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

Research indicates that medical marijuana can be used to induce eating, relieve pain, reduce anxiety, and treat symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and epilepsy, among other conditions. —Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2024

Though Griner had a prescription for medical marijuana to ease the chronic pain of basketball injuries, she was detained at the airport and eventually sentenced to nine years in prison. —Terry Gross, NPR, 7 May 2024

How popular is the idea of legalizing cannabis use? Wisconsin is one of 12 states where recreational or medical marijuana is not available. —Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 3 May 2024

In 2018, under the administration of Carlos Hernandez, the city passed an ordinance prohibiting dispensaries for the sale of medical marijuana in Hialeah. —Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 1 May 2024

Fourteen more states allow it for medical purposes, including Kentucky, where medical marijuana legislation that passed last year will take effect in 2025. —Gene Johnson, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024

Critics say the measure is driven by medical marijuana operators that want less competition if recreational marijuana is approved, according to Health News Florida. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2024

The same lawmakers who could not even agree on a highly restrictive medical marijuana proposal earlier this year have made no moves to rein in an essentially identical product. —John Diedrich, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Ashley Okwuosa, The Examination | Amy Yurkanin, Al.com, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024

However, the Lone Star State does allow for medical marijuana consumption on numerous aliments and illnesses. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

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