Cannabis 101

So What Exactly is Cannabis?

So you wanna do your homework, we’re impressed. Let’s start with the basics: Cannabis (aka marijuana, aka weed, aka pot) is a type of flowering plant that’s native to Central and South Asia and has been used for a variety of purposes for over 10,000 years. It was even grown in colonial America (we see you Pilgrims!) for it’s industrial use in making ropes! The plant’s greatest hit is it’s principal cannabinoid (fancy word for chemicals produced by the plant) tetrahydrocannabinol (or THC) which is known for it’s psychoactive properties (you know, the fun stuff). These properties can provide a variety of effects (both medically and recreationally) and can be ingested in a number of ways:

You can dry the leaves/buds and smoke them in a container or joint
You can distill the dried leaves into a rosin material that’s used to make edibles
Speaking of edibles, you can go old school and cook the leaves in butter to use in baked goods (just remember to warn people ahead of time!)
You can concentrate the plant leaves to get an oil that’s used in topicals
Some of the latest tech can have you exploring tablets, suppositories, sprays and more!

Let's Break Down the Process

How It Works

THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain through a mechanism that mimics the action of naturally occurring neurotransmitters called endocannabinoids.

This happens primarily in areas associated with memory, pleasure, coordination, and perception of time. This is what causes the “high” or euphoria associated with cannabis use.

How It Feels

THC’s binding to certain cannabinoid receptors alters the release of neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin, leading to the characteristic effects of cannabis, such as euphoria, altered perception, and changes in mood

Edibles vs. Smoking

This effect can happen quickly if you smoke cannabis because it gets into your bloodstream within minutes

Feeling the effects of cannabis will take longer if you ingest through edibles because it gets digested and processed through your liver, this allows you to feel the effects for longer, though

The Difference Between

Indica, Sativa & Hybrid

There are two main subspecies of the cannabis plant: sativa and indica, each with their own strains. Some strains are hybrid, a combination of the two subspecies.

Indica

Relaxing & Soothing

Indica strains tend to have higher levels of CBD and are known for their really relaxing effects, which is why it's often found in gummies that help with sleep.

Sativa

Uplifting & Energizing

Sativa strains tend to have less CBD than indica and are known for their "mind high" or energizing effect which makes them great for daytime.

Hybrid

Balanced Effect

Hybrid strains are a blend of sativa and indica and each will have its own ratio of THC to CBD and thus its own properties.

Ok I get it... now what are some questions I should be thinking about?

Read These Before Asking a Budtender

Beginner FAQs

What dosage should I start with and how long does it take to feel it?

Start with one 5MG gummy (or just half – 2.5MG – if this is your first time) and wait to see how it affects you before taking more. For most people, you should start to feel the effect between 45 minutes to 1.5 hours after eating a gummy.

Why do edibles hit differently sometimes?

Because gummies are digested, there are more components that can affect the experience (compared to smoking) – how recently you ate, what you ate, and how fast you digest can all affect your edible experience.

How long will I feel the effect for?

While edibles take longer for a full effect, they tend to last longer as well. Most people report feeling the peak of an edible experience about 1-2 hours after eating it and the experience could last as long as 6-8 hours (but not at that peak level).

Are these gummies vegan/organic/made from unicorn tears?

Our fruit chews are made with solventless live rosin (that crafted from cannabis from organic/sustainable farms in California). Our other ingredients include all natural flavorings and a pectin base (instead of gelatin). All that to say we are vegan, all natural, gluten free….but not actually made from unicorn tears.

I just ate one and don’t feel it, should I take a second fruit chew?

Not yet! Cannabis edibles hit everyone differently. Make sure you give one time to feel the effect before eating another one. This may mean waiting a full two hours after ingesting. Give it time, it’s worth it.

Still Reading? Our Kind of Person.

Here’s a Glossary

Cannabinoid

Cannabinoids are compounds derived from the cannabis plant that interact with the endocannabinoid system. There are three types of cannabinoids: phytocannabinoids which are produced by the plant, endocannabinoids, which are created by the body, and synthetic cannabinoids which are produced in a lab.

CBD

CBD or Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid derived from the hemp or cannabis plant. CBD is non psychoactive and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

CBN

Cannabinol is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid that binds to the cannabinoid receptors with more selectivity for CB2 over CB1 found in trace amounts from Cannabis.

Live Rosin

Live resin is a type of cannabins concentrate. Its name comes from the time it is extracted. The cannabis plant is frozen when it is fresh and then the concentrate is extracted from the plant.

Strain

Strains are a genetic variation and name of a cannabis plant. Strains generally are classified as indica, sativa, and hybrid.

THCV

THCV, or tetrahydrocannabivarin is a molecule predominantly found in sativa dominant strains. But most importantly at lower doses, THCV provides a variety of pronounced and altogether different effects. Learn more on Δ9THCv