Today’s Cannabis
Terminology and Types of Marijuana
There is a lot of different lingo that is used when talking about cannabis, so what does it all mean?
The important thing to note here is that regardless of the type of cannabis used, it can still cause harm. Different methods of use can change how long the effects of cannabis impact your body and mind. For example, the effects of smoking/vaping can last for longer than 6 hours after use, and the effects of edibles can remain for more than 8 hours after ingestion (Source linked here). This is why you should NEVER drive after using cannabis.
What is flower?
Dried cannabis flower, also known more commonly as “weed,” is a form of cannabis that is generally smoked and then inhaled either through a joint, bong, or hookah.
Average THC Potency: 10-30%
What are cannabis concentrates?
Cannabis concentrates are highly potent extracts of the cannabis plant. They often contain a higher potency of THC and can be chemically processed in various ways, thus producing different variations like Shatter or Budder.
What are shatter, budder, and crumble?
These are all considered Extracts from the cannabis plant, resembling a semi-solid wax. Some may resemble softened butter (called budder), cake batter (badder), or resin (rosin) depending on thickness and texture. There is also honeycomb, sugar, and crumble, named for their structure or flakiness. These are often used in dabs. (Dabbing just means a small amount of concentrate which the user burns and inhales- often vaping.)
Average THC Potency: 60-80%
What is live resin?
Live resin is another form of cannabis concentrate that comes from the cannabis leaves once they are flash-frozen and removed with a solvent like butane (a gas commonly found in lighter fluid) or CO2. The concentrate that is removed looks like wax and is commonly smoked in a joint or a bowl.
Average THC Potency: 65-95%
What is a dab-pen/vape?
A dab-pen or THC vape is a type of electronic cigarette that uses vaping oils and THC concentrates to dispense cannabis. It heats the “e-juice” and aerosolizes it for an individual to inhale.
Average THC Potency: 65-90%
What is distillate?
A distillate or oil refers to ultra-refined extracts from the cannabis plant found in vape cartridges, edibles, and topical products. Distillates contain a single desired strain (example:indica vs. sativa) in a potent amber colored oil.
Average THC Potency: 85-90%
What is an edible?
An edible is a food or drink, often a sweet or a small snack like a cookie, that is infused with THC. Legally, there should be no more than 10 mg of THC per serving and no more than 100 mg per package. This can be especially dangerous for youth because often a small product (such as a single gummy bear) can contain more than one serving of THC.
Average THC Potency: 5-10mg per serving*
*Cannabis edibles are measured in milligrams of THC per serving as opposed to percentages.
What is a tincture?
A flavorful, solvent-based infusion that is often consumed with edibles, placed under the tongue or sprinkled on food. An infusion made by soaking the cannabis leaf in a weak solvent like alcohol or glycerin. The THC content in this is typically low – often less than 1%.
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol or “CBD” is a type of cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It is similar to tetrahydrocannabinol or “THC”, but does not produce the “high” or euphoria associated with use. CBD is often the part of cannabis that claims to have medicinal qualities that help with seizures or “relaxing” attributes.