Marijuana

A farmer planting his marijuana crop.
(Image credit: Eric Limon/Shutterstock)

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

microscopic image of the nematode c elegans. specific cells are stained bright green, and others are bright pink

Worms and humans both get 'the munchies,' despite 500 million years of evolutionary separation

By Soumya Sagar published

Researchers found that roundworms gobble down high-calorie foods when exposed to a compound that acts on the same brain receptor as THC.

A farmer puts his marijuana plant into soil

'High Holiday' 420 has hazy origins

By Tia Ghose last updated

Though there are many urban legends out there, the origins of 4/20 as an international holiday to smoke marijuana are hazy.

close up of white, orange and pink gummies bears scattered on a table next to clumps of dried cannabis

Cannabis poisonings in young kids skyrocketed following legalization of edibles

By Nicoletta Lanese published

The rate of children being hospitalized for cannabis poisoning increased in Canadian provinces that legalized edibles.

Many people use cannabis to manage pain.

Cannabis is no better than a placebo for treating pain, 20 studies show

By Filip Gedin published

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.

A baby skunk about to spray.

Why does cannabis smell skunky?

By John Arnst published

Cannabis has long been called "skunky." Turns out, stinky sulfurous compounds are to blame.

man opening small gold package over a table with spice (synthetic marijuana) and small plastic dishes on it

Tainted synthetic marijuana linked to severe bleeding cases in Florida

By Nicoletta Lanese published

Some samples of the synthetic marijuana were found to be contaminated with rat poison.

Cannabis buds and small jars of oil.

Delta-8 marijuana products can be dangerous, health officials warn

By Rachael Rettner published

Products with delta-8 THC are sometimes labeled in misleading ways, officials said.

close-up of woman's hand scratching an itch on her arm

A woman's debilitating chronic itch disappeared after she started using marijuana

By Nicoletta Lanese published

"These findings are promising, but randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm the results," her doctors said.

Man in latex gloves and a surgical mask holds up a cannabis plant in a nursery

Link found between cannabis and rebound headaches after migraine

By Nicoletta Lanese published

The early data suggest a link, but cannot say whether cannabis causes the rebound headaches.

A woman holding a pregnancy test.

Marijuana use may reduce chances of getting pregnant

By Rachael Rettner published

Women who use marijuana while they are trying to conceive may be less likely to get pregnant.

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