Cannabis Glossary
A plain-language reference for every cannabis term you'll encounter on this site — and everywhere else. Definitions include context, not just dictionary entries. Where we've written a full guide on a topic, we link to it.
66 terms
A
2 terms-
Autoflowering
A cannabis plant that flowers based on age rather than changes in light cycle. Standard (photoperiod) cannabis plants flower when they receive 12 hours of darkness per day —…
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AVB (Already Vaped Bud)
Cannabis that has already been used in a dry herb vaporizer. AVB is brown, dry, and has significantly lower potency than fresh flower — but it's not useless. Because vaporization…
edibles
B
2 terms-
Bioavailability
The proportion of a substance that enters the bloodstream and produces an active effect. Different consumption methods produce dramatically different bioavailability for…
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Broad-spectrum
A cannabis or hemp extract that contains multiple cannabinoids and terpenes but has had THC specifically removed. Broad-spectrum products attempt to capture the benefits of the…
cannabinoids
C
11 terms-
Cannabinoid
A class of chemical compounds that interact with the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoids occur naturally in cannabis (phytocannabinoids), are produced by the human body…
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Cannabutter
Cannabis-infused butter — the most common and versatile cannabis cooking ingredient. Made by combining decarboxylated cannabis with butter and applying gentle heat over several…
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Caryophyllene
A cannabis terpene with a spicy, peppery, woody aroma — the same compound that gives black pepper its characteristic bite. Caryophyllene is unique among terpenes because it also…
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CB1 Receptor
One of the two primary cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system, concentrated in the brain and central nervous system. THC binds strongly to CB1 receptors, which is…
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CB2 Receptor
The second primary cannabinoid receptor, concentrated in the immune system and peripheral tissues. CB2 receptors are involved in regulating inflammation and immune response. THC…
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CBD (Cannabidiol)
The second most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis and the primary cannabinoid in hemp. CBD is non-intoxicating — it doesn't produce a high. It interacts with the endocannabinoid…
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CBDA (Cannabidiolic Acid)
The raw, acidic precursor to CBD found in unheated cannabis. Like THCA converting to THC, CBDA converts to CBD through decarboxylation — applying heat over time. Raw cannabis…
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CBN (Cannabinol)
A minor cannabinoid formed when THC degrades over time through exposure to heat, light, or oxygen. Aged or improperly stored cannabis contains higher CBN concentrations. CBN is…
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Certificate of Analysis (COA)
A lab report from a third-party testing facility that details the cannabinoid and terpene content of a cannabis product, along with testing for pesticides, heavy metals, and…
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Cola
The main flower cluster of a cannabis plant — the large central bud that forms at the top of the main stem, and smaller clusters on lateral branches. Colas are the primary harvest…
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Curing
The controlled drying and aging process that follows the initial drying of harvested cannabis. Cured in sealed jars with controlled humidity (typically 58–62% RH) over a minimum…
growing
D
3 terms-
Decarboxylation (Decarbing)
The heat-driven chemical process that converts inactive cannabinoid acids (THCA, CBDA) into their active forms (THC, CBD). Raw cannabis contains mostly THCA, not THC — and THCA…
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Defoliation
A training technique in which fan leaves are selectively removed from a cannabis plant during the growing cycle to improve light penetration to lower bud sites and improve airflow…
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Dispensary
A licensed retail outlet selling cannabis and cannabis products. Dispensaries operate under state cannabis laws and typically carry flower, pre-rolls, edibles, concentrates,…
general
E
4 terms-
Edible
Any food or drink product infused with cannabis cannabinoids. Edibles deliver cannabinoids through the digestive system, which changes their pharmacokinetics compared to inhaled…
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Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
A biological regulatory system present in all mammals, consisting of endocannabinoids (naturally produced by the body), cannabinoid receptors (primarily CB1 and CB2), and the…
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Entourage Effect
The theory that cannabinoids, terpenes, and other cannabis plant compounds work better together than in isolation — that the combined effect of the whole plant is greater than the…
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Extraction
The process of separating cannabinoids and other desired compounds from cannabis plant material. Extraction methods include alcohol extraction (the basis of tinctures and FECO),…
edibles
F
7 terms-
Fat-soluble
A property of cannabinoids describing their ability to dissolve in fats rather than water. This is why cannabis infusions use fat-based carriers like butter, coconut oil, or olive…
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FECO (Full Extract Cannabis Oil)
A highly concentrated cannabis extract made by evaporating all the alcohol from a tincture, leaving behind a thick, dark, potent oil containing cannabinoids, terpenes, and other…
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Feminized Seeds
Cannabis seeds bred to produce only female plants. Female plants produce the cannabinoid-rich flowers used for consumption; male plants produce pollen and, if left with females,…
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First-pass Metabolism
The process by which orally consumed substances are metabolized by the liver before entering systemic circulation. When you eat a cannabis edible, THC travels through the…
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Flower
The harvested, dried bud of the female cannabis plant — the most common form of cannabis sold and consumed. Cannabis flower contains the highest concentration of trichomes (and…
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Flowering
The reproductive phase of the cannabis plant's life cycle, during which buds develop. In photoperiod plants, flowering is triggered by a shift to 12 hours of darkness per day —…
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Full-spectrum
A cannabis or hemp extract that retains all the naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, and other plant compounds — including trace amounts of THC (up to 0.3% in hemp-derived…
cannabinoids
G
2 terms-
Golden Dragon
A cannabis tincture made using a quick cold-wash method — both the cannabis and alcohol are frozen before a brief extraction, minimising the chlorophyll and plant waxes pulled…
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Green Dragon
A cannabis tincture made by soaking decarboxylated cannabis in high-proof grain alcohol at room temperature for 24 hours or more. The longer soak extracts more cannabinoids but…
edibles
H
4 terms-
Harvest
The process of cutting cannabis plants at the end of the flowering stage to collect the mature buds. Harvest timing is one of the most important decisions in home growing —…
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Hemp
Cannabis plants legally defined as containing 0.3% THC or less by dry weight. Hemp is federally legal in the US under the 2018 Farm Bill. Hemp is grown for CBD extraction, fibre,…
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Humulene
A cannabis terpene with an earthy, woody, hoppy aroma — the same compound that gives beer its characteristic smell. Humulene is associated with anti-inflammatory properties and,…
terpenes -
Hybrid
A cannabis strain that results from crossing indica-dominant and sativa-dominant plants. Virtually all modern cannabis strains are hybrids to some degree — the result of decades…
general
I
3 terms-
Indica
A botanical classification describing cannabis plants with short, bushy growth patterns, broad leaves, and faster flowering times — originating from the Hindu Kush mountain…
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Infusion
The process of combining cannabis with a fat or alcohol carrier to extract and dissolve cannabinoids into a usable cooking ingredient. Common infusion bases include butter…
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Isolate
A cannabis extract refined to contain a single cannabinoid — typically CBD or THC — at high purity (often 99%+), with all other plant compounds removed. Isolates are the most…
cannabinoids
K
1 termL
4 terms-
Landrace
A cannabis strain that developed naturally in a specific geographic region over centuries without human selective breeding — adapted to local climate and conditions. Examples…
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Limonene
A cannabis terpene with a bright, citrusy aroma — lemon, orange, lime. Found in citrus peel, juniper, and peppermint. Associated with mood elevation, uplifting effects, and…
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Linalool
A cannabis terpene with a floral, lavender-like aroma. Also the primary aromatic compound in lavender. Associated with calming and anxiolytic effects — the research basis comes…
terpenes -
LST (Low Stress Training)
A plant training technique in which branches are gently bent and tied down rather than cut, encouraging horizontal growth to expose more bud sites to light. LST is the most…
growing
M
2 terms-
Microdose
A very small cannabis dose — typically 1–5mg THC — intended to produce subtle therapeutic effects without significant intoxication. Microdosing is used for anxiety relief, focus,…
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Myrcene
Typically the most abundant terpene in modern cannabis strains. Earthy, musky, herbal aroma — also found in mangoes, hops, and thyme. Associated with relaxing, sedating effects…
terpenes
O
1 termP
4 terms-
Phenotype
The physical expression of a plant's genetics — how a particular plant actually grows, looks, smells, and produces cannabinoids and terpenes. Two seeds from the same strain can…
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Photoperiod
Cannabis plants (the majority of strains) that flower in response to changes in the light/dark cycle rather than age. Outdoors, photoperiod plants begin flowering naturally as…
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Pinene
A cannabis terpene with a sharp, fresh pine aroma. Found in pine trees, rosemary, basil, and dill. Associated with alertness, mental clarity, and memory retention — and may…
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Potency
The concentration of active cannabinoids in a cannabis product, typically expressed as a percentage (for flower) or milligrams (for edibles and extracts). Potency is the primary…
edibles
R
1 termS
5 terms-
Sativa
A botanical classification describing cannabis plants with tall, loosely branched growth patterns, narrow leaves, and longer flowering times — originating from equatorial regions.…
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ScrOG (Screen of Green)
A plant training technique in which a horizontal screen or net is placed above cannabis plants, and branches are woven through the screen as they grow to create a flat, even…
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Shake
Small pieces of cannabis flower, trichome-coated leaves, and kief that accumulate at the bottom of a bag or container of flower. Shake is lower quality than intact buds for…
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Strain
A specific variety of cannabis with a particular combination of genetics, growth characteristics, and cannabinoid and terpene profile. Strains are developed through selective…
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Sublingual
Administration of a substance under the tongue, where it's absorbed directly through the mucous membranes into the bloodstream — bypassing the digestive system and liver.…
edibles
T
9 terms-
Terpene
A large class of aromatic organic compounds produced by many plants — not just cannabis. In cannabis, terpenes are produced in the trichomes alongside cannabinoids and give each…
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Terpinolene
A cannabis terpene with a complex, fruity, floral, herbal aroma — found in apples, cumin, lilac, and tea tree. Less common than myrcene or limonene but present in notable…
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THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
The primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis — the compound responsible for the high. THC works by binding to CB1 receptors in the brain, mimicking the body's own…
cannabinoids -
THC:CBD Ratio
The proportion of THC to CBD in a cannabis product. Ratio meaningfully shapes the experience: high-THC, low-CBD products produce full intoxication with higher anxiety risk;…
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THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid)
The raw, non-intoxicating precursor to THC found in unheated cannabis. Raw cannabis flower contains mostly THCA, not THC. Decarboxylation — applying heat — converts THCA to active…
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Tincture
A cannabis extract made by soaking decarboxylated cannabis in high-proof grain alcohol, then straining out the plant material. The alcohol dissolves and carries cannabinoids and…
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Tolerance
The reduced response to a substance following repeated exposure. Regular cannabis use leads to THC tolerance through downregulation of CB1 receptors — the same dose produces…
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Trichomes
Tiny, hair-like structures that coat the flowers and sugar leaves of the cannabis plant. Trichomes are where cannabinoids and terpenes are produced and stored. They appear as a…
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Trim
The leaves removed from cannabis buds during the trimming process after harvest. Sugar leaves (small leaves growing directly from buds) are covered in trichomes and have…
edibles
V
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This glossary is reviewed and updated regularly as new content publishes across the site.