Cannabis 101

A simple guide to understanding cannabis, THC, CBD, products, and more.

New to cannabis? Start here.
Cannabis terminology can feel confusing at first. This guide breaks down the basics in a simple, easy-to-scan format.

🌿 Cannabis at a Glance

Term	What It Means	Why It Matters
THC	A cannabinoid associated with cannabis’s intoxicating effects	Helps you understand potency
CBD	A cannabinoid that doesn’t typically produce the same intoxicating effects as THC	Commonly found in many cannabis products
Terpenes	Aromatic compounds found in cannabis and other plants	Contribute to aroma and flavor
Cannabinoids	Naturally occurring compounds found in cannabis	Include THC, CBD, and others
Flower	Dried cannabis flower	One of the most traditional product formats
Edibles	Cannabis-infused food or beverages	Typically take longer to produce noticeable effects

🍃 THC vs. CBD

Instead of explaining this in a long paragraph, make it a two-column comparison.

	THC	CBD
Full name	Tetrahydrocannabinol	Cannabidiol
Intoxicating?	Yes	Not typically
Found in cannabis?	✓	✓
Commonly found in	Flower, vapes, edibles, concentrates	Oils, tinctures, flower, edibles, other products
Why people look for it	Cannabis’s intoxicating effects	Products containing CBD without the typical THC high

Quick takeaway: THC and CBD are both cannabinoids, but they interact with the body differently.

🌱 What Are Cannabis Strains?

You may have seen Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid on cannabis menus.

Here’s the simple version:

Type	Traditional Description	Keep in Mind
Indica	Often associated with more relaxing characteristics	The label doesn’t tell the whole story
Sativa	Often associated with more energizing characteristics	Individual products can vary
Hybrid	Genetics from multiple cannabis lineages	Can have a wide range of characteristics

A little more important than the label

When comparing products, also look at:

THC + CBD → Potency and cannabinoid profile

Terpenes → Aroma and flavor

Product type → How it’s consumed

Serving size → Especially important for edibles

👃 Meet the Terpenes

Think of terpenes as part of what gives cannabis its personality.

Terpene	Common Aroma	Often Found In
Limonene	🍋 Citrus	Citrus-forward profiles
Myrcene	🌿 Earthy / Herbal	Earthy profiles
Pinene	🌲 Pine / Fresh	Pine-forward profiles
Caryophyllene	🌶️ Peppery / Spicy	Spicy profiles
Linalool	🌸 Floral	Floral profiles

Why should you care?

If you enjoy exploring different cannabis flavors and aromas, terpene information can be a useful part of comparing products.

🛍️ Cannabis Products 101

Not sure which product type you’re looking at?

Product	What Is It?	General Experience
🌿 Flower	Dried cannabis flower	Traditional cannabis format
🚬 Pre-Roll	Ready-to-use cannabis flower	Convenient
💨 Vape	Cannabis extract or concentrate	Inhaled format
🍬 Edible	Cannabis-infused food or drink	Slower onset
💧 Tincture	Liquid cannabis product	Measured format
🧴 Topical	Cannabis-infused cream, balm, etc.	Applied to the skin
💎 Concentrate	Highly concentrated cannabis extract	Typically much higher potency

⏱️ How Fast Does Cannabis Work?

This is one of the most useful things for a beginner to understand.

Consumption Method	Onset	Important Note
Inhaled	Usually minutes	Effects can be noticed relatively quickly
Edibles	Usually much longer	Don’t rush to take more
Tinctures	Varies	Follow the product directions
Topicals	Product-specific	Designed for application to the skin

⚠️ Especially important with edibles

Edibles can take considerably longer to produce noticeable effects than inhaled cannabis.

Patience matters.

Follow the serving instructions on the package and give the product adequate time before considering another serving.

📊 What Does Cannabis Potency Mean?

Potency is another term you’ll see frequently on cannabis menus.

For example:

Flower

THC 22%

Edible

10 mg THC per serving

These numbers aren’t directly comparable because different cannabis products are consumed differently.

When looking at a product, check:

Check This	Why?
THC	Understand the cannabinoid concentration
CBD	See whether CBD is present
Serving Size	Particularly important for edibles
Product Type	Determines how the product is consumed
Terpenes	Helps you explore aroma and flavor
Lab/Testing Information	Provides product and regulatory information where applicable

🧠 Cannabis Can Feel Different for Everyone

There’s no universal cannabis experience.

Your experience can be influenced by:

Product

THC level • CBD level • Terpenes • Formulation

You

Experience • Tolerance • Individual physiology

How you consume it

Flower • Vape • Edible • Tincture • Topical

The amount

Serving size • Potency • Frequency of use

That’s why comparing your experience directly with someone else’s isn’t always useful.

🚦 Beginner’s Cannabis Checklist

Before trying something new, ask yourself:

☐ What product am I buying?

☐ How much THC does it contain?

☐ Does it contain CBD?

☐ What is the recommended serving size?

☐ How am I consuming it?

☐ How long might it take to feel the effects?

☐ What does the product label say?

☐ Am I following my local cannabis laws?

🔐 Keep It Responsible

A few simple rules go a long way.

Do	Avoid
Read the product label	Guessing the serving size
Follow serving instructions	Taking more too quickly
Store cannabis securely	Leaving products accessible to children or pets
Know your local laws	Assuming cannabis is legal everywhere
Give edibles time	Rushing the experience
Know how cannabis affects you	Driving while impaired

🌿 The Cannabis 101 Cheat Sheet

Save this one:

THC → Intoxicating cannabinoid

CBD → Cannabinoid that doesn’t typically produce the same intoxicating effects as THC

Terpenes → Aroma + flavor

Flower → Dried cannabis

Pre-Roll → Ready-to-use flower

Edible → Cannabis-infused food or beverage

Tincture → Liquid cannabis product

Topical → Cannabis product applied to the skin

Potency → Concentration of cannabinoids

Serving Size → Amount intended for one serving

💚 Start Exploring

Cannabis doesn’t have to be complicated.

The more you understand about THC, CBD, terpenes, product types, potency, and consumption methods, the easier it becomes to navigate a cannabis menu with confidence.

By Any Other Name is here to make the experience easier to understand, one product at a time.

Explore the menu →

FAQ

What should a cannabis beginner learn first?
Start with the basics: THC, CBD, product types, potency, serving sizes, and the differences between consumption methods.

Is higher THC always better?
Not necessarily. THC concentration is only one characteristic of a cannabis product. Product type, serving size, cannabinoids, terpenes, and personal preferences can all matter.

Why do edibles take longer?
Edibles need to pass through the digestive system before their effects become noticeable, so their onset is generally slower than inhaled cannabis.

What are terpenes in cannabis?
Terpenes are aromatic compounds that contribute to the smell and flavor of cannabis and many other plants.

Can cannabis affect people differently?
Yes. Individual physiology, tolerance, product potency, consumption method, and other factors can all influence the experience.