What does that mean?

Glossary of Cannabis Terms

Budtender

The attendant working the counter at a dispensary. This individual will be able to provide detailed, informed answers to all your cannabis questions and make product recommendations based on individual needs.

Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are the active compounds in cannabis. There are over 85 known cannabinoids, each with its own effects. The two most prevalent cannabinoid compounds are THC and CBD.

Caregiver

A legally registered person, at least 21 years of age, who assists with a registered patient's medical use of cannabis. The requirements to become a registered caregiver in Rhode Island can be found here.

Medical cannabis tincture and leaf

CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a prominent cannabinoid compound. Unlike THC, CBD has no psychedelic effects, making it a great option for patients looking for a mellow way to treat pain, anxiety/depression, insomnia, and nausea. Due to the Entourage Effect, CBD activated with low concentrations of THC tends to be more effective, so speak to your preferred budtender to find the right CBD:THC ratio for you.

Concentrates

A strong distillation of cannabinoids with high levels of THC often made by dissolving cannabis flower in a solvent.

Compliance

The state regulations medical cannabis operations must adhere to. Since there are no federal rules for the legal sale of cannabis, the specific legislation varies state by state.

Cross

When two different strains of cannabis are bred, the resulting plant is called a cross or crossbreed. For example, our Purple Chem Dog flower is a cross between the Chem Dog strain and the Granddaddy Purple strain.

Decriminalized

If you are found with a small amount of personal use cannabis in a state where marijuana consumption is decriminalized, you will not be arrested or face criminal charges. Instead, marijuana offenses in decriminalized states are treated like minor traffic infractions.

Dispensary

A brick-and-mortar store administering medical or adult-use recreational cannabis products in states where cannabis consumption is legal. Also known as a medical marijuana treatment center (MMTC) or Compassion Center.

Medical marijuana edibles and cannabis leaf

Edibles

Cannabis-infused tinctures, beverages, or foods containing varying doses of THC and/or CBD. Edible cannabis products tend to last longer than alternative means of consumption and can be very potent if not administered carefully. When consuming edibles it’s always best to start small.

Grinder

A mechanical tool used to grind the cannabis flower into small pieces that are easier to roll into a joint or add to a smoking device.

Hash

The oldest and most traditional concentrate of cannabis, hash (or hashish) is a potent, powdery cake made from compressed resin (aka kief) harvested from cannabis flowers and leaves.

Hemp

Non-psychoactive cannabis with less than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight is classified as hemp. Hemp’s fibrous composition allows it to be used in a wide variety of products including cloth, soap, and alternative plastics. Agricultural hemp is legal — but heavily regulated — in the U.S. 

Hybrid

When two strains of cannabis are crossbred, the resulting flower is called a hybrid strain. Hybrids are bred by cultivators to achieve a desired combination of effects, but they can also happen unintentionally — especially in natural outdoor environments. Cann Cure Cultivation offers several cutting-edge hybrid strains including Florida Cake (Triangle Kush x Wedding Cake) and Sour Apple (Sour Diesel x Pure Kush).

Hydroponics

When a gardening system grows in water instead of soil, it is referred to as a hydroponic system. Instead of drawing nutrients from the soil, vitamin and mineral solutions are added to the water. This method allows for precise nutrient titration, which in turn produces premium cannabis plants.

Cannabis Indica strain

Indica

Cannabis Indica is a predominant species of cannabis known for producing a “body high” that alleviates pain and induces a state of calm. Originating in the Middle East and Asia, Indica plants have a bushier appearance and produce a denser flower structure than the Sativa species. Cann Cure Cultivation specializes in a wide variety of Indica strains and Indica-dominant hybrids, such as Black Dog and Thank You Jerry.

Kief

Kief is the common name for the sticky crystals (aka trichomes) found on the cannabis flower. The primary ingredient in hash, kief is an extremely potent substance due to the high concentration of cannabinoids found in the trichome crystals.

Kush

An Indica strain from the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and Pakistan, kush is one of the oldest and most famous varieties of cannabis.

Medical Card

A legal, physician-approved card authorizing a patient to use medical cannabis to treat some acute or chronic ailment. Learn more about using medical cannabis to treat common ailments here.

Nano-Infusion

Nano-infusion, also known as emulsification, is a method to make THC molecules really small, and remain small while suspended in an aqueous (water) medium. The process of nano-infusion has multiple benefits including the ability to deliver a higher portion of consumed active ingredients directly into the bloodstream, avoiding digestive degradation. This means that the consumer can start feeling therapeutic effects much faster than a standard oil formulation, as well as maximize the effects of the active THC they are paying for. All in all, more of the active component (THC) is transferred to the bloodstream, yielding a faster and more effective onset.

O.G.

There is a lot of lore surrounding the term “OG” in cannabis culture, but the most commonly accepted theory is that it originated as a way to distinguish California’s “Ocean Grown” Kush, a powerful Indica strain. Cann Cure Cultivation’s Big Smooth is a cross between OG Kush descendant, OG Blueberry, and the Cookies and Cream hybrid strain.

Phenotype

The general attributes of a plant (e.g. color, leaf pattern, height) that are used to classify and distinguish it from other plants.

Potentcy

The strength or intensity of a cannabis strain is referred to as its potency.

Pre-roll

The dispensary term for a cannabis cigarette, or joint.

Resin/rosin

A concentrated, potent cannabis byproduct made by heating and compressing cannabis flowers, kief, or hash.

Cannabis Sativa strain

Sativa

Cannabis Sativa is a species of cannabis known for producing an active, cerebral state. The tall, light-colored Sativa strains derive from warmer climates in Africa, Thailand, South America, and the Caribbean. Cann Cure Cultivation produces a range of top-shelf Sativa-dominant strains, including Mandarin Cookies and Incredible Hulk.

Solventless

Solventless extracts are cannabis concentrates made without the use of chemical solvents, such as butane and ethanol alcohol. Utilizing ice water allows a solventless extraction process, as pure water is completely non-toxic and will fully evaporate away from the final product. Solventless extracts are pure and potent, and free of any potentially unhealthy chemical contaminants.

Solventless extracts deliver the unimpeded preservation of the living plant’s most desirable qualities. The full spectrum experience of the plant trichomes shines through, and includes all components of the resin glands. This is superior to the extracts that often don't contain the whole array of therapeutic molecules found within the plant glands.

Spliff

In the U.S., a spliff is a colloquial term for the combination of cannabis and tobacco rolled in a smoking paper. But beware, the opposite is the case in Europe: a joint refers to a combination of cannabis and tobacco, while a spliff refers to pure cannabis.

Strain

A specific type of plant species is referred to as a strain. In cannabis culture, strains are intentionally bred to produce effects and traits in the plant. Cannabis strains are commonly named after their parent strains, appearance, origin, smell, or general effect. 

THC

Tetrahydrocannabinol (aka THC) and is one of the most prevalent cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. THC produces the psychoactive “high” cannabis can induce. The higher percentage of THC in a cannabis strain, the faster the high will take effect — though strains with a lower percentage of THC tend to last longer.

Tincture

A liquid concentrate administered in a carrier oil (such as coconut), often flavored, and typically consumed sublingually or added to a food or beverage.

Topical

Any number of creams, oils, or balms containing non-psychoactive amounts of cannabinoids that are applied topically to the body to relax the muscles, alleviate pain, or reduce inflammation.

Medical cannabis trichomes

Terpenes

Terpenes are oils secreted from the cannabis plant’s trichomes that give the cannabis its distinct aroma and flavor (e.g. skunk or blueberry).

Trichomes

The small crystals found on the hairs of the cannabis plant. Trichomes are the powerhouse of the cannabis plant and produce both cannabinoids and terpenes.

Vaporizer

Any device that heats cannabis flower or concentrates at a temperature low enough to inhibit the release of the harmful byproducts of traditional smoking. Reusable vaporizers either accommodate ground flower or pre-filled cartridges of cannabis concentrate, while disposable vaporizers are discarded after the pre-filled amount of cannabis runs out.

What’s the difference between medical and recreational cannabis? How does cannabis make you feel? Can you fly with medical marijuana?

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