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Marijuana
is the most widely used illegal substance in the
world today. It's use is also the most controversial.
With legalization efforts underway, it is important
to have the facts.
Marijuana is made from the plant cannabis sativa,
a plant that grows wild (and is also cultivated
indoors and out) throughout many regions. Most
of the marijuana used in the United States comes
from sources in the U.S., Mexico ("Mexican
Red/Brown"), and Canada ("BC Bud").
Marijuana consists of the buds, leaves, and resin
of the cannabis plant. The stalks and sterilized
seeds are considered "hemp."
The plant, cannabis sativa, contains chemicals
called "cannabinoids." THC (delta-9-tetrhydrocannabinol)
is the cannabinoid believed to be responsible
for the psychoactive effects of cannabis.
THC can be found in all parts of the cannabis
plant, including hemp. This is why hemp is regulated
carefully--some hemp products such as clothing,
rope, yarn, lotion and soap are legal products
because they do not cause THC to enter the human
body.
"While most of the THC in cannabis plants
is concentrated in the marijuana, all parts of
the plant, including hemp, have been found to
contain THC. The existence of THC in hemp is significant
because THC, like marijuana, is a schedule I controlled
substance." (Source:
DEA)
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