Everything You Need To Know About Marijuana Plant

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Global knowledge to help you understand better this beautiful plant

Cannabis plants, also referred to as Marijuana, belong to the family Cannabaceae. Their dried leaves and seed oil are widely used for medical and recreational purposes. It is the most popular illicit drug plant, which was prohibited for many years. 

However, the policy of marijuana legalization in various states of the US is changed over time. For instance, states like Washington, California, and Michigan have fully legalized the use of Marijuana, whereas, in Wisconsin and South Carolina, it is completed prohibited. So, it is advised to check the policy and respect the orders. 

In this article, you would read about almost everything related to the cannabis (Marijuana) plant.

So. Let’s dig into it.

History of Marijuana

The word Marijuana is quite contentious. In the early 20th century, some Mexicans immigrated to the US (it promoted racist sentiments in the US). At that time, Cannabis was legally imported across the borders. Interestingly, the plant was commonly known as Cannabis before, instead of “Marijuana.” 

In the 1910s and 1920s, Marijuana got associated with Mexican immigrants. The US government used the term “Marijuana” in anti-cannabis propaganda to cement the association between Mexican immigrants and Cannabis. As a result, in the 1930s, the propaganda persisted and contributed to making Cannabis illegal. 

To date, there is still confusion about what we should call Marijuana. Thereby, many people are not using the word Marijuana and use Cannabis instead. But, again, it has perplexed many because Cannabis species also include hemp.

 

Hemp is one of the varieties of Cannabis sativa plant species specifically grown to fulfill its derived products’ industrial uses.

 

Before the 1930s, people used marijuana plants for different purposes like paper, rope, and clothing production. Besides, the plant was grown for medical purposes and again for recreational drugs. Then, in the 1930s, due to the campaign, the first legal restriction was conducted. 

In 1970, all cannabis herbs and products were banned under an act of controlled substances. To date, marijuana growth is prohibited. Well, the states have the right to legalize, and hence, some have started growing it for therapeutic benefits. 

Below, you will know about the types of Cannabis.

The word Marijuana is quite contentious. In the early 20th century, some Mexicans immigrated to the US (it promoted racist sentiments in the US). At that time, Cannabis was legally imported across the borders. Interestingly, the plant was commonly known as Cannabis before, instead of “Marijuana.” 

In the 1910s and 1920s, Marijuana got associated with Mexican immigrants. The US government used the term “Marijuana” in anti-cannabis propaganda to cement the association between Mexican immigrants and Cannabis. As a result, in the 1930s, the propaganda persisted and contributed to making Cannabis illegal. 

To date, there is still confusion about what we should call Marijuana. Thereby, many people are not using the word Marijuana and use Cannabis instead. But, again, it has perplexed many because Cannabis species also include hemp.

Varieties Of Marijuana Leaf

All the types of marijuana leaves belong to the general genus of cannabis Sativa L.

Note: The letter L stands for Carl Linnaeus’s last name, who discovered the species in 1753 according to the modern taxonomic terminology he developed.

The three different varieties of Marijuana leaves are:

  • Indica leaves – They typically grow wider and shorter than Sativa leaves and contain 7 to 9 olive-green leaflets.

  • Sativa leaves – Their color ranges from light to dark green. They are large leaves with up to 13 long and spiky leaflets. Plus, the leaves come from either male (hemp) plant or female plants (from which we grow smokable leaves).
  • Ruderalis leaves – The plant is similar to Indica plants but possesses 5 to 13 leaflets. The only difference is that Ruderalis is smaller and narrower.

Pro-Tip: Before buying the plants, make sure to check the leaves shape as there are many plants that look like weed but aren’t, such as wild mint plants, Japanese maple, and sunn hemp.

Not only this, but this weed plant can be mutated for several reasons.

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Common Mutations Of Marijuana Leaf

The marijuana plant loves to mutate when given a chance. However, growing cannabis plants with mutated leaves sometimes go wrong and doesn’t produce the best medicinal Cannabinoids. Still, it is considered a good practice. So, here you will find the common mutations of a Marijuana leaf.

  • Webbed Weed Leaf: Growers used to stabilize the leaves to disguise their plants from prying eyes in the past. Nonetheless, the process has fallen out; still, if you want to mutate, you can choose Ducksfoot stain. Make sure to grow from seeds.
  • Australian Bastard Cannabis: Another common Marijuana mutation has hairless leaflets with up to 5 points (a few centimeters long). Get excellent results by cultivating seeds that come from a healthy plant with common characteristics.
  • Whorled Marijuana Leaf: Some growers believe that Marijuana with whorled leaves has a great potency to grow flowers. 

How To Grow Marijuana

To grow a healthy marijuana plant, you need to follow these simple tips:

Water Supplement: Every plant needs water to grow as it aids in maintaining the plant’s internal temperature and gives it flexibility. Thus, it is suggested to provide an adequate amount of water, but keep two things in mind, that are:

  • Overwatering can lead the plants to choke as they struggle to get oxygen.

  • Underwatered plants remain thirsty and find it difficult to normalize the temperature.

Temperature: We know it already that plants can’t sprout well without the right temperature and humidity level. Well, in the seed germination process, you need a stable yet gentle heat source. When the plant is getting matured, the preferable temperature should float between 68-78°F. Very high or low temperatures can harm the plant. Strains that can be used for extreme environments are blue cheese and purple haze.

Soil: The best possible soil to grow Marijuana plants comes with a pH level close to 7. Nevertheless, the overloaded nutrients can imbalance the Ph level. Therefore, it is advised to regularly check if the soil’s pH level to ensure the ground is optimal for the roots or not.

Pro-Tip: Make sure the soil you are using has a suitable drainage property. Don’t use clay or sand-mixed soil – such types of soil either allow the water to leave too early or stay too long, which can destroy the plant roots.

Nutrients: Fertilize the seeds with the right nutrients, which help produce big and dense buds. Lack of nutrients slows down the growth and lets the pests and molds to appear. Two types of nutrients that are essentially used in growing Marijuana plants are:

  • Macronutrients – Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus

  • Micronutrients – Zinc, copper, manganese, iron, and calcium

Just like temperature, strains that can survive nutrient problems are White Widow Autoflower and Jack Herer

Light: Cannabis plant makes its own food. To make that food, it requires the right amount of light to convert carbon dioxide into sugar. You can give sufficient light as it is not detrimental to growth. However, too much light heat can burn the leaves, so it is recommended to adjust the distance between light and plants when placing indoor.

Sufficient Air: While growing weed plants indoors, the air quality and quantity should be good. Also, well-ventilated grow rooms promote healthy Marijuana plants and diminish the intense scent they produce. Alongside this, Marijuanas need carbon dioxide to thrive well. The best strains that can be used are Autoflowering Super Skunk and Autoflowering Sour Diesel to grow them indoors.

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Some Important Cannabis Components – Uses & Benefits

Cannabinoids naturally occur as acids. Some of the major cannabinoids present in Marijuana are:

  • CBD (Cannabidiol): The non-psychoactive component (isolated from THC) and legally available. It reduces inflammation, shrinks tumors, and treats mood swings. 

  • THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): This component is used in medicines to treat sleep disorders and chronic pains. 

  • CBG (Cannabigerolic Acid): It acts as a vanishing mediator. According to research, it treats cancer and bladder diseases. 

  • CBDV (Cannabidivarin): Medicine that contains CBDV is used to treat nausea and help people suffering from epilepsy.

  • CBC (Cannabichromene): It is a therapeutic component that acts as a great anxiety reducer.

Recreational Marijuana is used to get pleasurable sensations. Undoubtedly, it improves moods, reduces stress, and increases creativity. However, when it is taken in large portions of doses, THC induces anxiety and the feeling of paranoia.

 

Did you know? According to WHO (World Health Organization), almost 2.5% of the world’s population consume Cannabis.

Signs If Your Marijuana Leaf Is Withering & How It Can Be Cured

When the Marijuana plant is deficient in nutrients like Boron, Magnesium, and Molybdenum, the leaves show signs of discoloration and deteriorations. Let’s know about them.

  • Boron Deficiency – The large gray or brown spots start appearing on the leaf. To reduce it, make sure the plant isn’t dry and don’t over-feed it with nutrients.

  • Magnesium Deficiency – When the marijuana leaves’ tips go crunchy and change color to yellow, they lack magnesium. Cure the plant by adding cannabis-specific magnesium supplement into the fertilizer.

  • Molybdenum Deficiency – It promotes crispy brown, orange, or pink shaded edges on the leaves. However, it is challenging to diagnose as it looks like other issues such as nitrogen deficiency and calcium deficiency. To avoid this, keep checking the pH level of the soil for healthy growth.

Advice: Don’t Smoke The Leaves

It is suggested not to smoke the leaves unless or until it goes through a grinding process. Because when you smoke raw Marijuana leaves, it gives a mild buzz.

Bottom Line

Marijuana is still considered a “Schedule 1 plant.” Schedule 1 plants are defined as drugs that are not currently being accepted for medical use globally. Therefore, it is not freely used. Above, we have covered everything necessary to know about Cannabis (Marijuana). We hope this article will benefit you in learning about the weed plant.

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This is a guest article, here’s a little about the author

Aiyla Heath is a teacher and a passionate gardener. She has researched unique flowers that are mostly unheard of. Also, she has a great garden in front of her house, where she has planted several beneficial herbs and plants. You can check her work on Inspire Uplift.

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