Brought To You By Cannabis Nation Dispensaries
Cannabis legalization has opened a new world of possibilities for cannabis consumers. Whether you are new to the plant or you’re OG stoner, all cannabis users will agree that being able to stop at the local pot shop has its perks. With this new world comes a lot of new knowledge. Research shows that prior to the convenience of dispensaries, a weed dealer never usually offered much information about the cannabis they were selling. Those days are over now – “budtenders” (the term for the sales associate/cashier at a dispensary) go through rigorous cannabis education to be able to share this wonderful plant, the benefits, additional; properties, including the various forms it is sold in.
Our team of budtenders have come together to provide cannabis consumers with answers to the most asked cannabis questions. If you have more questions not answered here, feel free to reach out to one of our store locations closest to you, and we help answer your burning questions.
Q. What is the difference between Indica and Sativa?
A. Indica and Sativa are terms that help differentiate the various effects that cannabis has on the human body.
Traditionally, Indica and Sativa were terms used to describe how the plant looks and grows. Now, we use those same terms to describe the “high” or the effects of a specific strain. It is widely accepted that the following effects for each are true:
Indica: Strains that target body highs and through a more “relaxing” or sedating effect. Great for nighttime use, the calming nature can aid sleep.
Sativa: Strains that are more “heady” or cerebral, also euphoric and creative. Sativas are great for daytime use for cleaning the house, physical exercise, or social events.
Hybrid: Strains that are a balanced mix of both body and head highs. (See below for detailed info). Not all Indicas and Sativas will present their effects as outlined, some can be lighter or heavier, depending on the strain. Always ask your budtender for a recommendation on products that are specifically geared towards your desired effect.
Q. What does “Hybrid” mean?
A. Hybrid describes the mixed effects of Indica and Sativa.
With years of growers crossbreeding strains, most strains have become hybridized. Which basically means it is becoming uncommon to find a “true” Indica or Sativa. If it is 50% Indica effects, 50% Sativa effects, it is a true Hybrid.
Sometimes Hybrids range between 50-60% dominance for Indica or Sativa, but if they lean further, they are usually listed as “Sativa-dominant hybrid” or “Indica-dominant hybrid” to reflect the effects of the strain.
While most strains are hybrids, it is common for dispensaries to list the strain based on the effects, because some hybrids might lean slightly one way, and being transparent about those effects helps you as a customer find that perfect strain–with the desired effects you’re looking for.
For example, while shopping around at different stores, you might find the strain “Blue Dream” listed as either Sativa or Hybrid, because it is generally accepted as a “Sativa-dominant hybrid” or a “hybrid that leans Sativa”.
Q. What is the difference between THC and CBD?
A. THC is the chemical component that gives a cannabis consumer the “high” effect after consuming a cannabis product. Commonly used for both medical and recreational purposes.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is known as the intoxicating part of the plant. THC has been studied to help treat a wide range of illnesses. Even so, many find it to be fun recreationally, too. THC will impair the user, so it is advised to not use machinery or operate a vehicle when under the influence of its effects. THC can help increase appetite, mood, help relieve pain and stress, and much more.
THC has more noticeable side effects than CBD. THC can leave the user with dry mouth, tiredness, and in some cases, it can increase anxiety. This is why itis important to ask questions when buying products. You want to know your dosing and the effects present. For example: “How much of this product should I use at one time?” What are the effects of this strain/product?”
B. CBD is the chemical component present in both cannabis and hemp that, by itself, does not get the user “high”. CBD is used for pain relief, anxiety relief,anti-inflammation, among other beneficial effects. CBD (cannabidiol) has become legal country-wide in 2018. This means CBD from the hemp plant, not the cannabis plant. Either way, CBD has made a huge boom in the natural medicine community.
CBD does not have the same noticeable psychoactive effects as THC. While it is still technically psychoactive, it doesn’t give the user an “intoxicating” high. You can use CBD in all the same ways you can use THC. CBD is commonly used for pain relief, anxiety relief, and sleep aid. It has great topical effects for the skin, too. The effects have been researched extensively. Side effects from CBD are minimal to nonexistent, making it safe for a wide range of users—even pets! Some users may feel some relaxation or a slight decrease in appetite.
There are many different cannabinoids and components of the Cannabis Plant. New cannabinoids are being researched every day. THC and CBD remain the most sought-after components of the plant.
Q. What are Terpenes?
A. Terpenes describe the smell, taste, and high of the cannabis strain.
Terpenes are defined as: “any of a large group of volatile unsaturated hydrocarbons found in the essential oils of plants”. Put simply when you smell or taste the cannabis plant, you are sensing the terpenes. Terpenes naturally exist in all kinds of plants.
For example, linalool is a terpene that can be found in lavender, giving it that distinct flowery scent. Lavender is commonly used as a “relaxing” essential oil in bath products and candles, because of the calming properties of its aroma. Now, when linalool found in a cannabis strain, it will most likely be an Indica –or a strain with a “relaxing” high.
The same could be said for citrus fruits. Lemons naturally have the terpene limonene. When that terpene is present in a cannabis strain, it often smells strong of citrus. The user can expect strains with limonene present to have an uplifting high, dominant in Sativa effects. There are hundreds of terpenes. They can range from “gassy” smelling to “fruity” depending on the strain. They are important to what is known as the “entourage effect” where the more plant components you have, the better the effect. Terpenes and cannabinoids of all kinds of work really well when used in combination with one another.
Q. What is the difference between CO2, Distillate, and Live Resin cartridges?
A. Vape oil can be concentrated in different ways. Budtenders use these terms to differentiate between the different types of cannabis oil cartridges.
Vaping is a hugely popular way to consume cannabis oil. It is convenient and discreet. To the new vape user, it can be overwhelming when deciding on a cartridge. There are different ways the cannabis oil is concentrated, resulting in many different options to choose from. The most common 3 types of oil that Cannabis Nation sells are listed below.
1. CO2 oil: A process of using temperature and pressurewithCO2as a solvent, to extract the desired cannabinoids and terpenes from the raw plant matter. Compression is used to turn CO2 from a gas to a liquid, then the“supercritical CO2” is used to separate the plant material, then brought back to gas to evaporate from the oil.
2. Distillate oil: Defined on Weedmaps, “Distillates are, in essence, cannabis extracts that have been purified and processed to separate the cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, into precise amounts. They’re made from cannabis extracts that have been winterized, decarboxylated, and then distilled.”The distillation process involves using ethanol alcohol to completely separate the THC (or CBD) from the plant. This being said, the many terpenes and other cannabinoids are removed in the process. The end result is typically odorless and might have terpenes added in post to mimic a strain effect.
3. Live Resin: A process that uses heat and pressure to extract the oil. The plant material is FLASH FROZEN at harvest, preserving all those tasty terpenes from the fresh plant which would transfer into the oil. Typically, butane is the solvent of choice for this method of extraction.
