For Zachary Lacelle, the owner and operator of Northern Zen Cannabis in North Bay, the long history of the cannabis plant can teach us a lot about its many uses. “Cannabis is one of humanity’s oldest cultivated crops. It has been used in so many different ways for thousands of years,” he says.
Origins in Neolithic Times
Cannabis is an ancient plant with origins that can be traced all the way back to the Neolithic times. It is believed that cannabis was used in Japan in approximately 5,000 BC to make hemp products like shoes, rope, paper, and fabric. Archaeologists have also discovered evidence to suggest that this versatile plant was used to make fabric in Korean around 3,000 BC. The first documented medicinal use of cannabis is believed to have been in 2,800 BC by Emperor Shen Nung in China, who is also thought to have been the father of Chinese medicine.
Over thousands of years, the plant moved slowly across the globe and more and more societies used it for a variety of purposes. It is believed to have arrived in South America in the 19th century and was then carried north at the beginning of the 20th century.
Breeding New Strains
These ancient strains of the Cannabis sativa plant that grew thousands of years ago have changed through natural selection in order to adapt to the climate and other factors. As humans began to farm the plant more intentionally, the farmers naturally chose the strongest plants to harvest seeds from, which further altered the plants over time.
These older varieties of cannabis, called landraces, are similar to what vegetable or flower growers might call heirloom varieties. These days, there are still some landrace cannabis varieties on the market like Durban Poison, Afghani, Lamb’s Bread, Acapulco Gold, Hindu Kush, and Thai. These landrace strains are generally agreed to be less potent than the modern strains available, which explains why people who used cannabis in the 1960s are surprised by the strength of the joints available now.
These days, cannabis producers continue to make new and interesting hybrids for the recreational market. “Companies are beginning to bring in new genetics in order to move their brands forward. Many of these companies are working on the genetics and grow room techniques to produce higher quality products,” says Zachary.
“Producers are also invested in increasing the terp value,” explains Zachary. “Terpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants. In terms of cannabis, terpenes are what makes certain strains smell or taste different from others.”
As for what is to come in the future, Zachary hopes to see more legacy brands to come into the legal market. “It is happening slowly, but with so much regulation it will take time. All we can do is to work together to bring about change,” he says.
To find out more about the different strains of cannabis available, visit Zachary and his helpful team at Northern Zen Cannabis. His store is located at 76 Osprey Miikan in North Bay and is open daily from 10am until 8pm. You can also shop online or visit them on Instagram or Facebook.