Weed vs. Marijuana — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 16, 2024
Weed and marijuana refer to the same substance derived from the Cannabis plant; "weed" is a slang term, while "marijuana" is more formal.
Difference Between Weed and Marijuana
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Weed is commonly used in casual or informal contexts, emphasizing its recreational use. Whereas marijuana is the formal term often used in legal, medical, and professional settings. This distinction influences how each term is perceived and used in various societal conversations.
Weed connotes a more laid-back and cultural aspect, commonly featured in pop culture and media. On the other hand, marijuana is used in discussions that involve legislation, health care, and academic studies, reflecting its broader societal implications.
In terms of legality, "weed" might carry a slightly more negative connotation due to its informal and sometimes clandestine usage. Whereas "marijuana" is used in legal texts and discussions, particularly in the context of legalization and medical research, indicating a neutral to positive connotation.
While the public, especially younger demographics, may prefer the term weed for its nonchalant tone, professionals in health care, law, and academia predominantly use marijuana. This usage demonstrates the term's acceptance and normalization in formal and regulated environments.
The choice between weed and marijuana can also reflect the speaker's attitude towards cannabis. Weed might be chosen to downplay the seriousness, whereas marijuana might be employed to underscore the legal and medical aspects of cannabis usage.
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Comparison Chart
Formality
Informal, slang
Formal, technical
Usage Context
Recreational, casual
Legal, medical, academic
Connotation
Often negative
Neutral to positive
Preferred by
General public, youth
Professionals, legislators
Representation in Media
Pop culture, music
News, legal discussions
Compare with Definitions
Weed
A common slang term for marijuana.
They decided to smoke some weed at the party.
Marijuana
Used in legal and medical contexts.
Marijuana legalization has been a hot topic in recent debates.
Weed
Used informally to refer to cannabis.
Weed is often seen as less harmful than other drugs.
Marijuana
The formal term for the cannabis plant or its derivatives.
Marijuana is used for both medical and recreational purposes.
Weed
Suggests recreational use of cannabis.
He grows weed in his backyard for personal use.
Marijuana
Refers to cannabis when discussing policies.
The state has implemented new marijuana regulations.
Weed
Often associated with youth culture.
Weed is frequently mentioned in hip-hop music.
Marijuana
Indicates a scientific or professional discussion about cannabis.
Medical marijuana can provide relief from chronic pain.
Weed
Indicates marijuana in casual speech.
Weed has become more accepted socially.
Marijuana
Associated with legal discourse and health care.
She works in a marijuana dispensary.
Weed
A weed is a plant considered undesirable in a particular situation, "a plant in the wrong place". Examples commonly are plants unwanted in human-controlled settings, such as farm fields, gardens, lawns, and parks.
Marijuana
Cannabis, especially as smoked or consumed as a psychoactive (mind-altering) drug
Marijuana plants
The cops told us that he had been smoking marijuana
Weed
A plant considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome, especially one that grows where it is not wanted and often grows or spreads fast or takes the place of desired plants.
Marijuana
The cannabis plant.
Weed
An aquatic plant or alga, especially seaweed.
Marijuana
The dried flower clusters and leaves of this plant, smoked or ingested to induce euphoria or to treat the symptoms of certain medical conditions. Use of marijuana is illegal under federal law, but certain jurisdictions permit regulated use for medical or recreational purposes.
Weed
Something considered useless, detrimental, or worthless.
Marijuana
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.
Weed
Tobacco.
Marijuana
The hemp plant itself, Cannabis sativa.
Weed
A cigarette.
Marijuana
A strong-smelling Asian plant (Cannabis sativa), also called hemp, from which a number of euphorogenic and halucinogenic drugs are prepared. The euphoric effect is predominently due to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Weed
Marijuana.
Marijuana
The dried leaves or the female flowers of the hemp plant, which is smoked or chewed to obtain a euphoric effect. The flowers usually have a higher concentration of the active ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol.
Weed
A token of mourning, as a black band worn on a man's hat or sleeve.
Marijuana
A strong-smelling plant from whose dried leaves a number of euphoriant and hallucinogenic drugs are prepared
Weed
Weeds The black mourning clothes of a widow.
Marijuana
The most commonly used illicit drug; considered a soft drug, it consists of the dried leaves of the hemp plant; smoked or chewed for euphoric effect
Weed
Often weeds(Archaic) An article of clothing; a garment.
Weed
To clear of weeds
Weeded the flowerbeds.
Weed
To remove (weeds). Often used with out
Weed out dandelions.
Weed
To eliminate as unsuitable or unwanted. Often used with out
Weed out unqualified applicants.
Weed
To remove weeds.
Weed
(countable) Any plant unwanted at the place where and at the time when it is growing.
If it isn't in a straight line or marked with a label, it's a weed.
Weed
Underbrush; low shrubs.
Weed
A drug or the like made from the leaves of a plant.
Weed
Cannabis.
Weed
Tobacco.
Weed
A cigar.
Weed
(countable) A weak horse, which is therefore unfit to breed from.
Weed
A puny person; one who has little physical strength.
Weed
Something unprofitable or troublesome; anything useless.
Weed
(archaic) A garment or piece of clothing.
Weed
(archaic) Clothing collectively; clothes, dress.
Weed
(archaic) An article of dress worn in token of grief; a mourning garment or badge.
He wore a weed on his hat.
Weed
(archaic) Especially in the plural as widow's weeds: (female) mourning apparel.
Weed
(Scotland) A sudden illness or relapse, often attended with fever, which befalls those who are about to give birth, are giving birth, or have recently given birth or miscarried or aborted.
Weed
(Scotland) Lymphangitis in a horse.
Weed
To remove unwanted vegetation from a cultivated area.
I weeded my flower bed.
Weed
(figurative) To pilfer the best items from a collection.
Weed
(library science) To systematically remove materials from a library collection based on a set of criteria.
We usually weed romance novels that haven't circulated in over a year.
Weed
Simple past tense and past participle of wee
Weed
A garment; clothing; especially, an upper or outer garment.
He on his bed sat, the soft weeds he worePut off.
Weed
An article of dress worn in token of grief; a mourning garment or badge; as, he wore a weed on his hat; especially, in the plural, mourning garb, as of a woman; as, a widow's weeds.
In a mourning weed, with ashes upon her head, and tears abundantly flowing.
Weed
A sudden illness or relapse, often attended with fever, which attacks women in childbed.
Weed
Underbrush; low shrubs.
One rushing forth out of the thickest weed.
A wild and wanton pard . . . Crouched fawning in the weed.
Weed
Any plant growing in cultivated ground to the injury of the crop or desired vegetation, or to the disfigurement of the place; an unsightly, useless, or injurious plant.
Too much manuring filled that field with weeds.
Weed
Fig.: Something unprofitable or troublesome; anything useless.
Weed
An animal unfit to breed from.
Weed
Tobacco, or a cigar.
Weed
To free from noxious plants; to clear of weeds; as, to weed corn or onions; to weed a garden.
Weed
To take away, as noxious plants; to remove, as something hurtful; to extirpate; - commonly used with out; as, to weed out inefficiency from an enterprise.
Wise fathers . . . weeding from their children ill things.
Revenge is a kind of wild justice, which the more man's nature runs to, the more ought law to weed it out.
Weed
To free from anything hurtful or offensive.
He weeded the kingdom of such as were devoted to Elaiana.
Weed
To reject as unfit for breeding purposes.
Weed
Any plant that crowds out cultivated plants
Weed
Street names for marijuana
Weed
Clear of weeds;
Weed the garden
Common Curiosities
Why is weed considered informal?
Weed is considered informal due to its origins in slang and common usage in casual, non-professional settings.
When is the term marijuana preferred?
The term marijuana is preferred in professional, legal, and medical environments due to its formal recognition.
Are weed and marijuana the same thing?
Yes, both terms refer to the cannabis plant, but their usage varies by context and connotation.
What is commonly referred to as weed?
Weed is a slang term for the cannabis plant, especially in recreational contexts.
Which term is more negatively connoted?
Weed might carry a more negative connotation due to its informal usage and association with illegal contexts.
What does marijuana refer to?
Marijuana is the formal term for cannabis, used in medical, legal, and academic discussions.
Can marijuana be used in a casual conversation?
Yes, marijuana can be used casually, but it carries a more formal tone compared to weed.
How do media representations of weed and marijuana differ?
Weed is often portrayed in a more casual, often humorous light in media, while marijuana is discussed more seriously, particularly in news and documentaries.
What impacts legalization on the usage of these terms?
Legalization has led to more frequent and formal use of the term marijuana in legal and regulatory contexts.
Is there a legal difference between weed and marijuana?
Legally, both terms can refer to the same substance, though marijuana is the preferred term in legal documents.
Is weed only used to describe recreational use?
While commonly associated with recreational use, weed can refer to any use of cannabis, though less formally.
Does the choice of term affect public perception?
Yes, the choice of term can influence public perception, with marijuana often being perceived more positively due to its formal and medicinal associations.
Which term should I use in a professional setting?
In a professional setting, marijuana is the more appropriate term to use.
How has the usage of these terms evolved?
Both terms have evolved in usage with changing societal attitudes towards cannabis, though marijuana has gained more formal acceptance.
Which term is preferred by younger generations?
Younger generations tend to prefer weed due to its casual and culturally resonant usage.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
