The Cannabis Plant

The cannabis plant produces more than 560 compounds, and some of those compounds, called phytocannabinoids, are unique to the cannabis plant. (Breijyeh) Phytocannabinoids interact with a neuromodulatory system referred to as the endocannabinoid system. Phytocannabinoids either directly bind with one or both of the endocannabinoid system receptors (CB1 and CB2), or somehow influence the functioning of the endocannabinoid system (Mehmedic, Elsohly). Along with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is one of the most well studied phytocannabinoids. (Atakan)

References

• Breijyeh Z,Jubeh B, Bufo SA,  Karaman R, Scrano L. Cannabis: A Toxin-Producing Plant with Potential Therapeutic Uses. Toxins (Basel). 2021 Feb 5;13(2):117. doi.10.3390/toxins13020117
• Mehmedic Z, Chandra S, Slade D, et al. Potency trends of Δ9-THC and other cannabinoids in confiscated cannabis preparations from 1993 to 2008. J Forensic Sci.2010;55(5):1209-1217.
• ElSohly, M. A. and W. Gul. 2014. Handbook of Cannabis (Chapter 2). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press: P.20.
• Atakan Z. Cannabis, a complex plant: different compounds and different effects on individuals. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol2012 Dec; 2(6):241-254. doi:10.1177/2045125312457586