Definitions
Cultivar (Strain)
A cultivar is a horticultural category to describe a plant that’s been selected and approved upon by humans. “Strain” is incorrectly, yet commonly used to describe cultivate different cultivars, however is correctly used when describing genetics that are a result of genetic modification.
Genus
A taxonomic categorical group containing one or more species used for the characterization of biological organisms.
Species
A taxonomic categorical group that specifies organisms that share characteristics and are able to produce offspring to propagate said characteristics.
Autoflowering
Autoflowering is a characteristic of a specific species of cannabis. The main characteristic of autoflowering cannabis plants is the ability to grow in vegetative state and transition to flowering state without any manipulation of light conditions.
Vegetation Stage
The vegetation stage is the first growth stage of the cannabis plant. During this stage, the cannabis plant grows its stems and leaves, creating a foundation for the bud to grow. Growing conditions have to be changed in order to move from the vegetation to the flowering stage. For non-autoflowering plants, If these conditions are not changed, flowering will not occur.
Flowering Stage
During the flowering stage, the cannabis plant grows its buds, which is where the trichomes are in its highest concentration and therefore in its highest cannabinoid concentration as well. . At this stage, growers will harvest the buds for further processing before developing a cannabis end product.
Mother Plants
Mother plants are cannabis plants from which clones or “snippings” are cut to propagate the plant species and particular genetics. These clones keep the characteristics of the mother plant. Mother plants are kept in a separate nursery and not harvested for buds, but maintained for clone provision.
Clone
A female cannabis plant that is a genetic copy of its mother plant. When cultivating, growers prefer clones rather than planting from seeds as it, minimizes the risk of growing a plant improperly or with poor characteristics. Growing cannabis from clones ensures that genetics are consistently propagated between generations.
Seedling
A young plant grown from seed, typically when germination of seed is happening.
Trichomes
Derived from the Greek word, trichōma, meaning “hairs”, trichomes are known to be the small outgrowths of the cannabis plant, which are transparent, bulb-shaped protrusions where cannabis synthesis takes place. Trichomes change colour depending on the cannabinoid content at different maturity stages of the plant – different colour profiles indicated different cannabinoid concentrations.
Propagation
Propagation is the process of creating a new cannabis plant either from seed or from a plant clipping (clone). This process entails the propagation of genetics from one generation to the next.
Terpenes
Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in oils produced by the cannabis plant, which helps protect it from mold, bacteria, fungus, and pests. Scientists estimate there are over 100 terpenes in the cannabis plant and each one has its own unique effect. Some terpenes help you focus, some help you sleep, while others assist with stress relief or pain management. Typically, terpenes have a strong odor profile.
Cannabinoids
Chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. There are over 100 cannabinoids in cannabis, CBD and THC being the most well-known. These compounds act upon the human body’s cannabinoid receptors, producing various effects including pain relief and other medically beneficial uses. Some effects of certain cannabinoids, most notably THC, produce psychoactive effects when metabolized in vivo.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
The psychoactive cannabinoid molecule that is found in cannabis cultivars, responsible for the “high” that individuals experience from ingesting these strains. THC was first isolated in 1964 and is thought to serve as a natural defense for the plant against pests. Research has shown THC to be an effective medical treatment for a range of conditions. There is no lethal dose of the compound in its natural form.
CBD (Cannabidiol)
A non-psychoactive cannabinoid molecule that can be found in both the cannabis and hemp plants. There are many therapeutic applications already being used with CBD and many more currently being researched towards medicinal and clinical treatment.
Decarboxylation Process
This is the process when. Cannabinoids are made to be active for receptors in the human body. In raw, un-ingested cannabis, THC and other cannabinoids exist in their carboxylated form (ex: THCA). Through decarboxylation, which occurs through curing processes, THCA loses a molecular group to become THC and is then able to maintain the “high”.
Routes of Administration
Different methods for ingesting cannabis plants and products. Some common routes of administration include inhalation of smoke or vapor, digestion of oil extracts or capsules containing oil extracts and absorption of creams through the skin.
Psychoactive
The ability of a substance to affect your mind or behaviour, usually through means of metabolism of the substance in the human body.
Medicinal Cannabis
Cannabis cultivars (strains) that have been cultivated to amplify characteristics that are commonly known to treat medical ailments. These cultivars are usually high in CBD and very low in psychoactive THC. Some of the most potent medicinal cultivars have no psychoactive effect when consumed.
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