Perfect for cannabis beginners, this guide will help you make sense of the many different cannabis terms and abbreviations used in both medical and recreational settings.
Most Common Cannabis Terms and Abbreviations
Hello and welcome!
If you're reading this post, chances are you may be new to the world of cannabis.
If so, you're in the right place, and I'm glad you're here!
While it may seem a bit overwhelming or confusing at first, my goal is to help you understand cannabis better so you can use it in a way that improves your life and wellbeing.
This guide puts together all of the most common cannabis terms, abbreviations, and acronyms that are used in both medical and recreational settings.
If you are looking for something specific, I recommend using the shortcut "Ctrl + F" on your keyboard to type in the specific term you're looking up. This will bring up the specific term you are looking for.
Otherwise, please feel free to read through this guide and educate yourself at your own pace.
If you feel like you need more in-depth cannabis education, I recommend checking out my Cannabis Compass Online Course, which will help put all of the pieces together in one simple educational format.
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Abbreviations and Acronyms
CBD - cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid. Learn more about CBD here.
CBDA - cannabidiolic acid, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid acid. It is present naturally within the plant. The process of decarboxylation converts CBDA into CBD. Learn more about CBDA here.
CBG - cannabigerol, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid. Oftentimes called the 'mother cannabinoid'. Learn more about CBG here.
CBGA - cannabigerolic acid, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid acid. It is present naturally within the plant. The process of decarboxylation converts CBGA into CBG.
CBN - cannabinol, a slightly intoxicating cannabinoid acid. Oftentimes called the 'sleep cannabinoid' due to its sedative properties. It is not naturally present in the plant and instead comes from the degradation of THC. Learn more about CBN here.
CO - cannabis oil, a general term used to categorize various different types of cannabis oils. Learn more about all of the different kinds of cannabis oils available here.
FECO - full-extract cannabis oil, a powerful cannabis plant extract. Learn more about FECO here.
MBM - a Magic Butter Machine used to make oil infusions.
MCT - medium-chain triglyceride, a type of oil often used in cannabis preparations. Learn more about MCT oil here.
QWET - quick wash extraction technique, a method of making a cannabis tincture. Oftentimes called the 'Golden Dragon' or a freezer tincture. Learn more about the QWET method here.
RSO - an acronym for Rick Simpson Oil. Similar to FECO, but prepared with unsafe solvents like isopropyl alcohol and naptha. Learn more here.
THCA - tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid acid. It is present naturally within the plant. The process of decarboxylation converts THCA into THC.
THC (Δ8) - also called delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, a mostly synthetic derivative of cannabis that provides a less intoxicating experience than delta-9.
THC (Δ9) - also called delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, the most common intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis.
THCV - tetrahydrocannabivarin, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid.
Commonly Used Cannabis Terms
Decarboxylation - also called decarb or decarbing, a process required to convert cannabinoid acids to their active cannabinoid form. Learn more here.
Kief - the trichome-rich, powdery substance left in the bottom of a cannabis grinder. Sometimes called pollen or dry sift. Learn more here.
Tincture - an alcohol-based cannabis preparation. There is more than one type of tincture; see Green Dragon and Golden Dragon.
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