Marijuana and CBD

Marijuana refers to products made from the cannabis plant that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical that causes the "high" associated with marijuana use. THC can affect how a person thinks, feels, moves, and experiences the world around them. States that have legalized marijuana, regulate the drug in widely different ways.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is another compound found in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce a "high." CBD products (sold in grocery stores, drug stores, health food stores, or medical marijuana dispensaries) are not regulated by federal standards for their content, purity, or potency, and the actual ingredients might be different (and might include dangerous synthetic compounds, pesticides, or other impurities).

Marijuana is the most commonly used psychoactive substance in the United States. In 2024, over 64 million people aged 12 or older in the U.S. reported marijuana use in the past year. In addition, 20.6 million people aged 12 or older in the U.S. had a past-year cannabis use disorder in 2024. It is available in many forms, including dried flower, concentrates, vape products, topical products, and edible products such as gummies and baked goods. Because marijuana products vary widely in their THC content and strength, the effects can differ from one product to another.

Today's Marijuana Is More Potent

Over the past several decades, the amount of THC in marijuana has increased substantially, making many products available today much more potent than those sold in the past. Products with higher levels of THC may increase the risk of unwanted or harmful effects, including impaired thinking and coordination, anxiety, panic, and cannabis use disorder. Marijuana products now include concentrates, vape cartridges, oils, and edibles, many of which contain much higher levels of THC than traditional marijuana flower.

Because products vary widely in strength, it may be difficult to know how much THC a product contains or how it will affect you.

How Marijuana Can Affect Health

The effects of marijuana can vary depending on the amount of THC, the type of product used, how it is used, and whether it is used with alcohol or other drugs. Marijuana use may affect attention, learning, memory, coordination, and reaction time. Regular or frequent use as well as use of high potency products may increase the risk of developing cannabis use disorder and may affect a person's physical or mental health, including increasing risk for psychosis or other serious mental health impacts.

Marijuana can impair attention, judgment, coordination, and reaction time, making it unsafe to drive or operate machinery.

Some groups may face greater risks from marijuana use, including:

• Children and adolescents
• People who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Older adults
• People with certain mental health conditions

Protecting Children

Marijuana products should always be stored safely and kept out of the reach of children and pets.

Edible marijuana products – including gummies, chocolates, cookies, candies, and beverages – can look like ordinary foods, and are often packaged to look like common household food products. Children who accidentally consume these products can become seriously ill.

If a child has eaten a marijuana product, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Call 911 if the child has trouble breathing, becomes difficult to wake, has a seizure, or develops other severe symptoms.