medical marijuana

noun

variants or less commonly medical cannabis

: marijuana that is available only by prescription and is used to treat a variety of medical conditions (such as pain, anxiety, nausea, and glaucoma)

In the 14 states that allow medical marijuana, middle-aged baby boomers talk quite freely about filling their prescriptions at the local dispensary (of which there are nearly 1,400 in California alone).

—Eve Conant

also : any of various substances (such as cannabidiol) extracted from marijuana and used similarly

Examples of medical marijuana in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In Denver, active medical marijuana store licenses have fallen from 152 in April 2022 to 83 in 2026. —Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026

The order noted that regulation of medical marijuana has come a long way, with comprehensive licensing polices from cultivation to sales in most states. —Gene Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

The decision follows an executive order signed by Trump in December 2025, ordering the Justice Department to reclassify medical marijuana and to clear the way for CBD products. —Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026

Easing rules for regulated medical marijuana first, before taking up other categories of marijuana, could help clear that legal path. —Bill Chappell, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for medical marijuana

• ana
• bwana
• dhyana
• donna
• fauna
• gonna
• mana
• sauna
• tswana
• wanna
• asana
• chicana

Medical Definition

medical marijuana

noun

variants also medical cannabis

: marijuana that is available only by prescription and is used to treat a variety of medical conditions (as pain, anxiety, nausea, and glaucoma)

also : any of various substances (as cannabidiol) extracted from marijuana and used similarly