Cannabis has a very long history, complex chemistry and sometimes confusing legal status. In recent years, the stigma against cannabis has begun to wear off. As more states throughout the country legalize recreational and medicinal marijuana use, more people become interested and intrigued by the plant. For anyone new to cannabis, there’s lots to learn. To start, cannabis is a psychoactive plant that has been cultivated for religious, medicinal and recreational purposes for thousands of years. Consumption of marijuana has been evidenced in ancient China, Greece, India and the Middle East. While marijuana and hemp are costumes confused with one another, these varieties are quite a bit different. According to law, cannabis plants that produce less than 0.3% THC are classified as hemp and legal under federal law. The cannabis plant is quite hardy and thrives in most regions. It definitely appreciates warmer climates and can be grown indoors or outdoors. While cannabis remains prohibited at the federal level, individual states are discovering the economical potential of this rapidly growing industry. The laws vary from state to state, and it is not legal to transport cannabis over state lines. Qualifying for a medical marijuana card allows a patient to shop at local dispensaries for a wide variety of medicinal products. The card eliminates the requirement to pay tax on purchases and provides for higher potency options. There is a growing selection of CBD-dominant medicines that cause very minimal or no psychoactive effects. In those states that have passed recreational cannabis laws, adults 21 and over, from anywhere across the country, can shop at the dispensary. All it takes is a valid government-issued ID such as a passport or driver’s license.