Anyone who takes a close look at the introduction of this word to the English language, and its use thereafter, will agree. “Marijuana” and especially “marihuana” are indeed racist. The word came from native Mexicans who were immigrating to America and bringing with them the habit of smoking marijuana, which was legal at the time. It makes some sense as to why the ‘h’ was substituted for the ‘j’ so broadly. It was a matter of poor translation at the time. Now “marihuana,” the perverted version of the word, is included in a great many legal documents and ordinances.
This foreign sounding word was used as propaganda to stir up the xenophobic american population of the day. Harry Anslinger, arguably the father of cannabis prohibition, was credited with saying; “There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers and any others.” Search his other public statements and you will be stunned. Some of what he said publicly at that time I won’t even repeat on my website.
However, while I prefer not to use these terms at all, times are changing. I’ve slowly come around to the idea that the term has it’s usefulness. I prefer using cannabis and will do so interchangeably. However, cannabis can refer to any variety of the plant. Marijuana, on the other hand, almost always refers to cultivars of the cannabis plant that contain active levels of THCTHC is the most famous cannabinoid and is psychoactive. TH.... Hemp tends to be used in reference to cannabis plants with very low THCTHC is the most famous cannabinoid and is psychoactive. TH..., and an abundance of CBDCBD is a cannabinoid with high medical value. It lessens t... More.
Further, for good or bad, “marijuana” has been enshrined in Article 14 of the Missouri State Constitution as well as federal legislation regarding hemp. There seems to be no avoiding it in the long term and the vast majority of folks who use that term these days are ignorant to its racist roots. So, while hesitate each time I say that word, I will use it for descriptive purposes. I might bring this up when we speak, but I won’t harp on it. Even I have a hard time not using the term.