大麻
also: おおあさ
Meanings
1
Refers to the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa) and its fiber, historically used for textiles and rope.
Hemp has been used as a fiber since ancient times.
2
Commonly refers to the psychoactive drug; 大麻取締法 (Cannabis Control Act) is a well-known legal term.
Possession of cannabis is prohibited by law in Japan.
3
Shinto paper offerings
Only with reading たいま
Read as たいま; refers to paper or cloth strips offered at Shinto shrines, often seen on sacred ropes (しめなわ).
Paper offerings are hung on the sacred rope at the shrine.
Usage patterns
- 大麻を吸うto smoke cannabis
He was arrested for smoking cannabis.
- 大麻を栽培するto cultivate hemp/cannabis
The farmer cultivates hemp with official permission.
- 大麻を所持するto possess cannabis
It was discovered that he had been in possession of cannabis.
- 大麻を密輸するto smuggle cannabis
A group that smuggled cannabis was arrested.