Glossary of Cannabis Terms
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
adult use
In the United States, this refers to use of cannabis by adults 21 and over. This is the basis for some state legislation legalizing cannabis.
B
blunt
Historically, a cigar filled with cannabis often mixed with tobacco. Tobacco-free versions have been created for sale in some legal cannabis markets that prohibit combining cannabis and tobacco. Tobacco-free blunts roll cannabis in non-tobacco wraps, such as hemp or palm leaves.
bong
A type of vertical water pipe that consists of a bowl, where flower is heated, and water used to filter cannabis smoke prior to inhalation.
bowl
The part of a pipe or bong that holds cannabis flower.
bud
The cannabis flower; this is the part of the plant often dried and consumed for its intoxicating properties.
budder
Industry trade name for a concentrated paste extracted from cannabis, often containing very high amounts of THC.
Bud Tender
An employee of a cannabis store that interacts directly with product and customers.
Butane Hash Oil (BHO)
A potent cannabis concentrate extracted using butane as the primary solvent.
C
cannabidiol (CBD)
A non-intoxicating chemical compound found in the cannabis plant, sometimes used for therapeutic purposes.
cannabigerol (CBG)
A non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in small quantities in the cannabis plant.
cannabinol (CBN)
A chemical compound found in the cannabis plant; typical less potent than THC.
cannabis
Dried flower, stems, and seeds from the cannabis plant that produce intoxicating effects when inhaled or ingested. Also referred to as marijuana, grass, weed, or ganja. Read more about why we use the term cannabis and not marijuana here.
Charlotte’s Web
A high-CBD, low-THC cannabis extract developed to treat rare childhood seizure disorders, such as Dravet syndrome. Charlotte’s Web is relatively non-intoxicating.
concentrate (extracts)
A class of cannabis products produced by isolating and concentrating high amounts of THC. Sometimes produced using solvents such as butane, CO2, or propane. concentrates include oils, budder, dab, honey oil, resin, shatter, and wax and are typically consumed using a dab rig, dab or vape pen, or pipe.
cartridge
A small container filled with cannabis concentrate used as part of a vape device.
D
dab
A concentrated resin extracted from cannabis containing very high amounts of THC. A concentrate is inserted into a chamber where it is exposed to a heating mechanism, often a ceramic coil, which heats the concentrate creating a vapor.
dab rig
A water pipe used for vaporizing high-THC cannabis concentrates for inhalation. A typical dab rig comes with an attachment called a “nail” which is heated with a torch and then cannabis concentrate is applied. Vapor from the heated concentrate is released into the base where water cools and filters it prior to inhalation.
dab pen
A compact device used to vaporize cannabis concentrates (e.g. dab, wax, budder, shatter) for inhalation.
decriminalization
The process in which the legislature removes criminal penalties against certain acts that are considered crimes. In regard to cannabis, this could mean dropping criminal sanctions for sure, possession under a specific amount, and sometimes production for personal use. In the decriminalization model, the for-profit market sale of decriminalized drugs is illegal.
delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8 THC)
A psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant, similar to Δ9 THC, but typically milder in its effects. It is often synthesized from hemp. Sales of Delta-8 THC is prohibited in WA State.
delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9 THC)
The primary intoxicating cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. THC often refers to delta-9 THC and often used as a measure of potency.
dronabinol
A pharmaceutical containing synthetically manufactured THC, sold under the brand names Marinol and Syndros, for the treatment of HIV/AIDS-induced anorexia and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
E
edibles
Intoxicating products made from cannabis that are consumed orally. These include brownies, candies or mints, drinks, and other commercially produced products. Processed through the stomach and liver, it takes longer to feel the effects of edibles and they are longer lasting than inhalation.
Entourage Effect
The idea that integration of various components in cannabis (e.g. cannabinoids and terpenes) result in synergy that improves both the therapeutic and intoxicating effects compared to any one component on its own. Proponents of the entourage effect encourage use of the whole plant rather than isolation of individual components.
extracts (concentrates)
A class of cannabis products produced by isolating and concentrating high amounts of THC (40 to over 90%). Sometimes produced using solvents such as butane, CO2, or propane. concentrates include oils, budder, dab, honey oil, resin, shatter, and wax and are typically consumed using a dab rig, dab or vape pen, or pipe.
endocannabinoid system
A biological system composed of neurotransmitters, receptors (CB1 and CB2), and enzymes found through the central and peripheral nervous system of mammals. It helps regulate mood, pain, appetite, and immune response and maintain balance in the body’s systems.
F
flower
The bud of a cannabis plant that is dried and cured for consumption.
G
ganja
Hindi word for cannabis
H
hash / hashish
A compressed form of cannabis resin made from concentrated cannabis flower. It is smoked or chewed for its intoxicating effects.
hemp
The cannabis plant cultivated and regulated as an agricultural product in the U.S. whose fibers are used for a wide range of products including fabric and rope. The 2018 Farm Bill further defined hemp as containing no more than Cannabinoids, such as Δ8 THC, can be extracted from hemp and made into products that are unregulated in many U.S. states.
I
I-502
The ballot initiative that legalized cannabis for adult use in WA State in 2012. Link to I-502.
J
joint
A cannabis cigarette. One of the most common methods of smoking cannabis and is made by rolling cannabis flower in rolling paper made from wood pulp, hemp, rice, or other materials.
K
kief
The crystalized trichomes shaken off cured cannabis flower that is often smoked to produce intoxicating effects. Kief contains higher amounts of THC than dried flower.
L
legalization
The removal of prohibitions against cannabis use allowing for consumption, cultivation, manufacturing, and commercialization of cannabis.
M
marijuana / marihuana
A common term for cannabis that was popularized in the early 20th century as anti-cannabis factions sought to leverage anti-immigrant sentiments by associating cannabis use with Mexican communities. Read more about why we use the term cannabis and not marijuana here.
Marinol
The brand name of the synthetic THC pharmaceutical dronabinol.
N
O
oil
An oily resin extract from the cannabis plant.
P
paraphernalia
Equipment or accessories used for consuming or storing cannabis.
prohibition
Laws in some jurisdictions that criminalize consumption and prohibiting the cultivation or sale of cannabis.
Q
R
Reefer Madness
A 1936 American anti-cannabis propaganda film produced under the title “Tell Your Children” that depicts exaggerated effects of cannabis, including hallucinations, murder, psychosis, rape, and suicide.
S
Schedule I
The most restrictive drug classification of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, defined as having high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Cannabis is currently a Schedule I drug.
shatter
A type of cannabis concentrate that is brittle, often transparent, and breaks like glass.
sinsemilla
Spanish for “without seed,” a slang term for potent dried flower.
T
terpenes
Organic compounds found in plants that contribute to characteristics such as fragrance, flavor, and color. Terpenes act as a pesticide to repel insects and other parasites and contain antimicrobial properties that help provide immunity to various viruses, bacteria, and fungi. As in other plants, terpenes are what give cannabis strains their unique scent. Terpenes contribute to The Entourage Effect, whereby cannabinoids and terpenes (the whole plant) work synergistically resulting in both therapeutic and mind-altering effects.
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
The main intoxicating cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. In most cannabis varieties, THC is the most abundant cannabinoid and contain between 10-30% THC. Concentrated products contain even higher amounts of THC (up to 90%). In general, higher amounts of THC equate to a more intense high.
tincture
A cannabis concentrate extracted using alcohol or glycerin, often used medicinally and administered under the tongue using an eyedropper.
topical
A lotion or ointment containing cannabis that is applied topically on the skin. Cannabis products applied topically do not produce mind altering effects.
U
V
vape / vaping
A method for consuming cannabis that heats flower or concentrate to just below combustion creating vapor that can be inhaled.
vape pen
A compact device used to vaporize cannabis flower or oil for inhalation. Cannabis oil cartridges or flower are placed in a chamber and heated with a battery-powered atomizer or coil heating element.
W
wax
A cannabis concentrate often consumed using a dab rig, dab pen or pipe.
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