A-Z List of Different Names for Weed

Before we get into the street names and slang names for weed, the origin of the name marijuana is also quite interesting (and a bit of a mystery). While the Mexican-Spanish roots of the word marijuana are obvious, experts still haven't quite figured out why the Mexicans called it that.

Newer research and theories suspect that the word might have come from Chinese immigrants in West Mexico who referred to the plant as "Ma ren hua" in their native Chinese, but these theories still remain inconclusive.

The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes can be traced back to ancient cultures. As far back as 2800 BC, cannabis was listed in Emperor Shen Nung's pharmacopeia and used to treat various health problems ^[2].

The ancient Hindus also recognized the medicinal benefits of cannabis, with the plant being a favorite food of Lord Shiva according to Hindu legend.

In the United States, marijuana wasn't widely used for recreational purposes until the early 1900s when Mexican immigrants introduced the practice of smoking marijuana to American culture ^[1].

However, political and racial factors in the 20th century led to the criminalization of marijuana in the U.S., with the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 being the first federal law to criminalize the plant nationwide.

Weed is one of the most common slang terms for marijuana. The word "weed" has Old English origins, derived from the Proto-Germanic word *weud-, meaning "grass, herb, weed" ^[4].

In the early 1900s, the term started being used to refer specifically to marijuana that is of low quality or has been grown wild.

As one of the most widely used nicknames for marijuana, weed has become closely tied to cannabis culture ^[5].

It was used as a more "foreign-sounding name" to stigmatize the drug during debates about its use. The term was codified into law with the passage of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 ^[6].

In the 1960s, weed became associated with counterculture and revolutionary youth movements. It was seen as a symbol of rebellion against mainstream societal norms.

This link between weed and hippie culture was reinforced by music, films, and magazines that openly celebrated marijuana use.

Today, weed remains one of the most universally recognized slang terms for marijuana.

Its widespread usage has made it an integral part of pop culture and is often referenced in songs, movies, and TV shows, contributing to the normalization of recreational cannabis use in mainstream society.

Pot is one of the most common slang terms for marijuana. The word "pot" has Spanish origins, derived from potiguaya or potaguaya which came from potación de guaya, which literally means "the drink of grief." ^[7]

In the 1920s, "pot" evolved from the Mexican Spanish word potiguaya, which referred to marijuana leaves.

Pot gained linguistic prominence in the 1960s during the hippie culture era in the U.S. It remained a popular term in the 1980s and 1990s.

Mary Jane is one of the most popular nicknames for marijuana, originating as a play on the Spanish translation of the name "marijuana" - "Mari Juana".

The term first appeared in the 1920s, with the earliest known usage in a 1928 article in the Daily Express which described it as "a deadly Mexican drug, more familiarly known as 'Mary Jane', which produces wild hilarity when either smoked or eaten." ^[9]

As cannabis culture developed over the decades, "Mary Jane" remained a common slang term, often used playfully or to avoid more obvious references to marijuana. Some notable examples:

• In the 1960s, Rick James had a hit song titled "Mary Jane"

• The 1990s alt-rock band Alanis Morissette had a song called "Mary Jane" on her bestselling album Jagged Little Pill

• Rapper Cypress Hill famously chanted "I wanna get high, so high, with Mary Jane" in their song "Hits from the Bong"

• The Marvel comic book character Spider-Man's longtime love interest is Mary Jane Watson, a name choice that has often been interpreted as a cheeky drug reference

"Mary Jane" has remained one of the most enduring and widely-used slang terms for marijuana. Its relatively benign sound, compared to more explicit words like "weed" or "pot", has allowed it to gain a certain mainstream acceptance.

The term can be used to refer to marijuana generally, as in "let's smoke some Mary Jane", or more specifically to describe a marijuana cigarette, as in "pass the Mary Jane" ^[10].

Overall, while "Mary Jane" started as a way to demonize cannabis by linking it to anti-immigrant sentiment, it has been thoroughly embraced and celebrated by cannabis culture.

Grass is another popular slang term for marijuana that has been used since the 1960s ^[11].

The term likely originated from the fact that cannabis plants resemble grass or herbs, and the use of "grass" as a nickname was a way to disguise conversations about marijuana and avoid detection by authorities.

The term "grass" gained significant popularity during the counterculture movements of the 1960s, when cannabis became associated with the hippie subculture as a symbol of rebellion and an alternative lifestyle ^[12].

Cannabis is the scientific name for the plant that produces marijuana. It belongs to the Cannabaceae family, which also includes hops and hackberries ^[13].

The genus Cannabis contains three primary species: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis ^[14].

This name was given by Carl Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy, in 1753. Despite the ongoing debate about the existence of multiple cannabis species, most experts consider all cannabis plants to be members of a single highly variable species, C. sativa ^[15].

The medicinal properties of cannabis are primarily attributed to the cannabinoids it contains, such as THC and CBD. These compounds interact with the body's endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating pain, mood, appetite, and memory.

In modern times, medical cannabis is used to treat conditions such as chronic pain, muscle spasms, nausea from chemotherapy, and childhood epilepsy syndromes ^[16].

However, the medical use of cannabis remains controversial due to its status as an illegal drug in many countries and the need for more high-quality clinical research to establish its safety and efficacy.

Ganja is a term for cannabis that is deeply rooted in Rastafarian culture and religion. The term ganja originates from the Sanskrit word gana, which means group.

The term "ganja" itself has a complex etymology that can be traced back centuries. It was coined in Mexico in 1840 to refer to cannabis, potentially derived from the word "marjoram,".

For Rastafarians, ganja is considered a sacred gift from Jah (God) and is used during communal gatherings for spiritual purposes, including prayer, music, and discussions ^[17].

Ganja is believed to have arrived in Jamaica when East Indian indentured servants brought cannabis seedlings to the island between the 1650s and mid-1800s, after the British had colonized it and enslaved much of the native Taino population ^[18].

The connection between ganja and music, particularly reggae, is well-known in mainstream culture. Reggae music originated in Jamaica, where cannabis use is common, and the genre was especially popular within cannabis-friendly movements.

Bob Marley, perhaps the most famous reggae musician and a Rastafarian, openly celebrated his love for ganja. His music and image helped to solidify the association between cannabis, Rastafarianism, and reggae in popular culture.

Reefer is a slang term for a marijuana cigarette that has been used since the 1920s [19]. The origins of the word are somewhat uncertain, but it may have come from the Mexican Spanish word "grifo" meaning "marijuana" or "drug addict".

Another theory suggests it could be derived from the verb "reef", meaning to roll up, due to the resemblance to a rolled sail.

In the criminal slang of the 1930s, "reefer" was used to mean a pickpocket, drawing on the earlier nautical usage of the word to refer to rolling or gathering up.

Reefer has been prominently featured in cinema, particularly in the infamous 1936 film "Reefer Madness" ^[21]. Originally financed by a church group under the title "Tell Your Children", the film was intended as a morality tale to warn parents and educators about the dangers of marijuana ^[22].

The film has since become a cult classic, celebrated for its unintentional humor and as a relic of the sensationalized anti-drug propaganda of its era. "Reefer Madness" demonstrates how popular media both reflected and reinforced societal fears about marijuana, contributing to the drug's demonization and criminalization.

The term hashish or hash originates from the Arabic word hasha, which means grass. Hash is a type of cannabis that is made by separating the resins from the leaves and flowers of the plant.

Hash is a potent cannabis concentrate made by collecting and compressing the trichomes from the plant. It has a long history of use in various cultures worldwide ^[24].

It is typically more potent than marijuana, and it is often used to make edibles or oils. Nowadays, hash is often used as a street name or slang for weed.

The term 420 is a reference to the date April 20th (04/20). In 1971, a group of high school students in San Rafael, California used the term 420 as a code word to refer to cannabis.

Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravich - would meet at 4:20 p.m. by the campus' statue of chemist Louis Pasteur to smoke marijuana ^[25].

They chose that specific time because extracurricular activities had usually ended by then. This group became known as the "Waldos" because they met at a wall, and they began using "420" as a code for marijuana.

Later, Reddix got work as a roadie with Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh and the band is said to have helped popularize the term "420". On December 28, 1990, a group of Deadheads in Oakland handed out flyers inviting people to smoke "420" on April 20 at 4:20 p.m.

One of these flyers ended up with Steve Bloom, a former reporter for High Times magazine, who printed it in 1991. The magazine continued referencing the number, and soon 420 became known worldwide as code for marijuana.

The term 420 has since become a popular way to refer to marijuana use, especially around the time of April 20th.

April 20th has become an international holiday celebrating marijuana, with festivals, rallies, and events taking place in cities from San Francisco to Amsterdam ^[26].

These 420 events, initially aimed at advocating for legalization, have played a major role in normalizing cannabis use and cementing the cultural status of 420.

Some notable annual 420 festivals in the U.S. include the Mile High 420 Festival in Denver, the National Cannabis Festival in Washington D.C., and the SweetWater 420 Fest in Atlanta.

In the age of legal weed, 420 isn't just a day for activism and celebration - it's a major retail holiday. Dispensaries report doubling their revenue on April 20th compared to an average Saturday. This has led to increased competition among brands for media coverage and marketing around 420.

At the same time, 420 still retains its associations with the laid-back, communal ethos of cannabis culture. "420-friendly" is used to denote places where consumption is welcomed.

From its humble origins as a high school inside joke to its current status as a global phenomenon, 420 has become the ultimate symbol of cannabis culture - a shorthand that's universally recognized, endlessly memeable, and increasingly mainstream.

Chronic is a slang term for high-quality, potent marijuana that was popularized by Dr. Dre's influential 1992 album "The Chronic".

One theory suggests that it arose from a misunderstanding between Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, who thought the word "hydroponic" (a method of growing plants without soil) was "hydrochronic" ^[30].

However, "chronic" had already been used as slang for a habitual drug user since the 1940s, so it's possible the term evolved from describing a chronic user to referring to high-grade marijuana itself ^[27].

The term has since become closely associated with the distinctive West Coast hip-hop sound and culture that the album helped to establish.

Dank is a popular slang term in the cannabis community used to describe exceptionally high-quality marijuana ^[32]. The word "dank" has Scandinavian origins, originally used to describe marshlands and later evolving to mean wet and musty places ^[33].

In the 1980s, "dank" emerged as slang for something "excellent," and by the 1990s, it became closely associated with high-quality cannabis ^[34].

Dank weed is characterized by its potent aroma, rich flavor profile, and vibrant appearance. A high concentration of trichomes, the tiny crystal-like structures on the buds, is a key indicator of dankness.

In the cannabis community, "dank" serves as a shorthand for high-quality marijuana among connoisseurs and enthusiasts. The term is often used to describe the pungent odor of cannabis, implying that it is potent, moist, and well-grown.

Dank cannabis is typically higher in quality than mids, reggie, or brick weed. The use of "dank" extends beyond just describing cannabis flower; fragrant concentrates and extracts can also be referred to as dank.

However, products like vape pens, topicals, and edibles are generally not considered dank because they do not emit a strong odor.

Bud is one of the most common slang terms for the flowers of the cannabis plant ^[36]. In marijuana culture, "bud" refers to a distinct cluster of female cannabis flowers that grow tightly together, forming solid ovoid, pyramidal or teardrop-shaped clusters.

The term "bud" is often used interchangeably with "cola" and "nug", although there are some subtle differences. A cola typically refers to a larger cluster of buds that forms at the ends of stems and branches, while a nug more specifically refers to a manicured, dried bud, usually from an indoor grow.

Today, bud remains a staple of the cannabis lexicon, used to refer to the most desirable part of the plant for consumption. The term's popularity has been reinforced by its frequent use in music, movies, and other forms of popular media that celebrate cannabis culture ^[38].

In the context of legal cannabis dispensaries, bud is used to refer to the cured flower products that are sold for smoking or vaporizing. Dispensaries typically categorize their bud offerings by strain, with indicas, sativas, and hybrids being the most common classifications.

The quality and potency of buds are major selling points for dispensaries, with top-shelf or "chronic" buds commanding premium prices ^[42] . Factors like appearance, aroma, cannabinoid content, and cultivation methods all contribute to a bud's desirability and value in the dispensary market.

Overall, bud has evolved from a slang term used to disguise discussions about cannabis into a mainstream term that encapsulates the essence of marijuana culture and commerce. Its versatility and ubiquity have made it an indispensable part of the cannabis vocabulary.

Blunts have strong cultural ties to the Caribbean and hip-hop culture. Brought to the Caribbean by Indian indentured servants, cannabis wrapped in tobacco leaves became popular there in the 1800s.

In the 1980s and 90s, blunts surged in popularity in the U.S., especially in New York City, as Caribbean immigrants brought the practice with them ^[45].

The association of blunts with rebellion, relaxation, and community cemented their status as a cultural icon of cannabis consumption. Despite the potential health risks of the tobacco wrap, blunts remain one of the most recognizable and celebrated methods of smoking marijuana, especially in social settings.

A joint is a cannabis cigarette rolled using specialty rolling papers. Joints are one of the most iconic and popular ways to consume marijuana. Learning to roll a joint is often considered a rite of passage and a ritual in cannabis culture.

Joints have been featured prominently in movies, music, and other forms of media, contributing to the normalization of cannabis use. Some notable examples include:

• The iconic stoner comedy "Up in Smoke" (1978) starring Cheech and Chong, celebrated joint smoking and cannabis culture.

• Countless songs across genres referencing joints, from reggae classics by Bob Marley and Peter Tosh to hip-hop anthems by Cypress Hill and Snoop Dogg.

• The proliferation of "stoner films" like "Friday," "Dazed and Confused," and "Pineapple Express," where joints play a central role in the plot and characters' experiences.

A spliff is a cannabis cigarette that contains a mixture of cannabis and tobacco, typically rolled in cigarette paper ^[56]. The tobacco content in spliffs usually hovers around 50%, but the ratio can be adjusted based on personal preference.

This combination provides a unique smoking experience, delivering the effects of both cannabis and tobacco simultaneously.

The term "spliff" itself originated from Jamaican Patois. The popularity of spliffs in Europe can be attributed to factors such as the social acceptance of tobacco smoking and the desire for a milder way of consuming cannabis.

However, it's important to note that the tobacco content in spliffs may lead to nicotine addiction and pose health risks associated with tobacco use.

Doobie is a slang term for a marijuana cigarette that has been used since the 1950s ^[58]. The exact origin of the term is unclear, with various theories and anecdotes attempting to explain its etymology.

One story suggests that the term originated among jazz musicians in the 1950s. According to an anecdote, a band member who was too stoned to perform was asked how he was feeling, to which he replied, "I do be, I do be good. Give me another hit on that do-be joint."

Another theory proposes that the term emerged in the 1960s among teenage cannabis users in Burbank, California, who used the phrase "let's do a doobie" as a code to disguise their conversations about marijuana.

The term bhang originates from the Hindi word bang, which means hemp. Bhang is a type of cannabis that is made from the leaves and flowers of the plant. It is typically smoked or ingested in food in India.

The consumption of bhang holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, particularly during Hindu festivals like Holi and Maha Shivaratri ^[62].

In India, bhang is closely associated with Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. According to ancient scriptures, Lord Shiva consumed cannabis as part of his meditation and spiritual practices.

Devotees partake in the consumption of bhang as an offering to Lord Shiva and to facilitate a deeper connection with the divine ^[63].

To prepare bhang, the leaves and flowers of the female cannabis plant are soaked and ground into a paste. This paste is then mixed with milk or yogurt, along with a blend of spices such as almonds, fennel seeds, rose petals, peppercorns, and saffron.

The resulting drink, known as bhang thandai, is mildly spiced and has a distinct flavor profile that combines the earthy notes of cannabis with the warmth of the spices ^[61].

Bhang can also be consumed in other forms, such as bhang goli (cannabis paste balls) and bhang lassi (a yogurt-based drink). Government-licensed bhang shops can be found in various parts of India, particularly in religious cities, where people can purchase ready-to-drink bhang or the ingredients to make their own.

Skunk is a legendary cannabis strain that traces its origins back to the 1970s in California. It was created by a group of growers and breeders known as Sacred Seeds, led by Sam "The Skunkman" ^[65]. They developed Skunk by crossing two Sativa landraces - Colombian Gold and Acapulco Gold - with an Afghani Indica purebred.

The Skunk strain quickly gained popularity due to its impressive traits, including nice yields, early flowering, dense and resinous flowers, and an extraordinary scent. During the 1980s, Sam Skunkman brought Skunk seeds to the Netherlands, where they became an instant hit.

However, the term "skunk" has also been misused by media outlets to refer broadly to high-potency cannabis, leading to misconceptions about the strain ^[69]. Despite this, Skunk remains a beloved classic among cannabis enthusiasts worldwide.

Herb is a common slang term for cannabis that has been used in general language to refer to a wide variety of plants with savory or aromatic properties. The term "herb" evokes natural connotations, as herbs are often associated with culinary, medicinal, and fragrant uses ^[70].

In Rastafarian culture, cannabis is considered a sacred herb, embodying spiritual significance and serving as a tool for communion and introspection.

The use of cannabis as an herbal remedy has a long history dating back centuries. In ancient Chinese medicine, cannabis was used to treat various health problems as far back as 2800 BC ^[73].

In modern times, medical cannabis is used to treat conditions such as chronic pain, muscle spasms, nausea from chemotherapy, and childhood epilepsy syndromes.

A roach refers to the end of a joint, blunt, spliff, or any rolled cannabis product. The term "roach" may have Spanish origins, potentially deriving from the Mexican song "La Cucaracha" which is about marijuana-smoking soldiers in the Mexican Revolution ^[75].

The first written mention of a roach comes from a 1938 article in The New Yorker, where the author attended a party and guests were smoking cannabis ^[74].

Keeping roaches to smoke later is a personal choice. Many people roll products with a crutch, allowing them to smoke it down to the end, or use a roach clip - a device that allows you to hold the roach without burning your fingers.

The term "roach clip" was first recorded in 1938 ^[76]. In 1973, author Charles Willeford published "The Ubiquitous Roach Clip," an essay about their use as practical smoking tools. Roach clips have evolved from simple tools to fashionable accessories, with unique designs suiting individual styles and preferences.

Flower refers to the smokable, trichome-covered part of a female cannabis plant. It is the most popular form of cannabis due to its versatility, offering numerous consumption methods such as smoking using a pipe, bong, joint, or blunt.

The individual flowers within a bud contain the highest concentration of THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis ^[36].

In the context of legal cannabis dispensaries, flower is used to refer to the cured bud products that are sold for smoking or vaporizing ^[77].

Dispensaries typically categorize their flower offerings by strain, with indicas, sativas, and hybrids being the most common classifications.

Aunt Mary is a slang term for marijuana that has been used as a code name to discuss cannabis discreetly. The exact origin of the term is unclear, but it likely emerged as a variation of the nickname Mary Jane, which itself derived from the Spanish pronunciation of marijuana ^[83].

Other familial nicknames like Mary Jane, Mary Ann, and Mary Warner have served a similar function, playing on the pronunciation of marijuana to create innocuous-sounding references.

These code words were particularly prevalent in the 1960s and 70s when marijuana use was a federal crime. Musicians would often use terms like Aunt Mary in songs to allude to cannabis use without explicitly promoting illegal activities.

Broccoli is another slang term for marijuana that has gained popularity in recent years due to the visual similarity between the green, leafy vegetable and cannabis buds.

The term is often used humorously or as a code word to discuss weed discreetly, especially on social media platforms where explicit drug references may be censored ^[87].

The broccoli emoji (🥦) has become a common visual stand-in for marijuana, often used in combination with other emojis like the herb (🌿), leaf (🍃), or tree (🌳) to represent cannabis culture or consumption ^[90].

In a satirical ad released by Weedmaps in 2022, a character named Brock Ollie, dressed as a broccoli, goes through his day while people make clumsy references to getting high around him.

The ad highlights how the broccoli emoji has become a commonly used visual substitute for cannabis on social media, where marijuana-related content often faces censorship.

Jay is a common abbreviation for a marijuana cigarette that likely emerged as a shortened version of the slang term "joint" ^[91]. By referring to cannabis as a person's name like Jay, users could discuss and plan activities involving marijuana more freely.

The exact origin of "jay" as a reference to cannabis is unclear, but it likely originated as a code word to disguise discussions about marijuana in the 1960s and 70s when the drug was a federal crime ^[92].

Musicians would often use terms like "jay" in songs to allude to cannabis use without explicitly promoting illegal activities.

Blanket is a slang term for cannabis that evokes the warm, comforting feeling associated with being wrapped in a cozy blanket ^[100] . The term suggests the relaxing and soothing effects that many users experience when consuming marijuana.

Phrases like "smoking a blanket" or "feeling the blanket" are common among cannabis enthusiasts.

Its popularity as a slang term reflects the shared experience of many cannabis consumers who appreciate the herb's soothing properties.

Good giggles is a playful term for cannabis that evokes the joyful, laughter-inducing effects many users experience when consuming marijuana ^[102]. Sharing a good giggle with friends and loved ones can have powerful feel-good effects.

Many popular strain names like Laughing Buddha and Royal Creamatic play on this association between cannabis and the giggles ^[104].

The laughter-inducing effects of cannabis have been attributed to the way THC and other compounds interact with the brain. THC binds to endocannabinoid receptors, spurring the release of dopamine and serotonin which can lower impulse control and make people more prone to laughter ^[105].

From Mary Jane and chronic to 420 and dank, the world of weed slang is as diverse and colorful as the plant itself. These nicknames have evolved over time, reflecting the changing cultural attitudes and legal status of cannabis.

Whether used as a code to avoid detection or as a way to celebrate the plant's unique properties, these terms have become an integral part of the rich tapestry of cannabis culture.

As marijuana legalization progresses and the stigma surrounding the plant diminishes, some of these slang terms may fade into obscurity. However, the creativity and humor behind these nicknames serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of the cannabis community.

So the next time you hear someone mention their love for Mary Jane or their plans to celebrate 420, remember the fascinating history behind these terms and the vibrant culture they represent.