Definition

1. Noun:
   • An illicit drug: The most commonly used illicit drug; considered a less potent ("soft") drug, it consists of the dried leaves and flowering tops of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). It is smoked or chewed for its euphoric and psychoactive effects.
   • A plant: A strong-smelling plant (Cannabis sativa) from whose dried leaves, stems, and flowers a number of euphoriant and hallucinogenic drugs are prepared.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Drug):
  • The possession of marihuana is illegal in many countries.
  • He was arrested for selling marihuana.
• Noun (Plant):
  • The field was full of marihuana plants.
  • Marihuana can be grown for its fibers as well as for its psychoactive properties.

Advanced Usage

• Legal/Medical Context: In some jurisdictions, "marihuana" (or "marijuana") is used legally for medical purposes to treat conditions like chronic pain or nausea.
  • The doctor prescribed medical marihuana for her patient.
• Slang/Colloquial Terms: The word "marihuana" itself is a formal term; in casual speech, many slang terms are used instead (see "Variants and Related Words").

Variants and Related Words

• Marijuana: The more common modern spelling of the same word.
• Cannabis: The formal botanical and scientific name for the plant genus, often used in legal and medical contexts.
• Pot: A common slang term.
• Weed: A very common slang term.
• Ganja: A term of Sanskrit origin, common in Caribbean and some global English.
• Hashish: A drug made from the compressed resin of the cannabis plant, typically stronger than marihuana.

Synonyms

• Cannabis: (when referring to the drug derived from the plant)
• Hashish: (a concentrated resinous form)
• Pot: (slang)
• Weed: (slang)

Related Phrases (Phrasal verbs are not typically associated with this noun)

• Smoke marihuana: The most common verb collocation.
  • He was caught smoking marihuana.
• Use marihuana: A more general term.
  • She does not use marihuana.

Related Idioms

• Idioms are not commonly formed directly with the word "marihuana." Discussions often involve slang terms (e.g., "get high," "light up") which refer to the state or action of using the drug rather than the drug itself.

Noun

1. the most commonly used illicit drug; considered a soft drug, it consists of the dried leaves of the hemp plant; smoked or chewed for euphoric effect
2. a strong-smelling plant from whose dried leaves a number of euphoriant and hallucinogenic drugs are prepared