Cannabis Knowledgebase

Knowledge is key and to have a cohesive team effort, you r cannabis business employees should all have at least a shared minimum basic knowledge of cannabis and cannabis products. When you're opening a cannabis business in a newly legalized state it is only natural that you'll have more training to do since the work force in your state won't yet be highly experienced in the cannabis industry.  Here are some basic cannabis product knowledge terms that all of your team should know, owners included.  It's a great place start, and then your team competency will grow from there!

Cannabis Glossary

There is a lot of terminology involved with operating in the cannabis industry.  For newcomers, learning all of these terms can often be overwhelming and can initially be quite confusing.  Here is some core terminology to know for any cannabis industry worker or owner to keep up in conversation.

Aroma

"Aroma" is a term used to describe the general smell and/or taste of a certain plant or flower. Because consumers' individual definition of aromas (such as "earthy,"skunky," or "citrus") can differ
somewhat, aroma descriptions are meant as a basic guideline.

Backcross (BX)

A backcross is a hybrid plant that has been bred with one of its parents (or a plant that is genetically similar) in order to create offspring that is closer to that of the original parent. For example, a grower could breed a plant with its own father to make sure the baby has its dad's height. This is often done to maintain rarer strains or strengthen those with desired recessive genes.

BHO

BHO stands for butane hash oil and is a potent concentrate of cannabinoids made by dissolving marijuana in its plant form in a solvent (usually butane). The resulting product has very high THC levels(generally more than flowers or hashish) and is a thick, sticky oil. BHO is also referred to as honey oil,"dabs" or "dabbing," earwax, or shatter, depending on the manufacturing method.

Bud

‍Bud refers to the actual flower of the marijuana plant. These are the fluffy parts that are harvested and used for recreational or medicinal purposes as they contain the highest concentrations of active cannabinoids.

Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds unique to cannabis that act upon the human body's cannabinoid receptors, producing various effects including pain relief and other medically beneficial uses. Marijuana's most well-known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) due to the fact that it is the most abundant, and also because it produces the psychoactive effects (or the "high") that drives the plant's recreational use. However, there are over 85 known cannabinoids all with varying effects, so THC isn't the only one.

Cannabis

Cannabis is a plant genus that produces three species of flowering plants: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica are used to produce both recreational and medical marijuana. Cannabis ruderalis is rarely farmed due to its natural lower THC content and small stature, but there is some cross-breeding thanks to ruderalis's unique ability to auto-flower rather than mature based on light, so there is potential for this variety to grow in popularity. Cannabis is native to Asia, but grows almost anywhere and has long been cultivated both for the production of hemp and to be used as a drug.

CBD

CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol, one of the at least 85 cannabinoids found in cannabis and the second only toTHC when it comes to average volume. Recently, CBD has gained support for its use as a medical treatment as research has shown it effectively treats pain, inflammation, and anxiety without the psychoactive effects (the"high" or "stoned" feeling) associated with THC. High CBD strains, such as Harlequin, are being bred more actively and appearing more frequently on the market.

Concentrates

Concentrates are a potent consolidation of cannabinoids that are made by dissolving marijuana in its plant form into a solvent. The resulting product has very high THC levels (generally more than flowers or hashish), and can produce varying products that range from thick sticky oils (BHO) to moldable goo (budder/wax) to resinous bits (shatter). Referred to, by a variety of slang terms, the classification of concentrates is often dependent on the manufacturing method and the consistency of the final product.

Co-op

Co-op is short for cooperative and refers to a community of patients or consumers in a given area who join together to share and receive marijuana. Co-ops usually have specific membership requirements and the product available is generally exclusive to members. In some states, co-ops exist alongside or in lieu of dispensaries.

Cross (genetics)

A cross (referring to crossbreeding) is the result when two different plant strains are bred together. For example, BlueDream is a cross between Blueberry and Haze strains.

Dab/Dabbing

A dab is a slang term used to refer to a dose ofBHO received through butane combustion and inhalation. The act of "dabbing"refers to partaking in dabs.

Decarboxylation

Heating cannabis to temperatures of 220 degrees or more turns non psychoactive THCA into psychoactive THC.

Dispensary

Dispensary is a general term used to refer to any location where a patient or consumer can legitimately and safely access cannabis, whether the business is technically an accesspoint, pick-up location. co-op, collective or any other version of a legal cannabis distributor.

Edibles/Medibles

Edibles and "medibles" are medicated edible goods that have been infused with cannabis extracts. They are commonly baked goods such as cookies and brownies, but options as varied as flavored coffee drinks, breads, and candies exist as well. Dispensaries also often sell marijuana-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.

Entourage Effect

result of the terpenes and the cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) working together.

Flowers

You probably know what flowers are; they're often the "pretty" part of a plant, and the same is true for cannabis. While cannabis flowers don't have traditional petals or look like daisies, they are still 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 or begin to die.

Hash/Hash Oil

Hash 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."

Heirloom

An heirloom refers to a cannabis strain that was taken from its native homeland and propagated in another geographical location.

Hemp

Hemp is a fibrous product that can be produced from the male cannabis plant and can be used in the manufacture of rope, paper, beauty products, and a vast array of other products. Hemp plants have no value as a drug since they are males. However, they are still considered illegal in the United States.

Hybrid

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 marijuana on the market today is some form of hybrid.

Hydroponics

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 marijuana production, plants grown hydroponically are sometimes said to have cleaner, more distinct flavors.

Indica

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 counter parts, 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

Kief is a collected amount of trichomes that have been separated from the rest of the marijuana 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.

Landrace

A 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, like Afghani, Thai, and Hawaiian, and traces of landraces are sometimes detectable in the names of their crossbred descendants.

Marijuana

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

OG is a term that's now used to describe many strains, though the term originated to describe SouthernCalifornia'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

Phenotype is 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.

Pistil

Pistils are part of a female plant's anatomy. On cannabis, it's identified as the little hair-like extensions on the flowers that range in color from white to red to darker orange-brown. When plants are going to be fertilized, the pistil acts to collect the male pollen. When plants are left unfertilized, as in the case of marijuana, the pistils change and can be indicators of plant ripeness.

Ruderalis

Ruderalis is a low-THC cannabis variety that is primarily selected by breeders for its CBD-rich genetics. Unlike Cannabis sativa and indica, which use light cycles to flower, ruderalis is an"auto flowering" variety, meaning it flowers with age. Originating inRussia, ruderalis is a hardy plant that survives harsh climates.

Sativa

Sativa is the less scientific name for the 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

Shatter or ice are terms used to refer to BHO.

Strain

A 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. Although the medical marijuana industry strives for consistency, strains can easily be mistakenly or purposely misidentified.

Terpene

Terpenes create the aroma of cannabis.Flower strains smell different because they contain different terpenes(referred to as a “terpene profile”).

THC

THC is an abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol. It is the most well-known and most abundantly

available cannabinoid in marijuana plants. THC is also the component in marijuana that is responsible for the psychoactive effects, or the "high." 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 bean effective medical treatment for a range of conditions. There is no lethal dose of the compound in its natural form.

Tincture

A 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 can also be mixed into a drink, but in these cases effects will take longer because the tinctures will be absorbed by the digestive system.

Topical

A 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

Trichomes are the resin production glands of the cannabis plant. In Greek the word means "growth of hair," and 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 vaporizer is a device used to consume marijuana. It heats either flowers or marijuana-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

Wax is another form of concentrate. Can be created through BHO, CO2, PHO, or Ice Water extraction methods.

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