Chinese and American scientists studying the precise mechanism of how marijuana gets people high have discovered within our brain cells “a pickpocket with three arms”.

The active compound in marijuana, or Cannabis sativa, was discovered in the 1960s, but the exact process of how it produces its narcotics effects on the brain remained largely a mystery.

The study, in this month’s issue of the journal Cell, sheds new light by unveiling, for the first time, the physical structure of human cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), a protein in our brain cell membranes that introduces the narcotic chemicals in marijuana to our brain cells.

The discovery, the researchers say, could lead to new pharmaceuticals with fewer side effects.

Normally when visiting weed friendly countries such as Amsterdam and certain states within the U.S., travellers still have to save the sneaky puff for allocated spots around the city.

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Although you’ll find the odd smoking booth outside your hotel, it’s generally not cool to be sparking a fat one in the comfort of your own room. But no longer will this be an issue as there’s now a website called ‘Bud n Breakfast’ where you can find accommodation that is cannabis friendly. Zing!

Set up by Sean Roby and Shayan Bastani, it’s basically like Hostelworld or AirBnB for people who like to get high. What’s not to like?

A model of the CB1 receptor shows the structure of the receptor in green, along with the stabilizing molecule AM6538 in the central binding pocket. The researchers used this model to examine how different cannabinoid molecules bind to and activate the receptor.

When someone smokes cannabis, molecules including Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - marijuana's main psychoactive ingredient - bind to a receptor in their brain.

It is the interaction between the drug and this receptor, called CB1, that makes people feel high after smoking marijuana. 

Now researchers have published the clearest picture yet of this receptor and it could help lead the way for the development of safe cannabis-based medicines.

Cannabis Ancestor There’s a lot we don’t know about the evolution of cannabis, and we’re still not sure exactly what’s going on with cannabis as it exists today – it is one species or several? What does “sativa” and “indica” mean in real terms? We’re still finding the answers to those questions, and a deeper understanding of the past could help our efforts enormously.

The early evolution of cannabis is mostly unknown, and scientists still haven’t reached firm conclusions on exactly what’s going on with cannabis as it exists today – it is one species or several? What does “sativa” and “indica” mean in real terms? We’re still finding the answers to those questions, and a deeper understanding of the past could help our efforts enormously.

Around 10,000 years ago prehistoric humans began using cannabis, a new research study has found, and not just in one small corner of the globe.

Just because cannabis is legal in Colorado doesn't mean all the companies based in the state are using Colorado grown weed in their products. We've been digging into rumors and lore about some edibles companies using CBD oil made in China instead of locally grown CBD.