Cannabis: Science, Use, and Controversy
Cannabis refers to a genus of flowering plants that includes psychoactive species, most notably *Cannabis sativa* and *Cannabis indica*. The plant’s effects are primarily mediated by its chemical components, known as cannabinoids, with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) being the principal psychoactive compound and cannabidiol (CBD) recognized for its non-intoxicating therapeutic potential.
For millennia, cannabis has been used for fiber, religious rituals, and its mind-altering properties. Today, the modern discourse revolves around the complex interplay of its recreational appeal, its growing acceptance in medicine, and the associated public health and policy challenges that arise from its consumption.
Medically, the plant is increasingly studied for its ability to treat conditions ranging from chronic pain and muscle spasms to severe forms of epilepsy, due to how its compounds interact with the body's endogenous endocannabinoid system. This biological system regulates numerous physiological processes, including mood, pain sensation, and appetite. However, the recreational consumption of cannabis, while…