marijuana
C1Informal, but also standard in legal, medical, and journalistic contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A psychoactive drug prepared from the dried leaves and flowering tops of the cannabis plant, used for recreational or medicinal purposes.
Informally, can refer to the cannabis plant itself or the culture surrounding its use. In legal/medical contexts, it specifically denotes the product used for its THC content.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term carries strong sociopolitical and legal connotations. It is often contrasted with more clinical terms like 'cannabis' or specific strain names. Usage can imply a stance on its legality or normalization.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use 'marijuana' commonly. The spelling 'marihuana' is an older variant sometimes seen in historical or legal texts. In the UK, 'cannabis' is perhaps slightly more frequent in official discourse, but 'marijuana' is fully understood and used.
Connotations
In both regions, the word can have countercultural or illicit connotations, though these are diminishing with legalization movements. In the US, it is heavily entangled with the history of drug policy and racial disparities in enforcement.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties, especially in news media, popular culture, and informal conversation.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
smoke + marijuanalegalize + marijuanause + marijuanapossess + marijuanagrow + marijuanaVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take a puff of the marijuana.”
- “He's a marijuana enthusiast.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to the legal cannabis industry, investments, or market trends.
Academic
Used in sociological, legal, medical, or public health research on drug use and policy.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation about recreational use, legal status, or personal experiences.
Technical
Less common than 'cannabis' in strict botanical or pharmacological contexts, but standard in legal and policy documents.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The debate continues on whether to legalise marijuana.
American English
- Several states have moved to legalize marijuana.
adjective
British English
- He was arrested for marijuana possession.
American English
- The marijuana industry is booming in some states.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Marijuana is illegal in many countries.
- Some people use marijuana to help with pain.
- The legalisation of marijuana for medical purposes has been widely debated.
- Proponents argue that marijuana legalization could generate significant tax revenue and reduce incarceration rates for non-violent offences.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Mary Jane' – a common slang term derived from the sound of 'marijuana'.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARIJUANA IS A GATEWAY (common but debated metaphor in policy discourse). MARIJUANA IS MEDICINE (common metaphor in advocacy).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'марихуана' (a direct cognate). Be aware that 'конопля' is the plant name (cannabis/hemp), while 'марихуана' or 'травка' refer to the drug.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'marihuana' (acceptable but less common). Using in overly formal scientific writing where 'cannabis' is preferred. Confusing it with 'hashish' (a cannabis resin product).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a common argument FOR the legalization of marijuana?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially, yes. 'Marijuana' typically refers to the dried plant material used as a drug, while 'cannabis' is the broader botanical name for the plant genus and is often preferred in scientific and formal contexts.
'Marihuana' is an older Spanish-derived spelling that was common in early 20th-century English, particularly in legal documents. 'Marijuana' is now the standard spelling.
It is acceptable, especially in social science, legal, or policy papers. In biomedical or botanical research, 'cannabis' is often more precise.
Both come from the cannabis plant. 'Marijuana' refers to varieties cultivated for high THC content (the psychoactive compound). 'Hemp' refers to varieties grown for industrial uses (fibre, seeds) and contains very low THC.