Written by Brandon Topp

The world of cannabis is growing as fast as it ever has.

Those of you who are new to the scene might be overwhelmed or confused by the endless list of slang terms and coded language that refers to the cannabis plant, so we decided to create a little guide on the subject.

Despite cobbling together an exhaustive list of common slang terms for cannabis sativa that date back to before the 17th Century, this is still just a drop in the bucket when you look at all of the different slang that's come to be around this magical plant.

In fact, differing names for cannabis actually relate to varying legal restrictions and even the amount of THC some killer green bud might possess.

Table of Contents

• It's All Weed

• The Difference Between Hemp & Marijuana

  • Farm Bill Compliant Hemp With Mood

• 100 Slang Names For Weed

Names for Pot: It's All Weed

Despite having seemingly endless street names, it's all weed. Weed, like cannabis, is an overarching term that refers to all cannabis-infused and cannabis-derived products.

Overarching slang names that mirror weed include Mary Jane, pot, bud, and herb.

Other street names for cannabis only describe specific weed products or experiences, and in those cases, it's important to know the difference.

The Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana

Marijuana use no longer refers to all types of cannabis.

Today, you have products that have no THC, products that focus on CBD, products that are legally classifiable as hemp, and many more examples of common forms of modern hemp love.

Let's face it: younger generations are growing up in a far more nuanced and varied field of cannabis. That being said, you must be at least 21 years old to order products with Mood.

All of Mood's cannabis legally qualifies as hemp because it adheres to the limits set by the 2018 Farm Bill. This piece of legislation differentiates federally lawful "hemp" from illegal "marijuana."

Farm Bill Compliant Hemp With Mood

The Farm Bill defines "hemp" as any cannabis product with less than 0.3% THC — the active compound or cannabinoid that gets you lifted — by dry weight. Marijuana use is associated with cannabis that contains more than 0.3% THC by dry weight.

We've been amazed to discover that cannabis products with hemp levels of THC align better with your average cannabis lover than the experience of smoking or consuming marijuana.

100 Slang Names For Weed

Ancient to Early History (Pre-17th Century)

1. Bhang (India): Traditional cannabis preparation used in Hindu rituals.

2. Ganja (India/Jamaica): Sanskrit term, spread globally, key in Rastafarian culture — one of cannabis's oldest known slang names. Inspiration of other terms and turns of phrase — i.e., the "ganja gasper giggle."

3. Hashish (Middle East): Cannabis resin is used recreationally and spiritually. Has evolved into a slang word for cannabis as a whole. Check out our Afghan Hash today.

4. Dagga (South Africa): Indigenous term for cannabis with medicinal uses.

5. Ma (China): Used in ancient China for textiles, medicine, and rituals.

6. Kif (Morocco): Mixture of cannabis and tobacco, smoked in pipes. Said to have inspired other slang terms for cannabis like "kief."

7. Qunnab (Persian): Ancient Persian word evolving into the modern "cannabis."

8. Cañamo (Spain): Spanish term for hemp, widely grown for textiles.

9. Cannabinum (Rome): Latin word used by Romans for cannabis fiber.

Slang Terms For Weed 17th to 19th Century

1. Hemp (Global): Commonly describes cannabis used for rope, sails, and fabric. Also refers to hemp products as defined by the 2018 Farm Bill.

2. Tea (Europe/U.S.): Euphemism used in literary circles. Both cannabis products and tea use dried leaves.

3. Colitas (Mexico): “Little tails,” referring to cannabis buds.

4. Bangue (France): Term derived from "bhang," common in colonial trade.

5. Maconha (Brazil): Portuguese word for cannabis, brought by African slaves.

6. Intoxicant Herb (U.S.): Medicinal reference in 19th-century texts. This is about as far as you can step away from slang names as possible.

7. Locoweed (U.S.): Early term for wild plants believed to affect animals, later linked to cannabis.

8. Pipe Dream (Colonial Asia): Associated with opium but also linked to cannabis use.

9. Indian Hemp (Colonial British): Refers to psychoactive cannabis varieties in India.

10. Hash-Eater (Middle East): Descriptor for those consuming hashish in edibles.

Street Names For Weed Early 20th Century (1900–1940s)

1. Marihuana/Marijuana (U.S./Mexico): Spanish word used in anti-cannabis propaganda.

2. Reefer (U.S.): Popularized in the infamous film Reefer Madness, which depicts over-the-top reactions to smoking marijuana. Birthed one of the great slang names ever used for the plant.

3. Muggles (Jazz Era): Slang from jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong. Harry Potter fans can ignore the coincidence with this slang name.

4. Grass (U.S.): Referring to cannabis’s natural, grassy appearance. Older generations would call it "grass dope," among other grass-related nicknames.

5. Devil’s Weed (U.S.): Fear-inducing propaganda term.

6. Grifo (Mexico): Describes someone under the influence of cannabis.

7. Rope (U.S.): Linked to industrial hemp production.

8. Tea-Pad (U.S.): Urban locations for cannabis socializing during Prohibition.

9. Viper (Jazz Era): Jazz slang for cannabis users, often musicians who typically smoked on stage while jamming.

10. Jive (1930s-40s): African American slang for cannabis and its culture. It is one of many alternative names for Mary Jane with multiple meanings.

Frequently Used Mid-20th Century Nicknames For Weed (1950s–1970s)

1. Pot (U.S.): Derived from the Spanish "potación de guaya."

2. Herb (Caribbean): A spiritual term for cannabis in Rastafarianism.

3. Acapulco Gold (Mexico/U.S.): Famous high-quality strain.

4. Panama Red (Central America): Another potent strain from the region.

5. Spliff (Caribbean/UK): A cannabis cigarette, often mixed with tobacco.

6. Mary Jane (U.S.): A playful spin on "marijuana."

7. Doobie (U.S.): Popular term for a cannabis joint.

8. Loco Weed (U.S.): Cannabis slang rooted in Mexican Spanish.

9. Joint (U.S.): Widely adopted term for a rolled cannabis cigarette.

10. Grasshopper (U.S.): Hippie-era slang.

11. Mota (Mexico): Common Spanish term for cannabis.

12. Flower Power (U.S.): Associated with the hippie movement.

Late 20th Century Nicknames For Flower (1980s–1990s)

1. Chronic (U.S.): High-quality cannabis, popularized by Dr. Dre.

2. Skunk (UK): Pungent cannabis strain.

3. Sticky Icky (U.S.): Refers to resinous cannabis.

4. Endo (U.S.): Short for "indoor" grown, high-quality cannabis.

5. Blunt (U.S.): Cannabis rolled in cigar leaves.

6. Dank (U.S.): Potent cannabis, originally meaning "moist."

7. Sinsemilla (Spanish): Seedless, high-potency cannabis.

8. Kaya (Jamaica): Popularized by Bob Marley in his music.

9. Boom (Caribbean): Slang used in reggae culture.

10. Burnie (Australia): Cannabis joint slang.

11. Goo (U.S.): Sticky cannabis concentrate.

12. Spank (U.S.): Playful slang for potent cannabis.

13. Jazz Cabbage (U.S.): A humorous term recalling jazz-era cannabis culture.

Commonly Used 21st Century Nicknames (2000s–Present)

1. Loud (U.S.): High-potency, strong-smelling cannabis.

2. Kush (Global): Strains from the Hindu Kush region.

3. Gas (U.S.): Describes cannabis with a strong odor.

4. Piff (East Coast U.S.): Aromatic, premium cannabis.

5. Broccoli (U.S.): Hip-hop slang for cannabis.

6. Flower (Global): Modern term for dried cannabis buds.

7. Bud (Global): General term for cannabis.

8. Wax (U.S.): Cannabis concentrate with a waxy texture.

9. Shatter (U.S.): Brittle cannabis concentrate.

10. Dabs (U.S.): Smoking cannabis extracts.

11. 710 (U.S.): Refers to cannabis oils (upside-down "OIL").

12. Edibles (Global): Cannabis-infused foods.

13. Veggie (U.S.): Playful term for cannabis as a plant.

14. Runtz (U.S.): Fruity cannabis strain.

15. Zaza (U.S.): Exotic, high-grade strains.

16. Exotics (U.S.): Rare, premium cannabis strains.

17. Shake (U.S.): Small leftover cannabis fragments.

18. Tar (U.S.): Dark, resinous cannabis.

19. Trim (Global): Leftover cannabis leaves from processing.

20. Plug (U.S.): Modern slang for a cannabis supplier.

Common Slang Terms and Strains Across Regions

1. Cheeba (U.S.): Derived from Spanish slang "chiva."

2. Pakalolo (Hawaii): Hawaiian term meaning "crazy tobacco."

3. Dimba (Malawi): African term for cannabis.

4. Yarndi (Australia): Aboriginal word for cannabis.

5. Cheese (UK): Strain with a distinct cheesy aroma.

6. Gorilla Glue (U.S.): Modern strain known for sticky resin.

7. Black Mamba (U.S.): Strain named after the snake.

8. White Widow (Netherlands): Famous hybrid strain.

9. Purple Haze (U.S.): Strain linked to the Jimi Hendrix song.

10. Blue Dream (U.S.): Popular modern hybrid strain.

11. AK-47 (Global): Potent strain with a quick hit.

12. Green Crack (U.S.): High-energy sativa strain.

13. Sour Diesel (U.S.): Popular strain with a fuel-like aroma.

14. Pineapple Express (U.S.): Fruity strain popularized by film.

15. Trainwreck (U.S.): Potent strain known for rapid effects.

16. OG (U.S.): Stands for "Ocean Grown," linked to California cannabis.

Common Street Names and Pop Culture Terms

1. Zoot (UK): Cannabis joint.

2. Veggie Green (UK): Casual slang for cannabis.

3. Nugget (Nug) (Global): Slang for small cannabis buds.

4. Stank (U.S.): Slang for strong-smelling cannabis.

5. Blaze (Global): A term for smoking cannabis.

6. Toke (Global): A puff of cannabis smoke.

7. Puff (Global): Slang for inhaling smoke.

8. Fatty (Global): A large cannabis joint.

9. Ziggy (Global): Slang for rolling papers (Zig-Zag brand).

10. 420 (Global): Universal term for cannabis culture and smoking jolly green joy smoke.

Honorable Mentions:

Buda butter crack, amp joint, atom bomb, Mrs. Mary Jane, mashed munchies, Dinkie Dow, and Mista Dabolina.

FAQs on Weed Nicknames

Q: Why is cannabis called hashish, while hash refers to a specific form of concentrate?

A: We've seen that over time, terms that derive from other languages, like hash, can take on a new life in other countries and newer generations. Hashish still describes the concentrate, but you might find people out in the world and throughout life who use it to describe pot as a whole.

Q: How is smoking hemp legal when smoking marijuana isn't?

A: First, familiarize yourself with local regulations before making assumptions. There are plenty of places where marijuana use is legal and plenty of places where it isn't.

Hemp enjoys a wider range of legality partially due to the 2018 Farm Bill, which we discussed above. To learn more, check out this breakdown on How Mood is Legal.

Q: How many names are there for the cannabis plant?

A: We tried to gather them all for this post and ran out of steam at about 100. The truth is, there are likely thousands. It's an incalculable metric because every day, there are people being introduced to Mary Jane, feeling its effects, and giggling their way toward yet another nickname.

Check out Mood's selection of Edibles, Pre-Rolls, and more today.