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FAQ

The More You Know

Cannabis Specifics

Cannabis has been used as a holistically effective medicinal agent on every continent by all types of people for thousands of years. As powerful international pharmaceutical companies continue to break down under the scrutiny and anger of educated citizens, holistic preventatives and cures (such as cannabis) continue to resurface as sensible health solutions. Natural methods do not produce the extreme side effects that traditional Western medicines cause.

The Cannabis plant is broken down into three different types:

Sativa

Sativa plants have less chlorophyll than the Indica counterpart. It has a higher THC content to Cannabidiol (CBD) ratio and offers a much more energetic type of mood. Sativa is used most commonly to elevate a depressed mood. Generally speaking the Sativa plant is the taller and lankier variety, reaching heights of over 5-6 meters. It is characterized by narrow, serrated leaves and loose, spear-like flower clusters that can be extremely resinous.

Primarily the effects of Sativas are on the mind and emotions. In this regard they tend to be more stimulating, uplifting, energizing, and creativity enhancing. These benefits can be particularly helpful for the psychological component of many illnesses. Sativas are generally preferred for daytime use or for activities where more focus is required.

Benefits Include:

Reduction of Depression

Reduction of Anxiety & Stress

Headache & Migraine Relief

Energy & Stimulation

Reduction of Pain Awareness

Increase in Focus & Creativity

Reduction of Nausea

Appetite Stimulation

Indica

Indica has a higher CBD content to THC ratio and induces a more relaxing mood. This is a treatment for anxiety, pain, tremors, and many more applications. Indica is most commonly used to induce appetite. Indica plants are normally shorter and stockier plants, reaching 1-2 meters in height and have wide deeply serrated leaves and a compact and dense flower cluster.

The effects of Indicas are predominantly physical although the relief of certain physical symptoms can have an emotional result as well. These effects can be characterized as relaxation, sedation, and pain reduction. Indicas are generally best for later in the day or at bedtime.

Benefits Include:

Reduction of Pain

Muscle Relaxation

Spasm Relief

Reduction of Inflammation

Sleep Assistance

Reduction of Anxiety & Stress

Reduction of Nausea

Appetite Stimulation

Headache & Migraine Relief

Reduction of Nerve Pressure in the Eyes

Anti-Convulsion

Reduction in Frequency of Seizures

Hybrid

Similar to the modern dog world, many of today’s strains have been cross-bred to access the benefits of multiple types and reduce the less desired effects of each separately. Many of the world’s most popular strains are technically hybrids of Sativa & Indica. Know your strains – ask questions!

It’s up to you and your caregiver to determine what strains are best for you. Because this medicine comes from nature (and not a pharmaceutical lab!), it isn’t exact. Nature provides a more gradual and mild path to your healing than synthetic pharmaceuticals. Everyone has a right to know what they are putting in their bodies so it is important to do your own research on how *your* body responds to each strain. Suggested ways to help you find your best medicine: Take notes in a journal or log, save your strain labels, research the web, and seek out the knowledge of your caregiver.

What is THC?

Besides being revered as the active ingredient in cannabis that makes us feel joyfully enlightened, THC is a complex chemical compound called tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s the sticky, resinous mixture that is released from the “epidermal hairs” on cannabis buds known as glandular trichomes.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol—CBD—is a cannabis compound that has significant medical benefits, but does not make people feel “stoned” and can actually counteract the psychoactivity of THC. The fact that CBD-rich cannabis is non-psychoactive or less psychoactive than THC-dominant strains makes it an appealing option for patients looking for relief from inflammation, pain, anxiety, psychosis, seizures, spasms, and other conditions without disconcerting feelings of lethargy or dysphoria.

Scientific and clinical research—much of it sponsored by the US government—underscores CBD’s potential as a treatment for a wide range of conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, alcoholism, MS, chronic pain, schizophrenia, PTSD, depression, antibiotic-resistant infections, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders. CBD has demonstrable neuroprotective and neurogenic effects, and its anti-cancer properties are currently being investigated at several academic research centers in the United States and elsewhere.

Project CBD responds to inquiries from all over the world. Almost everyone wants to know where to get CBD-rich products and how to use them for maximum benefit. After decades in which only high-THC cannabis was available in North America and beyond, CBD-rich strains and products are now available to medical users.

“CBD-rich” versus “CBD dominant:” By “CBD-rich,” we mean a cannabis strain or product that has equal amounts of CBD and THC, or more CBD than THC (usually at least 4 percent CBD by dry weight.). By “CBD-dominant,” we mean strains or products that are CBD-rich but have very little THC content.

Are cannabis and hemp the same?

Yes and no. In a nutshell, hemp can be any plant that provides fibrous materials able to be cultivated in used for manufacturing medicines, textiles, paper, construction materials, biodegradable plastics and more. More specifically, hemp refers to durable, soft fibrous materials that are cultivated from a variety of plants belonging to the Cannabis genus. Cannabis sativa (cannabis) plants produce the finest and strongest fibrous materials, although they produce THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) as well. THC is the chemical compound in cannabis that exhibits powerful medicinal qualities useful for naturally treating a variety of health maladies. The non-THC components of the cannabis plant (roots, seeds, stalks and stems) are hemp while the THC-producing leaves and flowers (buds) are used for their safe psychoactive medicinal qualities. While hemp is generally characterized by having 0.3% THC, cannabis can contain anywhere from 4 to 20%.

What is the endocannabinoid system

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system identified in the early 1990s by researchers exploring THC, a well-known cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are compounds found in cannabis.

Experts are still trying to fully understand the ECS. But so far, we know it plays role in regulating a range of functions and processes, including:

sleep
mood
appetite
memory
reproduction & fertility

The ECS exists and is active in your body even if you don’t use cannabis.

How does medical cannabis work?

The active components of cannabis (cannabinoids) mimic the effects of natural chemicals (endocannabinoids) that occur in the human body and brain. These chemicals act as signals that help control how the body functions. A variety of different symptoms and diseases respond to medical cannabis use. NORML.org has many resources for more detailed information.

Why medical cannabis instead of other forms of medication?

Cannabis has been used as a medicine for thousands of years in China, India, and many other parts of the world. It is one of thousands of herbal methods used in medicine.

For a significant number of patients, including those suffering from AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain among others, Western “traditional” medications do not provide symptomatic relief as effectively as medicinal cannabis. Conventional medicines tend to cause extreme side effects, some more detrimental than the patient’s condition itself. This, drug interaction dangers, and addiction are among the negative effects of pharmaceuticals. Medical cannabis simply offers an alternative to these conventional methods. Patients should not be branded as criminals or forced to suffer needlessly for choosing an alternative – especially one provided by nature.

What are cannabis terpenes and how do they affect us?

(From https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/infographic-what-are-cannabis-terpenes-and-how-do-they-affect-you)

For many people the word “terpene” is a strange and unfamiliar term, but it won’t be for much longer. As science and technology carry us to better understandings of cannabis, we’re beginning to see that there’s a lot more to cannabis than its cannabinoid content. To get a hint of the other therapeutic compounds in your strain, just give it a sniff.

Terpenes are fragrant oils that give cannabis its aromatic diversity. They’re what give Blueberry its signature berry smell, Sour Diesel its funky fuel flavor, and Lavender its sweet floral aroma. These oils are secreted in the flower’s sticky resin glands, the same ones that produce THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. Terpenes are by no means unique to cannabis; they can be found in many other herbs, fruits, and plants as well.

Like cannabinoids, terpenes bind to receptors in the brain and give rise to various effects. The above infographic outlines properties of six common cannabis terpenes along with a few strains that tend to express notable levels of each.

When choosing a strain based on its terpene content, keep in mind that different harvests may demonstrate dramatically different terpenoid profiles due to variances in growing and curing techniques. Lab-tested products are the only surefire way of knowing a strain’s terpene potency – without it, you’ll have to rely on your nose to guide you.

Lastly, when choosing your method of ingestion, keep in mind that the beneficial qualities of terpenes can be seriously damaged if heated past their boiling point. It is best to try a ‘low-heat’ device such as a Dr. Dabber Ghost Vaporizer pen or an adjustable eNail to extract the full benefit and flavor of your terpenes.

Can physicians legally recommend medical cannabis to a patient?

Yes. On September 7, 2000, U.S. District Judge William Alsup ruled in Conant v. McCaffrey that federal authorities may not sanction doctors who recommend cannabis to patients. NORML.org for more information.

Where can I find more info about the benefits of cannabis?

Strain Guides

http://www.kindgreenbuds.com/strainlibrary.html

http://www.marijuana.net/strain-library/

https://www.icmag.com/modules/ICStrainguide/

http://www.dailysmoker.com/cannabis-marijuana-seeds-strain-guide

Charities & Organizations

Americans For Safe Access (ASA) – http://safeaccessnow.org

Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) – http://www.mpp.org

Students for a Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) – http://ssdp.org

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (Norml) – http://norml.org

Research Societies