The Top 50 Weed Slang Terms

Marijuana, enjoyed around the world, has a culture filled with unique slang terms. Words like “devil’s lettuce,” “wacky tobaccy,” and “ganja” are commonly used in the cannabis community. These slang terms often refer to different strains, ways of using marijuana, and even numbers connected to cannabis culture.

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The Origins of Weed Slang

Weed slang became popular mainly because marijuana was illegal. The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 started this by taxing cannabis instead of banning it. In 1969, the Supreme Court declared this law unconstitutional in the Leary v. United States case because it made people admit to breaking the law. By 1970, marijuana was listed as a Schedule 1 drug, meaning it was seen as very dangerous and illegal.

John Ehrlichman, a senior advisor to President Nixon, admitted in 1994 that the Nixon administration used marijuana laws to target groups they didn’t like. By linking marijuana to antiwar activists and black people, they could arrest leaders, raid homes, and spread negative media stories. They knew they were lying about the dangers but did it to control these groups.

Even though marijuana is now legal in some form in 47 states, the old stigma and racism still affect its use. This history keeps marijuana slang alive as a way to talk about it secretly.

Weed Slang and Racial Prejudice

The word “marihuana” is connected to racial prejudices, especially against Latino communities. In the early 1900s, many Mexicans moved to the U.S. due to the Mexican Revolution. The cannabis plant, called “marihuana” in Mexico, became a target. U.S. authorities and media linked it to Mexican immigrants and claimed it led to insanity and crime, without scientific proof. This was a tool for racial discrimination.

Mexican culture also gave us the term “pot” in the 1930s. “Pot” comes from the Spanish words “potiguaya” or “potaguaya,” from “potación de guaya,” which is a wine or brandy with cannabis flowers. This phrase means “the drink of grief.”

Legislation and Discrimination

The negative image of “marihuana” was reinforced through laws and police practices. The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 effectively made cannabis illegal, especially affecting Mexican Americans and other minorities. Newspapers and politicians used “marihuana” to scare people and create moral panic, leading to the drug war’s racial policies and the long-term marginalization of Latino communities.

Weed Slang in Popular Culture

Pop culture has shaped weed slang. In the 1930s, the jazz scene brought terms like “weed” and “reefer.” The 1960s counterculture movement added more slang through music and films. Janis Joplin sang “Mary Jane,” Bob Dylan’s lyrics included “Everybody must get stoned,” and the Beatles mentioned getting high in “With a Little Help From My Friends.”

Reggae icon Bob Marley popularized “ganja” and “herb” in his music, making these words known worldwide. The comedy duo Cheech and Chong brought weed slang to mainstream audiences with their 1978 movie “Up in Smoke,” spreading terms like “joint” and “reefer.”