Marijuana is special in that it has dozens of different names for the one herb we all love. This is perfectly fine because, after all, A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. One of the reasons why cannabis has been given so many names is that different geographic locations have given it its own, spin on the name. Another reason why marijuana has picked up so many names is that it was given code names to openly talk about this wonder herb when law enforcement could be lurking about. Cannabis users tend to be on the creative side so coming up with new names continuously is no chore. In this post, we are going to look at some of marijuana’s diverse names and the history behind them.
The first name given to this glorious plant was cannabis. The term cannabis was first used around 440 BC by the Ancient Greeks. The plant had always been referenced to be used both medicinally and recreationally. The word “cannabis” first appeared in the Oxford dictionary in the mid-1500s. Afterward, it became the scientific name for the common hemp plant.
The word “marijuana” did not exist
In the 19th century, the most common term in America used for the plant was still cannabis. The word “marijuana” did not exist. Cannabis was used in common household ailments and pharmaceutical giants used cannabis extracts in their medicines. The name “marijuana” is actually, taken from Mexican Spanish. However, it was not the name of the plant we smoke today. It was actually, the name of a different mixture of herbs used by the Mexicans for other reasons. When there was an influx of legal Mexicans coming to America they brought their idea of smoking the plant recreationally with them. This locoweed caused quite a stir and in 1913 the first bill passed that criminalized cannabis. In a fit of rage, they dubbed the plant “marijuana” and it became the Western name for the locoweed.
Fast-forwarding to the 1970s the new hip word to use for cannabis was “pot”. The origins of this term have been controversial, but most people have come to the conclusion, that the word “pot” came from the Spanish Potiguaya. Potiguaya is a type of mulled wine in which cannabis buds have been steeped. Although I’ve never tried it, Potiguaya sounds awesome.
One of the newest names for this great plant is “weed”. The term weed first started becoming popular in the late 80s or early 90s. We all know a weed is a plant that can grow almost anywhere and everywhere. This term seemed appropriate for a plant that is grown all over the world and that can still flourish under harsh conditions.
Rastas use ganja as a spiritual practice
Another term for marijuana that everyone knows is “ganja”. Many people think that the term was created by Rastafarianism, a religion from Jamaica in which the Rastas use ganja as a spiritual practice. The name Ganja, actually is of Sanskrit origin, an old language from the Indian subcontinent. The term in Sanskrit refers to a very potent preparation of a Sativa strain. Some people have said that the Indians named the Ganges after their beloved Ganja because the plant, will grow right on the riverbanks.
A less commonly used name, unless you are in South Africa, is dagga. Be sure to pronounce the “g” like you are hawking up phlegm from the back of your throat and then you’ll know that you are saying it right. The word “dagga” comes from an old Khoi, a South African tribe, word “dacha” which was the general term for all narcotics. Dacha was their name for Leonotis leonurus which was smoked by the Khoi just like tobacco. This word has been around since the 17th century with many different spellings. Although dagga is the most commonly used word for marijuana in South Africa it’s not a word used in polite conversation.
Different names for marijuana are indefinite
The amount of different names for marijuana is indefinite and the list keeps growing every year. Household names like cannabis, marijuana, and weed will probably remain staple names, but as the marijuana industry grows different cultures surely will come up with some awesome names in the future. After all, when you love something so much you can’t help but give it your own, term of endearment.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Why does marijuana have so many different names?
Marijuana has accumulated many names due to its wide geographic spread and cultural significance. Different regions and communities have created their own, names for the plant. Additionally, during times when cannabis was illegal, users developed code names to talk about it discreetly. This creative naming process continues as new slang terms emerge over time.
2. What is the origin of the term “marijuana”?
The term “marijuana” originated from Mexican Spanish, where it referred to a different mixture of herbs. When Mexican immigrants brought the practice of smoking cannabis to the United States, the plant was dubbed “marijuana” in a disparaging manner, which eventually became the common name in Western countries.
3. How did the name “ganja” become associated with marijuana?
The name “ganja” has Sanskrit origins and refers to a potent preparation of a Sativa strain. It became widely known through Rastafarianism, a religion from Jamaica where cannabis, referred to as ganja, is used in spiritual practices. The term reflects the plant’s deep cultural and religious significance in certain communities.
