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Cannabis is the botanical name of a genus of annual flowering plants in the Cannabaceae family. There are over 150 species and 10 genera included in the family. Besides cannabis, the hop plant (often used in the production of beer) is also part of the Cannabaceae family.
When grown under proper conditions, some species of cannabis produce fairly large amounts of a chemical known as Tetrahydrocannabinol (a cannabinoid commonly called THC). Cannabis plants that are grown for their THC content are referred to as marijuana plants.
All of the plants in the cannabis genus are commonly referred to as hemp plants. However, the term hemp is more appropriately reserved to describe cannabis plants that are cultivated for commercial purposes (like clothing, fuel, etcetera) rather than THC content.
Hemp plants are intentionally bred and cultivated to have a THC content lower than 2% (a very low amount). In addition, hemp plants are harvested when it is not the optimal time for THC production.
After harvest the hemp plants are processed with no concern for preserving the little THC the hemp may contain. This further decreases potency. All in all, it is best for marijuana growers to stay away from hemp.
Even if you could harvest 1000 pounds of hemp (at a time when the THC content was at a maximum 2%) and were able to extract all the THC, it would only amount to 20 pounds. In a real world situation, the amount you would actually get would be under 20 pounds.
An average marijuana strain is capable of producing marijuana with an 8%-12% THC content. More potent strains can reach 20%, or a bit higher. Marijuana consumers and growers should stick with cannabis plants intended to be grown for the marijuana they produce, even if hemp is free. That is not to say that you shouldn't buy hemp products (just don't bother smoking them).
Scientific Classification Of Cannabis
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Cannabaceae
Genus: Cannabis
The cannabis genus is made up of three species, they are Cannabis indica, Cannabis ruderalis, and Cannabis sativa. Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa can both used to produce marijuana, hashish, and hashish oil.
Cannabis ruderalis is not used to produce marijuana, hashish, or hashish oil by itself. However, ruderalis plants are sometimes crossed with indica and sativa plants that are used to produce these substances.
Although Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis are sometimes classified as subspecies of Cannabis sativa, there are some major differences in these plants that make them worthy of being classified as three totally separate species.
Cannabis indica
Cannabis indica probably originated in the areas around the Himalayas in Asia. It is now cultivated in most parts of the globe. When grown outdoors, an indica plant seldom exceeds 10 feet in height. However, indica is the most bushy of all species of cannabis.
The marijuana produced by indica plants is generally higher in CBD and lower in THC than sativa plants. This means marijuana from a pure Cannabis indica strain will produce a heavier, sleepy type of stone (when compared with marijuana from a Cannabis sativa plant).
The yield of Cannabis indica plants is usually higher than Cannabis sativa plants of a similar height. Cannabis indica plants take less time to mature than sativa plants.
Cannabis indica strains don't get as tall as Cannabis sativa strains but they are bushy and have to be grown further apart. A short Cannabis indica strain is ideal for growing in an area where height is a consideration (like when being grown indoors).
Cannabis sativa
Cannabis sativa probably originated in Asia or Europe. It is now cultivated in most parts of the globe. When grown outdoors, some sativa strains can grow to a height of 20-25 feet.
Because of the great height of sativa plants, they are most often used to produce hemp plants for the fiber content. A tall strain provides hemp farmers with longer strands of fiber (that are worth more money) than a short plant would.
The marijuana produced by sativa plants is generally higher in THC and lower in CBD than indica plants. This means marijuana from a pure Cannabis sativa strain will produce a more clear headed, energetic type of high (when compared with marijuana from a Cannabis indica plant).
The yield of Cannabis sativa plants is usually lower than Cannabis indica plants of a similar height. Cannabis sativa plants take more time to mature than indica plants, and are best suited to growing outdoors.
There are strains of Cannabis sativa developed for growing indoors. If you decide on growing a sativa plant indoors, look for an average or high yield indoor strain (if quantity is important).
Because Cannabis sativa plants are not as bushy as Cannabis indica plants, you can grow them closer together (allowing more plants to grow in a given area).
An indica/sativa mix will yield a larger crop that is not as tall as a pure sativa, but THC level will be lower and CBD levels will be higher. Cannabinoids play an important part in the way you feel after consuming cannabis, THC is the primary (but not solitary) active chemical.
Cannabis ruderalis
Cannabis ruderalis was first discovered in Eastern Europe. It can still be found growing wild in parts of Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, and other countries in the area. Often found in patches surrounding roadways where hemp was once cultivated, these wild plants are known as 'ditch weed'.
Cannabis ruderalis probably originated from stray Cannabis sativa seeds that were utilized in the production of hemp, and grew wild. Although the species produces low THC content marijuana that is useless to medical and recreational users, it has several qualities that some breeders like.
It doesn't grow tall (24 inches or less). It can grow in harsh climates that would stunt or kill indica and sativa plants. It will flower when the plant has grown five to seven sets of leaves regardless of photoperiod (the plants daily exposure to light).
That is, even if a Cannabis ruderalis plant were grown in an area with 18 hours of light a day, it would still flower when the plant had grown five to seven sets of leaves. Both Cannabis indica and sativa require a shorter day to trigger flowering.
Some breeders have crossed sativa and indica strains with ruderalis. The THC content of the resulting hybrid plants is slightly lower, but the plants mature quicker and don't grow as tall. These ruderalis hybrid strains will also grow in colder climates than indica and sativa.
Marijuana seed merchants might not state that a certain seed has any Cannabis ruderalis heritage (presumably because people associate ruderalis with low THC content). A short sativa strain that flowers quickly or a strain that can tolerate a harsh growing climate might indicate some ruderalis crossing.
Cannabis afghanica
A subspecies of Cannabis indica that originated in (or near) Afghanistan. Like indica (and unlike sativa), it is a short plant. Unlike indica that can grow to a maximum height of 8-10 feet outdoors, afghanica will only grow to a maximum height of 6 feet. Cannabis afghanica leaves look similar to indica plant leaves, but they are even wider.
The plants have a high cannabinoid content and in Afghanistan they are most often used to produce hashish (rather than marijuana). The hashish from Afghanistan has mainly been produced by hand rubbing (although sieving has a long history in the area).
This may account for the origin of the subspecies. Indica plants being selectively cultivated and mated to produce a subspecies of short plants with a fairly high THC content. Being geographically isolated (over a period of centuries), plants developed certain characteristics that now distinguish Cannabis afghanica from Cannabis indica.
A seed strain that comes from afghanica heritage will usually have afghan, afghani, or something along those lines in its name. For example, afgani haze is a strain that was developed by crossing Cannabis afghanica with haze plants.
Cannabis kafiristanica
A subspecies of Cannabis indica that originated around the Indian subcontinent. Cannabis kafiristanica probably originated from stray Cannabis indica seeds that were utilized for the production of hashish in India and surrounding areas, and grew wild.
Cannabis kafiristanica is not cultivated by marijuana growers. Individual plants may have low, similar, or high levels of THC relative to CBD. Plants with relatively high levels of THCV are also common in Cannabis kafiristanica plants.
Compared with wild Cannabis ruderalis, Cannabis kafiristanica are often taller and more branched. The fruits are usually very small. The flowers of female plants are often elongated, and the fruits drop off the plants as they mature. (from wikipedia)
Cannabis is the botanical name of a genus of annual flowering plants in the Cannabaceae family. There are over 150 species and 10 genera included in the family. Besides cannabis, the hop plant (often used in the production of beer) is also part of the Cannabaceae family.
When grown under proper conditions, some species of cannabis produce fairly large amounts of a chemical known as Tetrahydrocannabinol (a cannabinoid commonly called THC). Cannabis plants that are grown for their THC content are referred to as marijuana plants.
All of the plants in the cannabis genus are commonly referred to as hemp plants. However, the term hemp is more appropriately reserved to describe cannabis plants that are cultivated for commercial purposes (like clothing, fuel, etcetera) rather than THC content.
Hemp plants are intentionally bred and cultivated to have a THC content lower than 2% (a very low amount). In addition, hemp plants are harvested when it is not the optimal time for THC production.
After harvest the hemp plants are processed with no concern for preserving the little THC the hemp may contain. This further decreases potency. All in all, it is best for marijuana growers to stay away from hemp.
Even if you could harvest 1000 pounds of hemp (at a time when the THC content was at a maximum 2%) and were able to extract all the THC, it would only amount to 20 pounds. In a real world situation, the amount you would actually get would be under 20 pounds.
An average marijuana strain is capable of producing marijuana with an 8%-12% THC content. More potent strains can reach 20%, or a bit higher. Marijuana consumers and growers should stick with cannabis plants intended to be grown for the marijuana they produce, even if hemp is free. That is not to say that you shouldn't buy hemp products (just don't bother smoking them).
Scientific Classification Of Cannabis
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Cannabaceae
Genus: Cannabis
The cannabis genus is made up of three species, they are Cannabis indica, Cannabis ruderalis, and Cannabis sativa. Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa can both used to produce marijuana, hashish, and hashish oil.
Cannabis ruderalis is not used to produce marijuana, hashish, or hashish oil by itself. However, ruderalis plants are sometimes crossed with indica and sativa plants that are used to produce these substances.
Although Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis are sometimes classified as subspecies of Cannabis sativa, there are some major differences in these plants that make them worthy of being classified as three totally separate species.
Cannabis indica
Cannabis indica probably originated in the areas around the Himalayas in Asia. It is now cultivated in most parts of the globe. When grown outdoors, an indica plant seldom exceeds 10 feet in height. However, indica is the most bushy of all species of cannabis.
The marijuana produced by indica plants is generally higher in CBD and lower in THC than sativa plants. This means marijuana from a pure Cannabis indica strain will produce a heavier, sleepy type of stone (when compared with marijuana from a Cannabis sativa plant).
The yield of Cannabis indica plants is usually higher than Cannabis sativa plants of a similar height. Cannabis indica plants take less time to mature than sativa plants.
Cannabis indica strains don't get as tall as Cannabis sativa strains but they are bushy and have to be grown further apart. A short Cannabis indica strain is ideal for growing in an area where height is a consideration (like when being grown indoors).
Cannabis sativa
Cannabis sativa probably originated in Asia or Europe. It is now cultivated in most parts of the globe. When grown outdoors, some sativa strains can grow to a height of 20-25 feet.
Because of the great height of sativa plants, they are most often used to produce hemp plants for the fiber content. A tall strain provides hemp farmers with longer strands of fiber (that are worth more money) than a short plant would.
The marijuana produced by sativa plants is generally higher in THC and lower in CBD than indica plants. This means marijuana from a pure Cannabis sativa strain will produce a more clear headed, energetic type of high (when compared with marijuana from a Cannabis indica plant).
The yield of Cannabis sativa plants is usually lower than Cannabis indica plants of a similar height. Cannabis sativa plants take more time to mature than indica plants, and are best suited to growing outdoors.
There are strains of Cannabis sativa developed for growing indoors. If you decide on growing a sativa plant indoors, look for an average or high yield indoor strain (if quantity is important).
Because Cannabis sativa plants are not as bushy as Cannabis indica plants, you can grow them closer together (allowing more plants to grow in a given area).
An indica/sativa mix will yield a larger crop that is not as tall as a pure sativa, but THC level will be lower and CBD levels will be higher. Cannabinoids play an important part in the way you feel after consuming cannabis, THC is the primary (but not solitary) active chemical.
Cannabis ruderalis
Cannabis ruderalis was first discovered in Eastern Europe. It can still be found growing wild in parts of Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, and other countries in the area. Often found in patches surrounding roadways where hemp was once cultivated, these wild plants are known as 'ditch weed'.
Cannabis ruderalis probably originated from stray Cannabis sativa seeds that were utilized in the production of hemp, and grew wild. Although the species produces low THC content marijuana that is useless to medical and recreational users, it has several qualities that some breeders like.
It doesn't grow tall (24 inches or less). It can grow in harsh climates that would stunt or kill indica and sativa plants. It will flower when the plant has grown five to seven sets of leaves regardless of photoperiod (the plants daily exposure to light).
That is, even if a Cannabis ruderalis plant were grown in an area with 18 hours of light a day, it would still flower when the plant had grown five to seven sets of leaves. Both Cannabis indica and sativa require a shorter day to trigger flowering.
Some breeders have crossed sativa and indica strains with ruderalis. The THC content of the resulting hybrid plants is slightly lower, but the plants mature quicker and don't grow as tall. These ruderalis hybrid strains will also grow in colder climates than indica and sativa.
Marijuana seed merchants might not state that a certain seed has any Cannabis ruderalis heritage (presumably because people associate ruderalis with low THC content). A short sativa strain that flowers quickly or a strain that can tolerate a harsh growing climate might indicate some ruderalis crossing.
Cannabis afghanica
A subspecies of Cannabis indica that originated in (or near) Afghanistan. Like indica (and unlike sativa), it is a short plant. Unlike indica that can grow to a maximum height of 8-10 feet outdoors, afghanica will only grow to a maximum height of 6 feet. Cannabis afghanica leaves look similar to indica plant leaves, but they are even wider.
The plants have a high cannabinoid content and in Afghanistan they are most often used to produce hashish (rather than marijuana). The hashish from Afghanistan has mainly been produced by hand rubbing (although sieving has a long history in the area).
This may account for the origin of the subspecies. Indica plants being selectively cultivated and mated to produce a subspecies of short plants with a fairly high THC content. Being geographically isolated (over a period of centuries), plants developed certain characteristics that now distinguish Cannabis afghanica from Cannabis indica.
A seed strain that comes from afghanica heritage will usually have afghan, afghani, or something along those lines in its name. For example, afgani haze is a strain that was developed by crossing Cannabis afghanica with haze plants.
Cannabis kafiristanica
A subspecies of Cannabis indica that originated around the Indian subcontinent. Cannabis kafiristanica probably originated from stray Cannabis indica seeds that were utilized for the production of hashish in India and surrounding areas, and grew wild.
Cannabis kafiristanica is not cultivated by marijuana growers. Individual plants may have low, similar, or high levels of THC relative to CBD. Plants with relatively high levels of THCV are also common in Cannabis kafiristanica plants.
Compared with wild Cannabis ruderalis, Cannabis kafiristanica are often taller and more branched. The fruits are usually very small. The flowers of female plants are often elongated, and the fruits drop off the plants as they mature. (from wikipedia)
