One of the most exciting parts about exploring Medical Marijuana for the first time is being introduced to the rich culture surrounding Marijuana. There have been traditions and trends around using Marijuana for thousands of years, and as a result there are now many different terms and uses for words, which can seem intimidating to a new user.
We created this list to help clear the air about common terms that you might hear:
- Cannabinoid – Cannabinoids are the molecules in Marijuana that activate receptors in our brains and produce a variety of effects.
- Cannabis – This is the scientific term for the plant that we love, and describes all strains in the plant family.
- Marijuana – Not all strains of Cannabis contain enough THC to intoxicate you – Marijuana refers to only those that do.
- Hemp – Hemp, on the other hand, refers to only strains that do not have enough THC to intoxicate you.
- Cultivar/Strain – A strain, or a “cultivated variety” (cultivar), refers to a specific variety of a plant that has been cultivated to bear unique characteristics. In regards to mariijuana, this terminology is important because most people experience very different effects when they consume different strains of Marijuana. Strains are categorized as Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid strains.
- CBD – Remember those Cannabinoids? Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of those, and it is known to produce a relaxing effect, though without intoxication.
- THC – This is the Cannabinoid that produces the intoxicating effects, more commonly known as the “high.”
- Clone – When a cultivator wants to grow more plants of a certain strain, he “clones” the plant by taking a cutting and replanting it. The resulting plant will have the same exact genetic structure.
- Flower/Bud – When the Marijuana plant flowers, it produces flowers in the form of colorful, soft, and often sticky “buds.” This is the part of the plant that, when consumed, produces the intoxicating effects.
- Sativa – One of the basic kinds of strains, Sativa strains are widely known for producing a “head high” – meaning that the experienced sensations are more likely to be those of alertness, focus, and creativity.
- Indica – In the other corner, Indica strains are often considered to produce a “body high,” during which the user experiences deep relaxation, calm, and may feel tired. Indica strains are very popular for dealing with pain and to aid in relaxation and sleep.
- Hybrid – Cultivators have created many popular strains by breeding Sativa & Indica strains together to produce hybrids that contain wide varieties of effects.
- Pre-Roll – Simply a joint that is purchased from a dispensary ready-to-smoke.
- OG – If someone tells you that weed is “OG,” they mean that it is very high quality.
- Dab – Dabbing is when a small piece of THC concentrate is heated up to produce a vapor that can be inhaled to consume THC in much higher doses than traditional smoking.
- Qualifying Condition – A medical condition that qualifies you to receive a recommendation for a Medical Marijuana card in Colorado.
- Medical vs. Recreational – Even in states where Marijuana is legal to use, there is a difference between Marijuana that is sold for medical purposes versus recreational, and these differences can vary by jurisdiction.
Now that you know your marijuana terminology, it’s time to get some practice! Get your Medical Marijuana card from the comfort of your own home – no office visit needed!
It will take about two weeks to receive your Medical Marijuana card, so complete your application today!