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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, first time at a dispensary, what to expect, and how to read a cannabis product label.

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*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.*