Get to know Marijuana
Cannabis 101
Indica
Plant Structure
Indica plants generally grow wider and shorter to the ground, with fat, thick bladed fan leaves. They generally will mature in 6 to 8 weeks after starting the flowering cycle. If you are looking to relax, Indica strains are the right choice.
Experience
Indica strains work great to alleviate pain and relax stiff or sore muscles. Patients suffering from sleep disorders, insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness will benefit greatly. Indica strain help also to relieve stress, muscle spasms, anxiety, and are a great choice for patients with epilepsy and other neurodegenerative conditions like multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, lupus, and sleep apnea. Indicas are generally associated with feelings of relaxation, calm, and sedation.
Uses
Relaxation - the most common use for Indica is relieving stress and inducing relaxation in the muscles, mind, and spirit.
Sleep - Sleep disorders are becoming more and more common throughout the world. Individuals who use indica strains experience significant relief from insomnia, sleep disorders, and restlessness.
Appetite - Indica has been known to reduce nausea and vomiting which makes it a great choice for patients dealing with side effects of radiation or chemo-therapy. Similarly, patients undergoing chemo and other radiation therapies experience a loss of appetite. Indica has been known to significantly increase appetite and overall enjoyability of food.
Pressure - Eye pressure, sinus issues, and issues within the brain have been known to be reduced with Indica strains. Those suffering from cataracts, frequent seizures, and convulsions could benefit.
Sativa
Plant Structure
Sativa strains are characterized by a long, tall, thin structure, with long thin blades on the fan leaves. Sativa dominant genetics generally mature in an 8 to 10 week flowering cycle. In most cases, Sativa strains will be higher in THC percentage than an Indica counterpart.
Experience
Sativa strains are stimulating in many ways. Many patients have reported significant relief from depression, migraines, pain, and nausea. Sativas are highly psychoactive and produce a creative, energetic high. Many patients use Sativa strains to avoid drowsiness and stimulate creative energy. Definitely a favorite amongst artists, musicians, and other creative types.
Uses
Creativity - A very useful tool for elevating the mind and generating ideas beyond normal thinking, creative minds find Sativa particularly useful. Many experience a state of elevated mood and awareness which seems to lend itself to the creative process.
Focus - Sativa is, by many accounts, a stimulant. It has been known to increase positive emotions and also productivity by instigating higher levels of attention to detail and focus. This same experience can lead to feelings of nervousness if consumed in too high quantities.
Depression - Most sativa users report immediate relief from general (and seasonal) sadness and depression.
Edible Delivery Methods
Gastrointestinal
Refers to edibles that are absorbed in the stomach by the body. Brownies, cookies, chocolate bars, etc all fall into this category.
Oral
Refers to edibles that are absorbed in the mouth or throat by the body. This method allows the most instant effect. Tinctures, lozenges, gum fall into this category.
Hybrid
Many edible products are absorbed both by the mouth/throat and stomach, making them hybrid. These products offer the fast, immediate relief of oral consumption, with the long term, extended relief or gastrointestinal consumption.
Concentrate Textures
Wax/Shatter
Brittle, glass-like texture. It can also have a snap-and-pull consistency. Shatters usually have a golden yellow to bright amber color throughout.
Budder/Badder
Slightly oily and soft in texture. (Think of a stick of butter or thick cake batter.) Malleable, easy to handle, and have a sun yellow to bright orange coloring.
Crumble
Brittle version of budder or badder. Crumbly, honeycomb consistency. Sun yellow to bright orange coloring, with a matte or dull finish.
Sugar
Similar consistency to wet, sappy sugar. Typically has colors ranging from bright yellow to deep amber.
Sauce
Thick and viscous; it looks sticky. The color of sauce can range from deep amber to bright mustard. More uniform and prominent crystalline structure.
Crystalline
A single, crystallized cannabinoid. White crystals that can vary in density and size from small rocks to powder.
All About Terpenes
Terps 101
What are Terpenes?
Terpenes are naturally-occurring compounds found in the trichomes of cannabis plants. trichomes contain resin glands that produce terpenes. Most notably, they produce distinctive aromas and contribute to the flavor of cannabis.
Terpenes are often lost during the extraction process, however, growing awareness of the therapeutic value of terpenes is leading to more sensitive extraction methods. Terpenes are considered the new frontier of cannabis.
Terpenes don't make you feel high in the traditional sense, but they often have medical benefits such as antiviral, anticancer, antidepressant, antimicrobial, and pain relief.
Terpene Types and Benefits
Myrcene
SPICY. SWEET. MUSKY. EARTHY
anti-inflammatory
analgesic
sedative
reduce anxiety
reduce inflammation
reduce insomnia
Caryophyllene
WOODY. PEPPERY. SWEET
anti-septic
anti-fungal
anticancer
reduce brain trauma
reduce insomnia
pain management
Humulene
HOPPY. SPICY. WOODY
anti-inflammatory
anti-biotic
reduce inflammation
reduce allergies
Limonene
CITRUS. LEMON. ZESTY
analgesic
antidepressant
anticancer
reduce inflammation
reduce anxiety
Eucalyptol
MINTY. COOL. SPICY. SOOTHING
lower blood pressure
reduce pain
improve cognition
improve memory
Pinene
PUNGENT. PINEY. FLORAL
anti-depressant
anti-microbial
lower blood pressure
lower heart rate
improve depression
Linalool
FRESH. MINTY. FLORAL
anti-septic
anti-fungal
anticancer
reduce brain trauma
reduce insomnia
pain management
Bisabolol
LIGHT. FLORAL. SWEET
analgesic
antidepressant
anticancer
reduce inflammation
reduce anxiety
Geraniol
SWEET. FLORAL. ROSY
anti-depressant
anti-microbial
lower blood pressure
lower heart rate
improve depression
Nerolidol
FLORAL. WOODY
anti-fungal
antioxidant
sedative
sleep aid
Terpinolene
WOODY. CITRAL. FLORAL
anti-fungal
anti-cancer
relieve migraines
reduce anxiety
Camphene
DAMP. PUNGENT. PINEY. HERBAL
antioxidant
anti-fungal
reduce anxiety
reduce stress
reduce blood pressure
