Marijuana is an age-old drug made from parts of the Cannabis plant. It contains the mind-altering chemical tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Several countries, and a number of U.S. states, have legalized the drug for medical or recreational purposes. Here's the latest news on marijuana, from how it affects the brain and body, to its potential medical benefits or harms, to possible impacts of legalization.
Latest about Marijuana
Worms and humans both get 'the munchies,' despite 500 million years of evolutionary separation
Researchers found that roundworms gobble down high-calorie foods when exposed to a compound that acts on the same brain receptor as THC.
'High Holiday' 420 has hazy origins
Though there are many urban legends out there, the origins of 4/20 as an international holiday to smoke marijuana are hazy.
Cannabis poisonings in young kids skyrocketed following legalization of edibles
The rate of children being hospitalized for cannabis poisoning increased in Canadian provinces that legalized edibles.
Cannabis is no better than a placebo for treating pain, 20 studies show
Cannabis is one of the most widely used drugs in the world. While there are only a few countries where cannabis is legal for recreational use, many more countries have legalized the use of cannabis for medical reasons.
Why does cannabis smell skunky?
Cannabis has long been called "skunky." Turns out, stinky sulfurous compounds are to blame.
Tainted synthetic marijuana linked to severe bleeding cases in Florida
Some samples of the synthetic marijuana were found to be contaminated with rat poison.
Delta-8 marijuana products can be dangerous, health officials warn
Products with delta-8 THC are sometimes labeled in misleading ways, officials said.
A woman's debilitating chronic itch disappeared after she started using marijuana
"These findings are promising, but randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm the results," her doctors said.
