Cannabis Terminology 101: A Glossary of Terms Every Consumer Should Know

## The Short Answer The cannabis industry has built its own vocabulary over decades, and a first-time dispensary visit can feel like reading a menu in a language you half-recognize. This glossary covers the terms adults 21 and older will encounter most often: what products are called, what the numbers on labels mean, and the phrases that come up when talking to a budtender. ## Plant and Product Categories **Flower.** The dried cannabis bud itself, the raw plant material before further processing. Sometimes called "bud" or just "weed." **Pre-roll.** A pre-rolled cannabis cigarette, typically 0.5 to 1 gram of flower. **Edible.** Any cannabis-infused food or beverage product. In New York regulated retail, single-serving edibles are capped at 10 mg THC. **Tincture.** A liquid cannabis extract, usually taken under the tongue. Onset is faster than edibles (roughly 15 to 45 minutes). **Concentrate.** A broad category of processed cannabis products with high cannabinoid content. Includes wax, shatter, live resin, live rosin, and distillate. **Vape cartridge (or "cart").** A pre-filled cartridge of cannabis oil for use with a battery. **Topical.** A cannabis-infused cream, balm, or lotion applied to skin. ## Cannabinoids **THC.** Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary intoxicating compound in cannabis. **CBD.** Cannabidiol, non-intoxicating. Often discussed for its potential effects but not a substitute for medical treatment. **CBN, CBG, CBC.** Minor cannabinoids with distinct profiles. See [what are cannabinoids, a deep dive](/blog/what-are-cannabinoids-a-deep-dive-into-thc-cbd-cbn-cbg-and-more). **THCA.** Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, the non-intoxicating form of THC found in raw cannabis. Heat converts it to THC (decarboxylation). **Delta-8, Delta-9, Delta-10.** Variant THC molecules. Delta-9 is the classic intoxicating form; Delta-8 is less potent per milligram and often hemp-derived. ## Classifications **Sativa, indica, hybrid.** Traditional categories once tied to species. Modern plants are heavily hybridized; the categories now function more as marketing shorthand than botanical fact. See [sativa vs indica vs hybrid, what's the real difference](/blog/sativa-vs-indica-vs-hybrid-whats-the-real-difference). **Strain (or cultivar).** A specific named variety of cannabis plant, bred for particular cannabinoid and terpene profiles. **Full spectrum / broad spectrum / isolate.** Descriptions of how much of the plant's cannabinoid and terpene content is preserved in a product. Full spectrum includes everything; isolate is a single cannabinoid purified. ## Numbers on a Label **THC percent (flower).** Total THC content as a percentage of dry weight. Flower typically ranges 15 to 30 percent. **THC milligrams (edibles, drinks, tinctures).** Total THC per package or per serving. **CBD percent or milligrams.** Same idea for CBD content. **Total cannabinoids.** The sum of THC, CBD, and minor cannabinoids. A high total cannabinoid percent with a lower THC percent indicates a more balanced product. **Terpene content.** Some labels show dominant terpenes. See [what are terpenes, how they shape your cannabis experience](/blog/what-are-terpenes-how-they-shape-your-cannabis-experience). ## Budtender Vocabulary **Onset.** How quickly an effect begins. Fast onset: smoking (seconds), vaping (seconds), tinctures (minutes). Slow onset: edibles (30 to 120 minutes). **Duration.** How long an effect lasts. Short: vape (1 to 2 hours). Medium: flower (2 to 4 hours). Long: edibles (4 to 8 hours). **Entourage effect.** The theory that cannabinoids and terpenes work better together than isolated. See [the entourage effect](/blog/the-entourage-effect-why-whole-plant-cannabis-may-work-better). **Tolerance.** The body's adaptation to regular use, which reduces perceived effects. A tolerance break helps reset. **Greening out.** An acute over-consumption experience. Unpleasant, not dangerous, resolves on its own. See [what to do if you've had too much cannabis, greening out](/blog/what-to-do-if-youve-had-too-much-cannabis-greening-out). ## Regulatory Vocabulary **OCM.** New York's Office of Cannabis Management, the state regulator. **Licensed retailer.** A dispensary authorized by the state to sell regulated cannabis products. Verify via the OCM QR code at [cannabis.ny.gov](https://cannabis.ny.gov). **COA (Certificate of Analysis).** The lab test results for a specific product batch. **Adult-use.** Legal cannabis for adults 21 and older. Distinct from medical cannabis, which requires a medical marijuana card in most states. ## Where to Go Next Related reading: [what is cannabis, a complete beginner's guide](/blog/what-is-cannabis-a-complete-beginners-guide), [first time at a dispensary, what to expect](/blog/first-time-at-a-dispensary-what-to-expect-and-how-to-prepare), and [how to read a cannabis product label](/blog/how-to-read-a-cannabis-product-label-lab-results-potency-and-more). --- *This article is consumer education for adults 21+. Nothing here is medical, legal, or financial advice. Cannabis laws vary by state, always verify your state's current rules and, for health questions, consult a licensed clinician. For regulated New York retail, verify licensing via the OCM QR-code system at [cannabis.ny.gov](https://cannabis.ny.gov).*