marijuana

American  

[mar-uh-wah-nuh] / ˌmær əˈwɑ nə /

Sometimes marihuana

noun

1. a psychoactive narcotic drug rendered from the leaves and flowering tops of a cannabis plant, especially Cannabis sativa, used for recreational or medical purposes by smoking, vaping, or ingesting.

   He’s tried marijuana but claims it has no effect on him.

2. the dried leaves and flowering tops from which the drug is rendered.

   Her personal stash of marijuana is rarely more than an ounce or two.

3. any plant of the genus Cannabis, especially C. sativa, whose leaves and flowering tops have psychoactive properties.

   several acres of cultivated marijuana.

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marijuana British  

/ ˌmærɪˈhwɑːnə /

noun

1. the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, used for its euphoric effects, esp in the form of cigarettes See also cannabis

2. another name for hemp

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Etymology

Origin of marijuana

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; from Mexican Spanish marihuana, mariguana; the traditional association with the personal name María Juana is probably a folk etymology

Example Sentences

The predicament those in the hemp business find themselves in is that they’re stuck between both the alcohol lobby and, perhaps counterintuitively, the state-level marijuana lobby.

From Salon

McDonough struggled with marijuana use and still feels he hasn’t always “carried his weight” at home.

From The Wall Street Journal

Pierre told detectives he had driven a ride-share passenger—maybe armed, he said—who wanted to buy marijuana at a dirt lot, which was popular as a local meetup spot.

From The Wall Street Journal

But behind the scenes, the marijuana industry is quietly struggling—and there aren’t good solutions to relieve the pressure.

From The Wall Street Journal

The current spending-bill provision wouldn’t affect sales of cannabis products in states that have legalized recreational marijuana use.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bhang
• cannabis
• dope
• hashish
• hemp
• herb
• tea