Cannabis Glossary

Taffy

A cannabis concentrate with a consistency similar to saltwater taffy. Taffy is slightly heated, then stretched and twisted to expose it to oxygen, changing its consistency. It is sometimes called “pull ‘n’ snap” and is commonly made from rosins.  “Taffy is my favorite extract because it’s so easy to work with and is flavorful.

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Terp pearls

Small balls made of borosilicate, quartz, or other materials that are placed in a banger to aid in dabbing. Also called “banger beads” or “dab beads,” terp pearls spin around the bottom of the banger when dabbing to distribute concentrate and heat evenly, providing consistent dabs and helping to maximize flavor.

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Feeling fancy? Terp sauce and diamonds. (Courtesy of Raw Garden)
Terp sauce

Terp sauce is a cannabis extract that contains a high concentration of terpenes, resulting in a runny, syrupy sauce-like concentrate. Terpenes are the fragrant oils that give cannabis flower its many different aromas, such as lemon, pine, or skunk; they are also thought to contribute to the various effect profiles of cannabis strains.

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Terp slurper

A style of a quartz banger nail with a dish attached to the bottom. When concentrate melts, holes in the bottom of the banger allow oil to seep out into the dish, which brings out the concentrate’s flavors and ensures none is wasted.  “This new terp slurper has revolutionized my dabbing game.

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Terpene distillation

The process of extracting terpenes from cannabis plant material through distillation. As terpenes are delicate, distillation is often used because it is a gentle process that uses low temperatures and pressure to preserve terpenes and their flavors and aromas.

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Terpenes

Terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give cannabis strains their unique scent. In other words, terpenes are the reason Tangie smells like sweet oranges, Permafrost like a pine forest, and Sour Diesel like a bucket of funky fuel.

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Terpinene

Known for its piney aroma, this terpene is found in the essential oils of plants like tea tree and peppermint, and is also found in some strains of cannabis. There is some evidence that terpinene can be used as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agent.  “This tea tree oil has high levels of terpinene.

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Terpinolene

Terpinolene, or alpha-terpinolene, is a common terpene found in small quantities in cannabis plants. It includes hints of citrus, wood, floral, and pine flavors, and strains with high amounts of terpinolene often produce uplifting effects when consumed. Terpinolene is also found in apples, lilac, nutmeg, and cumin.  “This Dutch Treat has tons of terpinolene.

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Thai stick

An ancient cannabis product originating in Thailand, in which cured cannabis flower is packed around a bamboo stick, wrapped in cannabis fan leaves, and then bound with hemp string. It is essentially the first example of a cannabis cigar, or canna-gar.  “Thai Stick was my favorite back in the day.

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THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)

THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, refers to the primary chemical compound responsible for cannabis’ euphoric effects. THC is a cannabinoid, which are compounds produced by the cannabis plant that bind uniquely to receptors in the body called endocannabinoid receptors. A majority of cannabis varieties are THC-dominant, meaning THC is the most abundant cannabinoid.

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THCA & CBDA crystalline cannabinoids
THCA

THCA, short for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is a non-intoxicating compound produced by the cannabis plant. It is the precursor of THC that occurs in live cannabis plants: THCA converts into THC slowly over time or more immediately in the presence of heat, such as when you use a lighter to smoke.

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THCV

THCV, or Tetrahydrocannabivarin, is a cannabinoid found in some varieties of cannabis. First discovered in 1971, this chemical is relatively rare but has become more popular over the years, leading cultivators to focus on breeding specialized THCV strains to meet demand. THCV is similar to THC in molecular structure and psychoactive effects it produces.

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Therapeutic window

When consuming cannabis, the therapeutic window is the range between the lowest effective dose and a dose that produces negative side effects for the consumer. Newer consumers usually have a narrow therapeutic window, while regular consumers have a wider one because they have a higher tolerance.

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Tincture

A cannabis-infused liquid that is ingested or absorbed sublingually.  “I am looking for a tincture to help with sleep.” “There are 100 milligrams of THC in this tincture.” The benefits of using a tincture As a smokeless and vaporless product, tinctures have the benefit of being extremely discrete.

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Top shelf

There are various qualities of flower sold in dispensaries, usually graded as low shelf, mid shelf, top shelf, and Private Reserve. As many dispensaries do not have a Private Reserve grade, top shelf is usually the most expensive cannabis available.

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topicals
Topical

Topicals are cannabis products that are absorbed through the skin for therapeutic benefits. To make these products, cannabis is infused in an oil, balm, lotion or some other carrier designed to go directly on the skin. Cannabis topicals are often used to treat localized pain, soreness, and inflammation and don’t make you feel high.

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Torch

A heat source used for dabbing. Torches are used to heat the nail of a dab rig to high temperatures so cannabis concentrate can be flash vaporized. Torches often use butane or propane as fuel and are refillable. “The annoying thing with torches is you always need butane.

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Transdermal

Transdermal absorption is a way of taking in medicine through the skin, rather than ingesting or inhaling. Unlike topicals, which are designed to impact the skin and local area it is applied to, transdermal options are designed to absorb through the skin into your bloodstream for effects.

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Tree perc

A percolator that looks like a tree, with a main trunk and several branches. Smoke comes up through the main trunk to the top, and then is diffused through the many branches and through the water in a bong or dab rig.

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Trichomes

The resinous glands on cannabis buds that contain the plant’s cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds. Strains with a heavy coating of trichomes typically have more cannabinoids and terpenes. “The trichomes on this Runtz are so frosty!” “The more trichomes a bud has, the stronger it’ll be.

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Trim

The trimmings of a cannabis plant, cut off during the trimming phase, after harvest. Trim includes sugar leaves, bits of cut-off buds, and knocked off trichomes, or kief. It is considered low quality and usually reserved for making edibles, hash, or pre-rolls.  “I save my trim for making edibles or hash and nothing else.

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Trim run

A batch of cannabis concentrate made using trim, or sugar leaves and other plant material that’s cut off during the trimming stage, after harvesting. Trim runs, like nug runs, can be done using either dry, wet, or fresh frozen trim.

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