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When it comes to buying medical cannabis, you may be wondering… do medical dispensaries sell recreational cannabis? Some do, and some don’t. Even if they do, medical patients and recreational customers will always have to shop from different menus.
What is the difference between medical marijuanas and recreational? There are many differences ranging from who has access to the products, the types of products available, how much of them can be purchased, and more. But ultimately, cannabis is cannabis and all cannabis products are derived from the cannabis plant. The differences between medical cannabis and recreational cannabis usually have more to do with how that cannabis is accessed and by whom.
Having a medical cannabis card can have several perks and benefits, so even though obtaining a card can take some time and effort, people who can benefit from medical cannabis may want to go through the process for how to get a medical cannabis card. What does a medical marijuana card do?
Apart from legally allowing you to possess cannabis, having a card will allow you to shop at medical-only dispensaries. Medical menus are usually stocked with products that emphasize the medical benefits of cannabis, rather than with recreational products designed more for fun and enjoyment. This means that medical cannabis patients will have better access to products that can better treat their conditions. They may also find that these products are more cost-effective than their recreational counterparts.
Additionally, having a medical marijuana card also means earlier access to cannabis products if needed. While the legal age of purchase for recreational cannabis is 21, the legal purchase age for medical cannabis is 18.
Moreover, medical cannabis patients also enjoy higher purchase limits. While a retailer may only sell 28.5 grams of non-concentrated cannabis to a recreational customer in one day, a medical patient or their caregiver can legally purchase up to 8 ounces of dried cannabis in one day.
Cannabis has up to 400 active ingredients, called cannabinoids. THC and CBD are the most commonly known. Our products are tested, and show levels of strength and effect on the packaging. THC rich strains are the most potent with euphoric effects. CBD-rich strains have more medicated and healing effects with little euphoria or none at all. There are consumers that prefer a more balanced effect. You can find balance with the 1:1 ratio equal parts CBD and THC products. However, there are two main varieties of medicinal cannabis plants, and each offers a different set of benefits. Understanding the difference between the two is important to finding the right strain for each patient.
The two major types of cannabis plants are Indica and Sativa. Each strain has its own range of effects on the body and mind resulting in a wide range of medicinal benefits. Indica strains generally provide a sense of deep body relaxation. Sativa strains tend to provide a more energizing experience. If you are looking for the more euphoric effects we would recommend our THC products. If you were looking to minimize the psychoactivity of the plant, look for the lowest levels of THC.
Cannabis can be considered as primary medicine before pharmaceutical drugs. It can be used as a substitute for other medical conditions when pharmaceutical medications are not working.
THC is tetrahydrocannabinol, a crystalline compound that is the main active ingredient of cannabis. THC is one of at least 400 cannabinoids identified in cannabis. THC also produces the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that gives you the high sensation you feel after consumption. This high sensation is often referred to as euphoria. We offer a variety of ways to consume cannabis including flower, oils, edibles, tinctures, capsules, concentrates, drinks and lotions. It can treat or prevent pain, spasms, nausea, and vomiting caused by a number of different medical conditions.
CBD is short for cannabidiol, is a molecule found in cannabis. CBD is one of many cannabinoids or molecules produced uniquely by cannabis. Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychoactive meaning it doesn’t have a strong effect on cognitive brain activity and doesn’t cause the “high” associated with marijuana. CBD has become an increasingly popular ingredient the more we learn about the cannabinoids. CBD is a trending ingredient in the natural products industry and is the focus of a new area of cannabis research. You can consume CBD the same ways you can consume THC.
It is the second most prevalent of the active ingredients of cannabis. Both compounds interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system, but they have very different effects. CBD is recommended for patients that wish to avoid these euphoric effects.
Cannabinoids are the active chemicals in medical marijuana. They are similar to the chemicals in your body. The cannabinoids assist in firing censors in your body that promote the bodies existing chemicals to work together with the cannabinoids to increase appetite, memory, movement, and pain relief. The cannabinoids working together with your chemicals can also relax tight muscles in people with multiple sclerosis and spasms. It has also been known to help people with more serious illnesses. In some cases it has killed cancer cells and slowed tumor growth and reduced inflammation. Cannabiniods will stimulate appetite and improve weight gain in people with cancer and AIDS. It will also help control nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy.
Get to know your Endocannabinoid System! All mammals, humans have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). In 1979 the endocannabinoid system was discovered. This is your biological system that directly connects with your mind and body. Cannabis has a very special relationship with the endocannabinoid system in your body. It is present in almost every part of our brain and body. It maintains homeostasis and balances our natural state. We internally produce endocannabinoids which are similar compounds also found in cannabis. Endocannabinoid receptors bind to cannabinoids in order to signal your ECS into action. These receptors are found throughout your body. The Endocannabinoid system is known for managing the plant derived cannabinoids in our neurotransmitter systems and in turn, the effectiveness of cannabis as medicine. Your body makes and interacts with its own cannabinoids for many physiological functions. ECS is key to understanding how your state of mind can be altered and directly promote your health or illness. Your body and mind will be affected by adding cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Everybody’s endocannabinoid system is different, which is why some cannabis products can have different effects on different people. You should start with small micro-doses of products, then gradually increase dosage as you see how your mind and body respond. ECS plays a role in monitoring your range functions and processes, including: sleep, memory, appetite, mood and reproduction and fertility.
In addition to its therapeutic properties, cannabis also has mind-altering and intoxicating properties that make it suitable for recreational use. What does recreational use mean? The term recreational cannabis refers to the use of the cannabis plant for intoxication and enjoyment, rather than for medical reasons.
THC’s euphoric and mind-altering effects are the main appeal of adult-use cannabis. While many medical patients seek to avoid these intoxicating effects, recreational cannabis consumers seek them out and often look for cannabis products with a high THC content that are capable of producing stronger effects. Since the effects of cannabis are the same regardless of whether it’s labeled ‘recreational’ or ‘medical’, recreational cannabis consumers can also benefit from the medical effects of cannabis, even if that’s not the main reason they are using it.
THC, the most abundant cannabinoid in the cannabis plant, is believed to produce its effects by binding directly to endocannabinoid receptors in the same way that endocannabinoids do. It’s believed that THC is able to do this because of how similar it is to the endocannabinoid anandamide at a molecular level. Since anandamide is known for producing a sense of happiness and well-being, it’s possible that THC’s uplifting and euphoric effects may come from this molecular similarity.
Indica plants are usually short, bushy plants with wide leaves. Typically Indica plants have higher yields and grow faster than Sativa plants. The Indica strains have many beneficial medicinal qualities, including decreased acute pain, muscle relaxation, sleep aid, decreased nausea, increased appetite, increased dopamine, increased mental relaxation. Indicas have a physical sedating and relaxing effect for low impact activities and sleeping. They are also good for evening and bedtime for the everyday user.
Popular Indica strains: Grand Daddy Purple, Northern lights, Blueberry, G13, Bubba Kush
Sativas grow tall and thin with narrower leaves. Sativa strains take longer to grow and come to maturity later in the flower cycle. The medicine that Sativa plants produce have lower levels of CBD and higher levels of THC. Sativas have uplifting effects and work well for physical activities and social events and gatherings. Sativas are especially known for being anti-anxiety and anti-depressant; to treat chronic pain; increase your focus and creativity; and can increase serotonin in your neurotransmitters improving the regulation of learning, sleep, anxiety and appetite. We recommend for mornings and daytime daily use.
Popular Sativa strains: Durban Poison, Jack Herer, Super Lemon Haze, Sour Diesel & Pineapple Express
Hybrids are a combination of the two cannabis strains Indica and Sativa. Cultivators can cross breed cannabis adjusting the THC & CBD percentages of each strain to further balance the effects between the two strains. This allows cultivators to hone in on producing specific effects. We recommend using hybrids in the middle of the day when it’s too late for an uplifting sativa or too early for a sedating Indica.
Do you like Indica or Sativa? Not finding the right fit, try a hybrid to tilt the spectrum!
Popular Hybrid strains: OG Kush, Blue Dream, Gorilla Glue, White Widow
Strain names can be very descriptive. Have you ever wondered why some of the strain names are colorful and descriptive? Cultivators create these names for a number of reasons, but they are mainly used as marketing messaging. Strains are typically marketed based on the characteristics of their name using descriptive words about their botanical lineage, strong aromas, visual appearances & chemical profiles. There are a lot of factors that dictate the outcome of strains. For example, you will get different effects and characteristics even from one specific strain; OG Kush will vary from grower to grower, and dispensary to dispensary, based on growing methods, harvesting, and processing conditions. They all inevitably result in a variation of the terpenes and cannabinoids. The best way of finding a flower or product specific to your medicinal needs is to purchase based on the product description from the cultivator that grew it. Do not buy cannabis based on the name of the strain. Strain names are not reliable factors in predicting the effects, flavors or medical benefits of the cannabis. Please consult one of our cannabis sommeliers to find the right medical cannabis for you.
Strain names can be very descriptive. Some strain names will have descriptors added to the name. They give you more information about the strain. Descriptors are helpful when differentiating between horticulture variations on a particular variety. An example of OG Kush’s descriptors would be Fire OG, Larry OG, SFV OG, Alien OG. Etc.
Quality & testing is a priority. At Abide, our cannabis sommeliers do extensive research on our products to assure the highest quality and safety. All of our cannabis products go through vigorous testing to filter out any products with harmful contaminant, pesticide or moldicide exposure.
Safety & freshness is our priority at Abide. We recommend storing cannabis in a safe, secure place away from children and pets. Proper storage is very important and plays a key role in keeping your products fresh. Find a cool dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme heat for optimal storage.
Topicals are cannabis products that are applied directly to the skin, including creams, salves, lubricants, balms. They soothe both the muscles and skin. Topicals come in a variety of aromas and textures. Most topicals are rich in CBD which is known to be a powerful anti-inflammatory. Topicals are popular products because they do not produce a strong psychoactive effect. CBD & THC amounts are indicated in a ratio on the packaging.
Pre Rolls are usually hand rolled joints filled with cannabis flower. Pre-rolled joints are the most traditional way of consuming cannabis, without the fuss and mess of rolling your own. You can enhance them with cannabis extracts or concentrates. Pre-rolls usually come in half-gram or 1 gram in size. You can buy them as a single pre rolled or in 10 to 20 pre rolled packs. The singles and packs of pre rolls feature different blends and strains. The cost varies by the number and size of pre-rolls and the quality of the cannabis they contain. Always check the packaging for information regarding the CBD and THC content. THC & CBD content varies from the different strains and brands.
Sublinguals & Tinctures are made by infusing cannabinoids into coconut oil, vinegar or alcohol. Sublinguals & Tinctures are low in cost and can be discreetly ingested anywhere. You drop it under your tongue and you get an immediate onset with similar effects to inhaling cannabis. If you swallow with a beverage the effect is similar to edibles. The onset takes up to one hour and the effects can last up to six hours. Most tinctures are rich in CBD but some contain THC. Always read the label before consumption and follow the instructions. Always start with a small amount and allow it time to onset. Sublinguals & tinctures are a good alternative to inhaling cannabis, especially if you have compromised lungs. They have a similar effect profile and are much gentler on your lungs.
Monday - Sunday: 9am - 8pm
Abide observes the following holidays and will be closed:
New Year’s Day (January 1st)
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve (December 24th)
Christmas Day (December 25th)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF CALIFORNIA LAW. You expressly acknowledge that Abide services are for qualified patients under California Health & Safety Code Section 11362.5, 11362.7, et seq., and a physician has recommended the use of medical marijuana. You also expressly acknowledge that the use, possession, cultivation, transportation and distribution of cannabis is illegal in California unless all participants are acting completely within the scope of California’s medical cannabis laws as set forth in the Attorney General’s Guidelines for the Security and Non-Diversion of Marijuana Grown for Medical Use and the Medical Cannabis Regulation & Safety Act (consisting of AB243, AB266 and SB643) and any amendments thereto.