Capitalization of the word cannabis (grrr...)

[spurr]

Hello,

I have noticed more and more folks capitalizing the word cannabis whenever they write the word. I would ask those folks to stop doing so ...

The only time the word cannabis should be capitalized is when referring to the botanical name of the plant (re taxonomy), i.e., the genus Cannabis spp.

Italics are not used for the shorthand "spp.", "sp.", "var.", etc.; but often that rule is not followed. The shorthand "spp." stands for "more than one species", and "sp." stands for "one species" [1].

So, can well all agree to use lower case 'cannabis' when referring to anything other than the genus (in terms of taxonomy)? And can we all agree to only use capital 'Cannabis' when referring to the genus, species, cultivar or strain, etc.[2]?

Examples:

1. "What cultivar of Cannabis spp. are you growing?"
2. "I love smoking cannabis!" (as in buds)

Thanks


[1] Because there is not sufficient data one way or the other, with respect to the genus Cannabis having a single or multiple species, I prefer to use Cannabis spp., instead of Cannabis sp. Also, for even better short hand, just use this: C. spp.

[2] The term "strain" is so badly misused in the cannabis world it's scary. What cannabis growers call a strain, is really a "cultivar" (unless it's wild, then it's a "variety"). A strain is just a plant from a seed or mother, ex., "NL#5" is the cultivar, and "plant 1" (from seed 1 of NL#5) is the strain.

 

[Stranger]

Noted...

 

[SOTF420]

Proper names should be capitalized, such as Cannabis. I like to refer to it as such





But, I do see your point Spurr!

 

[Sour Deez]

SOTF you better fix your sig

 

[spurr]

haha, thanks

 

[spurr]

Proper names should be capitalized, such as Cannabis. I like to refer to it as such





But, I do see your point Spurr!

Hey buddy!

In the English language, capitalization only happens for words that are proper nouns, and cannabis (as in buds, hash, oil, etc.) is not a proper noun, AFAIK. Please see this blurb from a site I like:

http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/understanding-capitalization.aspx

Meaning Is Key

One reason capitalization matters is that a word’s meaning can change depending on whether it's uppercase or lowercase.
“See those three domiciles over there? Well, I live in the white house.” That’s quite different from, “I live in the White House [capital W, capital H].” That White House is where the president lives.

In English, we capitalize words that are proper nouns—that is, they describe a specific thing or entity. They could be a title, a name, or a specific place such as the president's residence: [THEE] White House.

We lowercase words that are considered common nouns—that is, they can be used to describe many things, such as any one of the multitude of white colored houses in the world.

(As an aside, I'll note that in German all nouns and certain pronouns get uppercased; now there's a gratuitous “Das Kapital” reference just waiting to be made. And so I made one.)

Thus, use of capital "C" for cannabis, should only be when we are referring to taxonomy, as in Cannabis spp..

 

[SOTF420]

But I am going to capitalize it anyways

Cannabis vs cannabis

It just makes me feel better about everyone calling it marijuana & weed

 

[spurr]

Sweet!

I got the first negative rating on this thread! I really didn't think it would have taken this long, considering how many fact haters are here at ICmag!

 

[spurr]

But I am going to capitalize it anyways

Cannabis vs cannabis

It just makes me feel better about everyone calling it marijuana & weed

Well ... I still like you anyway!

P.S. I too abhor use of the terms marijuana and weed, if that is what you are suggesting.

 

[SOTF420]

Hey man don't sweat the haters let them sweat your nuts! (thats what I do)

I sent you a big +K rep blast by the way!

Alot of times sentences and thread names get started with the word Cannabis as well so that's another reason people capitalize it much like many of your threads.

I do already know how you feel about people calling it things other than Cannabis so we're totally same page there brother Spurr!

 

[spurr]

Thanks buddy!

I don't sweat haters that negative rate me, I think it's funny when I get negative rating, considering I don't use the reputation bar.

 

[rives]

Between this post and the one addressing 3-part "ratios", I am reminded a bit of Jack Nicholson's character in "As Good as It Gets"! Relax.

 

[spurr]

@ all,

Just as a FYI for those who don't know, the word "cultivar" is a mix of the words 'cultivated' and 'variety'.

 

[Z-Beeblebrox]

I agree with you spurr. Even though I'm not very strong in English grammar I do consider it important that grammar and proper spelling is something that we should take notice in where ever we write.
Even though the capitalization of a word is one minor thing, compared to the misuse of abbreviation seen in every forum and chat.
But when using my scientific goggles this specific case is actually something I would try to remember.

 

[spurr]

Alot of times sentences and thread names get started with the word Cannabis as well so that's another reason people capitalize it much like many of your threads.

Yup, I will capitalize the word cannabis (when referring to buds, etc.) if it's the first word in a thread title, sentence, etc. But that's just standard English rules, so I'm not guilty!!!

 

[spurr]

Between this post and the one addressing 3-part "ratios", I am reminded a bit of Jack Nicholson's character in "As Good as It Gets"! Relax.

That's a great movie That little dog was awesome!

I am very relaxed. I only make such threads as a FYI and topic staters, for people who want to use correct words, grammar, math, etc. I never get mad at people who don't follow the rules, but it does make me think a bit less of their analytical nature; not that that's a bad thing.

Those who don't care about grammar, etc., can just ignore such threads I make. No harm, no foul

I did make this thread in the "Cannabis Botany and Advanced Growing Science" sub-forum, though ...

 

[SOTF420]

I just wish ICM would spell it right it totally is fuckin me up when I do this smiley --> because to spell it you have to leave out an "n"

After typing that for months I have found myself nearly misspelling Cannabis!

 

[spurr]

The horror!

 

[SOTF420]

Machete hacking and all

Great movie

 

[dagnabit]

What about this?

Cannabis is a plant i love to smoke.

Not about species or a proper noun but the first word in a sentence.