marijuana

noun
mar·​i·​jua·​na | \ ˌmer-ə-ˈwä-nə How to pronounce marijuana (audio) , ˌma-rə- also -ˈhwä-\
variants: or less commonly marihuana

Definition of marijuana

1 : the psychoactive dried resinous flower buds and leaves of the female hemp or cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa or C. indica) that contain high levels of THC and are smoked, vaped, or ingested (as in baked goods) especially for their intoxicating effect : cannabis

Note: Several substances (as cannabidiol) lacking psychoactive properties are extracted from the flower buds of marijuana and are used medicinally.

— compare bhang, hashish — see also medical marijuana

Examples of marijuana in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That same month, López Obrador's government submitted a bill that would allow recreational use and create a medical marijuana industry, according to Reuters. Jack Guy, CNN, "Mexican court says cocaine use is legal -- for two people," 21 Aug. 2019 Proponents have various reasons for wanting to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Connecticut. Susan Haigh, courant.com, "Fate of legalized marijuana in Connecticut remains hazy," 19 Aug. 2019 Authorities seized more than 10,600 lbs of marijuana in a shipment of plastic auto parts at the port Tuesday. CBS News, "$2.3 million worth of marijuana found in shipment of jalapeños at Southern California port," 18 Aug. 2019 The events leading up to Shavon's death began in June 2017, when a man named Kendall Perkins stole more than 20 pounds of marijuana from a woman named Laporshya Polley at a Motel 6 in Lancaster, police said. Lavendrick Smith, Dallas News, "Dallas grand jury indicts 4 men in drug-related revenge slaying of 13-year-old Shavon Randle," 16 Aug. 2019 He was also given a citation for possessing less than ten grams of marijuana. Jessica Anderson, baltimoresun.com, "Marijuana funk no longer probable cause to search people; Maryland appeals court cites Bob Dylan in ruling," 15 Aug. 2019 Grass Lands is a test case for California regulators trying to create boundaries for the expanding marijuana industry. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, "A whiff of the music festival future? Outside Lands sells cannabis for the first time," 11 Aug. 2019 As the medical marijuana industry continues to grow in Carroll County, a dispensary has decided to offer some fun to it as well — with bingo. Akira Kyles, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "'Something fun for the ... patients’: Bingo event aimed at medical cannabis users in Carroll County," 7 Aug. 2019 Kathleen Gray covers the marijuana industry for the Detroit Free Press. Kathleen Gray, Detroit Free Press, "Three communities say no to marijuana businesses during Tuesday's election," 7 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'marijuana.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of marijuana

1874, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for marijuana

Mexican Spanish mariguana, marihuana

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More Definitions for marijuana

marijuana

noun

English Language Learners Definition of marijuana

: the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant that are smoked as a drug

marijuana

noun
mar·​i·​jua·​na | \ ˌmer-ə-ˈwä-nə How to pronounce marijuana (audio) \

Kids Definition of marijuana

: dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant smoked as a drug

marijuana

noun
mar·​i·​jua·​na
variants: also marihuana \ ˌmar-​ə-​ˈwän-​ə also -​ˈhwän-​ \

Medical Definition of marijuana

1 : the psychoactive dried resinous flower buds and leaves of the female hemp or cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa or C. indica) that contain high levels of THC and are smoked, vaped, or ingested (as in baked goods) especially for their intoxicating effect : cannabis

Note: Several substances (as cannabidiol) lacking psychoactive properties are extracted from the flower buds of marijuana and are used medicinally.

— compare bhang, hashish — see also medical marijuana

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