Cannabis has its own vocabulary, and it isn’t always obvious. This glossary gives you plain-English definitions in a sentence or two. Where we have a full brief on a topic, there’s a link to read more.
Jump to: Badder · Broad-spectrum · Cannabinoid · CBD · COA · Concentrate · Cultivar · Decarboxylation · Distillate · Edible · Entourage effect · Flower · Full-spectrum · Live resin · Live rosin · Onset time · Sauce · Seed-to-sale tracking · Terpene · THC · THCA · Total THC · Trichome · Vape cartridge
Badder
A soft, creamy concentrate with a whipped texture, similar to cake batter. Also spelled “batter” or “budder.”
Broad-spectrum
An extract that keeps a range of cannabinoids and terpenes but has the THC removed or reduced to undetectable levels. Compare full-spectrum.
Cannabinoid
A chemical compound found in cannabis that interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system. THC and CBD are the best known, but the plant makes many others.
CBD (cannabidiol)
A cannabinoid that doesn’t cause a high. It’s found in both hemp and marijuana and is often sold on its own or blended with THC.
COA (certificate of analysis)
A lab report showing what’s in a product: potency, often terpenes, and tests for contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and leftover solvents. Many labels include a QR code that links to it.
Concentrate
A product made by pulling cannabinoids and terpenes out of the plant, creating a much more potent form than flower. Examples include live resin, live rosin, and distillate.
Cultivar
A plant variety bred and grown for particular traits. It’s often used interchangeably with “strain,” though growers tend to prefer “cultivar.”
Decarboxylation
The chemical reaction, triggered by heat, that turns THCA into THC. It happens when you smoke, vape, or bake cannabis. Read more: THC vs. THCA: What’s the Difference?
Distillate
A highly refined concentrate made up almost entirely of cannabinoids. Most terpenes are removed in the process and are usually added back for flavor. It’s commonly used in vape cartridges and edibles.
Edible
Any food or drink infused with cannabis, such as gummies, chocolates, and beverages. Effects take longer to arrive than with inhaled cannabis. See onset time. Read more: What Are Cannabis Gummies?
Entourage effect
The theory that cannabinoids and terpenes work together to shape how cannabis feels. The idea is popular, but the evidence is still mixed. Read more: What Are Terpenes?
Flower
The dried, cured buds of the cannabis plant, sold to smoke or vaporize.
Full-spectrum
An extract that keeps the plant’s natural range of cannabinoids and terpenes, including THC. Compare broad-spectrum.
Live resin
A concentrate made from fresh-frozen plants instead of dried, cured flower, which helps preserve more terpenes. Read more: What is Live Resin?
Live rosin
A solventless concentrate made with heat and pressure instead of chemical solvents, usually from fresh-frozen plant material. Compare live resin.
Onset time
How long it takes to feel effects after using cannabis. Inhaling works within minutes, while edibles can take 30 minutes to two hours.
Sauce
A runny concentrate made of terpene-rich liquid with crystals suspended in it. Often made from live resin.
Seed-to-sale tracking
The system licensed states use to follow each cannabis package from cultivation to the point of sale, using a unique tag on every package. Read more: What Happens When a Product Doesn’t Scan at the Dispensary?
Terpene
An aromatic compound found in many plants that gives cannabis its smell and flavor. Read more: What Are Terpenes?
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
The main cannabinoid that causes the high. In raw cannabis it’s mostly present as THCA until heat converts it.
THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid)
The raw, acidic form of THC found in fresh cannabis. It becomes THC through decarboxylation. Read more: THC vs. THCA: What’s the Difference?
Total THC
The potency a product will have once heated, calculated as THC + (THCA × 0.877).
Trichome
The tiny, sticky resin glands on cannabis flower that produce cannabinoids and terpenes.
Vape cartridge
A prefilled chamber of cannabis oil that attaches to a battery for vaping. Read more: What Does 1g Mean on a Vape Cartridge?