The Different Forms of Cannabis in 2017

Know before you blow (smoke). Rolling a joint and lighting up isn’t the only way to enjoy marijuana anymore. Cannabis culture has come a long way in a more educated and progressive society and because of this the quality, options, benefits, and access has popularized marijuana in a positive light. Being that it’s Cannabis Awareness Month, let’s take a look at the types of products out there for your enjoyment and/or medicating needs.

First, let’s look at the major components found in cannabis. The natural compounds in the plant that create the reaction your body feels once it has entered your system.

THC – Most people know that THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical compound in cannabis responsible for a euphoric high. For a long time, this element is what put the stoned feeling into stones. It’s 2017 now and there are so many more cannabis choices than ever before thanks to strain science. Yes, sometimes that stoned feeling is still a thing but THC also is a great organic way to feel: elation, relaxation, sedation, pain relief, energy, and hunger.

CBD – Cannabidiol, which is growing in popularity, is the cannabis compound that has significant medical benefits, but does not make people feel “stoned”. Instead, most people will feel a body buzz from CBD, a more calming effect that is used in many cases to relax, relieve, and recuperate. If you’ve never enjoyed any CBD products, or are looking to expand your quality CBD options, a great place to get your hands on delicious CBD-enriched foods, snacks, sparkling hemp beverages, and unique vape products is Cannabinoid Creations. Try these wonderful choices:

• Their CBD Soda can be enjoyed by itself or as a mixer for your favorite cocktail! With a measure of the highest quality Cannabidiol from industrial hemp plants, it’s sure to find a home in your fridge or on your bar.

• For those who want all of the properties of our industrial hemp CBD in a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, a CBD Hemp Tincture allows you choose your favorite flavor while regulating how much to consume in each measured dropper.

• A dog is man’s best friend and this why they should be able to enjoy CBD as well. Pet Tinctures for your favorite furry friends contain a very safe Cannabidiol formulation exclusively for them!

• Unscented CBD Lotion has all of the unique therapeutic properties of Cannabidiol combined with advanced topical moisturizing and healing attributes that will make this your favorite ‘bud rub’.

Flower – The marijuana plant itself is distinguished as ‘flower’ within the industry, but yes these are the buds, nuggets, herb, etc., that you’re used to being in a baggie or Ball jar. The most important thing to realize is that there are three main players in the flower category and they all have different uses:

Indica – AKA ‘The Doctor’, tend to have a strong sweet or sour odor to the buds (ex. Kush, OG Kush) providing a very relaxing and strong body high that is helpful in treating general anxiety, body pain, and sleeping disorders.

Suggestions: Granddaddy Purp, Northern Lights, Bubba Kush, and Grape Ape

Sativa – AKA ‘Party Partner’, are strains that usually have a more outdoorsy fragrance that provides an uplifting, energetic, and “cerebral” high that is best suited for daytime smoking.

Suggestions: Sour Diesel, Green Crack, Lemon Haze, and Maui Wowie (Yes, the same one from Half Baked)

Hybrid – AKA ‘Smooth Sailor’, finds itself smack dab (pun intended) in the middle of both indica and sativa in different variations because Sativa and Indica buds have very different benefits and effects.

Suggestions: White Widow, OG Kush, Pineapple Express (the flower and the movie), and Girl Scout Cookies

Edibles – From brownies to bonbons and cookies to candies, CBD and THC can be baked, mixed, injected, or spread on top of almost anything you can eat. As the strength and potency of most edibles vary and depending on your tolerance, a big bite or a small snack can usually do the trick.

Tinctures – Primarily dosed via an eyedropper type of aparati, these are dense liquidy cannabis extracts that known as an easy, highly effective option for accurate, instantaneous relief

Rubs – Because of infusion science has given the ability to have the marijuana plant material mixed with most solvents and then pressed and filtered to express the oils of the plant into the solvent. You can find said solvents used in cooking oil, glycerine for vaping, the aforementioned edibles, and you guessed it, in skin moisturizers and pain rubs (instead of Bengay use Benganja).

Hash – Hashish, has always been that concentrated resin cake… mmm cake… or ball produced from pressed kief (you know, all the leftovers in the catcher at the bottom of your herb grinder), or for you smarty smokers, the detached trichomes and fine material that falls off cannabis flowers and leaves.

Oil – (Hash) oil is usually the most potent of the main cannabis products because of the high level of psychoactive compounds via the plant’s mix of essential oils. Butane and CO2 products are the most popular oil products. In some forms, it even comes many wax formations.

Rick Simpson Oil – Different from hash oil and straight CBD oil, RSO is highly concentrated cannabis oil extracted from female cannabis plants that contain at least 20 percent THC and a low-CBD content that the potent benefits of both the high feeling and healing properties. It’s usually found in oil form, candies, and capsules.

No matter what form it comes in, or how you consume it, there are an exponential amount of benefits to cannabis. The most important thing to do is learn before you burn. Talk to your dispensary (or trusted dealer) and get advisement on which product works best for what results. Don’t jump right in either, gradually ease into something you’re trying for the first time, because when you’re just trying to rid yourself of a headache and take a quick catnip nap but you medicate a tad too much and end up melting into your couch for 5 hours might intrude on your plans for the day. As with anything you put into your body, enjoy responsibly, or lock all your doors, shut all the curtains on and find your favorite Phish album and a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos.