Cannabis Glossary

A–Z Cannabis Terms & Definitions

Name: Purple Lotus Cannabis Dispensary – Downtown San Jose
Address: 66 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA, 95113, US
Telephone: +14084560420
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.8

From cannabinoids to concentrates, terpenes to tinctures — a plain-language reference for the cannabis terms you'll see on shelves, lab results, and budtender chats.

273 terms

A

Acidic Cannabinoids: The raw forms of cannabinoids found in the living plant, such as THCA, CBDA and CBGA. Heat converts them into their neutral forms through decarboxylation.
Adult-Use Cannabis: Cannabis sold for recreational use to adults who meet the legal age requirement.
Aeroponics: A soilless growing technique where plant roots are suspended in air and misted with nutrient solution. Produces fast growth and high yields.
Anandamide: An endocannabinoid the body produces naturally. Often called the 'bliss molecule,' it binds to the same receptors THC does.
Autoflower: Cannabis strains that flower based on age rather than the light cycle. Popular among home growers for their short lifecycle.

B

Backcross (BX): A breeding technique where a hybrid is crossed back with one of its parents to reinforce specific desirable traits.
Badder: A cannabis concentrate with a soft, cake-batter consistency. Similar to budder but slightly wetter.
Banger: A bucket-shaped nail, usually made of quartz, that attaches to a dab rig. It is heated and used to vaporize concentrates.
Batch Number: A unique identifier for a production run of cannabis products. Used to connect a product to its lab test results.
Beverage: A drink infused with cannabinoids, usually THC, CBD, or both. Effects are similar to edibles but may onset faster depending on the formulation.
BHO (Butane Hash Oil): A concentrate extracted using butane as a solvent. The base for products like shatter, wax, and budder.
Bioavailability: The amount of cannabinoids your body actually absorbs from a product. Different methods — inhalation, edibles, sublingual tinctures — absorb differently.
Biphasic Effect: When a substance produces different or opposite effects at low and high doses. With THC, a small dose may ease anxiety while a large dose may increase it.
Bisabolol: A lightly floral terpene also found in chamomile.
Blunt: Cannabis rolled inside a tobacco-leaf wrap (or hemp wrap). Burns slower than a joint and adds the wrap's flavor.
Bong: A water pipe that filters cannabis smoke through water, cooling it before inhalation.
Borneol: A terpene with a minty, camphor-like aroma. It is also found in rosemary, mint and camphor and has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine.
Bowl: The cup-shaped piece of a pipe or bong where cannabis is packed and lit. Also slang for a single packed session.
Bract: The small leaf-like structures on a cannabis flower that hold the highest concentration of trichomes.
Bubble Hash: A solventless concentrate made with ice water to separate trichomes from plant material.
Bubbler: A small water pipe that combines the size of a hand pipe with the water filtration of a bong.
Bud: The flowering part of the female cannabis plant that is harvested, dried and cured. It is the part that contains the most cannabinoids and terpenes.
Budder: A creamy, butter-textured cannabis concentrate, whipped during extraction for a smooth consistency.
Budtender: A dispensary staff member who helps customers choose products, explains effects, and answers cannabis questions.

C

Calyx: The teardrop-shaped structure that holds the cannabis flower's reproductive parts. Heavily coated in trichomes.
Camphene: A pungent, earthy terpene with pine-like notes.
Cannabaceae: The plant family that includes cannabis and hops. The two plants share several terpenes, including humulene and myrcene.
Cannabinoid: Active chemical compounds in cannabis that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system. THC and CBD are the most well-known.
Cannabinoid Receptor: Proteins in the body (CB1 and CB2 receptors) that cannabinoids bind to, producing physiological and psychoactive effects.
Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS): A condition linked to long-term heavy cannabis use that causes repeated bouts of severe nausea and vomiting. Hot showers often bring temporary relief, and stopping use resolves it.
Cannabis Indica: A subspecies of cannabis traditionally described as short, bushy, and producing relaxing, body-heavy effects. See 'Indica.'
Cannabis Ruderalis: A subspecies of cannabis native to colder climates. Often used in autoflowering hybrids due to its age-based flowering.
Cannabis Sativa: A subspecies of cannabis traditionally described as tall, narrow-leafed, and producing uplifting, cerebral effects. See 'Sativa.'
Cannabutter: Butter infused with cannabis, used as a base for homemade edibles. The flower must be decarboxylated first for the butter to be potent.
Capitate-Stalked Trichome: The largest and most abundant type of trichome on cannabis flowers. Its mushroom-shaped head holds most of the plant's cannabinoids and terpenes.
Capsule: A pre-measured cannabis product swallowed like a pill. Common for customers who want consistent dosing without smoking or vaping.
Carb: A small hole on a pipe that you cover while inhaling and uncover to clear the smoke. The name is short for carburetor.
Carb Cap: A cover placed over a banger while dabbing. It traps heat and controls airflow so concentrates vaporize at lower temperatures.
Caryophyllene: A peppery, spicy terpene found in cannabis, black pepper, and cloves. Unique for also binding to CB2 receptors directly.
CB1 Receptor: A cannabinoid receptor found mostly in the brain and central nervous system. THC binds to CB1, which is what produces its intoxicating effects.
CB2 Receptor: A cannabinoid receptor found mostly in the immune system and peripheral tissues. It is associated with inflammation and immune response rather than intoxication.
CBC (Cannabichromene): A non-psychoactive cannabinoid being studied for potential anti-inflammatory and mood-supportive effects.
CBD (Cannabidiol): A non-intoxicating cannabinoid widely used for relief from anxiety, pain, and inflammation. Often paired with THC to soften its effects.
CBDA (Cannabidiolic Acid): The raw, acidic precursor to CBD. Converts to CBD through heat or time.
CBDV (Cannabidivarin): A non-intoxicating cannabinoid closely related to CBD. It is usually found in small amounts and is being studied for potential therapeutic uses.
CBG (Cannabigerol): Known as the 'mother cannabinoid' — other cannabinoids are biosynthesized from it. Often associated with focus and clarity.
CBGA (Cannabigerolic Acid): A precursor cannabinoid often called the starting point for major cannabinoids like THCA, CBDA, and CBCA.
CBL (Cannabicyclol): A minor, non-intoxicating cannabinoid that forms when CBC breaks down from exposure to light. It is found in very small amounts, often in older cannabis.
CBN (Cannabinol): A mildly psychoactive cannabinoid that forms as THC ages and oxidizes. Often associated with sedation and sleep.
Certificate of Analysis (COA): A lab report showing a cannabis product's tested potency and, when available, safety results such as pesticides, solvents, heavy metals, or microbial contaminants.
Charas: Hash made by rubbing live, flowering cannabis plants between the hands to collect resin. It is a traditional method from India and Nepal.
Chemotype: A grouping of cannabis by its dominant cannabinoids. Type I is THC-dominant, Type II has balanced THC and CBD, and Type III is CBD-dominant.
Chemovar: Short for chemical variety. It classifies cannabis by its measured cannabinoid and terpene content rather than by strain name or indica and sativa labels.
Cherry: The lit, glowing portion of a joint, blunt, or bowl while it's burning.
Child-Resistant Packaging: Packaging designed to be hard for young children to open. California requires cannabis products to be in child-resistant packaging when they leave the store.
Chillum: A straight, cone-shaped pipe with no carb hole. It has been used for centuries in India.
Clone: A cutting from a mature cannabis plant, rooted to grow into a genetically identical new plant.
Closed-Loop Extraction: An extraction system that keeps solvent sealed inside so it can be recovered and reused. It is the standard setup for licensed hydrocarbon extraction.
CO₂ Extract: A cannabis extract made using carbon dioxide as the solvent.
Cola: The dense cluster of flowers at the top of a cannabis plant. The main cola is the largest, central bud.
Cold Cure: A rosin finishing process where fresh rosin rests in a cool place for days. It turns into a creamy, buttery texture and keeps more terpenes.
Combustion: Burning cannabis to release its compounds, as in smoking a joint or pipe. Combustion also creates smoke byproducts that vaporizing avoids.
Compliance Label: Required product labeling that may include potency, ingredients, warnings, batch numbers, testing information, and license details.
Concentrate: Any cannabis product made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant — wax, shatter, rosin, live resin, etc.
Cottonmouth: The dry-mouth feeling common after consuming cannabis. Cannabinoids reduce saliva production, so drinking water helps.
Couch-Lock: A heavy, deeply relaxed feeling that makes it hard to get up and move. It is usually associated with high doses or sedating products.
Crossbreed: The offspring of two different cannabis strains, combining traits from both parents.
Crude Oil: An early-stage cannabis extract that may be further refined into distillate or other products.
Crumble: A dry, crumbly concentrate that breaks apart easily. It gets its texture from being purged at low heat for a longer time.
Cultivar: The botanically correct term for what's commonly called a 'strain' — a cultivated variety bred for specific traits.
Cured Resin: A concentrate made from dried and cured cannabis flower, as opposed to fresh-frozen flower used for live resin.
Curing: Storing dried flower in sealed containers for weeks so moisture evens out and flavor develops. Well-cured flower smokes smoother and keeps longer.

D

Dab: A small dose of cannabis concentrate vaporized on a hot surface and inhaled — typically using a dab rig.
Dab Rig: A water pipe designed for vaporizing concentrates, with a heated nail or banger instead of a bowl.
Dank: Slang for high-quality cannabis, especially flower with a strong, pungent aroma.
Decarboxylation: The process of heating cannabis to convert inactive cannabinoids (THCA, CBDA) into their active forms (THC, CBD). Required for edibles to work.
Delta-10 THC: An isomer of THC that occurs naturally only in trace amounts. Most commercial delta-10 is made by chemically converting hemp-derived CBD.
Delta-8 THC: A psychoactive cannabinoid similar to delta-9 THC, usually less potent and often produced from hemp-derived CBD.
Delta-9 THC: The primary intoxicating form of THC found in cannabis.
Department of Cannabis Control (DCC): The California state agency that licenses and regulates commercial cannabis businesses. It was formed in 2021 by combining three earlier cannabis programs.
Diamonds: Crystalline THCA structures formed during certain extraction processes. Among the purest concentrates available.
Disposable Vape: A single-use vape device pre-filled with cannabis oil and a built-in battery. Convenient but less reusable than cartridge-and-battery systems.
Distillate: A highly refined cannabis extract — often 90%+ THC. Flavorless and odorless unless terpenes are reintroduced.
Dogwalker: A small pre-roll, usually around half a gram. The name refers to a quick smoke, short enough for a dog walk.
Dose: The amount of cannabis consumed, usually measured in milligrams of THC or CBD for edibles and tinctures.
Dry Herb Vaporizer: A device that heats ground flower enough to release cannabinoids and terpenes without burning it. It produces vapor instead of smoke.
Dry Sift: A solventless concentrate made by mechanically separating trichomes from dried cannabis.
Drying: Hanging or racking harvested cannabis in a controlled room to slowly remove moisture. A slow dry helps preserve terpenes and a smooth smoke.
Duration: How long the effects of cannabis typically last. Edibles often last longer than inhaled products.

E

E-Rig: An electronic dab rig that heats concentrates with a battery-powered element instead of a torch. It lets you set and hold a precise temperature.
Edible: Any food or drink product infused with cannabis. Onset is slow (30 minutes to 3 hours) and effects last longer than inhaled methods.
Eighth: An eighth of an ounce of cannabis flower — approximately 3.5 grams. The most common dispensary purchase size.
Endocannabinoid: A cannabinoid-like compound naturally produced by the body. Anandamide is one example.
Endocannabinoid System (ECS): The body's natural network of receptors and chemicals that helps regulate mood, sleep, appetite, pain, and memory.
Entourage Effect: The hypothesis that cannabinoids and terpenes work better together than alone — that full-spectrum products feel different than isolated THC.
Ethanol Extract: A cannabis extract made using ethanol as the solvent.
Eucalyptol: A cool, minty terpene also found in eucalyptus.
Excise Tax: A cannabis-specific tax added to regulated cannabis purchases.
Extract: See 'Concentrate.' Any product made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant.

F

F1 Hybrid: The first generation of offspring from crossing two different parent plants. Further generations from those offspring are called F2, F3 and so on.
Fan Leaf: The large, iconic multi-fingered leaves of the cannabis plant. Low in cannabinoids and usually trimmed off the flower.
Female Plant: A cannabis plant that produces the resinous flowers sold at dispensaries. Unpollinated female plants produce the most cannabinoids.
Feminized Seeds: Cannabis seeds bred to produce only female plants, which are the ones that flower and produce smokable buds.
Fenchol: A terpene with a fresh, earthy, slightly citrus aroma also found in basil. It is a common secondary terpene in cannabis.
First-Pass Metabolism: The process where the liver breaks down a swallowed substance before it reaches general circulation. For edibles, this converts much of the THC into 11-hydroxy-THC.
Flavonoids: Plant compounds that contribute to color, aroma, flavor, and potentially some biological effects.
Flower: The smokable, cannabinoid-rich buds of the cannabis plant. Also called 'bud,' 'herb,' or just 'weed.'
Flowering Stage: The phase when a plant stops growing larger and starts producing buds. It typically lasts about eight to eleven weeks depending on the genetics.
Fresh Frozen: Cannabis frozen immediately after harvest to preserve terpenes and cannabinoids before extraction.
Full Melt: The highest grade of ice water hash, rated five or six stars. It melts almost completely when heated and leaves little to no residue.
Full-Spectrum: A cannabis extract that retains the full range of cannabinoids and terpenes from the original plant, not just isolated THC.

G

Genotype: The genetic makeup of a cannabis plant — what traits it carries. The expressed result is called the phenotype.
Geraniol: A sweet, floral terpene also found in roses and geraniums.
Gram: The smallest standard purchase unit of cannabis flower (1g). Roughly enough for two joints.
Greenhouse: Cannabis grown in a covered structure that uses sunlight, often supplemented with lights and climate control. It blends features of indoor and outdoor growing.
Greening Out: Feeling sick or overwhelmed after consuming too much cannabis. Symptoms can include nausea, dizziness, anxiety and a racing heart, and they pass with time.
Grinder: A tool with teeth that breaks flower into small, even pieces for rolling or packing. Many have a screened chamber that collects kief.
Guaiol: A terpene alcohol with a piney, woody aroma. It is also found in cypress pine and guaiacum trees.
Gummy: A chewable cannabis edible, often sold in precisely dosed pieces such as 2.5 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg THC.

H

Half Ounce: Half an ounce of cannabis flower, approximately 14 grams.
Hand Pipe: A small handheld pipe, often glass, with a bowl, a mouthpiece and a carb hole. It is also called a spoon pipe.
Harvest Date: The date cannabis flower was harvested. Useful for judging freshness alongside package date.
Hash: A traditional cannabis concentrate made by separating trichomes from the plant — historically pressed into blocks or balls.
Hash Hole: A premium pre-roll with a rope or core of hash rosin running through the center of the flower.
Hash Rosin: Rosin pressed from bubble hash or dry sift instead of flower. Produces an exceptionally clean, terpene-rich concentrate.
Haze: A family of sativa-leaning cultivars descended from the original Haze bred in California in the 1960s and 70s. Haze strains are known for spicy, citrus aromas.
Heavy Metals Testing: Lab testing for metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. Cannabis plants can absorb these from soil and water.
Hemp: Cannabis cultivated for fiber, seed, or CBD — legally defined in the U.S. as containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
Hermaphrodite: A cannabis plant that develops both male and female flowers. It can pollinate itself and nearby plants, which leads to seeds in the flower.
HHC (Hexahydrocannabinol): A hydrogenated form of THC. It occurs naturally only in trace amounts, so commercial HHC is typically produced in a lab from hemp-derived cannabinoids.
Home Cultivation: Growing cannabis for personal use. California allows adults 21 and over to grow up to six plants per residence, subject to local rules.
Hotbox: Smoking in a small enclosed space, such as a car or closet, so the smoke builds up.
HTFSE (High Terpene Full Spectrum Extract): The terpene-rich liquid portion of an extract, often separated from THCA diamonds. It is the main component of sauce.
Humulene: An earthy, woody terpene also found in hops.
Hybrid: A cannabis strain bred from both indica and sativa parents. Most modern strains are hybrids, with varying ratios.
Hydrocarbon Extract: A concentrate extracted with hydrocarbons such as butane or propane.
Hydroponics: A soilless growing method where roots get nutrients directly from a water solution. It gives growers precise control over feeding.

I

IBL (Inbred Line): A strain bred with itself over many generations until its traits are stable. Seeds from an IBL grow out very consistently.
Ice Water Extraction: A solventless method that agitates cannabis in ice water so trichomes snap off. The trichomes are then filtered out through mesh bags to make bubble hash.
Indica: Strains traditionally associated with relaxing, body-heavy, sedative effects. Often recommended for evenings or sleep.
Indoor: Cannabis grown inside under artificial lights with controlled temperature and humidity. Indoor flower is often prized for its appearance and consistency.
Infused Pre-Roll: A pre-rolled joint enhanced with concentrate — typically kief, hash, or distillate — for added potency.
Intoxication: The impairing or psychoactive effects caused mainly by THC.
Isolate: A purified single compound, such as CBD isolate or THC isolate, separated from other cannabinoids and terpenes.

J

Jam: A rosin with a thick, glossy, jam-like texture. It forms when rosin is gently warmed and cured so the cannabinoids and terpenes separate.
Joint: Cannabis flower rolled in thin rolling papers. The most traditional way to smoke cannabis.

K

Kief: The powdery, resinous trichomes that collect at the bottom of a grinder. A simple, solventless concentrate.
Kush: A family of cultivars descended from landraces of the Hindu Kush mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Kush strains are known for earthy, hashy aromas.

L

Landrace: A cannabis strain that developed naturally in a specific geographic region, with minimal human breeding — e.g., Acapulco Gold, Afghani.
Licensed Retailer: A dispensary or delivery service holding a state cannabis license. Licensed products are lab-tested and tracked, unlike unlicensed market products.
Light Deprivation (Light Dep): A technique that covers plants to block sunlight and trigger flowering early. It lets greenhouse and outdoor farms harvest more than once a year.
Limonene: A citrusy terpene found in cannabis and citrus peels. Commonly associated with uplifted mood and stress relief.
Linalool: A floral, lavender-scented terpene. Found in lavender, mint, and many indica strains. Associated with calm and relaxation.
Lipophilic: Fat-soluble. Cannabinoids are lipophilic, which is why they are infused into butter and oils and why they are stored in the body's fat tissue.
Live Resin: A concentrate made from cannabis flash-frozen at harvest, preserving the plant's full terpene profile. Known for intense flavor and aroma.
Live Rosin: Rosin pressed from fresh-frozen flower using heat and pressure — solventless and highly aromatic.
Living Soil: A soil full of active microbes, fungi and organic matter that feeds plants naturally. It relies on soil biology rather than bottled nutrients.
Lot Number: An identifier for a specific production run of a product. Like a batch number, it links the product to its lab test results.
Low-Stress Training (LST): Gently bending and tying down branches to spread the plant's canopy. It helps light reach more bud sites without cutting the plant.
Low-Temp Dab: Dabbing at a lower temperature to preserve terpenes and flavor. It produces a smoother, more flavorful hit than a very hot dab.
Lozenge: A cannabis-infused product designed to dissolve slowly in the mouth for gradual absorption.

M

Male Plant: A cannabis plant that produces pollen sacs instead of buds. Growers usually remove male plants unless they are breeding.
Medical Cannabis: Cannabis used by patients under a medical cannabis program or recommendation, depending on state law.
Medical Marijuana ID Card (MMIC): A state-issued California card for qualified medical cannabis patients. Cardholders are exempt from state and local sales tax on cannabis purchases.
Metrc: The track-and-trace software California uses to follow every cannabis plant and product from seed to sale.
Microbial Testing: Lab testing that screens for harmful microbes such as E. coli, Salmonella and Aspergillus mold.
Microdose: Consuming a very small amount of cannabis (typically 1–2.5 mg THC) to get subtle benefits without strong intoxication.
Micron: A unit of measurement equal to one millionth of a meter. In hash making, it describes the mesh size of filter bags and rosin bags.
Mids: Slang for middle-grade cannabis that is neither low quality nor top shelf.
Milligram (mg): One thousandth of a gram. Edibles, tinctures and other infused products list their cannabinoid content in milligrams.
Minor Cannabinoids: Cannabinoids found in smaller amounts than THC or CBD, such as CBG, CBC, CBN, and THCV. Cannabis produces dozens of cannabinoids beyond THC and CBD.
Moon Rocks: Cannabis buds dipped in concentrate (like hash oil) and rolled in kief — extremely potent.
Mother Plant: A plant kept in the vegetative stage so growers can take cuttings from it. Every clone taken from a mother is genetically identical to it.
Munchies: The increased appetite many people feel after consuming THC. It happens because THC activates CB1 receptors involved in hunger.
Mycotoxins: Toxic compounds produced by certain molds. California cannabis is tested for them before it can be sold.
Myrcene: An earthy, musky terpene — the most common in cannabis. Found in mangoes and hops. Often associated with sedation.

N

Nail: The component of a dab rig that's heated and then dabbed with concentrate. Modern dab rigs typically use quartz bangers instead.
Nerolidol: A terpene with a woody, floral aroma also found in jasmine, tea tree and lemongrass. It is commonly associated with relaxing effects.
Node: The point on a stem where leaves and branches grow. Nodes are where growers look for early signs of a plant's sex.
Nug: Slang for an individual bud of cannabis flower — the dense, sticky pieces you'd pack into a bowl.

O

Ocimene: A sweet, herbal terpene with notes of mango and parsley. Often associated with uplifting, energetic strains.
One-Hitter: A small pipe designed to hold a single hit of flower. It is a discreet way to take a small dose.
Onset: How long it takes to begin feeling a cannabis product's effects. Inhaled products usually act faster than edibles.
Ounce: A standard cannabis quantity — approximately 28 grams. The largest single-purchase amount in most legal markets.

P

Package Date: The date a cannabis product was packaged for sale. Often shown on dispensary labels.
Percolator: A chamber inside a bong that splits smoke into small bubbles as it passes through water. It cools and filters the smoke for a smoother hit.
Pesticide Testing: Lab testing that screens cannabis for pesticide residue. California requires it before any product can be sold.
Pheno Hunting: Growing many seeds from the same cross to find the plants with the best traits. The winning plant is then kept and cloned.
Phenotype: The observed traits of a plant — appearance, aroma, effect — produced by the interaction of its genotype and environment.
Photoperiod: A cannabis plant that switches from growing to flowering based on light hours. Most photoperiod plants begin to flower when they receive about 12 hours of darkness a day.
Phytocannabinoid: A cannabinoid produced by a plant, such as THC or CBD from cannabis. The term separates plant cannabinoids from endocannabinoids made by the body.
Phytol: A terpene alcohol that forms when chlorophyll breaks down. It has a mild grassy, floral aroma and is also found in green tea.
Pinene: A pine-scented terpene found in cannabis, pine trees, and rosemary. Often associated with alertness and memory support.
Pistil: The hair-like strands on a cannabis flower (often orange or red) that catch pollen. Indicators of plant maturity.
Pollen: The fine powder released by male plants to fertilize female flowers. Pollinated flowers put energy into making seeds rather than resin.
Popcorn Buds: Small buds from the lower branches of the plant, also called smalls. They are often sold at a lower price than large top buds.
Possession Limit: The most cannabis an adult may legally carry. In California, adults 21 and over may possess up to 28.5 grams of flower and up to 8 grams of concentrate.
Potency: The strength of a cannabis product, usually shown as a percentage for flower and concentrates, or milligrams for edibles.
Pound: Sixteen ounces of cannabis, approximately 454 grams. It is a wholesale quantity rather than a retail purchase size.
Pre-Roll: A joint that's already rolled and ready to smoke — sold individually or in multi-packs.
Pressed Hash: Kief or hash compressed with heat and pressure into a solid block or puck. Pressing makes it easier to store and handle.
Proposition 215: The Compassionate Use Act, passed by California voters in 1996. It made California the first state to legalize medical cannabis.
Proposition 64: The Adult Use of Marijuana Act, passed by California voters in 2016. It legalized cannabis for adults 21 and over, and licensed retail sales began on January 1, 2018.
Psychoactive: Affecting the mind, mood or perception. THC is psychoactive and intoxicating, while CBD acts on the brain without producing a high.
Purchase Limit: The legal maximum amount of cannabis a customer can buy within a set period.
Purging: Removing leftover solvent from an extract, usually with gentle heat and a vacuum oven.

Q

Quarter: A quarter of an ounce of cannabis flower — approximately 7 grams. Two eighths.

R

Ratio: The relationship between cannabinoids in a product, such as 1:1 THC:CBD or 20:1 CBD:THC. Helpful for picking products with the balance of effects you want.
Red Eyes: Eye redness after consuming cannabis. THC lowers blood pressure and widens blood vessels, including the small ones in the eyes.
Residual Solvents: Trace solvents that may remain after extraction. Tested products should meet legal safety limits.
Resin: The sticky, cannabinoid-rich substance produced by cannabis trichomes. Also a category of concentrate (e.g., live resin).
Roach: The small leftover end of a joint after most of it has been smoked.
Rolling Papers: Thin sheets of paper used to roll joints. They are made from materials such as hemp, rice, wood pulp or flax.
Rosin: A solventless concentrate produced by pressing cannabis flower or hash with heat and pressure. Clean, full-flavor, and pure.
RSO (Rick Simpson Oil): A potent, full-spectrum cannabis oil often sold in syringes and used in very small doses.

S

S1 Seeds: Seeds made by pollinating a plant with its own pollen, usually after inducing it to make pollen. The offspring are all female and closely resemble the parent.
Sativa: Strains traditionally associated with uplifting, cerebral, energizing effects. Often recommended for daytime use.
Sauce: A high-terpene concentrate with a wet, viscous texture, often containing visible THCA diamonds.
Seed: The reproductive unit of the cannabis plant, formed when a female flower is pollinated. Seeds are used for breeding and growing new plants.
Serving Size: The recommended amount to consume at one time, especially for edibles and beverages.
Sesh: Short for session. It means a period of consuming cannabis, often with friends.
Shake: The small bits of flower that fall off larger buds. Often sold at a discount; great for joints and bowls.
Shatter: A glass-like, brittle cannabis concentrate that snaps when broken. High-potency, typically extracted with butane.
Short Path Distillation: A process that heats extract under vacuum to separate cannabinoids by their boiling points. It is how distillate is made.
Sinsemilla: Spanish for without seeds. It describes seedless flower from unpollinated female plants, which is the standard for modern cannabis.
Softgel: A capsule-style cannabis product containing oil-based cannabinoids, often used for precise and discreet dosing.
Solvent: A liquid (e.g., butane, ethanol, CO₂) used to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant during concentrate production.
Solventless: Concentrates produced without chemical solvents — using only heat, pressure, water, or ice (e.g., rosin, bubble hash, kief).
Spliff: A hand-rolled joint that mixes cannabis with tobacco.
Start Low, Go Slow: A common dosing guideline encouraging new or low-tolerance consumers to begin with a small dose and wait before taking more.
Stash: A personal supply of cannabis, or the place where it is kept.
Stem: The main stalk and branches that support the plant and carry water and nutrients. Stems are removed from flower before sale.
Strain: A specific variety of cannabis with distinct genetics, aroma, and effect. Botanically, the correct term is 'cultivar.'
Sublingual: Taken under the tongue — like tinctures. Absorbed through mucous membranes for faster onset than edibles.
Sugar: A concentrate with a wet, grainy texture like damp sugar. It forms when cannabinoids crystallize out of the extract.
Sugar Leaf: The small leaves that grow out of the bud and are coated in trichomes. They are usually trimmed off and used for hash, kief or extracts.
Sun-Grown: Cannabis grown outdoors under natural sunlight. It generally uses less energy than indoor growing.

T

Temple Ball: Hash that is hand-rolled into a ball and cured. The style comes from traditional hash making in Nepal.
Terpene: Aromatic oils produced by cannabis (and many other plants) that give each strain its distinctive smell and contribute to its effects.
Terpene Profile: The specific mix of terpenes in a cannabis product — the aromatic compounds that shape its scent, flavor, and feel.
Terpenoid: A terpene that has been chemically modified, usually by oxidation as the plant dries and cures. The words terpene and terpenoid are often used interchangeably.
Terpineol: A terpene with a floral, lilac-like aroma also found in pine oil and lilacs. It often appears alongside pinene.
Terpinolene: A fresh, piney-floral terpene with hints of citrus. Often found in uplifting, energetic sativas.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): The main psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis — responsible for the euphoric high, altered perception, and head/body effects.
THC-COOH: A non-intoxicating metabolite of THC that the body stores in fat and clears slowly. It is the compound most drug tests look for.
THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid): The non-psychoactive precursor to THC found in raw cannabis. Converts to THC when heated (decarboxylation).
THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin): A minor cannabinoid associated with appetite suppression and clear-headed energy. Sometimes called 'diet weed.'
Tincture: A cannabis extract in liquid form, typically alcohol- or oil-based. Taken sublingually for fast, discreet effects.
Tolerance: The body's adaptation to regular cannabis use — over time, the same dose produces weaker effects. A short break ('tolerance break') resets this.
Top Shelf: The highest tier of product a dispensary offers, usually priced at a premium.
Topical: A cannabis-infused product applied to the skin — lotions, balms, salves. Typically used for localized relief without intoxication.
Topping: Cutting off the top growth tip of a young plant so it grows two main branches instead of one. It creates a bushier plant with more colas.
Total Cannabinoids: The combined percentage or milligrams of cannabinoids in a product, including THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, and others.
Total THC: The estimated amount of THC available after THCA converts into THC through heat. Helpful because raw flower contains mostly THCA, not active THC.
Track-and-Trace: A regulatory system used to follow cannabis products from cultivation through retail sale.
Transdermal Patch: A cannabis-infused patch applied to the skin, designed to deliver cannabinoids gradually through the skin.
Trichome: The tiny, crystal-like resin glands on cannabis flowers and leaves that produce cannabinoids and terpenes. The plant's potency lives here.
Trim: The leaves and shake removed when manicuring cannabis flower. Often used for making concentrates or pre-rolls.

U

Universal Symbol: The California cannabis warning symbol, a triangle with a cannabis leaf, an exclamation point and the letters CA. It is required on cannabis product packaging.

V

Valencene: A citrus terpene named after Valencia oranges, where it is found in high amounts. It gives some cultivars a sweet orange aroma.
Vape: A device that vaporizes cannabis (flower or concentrate) instead of burning it. Includes disposable pens, cartridges, and dry-herb vaporizers.
Vape Cartridge (Cart): A pre-filled tank of cannabis oil that screws onto a battery for vaping. Convenient, discreet, and widely available.
Vape Pod: A cannabis oil cartridge built to click into one specific brand's battery. Unlike 510 carts, pods are not interchangeable between systems.
Vaporization: Heating cannabis or concentrate enough to release cannabinoids and terpenes as vapor without burning it.
Vegetative Stage: The growth phase before flowering, when the plant builds stems, leaves and roots. Indoor growers usually keep plants on about 18 hours of light a day during this stage.

W

Water Activity: A measure of how much free moisture is available in a product. Labs test it on flower because high water activity can allow mold to grow.
Water-Soluble Cannabinoids: Cannabinoids processed into tiny emulsified droplets so they mix into liquids. They are used in cannabis beverages and often have a faster onset than standard edibles.
Wax: A soft, opaque cannabis concentrate with a texture similar to candle wax. A common starting point for new dab users.
Winterization: A refining step that mixes extract with ethanol and chills it to remove fats, waxes and lipids. It produces a cleaner, clearer oil.