People under the influence of marijuana may also be at greater risk of sexual assault or other criminal acts. Impaired judgment makes it dangerous to drive after using marijuana. When marijuana is smoked, the THC passes rapidly from the lungs into the bloodstream, which carries the chemical to the brain and other organs throughout the body. Jordan McKenzie is a writer deeply passionate about the history of cannabis. So, despite some decline in usage, it’s still well-understood to refer to cannabis. However, most people around the world will understand what you’re talking about if you call it Mary Jane or MJ.

Related Slang

The word “marijuana” originated in the early 1900s in the United States, likely from Mexican Spanish. So, while “Mary Jane” and hashish are related in that they both come from the cannabis plant, they are not the same thing. Both marijuana and hashish come from the same plant but differ in form, potency, and methods of consumption. Hashish, on the other hand, is a concentrated form of cannabis made from the resin of the plant’s flowers. For cannabis, it signifies counterculture, rebellion, or casual reference. While both terms are entrenched in American culture, they serve different roles and signify different things.

The Legal Landscape Impacting Mary Jane’s Usage

It emerged in American slang as a coded way to discuss cannabis during periods of illegality or stigma. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, ‘Mary Jane’ for shoes predates its use as marijuana slang, appearing in the early 20th century. The Connection Between Mary Jane Cannabis and Mary Jane the Shoe Style is one of shared nomenclature but distinct origins and cultural trajectories.

What Is ‘Mary Jane’ and Why Is It Slang for Weed?

As acceptance continues to grow, it’s likely that terms like Mary Jane will remain an integral part of cannabis culture and discourse worldwide. The term gained substantial popularity during the mid-20th century, particularly in the context of the jazz and counterculture movements. The term “Mary Jane” has become synonymous with cannabis culture. We are continually updating our database with new slang terms, acronyms, and abbreviations.

This shift directly impacts how terms like “Mary Jane” are perceived and utilized in everyday language. Mary Jane’s representation in popular culture is vast. The rise in social acceptance and legalization of cannabis has influenced how terms like Mary Jane are utilized.

• Slang names for weed include pot, Ganja, Reefer, Dope, Green, Nug, and May Jane.
• According to the Oxford English Dictionary, ‘Mary Jane’ for shoes predates its use as marijuana slang, appearing in the early 20th century.
• The song helped the term achieve a new level of prominence, especially among listeners who picked up on the subtle double meaning and the connection to cannabis.

This shift has reduced the stigma surrounding marijuana use, allowing terms like “Mary Jane” to become more socially acceptable. Following legalization, the state generated over $1.7 billion in tax revenue from cannabis sales by 2020, showcasing the economic impact and mainstream acceptance of the substance. Notably, artists such as Rick James and the rapper “Cypress Hill” frequently reference cannabis in their music, often using the term “Mary Jane” as a staple. Mary Jane has since forged its way into popular culture, being used in music, films, and social conversations. One possibility is that it originated in a Chinese word for the hemp plant, “ma ren hua,” per NPR. Of course, all of this assumes the word “marijuana” was, is, and always has been a simple portmanteau.

The Full Story

Slang names for weed include pot, Ganja, Reefer, Dope, Green, Nug, and May Jane. Unlike other slang, Mary Jane maintained its place in the lexicon as both a nostalgic reference and a contemporary code word. A Pew Research Center survey found that 91% of U.S. adults believe marijuana should be legal, either for both medical and recreational use or only for medical use, showing its broad societal acceptance. Mary Jane’s cultural significance comes from its history as coded language and its presence in American music, film, and literature.

The connection between the words marijuana and Mary Jane

As society’s perception of marijuana continues to shift, “Mary Jane” remains a lighthearted way to refer to an increasingly normalized topic. One notable mention is in the 1936 propaganda film “Reefer Madness,” where marijuana’s infamous effects were sensationalized. But there’s a chance that’s possibly not the case at all — and that the real story behind the slang is a lot more complex than it seems.

• Mary Jane’s cultural significance comes from its history as coded language and its presence in American music, film, and literature.
• Psychotic episodes and more serious medical problems are rare but possible.
• The patient was successfully treated for his seizures, but left “against medical advice” after an overnight stay in the ICU and did not attend his follow-up appointments.
• The term “Mary Jane” has become synonymous with cannabis culture.

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The legal status of cannabis has changed dramatically over the last few decades. The entries vary from humorous to informative, capturing the playful and multifaceted nature of the term in street vernacular. In this article, we will delve into its origins, usage in modern society, and its representation in various facets of culture. Want to suggest a new term or an update to this page? The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been manually compiled and written by the Slang.net team. For example, your friend may depart from a gathering saying, “gotta go. i have a date with mary jane.”

“Mary” is the English equivalent to the Spanish name “Maria”; similarly, “Jane” is the English equivalent of the Spanish “Juana.” Per the outlet, some Spanish-speaking cannabis users will say they’re smoking “Maria.” (French-speaking users sometimes use their own like-minded equivalent, smoking “le Marie Jeanne.”) When it comes to words borne from an illegal and underground subculture, all bets are off. Humans have been using the cannabis plant to alter their consciousness for thousands of years, according to Science.

The patient was successfully treated for his seizures, but left “against medical advice” after an overnight stay in the ICU and did not attend his follow-up appointments. He did not have any past medical history to suggest he had heart disease, nor did he have a history of seizures in the past. He said that his “heart began feeling weak” after smoking marijuana the previous evening.

This reflects societal attitudes and also normalizes both the terms and the substance itself. Official documents usually use the scientific name Cannabis sativa or refer to it as marijuana or cannabis. No, slang names like “Mary Jane” are not used in legal contexts. Playful terms like ‘Mary Jane’ or ‘weed’ minimize risks and normalize use. These names show different attitudes toward marijuana use, from rebellion to casual acceptance, shaping how it is perceived and discussed. Beyond entertainment, its use highlights cultural attitudes, legal constraints, and social dynamics, making “Mary Jane” more than a nickname; it represents evolving views on marijuana itself.

This page explains what the slang term “Mary Jane” means. While it is not as popular as it once was in the 20th century, you still may see or hear the term in settings online and in person where marijuana use might be taboo to mention. As legalization spreads globally and more people embrace cannabis, terms like Mary Jane will likely continue to play a vital role in shaping the conversations and narratives surrounding cannabis use. Interestingly, younger generations tend to adopt more relaxed attitudes towards cannabis, with terms like “Mary Jane” facilitating discussions about the substance without invoking societal stigma. The character referred to as Mary Jane depicted the stereotype of marijuana users, reinforcing the stigma attached to the substance.

Hear “mary jane” pronounced Every slang has its story, and yours matters! As of 2023, over 18 states in the U.S. have legalized marijuana for recreational use, while many others have approved it for medicinal purposes.

One of the most promising theories connects it to the Spanish language. The change in public perception was the key to getting cannabis outlawed, a central tenet in the oral crusade that surrounded Prohibition and the later ban on cannabis. Some historians feel that it was actually the name that sparked fear over the plant, even though it had been in widespread use in the United States mary jane drug for a long time.