Accreditation

Third-party attestation related to a conformity assessment body conveying formal demonstration of its competence to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks. These tasks include sampling and testing, inspection, certification, and registration.

 

API (Active pharmaceutical ingredient):

An active ingredient is the ingredient in a pharmaceutical drug or pesticide that is biologically active. The similar terms active pharmaceutical ingredient and bulk active are also used in medicine, and the term active substance may be used for natural products.

 

Alcohol Extraction:

It is a method for extracting marijuana hash oils by using alcohol as a solvent to strip THC, CBD, Terpenes, Chlorophyll and wax compounds from the botanical plant material(cannabis). The solution containing both solvent and dissolvable plant material is filtered and the filtrate subjected to low-pressure distillation to recover the concentrate in its desired consistency.

 

Backcross:

Successful marijuana production requires extensive knowledge of botany and biology, and backcrossing is an industry term borrowed from these fields. Producers backcross a marijuana plant when they facilitate plant breeding in such a way as to transfer one or more desired traits from a parent to an offspring. Specifically, this process typically entails breeding a plant with one of its parents in order to strengthen particular genes in rare strains.

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Batch:

A defined quantity of cannabis or other material that is intended to have uniform character and quality, within specified limits, and is produced during the same cycle.

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BHO:

BHO refers to butane hash oil, a potent cannabis concentrate made from marijuana plants using butane as a solvent. It contains extremely high amounts of THC, can be manufactured in a variety of ways and can have different consistencies. It is also known as "honey oil" or "earwax."

 

Biomass:

The entirety of the usable cannabis plant from harvest, before it is trimmed, treated or processed.

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Bulk Product:

Any product which has completed all processing stages up to, but not including, final packaging.

 

Bud:

The bud of a marijuana plant is the flower, found on mature plants. Buds contain high levels of cannabinoids, making them a popular choice for harvesting.

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CBC (Cannabichromene):

 

The second most prevalent cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. As it does not bind to cannabinoid 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2) receptors, CBC is not psychoactive.

 

 

CBD (Cannabidiol):

Cannabidiol, commonly abbreviated as CBD, is one of dozens of molecules in the cannabis plant which are referred to as cannabinoids. CBD in particular has become popular in recent years due to a belief that it provides medical benefits for patients suffering from various afflictions including seizures, pain, arthritis and more. CBD is unlike THC in that it does not contain psychoactive properties, meaning that individuals can utilize CBD for its medical benefits without feeling "high." CBD is most commonly delivered to users via oils, topical products and tinctures.

 

Cannabinoids:

The term "cannabinoids" refers to a large group of chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. These compounds engage with receptors in the cells of the brain which are related to neurotransmission. The two best-known cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol ("THC") and cannabidiol ("CBD"). THC is well-known for producing psychoactive effects in users of cannabis products; it is the compound responsible for the "high" associated with cannabis use. CBD is better known for its health effects and does not include a psychoactive component. Besides these two cannabinoids, there are dozens of other compounds in the various parts of a cannabis plant as well.

 

Cannabinoid Profile:

The amount of all cannabinoids in the plant

 

Cannabinol:

Comes from the Cannabis sativa plant and contains only a minimal amount of THC.

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Certificate of Analysis (CoA)

Document describing the quality and purity data from quality control testing of a lot or batch.

 

CBN:

The cannabinoid into which tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) breaks down after prolonged periods of time. Known to have a sedative effect and produced by aging cannabis for a longer period.

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Clones

A cannabis plant clipping that is planted and grown to create a genetic copy of another plant.

 

Concentrate:

Concentrates are highly potent extracts from the cannabis plant that contain cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol ("THC"). All the plant material is removed in the production process. Common concentrates include hash, kief and hash oils. They are used in both medical and recreational settings.

 

CO2 Extraction:

Also known as supercritical CO2 extraction, CO2 extraction is a technique that freezes and compresses CO2 to its super critical state then passes the cold CO2 liquefied gas through marijuana, pulling all of the essential cannabinoids, terpene oils and waxes out of the plant material into collection receptacles. The method leaves no residue and produces an amber-colored oil (CO2 oil) which can be vaporized in a number of ways.

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Crop Cycle

The time from initial planting to harvest of a discrete group of plants cultivated in the same area, using the same methods, and using the same agricultural inputs.

 

Cross:

Multiple cannabis plants can be interbred to generate a new strain of product in a process known as "crossbreeding," or "crossing," for short. New strains of marijuana are produced in order to control for factors including appearance, potency and more.

 

Crude Oil:

The product of basic extraction. Has not yet undergone further refining through Decarboxylation, Distillation or Crystallisation. Ready to be turned into a variety of products. 

 

Crystals:

The term "crystals" refers to trichomes, a white, crystal-like part of the cannabis plant which contains high concentrations of THC. Crystals are used to produce various concentrates.

 

Cure:

The process of slowly drying flowers from the plant. Allows for a more gradual process to maximize flavour and smoke quality

 

Dabbing:

While smoking and ingesting cannabis-based products remain two of the most favoured methods of consuming marijuana, a relatively new method called "dabbing" has become increasingly popular. To "dab," a user places a small amount of a cannabis concentrate on a hot oil rig pipe; the concentrate is vaporized and the user then inhales the vapor.

 

Decarboxylation:

Decarboxylation is a process used to transform certain inactive cannabinoids into active compounds like THC and CBD. The process involves the slow heating of marijuana at a low temperature and is commonly utilized to make edibles.

 

Dronabinol (Marinol and Syndros):

A synthetic THC pharmaceutical approved in the U.S. for the reduction of nausea and vomiting in cancer chemotherapy and increased appetite in HIV wasting disease

 

Distillate:

Distillate is a cannabis extract in which the final product has been systematically stripped of all materials and compounds except one specific cannabinoid.

 

Edibles:

Products containing cannabis-based chemicals and designed to be orally ingested are known as edibles. Some of the most popular edible products include baked goods, candy and soda.

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Endotoxin Test

A test designed to determine if there are fever producing substances in the cannabis product. This substance can be produced by the degradation of gram-negative bacteria from their cell walls. Endotoxin is harmful to humans.

 

Endocannabinoid System (ECS):

A group of receptors that make up a very complex regulatory system throughout the human brain, body, and central and peripheral nervous systems. ECS creates and maintains our body’s internal stability (homeostasis) by adjusting the flow of neurotransmitters and regulating bodily functions, including appetite, sleep, emotion, and movement

 

Feminization:

The process of feminization results in cannabis seeds that produce only female plants. In the cannabis industry, female plants are often seen as more desirable than their male counterparts, because only female plants produce flowers. Producing only plants of one type also protects against undesired fertilization.

 

Flower:

Known as the hairy or sticky parts of the plant which are harvested for consumption in various products, also known as the reproductive organs of the plant

 

FLOS:

Cannabis Flower packaged into smaller quantities, normally 5g.

 

GAP Certification:

Good agricultural practices are "practices that address environmental, economic and social sustainability for on-farm processes, and result in safe and quality food and non-food agricultural products"

 

Germination:

Germination is the part of the life cycle of a cannabis plant when the seed begins to sprout and develop into a seedling.

 

GMP Certification:

A Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification scheme provides independent verification and certification that the basic manufacturing practices and prerequisites necessary for the implementation of an effective Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) safety program are being followed.

 

Hash:

Also known as hashish, hash is a highly potent concentrate of marijuana trichomes achieved by one of several extraction techniques.

 

Hemp:

Hemp, a variety of Cannabis Sativa plant, contains very small traces of THC and high amounts of CBD. Hemp fibres are used in various industries including the textile, paper and automobile industries. CBD is extracted from the plant for various uses. Growing hemp was illegal on a federal level in the U.S. up until December 2018 when the 2018 Farm Bill lifted the ban so long as it contains a maximum of 0.3% THC.

 

Homogeneity:

Refers to how evenly distributed the cannabis extract is through a product. For example, if 10% of the infused portion of the cannabis product contains less than 20% of the total THC contained in the product, it is homogenous

 

Hybrid:

A cross between two genetically different strains of cannabis. Hybrids can happen randomly or purposefully but are typically done to mix two or more preferred traits of a plant to make another powerful combination

 

Hydroponics:

A hydroponic system makes it possible to grow cannabis without the use of soil and increase the plant's growth rate. Specifically, hydroponic mechanisms circulate both water and essential nutrients to a cannabis plant's roots in order to facilitate growth.

 

Indica:

There are three different species of cannabis plants: indica, sativa and ruderais. Indica cannabis plants tend to have dense clusters of buds and the strain is thought to have a sedative effect.

 

Isolate:

A concentrated powdered form of Cannabinoid, typically either THC or CBD.

 

Kief:

When trichomes are removed from a marijuana plant, kief is the result. It is a type of cannabis concentrate also known as dry sieve hash. Kief typically contains high concentrations of THC.

 

Landrace:

A landrace strain is a variety of cannabis plant that has less diluted DNA than other strains of cannabis. That means landrace strains have not been crossbred with another variety of cannabis.

 

Live Resin:

When a cannabis concentrate is made using freshly picked plants that are immediately harvested and frozen, the product is known as live resin.

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National Standards Body (NSB):

One public or private sector organization that serves as an economy’s member body to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). In addition, some NSBs may also serve as a coordinator of domestic standards activities.

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PH

A symbol for the degree of acidity or alkalinity.

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Processing

Manufacture, processing, packaging, or holding of cannabis and cannabis products including packaging and labeling operations, testing, and quality control.

 

QWISO:

QWISO, or "quick-wash isopropyl," is a method to make hash oil that involves the use of isopropyl alcohol to collect trichomes from a cannabis plant.

 

Residual Solvent:

A volatile organic compound used in the manufacture of a cannabis product that is not completely removed by practical manufacturing techniques.

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Residue Testing

A validated analytical procedure that detects, identifies, and measures the presence of chemical substances, their metabolites or degradation products in or on raw or processed agricultural products.

 

Resin:

Resin is a term that is often used interchangeably with trichomes, though it can hold other meanings in the cannabis industry as well. After a piece of marijuana paraphernalia is used, the residue left inside is often referred to as resin as well.

 

Ruderalis:

Along with indica and sativa, ruderalis is one of the three species of cannabis plants. Ruderalis plants are somewhat larger than indica ones, and it also flowers on its own and without stimulation from a light cycle. Additionally, Ruderalis plants tend to have higher concentrations of CBD relative to indica and sativa.

 

Sativa:

Sativa plants are the tallest of all the cannabis species, and the strain is often considered to enhance creativity and energy.

 

Shatter:

"Shatter" is one of the consistencies butane hash oil comes in. This product can be used for dabbing or can be smoked in combination with flower.

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Stability Studies

Studies undertaken on primary and/or commitment batches according to a prescribed stability protocol to establish or confirm the shelf-life of cannabis or cannabis products.

 

Seed-to-Sale:

Software used to track cannabis production from the planting of the seeds to final product. Facilitates transparency and openness in cannabis cultivation.

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Suppliers’ Declaration of Conformity (SDoC)

Procedure by which a first party or supplier conveys assurance that the object of conformity fulfills specified requirements.

 

Strain:

Variety of cannabis plants that have a particular characteristic(s) that might be used to express a specific desired effect. For example: Cannabis sativa is high in THC and is reported to enhance creativity, be a stimulant, and fight depression, headaches, and nausea. Cannabis indica is a mix of THC/CBD and is reported to be relaxing and pain reducing. Cannabis ruderalis is high in CBD

 

Terpene:

Fragrant oils secreted from the resin glands of flowers that provide aromatic diversity. They are not just found in the cannabis plant, but other plants as well. Terpenes bind to different receptors in the brain to give different effects

 

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol (or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)):

The most common cannabinoid found within the cannabis plant. THC accounts for most of the psychoactive effects as the 11-OH-THC metabolite, formed after first pass metabolism, is 4 times more psychoactive than THC

 

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA):

Most abundant cannabinoid found in the plant that is decarboxylated and formed into THC by smoking, vaporizing, or heating

 

Tincture:

A liquid form of cannabis that is made from glycerin or alcohol. Tinctures are usually distributed in an eyedropper under the tongue to provide fast absorption to the body, leading to quicker effects than edibles and inhalation

 

Topical:

One of the newest forms of cannabis products is the topical product. These include lotions and creams which are applied topically, and which aim to address issues like pain and skin problems. Even though some topicals contain THC, the method of absorption means that they do not cause the "high" of other cannabis products.

 

Trichome:

Also known as "crystals," trichomes are resin-producing glands on a marijuana plant. They have the appearance of small hairs. Trichomes are responsible for producing the large majority of a cannabis plant's cannabinoids.

 

White Label Products:

Cannabis products produced not in conjunction with any brand ready for use.

 

Winterization:

Winterization of oil is a process that uses a solvent and cold temperatures to separate lipids and other desired oil compounds from waxes.