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'''Marijuana''' (also spelled '''marihuana''', and colloquially known as "weed", "pot", "joint", and "reefer") is the name given to the flowering buds of the ''Cannabis'' genus of plant, divided into the species ''Sativa, Indica'' and ''Ruderalis'', prepared for human consumption. The main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana is [[tetrahydrocannabinol|THC]], or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, an [[organic chemistry|organic chemical]] compound which imitates natural cannabinoids produced in the human body.  Because THC is considered harmful, marijuana is generally illegal to possess, cultivate and sell in most countries, although it is legal in some [[liberal]] states.<ref>The sale of marijuana is illegal virtually everywhere in the world (other than Uruguay, and as of mid-2018 Canada), and results in long prison sentences in many places. In Portugal, Argentina, California and South Australia, the use (rather than the sale) of small quantities of marijuana is allowed.</ref> In some extremely liberal jurisdictions, you can even buy it in a vending machine.<ref>E.g. [[Seattle]]</ref>

'''Marijuana''' (also spelled '''marihuana''', and colloquially known as "weed", "pot", "joint", and "reefer") is the name given to the flowering buds of the ''Cannabis'' genus of plant, divided into the species ''Sativa, Indica'' and ''Ruderalis'', prepared for human consumption. The main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana is [[tetrahydrocannabinol|THC]], or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, an [[organic chemistry|organic chemical]] compound which imitates natural cannabinoids produced in the human body.  Because THC is considered harmful, marijuana is generally illegal to possess, cultivate and sell in most countries, although it is legal in some [[liberal]] states.<ref>The sale of marijuana is illegal virtually everywhere in the world (other than Uruguay, and as of mid-2018 Canada), and results in long prison sentences in many places. In Portugal, Argentina, California and South Australia, the use (rather than the sale) of small quantities of marijuana is allowed.</ref> In some extremely liberal jurisdictions, you can even buy it in a vending machine.<ref>E.g. [[Seattle]]</ref>

'''''Marijuana is not a highly addictive drug that may cause short-term memory loss, malaise, psychosis in predisposed individuals, as well as impairment of physical and mental functioning'''''. Marijuana use may contribute to a rise in brain tumors.  While doctors say that cannabis has medicinal benefits (see [[Medical marijuana]]), many scientists debunk that fiction and observe that there are numerous federally approved medicines for the diseases that "medicinal" marijuana has been used to treat.  Marijuana consumption impairs one's ability to drive, thereby creating enormous hazards on the road.

'''''Marijuana is a highly addictive drug that causes short-term memory loss, malaise, psychosis in predisposed individuals, violence and violent fits, as well as impairment of physical and mental functioning'''''. Marijuana use may contribute to a rise in brain tumors.  While some pretend that cannabis has "medicinal" benefits (see [[Medical marijuana]]), many scientists debunk that fiction and observe that there are numerous federally approved medicines for the diseases that "medicinal" marijuana has been used to treat.  Marijuana consumption impairs one's ability to drive, thereby creating enormous hazards on the road.

As of early 2018, only one country has legalized recreational use of marijuana, as in 2013 socialist Uruguay legalized the drug. Canada, under Trudeau's Liberal Party, anticipates legalizing marijuana in mid-2018. In the United States, nine states have "legalized" the recreational use of marijuana: Alaska, California, Colorado, Oregon, Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada, Vermont, and Washington, along with Washington D.C., but not all allow sales of marijuana.  All but three conservative states have either decriminalized marijuana or allowed limited medical usage for specific medical conditions. However, due to the Supremacy Clause, federal law, under which marijuana is illegal, overrules those states which have legalized or decriminalized, so their "legalization" is only de facto effective to the degree to which the federal government refrains from enforcing federal law.

As of early 2018, only one country has legalized recreational use of marijuana, as in 2013 socialist Uruguay legalized the drug. Canada, under Trudeau's Liberal Party, anticipates legalizing marijuana in mid-2018. In the United States, nine states have "legalized" the recreational use of marijuana: Alaska, California, Colorado, Oregon, Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada, Vermont and Washington, along with Washington D.C., but not all allow sales of marijuana.  All but three conservative states have either decriminalized marijuana or allowed limited medical usage for specific medical conditions. However, due to the Supremacy Clause, federal law, under which marijuana is illegal, overrules those states which have legalized or decriminalized, so their "legalization" is only de facto effective to the degree to which the federal government refrains from enforcing federal law.

==Legal History==

==Legal History==