We spent hours researching the most reputable sources to bring you 5 odd facts about marijuana. Whether you use it or not, the information in this post will fascinate you. Some of the data may seem unbelievable, but it is all 100% accurate. Each fact will have at least one link to the source.

The inhalation of cannabis smoke goes back thousands of years. Back in 2003, a 2,500- to 2,800-year-old mummified shaman from China was found. Next to the shaman was a leather basket that was filled with cannabis leaf fragments and seeds. Today, it is used by millions around the world.

Interesting Statistics On Marijuana Use In America And Around The World

According to the United Nations, 158.8 million people worldwide use marijuana. That is over 3.8% of the world’s population. A large number of Americans can’t get enough of it. In fact, many will even go to work high. According to a survey conducted by Mashable.com, 9.74% of Americans admit to smoking weed before showing up to work. The legalization of cannabis for recreational use in Colorado and Washington has lead many people to believe it will soon be legal nationwide.

Five Odd Marijuana Facts That Will Leave You In Disbelief

#1 In 1619, The Virginia Assembly Made It A Requirement For Farmers To Grow Hemp

We are first going to start off with a weird fact about the domestic production of hemp. Believe it or not, back in the 17th century, the American government was encouraging the production of hemp. The purpose of their encouragement was for the production of rope, sails and clothing.

In the year 1619, the Virginia Assembly chose to pass legislation requiring all farmers to grow hemp. Hemp was even allowed to be exchanged as legal tender in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The domestic production of hemp continued to thrive all the way until after the Civil War. The fiber of the cannabis plant was replaced with imports and other domestic materials.

Interesting Facts On The Use Of Marijuana In The Late 19th Century

1. During the 19th century, hashish use became a fad in France. It also became a fad (to some extent) in the United States.

2. By the late 19th century, marijuana became a popular ingredient in many medicinal products. It was even sold openly in public pharmacies.

#2 In Alaska, Possession And Consumption Of Marijuana Has Been Legal Since 1975

Did you know that the possession and consumption of marijuana has been legal in Alaska since 1975? In Ravin v. State, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that adults could use and possess a small amount of marijuana in their homes, but only for personal use. Such activity was protected under the state Constitution’s right to privacy. As you would expect, the ruling faced plenty of opposition.

Alaska became the third U.S. state to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes.

#3 Marijuana Is Less Harmful Than Tobacco And Alcohol

You probably have heard claims that smoking marijuana is far more dangerous than smoking cigarettes. Or, that “just one joint is equal to ten cigarettes”. Well, a study suggests these claims are misleading and exaggerated. The study has confirmed that tobacco and alcohol are more deadly than marijuana. In fact, according to the study, alcohol is the deadliest, and marijuana is the least risky. Alcohol is followed by nicotine, cocaine and heroin. Researchers say marijuana is the safest recreational drug. This is some crucial information that the opposition will probably never accept.

For a lot more fascinating information and shocking facts supporting the claim that smoking marijuana is a lot safer than smoking cigarettes, visit this article on Marijuana vs Cigarettes.

#4 Studies Suggest Marijuana Can Cure Cancer

Though many people have heard about the claim that marijuana can cure cancer, many have yet to see that this claim is supported by a lot of evidence. Below are a couple examples of actual studies.

Marijuana Cuts Lung Cancer Tumor Growth In Half

According to a Harvard University study that was performed in 2007, the active ingredient in marijuana cuts tumor growth in common lung cancer in half. Researchers also say it significantly reduces the ability of the cancer to spread. The chemical was tested in lab and mouse studies.

Cannabidiol (CBD) Inhibits Human Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation And Invasion

According to an interesting study that was conducted by the California Pacific Medical Centre, cannabidiol (a compound that is found in cannabis) inhibits human breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion. The study also showed that cannabidiol significantly reduces tumor mass.

Read Huffingtonpost.com for new research on how a marijuana compound can reduce tumor growth in cancer patients.

Marijuana Used To Treat A Child With Cancer

Above is a video of a 7-year-old girl who uses medical marijuana to treat her cancer. The medicine was proven to significantly ease her pain and may have even sent her cancer in remission.

Melissa Etheridge Tells Her Story

Of course, not only children can benefit from medical marijuana. Above is an interview with Melissa Etheridge. She tells her story of how marijuana has helped treat her breast cancer.

The Elderly And Medical Marijuana

#5  People Who Regularly Use Marijuana Are Skinnier Than The General Population

So you think that just because smoking pot can give you the munchies, it means it will also lead to weight gain? Wrong. Instead of causing unwanted weight gain, according to surprising results from a study, regular marijuana users will tend to have smaller waistlines than the general population.

Researchers have conducted a study involving 4,657 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The research concluded that the people who identified themselves as current marijuana users had smaller waist circumference measurements, 16 percent lower fasting insulin levels, and 17 percent lower insulin resistance levels. Though the surprising results are not direct evidence that smoking weed can help one mange their weight better, it does convince researchers to believe that marijuana may have a healthy effect on the way the human body metabolizes food.

Final Words

In just the first year of recreational marijuana sales, Colorado netted $44 million in taxes. Do you think recreational weed will be legal throughout the U.S. within the next 10 years or so? It is likely. With the chance to bring in billions of dollars in tax revenue to the country, it may just happen.

Out of our list of 5 odd facts, which one surprised you the most? Was it the fact that farmers in Virginia were once required to grow hemp, or maybe the the unbelievable data suggesting that regular pot smokers are skinner than the general population? Whether recreational cannabis use becomes legal or not, it will still continue to be consumed by millions of people around the world.