| na has the mystique that comes from a long and | | | | laws against cannabis recreational use and possession |
| storied history laced with a edge of risk and | | | | during the 20th century. For example, it has been |
| excitement. It evokes images of smoky dens where | | | | effectively prohibited in the United States since the |
| figures sprawl dreaming of worlds beyond, of reggae | | | | 1950s. However, in recent decades, many countries |
| blasting Rastafarians with hideous dreadlocks and of | | | | have legalized or licensed its use under certain |
| Amsterdam cafes where users can legally take a | | | | conditions and lessened the penalties for possession |
| toke or two. This is the common picture of marijuana | | | | of small amounts for personal use. |
| but the real story is far richer and more complex. So | | | | There have been backlashes against certain practices |
| what is marijuana and what's so special about it? | | | | in countries with liberal cannabis laws such as the |
| Essentially, marijuana (also known as cannabis or | | | | Netherlands and Denmark. These have taken the form |
| hemp) is an aromatic plant. Its notoriety comes from | | | | of closing smoking shops near schools for example. |
| the fact that the dried leaves of the female plant can | | | | The reasons for ban on marijuana use are that its |
| be used as a psychoactive drug. Smoked, chewed or | | | | ingestion leads to intoxication. It impairs such |
| made into cakes, this drug is the most commonly used | | | | psychomotor functions such as depth perception, |
| illicit drug today. The leaves can also be compiled into a | | | | attention span and concentration. It also slows reaction |
| resin known as hashish or hash which is a more | | | | time, and lowers muscle strength and hand steadiness. |
| potent smoking mixture. Marijuana is a plant indigenous | | | | Other than its recreational use, marijuana's use as |
| to Central and South Asia and is easily cultivated in | | | | medicine to treat certain serious health conditions is |
| temperate climates such as the UK. | | | | once more being recognized. One of the most |
| Less well known is the fact that hemp has many other | | | | important is its ability to alleviate the side effects of |
| uses such being made into oil and into clothing, textiles, | | | | chemotherapy treatments for cancer patients. It's also |
| paper and cosmetics, and has played an important role | | | | an anti emetic which can help patients with chronic |
| in history. | | | | conditions such as HIV/AIDS by reducing nausea and |
| In fact, archaeologists agree that cannabis was one of | | | | stimulating appetite. |
| the first crops cultivated by human beings between | | | | Reports have also indicated that marijuana can |
| 6000 and 12,000 years ago. The oldest known records | | | | prevent seizures in epileptics when used in conjunction |
| indicate that hemp farming dates back to China 5000 | | | | with standard medicines. In some countries including the |
| years ago, though many think that it dates back even | | | | USA and UK, governments have responded by |
| further to ancient Egypt. Originally grown for use as | | | | making marijuana available for patients under strictly |
| food and for fibres, marijuana's medical properties | | | | controlled conditions. |
| were recognized early on as was its psychoactive | | | | One interesting trend in marijuana is the buying of |
| properties. | | | | marijuana seeds for souvenirs. It's legal to buy and sell |
| The first report of the medical use of marijuana is in | | | | marijuana seeds but no to germinate them. This has |
| China in 2727 B.C. and until the 19th century, marijuana | | | | led to the appearance of a number of online vendors |
| and hashish extracts were the most widely-used | | | | of cannabis seeds offering a wide array of strains of |
| medicines in the world. For example, marijuana was | | | | marijuana including lowryder and pukka seeds. One |
| the painkiller of choice for Americans until the | | | | vendor offers a massive range of fresh cannabis |
| discovery of aspirin around 1900. Indeed, from 1850 until | | | | seeds with over 900 strains from 40 worldwide |
| 1937 marijuana was used as medicine throughout | | | | famous cannabis seed banks. |
| United States and was readily available in pharmacies | | | | These sites stress that all cannabis seeds are sold as |
| and general stores. | | | | souvenirs, fishing bait, botanical specimens, souvenirs or |
| Marijuana’s psychoactive properties also led to | | | | incense only. So if you want to pick up cannabis seeds |
| use in religious rituals, especially in the Middle East and | | | | as souvenirs, you can visit the websites of online |
| the India subcontinent where it was, and still is, used by | | | | vendors and browse their catalogues for your strain of |
| shamans, saddus and other holy men. | | | | choice. Your seeds will then be delivered through the |
| Following centuries of use, most countries enacted | | | | post. |