Marijuana is now becoming a mainstream product with several uses. Not only is recreational marijuana legal across eight states in the U.S, but it also has valid medical benefits. Pot seemed to be on the verge of total domination, especially in the pharmaceutical and wellness industries. At present, 25 states in the country permit the possession and medical use of cannabis, per the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Despite these changes, many pot users are severely under-informed or misinformed about marijuana, its benefits, and how it affects the world around them.
But knowledge is power, and you need to know some essential facts about marijuana to get the most from this unique plant. Read on to learn some interesting facts about marijuana and how it influences the planet.
Weight Loss Aid
According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, about 49.1% of American adults attempted to lose weight between 2013 and 2016. But obesity is a problem worldwide, and it is among the leading causes of several health conditions. The majority of obese people also have eating disorders. However, marijuana can modulate the appetite and influence the body’s metabolism. An intense workout could also help with weight loss.
Recent research shows that marijuana affects body weight in diverse ways and may even help cancer and HIV patients increase their body mass index. Given the expanding scope of weight-related problems, marijuana can significantly affect society at large. However, it will depend on how you use it. Some prefer to directly smoke joints whiles other use equipment like the Zong bong for cleaner smokes. But remember that your results will also depend on specific personal variables.
Diverse Uses of Marijuana
Apart from the flowers and leaves of the marijuana plant, businesses have begun exploring other uses for different parts. For instance, the plant’s cellulose body has displayed a tremendous level of strength. Interestingly, people use marijuana to make environmentally friendly building materials such as insulators, wall panels, roofing tiles, and fiberboard. One of the most remarkable sustainable products obtained from marijuana plants is a construction material known as “hempcrete.”
The process to produce hempcrete involves water, lime, and hemp hurds. Mixing these in a wet process results in a concrete-like mixture that’s moldable into different masonry units like bricks. Besides the affordability, hempcrete is significantly lighter than traditional concrete. In the UK, there are several housing units built with hempcrete.
Edible
Marijuana isn’t only suitable for medicinal and recreational use but is also a very edible plant, not as in cookies and brownies. There are varieties of dishes and recipes that you can use the plant and seed to prepare. The seed, for instance, is quite nutritious and rich in different types of nutrients.
Though you won’t be eating a dried marijuana bud anytime soon, you can find different edible products like bread, protein powder, and beverages made from marijuana. When you consider starvation, drought, and hunger that some parts of the world have to deal with, it’s easy to see how marijuana can serve as an alternate source of nutrition for many people.
Carbon Consumption
Green plants are known to photosynthesize by using carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight. The cultivation of marijuana does a lot to improve the gaseous composition of the environment. According to scientific studies, the primary cause of global warming and climate change is excessive carbon emissions from the world’s industries.
To resolve the issue of increasing carbon emission levels, several environmental agencies have approved studies on this subject. In a report, they indicated that marijuana derivatives like hemp are among the most effective cash crops that can trap more carbon per square area than any other plant. Hemp plants trap atmospheric carbon in a process called carbon sequestration.
Pet Care
Marijuana by itself isn’t the best thing for your pet because it can cause poisoning. Therefore, you should prevent your pets from getting access to any cannabis or cannabis-derived products. However, there are several marijuana-based products made solely for animals such as cats and dogs. Most of these products are designed to behave like medical cannabis and offer similar therapeutic benefits to animals. Some provide pain relief to older animals, while others can calm your pet.
Biofuel
It might be a while before vehicles run on anything other than gasoline. However, biofuels present an excellent and alternative source of energy that’s also eco-friendly. The seeds of the marijuana plant can be processed into biofuel. Although this is still in development, it will substantially impact carbon emission levels and preserve nature’s delicate balance on the planet.
Conclusion
Very few plants show the potential to impact the entire plant and its people like marijuana does. The cannabis industry has proven to be very lucrative, with tremendous growth potential. As legislation continues to change in favor of pot and technological advances open new doors of opportunity, it’s necessary to consider the environmental impacts and how marijuana can benefit the planet with the right national policies. Governments can collect taxes from revenue generated by marijuana businesses for use in the conservation of nature. However, the present levels of ambiguity and misconceptions associated with pot need to give way if the industry will better impact the planet.
