Cannabis Lingo

The part of a vaporizer device that heats liquid strains of cannabis and converts them to a vapor state for inhalation.

Total aerobic count, or TAC, is a measure of the active cannabinoids a cannabis product contains at the time it is tested. Measurements include those for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), and other cannabinoids.

Potency refers to how strong of an effect a marijuana strain will have on the patient/user, whether its recreational or medicinal. Potency is typically denoted by the level of the psychoactive cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol THC.

In cannabis culture, a dab is a small, concentrated amount of cannabis extract, such as hash oil, wax or shatter. It is consumed by “dabbing” it with a heat source to produce a vapor that is inhaled.

• Rig – A pipe that is used to inhale cannabis concentrates that are vaporized through the process of dabbing.
• Nail – An attachment that holds the cannabis concentrate for placement in a dab rig.
• Torch – A propane-heated tool used with a rig, which produces a consistent flame to fully dissolve a dab concentrate in a rig.

In cannabis culture, the process of pre-cleaning the seeds and stems from an amount of marijuana so that it can be easily scooped into a bowl for smoking.

Found in the essential oils of plants, terpenes in a cannabis plant are the chemical compounds that determine its flavor and aromatic profile. Terpenes are said to impact how a strain of cannabis makes the user feel. In medical cannabis, different terpene profiles can be created with the goal of relieving particular symptoms or ailments.

• Botanical – Botanical terpenes are extracted from plants such as lavender, or cloves, via a high-heat distillation process. They are often added to cannabis oils for their health benefits, including calming or soothing properties, nausea relief, and more.
• Synthetic- Synthetic terpenes are produced through a chemical process in which flavor/aroma profiles can be manipulated, resulting in more intense flavors and smells than their organic (botanical) counterparts.
• Full-spectrum – In cannabis culture, this refers to cannabis products that contain components of the entire plant, including phytocannabinoids and terpenes. Because the various components complement each other’s therapeutic benefits, full-spectrum products are often considered more effective for medicinal purposes.

Refers to the various methods and steps taken to prepare cannabis and its byproducts for sale and consumption, including curing, drying, cleaning, ingredient extraction, and packaging.

• Curing – is the process of slowly removing moisture from cannabis plants as they grow. Controlling moisture levels prevents evaporation of terpenes and cannabinoids, and enables the grower to control flavor, aroma, potency and other characteristics.
• Decarb / Decarboxylation – Decarboxylation is the chemical reaction that occurs when a cannabinoid is heated. “Decarbing” enhances the cannabinoid’s ability to interact with the body’s receptors by activating THCa and CBDa into THC and CBD, respectively. In medical cannabis this process results in the high that recreational users seek, and the pain relief and other therapeutic benefits medical patients seek.

• Bong – A water pipe typically used to smoke cannabis. A bowl on the bong holds the cannabis for heating and connects to a water-filled base. The water filters the smoke making less harsh, smoother inhalation.
• Pipe/Bowl – The part of a pipe or other smoking device that holds the cannabis flower.

• Joint- A joint consists of cannabis flower, or marijuana, rolled up inside a rolling paper for smoking. Papers are typically made of hemp, rice, flax or sisal, and are thin so that they burn more slowly.

There are different methods for extracting the desired components from the cannabis plant. Here are some of the most common.

• CO2- In cannabis culture, CO2 refers to a non-flammable solvent used to extract compounds from the cannabis plant. CO2 extraction processes may utilize subcritical and supercritical fluids, which vary in pressure and temperature.
• Butane- In cannabis culture, butane is used to produce potent marijuana concentrates, known as butane hash oil. Depending on the method and equipment used, butane extraction can render different consistencies of cannabis, including “shatter,” “crumble,” or “badder.”
• Solventless – Solventless cannabis extract consists of a gooey, sticky resin, which has been refined without the use of chemical solvents.
• Cold Water – Cold water/ice water extraction is a method for extracting THC-laden trichomes from the cannabis plant material by washing the material in cold water. The result is a product known in cannabis culture as “bubble hash.”

• Trichomes – Sticky, crystal-like appendages on the cannabis flower, bract and leaves that produce and contain its cannabinoids and terpenes.

• Delta-9 – This is the THC cannabinoid molecule that’s recognized as the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.—that is, the substance that causes people who use marijuana to feel high. Delta-9 may cause euphoria, happiness, sedation, as well as symptom relief from some medical conditions.

• Cannabinoids- Cannabinoids are chemicals found in cannabis, which have the potential to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. More than 100 cannabinoids have been identified in cannabis..
• THC – Short for tetrahydrocannabinol, THC is the chemical responsible for the majority of cannabis’ psychological effects. It mimics natural cannabinoid chemicals in the body and attaches to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, including those associated with pleasure, memory, thinking, and time perception.
• CBN- Cannabinol, or CBN, is a cannabinoid that is created as the THC cannabinoid in the cannabis plant ages. It does not produce psychoactive effects.
• CBD- Cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid compound that is found in both cannabis and hemp.
• Endocannabinoid System- A biological system made up of endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes. The ECS may help regulate sleep, mood, memory, appetite, reproduction, pain sensation, and many other functions in the human body..
• CB1 Receptor- There are two types of receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system, CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are prevalent in the central nervous system and regulate a variety of brain functions. They’re also present in the skin. CB1 is the receptor target for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and therefore plays a significant role in the euphoric effects of THC-dominant strains of cannabis.
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• CB2 Receptors- There are two types of receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system, CB1 and CB2. CB2 receptors are prevalent throughout the immune cells of the body. CB2 receptors may assist in regulating immune system responses such as inflammation. CB2 allows cannabis consumers to experience its therapeutic effects by interacting with both THC and CBD cannabinoids.

Cannabis concentrates are the result of distilling the most desirable components of the cannabis plant. Here are some of the most common and popular concentrates.

• Shatter – Shatter gets its name from its translucent appearance. It is the result of extracting THC, CBD, and other components of the cannabis plant using butane or other solvents. In cannabis culture, shatter is consumed by dabbing or vaping.
• Wax – A solvent-derived cannabis concentrate that resembles wax and is consumed by dabbing or vaping. Wax is popular in cannabis culture for its high concentration of THC and flavor.
• Badder – Badder, or batter, is a solvent-based cannabis concentrate. It is agitated during the extraction process, resulting in an appearance similar to frosting or cake batter.
• Rosin – A solventless process in which high heat and pressure are applied to cannabis to release the resin from the plant. Rosin contains high amounts of THC and CBD.
• Rosin – A solventless process in which high heat and pressure are applied to cannabis to release the resin from the plant. Rosin contains high amounts of THC and CBD.
• Crumble – Also known in cannabis culture as honeycomb because of its appearance and texture, crumble is a solvent-based cannabis concentrate with a dry, powdery consistency. Crumble has a high THC content.
• Bubble hash – Named for the manner in which it bubbles when smoked, bubble hash is a cannabis concentrate derived from the cold water/ice water extraction method. Cannabis flowers are agitated in bags of ice water. As they freeze, resin glands break off of the flowers.
• Hash – Also known as hashish, this is a cannabis concentrate made by compressing and processing the plant’s trichomes.
• Full Melt – In cannabis culture, full melt is a dry, high-grad form of concentrate that melts fully and therefore leaves no residue behind.
• Kief – In cannabis culture, kief refers to trichomes, or resin glands, sifted from cannabis flowers through a mesh screen or sieve. Cannabis trichomes produce a sticky resin, which contains terpenes and cannabinoids. Kief is potent and is often sprinkled on top of joints and blunts, or even infused into food.
• Blunt – A hollowed out cigar or other tobacco leaf wrapper filled with cannabis flower for smoking. This is a popular method of smoking cannabis because a blunt burns slower, lasts longer, and can also add a tobacco “buzz” to the cannabis high.
• RSO/Rick Simpson Oil – This is perhaps the most well-known variety of full-extract cannabis oil, or FECO oil. This highly concentrated whole-plant extract provides broad spectrum cannabinoids and terpenes and was popularized by Canadian medical cannabis advocate Rick Simpson, who used the oil to treat cancerous growths on his arm.
• Live Concentrate – This cannabis extraction method freezes cannabis to subcritical temperatures and does not use drying or curing. Eliminating drying and curing allows the plant to retain more of its terpenes, which can be rendered dormant as a result of those processes. The “live resin” that results from this process preserves more of the flavors and aroma of the terpenes.

In cannabis culture, strain refers to the particular variety of cannabis flower, which gives it characteristics such as its texture, smell, and flavor. Strain is determined by a combination of factors including botanical lineage, chemical profile, appearance, and effects.

In cannabis culture, indica refers to strains with sedating, relaxing, and predominantly physical effects. Indica plants generally have shorter growing cycles, shorter flowering periods. They thrive in dry, mountainous climates, feature broad leaves and do not usually grow taller than 6 feet.

In cannabis culture, sativa refers to strains with uplifting, cerebral, and energizing effects. Sativa plants have longer flowering times and slender, fingered leaves. They flourish in warmer climates and can grow as tall as 12 feet.

Hybrid cannabis strains are a combination of plant varieties, but are usually dominant in either indica or sativa. They provide a combination of the physical and cerebral effects of indica and sativa, respectively.

Ratios indicate the amount of CBD and THC in relation to one another in a cannabis product. CBD:THC ratios are relevant in all forms of cannabis, including flower, concentrates, edibles, topicals, tinctures, and capsules.

Breeding is the crossing of cannabis plants to produce desirable traits. Cannabis breeders are knowledgeable in breeding to purify and strengthen strains, combine strain traits, or enhance certain characteristics, including aroma and potency.

Refers to cannabis bought for recreational purposes rather than for medical uses.

Medicinal cannabis recommended by a doctor as therapeutic treatment for a chronic or terminal illness. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found naturally in the cannabis plant that have been shown to be potentially useful in relieving symptoms that result from diseases or their treatment protocols.

This refers to the positive physical and psychological effects that are often produced from the psychoactive components of cannabis, including THC. Many factors affect a person’s high, including the dosage, consumption method, cannabinoids, and potency.

Any chemical that acts primarily on the central nervous system and alters brain function, resulting in temporary changes in mood, behavior or consciousness.

In cannabis culture, couchlock describes the feeling of physical sedation that can result from consumption.