Cannabis Glossary

Parts per million (ppm)

A measure of volume, of one substance inside of another. In cannabis growing, it’s often used to measure the amount of liquid nutrients in water used on plants. Cannabis plants can only absorb so many nutrients, so measuring the ppm and pH of water ensures plants get the correct amount of nutrients.

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Percolator Ash Catcher
Percolator

A part of a bong or dab rig that diffuses smoke. This process further cools and filters smoke, making it easier to inhale. They come in a variety of designs, each of which produce unique types of bubbles and filtration.  “My rig has a honeycomb percolator.” “My percolator is hard to clean.

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Permaculture

Permaculture is an agricultural term sometimes used in cannabis cultivation, and refers to systems of sustainable cannabis farming. Permaculture might include storing rainwater, composting, living soil, and other processes that seek to create a permanent sustainable farm.

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Pesticide

A substance put on cannabis plants to keep pests and other organisms from consuming and destroying the plant. Pesticides can be natural, such as neem oil, or synthetic, such as Azamax.

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Phellandrene

Phellandrene is a terpene found in cannabis and other plants such as eucalyptus. This little-known compound is actually a pair of organic compounds—alpha-phellandrene and beta-phellandrene. The scent of phellandrene has often been described as woody and minty, with prevailing notes of citrus.

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Pheno-hunting

The process of selecting the best phenotype of a strain for mass production. When a female and male cannabis plant are bred to create a new strain, the female produces many seeds, all of which are phenotypes.

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Phenolic compounds

Phenolic compounds are chemicals found in the cannabis plant that possess bioactive properties, such as antioxidant activity. The plant synthesizes a diverse range of phenolic compounds, including flavonoids, lignanamides, and phenolic acids.

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Phenotype

A phenotype, or pheno, refers to the physical expression of a cannabis plant’s genetic blueprint; when a female cannabis plant produces seeds, each seed is a phenotype that expresses a unique set of traits from the mother and father plants.

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Photoperiod

Photoperiod is a term used in cannabis growing to refer to a standard type of seed. With latin roots in the words ‘light,’ and ‘time’—photoperiod seeds are standard seeds that flower based on the amount of darkness they receive each night.

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Phytocannabinoid

Cannabinoids in the cannabis plant itself. These naturally occurring compounds in cannabis—such as THC and CBD—are produced in the cannabis plant’s resinous trichomes and directly interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system receptors to produce a spectrum of physical and mental effects.

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Phytol

Phytol is a terpene found in some strains of cannabis, as well as other plants such as green tea. Phytol is known for its grassy aroma and is often used as a precursor in the manufacturing of synthetic vitamins E and K1, and as a food additive.

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Piece

Slang for a pipe used to smoke cannabis.  “I bought a killer new glass piece the other day.” “I brought the weed but forgot my piece!”  What is a piece? “Piece” is a generic term for any pipe used to smoke cannabis.

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Forest therapy: Find pinene terpenes in pine trees. (Leafly)
Pinene

One of the most prevalent terpenes found in cannabis, this aromatic compound smells like pine. It can also be found in conifer trees, orange peels, turpentine, pine needles, rosemary, dill, basil, and parsley. Researchers are currently investigating its ability to counter inflammation, respiratory conditions, anxiety, and pain.

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Pinner

A small, thin joint, often chastised or mocked for its size and small amount of marijuana. Pinners are so named because they look like sewing pins.   “This pinner doesn’t contain enough weed to get me high.” What is a pinner? A pinner is a small, thinly rolled joint.

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Pipe

A small device used to smoke cannabis, commonly made of glass, metal, wood, or other materials. Pipes come in all shapes and sizes, and are perhaps the simplest and most common method of consuming cannabis.

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Pistil

The reproductive organ of the female cannabis plant. In cannabis, as well as other plant species, pistils are composed of three parts: a stigma, a style, and an ovary. Pistils and their parts receive pollen from male plants and change color as the plant matures.

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Plant matter

Any part of the cannabis plant removed from a living plant. Typically, plant matter refers to any part that will be discarded or wasted, such as stalks, branches, stems, and fan leaves, which can occur during the processes of topping, pruning, or harvesting.

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Plug

An AAVE (African-American Vernacular English) slang term meaning a supplier of cannabis, ranging from mass distributors to trusted local dealers. “I was running low on weed, so I had to call the plug.” “My plug didn’t have any high-CBD strains, so I’m trying the CBD gummies they had.

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Pod

A ‘pod’ is a cannabis term for a small, disposable THC oil container. Pod vaporizer systems combine a battery base with a custom-shaped pod that slots into the battery’s top. You sip on the top of the pod to generate vapor and take a hit.

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Pollen

A fine, powdery substance produced by a male cannabis plant which carries its sperm cells. Pollen is produced and released through pollen sacs on a male plant, after which it travels through the air and lands on a female plant, pollinating it.

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Pot

Pot is a slang term for cannabis that gained popularity in the 1930s. Shortened from the name of a Spanish grief potion, pot is an abbreviation of “potación de guaya.” This libation was created by soaking cannabis leaves in wine or brandy.  “She went on an errand to replenish her pot supply.

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Pound

What is a pound of weed? A pound of weed is the largest amount sold at dispensaries and represents 1 pound of cannabis flower. Compared to other amounts, a pound of weed is significantly larger than an eighth, a quarter, and a gram.

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Pre-roll

A pre-roll is a ready-to-go joint filled with cannabis that you can buy from a store—it’s pre-rolled for you. Pre-roll has become the industry-preferred term, rather than “joint,” though many cannabis consumers still call them joints. Pre-rolls are among the most common methods of smoking cannabis and can likely be found at most dispensaries.

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Pre-run

Cannabis material before it is processed and turned into an extract; before it is “run” through the extraction machine. Extracts made with all buds are called “bud runs” and those made with trim are “trim runs.”  “I can’t wait to see how this extract turns out—the pre-run was composed of all dank buds.

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Private reserve

The highest quality cannabis flower available at a store. There are various grades of cannabis flower sold in dispensaries, usually tiered at low shelf, mid shelf, top shelf, and private reserve. Private reserve cannabis goes beyond top shelf because they are exotic and usually grown by influential growers or brands.

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Propane hash oil (PHO)

A cannabis concentrate made using propane in the extraction process. PHO is similar to making butane hash oil (BHO), only propane is used instead of butane, and PHO concentrates usually have a budder-like consistency. BHO is perhaps the most common method of hydrocarbon extraction, though PHO is growing in popularity.

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Pulegone

Pulegone is a monoterpene found in many plants, such as peppermint and catnip, and it is the main constituent of pennyroyal and blue mint bush essential oils. Known for its sweet and minty aroma, it can also be found in small amounts in some cannabis strains.

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Pull ‘n’ snap

A cannabis concentrate with a taffy-like consistency. Pull ‘n’ snap is more malleable than shatter but thicker than oil. “Pull ‘n’ snap is just as potent as shatter but easier to work with.

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purple cannabis strains
Purps

A term used for cannabis cultivars that express purple in their buds. The term is often reserved for purple strains with an exceptionally potent aroma and effects. It’s also used as slang for Mendocino Purple or Granddaddy Purple cultivars. “I got some stinky purps at the store today!” “Mendocino Purps is one of my favorites.

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