Cannabis: Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants.  Cannabis Sativa, and Cannabis Indica, Cannabis Ruderalis, and Industrial Hemp are all cannabis families that fall under the genus of Cannabis. 

Cannabinoid:  Cannabinoids are chemicals within cannabis. Cannabinoids influence cell receptors in the brain and body and change how those cells behave.

Cannage: The year in which cannabis was produced, or a season’s yield of cannabis. For example, “2017 cannage was sick, bruhh”  or, “I haven’t seen you in a cannage.”

CBC (Cannabichromene): CBC is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, but it doesn’t affect the psychoactivity of THC. CBC has shown anti-tumor effects in breast cancer xenoplants in mice, which make is a particularly exciting cannabinoid.

CBD (Cannabidiol): The second most commonly used cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant is CBD. CBD is a nonpsychoactive antagonist to THC, mitigating the psychoactive effects. CBD has become popular for its therapeutic effects in autism, epilepsy, and nerve problems

CBG (Cannabigerol): CBG is another non-psychoactive cannabinoid that acts as a chemical precursor to other cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. This conversion typically takes place 6-8 weeks in the flowering cycle. Some cannabis strains are specifically cultivated to generate higher yields of this cannabinoid.

CBN (Cannabinol): CBN is only mildly psychoactive. This cannabinoid develops as THC degrades in aging weed. The most common effect of CBN is sleepiness, rather than brightly euphoric psychoactivity.

Concentrate (also see: Extract): Any material created by refining cannabis flowers to separate plant material from cannabinoids. 

Cultivar: Plant strains resulting from crossbreeding in order to produce and intensify desired traits.  

Cure: The process of slowly drying flowers from the cannabis plant. Curing is a gradual process that helps develop unique flavor and maximize smoke quality.

Dabbing: A consumption method wherein cannabis concentrate is placed on a preheated surface, creating concentrated cannabis vapor to be inhaled. Dabbing is achieved with a torch, a quartz, titanium or ceramic nail, and a water pipe or glass straw. Torchless electric dab rigs exist; Puffco Peak and Candy Pens are popular examples of streamlined dab rigs. 

Dab Rig (see also: Oil Rig): A water pipe fitted with a nail for the intention of dabbing. Basically a bong for concentrated extracts. Used with either a handheld torch or built with an electric heating element.

Decarboxylation:  When exposed to heat, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is converted to THC and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) is converted to CBC. Decarboxylation activates cannabis flowers before extraction and is a key step in making your own extracts/edibles. 

Endocannabinoid System: A group of receptors that make up a very complex regulatory system throughout the human brain, body, and central and peripheral nervous systems. ECS creates and maintains our body’s internal stability (homeostasis) by adjusting the flow of neurotransmitters and regulating bodily functions, including appetite, sleep, emotion, and movement.

Extraction:  Achieved with or without solvents, extraction refers to the different processes by which cannabinoids within the plant can be extracted for use. These processes include alcohol extraction, butane extraction, c02 extraction, cold water extraction, and hydraulic press.

Flower: The hairy, sticky buds we consume are the flowers of the cannabis plant.

Full Spectrum: A full-spectrum extract maintains the therapeutic compounds and terpenes of the raw cannabis plant.

Hemp: Hemp is its own family of cannabis genus recognized as having a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol concentration that does not exceed 0.3% (based on dry weight). For decades, hemp was specifically classified as stems and stalks for industrial purposes, but with the medicinal and recreational revolution, hemp has now come into its own as a full spectrum flowering genus of cannabis with its own distinct cannabinoid profiles.

Hybrid: Any cannabis cultivar bred from more than one family of cannabis plants.

Indica: Cannabis indica strains are cultivated with higher CBD/CBG content than sativas. Their sub-tropical origin resulted in larger, wider leaves and shorter, stockier plants than sativas. Indica effects tend to be more cerebral and relaxing than sativas.

Isolate: When extracted has been winterized and distilled, removing all contaminants like water, waxes, and fats, and is then dissolved in pentane, the result is a spontaneous crystal formation. These crystals are isolated cannabinoids, and can look like white sugar or crushed diamonds. The process of creating isolate is hazardous and requires all manner of specialized equipment. Don’t try to make this shit in your kitchen.

LOQ ( or Limit of Quantitation or Limit of Blank [LoB] or Limit of Detection [LoD]): These are all are terms that describe the smallest concentration of a cannabinoid that can be reliably measured. When we see this term at the dispensary, it’s in the context of measured cannabinoids in any given strain. For instance, when you choose a strain and the CBD percentage of that strain is LOQ, it means there is less CBD in that strain than can accurately be measured.

Nail: In the lexicon of the super stoned, a nail refers to the heating element/concentrate container in a dab rig. A nail is usually a bowl, but can also be some manner of hotplate (freebase style). Nails are made with either quartz, titanium, ceramics or glass, but quartz and titanium are the most ubiquitous. Both hold heat excellently and are virtually unbreakable.

Oil Rig (see also: Dab Rig): A water pipe fitted with a nail for the intention of dabbing. Basically a bong for concentrated extracts. Used with either a handheld torch or built with an electric heating element.

Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamics: The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of a drug and the effect the drug has on the body. 

Ruderalis: This is an auto-flowering, low cannabinoid family of cannabis that, for generations, has been bred with sativa and indicas to produce auto-flowering plants with diversified cannabinoid tableaus. 

Sativa: Physically the largest of the three families of cannabis, sativas are also historically the most popular. Traditional sativa effects are energetic, uplifting and euphoric.

Strain: Strain describes the particular characteristic(s) that make a cultivar unique. Cultivars with sativa characteristics are stimulating, cultivars with indica characteristics are relaxing and pain-relieving. Most flowers produced today are hybrids, cultivated with specific indica or sativa characteristics. Strain designation makes it easy to follow the lineage of your favorite flower, and know which flowers are likely to appeal to you. 

Sublingual: A sublingual medication is one that is meant to be placed under the tongue. Tinctures and lozenges often fall in the sublingual category.

Terpene:  Terpenes are fragrant oils secreted from the resin glands of flowers that provide aromatic diversity. They are not just found in the cannabis plant, but other plants as well. Terpenes bind to different receptors in the brain to give different effects and are a valued element of the entourage effect.

THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid): The most abundant cannabinoid found in cannabis is THCA. This is the cannabinoid that is decarboxylated and formed into THC by smoking, vaporizing, or heating.

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol): The most commonly known cannabinoid found within the cannabis plant. THC accounts for most of the psychoactive effects of cannabis.

Tincture: A tincture is a liquid form of cannabis that is made from glycerin or alcohol. Tinctures are usually distributed in an eyedropper under the tongue to provide fast absorption to the body, but can also be added to any food or drink item for an edible effect.

Torch: Bic lighters don’t work on dab rigs. You need a handheld torch. Get a sketchy one at your local sketchy bodega, or a dependable version (found in the creme brulee set) at Sur La Table. Small, personal torches are typically pretty user-friendly. Don’t forget to stock up on fuel refills as well.

Transdermal: Transdermal medications are absorbed through the skin  typically by using an adhesive patch.

Trichome:  Crystalized glands on the cannabis plant that produce resin. They are the parts of the plant that contain most cannabinoids.

Vape: Vape is shorthand for vaporizer, often describing a pocket, or pen sized vaporizer. Vape-ing is a method of cannabis use wherein cannabis vapor, rather than smoke, is inhaled. A vape heats cannabis flower or concentrate to a temperature below the point of combustion to produce vapor.