A
Accidental Intoxication: Cannabis that is ingested can take over an hour to take effect with a duration of up to 8 hours. This may cause Individuals to take an additional dose, causing accidental intoxication. Products may also be labeled inaccurately or have an uneven distribution of cannabinoids in multi-dose products, causing a single dose to have a greater effect than is normal or desired.
Acids, salts, and isomers: Three categories of inorganic compounds in chemistry. Acids contain hydrogen ions, which make water acidic, while bases contain hydroxide ions, which react with water to produce hydroxide. Acids and bases react to form salts, which are ionic compounds with a cation other than hydrogen and an anion other than hydroxide.
Adjunct therapy: A therapeutic treatment given in addition to primary treatment to increase its efficacy, including tolerating side effects.
Adverse events: Unexpected and potentially harmful effects that may or may not produce an immediate reaction. They may result from a secondary occurrence stemming from other side effects, such as injuries sustained from falls due to loss of coordination or passing out. These events can result from improper dosage, unexpected timing of onset or duration, drug interactions or reactions to allergens or contaminants.
Adverse reactions: an expected unwanted effect caused by a drug
Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A: Mycotoxins produced by fungi found all over the world. According to the World Health Organization, over 25% of the world’s food crops must be destroyed annually due to aflatoxins.
Agonist: A substance that initiates a biological response when bound to a receptor.
Alcohol extraction: cannabis flowers and leaves are submerged in ethanol, which is a powerful polar solvent. The cannabinoids and terpenes are dissolved into the alcohol solution, which generally undergoes a post-extraction process, such as winterization or de-waxing, to remove the undesired fats, waxes, and lipids that are also dissolved into the ethanol. These post-extraction processes often result in the removal of many of the volatile terpenes. (Note that isopropyl alcohol should NOT be used for extracts intended for consumption or inhalation)
Allosteric: Relating to or denoting the alteration of the activity of a protein through the binding of a molecule at a point other than the chemically active (orthosteric) site.
Amelioration: Lesson in severity;
Anadandmide: Also known as N-arachidonoylethanolamine or AEA, is an essential fatty acid neurotransmitter derived from the non-oxidative metabolism of eicosatetraenoic acid (arachidonic acid), an essential ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid. An endocannabinoid or endogenous ligand to the cannabinoid receptor. It was the first to be discovered in 1992.
Analgesia: Relief from pain or inability to feel pain.
Analgesic: An analgesic or painkiller is any member of the group of drugs used to achieve analgesia, which is relief from pain.
Angiogenesis: The growth of blood vessels
Antagonist: A substance that interferes with or inhibits a receptor response.
Anti-apoptotic: Prevents cell death
Anti-convulsant: Prevents convulsions
Anti-emetic: Prevents vomiting
Anti-retroviral: Inhibits the replication or spread of viruses
Antiemetic: Prevents vomiting.
Antineoplastic: Agents used in cancer treatment
Antinociceptive: The inhibition of the encoding and processing of harmful stimuli in the nervous system,[1] and, therefore, the ability of a body to sense potential harm.
Anxiolytic: Reducing anxiety.
Apoptosis: Programmed cell death.
Aspergillus: A fungus (mold) with approximately 180 species. It can be found both indoors and outdoors, on surfaces and in the air. Cannabis is most often consumed via inhalation and as such, contaminated products may result in the direct administration of Aspergillus spores into the lungs.
Astrocytomas: A type of cancer of the brain. They originate in a particular kind of glial cells, star-shaped brain cells in the cerebrum called astrocytes.
Ataxia: A neurological sign consisting of lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements that includes gait abnormality. Ataxia is a non-specific clinical manifestation implying dysfunction of the parts of the nervous system that coordinate movement, such as the cerebellum.
B
Basal ganglia: A collection of cells in the brain associated with a variety of functions including: control of voluntary motor movements, procedural learning, routine behaviors or "habits" such as bruxism, eye movements, cognition[1] and emotion.[2]
Beta-amyloid peptide aggregates: Peptides associated with Alzheimer’s disease, the amyloid hypothesis postulates that extracellular amyloid beta deposits are the fundamental cause of the disease
Botrytis cinerea ( gray mold): An airborne fungus that can infect plants at any stage of growth. Botrytis can be found in greenhouses, nurseries, and outdoor growing environments, and can result in occupational exposure, ”wine grower's lung.”
Bubble Hash (30-60% THC-water, solventless concentrate): Bubble hash is created using an ice-water extraction processcannabis flowers and leaves are submerged in ice water, which makes the trichomes rigid, and agitated to break the trichomes off of the plant material. The resulting mixture is then poured through several layers of bags made up of increasingly fine screens. At the end of the process, each bag will contain bubble hash of different purity and potency. The bubble hash is removed from the bags and allowed to dry before use. This method results in higher yields than dry sifting. and contains no solvents. It can be used in this form or made into Live Rosin.
Budder (60-90% THC - propane/butane, chemical concentrate): Similar in THC content to Crumble (60-90%), Budder has a creamy, butter-like consistency. It's typically produced using propane or butane.
Butane or Propane Extraction: Both methods use butane or propane as solvents to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material. However, these methods carry a risk of leaving trace amounts of solvents in the final product unless properly purged.
C
Cannabichromene (CBC): a phytocannabinoid that relieves pain, has anti-inflammatory effects, and is reported to have strongantimicrobial properties while lacking toxicity.
Cannabidiol (CBD): A phytocannabinoid that is a non-intoxicating cannabis compound that counteracts the psychoactivity of THC. Researchpoints to CBD’spotential in the treatment of inflammation, pain, anxiety, seizures, and spasms. Like all cannabinoids, CBD is a potent antioxidant and neuroprotectant.
Cannabigerol (CBG): Aphytocannabinoid that can affect serotonin reuptake, relieve pain in skin conditions, and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. CBG has a lot of therapeutic potential as an antidepressant and in the treatment of psoriasis and other skin conditions.
Cannabinoid Receptors: Several cells in the brain and other organs contain specific protein receptors that recognize THC and some other cannabinoids and trigger cell responses. Other cannabinoids do not bind to these cannabinoid receptors and exert their effects by other ways. The discovery of specific cannabinoid receptors prompted the search for putative naturally occurring chemicals that interact with the receptors, the endocannabinoids. There are at least two cannabinoid receptor types, CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are found in high concentrations within the brain and spinal cord. They are also present in certain peripheral cells and tissues (some neurons, some endocrine glands, leukocytes, the spleen, the heart, and parts of the reproductive, urinary, and gastrointestinal tracts). CB2 receptors are expressed primarily by immune cells and tissues (leukocytes, spleen, and tonsils).
Cannabinoids: Chemicals that bind to the cannabinoid receptors and related compounds including endocannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, purified cannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoids.
Cannabinol (CBN): A non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid degradation product of THC and other cannabinoids. It has sedating, anti-microbial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties and may stimulate bone growth.
Cannabis: Cannabis Sativa L., the botanical name and Latin binomial of hemp, is a member of the Cannabaceae family. A flowering plant that has fibrous stalks used for paper, clothing, rope, and building materials. The leaves, flowers, and roots have been documented for medicinal purposes for millennia. Cannabis leaves and flowers are consumed in several forms: dried flower buds or various types of concentrated, loose, or pressed resin that is extracted through a variety of methods.
Cannabis Butter: Infused butter, or “cannabutter”, is another popular form of whole plant extract. It is typically used in edible cannabis products, offering a fat-based medium for the cannabinoids and enhancing the flavor of the final product.
Cannabis Concentrates: Desired components are extracted from cannabis plant material using solvents (CO2, Butane, Propane, Hexane) or solventless (Dry sifting, water, pressure) extraction methods. The resulting extracts can be processed and purified to create further-concentrated products with varying degrees of potency, with some concentrates reaching greater than 90% purity. Depending on the processing method, the purity, and the other components remaining in the product, cannabis concentrates can take a variety of forms, from viscous oil to crumbly wax to brittle shatter. These concentrates may be smoked, vaporized with a dab rig or wax pen, placed into vaporizer cartridges (into which other solvents or substances are sometimes mixed), or used in the manufacture of cannabis edibles and topicals. Care should be taken when using concentrates to manufacture cannabis edibles, as concentrations can vary; potency should be calculated through laboratory analysis.
Cannabis Liquids: These are often tinctures made by dissolving cannabis in alcohol or another solvent. They are usually administered sublingually (under the tongue), allowing for quick absorption into the bloodstream.
Cannabis Nursing: Cannabis nursing is defined as a specialty nursing practice focused on the care of health care consumers seeking education and guidance in the therapeutic use of cannabis (ACNA, 2022).
Cannabis Oils: Cannabis-infused oils are made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes into carrier oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, or hemp seed oil. These can be used in a variety of ways, including ingestion and topical application.
Cannabis Patient (medical cannabis patient): a person living with a medical condition or experiencing symptoms for which cannabis or a cannabinoid-based therapeutic is the only treatment option, a more suitable option, or works as an adjunct treatment including side-effect mitigation to other available care options.
Cannabis Tolerance: Over time, some individuals may develop a tolerance to the effects of cannabis, especially THC. Consider a "tolerance break" to reset your response & rotate between different cannabis products to prevent tolerance.
Carrier Oils: Oils like MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil, coconut oil, or olive oil are used to create infused oils. These are not only good solvents for cannabinoids and terpenes but also enhance the bioavailability of the compounds when ingested.
Certificate of Analysis (COA): A COA is a comprehensive document issued by a laboratory that contains detailed product information.
Cesamet (nabilone) (1985): A synthetic derivative of THC with a slightly modified molecular structure from dronabinol. Currently available for medical use in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Mexico, it was approved by the FDA in 1985 solely for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting that has not responded to conventional medication. Although nabilone was approved more than 20 years ago, it has only been marketed in the United States since 2006. Nabilone is available in capsule form in a 1mg dose and is listed as a Schedule II drug. It has a high risk of adverse side effects, such as dry mouth, vertigo, and drowsiness as well as changes in mood, decreased cognitive performance, and, in rare instances, psychosis.
Chemical Conversion Cannabinoids: These cannabinoids naturally appear in the plant (cultivar over cultivar often as a degraded cannabinoids a result of natural plant synthesis) but in quantities that are too small to bring consumer products to market. Therefore, to arrive at commercial viability they are chemically converted typically from CBD as part of a chemical conversion process. All are intoxicating, many are equal to or less than Δ9 THC such as Δ8-THC Δ9-THC, CBN and HHC with others that can be more potent.
Chemovar: A chemotaxic variety of a plant family, it is determined by examining the chemical makeup of the plant including the cannabinoids and terpenes. In comerical settings the term "strain" is often used.
Closed-loop extraction: Cannabis flowers and leaves are ground up and placed into an extraction system and a solvent such as carbon dioxide, butane, or propane is passed through the system, which, in the case of carbon dioxide, is sometimes operated at supercritical pressures. The lipophilic cannabinoids and terpenes are extracted into the solvent and collected. This type of extraction should only be done by professionals who have received the proper training and education to operate this type of equipment.
CO2 Extraction: Utilizes carbon dioxide under high pressure and extremely low temperatures to isolate, preserve, and maintain the purity of the medicinal oil. This process doesn't require the use of solvents and is considered one of the safest methods of extracting cannabis for human consumption.
Co2 Oil (50-90 % THC-CO2, chemical concentrate): Extracted using CO2, this oil can vary widely in consistency and color, and it can contain 50-90% THC.
Commercially Viable Quantities of Phytocannabinoids: These cannabinoids are derived from Cannabis sativa L in sufficient usable and commercially viable quantities to produce products. Phyto Δ9-THC is limited in hemp due to the .3% restriction in flower. Some of the most prevalent phytocannabinoids are CBD, THCa and Δ9-THC. The most readily available safety data is associated with these naturally occurring phytocannabinoids.
Conversion: Chemically converting compounds using acids or other catalysts in a laboratory setting.
Crumble (60-90% THC- butane/propane/CO2, chemical concentrate): This concentrate is known for its dry, crumbly texture, typically yellowish in color. It is made using butane, propane, or CO2 extraction methods, resulting in a high THC content.
Cultivar: A cultivated variety of a plant family, it is developed by various genetic breeding strategies.
D
Decarboxylate: A chemical reaction that removes a carboxyl group and releases carbon dioxide (CO2). When used in relation to cannabis it refers to the removal of a carboxylic acid group from acidic cannabinoids in order to convert them to a neutral form.
Derivative: a substance that is created via a chemical reaction from another component. It is widely used in organic chemistry, and it is made by exchanging one atom or a group of atoms with another atom or a group of atoms from the parent chemical.
Dioecious: A plant which has both male and female reproductive organs.
Distillate: Refined cannabis extract that typically focuses on a single cannabinoid. Due to their refining process, they often lack the terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids found in whole-plant extracts, resulting in a product that is almost entirely made up of the target cannabinoid.
Dopaminergic: Create dopamine; such as a dopaminergic neuron.
Dronabinol: Dronabinol is another name for the naturally occurring (-)-trans-isomer of delta-9-THC, often used in a medical context in the scientific literature. There is no chemical or pharmacological difference between the natural dronabinol found in the plant and dronabinol that is manufactured synthetically or semi-synthetically.
Dry sift hash: Cannabis flowers are dried and cured and then put into a mechanical tumbler containing fine screens or scraped across fine screens by hand. The oil-rich glandular trichome heads (as opposed to vegetal material) are primarily what passes through the screen; as long as the trichome heads can pass through the openings, the finer the screen, the smaller the yield and the higher the concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes.
E
Edibles: Cannabinoids are lipophilic oils, which means that they readily adhere to fats such as butter and oil but not to water. This makes it easy to infuse edible products for ingestion. Cannabis may also be brewed into a cannabinoid-rich tea or infused into other beverages, but due to the hydrophobic nature of cannabinoids, it is generally advisable that something containing fat (e.g., milk) be among the beverage’s ingredients to facilitate infusion. With edibles, the onset of effects is often delayed due to slower absorption of the cannabinoids and the need for them to be metabolized by the liver, but the effects may be amplified and may last longer compared to the effects generated by inhalation or oral (sublingual or buccal) administration.
Encephalin: An endorphin, endogenous opiate
Endocannabinoids: The endogenous ligands of the cannabinoid receptors have been termed endogenous cannabinoids or endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids are produced by the body of humans and animals. Some endocannabinoids are arachidonyl-ethanolamide (anandamide), 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG), 2-arachidonylglyceryl ether (noladin ether), arachidonyl-ethanolamine (virodhamine), and N-arachidonoyl-dopamine (NADA).
Endocannabinoid System (ECS): The endocannabinoid system is the body’s mechanism for preserving homeostasis (keeping all body functions running smoothly). This system is composed of a sophisticated group of neuromodulators, their receptors, and signaling pathways involved in regulating a variety of physiological processes, including movement, mood, memory, appetite, and pain. The endocannabinoid system is probably the most ubiquitous system in the human body, with the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 located throughout the brain and the periphery of the body.
Endogenous: naturally occurring inside the human body.
Endogenous cannabinoids: Made by the body: examples include N-arachidonoylethanolamine or anandamide (AE) or 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). AE and 2-AG activity can be manipulated by inhibiting their corresponding hydrolases FAAH or MAGL, preventing their degradation (NIH Definition).
Endorphin: Naturally occurring compounds that activate the body’s opiate receptors, producing an analgesic effect. (An endogenous opiate such as encaphalin)
Enkephalin: Either of two endorphin-related compounds produced in the brain (Met-enkephalin and Leu-enkephalin) that mimic the activity of morphine.
Epidiolex (Cannabidiol): A CBD oral solution made from cannabis extract. It was approved by the FDA in 2018 for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, two rare seizure disorders. The most common side effects are drowsiness, decreased appetite, insomnia, and poor sleep. Epidiolex is the first naturally derived cannabinoid-based medicine that has been approved for use in the United States since the advent of the modern pharmaceutical approval process.
Escherichia coli (E. Coli): A bile-tolerant bacteria that is commonly found in the intestines of humans and other warm-blooded animals and the environment. E. Coli contamination is most often linked to animal manure, which is commonly used in cultivation practices as a soil amendment to provide additional nutrients. E. Coli can also be found in water.
Exogenous: Occurring outside the human body.
Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE): An animal model of brain inflammation and multiple sclerosis. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system.
Extraction Methods: The dried flowers from the mature female plant are the most widely consumed form of cannabis. Concentrates are made by separating cannabinoid-rich glandular trichomes, which are found in varying amounts on cannabis flowers, leaves, and stalks, from the plant material. The flowers of a mature female plant contain the most trichomes. Many methods are used to separate the trichomes, cannabinoids, and terpenes from the plant. This list is not exhaustive of all processes but is intended to highlight some of the major methods used.
F
Flower: Cannabis flowers have been used for millennia to treat ailments such as headaches, pain, menstrual cramps, convulsions, and general malaise. The application of modern science has resulted in the discovery of additional benefits of cannabis flowers, but more research is needed to fully understand the many treatment options they make available. Cannabinoid and terpene concentrations vary widely, with cannabinoid content typically ranging from 1-30% on a dry-weight basis and terpene content typically ranging from 0-2% on a dry-weight basis.
Food-grade Alcohol: High-proof alcohol is effective at extracting a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes and is often used for making tinctures.
G
Glutamatergic: Produces glutamate, such as a glutamatergic neuron
Glycerin: Vegetable glycerin can be used as a solvent for cannabis extraction, though it is less effective at solubilizing cannabinoids and is usually considered a safer, albeit weaker, alternative to alcohol.
Greening Out: While cannabis cannot lead to a fatal overdose, ingesting an excessive amount of intoxicating cannabinoid, which overwhelms the body's capacity to handle the effects, causes an unsettling phenomenon known as "greening out" or "THC overdose."
H
HAART therapy: Highly active antiretroviral therapy
Hash: Hash (also known as hashish) is a collection of compressed or concentrated trichomes. It usually has a paste-like texture and can range in hardness from soft and pliable to hard and brittle, with products falling into the former category being described as higher quality. Hash becomes progressively harder and less potent as it oxidizes and oil evaporates. The more it is handled, the darker it becomes. The cannabinoid content can have a high degree of variability, generally 15-70% by weight. Hash is traditionally consumed through inhalation, either by itself or mixed with cannabis flowers.
Heavy Metals: Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury are found in soil, water, fertilizers, and nutrients used during cultivation. These can be further concentrated during manufacturing. Metals can also come from the grinding, processing, and manufacturing equipment or leach into oils and extracts from the metal components of vape pens over time.
Hemp- (Federal Definition 7 U.S.C. §1639o as of 2025). The term "hemp" means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
Hemp: As defined by U.S. law, a member of the Cannabaceae family with ≤0.3% THC by dry weight.
Hexane Extraction: Similar to butane and propane, hexane can be used as a solvent to extract oils from cannabis. It is less commonly used due to its higher toxicity and the stringent purging requirements to ensure all solvent is removed from the final product.
Homogeneous: Consisting of parts all of the same kind. In the context of cannabis edibles, an even distribution of cannabinoids in a matrix such that each portion of the product contains the same amount of cannabinoids.
Human glioblastoma multiforme: See astrocytoma
Hydrophobic oils: The hydrophobic effect is the observed tendency of nonpolar substances to aggregate in aqueous solution and exclude water molecules
I
Immunosuppressant: Something that reduces the effectiveness of the immune system, which may be endogenous or exogenous and which may occur as an adverse reaction or may be the intended result of treatment. Some portions of the immune system itself have immunosuppressive effects on other parts of the immune system, and immunosuppression may occur as an adverse reaction to the treatment of other conditions.
In vitro: Research done or taking place in a petri dish, test tube, or elsewhere outside a living organism.
In vivo: Research done or taking place in a living organism.
Ingestion: Products that are absorbed via the internal surfaces of the stomach and intestines. Cannabis products can be swallowed and absorbed through the gut, similar to other vitamins and herbal supplements. This requires first-pass metabolism in the liver before becoming active. The time to onset varies greatly (hours), and the duration of effects is longer
Inhalation: Refers to products that are absorbed via the internal surface of the lungs. Cannabis can be efficiently and safely inhaled through vaporization. Absorption through the lungs completely bypasses potential drug-drug interactions in the liver. The time to onset is quick, and the effects last for over an hour.
Isolate: Refined cannabis extract that typically focuses on a single cannabinoid. Due to their refining process, they often lack the terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids found in whole-plant extracts, resulting in a product that is almost entirely made up of the target cannabinoid.
Isolation: Extracting and isolating compounds.
K
Kief (50-80% THC-dry sieve, solventless concentrate): Kief is a powder made from trichomes removed from the leaves and flowers of cannabis plants. It can be compressed to produce cakes of hashish or consumed (typically smoked) in powder form in a pipe or with cannabis bud or other herbs.
L
Ligands: A ligand binds to a specific receptor. The ligands of the cannabinoid receptor are called cannabinoids. The endogenous ligands of the cannabinoid receptor are called endocannabinoids.
Lipophilic: Molecular compound that is readily dissolved into fats (fat-loving)
Live Resin (50-70% THC - butane/propane/ethanol/CO2, chemical concentrate): This type of concentrate preserves more of the terpenes of the cannabis plant, as it's made from fresh, frozen plants using butane, propane, ethanol, or CO2. It has a lower THC content compared to others (50-70%).
M
Marijuana (marihuana): A colloquial name for dried leaves and flowers of drug cannabis varieties rich in THC (1-20% THC). The median content of THC of confiscated marijuana in the USA in 1997 was 4.2%. Marijuana available on prescription in the Netherlands contains 15% or 18% THC.
Marijuana (Federal Definition 21 U.S.C. 802 (16)(A) as of 2025): Subject to subparagraph (B), the terms "marihuana" and "marijuana" mean all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L., whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of such plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant, its seeds or resin. (B) The terms "marihuana" and "marijuana" do not include- (i) hemp, as defined in section 1639o of title 7; or (ii) the mature stalks of such plant, fiber produced from such stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of such plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such mature stalks (except the resin extracted there from), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of such plant which is incapable of germination.
Marinol (dronabinol) (1985): A synthetic preparation of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, suspended in sesame oil and encapsulated. Marinol was initially indicated for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy in people who failed to respond adequately to conventional antiemetic treatments, and it was later made available for the treatment of anorexia associated with weight loss in people living with HIV/AIDS. When first approved for medical use, dronabinol was tightly controlled as a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it was classified as a drug with a “high potential for abuse” that could “lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.” In 1999, in response to a rescheduling request by Unimed to make dronabinol more widely available, it was moved by administrative rule to Schedule III, meaning it is now classified as having a lower potential for abuse and only a low or moderate likelihood of physical dependency. Currently, Marinol is available in three dosage strengths: 2.5mg, 5mg, and 10mg. Despite the well-documented therapeutic value of THC, dronabinol has enjoyed only moderate success.
Mechanism of Action: The specific biochemical pathway by which a substance causes a biological response.
Medical Cannabis Patient: a person living with a medical condition or experiencing symptoms for which cannabis or a cannabinoid-based therapeutic is the only treatment option, a more suitable option, or works as an adjunct treatment including side-effect mitigation to other available care options.
Metastasis: The spread of cancer to different locations
Microbiological contaminants: Bacteria, fungi, yeasts, molds, and viruses. These species are ubiquitous in the environment; however, exposure to certain species has been shown to present severe health risks. The following is not representative of every species of bacteria, virus, fungi, or pest that could contaminate cannabis:
Modulated to alter function, indirectly stimulate
Musculoskeletal pain: Pain that involves the soft tissues of the musculosckeletal system
N
Neuro-inflammation: Inflammation of brain and neuronal tissue
Neurodegenerative disease: A degenerative disorder of neuronal tissues, brain cells, and neurons, such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis.
Neuromodulation: Physiological process by which a neuron uses neurotransmitters to regulate diverse populations of neurons.
Neuropathic pain: Pain caused by damage to the somatosensory nervous system, i.e. related to the sense of feeling pain and is often described as burning or shooting pain.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID): One of a class of drugs that provides analgesic (pain-killing) and antipyretic (fever-reducing) effects, and, in higher doses, anti-inflammatory effects.
Novel Cannabinoids: These novel substances have been developed specifically for increased binding affinity to the CB1 receptor, with effects that are significantly stronger than those of phytocannabinoids. Presently, they are not required to be tested for the heavy metals or residual solvents used in their synthesis as is common for drugs produced through similar processes.. (THC- P, THC-O, THC-H, THC-B, THC-JD)
O
Orthosteris: The primary, unmodulated binding site of a receptor.
Oxidative stress: An imbalance between the body’s production rate of free radicals and its ability to neutralize their harmful effects with antioxidants.
P
Palliative Care: Medical care that relieves pain, symptoms and stress caused by serious illnesses, improving patients' quality of life
Pathogenesis: The origin and/or development of disease
Periaqueductal gray matter: Also known as the central gray) is the primary control center for descending pain modulation. It has enkephalin-producing cells that suppress pain.
Peripheral neuropathy: Damage to the peripheral nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
Peripheral nociceptive pathways: Nociceptive neurons generate trains of action potentials in response to intense stimuli
Phaeochromocytoma: A neuroendocrine tumor of the medulla of the adrenal glands (originating in the chromaffin cells), or extra-adrenal chromaffin tissue that failed to involute after birth,[1] that secretes high amounts of catecholamines, mostly norepinephrine, plus epinephrine to a lesser extent.
Phlebitis or Venitis: The inflammation of a vein, usually in the legs.
Phytocannabinoids: Cannabinoids that are produced by the Cannabis plant found in leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds.
Prophylactic: Protective or preventative, an inhibitory effect against disease.
Psychoactive: Any chemical that crosses through the blood brain barrier has an effect on the brain.
Psychotropic: A psychoactive drug, psychopharmaceutical, or psychotropic is a chemical substance that changes brain function and results in alterations in perception, mood, or consciousness.
Purified: Naturally occurring cannabinoids purified from plant sources. Examples include cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (NIH Definition).
R
Refinement: Purifying a resultant eliminates any byproducts and residuals from the conversion process.
Rick Simpson Oil-RSO (30-50% THC- Ethanol, chemical concentrate): Known for its medicinal properties, RSO is a thick, syrup-like oil with a lower THC range (30-50%). It is extracted using ethanol.
Residual Solvent: Solvent extraction refers to methods to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant using a solvent such as ethanol, carbon dioxide (CO2), or various hydrocarbons like butane and propane. After the extraction is completed, depending on the solvent, various processing steps must occur to remove any plant material or other matter that was co-extracted, along with any remaining residual solvents.
Rosin (50-80% THC-heat & pressure, solventless concentrate): Rosin is made using heat and pressure, allowing the resin to separate from the plant material. It retains the cannabinoid and terpene profile of the plant, resulting in a purer, more flavorful concentrate. Rosin can be made with fresh cannabis flower, ice water hash (bubble hash), or dry sift hashish. Live rosin, which is made using fresh frozen cannabis, is considered to be the purest rosin product.
S
Salmonella: An infection of the gastrointestinal tract that is commonly known as food poisoning. In more severe cases, salmonellosis can cause enteric fever (typhoid fever). The use of antacids, recent use of antibiotics, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may increase a person's susceptibility to salmonellosis.
Sativex (Nabiximols): A cannabis extract oral-mucosal spray that comes from chemically and genetically characterized Cannabis sativa L. plants. It contains approximately equal amounts of THC and CBD. The primary indication for which Sativex has been approved is the treatment of spasticity due to multiple sclerosis. In Canada, it is also approved as an adjunctive analgesic treatment in people with advanced cancer who experience moderate to severe pain during the highest tolerated dose of strong opioid therapy for persistent background pain. Sativex is available by prescription for varying conditions in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
Semisynthetic cannabinoids: Derived by chemically altering natural cannabinoids, such as CBD. Some may occur naturally in the plant at very low concentrations, such as delta-8-THC. Examples of semisynthetic cannabinoids include delta-8-THC, delta-10-THCtetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP), THC-O-acetate, tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), and tetrahydrocannabinol (HHC). Some semisynthetic cannabinoids, particularly THC isomers, produce effects similar to those of delta-9-THC, in part because of their actions as CB1 receptor agonists (Cooper and Haney, 2008) (Definition from National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2024. Cannabis Policy Impacts Public Health and Health Equity.)
Sensory neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy: Damage to or disease affecting nerves, which may impair sensation, movement, gland or organ function, or other aspects of health, depending on the type of nerve affected. Common causes include systemic diseases (such as diabetes or leprosy), vitamin deficiency, medication (e.g., chemotherapy), traumatic injury, radiation therapy, excessive alcohol consumption, immune system disease or viral infection. It can also be genetic (present from birth) or idiopathic (no known cause).
Serotonergic: Pertaining to or affecting serotonin
Serotonin: A neurotransmitter. A synapse is serotonergic if it uses serotonin as its neurotransmitter.
Shatter (Up to 90% THC - butane, chemical concentrate) Recognizable by its glass-like, translucent appearance, Shatter can contain up to 90% THC. It's usually made through butane extraction.
Side effects: Refers to unintended, predictable responses that occur in addition to the desired therapeutic effect and can be both positive and negative. While potentially unpleasant, side effects are self-resolving without long-term health impacts.
Spray: Sublingual sprays are another way of using a tincture. Ethanol alcohol is the most common way to extract cannabinoids for use in sprays, where you use a pump to spray the cannabis-alcohol solution under your tongue.
Subcutaneously below the skin, from Latin subcutaneous, meaning "beneath the skin"), also called the hypodermis, hypoderm (from Greek, meaning "beneath the skin"), subcutis, or superficial fascia, is the lowermost layer of the integumentary system in vertebrates.
Sublingual: Oral administration is the absorption of a drug by the internal surfaces of the mouth. Cannabis sprays, such as those made with ethanol, can be absorbed through the cheeks (buccally) or under the tongue (sublingually). Onset occurs within minutes to an hour, and first-pass liver metabolism is avoided.
Syndros (dronabinol) (2016): Generic of Marinol
Synthetic Cannabinoids (Cannabimimetic Agents): Synthetic cannabinoids, also known as cannabimimetic agents, are human-made substances designed to mimic the effects of natural cannabinoids found in cannabis. These compounds are often created in laboratories and can be significantly more potent than naturally occurring cannabinoids. Synthetic cannabinoids can interact with the body's endocannabinoid system, leading to a range of effects including altered perception, mood changes, and potential adverse reactions. (K2, Spice). Primarily all novel cannabinoids are synthetically produced but D9 and CBD can also be manufactured synthetically.
Synthetic cannabinoids: Synthesized in a laboratory: examples include CB1 agonists (CPP-55, ACPA), CB2 agonists (JWH-133, NMP7, AM1241), CB1/CB2 nonselective agonist (CP55940), ajulemic acid (AJA), nabilone, and dronabinol (NIH Definition).
Synthetic compounds: Human-made substances that are formed through chemical reactions, either by chemical synthesis or biosynthesis. They are different from natural compounds, which are formed by other organisms and processes found in nature.
T
Terpene: Terpenes are constituents of the essential oil of cannabis and are synthesized in trichomes. Terpenes are not unique to cannabis but are found on other plants such as lavender, hops, mangoes, citrus fruit, pine trees, pepper, and green tea. Terpenes, not cannabinoids, are responsible for the smell of cannabis. All terpenes found on cannabis are FDA-approved and generally regarded as safe (GRAS). Terpenes produce therapeutic effects when inhaled, even at ambient air levels, that can enhance the effects of cannabinoids. Terpenes can modulate the effects of cannabinoids through pain relieving, muscle relaxing, sedative, anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), and antidepressant effects.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): usually refers to the naturally existing isomer of delta-9-THC, but also may include delta-8-THC. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and delta-1-tetrahydrocannabinol are two names for the same molecule according to different numbering systems (monoterpenoid and dibenzopyran nomenclature). It is found in al varieties of the cannabis plant at varying concentrations. THC has psychoactive effects. Scientific and clinical research has pointed to its potential in the treatment of many conditions, including chronic pain, PTSD, nausea and vomiting, asthma, glaucoma, and insomnia.
Generally, the natural (-)-trans-isomer of delta-9-THC of the cannabis plant, the (-)-delta-9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol or dronabinol, is designated. Chemically, delta-9-THC is defined as (6aR-trans)-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahy-dro6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-1-ol with a molecular weight of 314.47 Da.
Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA): A non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in raw and live cannabis. As cannabis dries, THCA slowly converts to THC. Heat converts THCA to THC via decarboxylation, which describes what happens when one smokes or vaporizes cannabis. THCA interacts with many targets and has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and anticancer properties.
Tetrahydrocannabinols-(Federal Definition 21 U.S.C. 1308.11 (D)(31) as of 2025): Meaning tetrahydrocannabinols, except as in paragraph (d)(31)(ii) of this section, naturally contained in a plant of the genus Cannabis (cannabis plant), as well as synthetic equivalents of the substances contained in the cannabis plant, or in the resinous extractives of such plant, and/or synthetic substances, derivatives, and their isomers with similar chemical structure and pharmacological activity to those substances contained in the plant, such as the following: 1 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and their optical isomers, 6 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and their optical isomers, 3, 4 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and its optical isomers (Since nomenclature of these substances is not internationally standardized, compounds of these structures, regardless of numerical designation of atomic positions covered.) (ii) Tetrahydrocannabinols does not include any material, compound, mixture, or preparation that falls within the definition of hemp set forth in 7 U.S.C. 1639o.
THC isomers: Also known as THC analogs or semi-synthetic cannabinoids, are a group of compounds structurally related to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) that are often produced from hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD). Their toxicity and impairing effects are similar to those of marijuana, making THC isomers a safety concern both on the road and in the workplace.
Therapeutic Effect: Desired effect of a medicine or drug use
Tinctures: Tinctures use alcohol (e.g. pure grain alcohol, not rubbing alcohol) to extract the cannabinoids. You use droplet amounts, which are absorbed through the mouth's mucous membranes.
Topical: Topical applications are absorbed via the external surface of the skin. Cannabis can be used topically without reaching the bloodstream if specially formulated to do so. Topical applications of cannabis have a rapid onset (potentially less than a minute) and can provide hours of relief.
Trichome: The glandular hairs of the cannabis plant that contain the majority of cannabinoids
U
Upper Aerodigestive Tract (UAT): Part of the body consisting of the nose, throat, voice box, windpipe, and esophagus.
V
Vascularization (of tissue or embryo): To develop or extend blood vessels or other fluid-bearing vessels or ducts; become vascular
Virological: The science dealing with the study of viruses and the diseases associated with them.
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