English

cannabis

gb/kˈænəbəs/ us/kˈænəbəs/
B2 English
~ 8400
Senses
0 senses
Noun B2 entity
1

psychoactive drug from the cannabis plant

A drug made from the cannabis plant that changes how you feel and think, used for fun or as medicine.

Usage pattern: [someone] uses/smokes cannabis
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse “cannabis” with “hemp.” In everyday English, “cannabis” usually means the drug people smoke or eat to feel high or for medical treatment. “Hemp” usually refers to cannabis plants grown for fiber, seeds, or non‑intoxicating products.
Synonyms
marijuana (Very common neutral word in North American English for the drug; often interchangeable but slightly more informal than “cannabis”.) | weed (Informal and slangy; widely used in speech but not usually in legal or medical contexts.) | pot (Informal slang; slightly older-sounding and less neutral than “weed” or “cannabis”.)
Collocations
smoke cannabis |use cannabis |medical cannabis |recreational cannabis |cannabis use |cannabis legalization
Themes
health |drugs |law |medicine |daily_life |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • Several countries have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of cannabis.
  • She uses cannabis to manage chronic pain under a doctor’s supervision.
  • The study looked at how often teenagers try cannabis before the age of eighteen.
  • Public opinion on recreational cannabis has changed rapidly over the last decade.
  • Driving after using cannabis can seriously reduce your reaction time.
Learner examples
  • He stopped smoking cannabis when he got a new job.
  • Some patients take cannabis to help with strong pain.
  • The police found cannabis in the car.
  • In that country, it is illegal to sell cannabis.
  • Many young people say they have tried cannabis once.
Noun technical C1 entity
2

the Cannabis plant or plant genus

The plant called Cannabis, grown for its strong stems, seeds, or to make the drug cannabis.

Usage pattern: the cannabis plant
Common mistake:
Learners may think this botanical sense always refers to the drug. In scientific, agricultural, or industrial texts, “cannabis” can refer to the plant in general, including varieties that do not make people feel high.
Synonyms
hemp (Often used when talking about low‑THC cannabis grown for fiber, seeds, or industrial products, not specifically about the drug.)
Collocations
cannabis plant |wild cannabis |cannabis cultivation |cannabis strain |industrial cannabis |cannabis species
Themes
science |agriculture |industry |nature |health |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • The cannabis plant has been cultivated for thousands of years for fiber and oil.
  • Researchers are studying different cannabis strains to better understand their chemical profiles.
  • Industrial cannabis is bred to have very low levels of psychoactive compounds.
  • The region’s climate is well suited to outdoor cannabis cultivation.
  • Pollination can significantly affect the yield of female cannabis plants.
Learner examples
  • The cannabis plant can grow very tall.
  • Farmers in this area grow cannabis for its fiber.
  • Scientists tested many cannabis plants in the lab.
  • This book explains how the cannabis plant is used in industry.
  • Different cannabis plants can have different levels of chemicals.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cannabis
IPA
GB/kˈænəbəs/
US/kˈænəbəs/
Syllables & stress
can - nabis (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (can)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: cannabis
  • Plural: cannabis
Word family
Related words
marijuana noun B2 hemp noun B2 cannabinoid noun
Advanced or less common
cannabidiol noun cannabinol noun
Expressions

cannabis cultivation

1
/kˈænəbəs kˌʌltɪvˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase technical

growing cannabis plants as a crop

The activity of growing cannabis plants, often in a planned and controlled way.

Examples
  • The government strictly regulates cannabis cultivation for commercial sale.
  • Indoor cannabis cultivation allows growers to control light and temperature.

cannabis dispensary

1
/kˈænəbəs dɪspˈɛnsɚi/
fixed phrase

licensed shop selling cannabis

A special shop that is allowed by law to sell cannabis products.

Examples
  • You need a medical card to buy products from that cannabis dispensary.
  • The city limited the number of cannabis dispensaries that can open downtown.

cannabis edibles

1
/kˈænəbəs ˈɛdəbəlz/
fixed phrase

foods that contain cannabis

Foods like cookies or candies that have cannabis inside them and make you feel high when you eat them.

Examples
  • The store offers a range of cannabis edibles, including gummies and chocolate bars.
  • Beginners are warned to start with a low dose when trying cannabis edibles.

cannabis industry

1
/kˈænəbəs ˈɪndəstɹi/
fixed phrase

business sector for cannabis

All the companies and jobs that grow, make, and sell cannabis products.

Examples
  • The legal cannabis industry has created thousands of new jobs.
  • Investors are closely watching how regulations will affect the cannabis industry.

cannabis legalization

1
/kˈænəbəs lˌiɡələzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase

making cannabis legal by law

The act of changing the law so that people can legally use or sell cannabis.

Examples
  • Public support for cannabis legalization has grown in recent years.
  • The debate over cannabis legalization dominated the election campaign.

cannabis oil

1
/kˈænəbəs ˈɔɪl/
fixed phrase

oil extracted from cannabis

A thick oil made from the cannabis plant that contains its chemicals, sometimes used as medicine or in products.

Examples
  • She takes a few drops of cannabis oil each night to help her sleep.
  • The company sells cannabis oil with clearly labeled THC and CBD levels.

cannabis plant

1
/kˈænəbəs plˈænt/
fixed phrase

an individual cannabis plant

One plant of the type called Cannabis.

Examples
  • Each cannabis plant must be tagged and recorded in the tracking system.
  • They grew a single cannabis plant in a small indoor tent.

cannabis possession

1
/kˈænəbəs pəzˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase formal

having cannabis, in a legal sense

Having cannabis with you or in your things, especially as a legal issue.

Examples
  • He was arrested for cannabis possession after a traffic stop.
  • Penalties for cannabis possession vary widely between countries.

cannabis strain

1
/kˈænəbəs stɹˈeɪn/
fixed phrase technical

specific variety of cannabis plant

A type of cannabis plant that has been bred to have certain effects, flavors, or chemical levels.

Examples
  • This cannabis strain is known for its high CBD content.
  • Patients are often advised to try different cannabis strains to see what works best for them.

cannabis use

1
/kˈænəbəs jˈuz/
fixed phrase

the act of using cannabis

The act of taking cannabis, for example by smoking or eating it.

Examples
  • Early cannabis use has been linked to higher dropout rates.
  • The survey measured cannabis use among university students.

cannabis user

1
/kˈænəbəs jˈuzɚ/
fixed phrase

person who uses cannabis

A person who takes cannabis.

Examples
  • Regular cannabis users were more likely to report sleep problems.
  • The program offers support to young cannabis users who want to quit.

medical cannabis

1
/mˈɛdɪkəl kˈænəbəs/
fixed phrase

cannabis used as medicine

Cannabis that doctors allow or give to patients to help with health problems.

Examples
  • Her doctor prescribed medical cannabis to help control her seizures.
  • The new law allows patients with cancer to access medical cannabis products.

recreational cannabis

1
/ɹˌɛkɹiˈeɪʃənəl kˈænəbəs/
fixed phrase

cannabis used for enjoyment

Cannabis that people use to feel high or relaxed, not as medicine.

Examples
  • Several states have legalized recreational cannabis for adults over twenty‑one.
  • The government taxes recreational cannabis at a higher rate than medical cannabis.

synthetic cannabis

1
/sɪnθˈɛtɪk kˈænəbəs/
fixed phrase technical

artificial drugs like cannabis

Man‑made drugs that are designed to act like cannabis in the body, but are not made from the plant.

Examples
  • Health agencies have reported severe side effects linked to synthetic cannabis products.
  • Unlike natural cannabis, synthetic cannabis can be much stronger and more dangerous.

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