Learn More About Cannabis Terminology

Unlike photoperiod strains, autoflowering strains start to mature and make flowers/buds on their own without any change in light schedule. This keeps plants small and acting more like houseplants. Autoflowering strains are essentially immune to problems from light leaks (light at the wrong time can cause accidental re-vegging or hermies in photoperiod plants). Autoflowers are also known as cannabis ruderalis. Most modern autoflower strains are a blend of ruderalis and photoperiod indica/sativas.

The person who is working with you at the register or point of sale; usually someone incredibly knowledgeable about terpenes, genetics, and different dosage types.

BA is a marijuana concentrate with a soft, batter-like texture.

BD is a marijuana concentrate with a soft, buttery texture.

BH is a solventless, live concentrate composed of trichomes from fresh, flash-frozen flowers. Using ice water, agitation, and a sieve, the product is cold-filtered to create a pure powder that is pressed into a hash concentrate.

A primary compound found in the cannabis plant. It binds with receptors in our endocannabinoid system to produce the medicinal effects associated with cannabis.

A flowering genus of plants in the Cannabaceae family most often used to describe cannabis strains that contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). There are three species: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Cannabis is native to Asia, but grows almost everywhere in the world and has long been cultivated for the production of hemp as well as various other uses.

A cannabis terpene, best known for its spicy and peppery note. Caryophyllene is found in black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and spices like oregano, basil, and rosemary. Beta-caryophyllene binds to CB2 receptors, which makes it a component in anti-inflammatory topicals and creams. Caryophyllene is the only terpene that binds directly to cannabinoid receptors. Besides its potential analgesic and anti-anxiety properties, some studies have found that caryophyllene may have very promising properties when it comes to alcoholism rehabilitation. A group of scientists performed research on mice and found that this terpene reduces voluntary intake of alcohol. They even recommended caryophyllene for treating alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Short for Cannabidiol. CBD is one of the better-known cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. It’s a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, unlike its popular counterpart, THC. It is currently being studied for its therapeutic benefits in providing relief for anxiety, pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and inflammation.

Cannabis clones are clippings from a mother plant and that share identical genetics with the mother plant, hence the name “clones.” When planted and carefully tended, a clone can be grown into a fully mature marijuana plant that is genetically identical to its mother plant.

CH is a marijuana concentrate consisting of dry-sift trichomes heated and pressed into a brick-like form.

CS/SH is a marijuana concentrate with a glass-like form.

CK is a marijuana concentrate made of dry-sift trichomes.

CR is a marijuana concentrate with a soft, crumbly texture.

IWH is a solventless concentrate composed of trichomes separated from flowers using ice water agitation. The product is cold-filtered through a sieve to create a pure powder.

RE is a live concentrate made from fresh, flash frozen flowers to extract the full flavor.

RO is a solventless, live concentrate made by extracting BH through a rosin press.

Rosin is a solventless concentrate that’s made by heating and compressing the flowers, kief, or hash from the cannabis plant. This high potency concentrate is becoming popular because of its distinct lack of additives like butane or alcohol.

Rick Simpson Oil, or RSO, is a cannabis oil product. RSO differs from a lot of other cannabis oils because it contains higher levels of THC. This is the main psychoactive cannabinoid in marijuana. RSO generally refers to a pure extract of THC-rich cannabis oil intended for oral consumption. Since RSO is meant to be ingested, it needs to be decarboxylated beforehand so the THC is already activated.

TS is a crystalline marijuana concentrate with high levels of terpenes.

TSG is a marijuana concentrate with high levels of terpenes and a fine, crystalline texture.

Terpenes are the pungent, oily compounds found in the marijuana plant. Secreted from the plant’s trichomes, terpenes give cannabis varieties their distinctive flavors and aromas like citrus, berry, skunk, or pine. Evolved at first as an adaptation to repel predators and lure pollinators, research is finding that each individual terpene has different effects within the body.

THC is an abbreviation of tetrahydrocannabinol and is one of most abundant cannabinoids in marijuana. THC is responsible for cannabis’ psychoactive, intoxicating “high” effects

A tincture is a liquid concentrate of cannabis that is normally extremely concentrated. Usually carried in coconut oil or glycerin, tinctures are available in a variety of flavors and dosages and are a great alternative for those not interested in smoking. Cannabinoids in tinctures are best absorbed under the tongue, which bypasses the liver.

Topicals are non-psychoactive balms, salves, and oils that users apply directly to the body instead of consuming. These have local effects only.

Trichomes are the small and sometimes nearly microscopic resinous glands, stalks, and hairs that cover the flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant. Believed to have evolved as a way to protect the plant from insects and animals, trichomes are now also thought to inhibit the growth of some fungi as well as protect from high winds and low humidity. Trichomes are where terpenes and cannabinoids (THC and CBD) are created and secreted.

The process that uses heat to convert THC-A into THC. This process “activates” the cannabinoids by making them recognizable to your body. Without decarboxylation, the effects of THC cannot be experienced.

In CT, all Dispensary Pharmacists are licensed pharmacists. To be a licensed pharmacist, you must have graduated from an accredited university with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, or a Bachelors of Pharmacy (BS Pharm) degree, and have passed licensing exams

In CT, all Dispensary Technicians are state-registered pharmacy technicians. This means that they previously worked in a traditional pharmacy setting (i.e., retail, hospital, long-term care) under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

A legal cannabis store. Depending on state, location, or law, a dispensary can be medical-only, adult-use, or hybrid (allowing both types of sales).

A distillate is a specific type of concentrate. Distillates go through an extra round of refinement to produce the purest of pure cannabis THC oil in its activated form. Distillate may contain the purest form of THC oil, but the process strips all other compounds from the plant, such as terpenes. Distillate must be re-infused with terpenes in order to contain a flavor.

Individualized amount of cannabinoids within products. Dosing depends on titration, which is the process of increasing medication amounts until the desired effect is achieved.

Edibles are cannabis-infused foods or beverages. Edibles can have either small (2.5-5mg) or large (sometimes upwards of 200mg) dosages of THC or other cannabinoids. Depending on what you have eaten, your metabolism, and other factors, edibles can “kick in” at different times and strengths for different users. Edibles tend to “last longer” than smoking or vaping. Start low and go slow!

The endocannabinoid system is a biological system composed of endocannabinoids, which are endogenous, lipid-based, retrograde neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors, and cannabinoid receptor proteins that are expressed throughout the vertebrate central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.

When we smoke or vaporize cannabis, our bodies take in hundreds of botanical compounds. Each one arrives with unique effects and benefits, and their behavior may change in the presence of other compounds. This is the entourage effect. The entourage effect is mainly in reference to a full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes working naturally together.

A fan leaf (also sometimes called a “water leaf”) is a leaf in the standard “cannabis leaf” shape. Most leaves on the plants are fan leaves. They typically are on a stem with an odd number of “points” or fingers. Mature fan leaves typically have 7, 9, or 11 points per leaf.

Fertigation means providing nutrients in the water you give to your cannabis plants. Cannabis plants typically grow faster when they get nutrients from the water as opposed to seeking out nutrients in soil.

Flavonoids are a group of compounds found in cannabis. They help terpenes provide the unique flavors that cannabis strains have. Flavonoids are a part of the entourage effect.

The flowering stage is the part of a cannabis plant’s life cycle during which it grows fewer leaves and branches and concentrates on making flowers.

Growing a seed into a seedling; this is how cannabis plants begin life unless you use a clone.

A tool used to “grind” flowers into smaller, more manageable bits. This makes it easier to use in general, since you don’t want to roll a whole bud into a joint or try to vaporize it. Marijuana processed in a grinder has a consistency similar to oregano.

Humulene was the first terpene found in hops. Its aroma contains earthy, woody, and spicy notes. Besides cannabis, it can also be found in clove, sage, and black pepper. It has a variety of medical properties. Early research has shown humulene to be anti-proliferative, meaning it may prevent cancer cells from growing.

Hybrid refers to a plant that is a genetic cross between one or more separate strains of cannabis. Hybrids can happen unintentionally, but they are usually bred specifically to combine desired traits of the original plants. Most marijuana on the market today is some form of hybrid.

Hydroponics refers to a system of gardening that does not use soil. Plants are grown in water and receive their nutrients from the addition of solutions rather than soil. For growers, hydroponic advantages include more control over nutrient intake and stability. In terms of marijuana production, plants grown hydroponically are sometimes said to have cleaner, more distinct flavors.

A joint is a cannabis cigarette rolled using non-tobacco papers.

Kief is a collected amount of trichomes that have been separated from the rest of the marijuana flower. Since trichomes are the sticky crystals that contain the vast majority of the plant’s cannabinoids, kief is more potent than a flower, but is normally less potent than a concentrate.

Another prevalent terpene found not only in cannabis but in the peels of citrus fruits and cardamom, limonene (named for its lemon scent and taste) is being studied for its antifungal and antibacterial properties.

This terpene is the most responsible for the recognizable marijuana smell with its spicy and floral notes. Linalool is also found in lavender, mint, cinnamon, and coriander. What’s interesting is that just like those aromatic herbs, it may have strong sedative and relaxing properties.

Live resin uses fresh, frozen cannabis flowers cut from the grow before they’ve been dried or cured, and then processed, resulting in elevated terpene levels. Live resin manages to maintain a really beautiful terpene profile because it’s capturing the terpenes of a live plant as opposed to that of the dried and cured flowers used in most concentrates. Live resin is a wonderful and tasty way to capture the layered flavors of the cannabis flower without losing much in the process.

Thought to be one of the most abundant terpenes in cannabis, myrcene is found not only in cannabis but in other plants like wild thyme, sweet basil, mango, and hops. It is being studied as having potential anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Phenotype is a term that is heard most often in growing. It refers to the general physical characteristics of the plant such as height, color, branching, and leaf configuration down to cell structure–any markers that can be used to identify and judge the healthiness of a plant.

Another terpene found in marijuana as well as in orange peels, pine needles, rosemary, dill, and parsley. Pinene derives its name from its woodsy, piney aroma. Pinene is being researched for its memory-enhancing effects, potential to prompt alertness, and as a bronchodilator.

Pistils are part of a female plant’s anatomy. On cannabis, it’s identified as the little hair-like extensions on the flowers that range in color from white to red to darker orange-brown. When plants are going to be fertilized, the pistil acts to collect the male pollen. When plants are left unfertilized, as in the case of marijuana, the pistils change and can be indicators of plant ripeness.

See “joint”.

Drugs, substances, or chemicals that have no currently accepted medical use and have a high potential for abuse. This federal list is established by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

A cannabis strain refers to a specific variety of cannabis. Strains are developed to produce distinct desired traits in the plant and are usually named by their breeders (or by creative consumers).

A method of cannabis use in which cannabis vapor, rather than smoke, is inhaled. Cannabis flower or concentrate is heated in a vaporizing device (vaporizer) to a temperature below the point of combustion to produce vapor.