Medical marijuana is defined as Cannabis or Cannabis constituents used for medical, as opposed to recreational, purposes. The active ingredients within the different types of Cannabis are collectively known as “cannabinoids.” Cannabis has been shown to contain 108 different cannabinoid molecules. By far, the most well-known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.

Because THC has psychoactive properties, Cannabis plants with high amounts of THC (relative to other cannabinoids) have been developed in order to give the “high” or “buzz” commonly associated with recreational Cannabis use. In contrast, for medical purposes, such THC-richCannabis plants may not be desirable. Therefore, other strains of Cannabis are being developed that are low in THC, but rich in non-psychoactive cannabinoids. One of the latter types of cannabinoids is cannabidiol, or CBD. Medical Marijuana Sciences, Inc is focusing on CBD in the development of cancer treatments.