10 Interesting Facts you Didn't Know about Cannabis

10 Interesting Facts you Didn’t Know About Pot

Although only legalized in Canada since October 2018, cannabis has been part of human culture for as far back as the third millennium BC, and potentially even further back based on archaeological evidence. The plant has long been valued for its multi-purposeful uses – from ropes and fiber, to food and medicine and yes, valued for its psycho-active qualities in the religious and spiritual sphere. In fact, it wasn’t until the 14^th century that restrictions first began to appear on the use of the plant.

Now that we’ve finally caught back up with our ancestors (in Canada at least) on the value that cannabis provides on multiple levels, we are discovering new things about this insanely versatile plant every day.

Here are 10 interesting facts that you didn’t know about cannabis:  

1. Did you ever wonder why cannabis is called pot? Well, the word “pot” is actually shortened Spanish word of “potacion de guaya” which is a type of alcoholic beverage wherein cannabis is steeped. Further, did you know that the term “weed” refers to a way of smoking cannabis and not the plant itself?

2. The first recorded use of marijuana as a medicinal drug occurred in 2737 B.C. by Chinese emperor Shen Nung. The emperor documented the drug’s effectiveness in treating the pains of rheumatism and gout.

3. In college, Barack Obama was a member of the “Choom Gang,” a group of boys who played basketball and smoked pot.

4. The first item sold over the Internet was a bag of marijuana over 40 years ago. Stanford students used Arapnet (an early form of the Internet) to buy weed from their counterparts at MIT.

Speaking of which, if you're running low on your personal stash or feel like trying something new, check out Dank Delivery Online, offering Canada-wide mail-order delivery of all your cannabis needs! 

5. After Tupac Shakur’s murder, members of his music group mixed Tupac’s ashes with marijuana and smoked the concoction.

6. During the temperance movement of the 1890s, marijuana was commonly recommended as a substitute for alcohol. The reason for this was that use of marijuana did not lead to domestic violence while alcohol abuse did.

7. From 1850 to 1942, marijuana was listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia as a useful medicine for nausea, rheumatism, and labor pains and was easily obtained at the local general store or pharmacy.

8. Someone would have to smoke over 1,500 pounds of marijuana within about 15 minutes to die of a lethal overdose. In other words, dying from a weed overdose is nearly impossible. In fact, there is no record in extensive medical literature describing a proven, documented cannabis-induced fatality. 

9. Cannabis seeds were used as a food source in China as early as 6000 B.C.

10. The word “canvas” is related to the word “cannabis.” Historically, canvases were made of hemp.

Do you have some fun, interesting facts about cannabis that you’d like to share? Comment below and let us know!