The Edible Plant: Cannabis Botany Introduction

The Edible Plant

Cannabis, or more correctly Cannabis sativa, is a member of the Hemp (Cannabaceae) family of plants. All parts of the cannabis plant are edible in some way, shape or form. The seed can be eaten by itself cooked or raw. Hemp-seed is used to make a delicious and nutritious oil.

The stalk is edible, however it is also used to make fiber (hemp). The flowers of both male and female plants can be eaten raw, cooked, made into cannabutter, ghee, and cannabis oil, or smoked.

Species and 'Sub-Species'

Cannabis can also be broken down into three separate "sub-species", although there is much debate and controversy as to whether or not they actually are species. They are sativa, indica, and ruderalis. Other sub-species may also exist.

• Sativa - Sativa is known for its "heady", cerebral, clear high. Most high-grade bud is asativa or sativa-dominant strain.
• Indica - Indica is the most common type of marijuana you will find. Commonly grown indoors. Tends to be a lazy, couch-lock type of high. Pass the corn chips man.
• Ruderalis - This is the industrial hemp species of marijuana. It is essentially useless as a drug because it contains very little THC (read Science of Cooking with Cannabis).