marijuana

noun

Etymology: Borrowed from Mexican Spanish marihuana, from mariguana. First attested in 1874 in the publications of Hubert Howe Bancroft. Altered by influence of a folk etymology involving the proper name María Juana (“Mary Jane”).

1. The inflorescence of the Cannabis sativa plant, smoked or ingested for euphoric effect.

   “After smoking a bowl of that fine marijuana, they ate some brownies.”

   “You could smell tea, weed, I mean marijuana, floating in the air, together with the chili beans and beer.”

2. The hemp plant itself, Cannabis sativa.