« Introduction | Etymology & Taxonomy | Chemistry and Biology » Such is the extent of cannabis’ controversy that even its etymology and taxonomy are hotly contested. According to the Oxford English Dictionary the origins of the word cannabis comes directly from the Greek kannabis, which means hemp:
Other sources put the origin of the name cannabis even older, claiming it comes from the Hebrew kanabosm or qěnēh bośem, meaning “reed of balm”, in reference to its aromatic (balmy) resin. The opinion on which family cannabis belongs to is a source of debate and has shifted over time. The traditional split between taxonomists in regards to cannabis was whether it belonged to the Moraceæ (mulberries) or Urticaceæ (nettles) family but more and more researchers are coming to the conclusion that cannabis falls into its namesake Cannabaceæ family, making it a close cousin of the hops plant (Schultes, R. E., and A. Hofmann, Botany and Chemistry of Hallucinogens, p.82–116). Regardless of this uncertainty all three of the aforementioned families are closely related. There is even more confusion as to the nature of the three strains of cannabis (C. sativa, C. indica and C. ruderalis). Cannabis Sativa is tall and thin, generally growing between 8 and 12 feet in the wild with a light green colour and long thin leaves. The smell is generally sweet, fruity and mild. It is the predominant strain in Africa, Western Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, South-East Asia and Southern India. Cannabis Indica is short and squat, averaging between 3 and 6 feet in height, with dark green, short broad leaves. It smells “skunky” and strong. It is common in the Middle East, Central Asia (where cannabis is thought to originate) and Northern India. Cannabis Ruderalis grows from 4 to 6 feet in height and resembles a short, branchless sativa. It is found in Eastern Europe and the Russian Steppes. C. indica is cultivated almost solely for its psychoactive qualities while C. Ruderalis is a purely industrial plant. C. sativa can be harvested for both its industrial applications (hemp) and as a drug. Recent taxonomical studies offer evidence that the three variations of the plant are actually separate species under the Cannabis genus rather than different expressions of the same gene pool (Hillig, K.W., Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 52, p.161-180). However, the ease with which the three variations crossbreed tends to indicate that the differences are mostly superficial and the strains are different genetic manifestations of the same species rather than entirely separate species. « Introduction | Etymology & Taxonomy | Chemistry and Biology » |
