Cannabis Glossary. All the Terms You Need to Know
Discover all the cannabis terms you need for dispensary shopping.
420
Beware of the myths. 420 is not a police code or Bob Marley’s date of birth. The number refers to consumption of cannabis, e.g. “it’s 4:20” meaning let’s blaze, and it is also the main holiday of the year celebrating marijuana and its consumption that is observed on April 20 (4/20) with various festivals and other events, especially in the states with legalized cannabis. Read more about 420 here.
710
710 comes from turning the word “OIL” upside down and refers to consumption of concentrates (dabs), as well as the July 10 (7/10) holiday, which is nowhere near as big as 420 but you get a lot of great deals on extracts around this time.
Read more on 710.
Badder/Batter/Budder
One of the various concentrates mostly denoting its consistency and texture, which is similar to butter. The extract can be made with or without solvents. The color may range from brown to golden.
Click here to learn more about concentrates.
Budtender
Made by merging the words bartender and bud, the term refers to a sales person in a cannabis dispensary. A good budtender is knowledgeable about all things cannabis and will guide you in your shopping and consumption.
Ever wondered how to become a budtender? Find out in our article.
Cannabinoid
A chemical compound found in cannabis. Researchers have identified almost 150 cannabinoids, the most prominent being THC or CBD. They interact with our bodies through the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoid receptors, providing various effects.
For more on cannabinoids click here.
BHO / Butane Hash Oil
Butane extraction is one of the most common ways of making a cannabis concentrate. The end result of it comes in a variety of consistencies - wax, shatter, crumble, sauce, shatter, and more.
Cannabis
It sounds weird including it on the list but consider this - if you search “other words for weed urban dictionary” the first page you will see is dedicated to the word “cannabis” which is actually not a slang word. It is the most common name for marijuana, especially within the industry and among regulars, where the words like pot and weed are not really used and even frowned upon due to negative connotations attached to it over decades of stigmatizing the plant.
If you do not enjoy sticking out like a sore thumb, avoid terms like hemp (which is factually wrong), ganja, and the like. Cannabis, marijuana, or simply flower when referring to the buds are the more accepted terms.
Read More: Stoner Stereotype - Top 5 Common and Offensive Misconceptions About Cannabis Consumers
Blunt
Blunts are similar to joints - they are a convenient way of smoking cannabis, especially if you buy them prerolled. In contrast to joints, blunts are made using cigar or tobacco papers to give an extra buzz, and blunts are usually bigger than joints, starting at 1g.
Read More: What’s the Difference Between a Joint and Blunt?
CBD / Cannabidiol
CBD or is a common cannabinoid present in large quantities in the cannabis plant that is extremely popular due to its wide range of potential benefits and the fact that it “does not get you high”, unlike THC. CBD is often used in combination with THC to counteract the psychoactive effects of the latter and provide an entourage effect.
For more, click here - Beginner's Guide to CBD - Frequently Asked Questions
CBN / Cannabinol
A rather common cannabinoid. CBN is what THC turns into with time - when you smoke an older flower you will feel drowsy, sedating effects. CBN is non-intoxicating, and has numerous potential benefits and properties, including antibacterial and antiinflammatory, helping fight appetite loss, glaucoma.
Concentrate
A concentrate or extract is a substance derived from a cannabis plant that has a high percentage of the psychoactive cannabinoid THC, usually around 75% and all the way to 99%. For comparison, the THC content in average cannabis flower in Colorado is considered very high - around 22% going to 30% tops. A concentrate is consumed by heating it using a special tool and inhaling the smoke. The most common concentrates are wax, shatter, live resin, rosin, and vape oil.
Read more on concentrates here.
Clone
A clone is used as a method of reproducing cannabis plant by cutting off a branch from the plant rather than using seeds. This offers the same genetic make up of the plant and saves time and energy when growing a plant.
Dab / Dabbing
The term refers to consuming a cannabis concentrate or extract (see above). A dab (n.) is a small portion of a concentrate, e.g. I enjoy smoking dabs. A dab rig is a tool used to smoke concentrates
Curbside Pick Up
Curbside pick up was instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic as basically a pick up service to minimize crowds in the stores, including dispensaries but is no longer allowed by the Marijuana Enforcement Division.
Dispensary
A dispensary is a store licensed to sell cannabis and infused products in the states where it is legal. Depending on the state’s legislation, dispensaries can be Medical only (Med) - available for patients with a medical marijuana card, recreational (Rec) - where shopping is allowed for customers that are over 21+ and have a valid ID, or both.
Edibles
A popular type of cannabis infused product that provides various cannabinoids in an edible form, which can be a lozenge, chocolate bard, dissolvable, drink, capsules or classic brownies. Edibles typically take longer for the effects to be felt - starting from 20-30 minutes, but also last longer - all the way up to 8 hours. They have been on the rise in recent years due to being discreet and of course since they are a great alternative for those who do not enjoy smoking or vaping. To read more on edibles, their types, dosage, and effects, click here.
Extract
An extract or concentrate is a substance derived from a cannabis plant that has a high percentage of the psychoactive cannabinoid THC, usually around 75% and all the way to 99%. For comparison, the THC content in average cannabis flower in Colorado is considered very high - around 22% going to 30% tops. A concentrate is consumed by heating it using a special tool and inhaling the smoke. The most common concentrates are wax, shatter, live resin, rosin, and vape oil.
Read more on extracts here.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are one of the bioactive compounds found in numerous plants that are responsible for the color and flavor, and they have shown potential health benefits, especially in combination with cannabinoids and terpenes, providing the so-called entourage effect. Read more on flavonoids here.
Hemp
Hemp, also referred to as industrial hemp is a cannabis variety that is mostly used in manufacturing. It has no recreational value since the THC content in it must be lower than 0.3% but some use it to obtain hemp CBD, which is not regulated as stringently as cannabinoids obtained from marijuana.
Hybrid
Indica / Sativa / Hybrid historically referred to the cannabis strain’s origin, the common perception of the terms is as follows - indica is relaxing and more suitable for evening use while sativa is more of a daytime energy booster, and a hybrid being a mixture of the two, which can be more balanced, or even 50/50, or have a dominance of indica or sativa traits and effects.
Indica
Indica / Sativa / Hybrid historically referred to the cannabis strain’s origin, but the common perception of the terms is as follows - indica is relaxing and more suitable for evening use while sativa is more of a daytime energy booster, and a hybrid being a mixture of the two, which can be more balanced, or have a dominance of indica or sativa traits and effects.
Joint
Joints are a convenient way of smoking cannabis, especially if you buy them already prerolled. Then all you need is a lighter. Joints are made by using rolling papers and cannabis shake or flower and can be of different shapes and sizes.
Read More: What’s the Difference Between a Joint and Blunt?
Kief / Keef
One of the oldest cannabis concentrates that is made without any solvents, keef literally means pleasure in Arabic. Kief is comprised of the tiniest parts of the flower called trichomes, which are extremely rich in THC. Kief can be collected from your grinder or by using a sift and will usually be about 50-100% more potent than the flower it came from. Kief sold by dispensaries and collected using special sifts can offer a potency of 80% and more. Learn more about Kief in our article.
Weed / Skunk / Grass / Kush
These are just a few of the slang terms denoting cannabis or its variety. Live Resin / Sugar / Badder An extract made using flower that is frozen immediately after being harvested. Live concentrates might be a bit less potent but since this method skips drying, curing and trimming, it helps to preserve the precious terpenes. Live resin can also come as badder, sauce, etc.
For more on Live Resin and how to consume it, click here.
MED / Marijuana Enforcement Division
The Marijuana Enforcement Division is a regulating body that oversees Medical and Retail Marijuana industries in Colorado.
Medical Marijuana
Seems like a simple term but there is a lot of confusion surrounding it. It does not denote a special kind of cannabis, which some people think has a higher potency. It simply denotes the purpose of use - for medical purposes. The other purpose is recreational.
Dispensaries in Colorado can be Med only, Rec only, or both. To shop on the Med side you need to have a medical marijuana card issued by a MMJ doctor and be 18 or 21 years of age depending on the location. To shop on the Rec side you just need to be 21+ and have a valid ID. The benefits of shopping on the Med side are savings due to lower taxes and higher limits on THC dosage plus some states only allow medical marijuana to be sold.
Read More: Medical vs. Recreational Marijuana: What's the Difference?
MMJ Card / Medical Marijuana Card
Patients over 18 requiring marijuana for medical purposes can refer to a mmj doctor / their healthcare provider and if they qualify as a medical marijuana patient they apply to receive a mmj card with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). This has certain advantages as it offers significantly lower taxes, and if you sign up as a member with a MED dispensary numerous other benefits and bonuses. It also incurs a number of restrictions - for instance you can not legally own a firearm as a holder of a mmj card according to ATF. Before you decide to apply for a mmj card, make sure to research how this might affect you. See Silver Stem’s Medical Member Program here.
PHO / Propane Hash Oil
PHO is a cannabis concentrate created with the extraction using propane hash oil and the resulting product usually has a badder consistency. Compared to BHO it is usually softer and richer in terpenes.
Potency
Potency of cannabis flower refers to % of cannabinoids in it, typically THC and CBD. Cannabis dispensaries provide potency numbers on flower and concentrates. Pre-rolls These are ready-to-use joints or bunts filled with shake or flower, usually strain specific, and packaged by a vendor or dispensary. They are extremely popular due to ease of use and can vary in sizes and shapes.
Recreational Marijuana
Also referred to as Adult Use. In contrast to medical marijuana, recreational products are exactly what they sound like. The purpose of their consumption is recreational. Thus, you do not need a prescription/medical card to shop in a Rec dispensary. The only limitation is that you must be 21 years of age.
Dispensaries in Colorado can be Med only, Rec only, or both. To shop on the Med side you need to have a medical marijuana card issued by a MMJ doctor and be 18 or 21 years of age depending on the location. To shop on the Rec side you just need to be 21+ and have a valid ID. The benefits of shopping on the Med side are savings due to lower taxes and higher limits on THC dosage plus some states only allow medical marijuana to be sold.
Rosin
Rosin is a solventless concentrate that is created through heat, pressure and sifting. It is extremely popular since it is all natural and retains the strain’s terpene profile when extracted. It can be dabbed like other concentrates, but is also available in vape pods and even edibles. To read more on Rosin, click here.
RSO / Rick Simpson Oil
Named after its inventor, Rick Simpson Oil is a cannabis extract famous for its potential benefits, including cancer symptoms relief, although no studies have been conducted to prove it. Making RSO is similar to making infused oil, and the extraction is done with the use of isopropyl alcohol. The end product is similar to syrup and is usually used as a topical or ingested in food or drinks.
Terpene
Terpenes are chemical compounds mostly found in essential oil of various plants and cannabis has plenty of them. Terpenes are responsible for the smell of the plant, which is a very distinct feature of cannabis. That distinct pungent, spicy, pine, citrusy, or fruity smell - that would be terpenes. And like cannabinoids each terpene has its own health benefits.
Please note that Silver Stem is conducting testing on all its flower and you can see the prevailing terpenes for each strain here. For more on terpenes click here.
Shake
Shake refers to smaller parts of flower that have broken off the larger buds. Depending on its source and whether it is strain specific, shake may have the same quality and potency as the buds but is not as presentable. It is usually much cheaper and is very convenient for making your own joints or even edibles. Silver Stem offers two varieties - popcorn and grinds. The former is basically smaller nugs and the latter is pre roll ready shake.
Shatter
Shatter is a cannabis extract created using butane. It is golden in color, and the product comes out in a sheet that is easily broken or shattered, hence the name. It is extremely popular since it is easy to handle and looks amazing. For more on shatter and how to consume it, click here.
Strain
Strain is a variety or cultivar of a cannabis plant with specific lineage, smell, flavor and other characteristics. This term covers several types such as indica, sativa, or hybrid, which have become common terms used to denote the strain’s effects, although the general trend is to move away from this oversimplified look in favor of paying more attention to the terpene profile.
Tincture
Tincture is an alcohol based extraction of cannabis used sublingually, usually by using a dropper. It is a healthier alternative to smoking but unlike edibles the effects are felt quicker and there are basically no dietary restrictions.
For more on tinctures click here.
Topical
Topicals are cannabis infused products applied to the skin, including creams, lotions, patches, lip balms, bath bombs, etc. It is worth that with topicals THC, CBD and other cannabinoids do not get into the blood stream thus you will not feel the psychoactive effects.
For more on topicals, click here.
Transdermal
These are similar to topicals - applied to the skin - but in this case the cannabinoids do get into the blood stream and you will get high if there is THC in them. The most common transdermal product is patches. Their pros are being discreet and having a prolonged effect.
THC
THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is one of the main cannabinoids of the cannabis plant that is responsible for the psychoactive effect, or “getting you high”. It is found in marijuana flower (about 20% on average), concentrates (reaching up to 95%+) and infused products like edibles (THC content usually provided in milligrams). THC has various proven and potential benefits and may help combat symptoms of various ailments, from chronic pain to PTSD and cancer.
THCa
THCa or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, which turns into THC when heated and thus is responsible for the high. It is rarely used in its pure form, although it has been reported to help with a number of ailments. To learn more about THCa, click here.
Sativa
Indica / Sativa / Hybrid historically referred to the cannabis strain’s origin, the common perception of the terms is as follows - indica is relaxing and more suitable for evening use while sativa is more of a daytime energy booster, and a hybrid being a mixture of the two, which can be more balanced, or even 50/50, or have a dominance of indica or sativa traits and effects.
Vape Cart / Vape Pen
Most of you probably know this, but people who have just discovered cannabis might not, and there is no shame in that. A vape pen is basically a battery to which you attach a vape cartridge with cannabis oil or a concentrate in it, which is then turned into vape through heating and inhaled. It is a more convenient and discreet way of cannabis consumption.
Wax
Wax is one of the most popular and common types of a cannabis concentrate. To make wax, the plant is blasted with a solvent - usually butane or ethanol, or CO2 - and then filtered to create a waxy non-transparent extract that varies in color and consistency. Wax is one of the easiest extracts in terms of production but it has a shorter shelf life. To learn more about wax and its consumption, click here.