Good to know

 

Before you buy.

Are you a cannabis purist or a cannabis tourist?

Either way, there are a few things you need to know before you make a purchase. Such as? Read on.

1. Everyone is different. It seems obvious, but when it comes to cannabis, effects vary between individuals. Age, gender, mental and physical health as well as your past experiences all play a role.

2. THC vs CBD. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the main active compounds in cannabis. THC is psychoactive, meaning that it creates an intoxicating effect. CBD is not intoxicating, but it can offer a range of benefits for the body and mind. THC and CBD levels are expressed through percentages per milligram, such as 15% (or 150 milligrams per gram).

3. And another thing about THC... Well, several other things. THC percentages can be very lowto very high. THC’s possible effects may include relaxation, improved mood and energy, as well as better sleep. It can also produce side effects such as red eyes, increased appetite, drowsiness and anxiety.

4. And about CBD… CBD is being studied for its role in relieving muscle pain, promoting better sleep and reducing anxiety. It can also moderate THC’s psychoactive effects. Want to learn more about cannabis research? Click here

5. Terpenes. Terpenes are volatile aromatic compounds found in the essential oil of all plants, but notably cannabis. Terpenes may affect your aromatic or taste experience depending on the strain.

6. Different methods, different experiences. What will your cannabis experience be like? That all depends on how you consume it. If you smoke or vape, you may feel the effects quickly. Ingesting cannabis through oils or edibles may result in a slower onset, but the effects may last longer. Either way, start with a low dose and go slow. If ingesting, wait at least an hour before trying more, to manage your experience and avoid negative side effects.

 

Can my father use cannabis?

That’s up to Dad...or any other Canadian adult who may be interested in adult-use cannabis products available at any of the provincial retail outlets. As long as a person is over the age of 19 (18 in Alberta and Quebec), it is legal.

 

Cannabis and kids don’t mix. Obviously.

We get it. It’s hard enough talking to your kids about sex and alcohol without adding yet another conversation to the mix. But talking to your kids about cannabis is critically important for their wellbeing and your peace of mind. Start the conversation by learning more about cannabis through your health professional or by clicking here.

 

Would you like a brownie with that?

Who doesn’t love a rich and chewy brownie? But if it contains cannabis, you may be biting off more than you can chew. While there are countless recipes for incorporating cannabis into food, without precise dosing, it is quite easy to overdo it. However you consume cannabis, keep it in a locked and secure place away from children. Consume responsibly.

 

My dog ate my cannabis. Should I panic?

Whether it’s the taste, smell or availability, dogs do seem to consume their share of cannabis. Although not life-threatening, it can be alarming for you and your pet, and may require a vet visit. All cannabis products - particularly those containing THC - should be kept well away from animals.

 

Can I drive after I’ve consumed cannabis?

We get asked that a lot. But it’s always the same answer. Don’t take any chances. If you’ve consumed cannabis - just like alcohol - don’t drive. Period. While it’s true that cannabis affects everyone differently, and tolerance levels vary from person to person, THC is an intoxicant and if you’ve consumed it, you’re no judge of whether or not it’s safe to drive. Grab a designated driver and sit this one out.

 

 

Do you speak cannabis?

 

Buds, not friends

Call them flowers, call them buds; either way they are the heart of the cannabis industry. Big or small, conical or round, buds have the highest concentrations of cannabinoids on the cannabis plant, such as THC and CBD. Better yet? They come in a range of colours, from light to dark green with purples and oranges thrown in.

 

This is the clone you’re looking for

Just like in sci-fi films set in a galaxy far, far away, clones are critical for ensuring consistency. To maintain genetic uniformity throughout generations of plants, growers use clones rather than seeds to start new plants. Clones are obtained from a “mother plant,” then rooted and grown.

 

A terpene by any other name...

Fruity, spicy, earthy, citrusy, diesel, skunky or floral...those are the ‘flavour profiles’ of cannabis, courtesy of more than 120 aromatic hydrocarbons called terpenes. In cannabis, terpenes help to distinguish strains and effect on the body. Fruity with a hint of spice, anyone? Want to learn more? Click here.

 

Trichomes

The ancient Greek word for hair is tríchōma, which is why it’s also used to describe these sticky, shiny hair-like crystals on cannabis buds. They contain everything that makes each variety of cannabis unique, such as terpenes, cannabinoids and flavonoids. Since trichomes contain incredibly volatile compounds, we take extreme care during the growing process and handling of the product to preserve all its benefits.

 

The strain name game

They say you shouldn’t shop hungry, and that’s probably true of cannabis, too, because with names like Cherry Pie, Girl Guide Cookies and Champagne Kush, strain names are definitely snackable. Even the standards hits - OG Kush, Cannatonic, White Widow, Maui Wowie and AK-47 - are evocative and thought-provoking.

 

OG or OG?

OG can mean anything from original gangster to ocean grown. When it comes to the OG Kush strain, it’s definitely the latter. OG Kush is believed to have originated in southern California. First adopted in the ’90s, OG now is widely used as a medical-grade cannabis and is represented in multiple strain varieties with different phenotypes.

 

Oil changes

For the non-smoker, cannabis oil is an ingestible option. It contains cannabinoids extracted from the resin of mature cannabis flowers and a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil.

 

Sativa vs Indica

Here’s the lowdown. Cannabis is divided into two types, as well as a few hybrids. Sativa was named in 1753 by famous Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus. A hot minute later (actually, three decades), French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck named Indica, which is a shorter cannabis plant with wider fan leaves. And in between? All those hybrids.

 

THC and CBD are more than just letters.

Here’s the quick and dirty science on cannabinoids, the chemical compounds that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. There are more than 100 known cannabinoids in cannabis, of which THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are just two. THC has a noted psychoactive effect; CBD is used for its non-impairing qualities that do not result in a ‘high’.

  

Eating your greens

Edibles are a smoke-free way to consume cannabis. Edibles are predominantly made using cannabis oil, cannabis butter from dried bud or activated cannabis powder through a method called decarboxylation (which can be added to non-heated foods and drinks).

A word of caution: Overconsumption of edibles in the past few years has led to a significant jump in emergency room visits for THC toxicity.Learn more about edibles here.

 

Oh, mother!

They may get zero recognition on Mother’s Day, but cannabis still needs its mother plants. Mother plants – started as cuttings from mature cannabis plants – are clones used to ensure genetic consistency in cannabinoids, terpenes and vigour across generations of plants. To learn more about mother plants, click here.

 

 

Potted Facts

 

Canada by the numbers

By 2021, 7,024,000 Canadians will be consuming cannabis...but exactly how much?