Amos MwanikiWithin the cannabis jargon, pot is probably the first word that comes to mind (in addition to the more formal marijuana and cannabis). But the word 'weed' has actually existed much longer.
Where does the name weed come from?
Weed originally meant the way to smoke cannabis, not the plant itself.
The word "weed" first appeared in 1929. At that time, more and more Americans began to smoke "weed" in the transition from the Roaring Twenties to the Great Depression. The word "weed" was used as a synonym for a cigarette filled with marijuana.
Today the term weed is known throughout the world
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word "weed" first appeared in print in the year 1932. A newspaper (The Chicago Defender) published an article that year describing the shift of cannabis from the slums to high society.
The word weed was used as a synonym for a cigarette filled with marijuana.
The term "weed" made its jump from America to the United Kingdom via Melody Maker. This music magazine that was popular among musicians at the time wrote that "Song of the Weed" and "Reefer Man" were both worth the reader's money.
Melody Maker, published in the UK, was founded in 1926 as a magazine aimed at musicians; in 2000 it was merged into New Musical Express.
The song 'Reefer Man' by Cab Calloway was very popular at the time and during the intro of the song the singer makes a joke that the bass player would have smoked weed.
The term weed became more known through performances at the Cotton Club in Harlem. Today, the term weed is known throughout the world. It is used in all layers of society to indicate the use of cannabis.
