Weird and Wonderful Facts About Cannabis

From ancient history to outer space, cannabis has a surprisingly weird and rich backstory. Here are a few facts even seasoned consumers might not know.

Cannabis has a long, weird, fascinating history — way more interesting than most people realize. Here are some of our favourite facts from behind the counter at Hive Cannabis. Perfect for trivia night, awkward family dinners, or your next group chat.

1. Cannabis Has Been Used by Humans for Thousands of Years

Archaeological evidence suggests cannabis use stretches back at least 2,500 years, with some scholars pointing to even older usage. Ancient tombs in Central Asia have been found with charred cannabis residue inside braziers — pretty strong evidence people were getting high a *very* long time ago.

2. Hemp Was a Major Cash Crop in Early Canada

Hemp — the non-intoxicating cousin of psychoactive cannabis — was grown extensively in colonial Canada for rope, sailcloth, and paper. At various points, governments actively encouraged farmers to grow it.

3. Cannabis Was Federally Legalized in Canada in 2018

On October 17, 2018, Canada became the second country in the world (after Uruguay) to legalize recreational cannabis at the federal level. BC was an early leader in private retail and craft cannabis culture, which is part of why we have such a vibrant scene today.

4. The Endocannabinoid System Is Named After Cannabis — Not the Other Way Around

Scientists discovered the endocannabinoid system in the human body in the 1990s while researching how THC works. They named the system after the plant. Every mammal — and many other animals — has an endocannabinoid system. Your dog has one. So does a whale.

5. There Are Over 100 Cannabinoids in the Plant

THC and CBD get most of the press, but there are over 100 known cannabinoids, including CBN, CBG, THCV, and many more. We're really just scratching the surface of what each one does and how they interact.

6. Terpenes Aren't Unique to Cannabis

The compounds that give cannabis its smell — terpenes — are found all over nature. Limonene is in citrus peels. Pinene is in pine needles. Linalool is in lavender. The "smell" of a strain is essentially a custom blend of compounds you encounter every day.

7. A Cannabis Plant Can Grow Several Metres Tall

In ideal outdoor conditions, sativa-leaning cannabis plants can reach 3 to 4 metres in height. Most commercial indoor cultivation keeps plants much shorter for practical reasons, but in the right environment, cannabis is genuinely a big plant.

8. The "High" Travels Fast

When you inhale cannabis, THC enters your bloodstream through your lungs within seconds and reaches your brain almost immediately. That's why smoking and vaping have such fast onset compared to edibles, which have to go through digestion first.

9. Different Storage Affects Potency Over Time

THC slowly converts into CBN as cannabis ages, especially when exposed to light, heat, and air. That's part of why older flower often feels "sleepier." Proper storage in airtight, opaque containers keeps your stash fresher longer (we have a whole post on storage).

10. Cannabis Has Been to Space (Sort Of)

In 2019, cannabis cells were sent to the International Space Station as part of a research experiment on how microgravity affects plant compounds. So yes — cannabis has technically been to space.

A Note to Wrap Up

Cannabis is for adults 19 and over in BC. The more you learn about the plant, the more interesting it gets — and our team at Hive Cannabis loves nerding out about this stuff. Drop by and ask us anything.