(08) 9758 8600

Cannabis Lingo: Accepting And Understanding 13 New Words

Hempco LogoHempco Admin
6 Mins. Read
Cannabis Lingo

When it comes to the world of cannabis lingo, the terminology can be very confusing.   Between the different variants within the species of plant, genders, and parts of the plant used for products, there's a lot to know and remember.  

This week we decided to put together a bit of a basic guide to cannabis lingo so you have something to refer to if you find yourself lost in the words. 

Read on for more insight about cannabis lingo!

Cannabis Lingo For "Cannabis Sativa"

Cannabis Sativa is among the three recognized cannabis species. Cannabis sativa is the most abundant of the cannabis species. However, all the other species can still be grouped under Cannabis sativa.

This plant contains over 100 cannabinoids that give it therapeutic and recreational relevance. Cannabis sativa includes male and female plants. However, low THC cannabis Sativa also has many industrial uses.

Cannabis Sativa

Cannabis Lingo For "Hemp" (Industrial Hemp)

Industrial hemp is a form of cannabis Sativa that is cultivated for industrial purposes. It matures within three to four months. Hemp has trace amounts of THC-the psychoactive compound in cannabis.

Hemp products contain less than 1% THC as the global benchmark.

The legal definition of hemp is cannabis that contains 0.3% or less THC. Industrial hemp is useful for commercial products like clothing, houses, food, skincare, and more.

It does not cause the “high” effect. Cannabis products derived from hemp flowers also have higher CBD concentrations.

Cannabis Lingo For "Marijuana" (Weed, Pot)

Marijuana is most commonly a seedless flower (sinsemilla), but can also take the form of dried cannabis leaves, seeds, stems, and roots. Marijuana is typically a female cannabis Sativa plant.

It contains psychoactive substances (THC), which causes a person to feel “high”. Due to the high THC content, it is illegal in most parts of the world.

Although most countries recognize anything over 1% THC as marijuana, it takes at least 7% to produce a psychoactive effect.

Cannabis Lingo For "Trichomes"

Trichomes are small crystalline structures. They cover the leaves, flowers, and buds of cannabis plants. On closer inspection, trichomes are appendages that grow from the stem of the cannabis plant. 

Trichomes

Trichomes are responsible for producing the components of a cannabis plant. They create cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes that give each cannabis plant a unique taste, flavour, and properties. Trichomes change colour as they mature, and this can be a sign of maturity. 

Cannabis Lingo For "Stigmas"

Stigmas are part of a plant pistil that is hair-like. They contain the reproductive component of a plant. The red hairs on cannabis plants are the stigma.

The stigma has a unique function of receiving pollen from the male plant. Thus, they play an essential role in the reproduction of the cannabis plant.

However, the stigma has little or no effect on the taste and potency of the cannabis plant. The stigma is usually white but changes colour as the plant matures and eventually turns red.

Cannabis Lingo For "Male Plant"

The major distinguishing characteristic of a male cannabis plant is its height. It is taller, with thicker stalks to bear the weight.

They also have fewer, usually shorter leaves. The main function of the male plant is to develop pollen. The pollens grow in a pollen sac which burst at maturity.

The pollens can fertilize a female plant to produce seeds. When a cross-pollination occurs, the male plant accounts for 50% of the product's gene.

It is also important to note that male plants can not produce flowers. The male plants have lower levels of cannabinoids. The parts of the male plant include nodes, stem, fan leaves, 

Cannabis Lingo For "Female Plant"

The female cannabis plant is shorter and has a thinner stalk. Leaves of the female plant are broader and fuller at the top of the plant.

Cola, Pistil, calyx can only be found in the female plant. Successful fertilization depends on the pollen from the male plant reaching the pistils of the female plant.

If pollination occurs, it produces seed. In the absence of pollination, it produces flowers. Another important feature of the female plant is that it produces buds. The flowers, or buds, can be anything from 0.1%-35% THC.

Cannabis Lingo For "Hermaphrodite Plant"

The hermaphrodite cannabis plant has both male and female parts in different parts of a single plant. There are two forms of the hermaphrodite cannabis plant.

True hermaphrodite plants have male and female parts in different parts of the plant. The plants are characterized by elongated anthers that produce pollens.

The pollens drop directly on the buds for pollination. A cannabis hermaphrodite plant possesses both male and female properties.

The flowers from the hermaphrodite plant produce both seeds and buds. Hermaphrodite cannabis plants are much smaller than the female plant. It is usually full of seeds making it a poor choice for smoking.  

Cannabis Lingo For "THC"

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of the major cannabinoids found in a cannabis plant. This cannabinoid stimulates neurons responsible for pleasure, thinking, and memory.

The use in medicine and recreation has sparked many controversies because it makes you feel “high.” It is the major compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. 

THC acts by stimulating the brain to produce dopamine. This makes it an effective anti-depressant because it creates euphoria. In small doses, it may improve memory.

THC also increases appetite. It also helps to prevent nausea and vomiting, especially in chemotherapy patients. Another medical benefit of THC is eradicating insomnia and pain relief.

Cannabis Lingo For "CBD"

CBD is an abbreviation of the word cannabidiol. It is among the numerous cannabinoids that you can extract from the cannabis plant.

However, it is a non-intoxicating compound. Therefore, it is not implicated in the “high effect” associated with cannabinoids.

CBD can reduce some of the unwanted psychoactive effects of THC in the body. As a recreational product, CBD helps you relax, especially after a stressful day.

In modern medicine, several areas of wellness have been improved with the use of CBD. They include:

  • Therapeutic relief of chronic and cancer pain.
  • Eliminating anxiety
  • Slow down the progression of multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder
  • Reduction of inflammation
  • Protection of the skin
  • Protection of the heart 
  • Protection of the brain

Cannabis Lingo For "Hemp Stalk"

The stalk of cannabis plants has a diverse range of uses depending on the goals of growers and manufacturers.  They are composed of two parts: The Hurd and the Bast Fibre.  Both have unique commercial applications.

Hemp Stalk

Cannabis Lingo For "Hemp Hurd"

Hemp Hurd is the wood-like core of the stalk which can be yielded through strategic processing methods.  Hemp Hurd is renowned for its use in products such as;

  • Hempcrete
  • Hemp Wood 
  • Hemp plastic
  • Pet bedding
Hemp Hurd

Cannabis Lingo For "Hemp Bast Fibre"

Hemp Bast Fibre is the fibrous 'skin' around the outside of the stalk. In order to use it, processing equipment must be utilised to separate it from the wooden core (hurd).

Then, you can use both the fibre and the Hurd for their respective products. Hemp fibre can be used to make;

Final Words/Wrap Up

We hope this mini-dictionary was effective at breaking down words you've heard but not quite understood. It's a complicated plant with many uses, and if nothing else, the simple fact that we have to do this goes to show all the possibilities.

Cannabis Lingo is still expanding as the field progresses, so we'll keep updating this as there's more to know!

Did you learn a few new words today?

Let us know in the comments if there's anything you'd like us to add!

crossmenuchevron-downarrow-right