Cannabis glossary

Camphene is a terpene found in cannabis, as well as other plants. It is common to conifers, such as Douglas fir and camphor tree. Read more

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A small hole in a pipe or bubbler, usually next to the bowl, that allows the consumer to control airflow when smoking. A carb also helps regulate temperature and the rate of burning in the bowl. Read more

Showing ID as proof of age at a cannabis dispensary or with a delivery service so you can purchase cannabis products. Carding ensures dispensaries aren’t selling to minors. Read more

Delta-3 carene is a terpene found in cannabis and other plants, including rosemary, lemons, and trees such as pines and cedars. Its citrusy and cypress aroma is used in food flavorings and cosmetics products. Read more

Pieces of weed found on the floor, usually bits that have fallen off a table when rolling a joint or packing a bowl. People smoke carpet weed as a last resort, when their stash is out. Read more

Slang for when a bowl of cannabis flower is done. A bowl is cashed when no smokable material remains, only ash and residue. Read more

CB1 receptors are one type of cannabinoid receptor found in the body. Cannabinoids like THC interact with these receptors to induce some of the subjective and therapeutic effects associated with cannabis. Read more

CB2 receptors, or cannabinoid receptor type 2, is an important part of the endocannabinoid system, a biological network of endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes with which cannabis interacts. This type of cannabinoid receptor is expressed primarily in cells of the body’s immune system, whereas CB1 receptors are heavily concentrated in the brain and nervous system. Read more

CBC, or cannabichromene, is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, alongside better known cannabinoids like CBD and THC. Like CBD and THC, it is considered one of the “big six” cannabinoids prominent in current medical research. Read more

CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) is the raw form or precursor of the well-known cannabinoid CBD (cannabidiol), and is a compound widely found in CBD-rich cannabis cultivars. When CBDA is exposed to heat or UV light, decarboxylation takes place and the compound is converted into CBD. Read more

Cannabidivarin is a minor phytocannabinoid found in cannabis. This lesser-known cannabinoid is non-intoxicating and does not induce a high when consumed. Read more

Cannabigerolic acid, or CBGA, is the raw form of CBG (cannabigerol). CGBA is a unique compound that forms the building block for major cannabinoids THC, CBD, and CBC. Read more

CBL (cannabicyclol) is a non-intoxicating minor cannabinoid found in cannabis. Similar to cannabinoids like CBN (cannabinol), CBL is a cannabinoid that forms when CBC (cannabichromene) degrades through exposure to UV light and oxidation. Read more

CBLA (cannabicyclolic acid) is a rare non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis. CBLA is not an original cannabinoid present in living cannabis plants, but a photochemical product formed as a result of environmental changes that alter the chemical composition of CBCA (cannabichromenic acid). Read more

Cannabinol, also known as CBN, is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that is created when THC ages. It is usually present in older cannabis and known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotectant effects. Read more

Cedrene is a sesquiterpene found in cannabis and cedar wood. With a fresh, woody, and sweet scent, cedrene adds an appealing dimension to the scent profile of cannabis. Read more

A document showing the potency and purity of a cannabis product. Provided by a licensed analytical testing lab, the certificate of analysis (COA) lists cannabinoid levels and the testing of pesticides, mold, microbials, and other contaminants, ensuring a product has been tested according to state law and is safe for consumption. Read more

Cheeba is a slang term for cannabis of Mexican Spanish origin popularized in the 1960s.  “Is this cheeba sativa?” “Roll me a joint of that cheeba. Read more

When a bowl of flower stays lit without the use of a lighter. The continuous burning creates a glowing ember that resembles a red cherry, hence the name. Read more

A circular percolator, or “circ perc,” is made up of one ring with slits in the side or numerous rings with gaps in between. It is similar to a showerhead perc, which gets its name because it has holes or slits on the bottom. Read more

Citronellol is a terpene found in some strains of cannabis, as well as in essential oils and other plants such as citronella, basil, eucalyptus, ginger, catnip, and Cymbopogon citratus (a plant with antihypertensive properties). It is commonly used as a fragrance in perfumes and as a flavoring agent in food and drinks. Read more

A cutting taken off a marijuana plant, which will grow into another full plant. A clone is a genetic replica of the mother, the plant it was taken from. Read more

A cannabis extraction system that uses solvents such as butane or propane to remove oils from cannabis plant material inside a closed system, not open to the outside environment. A closed-loop system can collect solvent used and run it through cannabis material multiple times, allowing for the efficient extraction of specific cannabinoids and terpenes. Read more

An organization of cannabis consumers or operators, including growers, extractors, or manufacturers, who share space to minimize costs. Cannabis co-ops and collectives were popular under the Compassionate Use Act in California in the days of medical marijuana, but were phased out there in 2019. Read more

An extraction method that uses CO2 as a solvent to strip the cannabis plant of cannabinoids and terpenes into a concentrate, commonly known as CO2 oil. CO2 extraction relies on a closed-loop system and the chemical is purged from the final product. Read more

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A cola is a cluster of buds that grow together on female cannabis plants. During trimming, large colas are usually broken up into individual buds or nugs, so they can dry and cure more evenly to prevent mold. Read more

The process of burning something. When a flame is put to cannabis flower, it will combust, and cannabinoids and terpenes will enter the body when inhaled. Read more

During extraction, a concentrate slurry is the mixture of cannabis plant matter and chemical solvent in a closed-loop system before purging. Depending on the solvent and cannabis material used, the slurry may be solid, liquid, runny, or airy. Read more

A type of joint shaped like a cone, that is big on one end and tapers down to a small end with a crutch or filter. Their shape allows for a smoother burn so they don’t have to be relit. Read more

Convection vaporization heats cannabis flower or extracts through indirect heat, as opposed to conduction, which heats through direct heat, and which most cannabis vaporizers use. These processes are analogous to a convection oven in your home, which heats air, which in turn cooks food (convection), and a pan on a stovetop (conduction). Read more

Cottonmouth is the sensation of a dry or parched mouth and throat after smoking cannabis. It is likened to the feeling of having a mouth full of cotton balls. Read more

The first tiny leaves that appear when a cannabis seed sprouts, or germinates. Cotyledon leaves are round with smooth edges and usually grow in pairs. Read more

A strain that takes a while for the onset of effects, but when they do come on, they hit strong. The delay between consumption and feeling effects gives the sense that the strain creeps up on you. Read more

A cross is a cannabis strain that combines the genetics of two other strains, or a hybrid. Cross can also be short for “crossbreeding,” or the act of crossing two strains to make a new one. Read more

A cannabis concentrate with a dry, powdery consistency—it crumbles easily, hence its name. Crumble, sometimes called “honeycomb” because of its appearance, is one of the driest forms of concentrate and is made through an extraction process similar to shatter, using a chemical solvent such as butane, propane, or CO2. Read more

A cannabis isolate with over 99% cannabinoids. Also called “diamonds” or “isolates,” these have such a high degree of purity that they form a crystalline solid. Read more

Short for “cultivated variety,” cultivars are groups of cannabis plants that differ in appearance, aroma, and effect. In cannabis, the term “strain” is commonly used, though it is not used in traditional horticulture. Read more

The process of preserving cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis buds by placing them in airtight containers after harvesting. Curing is distinct from, and done after, the drying phase of harvesting. Read more

A common terpene found in hundreds of different plants, including cannabis. It often shows up on the dinner table in cumin, oregano, thyme, anise, and coriander. Read more