You probably won’t be surprised to learn our favorite leafy green of all time: The cannabis plant, of course! Native to central Asia but now grown nearly everywhere, cannabis plants have given a lot to us humans, and there’s still more to learn about them. Yes, they impart that oh-so-delightful euphoria, relax tired muscles, and reduce anxiety, but there’s so much more: Were they among the first domesticated plants? Did William Shakespeare get high? And are pot and beer distant cousins?
As proud purveyors of high-grade cannabis, it’s in our job description as friendly Have a Heart budtenders to know our product. So may we present, in no particular order of silliness, some fun facts about the cannabis plant.
Strange Facts about Cannabis Plants
In 2016, archaeologists studying a tomb in northwest China found a 2,500-year-old stash of cannabis plants serving as a burial shroud for a man who had died in his mid-30s. Scientists surmise that, at the very least, he died happy. No word on whether the bud was still potent.
In 1949, as the Cold War was in full swing, the Pentagon developed a chemical called Dimethylheptylpyran, a high-potency synthetic cannabis. Supposedly, it produces a stronger sedative effect and weaker psychological effect than THC, and its effects incapacitate most people for up to three days. Wait, is that a bad thing?
In 2001, a South African anthropologist reported that he’d discovered cannabis residue on the fragments of a pipe found in William Shakespeare’s garden in England. Combined with the reference to a “noted weed” in the playwright’s Sonnet 76, the report ignited speculation that the Bard was actually stoned out of his gourd. Then again, similar pipe shards also contained traces of nicotine and cocaine (likely from Peruvian coca leaves), leading some to suggest William Shakespeare was actually the head of a drug cartel. No response yet from the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Some of us enjoy the combination of flower and beer, but could there be a chemical reason? It turns out that the hops used to give beer its bitter flavor and the hemp plant are botanically related; some companies are actually investigating whether CBD can be produced from hop plants that naturally cross-pollinate with hemp. As one wag puts it: It could be the cause and the cure for cottonmouth in the same bottle!
Many of us are aware that George Washington grew hemp on his estate at Mt. Vernon, VA. But was he cultivating it for its cash value—hemp was invaluable in the naval industries for making sails, rope, and fishing nets. So far, there’s no evidence that he also smoked it, though researchers are still looking for telltale clues in his diary entries. To date, no references such as “Martha spilled the bong on my Persian rug” or “DAMN these brownies are awesome!” have been found.
Further Research into Cannabis Plants
Of course, there’s another way to find out more about cannabis plants. Have a Heart dispensaries have special deals on great cannabis products, and you can always count on finding exciting items at unbeatable prices. Check our specials for the details, or better yet: Come in and say hi soon!
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