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Munchies Recipe Glossary ​

This glossary explains common cannabis and cooking terms you may see in Munchies recipes and beginner guides.

It is not a full cannabis encyclopedia. It focuses on terms that help readers understand recipes, ingredient notes, dosing language, and edible effects.

Cannabis Basics ​

Cannabis ​

Cannabis is the plant used to make flower, concentrates, tinctures, infused oils, edibles, and other products. Munchies uses the word cannabis instead of older slang terms.

Cannabis Flower ​

Cannabis flower is dried cannabis plant material. In recipes, flower is usually heated through decarboxylation before being infused into butter, oil, or another carrier fat.

Cannabinoids ​

Cannabinoids are compounds found in cannabis. They are one reason cannabis products can have different effects.

Common cannabinoids listed on product labels include THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, and CBC.

THC ​

THC is the cannabinoid most associated with intoxicating and euphoric effects.

In edibles, THC can feel stronger and last longer than inhaled cannabis because the body processes it differently.

CBD ​

CBD is a cannabinoid usually described as non-intoxicating. CBD products can be used in infused recipes, but effects vary by product, dose, and individual response.

CBG ​

CBG is a cannabinoid that may appear on cannabis product labels. It is usually present in smaller amounts than THC or CBD.

CBN ​

CBN is a cannabinoid that may appear on cannabis product labels, especially in products marketed for evening use. Effects vary by product and person.

CBC ​

CBC is another cannabinoid sometimes listed on cannabis product labels. It is usually present in smaller amounts.

Terpenes ​

Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in cannabis and many other plants. They help shape smell and flavor.

Common terpenes include myrcene, limonene, pinene, linalool, caryophyllene, and terpinolene.

Myrcene ​

Myrcene is a terpene often described as earthy, herbal, or musky.

Limonene ​

Limonene is a terpene often associated with citrus aroma.

Pinene ​

Pinene is a terpene often associated with pine or fresh herbal aroma.

Linalool ​

Linalool is a terpene often associated with lavender-like floral aroma.

Caryophyllene ​

Caryophyllene is a terpene often associated with peppery or spicy aroma.

Terpinolene ​

Terpinolene is a terpene often described as herbal, floral, citrusy, or woody.

Cannabis Product Terms ​

Concentrate ​

A concentrate is a stronger cannabis product such as resin, rosin, wax, distillate, or another extract.

Concentrates can be much more potent than flower, so recipes using them should be measured carefully instead of guessed.

Distillate ​

Distillate is a refined cannabis concentrate that is often high in THC, CBD, or another cannabinoid. It may have little flavor unless terpenes are added back in.

Rosin ​

Rosin is a cannabis concentrate made using heat and pressure instead of solvents.

Resin ​

Resin can refer to a concentrated cannabis extract. Product labels may use terms like live resin depending on how the extract was made.

Tincture ​

A tincture is a liquid cannabis product often measured with a dropper.

Some tinctures are oil-based, and some are alcohol-based. Potency depends on the product, so follow the label and recipe instructions.

Edible ​

An edible is a food or drink that contains cannabis.

Edibles can take longer to feel than inhaled cannabis and may last longer.

Cooking and Infusion Terms ​

Infused ​

Infused means cannabis has been added to part of the recipe.

Common infused ingredients include cannabutter, cannabis oil, tincture, infused honey, infused syrup, infused sauces, and infused toppings.

Non-Infused ​

Non-infused means the food or ingredient does not contain cannabis.

Recipes may use this term when separating regular portions from cannabis-containing portions.

Decarboxylation / Decarb ​

Decarboxylation, often shortened to decarb, is the heating step that activates cannabinoids like THC and CBD.

In recipes, this usually means heating cannabis before mixing it into butter, oil, or another ingredient.

Carrier Fat ​

A carrier fat is a fatty ingredient used to carry cannabis into a recipe.

Common carrier fats include butter, coconut oil, olive oil, MCT oil, heavy cream, and nut butter. Cannabis compounds mix better with fat than with water, which is why many infused recipes use butter or oil.

Cannabutter ​

Cannabutter is butter infused with cannabis.

It is commonly used in cookies, brownies, sauces, spreads, and baked goods. Potency depends on the cannabis used, the amount of butter, and how evenly it is mixed into the recipe.

Cannabis Oil ​

Cannabis oil is cooking oil infused with cannabis.

It may be made with olive oil, coconut oil, MCT oil, or another oil depending on the recipe. Potency depends on the cannabis product used and the final serving size.

Infused Sauce ​

An infused sauce is a sauce that contains cannabis.

In recipes, infused sauces should be measured and divided carefully so portions stay as consistent as possible.

Infused Drizzle ​

An infused drizzle is a measured amount of infused oil, syrup, sauce, dressing, or topping added near the end of a recipe.

Because it may not be mixed through the full dish, the amount added to each serving matters.

Infused Filling ​

An infused filling is a cannabis-containing filling inside a dessert, pastry, sandwich, or other prepared food.

Infused Frosting ​

Infused frosting is frosting that contains cannabis and is usually added after baking.

Emulsion ​

An emulsion is a mixture of ingredients that do not naturally blend easily, such as oil and water.

Some infused sauces, dressings, and drinks may separate, which can affect portion consistency.

Dosing and Effects Terms ​

Dose ​

A dose is the amount of THC, CBD, or another cannabinoid in a serving.

Munchies recipes cannot calculate an exact dose unless the potency of the cannabis ingredient is known.

Potency ​

Potency means how strong a cannabis product or infused ingredient is.

Potency is usually listed in milligrams, often written as mg. If potency is unknown, the recipe cannot tell you the exact dose.

Milligrams / mg ​

Milligrams, or mg, are used to measure cannabinoids like THC or CBD.

Examples:

  • 2.5mg THC
  • 5mg THC
  • 10mg CBD

Small changes in milligrams can matter, especially for beginners.

Total THC ​

Total THC is an estimate of the total THC available after activation. You may see this on cannabis product labels or lab results.

Total CBD ​

Total CBD is an estimate of the total CBD available after activation. You may see this on cannabis product labels or lab results.

Onset Time ​

Onset time is how long it may take to feel edible effects.

Edibles can take longer to feel than inhaled cannabis. A common range is 30–90 minutes, but it can vary.

Duration ​

Duration is how long edible effects may last.

Edibles can last several hours depending on the dose, product, food, metabolism, and individual response.

Delayed Effects ​

Delayed effects means the effects do not show up right away.

This is why recipes often remind readers to start low and wait before taking more.

Euphoric Effects ​

Euphoric effects are the mood-lifting or intoxicating effects some people experience from THC.

Munchies uses this phrase instead of casual slang.

Non-Intoxicating ​

Non-intoxicating means a product is not expected to create strong euphoric or impairing effects.

CBD is often described this way, but effects still vary by product, dose, and individual response.

Tolerance ​

Tolerance is how used to cannabis someone is.

A person with low tolerance may feel effects from a smaller amount than someone who uses cannabis regularly.

Start Low and Wait ​

Start low and wait means beginning with a small serving and giving edibles enough time to take effect before taking more.

This phrase appears often because edible effects can be delayed and long-lasting.

Recipe Portioning Terms ​

Portioning ​

Portioning means dividing a recipe into planned servings.

For infused recipes, portioning matters because the total cannabis amount is divided across the planned servings.

Even Distribution ​

Even distribution means the infused ingredient is mixed as evenly as possible through the recipe.

Uneven mixing can create uneven servings. This matters most in batters, sauces, oils, frostings, fillings, drinks, and toppings.

Serving Size ​

Serving size is the amount intended for one person at one time.

For infused recipes, serving size affects how much cannabis may be in each portion.

Batch ​

A batch is the full amount a recipe makes.

For infused recipes, the total batch matters because the infused ingredient is spread across the full recipe.

Measured Amount ​

A measured amount means the cannabis ingredient should be measured with a tool, not estimated by eye.

Depending on the ingredient, that might mean using a dropper, scale, measuring spoon, or package label.