Things You Didn't Know About Weed: 12 Fun Cannabis Facts

Weed has a weirder backstory than most people realize: hemp was one of the first crops humans ever grew, your body makes its own cannabinoids, and the plant has turned up everywhere from war rooms to famous paintings. There's plenty of serious cannabis info out there, so today we're keeping it light with a handful of fun facts about marijuana.

Fun facts about weed you probably didn't know

Hemp is one of the very first plants humans ever cultivated, according to ancient Chinese records, among the oldest written sources in the world. Early Chinese writers called the cannabis flower "ma ren hua," which translates roughly as "hemp seed flower." Cannabis belongs to a small minority of species that are dioecious, meaning they produce separate male and female plants. Unlike feminized seeds, which only produce female plants, regular seeds give you roughly a 50/50 shot at a male or a female. Female plants can grow pollen sacs (or exposed stamens) alongside their female flowers when they turn hermaphrodite.

Cannabis has shown up in wartime in different ways. Some soldiers used it to unwind, and during World War II, US intelligence reportedly tested a cannabis extract as a "truth drug" to get valuable information out of prisoners and suspects. Mangoes are rich in terpenes, and plenty of smokers swear that eating one about 20 minutes before a session makes the high hit harder (the science on this is thin, but it's a tasty experiment). Hemp canvas was used for painting, and artists like Van Gogh and Rembrandt are said to have worked on it. In Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, fans have pointed out that many of the clocks seen on screen are set to 4:20. The human body makes its own cannabinoids, which help regulate bodily functions, and they're also found in breast milk, albeit at very low concentrations. Hemp seeds and hemp seed oil are among the richest plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp can produce more paper per acre than trees.

What should you know about marijuana?

Marijuana is a plant in the genus Cannabis, and it contains chemical compounds called cannabinoids. The best known is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the one responsible for the high. Beyond THC, the plant also contains other cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD), which is being studied for its medicinal properties. People use weed for different reasons. Some consume it for its psychoactive effects, which can bring relaxation, euphoria and shifts in perception. It's also been used medically to ease symptoms of conditions like chronic pain, epilepsy, cancer and glaucoma, among others. Keep in mind that cannabis can have both upsides and downsides. On the plus side, some people report less stress, pain relief and a better mood. On the other hand, heavy or long-term use can come with drawbacks like cognitive issues, respiratory problems and, with chronic use, dependence. Get accurate, reliable information before you consume. Every country and region has its own laws on possessing, growing and using cannabis, so check the rules where you live and stick to them.

So, what is marijuana in a nutshell?

Marijuana is a cannabis plant that contains cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, with psychoactive effects and medicinal properties.

What kind of drug is marijuana?

Marijuana is considered a psychoactive, recreational drug. It's still illegal in many countries, and it acts on the central nervous system. Its main psychoactive compound is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which produces effects like euphoria, relaxation and changes in how you perceive your senses and time. Beyond THC, weed also contains other cannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD), which may have medicinal properties. Bottom line: cannabis can affect your health both positively and negatively, and how it's used and regulated depends on each country's laws. Got a fun cannabis fact of your own, growers? Drop it on us, we read everything!