Akkal Dev Mishra
Pokhara – Marijuana is commonly called as Hemp. Correctly speaking, hemp and marijuana are different species which belong to cannabis genus. These contain most of the compounds in common and thus considered to be similar. Hemp has been used by human for more than 10,000 years in Asian subcontinent. Two main species of marijuana are Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica.
Hemp was originated from central Asia. It is an annual herbaceous flowering plant and indigenous to eastern Asia. Nowadays it is cosmopolitan in cultivation and distribution. It was in tremendous use in Asian continent in the 17th century. It is a source of industrial fibre, seed oil, food, recreation, religious and spiritual mood and medicine. Whole plant is useful in one or other way. Rigorous study has been started from 1980. About 500 compounds were identified in 2005 which are mostly aromatic and volatile in nature. The compounds include terpenes, flavonoids, steroids, amino acids, sugars, cannabinoids, enzymes, vitamins, pigments, fatty acids, esters, lactones, phenols, sesquiterpenes, etc. Marijuana plant can be used in different forms like powder, cream, oil fats, fibres, tea, coffee, hashish, etc.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is main psychoactive constituent and cannabidiol (CBD) is another important compound found in marijuana or hemp. CBD blocks the effect of THC in nervous system. Flowers and fruits are used as marijuana which is consumed as smoking product. Seeds are used to extract seed oil which is consumed for cooking, lamps, lacquers or paints, caged bird feed, etc. Resinous extract from leaves and flowers is called hashish which is used for smoking, vaporing and oral ingestion to stimulate nervous system. Tincture, teas and ointment are prepared from leaves and extracts. Some other uses are anxiety effect in human beings, hypnotic, sedative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory agent, etc. Hemp tea and coffee are used as stimulant widely. Hemp cream is used to check skin irritation, reduce wrinkles, i.e., de-ageing effect in human.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is used for the treatment of epilepsy in children, inflammation, depression, anxiety, insomnia, cancer treatment, anti-oxidation, anticonvulsant, appetite stimulant, drowsiness, analgesic, euphoria, paranoia, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, cough, bloating, syphilis, heart beat regulator, pneumonia, urine stimulant, acne treatment, etc. Hemp finds major applications in variety of textiles, jeans, shoes, rope, coats, jackets, back packs, hats, sunglasses, wallets, etc. which are natural and durable fabrics. Cannabis improves respiratory problems, regulates insulin hormone, autism treatment, healing of broken bones, improve cognitive performance, remove sclerosis, reduce Parkinson’s disease, etc. Hemp and marijuana compounds can be further used for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, glaucoma, nausea, migraine, etc. Hemp plant contains 0.3% and marijuana contains 5-20% of THC, i. e., marijuana is more psychoactive as compared to hemp. In spite of such diverse medicinal values, hemp and marijuana have got many side effects like diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, depression, dizziness, low blood pressure, hallucination, dry mouth, etc.
Cultivation of hemp or marijuana almost completes in 4 months to a fully developed phase. Male and female plant grow separately i. e., the plant is dioceous. It grows from warm to cold environment in slightly acidic soil, i.e., pH in between 5-6 which is suitable to check fungal and bacterial infection. Cannabis cultivation is banned in Nepal by 1976 narcotic drugs act calling it as hallucinating drugs. Hemp or marijuana cultivation is also banned in many countries. However, it is legal and widely cultivated in United States of America, United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Chile, Germany, Colombia, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Norway, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Switzerland, Portugal, Peru, Thailand, Zambia, etc. Owing to diverse medicinal applications, hemp or marijuana are better to cultivate by discouraging their consumption for recreation or hallucination purposes.
Akkal Dev Mishra
Tribhuvan University
Prithvi Narayan Campus, Pokhara
