Cannabis has inspired more nicknames than any other plant. Why Do They Call Cannabis Weed. There is a reason why they call cannabis weed. Cannabis is associated with an enormous number of terms due to its widespread use throughout cultures.
The origins of terms like Mary Jane, weed, pot, and more are all different. Some names are a mystery while others relate to the history of the plant.
The term weed might come from its earthy smell like fresh grass. Moreover, it’s tied to rebellious counterculture and freedom. So, “weed” stuck to cannabis due to its commonness, strength, and past, making it a lasting nickname.
The term “marijuana” is one of the more common names for cannabis. It’s directly related to the early 20th century American prohibition on the plant, and the racial issues that surrounded it.
Let’s explore the origin of the plant’s name, cannabis before we take a deep dive into the word marijuana and its alternative terms.
Why Do They Call Cannabis Weed- Exploring Its Various Names
Is there a reason Why Do They Call Cannabis Weed? The word “weed” links to cannabis for a few reasons. One is its robust growth, akin to common weeds. Cannabis thrives easily, needing little care. Its wide presence in various places adds to its nickname. Also, historically, it was a wild plant with psychoactive effects.
Cannabis Etymology
Each slang term for cannabis is specific to the language and culture that gave it birth. There are many different variations to certain terms. This is reflected by the original etymology.
The word cannabis comes from a Scythian word or Thracian term that was adopted by the Persians as “kanab “.
The Greeks then changed it to “cannabis” before converting it into “Cannabis” for the Latins. The first people to write about cannabis were the ancient Chinese. The use of the cannabis plant spread to other cultures. Even the ancient Egyptians (or ” Shemshemet “, as they called it), used the plant for medicinal purposes.
Origin Of The Word Marijuana
The use of marijuana has a more recent, controversial origin.
Marijuana is an anglicized version of the Spanish word “marihuana,” or “mariguana.” It’s not known if the term existed in the United States before 1910. Why Do They Call Cannabis Weed. The history of marijuana is complex, but it can be traced to Mexican immigrants who were often credited for introducing the use of recreational cannabis in the U.S. during the early 20th century.
In 1913, although recreational cannabis was legal at the time, a bill was passed in the United States criminalizing the cultivation of marijuana as a way to regulate the production. This paved the path for full-on prohibition in the 1930s during the Great Depression, which was often seen as an oppression of Mexicans other minorities, and immigrants.
It is believed that the term marijuana became common in the U.S. because of the political and racial rationalizations driving cannabis prohibition. Why Do They Call Cannabis Weed. The word marijuana remains widely used in America but the origins of the term remain complex.
Why Cannabis Is Called “Pot”?
You’re not the only one who wonders how pot got its name. It’s a very common cannabis question. Here is the most commonly accepted answer.
Origin: “Pot” was likely a shortened version of the Spanish words “potiguaya”, or “potaguaya”, and became a popular slang word in the U.S. between the 1930s and the 1940s.
Backstory: These words were originally applied to a Spanish brandy or wine called potacion de guaya that had been steeped with cannabis buds. Named “the drink for grief”, it could also be a teapot used to make tea infused with cannabis.
Usability: Although it was in widespread use throughout the rest of the 20th century its popularity began to decline during the 1st decade of the 21st century.
Why Cannabis Is Called “Weed”?
A weed is a plant that is uncultivated and unwanted. Why would anyone associate cannabis with weed then?
Origin: The word weed was first used to describe cannabis at the beginning of the 20th Century.
Background: It is likely derived from the shortening of “locoweed,” a plant species that grows in Mexico. This plant would cause strange effects on horses and cattle that ate it. The word cannabis was used to describe both plants, even though this plant was not the same.
Usability: “Weed” (as opposed to “pot”) is a more common term for cannabis. The use of cannabis increased in the first decade.
Why Cannabis Is Called “Hemp?”
Cannabis or marijuana is sometimes referred to as hemp. Are they the same?
Origin: Hemp is derived from the Old English words “hemp”, and “hemp”, but it also has a Germanic “hanf” and Dutch hemp.
Background: Hemp and cannabis are technically identical plants with a small difference. Although they both look and smell alike, hemp has less THC. Cannabis is used primarily for its medicinal qualities, while hemp is used to make a variety of textiles.
Usability Since hemp and marijuana are different plants from the same species, hemp is usually used to refer to a hemp plant or hemp material.
Why Cannabis Is Called Mary Jane?
Mary Jane is a popular term for marijuana. How did the term Mary Jane come to be?
Origin: The name “Mary Jane”, for cannabis, was first featured publicly in a TIME magazine article from 1943. The true origin of cannabis is hazy.
Backstory: Mary Jane is the English version of “Maria Juana”, which is the feminized form of the Spanish word “marijuana”. There is no known origin for the term Mary Jane, but the connection between the word marijuana and the slang root seems to be the most likely explanation.
Usability: While “Mary Jane”, a nickname that portrays cannabis as a feminine plant, probably peaked decades ago, it is still understood by many.
Why Cannabis Is Called “Hash”?
Hash is a different form of cannabis.
Origin: Hash is derived from the Arabic term ” hashish “which can be roughly translated as “grass.” This term has been used since around 900 AD.
Backstory: Hash, a concentrated cannabis form made from the glands that cover the cannabis plant’s surface. Why Do They Call Cannabis Weed. The resin is collected by cannabis farmers on their hands and compressed into blocks called hash. The European exploration of Africa at the turn 19th century led to the introduction of this form of cannabis in the West.
Usability: Because “hash” is a different type of cannabis, it should only be used to refer to its compressed block form.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Why Do They Call Cannabis Weed? Marijuana is also known as cannabis, weed or pot. It refers to dried flowers, leaves stems, and seeds from the cannabis plant. Cannabis contains over 100 cannabinoids (compounds).
Tetrahydrocannabinol, which can be mind-altering or impairing, is one of these compounds. Other active compounds such as CBD are also present. CBD does not produce a “high”, meaning that it is not impaired.