Cannabis is a strange and complex plant with many properties that affect how we utilize and consume it. And while Tennessee is just now entering the cannabis conversation with their medical marijuana program, its use in society has been documented for thousands of years.
And although the cannabis of today likely doesn’t resemble too many ancient strains, the cannabis plant itself has largely stayed the same.
In this Tennessee Marijuana Card Guide, we’ll cover the anatomy of a cannabis plant, what its different parts are, and what medical marijuana patients use them for!
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis is a term for the type of flowering plants in the cannabaceae family.
In the family, there are three main species:
Although you may be more familiar with sativa and indica as strain types, in truth they are species of the plant.
Cannabis sativa is a species with tall slender plants that includes hemp.
Cannabis indica is a short and stocky plant that does not include hemp.
Cannabis ruderalis is even shorter and thicker than cannabis indica, but its THC content is almost always very low or nonexistent.
What is Cannabis Made of?
Cannabis plants have different properties at different stages of their life.
A seed will sprout into a small stalk, which will grow leaves and later produce flowers, at which point it will be harvested and either cloned for later growing or excess plant material is processed and its life cycle is over.
This whole process can take anywhere from 3-8 months depending on the plants, the environment, and the growing techniques.
The flowers that bloom on the plants are particularly desirable as they contain the largest concentration of medicinal properties such as THC, CBD, CBG, etc.
While different growing processes and techniques can increase or decrease the value of these medicinal properties, they occur naturally within the flowers themselves, called colas, and it is not necessary to introduce foreign medicinal compounds to the plant.
This is one of the reasons why cannabis is so powerful, you don’t have to add new chemicals or compounds to it, it grows naturally with many suitable medicinal compounds already.
Certain strains of cannabis plants can have higher percentages of one compound over another, and they may be chosen by cultivators specifically for the natural properties of that plant though.
For example, cannabis ruderalis could be a viable low yield fast growing crop that could produce high CBD & low THC contents.
A cannabis indica strain like OG Kush might be grown with the intention of getting the best terpene profile for the entourage effect.
A Sativa strain like Silver Haze might be grown to yield the highest possible THC content.
How are the Parts of the Cannabis Plant Used?
Because the cannabis family includes an extraordinary amount of potentially medically useful compounds, a lot of research is dedicated to synthesizing different parts of cannabis plants.
The flowers of the plant are often the most used part because the resinous glands on the surface of the buds called trichomes contain compounds such as terpenes and cannabinoids like THC and CBD.
But the trichomes aren’t exclusive to the flowers, that is just where their largest concentration is found. Trichome hairs often grow on the leaves and stalks of the plant.
Although in a much smaller quantity, plant leaves and stems do have trichomes and can still be used to create many different cannabis products. They can be pressed with heat to extract their oils, broken down and decarboxylated in volume, or even processed in water and ice to make bubble hash.
But the key ingredient is usually the trichomes, the resinous glands are traditionally fundamental for consuming the medicinal properties of the plant.
The other parts of the cannabis plant (especially hemp) can be used to make many other things however, such as rope, textiles, clothing, shoes, paper, bioplastics, insulation, and even biofuel.
Benefits & Uses of the Cannabis Plant
Medical marijuana is used to treat a long list of conditions, even Tennessee has a list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana.
And the uses for the cannabis plant don’t stop at medicinal, in fact cannabis has been used in almost every capacity imaginable.
Some interesting uses people have found for cannabis include:
The cannabis plant has an impressive list of potential uses, both medically and otherwise. Often overlooked because of its legal status in the United States, other countries like China, France, and Canada have found success in producing a massive percentage of the global hemp market.
And for Tennesseans, the upcoming rollout of the medical marijuana program will vastly expand access to medical grade cannabis products for patients with qualifying conditions.
Soon, Tennessee medical marijuana patients will be able to purchase and use low-THC cannabis oil for 9 pre-approved conditions.
And although medical marijuana programs can take time to implement, Tennessee is showing extra attention in measuring public interest for marijuana legalization by asking you about your thoughts on medical marijuana.
Medical Cannabis in Tennessee
Tennessee cannabis patients will soon be able to legally purchase low-THC oil and see the relief they need organically.
Reserve your appointment today and get $25 off when we start processing applications!
Being a Tennessee cannabis patient allows you the freedom to take your medication the right way for you.
We’re dedicated to helping patients every step of the way, feel free to give us a call at (833) 781-5611 and we can answer your questions about getting a medical cannabis card in Tennessee.
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
At Tennessee Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (833) 781-5611, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Tennessee Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information!