If you’re curious about something, but are embarrassed to ask a friend, many of us turn to Google. It’s a quick, easy way to get an answer. A simple search of “Is Marijuana…” pulls up a number of questions people have asked. Here are the answers to 8 of the most popular questions searched on Google beginning with the words “Is marijuana…?” Is marijuana addictive? “Marijuana use can lead to the development of problem use, known as a marijuana use disorder, which takes the form of addiction in severe cases,” the National Institute on Drug Abuse reports. About 30 percent of those who use marijuana have some degree of marijuana use disorder, according to data published in JAMA Psychiatry. Is marijuana considered a drug? Yes. In the United States, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug. Other Schedule I drugs include heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. Drugs under this category are illegal and defined as those with no accepted medical use and those with a high potential for abuse, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Despite this classification, marijuana is legal in some states and also used as a medicinal drug in certain states. Is marijuana medicine? The Food and Drug Administration has not approved marijuana as a safe and effective drug. However, there are two FDA-approved drugs which contain a synthetic version of a substance found in marijuana, and the other contains a substance that is not present in the marijuana plant, but acts similar. These drugs, taken in pill form, are called dronabinol and nabilone -- both are used to treat nausea and boost appetite among patients undergoing chemotherapy or those who have AIDS. Furthermore, the FDA notes on their website that they are aware there is a high interest in using botanical marijuana to treat a number of medicaal conditions, like glaucoma and multiple sclerosis. Is marjiuana legal? The legality of marijuana varies from state to state in the U.S. In some states, both medical marijuana and recreational use of the drug is legal. In other states, both uses are illegal. Is marijuana edible? Yes, there are edible marijuana products. These products usually contain tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the primary ingredient found in the cannabis plant. Popular, edible products include tea, brownies, cookies, and candies, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Is marijuana harmful? Some of the health effects of smoking marijuana include a greater risk of bronchitis, cough, and phlegm production; a greater risk of developing chronic mental disorders, like schizophrenia; and short-term declines in memory, attention, and learning according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Is marijuana natural? Yes, cannabis is a flowering plant found in nature. Is marijuana weed? Yes, weed is a common slang term for marijuana. Other slang terms are bud, pot, Mary Jane, and ganja. Source
