MARIJUANA

MARIJUANA 

Cannabis, also known as marijuana among several other names,^a[›] is a preparation of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or medicine.^[7][8][9] The main psychoactive part of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); one of 483 known compounds in the plant,^[10] including at least 65 other cannabinoids.^[11] Cannabis can be used by smoking, vaporization, within food, or as an extract.^[12]

Cannabis is often used for its mental and physical effects, such as a "high" or "stoned" feeling, a general change in perception, euphoria (heightened mood), and an increase in appetite.^[12][13] Short term side effects may include a decrease in short-term memory, dry mouth, impaired motor skills, red eyes, and feelings of paranoia or anxiety.^[12][14][15] Long term side effects may include addiction, decreased mental ability in those who started as teenagers, and behavioral problems in children whose mothers used cannabis during pregnancy.^[12] Onset of effects is within minutes when smoked and about 30 to 60 minutes when cooked and eaten.^[12][16] They last for between two and six hours.^[16]

Cannabis is mostly used recreationally or as a medicinal drug. It may also be used for religious or spiritual purposes. In 2013, between 128 and 232 million people used cannabis (2.7% to 4.9% of the global population between the ages of 15 and 65).^[17]In 2015, 43% of Americans had used cannabis which increased to 51% in 2016.^[18] About 12% have used it in the past year, and 7.3% have used it in the past month.^[19] This makes it the most commonly used illegal drug both in the world and the United States.^[12][17]

The earliest recorded uses date from the 3rd millennium BC.^[20] Since the early 20th century, cannabis has been subject to legal restrictions. The possession, use, and sale of cannabis is illegal in most countries of the world.^[21][22] Medical cannabis refers to the physician-recommended use of cannabis, which is taking place in Canada, Belgium, Australia, the Netherlands, Spain, and 23 U.S. states.^[23] Cannabis use started to become popular in the US in the 1970s.^[24] Support for legalization has increased in the United States and several US states have legalized recreational or medical use.^[25]