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Marijuana (Cannabis)

Marijuana is a powerful drug made from cannabis sativa -- commonly known as the hemp plant -- that is smoked for its intoxicating effects. The primary active ingredient in marijuana is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and it is this complex chemical that produces most of the psychoactive (mind-altering) reactions experienced by marijuana users.

The level of THC determines the potency of the drug. This level can range from 0.01 to 10 percent, the latter being 1,000 times more potent than the former. Most often, marijuana is prepared using the dried flowers and leaves of the hemp plant.

Other related drugs made from the hemp plant are hashish, made from the plant resin, and hash oil, which is made from an oily extract of either hashish or marijuana. These drugs usually are smoked in cigarettes ("joints") or pipes, or they are baked into brownies or cookies. Common slang terms for marijuana include "grass," "weed," "pot," and "dope."