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
Weed may be bad for your heart, whether you smoke or consume edibles
Smoking cannabis and consuming THC edibles are both linked to impaired blood vessel dilation, possibly through separate mechanisms, a study finds.
Cannabis use linked to head and neck cancer risk
A new study that looked at 20 years of medical data from millions of people found a link between cannabis use and specific cancers.
Could cannabis treat cancer someday? Here's what the science says so far
For decades, cannabis has been studied for its potential antitumor properties, but whether it can actually treat cancer is still unknown.
Runners enjoyed their workouts more after using cannabis, but physically floundered
Smoking cannabis before a workout may make the experience more enjoyable, but it may feel harder, a small study suggests.
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.
