Cannabis Glossary

Dab mat

A mat made of non-stick material (often silicone) that is placed underneath a rig when dabbing. It is designed to keep the rig in place and protects the surface the rig is on. It also provides a place to manipulate sticky concentrates and rest dab tools.

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Dab rig

A dab rig is a water pipe used to inhale cannabis extracts, or dabs. It filters cannabis vapor through water, much like a bong. A dab rig can be used to consume a variety of extracts, including oil, rosin, butter, sauce, diamonds, and other solvent and non-solvent forms of hash.

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Dabber

A tool used to manipulate concentrates for dabbing. They often resemble dentistry tools and come in a variety of shapes and sizes—a common dabber will have a sharp point on one end and a flattened scoop on the other. Dab tools are usually made from glass or stainless steel.

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heating a dab rig
Dabbing

Dabbing is a method of consuming cannabis that involves flash vaporizing an extract—called a “dab”—on a hot surface and inhaling the vapor through a pipe. Popular for its fast-acting and hard-hitting high, dabbing is often too intense for cannabis beginners (although it is possible to dab with non-intoxicating CBD extracts).

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Dank

“Dank” is a popular term to describe high-quality, fragrant cannabis. In this context, “dank” refers to the pungent odor of cannabis and implies that it is potent, moist, and grown well. “This Runtz I got is so dank, I can smell it from outside.” “I only smoke dank.

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decarb chef oven recipe
Decarboxylation

The chemical reaction responsible for activating the cannabinoids in cannabis. Cannabis plants produce THCA naturally, a non-psychoactive compound, and decarboxylation turns that THCA into THC, a psychoactive compound. Decarboxylation occurs when cannabis is heated—either with a lighter when smoking or a heat source when vaping.

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Decriminalize

Decriminalization means that cannabis possession, use, cultivation, sales, and manufacturing still remain illegal, but they no longer have criminal penalties, only civil infractions (such as a parking ticket). Decriminalization results in an unregulated and untaxed cannabis market.

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Deep water culture

Deep water culture is a cannabis farming term. Deep water culture is a form of hydroponic farming where the roots stay submerged in aerated, nutrient-rich solution. That differs from standard hydroponic farming where the roots are not permanently submerged, but rather regularly bathed in nutrient-rich solution.

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Defoliation

The removal of living fan leaves from a growing cannabis plant to allow light to penetrate deeper into the plant, ultimately increasing bud size and yield. Defoliation also allows more air to flow through the plant, reducing the risk of mold, mildew, and pests.

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A courier from Ganja Goddess Delivers drops a package in San Francisco. (David Downs/Leafly)
Delivery

Cannabis delivery is a way of dispensing cannabis that doesn’t require the purchaser to physically go to a dispensary. This method is often preferred by people who have difficulty getting around outside their home. Even within the legal market, not all states allow cannabis delivery.

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Delta-10

Delta-10 THC is a cannabinoid that is less potent than regular THC—delta-9—offering diminished effects. Similar to delta-8, it is in a legal gray area and some states that outlaw THC allow delta-10.  “Just when I thought I understood delta-8, then delta-10 products started coming out.

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Delta-8

Delta-8 THC is a cannabinoid found in trace amounts in the cannabis plant. It is similar to the THC that causes a high—called delta-9 THC—but has much less potency.

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Dewaxing

An extraction process that typically uses a closed-loop system to remove waxes and fatty lipids from a cannabis concentrate. This removes plant lipids, which are considered undesirable and will negatively impact the flavor and aesthetics of a concentrate. Dewaxing is similar to winterization, which also separates undesirable fats and waxes from concentrates.

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Diamond mining

The process of creating diamonds, or isolates, from cannabis concentrates, most commonly THCA diamonds. Live Resin is commonly used, though other extracts can be mined for diamonds. Diamond mining usually takes up to three weeks, but can go faster depending on the concentrate used.

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THCA cannabis diamonds
Diamonds

Cannabis isolate with such a high degree of purity that cannabinoids form a crystalline solid, like a diamond. Cannabis diamonds are usually made from concentrated THCA or CBD.  “They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, so I bought my girlfriend a huge THCA diamond for Valentine’s Day.

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Diesel

Cannabis strains that have a distinct smell and taste of fuel. Strain Sour Diesel is the most popular of these strains. “Gas” is also a common term for these types of strains. “I love a good, pungent diesel strain.” What is diesel cannabis? Diesel cannabis cultivars express a distinct fuel or gassy aroma and flavor.

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Diffused downstem

A downstem that diffuses smoke through holes or slits before it enters the water chamber, cooling the smoke and making hits smoother.

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Diffuser

A device in a bong or dab rig that diffuses smoke when in water, creating a smoother, cooler hit. Usually attached to or replacing the downstem, diffusers create many smaller bubbles than a traditional downstem, increasing surface area and cooling the smoke. Diffusers can also quiet the sound of a bong or dab rig.

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Clean your Mobius NUC matrix diffuser after every session. (David Downs/Leafly)
Diffusion

Diffusion is used to cool and purify smoke when smoking cannabis. Diffusion is usually achieved in a bong (or water pipe) through the use of a percolator or a diffuser, which causes the smoke to spread out (diffuse) in the water.

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Directional airflow

When dabbing, directional airflow allows the dabber to move oil out of the corners of a banger to the center for optimal heating. This is usually done through a directional airflow carb cap, which can be twisted to direct air, and often resembles a spinning top.

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Directional flow

Directional flow (not to be confused with directional airflow) is a method of folding parchment paper to control the flow of oil from pressing flower or hash into rosin. This practice helps ensure rosin isn’t wasted and doesn’t clog up the press or dirty surfaces.

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Disc perc

A horizontal, circular, disc-shaped percolator with slits or holes all over it that’s usually welded into the body of a bong or dab rig. Disc percs with many tiny holes are often called honeycomb percs.  “My new bong with a disc perc hits so smooth.

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Dispensary

Dispensaries are licensees in the cannabis industry who dispense products to patients and customers. Some states permit dispensaries to deliver cannabis products directly to customers at their homes in addition to dispensing them at a store.

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Distillate

A viscous, golden liquid created by refining cannabis resin. Distillation allows the processor to isolate a desired compound from the cannabis plant and leave behind undesirable plant material. Distillates are commonly used in vape cartridges and can also be used in edibles, topicals, and other products.

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Distributor

A person or company in the cannabis industry who distributes products from growers and/or extractors to dispensaries. One typically needs a specific license to be a distributor, and some states require distributors to coordinate lab testing of products.

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Dogwalker

A small joint, meant for a short smoke session. Dogwalkers are meant to be smoked while walking your dog, which shouldn’t take very much time, hence their short length. Unlike pinners, which are thin and long, dogwalkers are a normal width but short in length.

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Dome

A covering used to house cannabis clones or seedlings, to create a warm, humid environment optimal for growth. “I always crack the dome slightly so my clones don’t get too humid.” What is a marijuana humidity dome? Humidity domes are often used when cloning cannabis, but can also be used for seeds.

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Domeless nail

A nail, the apparatus that holds cannabis concentrate in a dab rig, can either be domeless, or domed. Domeless nails are open and usually require a carb cap to help regulate airflow, and domed nails have an additional glass dome piece around the nail that helps contain vapor when dabbing.

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Dope

“Dope” is a slang term for cannabis, although it carries connotations of other substances. While originally popularized to describe opium, it was also associated with the use of Schedule 1 substances in the 20th century, including cannabis.   “My mom calls it ‘dope’ but I say ‘weed.

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Dose

A quantity of cannabis inhaled, ingested, or administered in order to achieve desired effects. Cannabis is most easily dosed in edibles, as they can be easily measured and mixed; they are measured in milligrams (mg), usually of cannabinoids such as THC or CBD.

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Downstem

The piece of a water pipe that connects the bowl to the main chamber. The downstem helps provide suction, pulling smoke or vapor into the water before getting inhaled. This long piece of glass can be fixed or removable, and can have a diffuser at the chamber end, which additionally cools smoke.

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Dry sift

Commonly known as kief, dry sieve, or dry sift hash, this cannabis concentrate is free of chemicals and water, created by dry sifting cannabis plant material through a series of screens. Dry sifting is one of the oldest methods of creating cannabis concentrates.

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Dugout

A small carrying case that holds a one-hitter pipe and has a chamber with weed that is usually ground up. A dugout is a convenient, all-in-one kit that allows a smoker to pull out the one-hitter, easily pack it with bud from the chamber, and smoke while on-the-go.

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