cannabis

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   A drug made from the dried leaves and flowers of a plant, used for pleasure or medicine.

   Grammar: No plural; use 'some cannabis' or 'a lot of cannabis'.

   Patterns

   • smoke cannabis
   • use cannabis
   • cannabis use

   Many countries have laws against selling cannabis.

   She was arrested for possessing cannabis.

   Some doctors prescribe cannabis to relieve pain.

2. 2noununcountabletechnicalbiology

   The plant from which this drug is obtained.

   Grammar: Usually singular; refers to the plant species.

   Patterns

   • grow cannabis
   • cannabis plant

   Cannabis grows well in warm, humid climates.

   The police found a field where cannabis was being cultivated.

Common combinations

cannabis use

Cannabis use among teenagers has declined in recent years.

medical cannabis

Medical cannabis is now legal in several states.

cannabis plant

The cannabis plant has distinctive serrated leaves.

smoke cannabis

He admitted to smoking cannabis at the party.

Synonyms and how they differ

marijuana

More common in American English, especially in informal contexts; cannabis is the formal term used in law and medicine.

pot

Very informal and slang; avoid in formal writing.

weed

Informal and slang; often used among young people.

Word family

cannabinoid noun

A chemical compound found in cannabis.

cannabidiol noun

A compound in cannabis used for medical purposes, often abbreviated CBD.

Commonly confused: cannabis or canvas?

Practice

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