What is cannabis?
Cannabis is a psychoactive plant of the species Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica. Its dried flowers, and the extracts and concentrates prepared from them, are popular for both medicinal and recreational purposes (by “recreational” we mean that the effects alter your consciousness). It is also used for spiritual purposes, holding a sacred status in several religions. The cannabis plant originated in Central and South Asia. Its first recorded use dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. However, it has been discovered at archaeological sites dating back 12,000 years. It has been used as an entheogen, that is, in a religious, shamanic, or spiritual context in India and Nepal since the Vedic period, at least 1500 BC. Cannabis finally gained a foothold in the United States for medicinal purposes after California voters legalized medical marijuana in 1996. Washington and Oregon followed two years later, as did Hawaii, Alaska, Colorado, and many other states in the years that followed. As of 2018, 30 states in the US have laws regarding medicinal cannabis with varying descriptions. Slang names for cannabis are numerous and varied. Depending on the era and culture, it has also been called marijuana, weed, pot, dope, grass, herb, jug, ganja, and Mary Jane. (We could go on—almost indefinitely—but such lists quickly become absurd!). At CBD.FR, we like to call them flowers! 😉
Indica and Sativa Strains Cannabis is divided into two main types: indica (e.g., Bubble Kush) and sativa. Indica is best known for its broad leaves, heavy body, stocky build, and soporific effects. Sativa, on the other hand, is more energetic, with thin leaves, a tall, lanky build, and a more cerebral high.
Beyond indica and sativa, the plant has hundreds of distinct strains, each with its own set of characteristics. But you can also find varieties classified as hybrids that have a balanced combination of both indica and sativa traits. Cannabis strainsPhoto by Andres Cruz / Via FlickrThe variability of strains is almost endless. This isn’t just due to various combinations of physical characteristics and cannabinoid levels, although these do play a definite role. It’s also due to various combinations of terpenes and flavonoids. These are natural aromatic compounds that can influence the intensity and nature of the effects. Strains became an important factor in cannabis cultivation in the late 1960s. “Brand names” like Panama Red and Acapulco Gold quickly gained notoriety. This wasn’t just for their memorable appearance, but also for their potency. As the 1970s progressed, strains such as Thai Stick, Santa Marta Gold, Colombian Red Bud, and Michoacan became legendary. And with the rise of Dutch breeding in the 1980s, genetic masterpieces like Northern Lights #1, Big Bud, and Skunk #1 earned their place in the cannabis pantheon. As cannabis breeding became an increasingly sophisticated endeavor, more and more “hybrid” strains combined the qualities of both indica and sativa varieties. This practice became so popular that the genetics of “pure” indicas such as LA Confidential and The Hog, and “pure” sativas such as Durban Poison and Dutch Passion, became a prized heirloom.
Modern hybrids like Girl Scout Cookies, Gorilla Glue #4, Granddaddy Purple, Blue Dream, Sour Diesel, OG Kush, and White Widow have brought cannabis breeding to its current high level. Top-shelf iterations of these strains often exceed 20%, and even 25%, THC!
Cannabis Industries and Stocks The rise of modern cannabis legalization, and its subsequent integration into popular culture, has given rise to a thriving industry. Besides the obvious agricultural benefit, numerous ancillary industries also reap the rewards. Companies that “handle the plant,” as well as those that provide products and services to the wider market, benefit greatly from the cannabis industry. There are many sectors within this emerging industry. These include biotechnology, cultivation, retail, hemp products, and marijuana products, among the “touching the plant” group. Ancillary sectors that do not have direct contact with the plant include agricultural technology, real estate, secondary services, consumer devices, investment and finance, technology, and media. Additional ancillary industries include breathalyzer manufacturers, test kit manufacturers, and the hospitality and tourism industry. To date, cannabis stocks have offered mixed results to investors. Because the plant is illegal at the federal level in the United States, some investors are wary of a crackdown. However, it seems inevitable that some available stocks will represent major growth opportunities. This is doubly true with legalization in Canada. In February 2018, Toronto-based Cronos Group Inc., which invests in medical marijuana producers, became the first Canadian cannabis company to be listed on a major U.S. stock exchange.
Major Cannabis-Producing Regions Cannabis Producers Afghan Cannabis Producers (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images) Historically, cannabis cultivation has been concentrated in India, Afghanistan, and Thailand, and more recently in Mexico and Colombia. Modern legal reforms have led to significant growth in cultivation in the United States, particularly in California, Colorado, and Washington State.
Globally, the UK has become the largest commercial producer/exporter thanks to GW Pharmaceuticals, whose greenhouses are located in the British countryside. (These greenhouses produce the botanical material from which the Sativex oral spray is made.) With the rise of legal cannabis in the US, imports of black market marijuana from countries like Mexico and Colombia have been significantly reduced. The same is true for black market hashish from Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Morocco.
