The more commonly known name for this plant is Hemp, used for many years to make rope. The plant is an annual herb which is tall with strong durable fibers. The fibers are used for twine, yarn, rope, cable and string. For many years vegetable sacks and ships' sails were made from hemp. Other useful products come from the harvesting of hemp seeds. Products manufactured from seeds include hempseed oil, paints, soaps, varnishes and bird seed.

Marijuana is manufactured from the dried chopped flowers, leaves, twigs and stems of the plant. Hashish is made from a resin taken or collected from the female flowers. The active drug is called Delta-9 or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and is concentrated in the flowering tops of the female plant.

Cannabis has been used as a folk remedy for centuries and originated in Central Asia as early as 2800 BC. Today, it is being used experimentally for treating alcoholism, seizures, pain, and the nausea produced by anti-cancer medications and glaucoma. Its usefulness for glaucoma patients is supported by research.

Marijuana and hashish are considered narcotics and law prohibits the possession of these drugs. Beginning in the 1960's, these drugs became very popular among students and young Americans, second only to alcohol.

A survey conducted in the seventies indicated that approximately 43 million Americans had tried marijuana. Thirty years later about one-third or one in every three Americans tries marijuana with many of these becoming regular users and abusers.

Long-term use of marijuana and hashish have many negative side effects. Regular doses cause memory loss, loss of balance, distortions of time and reality, delusions, anxiety and panic attacks, toxic psychosis, hallucinations and paranoia.

Today, scientists and researchers are very concerned. With advances in science, growers have found newer and better ways to cultivate the hemp plant. These newer methods have increased the potency, THC, in marijuana at least five fold. The increased side effects of the "new" marijuana and hashish are not yet fully known.