Definitions of Cannabis Terms

How well do you know cannabis? Are you familiar with the term Rosin and how it’s made? Does the term “Moonrocks” make you feel anxious about your purchase? New or old friends with marijuana, not to worry, there is always room to grow with this plant. As time goes on, the noose of cannabis prohibition continues to loosen, allowing for greater expenditures in the cannabis and hemp market which in turn strengthens our industry. The possibilities continue to expand in cannabis and getting to know the canna-terms will have you sounding like Jack Herer in no time. As the author of the book “The Emperor Wears No Cloths,” he describes a future where hemp and cannabis become an important resource and we will help the plant achieve those goals.

“Dedicated to all the prisoners of conscience in this war against a plant; and to the enduring spirit of people everywhere who seek the truth so that we can continue to live on the surface of the Earth with all its myriad and abundant natural plants and substances.”

Jack herer, 2007

Get familiar with the canna-terms below to elevate your ganja jargon. Then, visit DANK Dispensary in Park Hill to flex your new vocabulary with Denver’s best bud-tenders. They are supremely knowledgeable in everything cannabis. Who knows, maybe you can one day join the team at Denver’s best dispensary by becoming a bud-tender yourself.

Endocannabinoid System: The endocannabinoid system is a system of receptors throughout the brain and body that respond to compounds in cannabis like THC, resulting in a range of different subjective and therapeutic effects. Our bodies naturally produce molecules called endocannabinoids which bind to these receptors, though cannabis also interacts with them. Researchers believe the endocannabinoid system’s primary function is to maintain balanced functioning in our bodies and to regulate signaling in the brain.

  • Potency: Potency is a laboratory measured profile of a each stain’s cannabinoids, resulting in a percentage of each cannabinoid in the plant. In general, a strain with more THC is considered more potent. It is believed that cannabinoid potency combines with the terpene profile to release the true impact of each strain through the entourage effect.
  • Entourage Effect: The phenomenon that all compounds in the cannabis plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and more, work together synergistically to provide greater effects and health benefits than by themselves when consumed—the sum is greater than the whole of the parts. Because of this, many cannabis consumers subscribe to whole plant medicine, or “full-spectrum,” as opposed to consuming isolated cannabinoids or other compounds. If this is your preference, look to RSO Tears of Phoenix by Healthy Creations Edibles for raw oil. Live Resin is a great concentrate selection for full-spectrum extracts. For edibles, choices are limited because many are made with distillate, but here are few to experience: Dialed In Rosin Gummes, Mountain High Suckers and Josh Blues’ Dream Suckers.
  • Cannabinoids: The active chemical components of cannabis are defined as cannabinoids. There are an estimated 113 cannabinoids inside the cannabis plant, each interacting with the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoids are not unique in cannabis as they can be found in many plants like Rhododendron, Licorice and Echinacea. The many medical uses of cannabinoids are still being discovered, but include the treatment of nausea due to chemotherapy, spasticity, and possibly neuropathic pain. In Colorado, the state requires testing and display of these five cannabinoids:
    • THC: Tetrahydrocannabinol is a main cannabinoid found in cannabis, and the most desirable to DANK shoppers. It is intoxicating and induces a high, especially as plant potency reaches 20% THC and above.
    • THCA: Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid is a non-intoxicating compound that converts into THC slowly over time or more immediately in the presence of heat, such as when you use a lighter to smoke. THCA is commonly consumed by juicing raw cannabis leaves, though it can also be prepared into oils and other products.
    • CBD: Cannabidiol is non-intoxicating compound found in the cannabis plant and more commonly, in hemp. Although CBD does not deliver any kind of euphoric high, many who use CBD report feeling relaxed and less anxious. Studies from our friends at Maven Hemp find an increase in overall well being while reducing inflammation and pain. Look for CBD in many products available at DANK, including THC and CBD combinations by Coda Signature.
    • CBDA: Cannabidiolic Acid is the raw form or precursor of CBD. When CBDA is exposed to heat or UV light, decarboxylation takes place and the compound is converted into CBD. Although CBD is well-known for its therapeutic properties, CBDA boasts health benefits of its own. Learn more.
    • CBG: Cannabigeral may affect certain chemicals in the body to lower cholesterol, protect the brain and nerves, and reduce swelling. Look for CBG in cutting edge products like Wyld’s Pear Gummies, a 1:1 mix of THC and CBG.
    • CBN: Cannabinol is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that is created when THC ages. It is usually present in older cannabis and known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotectant effects. You’ll find CBN in DANK products like Wyld Elderberry Gummies and Ripple Berry Sleep Gummies.
    • Delta 8 THC: Delta-8 THC is a cannabinoid found in trace amounts in the cannabis plant. It is similar to the THC that causes a high—called delta-9 THC—but has much less potency. Delta-8 can be produced from hemp, which is legal to grow in the US since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, making the cannabinoid popular in states that don’t have legal cannabis laws. However, because delta-8 can still cause a high, it is in a legal gray area, and producers only sell it in certain states and consumers should be cautious as the product is unregulated.

Cannabis Tolerance: How tolerant you are of cannabis depends on your intake. A person’s tolerance varies depending on many factors including frequency of consumption, body mass index, sex, the product and more.

Concentrate: Concentrates, also known as cannabis extracts, are defined as products that have been processed to remove excess plant material and other impurities, leaving only a resinous and condensed form of cannabis. DANK Dispensary carries a wide variety of concentrates, each with a unique terpene and potency profile, including wax, shatter, live resin, rosin and diamonds.

  • Distillate: A viscous, golden liquid created by refining cannabis resin. Distillation allows the processor to isolate a desired compound from the cannabis plant and leave behind undesirable plant material. Distillates are commonly used in vape cartridges like those from Eureka Vapor CO2. Distillate can also be used in edibles, topicals, and other products. Distillates tend to be very potent concentrate because they isolate a specific compound and therefore, are not benefiting from the entourage effect.
  • Live Resin: Live resin is defined as a cannabis concentrate made from fresh-frozen cannabis plants, in which plants are frozen immediately after harvesting. Many extraction processes typically use buds that have been dried and cured. This process ensures a greater retention of terpenes in the finished product. Proof in the process are those from Newt Brothers who offer live resin and live resin cartridges as a top vendor at DANK.
  • Moonrocks: A nug of cannabis flower that has been covered in liquid cannabis concentrate and dusted with kief. Moonrocks get their name because they are so potent the high will send you to the moon. Best in the business, you’ll find Kaviar at DANK just for those special occasions when you want an extra lift.
  • Nug Run: A batch of cannabis concentrate made exclusively with nugs or buds and not shake or trim, as is common. Nug runs can use dried buds or fresh frozen cannabis, as in the case of live resins. Because they use buds, extracts made from nug runs are typically higher in quality.
  • Rosin: Live rosin is a solventless cannabis concentrate made from fresh-frozen cannabis plants. Frozen plants are placed in a rosin press, which uses heat and pressure to extract a hot oil from the plants. The “live” in live rosin means frozen plants were used as the source material; when dried cannabis plant material is used, it is just straight rosin. We carry concentrated rosin from, or sit back and enjoy rosin gummies by Dialed In, a step ahead of the competition.
  • Solvent: A solvent is a substance, usually a liquid, that can dissolve other substances. In the cannabis industry, “solvent” concentrates refer to products made using chemicals such as butane, propane, ethanol, CO2 etc., which are added to a closed-loop system to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plant material.
  • Solventless: Creation of a cannabis concentrate without use of harsh chemicals. Rosin is a great solventless product as is Hashish from the Greenery. Water is technically a solvent as well, but is referred to as “solventless” when used to create old-school ice-water bubble-hash.
  • Shatter: Shatter is defined as a cannabis extract that is solid and translucent in appearance, as if you could shatter it like glass. It achieves its glass-like appearance through specific processing techniques involving solvents like butane or other hydrocarbons. Concentrating essential compounds like THC and CBD, shatter offers the benefits of cannabis in a highly concentrated, compact form that is popularly dabbed or vaporized.
  • Wax: Cannabis wax is an extract named for its soft, malleable texture that resembles wax. Because wax can take on so many nuanced forms, it may also be called “butter,” “badder,” “honeycomb,” or other descriptive names that speak to the extract’s texture and appearance. Wax can be made using a variety of different production techniques such as butane or hydrocarbon extraction. Wax is most popularly consumed via dabbing or personal dab-pen, but it can also be added to bowls, joints, or blunts for added potency.

Consumption Methods: There are many different ways to consume cannabis. At the bud-bar, common consumption methods may be: dab rig, vape pen, joint, bowl, bong, edible, or drink. According to the State of Colorado, products must clearly identify the intended consumption method on each package as: inhaled, ingested, oral, or topical…so you know what your getting into.

  • Dab Rig: A dab rig is a water pipe used to inhale cannabis extracts, or dabs. It filters cannabis vapor through water, much like a bong. A dab rig can be used to consume a variety of extracts, including oil, rosin, butter, sauce, diamonds, and other solvent and non-solvent forms of hash.
    • Nail: An apparatus that holds cannabis concentrate in a dab rig. A nail is an attachment that connects to the stem, much like a bowl in a bong, and they are commonly made of quartz, glass, ceramic, or titanium. Nails are heated to a high temperature with a torch, flash vaporizing concentrates when they are placed in. E-nails also exist, which heat up to a controlled temperature using electricity, not a torch.
  • Dugout: A small carrying case that holds a one-hitter pipe and has a chamber with weed that is usually ground up. A dugout is a convenient, all-in-one kit that allows a smoker to pull out the one-hitter, easily pack it with bud from the chamber, and smoke while on-the-go.
  • Tincture: Cannabis tinctures are alcohol-extracted cannabis products in liquid form intended to be ingested sub-lingually (under the tonge). Tinctures allow for maximum cannabinoid potencies without the calories associated with some edibles and drinks. Look for custom potency ranges for tinctures by Iovia Wellness.

Terms for Weed

  • Dank: “Dank” is a popular term to describe high-quality, fragrant cannabis and is also the name of your favorite dispensary. “Dank” refers to the pungent odor of cannabis and implies that it is potent, moist, and grown well. “Dank” is most commonly used as an adjective—”dank weed”—but can also be used as a noun in place of cannabis—simply, “dank.” Dank is often higher in quality than mids, reggie, or brick weed.
  • Dogwalker: A small joint, meant for a short smoke session. Dogwalkers are meant to be smoked while walking your dog, which shouldn’t take very much time, hence their short length. Unlike pinners, which are thin and long, dogwalkers are a normal width but short in length.

Extracts: (see Concentrate)

Species

  • Indica: Indica is one of two types of cannabis species, along with sativa and ruteralis. Cannabis indica effects are advertised as “sedating” or “relaxing,” but as a strain’s overall chemical profile determines effects, consumer experiences vary widely. Researchers have yet to fully understand how the amount and ratio of cannabinoids and terpenes interact to produce a specific effect in a consumer. Popular indica strains at DANK include Northern Lights, Bio Chem, Wedding Cake and Death Star.
  • Sativa: Sativa is one of two legacy taxonomic terms for cannabis, along with indica. Popular sativa at DANK include Sour Diesel, Bruce Banner, Chemmy Jones and Durban Poison. Sativa effects are advertised as “energetic” or “uplifting,” but as a strain’s overall chemical profile determines effects, consumer experiences vary widely. Researchers have yet to fully understand how the amount and ratio of cannabinoids and terpenes interact to produce a specific effect in a consumer.

Terpenes: Terpenes are the aromatic oils that give a cannabis strain its unique flavor and scent. Terpenes can influence the effects we feel from cannabis by interacting with cannabinoids in the entourage effect. The five most common terpenes in cannabis are myrcene, pinene, caryophyllene, limonene, terpinolene. While Colorado does not require terpenes to be represented on packaging, we feel terpenes are important information to provide within our flower descriptions whenever possible.