Open uping the World of Cannabis Knowledge
100 facts about cannabis is what you’re looking for, and we’ve got you covered. Cannabis remains one of the most misunderstood plants on earth, despite its ancient history and modern renaissance. To help you quickly steer this fascinating subject, here’s a snapshot of what makes cannabis so remarkable:
- Cannabis has been used by humans for over 5,000 years
- Contains over 100 different cannabinoids (THC and CBD being the most famous)
- Legal for adult use in 24 US states as of 2023
- Was used medicinally in ancient China, Egypt, and India
- The human body has an endocannabinoid system specifically receptive to cannabis compounds
- Industrial hemp (cannabis with <0.3% THC) has over 25,000 known uses
- Cannabis plants can be male, female, or hermaphroditic
- Terpenes give cannabis its distinctive aromas and improve effects
- New York legalized adult-use cannabis in March 2021
- Cannabis was used as medicine in the US until 1937
I’m Chris Kuilan, Co-Founder of Stoops NYC, a licensed Manhattan dispensary where we’ve spent nearly two years curating high-quality products and educating our community about 100 facts about cannabis that promote responsible, informed consumption. Our “Farm to Stoop” philosophy ensures we’re bringing the best of New York’s cannabis culture directly to you.
100 facts about cannabis terms to learn:
– cannabis and mental health fact sheet
– weed strains for anxiety
– what is hash
Why A “100 Facts” Deep-Dive Matters
In our experience at Stoops NYC, we’ve found that cannabis education creates confident consumers. When you understand what you’re consuming, you’re empowered to make choices that improve your experience rather than detract from it.
Learning about cannabis isn’t just about trivia—it’s about harm reduction, personal empowerment, and developing a mindful relationship with a plant that’s been part of human culture for millennia. Whether you’re a curious newcomer stopping by our Flatiron District location or a seasoned enthusiast, expanding your knowledge base helps break down stigma and promotes responsible use.
As New York’s cannabis market continues to mature, we believe an informed community is a healthier community. That’s why we’ve compiled these 100 facts about cannabis to serve as your comprehensive guide.
100 Facts About Cannabis: The Ultimate List
Cannabis has travelled from ancient apothecaries to modern Manhattan dispensaries—and every step adds to our 100 facts about cannabis. Below is a lightning-round tour of the highlights so you can speak cannabis fluently in minutes.
Did you know the plant is a cousin of hops, holds more than 400 identified compounds, and has been cultivated for at least 12,000 years? Female plants create the sticky buds we enjoy, while males supply pollen for breeding. Under ideal conditions a single season can yield a 20-foot giant!
Hemp once supplied canvas sails, the first Bible paper and even legal tender in colonial America. Fast-forward: California legalised medical use in 1996, Colorado and Washington pioneered adult use in 2012, and New York’s market is on track to reach $4.2 billion by 2027.
Why does cannabis feel so unique? Our bodies make endocannabinoids that bind to the same receptors as THC, CBD and more than 100 other plant cannabinoids. Terpenes such as myrcene (earthy), limonene (citrus) and pinene (pine) fine-tune the experience.
Potency has skyrocketed—from 2 % THC in the 1970s to 15–25 % in today’s flower, while concentrates top 80 %. Inhalation works in minutes; edibles can need an hour but may last eight. Despite the jump in strength, no fatal cannabis overdose has ever been recorded. Epidiolex became the first FDA-approved plant-derived medicine in 2018, and 38 states now run medical programs. For deep-dive science, see the National Academies of Sciences report.
Quick-Hit Facts for First-Timers
- Inhalation = fastest onset
- Edibles = slowest onset, longest duration
- Tinctures = 15–45 min onset
- Topicals act locally with no high
- Microdosing offers benefits with minimal intoxication
Stoops NYC’s Flatiron crew lives by start low, go slow:
- Inhalation: one gentle puff, wait 15 min
- Edibles: 2.5–5 mg THC, wait two hours
- Tinctures: begin with the smallest listed dose
Our knowledgeable team is always ready to turn these facts into a personalised plan for your goals.
Science & Health: What Research Tells Us
The 1990s findy of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) rewrote the cannabis playbook. Every mammal hosts CB1 and CB2 receptors plus natural messengers (anandamide, 2-AG). Plant cannabinoids “speak” to this network, influencing mood, pain, sleep and immunity.
A snapshot of the two biggest stars:
| THC | CBD | |
|---|---|---|
| Intoxication | Euphoric “high” | Non-intoxicating |
| Federal status | Schedule I | Legal if hemp-derived (<0.3 % THC) |
| Evidence-based uses | Pain, nausea, appetite | Seizures, anxiety, inflammation |
| Typical side-effects | Anxiety, dry mouth, coordination issues | Drug-interaction risk, fatigue |
| FDA-approved meds | Dronabinol, Nabilone | Epidiolex |
Robust data supports cannabis for chronic pain, chemo-related nausea and MS spasticity. Early studies explore neuropathic pain relief, PTSD symptom control and reduced opioid reliance.
Risks remain: high-THC products can spike anxiety or, in susceptible people, psychosis-like symptoms. About 9 % of users develop cannabis use disorder. Driving while high is unsafe, and frequent use may suppress REM sleep.
For usage statistics, see SAMHSA. At Stoops NYC we share facts, not hype—so you and your healthcare provider can decide whether cannabis belongs in your wellness toolkit.
Laws, Economy & Culture: Cannabis in the World Today
Twenty-four states now allow adult use and 38 recognise medical programs, yet cannabis is still federally Schedule I—creating a patchwork every consumer must steer.
New York’s 2021 Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act set a progressive tone: 50 % of licences target social-equity applicants, and 40 % of tax revenue flows back to communities harmed by past enforcement. The state market could reach $4.2 billion by 2027—powering thousands of jobs, including ours in the Flatiron District.
National sales topped $25 billion in 2021 and now support more than 428,000 jobs. As with craft beer, consumers want small-batch flower, terpene-rich concentrates and precisely dosed edibles. Gallup finds 68 % of Americans now favour legalisation, with Gen Z leading the shift.
Potency Then & Now
Joints in the 1970s averaged 2–3 % THC; today legal flower commonly exceeds 20 %, and lab-tested concentrates can hit 80 %+. Transparent testing and child-resistant packaging make modern potency far safer than prohibition-era guessing games.
Where the Money Goes
New York allocates cannabis taxes as follows:
- 40 % community reinvestment
- 40 % public education
- 20 % treatment and prevention
Buying from a licensed shop like Stoops NYC keeps dollars local and supports that vision.
Myths, Safety Tips & Responsible Use
Even in 2025, myths linger. Let’s clear a few:
- Gateway drug? No causal link proven.
- Completely harmless? Roughly 9 % of users develop problematic patterns.
- Smoke is “clean”? Combustion creates irritants; vapour and edibles reduce inhalation risks.
- All CBD is legal? Only hemp-derived CBD with <0.3 % THC is federally permitted.
- Double-dose edibles after 30 min? Effects can take two hours—patience is safety.
Smart consumption basics:
- Start low, go slow.
- Mind your set and setting.
- Read labels for cannabinoid content, terpene profile and activation time.
- Store products in child-resistant containers, away from kids and pets.
- Never drive while impaired—plan safe transport.
Should you over-consume, stay calm, hydrate and rest; discomfort is temporary. Stoops NYC’s staff is always ready to guide you toward products—and dosages—that fit your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cannabis Facts
Is cannabis safer than alcohol and tobacco?
When folks ask us this at Stoops NYC, we know they’re looking for a straightforward answer – but the truth requires some nuance. Cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco each carry their own unique risk profiles.
Unlike alcohol, which causes thousands of overdose deaths annually, cannabis has no documented cases of fatal overdose. This is a significant safety advantage. Similarly, cannabis doesn’t carry the strong associations with cancer and cardiovascular disease that make tobacco so dangerous.
That said, cannabis isn’t risk-free. Regular use, especially of high-potency products, may impact memory and cognitive function for some people. While cannabis smoke typically contains fewer harmful compounds than tobacco smoke, it’s not entirely clean. Cannabis can impair driving ability and, in some individuals with certain predispositions, may worsen anxiety or other mental health conditions.
One important difference is how these substances process through your body. Alcohol metabolizes at a fairly predictable rate, while cannabis compounds might linger in your system for days or weeks – though the actual impairing effects typically fade within hours.
Everyone’s body responds differently to these substances, which is why we always emphasize knowing your own tolerance and consuming mindfully.
Can you overdose on cannabis?
While a fatal cannabis overdose has never been documented (a reassuring fact about cannabis), consuming too much can certainly lead to an uncomfortable experience – sometimes called “greening out.”
If you’ve taken too much cannabis, you might experience rapid heartbeat, extreme anxiety or paranoia, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and in rare cases, even hallucinations. These experiences can be quite distressing, but it’s important to remember they’re temporary and not life-threatening.
These uncomfortable reactions happen most often with high-dose edibles or concentrates, especially among folks who are new to cannabis. If you or someone you’re with is having a difficult experience, the best approach is gentle care: move to a quiet, comfortable space, offer reassurance, stay hydrated, and remember that the effects will diminish with time.
Some people may be more sensitive to adverse effects, particularly those with certain mental health conditions or cardiovascular issues. This is exactly why we at Stoops NYC always emphasize the start low, go slow approach, especially for newcomers to our Flatiron District dispensary.
How do I read a cannabis product label?
Understanding product labels is one of the most empowering 100 facts about cannabis we can share with our customers. In New York’s regulated market, labels contain crucial information to help you consume confidently.
The most prominent information is usually the THC and CBD content, shown as a percentage for flower or milligrams for edibles and concentrates. For example, if you’re looking at a 100mg THC chocolate bar divided into 10 pieces, each piece contains 10mg THC – perfect for understanding your exact dose.
Beyond the basics, many products include a more detailed cannabinoid profile listing additional compounds like CBG, CBN, or THCV. You’ll also often find terpene information that helps predict the aroma and potential effects of the product.
For freshness and quality assurance, check the harvest or production date and batch number. All regulated products include confirmation of lab testing for potency and contaminants – your assurance you’re getting exactly what’s advertised.
Especially for edibles, look for information about activation time and duration, which tells you when effects might begin and how long they typically last. Finally, all products include warnings and instructions covering everything from storage recommendations to consumption guidance.
When you visit us at Stoops NYC, our team is always happy to walk you through label information. We love helping customers in our Manhattan location understand exactly what they’re purchasing and how to use it responsibly.
Conclusion
After exploring 100 facts about cannabis together, we’ve journeyed from ancient Chinese pharmacopeias to New York’s emerging dispensary scene. This remarkable plant has woven itself through human history, medicine cabinets, cultural movements, and now, legal marketplaces across America. What makes cannabis so fascinating isn’t just its complex chemistry or versatile applications—it’s how deeply personal the relationship with this plant can be for each individual.
Knowledge truly is power when it comes to cannabis. Understanding the difference between CBD and THC, recognizing how edibles affect you differently than smoking, and knowing what questions to ask about product origins all contribute to more positive experiences. At Stoops NYC, we’ve seen how education transforms nervous first-timers into confident, mindful consumers who enjoy cannabis on their own terms.
The cannabis conversation continues to evolve in New York and beyond. Research expands our understanding of the endocannabinoid system daily. Innovative products emerge that would have seemed like science fiction just a decade ago. Communities previously harmed by prohibition are finding new opportunities in the legal market. These developments remind us that we’re all part of an exciting moment in cannabis history.
We opened our doors in Manhattan’s Flatiron District because we believe New Yorkers deserve a welcoming space to learn about and purchase quality cannabis products. Our team brings together decades of combined experience, but we never stop learning ourselves. Whether you’re seeking relief from chronic pain, looking to improve your creativity, or simply curious about what all the buzz is about, we’re here to help you steer your options without judgment.
The 100 facts about cannabis we’ve shared are just the beginning. Each visit to Stoops NYC is an opportunity to deepen your understanding and refine your preferences. We pride ourselves on creating relationships, not just transactions, with our community near Union Square and beyond.
Ready to put your new knowledge into practice? Browse our curated NYC cannabis menu featuring the best of New York’s growers and producers. Stop by our shop where friendly faces are waiting to continue the conversation in person. The journey with cannabis is as individual as you are—and we’re honored to be your guides along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis Facts
What’s the most important thing first-time cannabis users should know?
Start with low doses and go slow. Modern cannabis products can be potent, so beginning with minimal amounts helps you understand your personal response. Choose a comfortable environment with people you trust, and avoid mixing with alcohol or other substances your first time.
How can I tell if I’m purchasing legal cannabis in New York?
Legal cannabis comes from licensed dispensaries like Stoops NYC and includes required warning labels, batch testing information, and cannabinoid content details. Legal products also have child-resistant packaging and a universal symbol indicating cannabis content.
Will cannabis affect everyone the same way?
No. Your experience depends on many factors including the product’s cannabinoid profile, your personal body chemistry, tolerance, consumption method, and even your mindset going in. This is why personalized recommendations are so valuable, especially for medical users or those new to cannabis.
How does cannabis interact with other medications?
Cannabis can interact with various medications by affecting how they’re metabolized in your liver. This is particularly important with blood thinners, heart medications, and some psychiatric drugs. Always consult with a healthcare provider about potential interactions before combining cannabis with prescription medications.