GLOSSARY

HIPPOS GLOSSARY OF CANNABIS TERMS

A

Adult-use – This is a common term to describe the consumption of state-sanctioned legal cannabis purchase from a licensed dispensary without needing to show proof of medical prescription, or what is commonly referred to as a medical marijuana card.

(Missouri is not an adult-use state. It is a Medical state, which means, medical marijuana cards are required to legally purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensary in the state of Missouri.)

Adult-use states commonly impose age limits similar to alcohol, and adult-use is generally sanctioned for adults 21 years and older. Proof of age is required for purchase in licensed dispensaries in states that permit Adult use of cannabis. Adult-use is also commonly referred to as “rec” or “recreational” use.

B

Beta-Caryophyllene This is a terpene that can be found in cannabis products and is anecdotally associated with Pain Relief, Appetite Gain and Anti-Inflammatory benefits. Beta-Caryophyllene has a Spicy, Peppery, and Woody aroma.

Blunt – You may hear people talking about smoking a blunt and wonder, how is a blunt different than a joint? Simply put, a blunt looks more like a cigar. It is in fact commonly created by emptying or shelling out the tobacco of a cigar then rerolling the cigar with cannabis. Longer fat blunts are easier to share than skinny joints and last longer. The wrap of a cigar contains nicotine in almost all cases, so if you are anti-tobacco be advised that blunts typically contain nicotine.

Bong – Whether it’s glass, ceramic, or plastic, a bong is an apparatus that can be used to smoke cannabis flowers. It can also be used to smoke herbal extracts or tobacco. (You can find bongs for sale inside our Hippos retail locations.) So how does it work? Like a hookah, bongs filter smoke through water. This cools the smoke before it is inhaled. A bowl and a stem are the basics of a bong, but bongs come in all shapes, styles, sizes, and complexities. Why so fancy? The fancier bongs are intended to purify and cleanse smoke more than the basic bong.

Bud – In the cannabis world, when someone asks if you have a bud, they aren’t asking about your friends. Bud is used interchangeably to refer to the flower of the mature marijuana plant. Buds are cannabis plant nuggets that include the cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, CBG, etc. Cannabis users grind the bud up and smoke it and consume it.

Budtender – Forget what we just said about buds not referring to your friends. A budtender is definitely your friend. Budtender (like a bartender in a restaurant) is the commonly used term to refer to cannabis experts that work in dispensaries and help customers through the purchase process. They are a great resource of information if you have questions on which strain or product to try.

C

Cannabinoids – Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds like CBD or THC, found within the marijuana plant. Cannabinoids are known to have health benefits. They have been found to affect the brain’s cannabinoid receptors inside of brain cells by repressing the release of neurotransmitters. For instance, THC tends to produce mood-altering “high” or psychoactive effects on your brain. Talk to your doctor about the health benefits of cannabinoids and how they may affect your body.

Cannabis – We often hear and use the words cannabis and marijuana interchangeably with the general understanding that we are referring to the part of the cannabis plant that has a psychoactive or “high” effect. However, the National Institute for Health differentiates between the meaning of the word “cannabis” from the word “marijuana.” They define cannabis as generally referring to any product derived from the cannabis Sativa plant (which has about 540 chemical substances THC and CBD being only two of these chemicals). “Marijuana” is more specifically defined as referring to products from cannabis Sativa which primarily contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In the U.S., federal regulations define ​cannabis containing no more than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as hemp which is a commonly used ingredient in household products like paper.

Concentrates – Purified concentrates are a more potent form of cannabis made from bud or marijuana flowers. Any form of hash, kief, or hash oil–including shatter, budder, or wax–are considered concentrates.

D

Dab – When someone asks you if you have dabbed before, they are asking if you have consumed a concentrated form of cannabis, like a hash or wax, by inhaling it through a heated vapor source. A dab, itself, refers to a small amount of concentrate.

Dank – This insider’s term is used to describe cannabis. If you have dank marijuana, then it’s likely potent and superior in quality.

Dispensary – Like a pharmacy fills prescriptions for medications, a licensed marijuana dispensary sells marijuana that has been tested and is in compliance with state regulations. Dispensaries are legal stores where you can purchase cannabis from a trusted outlet.

Decarboxylation – It’s a big word but easy to understand. Just like you may pre-cook your onions or mushrooms separately before adding them to an omelet to enjoy a caramelized flavor of onion without overcooking your eggs, you can pre-cook your cannabis flower.  This is called Decarboxylation.

Technically decarboxylation, commonly referred to as decarbed cannabis, is a heat-induced chemical reaction caused by heating ground cannabis to make edibles feel more potent. The heat turns THCA into THC with psychoactive effects. Decarboxylation is an essential step when utilizing cannabis in food recipes. Even if your cannabis is going into the oven in a mixture to bake, decarbing it first is necessary.

How to decarb cannabis? Decarbing is baking cannabis at ~250°F or 120°C for approximately 30 minutes before using it in your recipe.

E

Edible –  Edibles have come a long way since the days of homemade pot brownies with inconsistent effects. Today, licensed and tested edible products make eating foods with marijuana a much more predictable experience. Edibles are consumable products that contain cannabis in various forms of digestible foods. Edibles are tested for consistent dosing, are labeled with mg per serving, and allow patients to ingest marijuana without smoking it. The most popular edibles are gummies, chocolates, mints, and cookies.

Eucalyptol – This is a terpene that can be found in cannabis products and is anecdotally associated with Stimulant, Increased Blood Flow, and Pain Relief benefits. Eucalyptol aroma is Minty, Sage, and Menthol.

F

Flower – In cannabis, flower refers to the part of the marijuana plant that up close and magnified appears to have hair like tentacles. The flower is the bud of the plant, often sticky, that is harvested and smoked or consumed in an edible. Dried flower refers to medical marijuana buds, which can be broken up either by hand, with scissors, or with a grinder and inhaled. For beginners, consider starting with a balanced THC-to-CBD ratio, such as 1:1. You’ll likely want a strain low in THC that contains an equal or higher level of CBD to balance it out.WHY SMOKE FLOWER? When smoking medical marijuana, you burn the ground bud with a lighter and inhale; this method of administra- tion delivers medical effects much quicker than consuming edibles.Breathing deeply helps maximize the effects of inhala- tion-based methods, such as smoking a joint, using a pipe, or smoking a bong. It is a myth that you need to hold the smoke for extended time in your lungs to get the desired effects – simply breathe it out normally.

G

Geraniol – This is a terpene that can be found in cannabis products and is anecdotally associated with Antifungal and Neuroprotectant benefits. Geraniol aroma is Floral and Sweet.

Grinder – You’ve purchased the flower and the rolling papers, now what? Before you roll up your joint, you will want to grind the flower so you can evenly spread it inside the rolling paper. The best tool to grind cannabis flower and avoid sticky fingers is a grinder. Grinders are commonly sold in dispensaries. (Check your local Hippos dispensary.) They are generally circular in shape. The top area uses teeth to sift and cut the marijuana flower and sends the broken down flower to the lower section of the grinder.

H

Hemp – Hemp is a form of cannabis plant that contains a miniscule amount of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuna. In the U.S., federal regulations define ​hemp as containing no more than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Hemp cannot contain more than this percentage of THC to be legally considered hemp. Hemp is commonly used in a variety of materials and household products including hemp paper, clothing, foods, and other products.

Humulene – This is a terpene that can be found in cannabis products and is anecdotally associated with Anti-Tumor, Appetite Suppressant and Antibacterial effects. Humulene aroma is Hops, Woody, and Earthy.

L

Limonene – This is a terpene that can be found in cannabis products and is anecdotally associated with Mood Boosting, Anti-Anxiety, and Antidepressant benefits. Limonene aroma is citrus and sour.

Linalool – This is a terpene that can be found in cannabis products and is anecdotally associated with Sedative, Anti-Anxiety, and Stress Relief benefits. Linalool aroma is Floral and Lavender.

M

Medical cannabis – This is a commonly adopted legal term by states that have legalized the use and purchase of cannabis for medical use. Some states restrict and regulate monthly quantities that can be purchased for medicinal use and what medical conditions qualify for medical marijuana license approval.
Many Adult use states still recognize Medical use and as such allow for certain tax exemptions for purchases made by Medical marijuana card holders.
In some states, medical marijuana card patients enjoy the ability to purchase higher limits of cannabis than Adult use consumers.
Check the laws in your state as these regulations vary by region and state. There is currently no federal guideline or uniform standard. Medical marijuana requires an authorization from a doctor, (there are many online outlets that can process applications and do not require an in person exam). There is also usually a small fee to acquire the Medical marijuana card and an annual renewal process to keep the card current.
The age at which an individual can become a Medical marijuana card holder varies by state.
Please check your local laws to stay in compliance with your state’s adult-use and medical cannabis laws and regulations.

Myrcene – This is a terpene that can be found in cannabis products and is anecdotally associated with Sedative, Appetite Gain, Muscle Relaxant, and Anti-Inflammatory benefits. Myrcene aroma is Skunky, Earthy, and Herbal.

P

Pinene – This is a terpene that can be found in cannabis products and is anecdotally associated with Focus/Stimulation, Memory Aid, Bronchodilator benefits. Pinene Aroma is Piney.

T

Terpenes – The technical definition of terpenes is one of a variety of isomeric hydrocarbons C10H16 that are found to be present in essential oils or resins. A more practical descriptive explanation of terpenes is the calming effect of smelling lavender or the fresh cool feeling created by tasting mint.  There are many terpenes that can be found in a variety of cannabis products.

Terpineol – This is a terpene that can be found in cannabis products and is anecdotally associated with Antibiotic, Antioxidant, and Sedative benefits. Terpineol Aroma is Lilac, Lime, and Pine.

Toke – Toke is a term that you may hear someone use when they take a puff on a marijuana joint, preroll, cigarette or pipe.

V

Valencene – This is a terpene that can be found in cannabis products and is anecdotally associated with anti-inflammatory benefits. Valencene aroma is Orange and Fruity.

* Medical marijuana products carry the risk of poisoning their consumers. If concerned about potential poisoning, call the Missouri Poison Center 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222.
* This glossary guide is for informational and educational purposes only. This glossary guide does not create a patient-physician relationship and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.
* Medical marijuana cannot be consumed on federal property.
* Missouri medical marijuana is for consumption in Missouri only and should not be taken across state lines.