Medical Marijuana Glossary

Commonly used terms in the Medical Cannabis (MMJ) industry.


  • Additive
    any substance added to a marijuana product that is intended to alter its quality.
  • Administer
    to apply a controlled substance, whether by ingestion, inhalation, injection, or other means, directly to a patient’s body.
  • Advertising
    the indirect or direct act of providing promotional materials for publication, dissemination, solicitation, or circulation to induce a person to patronize a marijuana business or to purchase a particular marijuana product.
  • Agent
    a person or business authorized to act on behalf of or at the command of a manufacturer, distributor or dispenser.
  • Angel Investor
    an investor who provides personal capital for small startups or entrepreneurs.
  • Applicant
    a person whose application for licensure has been accepted for review, but has not been approved or denied by the state’s licensing authority.
  • Associated Key License
    an occupational license for an individual who is owns a medical marijuana business.
  • Batch Number
    a distinct group of numbers, letters, or symbols, combined by a retail marijuana facility or manufacturer to designate a specific harvest or production batch of marijuana.
  • Cannabidiol (CBD)
    a compound in cannabis that has medicinal effects with reduced psychoactivity. It does not make users feel high, but it is effective treatment for debilitating medical conditions.
  • Cannabinoids
    essential chemical compounds that are the active principles in medical marijuana.
  • Cannabis indica
    a species of cannabis that often produces a relaxed and social high for users.
  • Cannabis Product
    a product that contains cannabis or cannabis extracts. In Washington, this designation indicates a product has a THC concentration more than three-tenths of one percent.
  • Cannabis ruderalis
    a species of cannabis that has a lower amount of THC, but a higher amount of cannabidiol. Its characteristics make it a good candidate for medical marijuana.
  • Cannabis sativa
    a species of cannabis that often produces an inspirational and lively high for users.
  • Child-resistant
    opaque, sealable and labeled packaging that is challenging for a child under five to open, yet not difficult for the average adult to open.
  • Collective Gardens
    gardens shared by qualified patients that produce and process cannabis for medicinal use.
  • Container
    the sealed and labeled package in which marijuana or marijuana products are sold.
  • Controlled Substance
    a drug or substance included in Schedules I through V of the U.S. Controlled Substance Act (CSA) as classified by federal and state governments.
  • Controlled Substance Analog
    a substance whose chemical structure is noticeably similar to the chemical structure of a controlled substance included in Schedule I or II of the U.S. Controlled Substance Act (CSA) as classified by federal and state governments.
  • Denied Applicant
    a person whose application for licensure was accepted for review, but later denied by the state’s licensing authority.
  • Designated Provider
    in Washington, a person eighteen years of age or older; has been designated in a signed and dated written document by a qualifying patient to serve as a designated provider in compliance with RCW 69.51A.040. (look up).
  • Dispense
    to select, measure, compound, package, label, deliver or retail cannabis as a licensed dispenser to a qualifying patient or legal recreational user.
  • Distribute
    to deliver a controlled substance, excluding administering or dispensing.
  • Division Approved Sampler
    In Colorado, a person who has satisfied all approval requirements related to training, examination and continuing education in accordance with the Marijuana Enforcement Division.
  • Drug Enforcement Administration
    an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice that enforces federal laws and regulations regarding controlled substances, investigates potential violators, prosecutes the accused and supervises the seizure and forfeiture assets related to illegal drug trafficking.
  • Edible Medical Marijuana-Infused Product
    a product infused with medical marijuana that is meant for oral consumption by way of food, drink or pill.
  • Edible Retail Marijuana Product
    any retail marijuana product that is meant for oral consumption by way of food, drink or pill.
  • Exit Package
    a sealed package or container supplied at the retail point of sale in which the individually packaged marijuana product is placed.
  • Flowering
    reproductive state of cannabis when it is beneficial for the plant to be in a light cycle so the production of flowers, trichromes and cannabinoids are stimulated.
  • Food and Drug Administration
    an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that governs the oversight of medical products, tobacco, foods, veterinary medicine, global regulatory operations and policy.
  • Food-Based Medical Marijuana Concentrate
    produced by extracting cannabinoids from medical marijuana through the use of propylene glycol, glycerin, butter, olive oil or other cooking fats.
  • Food-Based Retail Marijuana Concentrate
    produced by extracting cannabinoids from retail marijuana through the use of propylene glycol, glycerin, butter, olive oil or other cooking fats.
  • Harvest Batch
    an explicitly classified quantity of processed marijuana that has strain, pesticide and agricultural uniformity as well as being produced in a concurrent harvest.
  • Hashish (hash)
    product of compressing the collected trichromes, stalked resin glands, from the flowers of the cannabis plant. It has a higher concentration of THC and comes in a solid or paste-like form depending upon how it was prepared. Color ranges from light to dark brown, but can also appear yellowish tan, black or red.
  • Hedge Fund
    an aggressively managed and largely unregulated speculative fund for high-risk investments attempting to generate large capital gains.
  • Hydro
    hydroponic cannabis grown in water enriched with nutrients instead of soil enriched with nutrients. The plant’s roots are suspended in water, or inside a soilless medium, a sterile medium not containing soil, (e.g., clay pebbles, coir, perlite).
  • Identity Statement
    the name of a business as it is commonly known and used in marketing materials.
  • Immature Plant
    a nonflowering marijuana plant that is neither taller than eight inches nor wider than eight inches; produced from a cutting, clipping or seedling planted in a cultivation container.
  • Industrial Hemp
    all parts and varieties of the cannabis plant that contain less than .3 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Hemp production is controlled and regulated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; it is illegal to grow hemp without a permit from the DEA.
  • Key License
    an occupational license for an individual who performs duties that are key to the operation of a marijuana business and has the highest level of responsibility.
  • Licensed Premise
    the premise identified in a licensure application in which the licensee is authorized to cultivate, manufacture, distribute, sell, or test marijuana products in the state.
  • Licensee
    a person licensed to cultivate, manufacture, distribute, sell, or test marijuana.
  • Limited Access Area
    the restricted and secure area under control by the licensee on the licensed premise where marijuana is grown, cultivated, stored, weighted, packaged, sold, possessed for sale, displayed for sale or processed for sale.
  • Local Licensing Authority
    a local jurisdiction that has adopted local licensing requirements in addition to state licensing requirements.
  • Lot
    a definite quantity of marijuana, useable marijuana or marijuana-infused product identified by a lot number for labeling purposes.
  • Lot Number
    a number used to identify the licensee’s marijuana establishment for labeling purposes.
  • Manufacture
    the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion or processing of a controlled substance.
  • Marijuana
    all parts of the cannabis plant, whether growing or not, with a THC concentration greater than .3 percent on a dry weight basis, which also includes its seeds, resins, compounds and derivatives.
  • Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED)
    responsible for providing the operational rules for the legal marijuana industry in Colorado.
  • Marijuana Retailer
    a person or entity licensed by the state to sell useable marijuana and marijuana-infused products in a retail outlet.
  • Marijuana-infused Products
    products containing marijuana or marijuana extracts intended for human use.
  • Material Change
    a change that would require a fundamental change to a marijuana business’ modus operandi.
  • Medical Marijuana
    marijuana that is grown and sold according to a state’s medical code.
  • Medical Marijuana Business
    a licensed medical marijuana center, a medical marijuana-infused products manufacturer or an optional premises cultivation operation.
  • Medical Marijuana Center
    a business licensed to sell medical marijuana to registered patients or primary caregivers in compliance with a state’s medical code.
  • Medical Marijuana Concentrate
    a specific subcategory produced by extracting cannabinoids from medical marijuana. Types include food-based, solvent-based and water-based medical marijuana concentrates.
  • Medical Marijuana-Infused Products
    products infused with medical marijuana (e.g., edibles, ointments, and tinctures).
  • Medical Marijuana-Infused Products Manufacturer
    a business licensed to operate a manufactory that infuses products with medical marijuana.
  • MITS
    Marijuana Inventory Tracking Solution
  • MJ
    commonly accepted abbreviation for marijuana
  • MMJ
    commonly accepted abbreviation for medical marijuana
  • Mobile Distribution Center
    a vehicle other than a common passenger vehicle with a short wheel base used to carry more than one ounce of marijuana.
  • Monitoring
    the continuous and uninterrupted electronic security surveillance of licensed marijuana establishments.
  • Monitoring Company
    a provider of electronic monitoring services for licensed marijuana establishments.
  • Notice of Denial
    a written statement explaining the reasons why an applicant has been denied.
  • Occupational License
    a license granted to an individual for an associated key license, a key license or a support license.
  • Operating Fees
    fees that may be charged by a local jurisdiction for costs associated with inspection, administration and enforcement of marijuana regulations.
  • Optional Premises Cultivation Operation
    an establishment licensed for optional premises to cultivate marijuana.
  • Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board (OTCBB)
    the National Association of Securities Dealers’ (NASD) regulated electronic trading service whose companies do not have to meet any listing standards so they are not required to have a minimum market value or an independent board of directors.
  • Owner
    the person or establishment whose beneficial interest in the license is such that they bear risk of loss other than as an insurer, and have an opportunity to gain profit from the operation or sale of the marijuana establishment.
  • Practitioner
    a physician licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted within licensing laws, to distribute, dispense, research or administer controlled substances in a professional capacity.
  • Prescription
    an order for a controlled substance issued by a practitioner authorized by law to prescribe controlled substances within his or her professional practice for a legitimate medical purpose.
  • Production Batch
    any amount of marijuana concentrate of identical category, extraction method, modus operandi and harvest batch; or any amount of marijuana product of identical type, ingredient, modus operandi and production batch of marijuana concentrate.
  • Proficiency Testing Samples
    samples tested, analyzed and compared to ensure uniformity.
  • Propagation
    reproduction of marijuana plants by seeds, cuttings or grafting.
  • Public Stocks
    stocks that are traded in the public markets and have daily liquidity
  • Restricted Access Area
    a designated and secure area under control by the licensee on the licensed premise where marijuana and marijuana-infused products are grown, cultivated, stored, weighted, packaged, sold, possessed for sale, displayed for sale or processed for sale.
  • Retail Marijuana
    marijuana cultivated, manufactured, distributed or sold by a licensed retail marijuana establishment.
  • Retail Marijuana Concentrate
    an explicit subcategory of retail marijuana produced by extracting cannabinoids from the plant. Types include food-based, solvent-based and water-based retail marijuana concentrates.
  • Retail Marijuana Cultivation Facility
    an entity licensed to cultivate, prepare and package retail marijuana for sale to retail marijuana establishments, but not directly to consumers.
  • Retail Marijuana Establishment
    a retail marijuana store, cultivation facility, products manufacturer or testing facility.
  • Retail Marijuana Products
    products infused with medical marijuana (e.g., edibles, ointments, and tinctures).
  • Retail Marijuana Products Manufacturing Facility
    an entity licensed to operate a manufactory that purchases, manufactures, prepares and packages retail marijuana products; and sells retail marijuana and retail marijuana products to other licensed manufacturing facilities and stores, but not directly to consumers.
  • Retail Marijuana Store
    an entity licensed to purchase retail marijuana and products from retail marijuana cultivation and manufacturing facilities and licensed to sell retail marijuana and products directly to consumers.
  • Retail Marijuana Testing Facility
    a public or private laboratory licensed and certified, or approved by the state, to conduct research and analyze retail marijuana, products and concentrates for contaminants and potency.
  • Sample
    In Colorado, anything collected from a medical or retail marijuana business by Marijuana Enforcement Division personnel or division approved samplers.
  • Shipping Container
    a container or wrapping specifically used to transport marijuana or marijuana-infused products in bulk.
  • Solvent-Based Medical Marijuana Concentrate
    a concentrate that is produced by extracting cannabinoids from medical marijuana through the use of a solvent.
  • Solvent-Based Retail Marijuana Concentrate
    a concentrate that is produced by extracting cannabinoids from retail marijuana through the use of a solvent.
  • Standardized Graphic Symbol
    a graphic image or small design adopted by a licensee to identify business.
  • State Licensing Authority
    the agency formed for the purpose of regulating and controlling the licensing of the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, sale and testing of retail marijuana within the state.
  • Support License
    a license for an individual who performs duties that support the operations of a marijuana business. A support license indicates the licensee must conduct himself or herself professionally, he or she has restricted authority and reports to a supervisor with an associated key license.
  • Test Batch
    a group of samples concurrently submitted to a marijuana testing facility.
  • THC
    tetrahydrocannabinol
  • THCA
    tetrahydrocannabinolic acid
  • Vegetative
    the state of the cannabis plant during which the plant does not produce resin or flowers, and is bulking up to an ideal production size for flowering.
  • Water-based Medical Marijuana Concentrate
    produced by extracting cannabinoids from medical marijuana through of use of only water, ice or dry ice.

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