Glossary

Marijuana

Plain-English definition, aliases (marihuana, cannabis), and law context.

law category 2 aliases 4 related

aka marihuana / cannabis

Marijuana is the legal and cultural term for Cannabis sativa L. plant material that contains more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight. It is a Schedule I controlled substance under federal US law, though many states have legalized it for medical and/or adult use. The legal distinction between hemp and marijuana is solely the 0.3% Delta-9 THC threshold, not species.

Example: Marijuana remains federally Schedule I despite legalization in 38+ states.

Etymology: Spanish-language term that became dominant in US English in the early 20th century, replacing 'cannabis' in legal contexts.