Cannabis Glossary

Dispensary terms, A to F

This group covers the basics: how products are classified, who grows and sells them, and the earliest terms a first-time shopper runs into, from adult-use to flower.

Several of these terms describe the legal structure behind every purchase, who is licensed to grow, process, and sell, and what category of sale you are making. Understanding this handful clears up most of the confusion first-timers run into.

• Adult-use

  Cannabis sold recreationally to any adult 21 or older with valid ID, as opposed to medical-only sales. Ohio licensed adult-use sales beginning August 2024.

• Cannabinoid

  Any of the active compounds found in the cannabis plant, THC and CBD being the two most discussed, that interact with the body.

• CBD

  Cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis, often discussed separately from THC because it does not produce a high on its own.

• Cultivator

  A state-licensed grower. Ohio cultivators supply the flower that dispensaries sell, and every batch is tracked and tested before it reaches a shelf.

• Dispensary

  A state-licensed retail store authorized to sell cannabis products directly to adult-use customers, medical patients, or both.

• Distillate

  A highly refined cannabis extract, stripped of plant material and most compounds other than the target cannabinoid, commonly used in vape cartridges and edibles.

• Drive-thru

  A pickup lane for online orders that does not require leaving your vehicle. Both Garden locations run drive-thru daily from 9AM to 11PM.

• Edible

  A cannabis-infused food or drink product, with effects that take longer to feel, typically 30 minutes to two hours, than smoked or vaporized formats.

• Entourage effect

  A theory that cannabinoids and terpenes work together differently than any single compound alone. It is a widely discussed idea, not a settled medical finding, and no product is marketed with a guaranteed version of this effect.

• Flower

  The dried, cured bud of the cannabis plant, the most familiar and traditional format, smoked or vaporized whole or ground.

Dispensary terms, G to M

This group covers product formats and structures in the middle of the alphabet: how concentrates are made, what a hybrid strain is, and what Ohio’s medical program is officially called.

A few of these terms sound similar but describe genuinely different products, particularly among the concentrate formats. Reading a product label alongside this list clears up which category something belongs to.

• Hybrid

  A cannabis variety bred from both indica and sativa lineage. Most products on modern shelves, including at The Garden, are hybrids of some ratio.

• Indica

  A traditional cannabis classification, historically associated with a heavier, more relaxed profile, though modern hybridization makes the label a rough guide at best. See [indica vs sativa vs hybrid](/learn/indica-vs-sativa-vs-hybrid/).

• Infused pre-roll

  A pre-rolled cannabis cigarette enhanced with concentrate or kief for a more potent product than a standard flower pre-roll.

• Kief

  The fine, resinous trichome powder that collects at the bottom of a grinder, often used to boost potency in infused pre-rolls or added to flower.

• Live resin

  A concentrate made from flash-frozen fresh cannabis rather than dried and cured plant material, often prized for a more vivid terpene profile. See [live resin vs distillate](/learn/live-resin-vs-distillate/).

• Loyalty program

  See Rewards. The Garden’s free membership program, earning points toward discounts on future purchases. Current terms live on [the rewards page](/rewards/).

• Medical marijuana card

  A registration under Ohio’s medical marijuana program (OMMCP), issued to qualifying patients, usable as ID for purchases alongside or instead of a standard photo ID.

• Microdose

  A small, measured amount of THC, commonly 1 to 5 milligrams per serving, used for a lighter, more controlled effect. See [microdosing explained](/learn/microdosing-explained/).

Dispensary terms, N to S

This group covers the middle-to-late alphabet: the state agency that regulates every sale, Ohio’s medical program, possession limits, the licensed companies that grow and process products, the sativa classification, and the payment platform accepted at checkout.

A couple of these terms are Ohio-specific regulatory language you will see on packaging and receipts, worth knowing even if you never need to use them yourself.

• Ohio Division of Cannabis Control

  The state agency that regulates and licenses cannabis cultivation, processing, and retail sales in Ohio, including every product sold at The Garden.

• OMMCP

  The Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program, the state’s medical cannabis program, which predates adult-use legalization.

• Possession limit

  The maximum amount an adult can legally hold at one time in Ohio: 2.5 ounces of flower or 15 grams of extract. See [Ohio purchase limits](/learn/ohio-purchase-limits/).

• Pre-roll

  A ready-to-smoke cannabis cigarette, sold individually or in multi-packs, using ground flower rolled in paper. See [the pre-roll guide](/learn/pre-roll-guide/).

• Processor

  A state-licensed company that turns raw cannabis into finished products, extracts, edibles, vape cartridges, and more, all under Ohio testing requirements.

• Sativa

  A traditional cannabis classification, historically associated with a brighter, more energizing profile, though the label is a loose guide given modern hybridization.

• Spendr

  A Cincinnati-based digital payment platform The Garden accepts alongside cash and cashless-ATM debit.

Dispensary terms, T to Z

This final group covers potency and the compounds behind it, terpenes and THC, plus the state testing requirement behind every label, and the remaining product formats a first-time shopper is likely to run into: tinctures, topicals, and vape cartridges.

Several of these terms appear directly on product labels, so this group is worth a second look before your next purchase if any of the packaging language has felt unclear.

• Terpene

  An aromatic compound in cannabis responsible for its scent and, many believe, part of its effect profile. See [what are terpenes](/learn/what-are-terpenes/).

• Testing

  Every product sold at an Ohio dispensary is tested for potency and contaminants by a state-approved lab before it can reach a shelf. See [Ohio cannabis testing](/learn/ohio-cannabis-testing/).

• THC

  Tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis, responsible for the high most people associate with the plant.

• THC percentage

  A lab-tested measure of potency printed on flower and concentrate labels. It does not fully predict the effect. See [THC percentage: what it really tells you](/learn/thc-percentage-what-it-really-tells-you/).

• Tincture

  A liquid cannabis extract, usually taken by dropper under the tongue or added to food or drink, offering a measurable, repeatable dose. See [the tinctures guide](/learn/tinctures-guide/).

• Topical

  A cannabis-infused product applied to the skin, such as a lotion or balm, rather than inhaled or ingested. See [the topicals guide](/learn/topicals-guide/).

• Vape cartridge

  A pre-filled cannabis oil cartridge used with a battery device, offering a smokeless, portable format. See [vape carts vs disposables](/learn/vape-carts-vs-disposables/).

Frequently Asked Questions