ingredient found in cannabis and is the part that is responsible for giving the “high” feeling. The potency of THC can vary from plant to plant. There are three forms that come from the cannabis plant and the most common is marijuana. The two others are hashish and hash oil. The dried flowers and leaves of the plant is what’s responsible for making the marijuana and although it is the most common, it is also the least potent of all the products. Hashish is a product of the resin of the plant and can be smoked or added to food and eaten. Oil is the most potent of the three and is also smoked.
The legality of cannabis remains an ongoing battle, but here are some of the facts by number:
One of the reasons that the legality of cannabis is always up in the air is because of the short and long-term effects of the drug. While many people argue that there are no long-term, negative effects, research has proven that’s just not true.
Some of the possible long-term effects of prolonged cannabis use are an increased risk of respiratory disease, including cancer; decreased memory and learning abilities; and decreased motivation in areas of work, study, and concentration.
The legality of cannabis has changed over the years on a state-by-state level, but it continues to be a closed topic on the federal and national level.
