Everybody is Sky High

Everybody’s sky-high about recreational cannabis, but have we forgotten about the medicinal side?

Over many centuries, the cannabis plant has been found to have countless uses, from textiles to oil, medicine, and beyond. As history reads, crops grew in remote places around the world, and new landrace strains were born, becoming vital to communities. These strains were the staples of the ‘70s and ‘80s, with names indicating their regions of origin, such as Acapulco, Colombian and Oaxacan Gold, Panama Red, Black Malawi, Thai Stick, and many more. From location to location, the climates and breeder tendencies changed. Each landrace variety had a unique profile concerning smell and effect. But as eradication operations increased, poisons were used on fields to kill the crops, and these strains disappeared.

Some places were able to escape eradication. Travelers had also managed to gather some of the seeds from various strains and preserve them for later reference. In the 1980s, there was a significant reduction in the gene pool for cannabis. Some of the people who had gathered seeds from the various fields started seeds companies, blending new varieties with old-world genetics.

Cannabis breeding progressed into the ‘90s with plenty of roadblocks, and members of the general population began growing in basements and closets. The Dutch scene flourished and made way for a fast-paced industry. Later that decade, however, a crackdown saw some of the best seed companies raided, losing their original breeding stock. Many companies were also ordered to mix their genetics with hemp if they wanted to continue to produce the same numbers. Meanwhile, the war on drugs in the United States forced outdoor growers into their basements.

The new veil of secrecy surrounding cannabis meant that growers could no longer produce large populations of genetics. They had to become selective about what they were growing and how they were growing it. As a result, the genetic potential of cannabis rose to new heights; current varieties test as high as 34% THC content, with complex terpene profiles mimicking any flavor imaginable.

Bringing the cannabis world indoors also made way for breeders to start crossing many different strains, creating new hybrids in a controlled environment. In a grow room, one can achieve a full flowering cycle for most strains every two months. Outdoors, however, a breeder gets one crop per year. With the ability to breed new hybrids at a much more rapid rate, a new subspecies has been born: cannabis domesticas.

Initially, cannabis was classified into two groups: cannabis indica and cannabis sativa. The two varied in size, effect, and region of origin. Today, these varieties have been mixed to a point where it’s tough to find any pure old-world genetics anymore. Many breeders went to the last remaining places harboring landrace genetics and traded seeds for seeds with locals. Once the locals grew the new varieties with the old ones, original plant populations were all but wiped out.

With the ability to breed new hybrids at a much more rapid rate, a new subspecies has been born: Cannabis domesticas

Hemp has recently found its way back into modern medicine. A byproduct of the plant, CBD is showing to provide natural health and well-being benefits that reach beyond many over the counter medications. With this, cannabis is starting to be viewed more positively by the general population.

More of us now have the freedom to grow cannabis legally at home. But let us not forget how we came to enjoy that freedom in the first place: medical marijuana

The original movement of cannabis legalization was one based on the medicinal value of the plant. As we move closer to full recreational legalization, we must wonder if we have forgotten about the benefits of medicinal cannabis. Why have some breeders pushed the psychoactive genetic potential of cannabis so high?

More of us now have the freedom to grow cannabis legally at home. But let us not forget how we came to enjoy that freedom in the first place: medical marijuana. Cannabis can help provide relief to those suffering from seizures, tumors, chronic pain, and more.

Any grower can help create medicine. The best medicinal results are achieved through natural gardening practices. It’s not about getting high, money, or a trend. The plant that has helped for generations is now finally allowed to shine.

Exploring the healing properties of cannabis isn’t something that has to be done in a university. The pioneers that made this all possible might have only had access to a closet at times, but with dedication and diligence, they paved the way for future generations. Most of the modern varieties of food we grow were bred on a farm that was only a few acres in size. Never doubt you’re potential.

Let’s take the gift of growing and use it to spread the healing potentials of the plant kingdom around the world. It’s for the betterment of Mother Nature!

By Tom Wall

Professional Musician, Writer, and Gardening Consultant. Cosmic Knot/Therapeutic Horticulture Consultations

Growing up on a deer farm located on 79 acres of land along the banks of one of Lake Michigan’s tributaries, Tom grew a love for nature and all the beauties it could hold. Through that passion Tom has channeled his influences into educating the community on sustainable agriculture, becoming an activist, writing for magazines and creating music tuned to nature in his band Cosmic Knot.

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