With thousands of years of history and more than 200 million consumers worldwide, there’s no question that cannabis has acquired more than its fair share of nicknames and associated slang terms. But as Shakespeare once said, “What’s in a name? That which we call weed, by any other name would smell as sweet” – or something like that, anyway!

Whether you refer to it as marijuana, cannabis, MMJ, or any one of the many other terms out there, this potential-packed plant has become the seed that starts many lucrative businesses. For cannabusiness owners, figuring out all the different words for marijuana is a savvy way to learn their way around the ever-evolving industry. Whether you’re an entrepreneurial-minded cannabis enthusiast yourself or you’re a brand-new arrival to the world of weed, speaking the language of the fast-growing marijuana community is definitely a plus.

We’ve rounded up some of the most common words for marijuana, doing our best to cover every synonymous weed word and slang term out there. Consider this your guide to cannabis synonyms and slang, and an essential resource for the budding cannabusiness owner.

Different Words for Cannabis: Learning the Marijuana Lingo

The cannabis community is growing at an impressive pace, so it’s entirely possible that new words for weed have already emerged by the time we publish this guide. Regardless, this resource should be exactly what you need to begin mastering marijuana jargon – so, let’s dive right in.

Bhang

Bhang is a traditional Indian preparation of cannabis, often used to make marijuana-infused foods and drinks. It is highly significant on a spiritual and cultural level, particularly for people of the Hindu culture, and is also used medicinally (and legally) as well.

Bomb Chron

You may have heard of the legendary strain known as “Chronic,” but the term “Bomb chron” can be applied to any weed of particularly high quality. Typically, bomb chron is considered a step above the typical, everyday cannabis that might be on hand for less discerning consumers. Common characteristics of bomb chron include ample trichomes, a fresh smell, and vibrant color.

Bud

Generally, “bud” is a term used to refer to the cannabis plant’s smokeable flowers, but it can also apply to cannabis in general. At many dispensaries, bud is sold in small, highly fragrant clumps that are intended to be ground up by the consumer. 

Cheeba

This slang term for cannabis is actually derived from the Spanish word for heroin (“chiva”) and was first introduced by Brazilian weed consumers. You’ll often hear “cheeba” as a reference to cannabis in flower form, but it’s also a favorite word for brands to incorporate in company and product names.

Chronic

Again, “Chronic” is the name of an actual hybrid strain, but it’s evolved into a term used to describe exceptionally potent cannabis. For some time, “chronic” meant different things in different parts of the U.S., but the 1990s West Coast rap scene cemented it as a word meaning premium-quality cannabis.

Dagga

Dagga is a cannabis slang term that dates back to the 1600s. It can be traced back to an indigenous tribe from South-Eastern Africa, originating from the Khoekhoe language. Literally translated, “dagga” means “a feeling of intoxication.” You might see many spelling variations, including daggha, dacka, dacha, dachka, and tagga.

Dank

In everyday conversation, “dank” is an English word that doesn’t exactly conjure up positive connotations. But when you’re talking about cannabis, it’s actually a positive term. “Dank” can be used to refer to marijuana with a notably potent flavor, smell, or effect. 

Ditch Weed

These wild-growing cannabis plants (also known as “feral cannabis”) are the last remnants of industrial hemp in the American Midwest, containing little to no THC and not generally suitable for consumption.

Endo (or “Indo”)

There’s some debate about the origin of this term, but most experts agree that it’s intended to describe cannabis grown indoors with the support of a hydroponic system. Because indoor-grown cannabis can often boast a higher quality than outdoor plants, due to the precision-level control cultivators have over various factors, “endo” can also be a slang term for premium-grade cannabis.

Flower

Flower is the bud of the cannabis plant, which can be smoked or made into concentrates and other products. It’s one of the core offerings of just about any dispensary.

Ganja

Earning the distinction of being the oldest English-language slang term for marijuana, “ganja” is a pre-1700s word that stems from the Sanskrit word “gañjā.” Widely used in Jamaica, this word has become increasingly popular in the U.S. in recent decades.

Green

Premium cannabis is known to be a lush shade of green, so it makes sense that “green” is a slang term for cannabis.

Herb

Ground cannabis is frequently called “herb,” probably because it shares a likeness with many other ground herbs.

Kaya

“Kaya” is a Jamaican slang term for marijuana, possibly connected to the Caribbean-English word for a medicinal herb, “kayakiit.” It was popularized by iconic reggae artist Bob Marley.

Laughing Grass

Although this slang term isn’t as popular as it once was, some consumers still use “laughing grass” as a tough-in-cheek reference to cannabis.

Mary Jane

This is a cannabis nickname just about everyone has heard, inspired by a play on words that stems from the literal translation of the Spanish word, “marijuana.” In 1978, musician Rick James released a hit song called “Mary Jane,” which made the term even more popular.

Reefer

Although it’s tough to trace the origin of this slang term, many people think it could be tied to the Spanish word “grifa” (a term for marijuana). The 1936 anti-cannabis propaganda film, “Reefer Madness,” turned the word into widely-used slang.

Treefer

A combination of the weed slang terms “tree” and “reefer,” treefer is usually used when referring to bud.

Wacky Tobacky

One of the silliest terms on our list, “wacky tobacky” is a lighthearted slang term that tends to be used only in a joking manner.

Let’s Talk Cannabis Marketing and Strategy

Are you interested in learning how to open a dispensary in your town? Or maybe you already have a flourishing cannabis brand that you’d like to see grow even larger. No matter where you are in your journey as a cannabusiness owner, Marijuana Marketing Xperts is here to help.

You’ve already gotten a head start on learning every other word for weed, why not keep that momentum going by optimizing a cannabis marketing strategy to achieve your goals? If you’re ready to get ahead as a cannabusiness owner, contact Marijuana Marketing Xperts today.

 

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