Medical marijuana was being consumed by 1.53 million of California’s legal patients in 2017. This number is growing as the medical efficacy of cannabis is being proven, time and time again. Suitable and safe for children, elderly patients and even animals, medical marijuana is completely changing the way we think about the green plant.
With so many different strains, extracts and products available on the ever-growing market, there’s a treatment option for people of all ages and with all kinds of medical problems. To ensure you are using a strain that is best-suited to your health, take the following information on board ahead of visiting SF dispensaries.
How do marijuana strains differ from one another?
If you thought that all marijuana strains were the same, you would be very wrong indeed. New cannabis strains are being cultivated all of the time, each of which possesses a unique set of genetics that influence its cannabinoid content, smell, flavor, appearance and potency.
The genotype is what we call the strain genetics. Phenotype, on the other hand, is the word used to describe how the genotype is physically expressed.
In simple terms, this means the qualities pulled from the plant’s genetic code by the environment. These types of genetic makeup are what affects the traits of each cannabis plant, as well as the environment in which the plant is cultivated.
What are cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are the active chemicals contained in the cannabis plant. There are hundreds of them and at the current time, scientists have uncovered the medical benefits of both THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and CBD (cannabidiol) more than any other cannabinoids.
Each type of cannabis strain will contain a specific potency. For example, some strains might have 3 percent CBD and 10 percent THC, whereas others might have low-THC and high-CBD. Certain strains possess an equal balance of the two!
What is an Indica strain?
When you consume a strain of this kind, you will usually feel quite sedated, mostly in the center of the body. Indica strains are a preferred choice for people who have muscle tension, because the high is incredibly relaxing. Examples of some medical conditions that can be treated using indica strains include insomnia, inflammation, chronic pain, anxiety and Parkinson’s disease.
What is a Sativa strain?
Expect a cerebral and fairly energetic high when you try a sativa. These marijuana strains are usually recommended for patients with nausea, chronic pain, depression, migraines and anorexia. Sativa strains may also reduce the symptoms of HIV/AIDS.
What is a Hybrid strain?
If a strain is a cross-breed between an indica and a sativa, it will be considered a hybrid. These strains are very unique in the sense that they possess the characteristics of both types of marijuana. The great thing about self-medicating with a hybrid is that you can enhance mental clarity by combining the two, without worrying about feeling overly sedated.
Should I be concerned about where my weed was cultivated?
A number of factors will influence the quality of medical cannabis, such as the light, air circulation, humidity, temperature, nutrient intake and feeding schedule. Always ask the suppliers of cannabis about their cultivation methods, so that you can make sure you are buying pollutant-free buds.
Must I find cannabis that has been lab tested?
Absolutely. Lab testing is crucial for determine just how potent a certain type of marijuana is. Not only this, but lab testing will also expose any contaminants contained in the plant matter. A medical marijuana dispensary cannot legally sell cannabis products if they do not disclose the results of lab testing.
Is it necessary to visit a doctor before buying medical marijuana?
Yes. The budtenders inside a medical marijuana dispensary will not serve you if they have not seen a written recommendation from your doctor. A medical marijuana card and form of identification will also be required. Don’t expect your doctor to give you a strict dosage or treatment schedule, however. You ought to begin by consuming small quantities of medical cannabis, so as to figure out where your tolerance lies. This is the best way of finding a solution that improves your medical condition.
What should I look for in San Francisco marijuana dispensaries?
You wouldn’t obtain prescription medication from a random person in the street, so why do the same with medical marijuana? Medical consumers who reside in weed-friendly states like California are now lucky enough to have access to quality buds, concentrates and cannabis-based products.
When searching for San Francisco marijuana dispensaries, make sure the dispensary abides by strict health and safety regulations. Pay attention to quality, customer service and the selection of goods on offer. Each variety (indica, sativa and hybrid) should be stocked inside the cannabis store, where there should be security guards, CCTV surveillance and a team of trained budtenders on-hand to help.
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