Once you’ve read our beginner’s guide to cannabis, you’ll have the knowledge needed to make your first visit to one of our dispensaries:
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- You’ll understand basic cannabis terms, like CBD, THC, Indica, Sativa, and hybrid.
- You’ll have a deeper understanding of the various cannabis strains and methods of consumption.
- You’ll be able to identify high-quality cannabis strains and feel comfortable asking your budtender for advice.
If you’re new to cannabis, the entire enterprise can seem overwhelming. Luckily the cannabis community tends to be friendly, welcoming, and more than happy to talk about their favorite strain. So, if you ever find yourself browsing the menu in a dispensary, the only barrier between not knowing something and knowing is typically a quick question to the budtender.
It’s understandable, though, that you would want a baseline of knowledge before you even begin your cannabis journey. To aid in that effort, Bad Gramm3r presents a hopefully easy-to-understand guide that covers some cannabis basics.
Important Terms
Whenever you begin a maiden voyage into new knowledge, it’s helpful to speak the language. So, it’s always helpful to understand some basic cannabis terminology:
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- Bong: A glass pipe that uses water as a filter.
- Budtender: The person who serves you at a dispensary.
- CBD: One of two main cannabinoids (naturally occurring chemical compounds) found in cannabis. CBD tends not to have the psychoactive effects that lead you to feel “high.”
- Dispensary: The location where you purchase cannabis. Dispensaries can sell cannabis for recreational use, medical use, or both.
- Grinder: A handheld device that helps to grind cannabis flower.
- Hemp: A form of cannabis that legally must have very low concentrations of THC (0.3% or less).
- Hybrid: A cannabis plant whose heritage includes both Indica and Sativa plants. Most cannabis plants are hybrids, though they can be Indica- or Sativa-dominant.
- Indica: A cannabis strain that’s pure Indica or Indica-dominant tends to evoke a body high experience. It is often referred to as “in-da-couch” because it tends to make consumers stay in one place after consumption.
- Pre-roll: Often casually referred to as a joint, a pre-roll is ground-up cannabis rolled up in smokable paper.
- Sativa: A cannabis strain that tends to be more of a stimulating experience. People who consume cannabis during the day tend to prefer Sativas as they can still go about their daily routine without succumbing to couch-lock.
- Strain: A specific type of cannabis. Most strains tend to be hybrids of Indica or Sativa. Strains also have specific lineages that can be traced back to a single plant or grow period.
- THC: THC is the other main cannabinoid found in cannabis. It’s what causes a cannabis consumer to feel “high.” In cannabis flower, the concentration typically ranges from 15% to 30% or slightly higher. Other cannabis products, like concentrates, can contain up to 90% THC.
- Vaporizer: A tool used to consume cannabis. It uses electricity to heat cannabis products to a temperature that creates a vapor-like substance that tends to be less harsh to inhale than smoke.
Types of Cannabis
Beyond the terms listed above, you should know the various types of cannabis available to purchase:
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- Concentrate: This form of cannabis contains a high percentage of THC, often up to or above 90%, and usually requires a unique tool called a dab rig to consume. It’s usually not someone’s first experience with cannabis.
- Flower: The most common form of cannabis flower is dried-up cannabis flower and sometimes referred to as “bud” or “nug.” It can be smoked or made into edibles.
- Edibles: Food or drink products that contain cannabis. Edibles tend to affect people differently than other forms of consumption, and they can take a while to kick in.
- Tinctures: A cannabis-containing oil that is consumed by dropping it beneath the tongue.
- Topicals: A cannabis-containing product, like a cream, can be rubbed into the skin or otherwise applied to the body.
- Vape: A form of cannabis concentrate that can be consumed with a vaporizer. It typically comes in the form of a cartridge.
Buying Cannabis for Beginners
When you browse the menu of your local dispensary, you’ll see a plethora of options that can be difficult to navigate. Your budtender can help guide you to the best option for your needs, so make sure you have some idea of what you’d like from the cannabis experience in mind. Otherwise, though, you generally can’t go wrong with purchasing high-quality cannabis.
Identifying High-Quality Cannabis
High-quality cannabis doesn’t just refer to the THC content. Some people may seek out high-THC strains, but others are perfectly content with cannabis that contains no more than 15% THC.
Look
Some chefs say that we eat with our eyes first. That truism also applies to cannabis. A high-quality cannabis flower should have a visual appeal. The buds should look dense and deeply green. It should also contain secondary colors like purple and orange. Specks of glistening, frosty white also Indicate a high-quality flower.
Smell
Most people discern the quality of cannabis by smelling it. It should be pungent, with a strong aroma that can contain notes of pine, flowers, and earthiness. Some high-quality cannabis can even smell like a skunk. The key is a deep scent that takes no effort to notice.
Feel
Ideally, cannabis should feel slightly sticky with a noticeable sponginess when you gently squeeze it. If it’s still on the stem, the stem should snap easily. While you want the bud to be easy to tear apart, you don’t want it to crumble or feel dry.
Growing Process and Ethical Standards
Cannabis quality is a factor of two key things: the plant’s genetics and the growing process. When purchasing cannabis, you should consider companies that use sustainable and organic growing methods.
Additionally, you should look for ethical, diverse companies. The illegalization of cannabis has ruined many communities, especially minority ones. Consider purchasing from minority-owned, Black-owned, or women-owned companies when making your purchase.
General Guidelines
Once you’ve made your purchase, you’re likely ready to get started consuming your new cannabis. Before you do, though, make sure you’re in a safe, private location and keep some general guidelines in mind:
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- Start slowly and at low dosages, especially if you’re consuming an edible you haven’t tried before.
- Wait to consume until your routine is over and you’ve taken care of your daily responsibilities.
- Do not drive while under the influence of cannabis.
- When you’re done, make sure to store your cannabis in a safe spot that children and animals can’t access.
- Cannabis can make you feel paranoid, so it can help to have a friend with you to help you stay calm and guide you through the experience.
Bad Gramm3r is Here to Help
With two locations in Alaska, Palmer and Wasilla, as well as a team of knowledgeable, friendly budtenders at your disposal, Bad Gramm3r is here for your cannabis needs. We carry a wide variety of cannabis strains, products, and tools, so you’ll have everything you require to consume cannabis. Stop by today for a warm welcome to the cannabis community! Got questions, contact us online!
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