Lyphe Clinic Medical Cannabis Glossary.
Welcome to the Lyphe Clinic Medical Cannabis Glossary – your trusted resource for understanding key terms related to medical cannabis in the UK.
Whether you’re new to cannabis-based treatments or exploring a cannabis prescription for the first time, this glossary offers clear definitions of commonly used terms, including CBPM (Cannabis-Based Products for Medicinal Use), THC, CBD, and more.
Use this guide to familiarise yourself with essential medical cannabis terminology and gain confidence on your treatment journey with Lyphe Clinic, the UK’s leading medical cannabis provider.
Medical Cannabis Glossary
A
| Accessories (Growing) | Equipment, products, devices, or materials intended or designed for use in planting, cultivating, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing, testing, analysing, packaging, repackaging, storing, medical Cannabis. |
| Accessories (Ingesting) | Equipment, products, devices, or materials intended or designed for use in storing, containing, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing medical cannabis into the human body. |
| Active Ingredient | The ingredient which is responsible for the desired effect in a medication or product. |
| Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) | Specific chemical molecules or compounds that provide the therapeutic effect in a drug. |
| Additive | A substance added to another to alter or improve it in some way, such as to change the colour or texture of cannabis products. |
| Administration | Giving yourself or someone something, in medical cannabis terms it refers to how to administer your medication. |
| Aeroponics | A cannabis growing method where plants are suspended in air, and their roots are misted with nutrients. |
| Alcohol Extraction | A process where the oils and trichomes of the cannabis plant are stripped using ethyl or isopropyl alcohol. |
| Analyte | Using specific extraction methods, an Analyte is a specimen extracted for analysis from a portion or sample. |
| Anandamide (ANA) | Anandamide or N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) is a neurotransmitter belonging to the fatty acid derivative group N-acylethanolamine (NAE) . Anandamide engages with the body’s endocannabinoid system, binding to the same cannabinoid receptors as THC found in cannabis, influencing mood, memory, and appetite. |
| Ante Cibum | A Latin phrase which translates as ‘before food’ or in more familiar medical terms ‘before meals’ commonly directed on medication packaging. |
B
| Batch | Discomfort in the spinal or cervical regions due to muscle strain, injury, or degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. |
| Black Market Cannabis | A paediatric sleep disorder where a child relies on specific routines, conditions, or caregiver behaviours to initiate or maintain sleep. |
| Broad Spectrum | An eating disorder characterised by recurrent episodes of consuming large quantities of food rapidly, accompanied by feelings of loss of control and distress, but without regular compensatory behaviours. |
| Bulbous trichomes | A mental health condition marked by extreme mood swings including emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). |
C
| Cannabichromene (CBC) | 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. |
| Cannabidiol (CBD) | A non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis, known for its potential therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties. |
| Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDA) | The acidic precursor to CBD found in raw cannabis plants; it converts to CBD through decarboxylation (heating). |
| Cannabigerol (CBG) |
A non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis, considered the precursor to other cannabinoids like THC and CBD. |
| Cannabinoid | Chemicals that influence cell receptors in the brain and body and can change how those cells behave. |
| Cannabinoid Profile | The amount of all cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant. |
| Cannabinoid Receptors (CB1 and CB2) | CB1 receptors mediate physical and psychoactive effects, while CB2 receptors regulate inflammation and immune response throughout the immune and peripheral nervous systems. |
| Cannabinol (CBN) | A mildly psychoactive cannabinoid that occurs from the oxygenation and decomposition of THC; it is known for its potential sedative effects. |
| Cannabis | A genus of flowering plants indigenous to Central Asia, known for its psychoactive and medicinal properties. |
| Carrier Oil | A neutral oil used to dilute cannabis extracts for easier dosing and consumption; common carrier oils include coconut oil and olive oil. |
| Certificate of Analysis (COA) | A document provided by an accredited laboratory that reports the contents of a cannabis product, including its cannabinoid profile and the presence of any contaminants. |
| Cultivar | A plant variety that has been produced in cultivation by selective breeding; in cannabis, it refers to specific strains bred for characteristics. |
D
| Decriminalisation | The act of making something that is illegal legal by changing the law; in the context of cannabis, it refers to reducing or eliminating criminal penalties for possession and use. |
| Dronabinol | A synthetic form of THC used medically to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and to increase appetite in patients with AIDS. |
E
| Edible | Food products infused with cannabis extracts, intended for consumption; effects are typically delayed compared to inhalation methods. |
| Endocannabinoid System | A biological system composed of endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes that regulate various physiological processes, including mood, pain sensation, and appetite. |
| Epidiolex/Epidyolex |
A pharmaceutical formulation of cannabidiol (CBD) approved for the treatment of certain types of epilepsy. |
| Excipient |
An inactive substance that serves as the vehicle or medium for a drug or other active substance; in cannabis products, excipients are used to aid in the delivery and stability of the active compounds. |
| Extract |
A concentrated form of cannabis obtained by removing the plant’s active compounds using solvents or other methods; extracts can be used in various products, including edibles, tinctures, and topicals. |
| Extraction |
The process of separating the desired active compounds from the cannabis plant material using various techniques, such as solvent-based or solventless methods. |
F
| Full Spectrum |
A type of cannabis extract that contains all cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds found in the plant, including THC. |
G
| Genotype |
The genetic makeup of a cannabis plant, which determines its potential characteristics, such as cannabinoid and terpene profiles. |
| Germination | The process by which a cannabis seed develops into a new plant, typically initiated by exposing the seed to moisture and warmth. |
H
| Hashish | A concentrated form of cannabis made by collecting and compressing the plant’s trichomes, resulting in a potent substance that can be smoked or vaporised. |
| Hemp | A variety of the Cannabis sativa plant species that is grown specifically for industrial uses, containing low levels of THC (less than 0.3%); used in the production of products like textiles, paper, and biodegradable plastics. |
I
| Indica | A subspecies of the cannabis plant known for its sedative effects, typically characterized by broad leaves and a short, bushy stature. |
| Isolate | A pure form of a specific cannabinoid, such as CBD or THC, that has been separated from all other compounds in the cannabis plant. |
J
| Joint |
A rolled cigarette containing cannabis, typically made using rolling papers and sometimes combined with tobacco. |
K
| Kief | The collection of trichome crystals sifted from cannabis flowers, often used to enhance the potency of other cannabis products or consumed on its own. |
L
| Landrace | A pure cannabis strain that has developed naturally in a specific geographic location without human intervention. |
| Live Resin | A type of cannabis concentrate made from fresh, flash-frozen plant material, preserving a higher terpene content and resulting in a more flavourful product. |
M
| Marijuana | The psychoactive dried resinous flower buds and leaves of the female hemp or cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica) that contain high levels of THC and are smoked, vaped, or ingested (as in baked goods) especially for their intoxicating effect. |
| Medical Cannabis | The use of cannabis and its constituent cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, as a physician-recommended therapy for certain health conditions. |
N
| Nug | A colloquial term for a high-quality, dense, and resinous bud of cannabis. |
O
| Oil | A viscous, concentrated extract derived from the cannabis plant, often consumed sublingually or used in edibles and topicals. |
| Overdamping | A condition in which cannabis seedlings receive too much water, leading to root rot and potential plant death. |
P
| Phenotype | The observable physical and chemical characteristics of a cannabis plant, resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment. |
| Phytocannabinoids | Cannabinoids that occur naturally in the cannabis plant, such as THC, CBD, and CB. |
Q
| QWISO | An acronym for “Quick Wash Isopropyl,” a method of making cannabis concentrates using isopropyl alcohol as a solvent. |
R
| Resin | A sticky substance secreted by cannabis plants, rich in cannabinoids and terpenes; can refer to both the natural secretion and the concentrated products derived from it. |
| Ruderalis | A subspecies of cannabis known for its auto-flowering characteristics and low THC content; often used in breeding programs to develop auto-flowering hybrids. |
S
| Sativa | A subspecies of the cannabis plant known for its uplifting and energizing effects, typically characterized by narrow leaves and a tall, lanky stature. |
| Shatter | A type of cannabis concentrate known for its brittle, glass-like consistency and high potency. |
| Solvent-based Extraction | A method of extracting cannabinoids using chemical solvents like butane, CO2, or ethanol. |
| Strain | A specific variety of the cannabis plant, bred for distinct effects, Flavors, and chemical profiles. |
| Synthetic Cannabis | Man-made substances designed to mimic the effects of natural cannabinoids but often with unpredictable and dangerous side effects. |
T
| Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) | The primary psychoactive compound in cannabis responsible for producing the “high” effect. |
| Terpenes | Aromatic compounds found in cannabis and other plants, influencing the smell and potential effects of different strains. |
| Tincture | A liquid cannabis extract, typically made with alcohol or glycerine, used sublingually for medicinal purposes. |
| Topical | A cannabis-infused lotion, cream, or balm applied to the skin for localized relief. |
| Trichomes | Tiny, crystal-like structures on cannabis flowers that contain cannabinoids and terpenes. |
U
V
| Vaping | A method of inhaling vapour with a device specifically designed for this purpose. |
| Vaporisation | A method of consuming cannabis by heating it to release cannabinoids and terpenes without combustion. |
| Vape Cartridge | A small, pre-filled container of cannabis oil used in vaporiser pens. |
W
| Wax | A type of cannabis concentrate with a soft, waxy texture. |
| Water Hash | A cannabis concentrate made using ice water and agitation to separate trichomes. |
X
| XJ-13 | A popular hybrid cannabis strain known for its citrus aroma and uplifting effects. |
Y
| Yield | The total amount of cannabis produced per plant or per grow cycle. |
Z
| Zaza | Slang for high-quality cannabis. |
If you would like to understand more about conditions medical cannabis can treat, simply visit our Lyphe Clinic Conditions Glossary.