Kush Guides
Cannabis
Glossary
The weed terms worth knowing — explained in plain English. 37 definitions across cannabinoids, products, consumption, and culture.
Cannabinoids
CBD (Cannabidiol)
CBD (cannabidiol) is a major non-intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis and hemp that does not produce a "high" on its own.
CBG (Cannabigerol)
CBG (cannabigerol) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid often called the "mother cannabinoid" because other cannabinoids form from its acidic precursor.
CBN (Cannabinol)
CBN (cannabinol) is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid formed as THC ages and breaks down, often found in older cannabis.
THC (Delta-9-THC)
THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, responsible for the plant’s intoxicating "high."
THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid)
THCA is the raw, non-intoxicating acid form of THC found in living and freshly harvested cannabis before it is heated.
Plant & Biology
Cultivar (Strain)
A cultivar, commonly called a "strain," is a specific cultivated variety of cannabis with a distinct genetic profile, appearance, and aroma.
Flower (Bud)
Flower, or "bud," is the dried, cured blossom of the female cannabis plant—the smokable part containing the highest concentration of cannabinoids.
Hybrid
A hybrid is a cannabis variety bred from a mix of indica and sativa lineages, which describes the vast majority of cultivars sold today.
Indica
Indica is a traditional cannabis category popularly associated with relaxing, "body-heavy" effects, though the label is a rough generalization.
Sativa
Sativa is a traditional cannabis category popularly associated with uplifting, energetic, "heady" effects, though the label is a rough generalization.
Terpenes
Terpenes are aromatic compounds in cannabis and many other plants that give each cultivar its distinctive smell and flavor.
Trichomes
Trichomes are the tiny, frosty, resin-producing glands on cannabis flowers that contain most of the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes.
Products
Concentrate
A concentrate is a potent cannabis product made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant, far stronger than raw flower.
Distillate
Distillate is a highly refined cannabis extract stripped down to a single cannabinoid, most often THC or CBD, with little to no flavor or aroma.
Edible
An edible is a food or drink product infused with cannabis extract, delivering cannabinoids through digestion rather than inhalation.
Hash (Hashish)
Hash is a traditional cannabis concentrate made by collecting and compressing the plant’s resin-rich trichomes into a solid mass.
Kief
Kief is the loose, powdery collection of cannabis trichomes that fall off flower, concentrated and more potent than the bud itself.
Live Resin
Live resin is a cannabis concentrate made from fresh-frozen plants to preserve more of the original terpenes, giving it a strong aroma and flavor.
Pre-Roll
A pre-roll is a ready-made cannabis joint sold pre-rolled and packed, offering a convenient option that requires no grinding or rolling.
Rosin
Rosin is a solventless cannabis concentrate made by pressing flower, hash, or kief with heat and pressure to squeeze out resin.
Tincture
A tincture is a liquid cannabis extract, usually alcohol- or oil-based, taken in measured drops under the tongue or added to food and drink.
Vape Cartridge
A vape cartridge is a small pre-filled container of cannabis oil that attaches to a battery and is heated to produce inhalable vapor.
Consumption
Dab / Dabbing
Dabbing is the practice of vaporizing a small amount of cannabis concentrate on a heated surface and inhaling the resulting vapor.
Decarboxylation
Decarboxylation is the heat-driven chemical reaction that converts non-intoxicating THCA into active THC, "activating" cannabis.
Microdosing
Microdosing is the practice of consuming very small amounts of cannabis to seek subtle effects while minimizing strong intoxication.
Tolerance Break (T-Break)
A tolerance break, or "T-break," is a deliberate period of abstaining from cannabis to reduce a built-up tolerance to its effects.
Retail & Measurement
Broad-Spectrum
Broad-spectrum describes a cannabis or hemp extract that keeps many of the plant’s compounds but has the THC removed or reduced to trace levels.
Budtender
A budtender is a dispensary employee who helps customers choose cannabis products and explains potency, formats, and effects.
COA (Certificate of Analysis)
A COA, or certificate of analysis, is a lab-issued document reporting a cannabis product’s cannabinoid potency and safety test results.
Dispensary
A dispensary is a licensed retail store where adults can legally buy cannabis products in jurisdictions that permit medical or adult-use sales.
Eighth
An eighth is a common cannabis flower quantity equal to an eighth of an ounce, or about 3.5 grams.
Full-Spectrum
Full-spectrum describes a cannabis extract that retains the plant’s full range of cannabinoids and terpenes, including THC.
Culture & Legal
420
420 is cannabis culture’s code number for consuming cannabis, and April 20 (4/20) is its unofficial worldwide holiday.
710
710 is a cannabis code for concentrates and dabbing—the number resembles the word "OIL" when flipped upside down.
Adult-Use (Recreational)
Adult-use, also called recreational, refers to legal cannabis available to adults 21 and over without needing a medical recommendation.
Decriminalization
Decriminalization is a policy that removes or reduces criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of cannabis without making it fully legal.
Entourage Effect
The entourage effect is the theory that cannabis compounds—cannabinoids and terpenes—work together to shape effects more than any one does alone.
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