B
C
One of the chemical compounds produced in cannabis that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system.
Cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid widely used for calm, recovery, and general wellness without producing a high.
Cannabigerol, often called the "mother cannabinoid" because the plant uses its acidic form as a precursor to build THC and CBD.
Cannabinol, a mildly intoxicating cannabinoid formed as THC ages and degrades.
A Certificate of Analysis, the lab document showing a cannabis product's cannabinoid content, terpene profile, and screening for pesticides, heavy metals, and microbes.
A potent cannabis extract that strips the plant down to its cannabinoids and terpenes, reaching far higher THC levels than flower.
The heavy, sedating, hard-to-move sensation that strong indica-leaning strains or high doses can produce, pinning you to the sofa.
The act of breeding two cannabis plants together to combine their traits, or the resulting offspring.
The slow drying and aging process that follows harvest, where flower rests in controlled humidity for weeks to develop flavor and smoothness.
D
A dose of cannabis concentrate vaporized on a heated surface and inhaled, delivering a fast, intense hit.
The heating step that converts non-intoxicating THCA in raw cannabis into active THC.
A highly refined cannabis oil stripped down to nearly pure THC, with terpenes and other compounds removed during processing.
E
A cannabis-infused food or drink, from gummies to chocolates to seltzers, that delivers THC through digestion.
An eighth of an ounce of cannabis flower, equal to about 3.5 grams — the most popular retail quantity.
The network of receptors and signaling molecules in the human body that cannabinoids interact with, helping regulate mood, appetite, pain, and sleep.
The theory that cannabis compounds work better together than in isolation, with terpenes and minor cannabinoids modulating how THC and CBD feel.
F
The dried, cured buds of the female cannabis plant — the classic smokable form sold by the gram or eighth.
Watering cannabis plants with plain water in the final weeks before harvest to clear out built-up nutrients.
An extract that keeps the plant's full range of cannabinoids and terpenes, including trace THC, to harness the entourage effect.
G
H
The time it takes for the concentration of a compound like THC in the body to fall by half.
One of the oldest cannabis concentrates, made by collecting and compressing trichomes into a pliable block.
A cannabis variety bred from both indica and sativa lineage, which today describes nearly every strain on the market.
The tendency of a cross between two distinct cannabis lines to outperform either parent in traits like growth speed, yield, or resilience.
I
L
The required process of sending cannabis to an independent lab to verify potency and screen for contaminants before retail sale.
A cannabis variety that developed naturally in a specific geographic region over generations, adapting to local climate with little human crossbreeding.
A premium concentrate made from cannabis that is flash-frozen at harvest instead of dried, preserving the fresh terpene profile lost in normal curing.
M
Taking a very small, sub-intoxicating amount of cannabis — often 1 to 2.5 milligrams of THC — to get subtle benefits without feeling impaired.
The surge in appetite many people feel after consuming THC, driven by its effect on brain regions that govern hunger and the pleasure of eating.
P
The observable traits a cannabis plant actually expresses — its height, color, aroma, and effect — shaped by both genetics and growing conditions.
How strong a cannabis product is, usually expressed as total THC or combined cannabinoid percentage.
A ready-made cannabis joint sold pre-packed by a dispensary, removing the need to grind and roll your own.
S
A marketing label for cannabis varieties commonly tied to uplifting, cerebral, energizing effects suited to daytime use.
A hybrid whose effects, structure, and growth habit lean toward the sativa side of its lineage, typically meaning a more energetic, heady experience.
A glass-like cannabis concentrate that snaps when broken, made through solvent extraction and prized for high potency and stability.
The common word for a named cannabis variety, such as Blue Dream or OG Kush.
A method of taking cannabis by holding a tincture or dissolvable under the tongue, where it absorbs through the mouth's lining straight into the bloodstream.
T
An aromatic compound responsible for the smell and much of the character of a cannabis strain.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary intoxicating compound in cannabis and the source of the classic "high." THC binds CB1 receptors in the brain, producing euphoria, altered perception, and appetite.
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, the non-intoxicating compound in raw cannabis that converts into active THC when heated.
A liquid cannabis extract, usually alcohol or oil based, dosed with a dropper and held under the tongue or added to food.
The body's reduced response to cannabis after repeated use, requiring more product to feel the same effect.
A cannabis-infused cream, balm, or lotion applied to the skin for localized relief without a high.
The tiny, frosty, mushroom-shaped glands coating cannabis flower where cannabinoids and terpenes are produced.