Dispensary Terms Explained: A Cannabis Glossary for Guelph Shoppers

Walking into a dispensary for the first time can feel like learning a new language. Staff and product labels use terms like “cultivar,” “total THC” and “live resin,” and it is not always obvious what they mean. Whether you searched “dispensary Guelph” or “cannabis store near me,” this plain-language glossary will help you shop with confidence at our Guelph store on Scottsdale Drive, and at our Etobicoke location on The Queensway, which is reopening soon.

Product basics

Flower: The dried, cured bud of the cannabis plant. It is sold by weight in Ontario, most often in 3.5 g, 7 g, 14 g and 28 g packages.

Pre-roll: Flower that has been ground and rolled into a ready-to-use joint. Pre-rolls come in single and multi-pack formats and in a range of sizes.

Infused pre-roll: A pre-roll that also contains a concentrate, such as distillate or kief, which usually raises its THC content well above standard flower.

Vape cartridge: A small tank filled with cannabis oil that attaches to a battery. Most cartridges sold in Canada use the universal 510 thread.

Disposable vape: An all-in-one device with the battery and oil built in. It is used until empty, then disposed of properly.

Edible: Any cannabis product meant to be eaten or consumed as a drink, including gummies, chocolates, baked goods and beverages. In Canada, each edible package is capped at 10 mg of THC.

Concentrate: A product with a higher level of cannabinoids than flower. Examples include hash, shatter, rosin, resin and distillate.

Label and potency terms

THC: Tetrahydrocannabinol, the main compound responsible for the intoxicating effects of cannabis.

CBD: Cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating compound found in many products, sometimes on its own and sometimes balanced with THC.

Total THC and total CBD: The figures that matter most on an Ontario label. They represent the amount available once the product is heated, combining the active form with its acid form (THCA or CBDA).

Terpenes: Aromatic compounds that give each cultivar its smell and flavour, from citrus and pine to pepper and earth. Common examples include myrcene, limonene and caryophyllene.

Equivalency: A number on the label that shows how much of a product counts as 1 gram of dried cannabis toward Canada’s public possession limit of 30 grams.

Packaging date: The date the product was packaged. Fresher flower generally keeps more of its aroma, so it is worth checking.

Plant and processing terms

Cultivar (strain): A specific variety of cannabis with its own genetics, look and aroma profile.

Indica, sativa and hybrid: Traditional categories based on plant shape and growth habits. Many shoppers use them as a starting point, but terpenes and cannabinoid content tell you more about a product than the category alone.

Live resin: A concentrate made from plants frozen right after harvest instead of dried, which helps preserve more of the original terpenes.

Rosin: A solventless concentrate made using only heat and pressure.

Kief: The fine, sticky crystals (trichomes) that collect from dried flower. It is sometimes added to pre-rolls.

Craft cannabis: A general term for small-batch products, often hand-trimmed and hang-dried. It is not a regulated designation, so ask staff what it means for a specific brand.

In-store terms

Budtender: A trained staff member who can explain products, formats and labels. Budtenders can share general product information, but they cannot give medical advice.

Flow-through: Products delivered to a store directly from a licensed producer rather than through the Ontario Cannabis Store warehouse. This is how many retailers carry small-batch and newer products.

Valid ID: Government-issued photo identification showing you are 19 or older. You will be asked for it when you visit, so bring it every time.

Putting it all together

You do not need to memorize every term before your visit. Knowing a handful of them, such as total THC, terpenes and format, makes it easier to describe what you are looking for and to compare products side by side. If you are new to cannabis, the general rule is to start low and go slow, especially with edibles, which can take longer to take effect.

Our Guelph team at 615 Scottsdale Drive is happy to walk you through any of these terms in person. Our Etobicoke store at 944 The Queensway is reopening soon, and we will share an update once the doors are open again.

Must be 19+ with valid ID. Please consume responsibly. This article is educational and not medical advice.