The Charter of the French language and its regulations govern the consultation of English-language content.
The Charter of the French language and its regulations govern the consultation of English-language content.
Marijuana, weed, ganja, grass, cheeba, pot... Cannabis terminology is colourful and continues to develop alongside the cannabis industry. In North America, cannabis culture has been shaped by English-language terms, which have quickly entered everyday use, even in French. Think, for example, of all the variety names like Mango Haze and Girl Scout Cookies, product types like shatter and rosin and common expressions like buzzé (buzzed) and trip de bouffe (literally “grub trip,” i.e. food that satisfies the munchies).
The terms and definitions offered in this glossary provide an opportunity to learn more about this fascinating industry. With simple, clear definitions covering everything from harvest to trimming, from dried flowers to vaporizers and from cannabinoids to genotypes: learn more about cannabis terminology.
The bract is a tiny, trichome-covered leaf located at the base of the plant’s calyx.
Chemical compounds that act on a person’s endocannabinoid system. There are three cannabinoid categories: endogenous, herbal and synthetic.
Cannabinoids in acid or “neutral” form that occur naturally in the cannabis plant. In their natural state, cannabinoid acids have no psychoactive properties. To become psychoactive, they have to be activated through the decarboxylation process.
Cannabis resin is a resinous exudate produced by trichomes on different parts of the cannabis plant
The main non-psychotropic cannabinoid. A decarboxylated form of cannabidiolic acid (CBDA).
Usually occurring in smaller quantities than THC, CBD has few or no euphoric effects. In high doses, it may have some medical benefits, such as relieving stress, improving sleep and encouraging muscular relaxation, though none of these claims has been scientifically proved. CBD is the focus of ongoing research aimed at better determining its properties.
Chemotypes are cannabis categories grouped by their cannabinoid content. Although several different chemotypes have been identified, the SQDC recognizes three of them:
Type 1: THC dominant
Type 2: Balanced THC-CBD
Type 3: CBD dominant
Chlorophyll is the vegetal pigment that gives plants their green colour.
Chlorophyll is photosynthetic, which means it produces oxygen using water and sunlight. It gives cannabis a harsh taste considered unpleasant. Cannabis plants that contain a lot of chlorophyll tend to be bitter in taste and bright green in colour.
Endogenous cannabinoids are naturally secreted by the human body’s endocannabinoid system. The system also has receptors that can capture the cannabinoids present in cannabis.
Enzymes are proteins that accelerate an organism’s chemical reactions. For example, in digestion, they help break down food into tiny pieces so it can be digested properly.
Plants use enzymes to speed the uptake of nutrients, enabling them to grow faster.
Fan leaves are the large leaves that develop on stems during the growth phase. Basically, they act like solar panels, absorbing light and converting it to the energy required for plant growth.
The female cannabis plant differs mainly in the appearance of its flowers and the presence of pistils on them. Female cannabis plants are preferred for recreational and medical uses because they and only they have cannabinoids in sufficient concentrations to produce a psychotropic effect.
(seeds) Feminized seeds produce only female plants. These are also called female seeds.
Flavonoids are a diverse group of phytonutrients found in many fruits and vegetables as well as in cannabis. They are largely responsible for the plant’s bright colours (dark purple, bright red) and intense flavours.
The flavonoids found mainly or only in cannabis are called cannflavins. In all, there are reportedly about 6,000 flavonoids, of which 20 or so are cannflavins.
The cannabis flower, often referred to as a “bud.” Its appearance may differ depending on which species/category it belongs to. Though the colour can vary, the most common are pale to dark green, orange, red and purple. Because buds have the strongest concentration of cannabinoids, they are usually the part of the plant that is consumed to feel the purported effects.
The genetic code of the cannabis plant. It is in the genotype that laboratories can read the variations that the plant may develop.
Natural chemical compounds produced by the cannabis plant and found mainly in the trichomes, which tend to be concentrated on the cannabis flower. The concentration of cannabinoids varies from product to product and sometimes between different samples of the same product, depending on several factors including the growing conditions. Some cannabinoids are psychotropic while others are not psychoactive.
This plant is a member of the Cannabaceae family.
It contains no or few psychotropic agents and is used mainly in making textiles, plastic, creams and soaps. Hemp plants are usually taller than cannabis plants, sometimes reaching a height of five or six metres.
The iconic cannabis symbol, the leaf is easily recognizable due to its fan-shaped fingers, pronounced veins and serrated edges. The colour can range from light green to dark olive green and the shape can vary depending on the category (Indica, Sativa, hybrid or Ruderalis).
The two main cannabinoids, also the best known, are THC and CBD. They’re considered the main cannabinoids because in cannabis plants they’re found in much greater concentrations than their “minor cannabinoid” siblings.
The buds of the male plant do not produce consumable flowers. The role of male plants is limited mainly to reproduction, as their pollen the female plant.
The cannabis plant produces other cannabinoids in smaller quantities. Called minor cannabinoids, they include CBC, CBG, CBN, THCV, CBDV and CBGV.
The phenotype is the physical expression of the properties of the genotype (size, colour, cannabinoid content, etc.) in combination with various external (environment) and internal (genetic) factors.
In the classification currently used in the cannabis industry, phenotypes are grouped by cannabis cultivar (or strain), such as Haze, Kush, Blue Dream, Lemon Diesel and Amnesia, to name only those. Though in wide use, this strain-based classification is not currently standardized.
Pistils, sometimes called stigmas, look like small white, orange, red or brown hairs. They are found only on female plants. Their purpose is to trap the pollen released by male cannabis plants.
Starch is a carbohydrate that occurs naturally in most plants, which use it to store energy and nutrients. Starch is produced via photosynthesis.
The term strain refers to plants of the same species that grow differently in an identical environment. In contrast to cultivars, strains developed their differences naturally, without any involvement by humans.
Synthetic cannabis is called synthetic because its cannabinols are synthesized in a laboratory. It is a psychotropic substance whose chemical composition is different from that of real cannabis.
Synthetic cannabinoids, sometimes called Spice and K2, are molecules that interact with some cannabinoid receptors to produce effects similar to those of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
In Canada, the Cannabis Act bans the possession and use of synthetic cannabis products.
Sugar leaves are located in very close proximity to the buds. Sugar leaves give the flower tops the structure they need to maintain their integrity. Though sugar leaves are covered with cannabinoid-rich trichomes, their smoke can be harsh, which is usually why they are trimmed from the flower tops. The trimmed leaves can be used for other purposes like transformation into hash products.
Cannabis strains contain terpenes, which are comparable to essential oils. Found on trichomes, terpenes are largely what give plants their distinctive aromas and flavours.
A plant’s unique mix of terpenes. Each strain has a unique terpene profile comprised of differing concentrations of various terpenes.
The terpenes in the cannabis sold at the SQDC are identified using gas chromatography analysis.
The main psychotropic cannabinoid. A decarboxylated form of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis and it produces most of the psychotropic and physical effects sought by users, including the euphoric effect commonly described as being “stoned,” “high” or “buzzed.” The more THC a product contains, the stronger its effects are likely to be felt by the user.
Consuming THC comes with several health risks and can sometimes produce undesirable secondary effects, such as paranoia and anxiety.
The effects of a given product can vary from person to person depending on a number of factors.
Trichomes contain varying amounts of several cannabinoids, the main two being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Appearing as small crystals distributed all over the plant, trichomes are bigger and denser on the flowers than on the leaves.
After drying the buds, some suppliers put them through a curing process. Curing is an effective way to draw moisture from the innermost layers of the bud, which helps preserve product quality. The curing step involves storing the dried flowers in a dark, climate-controlled environment for a few weeks or even months. For cannabis, the process increases the product’s “shelf life” and brings out the flower’s finest aromas. Note, too, that curing is not necessarily suitable for the buds of all cultivars, which is why it’s important to know the curing potential of the chosen strain.
At harvest, the buds are packed with moisture and covered in trichomes. To draw out the humidity while losing as few trichomes as possible, the buds need to be correctly dried. Curing flowers that contain too much moisture significantly increases the risk of contamination and mould and produces more crumbly buds. If the flower is too dry, it will quickly crumble during packaging, transport and handling.
Trimming done after the cannabis plant is harvested and dried. Commonly used in combination with the hang drying method.
The flat drying method involves placing the trimmed flower tops in a single layer on trays, nets and/or racks so they aren’t touching, which helps ensure optimal, quick drying. Also called rack drying.
Step 4 in a cannabis plant’s life cycle. The flowering tops form and a cluster of buds develops along with pistils and trichomes. Duration: six to 14 weeks.
Step 1 in a cannabis plant’s life cycle. Involves growing roots from a cannabis seed or cutting until a shoot appears. Duration: one day to two weeks.
Growing a crop in a greenhouse. Somewhat less dependent on the weather. Lighting and ventilation systems can be installed to improve the growing conditions.
As its name implies, the hang drying method involves hanging the stripped cannabis plants (see Stripping) upside down so they dry slowly at a cool temperature.
Production method that uses water as the growth medium instead of soil. In a hydroponic system, the plants are grown in water-filled tanks.
Indoor cultivation allows near-perfect control over all meteorological aspects: light, temperature, ventilation, humidity, etc.
Growing a crop in fields outdoors, where it is subject to the weather.
Coarse trimming in which only the large fan leaves are removed. Also called defoliating.
Step 2 in a cannabis plant’s life cycle. Once the first roots have formed, the shoot is transplanted in soil or another medium.
Trimming is the act of removing the fan leaves, sugar leaves, stalks, stems, etc. from cannabis plant flower tops. Trim is the leaves and other parts of the plant left over from trimming.
Step 3 in a cannabis plant’s life cycle. The plant’s roots, stems and leaves grow rapidly but without producing flowers. Duration: two to eight weeks.
Trimming done immediately after harvesting and before drying. This technique is commonly used in combination with the flat rack drying method, so called because the individual buds are laid on a rack, taking up less space.
Odour given off by cannabis. Related to the terpenes and flavonoids the cannabis contains.
Acronym of butane hash oil. Shatter and wax are two forms of BHO, the generic term for cannabis concentrates made using butane as a solvent. Depending on the process, the resulting product may be light and airy, sticky or crumbly.
A very concentrated cannabis isolate that looks like more or less translucent crystals and is intended for inhaling. Cannabis diamonds are made by purifying cannabis extract until the cannabinoids form a crystalline solid.
Cannabis oil in capsules for easier ingestion.
A cannabis concentrate is an emulsion obtained using a CO2 extraction procedure. Unlike oils, concentrates are water-soluble and dissolve quickly in water.
The psychotropic effect sought by users occurs only when the cannabinoids present in the plant are activated or “decarbed.” The decarboxylation process involves heating cannabis to activate the cannabinoids present in the plant.
Dominance refers to a product’s chemotype and specifically to which type of cannabinoids dominate. The SQDC recognizes three types of chemotype: THC-dominant, CBD-dominant and balanced (between THC and CBD).
Dried flowers or “buds” can vary in appearance. They come in several colours, green, orange, red and purple being the most usual.
Cannabis edibles are foods or drinks that have been infused with cannabis extracts or concentrates and contain active ingredients like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CDB).
Cannabis is known for the psychotropic and physical effects it can produce when consumed. It can alter the user’s perceptions, mood, behaviour and even physical sensations. Effects may vary from person to person based on several factors, including the strain, category, cannabinoid content, entourage effect, method of use, the user’s physical and mental state and health condition, the surroundings, etc.
Interactions between the major cannabinoids and other molecules, including minor cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. The entourage effect may modulate the effects of cannabis.
More research is required to better understand these interactions. Because a product’s effects can vary from person to person, they are very hard to measure, at least at present.
Also called concentrates, cannabis extracts are solid or liquid products made by transforming the cannabis flower into a concentrated from that can be ingested or inhaled.
Actually, extract is a generic term that encompasses a range of products that can be made by transforming cannabis flowers into concentrated form.
Extracted from cannabis flowers and leaves, hash is a trichome concentrate and has a stronger concentration of cannabinoids than dried cannabis. Hash is sold as a compact cube or sphere of resinous paste. Its colour may vary but is usually on a spectrum from greenish to light brown, dark brown and black.
Heirloom cannabis strains are cultivars whose seeds and genetics have been preserved and passed down for many generations. Unlike landrace strains, heirloom strains have been taken from their home region and grown by humans in a new environment.
A heirloom is a cannabis strain whose genetics have been preserved for generations and sometimes longer despite its being grown in a place geographically distinct from its place of origin.
One of the SQDC’s cannabis categories. Hybrid plants are crosses of Indica and Sativa plants. They have a mix of characteristics from each species. Hybrid strains can be Indica-dominant, Sativa-dominant or a more or less equal mix of the two.
A cannabis species and one of the SQDC’s cannabis categories. Its effects are usually described as calming, relaxing and even soporific.
Indica plants are usually short and bushy. The flower heads are typically compact and dense.
Kief is trichomes that have become detached from the cannabis flower and been collected. It is sold in the form a sticky powder. Its colour can vary but is usually yellow or green.
Landrace strains are the few remaining cannabis strains that have evolved naturally in the geographic regions where they were discovered. Landraces grow wild in many parts of the world, including Jamaica, Afghanistan, India, Africa, Mexico, Pakistan and Central America. All are thought to have originated in the Hindu Kush region located between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The term landrace is applied to strains that have not been created or manipulated by humans. They are wild cannabis strains that grow naturally around the world free from human contact. They retain their genetics and the physical and chemical traits they have evolved in response to their growing environment.
Cannabis wax made from undried cannabis flowers that are frozen immediately after being harvested.
A dried flower (bud) dipped in wax and then dusted with kief.
Cannabis oil is a cannabis extract, meaning a concentrate derived from ground flowers that is mixed with a neutral oil. It is usually packaged in a spray container or dropper bottle and is intended for oral consumption.
An aerosol spray device used for consuming cannabis oil.
Oral strips, also called sublingual strips, are a thin film that dissolves in the mouth in only a few seconds.
Rolled by hand or machine, ground cannabis joints are ready to be smoked as is, with little or no handling by the user. Also called pre-rolls.
Cannabis ready-to-drinks and infusions are beverages that contain activated cannabinoids.
cannabis extracts made from dried flowers and processed with a solvent.
Cannabis extract made from dried flowers, using heat and pressure, without the use of solvents.
A wild cannabis species. The plants are short, stocky and hairier than other species and the leaves are bright green. They usually contain very little THC and a higher concentration of CBD. Cannabis ruderalis is not currently a cannabis category at the SQDC.
A cannabis species and one of the SQDC’s cannabis categories. Its effects are usually described as energizing, uplifting and mentally stimulating.
Sativa plants are usually slimmer than Indica plants. Their flower heads are typically longer and less dense than those of Indica plants.
Looking like gold-coloured glass, shatter is produced by extracting cannabinoid-rich trichomes and terpenes from cannabis buds using butane as a solvent. After extraction, the solvent is evaporated at a low temperature, which also eliminates any excess oil. The resulting translucent sheet is cooled until it solidifies.
The stronger the concentration of THC in cannabis is, the more strongly users will feel the psychoactive and physical effects. This is also true for undesirable secondary effects. At the SQDC, three levels are used to describe product strength: moderate, medium and strong.
The method of use also has an impact on the effects experienced and on their strength.
Terp sauce is a concentrated cannabis extract similar to wax and shatter but in the form of a sticky, gelatinous, usually gold or amber-coloured liquid. Unlike concentrates, terp sauce has a stronger concentration of terpenes and a lower concentration of cannabinoids. Actually, the terpene content in typical terp sauces exceeds 50%.
In contrast to a smooth liquid, terp sauce is more like a bunch of small crystals. The crystals are the cannabinoids, which separate from the terpenes and form clusters.
Cannabis tinctures are liquid cooking ingredients obtained either by macerating cannabis flowers in flavourless neutral spirits that are then boiled several hours or through a CO2 extraction process. The liquid obtained is usually mixed with a neutral oil and is often sold in dropper bottles.
Topical cannabis products are things like lotions and oils that have been infused with cannabis extracts and are intended to be applied to the body’s surface.
Device that vaporizes a liquid solution (distillate, fresh resin, fresh pressed resin) for inhalation without requiring the product to be combusted to activate its cannabinoids. Learn more about vape.
Device that vaporizes a raw material (dried flower, concentrate) for inhalation without requiring the product to be combusted to activate its cannabinoids. Learn more about vaporizer.
Cannabis wax is made using butane as a solvent to extract cannabinoid-rich trichomes and terpenes from cannabis buds. The evaporated concentrate is then beaten to incorporate are into, transforming the crystalline structure into a creamier substance. Depending on its final form, it may be called wax, budder or badder.
The SQDC sells a range of quality cannabis products with a lower risk level, all of which have been authorized by Health Canada.
Relaxing, stimulating and mood-altering: cannabis can have effects that are pleasant or undesirable. Learn what causes the effects and determines how intense they are and how long they last.
Are you or a friend or family member dealing with a problem related to cannabis use? Several assistance resources are available to you. Take advantage of them!