Demystifying Cannabis: Key Terminology for Consumers

This glossary covers key cannabis-related terms that can help consumers better understand the industry, products, and their effects. Whether you're new to cannabis or looking to deepen your knowledge, these definitions offer clarity on common terms you might encounter.

A

• Adult-Use Cannabis: Cannabis consumed recreationally by adults over a legal age (usually 21+), as opposed to for medical purposes.
• Aroma: The smell of a particular cannabis strain, which can range from earthy, sweet, or citrusy to skunky or piney. Terpenes influence the aroma.
• Autoflowering: A type of cannabis plant that automatically switches from the vegetative stage to the flowering stage based on age rather than light cycles.

B

• BHO (Butane Hash Oil): A concentrated form of cannabis made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes using butane. Also known as dabs or wax.
• Bud: The flower of the cannabis plant that contains the highest concentration of cannabinoids like THC and CBD. This is the part most commonly consumed.
• Budtender: A staff member at a dispensary who is knowledgeable about cannabis products and helps consumers select products that meet their needs.

C

• Cannabinoids: The chemical compounds found in cannabis that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, producing various effects. The most common are THC and CBD.
• CBD (Cannabidiol): A non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is widely used for its therapeutic properties, such as reducing anxiety, pain, and inflammation.
• Concentrates: Cannabis products that have been processed to extract cannabinoids and terpenes, resulting in highly potent forms like oils, wax, and shatter.
• Cultivar: A specific strain of cannabis bred for certain characteristics, such as THC or CBD content, terpene profile, or growth pattern. Used interchangeably with "strain."
• Cannabis Sativa: A subspecies of cannabis known for its energizing, cerebral effects and higher levels of THC. Sativa strains are often recommended for daytime use.

D

• Dabbing: A method of consuming cannabis concentrates by vaporizing them on a hot surface (dab rig) and inhaling the vapor.
• Decarboxylation: The process of heating cannabis to activate THC and CBD, converting them from their acidic forms (THCA and CBDA) to their active forms.
• Dispensary: A licensed retail location where consumers can legally purchase cannabis products, whether for recreational or medical use.

E

• Edibles: Cannabis-infused food or drink products, such as gummies, chocolates, or beverages, that are consumed orally. They can take longer to take effect but may last longer than inhaled forms.
• Endocannabinoid System (ECS): A biological system within the body that interacts with cannabinoids to regulate various physiological processes, including mood, appetite, and pain.
• Entourage Effect: The theory that cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds in cannabis work together synergistically to enhance their effects.

F

• Full-Spectrum: A cannabis extract that contains a wide range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds, rather than isolating a single component like THC or CBD.
• Flower: Another term for the bud of the cannabis plant, which is typically dried, cured, and used for smoking or vaporizing.
• Flushing: A cultivation technique where growers stop using nutrients and flush the cannabis plants with water near the end of the growing cycle to improve the taste and quality of the buds.

G

• Grinder: A device used to break down cannabis flowers into smaller, evenly sized pieces for rolling into joints or using in pipes or vaporizers.
• Greenout: A term used to describe a negative experience from consuming too much cannabis, often leading to nausea, dizziness, or anxiety.

H

• Hash (Hashish): A concentrated form of cannabis made by compressing trichomes (resin glands) into a solid or paste-like substance.
• Hemp: A variety of the Cannabis sativa plant that contains very low levels of THC (less than 0.3%) and is used for industrial purposes, such as making textiles, paper, and CBD products.
• Hybrid: A cannabis strain that is a cross between two or more different strains, often blending the effects of sativa and indica varieties.

I

• Indica: A subspecies of cannabis known for its relaxing, body-focused effects. Indica strains are often used in the evening or for managing pain, insomnia, or anxiety.
• Infusion: The process of incorporating cannabis into other products, such as oils, butters, or beverages, allowing for ingestion in different forms.
• ISO (Isolate): A purified form of cannabis concentrate that contains a single cannabinoid, like CBD isolate, without any other cannabinoids, terpenes, or compounds.

J

• Joint: A cannabis cigarette, typically rolled in paper and smoked.
• Kief: The powdered form of trichomes that fall off cannabis flowers, which can be collected and used for added potency in smoking or making concentrates.

L

• Landrace Strain: A pure cannabis strain that has developed naturally in a specific geographic location without human intervention. Examples include Afghan and Thai strains.
• Live Resin: A type of cannabis concentrate made by flash-freezing freshly harvested cannabis to preserve the terpenes and cannabinoids before extraction, resulting in a more flavorful and aromatic product.

M

• Microdosing: The practice of consuming small amounts of cannabis to experience its benefits without feeling overly intoxicated or experiencing strong psychoactive effects.
• Moon Rocks: A highly potent cannabis product made by dipping cannabis buds in hash oil and then rolling them in kief, resulting in an ultra-high THC product.

N

• Nug: Slang for a small, high-quality piece of cannabis flower. Nugs are typically dense and full of trichomes.
• Nanoemulsion: A technology used in cannabis edibles and beverages that breaks cannabinoids down into nanoparticles, allowing for faster absorption and quicker onset of effects.

O

• Oil: A concentrated cannabis product typically consumed through vaping, dabbing, or oral ingestion. Cannabis oils can be made with different extraction methods, such as CO2 or ethanol extraction.
• OG: Short for “Ocean Grown,” or "Original Gangsta" depending on where you're coming from, often used to describe high-quality or original cannabis strains, such as OG Kush.

P

• Phenotype: The observable traits of a cannabis plant, influenced by both its genetic makeup and environmental factors such as light, temperature, and nutrients.
• Pre-roll: A cannabis joint that has been rolled and prepared in advance for purchase and consumption.
• Psychoactive: Refers to substances like THC that affect the mind, altering mood, perception, or consciousness.

R

• Rosin: A solventless cannabis concentrate created by applying heat and pressure to cannabis flowers or hash, squeezing out resin.
• Ruderalis: A lesser-known subspecies of cannabis that is naturally autoflowering and has low levels of THC. It is often bred with sativa or indica strains to create hybrids.

S

• Sativa: A cannabis subspecies known for its uplifting, energizing effects. Sativa strains are often recommended for daytime use or creative activities.
• Shatter: A glass-like cannabis concentrate that is brittle and easy to break into pieces. It is popular for dabbing due to its high potency.
• Solventless: Refers to cannabis concentrates made without the use of chemical solvents, typically through methods like heat, pressure, or ice water extraction.
• Strain: A specific variety of cannabis, each with its own unique cannabinoid and terpene profile that produces specific effects and aromas.

T

• Terpenes: Aromatic compounds found in cannabis (and other plants) that contribute to a strain’s flavor and aroma profile. They also interact with cannabinoids and may influence the effects of cannabis.
• THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): The primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis that produces the feeling of being “high.”
• Tincture: A liquid cannabis extract, typically made with alcohol or oil, that is consumed sublingually (under the tongue) or mixed with food or drinks.
• Topicals: Cannabis-infused creams, balms, or lotions applied directly to the skin for localized relief of pain, inflammation, or skin conditions without causing a psychoactive effect.

V

• Vape Cartridge (Vape Cart): A pre-filled container of cannabis oil used with a vaporizer or vape pen. Vape cartridges offer a portable and discreet way to consume cannabis.
• Vaporizer (Vape): A device that heats cannabis or its concentrates to a temperature at which the cannabinoids and terpenes turn into vapor but not high enough to combust the plant material.

W

• Wax: A type of cannabis concentrate with a soft, waxy texture. It is typically consumed via dabbing or vaporizing.
• Whole Plant Extract: A cannabis extract that includes a full range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds from the entire cannabis plant, believed to deliver the entourage effect.

Z

• Zkittlez: A popular cannabis strain known for its fruity, candy-like aroma and a mix of euphoric and relaxing effects.

This glossary is a resource for cannabis consumers looking to navigate the diverse and evolving world of cannabis. Whether you're seeking recreational use or therapeutic benefits, understanding these terms can help you make informed decisions.

If you feel we missed some terms, feel free to DM us on social to add your cannabis terms to the list.