Marijuana is a fascinating type of plant, known for its medicinal and mood-enhancing properties. The use and cultivation of marijuana dates back several thousand years and its medical and spiritual properties are known worldwide.

But despite its popularity, you may not fully understand what marijuana is or why there are thousands of different strains popping up around the world. Here you'll learn how cannabis is defined, how marijuana is used, and why it has been used for thousands of years.

What is marijuana used for?

Currently, marijuana use is divided into two primary uses: recreational and medical. Recreational consumers may use marijuana for a variety of purposes such as relaxing, unwinding, improving focus or creativity. Medical consumers use marijuana to relieve symptoms such as pain, anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite, and more.

Cannabis contains hundreds of active compounds (such as cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids) that provide a range of medical benefits. THC and CBD are two of the most well-known compounds found in cannabis. However, there are many other cannabinoids found in cannabis, varying concentrations of which provide a unique range of effects.

Hemp is also an important part of agriculture. The strong fibers of hemp have been used for hundreds of years to make rope, clothing, textiles, building materials, and more. Hemp produces nutritious seeds filled with essential amino acids, proteins and other valuable minerals, making it a nutritious and healthy food. Hemp seeds can also be used to produce cooking oil and even biofuel.

Cannabis - sinsemilla

Hemp is an annual flowering plant that has male and female reproductive organs. This means that the male must pollinate the female in order to produce seeds.

A female plant that will not be pollinated in its reproductive cycle is often referred to as a sinsemilla. This Spanish term means "seedless." These seedless female plants produce large, resinous flowers that, when dried, are called marijuana.

What is a marijuana strain?

Marijuana is believed to have originated in Central Asia. However, thousands of years of conquest and exploration of new lands have taken it to virtually every continent. Growers cultivate their plants selectively to suit the needs of their communities. Although at one time cannabis was only grown outdoors, nowadays indoor growing has become very popular.

In every place on earth where cannabis has taken root, local strains of marijuana have been developed. These strains became known as Landrace strains.

Many of these strains were harvested from their native habitats and brought to other countries where they were hybridized with each other by gardeners who wanted to explore the plant's potential. This process of hybridization - breeding different males with different females - gave rise to the thousands of named varieties we eat today.

You've probably also heard the terms 'indica', 'sativa' and 'hybrid'. These three types primarily refer to the different shapes and structures of plants and traits that are important to breeders. Consumers have long believed that indica strains have a calming effect, sativa strains add energy, and hybrid strains are somewhere in between these effects.