Why did the cannabis plant develop THC in the first place? How would it evolve to be psychoactive?
by 
milkhoney
ANSWERS: 4
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It didn't. Plants often produce chemicals that act as natural pesticides that have different effect on human beings Pine- smells good to us, but wards off insects Basil- produces an insecticide that wards of cockraoches, but tastes good to us Coffee, tea and guarana- produces an insecticide that acts as psychoactive stimulant in humans Peppers- contain a chemical called capsaicin, which act as an irritant in mammals, so they won't eat it, but has no effect on birds who will eat the fruit and distribute the seeds THC is probably the same thing, a pesticide that has a different effect on humans.
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I am a former grower of medicinal grade marijuana and one time connaisseur. I have done tons of research and the truth MH is that noone really has a concrete answer that I know of. Some people speculate as Ender said that it works to prtect the plant from intense bright radiation. I tend to believe that it is a pesticide to prevent the plant from being eaten before it has been fertilized and produces seeds. Marijuana is a very aggresive self fertalizer. Its pollen can travel a good distance on the wind in search of pistols to pollinate. It just needs the oppertunity to develope enough to do so.
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THC is poisonous to some small creatures that would otherwise dine on the plant yo...
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I believe it probably evolved as a defense mechanism against insects.
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