Marijuana
Introduction
Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a psychoactive drug derived from the Cannabis plant. It is used for both recreational and medicinal purposes. The primary psychoactive component of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), one of the 483 known compounds in the plant, including at least 65 other cannabinoids.
History
The history of marijuana spans thousands of years, with the earliest recorded use dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. It has been used in various cultures for spiritual, recreational, and medicinal purposes. The plant was first described in detail in the mid-18th century by the Swedish botanist, Carl Linnaeus, who classified it as Cannabis sativa.
Botany
Cannabis is an annual, dioecious, flowering herb. The leaves are palmately compound or digitate, with serrate leaflets. Cannabis plants produce a group of chemicals called cannabinoids, which produce mental and physical effects when consumed. The two most well-known cannabinoids are THC and cannabidiol (CBD).
Cultivation
Cannabis is cultivated worldwide for its psychoactive properties, with certain strains bred to intensify specific characteristics of the plant. The cultivation techniques for marijuana vary depending on the purpose of the cultivation.
Usage and Consumption
Marijuana can be consumed in several ways, including smoking, vaporization, within food, or as an extract. Each method of consumption has its own benefits and drawbacks, but all give rise to the pharmacological effects of the drug.
Effects
The effects of marijuana include a general alteration of conscious perception, euphoria, feelings of well-being, relaxation or stress reduction, increased appreciation of humor, music or the arts, joviality, metacognition and introspection, enhanced sensory experiences, increased appetite, and improved concentration.
Medical Use
Medical marijuana refers to the use of the Cannabis plant as a physician-recommended herbal therapy. The Cannabis plant has a history of medicinal use dating back thousands of years across many cultures. Its usage in modern times is controversial, and in recent years the American Medical Association, the MMA, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, and other medical organizations have issued statements opposing its usage for medicinal purposes.
Legal Status
The legal status of marijuana varies widely around the world. In some regions, it is fully legal or effectively decriminalized; in others it is highly restricted or banned outright.
Controversies and Criticisms
The use and possession of marijuana is controversial due to its psychoactive effects and its illegality in many parts of the world. There is ongoing debate about the safety, efficacy, and legality of its use.