Marijuana is the dried flowers, seeds, and leaves of the hemp plant. Cannabis describes any of the different drugs that come from hemp. The main chemical in marijuana that causes a “high” is THC or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Sinsemilla (sin-seh-me-yah, a Spanish word), hashish ("hash" for short), and hash oil are stronger forms of marijuana. Read more
All forms of marijuana are mind-altering; they all contain THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the main active chemical in marijuana. In other words, they change how the brain works. Most of our cannabinoid receptors are located in areas of the brain associated with pleasure, memory, concentration, sensory, and time perception as well as coordination. Marijuana also contains more than 400 other chemicals. Marijuana's effects on the user depend on the strength or potency of the THC it contains. Some frequent, heavy users of marijuana may develop a tolerance for it, which may lead them to use more of the drug to get the same effect. Read more
California became the first state to prohibit marijuana related activities.
President Richard Nixon signed the Controlled Substances Act, which classified marijuana as a Schedule I drug (holds a high potential for abuse with no medicinal value).
The State of California reduced marijuana penalties to a misdemeanor with a $100 fine.
California voters passed (56% - 44%) Proposition 215
(the Compassionate Use Act) to allow the medicinal use of marijuana.
California Governor Gray Davis signed Senate Bill 420 (Chapter 875), the Medical Marijuana Program Act, which established a voluntary registry for patients and caregivers maintained by the Department of Public Health and required the Attorney General to develop guidelines for the medical marijuana industry.
Attorney General Jerry Brown issued guidelines for medical marijuana participants.
United States Attorney General Eric Holder issued a memorandum to United States District Attorneys advising them to no longer pursue cases where individuals are complying with state medical marijuana laws.
California voters rejected (53.9% - 46.1%) Proposition 19 (the Control, Tax and Regulate Cannabis Act of 2010), which would have legalized the recreational use and commercial sale of marijuana in the November 2, 2010 General Election.
Effective January 1, 2011, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will sign Senate Bill 1449 (Chapter 708), which will reduce the penalty for marijuana possession to a $100 civil penalty.
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