What Is Cannabis?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistoryTypesUsesFormsRisksLegalities

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

History

Types

Uses

Forms

Risks

Legalities

Cannabis is the name used to describe a family of flowering plants that come from the Cannabaceae family. There are several different species of cannabis, all of which contain more than 100 cannabinoids.Cannabinoidsare naturally occurring compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors throughout the body leading to a number of possible effects, including feelings of intoxication and pain relief.

Jessica Olah / Verywell

Types of Cannabis

The History of Cannabis

Cannabis is believed to have originated in Mongolia and southern Siberia, although some maintain that the plant could be found in the early years in South Asia, Afghanistan, and the Huang River Valley in northern China. Professor Ernest Abel believed that the plant was among one of the first widely cultivated in the world and is over 12,000 years old.

Ancient cultures used cannabis for its medicinal properties. Burned seeds in graves of shamans could be found as early as 500 B.C. suggesting that the psychoactive properties could have been utilized during ceremonies and healing rituals.

The recreational use of cannabis is thought to have begun as early as 900 B.C. when the Scythians, a group of Iranian nomads, were believed to have burned the seeds to inhale the smoke containing the psychoactive ingredient.

There are four main types of cannabis and they all have their own active compounds. Each type or strain can be used for a variety of different things depending on their levels of each ingredient and how they are harvested.

Indica vs. Sativa vs. Hybrids: Which is Right For You?

Sativa

Cannabis sativais a species of cannabis plant that tends to be higher on thetetrahydrocannabinol (THC)scale than other variations, although it does contain cannabidiol (CBD) as well.

It is used for medicinal, recreational, and industrial (hemp) purposes.C. sativaplants are tall and lankier than other cannabis plants and can reach up to 20 feet in height.

Indica

Cannabis indicaplants are lower in THC and higher in CBD when compared toC. sativa. This gives them less psychoactive properties and they are often used for medicinal purposes in people who wish to avoid feeling intoxication but would like the same ailment relief.

TheC. indicaplant is short and bushy in appearance and takes less time to reach maturity.

Ruderalis

Cannabis ruderalisis the type of cannabis plant used the least. The plant is low in THC like the indica plant but does not contain adequate levels of CBD when it comes to medicinal effects.

It is often in conjunction with theC. sativaorC. indicatypes of cannabis to create hybrid versions as it doesn’t have a high potency unless mixed with other strains.

Hybrid

A hybrid version of cannabis occurs when two or more of the types of cannabis plants are crossed, creating a new species. They are generally equated to being the offspring of cannabis parents from two different categories.

Hybrid strains are created when farmers want to take the best of both plants to encourage the growth of a superior plant. The breeding of different types of cannabis plants is always experimental, and there are endless variations to choose from depending on the type and strain of the cannabis plant being used.

Cannabis plants have many different uses depending on the species, extraction method, dosing form, and amount. Each part of the plant has a different level of chemical compounds making it versatile for use across a wide variety of mediums. The uses of cannabis are also highly dependent on the extraction process.

Hemp

Hemp comes from theCannabis sativavariation of the plant and is widely used for industrial purposes, although the seeds have been cultivated as a food. Hemp contains bast fiber and its physical properties are different from other types of cannabis plants.

The cannabis plant that can be used to create hemp is generally slender with small flowers and spike-like clusters. The fibers are taken from the plant following an extensive process.

First, the stalks are retted, dried, and crushed. They are then shaken to separate from the wood portion of the stem with the fibers being released. Each plant can produce a fiber strand that is up to 5.8 feet. Hemp fibers can be used for:

Hemp seeds are rich in protein, magnesium, and fiber and are often sold as a health food. They can be added to smoothies and salads, or transformed into a dairy-free milk alternative. Hemp can also be used to create an oil substance that is used to make different types of paints and varnishes, orsoapsand cooking oil.

5 Benefits of Hemp Seeds, According to Research

Medicinal

The medicinal use of cannabis has beena controversial topicbecause of legal issues surrounding its use. Medical cannabis is derived from theCannabis sativaplant, and both THC and CBD can be used for a variety of different ailments.

The most common use for medicinal cannabis is themanagement of chronic painin efforts to lessen the need for opioids or over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen. Research has found that both THC and CBD can have a direct and positive effect onneuropathic pain, however, evidence to support its efficacy on other types of pain is not conclusive.

There have been major studies regarding the use of medicinal cannabis for a variety of other conditions, especially with the substance being decriminalized and legalized for medicinal use in many states and countries. Evidence suggests that the following conditions could benefit from the use of medicinal cannabis including:

People with these health conditions saw relief from their chronic pain because of the common pathway that leads to the worsening of their symptoms and the effect that cannabis has on neuropathic pain.

Medical cannabis has also been the subject of research to determine if it can help people manage other conditions such as:

Does Weed Help With ADHD?

Recreational

Since cannabis can provide a level of intoxication, many Americans have used it as a recreational drug. Over 94 million Americans have admitted to using cannabis as a recreational drug at least once in their lifetimes, with 11.8 million young adults admitting to using in 2018 alone.

Although some evidence suggests that the use of cannabis can benefit those with mental health disorders, it has also been found that recreational and regular use can lead to the onset or worsening of symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and psychosis.

Cannabis for recreational use can act as both a depressant and stimulant. This means that the desired effects differ from person to person and from type of cannabis used.

As a depressant, cannabis can slow brain function that leads to calmed nerves and relaxation. As a stimulant, cannabis can increase heart rate and blood pressure. It’s been suggested that the stimulant effects of cannabis can have a positive effect on both energy levels and attention span.

The way cannabis affects people will vary widely, so no one person can tell how the level of intoxication will affect them. Research has shown that up to 30% of people who use cannabis recreationally develop an addiction or dependence on the substance due to the brain adapting to having it in the system.

Forms of Cannabis

The different forms of cannabis are derived from the plant in various ways and for various uses. Almost all forms of the plant have psychoactive properties when ingested, however, the strength of intoxication felt through ingestion will vary depending on the level of THC.

Dried or Powdered Leaves

Perhaps the most popular form used, the buds and leaves of the Cannabis plant can be dried. The buds, leaves, and stems contain the active chemicals that lead to feelings of pain relief or intoxication, and thus, many people opt for this form of cannabis for both recreational and medicinal uses.

One downside to the dried leaves method of ingestion is that they are more likely inhaled through burning, which can lead to the ingestion of harmful chemicals created in the smoke. When the smoke comes into contact with the lungs, the chemical ingredients are easily absorbed into the body.

Oil or Tincture

Cannabis can also be extracted into a tincture or oil for ingestion. Tinctures are used more commonly in medicinal areas because they have a high concentration of the active compounds that lead to therapeutic effects. They also offer an easier way to control the dosage, thus limiting adverse side effects.

CBD Oil: The Science Behind This Cannabis Plant Extract

Hashish

Hashish is created using the sticky resin of the cannabis plant. It is generally smoked in the same way that the dried leaves are. It is also considered to be of a higher potency because it lacks inactive organic ingredients that can be found in the leaves, buds, and stems of the cannabis plant.

Tea or Juice

Cannabis is more often seen in tea form in cultures outside of the United States. The effects of cannabis when ingested through tea form take longer to come on but last longer than when smoked.The dried leaves are steeped.

Topical Applications

Although new research suggests that the use of cannabis can benefit those with certain health conditions, there are many health risks to consider. The side effects of using cannabis on a regular basis will affect different people in various ways, but some common short-term side effects of the use of cannabis include:

When the use of cannabis is continued over a longer period of time, other effects can occur. The long-term risks for using cannabis either recreationally or medicinally include:

The use of cannabis has been a hot button topic across the United States because it has been largely illegal in many states. Currently, it is legalized, approved for medicinal use, or decriminalized in many states, although it is still fully illegal in eight states. Federally, it remains classified as a Schedule I drug with no recognized medical use and a high potential abuse.

For states such as Colorado and Washington, the full legalization of cannabis has led to a boom in recreational, medicinal, and industrial uses. It has also opened up doors to an economic market that has been largely untouched due to the legalities that surrounded the use and production of cannabis.

A Word From Verywell

It has been reported that almost 100 million Americans now live in an area where access to cannabis is easier than ever. The use of marijuana for medical reasons could be a turning point when it comes to battling diseases and the opioid crisis that has plagued the country for decades.

While more research needs to be done in the realm of the use of cannabis, a few things are clear. Pain relief is on the list of things it can definitely do. The fact that hemp can be a catalyst for creating biodegradable plastics and other textiles that are better for the environment should be more than enough to have people give the plant another look.

Cannabis isn’t just a plant that can cause intoxication. It’s a versatile gift from Mother Nature that, when used correctly, could be the next big thing in medicinal and industrial products.

12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nugent SM, Morasco BJ, O’Neil ME, et al.The effects of cannabis among adults with chronic pain and an overview of general harms: A systematic review.Ann Intern Med. 2017;167(5):319-331. doi:10.7326/M17-0155Cassano T, Villani R, Pace L, Carbone A, Bukke VN, Orkisz S, Avolio C, Serviddio G.FromCannabis sativato cannabidiol: Promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.Front Pharmacol.2020 Mar 6;11:124. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00124.Giorgi V, Bongiovanni S, Atzeni F, Marotto D, Salaffi F, Sarzi-Puttini P.Adding medical cannabis to standard analgesic treatment for fibromyalgia: A prospective observational study.Clin Exp Rheumatol.2020 Jan-Feb;38 Suppl 123(1):53-59.Tyagi P, Tyagi V, Yoshimura N, Chancellor M.Functional role of cannabinoid receptors in urinary bladder.Indian J Urol. 2010 Jan-Mar;26(1):26-35. doi:10.4103/0970-1591.60440Dadalti Fragoso Y, Carra A, Macias MA.Cannabis and multiple sclerosis,Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics,2020 June. 849-854, doi:10.1080/14737175.2020.1776610National Institute on Drug Abuse.What is the scope of marijuana use in the United States?Keatley DA, Walters I, Parke A, Joyce T, D Clarke D.Mapping the pathways between recreational cannabis use and mood disorders: A behaviour sequence analysis approach.Health Promot J Austr. 2020;31(1):38-46. doi:10.1002/hpja.261Rotter A, Bayerlein K, Hansbauer M, Weiland J, Sperling W, Kornhuber J, Biermann T.CB1 and CB2 receptor expression and promoter methylation in patients with cannabis dependence.Eur Addict Res. 2013;19(1):13-20. doi:10.1159/000338642National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are marijuana’s effects?Volkow ND, Baler RD, Compton WM, Weiss SR.Adverse health effects of marijuana use.N Engl J Med. 2014;5;370(23):2219-27. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1402309Lovell ME, Akhurst J, Padgett C, Garry MI, Matthews A.Cognitive outcomes associated with long-term, regular, recreational cannabis use in adults: A meta-analysis.Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2020 Aug;28(4):471-494. doi:10.1037/pha0000326Hasan A, von Keller R, Friemel CM, Hall W, Schneider M, Koethe D, Leweke FM, Strube W, Hoch E.Cannabis use and psychosis: A review of reviews.Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2020 Jun;270(4):403-412. doi:10.1007/s00406-019-01068-z

12 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nugent SM, Morasco BJ, O’Neil ME, et al.The effects of cannabis among adults with chronic pain and an overview of general harms: A systematic review.Ann Intern Med. 2017;167(5):319-331. doi:10.7326/M17-0155Cassano T, Villani R, Pace L, Carbone A, Bukke VN, Orkisz S, Avolio C, Serviddio G.FromCannabis sativato cannabidiol: Promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.Front Pharmacol.2020 Mar 6;11:124. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00124.Giorgi V, Bongiovanni S, Atzeni F, Marotto D, Salaffi F, Sarzi-Puttini P.Adding medical cannabis to standard analgesic treatment for fibromyalgia: A prospective observational study.Clin Exp Rheumatol.2020 Jan-Feb;38 Suppl 123(1):53-59.Tyagi P, Tyagi V, Yoshimura N, Chancellor M.Functional role of cannabinoid receptors in urinary bladder.Indian J Urol. 2010 Jan-Mar;26(1):26-35. doi:10.4103/0970-1591.60440Dadalti Fragoso Y, Carra A, Macias MA.Cannabis and multiple sclerosis,Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics,2020 June. 849-854, doi:10.1080/14737175.2020.1776610National Institute on Drug Abuse.What is the scope of marijuana use in the United States?Keatley DA, Walters I, Parke A, Joyce T, D Clarke D.Mapping the pathways between recreational cannabis use and mood disorders: A behaviour sequence analysis approach.Health Promot J Austr. 2020;31(1):38-46. doi:10.1002/hpja.261Rotter A, Bayerlein K, Hansbauer M, Weiland J, Sperling W, Kornhuber J, Biermann T.CB1 and CB2 receptor expression and promoter methylation in patients with cannabis dependence.Eur Addict Res. 2013;19(1):13-20. doi:10.1159/000338642National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are marijuana’s effects?Volkow ND, Baler RD, Compton WM, Weiss SR.Adverse health effects of marijuana use.N Engl J Med. 2014;5;370(23):2219-27. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1402309Lovell ME, Akhurst J, Padgett C, Garry MI, Matthews A.Cognitive outcomes associated with long-term, regular, recreational cannabis use in adults: A meta-analysis.Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2020 Aug;28(4):471-494. doi:10.1037/pha0000326Hasan A, von Keller R, Friemel CM, Hall W, Schneider M, Koethe D, Leweke FM, Strube W, Hoch E.Cannabis use and psychosis: A review of reviews.Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2020 Jun;270(4):403-412. doi:10.1007/s00406-019-01068-z

Nugent SM, Morasco BJ, O’Neil ME, et al.The effects of cannabis among adults with chronic pain and an overview of general harms: A systematic review.Ann Intern Med. 2017;167(5):319-331. doi:10.7326/M17-0155Cassano T, Villani R, Pace L, Carbone A, Bukke VN, Orkisz S, Avolio C, Serviddio G.FromCannabis sativato cannabidiol: Promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.Front Pharmacol.2020 Mar 6;11:124. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00124.Giorgi V, Bongiovanni S, Atzeni F, Marotto D, Salaffi F, Sarzi-Puttini P.Adding medical cannabis to standard analgesic treatment for fibromyalgia: A prospective observational study.Clin Exp Rheumatol.2020 Jan-Feb;38 Suppl 123(1):53-59.Tyagi P, Tyagi V, Yoshimura N, Chancellor M.Functional role of cannabinoid receptors in urinary bladder.Indian J Urol. 2010 Jan-Mar;26(1):26-35. doi:10.4103/0970-1591.60440Dadalti Fragoso Y, Carra A, Macias MA.Cannabis and multiple sclerosis,Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics,2020 June. 849-854, doi:10.1080/14737175.2020.1776610National Institute on Drug Abuse.What is the scope of marijuana use in the United States?Keatley DA, Walters I, Parke A, Joyce T, D Clarke D.Mapping the pathways between recreational cannabis use and mood disorders: A behaviour sequence analysis approach.Health Promot J Austr. 2020;31(1):38-46. doi:10.1002/hpja.261Rotter A, Bayerlein K, Hansbauer M, Weiland J, Sperling W, Kornhuber J, Biermann T.CB1 and CB2 receptor expression and promoter methylation in patients with cannabis dependence.Eur Addict Res. 2013;19(1):13-20. doi:10.1159/000338642National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are marijuana’s effects?Volkow ND, Baler RD, Compton WM, Weiss SR.Adverse health effects of marijuana use.N Engl J Med. 2014;5;370(23):2219-27. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1402309Lovell ME, Akhurst J, Padgett C, Garry MI, Matthews A.Cognitive outcomes associated with long-term, regular, recreational cannabis use in adults: A meta-analysis.Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2020 Aug;28(4):471-494. doi:10.1037/pha0000326Hasan A, von Keller R, Friemel CM, Hall W, Schneider M, Koethe D, Leweke FM, Strube W, Hoch E.Cannabis use and psychosis: A review of reviews.Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2020 Jun;270(4):403-412. doi:10.1007/s00406-019-01068-z

Cassano T, Villani R, Pace L, Carbone A, Bukke VN, Orkisz S, Avolio C, Serviddio G.FromCannabis sativato cannabidiol: Promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.Front Pharmacol.2020 Mar 6;11:124. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00124.

Giorgi V, Bongiovanni S, Atzeni F, Marotto D, Salaffi F, Sarzi-Puttini P.Adding medical cannabis to standard analgesic treatment for fibromyalgia: A prospective observational study.Clin Exp Rheumatol.2020 Jan-Feb;38 Suppl 123(1):53-59.

Tyagi P, Tyagi V, Yoshimura N, Chancellor M.Functional role of cannabinoid receptors in urinary bladder.Indian J Urol. 2010 Jan-Mar;26(1):26-35. doi:10.4103/0970-1591.60440

Dadalti Fragoso Y, Carra A, Macias MA.Cannabis and multiple sclerosis,Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics,2020 June. 849-854, doi:10.1080/14737175.2020.1776610

National Institute on Drug Abuse.What is the scope of marijuana use in the United States?

Keatley DA, Walters I, Parke A, Joyce T, D Clarke D.Mapping the pathways between recreational cannabis use and mood disorders: A behaviour sequence analysis approach.Health Promot J Austr. 2020;31(1):38-46. doi:10.1002/hpja.261

Rotter A, Bayerlein K, Hansbauer M, Weiland J, Sperling W, Kornhuber J, Biermann T.CB1 and CB2 receptor expression and promoter methylation in patients with cannabis dependence.Eur Addict Res. 2013;19(1):13-20. doi:10.1159/000338642

National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are marijuana’s effects?

Volkow ND, Baler RD, Compton WM, Weiss SR.Adverse health effects of marijuana use.N Engl J Med. 2014;5;370(23):2219-27. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1402309

Lovell ME, Akhurst J, Padgett C, Garry MI, Matthews A.Cognitive outcomes associated with long-term, regular, recreational cannabis use in adults: A meta-analysis.Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2020 Aug;28(4):471-494. doi:10.1037/pha0000326

Hasan A, von Keller R, Friemel CM, Hall W, Schneider M, Koethe D, Leweke FM, Strube W, Hoch E.Cannabis use and psychosis: A review of reviews.Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2020 Jun;270(4):403-412. doi:10.1007/s00406-019-01068-z

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The History of Cannabis#

Sativa#

Indica#

Ruderalis#

Hybrid#

Hemp#

Medicinal#

Recreational#

Forms of Cannabis#

Dried or Powdered Leaves#

Oil or Tincture#

Hashish#

Tea or Juice#

Topical Applications#

A Word From Verywell#