Do you ever wonder why marijuana is listed as a Schedule I drug in the U.S.? Do you ever feel like people are always talking about it but no one really understands why? If so, you’re not alone. It can be difficult to understand why an illegal substance has been deemed as such, but there’s more to it than meets the eye.
What is Marijuana?
Marijuana is the dried leaves, flowers, and seeds of cannabis. It’s made up of over 60 different compounds, including a big one called THC. THC is what gives marijuana users the high. You can get weed in different forms, such as
- Bud: The flower bud of the marijuana plant is what’s used to make buds, hash, and concentrates. The flower bud of the marijuana plant is what’s used to make buds, hash, and concentrates.
- Hash: Hash is made from the pressed buds of the marijuana plant and usually has a stronger THC content than bud. Hash is made from the pressed buds of the marijuana plant and usually has a stronger THC content than bud.
- Shatter: Shatter is another form of hash that uses the vegetative bud of the marijuana plant. It’s usually used for medical purposes. Shatter is another form of hash that uses the vegetative bud of the marijuana plant. It’s usually used for medical purposes.
- Oil: Oil is made from the seeds of the marijuana plant. You can also get concentrates like budder and rosin.
Marijuana and Culture
Marijuana has been used for thousands of years in many cultures, including the consumption of hemp in China as early as 3,300 BC. With the rise in the recreational use of the drug in the U.S. came an increase in awareness of the plant and its compounds. The narcotics unit of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics was opened during this period, and researchers studied the effects of marijuana on the human body.
In 1953, the National Institute of Health (NIH) conducted a study, which concluded that marijuana has no medical value. This study and other research in the 1960s led to the inclusion of marijuana in the Schedule I drug category. Schedule I drugs are defined by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as substances that have no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Why Is Marijuana Illegal?
During the 1920s and 1930s, hemp was a key part of the economy in the U.S. and Canada. Because of the popularity of hemp, it was illegal to grow and harvest domestically during this time. However, U.S. drug laws were created during this time to prohibit any trade with Chinese and Japanese people who were growing hemp crops as a source of paper and cloth.
Therefore, the goal was to stop the importation of Chinese hemp products, which were a threat to the lumber, pulp, and paper industries on the West Coast. Over the years and as marijuana use has continued to rise, states have continued to pass laws that make it illegal to consume cannabis, regardless of medical or legal circumstances.
Additionally, more and more states have started banning the sale and distribution of certain strains of marijuana, based on how potent they are. This has created an even greater gap between those who use and those who sell marijuana.
The History of Marijuana Legalization in the U.S.
In the 1960s, the public became more aware of the negative consequences of marijuana use, but it was still illegal to use, possess or sell. During these years, a few states legalized medical marijuana use. In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana. Six years later, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
Today, many other states have followed suit, including Alaska, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. The movement to end marijuana prohibition continues to gain momentum and there’s a lot of hope that it could be one of the first major movements to end the War on Drugs in our lifetime.
Where Can You Get High From?
As we mentioned before, THC is the main compound found in marijuana that causes the high. THC is also found in some types of hemp, but not as much. Therefore, it’s possible to consume THC from marijuana or products made from hemp. The most common form of THC is found in marijuana buds, which are the flowering parts of female cannabis plants. You can also get THC from marijuana edibles, concentrates, and tinctures.
Each form of THC has different effects and is used to treat different conditions. THC levels in different forms of the drug vary and depend on the strain of the marijuana plant, the conditions under which it was grown, the amount of time since the plant was harvested, and the heating method used to dry the buds. There’s no standardization when it comes to marijuana, so potency levels can vary significantly between different samples.
Some of the most commonly detected marijuana strains are:
- Purple Kush: A popular strain that’s high in THC and smells like candy.
- Gorilla Glue: A strain with a lot of sticky resin, which is a THC-rich liquid found in marijuana buds.
- Jack Herer: A sweet and strong marijuana strain that’s great for treating pain.
- Bubba Kush: This is a cross between Afghani and Indian marijuana and has a fruity flavor.
- White Widow: A strong and strong marijuana with a strong smell and taste.
Health Benefits of Cannabis
Now that we’ve covered the basic facts about marijuana, let’s talk about the health benefits of cannabis. We’ve all heard about the mood-enhancing and relaxation-filled benefits of smoking weed, but did you know that cannabis can actually treat a range of health problems?
There are a lot of research and clinical studies being conducted to confirm the health benefits of marijuana, including:
- Decreases in Anxiety: A recent study found that among people who have anxiety, those who smoke marijuana are less likely to have a fear of heights. People who don’t normally smoke cannabis, but are prescribed it, are six times more likely to have high levels of anxiety.
- Decreases in PTSD: Another study found that people who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who smoke weed are less likely to have symptoms of PTSD compared to those who don’t use cannabis.
- Decreases in Glaucoma: A study found that marijuana can effectively lower pressure inside the eye, which prevents glaucoma from worsening.
- Decreases in Seizures: A study found that marijuana can effectively reduce seizures in children with epilepsy.
- Decreases in Pain: A study found that marijuana may be an effective treatment for chronic pain.
Final Words
Marijuana is one of the most misunderstood substances in the world. You’re likely to hear about it a lot, but few people have actually tried it so they don’t really know what they’re talking about. So, here’s our advice: try a little, don’t get high every day, and see how you feel. If it helps you relax or deal with your stress, then great! If not, you haven’t wasted your time or money.
You can also try edibles and concentrates to see which ones you prefer. The truth is that marijuana is an amazing substance with a lot of potential health benefits. It’s just unfortunate that it’s illegal and that people use it. We hope this article has given you more insight into marijuana and the many benefits it has.