An alphabetically listed glossary of cannabis industry terms, plus their definitions. When it comes to marijuana, there is a lot of jargon or normal everyday words but with different meanings.
Since Canada legalized recreational cannabis in October, 2018 – people from all walks of life have become interested in marijuana and CBD. The meaning of the often slang cannabis terms on this page are becoming widespread and there is something new for everyone here.
A
Adapter
An accessory that attaches to a bong (or another weed consumption tool) to make the process of consuming weed easier.
Alcohol Extraction
Using alcohol (either ethyl or isopropyl) to strip the oils and trichomes from marijuana buds. Afterward, the alcohol goes through an evaporation process, and all that’s left is a strong, sticky hash oil.
Ash Catcher
An accessory that helps to keep the water of your pipe/bong clean by preventing ash from falling into it.
Atomizer
A vape pen’s heating element that ultimately converts the liquid into vapor as a user inhales. There are several types of atomizers, but drip tips are the most thorough.
B
Banger
A glass, quartz, ceramic, or titanium dish used to vaporize cannabis concentrates. You’ll find a banger on a bong or dab rig with a small bead inside for even distribution of the concentrated cannabis.
Blasting
Using a solvent to create hash oil. The solvent is passed – or “blasted” – through the cannabis plant material.
Blunt
A hollowed-out cigar that has been filled with ground cannabis. They’re usually rolled with the same tobacco leaf wrappers used for making cigars.
Bong
A water pipe apparatus used to smoke weed. It can be made out of glass, plastic, or ceramic, and consists of a bowl and a stem. After the weed is heated in the bowl, smoke travels through the neck of the bong where the user inhales through a mouthpiece.
Bongwater
The water contained within a bong that cools and filters the smoke before it’s inhaled. This water quickly becomes dark and dank, and every stoner knows that spilling it is a major party foul.
Bowl
The part of any smoking apparatus that holds the weed. In a bong, the bowl is a removable attachment, but in a pipe, it’s simply the bowl-like compartment at the end.
Bubble Has
A cannabis concentrate made up of countless separated trichomes. Making bubble hash requires ice water and screen bags. The name comes from the bubbling that happens when the finished product is exposed to a flame.
Bubbler
A bong-pipe hybrid that uses a water chamber to filter and purify the smoke before inhalation. It’s similar to a bong in that sense, but the main difference is that a bubbler is small enough to fit in the palm of your home (just like a pipe).
Bud
The flower of a mature cannabis plant that is ready to be smoked, dabbed, vaped, etc. Bud quality is determined by aroma, color, density, and cannabinoid content (like CBD and THC).
Budder
A wax-like hash oil concentrate that contains a very high THC content – a quality budder usually tests at 70% THC or higher. It gets its name from its butter-like consistency and texture.
Budtender
An employee who works behind the counter of a dispensary and is knowledgeable about cannabis strains. Just as a bartender would tend to the bar, a budtender tends to a dispensary’s buds.
Butane Hash Oil
BHU for short, this concentrated hash oil is made by blasting marijuana flowers with butane solvent. After the butane evaporates from the THC/butane mixture, you’re left with a waxy, amber-colored resin.
C
Cannabidiol (CBD)
Cannabidiol, CBD for short, is just one of the many chemical compounds that make up the cannabis plant. It’s got tons of medical benefits, and unlike THC (the other main compound in cannabis), CBD doesn’t have any psychoactive properties. CBD oil is the most popular way to consume cannabidiol and CBD gummies are the edibles of choice.
Cannabinoid
We just mentioned two cannabinoids – CBD and THC – but there are many more (some sources say that there are well over 100). Each of these compounds reacts with the receptors of the human body in different ways, and some have major benefits.
Cannabis
A specific genus of the flowering plant species that is indigenous to Central Asia. It has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, but recreational cannabis used spiked significantly in the 1990s.
Capsule
A cannabis capsule is a pill that contains some sort of concentrated weed oil. This could be THC, CBD, or a combination of the two. Capsules are common among medical marijuana patients since they’re easy to administer.
Carb Cap
This dabbing accessory works to restrict airflow and trap heat so that a cannabis concentrate can become vapor at a lower temperature. It’s a great tool for preserving the flavor of the concentrate.
Cartridge
Often called a “cart”, this is a pre-filled container of cannabis oil that’s typically used for e-cigarettes or vape rigs.
CB1 & CB2
Receptors in the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) of the human body. Cannabinoids in marijuana attach onto each of these receptors and can either create an intoxicating effect (when THC latches onto CB1) or help with health problems like inflammation (when CBD latches onto CB2).
Certificate of Analysis:
A document issued by either an internal tester or third-party lab that certifies that the cannabis product meets a certain set of standards. Many COAs include info on the following; cannabinoids, terpenes, heavy metals, pesticides, microbes, mycotoxins, moisture content, water activity, residual solvents, and the presence of foreign materials.
Cheeba
Cannabis has many street names, and Cheeba is one of them.
Concentrates
Cannabis concentrates contain a high concentration of the most desirable cannabinoids, namely CBD and THC. Many concentrates are infused into edibles, tinctures, and topicals for more potent psychoactive effects or medical benefits.
Cotton Mouth
A common side effect of cannabis use where the mouth becomes abnormally dry. Luckily, experiencing cotton mouth is completely harmless, but it can still be uncomfortable and annoying.
Crumble
A type of cannabis extract that gets its name from the way it crumbles when handled. Crumble is usually used for dabbing, but it can also be sprinkled on top of buds in a blunt, joint, or bowl.
Crystalline
The purest cannabis extract there is, crystalline is formed by thoroughly refining cannabis oil. It serves as the base ingredient of many cannabis products.
D
Dab Rig
Sometimes called an oil rig, vape rig, or concentrate pipe, this apparatus is designed for vaporizing cannabis concentrates. It works similarly to a bong by filtering concentrated vapor through water before a user inhales.
Dabbing
Inhaling vaporized cannabis concentrates through a temperature-specific heating apparatus, like a dab rig, vaporizer, or e-rig.
Dank
A slang word used to describe cannabis that’s super high in quality and extremely potent.
Decriminalize
When a government decreases the penalties associated with a specific crime. Possessing a certain amount of marijuana is a decriminalized crime in many countries.
Diesel
A specific family of cannabis. Diesel strains usually have powerful sativa effects and give off a strong aroma, similar to diesel fuel. Similar to dank, the word diesel can also be used to describe any weed that’s high in quality and potency.
Diffuser
A customized tube that’s usually placed at the bottom of a water pipe to increase bubbles and airflow. It makes each inhalation fuller, cleaner, and more flavorful.
Dispensary
A retail store that specializes in selling a range of cannabis products. There are now also online dispensaries that make it easier for Canadians to order weed online and have it delivered to their doorstep.
Distillate
A translucent cannabis oil that contains none of the undesirable compounds found in the original plant. It’s extremely potent and can be used in many different ways, making it one of the most popular concentrated forms of cannabis today.
Distributor
Someone who legally supplies cannabis products to consumers and businesses. Some of the biggest distributors in Canada are Aurora Cannabis, Canopy Growth Corp, and Cronos Group.
Dope
Another slang word for cannabis. It’s also used to describe the quality of the weed, and it’s even used for saying something is “cool”.
Dugout
A small wooden box that contains two different chambers – one for a small amount of weed and one for a small pipe.
E
E-Nail
An electronic nail, e-nail for short, is a dabbing heating device that is controlled through digital technology. It’s a great tool for setting and maintaining a precise temperature on a dab rig, and it’s much more thorough than a traditional hand torch.
E-Rig
A rig that is battery operated and heats a nail electronically instead of using a hand torch. It’s a much better choice if you’re dabbing on the go since it’s more portable than a dab rig.
Edible
Any type of food that has been infused with cannabis. Edibles come in many forms – gummies, lollies, brownies, cookies, pasta, and pizza are a few of the most popular edible cannabis products.
Eighth
A unit of measurement for weighing weed. An eighth of an ounce is equivalent to 3.5 grams, and it’s the perfect amount for trying out a new strain.
Elixir
Basically the same thing as an edible, only the word elixir applies to cannabis-infused beverages instead of foods. Tinctures, infused sodas, wines, teas… if it has been infused with weed and you can sip on it, it’s an elixir.
Endocannabinoid System
One of the major systems of the human body that helps to regulate many functions. The ECS contains cannabinoid receptor sites CB1 and CB2, which is where cannabinoids from consumed weed latch onto and produce medical benefits/high effects.
Entourage Effect
When the different compounds of cannabis work together rather than separately. For example, when CBD and THC act together and work on the same wavelength, they can boost benefits while also minimizing any negative effects.
Ethanol Hash Oil
Just like butane is used to extract butane hash oil, EHO is a type of hash oil that has been extracted using ethanol solvent.
Extract
Any type of concentrated cannabis that has been produced using some type of solvent. The most common solvents used to make a cannabis extract are butane, propane, ethanol, and supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2).
F
Fatty
A blunt or joint that’s rolled thick and contains a large amount of weed. A fatty is perfect for the standard “puff, puff, pass” rotation since it’s large enough to share with a group.
Flavonoid
Formed inside cannabis trichomes, flavonoids work with terpenes and cannabinoids to produce better aromas and flavors, and they can even boost the overall therapeutic effect.
Flower
The hairy, sticky buds of the cannabis plant. Even though there are many ways to consume weed nowadays, many people just stick with using flowers since you can’t go wrong with rolling a joint or packing a bowl.
Full-Spectrum
When you read the words full spectrum on a cannabis product, this means that it preserves the full cannabinoid and terpene contents of the raw cannabis plant.
G
Ganja
Originating from the Sanskrit language, ganja was originally used to describe cannabis sativa. Now, it’s used to describe all types of weed (specifically the flower of the plant).
Green Out
When you drink too much alcohol, you run the risk of experiencing a “blackout”. A green out is the same concept, but it’s way less harmful than an alcohol-induced blackout. A green out can still be unpleasant, though, with side effects like nausea, paranoia, and anxiety.
Grinder
A handy little tool that is used for grinding weed down into smaller pieces to be used for joints, blunts, and bowls.
H
Half
Equivalent to a half-ounce, this is one of the most common measurements when buying weed from a dispensary. It equals 14 grams and can cost anywhere from $100 to $200+ depending on the quality and strain.
Hashish
One of the most popular concentrates that’s made by pressing or rubbing together the resin glands of a cannabis plant to form a solid brick or slab.
Haze
A well-loved Sativa strain that originates from tropical regions of the world, specifically South American and Southeast Asia. This is a good strain for daytime use since it stimulates creativity and
Heirloom Strain
A cannabis strain that was taken from its native homeland to be bred and grown in another location somewhere in the world.
Hemp
A product that can be produced only from the male cannabis plant, which means it has no value as a drug. However, it can be used in the manufacture of rope, paper, beauty products, and many other products.
High Terpene Full Spectrum Extract
When a full-spectrum extract is made from cannabis flowers and is given the chance to separate in a lab setting. It contains more terpenes than the High-Cannabinoid Full Spectrum Extract portion of a full-spectrum extract.
Hybrid
A plant that is a genetic cross between one or more different strains of cannabis. Hybrids are usually bred specifically to combine desired traits of the original plants. Most strains on the market today are hybrids.
Hydroponics
A type of growing method that does not use soil (AKA soilless growing). Instead, it keeps the roots of the plant submerged in water. It’s a more difficult technique, but when done right, it typically leads to a better end product.
I
Ice Wax
A type of hash that has been extracted through water and is characterized by its fineness. Ice is used in the cooling process.
Indica
The less scientific name for the Cannabis indica species of cannabis. Generally, these plants grow to be short and bushy with compact bud systems. In terms of high effects, indicas produce extreme relaxation and are commonly used for sleep disorders and pain treatment.
Isopropyl Alcohol
A common solvent used for cannabis extraction. It’s also great for cleaning rigs and bongs.
J
Jelly Hash
A mixture of hash and hash oil. It’s most often made with bubble hash and is extremely potent, especially for treating pain and nausea.
Joint
When dried, ground-up cannabis flowers are rolled into a thin sheet of smokeable paper. Many people prefer to combine their weed with tobacco, which is called a spliff.
K
Kief
When cannabis flowers have been sifted through a mesh screen or sieve and trichomes are accumulated. In terms of cannabinoids, kief is the most potent part of the cannabis plant. It can be pressed into a hash, used in making edibles, or sprinkled into joints and blunts.
Kind
Another slang word for weed, but kind is used specifically to describe potent marijuana that contains high levels of THC.
Kush
A family of hybrid cannabis strains that stem from landrace hashish originating in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush mountain range. It’s available in many varieties – Master Kush, OG Kush, Bubba Kush, Purple Kush…
L
Landrace
A local variety of cannabis that has adapted to the environment of its location. It’s another term for wild-grown cannabis that is specific to a certain area of the world.
Legalize
To change the legal status of something and go from forbidding it by law to allowing it. For example, the Canadian government officially legalized the recreational use of cannabis on October 17, 2018.
Licensed Producer
A company that has received a license from Health Canada to grow, process, sell for medical purposes, test, and/or research cannabis.
Live Resin
A concentrate extracted from fresh cannabis plant material that was not previously dried or cured. This extraction method is popular since it retains the terpenes that are lost during the drying and curing process.
Low-Temp Dab
When a dab is taken at a low temperature, which results in a smoother, more flavorful hit.
M
Marijuana
The general term for female cannabis plants or their dried flowers. Male plants are not referred to as marijuana since they are unable to produce flowers that contain a high cannabinoid content.
Medical/Medicinal
The term to describe cannabis that has been recommended/prescribed by a healthcare professional as a treatment route or to help alleviate the symptoms of a medical condition.
MIP
A Marijuana-Infused Product facility that is operating legally with the proper licenses.
Moon Rock
When a nugget of cannabis flower has been dipped in extracts and rolled in kief. Moon rocks are usually very high in THC with an average of more than 50%.
Mota
A slang word for cannabis that is commonly used in Spanish-speaking communities.
N
Nail
An integral piece of a dab rig that helps with vaporizing cannabis concentrates. A nail is a quartz, ceramic, or titanium insert that is heated by a hand torch or electric coil to a temperature that is capable of vaporizing concentrates that are applied to its surface.
Nectar
The process of making hash oil only from flower nugs instead of trim.
Non-Retail
A type of cannabis business that operates by delivering products to customers (AKA an online dispensary). Because of its convenience, ordering cannabis products online and having them delivered is becoming much more common.
Nug
A manicured bud that has been harvested from the cannabis plant. It’s often used as a slang word to describe high-quality weed.
Nug Run
When a batch of concentrates was produced primarily with cured cannabis nugs. Using only high-quality nugs will result in potent, flavorful concentrates.
O
OG
A variety of strains that originates from Southern California and is popular for its medicinal benefits. Although OG (Ocean Grown) Kush is commonly used to treat pain, many users just love it for its long-lasting psychoactive effects.
Oil
Short for has oil, but it can also be used to describe wax, shatter, or budder. Oil can be smoked, vaped, or used as the start ingredient for making edibles.
One-Hitter
A piece of weed paraphernalia that includes a small hole with a thin pipe in the shape of a cigarette and an attached box that can only store a few buds. It’s only big enough for one hit, hence the name.
Open Blasting
A method for the extraction of cannabis to make a concentrated product. Open blasting takes place within a glass or metal tube and is performed without a closed-loop system. It’s dangerous and illegal since it’s unregulated and there’s a greater risk of explosion.
Ounce
A common measurement for cannabis that equates to 28 grams. Buying by the ounce is a great way to save money since dispensaries technically consider this a bulk order.
P
Pelican Case
A special carrying case for valuable fragile weed paraphernalia, like dab rigs.
Percolator
An extra water chamber common in many water pipes. This extra piece adds an extra layer of filtrations between the smoke and water before diffusing, which in turn leads to a better inhalation.
Pinner
Similar to a joint, a pinner is rolled in smokeable paper, but it’s rolled thin and tight in a shape that resembles a pin.
Pot
Another informal slang word used to describe cannabis.
Pre-Roll
A joint or a blunt that has been rolled prior to purchasing by a dispensary or vendor. Buying pre-rolls is a great way to save time and it’s the go-to choice for people who aren’t skilled at rolling joints.
Pre-Run
Cannabis flowers before they’ve been processed and extracted into an oil.
Pressed Hash
Hash that has been made from pressed resin glands through a combination of heat and pressure. It’s traditionally found in countries like Morocco, Afghanistan, and Lebanon.
Propane Hash Oil
When propane is the primary solvent used during the extraction process to make hash oil. PHO for short, this oil is characterized by its bright yellow color, which is why it’s also commonly called Propane Honey Oil.
Pull ‘n’ Snap
A term to describe the consistency of shatter. It’s when shatter can be stretched and pulled, but it will snap when a quick motion is applied.
Q
Quality Control
When cannabis products are closely evaluated to make sure they meet a certain level of standards for safety and quality. Members of regulated cannabis markets typically have to meet requirements in these areas: cannabinoids, terpenes, heavy metals, microbial, mycotoxins, pesticides, moisture content, water activity, and residual solvents.
Q-Tip Tech
Cleaning the nail of a dab rig with a Q-tip to ensure freshness with every hit.
Quartz Banger
A small dish that attaches to the joint of a dab rig. It’s useful for vaporizing cannabis when it’s heated to extremely high temperatures.
R
Raw
When a cannabis distillate is completely void of the original plant’s terpene profile, rendering it flavourless.
Reclaim
The sticky build-up that’s left behind in a dab rig after vaporizing concentrates.
Recreational
The non-medical use of cannabis. Consuming/ingesting recreational cannabis is purely to experience psychoactive effects. In almost all provinces, the legal age for recreational cannabis use is 19, except for Alberta (which is 18).
Reefer
A slang term that usually refers specifically to a joint that has been enhanced with some type of cannabis extract. It can also be used as a general word for marijuana.
Resin
The sticky compound that is secreted by cannabis plants while flowering, containing high amounts of cannabinoids and terpenes. This term is also used to describe the sticky residue that builds up over time on the inside of a bowl.
Roach
The end of a joint that has become too small to be smoked. There’s always a bit of weed left in a roach, but it’s usually tossed for fear of burning one’s fingers. Many people save their roaches and combine the contents to make another joint or pack into a bowl.
Rolling Papers
Smokeable papers that are used to encase cannabis. Rolling papers come in different sizes, generally between 70 to 110 millimeters long, and are sometimes flavored to enhance the taste experience of terpenes.
Rosin
A concentrate that is formed when heat and pressure are applied to cannabis flowers. Rosin is popular because its concentration doesn’t require the use of external solvents.
Ruderalis
A possible third subspecies of the cannabis plant (in addition to indica and sativa). Ruderalis plants have a high concentration of CBD, usually 1:1 with THC.
S
Sativa
A subspecies of the cannabis plant that tends to grow taller than indicas (usually over 5 feet). When consumed, sativas produce a more cerebral high – often described as a “head high” – as opposed to physical and sedative ones that come along with indica strains.
Sauce
A cannabis extract with a sticky, liquid-like consistency. Sauce extractions contain high levels of terpenes and are typically the most flavorful of extracts.
Schwag
A slang term for cannabis that’s low in quality, usually because it contains seeds that need to be removed before smoking.
Seed-to-Sale
A phrase that refers to the entire lifespan of a cannabis plant, from the time the plant is grown until the final product is sold to the customer. Many jurisdictions now require a digital seed to sale tracking to ensure products are being legally produced and distributed.
Shatter
A brittle cannabis extract also known as butane hash oil with a tendency to shatter like glass when handled roughly. Many people believe shatter to be the purest and most potent form of concentrated cannabis.
Skunk
A term used to describe a strain of cannabis that gives off a skunky, pungent odor.
Slab
A large, single piece of a cannabis concentrate.
Spliff
A joint that has been rolled with a mixture of cannabis and tobacco. This is a common way of smoking in Europe since spliffs are easier to roll and they help to conserve someone’s weed supply.
Strain
The term strain refers to the flower’s particular variety – Sour Diesel, Northern Lights, Gorilla Glue, etc. Strains are usually divided into 3 categories: indica, sativa, and hybrid.
Sugar
A word used to define a texture that’s common in extracts. A “sugary” extract is identified by its viscous, grainy, and wet quality. Sugar is typically used like any other extract and is popular for its high terpene profile.
Synergy
When the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids of a plant work in conjunction with each other for a better balance of effects.
T
Taffy
A term used to describe a certain type of texture in rosin concentrates. Rosin that has a malleable, taffy-like consistency is popular since it’s easy to dab.
Terp Sauce
The terpene-rich, syrupy layer that typically surrounds diamonds, or crystalline structures, in the sauce.
Terpenes
The organic compounds in cannabis that are responsible for providing a variety of unique aromas and flavors. They’re formed inside the trichomes of the plant and interact directly with cannabinoids for a more intense experience.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
The most recognized cannabinoid in the entire cannabis plant. THC is known for creating intoxicating and psychoactive effects – it’s the thing that ultimately gets you high. It also has some major therapeutic benefits when used properly.
Tincture
Cannabis in liquid form. Tincture products are made by dissolving cannabis in alcohol or glycerin and are contained within small glass bottles.
Top Shelf
Just like top-shelf liquor, top-shelf cannabis is a high-quality product often priced to be the most expensive on a menu. These products will generally have an aesthetically pleasing structure, demonstrate desirable terpene aromas and flavors, and have a high cannabinoid content.
Topical
Any type of topical cannabis product (lotion, salve, ointment, balm) that has been infused with cannabis and can be applied directly to the skin. Topicals are utilized for fast-acting localized relief of inflammation and pain, especially those containing CBD.
Torch
Short for dab torch, this is a tool that utilizes propane or butane to create an uninterrupted flame that can be used to heat up a banger or dab nail.
Trichome
The crystallized glands on a marijuana plant that are responsible for producing resin. Trichomes contain the majority of a plant’s cannabinoids.
Trim
The excess plant material that’s leftover after harvesting and trimming the buds. Many people assume that this leftover product is useless, but it can still be used to make extractions, tinctures, hash, and edibles.
U
V
Vape Pen
A smaller, more portable version of a vaporizer. This handheld device has become extremely popular since it makes vaping possible on the go. Some cannabis users prefer vaping over smoking since it outputs vapor instead of harsh smoke.
Vaporizer
Any device that utilizes heat to vaporize the active molecules in cannabis flowers and concentrates. Vaporizers come in many shapes and sizes, but nowadays, most are made to be portable. Vaping is viewed as a less harmful alternative to smoking.
W
Wax
A cannabis concentrate that is made by dissolving the plant into a solvent. Compared to smoking regular flowers, wax is considered much stronger since it packs a powerful punch of THC with every hit.
Weed
One of the most common slang words for describing marijuana. This is the informal word of choice used interchangeably with “cannabis” and “marijuana” by people around the world.
Winterization
A common process used to remove fats, waxes, and lipids from extracts. It helps to purify crude flavours and improve the overall quality and flavor of an extracted oil. The downside of winterization is that it destroys more terpenes than other purification methods.