cannabis

noun can·na·bis \ ˈka-nə-bəs \

|Updated on: 24 Jun 2018

Definition of cannabis

1 : hemp 1a

2 : any of the preparations (such as marijuana or hashish) or chemicals (such as THC) that are derived from the hemp and are psychoactive

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Recent Examples of cannabis from the Web

Properly stored cannabis can retain its potency for months, if not years.

— dan adams, BostonGlobe.com, "21 questions answered about legal marijuana in Massachusetts," 21 June 2018
Giant cannabis companies have been entering deals to supply marijuana to the provinces.

— gene johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Mail-order weed? Legal pot will roll out differently in Canada than in U.S.," 21 June 2018
The way the law treats cannabis has become increasingly absurd.

— The Economist, "High and mighty," 21 June 2018
As of the trading close on Wednesday, prominent cannabis companies traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the NYSE, and the NASDAQ had spiked anywhere from 2.4% to 6%.

— sy mukherjee, Fortune, "These 6 Cannabis Stocks Shot Up After Canada Legalized Marijuana," 20 June 2018
Don Hartleben, who manages Dank of America, a retail cannabis store just south of the border in Blaine, Washington, said Canada’s legalization was not only politically exciting, but a potential business boon for him.

— Washington Post, "Trudeau: Canada to legalize marijuana on Oct. 17," 20 June 2018
According to the National Institute of Drug Health, studies have shown that cannabis consumption almost doubles the risk of a driver being culpable for a injurious or fatal collisions compared to drivers not under the influence of any substances.

— jordan cutler-tietjen, sacbee, "Cyclist dies after collision with driver who was high on marijuana, police say," 19 June 2018
Cannabis growers: Updates for cannabis growers on proposed San Francisco tax legislation and cannabis commission, and on labor law.

— San Francisco Chronicle, "Bay Area political events: Election debriefing, high-rent tour," 14 June 2018
The climate and topography that for decades nurtured the valley’s agricultural staples — first apples and pears, then cannabis—has proven ideal for growing grapes, especially Pinot Noir.

— jody rosen, Smithsonian, "This Secret Corner of California Is a Paradise for Lovers of Great Food and Top-Notch Wines," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cannabis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cannabis

Latin, hemp, from Greek kannabis; akin to Old English hænep hemp

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1783

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Drug/Tobacco Terms

controlled, flake, herb, key, sodden

Medical Dictionary

cannabis

noun can·na·bis \ ˈkan-ə-bəs \

medical Definition of cannabis

1 a capitalized : a genus of annual herbs (family Moraceae) that have leaves with three to seven elongate leaflets and pistillate flowers in spikes along the leafy erect stems and that include the hemp (C. sativa)

b : hemp 1

2 : any of the preparations (as marijuana or hashish) or chemicals (as THC) that are derived from the hemp and are psychoactive