🗣️ A Guide to Cannabis Slang and Terminology: Talk Like a Toker
The cannabis community is rich with its own unique vocabulary. From the dispensary counter to online forums, new terms pop up constantly. While the core scientific language (THC, CBD, Terpenes) is important, knowing the common slang will help you navigate conversations, understand product names, and talk confidently with your budtender.
Here is a glossary of essential cannabis slang and terminology every newcomer should know.
Essential Product & Consumption Terms
| Term | Definition | Context/Notes |
| Flower | The smokable, cured, and trimmed buds of the cannabis plant. | The term used instead of "weed" or "marijuana" in professional settings. |
| Preroll | A pre-rolled cannabis joint, ready for consumption. | A popular, convenient option sold at dispensaries. |
| Edibles | Cannabis infused into food or drinks (gummies, brownies, sodas). | Known for providing a stronger, longer-lasting high. |
| Concentrates | Highly potent extracts derived from the plant (e.g., shatter, wax, oil). | Requires specific hardware (like a dab rig or vape pen) to consume. |
| Vape Cart / Cartridge | A small glass chamber containing cannabis oil, designed to be screwed onto a battery. | Used for discreet and controlled dosing. |
| Dabbing | The act of flash-vaporizing concentrates using a specialized device (a dab rig). | Delivers the most potent, immediate dose of cannabinoids. |
| Tincture | A liquid cannabis extract, usually oil- or alcohol-based, taken sublingually (under the tongue). | Great for precise dosing and faster effects than edibles. |
| Topicals | Cannabis-infused creams, balms, or lotions applied to the skin. | Non-psychoactive; used for localized pain and inflammation relief. |
Slang for Effects and Experiences
| Term | Definition | Context/Notes |
| Munchies | The common, intense feeling of hunger often experienced after consuming THC. | Caused by THC’s interaction with appetite-regulating hormones. |
| Couch Lock | A heavy, physical sedation that makes you feel literally "locked" to the couch. | Usually associated with Indica-dominant strains high in the terpene Myrcene. |
| Cottonmouth / Dry Mouth | The common sensation of having an extremely dry mouth. | Caused by cannabinoids interacting with moisture-producing glands. Keep water handy! |
| Canna-Curious | Someone interested in trying cannabis but who has little or no experience. | Often used by dispensaries to refer to new, non-traditional consumers. |
| Stoned | A term often used to describe the deeply relaxing, body-heavy effects of an Indica high. | Generally implies physical relaxation and sometimes sedation. |
| High | A general term for the psychoactive, euphoric effects of cannabis, often associated with Sativa strains. | Generally implies a more cerebral, energetic feeling. |
| Green Out | Slang for consuming too much cannabis, leading to temporary symptoms like nausea, dizziness, or anxiety. | See "Start Low, Go Slow"—CBD can help mitigate this. |
Technical and Culture Terms
| Term | Definition | Context/Notes |
| T-Break | Tolerance Break. The act of abstaining from cannabis for a period (e.g., 3 days to 3 weeks) to reset tolerance. | Recommended when your usual dose no longer produces the desired effects. |
| Terps | Short for Terpenes. | The aromatic compounds that determine a strain's smell, flavor, and much of its effect. |
| Kief | The potent, powdery resin collected at the bottom of a grinder. | Made up of tiny, crystalized trichomes that contain a high concentration of cannabinoids. |
| COA | Certificate of Analysis. The official lab result showing a product's cannabinoid/terpene content and verifying that it is free of contaminants. | Essential for consumer safety and transparency. |
| Entourage Effect | The theory that all cannabis compounds (THC, CBD, terpenes) work better together than in isolation. | Why whole-plant medicine is often preferred over single-compound isolates. |
| Budtender | The name for the person working behind the counter at a dispensary who guides customers through product selection. | They are trained experts, so use them as a resource! |
| Microdosing | Consuming very small, sub-perceptible amounts of cannabis (typically 1-2.5 mg) to achieve therapeutic effects without feeling high. | Ideal for daytime use, focus, and anxiety management. |
🔑 Final Tip: Don't Be Afraid to Ask
If you hear a term you don't recognize at a dispensary, do not hesitate to ask your budtender for clarification. The industry is constantly evolving, and a good budtender is always happy to educate you on the latest products and lingo.