Did you know that there are close to 800 different varieties of cannabis out there and counting? That’s a lot of cannabis. With all those different variations available and all the different ways to consume cannabis, there’s got to be some common questions that budtenders get asked. Fortunately, my stepsister is a budtender and can help me pick apart some of the most common ones. 

Recently I’ve been hearing a lot about terpenes in relation to cannabis. What are they and are they important to learn about?

Terpenes are found in all plants, and provide the aroma and efficacy of each strain. The terpenes profile found in each strain determines the projected effect you might feel or want to achieve with cannabis - such as needing to sleep better at night, stimulate appetite or give yourself more energy to get through the day. So the short answer is, yes, learn about terpenes, keep a journal or a notebook and track how each variety makes you feel. Knowledge is power.

What’s your favorite strain?

I personally like switching things up. Because I’m around so many different products out there, it’s fun to try different strains and brands. Right now, I’ve been feeling the winter coziness and have been more into indicas. But since everyone is affected differently by the varieties out there and the different ways to consume them (edibles versus flower or vaping), I don’t love recommending a particular product unless I know what the client is looking for and hopes to achieve with cannabis. I also feel safer recommending different brands when I’ve had a repeat patient that can speak on how each variety and form has affected them.

How will edibles affect me?

Edibles are such a different breed that I always tell people Go Low and Start Slow (GLASS). Take just a tiny amount and wait about an hour to see how it hits you. Your body processes edibles differently than smoking does since it hits your liver and breaks down in your body that way. That’s also why so many people say edibles create more of a body high than a brain high.

Which strain has the highest THC?

I hate this question because sure, I can recommend which ones do have the highest THC, but unless I know what you’re trying to achieve with cannabis, the higher THC strains might steer you wrong. For someone who is a seasoned cannabis user and has arthritis all over their body, yeah, I’m going to tell them which has the highest THC. But if you are someone who needs cannabis to calm some mild-to-moderate anxiety, a super high THC might not be the best choice for you during the day. At night, sure, that will help you sleep better.