Marijuana Now A Schedule 3 Drug

[Road Hog]

Personally, I hold a tentative position that marijuana is not as hunky-dory as a lot of people make it out to be, and that it might be a good idea to keep it illegal for recreational use.  It's a tentative position, though, and I could easily be swayed to the other side.

However, making it a Schedule III drug doesn't actually mean that.  It just means it has an accepted medical use, that it isn't unsafe in every context.  That, to me, seems quite prudent, and it's what seems to me like it should have the broadest political support.

It's now under the same schedule as Vicodin.  I once accidentally took a gram of Vicodin on an empty stomach and then drove a box truck.  My trainee had given me two pills for a headache that he thought were Tylenol, but they were actually 500mg Vicodin.  Oops.  At our next stop, I had to lie down in the back of the truck for a while, and then he had to do the driving after that.

I remember the last time I took Vicodin. I was traveling from Saginaw, MI to Des Moines, Iowa and took some before leaving Saginaw. I got about halfway through Illinois and felt pretty sick from it, I haven't taken it since.

Was it somewhere around Benton Harbor, on the edge of the lake, when the drugs began to take hold?

[mgk920]

In fairly short order after federal legalization, 'big tobacco' /WILL/ be producing and distributing their brands, just like with tobacco products, with sales and use regulated in the exact same manner as with tobacco and beverage alcohol.

Mike

[Scott5114]

I'm not exactly sure that predictions of cannabis regulations being loosened leading to brand uniformity would square with the realities of the product and consumer behavior. Cannabis is not as genetically uniform as tobacco, and consumers have become accustomed to being able to choose products with a certain chemical profile that provides the desired experience. (For example, I have found that what works best for me is a product with a high level of something called—I shit you not—limonene.)

Owing to how sensitive cannabis is to environmental factors during its growth cycle, I'm not sure that it's even possible for a company to provide a product consistent enough to command brand loyalty of the sort that tobacco brands can.

[Beltway]

cannabis

Why did they feel the need to rename it?

Why not just call it marijuana or pot or grass?

The world wonders.

[GaryV]

Why did they feel the need to rename it?

I noticed this on all the billboards that went up in Michigan when it was legalized. Many of them didn't even mention it by name, rather they used an innuendo or a brand name. Those that did mention it used "cannabis".

[Road Hog]

Cannabis is a catch-all word for cannabinoids, which include different forms — marijuana, hash, etc.

[Scott5114]

cannabis

Why did they feel the need to rename it?

Why not just call it marijuana or pot or grass?

The world wonders.

You seem to have a nasty habit of conflating yourself with the world. It is okay to say that you wonder and would like the rest of the world who already knows to explain it to you.

The terms marijuana, pot, and grass tend to be associated with the flower (smokeable) form of the product, which is the traditional form the product was consumed in when these terms were popular. Additionally, there are two species in the genus Cannabis which are used for this purpose: C. sativa and C. indica; some people prefer consuming one or the other species or plants with genetics from a hybrid of the two.

"Cannabis", then, was popularized as an overarching term, which covers products derived from both C. sativa and C. indica (as well as the less-often-cultivated C. ruderalis), such as distillates and extracts, which are in turn used to create edible marijuana products and vapes. Additionally, there are cannabis-derived products where the psychoactive compound Δ⁹ tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is filtered out and thus are mostly composed of cannabidiol (CBD), for which the term marijuana is not appropriate, as it produces none of the psychoactive effects of things falling under the traditional definition of marijuana.

Put simply, if someone goes into a store saying "I want some pot" and the clerk hands them a vape, they are going to be looked at like they're stupid.

[Big John]

In fairly short order after federal legalization, 'big tobacco' /WILL/ be producing and distributing their brands, just like with tobacco products, with sales and use regulated in the exact same manner as with tobacco and beverage alcohol.

Mike

[wxfree]

cannabis

Why did they feel the need to rename it?

Why not just call it marijuana or pot or grass?

The world wonders.

Cannabis is a genus of plant.  Calling the drug that is like calling a cat felis catus.  It's both pretentious and technically correct.  Marijuana (or marihuana, as it's spelled in Texas law) was popularized to be a scary-sounding word, Mexican, and more generally foreign.  This gives it the sense of being a thing used by degenerates, immigrants, jazz musicians, and masturbators.  The word has been reclaimed for so long that the world has mostly forgotten it was originally meant to be derogatory (meaning the reclaiming worked).  Even though it's used in law, it still has to be defined as referring to cannabis, which is the more correct term.  In law and science the terminology matters, but in personal use the word choice is a matter or preference.  Generally, "cannabis" refers mainly to the plant and its parts, while the other terms refer to the drug.

[Beltway]

cannabis

Why did they feel the need to rename it?
Why not just call it marijuana or pot or grass?
The world wonders.

You seem to have a nasty habit of conflating yourself with the world. It is okay to say that you wonder and would like the rest of the world who already knows to explain it to you.

I have a sense of humor that is dry and subtle at times.

The occasional use of that phrase is tied to a historical event, and am waiting to see if someone "gets it" -- and it is not an Asperger literal interpretation of the phrase.

The terms marijuana, pot, and grass tend to be associated with the flower (smokeable) form of the product, which is the traditional form the product was consumed in when these terms were popular. Additionally, there are two species in the genus Cannabis which are used for this purpose: C. sativa and C. indica; some people prefer consuming one or the other species or plants with genetics from a hybrid of the two.
"Cannabis", then, was popularized as an overarching term, which covers products derived from both C. sativa and C. indica (as well as the less-often-cultivated C. ruderalis), such as distillates and extracts, which are in turn used to create edible marijuana products and vapes. Additionally, there are cannabis-derived products where the psychoactive compound Δ⁹ tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is filtered out and thus are mostly composed of cannabidiol (CBD), for which the term marijuana is not appropriate, as it produces none of the psychoactive effects of things falling under the traditional definition of marijuana.
Put simply, if someone goes into a store saying "I want some pot" and the clerk hands them a vape, they are going to be looked at like they're stupid.

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke pot gave it a different name.

[Plutonic Panda]

In fairly short order after federal legalization, 'big tobacco' /WILL/ be producing and distributing their brands, just like with tobacco products, with sales and use regulated in the exact same manner as with tobacco and beverage alcohol.

Mike

I'm all here for it tax it legalize it legalize most drugs maybe not drugs like fentanyl just because of how potent tiny amounts are but the money generated from regulation and taxation can be used to fund rehab for people who want to get help because telling people know has not helped

[Molandfreak]

The terms marijuana, pot, and grass tend to be associated with the flower (smokeable) form of the product, which is the traditional form the product was consumed in when these terms were popular. Additionally, there are two species in the genus Cannabis which are used for this purpose: C. sativa and C. indica; some people prefer consuming one or the other species or plants with genetics from a hybrid of the two.
"Cannabis", then, was popularized as an overarching term, which covers products derived from both C. sativa and C. indica (as well as the less-often-cultivated C. ruderalis), such as distillates and extracts, which are in turn used to create edible marijuana products and vapes. Additionally, there are cannabis-derived products where the psychoactive compound Δ⁹ tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is filtered out and thus are mostly composed of cannabidiol (CBD), for which the term marijuana is not appropriate, as it produces none of the psychoactive effects of things falling under the traditional definition of marijuana.
Put simply, if someone goes into a store saying "I want some pot" and the clerk hands them a vape, they are going to be looked at like they're stupid.

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke pot gave it a different name.

Just because you said something twice assertively doesn't make it true.

[vdeane]

and consumers have become accustomed to being able to choose products with a certain chemical profile that provides the desired experience.

This is actually a sticking point that contributed to NY's rollout of recreational use to be fairly rocky.  NYS law doesn't even allow the legal sale of products with the level of concentration many regular users have become accustomed to (for example, edibles have to be diluted enough that a kid who gets their hands of them can eat them and be fine, even though it's illegal to sell to children, because NYS assumes people will be irresponsible and leave them where kids can find them).

[kalvado]

. Cannabis is not as genetically uniform as tobacco, and consumers have become accustomed to being able to choose products with a certain chemical profile that provides the desired experience. (For example, I have found that what works best for me is a product with a high level of something called—I shit you not—limonene.)

Try the cleaning thing called GooGone - it's more or less pure lemonene.
On the same page, tobacco in cigarettes is not too close to natural tobacco, there is a lot going on between a plant and a pack.

[Beltway]

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke pot gave it a different name.

Just because you said something twice assertively doesn't make it true.

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke reefer gave it a different name.

[Molandfreak]

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke pot gave it a different name.

Just because you said something twice assertively doesn't make it true.

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke reefer gave it a different name.

[Beltway]

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke pot gave it a different name.

Just because you said something twice assertively doesn't make it true.

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke reefer gave it a different name.

[[[image of shattered vinyl record]]]

How old are you?

A quick note on the "broken record" metaphor: the classic meaning comes from vinyl playback, where a damaged groove causes the needle to repeat the same phrase endlessly. A shattered disc actually can't repeat anything at all.

[Plutonic Panda]

Serious question why the fuck has this guy not been banned yet? I mean, I'm guilty of my fair share of posts that probably annoy people on here, but it seems like every other thread that pops up in my unread threads post that I click on is a thread that's been hijacked by this person who's adding absolutely no value to this conversation. At this point, I'm beginning to wonder if it's one of the moderators that's doing this just to fuck with people I mean what is going on here?

I'm not trying to run things and I know this isn't my forum and I love the community here, but this person really kind of ruins the joy that I get from participating here and I don't know if anyone else feels the same way or not but it's really annoying. It was kind of funny at first, but it's just like this shit's never gonna stop. I've never put anyone on ignore as far as I know so if I put this person on ignore, does that mean that they won't show up at all on any post? Similarly if I put them on ignore and they post in a thread that I'm following will that thread pop up in my unread threads because he posted there?

[Molandfreak]

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke pot gave it a different name.

Just because you said something twice assertively doesn't make it true.

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke reefer gave it a different name.

[[[image of shattered vinyl record]]]

How old are you?

A quick note on the "broken record" metaphor: the classic meaning comes from vinyl playback, where a damaged groove causes the needle to repeat the same phrase endlessly. A shattered disc actually can't repeat anything at all.

Don't back down, double down!

[Scott5114]

I've never put anyone on ignore as far as I know so if I put this person on ignore, does that mean that they won't show up at all on any post?

I obviously can't use the ignore function myself, but from what I have heard from people who do is that it is unfortunately of limited use, since if someone you don't have ignored responds to the ignored user you will of course see that response.

[Molandfreak]

@Beltway

Since Microsoft Copilot is your AI garbage of choice, it can explain this. Sorry in advance, I would use a spoiler for this content if I could:

Here's the short, well‑grounded answer: No — "cannabis" is far older than "marijuana."

🌿 Which word came first?
Cannabis 
The term cannabis has been used for thousands of years, tracing back to ancient Greek kánnabis and earlier Indo‑European roots. It appears in classical texts long before the modern era.
Marijuana / marihuana 
The word marijuana is much more recent, entering English only in the late 19th to early 20th century from Mexican Spanish marihuana or mariguana. Its deeper origin is uncertain, with theories pointing to Nahuatl, Chinese, or Portuguese rootsetymologyworld.com.

🧭 Why the difference matters
"Cannabis" was the scientific and medical term used in the U.S. and Europe throughout the 1800s. "Marijuana" only became widespread in the U.S. during the early 20th century, especially around the time of anti‑cannabis campaigns — a history that still shapes debates today.

[Beltway]

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke pot gave it a different name.

Just because you said something twice assertively doesn't make it true.

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke reefer gave it a different name.

[[[image of shattered vinyl record]]]

How old are you?
A quick note on the "broken record" metaphor: the classic meaning comes from vinyl playback, where a damaged groove causes the needle to repeat the same phrase endlessly. A shattered disc actually can't repeat anything at all.

Don't back down, double down!

If it was me, I would have found a video or audio clip that shows what I said.

That would be more impactful -- more clever and funny as well.

[Molandfreak]

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke pot gave it a different name.

Just because you said something twice assertively doesn't make it true.

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke reefer gave it a different name.

[[[image of shattered vinyl record]]]

How old are you?
A quick note on the "broken record" metaphor: the classic meaning comes from vinyl playback, where a damaged groove causes the needle to repeat the same phrase endlessly. A shattered disc actually can't repeat anything at all.

Don't back down, double down!

If it was me, I would have found a video or audio clip that shows what I said.

That would be more impactful -- more clever and funny as well.

No response to being proven wrong by your favorite AI source, then?

[Beltway]

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke pot gave it a different name.

Just because you said something twice assertively doesn't make it true.

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke reefer gave it a different name.

[[[image of shattered vinyl record]]]

How old are you?
A quick note on the "broken record" metaphor: the classic meaning comes from vinyl playback, where a damaged groove causes the needle to repeat the same phrase endlessly. A shattered disc actually can't repeat anything at all.

Don't back down, double down!

If it was me, I would have found a video or audio clip that shows what I said.
That would be more impactful -- more clever and funny as well.

No response to being proven wrong by your favorite AI source, then?

I use GROK also -- he is not nearly as diplomatic as Copilot.

GROK:
Modern high-potency marijuana (THC levels often 20x higher than decades ago) carries serious risks ignored by promoters. 2025 studies, including a major JAMA review of 2,500+ papers, show limited medical benefits for most claims (e.g., pain, anxiety) while highlighting dangers: doubled cardiovascular death risk, higher heart attacks/strokes, strong links to psychosis/schizophrenia (especially in youth), and addiction affecting ~30% of medical users. Legalization has spiked youth ER visits, poisonings (from edibles), and marijuana  use disorder. The industry mirrors Big Tobacco—corporate consolidation, aggressive marketing, downplaying harms for profit. Rebranding as "cannabis" is PR; risks remain real.

[Molandfreak]

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke pot gave it a different name.

Just because you said something twice assertively doesn't make it true.

It is marijuana and the people who like to smoke reefer gave it a different name.

[[[image of shattered vinyl record]]]

How old are you?
A quick note on the "broken record" metaphor: the classic meaning comes from vinyl playback, where a damaged groove causes the needle to repeat the same phrase endlessly. A shattered disc actually can't repeat anything at all.

Don't back down, double down!

If it was me, I would have found a video or audio clip that shows what I said.
That would be more impactful -- more clever and funny as well.

No response to being proven wrong by your favorite AI source, then?

I use GROK also -- he is not nearly as diplomatic as Copilot.

GROK:
Modern high-potency marijuana (THC levels often 20x higher than decades ago) carries serious risks ignored by promoters. 2025 studies, including a major JAMA review of 2,500+ papers, show limited medical benefits for most claims (e.g., pain, anxiety) while highlighting dangers: doubled cardiovascular death risk, higher heart attacks/strokes, strong links to psychosis/schizophrenia (especially in youth), and addiction affecting ~30% of medical users. Legalization has spiked youth ER visits, poisonings (from edibles), and marijuana  use disorder. The industry mirrors Big Tobacco—corporate consolidation, aggressive marketing, downplaying harms for profit. Rebranding as "cannabis" is PR; risks remain real.

That's not the question. It's not a rebrand, the original name for the plant is cannabis. Marijuana was the invented name.