Marijuana is a flowering plant with wide-ranging health benefits. It can relieve nausea, reduce the spasms of multiple sclerosis, and — depending on its strains and how it’s used – can boost appetite. This last effect is known as “the munchies” and has helped people with AIDS, cancer, or other diseases regain their appetites. Studies also show that marijuana can help reduce pain and muscle spasms caused by chemotherapy. It has even been shown to be an effective treatment for certain kinds of epilepsy. The Food and Drug Administration has approved two drugs that derive from cannabis: a form of CBD called Epidiolex and Marinol, which contains THC.

When smoked, weed can cause feelings of euphoria and relaxation that usually last about 30 minutes to an hour. It’s a feeling that many people seek for its mood-enhancing qualities, and for its potential to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. It can be consumed in many forms, including edibles, tinctures, oils, or waxy budder, and hard amberlike shatter. Concentrates containing high doses of THC, called sinsemilla, are becoming increasingly popular among recreational users and medical patients.

Some weeds are considered noxious or invasive, meaning they’re non-native species that disrupt ecosystems by overtaking native plants and spreading rapidly. Classic examples are kudzu and purple loosestrife. Others are invasive to agriculture, such as field bindweed and Canada thistle. Proper identification is the first step in knowing what you’re dealing with and how to abolish or control it. A dichotomous key based on vegetative characteristics can help you narrow down the possibilities, but it’s best to wait until the plant is in flower for definitive identification.