Mary Jane: Slang Names For Marijuana and Weed

The term “Mary Jane” is one of the many colloquial names for marijuana, a psychoactive drug derived from the Cannabis plant. 

Various slang terms for Mary Jane, including pot, ganja, and reefer, exist for weed, reflecting diverse regional, cultural, and subcultural uses.

Mary Jane’s cultural significance comes from its history as coded language and its presence in American music, film, and literature. 

Marijuana has medicinal applications. It eases chronic pain, reduces chemotherapy nausea, and improves appetite in certain patients. Medical settings use ‘cannabis’ to highlight medicinal properties; recreational contexts use slang names. A Pew Research Center survey found that 91% of U.S. adults believe marijuana should be legal, either for both medical and recreational use or only for medical use, showing its broad societal acceptance.

Marijuana carries a primarily psychological addiction risk, marked by cravings and compulsive use despite negative effects.

What is Mary Jane?

Mary Jane is primarily recognized as an enduring slang term for marijuana, derived from the Spanish word “marijuana” or “Maria Juana.” The term emerged during the 1930s prohibition era when cannabis users needed coded language to discuss the substance discreetly. This linguistic adaptation transformed the Spanish name into an English version that resembled the original and let users communicate without law enforcement attention during prohibition.

The nickname gained widespread cultural significance through popular music, particularly Rick James’s 1978 hit “Mary Jane” and Tom Petty’s “Last Dance with Mary Jane,” which embedded the term in American pop culture. Unlike other slang, Mary Jane maintained its place in the lexicon as both a nostalgic reference and a contemporary code word. Today, the term remains a recognizable cannabis nickname and has become a permanent fixture in culture and conversation.

What Are the Slang Names for Weed?

Slang names for weed include pot, Ganja, Reefer, Dope, Green, Nug, and May Jane. Weed, also known as marijuana, goes by a multitude of slang names that can vary by region, culture, or even subcultures within the cannabis community.

Here are some of the most commonly used slang names for weed:

• Pot: Pot is one of the most widely recognized slang terms for marijuana.
• Grass: Grass is a term that harkens back to the 1960s and is still used today.
• Ganja: Ganja originates from Sanskrit and is especially popular in Rastafarian culture.
• Herb: Herb is used to emphasize the natural aspects of the plant.
• Reefer: Reefer is a term that gained popularity in the early to mid-20th century.
• Mary Jane: Mary Jane is a play on the Spanish word ‘marihuana’ and has been popularized in the media.
• Bud: Bud refers to the flower of the marijuana plant, the part most commonly smoked.
• Chronic: Chronic was originally a term for high-quality marijuana, but is now used more broadly.
• Dope: Dope can refer to drugs broadly, but is commonly used to describe marijuana.
• Green: Green is a simple term that refers to the color of the plant.
• Skunk: Skunk is named for the strong odor of many marijuana strains.
• Kush: Kush refers to a specific marijuana strain but is used more broadly.
• Nug: Nug, short for ‘nugget,’ refers to a small, compact bud of marijuana
• Cheeba: Cheeba is a term that originated from the Spanish word ‘chiva,’ slang for marijuana.
• Blaze: ‘Blaze,’ more of a verb than a noun, is used to describe smoking marijuana.

What Is The Cultural Significance of Mary Jane?

The cultural significance of Mary Jane is rooted in its history, symbolism, and presence across American society. The term reflects marijuana’s complex past, from coded language used to bypass stigma and legal barriers to its widespread adoption in music, film, and literature that shaped popular culture.

References in songs like Rick James’s Mary Jane and movies like Half Baked embedded the term into everyday conversation, carrying meanings of rebellion, identity, and community expression. Beyond entertainment, its use highlights cultural attitudes, legal constraints, and social dynamics, making “Mary Jane” more than a nickname; it represents evolving views on marijuana itself.

Why Do People Use Slang Names for Marijuana?

People use slang names for marijuana to keep conversations discreet where it is illegal, express identity, follow trends, and strengthen belonging. These names show different attitudes toward marijuana use, from rebellion to casual acceptance, shaping how it is perceived and discussed.

How Have Slang Names for Marijuana Evolved Over Time?

Slang names for marijuana have evolved with cultural shifts, legalization, and popular media. New names frequently merge, especially among younger generations, to describe various forms, strains, or methods of consumption.

Is “Mary Jane” Used Globally?

No, “Mary Jane” is not truly used globally. The term is understood in English-speaking countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK, but remains limited to English-speaking populations. Most non-English countries created slang terms reflecting their languages and cultures instead of adopting ‘Mary Jane.

How Do Slang Names Affect Public Perception of Marijuana?

Slang names shape public perception of marijuana by influencing how seriously people view the substance. Playful terms like ‘Mary Jane’ or ‘weed’ minimize risks and normalize use. Clinical terms like ‘cannabis’ give medical legitimacy to discussions of benefits.

Are Slang Names for Marijuana Used in Legal Contexts?

No, slang names like “Mary Jane” are not used in legal contexts. Official documents usually use the scientific name Cannabis sativa or refer to it as marijuana or cannabis.

How Do Slang Names for Marijuana Appear in Pop Culture?

Slang names for marijuana, including “Mary Jane,” frequently appear in pop culture, particularly in songs, movies, and TV shows. This reflects societal attitudes and also normalizes both the terms and the substance itself.

What Is The Connection Between Mary Jane Cannabis and Mary Jane the Shoe Style?

The Connection Between Mary Jane Cannabis and Mary Jane the Shoe Style is one of shared nomenclature but distinct origins and cultural trajectories. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, ‘Mary Jane’ for shoes predates its use as marijuana slang, appearing in the early 20th century. 

The Mary Jane shoe style has historical roots in female fashion and features a rounded toe with a strap across the instep. It gained popularity in the early 1900s and was linked to young girls’ formal wear. The style evolved and is now worn by women of all ages, blending comfort with formal style.

On the other hand, “Mary Jane” as a term for cannabis has different cultural and social implications. It emerged in American slang as a coded way to discuss cannabis during periods of illegality or stigma. Music and film popularized the term as an alternative to scientific names like ‘cannabis.

While both terms are entrenched in American culture, they serve different roles and signify different things. The name “Mary Jane” for the shoe style evokes nostalgia or femininity. For cannabis, it signifies counterculture, rebellion, or casual reference.

What Is The Difference Between Mary Jane and Hashish?

Mary Jane is a slang term for marijuana, the dried leaves and flowers of Cannabis sativa. Hashish, on the other hand, is a concentrated form of cannabis made from the resin of the plant’s flowers. Both marijuana and hashish come from the same plant but differ in form, potency, and methods of consumption.

Marijuana is typically smoked in joints, pipes, or vaporized, whereas hashish can be smoked or mixed with food and eaten. Hashish is more potent than marijuana because it concentrates active compounds like THC.

So, while “Mary Jane” and hashish are related in that they both come from the cannabis plant, they are not the same thing.

Where Does The Word Marijuana Originate from?

The word “marijuana” originated in the early 1900s in the United States, likely from Mexican Spanish. It first appeared in print in the San Francisco Bulletin in 1895. Its exact meaning is uncertain, but it may derive from the Nahuatl word ‘mallihuan,’ meaning ‘prisoner’ or ‘slave. The term became associated with cannabis during the period when it was made illegal in the U.S.

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What Are The Medicinal Uses For Mary Jane?

Mary Jane or as Marijuana, is used to ease chronic pain, reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea, improve appetite in HIV/AIDS patients, lower muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis, and assist with certain seizure disorders. Although some U.S. states and countries have legalized medical marijuana, it remains a Schedule I controlled substance federally in the U.S.

Here are some of the most common medicinal uses:

• Pain Relief: Marijuana is used to treat chronic pain, including pain resulting from conditions like multiple sclerosis and arthritis.
• Nausea and Vomiting: THC, an active compound in marijuana, is approved in synthetic form to treat nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients.
• Appetite Stimulation: Marijuana is used to stimulate appetite in individuals suffering from conditions like HIV/AIDS, where weight loss is common.
• Epilepsy: CBD, an active compound in marijuana, reduces seizure frequency in epilepsy types like Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes
• Mental Health: Marijuana may help with symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, although research in this area is still inconclusive.
• Glaucoma: Marijuana reduces intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients but is not the first-line treatment.
• Neurological Disorders: Preliminary research suggests marijuana may have neuroprotective properties benefiting Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s patients, though further study is required.
• Inflammatory Conditions: Marijuana may have anti-inflammatory properties, potentially treating conditions like Crohn’s disease.
• Sleep Disorders: Marijuana treats insomnia and other sleep disorders, but long-term effects on sleep quality are unclear.

Can Marijuana Be Addictive?

Yes, marijuana can be addictive, though its risk is lower than that of alcohol, opioids, or stimulants. According to various studies, about 9% of people who use marijuana will become addicted. This number increases among those who start using it at a younger age or use it daily.  Addiction is mainly psychological, marked by cravings and compulsion to use despite negative consequences.

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What Are the Signs of Marijuana Addiction?

Signs of marijuana addiction include increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control use. Other indicators include spending excessive time using or recovering from marijuana, and neglecting responsibilities or activities.

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How Is Marijuana Addiction Treated?

Marijuana addiction is treated with a combination of behavioral therapies, primarily cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational enhancement therapy (MET). Treatment includes contingency management that rewards sobriety and works best when combined with multiple approaches. No FDA-approved medications exist for marijuana addiction, but rehab programs, outpatient therapy, and support groups provide structured recovery.