Is it Marijuana or Cannabis? Why the two names?

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In the legalization argument you will hear at least three different terms for marijuana and it may confuse you, but this should clear things up a little bit. Those that are familiar with biology know the Taxonomy (pictured right) from domain down to species, and even sub species. Cannabis is a correct term to use when describing marijuana, but it can be kind of deceptive.

​Marijuana proponents refuse to use the term marijuana because it's a tool to distract from the actual topic. They're hoping that the layman won't take the time to read up on the subject so they can intermix hemp with marijuana to sell their legalization initiatives. Marijuana and hemp are both sub-species of Sativa and Indica which in themselves are a species of Cannabis. A third species of cannabis is Ruderalis which like hemp is a high CBD plant. The difference between the two is marijuana is a high THC plant testing on average at 12% - but as high as 30% - and Hemp is a Low THC plant on average at 1% or lower. Hemp is the plant of choice for cannabis seizure treatments - like Epidiolex - because of its already naturally low THC content.

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They know that you wouldn't know what exactly cannabis was and would probably go to sources like Google to get more information. When you do that the first results are pro marijuana websites which aren't very scientific or accurate in their information. The marijuana industry is very good at making sure the truth is well hidden under their stuff.

When you look at prior legalization initiatives you will notice some similarities. One of those similarities is that they try to lump hemp in with marijuana. You will see things like "Legalizing cannabis will also allow for its industrial uses like making rope, paper, fuel and medicine", but those are all hemp products and not marijuana. Another thing is with industrial and technological advancement we don't use hemp to make rope and paper with much anymore and the fuel aspect is a biodiesel and there are more widely available products for that. Another thing you have to look at is if industrial hemp is already legal in your state. Oregon legalized industrial hemp in 2010 -four years before marijuana - and Measure 91 actually halted the already established market because the wording of the ballot measure could have changed how licensing and fees were administered.

Marijuana is cannabis and hemp is cannabis, but marijuana is not hemp and we shouldn't refer to them as being the same.  However ballot initiative after ballot initiative will continue to try and confuse the voting public by doing just that. They have to pull the wool over your eyes in order to get your votes because the truth is against them.  ​