Colorado Health Department's Top 17 Slang Terms for Marijuana

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Good to Know Colorado campaign endeavors to educate folks about the effects of marijuana — although the focus is typically on its dangers. For instance, Good to Know's latest effort sketches out the risks of cannabis use by pregnant and breastfeeding women. But...

By Michael Roberts

June 14, 2016

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The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Good to Know Colorado campaign endeavors to educate folks about the effects of marijuana — though the focus is typically on its dangers.

For instance, Good to Know's latest effort sketches out the risks of cannabis use by pregnant and breastfeeding women.

But the CDPHE-blessed item that recently caught our eye appears under the umbrella category "Marijuana 101" — specifically, the slang terms for marijuana that parents should know before talking with their kids.

The site lists seventeen nicknames for cannabis — many in common usage, some seriously out of date, and others that are apt to make the average teen burst into laughter upon hearing his/her folks say them during a serious sit-down about the demon plant.

See the seventeen terms below, illustrated with photos largely drawn from our 2009 "Marijuana Porn" slide show.

Number 1: Weed

Number 2: Pot

Number 3: Ganja

Number 4: Bud

Number 5: MJ

Number 6: Keef

Number 7: Boom

Continue to keep counting down the Colorado health department's top seventeen slang terms for marijuana.

Number 8: Skunk

Number 9: Gangster

Number 10: Herb

Number 11: Mary Jane

Number 12: Trees

Number 13: Joint

Number 14: Reefer

Number 15: Dank

Number 16: Dank Krippy

Number 17: Purp

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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