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Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 62 (from laksa157)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa062.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.britannica.com/topic/US-marijuana-laws-by-state\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.britannica.com/topic/US-marijuana-laws-by-state\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/US-marijuana-laws-by-state","crawl_time":1776150869,"first_indexed_time":1713452375,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,britannica!www,\/topic\/US-marijuana-laws-by-state s443","src_root_hash":"5455945239613777662","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Where is marijuana legal in the U.S.? | Legality, States, Medicinal Use, Adult Use, & Decriminalization | Britannica","meta_descriptions":["Where is marijuana legal in the U.S.? Find out in our list."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Top Questions\nWhat is marijuana?\nWhat is the active ingredient in marijuana?\nWhat are the medical uses of marijuana?\nWhat are the effects of consuming or smoking marijuana?\nAre marijuana and cannabis the same thing?\nmarijuana\n,  crude\ndrug\ncomposed of the leaves and flowers of plants in the genus\nCannabis\n. The term\nmarijuana\nis sometimes used interchangeably with\ncannabis\n; however, the latter refers specifically to the plant genus, which\ncomprises\nC. sativa\nand, by some classifications,\nC. indica\nand\nC. ruderalis\n. Marijuana is known by a variety of other names, including\npot\n,\ntea\n,\ngrass\n, and\nweed\n. It is usually dried and crushed and put into pipes or formed into cigarettes (joints) for\nsmoking\n. It can also be added to foods and beverages.\nWhat do you think?\nExplore the ProCon debate\nMarijuana varies in potency, depending on the variety and where and how it is grown, prepared for use, and stored. The active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is present in all parts of both the male and female plants but is most concentrated in the\nresin\n(cannabin) in the flowering tops of the female.\nHashish\n, a more powerful form of the drug, is made by collecting and drying this resin and is about eight times as strong as the marijuana typically smoked in the\nUnited States\n.\nPhysical effects\nMentioned in a Chinese herbal dating from 2700\nbce\n, marijuana has long been considered valuable as an\nanalgesic\n, an anesthetic, an antidepressant, an antibiotic, and a sedative. Although it was usually used externally (e.g., as a balm or smoked), in the 19th century\nce\nits tips were sometimes administered internally to treat\ngonorrhea\nand\nangina pectoris\n.\nMore From Britannica\ndrug use: Cannabis\nMarijuana’s effects vary, depending upon the strength and amount consumed, the setting in which it is taken, and the experience of the user. Psychological effects tend to predominate, with the user commonly experiencing a mild euphoria. Alterations in vision and judgment result in distortions of time and space.\nAcute\nintoxication may occasionally induce visual hallucinations, anxiety, depression, extreme variability of mood,\nparanoid\nreactions, and psychoses lasting four to six hours. Marijuana’s physical effects include reddening of the eyes, dryness of the mouth and throat, moderate increase in the rapidity of the heartbeat, tightness of the chest (if the drug is smoked), drowsiness, unsteadiness, and muscular incoordination.\nChronic use does not establish physical dependence, nor does the regular user suffer extreme physical discomfort after withdrawal. However, the use of marijuana may be psychologically habituating. Research indicates that marijuana use during the teenage years is associated with an increased risk of\ndepression\nin young adulthood.\nTetrahydrocannabinol (THC)\nThe worldwide use of marijuana and hashish as intoxicants has raised various medical and social questions, many of which have been under continuing scientific investigation, especially since the mid-1960s, when THC was first isolated and produced synthetically. Research was directed toward identifying the short- and long-term physical effects of marijuana. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, medical research revealed various therapeutic effects of marijuana and THC. They were found to be useful in lowering internal eye pressure in persons suffering from\nglaucoma\nand in\nalleviating\nnausea\nand\nvomiting\ncaused by\nchemotherapeutic\ndrugs used to treat\ncancer\npatients and those with\nAIDS\n. Marijuana also has been found to reduce the muscle pain associated with\nmultiple sclerosis\nand to prevent\nepileptic seizures\nin some patients.\nIn the late 1980s researchers discovered a\nreceptor\nfor THC and THC-related chemicals in the brains of certain mammals, including humans. This finding indicated that the brain naturally produces a THC-like substance that may perform some of the same functions that THC does. Such a substance subsequently was found and named anandamide, from the Sanskrit\nānanda\n(“bliss”).\nSmart, reliable knowledge for professionals, students, and curious minds everywhere.\nSUBSCRIBE\nInternational trade in marijuana and hashish was first placed under controls during the\nInternational Opium Convention of 1925. By the late 1960s most countries had\nenforced\nrestrictions on trafficking and using marijuana and hashish and had imposed generally severe penalties for their illegal possession, sale, or supply. Beginning in the 1970s, some countries and jurisdictions reduced the penalty for the possession of small quantities. The\nNetherlands\nis a notable example; the government there decided to tolerate the sale of small amounts of marijuana. Other European countries also began debating the decriminalization of so-called “soft drugs,” including marijuana.\nIn the United States, several states passed legislation in the late 1970s and early ’80s to fund research on or to legalize the\nmedicinal use of marijuana\n, though some of these statutes were later repealed or lapsed. Renewed decriminalization efforts in the 1990s led to the legalization of medicinal marijuana in more than a dozen states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. In 2001, however, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Later that year\nCanada\npassed legislation easing restrictions on medicinal marijuana. That country’s new regulations included licensing marijuana growers to produce the drug for individuals with terminal illnesses or chronic diseases. In 2009 U.S. Attorney General\nEric Holder\nissued a new set of guidelines for federal prosecutors in states where the medical use of marijuana was legalized. The policy shift\nmandated\nthat federal resources were to be focused primarily on prosecuting illegal use and trafficking of marijuana, thereby rendering cases of medical use, in which those individuals in possession of the drug are clearly in\ncompliance\nwith state laws, less prone to excessive legal investigation. (For more information about the medical uses of marijuana,\nsee\nmedical cannabis\n.)\nAlso spelled:\nmarihuana\nIn addition to the\nlegalization\nof medical marijuana, many states in the late 20th and early 21st centuries passed decriminalization laws that imposed penalties other than jail time for possession of a modest amount of marijuana, often imposing a civil fine as punishment instead. In 2012 the U.S. states of\nColorado\nand\nWashington\nbecame the first in which citizens voted in favor of legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. By 2022 the recreational use of marijuana was legal in 19 states. In 2022 Pres.\nJoe Biden\nissued a mass pardon of all persons convicted of marijuana possession under federal law.","attrs_markdown":"[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel\/eb-logo\/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/)\n\n[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel\/eb-logo\/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/)\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen)\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav-mobile&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen)\n\nLogin\n\nhttps:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm\\_source=premium\\&utm\\_medium=nav-login-box\\&utm\\_campaign=evergreen\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=hamburger-menu&utm_campaign=blue)\n\n[Ask the Chatbot](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/chatbot)\n\n[Games & Quizzes](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/quiz\/browse) [History & Society](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/History-Society) [Science & Tech](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Science-Tech) [Biographies](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Biographies) [Animals & Nature](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Animals-Nature) [Geography & Travel](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Geography-Travel) [Arts & Culture](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/Arts-Culture) [ProCon](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/procon) [Money](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/money) [Videos](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/videos)\n\n[U.S. marijuana laws by state](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/US-marijuana-laws-by-state)\n\n[Introduction](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/US-marijuana-laws-by-state)   [References & Edit History](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/US-marijuana-laws-by-state\/additional-info)  [Related Topics](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/facts\/US-marijuana-laws-by-state)\n\n[Images](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/US-marijuana-laws-by-state\/images-videos)\n\n[![The legality of marijuana in the United States](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/52\/178452-004-D826DF11\/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/52\/178452-050-674B1649\/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)\n\nContents\n\nAsk Anything\n\n[Politics, Law & Government](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/browse\/Politics-Law-Government)    [Law, Crime & Punishment](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/browse\/Law-Crime-Punishment)\n\nCITE\n\nShare\n\nFeedback\n\nExternal Websites\n\n# U.S. marijuana laws by state\nHomework Help\n\nWritten by\n\n[Mindy Johnston Mindy Spitzer Johnston is Managing Editor at Encyclopædia Britannica.](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/mindy-johnston\/12488102)\n\nMindy Johnston\n\nFact-checked by\n\n[Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica\/4419)\n\nBritannica Editors\n\n[History](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/US-marijuana-laws-by-state\/additional-info#history)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Britannica AI\n\nAsk Anything\n\nTable of Contents\n\nTable of Contents\n\nAsk Anything\n\nSince [California](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/California-state)’s legalization of medical [marijuana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/marijuana) in 1996, there has been a growing movement in the [United States](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/United-States) to decriminalize weed—for both medicinal and recreational uses. As of early 2024, 24 states and the [District of Columbia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Washington-DC) have legalized marijuana for adult recreational use. In November 2024 voters in [Nebraska](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Nebraska-state) approved a ballot [initiative](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/initiative) to legalize [medical marijuana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/medical-cannabis), while proposals to legalize marijuana for recreational or personal use failed in [Florida](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Florida), [North Dakota](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/North-Dakota), and [South Dakota](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/South-Dakota). Use the map and table below to better understand where marijuana is legal in the U.S.\n\n[![The legality of marijuana in the United States](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/52\/178452-050-674B1649\/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg?w=1000)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/52\/178452-050-674B1649\/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg)\n\n[The legality of marijuana in the United States](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/52\/178452-050-674B1649\/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg)A map of the United States showing the legality of marijuana.\n\n(more)\n\n| state | legal for adult use | legal for medicinal use | only low-THC legal for medicinal use | illegal for adult use | illegal (possession of small amounts conditionally decriminalized) |\n|---|---|---|---|---|---|\n| \\*Although not a state, the District of Columbia has its own marijuana laws. |   |   |   |   |   |\n| Source: [NORML](https:\/\/norml.org\/). Data as of early 2024. |   |   |   |   |   |\n| [Alabama](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Alabama-state) |   | X |   | X |   |\n| [Alaska](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Alaska) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Arizona](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Arizona-state) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Arkansas](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Arkansas-state) |   | X |   | X |   |\n| [California](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/California-state) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Colorado](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Colorado-state) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Connecticut](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Connecticut) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Delaware](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Delaware-state) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [District of Columbia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Washington-DC)\\* | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Florida](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Florida) |   | X |   | X |   |\n| [Georgia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Georgia-state) |   |   | X | X |   |\n| [Hawaii](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Hawaii-state) |   | X |   |   | X |\n| [Idaho](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Idaho) |   |   |   | X |   |\n| [Illinois](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Illinois-state) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Indiana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Indiana-state) |   |   | X | X |   |\n| [Iowa](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Iowa-state) |   |   | X | X |   |\n| [Kansas](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Kansas) |   |   | X | X |   |\n| [Kentucky](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Kentucky) |   | X | X | X |   |\n| [Louisiana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Louisiana-state) |   | X |   |   | X |\n| [Maine](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Maine-state) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Maryland](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Maryland-state) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Massachusetts](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Massachusetts) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Michigan](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Michigan) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Minnesota](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Minnesota) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Mississippi](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Mississippi-state) |   | X |   |   | X |\n| [Missouri](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Missouri-state) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Montana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Montana-state) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Nebraska](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Nebraska-state) |   | X |   |   |   |\n| [Nevada](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Nevada-state) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [New Hampshire](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/New-Hampshire-state) |   | X |   |   | X |\n| [New Jersey](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/New-Jersey) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [New Mexico](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/New-Mexico) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [New York](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/New-York-state) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [North Carolina](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/North-Carolina-state) |   |   | X |   | X |\n| [North Dakota](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/North-Dakota) |   | X |   |   | X |\n| [Ohio](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Ohio-state) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Oklahoma](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Oklahoma-state) |   | X |   | X |   |\n| [Oregon](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Oregon-state) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Pennsylvania](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Pennsylvania-state) |   | X |   | X |   |\n| [Rhode Island](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Rhode-Island-state) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [South Carolina](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/South-Carolina) |   |   | X | X |   |\n| [South Dakota](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/South-Dakota) |   | X |   | X |   |\n| [Tennessee](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Tennessee) |   |   | X | X |   |\n| [Texas](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Texas-state) |   |   | X | X |   |\n| [Utah](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Utah) |   | X |   | X |   |\n| [Vermont](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Vermont) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Virginia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Virginia-state) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [Washington](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Washington-state) | X | X |   |   |   |\n| [West Virginia](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/West-Virginia) |   | X |   | X |   |\n| [Wisconsin](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Wisconsin) |   |   | X | X |   |\n| [Wyoming](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Wyoming-state) |   |   | X | X |   |\n\n[Mindy Johnston](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/mindy-johnston\/12488102)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)Britannica AI\n\n*chevron\\_right*\n\nWhere is marijuana legal in the U.S.?\n\n*close*\n\n[AI-generated answers](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.\n\n[marijuana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/marijuana)\n\n- [Introduction & Top Questions](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/marijuana)\n- [Physical effects](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/marijuana#ref339206)\n- [Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/marijuana#ref339207)\n- [Legality](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/marijuana#ref339208)\n\n[References & Edit History](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/marijuana\/additional-info)  [Quick Facts & Related Topics](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/facts\/marijuana)\n\n[Images & Videos](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/marijuana\/images-videos)\n\n[![marijuana plants](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/13\/11113-004-1271E0C6\/Marijuana.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/13\/11113-004-1271E0C6\/Marijuana.jpg)\n\n[![The chemistry of marijuana](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/18\/187018-138-83C633A6\/chemistry-marijuana-potency-safety.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/video\/chemistry-marijuana-potency-safety\/-207681)\n\n[![saliva test for cannabis](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/35\/216535-138-FD4AD149\/Saliva-test-for-cannabis.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/video\/Saliva-test-for-cannabis\/-246869)\n\n[![The legality of marijuana in the United States](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/52\/178452-004-D826DF11\/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/52\/178452-050-674B1649\/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg)  [![Medical cannabis: CanniMed](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/17\/163617-004-89C855D2\/Cannabis-plants-cannabis-product-CanniMed-Prairie-Plant.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/17\/163617-050-4D4F3463\/Cannabis-plants-cannabis-product-CanniMed-Prairie-Plant.jpg)  [![Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) with (left) male plant, (right) female plant](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/43\/43743-004-FF8A0189\/Marijuana-plant.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/43\/43743-004-FF8A0189\/Marijuana-plant.jpg)\n\nAt a Glance\n\n[![default image](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/shared\/new-thistle.svg?v=3.179.9)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/summary\/marijuana)\n\n[marijuana summary](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/summary\/marijuana)\n\nRelated Questions\n\n- [What is the active ingredient in marijuana?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/What-is-the-active-ingredient-in-marijuana)\n- [What are the medical uses of marijuana?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/What-are-the-medical-uses-of-marijuana)\n- [What are the effects of consuming or smoking marijuana?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/question\/What-are-the-effects-of-consuming-or-smoking-marijuana)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)\n\nAsk Anything\n\nQuick Summary\n\n[Health & Medicine](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/browse\/Health-Medicine)    [Medicine](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/browse\/Medicine)\n\nCITE\n\nShare\n\nFeedback\n\nExternal Websites\n\n[![marijuana plants](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/13\/11113-004-1271E0C6\/Marijuana.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/13\/11113-004-1271E0C6\/Marijuana.jpg)\n\n[marijuana plants](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/13\/11113-004-1271E0C6\/Marijuana.jpg) Marijuana (*Cannabis sativa*).\n\n(more)\n\n# marijuana\ndrug\n\nHomework Help\n\nAlso known as: grass, marihuana, pot, reefer, tea, weed\n\nWritten and fact-checked by\n\n[Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica\/4419)\n\nBritannica Editors\n\n[History](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/marijuana\/additional-info#history)\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Britannica AI\n\nAsk Anything\n\nQuick Summary\n\nTable of Contents\n\nTable of Contents\n\nQuick Summary\n\nAsk Anything\n\nTop Questions\n\n### What is marijuana?\nMarijuana is a drug composed of the leaves and flowers of plants in the genus *Cannabis*. Documented as far back as 2700 BCE in China, marijuana has long been considered valuable as an analgesic, an anesthetic, an antidepressant, an antibiotic, and a sedative.\n\n### What is the active ingredient in marijuana?\n[Tetrahydrocannabinol](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/tetrahydrocannabinol) (THC) is the active ingredient present in all parts of both the male and female marijuana plants, but it is most concentrated in the resin (cannabin) in the flowering tops of the female plant. It was first isolated from the Indian hemp plant (*Cannabis sativa*) and synthesized in 1965.\n\n### What are the medical uses of marijuana?\nMedical research has found marijuana useful in lowering internal eye pressure in persons suffering from glaucoma and providing relief from nausea and vomiting caused by treatments given to cancer and AIDS patients. It is also known to reduce muscle pain associated with multiple sclerosis and prevent epileptic seizures in some patients.\n\n### What are the effects of consuming or smoking marijuana?\nMarijuana’s effects vary, depending on the strength and amount consumed. Psychological effects can include mild euphoria, visual hallucinations, anxiety, depression, extreme variability of mood, paranoia, and psychoses. Physical effects can include reddening of the eyes, dryness of the mouth and throat, an increase in the heartbeat, chest tightness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, and lack of coordination.\n\n### Are marijuana and cannabis the same thing?\nThe word *marijuana* is sometimes used interchangeably with *cannabis*. However, *cannibas* refers specifically to the plant genus, which comprises *Cannabis sativa* and, in some classifications, *Cannabis indica* and *Cannabis ruderalis*.\n\n**marijuana**, crude [drug](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/drug-chemical-agent) composed of the leaves and flowers of plants in the genus [*Cannabis*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/plant\/cannabis-plant). The term *marijuana* is sometimes used interchangeably with *cannabis*; however, the latter refers specifically to the plant genus, which [comprises](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/comprises) *C. sativa* and, by some classifications, *C. indica* and *C. ruderalis*. Marijuana is known by a variety of other names, including *pot*, *tea*, *grass*, and *weed*. It is usually dried and crushed and put into pipes or formed into cigarettes (joints) for [smoking](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/smoking-tobacco). It can also be added to foods and beverages.\n\n**What do you think?**\n\n- **[Should Recreational Marijuana Be Legal?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/procon\/recreational-marijuana-legalization-debate)**\n\n**Explore the ProCon debate**\n\nMarijuana varies in potency, depending on the variety and where and how it is grown, prepared for use, and stored. The active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is present in all parts of both the male and female plants but is most concentrated in the [resin](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/resin) (cannabin) in the flowering tops of the female. [Hashish](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/hashish), a more powerful form of the drug, is made by collecting and drying this resin and is about eight times as strong as the marijuana typically smoked in the [United States](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/United-States).\n\n## Physical effects\nMentioned in a Chinese herbal dating from 2700 bce, marijuana has long been considered valuable as an [analgesic](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/analgesic), an anesthetic, an antidepressant, an antibiotic, and a sedative. Although it was usually used externally (e.g., as a balm or smoked), in the 19th century ce its tips were sometimes administered internally to treat [gonorrhea](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/gonorrhea) and [angina pectoris](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/angina-pectoris).\n\n[![drug use](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/05\/213705-050-4331A79A\/drug-concept-drug-abuse-addition-heroin-injection-doping-opium-epidemic.jpg) More From Britannica drug use: Cannabis](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/drug-use\/Cannabis#ref467062)\n\nMarijuana’s effects vary, depending upon the strength and amount consumed, the setting in which it is taken, and the experience of the user. Psychological effects tend to predominate, with the user commonly experiencing a mild euphoria. Alterations in vision and judgment result in distortions of time and space. [Acute](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/Acute) intoxication may occasionally induce visual hallucinations, anxiety, depression, extreme variability of mood, [paranoid](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/paranoia) reactions, and psychoses lasting four to six hours. Marijuana’s physical effects include reddening of the eyes, dryness of the mouth and throat, moderate increase in the rapidity of the heartbeat, tightness of the chest (if the drug is smoked), drowsiness, unsteadiness, and muscular incoordination.\n\nChronic use does not establish physical dependence, nor does the regular user suffer extreme physical discomfort after withdrawal. However, the use of marijuana may be psychologically habituating. Research indicates that marijuana use during the teenage years is associated with an increased risk of [depression](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/depression-psychology) in young adulthood.\n\n## [Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/tetrahydrocannabinol)\n[![The chemistry of marijuana](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/18\/187018-138-83C633A6\/chemistry-marijuana-potency-safety.jpg?w=800&h=450&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/video\/chemistry-marijuana-potency-safety\/-207681)\n\nThe chemistry of marijuanaLearn about the chemistry of marijuana and how its potency and safety is determined.\n\n(more)\n\n[See all videos for this article](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/marijuana\/images-videos)\n\nThe worldwide use of marijuana and hashish as intoxicants has raised various medical and social questions, many of which have been under continuing scientific investigation, especially since the mid-1960s, when THC was first isolated and produced synthetically. Research was directed toward identifying the short- and long-term physical effects of marijuana. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, medical research revealed various therapeutic effects of marijuana and THC. They were found to be useful in lowering internal eye pressure in persons suffering from [glaucoma](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/glaucoma) and in [alleviating](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/alleviating) [nausea](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/nausea-pathology) and [vomiting](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/vomiting) caused by [chemotherapeutic](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/chemotherapy) drugs used to treat [cancer](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/cancer-disease) patients and those with [AIDS](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/AIDS). Marijuana also has been found to reduce the muscle pain associated with [multiple sclerosis](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/multiple-sclerosis) and to prevent [epileptic seizures](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/epilepsy) in some patients.\n\nIn the late 1980s researchers discovered a [receptor](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/receptor-nerve-ending) for THC and THC-related chemicals in the brains of certain mammals, including humans. This finding indicated that the brain naturally produces a THC-like substance that may perform some of the same functions that THC does. Such a substance subsequently was found and named anandamide, from the Sanskrit *ānanda* (“bliss”).\n\nExplore Britannica Premium\\!\n\nSmart, reliable knowledge for professionals, students, and curious minds everywhere.\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=smart-2026)\n\n![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-left.webp)\n\n![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-right.webp)\n\n![Mobile](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-mobile.webp?w=400)\n\n## Legality\n[![saliva test for cannabis](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/35\/216535-138-FD4AD149\/Saliva-test-for-cannabis.jpg?w=800&h=450&c=crop)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/video\/Saliva-test-for-cannabis\/-246869)\n\nsaliva test for cannabisSaliva testing for cannabis could someday help identify impaired drivers.\n\n(more)\n\n[See all videos for this article](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/marijuana\/images-videos)\n\nInternational trade in marijuana and hashish was first placed under controls during the International Opium Convention of 1925. By the late 1960s most countries had [enforced](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/enforced) restrictions on trafficking and using marijuana and hashish and had imposed generally severe penalties for their illegal possession, sale, or supply. Beginning in the 1970s, some countries and jurisdictions reduced the penalty for the possession of small quantities. The [Netherlands](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Netherlands) is a notable example; the government there decided to tolerate the sale of small amounts of marijuana. Other European countries also began debating the decriminalization of so-called “soft drugs,” including marijuana.\n\n[![The legality of marijuana in the United States](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/52\/178452-050-674B1649\/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg)](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/52\/178452-050-674B1649\/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg)\n\n[The legality of marijuana in the United States](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/52\/178452-050-674B1649\/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg)A map of the United States showing the legality of marijuana.\n\n(more)\n\nIn the United States, several states passed legislation in the late 1970s and early ’80s to fund research on or to legalize the [medicinal use of marijuana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/medical-cannabis), though some of these statutes were later repealed or lapsed. Renewed decriminalization efforts in the 1990s led to the legalization of medicinal marijuana in more than a dozen states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. In 2001, however, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Later that year [Canada](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Canada) passed legislation easing restrictions on medicinal marijuana. That country’s new regulations included licensing marijuana growers to produce the drug for individuals with terminal illnesses or chronic diseases. In 2009 U.S. Attorney General [Eric Holder](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Eric-Holder) issued a new set of guidelines for federal prosecutors in states where the medical use of marijuana was legalized. The policy shift [mandated](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/mandated) that federal resources were to be focused primarily on prosecuting illegal use and trafficking of marijuana, thereby rendering cases of medical use, in which those individuals in possession of the drug are clearly in [compliance](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/compliance) with state laws, less prone to excessive legal investigation. (For more information about the medical uses of marijuana, *see* [medical cannabis](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/medical-cannabis).)\n\nAlso spelled:\n\nmarihuana\n\n*(Show more)*\n\nKey People:\n\n[Roger Adams](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Roger-Adams)\n\n*(Show more)*\n\nRelated Topics:\n\n[Medical Marijuana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/procon\/medical-marijuana-debate)\n\n[The Dope on Dope: 8 Facts About Marijuana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/list\/the-dope-on-dope-8-facts-about-marijuana)\n\n[Why Is Marijuana Illegal in the U.S.?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/story\/why-is-marijuana-illegal-in-the-us)\n\n[What Is the Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/story\/what-is-the-difference-between-hemp-and-marijuana)\n\n[What Are the Biological Effects of Marijuana Use?](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/story\/what-are-the-biological-effects-of-marijuana-use)\n\n*(Show more)*\n\n[See all related content](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/facts\/marijuana)\n\nIn addition to the [legalization](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/US-marijuana-laws-by-state) of medical marijuana, many states in the late 20th and early 21st centuries passed decriminalization laws that imposed penalties other than jail time for possession of a modest amount of marijuana, often imposing a civil fine as punishment instead. In 2012 the U.S. states of [Colorado](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Colorado-state) and [Washington](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Washington-state) became the first in which citizens voted in favor of legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. By 2022 the recreational use of marijuana was legal in 19 states. In 2022 Pres. [Joe Biden](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Joe-Biden) issued a mass pardon of all persons convicted of marijuana possession under federal law.\n\n[The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/editor\/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica\/4419)\n\nThis article was most recently revised and updated by [Encyclopaedia Britannica](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/contributor\/encyclopaedia-britannica\/12989892).\n\n![Britannica AI Icon](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/mendel-resources\/3-179\/images\/chatbot\/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)Britannica AI\n\n*chevron\\_right*\n\nMarijuana\n\n*close*\n\n[AI-generated answers](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.\n\nLoad Next Page\n\nFeedback\n\nThank you for your feedback\n\nOur editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.\n\n*verified*Cite\n\nWhile every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.\n\nSelect Citation Style\n\nJohnston, Mindy. \"U.S. marijuana laws by state\". *Encyclopedia Britannica*, 4 Dec. 2024, https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/US-marijuana-laws-by-state. Accessed 14 April 2026.\n\nCopy Citation\n\nShare\n\nShare to social media\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BRITANNICA\/) [X](https:\/\/x.com\/britannica)\n\nURL\n\n<https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/US-marijuana-laws-by-state>\n\nFeedback\n\nThank you for your feedback\n\nOur editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.\n\n*print* Print\n\nPlease select which sections you would like to print:\n\n*verified*Cite\n\nWhile every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.\n\nSelect Citation Style\n\nBritannica Editors. \"marijuana\". *Encyclopedia Britannica*, 13 Feb. 2026, https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/marijuana. Accessed 14 April 2026.\n\nCopy Citation\n\nShare\n\nShare to social media\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BRITANNICA\/) [X](https:\/\/x.com\/britannica)\n\nURL\n\n<https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/marijuana>\n\nExternal Websites\n\n- [Nature - Botany: The cultivation of weed](https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/525S4a)\n- [LiveScience - Marijuana: Facts About Cannabis](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/24559-marijuana-facts-cannabis.html)\n- [Live Science - Marijuana: Effects of Weed on Brain and Body](https:\/\/www.livescience.com\/24558-marijuana-effects.html)\n- [WebMD - How Pot Affects Your Mind and Body](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/mental-health\/addiction\/marijuana-use-and-its-effects)\n- [Cleveland Clinic - Marijuana (Cannabis, Weed)](https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/articles\/4392-marijuana-cannabis)\n- [National Institute on Drug Abuse - Marijuana](https:\/\/www.drugabuse.gov\/publications\/drugfacts\/marijuana)\n\nBritannica Websites\n\nArticles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.\n\n- [marijuana - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)](https:\/\/kids.britannica.com\/students\/article\/marijuana\/383818)","attrs_readable_markdown":"Top Questions\n\n### What is marijuana?\n### What is the active ingredient in marijuana?\n### What are the medical uses of marijuana?\n### What are the effects of consuming or smoking marijuana?\n### Are marijuana and cannabis the same thing?\n\n**marijuana**, crude [drug](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/drug-chemical-agent) composed of the leaves and flowers of plants in the genus [*Cannabis*](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/plant\/cannabis-plant). The term *marijuana* is sometimes used interchangeably with *cannabis*; however, the latter refers specifically to the plant genus, which [comprises](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/comprises) *C. sativa* and, by some classifications, *C. indica* and *C. ruderalis*. Marijuana is known by a variety of other names, including *pot*, *tea*, *grass*, and *weed*. It is usually dried and crushed and put into pipes or formed into cigarettes (joints) for [smoking](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/smoking-tobacco). It can also be added to foods and beverages.\n\n**What do you think?**\n\n**Explore the ProCon debate**\n\nMarijuana varies in potency, depending on the variety and where and how it is grown, prepared for use, and stored. The active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is present in all parts of both the male and female plants but is most concentrated in the [resin](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/resin) (cannabin) in the flowering tops of the female. [Hashish](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/hashish), a more powerful form of the drug, is made by collecting and drying this resin and is about eight times as strong as the marijuana typically smoked in the [United States](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/United-States).\n\n## Physical effects\nMentioned in a Chinese herbal dating from 2700 bce, marijuana has long been considered valuable as an [analgesic](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/analgesic), an anesthetic, an antidepressant, an antibiotic, and a sedative. Although it was usually used externally (e.g., as a balm or smoked), in the 19th century ce its tips were sometimes administered internally to treat [gonorrhea](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/gonorrhea) and [angina pectoris](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/angina-pectoris).\n\n[![drug use](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/05\/213705-050-4331A79A\/drug-concept-drug-abuse-addition-heroin-injection-doping-opium-epidemic.jpg) More From Britannica drug use: Cannabis](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/drug-use\/Cannabis#ref467062)\n\nMarijuana’s effects vary, depending upon the strength and amount consumed, the setting in which it is taken, and the experience of the user. Psychological effects tend to predominate, with the user commonly experiencing a mild euphoria. Alterations in vision and judgment result in distortions of time and space. [Acute](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/Acute) intoxication may occasionally induce visual hallucinations, anxiety, depression, extreme variability of mood, [paranoid](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/paranoia) reactions, and psychoses lasting four to six hours. Marijuana’s physical effects include reddening of the eyes, dryness of the mouth and throat, moderate increase in the rapidity of the heartbeat, tightness of the chest (if the drug is smoked), drowsiness, unsteadiness, and muscular incoordination.\n\nChronic use does not establish physical dependence, nor does the regular user suffer extreme physical discomfort after withdrawal. However, the use of marijuana may be psychologically habituating. Research indicates that marijuana use during the teenage years is associated with an increased risk of [depression](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/depression-psychology) in young adulthood.\n\n## [Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/tetrahydrocannabinol)\nThe worldwide use of marijuana and hashish as intoxicants has raised various medical and social questions, many of which have been under continuing scientific investigation, especially since the mid-1960s, when THC was first isolated and produced synthetically. Research was directed toward identifying the short- and long-term physical effects of marijuana. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, medical research revealed various therapeutic effects of marijuana and THC. They were found to be useful in lowering internal eye pressure in persons suffering from [glaucoma](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/glaucoma) and in [alleviating](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/alleviating) [nausea](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/nausea-pathology) and [vomiting](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/vomiting) caused by [chemotherapeutic](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/chemotherapy) drugs used to treat [cancer](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/cancer-disease) patients and those with [AIDS](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/AIDS). Marijuana also has been found to reduce the muscle pain associated with [multiple sclerosis](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/multiple-sclerosis) and to prevent [epileptic seizures](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/epilepsy) in some patients.\n\nIn the late 1980s researchers discovered a [receptor](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/receptor-nerve-ending) for THC and THC-related chemicals in the brains of certain mammals, including humans. This finding indicated that the brain naturally produces a THC-like substance that may perform some of the same functions that THC does. Such a substance subsequently was found and named anandamide, from the Sanskrit *ānanda* (“bliss”).\n\nSmart, reliable knowledge for professionals, students, and curious minds everywhere.\n\n[SUBSCRIBE](https:\/\/premium.britannica.com\/premium-membership\/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=smart-2026)\n\n![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-left.webp)\n\n![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-right.webp)\n\n![Mobile](https:\/\/cdn.britannica.com\/marketing\/inline-mobile.webp?w=400)\n\nInternational trade in marijuana and hashish was first placed under controls during the International Opium Convention of 1925. By the late 1960s most countries had [enforced](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/dictionary\/enforced) restrictions on trafficking and using marijuana and hashish and had imposed generally severe penalties for their illegal possession, sale, or supply. Beginning in the 1970s, some countries and jurisdictions reduced the penalty for the possession of small quantities. The [Netherlands](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Netherlands) is a notable example; the government there decided to tolerate the sale of small amounts of marijuana. Other European countries also began debating the decriminalization of so-called “soft drugs,” including marijuana.\n\nIn the United States, several states passed legislation in the late 1970s and early ’80s to fund research on or to legalize the [medicinal use of marijuana](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/medical-cannabis), though some of these statutes were later repealed or lapsed. Renewed decriminalization efforts in the 1990s led to the legalization of medicinal marijuana in more than a dozen states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. In 2001, however, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Later that year [Canada](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Canada) passed legislation easing restrictions on medicinal marijuana. That country’s new regulations included licensing marijuana growers to produce the drug for individuals with terminal illnesses or chronic diseases. In 2009 U.S. Attorney General [Eric Holder](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Eric-Holder) issued a new set of guidelines for federal prosecutors in states where the medical use of marijuana was legalized. The policy shift [mandated](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/mandated) that federal resources were to be focused primarily on prosecuting illegal use and trafficking of marijuana, thereby rendering cases of medical use, in which those individuals in possession of the drug are clearly in [compliance](https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/compliance) with state laws, less prone to excessive legal investigation. (For more information about the medical uses of marijuana, *see* [medical cannabis](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/science\/medical-cannabis).)\n\nAlso spelled:\n\nmarihuana\n\nIn addition to the [legalization](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/US-marijuana-laws-by-state) of medical marijuana, many states in the late 20th and early 21st centuries passed decriminalization laws that imposed penalties other than jail time for possession of a modest amount of marijuana, often imposing a civil fine as punishment instead. In 2012 the U.S. states of [Colorado](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Colorado-state) and [Washington](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/Washington-state) became the first in which citizens voted in favor of legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. By 2022 the recreational use of marijuana was legal in 19 states. In 2022 Pres. [Joe Biden](https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Joe-Biden) issued a mass pardon of all persons convicted of marijuana possession under federal law.","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	Top Questions What is marijuana? What is the active ingredient in marijuana? What are the medical uses of marijuana? What are the effects of consuming or smoking marijuana? Are marijuana and cannabis the same thing? marijuana , crude drug composed of the leaves and flowers of plants in the genus Cannabis . The term marijuana is sometimes used interchangeably with cannabis ; however, the latter refers specifically to the plant genus, which comprises C. sativa and, by some classifications, C. indica and C. ruderalis . Marijuana is known by a variety of other names, including pot , tea , grass , and weed . It is usually dried and crushed and put into pipes or formed into cigarettes (joints) for smoking . It can also be added to foods and beverages. What do you think? Explore the ProCon debate Marijuana varies in potency, depending on the variety and where and how it is grown, prepared for use, and stored. The active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is present in all parts of both the male and female plants but is most concentrated in the resin (cannabin) in the flowering tops of the female. Hashish , a more powerful form of the drug, is made by collecting and drying this resin and is about eight times as strong as the marijuana typically smoked in the United States . Physical effects Mentioned in a Chinese herbal dating from 2700 bce , marijuana has long been considered valuable as an analgesic , an anesthetic, an antidepressant, an antibiotic, and a sedative. Although it was usually used externally (e.g., as a balm or smoked), in the 19th century ce its tips were sometimes administered internally to treat gonorrhea and angina pectoris . More From Britannica drug use: Cannabis Marijuana’s effects vary, depending upon the strength and amount consumed, the setting in which it is taken, and the experience of the user. Psychological effects tend to predominate, with the user commonly experiencing a mild euphoria. Alterations in vision and judgment result in distortions of time and space. Acute intoxication may occasionally induce visual hallucinations, anxiety, depression, extreme variability of mood, paranoid reactions, and psychoses lasting four to six hours. Marijuana’s physical effects include reddening of the eyes, dryness of the mouth and throat, moderate increase in the rapidity of the heartbeat, tightness of the chest (if the drug is smoked), drowsiness, unsteadiness, and muscular incoordination. Chronic use does not establish physical dependence, nor does the regular user suffer extreme physical discomfort after withdrawal. However, the use of marijuana may be psychologically habituating. Research indicates that marijuana use during the teenage years is associated with an increased risk of depression in young adulthood. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) The worldwide use of marijuana and hashish as intoxicants has raised various medical and social questions, many of which have been under continuing scientific investigation, especially since the mid-1960s, when THC was first isolated and produced synthetically. Research was directed toward identifying the short- and long-term physical effects of marijuana. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, medical research revealed various therapeutic effects of marijuana and THC. They were found to be useful in lowering internal eye pressure in persons suffering from glaucoma and in alleviating nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat cancer patients and those with AIDS . Marijuana also has been found to reduce the muscle pain associated with multiple sclerosis and to prevent epileptic seizures in some patients. In the late 1980s researchers discovered a receptor for THC and THC-related chemicals in the brains of certain mammals, including humans. This finding indicated that the brain naturally produces a THC-like substance that may perform some of the same functions that THC does. Such a substance subsequently was found and named anandamide, from the Sanskrit ānanda (“bliss”). Smart, reliable knowledge for professionals, students, and curious minds everywhere. SUBSCRIBE International trade in marijuana and hashish was first placed under controls during the International Opium Convention of 1925. By the late 1960s most countries had enforced restrictions on trafficking and using marijuana and hashish and had imposed generally severe penalties for their illegal possession, sale, or supply. Beginning in the 1970s, some countries and jurisdictions reduced the penalty for the possession of small quantities. The Netherlands is a notable example; the government there decided to tolerate the sale of small amounts of marijuana. Other European countries also began debating the decriminalization of so-called “soft drugs,” including marijuana. In the United States, several states passed legislation in the late 1970s and early ’80s to fund research on or to legalize the medicinal use of marijuana , though some of these statutes were later repealed or lapsed. Renewed decriminalization efforts in the 1990s led to the legalization of medicinal marijuana in more than a dozen states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. In 2001, however, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Later that year Canada passed legislation easing restrictions on medicinal marijuana. That country’s new regulations included licensing marijuana growers to produce the drug for individuals with terminal illnesses or chronic diseases. In 2009 U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder issued a new set of guidelines for federal prosecutors in states where the medical use of marijuana was legalized. The policy shift mandated that federal resources were to be focused primarily on prosecuting illegal use and trafficking of marijuana, thereby rendering cases of medical use, in which those individuals in possession of the drug are clearly in compliance with state laws, less prone to excessive legal investigation. (For more information about the medical uses of marijuana, see medical cannabis .) Also spelled: marihuana In addition to the legalization of medical marijuana, many states in the late 20th and early 21st centuries passed decriminalization laws that imposed penalties other than jail time for possession of a modest amount of marijuana, often imposing a civil fine as punishment instead. In 2012 the U.S. states of Colorado and Washington became the first in which citizens voted in favor of legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. By 2022 the recreational use of marijuana was legal in 19 states. In 2022 Pres. Joe Biden issued a mass pardon of all persons convicted of marijuana possession under federal law.
Markdown	[![Encyclopedia Britannica](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https://www.britannica.com/) [![Encyclopedia Britannica](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png)](https://www.britannica.com/) [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen) [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav-mobile&utm_campaign=blue-evergreen) Login https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm\_source=premium\&utm\_medium=nav-login-box\&utm\_campaign=evergreen [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=hamburger-menu&utm_campaign=blue) [Ask the Chatbot](https://www.britannica.com/chatbot) [Games & Quizzes](https://www.britannica.com/quiz/browse) [History & Society](https://www.britannica.com/History-Society) [Science & Tech](https://www.britannica.com/Science-Tech) [Biographies](https://www.britannica.com/Biographies) [Animals & Nature](https://www.britannica.com/Animals-Nature) [Geography & Travel](https://www.britannica.com/Geography-Travel) [Arts & Culture](https://www.britannica.com/Arts-Culture) [ProCon](https://www.britannica.com/procon) [Money](https://www.britannica.com/money) [Videos](https://www.britannica.com/videos) [U.S. marijuana laws by state](https://www.britannica.com/topic/US-marijuana-laws-by-state) [Introduction](https://www.britannica.com/topic/US-marijuana-laws-by-state) [References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/topic/US-marijuana-laws-by-state/additional-info) [Related Topics](https://www.britannica.com/facts/US-marijuana-laws-by-state) [Images](https://www.britannica.com/topic/US-marijuana-laws-by-state/images-videos) [![The legality of marijuana in the United States](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/178452-004-D826DF11/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/178452-050-674B1649/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Contents Ask Anything [Politics, Law & Government](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Politics-Law-Government) [Law, Crime & Punishment](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Law-Crime-Punishment) CITE Share Feedback External Websites # U.S. marijuana laws by state Homework Help Written by [Mindy Johnston Mindy Spitzer Johnston is Managing Editor at Encyclopædia Britannica.](https://www.britannica.com/editor/mindy-johnston/12488102) Mindy Johnston Fact-checked by [Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https://www.britannica.com/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419) Britannica Editors [History](https://www.britannica.com/topic/US-marijuana-laws-by-state/additional-info#history) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Britannica AI Ask Anything Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask Anything Since [California](https://www.britannica.com/place/California-state)’s legalization of medical [marijuana](https://www.britannica.com/science/marijuana) in 1996, there has been a growing movement in the [United States](https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States) to decriminalize weed—for both medicinal and recreational uses. As of early 2024, 24 states and the [District of Columbia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Washington-DC) have legalized marijuana for adult recreational use. In November 2024 voters in [Nebraska](https://www.britannica.com/place/Nebraska-state) approved a ballot [initiative](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/initiative) to legalize [medical marijuana](https://www.britannica.com/science/medical-cannabis), while proposals to legalize marijuana for recreational or personal use failed in [Florida](https://www.britannica.com/place/Florida), [North Dakota](https://www.britannica.com/place/North-Dakota), and [South Dakota](https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Dakota). Use the map and table below to better understand where marijuana is legal in the U.S. [![The legality of marijuana in the United States](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/178452-050-674B1649/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg?w=1000)](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/178452-050-674B1649/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg) [The legality of marijuana in the United States](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/178452-050-674B1649/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg)A map of the United States showing the legality of marijuana. (more) \| state \| legal for adult use \| legal for medicinal use \| only low-THC legal for medicinal use \| illegal for adult use \| illegal (possession of small amounts conditionally decriminalized) \| \|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\|---\| \| \Although not a state, the District of Columbia has its own marijuana laws. \| \| \| \| \| \| \| Source: [NORML](https://norml.org/). Data as of early 2024. \| \| \| \| \| \| \| [Alabama](https://www.britannica.com/place/Alabama-state) \| \| X \| \| X \| \| \| [Alaska](https://www.britannica.com/place/Alaska) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Arizona](https://www.britannica.com/place/Arizona-state) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Arkansas](https://www.britannica.com/place/Arkansas-state) \| \| X \| \| X \| \| \| [California](https://www.britannica.com/place/California-state) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Colorado](https://www.britannica.com/place/Colorado-state) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Connecticut](https://www.britannica.com/place/Connecticut) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Delaware](https://www.britannica.com/place/Delaware-state) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [District of Columbia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Washington-DC)\ \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Florida](https://www.britannica.com/place/Florida) \| \| X \| \| X \| \| \| [Georgia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Georgia-state) \| \| \| X \| X \| \| \| [Hawaii](https://www.britannica.com/place/Hawaii-state) \| \| X \| \| \| X \| \| [Idaho](https://www.britannica.com/place/Idaho) \| \| \| \| X \| \| \| [Illinois](https://www.britannica.com/place/Illinois-state) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Indiana](https://www.britannica.com/place/Indiana-state) \| \| \| X \| X \| \| \| [Iowa](https://www.britannica.com/place/Iowa-state) \| \| \| X \| X \| \| \| [Kansas](https://www.britannica.com/place/Kansas) \| \| \| X \| X \| \| \| [Kentucky](https://www.britannica.com/place/Kentucky) \| \| X \| X \| X \| \| \| [Louisiana](https://www.britannica.com/place/Louisiana-state) \| \| X \| \| \| X \| \| [Maine](https://www.britannica.com/place/Maine-state) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Maryland](https://www.britannica.com/place/Maryland-state) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Massachusetts](https://www.britannica.com/place/Massachusetts) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Michigan](https://www.britannica.com/place/Michigan) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Minnesota](https://www.britannica.com/place/Minnesota) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Mississippi](https://www.britannica.com/place/Mississippi-state) \| \| X \| \| \| X \| \| [Missouri](https://www.britannica.com/place/Missouri-state) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Montana](https://www.britannica.com/place/Montana-state) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Nebraska](https://www.britannica.com/place/Nebraska-state) \| \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Nevada](https://www.britannica.com/place/Nevada-state) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [New Hampshire](https://www.britannica.com/place/New-Hampshire-state) \| \| X \| \| \| X \| \| [New Jersey](https://www.britannica.com/place/New-Jersey) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [New Mexico](https://www.britannica.com/place/New-Mexico) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [New York](https://www.britannica.com/place/New-York-state) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [North Carolina](https://www.britannica.com/place/North-Carolina-state) \| \| \| X \| \| X \| \| [North Dakota](https://www.britannica.com/place/North-Dakota) \| \| X \| \| \| X \| \| [Ohio](https://www.britannica.com/place/Ohio-state) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Oklahoma](https://www.britannica.com/place/Oklahoma-state) \| \| X \| \| X \| \| \| [Oregon](https://www.britannica.com/place/Oregon-state) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Pennsylvania](https://www.britannica.com/place/Pennsylvania-state) \| \| X \| \| X \| \| \| [Rhode Island](https://www.britannica.com/place/Rhode-Island-state) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [South Carolina](https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Carolina) \| \| \| X \| X \| \| \| [South Dakota](https://www.britannica.com/place/South-Dakota) \| \| X \| \| X \| \| \| [Tennessee](https://www.britannica.com/place/Tennessee) \| \| \| X \| X \| \| \| [Texas](https://www.britannica.com/place/Texas-state) \| \| \| X \| X \| \| \| [Utah](https://www.britannica.com/place/Utah) \| \| X \| \| X \| \| \| [Vermont](https://www.britannica.com/place/Vermont) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Virginia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Virginia-state) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [Washington](https://www.britannica.com/place/Washington-state) \| X \| X \| \| \| \| \| [West Virginia](https://www.britannica.com/place/West-Virginia) \| \| X \| \| X \| \| \| [Wisconsin](https://www.britannica.com/place/Wisconsin) \| \| \| X \| X \| \| \| [Wyoming](https://www.britannica.com/place/Wyoming-state) \| \| \| X \| X \| \| [Mindy Johnston](https://www.britannica.com/editor/mindy-johnston/12488102) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)Britannica AI chevron\_right Where is marijuana legal in the U.S.? close [AI-generated answers](https://www.britannica.com/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. [marijuana](https://www.britannica.com/science/marijuana) - [Introduction & Top Questions](https://www.britannica.com/science/marijuana) - [Physical effects](https://www.britannica.com/science/marijuana#ref339206) - [Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)](https://www.britannica.com/science/marijuana#ref339207) - [Legality](https://www.britannica.com/science/marijuana#ref339208) [References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/science/marijuana/additional-info) [Quick Facts & Related Topics](https://www.britannica.com/facts/marijuana) [Images & Videos](https://www.britannica.com/science/marijuana/images-videos) [![marijuana plants](https://cdn.britannica.com/13/11113-004-1271E0C6/Marijuana.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/13/11113-004-1271E0C6/Marijuana.jpg) [![The chemistry of marijuana](https://cdn.britannica.com/18/187018-138-83C633A6/chemistry-marijuana-potency-safety.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/video/chemistry-marijuana-potency-safety/-207681) [![saliva test for cannabis](https://cdn.britannica.com/35/216535-138-FD4AD149/Saliva-test-for-cannabis.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/video/Saliva-test-for-cannabis/-246869) [![The legality of marijuana in the United States](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/178452-004-D826DF11/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/178452-050-674B1649/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg) [![Medical cannabis: CanniMed](https://cdn.britannica.com/17/163617-004-89C855D2/Cannabis-plants-cannabis-product-CanniMed-Prairie-Plant.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/17/163617-050-4D4F3463/Cannabis-plants-cannabis-product-CanniMed-Prairie-Plant.jpg) [![Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) with (left) male plant, (right) female plant](https://cdn.britannica.com/43/43743-004-FF8A0189/Marijuana-plant.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/43/43743-004-FF8A0189/Marijuana-plant.jpg) At a Glance [![default image](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/shared/new-thistle.svg?v=3.179.9)](https://www.britannica.com/summary/marijuana) [marijuana summary](https://www.britannica.com/summary/marijuana) Related Questions - [What is the active ingredient in marijuana?](https://www.britannica.com/question/What-is-the-active-ingredient-in-marijuana) - [What are the medical uses of marijuana?](https://www.britannica.com/question/What-are-the-medical-uses-of-marijuana) - [What are the effects of consuming or smoking marijuana?](https://www.britannica.com/question/What-are-the-effects-of-consuming-or-smoking-marijuana) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Ask Anything Quick Summary [Health & Medicine](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Health-Medicine) [Medicine](https://www.britannica.com/browse/Medicine) CITE Share Feedback External Websites [![marijuana plants](https://cdn.britannica.com/13/11113-004-1271E0C6/Marijuana.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop)](https://cdn.britannica.com/13/11113-004-1271E0C6/Marijuana.jpg) [marijuana plants](https://cdn.britannica.com/13/11113-004-1271E0C6/Marijuana.jpg) Marijuana (Cannabis sativa). (more) # marijuana drug Homework Help Also known as: grass, marihuana, pot, reefer, tea, weed Written and fact-checked by [Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....](https://www.britannica.com/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419) Britannica Editors [History](https://www.britannica.com/science/marijuana/additional-info#history) ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9) Britannica AI Ask Anything Quick Summary Table of Contents Table of Contents Quick Summary Ask Anything Top Questions ### What is marijuana? Marijuana is a drug composed of the leaves and flowers of plants in the genus Cannabis. Documented as far back as 2700 BCE in China, marijuana has long been considered valuable as an analgesic, an anesthetic, an antidepressant, an antibiotic, and a sedative. ### What is the active ingredient in marijuana? [Tetrahydrocannabinol](https://www.britannica.com/science/tetrahydrocannabinol) (THC) is the active ingredient present in all parts of both the male and female marijuana plants, but it is most concentrated in the resin (cannabin) in the flowering tops of the female plant. It was first isolated from the Indian hemp plant (Cannabis sativa) and synthesized in 1965. ### What are the medical uses of marijuana? Medical research has found marijuana useful in lowering internal eye pressure in persons suffering from glaucoma and providing relief from nausea and vomiting caused by treatments given to cancer and AIDS patients. It is also known to reduce muscle pain associated with multiple sclerosis and prevent epileptic seizures in some patients. ### What are the effects of consuming or smoking marijuana? Marijuana’s effects vary, depending on the strength and amount consumed. Psychological effects can include mild euphoria, visual hallucinations, anxiety, depression, extreme variability of mood, paranoia, and psychoses. Physical effects can include reddening of the eyes, dryness of the mouth and throat, an increase in the heartbeat, chest tightness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, and lack of coordination. ### Are marijuana and cannabis the same thing? The word marijuana is sometimes used interchangeably with cannabis. However, cannibas refers specifically to the plant genus, which comprises Cannabis sativa and, in some classifications, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis. marijuana, crude [drug](https://www.britannica.com/science/drug-chemical-agent) composed of the leaves and flowers of plants in the genus [Cannabis](https://www.britannica.com/plant/cannabis-plant). The term marijuana is sometimes used interchangeably with cannabis; however, the latter refers specifically to the plant genus, which [comprises](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comprises) C. sativa and, by some classifications, C. indica and C. ruderalis. Marijuana is known by a variety of other names, including pot, tea, grass, and weed. It is usually dried and crushed and put into pipes or formed into cigarettes (joints) for [smoking](https://www.britannica.com/topic/smoking-tobacco). It can also be added to foods and beverages. What do you think? - [Should Recreational Marijuana Be Legal?](https://www.britannica.com/procon/recreational-marijuana-legalization-debate) Explore the ProCon debate Marijuana varies in potency, depending on the variety and where and how it is grown, prepared for use, and stored. The active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is present in all parts of both the male and female plants but is most concentrated in the [resin](https://www.britannica.com/science/resin) (cannabin) in the flowering tops of the female. [Hashish](https://www.britannica.com/science/hashish), a more powerful form of the drug, is made by collecting and drying this resin and is about eight times as strong as the marijuana typically smoked in the [United States](https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States). ## Physical effects Mentioned in a Chinese herbal dating from 2700 bce, marijuana has long been considered valuable as an [analgesic](https://www.britannica.com/science/analgesic), an anesthetic, an antidepressant, an antibiotic, and a sedative. Although it was usually used externally (e.g., as a balm or smoked), in the 19th century ce its tips were sometimes administered internally to treat [gonorrhea](https://www.britannica.com/science/gonorrhea) and [angina pectoris](https://www.britannica.com/science/angina-pectoris). [![drug use](https://cdn.britannica.com/05/213705-050-4331A79A/drug-concept-drug-abuse-addition-heroin-injection-doping-opium-epidemic.jpg) More From Britannica drug use: Cannabis](https://www.britannica.com/topic/drug-use/Cannabis#ref467062) Marijuana’s effects vary, depending upon the strength and amount consumed, the setting in which it is taken, and the experience of the user. Psychological effects tend to predominate, with the user commonly experiencing a mild euphoria. Alterations in vision and judgment result in distortions of time and space. [Acute](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Acute) intoxication may occasionally induce visual hallucinations, anxiety, depression, extreme variability of mood, [paranoid](https://www.britannica.com/science/paranoia) reactions, and psychoses lasting four to six hours. Marijuana’s physical effects include reddening of the eyes, dryness of the mouth and throat, moderate increase in the rapidity of the heartbeat, tightness of the chest (if the drug is smoked), drowsiness, unsteadiness, and muscular incoordination. Chronic use does not establish physical dependence, nor does the regular user suffer extreme physical discomfort after withdrawal. However, the use of marijuana may be psychologically habituating. Research indicates that marijuana use during the teenage years is associated with an increased risk of [depression](https://www.britannica.com/science/depression-psychology) in young adulthood. ## [Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)](https://www.britannica.com/science/tetrahydrocannabinol) [![The chemistry of marijuana](https://cdn.britannica.com/18/187018-138-83C633A6/chemistry-marijuana-potency-safety.jpg?w=800&h=450&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/video/chemistry-marijuana-potency-safety/-207681) The chemistry of marijuanaLearn about the chemistry of marijuana and how its potency and safety is determined. (more) [See all videos for this article](https://www.britannica.com/science/marijuana/images-videos) The worldwide use of marijuana and hashish as intoxicants has raised various medical and social questions, many of which have been under continuing scientific investigation, especially since the mid-1960s, when THC was first isolated and produced synthetically. Research was directed toward identifying the short- and long-term physical effects of marijuana. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, medical research revealed various therapeutic effects of marijuana and THC. They were found to be useful in lowering internal eye pressure in persons suffering from [glaucoma](https://www.britannica.com/science/glaucoma) and in [alleviating](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alleviating) [nausea](https://www.britannica.com/science/nausea-pathology) and [vomiting](https://www.britannica.com/science/vomiting) caused by [chemotherapeutic](https://www.britannica.com/science/chemotherapy) drugs used to treat [cancer](https://www.britannica.com/science/cancer-disease) patients and those with [AIDS](https://www.britannica.com/science/AIDS). Marijuana also has been found to reduce the muscle pain associated with [multiple sclerosis](https://www.britannica.com/science/multiple-sclerosis) and to prevent [epileptic seizures](https://www.britannica.com/science/epilepsy) in some patients. In the late 1980s researchers discovered a [receptor](https://www.britannica.com/science/receptor-nerve-ending) for THC and THC-related chemicals in the brains of certain mammals, including humans. This finding indicated that the brain naturally produces a THC-like substance that may perform some of the same functions that THC does. Such a substance subsequently was found and named anandamide, from the Sanskrit ānanda (“bliss”). Explore Britannica Premium\! Smart, reliable knowledge for professionals, students, and curious minds everywhere. [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=smart-2026) ![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-left.webp) ![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-right.webp) ![Mobile](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-mobile.webp?w=400) ## Legality [![saliva test for cannabis](https://cdn.britannica.com/35/216535-138-FD4AD149/Saliva-test-for-cannabis.jpg?w=800&h=450&c=crop)](https://www.britannica.com/video/Saliva-test-for-cannabis/-246869) saliva test for cannabisSaliva testing for cannabis could someday help identify impaired drivers. (more) [See all videos for this article](https://www.britannica.com/science/marijuana/images-videos) International trade in marijuana and hashish was first placed under controls during the International Opium Convention of 1925. By the late 1960s most countries had [enforced](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/enforced) restrictions on trafficking and using marijuana and hashish and had imposed generally severe penalties for their illegal possession, sale, or supply. Beginning in the 1970s, some countries and jurisdictions reduced the penalty for the possession of small quantities. The [Netherlands](https://www.britannica.com/place/Netherlands) is a notable example; the government there decided to tolerate the sale of small amounts of marijuana. Other European countries also began debating the decriminalization of so-called “soft drugs,” including marijuana. [![The legality of marijuana in the United States](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/178452-050-674B1649/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/178452-050-674B1649/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg) [The legality of marijuana in the United States](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/178452-050-674B1649/legality-marijuana-united-states-medical-decriminalized.jpg)A map of the United States showing the legality of marijuana. (more) In the United States, several states passed legislation in the late 1970s and early ’80s to fund research on or to legalize the [medicinal use of marijuana](https://www.britannica.com/science/medical-cannabis), though some of these statutes were later repealed or lapsed. Renewed decriminalization efforts in the 1990s led to the legalization of medicinal marijuana in more than a dozen states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. In 2001, however, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Later that year [Canada](https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada) passed legislation easing restrictions on medicinal marijuana. That country’s new regulations included licensing marijuana growers to produce the drug for individuals with terminal illnesses or chronic diseases. In 2009 U.S. Attorney General [Eric Holder](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eric-Holder) issued a new set of guidelines for federal prosecutors in states where the medical use of marijuana was legalized. The policy shift [mandated](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mandated) that federal resources were to be focused primarily on prosecuting illegal use and trafficking of marijuana, thereby rendering cases of medical use, in which those individuals in possession of the drug are clearly in [compliance](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compliance) with state laws, less prone to excessive legal investigation. (For more information about the medical uses of marijuana, see [medical cannabis](https://www.britannica.com/science/medical-cannabis).) Also spelled: marihuana (Show more) Key People: [Roger Adams](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roger-Adams) (Show more) Related Topics: [Medical Marijuana](https://www.britannica.com/procon/medical-marijuana-debate) [The Dope on Dope: 8 Facts About Marijuana](https://www.britannica.com/list/the-dope-on-dope-8-facts-about-marijuana) [Why Is Marijuana Illegal in the U.S.?](https://www.britannica.com/story/why-is-marijuana-illegal-in-the-us) [What Is the Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana?](https://www.britannica.com/story/what-is-the-difference-between-hemp-and-marijuana) [What Are the Biological Effects of Marijuana Use?](https://www.britannica.com/story/what-are-the-biological-effects-of-marijuana-use) (Show more) [See all related content](https://www.britannica.com/facts/marijuana) In addition to the [legalization](https://www.britannica.com/topic/US-marijuana-laws-by-state) of medical marijuana, many states in the late 20th and early 21st centuries passed decriminalization laws that imposed penalties other than jail time for possession of a modest amount of marijuana, often imposing a civil fine as punishment instead. In 2012 the U.S. states of [Colorado](https://www.britannica.com/place/Colorado-state) and [Washington](https://www.britannica.com/place/Washington-state) became the first in which citizens voted in favor of legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. By 2022 the recreational use of marijuana was legal in 19 states. In 2022 Pres. [Joe Biden](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joe-Biden) issued a mass pardon of all persons convicted of marijuana possession under federal law. [The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419) This article was most recently revised and updated by [Encyclopaedia Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/contributor/encyclopaedia-britannica/12989892). ![Britannica AI Icon](https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-179/images/chatbot/star-ai.svg?v=3.179.9)Britannica AI chevron\_right Marijuana close [AI-generated answers](https://www.britannica.com/about-britannica-ai) from Britannica articles. AI makes mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. Load Next Page Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style Johnston, Mindy. "U.S. marijuana laws by state". Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Dec. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/US-marijuana-laws-by-state. Accessed 14 April 2026. Copy Citation Share Share to social media [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/) [X](https://x.com/britannica) URL <https://www.britannica.com/topic/US-marijuana-laws-by-state> Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. print Print Please select which sections you would like to print: verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style Britannica Editors. "marijuana". Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Feb. 2026, https://www.britannica.com/science/marijuana. Accessed 14 April 2026. Copy Citation Share Share to social media [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/) [X](https://x.com/britannica) URL <https://www.britannica.com/science/marijuana> External Websites - [Nature - Botany: The cultivation of weed](https://www.nature.com/articles/525S4a) - [LiveScience - Marijuana: Facts About Cannabis](https://www.livescience.com/24559-marijuana-facts-cannabis.html) - [Live Science - Marijuana: Effects of Weed on Brain and Body](https://www.livescience.com/24558-marijuana-effects.html) - [WebMD - How Pot Affects Your Mind and Body](https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/marijuana-use-and-its-effects) - [Cleveland Clinic - Marijuana (Cannabis, Weed)](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/4392-marijuana-cannabis) - [National Institute on Drug Abuse - Marijuana](https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana) Britannica Websites Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. - [marijuana - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)](https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/marijuana/383818)
Readable Markdown	Top Questions ### What is marijuana? ### What is the active ingredient in marijuana? ### What are the medical uses of marijuana? ### What are the effects of consuming or smoking marijuana? ### Are marijuana and cannabis the same thing? marijuana, crude [drug](https://www.britannica.com/science/drug-chemical-agent) composed of the leaves and flowers of plants in the genus [Cannabis](https://www.britannica.com/plant/cannabis-plant). The term marijuana is sometimes used interchangeably with cannabis; however, the latter refers specifically to the plant genus, which [comprises](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comprises) C. sativa and, by some classifications, C. indica and C. ruderalis. Marijuana is known by a variety of other names, including pot, tea, grass, and weed. It is usually dried and crushed and put into pipes or formed into cigarettes (joints) for [smoking](https://www.britannica.com/topic/smoking-tobacco). It can also be added to foods and beverages. What do you think? Explore the ProCon debate Marijuana varies in potency, depending on the variety and where and how it is grown, prepared for use, and stored. The active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is present in all parts of both the male and female plants but is most concentrated in the [resin](https://www.britannica.com/science/resin) (cannabin) in the flowering tops of the female. [Hashish](https://www.britannica.com/science/hashish), a more powerful form of the drug, is made by collecting and drying this resin and is about eight times as strong as the marijuana typically smoked in the [United States](https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States). ## Physical effects Mentioned in a Chinese herbal dating from 2700 bce, marijuana has long been considered valuable as an [analgesic](https://www.britannica.com/science/analgesic), an anesthetic, an antidepressant, an antibiotic, and a sedative. Although it was usually used externally (e.g., as a balm or smoked), in the 19th century ce its tips were sometimes administered internally to treat [gonorrhea](https://www.britannica.com/science/gonorrhea) and [angina pectoris](https://www.britannica.com/science/angina-pectoris). [![drug use](https://cdn.britannica.com/05/213705-050-4331A79A/drug-concept-drug-abuse-addition-heroin-injection-doping-opium-epidemic.jpg) More From Britannica drug use: Cannabis](https://www.britannica.com/topic/drug-use/Cannabis#ref467062) Marijuana’s effects vary, depending upon the strength and amount consumed, the setting in which it is taken, and the experience of the user. Psychological effects tend to predominate, with the user commonly experiencing a mild euphoria. Alterations in vision and judgment result in distortions of time and space. [Acute](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Acute) intoxication may occasionally induce visual hallucinations, anxiety, depression, extreme variability of mood, [paranoid](https://www.britannica.com/science/paranoia) reactions, and psychoses lasting four to six hours. Marijuana’s physical effects include reddening of the eyes, dryness of the mouth and throat, moderate increase in the rapidity of the heartbeat, tightness of the chest (if the drug is smoked), drowsiness, unsteadiness, and muscular incoordination. Chronic use does not establish physical dependence, nor does the regular user suffer extreme physical discomfort after withdrawal. However, the use of marijuana may be psychologically habituating. Research indicates that marijuana use during the teenage years is associated with an increased risk of [depression](https://www.britannica.com/science/depression-psychology) in young adulthood. ## [Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)](https://www.britannica.com/science/tetrahydrocannabinol) The worldwide use of marijuana and hashish as intoxicants has raised various medical and social questions, many of which have been under continuing scientific investigation, especially since the mid-1960s, when THC was first isolated and produced synthetically. Research was directed toward identifying the short- and long-term physical effects of marijuana. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, medical research revealed various therapeutic effects of marijuana and THC. They were found to be useful in lowering internal eye pressure in persons suffering from [glaucoma](https://www.britannica.com/science/glaucoma) and in [alleviating](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alleviating) [nausea](https://www.britannica.com/science/nausea-pathology) and [vomiting](https://www.britannica.com/science/vomiting) caused by [chemotherapeutic](https://www.britannica.com/science/chemotherapy) drugs used to treat [cancer](https://www.britannica.com/science/cancer-disease) patients and those with [AIDS](https://www.britannica.com/science/AIDS). Marijuana also has been found to reduce the muscle pain associated with [multiple sclerosis](https://www.britannica.com/science/multiple-sclerosis) and to prevent [epileptic seizures](https://www.britannica.com/science/epilepsy) in some patients. In the late 1980s researchers discovered a [receptor](https://www.britannica.com/science/receptor-nerve-ending) for THC and THC-related chemicals in the brains of certain mammals, including humans. This finding indicated that the brain naturally produces a THC-like substance that may perform some of the same functions that THC does. Such a substance subsequently was found and named anandamide, from the Sanskrit ānanda (“bliss”). Smart, reliable knowledge for professionals, students, and curious minds everywhere. [SUBSCRIBE](https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=smart-2026) ![Penguin, ship, mountain, atlas](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-left.webp) ![shohei ohtani, plants, andy wharhol art](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-right.webp) ![Mobile](https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/inline-mobile.webp?w=400) International trade in marijuana and hashish was first placed under controls during the International Opium Convention of 1925. By the late 1960s most countries had [enforced](https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/enforced) restrictions on trafficking and using marijuana and hashish and had imposed generally severe penalties for their illegal possession, sale, or supply. Beginning in the 1970s, some countries and jurisdictions reduced the penalty for the possession of small quantities. The [Netherlands](https://www.britannica.com/place/Netherlands) is a notable example; the government there decided to tolerate the sale of small amounts of marijuana. Other European countries also began debating the decriminalization of so-called “soft drugs,” including marijuana. In the United States, several states passed legislation in the late 1970s and early ’80s to fund research on or to legalize the [medicinal use of marijuana](https://www.britannica.com/science/medical-cannabis), though some of these statutes were later repealed or lapsed. Renewed decriminalization efforts in the 1990s led to the legalization of medicinal marijuana in more than a dozen states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. In 2001, however, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Later that year [Canada](https://www.britannica.com/place/Canada) passed legislation easing restrictions on medicinal marijuana. That country’s new regulations included licensing marijuana growers to produce the drug for individuals with terminal illnesses or chronic diseases. In 2009 U.S. Attorney General [Eric Holder](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eric-Holder) issued a new set of guidelines for federal prosecutors in states where the medical use of marijuana was legalized. The policy shift [mandated](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mandated) that federal resources were to be focused primarily on prosecuting illegal use and trafficking of marijuana, thereby rendering cases of medical use, in which those individuals in possession of the drug are clearly in [compliance](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compliance) with state laws, less prone to excessive legal investigation. (For more information about the medical uses of marijuana, see [medical cannabis](https://www.britannica.com/science/medical-cannabis).) Also spelled: marihuana In addition to the [legalization](https://www.britannica.com/topic/US-marijuana-laws-by-state) of medical marijuana, many states in the late 20th and early 21st centuries passed decriminalization laws that imposed penalties other than jail time for possession of a modest amount of marijuana, often imposing a civil fine as punishment instead. In 2012 the U.S. states of [Colorado](https://www.britannica.com/place/Colorado-state) and [Washington](https://www.britannica.com/place/Washington-state) became the first in which citizens voted in favor of legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. By 2022 the recreational use of marijuana was legal in 19 states. In 2022 Pres. [Joe Biden](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joe-Biden) issued a mass pardon of all persons convicted of marijuana possession under federal law.
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