
Cannabis originated in China, genetic analysis reveals
Cannabis, the source of marijuana, originated in northwest China, where local strains are most like the original strain of cannabis cultivated more than 12,000 years ago.
Marijuana is an age-old drug made from parts of the Cannabis plant. It contains the mind-altering chemical tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Several countries, and a number of U.S. states, have legalized the drug for medical or recreational purposes. Here's the latest news on marijuana, from how it affects the brain and body, to its potential medical benefits or harms, to possible impacts of legalization.