May 9, 2023

Beginners Guide to Cannabis

Home > Blog > Beginners Guide to Cannabis

Key Takeaways

Cannabis encompasses both hemp and marijuana, which are the same species but legally distinguished based on their Delta-9 THC concentration; hemp contains 0.3% or less THC and is federally legal in the U.S. due to the 2018 Farm Bill, whereas marijuana remains federally illegal but is legal for recreational use in some states.
Cannabis strains—commonly referred to as indica, sativa, and hybrid—differ primarily in their terpene profiles, which influence their effects, flavors, and aromas; indica strains tend to be relaxing, sativa strains are energizing, and hybrids offer a balanced combination of both.
Cannabis can be consumed through various methods including smoking flower, vaping cartridges, edibles, and tinctures, each offering different onset times and experiences; users should start with low doses, understand the differences, and consider their preferences and legal regulations when choosing consumption formats.

Over the years, cannabis has been reintroduced to our society in a different light. From hemp becoming federally legal to the emergence of recreational dispensaries… let’s just say there are a lot more ways to enjoy this plant than before.

The days of dealing with sketchy people with crumbles of herbs are gone. Instead, with the legal and educational resources available, consumers can see that not all cannabis is created equal. Different strains and products offer unique effects, which is why some prefer one over another.

But even if you're familiar with the feelings cannabis can evoke, you may not know much about the plant itself. Or the laws that surround it. If that's the case, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we dive into everything you need to know about cannabis.

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis is like an “umbrella term” for marijuana and hemp.

Although they are legally distinct variants, hemp and marijuana are scientifically the same species, Cannabis sativa L. It is believed to have evolved over 28 million years ago and to have originated in Central Asia, with its use dating back thousands of years.

Although the laws governing this plant have a shaky history, the same practices used by ancient cultures continue to be practiced. Simply put… cannabis is historic and evidently, still useful.

But as mentioned previously, the American government does not view hemp and marijuana as the same.

Cannabis Legality: Past To Present

It’s important to note that cannabis is not new in America. And if you believed it was, your history teachers may have left out a lesson or two in American history.

Before the original settlers came to this land, the British and French cultivated cannabis for industrial use. This includes:

Ropes
Clothing
Ship sails
Rigging
Paper
Canvas

Hemp cultivation offered various advantages to governments worldwide, as it produced durable, long-lasting products, making it suitable for international trade.

By the early 1600s, our first settlers arrived on this land and began growing cannabis to produce the items above. For over a century, cannabis continued to be valuable in society until propaganda made its way to the surface.

During the 1890s, Mexican migrant laborers slowly made their way to America due to mining and agricultural opportunities. However, the U.S. didn’t see a vast movement until the Mexican Revolution occurred from 1910 to 1920. During that period, immigrants and refugees fled Mexico to find a haven in the U.S.

As the number of families increased, their cultures and practices were shared with other Americans, including the recreational use of cannabis. Due to prejudice and misinformation, the narrative of cannabis quickly changed. And a few short years later, the Marijuana Act of 1937 was passed. This bill made hemp production nearly impossible because the taxes to cultivate it were gauged to the point that it was not sustainable.

Over 30 years later, the federal government passed the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 and made all forms of cannabis federally illegal and a Schedule I Drug. According to the eyes of the law, there was no difference between hemp and marijuana.

The 2018 Farm Bill

Although there were obstacles, cannabis rights leaders and activists fought to end the cannabis prohibition. This led to the authorization of medical and recreational marijuana in some states. However, there wasn’t a massive impact until the 2018 Farm Bill.

After decades of protests and some states amending their laws, the federal government legally separated hemp from marijuana and made it federally legal by passing the 2018 Farm Bill. According to the document, the production and sale of hemp products are federally legal. All cannabinoids and parts of the plant are authorized. Including up to 0.3% of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis.

The Legal Differences: Hemp Vs. Marijuana

Let’s take a step back and focus on hemp and marijuana. If they’re the same species, why do they have different laws?

Although hemp was removed as a Schedule I Drug, marijuana remains there due to its active properties. To our government, the only distinction is the concentration limit. As stated above, hemp is cannabis with 0.3% or less of Delta 9 by dry weight. If the threshold is exceeded, it’s considered marijuana.

This distinction is small yet makes a massive difference in terms of legal status. As of this writing, recreational marijuana is legal in only certain states. However, hemp is legal in all 50 states, with hemp-derived Delta 8 THC legal in most. Along with this, hemp is allowed to:

Cross state lines
Be purchased with a debit or credit card
Be ordered online
Be shipped in the mail
Be on some domestic flights (not all airlines, so contact the airline to confirm)

Marijuana cannot do any of the above, and doing so with marijuana-derived products could lead to problems with the law.

What Are Cannabis Strains?

At one point, there was believed to be 3 botanically distinct "species" of cannabis called “cannabis indica," “cannabis sativa,” and "cannabis ruderalis." Their unique traits, such as leaf appearance, THC content, and flowering time, were attributed to the geographic location where the cannabis plant evolved.

But now, you will commonly hear cannabis users use the terms indica, sativa, and hybrid to describe the experience associated with a particular strain of Cannabis sativa L.

Modern research has found that rather than being genetically distinct, cannabis strains really only differ based on their terpene profiles.

But this is no small detail. Terpenes are the non-pyschoactive, aromatic compounds found in a diversity of plants that give cannabis its essence and help define its effects. Each strain has a flavor and experience that are different from the next, so when it’s time for a session, you have options to match your mood.

Indica

Cannabis indica traces back to the Hindu Kush mountain range between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Because of the cold climate in the mountains, it has naturally short, woody stems and fuller leaves. Some may even compare it to a bush.

The cannabis flower of indica strains grows in clusters, naturally producing a higher ratio of Delta-9 THC with a lower level of CBD.

Some well-known Indica strains include:

Some have preferred this type for its relaxing, zen effect. Often, this strain is combined with activities such as reading books, watching movies, or unwinding before bed.

Sativa

Cannabis sativa originates from a far different climate than indica. Cannabis indica originated from Central Asia but can be indigenous to areas such as Mexico and South Africa.

As for physical features, Sativa plants have tall, thin fibrous stalks with narrow leaves. Compared to Indica, this strain tends to have an equal balance of THC to CBD.

Some notable sativa strains include:

Blue Dream
Sour Diesel
Trainwreck
Durban Poison

Among cannabinoids, sativa strains have often helped boost energy and creativity.

So if you need an extra push to get started on chores or haven’t picked up a paintbrush in a while, sativa may be ideal.

Hybrid

Hybrid strains are the best of both worlds. By cross-germinating the seeds of indica and sativa, cultivators have created a cannabis plant that offers a more balanced experience.

This evolution of cannabis has created varying versions of hybrids that have turned into different strains all on their own. And now, mostly all strains- though some lean more heavily on one end of the spectrum or another- are technically hybrids.

Often called “designer strains,” this type of cannabis is a hybrid that carries notable effects with distinctions in scent, appearance, and taste.

Some of these include:

Orange Creamsicle
Gelato
Strawberry Banana

How To Choose A Strain

As you can see, each strain has a unique name. But how do you pick one? Unfortunately, there isn’t a straight answer. The best way to determine which type you want to consume is to try it.

Each person has a different experience from the next because we all process cannabis in our own way. So if one person found it relaxing, the other may have found it energizing.

Have household chores and need the energy to get started? Try a strain with Sativa-dominant terpenes. Ready to unwind after a long day of work? Consider the relaxing terpenes of an Indica-dominant variety. Or maybe your style is a Hybrid, which offers a more balanced blend.

Cannabis Usage: Different Consumption Methods

Now that we have covered laws and different strains of cannabis, it’s time to look at the various ways to consume it.

Some of the most common forms of consumption include smoking, vaping, eating, and drinking. Depending on your preferences, you may need different tools or materials. Aside from that, let’s dive into each method.

Flower

You can consume flower by inhalation (smoking). This method of consumption is perfect for those looking for a quicker onset of effects, but note that its high will be more head-focused and less intense and long-lasting than that of an edible.

After you find a strain of cannabis flower to try, you need to buy instruments. Such as:

Glass pipe
Water pipe
Rolling paper
Dry herb vaporizer

Suppose you’re without tools, no worries. You can grab an apple or a potato and turn it into a smoking device. Once you have a tool to smoke from, remember to start small and adjust as needed.

Cartridges

Cartridges and disposable vapes are accessible and easy to use. The bonus is the fast onset of effects without the lingering scent that comes from lighting and smoking fresh cannabis buds.

Disposable vapes and carts come with a pre-filled tank of distillate and require a vaporizer battery to attach to.

Unlike most vape products, these cannot be refilled. In other words, once the tank is empty… it’s done. When the tank is finished, toss it in the trash and replace it. This product is ideal for those looking to consume their product discreetly and on the go.

Edibles

Hemp-derived edibles come in many forms and can be infused with almost anything. If you want a potent, intense experience, a good Delta-9 gummy may be all you need, but for those seeking nuance, full-spectrum blends with terpenes and other cannabinoids might be more suitable.

Depending on the brand and type of product, the taste will vary from item to item. For example, our THC baked goods are indulgent, buttery bites of heaven that satisfy your sweet tooth. But our THC gummies are still delicious, but are typically lower-calorie and even come in sugar-free varieties.

So if flavor is a big deal to you, choose a product that your palate will enjoy. Either way, edibles allow you to enjoy hemp without the drawbacks of its natural flavor.

Whatever you choose, it’s essential to recognize that edibles have a longer onset. This means effects are delayed. So if you’re new to this, start small and wait for the effects to kick in, because when they do, they are much more intense and longer-lasting than effects from inhalation.

This is because when THC is consumed through an edible, it goes through your digestive system, and when it reaches the liver, it gets heavily converted to a stronger molecule (11-OH-THC) before reaching the brain. This happens with inhalables, but to a much lesser extent. As an added boost, edibles contain fats that enhance the bioavailability (absorption) of cannabinoids.

TIP: If you don't want to wait, check out fast-acting THC instead.

Tinctures

We are in love with tinctures, and once you try them, you will be too. They are by far the easiest, most straightforward hemp products available. These tiny glass bottles have everything to offer, from easy, precise measurements to versatility in applications.

Upon ordering this, you can expect it to arrive in a small container with a dropper cap. Within this, there is distillate. The oil can be consumed sublingually or mixed, hot or cold.

If you consume it sublingually, you get fast effects. If you add a drop into your drinks or food, the effects should appear at a similar rate as edibles. So start with a drop or two (not the whole dropper), and then wait for results.

Cannabis Guide: Final Thoughts

As easy as it is to assume that cannabis is one-dimensional, nothing is further from the truth. This plant has the potential to offer everything our society needs. From industrial use to medicine and recreation, the possibilities are endless. However, without cannabis enthusiasts throughout history fighting for access- whether as hemp or marijuana- it would not be available today.

Thanks for coming along this far, as we hope we covered everything you needed to know in this hemp guide. We hope that your path of trying new strains and different products is smooth sailing. Always remember to consult a medical professional before trying hemp products, and check your local laws before ordering.

Until next time.