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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

How well does Larry Mantle know his marijuana terms?

KPCC Science Reporter Jacob Margolis quizzes AirTalk Host Larry Mantle on his pot knowledge.

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California is entering a brand new chapter beginning Jan. 1, when it becomes legal to sell recreational marijuana. That means pot shops with licenses and new products are sprouting up like... well, you know. In short, it's not your grandfather's weed world anymore.

In preparation for the rise of this new industry, we quizzed AirTalk's Larry Mantle on his pot knowledge. Does he know what a weed grinder looks like? Or what shatter is? See how he did in the video at the top of this story — and if you need a refresher on some of your basic terminology, we have a list below.

Indica / Sativa
Two main strains of marijuana that produce different types of highs. Indica is known to produce more of a relaxed "mind high," whereas sativa generally leads to a more energetic high. (They're also crossbred to produce hybrid strains, which take elements from each.)

THC
There are some 400-500 different chemical compounds in marijuana, but tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the primary one that's responsible for getting you stoned. 

CBD
Short for cannabidiol. It's another chemical compound in marijuana —  but it doesn't have the same psychoactive properties as THC. It's associated more with the medicinal, anti-inflammatory, anxiety relieving aspects of marijuana — but research around its efficacy is limited. (You can also buy CBD lotions and oils.) 

Shatter
A form of concentrated marijuana that packs more potency. Butane or CO2 is run through marijuana flower and cannabinoids are extracted. The concentrate hardens and is then broken up into smaller pieces.

Hash
A marijuana product made from trichomes — the little hairs that grow all over the plant, which generally have higher concentrations of THC than in the unprocessed flower. They're gathered, compressed and sometimes baked to create a sticky, smokable substance. 

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Pre-roll
Don't want to roll your own joint? No problem. Pre-rolls are marijuana joints that come, uh, pre-rolled. Sometimes they even come in beautiful individual glass cases. 

Edible
This one's a bit of a no-brainer, but it's a marijuana product that you can eat, rather than smoke. Edibles come in all kinds of forms — brownies, sodas, candy — and regulators want to make sure they don't get mixed up with other food that's marketed toward kids. Edibles get you high in a different way than smoking does — here's a primer on the journey THC takes through your body when you ingest marijuana this way.

This story is part of KPCC’s 3-day series on the changing attitudes and new laws around recreational pot in California. Find more coverage here.

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