Written by Brandon Topp

Cannabis goes by countless nicknames—weed, grass, reefer, Mary Jane—but one of the most enduring and curious is “pot.” It’s a word you’ll hear in pop culture, political debates, and stoner comedies alike. But where did the term “pot” come from? Why not just call it cannabis or hemp?

The history of this slang term isn’t just stoner trivia—it’s tied to Mexican immigration, cannabis-infused traditions, and decades of shifting perceptions around the cannabis plant. Let’s break it down.

Before we dive in, it’s important to clarify something key to understanding the legality of Mood products: Mood offers hemp-derived cannabis that is federally legal under the Farm Bill.

While “pot” typically refers to marijuana in casual conversation, everything sold by Mood comes from the hemp plant—not marijuana—and is compliant with state law and federal legal restrictions. Pot still refers to "cannabis" which encompasses hemp, marijuana, and all other iterations of cannabis, so we still offer pot, just the legal kind.

Looking for a smoother way to experience legal weed? Try Mood's premium THCa flower strains delivered discreetly to your door.

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Table of Contents

• The roots of cannabis slang

• “Potiguaya”: The likely origin of “pot”

• Hemp vs. marijuana: What Mood really sells

• The rise of “pot” in U.S. pop culture

• When “pot” became political

• Modern usage and cultural legacy

• FAQ

• Try legal weed with Mood

Hemp vs. Marijuana: What Mood Really Sells

The cannabis plant comes in multiple varieties, with Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica being the most well-known. Under U.S. law, what separates hemp from marijuana is simple: THC content.

• Hemp is a variety of Cannabis sativa that contains less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis. This is what Mood uses in all its products.

• Marijuana, by contrast, refers to Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica with higher levels of Delta-9 THC, and it remains illegal under federal law (though many states permit it for recreational purposes).

The word marijuana itself has a controversial history. It became popular in the U.S. during the 20th century as a xenophobic way to stigmatize lower-class Mexicans and Mexican immigrants associated with smoking marijuana—a habit unfamiliar to most Americans at the time.

Terms like “marijuana cigarette” were used by politicians and the Mexican press to associate the plant’s psychoactive properties with criminal behavior, especially among less wealthy classes and college students.

Mood sells THCa flower that may offer similar psychoactive properties when heated, but it's legal hemp flower. This means it doesn’t fall under the same legal category as marijuana, even though the effects can feel comparable.

So while the term “pot” might remind people of marijuana leaves or marijuana use, Mood’s products come from federally compliant hemp plants—not marijuana—and can be legally shipped to many states.

Shop real hemp cannabis from Mood, not marijuana—try Jealousy or Super Goof and experience top-tier flower within the law.

The Roots of Cannabis Slang

Slang around smoking the cannabis plant developed in part due to legal crackdowns and cultural taboos.

Early cannabis use in the U.S. was associated with jazz musicians, artists, and Mexican immigrants, who brought their own terminology.

One such term? “Pot.” But it didn’t mean “weed” originally.

Want classic vibes with a modern twist? Try Mood's Slurricane THCa flower for knockout flavor and relaxing effects.

“Potiguaya”: The Likely Origin of “Pot”

The most widely accepted theory traces “pot” back to the Mexican Spanish word "potiguaya", which refers to a cannabis-infused drink made with wine or brandy. Also known as “potación de guaya”, this drink was believed to carry calming, possibly therapeutic, psychoactive properties.

As this preparation made its way north through Latin America and into the U.S. during the early 20th century—particularly following the Mexican Revolution—American users simplified it to “pot.”

This reflects how language evolves when cultures intersect, especially during times of migration and conflict.

The term "pot" has no botanical basis in describing the flowering tops, dried leaves, or plant’s psychoactive properties. Instead, it’s a linguistic shortcut that came from contact with Mexican Spanish.

Try cannabis that respects the culture with Mood’s Pink Lemonade THCa flower, which is smooth, citrusy, and legal hemp.

The Rise of “Pot” in U.S. Pop Culture

By the 1930s, as anti-cannabis sentiment grew, slang terms like “pot,” “reefer,” and “gauge” helped users fly under the radar. Though these words came from marginalized communities, they gradually entered the mainstream.

In the 1950s and ’60s, Beat poets and jazz icons used “pot” as the preferred term. By the time Isaac Campos and other historians examined its roots, the word had become a fixture in American drug discourse.

Despite little evidence that the slang reflected a precise understanding of the plant’s psychoactive properties, it stuck—used by everyone from stoners to senators.

Stay elevated with real hemp, not marijuana. Try Dante’s Inferno by Mood and enjoy legendary genetics with zero legal risk.

When “Pot” Became Political

During the Nixon era, “pot” turned into a political buzzword. It appeared in public policy, media headlines, and anti-drug campaigns, typically equating it with criminal behavior and drug abuse.

This framing rarely distinguished between hemp and marijuana, lumping them together as the “same drug.” But the truth is that evidence supporting hemp’s unique chemical profile has always been clear to scientists and informed users alike.

Whether sourced from Central Asia, the Middle East, or South America, cannabis history is full of cultural nuance. “Pot” was just one simplified way to talk about a complex plant used by human beings across centuries.

Mood celebrates that diversity—while staying Farm Bill compliant. Shop legal hemp-derived cannabis flower now.

Modern Usage and Cultural Legacy

Today, “pot” still gets thrown around, but it’s often replaced by “weed,” “flower,” or “cannabis” in more informed spaces. Especially in the cannabis industry, terms like “ma ren hua” (Chinese for hemp), “ganja”, and “hemp” have reclaimed cultural depth.

Still, “pot” remains a symbol of past eras—when lower-class communities, artists, and immigrants resisted prohibition through language.

FAQ

What does “pot” mean when talking about cannabis?

“Pot” is a slang term that likely comes from the Mexican-Spanish word potiguaya, which refers to a cannabis-infused drink. It later became shorthand for smoking the cannabis plant in the U.S.

Is there a difference between “pot” and “weed”?

Not in casual use. Both refer to cannabis. However, weed is more common today, while “pot” feels more retro. At Mood, we use hemp, which is different from marijuana.

What separates hemp from marijuana?

Hemp contains less than 0.3% THC and is legal under the Farm Bill. Marijuana, which comes from Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica, has more THC and is regulated differently by state law and federal restrictions.

Is Mood’s cannabis the same as marijuana?

No. While both come from the cannabis plant, Mood’s products are made from federally legal hemp flower, not marijuana. They are legal in many states and can be used for recreational purposes where allowed.

Why did Americans adopt “pot” as a slang term?

It was likely adapted from Mexican immigrants who brought terms like potación de guaya into the U.S. during the early 1900s, a time when cannabis use and slang were spreading among lower classes and creative communities.

Try Legal Weed with Mood

Whether you call it weed, flower, or even pot, you deserve the best cannabis—grown legally, shipped safely, and smoked proudly. At Mood, our THCa products deliver a premium experience without skirting the law.

Explore some of our favorites: Pink Lemonade, Jealousy, Slurricane, Dante’s Inferno, Super Goof, and Eureka.