Dope

Dope is an old, retro slang term for cannabis, but it originally referred specifically to opium in the 1800s. Back then, dope was used to mean a foolish person or the thick black residue left behind after opium smoke. By the early 1900s, the definition expanded to refer broadly to any illicit drugs including marijuana exchanged on black markets. Nowadays dope has largely shed those darker connotations and negative associations with “dope fiends.” While non-derogatory, some cannabis advocates still avoid the term “dope” entirely to prevent confusion with harder narcotics it historically referenced. Despite contentious roots, dope endures in the cannabis lexicon but mostly carries positive vibes these days to signify really good weed or culture. Calling something “dope” now conveys approval and praise rather than scorn.