Plain-language definitions of words you'll encounter. Educational only.
Please note
This is an independent informational resource, not the official CAC website. Information here is general and educational only and is not medical or legal advice. Always verify details with official Massachusetts state resources and licensed professionals.
Adult-use
Cannabis available to adults 21 and older without medical certification, sometimes called "recreational."
Cannabinoid
A naturally occurring compound in the cannabis plant; THC and CBD are commonly referenced examples.
Cannabis Control Commission (CCC)
The Massachusetts agency that regulates and oversees the cannabis industry.
Caregiver
An individual permitted, under certain rules, to assist a registered medical patient.
Certification
Documentation from a registered healthcare provider that a patient may be appropriate for medical cannabis.
Cultivator
A licensed operation that grows cannabis within the regulated system.
Dispensary
A licensed retail location where cannabis is provided to patients or adult-use customers.
Edible
A cannabis-infused food or beverage product, subject to labeling and testing rules.
Flower
The dried, usable part of the cannabis plant.
Medical-use program
The state framework allowing registered patients to access cannabis for therapeutic purposes.
Tincture
A liquid cannabis product, typically administered in measured amounts.
Topical
A cannabis product applied to the skin.
Definitions are general
These simplified definitions are for orientation only and may not match precise legal or clinical usage. Consult official sources for authoritative definitions.