der / das  Cannabis

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kaˈnaːbɪs/

🌱 What does Cannabis mean?

The German word Cannabis primarily refers to two things:

1. The plant genus Cannabis (hemp), especially the species Cannabis sativa.
2. The psychoactive substance (marijuana, hashish) obtained from parts of the female hemp plant (usually flowers).

Article Usage (Der or Das?):

• Das Cannabis (neuter): This is the vastly more common and recommended form, especially when talking about the substance or the plant in general (scientific, legal, botanical contexts). The Duden dictionary lists only 'das Cannabis'. It refers to the material, the substance.
• Der Cannabis (masculine): This form is rarer and sometimes used colloquially or in specific contexts. It might be influenced by analogy to 'der Hanf' (hemp) or emphasize a specific type/product. ⚠️ It's recommended to primarily use 'das Cannabis' to avoid misunderstandings.

In many cases, Cannabis is also used without an article, especially when referring to the consumption or possession of the drug (e.g., "Er konsumiert Cannabis." - He consumes cannabis.).

🧐 Grammar of Cannabis in Detail

The declension depends on the article used. 'Das Cannabis' is declined like a neuter noun, 'der Cannabis' like a masculine one. However, it is often used without an article and remains unchanged.

Declension (Singular)

Plural: A plural form of Cannabis is very uncommon. People usually talk about 'Cannabispflanzen' (cannabis plants) or 'Cannabissorten' (cannabis strains) when referring to a plural.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Das Cannabis unterliegt in Deutschland dem Betäubungsmittelgesetz. (Cannabis is subject to the Narcotics Act in Germany. - referring to the substance/legal status)
2. Der Anbau von Cannabis ist nur unter bestimmten Bedingungen erlaubt. (The cultivation of cannabis is only permitted under certain conditions. - no article, referring to the plant/activity)
3. Medizinisches Cannabis kann zur Schmerzlinderung eingesetzt werden. (Medical cannabis can be used for pain relief. - neuter, specific application)
4. ⚠️ Rare: Er sprach über den Cannabis, den er bevorzugte. (He talked about the cannabis he preferred. - masculine, possibly a specific strain or colloquial)

💡 Everyday Usage

The use of 'Cannabis' is highly context-dependent:

• Medical Context: Here, it's usually referred to as 'medizinisches Cannabis', often using 'das Cannabis'. Example: Der Arzt verschrieb dem Patienten medizinisches Cannabis. (The doctor prescribed medical cannabis to the patient.)
• Legal Context: Laws and regulations refer to 'das Cannabis' as the substance. Example: Der Besitz von Cannabis ist in vielen Ländern reguliert. (The possession of cannabis is regulated in many countries.)
• Botanical/Scientific Context: One speaks of 'der Gattung Cannabis' (the genus Cannabis) or 'der Pflanze Cannabis sativa'. When referring to the product, it's usually 'das Cannabis'. Example: Die Forschung untersucht die Inhaltsstoffe von Cannabis. (Research investigates the ingredients of cannabis.)
• Colloquial Language (Drug): The article is often omitted, or colloquial synonyms like Gras, Weed, Haschisch are used. If an article is used, 'das Cannabis' is more common. Example: Sie wurden beim Konsum von Cannabis erwischt. (They were caught consuming cannabis.)

Comparison: 'Hanf' (der Hanf) is often used synonymously, but more frequently refers to the industrial plant (fibers, seeds) or the plant in general, while 'Cannabis' is more strongly associated with the psychoactive effects, but also denotes the plant genus. 'Das Cannabis' is the standard form for the substance.

🧠 Mnemonics

Here are a couple of memory aids:

• Article (das): Think of das drug, das medicine, das substance. The neuter article 'das' feels neutral, fitting the scientific and legal contexts where 'das Cannabis' is standard. The rare 'der Cannabis' sounds a bit like 'der Kaktus' (cactus) – prickly and not the default. Remember: **DAS** is the **D**efault **A**rticle for **S**ubstance.
• Meaning: Imagine someone saying, "I **can**na **bis**turbed while learning about **Cannabis**." The sound association might help remember the word itself, linking it to the plant/substance often discussed.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar, but Misleading Words

• Hanf: Often synonymous, but Hanf can also specifically refer to industrial hemp without intoxicating effects (e.g., for ropes, clothing, oil).

😂 A Little Joke

German: Warum hat der Gärtner seinen Job gekündigt? Er fand, die Arbeit mit Cannabis war zu entspannend!

English: Why did the gardener quit his job? He found working with cannabis too relaxing!

📜 A Little Poem

German:
Ob der, ob das, die Frage bleibt,
Cannabis, das die Geister treibt.
Mal Medizin, mal grünes Kraut,
Auf das man hofft, auf das man baut.
Das Mittel, sagt der Paragraph,
Der Stoff vielleicht im Kiffer-Schlaf?
Am besten neutral, einfach 'das',
So gibt's im Duden keinen Bass.

English Translation:
Whether 'der' or 'das', the question stays,
Cannabis, that drives spirits in a haze.
Sometimes medicine, sometimes green weed,
On which one hopes, on which one builds indeed.
'Das' substance, says the paragraph's decree,
'Der' stuff perhaps in stoner reverie?
Best neutral, simply use 'das',
So in the dictionary, there's no fuss.

❓ Riddle Time

German:
Ich bin eine Pflanze, grün und schlank,
Mal Medizin, mal auf der Anklagebank.
Man raucht mich, isst mich, macht auch Öl,
Mein Name klingt international und schnell.
Man streitet, ob ich 'der' oder 'das' soll sein,
Doch meine Wirkung ist nicht immer fein.

Was bin ich?

English Translation:
I am a plant, green and slender,
Sometimes medicine, sometimes a legal contender.
People smoke me, eat me, make oil too,
My name sounds international and through.
They argue if I should be 'der' or 'das', you see,
But my effect isn't always filled with glee.

What am I?
(Answer: Cannabis)

🌐 Other Information

• Etymology: The word 'Cannabis' comes from Greek (κάνναβις, kánnabis) and Latin (cannabis), where it also meant hemp.
• Legal Status: The handling of Cannabis is regulated very differently worldwide and is subject to frequent changes (e.g., legalization for medical or recreational purposes in some countries/regions). Germany implemented partial legalization in 2024.
• Active Compounds: The most well-known active compounds are Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, psychoactive) and Cannabidiol (CBD, non-psychoactive).