Stepping into the world of cannabis can sometimes feel like learning a new language. With an ever-evolving culture comes a rich vocabulary, full of slang, scientific terms, and cultural references that can be confusing for newcomers. But don't worry, understanding the lingo is part of the fun!
At DEADLY NUGS, we're all about making cannabis culture accessible and enjoyable for everyone. So, whether you're just starting your journey or want to brush up on your terms, here's our A-to-Z guide to essential cannabis terminology.
A:
- 420: The most iconic number in cannabis culture. It refers to April 20th, a day for celebrating cannabis, and 4:20 PM, a common time to partake. Its origins are debated, but its meaning is universal.
- Ash: The burnt residue left after cannabis is smoked.
- Active (Active User): Someone who regularly consumes cannabis.
B:
- Blunt: Cannabis rolled in a tobacco leaf wrapper (often from a cigar that's been emptied out). They burn slower and offer a different experience due to the tobacco.
- Bong: A water pipe used for smoking cannabis. Smoke passes through water, which cools and filters it for a smoother hit. (Check out our blog post on the "History of the Bong"!)
- Bowl: The part of a pipe or bong where the cannabis is packed and lit.
- Bud: The dried, cured flower of the cannabis plant that is smoked. Often used interchangeably with "flower" or "nug."
- Budtender: A knowledgeable staff member at a dispensary who can help customers choose products.
C:
- Cannabinoids: Chemical compounds found in cannabis that interact with the body's endocannabinoid system. The most well-known are THC and CBD.
- Cannabis: The scientific name for the plant, encompassing both marijuana and hemp.
- Cashed: When a bowl or joint is completely burnt and has turned to ash, indicating it's finished.
- CBD (Cannabidiol): A non-intoxicating cannabinoid known for its potential therapeutic effects, often associated with relaxation without the "high."
- Chillum: A small, straight pipe, often without a carb hole, used for quick hits.
- Chronic: A slang term for high-quality cannabis, popularized in hip-hop culture.
- Concentrates: Potent cannabis products made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant, resulting in substances like wax, shatter, and oils.
- Couch-Lock: A feeling of extreme relaxation and sedation, often associated with certain Indica strains, where you don't want to move from the couch.
- Curing: The process of drying and preparing harvested cannabis flower to enhance its flavor, aroma, and potency.
D:
- Dab: A small dose of cannabis concentrate, heated and vaporized using a dab rig.
- Dab Rig: A specialized water pipe used for vaporizing concentrates.
- Dispensary: A retail establishment where cannabis and cannabis products are legally sold.
- Downstem: The glass tube in a bong that carries smoke from the bowl down into the water.
E:
- Edibles: Food or drink products infused with cannabis, leading to effects when ingested. Effects take longer to kick in but can be more intense and last longer.
- Entourage Effect: The theory that various cannabis compounds (cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids) work together synergistically to produce a more profound effect than isolated compounds alone.
F:
- Flower: The smokable part of the cannabis plant, also known as "bud" or "nug."
G:
- Grinder: A device used to break down cannabis flower into smaller, more consistent pieces for smoking or vaping. Many have a "kief catcher."
- Green Out: Feeling unwell or overly anxious after consuming too much cannabis, similar to "getting too high."
H:
- Hash/Hashish: A concentrate made by separating the resin glands (trichomes) from the cannabis plant and pressing them into a solid form.
- Hemp: A variety of the cannabis Sativa plant cultivated for industrial uses (fiber, seeds, CBD), containing very low levels of THC.
- Hit: A single inhalation of smoke or vapor from cannabis.
- Hybrid: A cannabis strain that combines genetics from both Indica and Sativa plants, offering a mix of effects.
I:
- Indica: A cannabis strain type generally associated with relaxing, sedative, and body-heavy effects, often recommended for nighttime use. (Think: "In da couch-a.")
- Joint: Cannabis rolled in rolling paper. Often called a "spliff" if mixed with tobacco.
K:
- Kief: The potent, powdery accumulation of trichomes (resin glands) that falls off cannabis flower, often collected in the bottom chamber of a grinder.
M:
- Marijuana: A common term for cannabis flower, especially that which contains THC and produces intoxicating effects.
- Munchies: The increased appetite and cravings for snacks that often occur after consuming cannabis. (Check out our blog post on the "Best Snacks for a Smoke Session"!)
N:
- Nug: A slang term for a piece of cannabis flower, often referring to a denser, higher-quality piece. (Like our DEADLY NUGS!)
P:
- Percolator (Perc): A feature in a bong that further diffuses smoke through water, creating more bubbles and a smoother hit.
- Pipe: A handheld device for smoking cannabis, typically made of glass, wood, metal, or silicone.
- Pre-roll: A cannabis joint that has been pre-rolled and is ready for consumption, sold at dispensaries.
- Puff, Puff, Pass: The common etiquette in a shared session: take two puffs, then pass the joint/bowl.
R:
- Resin: The sticky, dark residue that builds up inside smoking devices. Also refers to live resin, a type of concentrate.
- Rig: Short for "dab rig."
- Roach: The very end of a joint or blunt that is too small to comfortably hold and smoke.
- Rolling Papers: Thin sheets of paper used to roll joints.
S:
- Sativa: A cannabis strain type generally associated with uplifting, energizing, and cerebral effects, often recommended for daytime use. (Think: "Sativa for the sky.")
- Shatter: A type of cannabis concentrate with a glass-like, brittle consistency.
- Spliff: A joint that contains a mixture of cannabis and tobacco.
- Stash: A personal supply of cannabis or related accessories.
- Strain: A specific variety of the cannabis plant, cultivated for unique characteristics like aroma, flavor, and effects (e.g., Blue Dream, OG Kush).
T:
- THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): The primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, responsible for the "high."
- Terpenes: Aromatic compounds found in cannabis (and many other plants) that give strains their distinct smells and flavors, and also contribute to their effects.
- Topicals: Cannabis-infused balms, lotions, or oils applied to the skin for localized effects, without intoxication.
- Trichomes: The tiny, mushroom-shaped crystal-like outgrowths on cannabis flowers that produce and store cannabinoids and terpenes. They give the buds a "frosty" look.
V:
- Vaporizer (Vape): A device that heats cannabis flower or concentrates to a temperature that releases cannabinoids and terpenes as vapor, without combustion. Considered a healthier alternative to smoking.
W:
- Wake and Bake: Smoking cannabis first thing in the morning.
- Wax: A type of cannabis concentrate with a soft, waxy consistency.
This guide is just the beginning! Cannabis terminology, like the culture itself, is always evolving. The more you explore and engage with the community, the more you'll pick up. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and most importantly, enjoy the journey!
Did we miss any essential terms? What's a cannabis word you hear often that you'd like explained? Let us know in the comments below!