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

What uses of medical marijuana are best supported by evidence? —Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 4 May 2026

The move to reclassify medical marijuana products as Schedule III drugs applies only to those products certified by state-level medical cannabis programs. —Carey S. Cadieux, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2026

Forty states have legalized medical marijuana and two dozen the sale of cannabis for recreational use. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Brad Zasada, owner of Cannabis Brothers, said the change primarily benefits medical marijuana operators. —Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2026

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