Cannabis has its own vocabulary that shows up on dispensary menus, product labels, and lab reports. This glossary defines common cannabis terms in quick, plain English so you know what you're buying and using. If you want to see how these terms show up in real products, start with 1906's Shop All collection and explore products like Boost, Go, and Bliss.
Cannabis Terms and Definitions
A
Adaptogens: Plant-derived compounds used in wellness formulations to support balance and stress response. Some cannabis products combine THC and CBD with adaptogens for more targeted effects.
Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill): Federal legislation that legalized hemp plants and hemp-derived cannabinoids containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC, shaping today’s hemp-derived cannabis industry.
Alcohol extraction (Ethanol extraction): An extraction process that uses ethanol to pull cannabinoids, terpenes, and other chemical compounds from the cannabis plant.
Anandamide: A naturally occurring endocannabinoid in the human body that interacts with cannabinoid receptors and influences mood and balance.
Adult-use cannabis: Cannabis that's legally sold for recreational (non-medical) purposes in states with regulated programs.
Aphrodisiac: A label for products designed to support intimacy and connection, with effects varying by dose and mindset.
B
Bioavailability: The proportion of cannabinoids that enter the bloodstream during cannabis consumption.
Butane hash oil (BHO): A cannabis concentrate created using butane as a solvent to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis flowers.
Bud (Cannabis buds): The dried cannabis flowers of the female cannabis plant, where cannabinoids and terpenes are concentrated.
Budtender: A trained retail employee at a cannabis dispensary who helps cannabis consumers select products.
C
Cannabinoids: Organic compounds (like THC) found in cannabis that interact with the endocannabinoid system.
Cannabidiol (CBD): A non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis plants and hemp plants, often associated with wellness and therapeutic benefits.
Cannabigerol (CBG): A minor cannabinoid sometimes referred to as the “mother cannabinoid” because other cannabinoids are synthesized from its precursor form.
Cannabis concentrates: Concentrated cannabis products made by isolating cannabinoids and terpenes from plant material.
Cannabis extracts: Products derived through an extraction process that separates cannabinoids from ground cannabis or whole flower.
Cannabis flower: The harvested and dried female cannabis plant bloom, commonly referred to as marijuana flower.
Cannabis indica: A cannabis species commonly used to describe strains associated with relaxing effects.
Cannabis seeds: The reproductive seeds of the cannabis plant that are used to cultivate cannabis.
Cannabis sativa: A cannabis species used to describe strains associated with uplifting or energetic effects.
Cannabis ruderalis: A lesser-known species of the genus Cannabis known for autoflowering traits.
Cannabis leaf: The iconic serrated leaf shape commonly associated with the marijuana plant.
Cannabis oils: Liquid cannabis extracts that contain cannabinoids and are often used in tinctures or capsules.
Cannabis strain: A specific variety of cannabis cultivated for particular cannabinoid and terpene profiles; increasingly replaced by the more accurate term “chemovar.”
Cannabis topicals: Lotions or balms infused with cannabinoids, applied directly to the skin rather than consumed.
Cannabis trichomes: Resinous glands found on cannabis buds that produce cannabinoids and terpenes.
Certificate of Analysis (COA): Third-party lab documentation verifying cannabinoid content and confirming that high-quality cannabis products meet safety standards.
Chemovar: A term used to describe cannabis based on chemical profile rather than traditional indica or sativa labels.
Consumption methods: Different ways of consuming cannabis, including smoking cannabis, vaping, edibles, tinctures, or capsules.
D
Decarboxylation: The heating process that activates cannabinoids in raw cannabis, converting THCA into psychoactive Delta-9 THC.
Delta-9 THC: The primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis, responsible for most psychoactive effects.
Dose: The amount you take, usually measured in milligrams (mg) of cannabinoids.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): The federal agency responsible for enforcing controlled substances laws in the United States.
Drying and curing process: The post-harvest stage that preserves cannabis buds, enhances flavor, and stabilizes cannabinoids.
E
Edibles: Cannabis products designed for oral ingestion, like baked goods, beverages, gummies, and pills.
Endocannabinoid system (ECS): A biological system that regulates stress, sleep, pain relief, and other functions through cannabinoid receptors.
Entourage effect: The theory that cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds found in cannabis work better together than alone.
Extraction process: The method used to isolate cannabinoids, often through CO₂, ethanol, or solventless techniques.
F
Female cannabis plant: The cannabis plant responsible for producing cannabinoid-rich cannabis flowers.
Full-spectrum cannabis: Products that retain multiple cannabinoids and terpenes found in cannabis.
G
Ground cannabis: Pre-milled cannabis flower prepared for smoking or vaporizing.
H
Hemp plants: Cannabis plants containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight, federally legal under the Farm Bill.
Hybrid: A cannabis strain bred from indica and sativa strains.
I
Inhalation: A cannabis consumption method involving smoking cannabis or vaporizing cannabis concentrates.
J
Joint (cannabis cigarette): A rolled cannabis cigarette made with ground cannabis flower.
K
Kanna: A Kanna plant is traditionally used in herbal wellness products and sometimes paired with cannabinoids in plant-based formulations.
L
Lab testing: Independent analysis performed to test cannabis for potency, contaminants, and purity.
M
Marijuana plant: A commonly used term for the cannabis plant, particularly in regulatory language.
Male cannabis plant: A pollen-producing marijuana plant that does not develop cannabinoid-rich cannabis buds.
Medical cannabis: Medical marijuana products recommended by a healthcare provider.
Medical cannabis patients: Individuals legally authorized to use medical cannabis.
Microdose: A low-dose serving of THC intended to provide subtle psychoactive properties without overwhelming effects.
Minor cannabinoids: Cannabinoids found in smaller concentrations, such as CBG or CBN.
N
Nano-emulsion: A technique that breaks cannabinoids into tiny particles so they mix into liquids and absorb faster.
O
Onset time: The amount of time it takes to feel psychoactive effects after consuming cannabis.
Overconsumption: Taking more THC than intended, potentially leading to unwanted effects such as dizziness or anxiety.
P
Phytocannabinoids: Cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant, as opposed to those made in the human body.
Point of sale (POS): The transactional system used in cannabis dispensaries to track regulated purchases.
Psychoactive plant: A plant containing compounds that affect the mind and mood.
Psychoactive effects: Effects caused by compounds like THC that alter things like perception or mood.
S
Solventless extraction: Extraction methods that do not use chemical solvents.
Synthetic cannabinoids: Laboratory-produced compounds that mimic cannabinoids but are not found naturally in cannabis.
T
Terpenes: Aromatic compounds found in cannabis that influence flavor and potentially modify psychoactive effects.
THC and CBD ratio: The proportion of tetrahydrocannabinol to cannabidiol in a product.
THC drinks: Cannabis-infused beverages (often nano-emulsified) designed for quicker, more predictable onset than classic edibles.
Tolerance: A reduced response to cannabis after repeated use.
U
Unwanted effects: Temporary side effects that may occur when consuming cannabis, especially in high doses.
V
Vaporize cannabis concentrates: A method (commonly known as vaping) of cannabis consumption that heats concentrated cannabis without combustion.
W
Wax: A type of cannabis concentrate created through solvent-based extraction, known for its soft, wax-like texture and high cannabinoid concentration.
Water-soluble cannabinoids: Cannabinoids formulated to mix with liquids, commonly used in cannabis beverages.
X
X-factor cannabinoids: A non-scientific term sometimes used to describe minor cannabinoids produced in smaller amounts that may contribute to a product's overall balanced effects alongside THC and CBD.
Z
Zip: Slang term for one ounce of cannabis flower.
Final Thoughts on Glossary Terms for Cannabis Plant
You don't need to memorize every term on this page to feel confident buying cannabis. Just knowing the basics already puts you ahead of most shoppers, so keep this glossary handy.
Want to branch out and explore different experiences? Browse 1906’s bundles for curated products paired together around specific vibes and intentions.