When selling cannabis products, manufacturers are required to include the % of THC

and CBD they contain. THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol is a cannabinoid found in cannabis plants and it is the primary psychoactive component. CBD stands for Cannabidiol and it binds to different receptors in the brain that reduce the psychoactive effects of THC and create a more relaxing effect in the brain and body.

This biggest misconception marijuana consumers may experience is that a higher % THC means the marijuana is of greater quality or will make you experience a greater high. Edibles are an exception to this, and it is important you are mindful as to how much you take when one edible contains 100 milligrams of THC vs. 10 milligrams of THC.

There are other factors that come into play when it comes to the strength of marijuana. One important factor to think about is the variable of quality, so this means how well it was grown, what climate conditions were like, etc. This explains why high-quality marijuana that contains 100 % THC will not always give consumers the impression of being more potent than products that are lower in THC.

Another factor to take into account is the way the body metabolizes cannabinoids, which shows us how it can react differently depending on different people’s metabolism levels. For example, some strains may be better for you than other strains, but your body may still respond better to one strain over another. This means that even though the THC levels may be almost identical between two or more strains, they can have different effects on you once you consume them.

 

When looking for cannabis at the dispensary, here’s a few things to watch out for:

• Look for the potency of the cannabis and choose your strain based on what you want to use it for.
• Consider how much THC vs. CBD is in the product, and whether or not that’s appropriate for your needs.
• Watch out for pesticides and other chemicals used during cultivation.
•  Find out if there are any additional ingredients besides just CBD or THC in the product (like additives).
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions! The staff at dispensaries are generally knowledgeable about their products, so they should be able to answer any questions you have!

 

And finally…If you have any questions about medical cannabis and are local to the Tampa area, please reach out to our office at 813-651-3492 for an appointment today!