Marijuana. The mention of this plant sparks a debate. Being clear about the effects of smoking weed is wise. We discuss the properties of marijuana, how people use it, and what it does to your body once you’ve consumed it. Properties of Cannabis People smoke weed, either recreationally or for medical purposes. It's a psychoactive drug from the cannabis plant. The primary psychoactive agent in weed is a chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol. It has another 483 compounds, including another 65 cannabinoids. Governmental restrictions and production constraints