The marijuana plant has picked up countless names over time. Some are tied to how it’s used, others to how it looks or smells, and many are rooted in music, geography, or language trends. These common slang terms like “Mary Jane” and “dime bag,” don’t just reflect drug culture, they offer a glimpse into history, region, and community.
Weed is a commonly used slang term for marijuana, a psychoactive substance made from the dried leaves, flowers, and stems of the cannabis plant. The word “weed” likely comes from the plant’s appearance and its ability to grow easily in the wild or without cultivation.
While weed is the most popular name today, it’s just one of many slang names or colloquial terms used to refer to marijuana. Other names for weed include pot, herb, ganja, Mary Jane, and grass. These terms vary by generation, region, and cultural influence. Some were created for secrecy, while others emerged through music, film, and mainstream media.
Although “weed” is a casual and widely accepted name, it is still considered a generic term. In medical or legal contexts, the plant is typically referred to as cannabis or marijuana. Regardless of what it is called, it is most often smoked, vaped, or consumed in edible form. Knowing the different names for weed can help people understand slang used in conversation, media, and even coded references to marijuana use.
The cannabis plant
Cannabis is a species with psychoactive and medicinal properties that has been used for centuries. Its two most commonly known types are sativa and indica, both of which contain active compounds like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). These compounds are responsible for the plant’s physical and psychological effects. Though cannabis is often referred to as a drug or substance, its classification and legality vary widely depending on the country or state. The plant is commonly consumed in various forms including dried flower, oil, resin, and edibles.
Common slang names & nicknames for weed
Weed is one of the most common slang names for marijuana. It’s casual, simple, and widely understood across generations. But it’s far from the only name you’ll hear.
Below are other common slang terms and common street names used in everyday conversation. Many of these are considered common examples of marijuana nicknames found in mainstream media and user-submitted platforms like Urban Dictionary:
- Pot
- Grass / Grass Dope
- Herb
- Dope
- Reefer
- Mary Jane / Weed Mary Jane
- Ganja
- Bud
- Green
- Flower
Each of these names refers to the dried plant material from the cannabis plant, usually smoked, vaped, or used in edibles.
Marijuana slang terms
Marijuana slang terms often reflect the time period and region. Some were born in music scenes, others in counterculture, and many are still used by younger generations today. The following slang terms are used to describe marijuana in different eras and often hint at its potency, form, or cultural context.
From the ’70s
- Wacky tobacky
- Panama Red
- Acapulco Gold
- Lid (for an ounce)
- Thai stick
From Gen Z
- Zaza
- Loud
- Gas
- Pack
- Tree
- Pressure
These terms tend to describe potency or strain type. “Zaza,” for instance, typically refers to exotic, high-quality cannabis.
Marijuana street names
Street names for marijuana can be colorful and coded. They’re often used to talk about using marijuana discreetly or describe different types or forms. Some street names include:
- Skunk (referring to its strong smell)
- Boom (linked to its effects)
- Broccoli (a visual comparison)
- Chronic (for potent strains)
- Killer green bud (used to describe especially strong weed)
You’ll also hear slang terms like “roach” (the end of a smoked joint) or “jay” (short for joint).
Marijuana use
Talking about using marijuana often involves its own slang. The words change depending on whether someone’s rolling, smoking, or getting high. Common terms include:
- Blazing
- Toking
- Firing it up
- Cheeching
- Mowing the grass
- Torching
- Smoking trees
- Getting the wind
These are all casual ways to refer to smoking marijuana. You might also hear “rolling up,” “passing a blunt,” or “taking a dab” depending on the form used.
Cannabis strains and slang for quality
Cannabis strains are often grouped into three categories: sativa, indica, and hybrid. Each strain has its own profile of effects, aromas, and potency. Over time, certain slang names have become associated with the most potent or desirable strains. For example, “chronic” and “killer green bud” are phrases used to describe high-quality weed. In casual conversation, “pot” is still used as a general term for cannabis, though younger generations tend to use newer slang. Knowing these slang terms can help people understand what type of cannabis is being referred to and how strong it might be.
Consuming weed: beyond the joint
Weed is typically smoked, often rolled into a marijuana cigarette like a joint or blunt, but it can also be vaped, eaten, or dabbed. The terminology reflects the method:
- Joint. A hand-rolled marijuana cigarette
- Blunt. A cigar hollowed out and refilled with weed
- Bong. A water pipe used for smoking
- Edibles. Foods made with THC (no specific nickname, though “special brownies” is common)
- Dab. Concentrated cannabis oil, vaporized on a hot surface
“Medicated” or “infused” is often used to describe edibles.
Slang for edibles and non-smoked forms of Marijuana
While smoking marijuana remains the most traditional method, many users now prefer to consume it without inhaling anything at all. Edibles — cannabis-infused foods like brownies, gummies, and drinks — offer an alternative that’s more discreet and often longer-lasting. Although “edibles” is the formal term, slang has emerged around them. Some call them “special treats,” “space cakes,” or jokingly refer to the effects as mashed munchies, especially when the high leads to intense cravings or overconsumption.
In Spanish-speaking communities, paletas (popsicles) and dulces (candies) are often used as casual Spanish words to describe infused sweets, especially in border regions where marijuana culture blends with local tradition.
While edibles are usually viewed as safer than smoking or mixing marijuana with tobacco, they can still lead to overuse or accidental ingestion, especially in unregulated markets. In some cases, high-dose edibles have been linked to unwanted effects, including addiction-like behaviors, particularly in individuals already vulnerable to substance use. Unlike street blends such as buda (a mix of weed and crack cocaine), edibles are less risky, but still require caution.
Marijuana nicknames from other cultures
Cannabis use spans the globe, and so does the slang:
- Dagga. South Africa
- Mota. Spanish-speaking countries
- Pakalolo. Hawaii
- Kif. North Africa
- Ganja. Jamaica (and widely used elsewhere)
These names are still used in their regions and reflect how local language and other languages influence nicknames for marijuana in other countries.
Marijuana mixed with other drugs
Sometimes marijuana is combined with other substances. These combinations often have their own nicknames to keep conversations vague or coded. Examples include:
- Amp joint. Weed laced with PCP
- Cocoa puff. Marijuana and cocaine
- Atom bomb. Weed mixed with heroin
- Buda. Marijuana and crack
- Thai stick. Marijuana dipped in opium
- Jim Jones. Often refers to a dangerous mix of drugs, sometimes involving weed
These mixtures carry added risk and are common in conversations around substance abuse and street drug use.
Names for Marijuana by strain
With legalization and growing sophistication in the cannabis industry, strain-specific slang has emerged:
- Sour Diesel
- Blue Dream
- Gorilla Glue
- Pineapple Express
- Purple Haze
Though these are official strain names, many have become slang in their own right and are referenced in pop culture and rap music.
Nicknames for Marijuana users
Slang isn’t just about the plant, it’s also about the people who use it. Some common nicknames for marijuana users include:
- Stoner
- Pothead
- Toker
- Burner
- Smoker
- Blazer
Some people even jokingly refer to themselves as “Snoop” or “Cheech” — nods to pop culture icons known for their marijuana use.
If you’re looking for a more formal or clinical term, “cannabis” is the most widely accepted. “Marijuana” is the legal term still used at the federal level in the U.S., although some advocate for using “cannabis” due to historical connotations around the word “marijuana.”
Other synonyms: Plant, Green, Smoke, Bud, Hash & Doja
Slang words for getting high
There are just as many slang words for being high as there are for weed itself. These include:
- Baked
- Faded
- Lit
- Stoned
- Zooted
- Blasted
- Elevated
- Couch locked
- Geekin’ (used more broadly, but sometimes includes weed)
‘High’ itself remains the most direct, commonly understood term, though phrases like ‘boarding Mexican Airlines’ have surfaced in some circles as a humorous way to describe getting stoned.
Marijuana addiction and treatment
While marijuana use is widespread and increasingly normalized, it can still lead to marijuana addiction for some individuals. Regular use, especially when it interferes with daily functioning, can result in physical dependence or psychological reliance. Addiction to marijuana may show up as a persistent craving to use, difficulty stopping, or withdrawal symptoms like irritability and insomnia. Common forms of addiction treatment options include inpatient addiction treatment programs, outpatient addiction treatment programs, and support groups focused on substance use.
Residential addiction treatment
Residential addiction treatment, also known as inpatient addiction treatment, provides a structured and supportive environment for individuals to focus on their marijuana addiction. Patients reside at the residential treatment center, receiving 24/7 care from a multidisciplinary team of professionals. Residential treatment services typically include individual therapy, group therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and educational sessions to address the underlying causes of addiction and promote positive life skills.
Outpatient addiction treatment
Outpatient addiction treatment programs offer flexibility for individuals who may not require or be able to commit to residential addiction treatment. These programs allow patients to continue living at home while attending scheduled therapy sessions and support groups at the recovery center. Outpatient treatment programs vary in intensity with programs like standard outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient treatment and partial hospitalization treatment that range from a few hours per week to several hours per day, depending on the patient’s needs and progress in recovery.
Find Marijuana addiction treatment near me
If you are ready to begin marijuana addiction treatment, reach out to our Indiana rehab today. Our admissions team will take the time to understand your individual needs and circumstances. From the initial call to the first day of treatment, we guide and support individuals throughout the recovery process. Call our addiction treatment center at (317) 707 9848 to start your journey to recovery from substance use disorder in a safe and nurturing environment.
