The term “marijuana” has Mexican-Spanish roots in the United States. In the 1920s and 1930s, there was a growing sentiment against the Mexican immigrants who were supposedly bringing pot smoking with them. The term “marijuana,” sometimes spelled “marihuana” in the early days, was used to connect cannabis with the Mexican immigrants. A statement by the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators states, “[It was used] by racist politicians who first criminalized cannabis because they wanted to underscore that it was a Latino, particularly Mexican, vice.” The use of the term was popularized during the 1930s when Harry Anslinger, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, began a three-decade long campaign against cannabis. In testimony before Congress, Anslinger is quoted as saying, “Most marijuana smokers are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos and entertainers. Their satanic music, jazz and swing, result from marijuana usage.” [5] Due to the racist history of the term “marijuana”, many people are beginning to use the term “cannabis” instead. In 2017, Halifax Councillor Shawn Clearly tweeted, “Let’s do what we can to not perpetuate racism,” pointing to the term’s racist past. [6] Hopefully, Canadians will begin to shift their terminology when it comes to cannabis.