Cannabis strains - each is unique like snowflakes but similar, all grown same, same plant structure but slight difference in the jars [color, size, density]
Odor is biggest difference between strains Earthy is relaxing Citrusy is energizing
"Cannabis sativa"
No specific strains for specific conditions, RIGHT NOW
Sativa varieties are like coffee, inspire creativity, if dose is too high than anxiety, good for socializing and exercising
An "indica high" is a "body high" [tension eases], good for insomnia, massage, bathtub
Hybrids - indica/sativa dominant, most legal cannabis are hybrids
"Blue Dream" - lavender, milder high than others
"Blueberry" and "Haze" indica are the parents of "Blue Dream"
Nikki Ferrer likes Grandaddy Purps for regular indica
Look to lab testing results now instead of smell
Lab testing involves the cannabinoids and terpenes [they are the medicinal compounds in cannabis]
Endocannabinoid system [CB1 and CB2 receptors in brain, nervous system]
The compounds lock into these 2 receptors
We are able already to make feel-good compounds because we have the endocannbinoid system. Our bodies are basically like plants that produces natural compounds like "anandamide" which is just like compounds from the cannabis plant
"Anandamide" helps mood, sleep
THC & CBD do the work [they are the main cannabinoids or chemical compounds that lock into receptors in body and activate endocannabinoid system
Add CBD to THC enhances and extends high
Used to be less THC and more CBD
Most important characteristic of strain is potency
Potency is in percentages
5% THC means 50 of the 1,000 milligrams in a gram of flower are THC
20% potency = 200 milligrams of THC
Some strains - little potency [1-5%], balanced [5-10% of each, a lot of this, little of that]
1:1 THC/CBD - most medicinally beneficial
Terpenes are in fruit, perfumes
Terpenes are glands that produce cannabinoids [which our bodies love]
Also produce hydrocarbons that smell like pine, mint, hops]
THC & CBD main cannabinoids in cannabis but there are some minor
Each strain has own terpene profile [dozens of terpenes]
In addition to potency, lab testing also checks for how much terpene is in the cannabis [most have a lot of 1-2], medium is 2-3 terpenes, and small is 3-4 terpenes
If looking for a specific terpene go by smell [if bud tender doesn't know if a strain has a high amount of it]
Cannabinoids do the heavy lifting but terpenes are still important
CBD-rich cannabis helps one to lose weight because it's an appetite suppressant. Nikki takes a daily dose of cannabis oil in morning and follows her plan. When feeling the urge, takes a quick inhale.
What makes each strain different is the amount of each cannabinoid and terpene in each strain
Combining cannabinoids and terpenes is what boosts the effectiveness of each medicinal compound, stronger = more potent
Hemp products that only have CBD not as effective as CBD-rich cannabis with terpenes
Hemp only has little CBD
We have to experiment with what strains and products work for us because research hasn't created cannabis strains with exact ratios of cannabinoids and terpenes that work for specific conditions
Hemp oil doesn't have as many milligrams of CBD as cannabis oil nor does it have cannabinoids or terpenes. Could have toxic pesticides
Some have more cannabinoid receptors in their endocannabinoid system
Smaller bodies with less body fat do better with small doses, some need only 10 milligrams to get high and some need 100
After months of taking some dose, might not feel effects anymore without increasing it so cut back for a few days, use moderation so tolerance doesn't go up
Many different kinds of highs because different strains and products
1:1 strains one-to-one - ideal for mild high which is good for social events and relaxing classes, strains under 10%
Low THC, high CBD - relieves pain and improves mood, under 5% THC
Happy high - 10-20% THC for vaping and hybrid strains
Too much of a sativa strain can kill creativity because it increases anxiety
For vaping, look for strains and concentrates with lots of citrusy and terpenes like limonene and pinene
Vaping - inhale one at a time, but wait 30 minutes between each inhalation, get a pre-filled cartridge and battery [cartridge comes in many different THC:CBD ratios]
When high, food tastes better so get good quality snacks
Balanced amount of THC and CBD helps reduce pain then just THC
Dispensaries display by strain name but really look for potency lab testing
You can tell if something is indica or sativa by the terpenes
To choose, decide first if THC, CBD, or both, then choose indica/sativa
Can snake or vape both flowers and concentrates
10-15% of the compounds are absorbed by the body, lasts 2-4 hours
Sublingual - 50% of the cannabinoids takes 10-20 minutes for effects, last for 4 hours, tinctures, oils, mints, breath sprays
Transdermal - strong dose for a long time, 6-8 hours
Topicals - cannabinoids and terpenes lock into the endocannabinoid system receptors on the skin
Cannabis companies have little regulation
Cannabis research is growing
Bad dispensaries focus only on THC
Good dispensary display potency testing for each strain of flower
Less expensive cannabis is less effective
Vaping - either buying a cannabis concentrate or buying a vape cartridge
concentrates - prepackaged, sold by gram
Names by texture - like resin, wax
Vape pen cartridges - prefilled with concentrate oil, measured by milligrams, more powerful than flower
Buy in bulk because it costs less
Check cost per milligram ny dividing the price by # of milligrams
Ideal dosage = inhaling 10 milligrams of THC and 10 of CBD [mild high], if too much, 5 of THC in morning and 5 at night
If not passed through digestive system, works faster
Couple of inhalation of indica
CBN - strong sedative [comes in transdermal patches], ask budtender
For sleep - 20 milligrams of THC, low-little CBD indica strains with CBN and pyrene
High THC not good for reading!
10 milligrams of CBD to reduce appetite by inhalation or as a sublingual, no edibles
CBD is used to reduce hunger, THC to increase
Discreetly medicate at office using vape pen
1:1 THC/CBD strain to reduce stress and increase creativity, CBD - focused only strain
5 milligram mints package at desk if chronically stressful job
Cannabis-infused pain cream, low THC/high CBD strain before and after workout 10/10
Inhalation/sublingual tincture and topical cream
Cannabis is an aphrodisiac
Vape pen - indica blend of 10 milligram of THC strain and 10 milligram of a CBD strain, cannabis infused massage oil and lube
Vaping is clean, discreet, and elegant
Run on batteries and charged like glass pipe, small bowl for flower, heats up and bowl releases cannabinoids and terpenes into vapor but doesn't smell like smoke