The Broken Language of Cannabis
From 'Baked' to 'Buzzed': Why Talking About Cannabis is Like Playing Telephone at a Party
The Loose Lexicon of ‘La Lazy Lettuce:
The language we use to talk about cannabis is as hazy as the smoke from a puff—vague, elusive, and, quite frankly, failing us. We limp along with fuzzy terms that rarely convey what one person actually experiences, let alone describe what they’re buying or consuming. Medicine? Well, medicine is barely at the starting line—struggling to explain how cannabis affects things like sleep, exercise, mood, or illness.
We use phrases like “one big puff” or “one edible,” but what do those even mean? Did you hold that puff in? Was the edible mixed evenly? Was it baked with love or half-heartedly thrown together by someone who had the munchies? And after consuming, are you “high”? “Wasted”? “Just a little baked”? These words are so imprecise they practically beg for a collective facepalm.
Sure, we know we’re getting compounds that have been processed, tested (kind of), and sold, but how do we put the cannabis experience into words? It’s like trying to explain a sunset to someone who’s never seen the sky.
Indica, Sativa, Hybrid: Labels That Fall Short
Labels like “Indica” and “Sativa” might sound scientific, but they’ve become more like marketing tools than reliable indicators of experience. We hear that Indica will calm you down, and Sativa will energize you, but it’s not that simple. In reality, about 70% of people who use Indica products describe feeling relaxed. But for the other 30%, it’s a completely different ride—sometimes leaving them feeling jittery or wired.
It’s like ordering a decaf coffee and then finding out halfway through that it’s fully caffeinated—surprise! We rely on these labels expecting consistency, but more often than not, they lead us astray.
Describing the Experience: A Game of Telephone
The way people describe their cannabis experience often feels like a bad game of telephone. Words like “high,” “zoned out,” or “spaced out” get thrown around, but what do they really mean? One person’s “high” might feel like losing track of time, while another might describe a deep, slow relaxation that feels almost meditative. And for some, it’s more about clarity—a chance to focus and think without the usual noise.
Then there are those who say cannabis helps them feel “normal” for the first time—like finally being able to unwind after a long day, letting go of the anxiety or tension they usually carry. I’ve had patients try to explain this feeling, describing it as if they’ve taken off a heavy backpack they didn’t even realize they were wearing. But how do you explain that sense of relief, of finally being able to just be, to someone who’s never experienced it?
Describing Cannabis Effects: A Game of Guesswork. From "Giggly" to "Munchies"—How we use loose terms to describe complex effects.
Video Break
Addiction vs. Dependency: The Great Muddle
This confusion over language doesn’t stop at describing effects—it spills into how we talk about cannabis use itself. The terms “addiction” and “dependency” often get tossed around as if they’re interchangeable, but they’re not. Research shows that around 9-11% of people are prone to developing addictions—whether it’s to coffee, food, or even Netflix. Yet, somehow, cannabis gets an outsized share of the fear and stigma.
What people really fear, more often than not, is dependency. But becoming dependent on something isn’t inherently bad. People become dependent on exercise routines, certain diets, or skincare products because they work. Cannabis is no different. If it helps someone sleep better, manage anxiety, or feel more balanced, why is regular use a problem? Sure, overuse can be an issue, like anything else, but isn’t that just common sense?
The Legal Jumble of Cannabis: A Maze Without a Map
If you thought the language we use to describe cannabis is confusing, just wait until you try navigating the legal stuff. Cannabis laws are like a jigsaw puzzle where half the pieces are missing, and the rest are from different boxes. Every state has its own rules, and none of them seem to agree. Some places talk about “possession limits” like it’s a game show category, while others throw in terms like “caregiver provisions” just to keep things spicy.
Trying to figure out what’s legal where is like wandering through a maze where every corner has a new rule—and no one left you a map. It’s no wonder both consumers and professionals are constantly scratching their heads. Until we get some nationwide clarity, it’s going to feel like we’re stuck assembling IKEA furniture without the instructions. Good luck with that.
The State-by-State Jigsaw Puzzle of Cannabis Terms. "Marijuana" means different things depending on where you are (and why it matters)
The Many Faces of Cannabis Derivatives; breaking down the wide array of regulated cannabis products and their legal landscape
Bottom Line
The way we talk about cannabis is long overdue for a reset. From the fuzzy, inconsistent words we use to describe its effects to the tangled mess of legal jargon, our current language creates more confusion than clarity. And this isn’t just an intellectual problem—it shapes how people understand their experiences, how professionals treat patients, and how policymakers regulate this powerful plant.
So, where do we go from here? First, we need more research and standardized language to capture the diverse ways cannabis affects people. The industry, consumers, and medical experts should demand better tools to communicate these effects. On a personal level, we can start by being more precise with our words—taking the time to explain what we really mean when we say we’re “high,” “relaxed,” or “energized.”
Now, if you were hoping I’d have all the answers wrapped up with a neat little bow, well… sorry to leave you “high and dry”—pun fully intended. But, hey, if you’ve got a brilliant fix for this mess, I’m all ears! In the meantime, let’s at least agree to do better with the words we’ve got. Cannabis is too important—medically and personally—to leave its language stuck in the dark ages.
What do you say? Let’s find the words together.
The Goofy Terms We Use to Get "High"
How Do I Deal With Language?
What we all do. I try as best I can with what we have.
This new Amazon review of my book says it better than I ever could:
The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook is not only a well-researched and encyclopedic guide to clinical and recreational uses of cannabis but also an introduction to a new way of thinking about medicine, one in which the personal experience of patients plays an important part. In a tone at once authoritative and commonsensical, Dr. Caplan—himself a licensed family physician—mounts a critique of the statistical methods of the traditional medical infrastructure, advancing in their place a method of treatment that is both holistic and individualized. By means of clearly presented chemical and physiological explanations, and in reference to a wide variety of physical and psychological conditions (having to do with sexual function, sleep, and diet, as well as disease, aging, and end-of-life experiences), he explains how cannabis works on a multi-system level. We learn of a fundamental language of internal bodily communication, involving the signaling of cells and neurons, and the dynamic relation of this body communication to the external environment. Cannabis treatment works, in part, by mediating between various signals and systems. We also learn of the history of the plant, its breeding and uses. Something I never saw in the history books at school: the settlers in Jamestown cultivated cannabis for medicine and currency. An enjoyable, instructive, and genuinely useful read, not least on account of its cautionary advice regarding the side-effects and misuse of this multifaceted and multipurpose drug—Dr. Caplan questions the distinction between recreational and therapeutic—and regarding consumption by smoking.
I’ve put a lot into this handbook—enjoy, and help me share the knowledge with others!
Excellent read, thank you.
I’ve written that the word stoned doesn’t apply, as it comes from alcohol culture, and does not describe what the plant actually does.
High, elevate or lifted are better descriptors because the compounds literally raise our endorphins, lifting us up out of depression, anxiety, et al.
Dr. Caplan, I always appreciate reading your common sense intelligent posts. You’ve set the bar very high (pun intended) for anyone who would dare to challenge the common sense, truthful and factual message(s) you’re conveying. Hint…anyone = cannabis prohibitionists.