Learn more about medical cannabis.

Delivery system: varied ways in which cannabis can be consumed. This includes inhalation, digestion, sublingual or transdermal.

Dab/Dabbing: a dab is a slang term used to refer to a dose of cannabis concentrates “dabbed” onto a red-hot surface and inhaled. The act of “dabbing” refers to partaking in dabs.

Dispensary: is a general term used to refer to any location where a patient or consumer can legitimately and safely access cannabis.

Edibles: are medicated edible goods that have been infused with cannabis extracts. Dispensaries also often sell cannabis-infused butters or oils for patients or consumers to make their own edibles. Consuming edibles means the active components from the extracts require longer to take effect as they need to be absorbed through the digestive system.

Endocannabinoid System (ECS): intricate biochemical system of receptors that help balance our mood, behavior, appetite, sleep and pain sensations. It’s interconnected with other systems in our body like our central nervous system.

Endocannabinoids: “Cannabinoid” comes from “cannabis,” and “endo” is short for “endogenous,” which means it is produced naturally inside of your body.  There are Receptors in the nervous system and around your body that endocannabinoids and cannabinoids bond with.

Entourage effect: describes how all the compounds in cannabis; cannabinoids and terpenoids work together, synergistically to produce many combinations of medicinal effects.

Feminized: plants come from seeds that have been selectively bred to produce only female plants. Since female plants are the ones that produce flowers (which is where most cannabinoids are found), they are the only ones that are used to create cannabis products.

Flowers: the reproductive organ of the female plants. Cannabis flowers are the hairy, sticky, crystal-covered bits that are harvested and dried to be used as medication. When they are allowed to be fertilized by male plants, these flowers will produce cannabis seeds. If not, they will continue to produce the resin that contains their active cannabinoids until they are harvested.

Hash/Hash Oil: is short for hashish, which is derived from cannabis plants and can be used for consumption or medication. Production involves the removal of the plant’s trichomes by sieving or filtering. Once the cannabinoid-laden powder has been collected, it is typically pressed and ready to be used. Hash ranges in potency but is generally stronger than straight flowers since everything but the active part of the plant has been removed. A similar concentrated product can also be produced chemically using a solvent; however, this product is commonly referred to as hash oil or “honey oil.”

Hybrid: refers to a plant that is genetically a cross between one or more separate strains of cannabis. Hybrids can happen unintentionally, but they are usually bred specifically to combine desired traits of the original plants. Most cannabis on the market today is some form of hybrid.

Hydroponics: refers to a system of gardening that does not use soil. Plants are grown in water and receive their nutrients from the addition of solutions rather than soil. For growers, hydroponic advantages include more control over nutrient intake and stability. In terms of cannabis production, plants grown hydroponically are sometimes said to have cleaner, more distinct flavors.

Indica: is the less scientific name for the Cannabis Indica species of cannabis. Generally, these plants originated in the Middle East and Asia and include both of the famous Kush and Afghan lineages. Compared to their sativa counterparts, the plants are shorter, bushier and have more compact flower structure. This species tends to produce more relaxing physical effects and can have a sedative quality.

Kief: is a collected amount of trichomes that have been separated from the rest of the cannabis flower. Since trichomes are the sticky crystals that contain the vast majority of the plant’s cannabinoids, kief is known to be extremely potent. Kief is sometimes mistakenly referred to as pollen and is the primary ingredient in hashish production.

Kush: refers to a line of cannabis plants that hail from the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Kush strains are indicas and have a unique aroma that have given them a large fan base

Landrace: refers to a local variety of cannabis that has adapted to the environment of its geographic location. This accounts for genetic variation between landrace strains, which have been crossbred to produce the cannabis variety we see today. Landrace strains are oftentimes named after their native region, traces of landraces are sometimes detectable in the names of their crossbred descendants.

Marijuana: is the general term for female cannabis plants or their dried flowers. Females are distinct from male plants in that they are the ones that produce flowers which contain the high percentage of cannabinoids that hold both their medicinal and psychoactive properties.

OG: a term that’s now used to describe many strains, though the term originated to describe Southern California’s Ocean Grown Kush, which was quickly shortened to OG Kush. OG Kush grew quickly in fame and reputation. Most OGs are different variations of the original OG Kush genetics or are also ocean grown on the West Coast.

Phenotype: a term that is heard most often in growing. It refers to the general physical characteristics of the plant such as height, color, branching, leaf configuration down to cell structure—any markers that can be used to identify and judge the healthiness of a plant.

Pot: a slang term for marijuana, cannabis.

Pre-roll: is a commonly used term that refers to a pre-rolled cannabis cigarette, also known as a joint. Many dispensaries have pre-rolls available for purchase.

Sativa: Cannabis sativa species of cannabis plant. In general, these plants originated outside of the Middle East and Asia and include strains that are from areas such as South America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Thailand. These strains tend to grow taller as plants (usually over 5 feet), are lighter in color and take longer to flower. When consumed, sativas tend to produce more cerebral effects as opposed to physical and sedative ones.

Shatter/Ice: are terms used to refer to BHO.

Strain: is a specific variety of a plant species. Strains are developed to produce distinct desired traits in the plant and are usually named by their breeders (or by creative consumers). Strain names often reflect the plant’s appearance, its promised buzz, or its place of origin.

Terpenes: or terpenoids are chemical compounds produced by a wide variety of plants (including cannabis) that create the aroma and taste of each strain. Limonene (which has a citrus scent); alpha-pinene (smells like pine); myrcene (cloves, earthy); caryophyllene (pepper, woody); linalool (floral); humulene (woody, earthy); ocimene (sweet); and terpinolene (piney, herbal) are some of the terpenes found in cannabis.

THC: is an abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol. It is the most well-known and most abundantly available cannabinoid in cannabis plants. THC is also the component that is responsible for the psychoactive effects. Also known as delta-9-tetracannabinol, it was first isolated in 1964 and is thought to serve as a natural defense for the plant against pests. Research has shown THC to be an effective medical treatment for a range of conditions.

Tincture: is a liquid cannabis extract usually made with alcohol or glycerol that is often dosed with a dropper. Tinctures can be flavored and are usually placed under the tongue, where they are absorbed quickly. Effects can be felt within minutes. Tinctures may also be mixed into a drink, but effects will take longer because the tinctures will be absorbed by the digestive system.

Topical: is a type of cannabis product where the active properties of the flowers have been extracted and added to a product such as a lotion or a cream that’s applied to the skin. The medicinal properties are absorbed through the skin and can be used to treat muscle aches, long term soreness, or ailments like dry skin.

Trichome: the resin production glands of the cannabis plant. While these sticky little protrusions can make plants appear a little hairy, they are not hairs, nor are they “crystals,” which is how they are often described. THC, CBD and other cannabinoids are all produced in these glands.

Vaporizer: a device used to consume medical cannabis. It’s flower or medical cannabis-infused oils to a temperature that produces a cannabinoid-laced vapor to inhale. Vaporizing is healthier than smoking since there is no smoke to ingest, but this method still produces near instant effects. With new, more compact models on the market, vaporizing is growing in popularity.

Wax: another form of concentrate.

Weed: is a slang term for marijuana, of cannabis.

Whole plant medicine: Also known as full spectrum – using the whole plant to optimize wellness or healing benefits.