In the upcoming decade, the cannabis market will grow at an exponential rate.

You might have noticed an uptick in cannabis consumption amongst your peers. Not only that, but you might also be curious as to what it is and what it can do for you.

Cannabis generates a host of benefits that are great for both recreational and medicinal use. Better yet, there are plenty of different ways to consume it.

So what is cannabis? What can you expect when you take it for the first time?

Keep reading to learn more.

Cannabis — A Brief Overview

“Cannabis” is often used interchangeably with “marijuana” to describe the same plant. However, marijuana comes from the parts of a cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa) that contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

The cannabis plant produces hundreds of chemical compounds, with CBD and THC being two of the most consumed cannabinoids. People can smoke plants with these compounds. These compounds may also be extracted to create different products that still reap the benefits of these compounds.

Can It Get You High?

When people think of cannabis, they imagine a drug effect that gets them “high”. They’re most likely thinking of THC, which is well-known for its psychoactive effects. However, cannabis also contains another compound, CBD (cannabidiol).

While they’re both derived from the cannabis plant, CBD is extracted from different parts of the same foliage. It also has no psychoactive effects. Instead, it only produces medicinal effects, making it unable to be classified as a recreational drug.

THC and CBD are two out of many cannabinoids produced by cannabis plants. They’re also the compounds you’ll see featured most frequently amongst all other cannabis products.

Cannabis Benefits

Different cannabinoids offer different benefits. However, many of these benefits overlap each other due to their origination from the same plant.

  • Improved sleep
  • Seizure prevention
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Better digestion

Is Cannabis Legal?

Each cannabinoid is regarded differently by both federal and state law. THC isn’t federally legal at all but is legal in some states. Only some of these states legalize recreational THC consumption.

CBD is federally legal as long as it doesn’t contain more than 0.3% of THC. Some states impose even stricter regulations on CBD purchasing, even outlawing it altogether. Review your own state’s laws on cannabis consumption and possession before attempting to purchase any cannabis products for yourself.

Where is Cannabis Available?

Some states require a medical recommendation for THC usage while other states only require users to be 21+ years of age. Other cannabinoids, if legal in your state, could be purchased without any medical verification.

Either way, users can purchase cannabis from local or online dispensaries. CBD businesses such as HighProfile offer cannabis edibles such as cannabis gummies and cannabis tinctures. Edible methods of cannabis ingestion are most palatable, which is great for first-time users.

What is Cannabis? Your Start to Relief

There’s a lot of buzz about cannabis these days, but not a lot of education. But if you plan on buying and consuming this plant, it’s important to know what it exactly is.

This guide offers a brief introduction to cannabis and its benefits. If it helped you understand the question, “What is cannabis?” then check out the rest of our blog! We’ve got plenty of other content for readers such as you.

By Manali