Whether you’re new to cannabis culture or an experienced cannabis connoisseur, it can be confusing and a little bit overwhelming to keep up with all of the different terms that you need to know. Bay Smokes is here to help! Here’s a convenient list of different cannabis-related “vocabulary words” that you’ve always wanted a definition for but have been too afraid to ask about!
- 2018 Farm Bill:Federally legalized the growth, production, and sale of hemp and hemp products.
- Blunt:Flower rolled in something besides rolling papers— usually tobacco leaves, cigarillo wraps, or hemp wraps. Wraps are often flavored and the flower is sometimes mixed with tobacco.
- Bong:Smoking device also called a water pipe. Used with a bowl and downstem and filled partially with water.
- Bowl:Can refer to a pipe or to the part that you pack the flower into on a bong.
- Bubbler:Smoking device that’s like a hybrid between a bong and a pipe.
- Budder: A type of cannabis extract. Looks like crumbly cookie dough and has that consistency, too.
- Butane Hash Oil:Also called BHO. Umbrella term for several different types of cannabis extracts.
- Cannabinoid Receptor:A spot within the body that cannabinoids can attach to (or block). The two known cannabinoid receptors so far are CB1 and CB2.
- Cannabinoid:Chemical compounds found in cannabis plants and within the human body.
- Cannabis:The plant family that both hemp and marijuana come from. Used as an “umbrella term” for all things hemp and cannabis related. Often used to refer to high-THC marijuana products as well.
- Cart:Short for “cartridge.” Refers to pre-loaded tanks of cannabis extract that are screwed on to a battery.
- CB1:The cannabinoid receptors that are mostly responsible for the “head high” that comes with many cannabis products.
- CB2:The cannabinoid receptors that are mostly responsible for the “body high” that comes with many cannabis products.
- CBD:Also known as cannabidiol. A non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in hemp and cannabis plants. Known for its relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties.
- CBG:Also known as cannabigerol. A rare cannabinoid that can change into other cannabinoids.
- CBN:Also known as cannabinol. A rare cannabinoid that is thought to help promote restful sleep.
- Chillum:Also known as a one-hitter. A small tube with openings at both ends that is used to smoke flower.
- Concentrates:Umbrella term for concentrated cannabis products like wax.
- Cottonmouth:Dry mouth as a result of cannabis.
- Couchlock:Getting so stoned that you’re “stuck” to the couch.
- Crumble:A type of cannabis extract. Very soft and sticky. Looks like brown sugar or maple candy.
- Dabs:Refers to cannabis extracts when they’re actually being smoked.
- Dank:Can refer to cannabis in general. Can also be used as an adjective to describe sticky, smelly, and potent flower (it’s a good thing!)
- Delta-10 THC:Also known as Delta 10 and D10. A rare cannabinoid found in hemp plants. About as potent as Delta-8 with a more energizing, clearheaded high.
- Delta-8 THC:Also known as Delta8 tetrahydrocannabinol, Delta 8, and D8. A rare cannabinoid found in hemp plants. About half as potent as Delta-9 with a mild and relaxing body high.
- Delta-9 THC:Also called Delta-9. Usually what people mean when they talk about “THC.” The chemical that is most present in cannabis and marijuana.
- Disposable:Short for “disposable vape.” Refers to pre-loaded, pre-charged vapes that are ready to use right out of the package.
- Endocannabinoid System:A complex system of receptors inside all human beings (regardless of cannabis consumption) that works to maintain balance within the body.
- Endocannabinoid:A cannabinoid that is produced within the human body.
- Extracts:Umbrella term for concentrated cannabis products like wax.
- Flower:Refers to dried cannabis material.
- Hemp-Derived Delta 9 THC:D9 that is derived from federally legal hemp.
- Hemp:Also known as industrial hemp. Legally must be made up of less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
- Herb:Refers to dried cannabis material.
- HHC:A rare cannabinoid. Similar in structure and effect to D9, but less potent.
- Hybrid:Hybrid strains are indica and sativa crossbreeds that typically have very balanced effects.
- Indica: Indica strains are typically more relaxing. Think “in-da-couch.”
- Joint:Flower rolled in paper, usually with some sort of filter.
- Kief:Also sometimes spelled as Keif. Looks like pale greenish-brown dust. The trichomes that fall off of the flower when ground and usually accumulate in the bottom of a grinder. Very potent.
- Loud:Can be used as a noun to refer to cannabis in general. Can also be used to describe exceptionally smelly flower (a good thing!)
- Marijuana:Cannabis plants that are made up of more than 0.3% THC by dry weight. This term is falling out of favor because of the outdated and racist connotations attached to it.
- Nug:A single chunk of cannabis flower.
- One-Hitter:Also known as a chillum. A small tube with openings at both ends that is used to smoke flower.
- Phytocannabinoid:A cannabinoid that comes from a plant (like CBD or THC).
- Pipe:Used to smoke flower. Usually made out of glass.
- Rig:Also called an oil rig. Smoking device similar to a bong that’s used with concentrates and extracts.
- Roach:The last little bit of a joint or blunt.
- Sativa:Sativa strains are typically more energizing.
- Shatter:A type of cannabis extract. Looks like caramel or caramel sugar and has a similar consistency.
- Spliff:Flower mixed with tobacco and then rolled in paper, usually with some kind of filter.
- Strain:Different groups and types of cannabis plants that produce different effects. Most cannabis can be classified as an indica, a sativa, or a hybrid.
- Terpenes:Compounds that are responsible for the unique smell, taste, and subtle effects of different cannabis strains.
- THC: The chemical that produces the “high” that cannabis and marijuana is known for.
- THCh/THCjd:Also known as tetrahydrocannabihexol. Thought to be up to 10x more potent than D9.
- THCo:Also known as THC-O acetate. A rare cannabinoid. Potentially up to several times more potent than D9. Often said to be the most “psychedelic” cannabinoid.
- THCp:Also known as tetrahydrocannabiphorol. A rare cannabinoid. Potentially up to 30x more potent than D9.
- THCv:Also known as tetrahydrocannabivarin. A rare cannabinoid. Less intoxicating than other cannabinoids, but it still shows a lot of promise for application in medical and wellness industries.
- Trichomes:The frosty-looking hairs on cannabis flower. Functions to protect the plant while it is growing and is where most of the cannabinoids are stored.
- Wax:An umbrella term for several different kinds of very potent cannabis extracts.
And there’s your crash course! Don’t worry—we won’t be quizzing you. The words that people use to talk about cannabis vary a lot based on where you are and who you’re smoking with. Did we include all of your favorites?