Marijuana | Practical Law

Marijuana | Practical Law

Marijuana

Marijuana

Practical Law Glossary Item w-021-7582 (Approx. 3 pages)

Glossary

Marijuana

A term defined by the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), also spelled "marihuana," for strains of cannabis that contain more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis. Consumption of marijuana produces intoxication, often referred to as a "high," due to the presence of delta-9 THC at relatively high levels.
Marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance under the CSA. The CSA definition of marijuana includes:
  • All parts of the cannabis plant, whether growing or not.
  • Seeds from the cannabis plant.
  • Resin extracted from any part of the cannabis plant.
  • Every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the cannabis plant, its seeds, or resin.
(21 U.S.C. § 802(16)(a).)
The CSA definition of marijuana does not include:
  • The following products and materials that come from the cannabis plant:
    • sterilized seeds, which cannot grow into new plants;
    • oil made from seeds;
    • press-cake, the solid substance that remains after cold-pressing cannabis seeds for oil;
    • mature stalks;
    • fiber produced from mature stalks; and
    • any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of mature stalks (except resin extracted from mature stalks).
(21 U.S.C. § 802(16)(b).)
Though it is illegal at the federal level, marijuana is legal in many states for medical and recreational use.