Cannabis Industry

cannabis, (genus Cannabis), genus of medicinal, recreational, and fibre plants belonging to the family Cannabaceae. By some classifications, the genus Cannabis comprises a single species, hemp (Cannabis sativa), a stout, aromatic, erect annual herb that originated in Central Asia and is now cultivated worldwide. A tall canelike variety is raised for the production of hemp fibre, while the female plants of a short branchier variety are prized as the more abundant source of the psychoactive substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient of marijuana. See also medical cannabis.

In the Nov. 3 general election, voters in five states approved ballot initiatives legalizing marijuana use. And some state legislatures passed legalization laws this year. But other legalization efforts stalled when legislatures cut sessions short because of the coronavirus pandemic. A legalization effort also stalled in Congress, when some Democratic representatives balked at taking up a pro-drug bill before a second pandemic-relief measure could be passed. But after the November election, the House passed legislation to remove marijuana from the federal schedule of controlled substances. The pandemic also derailed some ballot initiatives after organizers decided it was too risky to seek signatures on petitions. The pandemic-caused recession led some state officials to propose legalization and taxation as a way to replenish depleted government treasuries. Already-booming marijuana sales soared after the pandemic struck as Americans used the drug to treat anxiety.

In the Nov. 3 general election, voters in five states approved ballot initiatives legalizing marijuana use. And some state legislatures passed legalization laws this year. But other legalization efforts stalled when legislatures cut sessions short because of the coronavirus pandemic. A legalization effort also stalled in Congress, when some Democratic representatives balked at taking up a pro-drug bill before a second pandemic-relief measure could be passed. But after the November election, the House passed legislation to remove marijuana from the federal schedule of controlled substances. The pandemic also derailed some ballot initiatives after organizers decided it was too risky to seek signatures on petitions. The pandemic-caused recession led some state officials to propose legalization and taxation as a way to replenish depleted government treasuries. Already-booming marijuana sales soared after the pandemic struck as Americans used the drug to treat anxiety.

Americans overwhelmingly approve of medical marijuana, and 29 states and the District of Columbia have legalized it, allowing doctors to recommend marijuana products to registered patients. Research shows some forms of marijuana, including a synthetic drug, help treat a few conditions, including chronic pain and chemotherapy-induced nausea. But solid research is limited for other forms, such as smoked or vaped marijuana, and for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, for which states have approved marijuana use. Nevertheless, medical marijuana advocates want all states to legalize it, while opponents say only the Food and Drug Administration should approve drugs for medical use. Yet, federal rules make the studies the FDA relies on difficult to undertake. Complicating the situation are Trump administration efforts to end Obama-era policies curtailing prosecution of medical marijuana in states where it is allowed. Caught in the middle are doctors, who worry they can land in legal trouble if they discuss marijuana with patients, and patients, who must rely on advice from cannabis dispensaries.

In common usage, marijuana refers to the dried flowers of the cannabis plant. These flowers are typically smoked to produce a psychoactive high. In addition, the flowers and other parts of the plant can be processed into hashish, oils, extracts, and other refined products that can be smoked, eaten, and vaporized. The effects of the high can be subjective and often vary depending on whether the user consumed a Cannabis sativa strain, a Cannabis indica strain, or a hybrid strain.

Medical marijuana refers to the use of the cannabis plant or its derivatives to treat a medical issue. Among the arguments for legalizing medical marijuana is its ability to treat symptoms of serious diseases and conditions, including AIDS, glaucoma, cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and chronic pain. Following the results of the November 2018 elections, in which Missouri and Utah voters approved the use and sale of medical marijuana, legislation to permit the use of medical marijuana has been approved in thirty-three US states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Ten of those states and the District of Columbia have also passed legislation allowing the recreational use of marijuana by adults. Implementation of medical marijuana legislation has experienced delays in several jurisdictions, including Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, and Oklahoma, as lawmakers work to comply with changing laws and find the most equitable approach to licensing businesses in the emerging and highly profitable industry. A poll conducted by the Pew Research Center in September 2018 found that 62 percent of Americans supported marijuana legalization for recreational use, while an April 2018 poll of registered US voters conducted by Quinnipiac University found that 93 percent supported legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. Despite such levels of public support, some medical practitioners and lawmakers continue to argue against legalization for medical use because of the possible health risks, as well as the risk that such legislation could increase the likelihood of recreational use of the drug.