MMJ 101 - Important Definitions

Medical marijuana may affect patients differently depending on a variety of factors such as tolerance/experience, diet, age, and weight. This is especially important when it comes to forms of consumption and dose sizes. Cannabis compounds have biphasic properties. As the dose increases, the effects do not necessarily improve. Higher doses can sometimes produce opposite effects. No matter your experience level, we recommend starting low and going slow. In other words seeing how the medicine makes you feel, and then increasing as needed.

Cannabis strains are typically divided into three classifications: Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid. Although these do not always describe the experience of a strain, these common classifications help patients understand what kind of experience a strain should or could provide. Please note that it is entirely possible to have an opposite experience of what is described.

Sativa refers to strains that provide a cerebral experience. These strains tend to have a motivating, energizing, and uplifting effects, which makes them more suitable for daytime use. Sativa strains can also encourage focus and creativity.

Indica refers to strains that provide a full body experience. These strains tend to be pain relieving, appetite stimulating, sedating as well as physically and mentally relaxing. Indica strains are typically ideal for nighttime use.

Hybrids are created by cross breeding two plants. Hybrids can offer a balanced experience or be sativa dominant or indica dominant. Most strains in today's cannabis market are hybrids as there has been so much crossbreeding as the industry has grown.

Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds in cannabis that interact with endocannabinoid system receptors in the brain and body to produce various effects. Two of the most commonly known cannabinoids are THC and CBD. 

Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC, is the cannabinoid compound that causes the psychoactive effects, but it also provides relief for symptoms such as insomnia, pain, nausea, spasms and many others.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a cannabinoid compound known best to alleviate anxiety, pain, inflammation, and many other symptoms and conditions. CBD is also known to be the less psychoactive cannabinoid. 

Terpenes are aromatic oils or compounds that contribute to the distinct flavors and aromas of cannabis plants. Terpenes also contribute to the medical benefits that are provided by medical marijuana. The profile of any given terpene may change in the presence of other compounds, such as cannabinoids, in a phenomenon known as the entourage effect.

If someone you know is interested in medical marijuana in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, or Latrobe, PA, have them visit us at www.delta9pa.com.

Delta 9 PA by Keystone Integrated Care dispensaries provide medical marijuana in Pittsburgh and Greensburg/Latrobe, PA. We offer affordable medical marijuana cartridges and other products, online reservations, curbside pickup, and quality service to patients in Western Pennsylvania.