If you're new to the world of cannabis, there can often be words or phrases that are unfamiliar to you. Using my coloring book as a guide, I've put together a list of helpful cannabis vocabulary so you can navigate the wonderful world of Mary Jane with confidence!
I've always been an avid cannabis consumer, but as I've gotten older and more educated on the plant, I've realized that my recreational use had medicinal benefits! Cannabis has eased stress, soothed aches and pains, calmed anxiety and given me the ability to become more present in my daily interactions. As someone that considers themselves a cannabis advocate, I also enjoy educating people on the plant and the culture surrounding it. So take a peek at my vocab list and see if you can learn something new!
A April 20 or 4/20 was born in the 70's when a group of Berkeley students realized that they were meeting up to smoke at the same time everyday. 4:20 became code for the time to smoke weed, but it quickly took on a life of it's own becoming a full on stoner holiday celebrated around the world.
B One of my personal favorite ways to enjoy cannabis flower is in a clean, ice filled bong. The water that gets placed in the bottom of the bong acts a filter and helps cool down the smoke. Normally made from glass, the design that a bong can have is ENDLESS!
C Cannabinoids can be produced by your body, as well as by nature. When produced by your body they're known as endocannabinoids, when found in nature, like within the cannabis plant, they're simply cannabinoids. Your Endocannabinoid system consists of CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout your body that interact with cannabinoids to aid a number of different bodily functions.
D If you live in a state with legal access to recreational or medical cannabis, then you're probably familiar with dispensaries. If you're one of the folks living in an illegal state, then the letter D may stand for dealer instead of dispensary. Sometimes a dealer is the most economical way to get your green even if you do live in a legal state. Due to all the taxes, regulations and red tape, dispensaries often have prices that are higher than street prices. The main issue with going to a dealer is that there are no regulatory bodies, so you don't know exactly what you're getting or where it's coming from.
E Responsible for regulating a number of bodily systems, the endocannabinoid system, or ECS, is the reason that cannabis has an effect on our bodies. Discovered in the 90's the ECS hasn't been studied extensively so the exact function is still a mystery to scientists. They do know it plays a part in things like: energy, appetite, immunity, pain, blood pressure and embryonic development, but they suspect it's responsible for much more.
F When a product extracts all of the components of the cannabis plant it's considered full spectrum. Studies have shown that the cannabis plant works best when used in a whole plant, or full spectrum, method.
G Guaiol is one of the hundreds of terpenes that can be found in the cannabis plant. It possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and tumor fighting properties. The aroma is a mixture of piney and woody with a touch of rose. The unique thing about guaiol is that its liquid based rather than oil based like most other terpenes. It also has the added bonus of being an insect repellant!
H Hash is a type of cannabis concentrate that is made by pressing together the resin from the cannabis plant. Normally sold in the form of a small ball, or as bubble hash, which is produced using an ice water bath.
I If you buy your cannabis from a legal dispensary, then chances are you've come across the word Indica. Typically known to produce a more relaxed high, strains that are labeled as Indica can ease anxiety and help with sleep. The best way to determine the effects a strain will have on you is to look at the terpene profile.
J July 10 or 710 has become the national oil holiday where cannabis concentrates are celebrated. The name and date were derived from the fact that 710 spells "OIL" when upside down. Cannabis concentrates include things like shatter, badder, crumble, rosin, hash, and distillate. These are normally consumed at high temperatures via dab rig or an electronic dabbing device.
K Kief is a powder like substance that consists of trichomes that's collected from sifting or grinding cannabis flower. It can be pressed and made into hash, or used to sprinkle onto cannabis flower.
L One of my personal favorite terpenes is Limonene. It's one of the most common terpenes found in nature, normally on the rinds of citrus fruits. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help ease with alertness and focus. Strains that contain high amounts of limonene tend to be classified as Sativa due to the uplifting properties.
M Microdosing has become a popular way to get the benefits of the full cannabis plant without getting intoxicated. The exact amount of your micro dose will depend on your tolerance and what effects you hope to achieve. Generally speaking, you would take your normal dose and cut it in half or even in fourths. By using only what you need, you can save yourself money and reduce your risk for misusing the plant.
N A nectar collector is a type of pipe for smoking cannabis concentrates. Similar to the shape of a straw, it's also referred to as a dab or honey straw. One end is heated up via torch and then the hot end is touched to the concentrate and inhaled.
O Onset time, refers to the amount of time that it takes for the effects of cannabis to be felt. How long it takes for your cannabis to kick in depends on the method of consumption and your own unique body chemistry. Smoking or inhalation has the quickest onset, but also the shortest duration. Edibles tend to have the longest duration, but they also have the longest onset. Be sure to check the labels of any edibles, drinks or tinctures you consume so that you can know what to expect.
P Pistils can be seen on the cannabis plant and resemble little hairs. They can be important to help growers determine the best time to harvest. They can also play an important role in the physiology of the plant.
Q A quarter is one of the standard weights when purchasing cannabis. It refers to the fact that 14 grams of cannabis is one quarter of a full ounce. An ounce is generally the largest amount that cannabis flower is bought and sold in.
R Rosin is a type of cannabis concentrate that is created using pressure and heat as an extraction method. Some types of concentrates use chemicals called solvents in the extraction process, the solvents are removed at the end of the process creating solvent-free products. If you want the cleanest form of cannabis concentrate, always stick with solventless instead of solvent-free. Solventless products don't use any chemicals in the extraction process.
S Shatter is a type of cannabis concentrate that resembles and amber colored piece of glass. This type of concentrate is made using solvents and results in a thin piece of honey-like concentrate.
T Terpenes are an important part of the cannabis plant and determining the effects that it has. Terpenes can be found in numerous plants and are responsible for the taste and smell of the plant. Each terpene has distinct properties that determine what it can best help with. Some have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or even cancer fighting properties, By studying terpenes, you can get the most out of your cannabis experience.
U "Up In Smoke" was a 1978 film starring Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong. The film and duo are credited with establishing stoner movies as a legitimate film genre. The pair are synonymous with cannabis culture and have been active in the community for the last 4 decades. Over the years they have created movies, comedy specials, products and businesses that resonate with the millions of people who identify with stoner culture.
V Vaporizers are one of the methods you can use to inhale cannabis flower or concentrates. A dry herb vaporizer is the best way to consume cannabis flower since it doesn't involve heating the weed by combustion. Vaporizers that contain cannabis concentrate can be beneficial as long as they don't contain any other chemicals that can be inhaled into your lungs.
W Wax is another type of cannabis concentrate made by the use of solvents. Named for is thick waxy consistency, wax can be a generic term for concentrates in general.
Y The Youth International Party was a counterculture political party formed in 1967. Known as the Yippie party, they specialized in pranking the government and organizing smoke-ins.
Z ZigZag rolling papers were immortalized by Afroman in his "Crazy Rap" song. Rolling papers are used to create joints, which are filled with cannabis flower and smoked.
And there you have it, and A to Z list of helpful cannabis terminology! Did you know any of these terms? Did you know all of these terms? Either way, I hope you enjoyed it. And if you're interested in purchasing the coloring book that inspired this list, you can get it here:
Happy Learning!
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