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Cannabis FAQs

The lowdown
on cannabis

We tackle your most frequently asked questions and clear up the most common misconceptions about this incredible herb.

What is cannabis exactly?

When you hear “cannabis”, most people’s minds immediately conjure up images of stoners and tie-dye. In reality, cannabis is an all-encompassing term that refers to all versions of the cannabis plant, but has morphed over the years to refer exclusively to the THC rich strains of the plant. In actuality, cannabis plants have 3 standard varietals- C. indica, C. sativa, and C. ruderalis. But, for the purposes of clarity, we will be referring to “cannabis” as it is commonly accepted today: the variety of the plant that contains more than 0.3% of THC.

 

Many people confuse Cannabis, CBD, and hemp for the same thing. Read on to discover why this couldn’t be further from the truth.

What is hemp?
Hemp is a variety of Cannabis sativa that contains less than 0.3% THC, meaning it is non-psychotropic. Hemp is used largely for industrial purposes such as clothing, rope, and paper, as it is the strongest natural fiber in the world.
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-intoxicating phytochemical found in the C. sativa strain of cannabis. It is the second most prevalent of the active ingredients of cannabis.
What is it used for?

CBD has been largely used to address conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, and chronic pain. It has also been successfully used to reduce and sometimes even eliminate seizures in children with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS).

A study from the European Journal of Pain showed, using an animal model, CBD applied on the skin could help lower pain and inflammation due to arthritis. Another study demonstrated the mechanism by which CBD inhibits inflammatory and neuropathic pain, two of the most difficult types of chronic pain to treat. More study in humans is needed in this area to substantiate the claims of CBD proponents about pain control.

As the world opens up to the unexplored potentials of cannabis, there is so much more to learn about the applications of CBD.

Hemp CBD vs Cannabis CBD
CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of 540 phytochemicals found in cannabis and hemp plants. The biggest difference is in the amount each plant contains. Cannabis contains more THC and less CBD. Hemp contains more CBD and less THC. However, no matter if the CBD is extracted from hemp or cannabis, the characteristics and health benefits of the CBD remain exactly the same. The only difference is the amount extracted.
Is CBD Safe?
Despite its many health benefits, CBD is not without side effects. Common ones include nausea, fatigue and irritability. It can raise the level of certain medications in your blood through the same mechanism as grapefruit juice, and should best be avoided with medications that require a very specific dose, such as blood thinners. Always consult a physician before using any CBD products. In addition, because of the lack of research, it is difficult to determine the effective dose of CBD in treating any particular medical condition.
Isolate, full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD- What’s the difference?
You may have seen these terms thrown around on CBD products without fully understanding their meaning. Isolate CBD products mean the products are those which contain only the CBD molecule, without terpenes THC or cannabinoids. On the other hand, full-spectrum, or whole-plant CBD is made using just that- the whole C. sativa plant. This means that the full-spectrum CBD product will contain traces of THC, flavonoids, and terpenes. Broad-spectrum CBD is a bit of a mix between the two- like full-spectrum CBD, it contains terpenes and other cannabinoids, but with no THC content.
Which one should I use?

No CBD is better or worse than the others, but certain types may be better suited to you depending on your needs.

 

CBD Isolate should be used by:

 

Individuals who have been instructed to take a high dose of CBD

 

Individuals who have a sensitivity to THC
Individuals who prefer light/ no flavour (if ingesting the CBD)
Individuals who regularly undergo drug testing
First-time users of CBD

 

Full-Spectrum CBD should be used by:

 

Individuals who want to experience the “entourage effect.” Studies have shown that using CBD and other phytocannabinoids with THC has a better overall therapeutic effect than CBD alone, with evidence showing it can reduce pain, anxiety, inflammation, epilepsy, cancer and fungal infection. CBD used with THC can also help to mitigate side effects of THC such as anxiety, hunger and sedation.
Individuals who prefer an “earthier” flavour (if ingesting the CBD)

 

Individuals with conditions that cannot be alleviated using broad-spectrum or CBD Isolate

 

Broad-Spectrum CBD should be used by:

 

Individuals who have a sensitivity to THC
Individuals with a condition that cannot be alleviated using CBD Isolate alone
First-time users of CBD

Tips for trying
CBD and THC

  1. Always start with the lowest dose possible.
    For THC, you should start with a 5 mg dose or less.
    For CBD, try a dose between 5-15mg to start.
  2. Change up your schedule.
    If you are taking both THC and CBD, try switching up when you take each to see what works best for you. You might find that taking both at the same time, or that CBD after THC is better.
    Start with a low dose and increase if needed.
  3. Experiment with different delivery methods.
    CBD and THC can be taken in a number of ways, including:
    • Capsules
    • Gummies
    • Tinctures
    • Topicals

All of which we have capabilities to manufacture for your business.

Our Research

We have profiled the secondary metabolites group in individual plant parts to better understand the “entourage effect” of broad and full-spectrum CBD, and to measure the therapeutic potential of all parts of the cannabis plant, and are working to develop a cannabis classification system to better group various cultivars into categories that will more accurately define their usage in clinical research, industrial production and patient’s self production in Canada.

View a list of our publications
Collaboration

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