Hub Guide
Cannabis 101
The Plant And Its Compounds
Cannabis produces over 100 cannabinoids and dozens of terpenes. THC is the primary psychoactive compound; CBD is the primary non-intoxicating compound. Modern flower runs 18 to 30% THC. Concentrates run 60 to 95%. Edibles are dosed precisely in milligrams. The plant's effect is shaped by the combination of cannabinoids, terpenes, and consumer-specific factors like tolerance and metabolism.
Formats Explained
Flower, dried cannabis buds, smoked or vaporized. Pre-rolls, pre-prepared flower in joint form.
Edibles, ingested products with delayed onset. Vape cartridges, concentrated oil in disposable or refillable hardware. Concentrates, high-potency extracts for dabbing or specialized vapes. Tinctures, sublingual liquid drops. Topicals, skin-applied balms and creams. Each format has different onset, duration, and best-use cases.
Dosing Basics
Inhaled cannabis: effects in 5 to 15 minutes, peak 30 to 60 minutes, duration 2 to 4 hours. Edibles: onset 30 to 90 minutes, peak around 2 hours, duration 4 to 8 hours. Tinctures: sublingual onset 15 to 30 minutes, duration 3 to 5 hours. Topicals: localized effect, no systemic high. Start low and go slow with any new format or product. The most common mistake is impatience.
Effects And Effect Profile
Cannabis effects vary by strain, dose, individual, and context. General patterns: indica-leaning products produce body-heavy relaxation; sativa-leaning products produce head-forward energy; hybrids combine both. THC produces euphoria, sensory enhancement, body relaxation, appetite increase. CBD produces calm and reduced anxiety without intoxication. Minor cannabinoids (CBN, CBG, THCV) produce specific targeted effects.
Common First-Time Mistakes
Taking edibles on an empty stomach (too fast, too strong). Re-dosing edibles before 90 minutes (compounded peak). Picking high-THC flower as a first experience (overwhelming). Mixing cannabis with alcohol (worse outcomes for both). Skipping the budtender consultation (missing the matching of product to goal). Buying based on THC percentage alone (terpene profile matters more).
When To Call A Budtender Over
Any time you're unsure. Budtenders at licensed dispensaries are trained to match products to outcomes. Tell them what you want the experience to do, your experience level, and any sensitivities. A good budtender will narrow a 200-SKU menu to 5 recommendations in two minutes. This is what we're here for.
