How to say "cannabis" in Japanese

• 麻あさJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounCovers cannabis in its botanical sense, the plant Cannabis sativa, and hemp. Best when talking about the plant or fiber rather than the drug; for marijuana as a substance 大麻 or マリファナ are usually clearer.
• マリファナCommon
  nounRefers to marijuana, the drug made from cannabis. A straightforward loanword; use it when speaking of the substance itself, smoking it, or its effects.
  マリファナについてトムと議論ぎろんした。↗

  I had an argument with Tom about the use of marijuana.
• 野菜やさいJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounLiterally 'vegetable', it appears as a slang term for marijuana or cannabis. Not a neutral way to refer to the drug; recognize it, but in your own speech a plain term is safer.
• 葉っぱはっぱCommon
  nounLiterally 'leaf', used colloquially for marijuana, weed, or cannabis. Casual and informal, like English 'weed'; avoid it in formal or legal contexts, where 大麻 is preferred.
• 大麻たいまCommon
  nounThe principal word for cannabis as a drug, covering marijuana and hashish. The natural choice in news, law, and other neutral or formal discussion of the substance.

Use 大麻 or 「マリファナ」 for the drug sense, 麻 for the plant/hemp sense; 「葉っぱ」 and 野菜 are colloquial or slangy alternatives for marijuana.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 麻あさcannabis (Cannabis sativa)
• マリファナmarijuana
• ガンジャganja
• 野菜やさいmarijuana
• 草くさmarijuana
• 葉っぱはっぱmarijuana
• 大麻たいまcannabis