New York
GLOSSARY OF CANNABIS TERMS
All the words (or at least a bunch of them):
Bioavailability * Cannabinoid * Cannabis * CBD (Isolate; Broad Spectrum; Full Spectrum)
Edible * Endocannabinoid * Flower * Hemp * Hemp oil * CBD oil * Marijuana
Strain * Terpene * THC
CANNABIS
Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants.
Genus is the biological classification (group) that contains species. In this case: C. indica and C. sativa. There’s a debatable third species too but let’s keep this simple.
Sciencey lesson—taxonomic rank:
Family > Genus > Species > Variety (plants that share traits)
EDIBLE
An edible is a cannabis-infused food or drink (e.g., brownie, chocolate, granola, ice cream, seltzer).
Here’s why you'd eat or drink an edible instead of, say, taking oil or smoking flower:
No measuring (dosage is pre-set)
No tools (just open package and eat)
No inhalation
Long-lasting effects, and potency gradually increases as cannabinoids are absorbed through digestion (why pre-bedtime can be ideal eating time)
Experts believe edibles can amplify the distribution of THC, CBD across the body
BIOAVAILABILITY
Bioavailability refers to intestinal absorption. It’s the measure of the rate and fraction (portion) of the initial dose of a substance, or nutrient, that successfully reaches its intended biological destination(s). It’s important because a substance will only take effect if it can be absorbed by the body. And it’s based on many factors, including your body’s digestive system, other physiological processes, and the consumption method.
So, which methods of cannabis consumption optimize bioavailability? We need to make a new page to answer that properly. Hang on.
CANNABINOID
A cannabinoid is a chemical compound found in cannabis plants, other plants (superfoods, generally), and also the human body (naturally produced; called endocanabinoid). Cannabinoids interact with receptors in your brain help you maintain equilibrium.
There are many cannabinoids; the two most famous are: CBD and THC.
CBD
CBD is short for cannabidiol. It’s a chemical compound (called a cannabinoid) found in cannabis plants. It’s non-intoxicating (does not get you high).
Here’s what you may see on CBD product labels (work in progress), with NY State definitions:
CBD Isolate—contains 95% or more CBD (no other cannabinoids)
Broad Spectrum CBD—contains multiple cannabinoids, but (THC) has been removed to less than 0.01%
Full Spectrum CBD—contains hemp-derived cannabinoids, terpenes, and other naturally occurring compounds, nothing removed or added; may contain up to 0.3% THC
THC
THC is short for tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s a chemical compound (called a cannabinoid) found in cannabis plants. When you think marijuana you’re probably thinking THC. As the primary psychoactive component, it’s what causes intoxicating effects (can get you high).
ENDOCANNABINOID
An endocannabinoid is a molecule produced by the human body. Your body has a whole system of them—the endocannabinoid system—working with receptors and enzymes, regulating your biological everything to maintain balance. Perfect balance, in fact. Homeostasis. Equilibrium.
When you’re thrown off by pain or fever or other outside force (your office nemesis), your endocannabinoid system is there for you, actively returning you to equilibrium. When you’re thrown off by pain or fever or other outside force (your office nemesis), your endocannabinoid system is there for you, actively returning you to equilibrium. It’s responsible for your appetite, healing, mood, sleep, and more (which is also to say scientists are still learning about this complex and amazing part of us).
HEMP
Legally, hemp is cannabis with 0.3% or less of THC. That percentage is arbitrary, but significant because it’s what separates legality. In 2018 hemp was removed from the Controlled Substances Act. That means it’s federally legal.
Every part of the hemp plant is useful. Fiber from the stems makes paper, rope, textiles, and thousands of other materials. There’s protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals in the seeds. There are cannabinoids in the flower.
Here’s what you may see on hemp product labels:
Hemp oil—cold-pressed from seeds. Not extracted. Not CBD.
CBD oil—extracted from flowers and leaves. Yes CBD.
MARIJUANA
Legally, marijuana is cannabis with more than 0.3% THC.
Marijuana’s potency varies by variety, terrior, growing technique, storage, and you, the people, who are not like anyone else.
AKA: Aunt Mary; cheeba, chronic, ganja; grass; herb; Mary Jane; pot; reefer; weed
TERPENE
A terpene is an aromatic compound (oil) found in many plants. Cannabis plants contain high concentrations of terpenes, giving unique aroma to each strain.
We’re beginning to learn terpenes are not just a pretty (or pretty intense) scent; they may also provide therapeutic benefits, just like cannabinoids. More research to come (another reason to support legalization nationwise).
STRAIN / CULTIVAR / WTF
What happens when taxonomists and botanists and regular people and who knows who else start using each other’s jargon.
A cultivar (short for cultivated variety) is a horticultural category indicating people have messed with (improved?) a plant (taken it from the wild, cultivated, bred, etc.). Regarding “improved” with a question mark: Ideally cultivating leads to cloning and producing genetic replicas that are stable and consistent. No question mark. All good. Exactly what you want.
Sometimes people say variety when they mean cultivar.
A strain is not actually a plant term, except in the cannabis world where a strain is a cultivar.