Recreational & Medical Cannabis: Empowering Your Choices
Marijuana is recommended by doctors for a number of different medical conditions; medicinal cannabis can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, and is most commonly prescribed for:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Appetite loss
- Cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Diseases affecting the immune system like HIV/AIDS or Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Eating disorders such as anorexia
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Mental health conditions like schizophrenia and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) & anxiety
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscle spasms
- Nausea
- Pain
- Seizures
- Wasting syndrome (cachexia)
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.
Perks and Benefits of Having A Medical Cannabis Card
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.
Components of Medical Marijuana
THC & CBD
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
CBD
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
Your Endocannabinoid System
Recreational Cannabis And What That Means
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.
STRAINS
INDICA
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
SATIVA
Popular Sativa strains: Durban Poison, Jack Herer, Super Lemon Haze, Sour Diesel & Pineapple Express
HYBRID
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
How do cultivators name a strain?
Why Cannabis strains use descriptors in their names:
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.
TERPENES
MICRODOSING
QUALITY & TESTING
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
FLOWER
Flowers/ Buds/ Nugs are the trimmed and cured flower of a female cannabis plant. As with wine grapes, there are different varietals of cannabis flowers, which we call strains. Each strain has a unique flavor and combination of active ingredients, and provides a subtly different effect. We believe exploring different strains is one of the real joys of cannabis consumption. Most people look at the strain name, plant type (indica, sativa, hybrid), and the potency of the THC & CBD content when buying the flower. The California state law allows customers to legally buy one ounce of flower per day. We sell flower by the weight gram, eighth or ounce and by the strain. An eighth is 3.5 grams; an ounce is 28.5 grams. You can smoke flower through a bong, pipe or joint. It can also be vaporized through a variety of vaping accessories.
EXTRACTS
Extracts & Concentrates are tiny trichome crystals that sit on the surface of the cannabis plant, found on the underlying and inert flower/ bud material. They are made by separating the tiny trichome crystals on the plant and are processed in several different ways. Most concentrates are made with solvents like butane, or CO 2 , or you can make them using heat, water and pressure. Concentrates can be found in many different forms including wax, sauce, rosin and shatter. The effects of extracts & concentrates are several times stronger than cannabis flowers. Mixing concentrates with flower will enhance the effects experienced by the user. Our concentrates & extracts are tested by the top labs in California to guarantee they are free of any residual solvents. Cannabis extracts & concentrates are consumed through a dab rig or stationary/portable device that vaporizes the concentrate at a high temperature. Ask one of our Cannabis Sommeliers what extract or concentrate is right for you.
PREROLLS
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.
TINCTURES
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.
VAPE PENS
Vape Pens are a device used to vaporize cannabis for inhalation and are known for their convenient and discreet way to consume cannabis. They gently warm cannabis extracts to the right temperature for vaporization, no combusting involved. The effect onset happens immediately and over an hour or two it will gradually recede. Smokable products will have a longer lasting effect. Vape pens are an easy way to control your cannabis intake, particularly if you’re interested in micro-dosing. Vaporizers are smokeless with no ash or strong odor. Some of our vape pens are pre-charged and disposable. We also offer rechargeable batteries and interchangeable cartridges. Vape pens and cartridges are sold by strain, extract type, plant category and potency. Our brands list THC and CBD levels on the packaging, by percentages or ratios.
TOPICALS
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.
EDIBLES
Edibles are food, beverages, and sometimes capsules infused with cannabis. Edibles are a discreet and healthier choice of consuming cannabis. Read labels and dose carefully. Edibles have an intense, longer lasting effect than smokable cannabis. Use caution, and if it’s your first time we recommend micro-dosing. Start small and go slow to avoid over consumption. New consumers should start with 2-5mg of THC. Wait two hours to assess the full effect before taking more. Edibles can take 30 to 120 minutes to digest and take effect, and the effect can last up to 4 to 12 hours. Consuming edibles on an empty stomach can decrease the time of onset and can increase intensity. Each of our products are clearly labeled with its CBD and THC content to the milligrams, per package and per serving.
Do I need an MMJ recommendation to shop at Abide?
As a medical patient, you may want to obtain a Medical Marijuana Identification Card from the county to save 14.5% on taxes.
Recreational cannabis coming to Napa soon….2021!
Click here to obtain your Medical Marijuana Recommendation card in less than 10 minutes!
DISPENSARY HOURS
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)