The Ultimate Cannabis Glossary: A-Z Guide to Cannabis Terms (2026)

Whether you are a first-time consumer stepping into the world of cannabis or a seasoned enthusiast looking to brush up on terminology, this comprehensive glossary covers every essential term you need to know. Bookmark this page as your go-to reference for cannabis vocabulary.

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A

Autoflower — A cannabis plant variety that transitions from the vegetative stage to the flowering stage automatically based on age, rather than requiring a change in light cycle. Autoflowering strains are popular among home growers for their simplicity and shorter growing cycles.

Aeroponics — A cultivation method where cannabis roots are suspended in air and periodically misted with nutrient-rich water. This technique promotes rapid growth and is used in some advanced growing operations.

B

Blunt — A cannabis cigar made by rolling ground cannabis in a tobacco leaf or cigar wrap. Blunts are larger than joints and burn more slowly.

BHO (Butane Hash Oil) — A cannabis concentrate produced by using butane as a solvent to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from plant material. BHO can take various forms including shatter, wax, and budder.

Bud — The flowering part of the cannabis plant that is harvested, dried, and consumed. Also referred to as flower or nug.

Budder — A type of cannabis concentrate with a creamy, butter-like consistency. Budder is produced through a whipping process during extraction and is popular for dabbing.

Budtender — A retail staff member at a cannabis dispensary who assists customers with product selection, provides information about strains and products, and offers consumption guidance.

C

Cannabinoid — A class of chemical compounds that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system. The cannabis plant produces over 100 cannabinoids, with THC and CBD being the most well-known.

Cannabis — A genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae that includes three primary species: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Cannabis is cultivated for its psychoactive and medicinal properties.

CBD (Cannabidiol) — The second most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis. CBD is non-intoxicating and is widely used for its potential therapeutic benefits, including anxiety relief, anti-inflammation, and seizure management.

CBN (Cannabinol) — A mildly psychoactive cannabinoid that forms as THC degrades over time. CBN is often associated with sedative effects and is found in aged cannabis.

Clone — A cutting taken from a mature cannabis plant (the "mother") that is rooted and grown into a genetically identical new plant. Cloning ensures consistency in strain characteristics.

Concentrate — A product made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plant material, resulting in a highly potent product. Common concentrates include shatter, wax, live resin, rosin, and hash.

Cotyledon — The first pair of leaves that emerge from a cannabis seed during germination. These small, round leaves provide initial energy for the seedling.

Cross / Crossbreed — A new cannabis strain created by breeding two different parent strains together. Crossbreeding is used to combine desirable traits from multiple varieties.

Curing — The process of slowly drying harvested cannabis buds in controlled conditions to preserve cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavour. Proper curing significantly improves the quality of the final product.

D

Dabbing — A method of consuming cannabis concentrates by vaporizing them on a heated surface (called a nail or banger) and inhaling the resulting vapour through a dab rig.

Decarboxylation — The chemical process of applying heat to cannabis to convert inactive cannabinoid acids (such as THCA and CBDA) into their active forms (THC and CBD). Decarboxylation occurs naturally when cannabis is smoked or vaped, and must be performed manually when making edibles.

Dispensary — A retail establishment authorized to sell cannabis products to consumers. Dispensaries may operate under provincial licensing or Indigenous governance frameworks.

Distillate — A highly refined cannabis extract that has been purified to contain primarily a single cannabinoid (usually THC or CBD). Distillate is odourless and flavourless, making it versatile for use in edibles, vapes, and tinctures.

E

Edible — A food or beverage product infused with cannabis. Edibles are metabolized through the digestive system, resulting in a delayed onset (30 minutes to 2 hours) and longer-lasting effects compared to inhalation.

Endocannabinoid System (ECS) — A biological system present in all mammals that regulates various physiological processes including mood, pain sensation, appetite, and immune function. The ECS consists of endocannabinoids, receptors (CB1 and CB2), and enzymes.

Entourage Effect — The theory that the full spectrum of compounds in cannabis (cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids) work together synergistically to produce effects greater than any single compound alone.

Extract — A general term for any product derived from cannabis plant material through an extraction process. Extracts include oils, tinctures, concentrates, and distillates.

F

Feminized Seeds — Cannabis seeds that have been bred to produce only female plants, which are the ones that produce the cannabinoid-rich flowers desired by consumers.

Flower — The dried, cured buds of the female cannabis plant. Flower is the most traditional and widely consumed form of cannabis.

Full-Spectrum — A product that contains the complete range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds naturally present in the cannabis plant. Full-spectrum products are believed to produce the entourage effect.

G

Grinder — A device used to break cannabis flower into smaller, more uniform pieces for rolling joints or packing bowls. Grinders typically have multiple chambers and may include a kief catcher.

H

Hash (Hashish) — One of the oldest forms of cannabis concentrate, made by collecting and compressing trichomes (resin glands) from cannabis flowers. Hash can be produced through various methods including dry sifting, ice water extraction, and hand-rolling.

Hemp — Cannabis plants containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. Hemp is cultivated for industrial purposes (fibre, seeds, CBD extraction) and is legally distinct from marijuana in most jurisdictions.

Hybrid — A cannabis strain created by crossing indica and sativa varieties. Hybrids can be indica-dominant, sativa-dominant, or balanced, combining characteristics of both parent types.

I

Indica — One of the primary cannabis species, traditionally associated with relaxing, sedative effects. Indica plants are typically shorter and bushier than sativas, with broader leaves and shorter flowering times.

Isolate — A cannabis extract that has been refined to contain a single cannabinoid in its purest form (typically 99%+ purity). CBD isolate and THC isolate are the most common forms.

J

Joint — A cannabis cigarette made by rolling ground flower in thin rolling paper. Joints are one of the most common and traditional methods of cannabis consumption.

K

Kief — The collection of loose trichomes (resin glands) that separate from cannabis flower during grinding or handling. Kief is rich in cannabinoids and terpenes and can be sprinkled on flower, pressed into hash, or used to make other concentrates.

Kush — A family of cannabis strains originating from the Hindu Kush mountain range in Central Asia. Kush strains are typically indica-dominant and known for their earthy, piney aromas and potent relaxing effects.

L

Live Resin — A cannabis concentrate made from fresh-frozen plant material (rather than dried and cured flower). The flash-freezing process preserves the full terpene profile, resulting in a more flavourful and aromatic product.

Live Rosin — A solventless concentrate made by applying heat and pressure to fresh-frozen cannabis or ice water hash. Live rosin is prized for its purity, flavour, and the absence of chemical solvents in its production.

M

Microdose — The practice of consuming very small amounts of cannabis (typically 1-2.5 mg of THC) to achieve subtle therapeutic effects without significant intoxication. Microdosing is popular among consumers who want the benefits of cannabis while maintaining full functionality.

Mother Plant — A mature female cannabis plant kept in the vegetative stage specifically for the purpose of taking cuttings (clones). Mother plants are selected for their desirable genetic traits.

N

Nug — A colloquial term for a single bud or piece of cannabis flower. "Nugs" typically refers to dense, well-trimmed buds.

O

OG — Originally "Ocean Grown," OG is a designation found in many popular cannabis strain names (e.g., OG Kush). OG strains are known for their potency and distinctive earthy, fuel-like aromas.

P

Phenotype — The observable physical characteristics of a cannabis plant (such as colour, shape, smell, and potency) that result from the interaction between its genetics and growing environment.

Pre-Roll — A pre-made cannabis joint sold ready to smoke. Pre-rolls are convenient for consumers who prefer not to roll their own.

Purging — The process of removing residual solvents from cannabis concentrates after extraction. Proper purging is essential for producing safe, clean concentrates.

R

Rosin — A solventless cannabis concentrate produced by applying heat and pressure to cannabis flower or hash. Rosin is valued for its purity since no chemical solvents are used in its production.

Ruderalis — The third species of cannabis, native to Central and Eastern Europe and Russia. Ruderalis plants are small, low in THC, and autoflowering. They are primarily used in breeding programs to create autoflowering hybrid strains.

S

Sativa — One of the primary cannabis species, traditionally associated with uplifting, energizing, and cerebral effects. Sativa plants are typically taller and thinner than indicas, with narrower leaves and longer flowering times.

Shatter — A type of cannabis concentrate with a hard, glass-like consistency that "shatters" when broken. Shatter is typically amber or gold in colour and is one of the purest forms of BHO.

Strain — A specific variety of cannabis with distinct characteristics including appearance, aroma, flavour, cannabinoid profile, and effects. Popular strains include Blue Dream, OG Kush, Girl Scout Cookies, and many others.

T

Terpene — Aromatic compounds found in cannabis (and many other plants) that contribute to the plant's flavour and aroma. Terpenes are also believed to influence the effects of cannabis through the entourage effect. Common cannabis terpenes include myrcene, limonene, pinene, and linalool.

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) — The primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, responsible for the "high" associated with cannabis consumption. THC binds to CB1 receptors in the brain and central nervous system.

THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid) — The non-psychoactive precursor to THC found in raw cannabis. THCA converts to THC through decarboxylation (heating).

Tincture — A liquid cannabis extract typically made by dissolving cannabinoids in alcohol or oil. Tinctures are administered sublingually (under the tongue) for rapid absorption or added to food and beverages.

Topical — A cannabis-infused product (cream, balm, lotion, or patch) applied directly to the skin for localized relief. Topicals generally do not produce psychoactive effects because the cannabinoids do not enter the bloodstream.

Trichome — Tiny, crystal-like structures on the surface of cannabis flowers and leaves that produce and contain cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Trichomes are the source of the plant's potency and aroma.

V

Vaporizer (Vape) — A device that heats cannabis flower or concentrate to a temperature that releases cannabinoids and terpenes as vapour without combustion. Vaporizing is considered a healthier alternative to smoking because it produces fewer harmful byproducts.

W

Wax — A type of cannabis concentrate with a soft, waxy consistency. Wax is produced through a similar process to shatter but with additional agitation during purging, which creates its characteristic texture.

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*This glossary is maintained by Mohawk Medibles, an Indigenous-owned cannabis dispensary at 45 Dundas St, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Deseronto, Ontario. Visit us in-store (8 AM - 10 PM daily) or shop online with Canada-wide delivery. Call 613-396-6728 for assistance.*