Marijuana
A common term for the psychoactive drug form of cannabis, usually referring to the dried flowers/leaves of high-THC cannabis plants. “Marijuana” (or “marihuana,” if your thing is reading government paperwork from the 1930s) historically entered American English in the early 20th century and was popularized during the era of prohibition and anti-cannabis laws. It typically denotes cannabis used for its mind-altering effects, as opposed to “hemp” which is used for industrial or non-intoxicating purposes.
Marijuana contains delta-9-THC in significant concentrations (often anywhere from 5% up to 30% THC in modern cultivated strains), which causes euphoria, altered perception, and that classic 'Ohhhhhhm I get it now' feeling that wears off before you can explain it to anyone who isn’t also high. It also contains CBD and dozens of other cannabinoids and terpenes that contribute to its overall effect.
Under U.S. federal law, “marihuana” is defined as cannabis with more than 0.3% THC (essentially all illegal cannabis). Culturally and legally, the word marijuana is synonymous with the illicit drug or the regulated substance in legalization contexts. For example, state laws refer to “medical marijuana” programs, and one might speak of smoking marijuana, growing marijuana, etc.
Some prefer the term cannabis due to historical racial stigmas attached to “marijuana”(a name strategically chosen to sound “foreign” during early, and, in some jurisdictions, ongoing, prohibition efforts).
Medicinally, marijuana has been used to alleviate pain, nausea, and other symptoms, and recreationally it’s used for its relaxing and mood-altering effects.
To summarize, marijuana is the psychoactive cannabis that people smoke or ingest to get high; essentially the high-THC cannabis as opposed to low-THC hemp. Not hemp, not CBD gummies, but the kind of cannabis classic that makes Pink Floyd albums sound (even) better. It remains a controlled substance in many parts of the world, though an increasing number of places have legalized it in recent years.
discover a world of pure, drinkable delight.
Cantrip. Always tested, always accurate, and always delicious.