Whether you’re new to medical marijuana or simply new to the experience of obtaining cannabis from a licensed dispensary, you may notice some unfamiliar terms being used by patients and staff at the facility. The following guide covers many of the terms we use frequently at the dispensary from day to day. Learning these terms may help you better understand the key components of the cannabis plant, as well as the types of products we offer and how they are used:
Read Our Marijuana Glossary Below:
Accessories: Items such as pipes, grinders, and jars that are used to administer, process, or store medical cannabis products.
Cannabinoids: Compounds containing within the cannabis plant, which activate receptors in the brain to produce medicinal effects.
Cannabis: This is the technical term for marijuana. Both words can be used interchangeably and refer to the same plant.
CBD (Cannabidiol): An important medicinal cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, with non-psychoactive effects.
Clone: A cutting from a cannabis plant, which is replanted to produce a new plant with identical genetics.
CO2: The chemical formula for carbon dioxide, which is commonly used to produce cannabis extracts.
Concentrate: This general term refers to a variety of potent cannabis products that are extracted from plant material and consumed through vaporization or smoking.
Curing: A slow, controlled drying process designed to maximize the quality of cannabis flowers.
Edible: A cannabis-infused food item, such as baked goods, chocolates, or lozenges.
Flowers: The blooming buds of the cannabis plant, where the largest concentration of medicinal components are contained.
Gram of the Month: Our featured strain, which is complimentary for PSC Platinum members.
Grinder: A tool used to grind cannabis in preparation for smoking, vaporizing, or cooking without damaging resin glands.
Hash: A form of concentrated cannabis made by extracting and filtering resin glands from the leaves of a harvested plant.
Haze: An influential and historic cannabis genetic used to create many popular strains. Several varieties of Haze are commonly seen on dispensary menus, usually in the sativa category.
Hybrid: A term for cannabis strains that combine sativa and indica to produce a balance between cerebral and physical effects.
Indica: A term for cannabis strains known for their relaxing physical effects.
Kief: A powdery concentrate made by sifting and collecting loose resin glands from harvested plants during processing.
Kush: A popular variety of cannabis named for the Hindu Kush Mountains in Afghanistan. Several varieties of Kush are commonly seen on dispensary menus, usually in the hybrid and indica categories.
One-hitter: A small, cigarette-shaped pipe that’s convenient and easy to use.
Pre-roll: These are simply small cigarette-like cones that contain only medical cannabis.
Sativa: A term for cannabis strains known for their energizing cerebral effects and mood-elevation.
Shake: A term for the small pieces of plant material that separate from cannabis during processing. Shake contains a high cannabinoid content, but is sold at a discount.
Shatter: A high-quality cannabis concentrate named for its hard surface and ability to break when bent.
Skunk: A historic strain of cannabis named for its strong aroma. Many varieties of Skunk are commonly found on dispensary menus.
Spoon: A popular style of glass pipe, used to smoke cannabis. Named for its spoon-like shape.
Strain: A specific variety of cannabis with it’s own name and unique attributes.
Terpenes: Aromatic oils contained in cannabis and other plants which influence the smell, flavor, and effects of individual strains.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): The best-known cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, which is responsible for the majority of its medicinal effects.
Tincture: A liquid solution infused with cannabis which is administered by placing under the tongue or mixing into a beverage.
Topical: A non-psychoactive cannabis preparation such as a lotion or balm that is rubbed into the skin for localized symptom relief.
Trichomes: The sparkling resin glands appearing on the outside of cannabis flowers, where cannabinoid content is most concentrated. These are sometimes also referred to as crystals.
Trim: The leaves that surround cannabis flowers, which are often converted into concentrates such as hash and tincture.
Vape cartridge: A pre-filled product containing cannabis concentrate designed for vaporization.
Vaporizer: An electronic device that heats cannabis for inhalation without producing smoke.
Water-pipe: A popular style of pipe in which bubbles of smoke pass though a chamber of water prior to inhalation.
The above list should serve as a helpful introduction to some of the terms we use commonly at the dispensary. We’ll continue to update this page as new products become available and our staff is always available to answer any questions you have. You can always learn more from SWC Arizona in Tempe, AZ.
