Cannabis species

Cannabis species are exceptional, unique from many viewpoints in biology, chemistry and pharmacology. They are among the oddest manifestations in the plant kingdom, something perhaps tossed off by the Creator as a wild afterthought on the seventh day. 

Zhao, Y., Sun, Q., Davis, R.E., Lee, I. and Liu, Q. (2007). First report of witches -broom disease in a Cannabis species and its association with a phytoplasma of Elm yellows group (16SrV). Plant Disease, 91 227. 

The tetrahydrocannabinols are non-nitrogenous active principles of marijuana. Cannabis species (Joyce Gurry 1970 Vbd et 19 68). They are a subgroup of the cannabinoids, monoterpene compounds, ofwhich more than 50 have been isolated... 

Anderson, L.C. 1980. Leafvariation among Cannabis species from a controlled garden Botanical Museum LeafletsEbisizs University 28(1) 61-69. 

Thc tetrahydrocannabinols are known only from Cannabis species. There is considerable taxonomic controversy as to whether there are one or more species of... 

CannaMnoids. General term for compounds from Cannabis species and synthetic derivatives of the compounds. Characteristic for the C., apart from their psychotropic activity, is a series of other pharmacological actions. As narcotic drugs are used the female flowering tips ( marihuana) of the Indian hemp (Cannabis sativa) or the resin obtained therefrom ( hashish). Among others, the resin contains dibenzopyran derivatives. Main constituents are cannabidiol, antiepileptic and hypnotic effects, cannabinol and tetrahydro-cannabinols (THC) of the two isomers 4 -THC (known previously as A -THC) and A -THC (with 8,9-double... 

Although species is less an issue today than 20 years ago, a forensic chemist may still be asked on the stand if the plant matter that he or she identified as marijuana was from Cannabis sativa L. rather than some other Cannabis species, such as Cannabis indica. Unless also an expert in Cannabis botany, the chemist is not qualified to answer such questions and should unequivocally say so. Many jurisdictions have adopted a definition that mentions the genus without specifying the species to address this ambiguity. 

Esparto (Stipa tenadssima) grass Hemp (Cannabis sativa) plants Two species of Corchorus plants Flax (Linum usitatissimum) plants Hibiscus (Hibiscus cannabinus) plants Bohemia nivea grass... 

Three species of cannabis. Reprinted with permission from Schultes RE, Hofman A. (1980). The Botany and Chemistry of Hallucinogens, 2nd ed. Springfield, III. Charles C Thomas Publishers, but later assigned to the Fig family (Moraceae) (Schultes and Flofmann 1992). Today it is classified in its own family, Cannabaceae, of which the Humulus genus (Flops) is also a member. Three species of cannabis are recognized C. indica, C. ruderalis, and C. sativa (figure 10.3). 

Animal studies support the reputation of cannabis for stimulating appetite, although this effect has not been universally reported (Graceffo and Robinson 1998). Sated rats showed substantial hyperphagia when administered THC at doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg (Williams et al. 1998). This appetitive effect of THC was found in other species, such as dogs, whereas LSD, by contrast, produces anorexia (Vaupel and Morton 1982). 

In their next study, Shoyama and Nishioka isolated new spirocom-pounds cannabispirol and acetyl cannabispirol. This is in addition to the already known cannabispirone and cannabispirenone from a Japanese hemp variety. The two scientists included them in their biogenetic schema alongside the cannabinoid acids. In a further study, Shoyama et al. dealt with the biosynthesis of propylcannabinoid acids by in vitro incubation with raw enzyme solution from three species of Cannabis sativa KL. A biogenetic schema is presented illustrating the relationship between methyl, propyl and pentyl cannabinoid acids. 

Cannabinoids are the psychoactive components of marijuana, which has the species name Cannabis sativa. Concentrations of cannabinoids vary greatly from plant to plant. The original strains of this plant species contain very little of these psychoactive components and have been used for many centuries for their great fiber qualities. Strains of Cannabis that may be smoked for psychoactive effects on average contain about 4 percent cannabinoid derivatives. The most active of these derivatives is the compound A9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), shown in Figure 14.33 on page 504. 

Alkaloids and alkaloid-like substances had been reported and were found in a few of the species tested here, including Cannabis... 

Marijuana is derived from the Indian hemp plant, Cannabis sativa, a member of the Cannabaceae family and the Urticales (nettle) order. Some botanists claim that this genus contains as many as three other species C. indica, C. ruderalis, and even Humulus lupulus, the hops plant. Other botanists insist that the differences between plants reflect simple variations, not different species. 

Marijuana is the flowering part of the Indian hemp plant Cannabis sativa, a weed-like species that grows wild and is also cultivated in many tropical and temperate parts of the world. Cannabis means hemp in Latin and is derived from the Greek word kannabis. Marijuana probably comes from the Mexican Spanish marijuana/marihuana (Mary s leaf or plant) or from Maria and Juan (Mary and John). Among its many names, marijuana is commonly known as weed, ganja, mary jane, and pot. 

The three most prevalent varieties of the Indian hemp plant are Cannabis sativa (C. sativa), the most common of the three varieties, which is tall, loosely branched, and grows as high as 20 feet Cannabis indica, which is three or four feet in height, pyramidal in shape, and densely branched and Cannabis ruderalis, which grows to a height of about two feet with few or no branches. There is disagreement over whether these three cannabis types are different species or whether C. sativa is the main species of Indian hemp, with the other plants... 

Marijuana use dates back to prehistoric times. Only one species of the plant, Cannabis sativa, yields both a potent drug and hemp, a strong fiber that is used in the manufacture of rope, canvas, and linen. Americans grew Cannabis sativa for its fiber for many years. —... 

Even today (late 1982), debate continues as to whether there is more than one species of the Cannabis plant. Most experts now agree that there are at least three species, with the most important differences among them appearing in the seeds, stalk, growth habits and, to a lesser extent, resin content. 

Cannabis sativa, the most common and tallest species, was once grown mainly for fiber but now is the black market staple. 

Cannabis indica is believed to be the most potent species. Cultivated for its inebriating qualities, it is short, bushy and very resinous. 

Cannabis ruderalis is a rare Siberian species —short, without much mental effect, little known in the West, maturing within only two months. 

The third species of the marijuana plant, Cannabis ruderalis Janischewsky, was identified in 1924 in southern Siberia, but it also grows wild in other parts of Russia. Rarely over two feet tall, this species has little psychoactivity in its resin but matures much faster than the others (in about seven weeks). 

Of the three species of Cannabis, the sativa type was the first to be spread widely around the globe, probably because of its having strong fibers and lots of edible seeds. The earliest known pharmacy book, published in China in the third millenium B.C. recommends hemp for everything from rheumatism to constipation—even absent-mindedness. 

Meanwhile, the indica species of the plant spread gradually from the Far East to Egypt and Persia. Schultes and Flofmann cite a "questionable specimen of Flemp in an Egyptian tomb dating as far back as three or four thousand years ago. Arab traders brought Cannabis to the Mozambique coast of Africa around the thirteenth century. From there, its use spread rapidly inland to virtually all African tribes. Archeological evidence of this transmission includes fourteenth-century waterpipes containing Cannabis residue. 

---