In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the relationship between bees and cannabis. Questions like “Do bees pollinate weed?” and “Does cannabis honey have any psychoactive effects?” have sparked curiosity and speculation. As we approach 4/20, let’s take a closer look at the facts and fiction surrounding bees and cannabis honey.
Do Bees Pollinate Weed?
Technically, bees do not pollinate weed. Cannabis plants rely on wind pollination, a process known as anemophily. Unlike plants that attract pollinators with colors, odors, and nectar, cannabis plants produce large amounts of small pollen grains and do not need bees or other pollinators for reproduction. Therefore, bees and weed do not have a significant ecological relationship in terms of pollination.
However, it is worth noting that bees have been observed on cannabis plants. Bees may forage on male hemp and cannabis plants for their pollen, which serves as a protein source for the bees. While bees are not essential for cannabis pollination, their presence on these plants is not uncommon.
Do Bees Get High from Cannabis?
No, bees do not get high from cannabis. Unlike mammals, bees lack the neuroreceptors necessary to experience the psychoactive effects of cannabis. Through evolutionary processes, insects, including bees, have lost the cannabinoid receptor, which is present in mammals. This receptor is specifically designed to interact with the psychoactive elements of cannabis.
Can Bees Produce Cannabis Honey?
Contrary to popular belief, bees cannot produce honey directly from cannabis. Honey production requires nectar, a sugary substance produced by flowers. Since cannabis plants do not produce nectar, bees cannot gather it to create honey. However, when bees forage on cannabis, traces of cannabis pollen can be found in honey samples.
The presence of cannabis pollen in honey can be detected through HoneyDNA analysis. Although the pollen traces exist, they do not have any psychoactive effects on humans consuming the honey.
Why Do Bees Visit Cannabis Plants?
While cannabis is not a preferred pollen source for bees, they may visit cannabis plants for various reasons. During times when not many plants are blooming, known as a floral dearth, bees may resort to foraging on male cannabis plants for pollen. Additionally, cannabis plants can attract sap-sucking insects like aphids and leafhoppers, which produce honeydew—a sweet, sticky substance high in sugars and amino acids. Bees collect and store honeydew similar to nectar, contributing to their visitation of cannabis plants.
Another reason bees may visit cannabis plants is to collect resin for the production of propolis. Propolis is a malleable, waxy substance used by bees to sanitize, reinforce, and weatherproof their hives.
Research and the Future of Bees and Cannabis
Researchers at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, Poland, are studying ways to protect bees from the harmful effects of pesticides. They have discovered that specific cannabis extracts can help mitigate some of the negative effects of neonicotinoid pesticides on bees. While further research and testing are needed, these findings highlight the potential benefits of cannabis in promoting bee and pollinator health.
In conclusion, bees and cannabis have a limited ecological relationship. Bees do not pollinate cannabis, and they do not get high from it. While traces of cannabis pollen can be found in honey, it does not have any psychoactive effects on humans. The interaction between bees and cannabis is fascinating, and ongoing research may provide further insights into their unique connection.
