Trichome Institute - WeedWizard

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TRICHOME TRIVIA
10 Topics to Test Your Weed 
Knowledge in 2021 
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of 
cannabis terpenes?
a. Attract pollinators
b. Capture pollen
c. Protect the plant
d. Produce THC
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Answer C. Protect the plant
There are over 20,000 characterized terpenes in the plant 
kingdom and their primary function is to protect plants! 
Every plant we can smell produces aromatic compounds like 
terpenes. The scent of terpenes help deter herbivores, insects, 
fungi, and other plant predators. The acidic, spicy, and bitter 
flavors of terpenes also help prevent many animals from 
eating plants.
There have been hundreds of terpenes identified throughout 
the various cannabis varieties. Considering cannabis shares 
dominant terpenes with other common plants, strain names 
often reference fruits like lemons, tangerines, blueberries, and 
strawberries. Grapefruit Haze, Tangerine Dream, and Lemon 
Skunk as examples, smell incredibly similar to the fruits they 
are named after. The limonene, pinene, and other terpenes 
found in lemon, are also found in Lemon Skunk and other 
cannabis varieties that have strong citrus aromatics.
Moreover, terpenes are medicinally useful and have been 
proven to have analgesic, antibacterial, anti-carcinogenic, 
bronchodilation, anticonvulsant, antifungal, anti-anxiety, and 
many other benefits! 
 
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The following chart features six of the most common cannabis terpenes.
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Question 2
Approximately how old is the word 
marijuana?
a. 60 years
b. 100 years
c. 400 years
d. 3,000 years
Answer C. 400 years old
First uses of the word marijuana date back to approximately 
400 years ago.
The origin of this word is a perfect example of misinformation, 
and is nearly as misunderstood as the plant itself. 
In the video linked below, Professor Santiago Guerra explains 
the truth behind the word marijuana and it’s amazing history. 
 
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Watch Professor Santiago explain 
the truth about the word marijuana!
←
https://blog.trichomeinstitute.com/the-history-of-the-word-marijuana
https://blog.trichomeinstitute.com/the-history-of-the-word-marijuana
Question 3
Which trichome is the ripest?
A. B. C.
Answer: Image B
The very reason people consume cannabis stems from the 
chemistry within the glandular trichomes. Therefore, if the 
trichomes are not healthy and mature, the flower will lack 
potency, psychotropic effects, and medicinal potential. 
When evaluating trichome quality, use a magnifier or jeweler’s 
loupe to confirm if the majority of the trichomes are clear 
(premature), milky (mature), or amber (overripe). Flower with 
an abundance of milky trichomes, few clear or amber 
trichomes, and minimal to no broken glandular heads is ideal. 
Sometimes you can find all three of these ripeness levels 
within the same flower, which can be considered poor 
genetics. 
Ultimately, trichome health and ripeness determines the 
potency and psychotropic effects of the cannabinoids and the 
terpenes.
 
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Question 4
What’s the difference between a 
topical and a transdermal cannabis 
product?
a. Transdermals stay on top of the skin
b. Topicals penetrate the epidermis
c. Transdermals contain active ingredients 
that enter the bloodstream
d. Topicals smell better than transdermals
Answer C. Transdermals contain active 
ingredients that enter the bloodstream
Transdermal administration requires a patch or topical 
solution containing special permeation agents that carry 
cannabinoids through the skin and into the bloodstream. 
Transdermal administration differs from topicals, which do not 
penetrate past the upper layer of epidermis or enter the 
bloodstream and only provide localized relief.
A key component that separates transdermal patches from 
other types of cannabis products is that they can continuously 
dose cannabinoids over an extended period of time. 
Transdermals are a great option for people who cannot dose 
throughout the day or night, have continuous pain, are unable 
to swallow, or need alternative delivery methods. Transdermal 
patches are also the only long-acting treatment available for 
people who do not respond positively to edibles or have 
gastrointestinal or digestive issues. 
 
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Topicals:
Despite some similarities, topical cannabis products differ 
greatly from transdermal products because they do not 
penetrate the epidermis and are not absorbed into the 
bloodstream. So remember, topicals go on top!
Cannabis infused topical lotions and creams are easily spread 
over large areas of skin and treat a variety of ailments. Topicals 
are used for their anti-fungal, antiseptic, analgesic, and 
anti-inflammatory properties, and are great for skin issues like 
burns, rashes, bruises, acne, scars, eczema, athletes foot, 
arthritis, and more.
In theory, topicals should not show up on drug tests because 
they do not enter into the bloodstream like a transdermal 
product. Therefore, they won’t make you feel high, but this 
isn’t always the case. If a topical product has an ingredient 
like olive oil, which contains a permeation agent, the topical 
may act as a transdermal and could enter your bloodstream 
and show up on a drug test.
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Question 5
Which flower has powdery mildew?
A.
B.
C.
Answer: Image A
Powdery Mildew (PM) is an extremely common mold that 
can be found in many gardens. It appears as a white powdery 
substance that clumps in spots on leaves before spreading to 
the rest of the plant. PM does not produce any odor and is not 
systemic. Certain cannabis varieties are more susceptible to 
PM than others, but the regulation of temperature and 
humidity is ultimately what prevents PM from infecting plants.
PM spores are easily spread by visiting contaminated grows or 
from a dispensary with traffic from dozens of home growers. 
Growers often ask themselves, “Where on earth is this mildew 
coming from?” The answer: from the growers themselves.
 
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Jar rot mold develops when fresh flower is improperly dried 
and cured, or is put into a jar with insufficient air circulation 
and excess humidity, restricting the product from “breathing” 
as it dries out or cures.
Moisture combined with lack of circulation promotes rot on 
most plant kingdom organisms, and cannabis is no exception. 
Jar rot is the same fast-growing, light grey mold found on 
strawberries that are left in the refrigerator for too long. If jar 
rot is fresh, it will smell slightly damp and a grey fuzzy mold 
will be present. If the flower has jar rot and then dries out, 
mold residue can be seen faintly, but will not have an odor.
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Botrytis, also known as “bud rot,” is the silent killer of cannabis. 
Botrytis is a systemic mold that can lie dormant and 
undetectable until specific environmental conditions activate it. 
High humidity and a lack of air circulation create the perfect 
environment for botrytis spores to jump-start their life cycles. 
Botrytis spores can spread like wildfire through an entire garden, 
quickly developing and infecting plants. 
The primary indicators of botrytis are discoloration and 
off-putting odors. If there is reddish-brown or light grey fuzzy 
mold on the bracts and around the stem, or colors such as grey, 
red, tan, or brown close to the base of the flower, it’s most likely 
botrytis. Heavy botrytis has a very specific odor that is 
simultaneously semi-sweet and acrid, and can actually upset your 
stomach upon catching a good whiff.
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Question 6
Which of the following images is the 
cannabis flower?
A.
B. C.
D.
Answer: Image C
Inflorescence is defined as the complete flower head of a 
plant, including stems, stalks, bracts, and flowers. Simply put, 
inflorescence is the arrangement of the flowers on a plant. 
With cannabis, what is often referred to as the cola, bud, or 
flower, is actually the inflorescence. Cannabis inflorescences 
are composed of dozens or even hundreds of individual 
flowers, or florets, which are usually referred to as thecalyx. 
However, what has been called the calyx for decades is 
actually the entire flower. The largest visible part of the flower 
is the bract, which encloses the entire calyx and reproductive 
anatomy, and has two pistils protruding from the top. 
 
To put this into perspective, think about the last time you 
closely examined a sunflower. Did you take the time to notice 
each and every tiny, little flower of the sunflower 
inflorescence? Or were you salivating for salty, crunchy 
sunflower seeds to enjoy at a ballgame instead? If you look 
again closely, you will notice that what we call a “sunflower” is 
actually hundreds of tiny little flowers, each containing their 
own reproductive anatomies and producing their own seeds. 
Sunflower and cannabis plants both have in common their 
own types of inflorescence and are similar in how we refer to 
them as a singular form, even though we are actually talking 
about many, many flowers.
 
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Question 7
What insect leaves freckles on the 
underside of a cannabis leaf?
a. Aphids
b. Spider mites
c. Fungus gnats
d. Ladybugs
Answer B. Spider Mites
Insect infestations are common with cannabis cultivation. A 
variety of insects—including aphids, spider mites, thrips, 
fungus gnats, white fly, and many more—find their way into 
gardens, and if left untreated can devastate a grow. Insects 
feed off the cannabis plant or infest the growing medium, 
causing stunted growth and a slew of other issues. Insects 
injure the flowers, leaves, branches, and roots by feeding on 
them and then leaving residual byproducts such as carcasses, 
fecal matter, eggs, webs, and exoskeletons. Some insects that 
infest flowers are too small to be seen by the naked eye, which 
is why a magnifier is often necessary for proper detection.
 
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Answer B. Trichome 2 | Milky
Freckle-like blemishes on leaves can be spotted from several 
feet away and result from spider mites eating the underside of 
the leaf. Always look for small, discolored spots on the leaves 
and trim. If a plant displays these spots, it should be further 
examined for spider mites and other insects.
 
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Question 8
Which of the following images is 
considered wax?
B.
A.
C.
Answer: Image B
When discussing cannabis extracts in a retail context, there 
are many names you may hear. It is common for the terms 
concentrate, extract, resin, hash oil, and a few others to be 
used interchangeably. What they refer to is a concentrated 
form of active ingredients, such as cannabinoids and terpenes, 
which are extracted from the plant material. 
There are two primary categories of cannabis concentrates: 
homogeneous and non-homogeneous. Homogeneous 
concentrates are uniform in their structure and mostly 
opaque. Non-homogeneous concentrates are unevenly 
distributed in their structures and can be opaque in some 
areas and translucent in others. Here is the biggest difference 
between these two categories: If you were to take two 1g 
samples out of a homogeneous extract, the milligrams of 
active ingredients of each sample would be nearly identical. 
However, if you were to take two 1g samples out of a 
nonhomogeneous extract, the milligrams of active ingredients 
would vary significantly.
 
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Wax is an overarching term for homogeneous concentrate 
products, but there are different names that fall under wax 
depending on the consistency, texture, or simply the branding 
of the product. Think of wax like scrambled eggs. There are a 
bunch of ways to cook scrambled eggs, but the final product 
is a blend of the yolk and white cooked together. You can beat 
the eggs in a bowl or slowly stir them while they are cooking. 
You can scramble eggs on high heat and they will be spongy. 
On low heat and they will be delicate and creamy. You can 
cook eggs with spray on oil, fancy truffle oil, margarine, butter, 
or use no fat with a really good nonstick pan. No matter how 
you make scrambled eggs they are still scrambled at the end. 
The terpene content of wax concentrates will determine the 
texture and aroma. Wax products with a higher terpene 
profile will appear and feel greasy or wet, and that’s a good 
thing, but they will still be properly homogenized. 
Wax Product Examples
 
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Budder Crumble Honeycomb Sugar
Question 9
Which extraction method requires 
-30°c to -50°c temperatures?
a. Ethanol
b. CO2
c. Bubble Hash
@deltaseparations
Answer A. Ethanol
Ethanol extraction is a very common method used in many 
industrial applications because it’s largely regarded as safe for 
human consumption and is an excellent solvent, especially for 
cannabis. The purity of ethanol alcohol is crucial, which is why 
190-200 proof ethanol is required for proper extraction. 
Ethanol excels at extracting numerous compounds from 
plants. However, with ethanol extraction there are some 
unwanted compounds that a cannabis extractor would not 
want in their extract, such as chlorophyll, sugars, and moisture. 
This is why the temperature of the ethanol important is 
important for extraction. The warmer the temperature of the 
ethanol, the more undesirable compounds there will be in the 
extraction. Therefore, ethanol is cooled to -30°C to -50°C, 
which is great for extracting cannabinoids and terpenes, but 
not other compounds that will lessen the purity of a cannabis 
concentrate product. 
 
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In order to maintain the 
temperature of the ethanol 
during the extraction 
process, many extractors 
freeze their plant material 
prior to extraction and use 
special jackets to insulate 
the extraction equipment. 
Ethanol Extractor
@deltaseparations 
Ethanol extraction equipment can vary but you will typically 
see a centrifuge device that functions similarly to your 
washing machine at home. A mesh bag filled with finely 
ground cannabis is placed into a machine that washes the 
plant material repeatedly with ethanol alcohol as it spins. This 
allows the alcohol to dissolve as much of the plant resin as 
possible. 
One of the most common pieces of equipment used for 
ethanol solvent recovery is a rotary evaporator, or rotovap. The 
extract is put under vacuum conditions in the rotovap and 
continuously spun at a warm enough temperature to 
evaporate the ethanol but not the active ingredients. The 
spinning process ensures that the heat is distributed evenly 
throughout the extract This process is a form of distillation 
which separates the purified ethanol so that it is able to be 
reused in the future. Falling film evaporators are used in 
extraction labs with much higher volumes.
 
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Not all of the ethanol is 
recovered, which is why lab 
tests are required to 
determine purity and safety 
of the final product. No 
matter how great the 
solvent recovery process is, 
there will always be some 
small percentage loss of 
ethanol that is left in your 
crude oil, which is then 
further refined depending 
on the desired final product. Falling Film Evaporator
@deltaseparations 
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Question 10
Which of the following edibles can 
also be a sublingual?
A. C.
B.
Answer A. Suckers or Lollipops
Most people think of the stomach when it comes to an edible 
high, but what really makes the magic happen is the liver. 
When decarboxylated or activated D9-THC is digested by the 
stomach, it is then sent to the liver. The liver metabolizes 
D9-THC into 11-Hydroxy-THC and this new form of THC (which 
isn’t found naturally in the cannabis plant) is a lot stronger and 
more intoxicating than D9-THC, the primary compound that 
makes you feel high from inhaling marijuana.
When you are enjoying an edible like a lollipop, mint, lozenge, 
or other food product that you would keep in your mouth until 
it is mostly dissolved, it is also acting as a sublingual. As your 
saliva dissolves a lollipop, for example, the active cannabinoids 
are mixed with your saliva, slowly being pulled into your 
bloodstream via capillaries in your mouth. The longer you 
hold yoursaliva without swallowing, the more cannabinoids 
will be sublingually delivered. Sublingually delivered THC 
bypasses your liver, which prevents the metabolism of 
11-Hydroxy-THC. Since you are eventually going to swallow 
your saliva that’s filled with delicious flavor and cannabinoids, 
you will then be putting your liver to work in form of a 
traditional edible.
 
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In order for a sublingual product to be effectively delivered 
into your bloodstream, it must be held in your mouth for 1-3 
minutes. Since most people aren’t holding their saliva in their 
mouth for 1-3 minutes while enjoying a lollipop, the 
sublingual delivery of cannabinoids will be low. However, 
once you’re done with your lollipop, you’re still going to have 
a different ratio of D9:11-Hydroxy-THC in your system in 
comparison to eating a normal edible. This explains why 
some people feel a different sensation from eating different 
edible products, like a brownie versus a lollipop.
Try this! Purchase two identical lollipops from a dispensary in 
your legal state. On one night eat the lollipop immediately by 
chewing and swallowing it like any other edible. On another 
night take your time with the second lollipop by sucking on it 
and try not to swallow as often as you normally would. Take 
notes on how you feel from each high and see if you notice 
any difference between the two experiences. Be sure that 
the setting, time of the day, your mood, and time from last 
meal, are all the same to minimize variables that could alter 
your experiences. 
 
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Well done!
If you made it here, you deserve a high-five for furthering 
your cannabis knowledge. Trichome Institute is grateful for 
people like you who are not only advocates for cannabis, but 
advocates for cannabis education. We hope you continue to 
include us in your cannabis education journey. 
You’re here to learn, we’re here to guide you.
#WeedBetter
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