Facts About Marijuana

Marijuana is created from the dried, shredded leaves and flowers of the hemp plant Cannabis Sativa. It is considered the most common illegal drug in the United States. Based on a national survey on drug use, about 6,000 Americans try marijuana for the first time on a daily basis. Around the world, approximately 162 million adults use marijuana at least once a year while 22.5 million use it daily. Also, it is also the second most popular mood-altering or recreational drug used worldwide – first in rank is alcohol.

Must-Knows About Marijuana

Marijuana has more than 200 slang terms in the popular vernacular – these include hash, weed, ganja, grass, and pot. Cannabis, on the other hand, is its international and scientific name.

Marijuana came from a Mexican slang term for cannabis. It is also believed to have derived its name from the Spanish pronunciation of the names – Mary & Jane.

THC (delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary active ingredient of marijuana. This chemical produces mind-altering effects. In small doses, it can cause loss of inhibition, a distorted sense of time, and elation. It may also cause heightened imagination and increased visual sensitivity.

It was in 2737 B.C. that the first use of marijuana as a medicinal drug was recorded by Shen Nung, a Chinese emperor. It was documented that the drug was efficient in treating pains of gout and rheumatism.

In 1890s, during the temperance movement, marijuana was recommended as a great substitute for alcohol. The reason behind this is that the use of marijuana didn’t lead to any domestic violence whereas alcohol abuse did.

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