Understanding Cannabis: Things to Know About 4/20
Some people read the word “cannabis” and see it as a recreational drug that helps them have fun. Others see it as an important medicine that people with pain and sickness need. Yet many see it as something to be avoided. But, there are benefits to cannabis that many people don’t realize.
April 20th is a date widely known as a holiday for celebrating cannabis. These days, cannabis is becoming legalized in more places, giving “420” fans more reasons to celebrate! Get all the details about this controversial, yet useful, plant.
Cannabis definitions
Cannabis - A type of plant that comes in many forms and has a wide range of uses including recreational drug use and medical use
Marijuana/weed - The dried leaves/parts of the cannabis plant, often consumed by smoking or vaping. There are multiple types of marijuana.
Cannabis sativa - This type of cannabis is known for giving people a “high.” It stimulates the brain, making the person more excited, energetic, and creative. It can even have hallucinogenic effects. Sativa’s ability to excite and stimulate can sometimes be a mood-booster for people with depression.
Cannabis indica - This type of cannabis is known for its sedative effects, making people calm and still. It causes the body to have a relaxing heavy, sleepy sensation. Unlike sativa, indica may help people with anxiety.
Hybrid marijuana - It’s common for cannabis growers to grow plants that are a combination of sativa and indica, making them hybrids. This allows growers to customize the chemical makeup and effects of the cannabis.
THC - Tetrahydrocannabinol is a psychoactive chemical in cannabis that binds to receptors in the brain to create a high.
CBD - Cannabidiol is a chemical in cannabis that doesn’t cause a high, but instead creates feelings of relaxation and pain relief.
Hemp - A type of cannabis sativa plant that contains a low concentration of THC that isn’t enough to make a person high. It’s used as a “superfood,” in medicine, and even building materials.
420 - A holiday on April 20th celebrating all things cannabis. One goal of the holiday is to push for wider legalization and public acceptance of cannabis. Fun fact: There are multiple theories about where the 420 number came from!
Uses of Cannabis
There are many uses of cannabis, and that’s what makes it so popular. However, be sure to talk to your doctor before using it. Your doctor can tell you if cannabis is right for your body composition.
Cannabis is famous for its euphoric effects, but that’s not all. There are also a variety of health-related benefits currently being studied. Cannabis has been used for anxiety treatment, seizure prevention, reducing inflammation, and more. CBD gummies are a type of cannabis product that’s growing in popularity because of their candy-like feel and their calming, pain-relieving effects.
I can tell you from my own personal experience that cannabis can be helpful. This past week I had COVID, and that took a lot out of me. What actually helped my anxiety was a small dose of weed. When I took a small piece, I was able to focus on the present moment instead of dwelling on all the things I wasn't able to do.
Cannabis helped me, and it’s helped so many others. Not everyone is a fan and there are still a lot of legal restrictions. However, in recent years, the concept of “420” has become more mainstream. That means more people will learn about and benefit from the positive effects of cannabis – and that’s something to celebrate.
