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85 Fun Facts About Weed

Posted by True Blue Terpenes on

Weed, or marijuana, is one of the most popular substances in the world that’s been used for medicinal and recreational purposes for centuries.

Whether you’re a weed enthusiast or are interested to learn more about it, read our guide to 82 of the most interesting facts about weed, such as its origins and effects on your health.

History and Origins of Weed & The Cannabis Plant

  • The cannabis plant, or weed, has a long history of human use, dating back to at least the third millennium B.C. in written history and possibly even the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (8800–6500 B.C.E.) based on archaeological evidence. [1]

  • Most ancient cultures did not grow cannabis to get high but to use it as herbal medicine. This is thought to have started in Central Asia around 500 B.C. [2]

  • The psychoactive properties of cannabis were discovered later by some groups who used it for religious and recreational purposes. [2]

  • The Chinese character for hemp (麻 or má) depicts two plants under a shelter. Cannabis cultivation goes back at least 3000 years in Taiwan. [1]

  • In the Neolithic Age in China (10,000–4,500 B.C.), hemp fiber was used to make paper, clothing, sails, and rope. Its seeds were used as food. [1]

  • Cannabis was an essential crop in ancient Korea, with samples of hempen fabric discovered as early as 3000 B.C. [3]

  • Cannabis was also used by ancient Assyrians, who called it qunabu and qunubu, a potential origin of the modern word “cannabis.”. [4]

  • Cannabis is thought to be consumed by Hindu God Shiva and is part of Hindu culture and practice. [5] Hemp is called ganja in Sanskrit and other modern Indo-Aryan languages. [1]

  • Some scholars suggest the ancient drug known as soma, mentioned in religious texts known as the Vedas, was cannabis, although this theory has been disputed. [6]

  • The Scythians, Thracians, and Dacians were among the first groups to use cannabis for its psychoactive effects. They burned cannabis flowers to induce trance and inhale the vapors. [7]

  • The Greek historian Herodotus reported this practice in the 5th century BC.[8]

  • In the 19th century, cannabis extracts were used as medicine in Europe and the United States. Sir William Brooke O’Shaughnessy, an Irish doctor studying in India, found that cannabis could help reduce vomiting and stomach pain in people with cholera. [2]

  • Marijuana became a popular name for cannabis in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th century, when it was associated with Mexican soldiers and laborers. [9].

  • Historical texts suggest that Emperor Shen Nung, known as the father of Chinese medicine, reportedly used marijuana for various ailments, including malaria; however, these ancient accounts are considered part of medical folklore and are not supported by modern clinical validation. [10]

  • The history of recreational cannabis use in the United States began in the early 1900s. Between 1916 and 1931, 29 U.S. states outlawed marijuana. The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 banned it across the nation. [2]


Cannabis Use and Health

  • Cannabis, or weed, contains more than 100 compounds (or cannabinoids), such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the main psychoactive component that causes the “high,” while CBD is not impairing and may have some therapeutic effects. [11]

  • Cannabis may help relieve chronic painby interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system,which regulates pain, mood, appetite, and memory. A large review of studies found that cannabis or cannabinoids are effective at reducing chronic pain. [12]

  • Cannabis may help treat some types of epilepsy that are resistant to other medications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a drug called Epidiolex, which containsCBD, to treat seizures caused by two rare epilepsy forms: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. [12]

  • Cannabis may have some benefits for people suffering from substance abuse. It may reduce alcohol or opioid addiction by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings for some people. [12]

  • Some studies have found that cannabis users are less likely to use opioids to relieve pain and more likely to quit alcohol use. However, this finding is controversial, and more research is needed. [12]

  • Cannabis may also have some positive effects on mental health, such as reducing depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social anxiety. [12] While some preliminary research suggests cannabis may influence symptoms of depression, PTSD, and social anxiety, the evidence is currently mixed and inconclusive.

  • Some studies have found that cannabis can improve mood, reduce stress, and enhance cognitive functioning in people with these conditions. [14]

  • However, the evidence is mixed, and cannabis may also worsen some symptoms of mental illness. [14]

  • Cannabis use can also have negative effects on health, such as impairing memory, attention, learning, and decision-making. These effects can last up to days or weeks after the acute effects have worn off. [29]

  • Marijuana use during adolescence may have long-term consequences on brain development and cognitive function. [14]

  • Cannabis use can increase one’s risk of developing psychosis or schizophrenia, especially in people who have a genetic vulnerability or start using cannabis at a young age. Cannabis can trigger or worsen psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. [15] .

  • Marijuana use can affect the cardiovascular system by increasing heart rate and blood pressure and reducing blood oxygen levels. These effects can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). [16] [17]

  • People with cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease should avoid using cannabis or consult their doctor before using it. [18]

  • Cannabis use can also harm the respiratory system by causing coughing, wheezing, bronchitis, and lung infections. [19]

  • Smoking cannabis can expose the lungs to carcinogens and irritants that can damage the lung tissue and airways. [19]

  • Cannabis smoke contains many harmful substances found in tobacco smoke, such as carbon monoxide. [19]

  • The evidence on cannabis use during pregnancy is limited and inconclusive. Some studies have found associations between cannabis use during pregnancy and adverse outcomes for the mother and the baby. [20]

  • For example, cannabis can lead to lower birth weight and abnormal neurological development in babies.[20]

Weed and society

  • Cannabis, or weed, is one of the most commonly used federally illegal drugs in the United States, with more than 55 million people currently using it. [21]

  • Cannabis legalization varies widely across states and countries, with different models of regulation and taxation. Currently, there are 22 U.S. states where marijuana has been legalized for recreational use. [23]

  • Cannabis legalization may have economic benefits, such as generating tax revenue, creating jobs, and reducing law enforcement costs. [25]

  • Globally, spending on legal cannabis is set to reach $57 billion by 2027. [25]

  • Between 2010 and 2018, over six million arrests were made for possession of marijuana. [25]

  • Black people have a higher risk of getting arrested for possessing marijuana compared to white people, and this is true in every state – even in states where marijuana is legal. [25]

  • Cannabis legalization may have public health benefits, such as improving access to cannabis for medical purposes, reducing opioid overdose deaths, and increasing cannabis product safety and quality control. [26]

  • A study found that states with medical cannabis laws in place had a 24.8% lower mean annual opioid overdose mortality rate compared with states that didn’t have medical cannabis laws. [26]

  • Another study found that legal cannabis products had lower levels of pesticides and contaminants than illegal products. [27]

  • Cannabis legalization may also have public health harms, such as impairing driving ability and increasing traffic fatalities. [28]

  • A study that included 29 articles on the effects of cannabis legalization on road safety found that nine articles reported increases in risk behaviors during driving, such as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, and impaired driving. [28]

  • Cannabis use may affect school, work, and social life in various ways. Recent research has shown that it can impair memory, attention, learning, and decision-making, which can affect academic and occupational performance and achievement. [29]

  • For example, studies have shown that there’s a link between marijuana and adverse consequences in the workplace, such as an increased risk of accidents. [29]

  • Cannabis use may also influence culture, politics, and the economy in various ways. Cannabis culture has been associated with various subcultures, such as hippies, Rastafarians, and hip-hop artists, who have used it for artistic expression and social protest. [30]

  • Cannabis use has also been a source of political debate and activism, with movements advocating for its legalization or decriminalization on the grounds of civil liberties, human rights, and racial justice. [25]

  • Cannabis use has been a driver of economic activity and innovation, with entrepreneurs creating new products, services, and markets related to cannabis production, distribution, consumption, and education. [32]

  • Cannabis use varies according to demographic factors such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, education level, income level, and geographic location. [32]

  • A 2019 national survey has found that cannabis use was highest among people aged 18–25 (34%), males (15%), American Indian/Alaska Natives (19%), people with some college education (16%), people with income less than $20K (18%), and people living in the West (18%).[32]

  • According to a review of studies on cannabis use motives among adults (age 18+), the most common motives were enhancement (using to increase positive mood or sensations), social (using to facilitate social interactions or conform to social norms), coping (using to reduce negative mood or stress), conformity (using to avoid rejection or criticism), expansion (using to enhance creativity or spirituality), medical (using to alleviate physical pain or symptoms), and routine (using out of habit or boredom). [33] [34]

Weed and Science

  • Cannabis, or weed, is a plant in the genus Cannabis, which belongs to the family Cannabaceae, along with hops and hackberries. [35]

  • There are three main cannabis species: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Each species has different characteristics and effects on the user. [35]

  • Cannabis contains over 100 compounds called cannabinoids andhundreds of terpenes, which interact with receptors in the brain and human body to produce various effects. [36]

  • The most well-known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. [37]

  • Another important cannabinoid is cannabidiol (CBD), which has anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, and neuroprotective properties. [38]

  • Cannabis can be consumed in various ways, such as smoking, vaping,eating, drinking, or applying topically. [37]

  • The method of consumption affects the onset, duration, and intensity of the effects. Smoking or vaping cannabis produces effects within minutes, but they last for only a few hours. [39]

  • Eating or drinking cannabis produces effects after 2 hours, but they last for up to 24 hours [39]

  • Cannabis strains are often named after their place of origin, appearance, aroma, or flavor. [40]

  • Some common strains are Blue Dream,Sour Diesel,OG Kush,Girl Scout Cookies, andPineapple Express. [40]

  • Strains can also be categorized intoindica,sativa, orhybrid types, depending on their ancestry and characteristics. [41] Cannabis can affect the brain in various ways, depending on the dose, potency, frequency of use, and individual factors. [42]

  • Some of the short-term effects of cannabis on the brain are euphoria, relaxation, altered perception, increased appetite, impaired memory, attention, and coordination, and reduced reaction time. [42]

  • Some long-term effects of cannabis on the brain are changes in brain structure and function, especially in adolescents who use it heavily and regularly. [14]

  • Cannabis has short-term effects on health, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, red eyes, dry mouth and throat, coughing, and wheezing. [43]

  • Some of the long-term effects of cannabis on the body are respiratory problems such as chronic bronchitis and lung illnesses (if smoked), cardiovascular problems such as stroke and heart disease (especially in people with preexisting conditions), and reproductive problems, such as danger to unborn babies. [44]

  • Cannabis can have therapeutic benefits for some medical conditions such as pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy or HIV/AIDS treatment, appetite stimulation for people with wasting syndrome or anorexia nervosa, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). [45]

  • Cannabis can have adverse effects on some medical conditions such as anxiety disorders (such as panic disorder or social phobia), mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder), substance use disorders (such as alcohol or opioid dependence), and cognitive disorders (such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia). [46] [47] [48]

  • Cannabis can also cause acute health problems, such as cannabis intoxication (or overdose). This includes symptoms such as panic attacks, hallucinations, delusions, increased heart rate, shaking, sudden high blood pressure, and headaches. [49]

  • Other consequences of cannabis use include cannabis withdrawal syndrome (or abstinence), cannabis use disorder (or addiction), cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (or cyclic vomiting), cannabis-induced psychosis (or temporary loss of contact with reality), and cannabis poisoning (or accidental ingestion by children or pets). These problems can range from mild to severe and may require medical attention. [50] [51] [52]

  • Cannabis can also impact the environment in various ways depending on how it is cultivated, processed, and disposed of. Cannabis cultivation can cause deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution, pesticide contamination, and wildlife habitat loss. [53]

  • Cannabis processing can generate waste products such as solvents, residues, and packaging materials that can pollute landfills, waterways, and air quality. [53]

  • Cannabis disposal can pose hazards for humans and animals that may ingest discarded joints or edibles on city sidewalks or natural areas.[53]

Weed and fun

  • The word “canvas” is linked to the word “cannabis.” This is because canvases were traditionally made of hemp. [54]

  • Bob Marley was buried with his Bible, his guitar, and a bud of marijuana. [55]

  • The first item sold over the Internet was a bag of marijuana. Over 40 years ago, Stanford students used Arapnet (an early form of the Internet) to buy weed from their counterparts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). [56]

  • In college, Barack Obama was a member of a group of male college students called the “Choom Gang,” who smoked pot and played basketball [57]

  • Shakespeare may have smoked pot. Researchers found traces of cannabis in pipes unearthed from his garden. [58]

  • The ancient Egyans used cannabis leaf to treat hemorrhoids, inflammation, and pain. They also used it in suppositories and ointments. [59]

  • Marijuana nicknames include: weed, doobie, pot, mary jane, green, ganja, the herb, sensimelia and many others.


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