Marijuana

Pronunciation

Definition 1

The dried leaves and flowering tops of the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. Marijuana contains active chemicals called cannabinoids that cause drug-like effects all through the body, including the central nervous system and the immune system. Marijuana may help treat the symptoms of cancer or the side effects of cancer treatment, such as nausea and vomiting, pain, and cachexia (loss of body weight and muscle mass). Also called Cannabis. (NCI Dictionary)

Definition 2

Any part of, or extract from, the female hemp plant Cannabis sativa. Marijuana contains cannabinoids, substances with hallucinogenic, psychoactive, and addictive properties. This agent has potential use for treating cancer pain and cachexia. (NCI Thesaurus)

Definition 3

The dried leaves and flowering tops of the Cannabis sativa plant, or an extract from the plant. Marijuana is being studied in the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or opiate drugs, such as morphine sulfate. Marijuana is also being studied in the treatment of pain. (NCI Dictionary)

More information

Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mix of dried, crumbled leaves from the marijuana plant. It can be rolled up and smoked like a cigarette or cigar or smoked in a pipe. Sometimes people mix it in food and eat it.

Marijuana can cause problems with memory, learning, and behavior. Smoking it can cause some of the same coughing and breathing problems as smoking cigarettes. Some people get addicted to marijuana after using it for a while. It is more likely to happen if they use marijuana every day, or started using it when they were teenagers.

Some states have approved "medical marijuana" to ease symptoms of various health problems. Marijuana isn't an FDA-approved medication. THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, is approved to relieve nausea caused by cancer chemotherapy and to stimulate appetite in severe weight loss caused by AIDS. Scientists are doing more research on marijuana and its ingredients. (NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse)