Frequently Asked Cannabis Questions

Cannabis research is still essentially in its infancy. Despite the popularity of cannabis through the ages—it was a historical medicine, after all—we actually know very little about the effects and benefits of cannabis. Federal prohibition has stifled research, and we are just now starting to learn more about how cannabis may be beneficial for individuals dealing with ALS, MS, Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, and opioid use disorder.

As more research becomes available into the benefits and effects of the different consumption types, you can be sure to hear about it on our blog or social media accounts.

When shopping for cannabis, you'll likely see two cannabinoids touted: THC and CBD.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the psychoactive component of cannabis (i.e., the one that imparts that "high" feeling). THC may help treat pain, depression, cachexia, and other symptoms.

CBD (cannabidiol) is nonpsychoactive, though it may be useful for treating seizures, anxiety, insomnia, pain, and more.

In addition to cannabinoids, terpenes are playing a more significant role in determining the effects of cannabis products and creating curated experiences. Myrcene, pinene, linalool, and limonene, to name a few, work in conjunction with cannabinoids, creating what’s known as the “entourage effect.” This synergistic entourage effect is all about maximizing the therapeutic benefits of the component cannabinoids.

You'll often find cannabis sorted into two categories: sativa and indica. However, the truth of the matter is that most flower sold is not 100% sativa or indica—they’re hybrids.

Landrace strains are pure sativa or indica strains that have not been bred with other strains. The strains you’ll find on dispensary shelves are generally hybrids created through specialized breeding of cannabis strains.

Therefore, most strains are either sativa-dominant or indica-dominant rather than straight-up indica or sativa. While we recommend that you pay attention to the THC:CBD ratio and terpene profile of any product you’re considering, sometimes understanding the genetic origins of a strain can help you know what effects it may induce.

For example, sativa plants are naturally tall with thin leaves. They originated in South America and parts of Asia and are believed to be energizing strains which can also lead to a cerebral high.

On the other hand, indica plants are naturally short and bushy. They originated in Asia (Afghan Kush is one of the most popular indica landrace strains) and tend to have a higher CBD ratio. Indica plants are believed to be very relaxing.

How you consume cannabis is totally up to you. However, different consumption methods can have different effects.

While smoking cannabis has historically been popular, newer concentrates, extracts, edibles, and topicals are growing in popularity thanks to their ease of use.

Legalization has helped provide patients and adult users with a variety of consumption methods so they can choose the one that best meets their needs or goals. This has been a boon for patients who prefer not to smoke, ensuring that they can treat their conditions in a manner that fits with their lifestyle.

In California, cannabis use is restricted to private property. The law states you cannot use or consume cannabis in public spaces such as parks or the beach.

Finding the right dose for a cannabis product can be a tricky proposition. For starters, because we all have individual physiologies, the same product can affect different people in different ways.

With this in mind, when you're trying a new product to treat a condition (or even just for fun), start slowly and with a low dose. You can always increase your dose later. While you may feel the effects of some products relatively quickly (flower, prerolls, concentrates, extracts), others may take longer to set in (edibles, capsules). Give yourself enough time before taking more.

Individuals interested in attaining a California medical marijuana card should first see a physician. If your physician believes that your qualifying condition is best treated with medical cannabis, they’ll give you a recommendation for treatment. This recommendation (similar to a prescription) is sufficient for purchasing medical cannabis at a California dispensary.

If you’d like to take the next step and apply for a card, you'll need to fill out an application and submit it to your county health office along with a copy of your recommendation, proof or residency, a government-issued ID, and any fees.

California qualifying conditions include:

• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Side Effects
• Chronic Pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• HIV-AIDS
• Migraine Headaches
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Any other chronic or persistent medical symptom that your doctor finds appropriate