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

While Colorado Springs has a wealth of medical marijuana dispensaries, there are enough hurdles in place — the need to get a doctor’s note and purchase a green card from the state — that Tom Scudder says that side of the industry simply can’t compete with the recreational side. —John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2025

The amendment that failed in November would have allowed Florida’s existing medical marijuana treatment centers to sell recreational marijuana. —Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2025

During these interviews, the president-elect discussed a wide range of topics that currently affect the United States and voters, such as medical marijuana, artificial intelligence, and in vitro fertilization. —Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 4 Jan. 2025

Violators could possibly have their medical marijuana license suspended or revoked and also be subject to any local laws or ordinances that apply, officials said in a statement to The Courier Journal. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 30 Dec. 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