The marijuana industry is a big business, and with more countries than ever before recognizing the positive benefits of using cannabis, it has become a controversial debate in recent years. Marijuana has hundreds of different nicknames such as weed, pot, and Mary Jane, and is an annual flowering herb that is used for a wide variety of purposes.
Cannabis is used widely as a popular recreational drug all over the world, and around 25 million Americans are believed to have used cannabis at some point in their life. The typical effects of cannabis are known to be relaxing and it gives users a mild feeling of euphoria.
Cannabis plants contain cannabinoid compounds, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol is known to have medical benefits for those who suffer from chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
Here are 10 things you probably didn't know about marijuana:
1) All Seeds Look the Same
One of the most surprising things about cannabis seeds is that they all look the same. All the best regular weed seeds will look identical no matter what strain they are. Good quality seeds will be a brown color with patterned stripes on them. If you are unsure whether a seed is of a decent quality, then you should try squeezing them between your fingers; a good quality seed should be hard and difficult to break.
There are numerous different types of seeds available to buy on the market today, including auto-flowering and non-feminised cannabis seeds. It is important that you buy the best quality seeds available in order to produce good quality marijuana. One trustworthy supplier you can explore is the UK Company Seed Supreme, who’s well-known for offering top marijuana seeds through their safe and secure website. They ship worldwide and test their seeds on a regular basis for countries where germination is legal.
2) It is Legal in Almost 50% of America
In over half of American states, weed has been legalized in some form, for either recreational or medical purposes. California was the first state to legalize marijuana back in 1996 for medical uses, and over the following decade, 28 more states followed their lead.
However, in 2012, Colorado and Washington were the first states to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Since then, Nevada, Alaska, Massachusetts, and Oregon are amongst the states that have legalized recreational use.
3) The Black Market is Still Rife Today
Even though marijuana has been increasingly legalized across the US, the underground trade of cannabis is still as prevalent as it ever has been. Often, the legalization of the green market by states has led to high taxation on growing and buying cannabis, leading to a rise in prices.
In Colorado, taxes increase the price of cannabis by 30% in some instances. Therefore, it is no surprise that around 40% of cannabis transactions are carried out illegally, as the underground market offers much cheaper products.
4) The Plant Is Always Innovated
Even though seeds all look the same, there are hundreds of different strands of the plant that are constantly being innovated by developers for their own natural grow purposes. Also referred to as breeders, those who grow cannabis plants are always trying to expand and improve the already existing strains, as well as establishing brand new ones.
The different strains of cannabis are known to offer various types of effects, from euphoric experiences to more mellow body highs.
5) The Market Is Still Developing
The marijuana industry is a growing business and the legal cannabis industry was expected to be worth around $1.5 billion in 2014. This estimate has grown every year and the global market is currently valued at around $3.14 billion.
However, this growing industry also allows for the development of accessories and paraphernalia associated with marijuana. Products such as pipes, papers, and vaporizers are expanding as well, as well as the development of marijuana-friendly coffee shops that offer a social side to marijuana use.
6) Medical Use Outsells Recreational Use
The main reason behind the development of the legalization of marijuana is because of the medical benefits that have been attributed to its use.
Medical patients who use marijuana for medicinal purposes buy more than recreational users, and they can often benefit from additional benefits that others will not receive. For example, Colorado waivers the 10% state tax that is put on marijuana purchases, which means it is a much cheaper option for medical users, rather than recreational buyers.
7) Health Benefits
Research has found that Cannabidiol can stop cancer cells from developing by turning off the Id-1 gene, which may prevent cancer from spreading. This has been the motivation behind many of the legalization campaigns that have been successful across the US.
As cannabidiol is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, it is often used as a form of pain relief for spasms and contractions in the joints of those who have multiple sclerosis.
In addition, research has found that smoking cannabis helps to reduce the tremors that those with Parkinson’s disease often suffer from and can help to improve their sleep. Many of these studies worldwide have attributed to the increased legalization of the drug.
8) You Can Enjoy It in Many Different Ways
Many people assume that you can only consume marijuana through smoking, but there are several ways to do it. While smoking is the most common, you can also eat and drink cannabis to feel the effects.
9) It Has A Long History
Cannabis has been one of the strongest natural fibers to exist for approximately 10-12,000 years and has previously been used for rope, clothing, and as nutritious seeds. Ancient text refers to cannabis as being used to relieve conditions such as malaria and constipation, as well as for its hallucinogenic qualities.
10) There Has Never Been A Weed Induced Overdose
Unlike with other forms of recreational drugs, there has never been a weed overdose reported. In order to overdose on cannabis, you would have to consume around 15,000 pounds of the substance within 15 minutes. Therefore, while it is impossible to consume that much in one go, marijuana overdoses are unlikely to become a concern any time soon.
Debates surrounding marijuana have become increasingly controversial in recent years, but through the development of research findings, the use of the drug is becoming increasingly accepted by society, both for its medicinal benefits as well as for recreational use.
