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

Today, more than 5% of the company’s revenue is derived from cannabis companies in the UK, which legalized medical marijuana in 2018, and Germany, which legalized medical use in 2017 and opened a limited recreational market in 2024. —Will Yakowicz, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025

Part of the reason is medical marijuana offers a range of therapeutic benefits, supported by emerging research and patient experiences. —Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2025

Most states have allowed recreational use, while Utah only allows medical marijuana. —Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 19 Mar. 2025

Among its changes to the program, House Bill 46 increases the number of businesses allowed to distribute medical marijuana and expands qualifying conditions. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for medical marijuana

• ana
• bwana
• dhyana
• donna
• fauna
• gonna
• mana
• sauna
• tswana
• wanna
• asana
• chicana

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