THE WEED GLOSSARY Matt Linker

BY HANNAH DOCTER-LOEB The Washington Post

The cannabis plant and its many products come with a complicated and sometimes confusing vocabulary. Many words are used interchangeably, but there are some key differences.

We interviewed experts to compile this guide to explain what these words mean — and what the science says.

1. Cannabis

Cannabis usually refers to the plant from which various weed products come. Both scientists and cannabis industry professionals use the term.

2. Marijuana

In the United States, the term marijuana refers to cannabis plants that have a certain level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is responsible for getting people high. Marijuana is legal in some states but illegal federally.

Other countries, however, rarely use the word and call anything with high THC cannabis. Some U.S. lawmakers have also pushed to abandon the use of the word marijuana, arguing it has racist roots.

Pot, mary jane, dope and kush are slang words used to refer to marijuana.

3. Hemp

Hemp is cannabis plants that don’t have high levels of THC. Hemp is used primarily for commercial and industrial products such as rope, clothing and even food. It’s legal across the United States.

4. Cannabinoids

These are a group of compounds unique to the cannabis plant. The two most popular cannabinoids are probably familiar to most people: THC and cannabidiol, commonly referred to as CBD.

There are other minor cannabinoids that are integrated into products on the market. Many dispensaries tout that cannabinol (CBN) can help improve sleep, and cannabigerol (CBG) reduces pain, but experts are skeptical.

Some of these minor cannabinoids have been studied in mice, but there have not been many rigorous studies in humans, said Shanna Babalonis, the director of the UK Cannabis Center at the University of Kentucky.

5. THC

THC is the primary psychoactive compound from the cannabis plant.

It’s what accounts for the typical weed high, and studies suggest there is a risk of dependence if used often. The most common type of THC is delta-9 THC.

6. CBD

The second-most prevalent cannabinoid in the plant, CBD is still psychoactive but doesn’t have the same intoxicating effects as THC. Many users report that its more mild effects help mediate pain and regulate anxiety.

According to the World Health Organization, it also has a relatively low or no abuse potential. “We don’t think people will have a problem with drug abuse with CBD,” Babalonis said.

CBD products are legal in the United States, as long as they don’t have more than a certain amount of THC.

7. Delta-8

Products with delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (or delta-8) have been popping up in headshops, gas stations and dispensaries across the country. It exists in the cannabis plant in trace amounts and has the same elements as THC.

Many users report its effects as somewhere between regular THC and CBD. It’s also somewhat legal thanks to a loophole that permits products derived from hemp to be sold — which applies to most delta-8 on the market.

8. Flower

In the industry, flower or bud is used to refer to the part of the dried cannabis plant that can be smoked.

Monique McHenry, director of the Medical Cannabis Center for Research and Education at the University of Vermont, says, scientifically, a flower is the reproductive part of a plant and a bud is a young development on

9. Strain

When buying weed, you will be inundated with fun strain names such as “Bubba Kush,” “Girl Scout Cookies” and “Pineapple Express.” This is the industry’s way of differentiating between products, but there’s little science behind it.

“People use these names all over the place but they’re not identifying unique genetic identities or strains like people think they might be,” said Sean Myles an associate professor in agriculture at Dalhousie University.

10. Sativa and indica

Most cannabis products are labeled as either sativa or indica to help guide consumers on what kind of high they want. Users report that sativa is more uplifting, whereas indica is more relaxing.

The two are distinct species of cannabis, but experts say there aren’t genetic differences between what’s on the market. “If you look at the chemicals, they don’t consistently fall into groups that the market labels sativa or indica,” McHenry said.

11. Hybrid

Dispensaries also sell products that they say are a mix of both sativa and indica — but experts say this is more of an industry label than anything else.

12. Terpenes

Many weed products now boast of various terpenes on their labels. These are naturally occurring in the plant and account for the difference in weed smells.

For instance, strains that have terpenes with fruity aromas are often described as “lemon” or “strawberry,” while strains with earthy terpenes might be described as “diesel” or “funky,” Myles said.

13. Joint

It is a cigarette but with cannabis flower. Those with tobacco are called spliffs.

14. Blunt

It is an emptied cigar filled with cannabis.

15. Bowl

It is a small basin — usually glass — used for smoking cannabis flower.

16. Bong

This is a glass water pipe. It can be used for cannabis but also tobacco.

17. Edible

These are cannabis products that can be consumed. Brownies are a common example, but there are many other sweet (and salty) edibles.

18. Weed pens

Named for their resemblance to pens, weed pens come in two types. Dab pens are specifically for concentrated cannabis products such as wax, shatter and rosin. With vape pens, you’re vaping either flower or cannabis oil cartridges, often called carts.

19. Tincture

This is a cannabis extract that can also be consumed but is usually faster-acting than edibles, as users will swallow or absorb it under the tongue.

”Infinite Surface” — June 30 through July 30, NOMA Gallery, 437 N. Market St., Frederick. Mixed media exhibit by JG Orudjev and Todd Frankenheimer. Opening reception 5 to 8 p.m. July 1. Artists talk 7 p.m. July 20. Gallery hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. 240-367-9770 or nomagalleryfrederick.com.

“The Herbalist: Cyanotypes from Fox Haven Farm” — July 1 to 30, with a reception and artist talk from 5 to 8 p.m. July 22. Jillian Abir MacMaster recently spent a week living at Fox Haven Farm in Jefferson, created cyanotype prints about and using the farm’s herb garden, and led three workshops with demonstrations there. This exhibition will showcase the work created during the artist residency. This exhibition is part of the Black Cat Studios artist collective and was funded by the Frederick Arts Council. 4 W. Fifth St., Frederick. jillian.macmaster@gmail.com.

“All Fired Up” — July 1 to 30. Steven Gibson (fused glass artist) and Stephen Dill (blacksmith) exhibit their individual art, as well as collaborative pieces that combine glass and steel. View the work from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through July. Eastside Artists’ Gallery, 313 E. Patrick St., Frederick, eastsidearts313@gmail.com, eastsideartistsgallery.com.

”On Beauty and Revolution” — July 2 to Aug. 27, Blanche Ames Gallery, 4880 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick. Featuring the work of Sasa Aakil. Opening reception July 2. For gallery hours, call 301-473-7680.

”Contrast & Contours” — July 15 to 28, Just Lookin’ Gallery, 40 Summit Ave., Hagerstown. Known for his masterful pencil work, Michale Gibson’s drawings reflect on universal humanity. Hampton Olfus’ adroitness with ink takes us on a journey, both inward and outward. Gibson is visiting from Canada and D.C. native Olfus resides in southern Maryland. Meet both artists July 15 and July 16 from 1 to 7 p.m. There will be an artist talk at 3 p.m. both days. 301-7142278 or justlookin.com.

“Comfort” — through July 1, FAC Art Center, 5 E. Second St., Frederick. An interactive multimedia show of art related to coffee and tea and an exploration of the rituals and personal connections surrounding those drinks. frederickartscouncil.org.

“Making Memories as We Wait” — through July 1, FAC Art Center, 5 E. Second St., Frederick. Solo exhibition by Khánh H. Lê, who probes his personal and familial histories to carve out a cultural identity for himself. Through the collaging of materials such as acrylic paintings, glitter, prints and sparkling plastic craft jewels, Lê merges narratives — both horrific realities and idyllic fantasies — that are filled with tension as he explores notions of home, country and safety. 301-662-4190.

Surrealist and figurative painter Sumner Crenshaw exhibits her work in the show “Secret Mythos” through July 2 at DISTRICT Arts, 15 N. Market St., Frederick. Crenshaw’s art is a minimalist, narrative style imbued with lines and movement. Hopscotching between genres, her work builds on a variety of influences, from Salvador Dali to Shel Silverstein. Crenshaw’s paintings pay particular attention to themes of overcoming anxiety and finding strength. In her more surreal pieces, exaggerated figures pull from mythology and folklore to explore ideas of anxiety and struggle, while in her “Curly Girl” paintings, confident figures strut across the canvas in a show of empowerment and feminism. In her most recent series of paintings, Sumner pulled from Celtic and Northern European folklore to explore inner struggles and draw parallels between the personal and the mythological. Sumner finds that ancient archetypes often reflect our own modern lives with striking accuracy, and uses old folk tales as jumping off points to explore issues of mental health and create her own idiosyncratic visual stories. Sumner resides in historic downtown Frederick, where she runs The Muse. When she’s not at her shop or in her studio creating, Sumner can be found reading a witchy book and spoiling her two dachshunds, Hiccup and Pudding.

”Nature and Structure” — through July 2, Wine & Art Series at Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont. Oil and acrylic paintings by Russ Mardon. The focus of the paintings is on the interplay between built structures and the natural environment. The lines and angles of roads, bridges, buildings, etc., use a different visual language than the curves, waves, and fractals found in nature. This contrast guides the design process, and the paintings draw the viewer in by humanizing the scale of the landscape. Weekends 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., or by appointment. 301-602-5733 or linksbridgevineyards@gmail.com.

”Secret Mythos” — through July 2, DISTRICT Arts, 15 N. Market St., Frederick. Works by Sumner Crenshaw, an American surrealist and figurative painter. Her paintings pay particular attention to themes of overcoming anxiety and finding strength. Gallery hours are noon to 6 pm. Wednesday and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-695-4050 or districtarts.com.

”As I See It” — through July 2, Artist in the House Gallery at Locals Farm Market Restaurant, 19929 Fisher Ave., Poolesville. Featuring the work of Marcie Wolf-Hubbard. Her current work integrates her drawings in encaustic painting and mixed media to create unique surfaces, full of texture, and luminosity. Hours are 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, 5 to 8 p.m. Friday.

”I Am Sarah Matthews” — through July 2, Black Rock Center for the Arts, Kay Gallery, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. Matthews’ work reflects her commitment to exploring the complex issues of race, equality and gender. As an African-American, Matthews has experienced firsthand the impact of negative media images that portray her community as inferior. She challenges these stereotypes and empowers her audience to see all individuals’ beauty, intelligence, and importance, regardless of their race. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. 301528-2260 or blackrockcenter.org

National Juried Exhibition — through July 9, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Features works in a variety of media by artists from around the region and the nation. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.

Harmonious Art Group’s Annual Exhibit — through July 9, Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg. In celebration of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Works by 36 artists. 301-258-6394 or gaithersburgmd.gov.

”Spectrum: Realism to Abstraction” — through July 29, Gallery 50, 50 W. Main St., Waynesboro, Pa. 12 featured artists. Gallery hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and by appointment. artsalliancegw.org or contact@ artsalliancegw.org.

”Frederick In Spires” — through July 30, Gallery 322, 322 N. Market St., Frederick. Gallery 322 celebrates the 275th anniversary of Frederick County. This group show features artists Michael Douglas Jones, Jan Kaufman, Linda Kirvan, Ann Schaefer, Anne Gibson Snyder, Russell Schofield, Tom Ritchie, and Homer Yost, along with associate artists Roberta Staat, Leo Ramos, Lissa Abrams, Paul Wilson and Karen Winston-Levin. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 240-815-7777 or gallery322.com.

”10x10” — through Aug. 12. Each piece is 10 inches square and for sale. Opening includes music, gaming tournament and food truck. Gallery hours are 4 to 6 p.m. Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays or by appointment. 443-536-9198.

“The Hot Button” — through August, Hot Button Gallery, 129 E. German St., Shepherdstown, W.Va. Carol Williams exhibits textiles and poster art that reflect her passion for social responsibility through artistic communication. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. The artist will be available for conversation at these times. anothercarolwilliams.com.

Crestwood Gallery Spring Exhibit — through Sept. 8, Crestwood Center, 7211 Bank Court, Frederick. Original artwork including photography, watercolors, oil, acrylic, mixed media and wood carvings by Frederick artists. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 240-215-1460, frederickhealth.org/crestwoodart.

”Landscapes & Legends of Norway: William Singer & His Contemporaries” — through Sept. 17, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown. This exhibition uses Singer’s work and that of his contemporaries in the museum collection to look at the impact of Norway on the imaginations of various artists. A series of watercolors depicting Norse legends (yes, Loki and Thor) by American artist Frank Morse Rummel are also a highlight of the exhibition. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-739-5727 or wcmfa.org.