If you’ve ever felt confused by all the nicknames for cannabis, you’re not alone. From “weed” to “ganja” to “loud,” the world of marijuana street names is full of creativity, history, and cultural flair. These names aren’t just random—they reflect how people relate to the plant, whether in legal settings, street culture, music, or everyday conversation.
In this article, we’ll take a tour through the most common marijuana street names, where they come from, and why they matter. Whether you’re brushing up on slang or just curious about how language evolves around cannabis, there’s more to these names than meets the eye.
Why So Many Names for the Same Plant?
Let’s face it—cannabis has always had a complicated relationship with society. For decades, it’s been used in secret, banned by governments, celebrated in music, and embraced by subcultures around the world. That mix of underground culture and creative resistance has led to a massive variety of names for the same thing.
Some slang terms came from the need for discretion (like “lettuce” or “broccoli”), while others emerged from different languages, regions, or communities. As legalization spreads, many of these names persist—not just out of habit, but because they’ve become part of cannabis culture itself.
Classic Marijuana Street Names (Still Used Today)
Some marijuana street names have stood the test of time. Whether you heard them from your older cousin, in an old-school rap track, or on the street, these are the classics—and yes, people still use them. You can also check out this guide to weed weights and slang terms to round out your vocabulary.
- Weed: The go-to slang word. Simple, universal, and still the most common term worldwide.
- Pot: An old-school favorite, especially in North America. A bit dated, but still widely understood.
- Grass: A 1960s throwback that evokes the hippie era. Sometimes used humorously today.
- Herb: Popular in reggae and Rastafarian circles. Also used by people who prefer a more natural vibe.
- Mary Jane: A clever play on the word “marijuana.” Used in music, especially in classic hip-hop and rock.
- Ganja: Derived from Hindi and widely used in Jamaica and Rastafarian culture. Recognized globally.
- Reefer: Old-school and associated with the 1930s “Reefer Madness” propaganda—used ironically today.
These names are more than slang—they carry cultural weight, musical roots, and a sense of nostalgia. No matter how legal weed becomes, it’s hard to imagine these disappearing anytime soon.
Regional Slang: Names That Depend on Where You Are
One of the coolest things about marijuana street names is how they shift depending on where you are. Every country—and sometimes every city—has its own way of referring to weed. Here are some popular regional terms from around the world:
- Mota (Mexico & Latin America): One of the most common words for cannabis in Spanish-speaking countries. Used casually and widely.
- Dagga (South Africa): A traditional term with Afrikaans roots, still commonly used today despite its old-school vibe.
- Zol (South Africa): More modern South African slang for a joint or a bit of weed.
- María (Spain & Latin America): A shortened version of “marijuana,” often used in playful or euphemistic contexts.
- Bud / Dope (U.S. & UK): Popular in both legal and illegal contexts, especially in the U.S. street market and UK party scenes.
- Skunk (UK): Often used to describe high-potency cannabis, sometimes with a negative tone in the media.
These local terms don’t just reflect language—they reveal how cannabis fits into each culture’s relationship with the plant. Whether whispered in secret or shouted in a song, they’re part of how people around the world make weed their own.
Names Based on Quality, Strain, or Effect
Some marijuana street names don’t describe weed in general—they describe the kind of weed. These names usually hint at quality, strength, or the user experience. Here are some of the most common:
- Chronic: Popularized by Dr. Dre, this term usually refers to very potent, top-shelf cannabis.
- Skunk: Originally a strain name, now also used to describe weed with a strong, pungent odor—sometimes good, sometimes too much.
- Loud: Slang for weed that’s super aromatic and clearly high quality. If it smells strong, it’s “loud.”
- Fire: Simple and clear—it means excellent weed. Usually implies strong effects and great flavor.
- Gas: Similar to “loud,” often used for diesel-smelling strains. High potency, high reputation.
- Mids: Medium-quality weed. Not terrible, but not great. Affordable and common.
- Reggie: Low-quality weed. Dry, seedy, weak—nobody brags about smoking reggie.
Knowing these terms helps you navigate the unspoken rating system of the cannabis world. Whether someone’s hyping their “loud” or warning you about “Reggie,” you’ll know what’s up.
Strain-Inspired Nicknames
Some marijuana street names come directly from specific strains—or at least start that way. Over time, popular genetics inspire their own slang or shorthand. You’ll find many of these classics among AMS’s top high-THC feminized strains.
- Widow: Short for White Widow, a classic hybrid known for its frosty look and balanced high.
- Purp / Purple: Refers to any purple-colored strain like Granddaddy Purple or Purple Haze. Usually indica-leaning and relaxing.
- Sour: Slang for Sour Diesel—an energetic, fuel-scented sativa with cult status.
- Cookies: Inspired by Girl Scout Cookies and its many hybrids (GMO, Thin Mint, etc.). Sweet, potent, and popular.
- Haze: Classic sativa lineage. Often used to refer to anything with a buzzy, cerebral high.
- Kush: Usually associated with earthy, body-heavy indicas like OG Kush or Bubba Kush.
Some of these nicknames are strain-specific, others are more general. But in either case, they often hint at the kind of experience you can expect—whether it’s sleepy, social, euphoric, or straight-up giggly.
Pop Culture and Music Influence on Weed Slang
Pop culture has always played a major role in shaping marijuana street names. From hip-hop lyrics to stoner comedies, the entertainment world has both reflected and expanded the cannabis lexicon.
Music
Artists like Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Cypress Hill, and Bob Marley have introduced terms like “sticky icky,” “trees,” “kaya,” and “green.” In trap and rap culture, words like “loud,” “gas,” and “pack” became staples—sometimes even code for dealing.
Movies and TV
Stoner classics like Half Baked, Pineapple Express, and Cheech & Chong helped immortalize names like “Mary Jane” or “the chronic.” Even mainstream shows like Weeds and Breaking Bad dropped references to street slang.
Internet and Memes
In the TikTok era, slang evolves faster than ever. Terms like “zaza” (premium weed) or “exotic” get boosted online, especially among younger audiences. Some slang even turns into branding—yes, people actually name strains after memes now.
So while some street names are decades old, others are born overnight and spread through a viral video or a trending track. Cannabis culture never stands still—and neither does its language.
Why Knowing Marijuana Street Names Still Matters
Even in a world where cannabis is becoming legal in more and more places, marijuana street names still serve a purpose. They help people communicate discreetly, recognize quality, and connect with a shared cultural language that’s been evolving for decades.
If you’re a consumer, knowing slang helps you understand what you’re buying (or avoiding). If you’re part of the industry, it helps you speak your customers’ language. And if you’re just curious, it’s a window into how language, culture, and cannabis collide.
From old-school terms like “reefer” to modern lingo like “zaza,” these names aren’t just cute nicknames—they’re part of the global weed identity. And no matter how mainstream cannabis becomes, it’s likely those names will keep rolling right along.
Conclusion
Whether you call it weed, ganja, loud, or gas—marijuana street names are more than slang. They’re cultural markers, survival tools, and expressions of identity that reflect how deeply cannabis is woven into everyday life.
As legalization spreads and cannabis becomes more mainstream, the language around it keeps evolving. Some old terms fade, new ones emerge, and many live on through music, memes, and word of mouth.
So the next time someone offers you some “zaza” or talks about “rolling up some trees,” you’ll know exactly what they mean. And if not? That’s okay—learning the lingo is part of the fun.
