Cannabis/Marijuana

Cannabis is an annual herb from the Cannabaceae family. It is cultivated in warmer regions as well as in temperate zones as an important industrial plant, effective medicinal herb, and popular relaxant.

Industrial hemp is used to produce textiles, ropes, and sound and thermal insulation materials. In cosmetics, it is essential for producing oils and ointments. It also serves as fuel. It is grown for its seeds, which are very healthy.

Although cannabis is a so-called soft drug and less dangerous than alcohol, according to the UN, this psychoactive drug is prohibited in most countries. The main psychoactive chemical compound in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol - THC.

Cannabis is divided into 4 basic taxa:

• Sativa (Cannabis sativa) - Sativa is the parent species of all varieties. It originates from equatorial regions and grows up to 6 meters tall. It is a highly psychoactive variety that achieves the highest content of the active substance THC. Beyond direct consumption, this species is an important source for the production of strong fabrics, construction, cosmetics, oil, biofuels and, of course, medicines.
  

• Indica (Cannabis sativa subsp. Indica) - This is a subspecies of Sativa. It naturally grows in Himalayan regions and also in northern India. Thanks to this, it is a species more tolerant to cold. This taxon is cultivated mainly for its psychoactive effects; it is not very suitable for industrial production, except in pharmaceuticals. It reaches a maximum height of 3 meters and flowers very abundantly.

• Spontanea (Cannabis sativa subsp. Spontanea) - This is also a subspecies of Sativa. Spontanea is a wild-growing type of cannabis found mainly in Eastern Europe and Russia. It is characterized by early flowering time and low THC content of maximum 0.5%. This group includes hemp cultivated specifically for our climate. It is now spread to regions of China.

• Kafiristanica (Cannabis sativa subsp. Kafiristanica) - Afghan cannabis is isolated and grows naturally only in the Hindu Kush mountains. It is cultivated especially in Afghan and Pakistani mountains. This subspecies never exceeds a height of 1.5 meters. It has a very high THC content and is therefore used primarily for hashish production, which is essentially extracted THC.

Cannabis contains approximately 70 active substances - cannabinoids. The most significant include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN). The Sativa and Indica varieties are primarily cultivated for their active substance content. THC content ranges from 0.1 - 30% depending on origin and cultivation method. In modern cultivation, hydroponic growing is increasingly common, which significantly increases the THC content in cannabis.

Cannabis is cultivated for recreational and medicinal purposes for the crown of female plants - marijuana and cannabis resin or hashish.
The largest producer of extracted drug - hashish is Afghanistan with almost 3,000 tons of this drug annually. Cannabis is also widely cultivated in regions of Morocco and southern Spain.

In many countries it is used for a number of health issues

• Nausea and vomiting
• Anorexia and cachexia - cannabis for treating anorexia
• Spasms
• • Movement disorders
  • Pain
  • Skin problems - cannabis for treating pain
  • Glaucoma
  • Epilepsy
  • Asthma
  • Addictions
  • Psychological problems
  • Autoimmune diseases and inflammations

It is used in the form of smoking, where 15 to 50% of THC enters the bloodstream and produces a euphoric to sedative effect. It takes approximately 45 minutes for the effects to wear off. The use of medical cannabis is decided by a physician.

Externally, it is traditionally used as an ointment, for example for atopic eczema, rheumatism or muscle cramps.

Marijuana creates feelings of euphoria, promotes laughter, excitement, calmness, self-awareness, stimulates appetite and sleep, and induces a sense of security. It also dilates the pupils and causes dry mouth.

THC can also be consumed in food, such as in butter, milk, baked goods, etc. The active substances are soluble in fats and alcohol. Overdose is not fatal, but it may lead to states of anxiety or paranoia.

Hemp fiber is produced from the outer part of the stem and plays a significant role in the textile industry. It is used to make shirts, for example. However, before hemp fiber becomes a shirt, it must go through the stages of soaking, grinding, rubbing, combing, and dyeing.

Hemp is also an important raw material for oil production, more specifically hemp seeds. The oil is dark green, almost black, and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Some people say it reminds them of the taste of hazelnuts. Hemp oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and is very healthy for the skin. It is therefore most widely used in cosmetics, especially for dry skin - eczema, skin problems, dehydrated skin in winter.

As an insulator, hemp mixture has found significance in the construction industry where it has replaced materials such as asbestos and glass wool.

In the food industry, the high nutritional values of this plant are highly valued. The seeds are rich in fiber (83%), carbohydrates, proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins B and E. The seeds are also ground into flour, which does not contain gluten, to which many people are allergic.