Glossary of Cannabis Terms

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Like fine wine, cannabis can elicit a variety of scents for each individual user. Aroma describes the general smell and/or taste of a certain plant or flower. While some individuals definition of aromas can vary by taste (such as “earthy,” skunky,” or “citrus”). These descriptions are meant as a basic guideline, not exactly inked as fact in any cannabis textbook (that we know of).

Bud refers to the actual flower of the cannabis plant. These are the fluffy parts that are harvested and used for recreational or medicinal purposes as they contain the highest concentrations of active cannabinoids.  

Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds that are active in cannabis. There are at least 85 different known cannabinoids isolated from cannabis, all exhibiting varied effects. The two most popular cannabinoids are THC and CBD.

Cannabis is a plant genus that produces three species of flowering plants: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica are used to produce recreational and medical marijuana. Cannabis ruderalis is rarely farmed due to its natural lower THC content and small stature, but there is some cross-breeding thanks to ruderalis’s unique ability to auto-flower rather than mature based on light. Cannabis is native to Asia, but grows almost anywhere and has long been cultivated for the production of hemp as well as various other uses.  

Cannabidiol-an abundant cannabinoid of marijuana, CBD has wider scope of potential medical applications over THC. CBD is effective in treating neuropathic pain caused by MS, Diabetes, Lupus, cancer and other injuries. It is also used to combat anxiety, seizures, sleeplessness, and nausea. This is a great option for those who are looking to take advantage of the medical actually counteracts THC’s psychedelic effect, so if you’re looking for a more mellow experience we recommend talking to your budtender about finding your ideal THC to CBD ratio.  

A cross (referring to crossbreeding) is the result when two different plant strains being bred together. For example, Blue Dream is a cross between Blueberry and Haze strains.  

The term concentrate refers to any wax, shatter, or oil that you vaporize or smoke or any tincture applied sublingually under the tongue. Concentrates are a potent consolidation of cannabinoids that are made by dissolving Cannabis in its plant form into a solvent. The resulting product has very high cannabinoid levels (generally more than flowers or hashish) and can produce various products, most typically oils and waxes.  

CO2 extraction is a type of supercritical fluid extraction used to maximize the cannabinoids and terpenes of the plant while still maintaining their delicate structure. A supercritical fluid behaves both like a gas and like a liquid-diffusing through solids like a gas but dissolving compounds like a liquid. The supercritical CO2 goes through a series of extraction vessels at specific pressures and temperatures, flooding the ground plant material and extracting those clean cannabinoid profiles. It is then separated and filtered from the plant material and, after the extraction is complete, a drop in pressure allows the excess CO2 to evaporate, leaving the cannabis oil behind. The benefit of CO2 extraction is that it is naturally occurring and leaves behind no residues. Other examples of CO2 extractions in the food industry include the extraction of flavor oils from hops in the brewing industry and extraction of caffeine from coffee beans. Fun Fact: Most concentrates are made using shake, trim and undesirable buds that aren’t fit to smoke.  

Edibles are cannabinoid-infused foods, beverages or tinctures containing typically from 10-25mg per serving. The most common form of CBD Edibles are gummies and tinctures , but are continuously evolving to include candies and even CBD infused honey. 

It is the process of extracting essential oils and cannabinoids from the plant by using ethyl or isopropyl as the solvent. Once the plant material is removed, the alcohol is evaporated leaving behind a sticky and highly potent substance. Further purification is done to obtain the various forms of hash oil including oil, shatter, budder or wax.

Flowering time refers to the time it takes for a plant to produce mature flowers. Cannabis flowering times are affected by the length of daily exposure the plant receives to sun (with the exception of the Cannabis ruderalis species, which flower automatically). When flowering times are reported for a strain, they are general estimates based on how the plants do on average in optimal conditions. Actual flowering times will vary, and it is up to the grower to decide when to harvest for maximum benefit.  

OG is a term that’s now used to describe many strains, though the term originated to describe Southern California’s Ocean Grown Kush, which was quickly shortened to OG Kush. OG Kush grew quickly in fame and reputation. Most OGs are different variations of the original OG Kush genetics or are also ocean grown on the West Coast.  

Phenotype is a term that is heard most often in growing. It refers to the general physical characteristics of the plant such as height, color, branching, leaf configuration down to cell structure–any markers that can be used to identify and judge the healthiness of a plant.  

Another terpene found in cannabis as well as in orange peels, pine needles, rosemary, dill, and parsley. Pinene derives its name from its woodsy, piney aroma. Pinene is memory enhancing, promotes alertness, is anti-inflammatory, and used for people suffering from respiratory ailments like asthma or bronchitis. Strains with typically high levels of pinene include Dutch Treat, Romulan and Blue Dream. Fun Fact: pinene is the most common terpene in the plant world. Read more about terpenes on our blog, What Are Terpenes?  

Typically done by the farms,  this is the process of preparing the biomass for extraction.  This includes drying and separating the flower from the stalks- usually in a manner that best suits the processors equipment- then combining in a homogenized material of flower and leaves which the processor can then use to extract the oils.

Pistils are part of a female plant’s anatomy. On cannabis, it’s identified as the little hair-like extensions on the flowers that range in color from white to red to darker orange-brown. When plants are going to be fertilized, the pistil acts to collect the male pollen. When plants are left unfertilized, as in the case of marijuana, the pistils change and can be indicators of plant ripeness.  

Ruderalis is a low-THC cannabis variety that is primarily selected by breeders for its CBD-rich genetics. Unlike Cannabis sativa and indica, which use light cycles to flower, ruderalis is an “autoflowering” variety, meaning it flowers with age. Originating in Russia, ruderalis is a hardy plant that can survive harsh climates  

Rosin is a solventless concentrate that’s made by heating and compressing the flowers, kief or hash from the cannabis plant. Relatively simple to make at home, requiring only some parchment paper and a hair straightener, this high potency concentrate is becoming popular because of the distinct lack of additives like butane or alcohol.  

Sativa is the less scientific name for the cannabis sativa species of cannabis plant. In general, these plants originated outside of the Middle East and Asia and include strains that are from areas such as South America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Thailand. These strains tend to grow taller as plants (usually over 5 feet), are lighter in color and take longer to flower. When consumed, sativas tend to produce more cerebral effects as opposed to physical and sedative ones  

The process of sequestering female cannabis plants from male plants to induce overproduction of cannabinoids.  

Solventless Extraction is a term used to describe cannabis extractions and concentrates that are made without the use of chemical solvents.  

A strain is a specific variety of a plant species. Strains are developed to produce distinct desired traits in the plant and are usually named by their breeders (or by creative consumers). Strain names often reflect the plant’s appearance, its promised buzz, or its place of origin. They can also be named for their aroma or flavor. Although the medical marijuana industry strives for consistency, strains can easily be mistaken or purposely misidentified.  

THC is an abbreviation of tetrahydrocannabidinol and is one of most abundant cannabinoids in marijuana. THC is responsible for weed’s psychoactive, “high” effects

A tincture is a liquid concentrate, typically procured through alcohol extraction, which strips the plant of its beneficial cannabinoids. Usually carried in a coconut oil or glycerin, tinctures are available in a variety of flavors and dosages and are a great alternative for those not interested in smoking  

Topicals are non-psychoactive balms, salves, and oils that users apply directly to the body instead of consuming. They can act as a muscle relaxant and as an antiseptic ointment.  

Terpenes are the pungent, oily compounds found in cannabis. Secreted from the plant’s trichomes, terpenes give cannabis varieties their distinctive flavors and aromas like citrus, berry, skunk or pine. Evolved at first as an adaption to repel predators and lure pollinators, we are finding that each individual terpene has different effects within the body. Read more about terpenes on our blog, What Are Terpenes?  

Trichomes are the small and sometimes nearly microscopic resinous glands, stalks and hairs that cover the flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant. Believed to have evolved as a way to protect the plant from insects and animals, trichomes are now also thought to inhibit the growth of some fungi as well as protect from high winds and low humidity. Trichomes are where terpenes and cannabinoids (THC and CBD), are created and secreted. Fun Fact: the next time you’re dusting your bowl with a little kief, keep in mind that you’re really toking on the decapitated heads of trichomes.