Southern Cultivars of C. sativa
The southern cultivars of C. sativa have been used as a source of psychotropic drugs (marijuana, marihuana, grass or pot) and, as such, it is a significant cash crop in a number of countries. The plant’s products have been used throughout recorded history to induce physiological and psychological changes.
It exists in different forms: ganja , charas or churras, and bhang; they are made from different parts of the plant.
Material can be used to make ‘joints’. The smoke from these (like that of cigarettes) is rich in cancer-promoting benzapyrene. It is also possible to make a ‘drink’ (using milk, ghee and spices) or an infusion – cannabis tea. The material can also be used to make brownies (for eating) or a resinous material – hashish, such a preparation may be ‘consumed’ through smoking or vaporising. Incidentally, the word assassin can be traced back to the Arabic term for hashish user / taker.
The effect of cannabinoids / THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) can be stimulating or exciting, though euphoria and changes in perception are also reported. It may induce relaxation, or result in an enhanced appetite (the ‘muchies’), perhaps altering the activity of the hormones that affect hunger. It can cause delirium and is considered addictive.
It is known to offer pain relief (analgesia) from certain medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis and cancer (where it may also help because of its anti-emetic properties and promotion of appetite). The effects are varied and not predictable. It has been suggested that in victorian times that some women took it for menstrual cramps.
Long term use of cannabis may be associated with certain forms of memory loss, and an increased risk of psychosis in those predisposed to the condition. In recent times, concern has been expressed about the availablility of ‘skunk’, a form of high potency cannabis.
