Glossary
A to Z.

AActivation time

The time a product typically takes to become active, which Michigan requires on every label in words or as a pictogram.

BBadder

A soft, whipped concentrate with a texture like cake frosting.

Batch

A group of product made at the same time from the same material. Lab results apply to a specific batch.

Bubble hash

A solventless concentrate made by separating trichomes from the plant with ice water and agitation, then drying them.

Budtender

A dispensary team member who helps customers understand products, labels and the menu.

CCannabinoid

One of a family of compounds made in the cannabis plant's resin glands, such as THC, CBD, CBN and CBG.

Caryophyllene

A terpene with a peppery, clove-like, spicy aroma. Also found in black pepper and cinnamon.

CBD

Cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid. Michigan labels must report its concentration.

CBG

Cannabigerol, a cannabinoid formed from CBGA, the acid the plant uses to build THCA and CBDA.

CBN

Cannabinol, a cannabinoid that forms mostly as THC ages and is exposed to air and light.

Certificate of analysis (COA)

A lab report showing the test results for a batch, such as cannabinoid levels and other required tests.

Clone

A cutting taken from a mother plant and rooted, so it is genetically identical to that plant.

Concentrate

Resin separated from the plant, such as hash, rosin, live resin, badder or shatter. Michigan calls it marihuana concentrate.

Cross

A new cultivar bred by pollinating one plant with another. Written as Parent A × Parent B.

Cultivar

The botanical word for a cultivated variety; in everyday talk, a strain.

Cure

Slowly drying harvested flower at a controlled temperature and humidity so it keeps its aroma and burns smoothly.

DDecarboxylation

The chemical change, usually caused by heat, that turns acid cannabinoids such as THCA into neutral ones such as THC.

Distillate

A refined cannabis oil made by distilling extract down to mostly one cannabinoid, often used in vapes and edibles.

EEdible

A food or drink made with cannabis. Potency is shown in milligrams of THC per serving and per package.

Eighth

An eighth of an ounce of flower, about 3.5 grams.

FFlower

The dried, cured buds of the female cannabis plant.

HHash

A concentrate made by collecting and pressing trichomes.

Humulene

A terpene with a woody, earthy, hoppy aroma. Also found in hops and sage.

Hybrid

A label for cultivars bred from both indica- and sativa-labelled lines.

IIndica

A traditional label for cultivars descended from short, broad-leaf plants. Today it describes heritage and plant shape more than chemistry.

KKief

Loose trichomes that collect at the bottom of a grinder or are sifted from flower.

LLandrace

A cultivar that developed in one region over many generations, such as many named for their home countries.

Limonene

A terpene with a bright citrus-peel aroma. Also found in lemon and orange rinds.

Lineage

A cultivar's family tree: its parents, grandparents and the cultivars bred from it.

Linalool

A terpene with a floral, lavender-like aroma.

Live resin

A concentrate made from plants frozen right after harvest instead of dried, to keep more of their fresh aroma.

MMarihuana

The spelling Michigan law uses for cannabis.

Metrc

Michigan's statewide tracking system. Every package carries a tag number from it.

Myrcene

A terpene with an earthy, musky, herbal aroma. Also found in hops and mango.

OOcimene

A terpene with a sweet, herbal, woody aroma. Also found in basil and mint.

PPhenotype

How one particular plant looks and smells, which can differ between seeds of the same cultivar.

Pinene

A terpene that smells like pine needles. Also found in rosemary and conifers.

Pre-roll

Ground flower rolled in paper and ready to light. Some are infused with concentrate.

RResin

The sticky substance made in trichomes that holds a plant's cannabinoids and terpenes.

Rosin

A solventless concentrate pressed out of flower or hash with heat and pressure.

SSativa

A traditional label for cultivars descended from tall, narrow-leaf plants. Today it describes heritage and plant shape more than chemistry.

Shatter

A glassy, brittle concentrate.

Solventless

Made without chemical solvents — for example bubble hash and rosin.

Strain

The everyday word for a named cannabis cultivar. A shared name doesn't always mean shared genetics.

TTerpene

An aromatic compound that gives cannabis — and many other plants — its smell and flavour.

Terpinolene

A terpene with a fresh, piney, floral, slightly herbal aroma.

THC

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis. Michigan labels must report its concentration.

THCA

The acid form of THC found in raw cannabis; heat converts it to THC.

Tincture

A liquid cannabis extract, usually measured with a dropper.

Topical

A lotion, balm or similar product applied to the skin.

Trichome

A tiny, frosty gland on cannabis flowers where cannabinoids and terpenes are made.

UUniversal symbol

The state symbol that must appear on every Michigan cannabis package.

VVape cartridge

A small tank of cannabis oil that attaches to a battery.

For adults 21+. Education only — not medical advice. Experiences vary from person to person.