| As the world's most commonly-used illegal drug, it's | | | | 19th century being used to treat conditions ranging |
| not surprising that cannabis attracts its fair share of | | | | from headaches to nausea. It was also sold as a |
| controversy, praise and vitriol. Its supporters insist it's | | | | nerve tonic. However, in 1928, the recreational use of |
| a safe recreational drug and far less harmful than | | | | marijuana was banned in Britain and in the United |
| alcohol or tobacco. Its detractors insist it leads to | | | | States in 1937. |
| psychological problems, addiction and that it's a | | | | Marijuana re-entered the public consciousness in |
| gateway drug - one that leads the user on the path | | | | Western countries during the 1950s when it was |
| to more harmful drugs. Here's a look at this colourful | | | | taken up by the beat generation. It became even |
| and legendary drug. | | | | better known during the 1960s when it became the |
| First, let's define exactly what we mean by cannabis. | | | | central part of the hippy pharmacopeia. |
| There are various definitions but essentially both | | | | In recent years, authorities have come to realize the |
| cannabis and marijuana refer to the leaves, flowers | | | | potential of marijuana as a therapeutic agent for |
| and buds of the cannabis plant whether cannabis | | | | many serious medical conditions. Marijuana contains |
| sativa, cannabis indica and cannabis ruderalis. Marijuana | | | | over 60 chemicals with medical uses. |
| is mainly used as a recreational drug producing | | | | Canada became the first country to legalize medical |
| feelings of euphoria when smoked or eaten. Its | | | | marijuana in 2003. In the United States, laws are on a |
| popularity and long history is evident from the fact | | | | state by state basis with Alaska, California, Colorado, |
| that there are over 200 slang terms for marijuana | | | | Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, |
| including "pot," "herb," "weed," and "boom." | | | | New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and |
| The roots, stalk, and stems of the cannabis plant are | | | | Washington now having medical marijuana laws. The |
| known as hemp. Hemp has a long tradition of use for | | | | list of diseases which cannabis can be used for |
| the production of paper, textiles, oil, rope and clothing | | | | includes: multiple sclerosis, cancer, HIV/AIDS, |
| among many others. This distinction is important | | | | glaucoma, depression, epilepsy, migraine and asthma. |
| because it impacts the illegality of the plant. Marijuana | | | | Other uses for marijuana include luxury bird food. In |
| is generally illegal in most countries while hemp is not. | | | | many countries including Belgium, for example, it is |
| Use of the cannabis plant dates back to 6000 B.C. | | | | legal to produce and sell pot seeds on the condition |
| when hemp seeds were eaten for sustenance in | | | | that they are only used to feed birds. |
| China. Later in the same country came the first | | | | The jury is still out on the pernicious effects of |
| written records of the use of cannabis for medical | | | | marijuana on the brain and other parts of the body. |
| purposes. It was documented as a medication to | | | | Hundreds of studies have proved that it is harmful |
| treat a whole range of complaints including | | | | and hundreds of others have proved that it's not. |
| rheumatism, gout, and malaria. | | | | This is not to say that cannabis use is without |
| It became popular for its psychoactive properties in | | | | danger. Excessive or prolonged use of any substance |
| Muslim countries in the Middle and Near East where | | | | can lead to all kinds of problems and with a plant with |
| alcohol was forbidden and from there spread to | | | | psychoactive properties, one should be especially |
| Europe and America. | | | | careful. At the end of the day, it's up to the individual |
| Meanwhile marijuana was prized by Hindu mystics in | | | | to consider the evidence and decide what he |
| the subcontinent who used it to help reach higher | | | | believes. |
| planes of consciousness. It was one of the five | | | | Meanwhile though cannabis is still illegal in the UK, it is |
| sacred plants of India, used as a medicine, and as an | | | | lawful to buy and own the seeds providing they're |
| offering to the god Shiva. Even today, the saddhus | | | | not germinated. If you want to add sensi seeds to |
| of India and Nepal still use cannabis to further their | | | | your collection of souvenirs or for use as fish bait, |
| spiritual development. | | | | you can visit one of the many online vendors of pot |
| As for Western countries, marijuana was one of the | | | | seeds and your order will be delivered through the |
| main medicines in the United States for most of the | | | | post. |