marihuana

marijuana

noun mah-ree-HWAH-nah Rare

Origin: From Mexican Spanish marihuana, of uncertain origin; possibly from a Chinese-Spanish pidgin or a personal name.

Also means

cannabis

Usage Note

Marihuana (also spelled marijuana) is the standard Spanish term for the cannabis plant and its psychoactive preparation. The spelling with 'h' (marihuana) is more common in Spain, while marijuana (with a 'j') appears in Latin America and English borrowings. In medical contexts, cannabis medicinal is the preferred formal term. Possession and use laws vary significantly across Spanish-speaking countries.

Examples

"El debate sobre la marihuana medicinal sigue abierto."

Natural Translation

The debate about medicinal marijuana remains open.

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