Cannabis Glossary

A

• Accessories: Equipment, products, devices, or materials intended for planting, cultivating, processing, or consuming cannabis (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2018).
• Activist: A person who advocates for the legal use and reform of cannabis laws.
• Aeroponics: A method of growing cannabis suspended in air (Hennings, 2017a).
• Aroma: The scent of cannabis, described with terms such as earthy, fruity, or skunky.

B

• Batch: An agreed-upon weight of cannabis that is grown, harvested, and processed together, exposed to similar conditions.
• BHO (Butane Hash Oil): A concentrated cannabis extract made using butane as a solvent.
• Butane Hash Oil Extraction: A process where cannabis flowers are blasted with butane, creating an amber resin known as wax or shatter (PotGuide.com, 2018).
• Budding: The process of flowering in cannabis plants, when they produce buds.

C

• Cannabichromene (CBC): The second most prevalent cannabinoid in cannabis, non-psychoactive (Prichard & Brown, 2018).
• Cannabidiol (CBD): A non-psychoactive cannabinoid known for its therapeutic effects (Prichard & Brown, 2018).
• Cannabinol (CBN): A cannabinoid that occurs from the oxygenation and decomposition of THC.
• Cannabinoid: Chemicals that influence cell receptors in the brain and body, changing cellular behavior (Prichard & Brown, 2018).
• Cannabinoid Profile: The amount of all cannabinoids present in a cannabis sample (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2018).
• Cannabinoid 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2) Receptors: CB1 receptors mediate psychoactive effects, while CB2 receptors regulate inflammation and immune response (Healer, 2018).
• Closed-loop Extraction: A chemical extraction method that reuses the solvent, considered safer than open-blasting (Prichard & Brown, 2018).
• Concentrate (or Extract): A material created by refining cannabis flowers, such as hash and oils, known for higher potency (Prichard & Brown, 2018).
• Cultivar: A plant strain resulting from crossbreeding and genetic stabilization.
• Cultivator: An entity licensed to cultivate, process, and package cannabis (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2018).
• Cure: The process of slowly drying cannabis flowers to maximize flavor and quality (Prichard & Brown, 2018).

D

• Dab/Dabbing: A method of consuming a small amount of cannabis concentrate on a heated surface to inhale vapor (CDPHE, 2016).
• Decarboxylation: The process of converting THCA to THC through heat (Leaf Science, 2017).
• Dispensary: A store legally selling cannabis products, either medical, recreational, or both (Prichard & Brown, 2018).
• Dosage/Dosing: The individualized amount of cannabinoids within products, determined through titration (Health Canada, 2018).

E

• Edibles: Cannabis-infused food products, including cookies, gummies, and beverages (CDPHE, 2016).
• Electronic Smoking Device: A device that vaporizes cannabis flower or liquids for inhalation (CDPHE, 2016).
• Endocannabinoid System (ECS): A complex regulatory system throughout the body that maintains homeostasis (Healer, 2018).
• Extraction: Processes used to extract cannabinoids from the cannabis plant (Barrus et al., 2016).
• Extraction: The different methods by which cannabinoids within the plant can be extracted.

F

• Flower: The reproductive part of the cannabis plant that is harvested for consumption, also known as bud (CDPHE, 2016).
• Foreign Matter: Any plant matter or contaminants present in cannabis products.

G

• Grower: A person or business that cultivates cannabis plants.
• Greenhouse: A controlled environment for growing cannabis, allowing optimal light and temperature.

H

• Hemp: A cannabis variety with less than 0.3% THC, used for industrial purposes (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2018).
• Hybrid: A strain that is a cross between indica and sativa plants.

I

• ISO 17025: Standards for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories established by the International Organization for Standardization.
• Inside vs. Outside Growing: Refers to the differences between indoor and outdoor cannabis cultivation, impacting yield and quality.

J

• Joint: A rolled cannabis cigarette, typically made with rolling papers.
• Juicing: The process of extracting raw cannabis juice from fresh leaves and flowers.

K

• Kief: The resin glands from cannabis flowers, rich in cannabinoids and terpenes.
• Kush: A popular strain family known for its potency and distinct aroma.

L

• Lab Testing: Analysis of cannabis products for potency, contaminants, and compliance.
• Limit of Quantification (LOQ): The lowest concentration at which an analyte can be reliably detected.

M

• Marijuana: A slang term for the dried flowers, leaves, stems, and seeds of the cannabis plant (Health Canada, 2018).
• Manufacturing: The process of compounding, blending, or preparing cannabis products (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2018).
• Medical Marijuana Concentrate: Products derived from medical marijuana, including kief, hash, and oils.
• Microdosing: The practice of consuming small amounts of cannabis for subtle effects.

N

• Nabilone (Cesamet): A synthetic THC pharmaceutical approved for nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy (FDA, 2017).
• Nug: A small, dense bud of cannabis.
• Mycotoxin: A harmful metabolite produced by fungi, which can contaminate cannabis (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2018).

O

• Oil: A concentrated form of cannabis extract, used in various consumption methods.
• Organic Solvent Extraction: A method using organic solvents to extract cannabinoids.

P

• Potency: The strength of cannabis, usually measured by THC or CBD percentage.
• Packaging: Any container used for enclosing cannabis goods for retail sale (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2018).
• Pesticide: Substances used on cannabis plants to protect against pests and diseases.
• Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics: The study of how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body (CDPHE, 2016).
• Processing: The steps taken to harvest, dry, cure, and trim cannabis plants (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2018).
• Potential Total THC: The potential THC content in products containing THCA.

Q

• Quarantine: Isolating cannabis products that may be contaminated until testing is complete.
• Quintessential: A term used to describe a strain or product that exemplifies a particular category.

R

• Rick Simpson Oil (RSO): A high-THC concentrated cannabis oil used for medicinal purposes.
• Residual Solvent: Volatile organic compounds used in manufacturing that are not completely removed (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2018).
• Recreational Cannabis: Cannabis used for pleasure, available to adults over 21 (PotGuide.com, 2018).
• Route of Administration: The method by which cannabis is introduced into the body, affecting absorption and effects.

S

• Seed-to-Sale: The entire process of cannabis production from cultivation to final sale (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2018).
• Solvent: A substance that dissolves another, forming a solution, used in extraction methods.
• Strain: A specific variety of cannabis with distinct characteristics and effects.

T

• Terpene: Aromatic compounds in cannabis that provide unique scents and flavors, influencing effects (Hennings, 2017b).
• THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): The primary psychoactive compound in cannabis responsible for the “high” (Prichard & Brown, 2018).
• THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid): The non-psychoactive precursor to THC, abundant in raw cannabis (Prichard & Brown, 2018).
• Tincture: A liquid cannabis extract made with glycerin or alcohol, taken sublingually for quick effects (PotGuide.com, 2018).
• Topical: Cannabis-infused lotions, balms, and oils used for localized pain relief (Prichard & Brown, 2018).
• Trim: The process of removing excess leaves from harvested cannabis buds.

U

• Under the Tongue: A method of consuming tinctures or oils for faster absorption.
• Uptake: The absorption of cannabinoids into the bloodstream.

V

 

 

• Vaporizer: A device that heats cannabis to create vapor for inhalation, without combustion (PotGuide.com, 2018).
• Vaping: Inhaling vapor from cannabis flower or concentrates