CANNABIS 101: BEGINNER BASICS

THC is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive ingredient in the cannabis plant. It’s what makes you feel “high” when you smoke marijuana or eat an edible.

Cannabidiol, or CBD is the second most prevalent active ingredient in cannabis.

CBD does not cause a "high" by itself.

It has been touted for a wide variety of health issues, but the strongest scientific evidence is for its effectiveness in treating some of the cruelest childhood epilepsy syndromes

Often referred to as the "mother of all cannabinoids." Cannabigerol or CBG, has been found to have many therapeutic effects including; easing anxiety, and chronic pain.

Also known as 'Buds' flowers contain the THC, CBD and terpenes that cause you to get high and give people a number of other benefits, interacting with the endocannabinoid system. Flowers only grow on the female plants. This is what is dried out and ground before being smoked.

A cannabis cola refers to the bud cluster at the top of the female plant It is considered the most desirable part of the plant for smoking purposes

A cola is often coated in trichomes that house resin and contain a majority of other cannabinoids and terpenes

Trichomes are small but form an important part of marijuana anatomy. They make a crystal-like covering for the buds of the cannabis. Trichomes actually come from glands on the leaves, stems, and calyx of the female or male cannabis plant.

Trichomes protect the plant from anything in the wild that could harm them. They secrete terpenes and both CBD and THC.

Terpenes are found throughout the cannabis plant, but are most concentrated in the trichomes. Terpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants and some animals. They’re responsible for the aromas, flavours, and even colours associated with various types of vegetation. In terms of cannabis, terpenes are what make certain strains smell or taste different from others.

The beginning of the cannabis plants lifecycle begins at seed germination. A single root, called the radicle, will shoot downwards as the new stem grows upwards pushing the seed out of the soil. Unlike common marijuana leaves, two rounded cotyledon leaves will sprout from the stem.These cotyledon leaves gather energy from sunlight so that the plant can become stable and grow bigger. Once a plant becomes a seedling, it will develop more traditional-looking cannabis leaves. 

The vegetative stage is the second phase of a weed plant's life cycle, following the seedling growth stage. During this phase, plants undergo significant growth and development as they prepare for the flowering stages. 

During this phase female plants will start to develop flowers or 'buds.' The nutrient supply for plants is mainly diverted from the leaves to develop flower buds. As well as producing long blooms full of stacked buds (Colas), the cannabis flowering stage is also a time when the production of resinous trichome glands goes into full flow. This produces the familiar sticky, aromatic resin which coats the buds with a white sugar frosting.

The cannabis harvest and drying process begins with cutting the mature plants and trimming away excess leaves. The trimmed buds are then hung in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated space to dry. This drying phase removes excess moisture, preserving cannabinoids and terpenes while preventing mold growth. Once dried, the buds are ready for further curing or consumption.

Once sufficiently dried, the buds are placed in airtight containers such as glass jars, where the curing process begins. During curing, the remaining moisture inside the buds redistributes more evenly, leading to a smoother smoke and enhancing the flavours and aromas of the cannabis. Properly cured cannabis develops a smoother, more nuanced flavor profile and can exhibit enhanced potency and therapeutic effects.