Okay, so—cannabis. It’s been around forever. And I mean literally forever—people have used it for medicine, for chilling out, for making rope... you name it. But lately? Cannabis is having a moment. A full-on glow-up, if you will. Thanks to changes in the law, tons of new research, and a big cultural shift, people are rethinking how this little plant fits into our lives.
According to Pew Research, by 2024, around 17% of American adults were using marijuana. That's a lot of people saying, “Yeah, let’s talk about it.”
So what is cannabis, really? Let’s break it down.
Cannabis comes from the Cannabis sativa plant. It’s a fast-growing, flowering herb with some pretty fascinating qualities. Its two headliner compounds are THC and CBD. THC is the one that gives you that classic “high” feeling. CBD, on the other hand, won’t get you buzzed—but it might help you chill out, ease your aches, or catch better Zs.
There are three main kinds of cannabis plants:
And how people use it? Oh, so many ways. Smoking, vaping, eating (edibles are everywhere), tinctures under the tongue, creams for your skin—you name it. Each method hits differently and lasts a different amount of time.
These days, cannabis is making waves in the medical world too—helping folks with chronic pain, anxiety, sleep issues, PTSD, and even epilepsy. We're not just talking about “getting high.” We’re talking about wellness. Balance. Feeling better.
But you probably knew all that already.
So, let’s get into the good stuff—the lesser-known, totally fascinating side of cannabis.
Here are 10 things you probably didn’t know:
1. It’s one of the oldest plants we’ve ever cultivated.
Like, ancient. People in China were growing cannabis back in 4000 BCE. They used it for fiber and food way before it became a cultural icon.
2. The U.S. government once told farmers to grow it.
Yep. During WWII, the “Hemp for Victory” campaign encouraged American farmers to grow hemp for rope and uniforms. Uncle Sam said go green.
3. Cannabis plants can switch sexes.
No joke. If a plant is stressed—like bad lighting or injury—it can become hermaphroditic. Plants: they’re just like us.
4. That post-run high? Cannabis-adjacent.
Turns out that runner’s euphoria isn’t just endorphins. Your body releases endocannabinoids, which trigger the same brain receptors THC does. Your body basically has its own cannabis.
5. It’s got over 100 cannabinoids.
THC and CBD are the stars, but there’s a whole supporting cast—like CBN (great for sleep) and THCV (appetite control, anyone?).
6. It can literally clean up toxic soil.
Cannabis is a phyto-remediator—fancy talk for a plant that absorbs yucky stuff like heavy metals. It was even planted near Chernobyl to help decontaminate the soil. Amazing.
7. Bees love hemp.
No nectar, but that pollen? A late-season lifesaver for our little buzzing buddies.
8. Not all cannabis gets you high.
Industrial hemp contains less than 0.3% THC. Same plant family, totally different vibe.
9. Queen Victoria might’ve used it.
Legend has it, her doc prescribed cannabis tinctures for her cramps. So, basically, she was ahead of her time.
10. The cannabis industry is booming.
In 2024, the global legal cannabis market hit over $60 billion. That’s a lot of green (in more ways than one).
Final Toke
So, whether you’re curious, cautious, or already a fan, there’s no denying it: cannabis is one fascinating little plant. And hey—learning new things about it? That’s always in style.
