For the marijuana-friendly percentage of Victoria’s population, today promises to be a smokin’ good time.
Cannabis is finally slated to be legalized in 2018, so today marks the last 4/20 before the prohibition ends.
Whether you smoke, eat, vape or are just curious about the origins of this unofficial celebration of cannabis culture, here are 16 facts about the soon-to-be-legalized drug.
1. Cannabis has over 483 known chemicals, that includes approximately 65 that are cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are strictly unique to the marijuana plant. The main psychoactive cannabinoid ingredient in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol).
However, the effects of the numerous other chemicals contained within the plant haven’t been studied as thoroughly.
The Canadian Cancer Foundation says that they “act on certain receptors on cells in our body, especially cells in the central nervous system,” and that “research into the effects of cannabinoids on cancer cells in vitro and on experimental animals has shown some promise.”
But they also stress that such research is still in the very early stages and that much more study is needed before marijuana or cannabinoids can be used as a cancer treatment.
2. There are two well-known species of cannabis, but there’s actually a third one – Cannabis Ruderalis.
You might’ve heard of sativa and indica, but ruderalis is out there too – though the latter has less THC (see above).
Originally considered a “wild” breed of cannabis, ruderalis has recently been used to create new hybrid strains. Despite its relatively low amount of psychoactive cannabinoids, its unique flowering cycle makes it attractive to growers.
3. Hops and Marijuana are in the same family of flowering plants.
The name of that family: Cannabinaceae. Sounds like real rebellious group of relatives.
According to an article in Popular Science, you can even make beer out of cannabis! Although there are no guarantees that it’ll taste good.
4. Numerous American states have legalized marijuana for recreational use
A total of eight states, plus the District of Columbia, have legalized cannabis for recreational use. Several others have approved medical marijuana and/or decriminalized the possession of small amounts of the drug.
5. There are over 200 slang words for Cannabis!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BccmnaDhoDE/?taken-by=trees_dispensary
Dope, kush, grass, you name it! How many do you know?
6. Weed day was started in 1971 by five high school students
The group called themselves “The Waldos”. They would pass in the hall and say “420” to each other as a covert way of signalling that they wanted to go smoke!
Seriously, they even have a website.
7. There are more dispensaries than Starbucks in Denver, Colorado
More than twice as many places to get cannabis than Starbucks coffee. But the biggest surprise might be which one of those businesses is the most controversial at the moment.
8. Morocco is estimated to produce the most cannabis per country
According to a 2017 United Nations report, the North African nation has 47,000 hectares under cannabis cultivation, followed by Mexico at 15,000 hectares, then Nigeria with just over 4,500 hectares, Lebanon at 3,500, and the South American nation of Paraguay with just over 2,780.
9. North Korea reportedly doesn’t consider marijuana an illegal drug
Though we don’t recommend visiting to get high.
10. There’s a Highway 420 in Ontario
King’s Highway 420, commonly referred to as Highway 420, connects the Queen Elizabeth Way with downtown Niagara Falls.
Cannabis advocates regularly begin their April 20th march along the highway.
11. In 1938, US marijuana “expert” Dr. James Munch swore under oath that smoking marijuana turned him into a bat!
12. If you get too high, eating a little bit of black peppercorn can help
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhwfeZmhKTM/?tagged=peppercorn
A 2011 study in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that in addition to seasoning your food, peppercorns can calm you down when you’re experiencing cannabis-induced anxiety.
But if the scientists don’t convince you, just ask Neil Young. He recommended the technique to Howard Stern in a 2014 interview.
13. Over 100 years ago, California was the first state to make marijuana illegal!
In 1907, The Poison Act was passed.
14. In 2013, Uruguay was the first country to completely legalize marijuana growth, sale and consumption
15. Iceland is the leading country in Cannabis use
With a whopping 18.3% of Icelanders saying they use Cannabis.
16. In 1976, Bill Murray got arrested for having about 10lb of weed in his suitcase!
It all started as a joke that he told a fellow passenger that he was carrying 2 bombs in his bag, then the authorities were called and he was arrested.
