Learn more about Cannabis and its Extensive Medical usage Potential
It’s important to understand that there is a distinction between cannabis and marijuana. Cannabis refers to the species of plant itself, and marijuana is only the dried flowers of the female cannabis plant. The cannabis has been classified as a narcotic and illegal for some 80+ years now in most of America, but it likely should have been that only marijuana was prohibited as the cannabis plant has a whole host of non-narcotic benefits to it.
Colorado and Washington have taken the lead in being responsive to shifting perspectives on the use of cannabis and legalized it. Other states have followed suit since then, and to our North cannabis is legal across the entire country in Canada. Other states allow the use of medical cannabis for people who have it prescribed for them by their physician.
With this shift being felt all over nowadays, it’s likely that a discussion of ‘what is cannabis’ will be very timely for many people who are curious to learn if they too can benefit from enjoying the plant – whether that’s for recreational use, or medicinal purposes with medical cannabis.
So, for anyone would like to know what is cannabis exactly, read on here.
Cannabis
Despite the recent bad publicity and notoriety throughout the 20th century, cannabis has been used in medicine for centuries before that. To define what is cannabis, the long and short of it is that it’s a particularly hardy species of flowering plant that grows well in nearly any temperate climate where it can have 2-3 months of extended sunlight and reasonably warm temperatures, and it can be grow in even the poorest quality soil for the most part.
Once the cannabis plant matures sufficiently, it is only the female plants that produce the buds that are loaded with THC and other cannabinoids. Male cannabis plants are useful in other capacities (hemp has literally hundreds of different product applications) but when we’re talking about recreational cannabis or medical cannabis, we’re referring to dried flower bud of the female plant - marijuana.
It’s this part of the female plant where the cannabinoids – organic chemical compounds that are bioavailable to the human body and promote a whole host of different physiological effects when ingested – are found. These cannabinoids are what are prized by people who used cannabis for either recreational purposes, or as medical cannabis.
Cannabinoids
A discussion of what is cannabis should actually be focused primarily around the cannabinoids found in the plant. That’s because it’s these compounds that, as stated, give cannabis / marijuana its effects. The one that’s responsible for the mind-altered state of being ‘high’ that marijuana is so renowned for is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
There are others, but let’s continue to focus exclusively on THC here and say that while there are plenty of different strains of cannabis that are high in THC, there are also plenty of different strains that are not high in THC, and some that even have next to none of it.
Instead, many strains will be predominantly CBD (cannabidiol). This is an entirely different cannabinoid, and it’s the one that is sought by medical cannabis enthusiasts for it’s pain-relieving and other therapeutic applications in the same way recreational users seek cannabis with THC.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please note that this page features content about cannabis and other related substances that are illegal under federal law as well as under state law in certain states. All content on our sites is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Cannabis is not sold on this website.
The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
