A cannabis edible,also known as a cannabis-infused food or simply an edible,is a food item that contains decarboxylated cannabinoids from cannabis extract as an active ingredient. Although edible may refer to either a food or a drink,a cannabis-infused drink may be referred to more specifically as a liquid edible or drinkable. Edibles are a way to consume cannabis. Unlike smoking,in which cannabinoids are inhaled into the lungs and pass rapidly into the bloodstream,peaking in about ten minutes and wearing off in a couple of hours,cannabis edibles may take hours to digest,and their effects may peak two to three hours after consumption and persist for around six hours. The food or drink used may affect both the timing and potency of the dose ingested.
Medical cannabis,medicinal cannabis or medical marijuana (MMJ) refers to cannabis products and cannabinoid molecules that are prescribed by physicians for their patients. The use of cannabis as medicine has a long history,but has not been as rigorously tested as other medicinal plants due to legal and governmental restrictions,resulting in limited clinical research to define the safety and efficacy of using cannabis to treat diseases.
In the United States,the non-medical use of cannabis is legalized in 24 states and decriminalized in 7 states,as of November 2023. Decriminalization refers to a policy of reduced penalties for cannabis offenses,typically involving a civil penalty for possessing small amounts,instead of criminal prosecution or the threat of arrest. In jurisdictions without penalty the policy is referred to as legalization,although the term decriminalization is sometimes used for this purpose as well.
The use,sale,and possession of cannabis containing over 0.3% THC by dry weight in the United States,despite laws in many states permitting it under various circumstances,is illegal under federal law. As a Schedule I drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970,cannabis containing over 0.3% THC by dry weight is considered to have "no accepted medical use" and a high potential for abuse and physical or psychological dependence. Cannabis use is illegal for any reason,with the exception of FDA-approved research programs. However,individual states have enacted legislation permitting exemptions for various uses,including medical,industrial,and recreational use.
In the United States,the use of cannabis for medical purposes is legal in 38 states,four out of five permanently inhabited U.S. territories,and the District of Columbia,as of March 2023. Ten other states have more restrictive laws limiting THC content,for the purpose of allowing access to products that are rich in cannabidiol (CBD),a non-psychoactive component of cannabis. There is significant variation in medical cannabis laws from state to state,including how it is produced and distributed,how it can be consumed,and what medical conditions it can be used for.
In Colorado,cannabis has been legal for medical use since 2000 and for recreational use since late 2012. On November 7,2000,54% of Colorado voters approved Amendment 20,which amended the Stateonstitution to allow the use of marijuana in the state for approved patients with written medical consent. Under this law,patients may possess up to 2 ounces (57 g) of medical marijuana and may cultivate no more than six marijuana plants. Patients who were caught with more than this in their possession could argue "affirmative defense of medical necessity" but were not protected under state law with the rights of those who stayed within the guidelines set forth by the state. The Colorado Amendment 64,which was passed by voters on November 6,2012,led to recreational legalization in December 2012 and state-licensed retail sales in January 2014. The policy has led to cannabis tourism. There are two sets of policies in Colorado relating to cannabis use:those for medicinal cannabis and for recreational drug use along with a third set of rules governing hemp.
In the United States,cannabis is legal in 38 of 50 states for medical use and 24 states for recreational use. At the federal level,cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act,determined to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use,prohibiting its use for any purpose. Despite this prohibition,federal law is generally not enforced against the possession,cultivation,or intrastate distribution of cannabis in states where such activity has been legalized. Beginning in 2024,the Drug Enforcement Administration has initiated a review to potentially move cannabis to the less-restrictive Schedule III.
Washington Initiative 502 (I-502) "on marijuana reform" was an initiative to the Washington State Legislature,which appeared on the November 2012 general ballot,passing by a margin of approximately 56 to 44 percent. Originally submitted to the Washington Secretary of State during the summer of 2011,enough signatures were collected and submitted by December to meet the required 241,153 signatures,sending it to the legislature. When the legislature adjourned without action in April,Initiative 502 automatically advanced to the November 2012 general ballot. It was approved by popular vote on November 6,and took effect over the course of a year,beginning with certification no later than December 6,2012. Along with a similar Colorado measure,Initiative 502 was credited for encouraging voter turnout of 81%,the highest in the nation.
Kshama Sawant is an Indian-American politician and economist who served on the Seattle City Council from 2014 to 2024. She was a member of Socialist Alternative,the first and only member of the party to date to be elected to public office.
The legal history of cannabis in the United States began with state-level prohibition in the early 20th century,with the first major federal limitations occurring in 1937. Starting with Oregon in 1973,individual states began to liberalize cannabis laws through decriminalization. In 1996,California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis,sparking a trend that spread to a majority of states by 2016. In 2012,Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize cannabis for recreational use.
A marijuana vending machine is a vending machine for selling or dispensing cannabis. They are currently in use in the United States and Canada and some may be located in secure rooms in marijuana dispensaries. Some may be operated by employees after a fingerprint scan is obtained from the patient. In Canada in 2013,marijuana vending machines were planned to be used in centres that cultivate the drug. At least three companies are developing the vending machines.
Charlotte's Web is a brand of high-cannabidiol (CBD),low-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products derived from industrial hemp and marketed as dietary supplements and cosmetics under federal law of the United States. It is produced by Charlotte's Web,Inc. in Colorado. Hemp-derived products do not induce the psychoactive "high" typically associated with recreational marijuana strains that are high in THC. Charlotte's Web hemp-derived products contain less than 0.3% THC.
Wikileaf Technologies is a Seattle business providing data services to the cannabis industry and information to consumers. The company provides price indexes and cannabis strain reviews and information.
Cannabis in Georgia is illegal for recreational use,but decriminalized in the cities of Atlanta,Savannah,Macon,Athens,and others. Limited medical use is allowed in the form of cannabis oil containing less than 5% THC.
Cannabis in Texas is illegal for recreational use. Possession of up to two ounces is a class B misdemeanor,punishable by up to 180 days in prison and a fine of up to $2000. Several of the state's major municipalities have enacted reforms to apply lesser penalties or limit enforcement,however.
Cannabis in Missouri is legal for recreational use. A ballot initiative to legalize recreational use,Amendment 3,passed by a 53–47 margin on November 8,2022. Possession for adults 21 and over became legal on December 8,2022,with the first licensed sales occurring on February 3,2023.
Cannabis in Washington relates to a number of legislative,legal,and cultural events surrounding the use of cannabis. On December 6,2012,Washington became the first U.S. state to legalize recreational use of marijuana and the first to allow recreational marijuana sales,alongside Colorado. The state had previously legalized medical marijuana in 1998. Under state law,cannabis is legal for medical purposes and for any purpose by adults over 21.
The possession,use,and distribution of cannabis without a license in the State of Israel are violations under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. A decade ago,despite these regulations,enforcement was relatively lax,partially influenced by a political movement advocating tolerance. Over the years,the enforcement approach has progressively become more lenient. As of 2021,cannabis use has been fully decriminalized,with it being treated as an administrative infraction primarily when used in highly visible public places. There is a possibility that cannabis may be legalized for recreational use by adults aged 21 and older in the future,with regulations akin to those for alcohol. Public and cross-party political support for the complete decriminalization of cannabis increased in the 2010s with increasing usage for both medical and recreational purposes,and the establishment of a political party primarily devoted to this cause;on July 19,2018,the Knesset approved a bill for decriminalization,although the supporters of recreational cannabis use insisted that this did not represent complete decriminalization. The law came into effect on April 1,2019. On June 25,2020,further legislation designed to decriminalize possession of up to 50 grams of cannabis began its passage through the Knesset.
Rachel K. Gillette is an American attorney who specializes in law relating to marijuana and the cannabis industry. Gillette is based in Lafayette,Colorado. As a lawyer,she is licensed to practice law in Colorado and Connecticut.
The use of cannabis by athletes has been banned by many sports commissions. However,some have relaxed their policies as societal attitudes towards its use have shifted. The prohibition "is one of the most controversial issues in anti-doping".
