What does “Trichome” mean?

The resin-producing gland on the surface of the cannabis flower, where cannabinoids and terpenes are made and stored.

Trichome in plain English

The resin-producing gland on the surface of the cannabis flower, where cannabinoids and terpenes are made and stored.

Trichomes are visible as the frosted appearance on the flower. They are the reason the plant is processed the way it is: the compounds of interest are concentrated in them rather than distributed through the tissue.

In a pharmaceutical setting, what matters is not the appearance of the trichomes but the verified content of the finished preparation.

Frequently asked questions

What does trichome mean?

The resin-producing gland on the surface of the cannabis flower, where cannabinoids and terpenes are made and stored.

Sources and further reading

Every factual statement on this page is drawn from the following public sources. Links open in a new tab and are not affiliated with Flora House.

  1. NICE guideline NG144: Cannabis-based medicinal products
  2. NHS: Medical cannabis (and cannabis oils)
  3. MHRA: The supply, manufacture, importation and distribution of unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use

Patient guide · Written by the Flora House editorial team · Last reviewed: 8 September 2026