A lekker, easy-to-skim list of cannabis facts.
The plant basics
- Cannabis is a flowering plant that grows as male and female plants.
- The sticky resin on cannabis flowers is called trichome resin.
- Trichomes help protect the plant from heat, pests, and moisture loss.
- Cannabis has been selectively cultivated for fibre, seed, and flower.
- Hemp and cannabis come from the same plant species family, but are bred for different purposes.
- The cannabis plant can grow fast in the right sunlight and soil.
- Some cultivars grow short and bushy, others tall and stretchy.
- Terpenes are made in the same resin glands as cannabinoids.
- The smell of a strain is largely its terpene profile.
- The visible “frost” look on buds is trichomes.
Cannabinoids 101
- THC and CBD are the two most widely recognised cannabinoids.
- The cannabis plant produces many cannabinoids, not just THC and CBD.
- Cannabinoids are concentrated in the flower’s resin glands.
- Different cannabinoids can show up in different ratios depending on cultivar.
- Cannabinoid profiles shift with harvest timing.
- Fresh plant material and cured flower can present differently.
- Some products focus on single cannabinoids, others on full plant profiles.
- Cannabinoids are fat-soluble compounds.
- Cannabinoids can be present in flower, concentrates, and infused products.
- The “numbers” on a label do not tell the full story without terpene context.
Terpenes and flavour
- Terpenes are aromatic compounds found across nature, including citrus and pine.
- Limonene is often linked to citrus notes.
- Pinene is often linked to pine notes.
- Myrcene is often linked to earthy notes.
- Linalool is often linked to floral notes.
- Caryophyllene is often linked to peppery, spicy notes.
- Terpenes can evaporate with excessive heat.
- Storage conditions can affect terpene intensity over time.
- Two strains can share a cannabinoid number but smell completely different due to terpenes.
- “Gas”, “fruit”, and “dessert” strain names are usually terpene-driven descriptions.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS)
- Humans have an internal system called the endocannabinoid system.
- The ECS is found throughout the body, not just in one organ.
- The body produces its own natural endocannabinoid compounds.
- The ECS supports internal balance across multiple everyday functions.
- Cannabinoids can interact with ECS receptors.
- The ECS is one reason cannabis can feel different from person to person.
- The ECS exists in mammals and is not unique to humans.
- The ECS is often described as a regulator of “steady state” in the body.
- Lifestyle factors like sleep and stress can change how a person experiences cannabis.
- Context matters as much as chemistry.
Strains, cultivars, and names
- “Strain” is the common word, but “cultivar” is the more accurate plant term.
- Many strain names are chosen for flavour and vibe, not scientific classification.
- The same strain name can vary depending on grower, environment, and phenotype.
- Phenotypes are natural variations within the same genetic line.
- Some cultivars are bred for aroma, others for yield, others for resin production.
- Indoor, greenhouse, and outdoor grows can produce different expressions.
- A cultivar can feel different across seasons because growing conditions shift.
- Genetics are important, but cultivation practices matter too.
- Terpene profiles are one reason “this one hits different” is often true.
- “Indica” and “sativa” are common labels, but modern cultivar profiles are often more mixed.
History and culture
- Cannabis has been used by different cultures for centuries.
- Cannabis has a long history across the African continent.
- South Africa has its own deep cultural relationship with cannabis.
- The term “dagga” is widely used in South Africa to refer to cannabis.
- Cannabis has been part of rural livelihoods in parts of Southern Africa.
- Cannabis appears in historical records as a fibre and herbal plant.
- Cannabis culture has influenced music, fashion, and language across generations.
- Cannabis is one of the most talked-about plants in modern wellness culture.
- Many communities have passed down cultivation knowledge through families.
- Cannabis has long been part of informal economies in many regions.
South African context
- South Africa is one of the best-known cannabis-growing regions on the continent.
- Certain SA regions are famous for cannabis cultivation due to climate and terrain.
- Dagga is a common term used across provinces, from cities to small towns.
- Local slang and strain naming often reflect SA humour and vibe.
- South Africa’s cannabis conversation includes culture, wellness, farming, and business.
- The local industry includes growers, dispensaries, accessories, and education brands.
- Many South Africans care about quality, aroma, and consistency, not just strength.
- Homegrown culture has shaped preferences for certain profiles and flavours.
- South African cannabis spaces often blend wellness and lifestyle in a very local way.
- “Lekker” is still the correct word for a good strain.
Growing and cultivation (general interest)
- Cannabis is sensitive to light cycles.
- Many growers use controlled lighting to manage growth stages.
- Nutrition can influence how the plant develops.
- Water quality can affect plant performance.
- Soil composition influences plant health and expression.
- Some cultivars are more resistant to pests than others.
- Trichome development is a key point growers watch during flowering.
- Drying and curing are major factors in final aroma and feel.
- Good curing helps preserve aroma and smoothness.
- Storage impacts freshness and terpene retention.
Processing and product types
- Flower is the most recognisable cannabis form.
- Concentrates are made by collecting cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant.
- Oils can be full plant extracts or refined extracts depending on the product.
- Edibles and infused products are made by infusing cannabis extracts into food bases.
- Vape products commonly use oils designed for heating and inhalation.
- Tinctures are commonly made for sublingual use.
- Topicals are made for external application and often focus on wellness routines.
- Different product formats suit different lifestyles and preferences.
- “Full spectrum” usually suggests a wider range of plant compounds in the product.
- “Isolate” products focus on one primary compound.
Aroma, storage, and freshness
- Airtight storage helps preserve aroma.
- Light exposure can degrade certain compounds over time.
- Heat can reduce terpene intensity.
- Humidity balance helps maintain flower quality.
- Freshness affects taste, aroma, and feel.
- Glass jars are often used to store flower for freshness.
- Crushing or grinding releases aroma quickly due to terpene exposure.
- A strain’s scent can be a strong indicator of its terpene profile.
- Different grinders can change how fine the flower is prepared.
- “Nose first” is a real way many people choose strains.
The social side and lifestyle
- Cannabis preferences are personal, like coffee preferences.
- People often choose by aroma, not only by numbers.
- Some people like fruity profiles, others like gassy profiles.
- Some people prefer a clean, crisp terpene profile, others like heavy, earthy notes.
- Cannabis culture includes art, design, and product aesthetics.
- Packaging and branding influence how people experience products.
- People often form a “top three” of strains they keep coming back to.
- Many cannabis users treat it as a ritual, paired with music or relaxation.
- A good setting often shapes the experience as much as the product.
- Cannabis can be part of a wellness routine, like tea, bath salts, or a wind-down playlist.
Fun facts and “no ways” moments
- The word “terpene” is used in perfumery and plant science, not only cannabis.
- Cannabis aromas can overlap with mango, citrus, pine, lavender, and pepper.
- Some strains are named after desserts because they genuinely smell like sweets.
- “Gas” is a scent descriptor used across global cannabis culture.
- Cannabis trichomes can look like tiny crystal mushrooms under magnification.
- Bud structure can vary from fluffy to dense depending on cultivar and grow style.
- Different rolling papers can change the taste experience.
- Some people choose strains the way they choose wine, by aroma profile.
- The same person can prefer different profiles depending on time of day.
- If you ever want a quick conversation starter, ask someone their favourite terpene smell.
