Cannabis is a general term that describes products made from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. The Public Health Division uses the term cannabis in most cases, but in some instances the term “marijuana” still appears for legal or historical reasons.
The two primary chemical substances (i.e. cannabinoids) in cannabis are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
- THC is the principal psychoactive component that causes a “high.”
- CBD is often used by people to treat pain or neurologic conditions.
Under Oregon law, marijuana is cannabis containing more than 0.3% THC; hemp is cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC.