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The word “marijuana” refers to parts of or products from the plant Cannabis sativa that contain substantial amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the substance that’s primarily responsible for the effects of marijuana on a person’s mental state. Some cannabis plants contain very little THC.
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- Overview
- What are the components of cannabis?
- What are the short-term effects of cannabis?
- What are the long-term effects of cannabis?
- Is cannabis legal?
- The bottom line
Cannabis, weed, pot, and marijuana all refer to the same group of plants known for their relaxing and calming effects. However, effects vary depending on your mode of consumption and it’s illegal in many places.
Cannabis refers to a group of three plants with psychoactive properties, known as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis.
When the flowers of these plants are harvested and dried, you’re left with one of the most common drugs in the world. Some call it weed, some call it pot, and others call it marijuana.
As weed becomes legal in more areas, names for it are evolving. Today, more and more people are using the term cannabis to refer to weed.
Some argue that it’s a more accurate name. Others feel it’s more neutral compared with terms like weed or pot, which some people associate with its illegal use. Also, the term “marijuana” is falling out of favor due to its racist history.
Cannabis is usually consumed for its relaxing and calming effects. In some U.S. states, it’s also prescribed to help with a range of medical conditions, including chronic pain, glaucoma, and poor appetite.
Cannabis is made up of more than 120 components, which are known as cannabinoids. Experts still aren’t sure what each cannabinoid does, but they have a pretty good understanding of two of them, known as cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Each has its own effects and uses:
•CBD. This is a psychoactive cannabinoid, yet it’s non-intoxicating and non-euphoric, meaning it won’t get you “high.” It’s often used to help reduce inflammation and pain. It may also ease nausea, migraine, seizures, and anxiety. (Epidiolex is the first and only prescription medication to contain CBD and be approved by the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA. This medication is used to treat certain kinds of epilepsy.) Researchers are still trying to fully understand the effectiveness of CBD’s medical use.
•THC. This is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. THC is responsible for the “high” that most people associate with cannabis.
Read more about the differences between THC and CBD.
You can find cannabis products that contain just CBD, THC, or a combination of both. But the dried flower that most people associate with cannabis contains both cannabinoids, though certain strains may have much more of one than the other. Hemp has large quantities of CBD, but no THC.
Using cannabis can have a range of short-term effects. Some are beneficial, but others are more concerning.
Some of the more desirable short-term effects include:
•relaxation
•giddiness
•experiencing things around you, such as sights and sounds, more intensely
•increased appetite
Experts are still trying to fully understand the long-term effects of using cannabis. There’s lots of conflicting research on this topic, and many of the existing studies have only looked at animals.
Many more large, long-term studies in humans are needed to fully understand the lasting effects of cannabis use.
Cannabis is illegal in many places, but more and more areas are starting to legalize it for both recreational and medical uses. In the United States, for example, several states have legalized recreational and medical cannabis.
Others have legalized it only for medical use. But cannabis remains illegal under federal law in the United States. The research supporting CBD use for inflammation and pain is promising. The use of CBD-based prescription medication Epidiolex to reduce some kinds of seizures is well established.
The laws around cannabis also vary from country to country. Some permit the use of products containing only CBD, while others consider any kind of cannabis use a serious crime.
If you’re curious about trying cannabis, make sure to read up on the laws in your area first.
Cannabis is a term that’s being increasingly used to refer to weed or marijuana. Regardless of what you call it, cannabis has a range of short- and long-term effects, which can be both beneficial and harmful.
If you’re curious about trying cannabis, start by checking whether it’s legal in your area.
Cannabis (/ ˈ k æ n ə b ɪ s /), commonly known as marijuana (/ ˌ m æ r ə ˈ w ɑː n ə /), [2] weed, and pot, among other names, [3] is a non-chemically uniform drug from the cannabis plant. Native to Central or South Asia, the cannabis plant has been used as a drug for both recreational and entheogenic purposes and in various traditional medicines for centuries.
Cannabis has long been used for hemp fibre, hemp seeds and their oils, hemp leaves for use as vegetables and as juice. Industrial hemp products are made from cannabis plants selected to produce an abundance of fibre. Cannabis also has a long history of being used for medicinal purposes, and as a recreational drug known as marijuana or weed.
Marijuana is a substance that has mind-altering effects. Other names for marijuana include weed, pot and dope. Although people often use the terms “marijuana” and “cannabis” interchangeably, there are differences: Cannabis: This term refers to all products derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. This includes its dried flowers, leaves ...
Oct 8, 2024 · Marijuana, drug composed of the leaves and flowers of plants in the genus Cannabis. Marijuana is known by several other names, including pot, grass, and weed. It can vary widely in potency. Its active ingredient is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Learn more about the history, effects, and legality of marijuana.
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Feb 6, 2021 · Cannabis sativa is a species of cannabis plant that tends to be higher on the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) scale than other variations, although it does contain cannabidiol (CBD) as well. It is used for medicinal, recreational, and industrial (hemp) purposes. C. sativa plants are tall and lankier than other cannabis plants and can reach up to 20 ...
