Anyone joining a conversation about cannabis for the first time will encounter its own specific vocabulary: English words, botanical terms and expressions that are taken for granted. This glossary brings together the most common ones, explained without technical jargon.<\/p>\n
Cannabis sativa.<\/strong> Botanical name of the species. Within this species, there are varieties with very different shapes and appearances.<\/p>\n Indica and Sativa.<\/strong> Two traditional categories that primarily describe the plant\u2019s form: Indicas are short with broad leaves, whilst Sativas are tall with narrow leaves. Nowadays, almost all strains are hybrids, so the label is less meaningful than it seems.<\/p>\n Hybrid.<\/strong> A strain resulting from a cross between Indica and Sativa genetics. It is by far the most common type.<\/p>\n Genetics or strain.<\/strong> A specific variety of a plant, with its own name. Each strain has a distinctive aroma, colour and structure.<\/p>\n Heart.<\/strong> The flower of the female plant, the part where the trichomes are concentrated.<\/p>\n Trichomes.<\/strong> Small, crystal-like glands that cover the bud. This is where cannabinoids and terpenes are produced.<\/p>\n Cannabinoids.<\/strong> A family of compounds found in cannabis. The two best known are THC and CBD, but over a hundred have been identified.<\/p>\n THC.<\/strong> Tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive cannabinoid.<\/p>\n CBD.<\/strong> Cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that has become very popular in recent years.<\/p>\n Terpenes.<\/strong> Aromatic compounds responsible for the aroma of each variety: citrus, pine, earth, spices. If you\u2019re interested in this topic, we cover it in depth in our guide to terpenes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Profile.<\/strong> The combination of cannabinoids and terpenes in a strain. Two strains with the same THC content can have very different profiles.<\/p>\n Indoors and outdoors.<\/strong> Indoor cultivation, with controlled lighting and climate, or outdoor cultivation, using natural light.<\/p>\n Autoflowering.<\/strong> A variety that flowers according to age rather than the number of hours of daylight. Its cycle is shorter.<\/p>\n Cured.<\/strong> The slow process of drying and resting after the harvest. Proper curing plays a major part in determining the final aroma and texture.<\/p>\n Relative humidity.<\/strong> A key tip for keeping flowers fresh. We explain this in how to store cannabis<\/a>.<\/p>\n Extract.<\/strong> A general term for products that concentrate the trichomes separated from the plant.<\/p>\n Hashish.<\/strong> The most traditional method: resin pressed from the trichomes.<\/p>\n Rosin.<\/strong> Extraction carried out using only heat and pressure, without solvents.<\/p>\n Live resin.<\/strong> Extraction carried out using frozen plant material immediately after harvest to preserve more terpenes.<\/p>\n Cannabis association.<\/strong> A private, not-for-profit organisation made up of adults who share a space. If you have any questions about how ours works, please have a look at the Frequently Asked Questions<\/a>.<\/p>\n Member.<\/strong> A person who is a member of the association.<\/p>\nCompounds<\/h2>\n
Growing and curing<\/h2>\n
Extractions<\/h2>\n
Cannabis culture<\/h2>\n