What is cannabis?

Cannabis is a flowering plant genus in the hemp family (Cannabaceae), first domesticated in East Asia in the early Neolithic. Most botanists recognise one variable species, Cannabis sativa L. It contains more than 560 known compounds, including over 100 cannabinoids such as THC, which is intoxicating, and CBD, which is not.

The cannabis plant has been part of human history for thousands of years. Over time, it has been used in various ways, including in ritual contexts, for recreational purposes and for practical applications. Its history is long and complex, spanning cultures and generations.

According to research in Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, cannabis most likely originated on the north-eastern Tibetan Plateau (McPartland et al., 2019), and genome data show it was first domesticated in East Asia (Ren et al., 2021). From there, the plant spread in both directions, eventually reaching South Asia and Europe. Its adaptability and resilience in different climates contributed to this widespread distribution.

The plant contains more than 560 identified constituents (ElSohly et al., 2017). One of the best known is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which has psychoactive properties. Another is cannabidiol (CBD), which has received considerable attention in recent years. These and other cannabinoids interact with the body's endocannabinoid system, which is involved in various internal processes.

Formula Swiss was founded in 2013 and is a co-founder of the EIHA novel-food consortium, which is working to establish the safety file for CBD with European regulators.

For a long time, cannabis was stigmatised and subject to strict legal restrictions, primarily due to its psychoactive effects. This image has not completely disappeared, but the perception is changing. Ongoing research and a deeper understanding of the plant's complex structure are leading to a more balanced view of its place in modern society.

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Key takeaways

• Cannabis is a plant with a long history of use across various cultures, from spiritual to recreational purposes.
• It contains numerous compounds, including cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, which interact with the human endocannabinoid system.
• Names commonly encountered in cannabis discussions include Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis, but taxonomic treatments differ and these names do not reliably predict a cultivar’s traits.
• Cannabis is an annual plant and is commonly dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. Some cultivars are monoecious, bearing both male and female flowers on the same plant.
• Despite historical controversy, perceptions of cannabis are evolving towards a broader understanding of its diverse applications.

The cannabis plant

Cannabis taxonomy is debated. Names used in different classifications include Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis. Many botanical treatments recognise one variable species, while others distinguish additional species or subspecies. Cultivation labels should not be treated as a complete botanical classification.

Cannabis sativa

Cannabis sativa is the species name used in many botanical treatments for both hemp and drug-type cannabis. The informal sativa label often describes tall plants with narrow leaflets, but does not establish climate suitability or flowering time. Hemp cultivars are selected for particular fibre, seed or flower uses.

What is Cannabis sativa?

Cannabis indica

Cannabis indica is recognised separately in some taxonomic treatments. In cultivation, the indica label often describes compact plants with broad leaflets. These descriptions do not establish a cultivar’s flowering duration, cold tolerance or suitability for a particular growing space; those characteristics require cultivar-specific information.

Cannabis ruderalis

Cannabis ruderalis is a name associated with small, often early-flowering plants in some classifications. Day-neutral or autoflowering plants can flower without the short-day response required by many other cultivars; this trait also occurs in bred cultivars and is not restricted to plants sold under the ruderalis name.

Breeders can select for this flowering behaviour, but its timing still depends on the cultivar and growing conditions.

Hybrid varieties

Through selective crossbreeding, hybrids have been developed that combine traits from sativa, indica and ruderalis plants. These hybrids can be tailored to specific growing conditions, structural features or cannabinoid profiles, for example, for use in topical products or industrial applications.

Chemical components of cannabis

The cannabis plant contains a wide range of naturally occurring compounds, including cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. The most widely known and studied cannabinoids are THC and CBD.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive element of the plant. It interacts with specific receptors in the body, particularly the CB1 receptor, which is associated with various neurological and biological processes.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is another well-known cannabinoid. Unlike THC, it is non-intoxicating, although it can affect the brain. Ongoing research into CBD continues to explore potential applications and interactions with other plant compounds.

In addition to cannabinoids, cannabis also contains terpenes, aromatic compounds that shape the plant’s distinctive scent profile. Terpenes are believed to influence the overall experience with the plant.

A frequently discussed concept in scientific circles is the so-called “entourage effect”, which considers the interplay between cannabinoids and terpenes and how they may influence one another.

What are terpenes?

The endocannabinoid system

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a natural part of the human body and plays a role in regulating and responding to various internal and external influences. It consists of endocannabinoids, specific receptors, primarily CB1 and CB2, as well as enzymes that produce and break down these compounds.

The ECS is thought to be involved in a wide range of biological processes, including the sleep-wake cycle, mood, appetite signalling, memory functions and aspects of reproduction. Scientists continue to research its mechanisms across different domains.

Ongoing studies aim to clarify how these interactions function and what they may reveal about the ECS as a whole.

The endocannabinoid system

Cannabis and hemp

Cannabis varieties grown for fibre, seeds and CBD, with too little THC to cause a high, are called hemp; our guide what is hemp covers the legal THC limits, hemp vs marijuana and its uses. Our own hemp is grown in Switzerland following organic principles (see how hemp is grown).

Difference between cannabis, marijuana and hemp