Cannabis Glossary

We ensure our products meet pharmaceutical-grade standards.

A to Z Cannabis Industry Glossary

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.

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.

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).

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).

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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