Medicine

In medicine, a persistent and lasting condition is said to be chronic (from Greek chronos). For example, a chronic illness is one that persists for a long time, usually more than three months. By analogy, this adjective has come to describe problems which cannot be solved in a short time, or which will recur regardless of action.

Examples

• chronic bronchitis
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• HIV

See also

• acute

Business

Highly potent cannabis buds are often referred to as "chronic" or "the chronic" in the official jargon of the American drug trade, while less potent buds and leaves are referred to as "schwag" and "shake", respectively. In the northwestern United States, this term is typically used in reference to BC bud variety of cannabis product. Closely related is the term hydrochronic, a combination of hydroponic and chronic, referring to the buds of highly potent, hydroponically-grown cannabis.

The etymology of the term is simple: "chronic" is often used (colloquially) as a synonym for "intense". Some think it may refer to the potential for addiction generally associated with chronic (i.e. frequent) drug use, but this is unlikely the case, as cannabis is far less addictive than many common consumables such as chocolate or cola drinks.

Slang

From the usage of the term "chronic" in business came the now ubiquitous slang term used among casual stoners. The slang term may refer to any variety of bud, regardless of potency -- with the usual exception of Mexican dirt weed.