Medicinal cannabis glossary
40 terms you're likely to hear from doctors, pharmacies and the TGA, explained in plain English.
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- 2-AG (2-Arachidonoylglycerol)
- An endocannabinoid: a cannabinoid the body makes itself. It's found at high levels in the central nervous system.
A
- Anandamide
- An endocannabinoid made by the body, involved in signalling within the endocannabinoid system.
B
- Bud
- The flower of the cannabis plant, which holds the highest concentration of cannabinoids.
C
- Cannabinoids
- Chemical compounds that interact with cannabinoid receptors in the body. They include endocannabinoids (made by the body) and phytocannabinoids (made by plants).
- Cannabis
- A flowering plant in the Cannabaceae family, used for medicinal, industrial and recreational purposes.
- CBC (Cannabichromene)
- A minor cannabinoid found in cannabis. It isn't psychoactive.
- CBD (Cannabidiol)
- One of the two best-known cannabinoids in cannabis. It isn't psychoactive and doesn't produce a 'high'.
- CBD isolate
- A highly refined form of CBD, usually a powder or crystal, with the other plant compounds (including THC) removed.
- CBG (Cannabigerol)
- A minor cannabinoid found in cannabis. It isn't psychoactive.
- CBN (Cannabinol)
- A minor cannabinoid that forms as THC breaks down over time.
- Compounding
- When a pharmacy prepares a medicine specifically for a patient, rather than dispensing a ready-made product.
D
- Decarboxylation
- Heating cannabis to convert its natural acid forms (such as THCA) into active cannabinoids (such as THC).
- Distillate
- A highly refined cannabis extract with most plant compounds other than the target cannabinoid removed.
E
- Endocannabinoid system (ECS)
- A signalling system in the body that helps regulate many processes and keep the body stable (homeostasis).
- Endocannabinoids
- Cannabinoids produced naturally by the body that help cells communicate.
- Entourage effect
- A theory that the compounds in cannabis may act differently together than on their own. It's still being researched.
- Ethanol extraction
- A process that uses ethanol (alcohol) to draw cannabinoids out of plant material.
- Excipient
- An inactive ingredient, such as a carrier oil, used to deliver and dose the active ingredient.
F
- FECO (Full Extract Cannabis Oil)
- An extract made from the whole plant that keeps as many of its compounds as possible.
- Flavonoids
- Plant compounds that affect colour, smell and flavour. Those found only in cannabis are called cannaflavins.
- Full spectrum
- An extract that keeps all the compounds of the cannabis plant, including THC. Broad spectrum keeps them but removes THC.
H
- Hemp
- A variety of cannabis with very low THC, grown mainly for fibre, food and building materials.
I
- Indica and sativa
- Traditional labels for cannabis plant types, based on how the plants grow. They don't reliably predict how a product affects a person.
M
- MCT oil (Medium Chain Triglyceride)
- A flavourless carrier oil, usually made from coconut, used in many cannabis oils.
- Medicinal cannabis
- A cannabis product prescribed by a doctor for a medical condition and dispensed by a pharmacy.
P
- Pharmacy
- In Australia, medicinal cannabis is dispensed by pharmacies on a doctor's prescription.
- Phytocannabinoids
- Cannabinoids produced by plants, such as THC and CBD, that interact with the endocannabinoid system.
R
- Recreational cannabis
- Cannabis used for non-medical purposes. It's illegal in most of Australia.
- Resin
- A sticky substance produced by the trichomes on cannabis flowers, containing cannabinoids such as THC and CBD.
S
- Special Access Scheme (SAS)
- A TGA pathway that lets doctors apply to prescribe unapproved medicines, such as most medicinal cannabis products, to individual patients.
- Strain
- A specific variety of cannabis plant with its own mix of cannabinoids and terpenes. Also called a cultivar.
- Supercritical CO2 extraction
- An extraction method that uses pressurised carbon dioxide to draw cannabinoids from the plant.
T
- Telehealth
- A medical consultation with a doctor by phone or video call.
- Terpenes
- Aromatic compounds in cannabis and many other plants that give each variety its smell and flavour.
- TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration)
- The Australian Government regulator for medicines and medical devices, including medicinal cannabis.
- THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
- One of the two best-known cannabinoids in cannabis. It's psychoactive and produces the feeling of being 'high'.
- Tincture
- A liquid cannabis extract mixed with a carrier oil, usually taken under the tongue with a dropper.
- Trichomes
- Tiny resin glands on the cannabis flower where most cannabinoids and terpenes are made.
V
- Vaporiser
- A device that heats cannabis enough to release a vapour for inhaling, without burning it.