Cannabis' Global Journey: Lives Touched And Science Explored

Cannabis is believed to have originated in East Asia, specifically the Tibetan Plateau, and can now be found on every continent except Antarctica. The plant is thought to have first evolved nearly 28 million years ago, and its success is largely due to humans. Early humans may have unintentionally spread the plant by clearing vegetation and creating waste dumps, providing cannabis with the open, sunny areas and fertile soil it needs to thrive.

Humans have also played a key role in the spread of cannabis across the world. It is believed to be one of the first plants we cultivated when we began farming around 12,000 years ago. The stalks could be dried to create fibres, the seeds could be eaten or used to make oil, and the resin-coated bracts could be used for medicinal and psychoactive purposes.

Over time, different varieties of the plant emerged, giving rise to the two major types known today: Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. By the Middle Ages, cannabis was grown across Europe, and Arab and Indian traders carried it to Africa and Southeast Asia. Finally, colonial empires brought the plant to the Americas beginning in the 16th century, and it arrived in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century.

Cannabis originated in East Asia, specifically the Tibetan Plateau

Cannabis is believed to have originated in East Asia, specifically the Tibetan Plateau, nearly 28 million years ago. This conclusion was reached by researchers from the University of Vermont, Middlebury College, and the University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China, who analysed ancient pollen to determine the plant's place of origin. The Tibetan Plateau, located over 10,000 feet above sea level, provided the ideal environment for cannabis to evolve, with its arid, steppe-like conditions.

The identification of cannabis pollen can be challenging as it resembles the pollen of the common hop plant, which is used for flavouring beer. However, by considering the accompanying types of pollen, researchers were able to differentiate between cannabis and hop pollen. Cannabis pollen is typically found with pollen from steppe plants, while hop pollen is often accompanied by tree pollen.

The distribution of cannabis pollen indicates that the plant likely emerged near Qinghai Lake in the Tibetan Plateau. This region is notable for its proximity to the Baishiya Karst Cave, which was inhabited by our ancient cousins, the Denisovans, at least 160,000 years ago. While the planet was in the midst of an ice age during this period, the impact of these harsh conditions on the survival of cannabis is uncertain.

The Tibetan Plateau played a significant role in the spread of cannabis, as the formation of this region due to tectonic activity facilitated its movement to other areas. From the Tibetan Plateau, cannabis spread across Central and East Asia, eventually reaching the Indian subcontinent, eastern Europe, and the Middle East by approximately 2000 BC. Human activity, including the clearing of vegetation and the creation of waste dumps, provided the open, sunny areas and fertile soil that cannabis needed to flourish.

The versatility of the cannabis plant, with its stalks, seeds, and resin-coated bracts having various practical applications, further contributed to its dispersal. Humans began cultivating cannabis for multiple purposes, including the utilisation of its psychoactive effects, leading to the emergence of different varieties. By the Middle Ages, cannabis had reached Europe, and through trade and colonisation, it eventually spread to Africa, South-East Asia, and the Americas.

It is believed to be one of the first plants cultivated by humans

Cannabis is believed to be one of the first plants cultivated by humans. The history of its usage dates back to at least the third millennium BC, and possibly as far back as the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (8800–6500 BCE) based on archaeological evidence.

The plant is thought to have first evolved nearly 28 million years ago on the Tibetan plateau, after which it spread to Central Asia, specifically the regions that are now Mongolia and southern Siberia. The earliest evidence of human cultivation can be found in an archaeological site in the Oki Islands near Japan, which contained cannabis achenes from about 8000 BC.

Hemp, one of the earliest plants to be cultivated, has been grown in Japan since the pre-Neolithic period for its fibres and as a food source, and possibly as a psychoactive material. Hemp use archaeologically dates back to the Neolithic Age in China, with hemp fibre imprints found on Yangshao culture pottery dating from the 5th millennium BC.

Cannabis is believed to have been one of the first plants cultivated by humans when farming began around 12,000 years ago. The stalks could be dried to create fibres, the seeds could be eaten or used to make oil, and the resin-coated bracts could have been used for their medicinal and psychoactive properties.

The utility of the plant enabled its spread, and humans became the most important agent for its dispersal. Its seeds are round and heavy and lack wings, making them less attractive to animals and less likely to be carried by the wind.

It spread across the world through trade and cultivation

Cannabis is believed to have originated in Central Asia, in the regions that are now Mongolia and southern Siberia, and spread from there to other parts of the world through trade and cultivation.

Early humans may have inadvertently spread the plant by clearing vegetation for settlements and leaving behind food scraps in waste dumps, creating the open, sunny areas with fertile soil that cannabis needs to thrive. As people began to appreciate the many uses of the cannabis plant, it is believed to be one of the first plants we cultivated when we began farming around 12,000 years ago. The stalks could be dried to create fibres, the seeds could be eaten or used to make oil, and the resin-coated bracts could be used for medicinal and psychoactive purposes.

By the Middle Ages, cannabis was grown across Europe, and Arab and Indian traders carried it into Africa and Southeast Asia. Colonial empires brought the plant to the Americas beginning in the 16th century, and it eventually reached North America in the early 20th century, brought by immigrants fleeing the Mexican Revolution.

It is now grown on every continent except Antarctica

Cannabis is now grown on every continent except Antarctica. The plant's success is largely due to humans, who have transported it across the planet.

The earliest traces of the plant were found on the Tibetan Plateau, where it is believed to have evolved nearly 28 million years ago. From there, it spread across central and East Asia, with nomadic groups later carrying it into the Indian subcontinent, eastern Europe, and the Middle East by about 2000 BC. By the Middle Ages, cannabis was grown across Europe, and Arab and Indian traders carried it into Africa and Southeast Asia. Finally, colonial empires brought the plant to the Americas beginning in the 16th century.

Today, cannabis is grown in many different environments, from outdoor farms to indoor and mixed-light cultivation systems. While the total amount of land cultivated for cannabis is relatively small compared to other crops, there are concerns about its impact on water resources, pesticide use, energy consumption, and air pollution.

The spread of cannabis around the world is a result of its many uses, including medicinal, spiritual, and recreational purposes. It is believed to be one of the first plants cultivated by humans, and its utility has enabled its dispersal and global presence today.

It has two major types: Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica

Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica are the two main types of marijuana plants and the source of other cannabis hybrids. Sativa is typically energizing, while indica is relaxing. However, the effects of cannabis are more complex than just the THC:CBD ratio, with other cannabinoids and substances like terpenes also playing a role.

Sativa plants are tall and thin with finger-like leaves, and they take longer to mature than indica plants. Sativa has a higher THC content, which causes the "'high'" associated with cannabis use. It also tends to have lower doses of CBD, which does not create a "high" but can help with anxiety and psychoses. Sativa is often used during the daytime due to its stimulating effects.

Indica plants are short and stocky with bushy greenery and broad leaves, and they grow faster than sativa plants. Indica either contains more CBD than THC or equal amounts of both. Indica is often preferred for treating medical conditions like headaches, seizures, joint pain, and glaucoma. It is also used for chronic nerve pain and insomnia. Indica is typically consumed at night due to its relaxing and sleep-inducing effects.

While the terms "indica" and "sativa" refer to the plant's physical characteristics and botanical properties, some experts argue that these terms do not accurately reflect the biochemical content of the plant. They suggest that a new classification system is needed to further the medical utility of cannabis products.

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