How to Sign "Cannabis"

To sign cannabis, form your dominant hand into an 'F' shape by pinching your index finger and thumb together while leaving your other fingers extended. Bring your pinched fingers up to your lips, keeping your palm facing inward. The motion mimics the action of holding and smoking a joint.

Examples Using "Cannabis" in a Sentence

1

Is cannabis legal in your state?

Sign 'cannabis', then 'legal', followed by 'your' and 'state', making sure to raise your eyebrows at the end to indicate a yes/no question.

2

They sell cannabis at that store.

Point to the location to establish it, sign 'store', 'sell', and then finish with the sign for 'cannabis'.

3

Medical cannabis helps with pain.

Sign 'medical' and 'cannabis', then sign 'help' moving outward, and finish with the sign for 'pain'.

How to Sign "Cannabis"
To sign cannabis, form your dominant hand into an 'F' shape by pinching your index finger and thumb together while leaving your other fingers extended. Bring your pinched fingers up to your lips, keeping your palm facing inward. The motion mimics the action of holding and smoking a joint.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for cannabis is highly iconic and visually motivated. It directly represents the real-world action of holding a joint between the thumb and index finger and bringing it to the mouth to take a drag.
Signing Tips
Focus on the 'F' handshape, ensuring your thumb and index finger are clearly pinched together. Keep the movement small and natural, bringing your hand directly to your lips. You don't need to actually touch your lips; just bring your hand very close to them to convey the meaning clearly.
Common Mistakes
Beginners often confuse this sign with the general sign for smoking a cigarette. Remember that smoking a cigarette uses a 'V' handshape, with the index and middle fingers extended. For cannabis, you must use the 'F' handshape to represent holding a joint.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Cannabis" in a Sentence
1

Is cannabis legal in your state?

Sign 'cannabis', then 'legal', followed by 'your' and 'state', making sure to raise your eyebrows at the end to indicate a yes/no question.

2

They sell cannabis at that store.

Point to the location to establish it, sign 'store', 'sell', and then finish with the sign for 'cannabis'.

3

Medical cannabis helps with pain.

Sign 'medical' and 'cannabis', then sign 'help' moving outward, and finish with the sign for 'pain'.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sign used for both medical and recreational cannabis?

Yes, this sign is used for the plant and the product in general, regardless of its use. You can add the sign for 'medical' before it if you need to specify the context.

How do I tell the difference between this and the sign for smoking?

It is all in the handshape! Smoking a regular tobacco cigarette uses a 'V' handshape, while cannabis uses an 'F' handshape with a pinched thumb and index finger.

Are there other signs for marijuana?

Yes, ASL has a few regional variations. Another common sign involves placing a 'W' handshape (for weed) or an 'M' handshape (for marijuana) on the palm of your non-dominant hand.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!