Cannabis and Hemp
Marijuana and hemp have the same roots
The scientific name of cannabis is Cannabis sativa L.
The scientific name of hemp is Cannabis sativa L. subsp. sativa.
The difference between these 2 is determined by the amount of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
-
In Thailand, 'hemp' must contain no more than 1.0% THC per dry weight.
-
As for European countries, the amount of THC is not more than 0.2% per dry weight, and Canada limits it to not more than 0.3% per dry weight.
Marijuana
a slang term for dried buds of female hemp or cannabis for smoking
Common Species
Sativa
Cannabis sativa L.subsp. sativa
Latitude from 0 - 25 degrees
(Thailand, Colombia, Mexico)
Height: 1.5 m - 7.5 m
Clear branches
Slender leaves
5-8 fingers
narrow & less tightly packed buds
Indica
Cannabis sativa L.subsp. indica
Latitude from 25 - 35 degrees
(Afghanistan, Iran)
Height: 69 cm - 1.5 m
Dark green leaves
Wide leaves
5-8 fingers
dense & tightly packed buds
Ruderalis
Cannabis sativa L.subsp. ruderalis
Found in Russia with short flowering period (Auto Flowering)
Small and wide leaves
3 fingers
Buds & branches are small in size
NO THC
CBD and THC syntheses location
Trichomes
oil glands at the buds resemble snowflakes
can be split into 3 phases based on its colors:
-
Clear = Immature; less potency
-
Milky white = Mature; contain high THC & CBD (the level of compounds varies depending on the species)
-
Amber = Over ripe; degrading THC & CBD
Harvesting Buds
start harvesting when trichomes have
ember color, around 30%,
and a milky white color, about 70%
Gender
Male
Contain anthers that has an egg-like structures at the stem and branch junctions
No flowers
Low THC
Female
Contain a droplet-like shape & stigmas that are white, hairy structures between the stem & branches
Produces seeds & flowers that are light yellow, cream, or white
High THC and CBD
Dioecious
Contain both stigmas & anthers
on the same plant
Produce both seeds & flowers
Low THC
Chemotype
80-85%
10-15%
< 1%
THC
CBD
Terpene
50%
30%
< 1%
Cannabis sativa L.subsp. sativa
Cannabis sativa L.subsp. indica
Cannabinoid
THC
Tetrahydrocannabinol
Stimulates the nervous system (psychoactive) causing
Mental relief
Pain reduction
Euphoria
Alleviation of nausea and vomiting
Increased appetite
CBD
Cannabidiol
Acts as a sedative causing
Inflammation reduction
Relaxing
Aiding in sleep
Help with treating epilepsy
Cannabinoid
CBD extracts derived from the cannabis and hemp plants are categorized as phytocannabinoids.
In humans, we have an Endocannabinoid System (ECS) in our bodies.
The "cannabinoids" (CB) in our bodies interact with "cannabinoid receptors" or "cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R)".
-
CB1 receptors are primarily found in the brain and the central nervous system and can be found in some tissues and organs such as the lungs, liver, and kidneys.
-
CB2 receptors are primarily found in certain immune system cells, the gastrointestinal system, and in organs related to the immune system, such as the spleen and thymus.
When cannabinoids bind to CB1 or CB2 receptors and stimulate them, it promotes homeostasis, which plays a role in regulating and maintaining balance in various systems in the body.
This includes controlling temperature, pain management, regulating the fat-burning process and glucose, maintaining the body's energy balance, regulating movement, heart rate, blood pressure, and more.
can be naturally produced in the human body
Entourage Effect
Not just cannabinoids that treat diseases
The scent and cannabinoid extracts must work together to have the ability to treat diseases
Terpenes
Essential oils, which have various scents found in cannabis and other plant species,
are natural fragrances that plants produce to protect themselves from insects and various fungi
Myrcene
Smells like mango & red grape
Work with THC
Reduce pain & inflammation
Helps to be calm and relaxed
Found mostly in indica
Limonene
Smells like orange & lemon
Work with THC
Help to be rejuvenated,
jolly, & fun
Found mostly in sativa
Smells like wood, soil, & diesel
Reduce inflammation & pain
Sterilizes bacteria
Makes you lose your appetite
Found mostly in sativa
Humulene
Reference
Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR). มารู้จัก กัญชง-กัญชา กันเถอะ. from https://www.tistr.or.th/tistrblog/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Cannabis-sativa-L.pdf
YouTube. (2019). บรรยาย “การวิจัยและพัฒนาผลิตภัณฑ์สารสกัดกัญชาทางการแพทย์” โดย รศ.ดร.วิเชียร กีรตินิจกาล. YouTube. Retrieved October 1, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl_vl5eHtVU
Woodbridge, M. (2019). ข้อมูลเบื้องต้นเกี่ยวกับกัญชาทางการแพทย์ (Vol. 4). ฝ่ายวิจัย คณะแพทยศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยขอนแก่น. Retrieved 2023, from, https://mdresearch.kku.ac.th/files/cannabis/MedicainalCannabisBook_v4.pdf
ราชกิจจานุเบกษา. (2562). กำหนดลักษณะกัญชง (Hemp). In ประกาศคณะกรรมการควบคุมยาเสพติดให้โทษ (pp. 7–8). essay. Retrieved 2562, from https://cannabis.fda.moph.go.th/wp-content/uploads/PDF/law/October_2562/T_0007.pdf
เผยวิธีดูเพศกัญชาแต่ละต้น. เดลินิวส์. (2022, June 13). https://www.dailynews.co.th/news/1143194/