Bees and Cannabis? What do they have in common? Why are they important?

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Could cannabis save the bee population?

Researchers at Cornell University and Colorado University have performed studies that suggest bees are attracted to cannabis plants. The bees flock to the cannabis plants as they are enticed by the pollen.

Despite cannabis plants lack of nectar, the bees are attracted to the pollen it produces. Cornell University found that cannabis plants attracted 16 different species of bees. They also found that the taller the cannabis plant, the more attractive they became to the bees. 

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Do bees help to grow better cannabis?

Not really. But this is still important! Cannabis plants are pollinated by wind. This means bees are not necessary in pollination of cannabis plants. But, although the bees aren’t necessarily helping the cannabis plants, the cannabis plants are helping the bees!

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Bees are 17% more attracted to taller hemp and cannabis plants!

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With the declining bee population that threatens to wipe out important fruits and vegetables that we rely on like apples, avocados, peaches, grapes, melons, and even coffee. Many industries could be affected if the bees die off! This could mean no more dairy, cotton, or honey.

The cost of food would go up and malnutrition becomes a very real threat! We need the bees!

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Can bees get buzzed?

Unlike humans, insects do not contain cannabinoid receptors in their brains or bodies. This means, no, the bees can’t get high from contact or ingestion of cannabis plants or pollen.

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Why are bees attracted to cannabis plants?

Generally bees are attracted to plants with nectar, a pleasant smell, and bright colors. While cannabis plants don’t come to mind immediately, it seems they are still attracted up to 16 different species of bees. Cannabis is neither colorful or contains nectar, but the bees don't seem to care! Researchers don't necessarily know why honeybees are attracted to cannabis plants.

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Don’t worry, bees can’t get buzzed!

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With that being said, the bees are only drawn to male plants. Female cannabis plants do not produce pollen. Despite being more popular among humans, bees have little to no interest in these psychoactive plants. Male cannabis plants do not produce flowers (buds) but rather produce pollen sacs. 

Male cannabis plants produce pollen that is used to pollinate female plants and forces them to produce seeds. Female cannabis plants only produce seeds when they're pollinated by a male. 

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Why is this important?

It is not a disputed fact that the honeybees are dying. Bees are absolutely a crucial part of the ecosystem we rely on for many of our food and delicacies. If growing cannabis and hemp plants can contribute to saving the bees, it seems a no brainer to do it.

Not only can these plants help the bee population, but they also have numerous health and other benefits!

Hemp can be used for many different things. It is used to make clothing, fabric, rope, shoes, paper, and even insulation! Hemp seeds, known as hemp hearts, are incredibly nutritious and full of fatty acids. Many people use them for cooking or add them to foods like yogurt or oatmeal!

Cannabis plants also have benefits in the THC and CBD present in them

CBD has been used to treat depression, anxiety, anorexia, heart disease, acne, cancer, epilepsy, pain relief (chronic pain, arthritis, muscle pain, etc.), and many more!

THC can be used for pain relief, as an anti-nausea, a sleep aid, as an anti-inflammatory, a muscle relaxant, and it can also be used in treating depression, anxiety, eating disorders, seizures, and PTSD!

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While bees are not attracted to female cannabis plants (the ones who grow the THC and CBC we all want!), they are attracted to the male plants. Male cannabis plants are crucial for pollinating the female plants to create seeds. More seeds = more cannabis being grown!

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Why should I care about pollination? 

Unlike cannabis, which can pollinate by wind, many plants rely on bees for pollination. Without the bees doing their job, the world could lose coffee, cotton, avocados, and many more important fruits, vegetables and industries we rely on!

Should we grow male cannabis plants just to attract bees? ⠀

Male cannabis plants are crucial to the industry! They should be grown regardless of the bees. Male plants have a bad reputation amongst cannabis growers and are often quarantined and thrown out. But they are important!

Cannabis plants don't produce seeds unless they've been pollinated. Only male plants can pollinate a female plant so she can produce seeds. Without seeds, we would have to rely solely on clones to produce more cannabis. 

There are countless seed banks around the world selling cannabis seeds with top quality genetics.

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Seeds are a crucial part of the cannabis industry. 

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When a male and a female cannabis plant are bred, the male provides 50% of the genetics. This can be helpful in breeding strains that are mold resistant, have more resin, higher THC content, etc. 

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While male plants often contain less THC than female plants, you can still find cannabinoids in the leaves, stems, and flowers. You can extract resin from male plants to create concentrates like hash, oil, and wax. Even the pollen contains THC! Male plants produce copious amounts of pollen, which can be collected, pressed, and consumed to give you an adequate high.

Cannabis is legal to grow in Canada and some US States. In states where it is illegal, hemp is often legally grown in its place. Both hemp and cannabis plants attract bees as long as they are male plants that contain pollen. 

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Farmers interested in attracting bees should watch what pesticides they’re using as some can be harmful. Some organic pesticides can still harm bees so it is recommended farmers use insects, microbes, enzymes, etc. as a form of pest control.

Growing tall cannabis or hemp plants alongside other crops could help assist in attracting bees for pollination.

Cannabis plants could provide a pollen source for the dying bee population. Some farmers have been boasting cannabinoid, CBD, or THC infused honey. It is believed this honey has been artificially infused with cannabinoids prior to its sale as a product other than actually produced with cannabis pollen by the bees.

So could stoners save the world?

Well, maybe not. 

But could they help? Definitely!

As demand for cannabis rises, more and more cannabis plants will grow. With these cannabis plants, the bees come! By providing for the bees, their population will be able to grow in size and the threat of their extinction may eliminate. 

Any questions? Email us at marketing@futureharvest.com or send us a message on Instagram @futureharvestdevelopment and we will help you as best we can!