Cannabis Terminology Glossary: Complete A-Z Guide to Weed Slang and Terms
Cannabis Terminology Glossary: Complete A-Z Guide to Weed Slang and Terms
Whether you're a complete beginner or someone who's overheard cannabis conversations and felt lost, this comprehensive glossary demystifies the language of cannabis culture. From scientific terms to street slang, accessories to consumption methods, this A-Z reference guide covers everything you need to understand cannabis-related conversations, product labels, and community discussions.
Cannabis culture has developed rich vocabulary over decades, blending botanical terminology, regional slang, and creative expressions. This guide translates it all into plain language.
Quick Answer
Cannabis terminology includes scientific names (like THC and terpenes), slang terms (like dank and loud), accessory names (like grinder and bong), and cultural phrases (like 420 and puff-puff-pass). This glossary covers 100+ essential terms organized alphabetically, helping beginners navigate cannabis conversations, product labels, and community culture with confidence.
A
Ashtray: Container for ash and extinguished cannabis. Specialized cannabis ashtrays often include features like debowler spikes for cleaning pipes.
Autoflower: Cannabis plant genetics that flower based on age rather than light cycles. Not relevant to consumers but you'll see it in cultivation discussions.
B
Blunt: Cannabis rolled in tobacco leaf or tobacco-free hemp wrap. Larger than joints, burns slower, often shared in groups. Named after Phillies Blunt cigars originally used.
Bong: Water pipe for smoking cannabis. Water cools and filters smoke before inhalation. Also called water pipe. Sizes range from mini (6") to massive (3+ feet). Learn more in our bongs collection.
Bowl: (1) The part of a pipe or bong that holds cannabis for burning. (2) A session of smoking ("want to smoke a bowl?"). (3) The amount that fills the bowl piece.
Bubbler: Hybrid between a pipe and bong - handheld like a pipe but uses water like a bong. Provides smoother hits than dry pipes.
Bud: The flowering part of the female cannabis plant containing the highest concentration of cannabinoids. What you actually smoke. Also called flower or nugs.
Budtender: Cannabis dispensary employee who helps customers select products, similar to a bartender. They can recommend strains and answer questions.
C
Cannabinoids: Chemical compounds in cannabis that interact with receptors in the body. THC and CBD are the most well-known, but there are 100+ others including CBG, CBN, and CBC.
Cannabis: The scientific name for the plant genus. Includes Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. The formal/legal term for marijuana/weed.
Carb (Carburetor): Small hole on pipes and bubblers that controls airflow. Cover while lighting, release while inhaling to clear smoke from the chamber.
Cart/Cartridge: Pre-filled vaporizer cartridge containing cannabis oil. Attaches to 510-thread battery. Popular for convenience and discretion.
CBD (Cannabidiol): Non-psychoactive cannabinoid known for potential therapeutic benefits without producing a "high." Often used for anxiety, pain, and inflammation.
Chillum: Straight, conical pipe traditionally used in Indian culture. Also called a one-hitter when cigarette-sized.
Cone: (1) Pre-rolled paper shaped like a cone for easy filling. (2) A joint rolled in cone shape (wider at the tip, narrow at filter).
Concentrates: Cannabis products with extracted and concentrated cannabinoids. Includes wax, shatter, live resin, rosin. Much more potent than flower (60-90% THC vs 15-25%).
Cross-Joint: Joint with a second joint inserted perpendicular through it, forming a cross shape. Made famous by the movie Pineapple Express. Advanced rolling technique.
Crutch: Another term for filter or tip. Provides structure and prevents loose cannabis from entering your mouth.
Cure/Curing: Post-harvest process of drying cannabis slowly to preserve potency, flavor, and smoothness. Properly cured cannabis is less harsh to smoke.
D
Dab: (1) A dose of cannabis concentrate. (2) The act of vaporizing concentrates using a dab rig or electronic device. Dabbing is significantly more potent than smoking flower.
Dank: Slang for high-quality cannabis with strong aroma and potency. Originally meant "damp/musty" but evolved into a compliment.
Debowler: Spike in ashtrays designed to help empty pipes by pushing out ash and residue.
Dispensary: Legal retail store for cannabis products. Requires medical card or adult age depending on local laws.
Downstem: Glass tube in bongs that connects the bowl to the water chamber. Can be fixed or removable.
Dug out/Dugout: Small box with two compartments - one for ground cannabis, one for a one-hitter bat. Portable smoking system.
Dry Herb: Flower cannabis (as opposed to concentrates/oils). Used to specify vaporizers designed for flower rather than concentrate pens.
E
Edibles: Cannabis-infused food or beverages. Effects take 1-2 hours to begin, last 6-8 hours, and feel different from smoking. Harder to dose, not recommended for first-timers.
Eighth: 3.5 grams of cannabis (⅛ of an ounce). Common purchase amount.
F
Filter/Filter Tip: Small piece of rolled cardboard or specialized material placed at the mouth end of joints. Provides structure, prevents loose material from entering mouth, keeps joint shape. Also called crutch or tip.
Flower: The smokable buds of the cannabis plant. Also called bud or herb. The traditional form of cannabis.
Fullmelt: High-quality hash that vaporizes completely without leaving residue. Premium concentrate.
G
Gram: Unit of measurement for cannabis. One gram is enough for 2-3 joints or several pipe bowls.
Grind: To break down cannabis into smaller, uniform pieces. Improves burning consistency.
Grinder: Device for breaking down cannabis flower into consistent pieces. Ranges from simple 2-piece to 4-piece with kief catchers. Available in metal, acrylic, or wood.
Green: (1) Fresh, unburned cannabis in a bowl. (2) "Getting greens" means being first to smoke from a freshly packed bowl.
H
Hash/Hashish: Compressed cannabis resin glands (trichomes). More potent than flower, less potent than modern concentrates. Traditional concentrated form of cannabis.
Hemp: Cannabis plants bred for industrial uses (fiber, seeds, CBD) with less than 0.3% THC. Legal in many jurisdictions even where marijuana isn't.
Herb: Another word for cannabis flower. Common in phrases like "herb grinder."
Hybrid: Cannabis strain bred from both indica and sativa genetics. Most modern strains are hybrids. Effects depend on specific genetics.
Hydro/Hydroponic: Cannabis grown in water-based nutrient solutions rather than soil. Often (incorrectly) assumed to be higher quality, though growing method affects quality less than genetics and cure.
I
Indica: One of the main cannabis subspecies, traditionally associated with relaxing, sedating effects and shorter, bushier plants. The mnemonic "in-da-couch" helps remember the typical effect.
Iso (Isopropyl Alcohol): Alcohol used for cleaning pipes, bongs, and other glass accessories. Usually 91% or 99% concentration works best.
J
J/Jay: Slang for joint.
Joint: Cannabis rolled in paper (unlike blunts which use tobacco leaf). Classic consumption method. Can be rolled with or without a filter.
K
Keef (see Kief)
Kief: Crystalline trichomes that fall off cannabis buds, collected in grinder chambers or through sifting screens. Very potent (30-50% THC). Appears as golden powder. Can be sprinkled on bowls or pressed into hash.
Kush: Strain family originally from the Hindu Kush mountains. Term now used broadly for indica-dominant strains with earthy, piney flavors.
L
Lighter: Standard tool for igniting cannabis. Butane lighters are most common. Hemp wick provides a cleaner-tasting alternative.
Loud: Slang for cannabis with very strong aroma. "Loud" refers to how strongly it smells, indicating freshness and quality.
M
Marijuana: Traditional term for cannabis, derived from Mexican Spanish. Some prefer "cannabis" as "marijuana" has racist historical connotations from prohibition-era propaganda.
Mary Jane: Playful slang for marijuana, possibly from Spanish translation. Common in older references.
Mids/Middies: Medium-quality cannabis. Not premium (loud, dank), not terrible (schwag, brick weed). Average potency and appeal.
Munchies: Increased appetite often experienced after cannabis consumption. Food typically tastes better and hunger signals intensify.
N
Nug: Individual cannabis bud, especially a chunky, well-formed one. "Nice nugs" means high-quality buds.
O
OG: (1) Strain lineage term (Ocean Grown or Original Gangster - disputed). Appears in many strain names like OG Kush. (2) Slang for "original" or veteran user.
One-Hitter: Small pipe designed for a single inhalation. Often disguised to look like cigarettes. Paired with dugouts for portability.
P
Pack/Pack a Bowl: To fill a pipe or bong bowl with ground cannabis.
Papers (see Rolling Papers)
Percolator/Perc: Water filtration feature in bongs that creates bubbles, further cooling and filtering smoke. Types include tree, honeycomb, showerhead, turbine.
Piece: Any smoking device - pipe, bong, bubbler, etc. "Nice piece" is a compliment on someone's accessory.
Pipe: Handheld smoking device, typically glass, metal, or wood. Simpler than bongs, more portable. Includes spoon pipes, Sherlock pipes, chillums.
Pot: Classic slang for cannabis/marijuana. Origins unclear, possibly from Spanish "potiguaya" (marijuana leaves).
Pre-Roll: Pre-rolled joint purchased from dispensaries. Convenient for those who don't want to roll their own.
Puff: (1) One inhalation from a joint, pipe, or other device. (2) To smoke cannabis.
Puff-Puff-Pass: Social smoking etiquette - take two puffs then pass to the next person in rotation.
Q
Quarter: 7 grams of cannabis (¼ ounce). Common purchase amount for regular users.
R
Reefer: Old-school slang for cannabis, popularized in 1930s-50s anti-cannabis propaganda films like "Reefer Madness." Rarely used seriously today.
Resin: (1) Sticky buildup inside pipes from combusted cannabis. (2) Live resin - premium cannabis concentrate.
Roach: The final small portion of a joint that's difficult to hold while smoking. Some save roaches in "roach jars" to smoke later.
Roach Clip: Tool (or improvised item like bobby pin) for holding a roach to smoke it completely without burning fingers.
Rolling Papers: Thin papers for rolling joints. Made from wood pulp, rice, or hemp. Sizes include 1¼, king size, and king size slim.
Rolling Tray: Flat surface with raised edges for rolling joints. Catches fallen cannabis and keeps workspace organized.
S
Sativa: Cannabis subspecies traditionally associated with energizing, cerebral, creative effects. Plants grow tall and thin. Many daytime strains are sativa-dominant.
Schwag: Low-quality cannabis, often brown, dry, full of stems and seeds. Opposite of dank. Also called "brick weed" when compressed for smuggling.
Sesh/Session: A period of cannabis consumption, usually shared with others.
Shake: Small pieces and fragments of cannabis buds that settle at the bottom of containers. Cheaper than whole buds but still usable, though often less potent.
Spliff: Cannabis mixed with tobacco, rolled in paper. More common in Europe than North America.
Stash: (1) Your personal cannabis supply. (2) Hidden storage spot. (3) Storage containers.
Strain: Specific variety of cannabis with distinct genetics, appearance, aroma, and effects. Thousands exist, named creatively (Blue Dream, Sour Diesel, etc.).
T
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): Primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. Produces the "high." Typical flower contains 15-30% THC, concentrates 60-90%.
Terpenes: Aromatic oils in cannabis that produce distinct smells and flavors (pine, citrus, berry, diesel). Also influence effects through the "entourage effect."
Tip: Filter/crutch at the mouth end of joints.
Tolerance: Reduced response to cannabis from regular use, requiring larger amounts for same effects. Managed with tolerance breaks (T-breaks).
Toke: (1) A puff or hit from a joint/pipe. (2) To smoke cannabis.
Trichomes: Tiny, crystal-like glands on cannabis buds and leaves containing cannabinoids and terpenes. They look like tiny mushrooms under magnification and appear as "frost" or "crystals" to the naked eye.
U
Uplifting: Describes effects that elevate mood and energy, typically associated with sativa strains.
V
Vape/Vaporizer: Device that heats cannabis to release cannabinoids as vapor (not smoke). Less harsh than smoking, more efficient. Includes dry herb vaporizers and concentrate pens.
W
Wake and Bake: Consuming cannabis shortly after waking up, typically before breakfast.
Wax: Type of cannabis concentrate with waxy, opaque texture. Made through extraction processes. High potency (60-80% THC).
Weed: Universal casual slang for cannabis/marijuana. Most common everyday term.
Z
Zip/Ziplock: Ounce (28 grams) of cannabis. Named because it historically came in ziploc bags. Also called an "O" or "zone."
Accessory & Equipment Terms
Ash Catcher: Attachment for bongs that catches ash before it enters the main chamber, keeping water cleaner longer.
Carb Cap: Tool used in dabbing to control airflow and vaporization temperature.
Debowler: see main section above
Dugout: see main section above
Grinder: see main section above with link to grinders
One-Hitter: see main section above
Rolling Tray: see main section above
Screens: Small mesh screens placed in pipes to prevent cannabis from being pulled through while smoking.
Consumption Method Terms
Cornering: Technique of lighting just a small section of the bowl so others get fresh (green) cannabis rather than all ash. Polite group smoking practice.
Dab: see main section above
Hotbox: Smoking in an enclosed space (car, small room) so smoke accumulates. Intensifies effects through secondhand smoke.
Pass/Passing: Sharing cannabis by handing it to the next person in rotation.
Rip: Taking a large, forceful inhalation. "Taking a fat rip" means a big hit.
Cultural & Social Terms
420 (Four-Twenty): see FAQ above - code for cannabis, both as a time (4:20 PM) and date (April 20).
Bogart: To hold onto a joint/pipe too long without passing. From Humphrey Bogart's tendency to let cigarettes dangle from his lips in films.
Cashed/Cached: When a bowl is completely burned with no green left. "This bowl is cashed."
Cottonmouth: Dry mouth sensation common after cannabis use. Resolved by drinking water.
Couch-Lock: Intense physical relaxation making you want to melt into the couch, typically from indica strains or large doses.
Dankrupt: Humorous term for being out of cannabis.
Green Out: Feeling nauseous, dizzy, or generally unwell from consuming too much cannabis. Non-dangerous but unpleasant.
Munchies: see main section above
Puff-Puff-Pass: see main section above
Stoned: State of being under cannabis influence, often implying heavy body effects.
Quality & Characteristics Terms
Dank: see main section above
Fire/Loud: High-quality cannabis with strong effects and aroma.
Gas/Gassy: Strain characteristic describing fuel-like aroma (often desirable). Certain terpenes create diesel/petrol smell profiles.
Headie/Heady: Very high quality cannabis or glass pieces. "Headies" are premium products.
Reggie/Regs: Regular, mediocre quality cannabis. Better than schwag, worse than premium.
Schwag: see main section above
Shake: see main section above
Sticky: High resin content making buds sticky to touch. Indicates freshness and high trichome count.
Top Shelf: Highest quality cannabis products in a dispensary, usually on literal top shelves. Premium pricing.
Measurement Terms
Dime Bag: $10 worth of cannabis. Amount varies by location and quality. Outdated term from pre-legalization era.
Eighth: see main section above (3.5 grams)
Gram: Basic unit of cannabis measurement. Enough for 2-3 joints or several bowls.
Half/Half O: Half ounce (14 grams).
Ounce (O/Oz): 28 grams. Legal purchase limits often cap at one ounce.
Quarter: see main section above (7 grams)
Plant & Strain Terms
Hybrid: see main section above
Indica: see main section above
Landrace: Original, pure cannabis strains from specific geographic regions (Afghan Kush, Thai, Durban Poison). Most modern strains are crossbred hybrids.
Phenotype: Specific physical expression of a strain's genetics. Same strain can have multiple phenotypes with slight variations.
Sativa: see main section above
Strain: see main section above
Terpenes: see main section above
Trim: Leaves and small pieces trimmed from buds during harvest. Lower quality than buds but still contains cannabinoids. Often used for edibles or pre-rolls.
Effects Terms
Cerebral: Effects felt in the mind/head rather than body. Mental clarity, creativity, philosophical thinking.
Couch-Lock: see above
Creeper: Strain or product where effects develop slowly, "creeping up" on you. Easy to overconsume because you don't feel it immediately.
Head High: Primarily mental/cerebral effects with less body sensation.
Mellow: Gentle, relaxed effects without intensity.
Paranoia: Anxiety or suspicious feelings sometimes triggered by cannabis, usually from consuming too much or using high-THC sativas.
Stoned: see above
Uplifting: see above
Preparation Terms
Break Up/Break Down: Manually separating cannabis buds with fingers rather than using a grinder.
Cure: see above
Decarb/Decarboxylation: Heating process that activates cannabinoids. Happens automatically when smoking but must be done deliberately for edibles.
Grind: see above
Storage Terms
Boveda/Humidity Pack: Two-way humidity control pack maintaining ideal moisture levels (usually 62%) for cannabis storage.
Cure: see above (also relates to storage)
Jar/Stash Jar: Airtight container for cannabis storage. Glass mason jars are popular.
Vacuum Seal: Storage method removing air to preserve freshness long-term.
Legal & Medical Terms
Budtender: see main section above
CBD: see main section above
Dispensary: see main section above
Medical Card/MMJ Card: State-issued identification allowing legal purchase of medical cannabis. Requirements vary by jurisdiction.
Recreational: Cannabis legal for adult use without medical justification. Also called "adult use."
THC: see main section above
Slang & Colloquial Terms
Bake/Baked: To smoke cannabis / being high.
Blaze/Blazing: To smoke cannabis.
Blow: Exhaling smoke.
Bud: see main section above
Burn: To smoke cannabis.
Cheech/Chief/Chiefing: Smoking cannabis, especially large amounts.
Chronic: (1) High-quality cannabis. (2) Dr. Dre's 1992 album that popularized the term.
Devil's Lettuce: Humorous slang for cannabis, mocking old anti-cannabis rhetoric.
Doobie/Dooby: Joint. Old-school term.
Ganja: Sanskrit word for cannabis, used in Jamaican culture and worldwide.
Grass/Pot/Herb/Weed: All synonyms for cannabis.
High: State of being under cannabis influence.
Jazz Cigarette: Extremely outdated 1920s-30s term for cannabis joint. Used ironically today.
Mary Jane: see main section above
Reefer: see main section above
Smoke Out: To provide cannabis to someone else for free.
Spark/Spark Up: To light cannabis.
Tree/Trees: Cannabis flower, referencing the plant structure.
Wacky Tobaccy: Humorous, deliberately silly term for cannabis.
Understanding Product Labels
Modern legal cannabis products include detailed labeling. Key terms you'll see:
THC %: Percentage of tetrahydrocannabinol by weight. 15-20% is moderate, 20-25% is strong, 25%+ is very strong.
CBD %: Percentage of cannabidiol. Higher CBD can balance THC effects.
Terpene Profile: List of dominant terpenes (Myrcene, Limonene, Pinene, etc.) indicating aroma and potential effects.
Indica/Sativa/Hybrid: Classification of strain type.
Harvest Date: When cannabis was harvested. Fresher is generally better (within 6-12 months).
Testing Date: When cannabinoid content was laboratory tested.
Batch Number: Identifier for specific production batch, important for quality control.
Regional Variations
Cannabis terminology varies by region:
UK/Europe: "Draw" (cannabis), "Spliff" (joint), "Green" (cannabis), "Build" (roll a joint)
Canada: "Dart" (joint), "Hoover" (smoke everything), "Going for a rip" (smoking session)
Australia: "Cone" (bong bowl), "Choof" (cannabis), "Stink" (cannabis)
West Coast US: "Tree," "Fire," "Gas" for quality descriptors
East Coast US: "Loud," "Za/Zaza" (new slang), "Bud"
Understanding these helps when discussing cannabis in different communities or consuming cannabis content from various regions.
Final Thoughts
Cannabis terminology can feel overwhelming at first, but you don't need to memorize everything. Learn the basics (bud, joint, pipe, grinder, THC, CBD) and the rest comes naturally through exposure and conversation.
When unsure about a term, simply ask - cannabis enthusiasts generally enjoy explaining terminology, especially to curious newcomers. Most slang exists for fun, creativity, or historical reasons rather than necessity.
As cannabis becomes more mainstream and legally available, terminology continues evolving. New slang emerges while old terms fade. Staying current helps you understand product descriptions, follow discussions, and communicate effectively within cannabis communities.
The most important thing is understanding terms related to safety (potency, dosing, effects) and basic equipment. The creative slang is just cultural flavor that makes conversations more interesting.
This glossary is for educational purposes. Cannabis laws vary by jurisdiction. Terms and definitions reflect common usage but may have regional variations.
Frequently Asked Questions
These terms all refer to the same plant (Cannabis sativa). 'Cannabis' is the scientific/formal term, 'marijuana' is traditional (though considered outdated by some), and 'weed' is casual slang. They're interchangeable in most contexts.
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