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Identifying Marijuana

The Marijuana plant is more correctly referred to as the Cannabis Sativa, which can be easily grown in most North American climates. It is also very common for the plant to be cultivated indoors. In 2008, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency eradicated 7,562,322 Cannabis plants found growing outdoors, and 450,986 plants discovered to be growing indoors (doj/dea). The plant itself has a distinct palmate leaf pattern, which means several leaflets radiate out from the stem, just like your fingers radiate out from your palm. The leaflets occur in odd numbers and there are usually around 7, but this can vary. The leaflets have serrated edges.

Different Forms of Marijuana

Cannabis is marketed in three forms. By far, the most common form is simply the dried and shredded buds themselves. When people use the term “marijuana”, they are almost always referring to this form of loose vegetative product. Occasionally, the buds are sold whole.

There is a dried resin form, called hashish, which is Cannabis that has been processed into a street product that resembles the appearance of dried mud. It is not common in the U.S.. The shade and consistency of hashish can vary significantly depending upon its origin and processing.

Finally, there is a form called hash oil, which is made by dissolving Cannabis in a harsh solvent. The solvent is then filtered, and the oil that remains resembles something of the consistency of honey. Again, the shade of hash oil can vary from amber to very dark brown depending upon its origin and processing.