Cannabis Glossary

This glossary defines cannabis and hemp terms in plain language, focused on the words beginners meet first. For the full site-wide glossary, see the main glossary page.

Plant and product terms

• Cannabis: the plant family that includes both hemp and marijuana.
• Hemp: cannabis grown to stay within the legal THC limit.
• Marijuana: cannabis grown above the legal THC limit.
• Strain: a cultivated variety of cannabis with recognizable traits.
• Cultivar: the precise term for a cultivated variety.

Compound terms

• Cannabinoid: a class of compounds in cannabis that interact with the body endocannabinoid system.
• CBD: cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid common in hemp.
• THC: tetrahydrocannabinol, the intoxicating cannabinoid, limited by law in hemp products.
• Terpene: an aromatic compound that gives hemp its smell and character.
• Trichome: a tiny resin gland on flowers where cannabinoids and terpenes concentrate.

Growing terms

• Vegetative stage: the growth stage where the plant builds leaves and structure.
• Flowering stage: the stage where the plant produces buds.
• Cure: the slow, sealed-container aging step after drying.
• COA: certificate of analysis, a lab report showing what is in a product.

Related: Glossary, Cannabis Basics, Cannabinoids