What is marijuana or weed? And what is cannabis, CBD, THC, edibles?

With marijuana on the ballot in four states on Election Dayvoters can feel overwhelmed by the industry jargon they see online.

Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Florida voters will have the opportunity to express whether they want to legalize marijuana in their states on Tuesday, November 5. Meanwhile, in Massachusetts, where marijuana is already legal for medical and recreational purposes, voters will decide whether to legalize psychedelics.

When reading about different pieces of legislation, here are some terms voters should be familiar with.

What is marijuana?

Marijuana is all products from the Cannabis sativa plant that contain the highest levels of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol.

Marijuana consumption, either by smoking it or taking it in edible form, can have intoxicating effects and trigger changes in mood or thoughts.

Are cannabis and marijuana the same thing?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, cannabis and marijuana are different.

Cannabis refers to all products derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, according to National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Marijuana, on the other hand, refers to specific products from the Cannabis sativa plant that contain substantial amounts of THC.

What is THC?

Tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC, is the substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant that is primarily responsible for marijuana’s psychological effects on a user.

What are cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are the chemicals found in the Cannabis sativa plant. There are more than 100 cannabinoids, according to Alcohol and Drug Foundationbut the most common are THC and cannabidiol or CBD.

Delta, 8, Delta 9 and Delta 10: What’s the difference?

What is delta 8? What you need to know about “diet weed” and safety.

Delta-8 THC products are exploding in popularity across the country. Here’s why they’re available in states where marijuana is illegal.

Delta 8, Delta 9 and Delta 10 are just three of the over 100 cannabinoids that exist.

Under federal law, the Delta 8 and Delta 10 are legal for purchase and use by consumers. Delta 9, on the other hand, is not legal under federal law. States are allowed to write their own legislation regarding the possession, consumption, and distribution of Delta 9. The debate over the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana is largely about Delta 9.

Delta 9 is the most abundant form of THC found in the Cannabis sativa plant, according to Healthline. Of the three popular cannabinoids, Delta 9 produces the most psychoactive effects. Delta 9 can be used for a multitude of reasons, including helping with anxiety, insomnia, low appetite, muscle pain, and nausea.

Delta 8 and Delta 10 are both extracted from hemp-derived CBD.

Often referred to as “marijuana-lite” or “diet weed,” Delta 8 is commonly used to relieve nausea, increase appetite, relieve pain, boost mental health, and prevent vomiting during cancer treatments, according to WebMD.

Delta 10 has a lower THC potency than Delta 8 or Delta 10, meaning users typically experience fewer psychoactive effects.

All three cannabinoids can show up on a drug test.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, is a chemical compound that can be found in both Cannabis sativa and hemp plants. Under federal law, CBD is legal.

CBD does not contain THC, so it is non-harmful, meaning it does not cause a user to get “high” or have psychoactive effects, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

To date, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved only one CBD product, a prescription oil called Epidiolex, which is used to treat seizures.

What is hemp?

While cannabis and marijuana should not be used interchangeably, marijuana and hemp can because they are of the same species, according to Healthline.

Where the two differ, however, is the amount of THC they contain. Healthline reports that hemp contains 0.3% or less THC by dry weight. Because the THC level is so low, it is unlikely to get a user high.

In addition to its medicinal and beauty uses, hemp is also used for a variety of commercial and industrial products such as rope, clothing, paper, bioplastics and even biofuel.

What are edibles?

Edibles are marijuana-infused products that users can eat or drink. Cookies, cakes, brownies, gummies, and soft drinks are some of the most popular types of edibles.

Slang terms for marijuana

Pot, Mary Jane, weed, reefer, green, hash, ganja and doobie are just a few of the growing list of slang terms used interchangeably with marijuana.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email them at [email protected].