marijuana
Marijuana, also spelled “marihuana,” refers to the cannabis plant ( Cannabis sativa L.) and its psychoactive components. However, under the U.S. federal law 21 U.S. Code § 802 , certain parts of the plant, such as the mature stalks, fibers, and seeds incapable of germination, are excluded from this definition. Additionally, the U.S. federal law also clarifies that hemp, as defined in 7 U.S. Code § 1639o which contains less than 0.3% THC, is also excluded under the 2018 Farm Bill, distinguishing it from marijuana for legal purposes.
Historically, marijuana has been used for medicinal, recreational, and industrial purposes across many cultures. However, in the United States, its legal status has been contentious. The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 effectively criminalized the substance, imposing strict regulations and taxes on its sale and use. This was followed by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 , which classified marijuana as a Schedule I drug, categorizing it alongside substances like heroin and LSD, and declaring it as having a high potential for abuse with no accepted medical use. Despite federal prohibition, several states have decriminalized marijuana, gradually easing penalties for possession. For example, California decriminalized recreational marijuana in 2016 through Proposition 64 , after pioneering medical marijuana in 1996. Colorado followed suit in 2012 with Amendment 64 , allowing adult use. New York reduced penalties in 2019 before legalizing marijuana in 2021 through the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act .
[Last reviewed in September of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team ]
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