Cannabis, also known as marijuana (sometimes spelled "marihuana") among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug. The major psychoactive chemical compound in cannabis is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (commonly abbreviated as THC). Cannabis contains more than 400 different chemical compounds, including at least 66 other cannabinoids (cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN) and tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), etc.) which can result in different effects from those of THC alone.
Cannabis is one of the earliest cultivated plants and is very versatile. It has been used as food, fuel, fiber, medicine, and as a religious sacrament. The use of cannabis has been found to have occurred as long ago as 1000 B.C. According to James Duke's Handbook of Medicinal Plants of the Bible, there is no mention of marijuana in the Bible. Today, cannabis is used by inhalation. Routes of administration range from anal to oromucosal delivery.
There are three main forms of cannabis referenced by their Hindi names:
1. Bhang - seeded mix of flower tops
2. Ganja - seedless unfertilized female flower tops
3. Charas - resin from sifted flowers (also known as hashish)
Today, you can legally purchase CBD oil. CBD is completely non-psychoactive. Hemp derived CBD is anti-inflammatory and has analgesic effects. I frequently recommend it for chronic pain, inflammation, stress, and anxiety. I use Canbiola which you can purchase from Botanical Bounty by calling (646) 723-1823 or visiting the apothecary on East 57th Street in New York.
Until tomorrow...