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Welcome to Higher Learning. Soon to be the best source of elevated education; from how to roll a joint, to the deeper science behind Marijuana and the beneficial effects on the human body. Stay tuned as we add more content, information and study material.

CANNABINOIDS 101

There are over 70 known cannabinoids! These 8 are known to affect you the most!

THC

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) The most abundant and widely known cannabinoid in cannabis, THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the main psychoactive effects patients are familiar with. The compound is a mild analgesic and cellular research has shown the compound has antioxidant activity. THC is believed to interact with parts of the brain normally controlled by the endogenous cannabinoid neurotransmitter anandamide.

THCv

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is found in largest quantities in cannabis varieties indigenous to central Africa, like certain phenotypes from Malawi. It is currently being researched as a treatment for metabolic disorders including diabetes, as well as serving as a potential appetite suppressant.

THCa

Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCa) THCa is the main constituent in raw cannabis. THCa converts to D9-THC when burned, vaporized, or heated for a period of time at a certain temperature. THCa holds much of the anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antiproliferative (inhibiting the cell-growth in tumors/cancer cells), as well as anti-spasmodic (suppresses muscle-spasms).

CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) With respect to the medical potential of the cannabis, CBD may hold the most promise for many serious conditions. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is believed to reduce the psychoactive effects of THC. Smokers of cannabis with a higher CBD/THC ratio are less likely to experience anxiety. CBD may also inhibit cancer cell growth.

CBDa

Cannabidiolic Acid (CBDa) CBDa, similar to THCa, is the main constituent in cannabis that has elevated CBD levels. THCa and CBDa hold most of the anti-inflammatory properties that cannabis has to offer.

CBN

Cannabinol (CBN) A mildly-psychoactive cannabinoid that comes about from the degradation of THC, there is usually very little CBN in a fresh plant. CBN potentiates the effects of THC and synergistically adds what has come to be known as the “couch-lock” effect. CBN may also cause drowsiness.

CBG

Cannabigerol (CBG) A non psychoactive cannabinoid, CBG has antibacterial effects, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. CBG can alter the overall effects of Cannabis.

CBC

Cannabichromene (CBC) Research suggests that CBC includes: anti-inflammatory, analgesic, bone stimulant, and anti-cancer properties.

Ailment/Cannabinoid Treatment Chart


THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING

Higher Standards

Weedmaps seeks to educate and encourage our industry to move toward a higher standard of service, where potency testing, standardized dosage, and quality assurance testing (pesticides/fungicides and microbiological contamination) become the accepted and acknowledged industry standard.

Microbiological testing gives dispensaries a way to provide patients with the highest quality medicinal cannabis available. Testing helps identify known human pathogens and determine the potential shelf life of medicine.

Safety

All medicines, as well as any alcoholic beverages, have information regarding the strength or dosage of the product, it should be no different with medical cannabis.

Many dangerous pesticides, fungicides, and plant growth regulators (PGR’s) are used on cannabis, often indiscriminately throughout the flowering stages of growth. These residual toxins create potentially dangerous safety issues to patients when consumed.

Mold and fungal contaminants should be of concern to anyone who consumes medical cannabis, especially those that are prone to asthma, allergies, or have a compromised immune system.

When cannabinoids pass through the digestive system (edibles) they become much stronger and can lead to uncomfortable experience. Many patients are forever turned off to cannabis because of a bad experience with an overly strong edible.

Patients who may be intolerant to certain higher anxiety strains can look for options which cause less anxiety or discomfort.

Disclaimer

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. We make no claims meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before starting ANY medical treatment or before using any medical product during pregnancy or if you have a serious medical condition.

Potency Testing

Accurate results are important in order to help patients gauge their dosage accordingly. HPLC is the superior testing method in Cannabis for potency because it doesn’t use heat, making it possible to determine accurate levels of acidic cannabinoids, the major ingredients of raw medical cannabis, exactly as they are found in the plant. GC operates at very high temperatures, which decomposes many of the cannabinoids into other forms; it doesn’t provide as accurate of a reading. By using an HPLC, THC, as well as THCa, CBD, CBDa, and CBN can be tested and measured.

Basic Quality Screen

The Basic Quality Screen includes both a basic fungal screen to determine the overall fungal load (plate count) in a cannabis flower or cannabis product and a basic pesticide screen for over 30 Carbamates – a common class of pesticides. This EPA approved pesticide screen can detect down to parts per million (ppm) levels.

Comprehensive Safety Test

The Comprehensive Safety Pesticide Test has been developed to be extremely sensitive by a Ph.D. chemist with several years of experience in the environmental testing field. The Comprehensive Safety Test not only detects all major pesticides used specifically on cannabis but also tests for potentially harmful fungicides and other plant growth regulators (PGR’s). We can detect these contaminants at parts per billion (ppb) and parts per trillion (ppt) levels. The Comprehensive Safety Microbiological Test has a similar level of sensitivity and is also combined with a plate count. This test uses a combination of real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) instrumentation and standard media based plating techniques not only to quantify but also provide information on which and how many colony forming units of each species of fungal pathogens are in a sample.