Understand Cannabis Terms
People seeking relief from chronic pain are increasingly turning to medical cannabis, including CBD. Navigate the maze of medical cannabis more easily with this glossary.
By Linda Rath | Dec. 20, 2024
As of August 2024, 38 states and the District of Columbia had legalized the medical use of cannabis, which is often called marijuana. Although the drug is illegal under federal law, doctors in many states and territories can recommend cannabis to patients they think may benefit from it. People who have a medical identification card and other legal adult users can buy cannabis at state-licensed dispensaries. Some states also have laws that honor medical ID cards from other states.
Medical cannabis laws vary from state to state. All 38 states allow cannabis for chronic pain, but in some, people with arthritis may not qualify.
While medical cannabis may have benefits for people with arthritis, evidence is still scarce, and research is ongoing. Furthermore, buyers should be aware that there are no uniform regulations or quality control standards nationally, and problems have come up even where medical cannabis is regulated. California’s legal cannabis has been found to have widespread pesticide contamination, raising concerns that people would turn to the cheaper, unregulated underground market. And California is not alone. A 2022 review of states and regions where cannabis is legal found nearly 700 contaminants — mostly pesticides, but also solvents, inorganic substances, microbes and others.
However, pain experts like Daniel Clauw, MD, a professor of anesthesiology, rheumatology and psychiatry at the University of Michigan and director of the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Center there, say medical marijuana and CBD themselves appear to be safe.
“Cannabis is neither the evil weed from hell nor the best thing since sliced bread,” Dr. Clauw says. “For chronic pain, it is almost certainly more effective and safer than opioids, mainly because opioids are so ineffective and dangerous when used for chronic pain.”
Dr. Clauw also contributed guidance and review for the Arthritis Foundation's CBD Guidance for Adults With Arthritis.
This is not an exhaustive list of terms related to medical and recreational cannabis, but it’s a good place to start understanding some of the terms and nuances. The first four entries will lay the groundwork for the rest, which are alphabetical:
Cannabis: A member of a plant family that includes Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis.
Cannabinoids, or phytocannabinoids: Chemical compounds found in cannabis plants. Of the more than 100 cannabinoids in cannabis, the two best known are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabinoids are psychoactive, meaning they affect the way the brain works, though the effects of some cannabinoids, like CBD, can be mild.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): The cannabinoid that produces a high. Some cannabis strains naturally contain more THC than others, depending on how they’re grown or bred. Many are specifically bred to have higher levels of THC, so cannabis today is often much stronger than strains that were commonly used in the 1960s and ’70s. (Experts say that older adults who used cannabis decades ago may not realize how potent newer strains are and take too much. They advise going “low and slow” to prevent overdoses and for better pain relief.)
Cannabidiol (CBD): The second-most active ingredient in cannabis, it was once thought to have no psychoactive properties. Although it is not as intoxicating as THC, CBD can affect mood and behavior. Studies have shown that it may help reduce anxiety, sleep problems, tobacco cravings and arthritis-related pain and inflammation, though conclusive evidence is lacking and research continues. CBD is also being studied for many other conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and multiple sclerosis. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018 approved a CBD drug called Epidiolex for hard-to-treat childhood epilepsy. CBD was long classified as illegal because it is found in the cannabis plant. That changed in 2018 with the passage of a bill legalizing the production and sale of hemp, from which most CBD is extracted. CBD from cannabis is still illegal on the federal level.
Broad spectrum CBD, full spectrum CBD and CBD isolate: Broad spectrum CBD contains all the cannabinoids and compounds that occur naturally in cannabis with the exception of THC. Full spectrum CBD contains the same compounds with the addition of 0.3% or less THC. CBD isolate is pure CBD, with no other cannabinoids. The full spectrum of compounds is thought to create a stronger, more effective product than CBD alone. (The challenge for consumers is finding reputable CBD sellers with products that contain what they claim. One study found that nearly a quarter of CBD products sold online contained THC, although their labels didn’t include it.)
Bud: The flower of the female cannabis plant. The best quality buds have the most trichomes. Cannabinoids are activated by heat, so buds need to undergo a heating process called decarboxylation (decarbing) before being used in products like tinctures and cannabis oils. (Smoking cannabis causes decarboxylation, but some people heat the buds before smoking to increase their potency.)
Budder (“honey oil,” “budder wax”): A rich, especially pure and potent cannabis concentrate that may contain as much as 80% or 90% THC. It’s extracted using a flammable solvent like butane, and then is whipped after the solvent is removed. The result is a thick, buttery concentrate that can be smoked or inhaled. As with other solvent-extracted concentrates, there are risks in the extraction process itself and in potential contamination of the product by the chemicals used to obtain it. (Budder is not to be confused with cannabis butter, or cannabutter. This is dairy butter infused with cannabis that can be used for baking or cooking other foods or as a spread.)
Delta-8 THC: A cannabinoid found naturally in trace amounts in cannabis and hemp plants. Most delta-8 for sale online and in stores is chemically converted to THC from hemp-derived CBD and marketed as a federally legal substitute for cannabis. Delta-8 THC can make someone high, though the high is milder than from delta-9. Some scientists are concerned that delta-8 products may be contaminated with pesticides, heavy metals and some of the chemicals used in the conversion process. Delta-8 has been far less studied than delta-9, and little is known about its long-term safety. Due to a loophole in the 2018 farm bill, which refers only to delta-9 THC, delta-8 is the fastest growing product in the hemp industry. Although legal under federal law, some states restrict it, but enforcement is often lax. The FDA has issued numerous warning letters to companies that adding delta-8 is not generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and therefore may not be added to foods (like gummies).
Delta-9: The most abundant, well-researched and well-known form of THC. The FDA has approved two drugs, Marinol and Syndros, that contain a synthetic form of delta-9 THC called dronabinol. The drugs are used to treat nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy and weight loss in AIDS patients. The FDA has given the green light to another synthetic drug, called Cesamet, used for nausea and vomiting. Its active ingredient is nabilone, which is chemically similar to THC.
Endocannabinoids: Cannabinoids that are produced naturally by the human body. THC effects are created by binding to receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system – a complex network that regulates vital functions, including mood, pain, sleep and the immune response. THC closely resembles endocannabinoids the body makes. It fits neatly into these receptors, which are on the surface of most cells, especially in the brain and immune system.
CBD does not bind directly to endocannabinoid receptors, which is why it doesn’t make people high. It can modify how receptors function, however, and change how other molecules, including THC, interact with them. It may also increase levels of an endocannabinoid called anandamide that can, among other things, reduce pain and improve mood.
Flavonoids: These chemicals make up about 10% of the bioactive compounds in cannabis but they are not cannabinoids. Flavonoids, which occur in almost all flowers, fruits and vegetables, have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Flavonoids unique to cannabis, called cannaflavins, are also anti-inflammatory antioxidants and may protect against degenerative brain disorders, such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Some cannabis experts think cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids work together to provide more benefits than any one alone. Called the “entourage hypothesis,” it also suggests that they may be customized to bolster outcomes while minimizing cannabis side effects.
Hemp: A plant that is the same species as cannabis but, by definition, contains no more than 0.3% THC. Hemp is used to make a wide variety of commercial products, including rope, clothes, paper, cosmetics and foods, like hemp milk. Although some people use hemp cream for pain, there is not much evidence to support its effectiveness.
Kush: One of the most well-known strains of cannabis. Originally from the Kush mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan, it became pervasive throughout the U.S. in the 1970s. Kush can also refer to certain characteristics of any strain of cannabis, including a pungent smell – although some Kush varieties are sweet and herbaceous – and have a particularly relaxing effect.
Live resin: A cannabis concentrate made from flash-frozen cannabis. Unlike with cured resin, buds are frozen immediately after harvesting, which preserves more of the terpenes and other compounds. As a result, it is more pungent and potent. Live resin is extracted using solvents like butane and propane or carbon dioxide. Rosin is resin extracted using pressure and heat instead of chemicals.
Low-THC cannabis: A type of cannabis with a higher ratio of CBD to THC, often used by medical patients. While recreational users may want more potent cannabis, medical users often want less. Low-THC cannabis lets users remain clear-headed and functional while providing more of the cannabinoids that may help with pain, sleep and anxiety. Some top low-THC strains often used by medical patients include:
Marijuana: The terms “cannabis” and “marijuana” are commonly used to mean the same thing. However, marijuana is the dried leaves, seeds, stems and flowers of cannabis plants that have higher levels of THC, so using marijuana has an intoxicating effect.
Microdosing: Taking a fraction or about 1/10th of a drug’s regular dose. Microdosing usually refers to very small doses of psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin. Proponents say it enhances concentration, focus, productivity, mood and sleep. There is much less research on microdosed cannabis and CBD, but some users say it also improves focus, mood and sleep.
Quarter (quad): A small amount of a gummy for microdosing. It may also be used to mean a quarter ounce of cannabis – about 7 grams.
Resin: The sticky, golden-brown sap secreted by the trichomes of female cannabis plants. Considered the most valuable part of the plant, resin is rich in concentrated THC. Resin extracted directly from the plant is called hashish, or hash. Resin from dried and cured cannabis buds is lower in terpenes; according to some estimates, the curing and drying process may destroy about half of terpenes in resin, leading to a less fragrant, more mellow product.
Synthetic cannabinoids, or synthetic marijuana, are produced in labs and have a similar affect in the brain as phytocannabinoids, like THC. Originally developed for research, they have become widely used, especially as illicit recreational drugs. While there are many variations of these chemicals, some of them are highly potent, often contaminated, and responsible for many cases of abuse, misuse, hospitalizations and deaths.
Terpenes: One of many compounds in cannabis that is not a cannabinoid, terpenes are thought to give cannabis its distinctive smell. Terpenes are found in many plants, but cannabis, pine and citrus are especially rich sources. Terpenes are also the main component of essential oils. Some researchers studying terpenes think they may relieve pain as effectively as cannabinoids without the associated drawbacks.
THC-0: THC can be further chemically converted to create an intensely potent synthetic cannabinoid called tetrahydrocannabinol-o-acetate (THC-0). It’s much more powerful than naturally occurring THC and is growing in popularity as a recreational drug. In 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration determined that THC-0 is a Schedule 1 (highest level) controlled substance.
Transdermal: The delivery of therapeutic cannabis into the bloodstream through patches on the skin. Many drugs are delivered transdermally, including nicotine, estrogen, testosterone and the anti-nausea medicine scopolamine. This has several advantages:
As of August 2024, 38 states and the District of Columbia had legalized the medical use of cannabis, which is often called marijuana. Although the drug is illegal under federal law, doctors in many states and territories can recommend cannabis to patients they think may benefit from it. People who have a medical identification card and other legal adult users can buy cannabis at state-licensed dispensaries. Some states also have laws that honor medical ID cards from other states.
Medical cannabis laws vary from state to state. All 38 states allow cannabis for chronic pain, but in some, people with arthritis may not qualify.
While medical cannabis may have benefits for people with arthritis, evidence is still scarce, and research is ongoing. Furthermore, buyers should be aware that there are no uniform regulations or quality control standards nationally, and problems have come up even where medical cannabis is regulated. California’s legal cannabis has been found to have widespread pesticide contamination, raising concerns that people would turn to the cheaper, unregulated underground market. And California is not alone. A 2022 review of states and regions where cannabis is legal found nearly 700 contaminants — mostly pesticides, but also solvents, inorganic substances, microbes and others.
However, pain experts like Daniel Clauw, MD, a professor of anesthesiology, rheumatology and psychiatry at the University of Michigan and director of the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Center there, say medical marijuana and CBD themselves appear to be safe.
“Cannabis is neither the evil weed from hell nor the best thing since sliced bread,” Dr. Clauw says. “For chronic pain, it is almost certainly more effective and safer than opioids, mainly because opioids are so ineffective and dangerous when used for chronic pain.”
Dr. Clauw also contributed guidance and review for the Arthritis Foundation's CBD Guidance for Adults With Arthritis.
This is not an exhaustive list of terms related to medical and recreational cannabis, but it’s a good place to start understanding some of the terms and nuances. The first four entries will lay the groundwork for the rest, which are alphabetical:
Cannabis: A member of a plant family that includes Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis.
Cannabinoids, or phytocannabinoids: Chemical compounds found in cannabis plants. Of the more than 100 cannabinoids in cannabis, the two best known are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Cannabinoids are psychoactive, meaning they affect the way the brain works, though the effects of some cannabinoids, like CBD, can be mild.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): The cannabinoid that produces a high. Some cannabis strains naturally contain more THC than others, depending on how they’re grown or bred. Many are specifically bred to have higher levels of THC, so cannabis today is often much stronger than strains that were commonly used in the 1960s and ’70s. (Experts say that older adults who used cannabis decades ago may not realize how potent newer strains are and take too much. They advise going “low and slow” to prevent overdoses and for better pain relief.)
Cannabidiol (CBD): The second-most active ingredient in cannabis, it was once thought to have no psychoactive properties. Although it is not as intoxicating as THC, CBD can affect mood and behavior. Studies have shown that it may help reduce anxiety, sleep problems, tobacco cravings and arthritis-related pain and inflammation, though conclusive evidence is lacking and research continues. CBD is also being studied for many other conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and multiple sclerosis. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018 approved a CBD drug called Epidiolex for hard-to-treat childhood epilepsy. CBD was long classified as illegal because it is found in the cannabis plant. That changed in 2018 with the passage of a bill legalizing the production and sale of hemp, from which most CBD is extracted. CBD from cannabis is still illegal on the federal level.
Broad spectrum CBD, full spectrum CBD and CBD isolate: Broad spectrum CBD contains all the cannabinoids and compounds that occur naturally in cannabis with the exception of THC. Full spectrum CBD contains the same compounds with the addition of 0.3% or less THC. CBD isolate is pure CBD, with no other cannabinoids. The full spectrum of compounds is thought to create a stronger, more effective product than CBD alone. (The challenge for consumers is finding reputable CBD sellers with products that contain what they claim. One study found that nearly a quarter of CBD products sold online contained THC, although their labels didn’t include it.)
Bud: The flower of the female cannabis plant. The best quality buds have the most trichomes. Cannabinoids are activated by heat, so buds need to undergo a heating process called decarboxylation (decarbing) before being used in products like tinctures and cannabis oils. (Smoking cannabis causes decarboxylation, but some people heat the buds before smoking to increase their potency.)
Budder (“honey oil,” “budder wax”): A rich, especially pure and potent cannabis concentrate that may contain as much as 80% or 90% THC. It’s extracted using a flammable solvent like butane, and then is whipped after the solvent is removed. The result is a thick, buttery concentrate that can be smoked or inhaled. As with other solvent-extracted concentrates, there are risks in the extraction process itself and in potential contamination of the product by the chemicals used to obtain it. (Budder is not to be confused with cannabis butter, or cannabutter. This is dairy butter infused with cannabis that can be used for baking or cooking other foods or as a spread.)
Delta-8 THC: A cannabinoid found naturally in trace amounts in cannabis and hemp plants. Most delta-8 for sale online and in stores is chemically converted to THC from hemp-derived CBD and marketed as a federally legal substitute for cannabis. Delta-8 THC can make someone high, though the high is milder than from delta-9. Some scientists are concerned that delta-8 products may be contaminated with pesticides, heavy metals and some of the chemicals used in the conversion process. Delta-8 has been far less studied than delta-9, and little is known about its long-term safety. Due to a loophole in the 2018 farm bill, which refers only to delta-9 THC, delta-8 is the fastest growing product in the hemp industry. Although legal under federal law, some states restrict it, but enforcement is often lax. The FDA has issued numerous warning letters to companies that adding delta-8 is not generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and therefore may not be added to foods (like gummies).
Delta-9: The most abundant, well-researched and well-known form of THC. The FDA has approved two drugs, Marinol and Syndros, that contain a synthetic form of delta-9 THC called dronabinol. The drugs are used to treat nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy and weight loss in AIDS patients. The FDA has given the green light to another synthetic drug, called Cesamet, used for nausea and vomiting. Its active ingredient is nabilone, which is chemically similar to THC.
Endocannabinoids: Cannabinoids that are produced naturally by the human body. THC effects are created by binding to receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system – a complex network that regulates vital functions, including mood, pain, sleep and the immune response. THC closely resembles endocannabinoids the body makes. It fits neatly into these receptors, which are on the surface of most cells, especially in the brain and immune system.
CBD does not bind directly to endocannabinoid receptors, which is why it doesn’t make people high. It can modify how receptors function, however, and change how other molecules, including THC, interact with them. It may also increase levels of an endocannabinoid called anandamide that can, among other things, reduce pain and improve mood.
Flavonoids: These chemicals make up about 10% of the bioactive compounds in cannabis but they are not cannabinoids. Flavonoids, which occur in almost all flowers, fruits and vegetables, have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Flavonoids unique to cannabis, called cannaflavins, are also anti-inflammatory antioxidants and may protect against degenerative brain disorders, such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Some cannabis experts think cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids work together to provide more benefits than any one alone. Called the “entourage hypothesis,” it also suggests that they may be customized to bolster outcomes while minimizing cannabis side effects.
Hemp: A plant that is the same species as cannabis but, by definition, contains no more than 0.3% THC. Hemp is used to make a wide variety of commercial products, including rope, clothes, paper, cosmetics and foods, like hemp milk. Although some people use hemp cream for pain, there is not much evidence to support its effectiveness.
Kush: One of the most well-known strains of cannabis. Originally from the Kush mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan, it became pervasive throughout the U.S. in the 1970s. Kush can also refer to certain characteristics of any strain of cannabis, including a pungent smell – although some Kush varieties are sweet and herbaceous – and have a particularly relaxing effect.
Live resin: A cannabis concentrate made from flash-frozen cannabis. Unlike with cured resin, buds are frozen immediately after harvesting, which preserves more of the terpenes and other compounds. As a result, it is more pungent and potent. Live resin is extracted using solvents like butane and propane or carbon dioxide. Rosin is resin extracted using pressure and heat instead of chemicals.
Low-THC cannabis: A type of cannabis with a higher ratio of CBD to THC, often used by medical patients. While recreational users may want more potent cannabis, medical users often want less. Low-THC cannabis lets users remain clear-headed and functional while providing more of the cannabinoids that may help with pain, sleep and anxiety. Some top low-THC strains often used by medical patients include:
- ACDC – has a CBD to THC ratio of 20:1
- Charlotte’s web – contains almost no THC and is a staple among medical cannabis users
- Sour tsunami – bred to be high in CBD to treat pain and inflammation
Marijuana: The terms “cannabis” and “marijuana” are commonly used to mean the same thing. However, marijuana is the dried leaves, seeds, stems and flowers of cannabis plants that have higher levels of THC, so using marijuana has an intoxicating effect.
Microdosing: Taking a fraction or about 1/10th of a drug’s regular dose. Microdosing usually refers to very small doses of psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin. Proponents say it enhances concentration, focus, productivity, mood and sleep. There is much less research on microdosed cannabis and CBD, but some users say it also improves focus, mood and sleep.
Quarter (quad): A small amount of a gummy for microdosing. It may also be used to mean a quarter ounce of cannabis – about 7 grams.
Resin: The sticky, golden-brown sap secreted by the trichomes of female cannabis plants. Considered the most valuable part of the plant, resin is rich in concentrated THC. Resin extracted directly from the plant is called hashish, or hash. Resin from dried and cured cannabis buds is lower in terpenes; according to some estimates, the curing and drying process may destroy about half of terpenes in resin, leading to a less fragrant, more mellow product.
Synthetic cannabinoids, or synthetic marijuana, are produced in labs and have a similar affect in the brain as phytocannabinoids, like THC. Originally developed for research, they have become widely used, especially as illicit recreational drugs. While there are many variations of these chemicals, some of them are highly potent, often contaminated, and responsible for many cases of abuse, misuse, hospitalizations and deaths.
Terpenes: One of many compounds in cannabis that is not a cannabinoid, terpenes are thought to give cannabis its distinctive smell. Terpenes are found in many plants, but cannabis, pine and citrus are especially rich sources. Terpenes are also the main component of essential oils. Some researchers studying terpenes think they may relieve pain as effectively as cannabinoids without the associated drawbacks.
THC-0: THC can be further chemically converted to create an intensely potent synthetic cannabinoid called tetrahydrocannabinol-o-acetate (THC-0). It’s much more powerful than naturally occurring THC and is growing in popularity as a recreational drug. In 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration determined that THC-0 is a Schedule 1 (highest level) controlled substance.
Transdermal: The delivery of therapeutic cannabis into the bloodstream through patches on the skin. Many drugs are delivered transdermally, including nicotine, estrogen, testosterone and the anti-nausea medicine scopolamine. This has several advantages:
- Continuous, discreet delivery of cannabis or CBD without having to smoke or ingest it
- Better absorption
- Less risk of a high
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