by Acannability Staff Writer
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Cannabis has been around for decades and until recently only available on the illicit market. With 21 states ruling recreational cannabis legal, and more rapidly following - including a push to legalize Cannabis nationally, it is critical to review the benefits of purchasing from a licensed dispensary versus on the illicit market. In some instances this can mean the difference between life and death. Cannabis is a bioaccumulator which means it can accumulate significant amounts of toxins and pesticides from the soil. Cannabis can also grow mold and attract mites which means you could be ingesting more than just Cannabis. To avoid these unwanted and potentially harmful substances, Acannability recommends buying legal weed. Products found in local dispensaries has been tested by third party labs to ensure state purity requirements are met. Lab testing is a crucial component of legal cannabis products. Any cannabis product you buy from a licensed dispensary must go through a number of tests by a state-accredited lab. These tests aid in ensuring that what you buy is safe to use, and that concentrations and doses are clearly published. Additionally, consumers can look for a QR code on the package that will link to the Certificate of Analysis (the “COA”) from the lab. This can also be requested from the dispensary agent. COA’s show the lab testing results proving that the product has passed state regulations and is deemed safe for consumption. Lab tests check for the presence of mycotoxins like mold and mildew, residual pesticides, THC and CBD strength, and undesirable impurities. Each test needs specialized tools and methods, and only specialists who have undergone extensive training and licensing can carry it out. These labs are not run by the dispensaries, but accredited by each state’s regulatory department, allowing for consumer confidence that the product is free from contaminants. Given there are regulatory bodies governing the safety of Cannabis sold in dispensaries, buying on the illicit market is gambling with your health and safety. WHY LEGAL? The answer is simple - you can ensure the Cannabis you’ve purchased is free from impurities and can be taken in select dosages to fully enjoy your experience with this incredible plant.
Flower: (also known as “bud” or “nug”): Cannabis flower may be inhaled (smoked or vaporized), steeped in tea, or used to make other forms such as those listed below. Kief is the cannabinoid and terpene rich crystal-like structures that fall or are shaken off of the dried flower. Kief can have a high concentration of THC. Tropicals: Creams. lotions, salves, and transdermal patches are said to provide good targeted relief, and can offer systemic relief based on their absorption properties, especially when placed on a veiny area of the body such as the inside of the wrist, the top of the foot, or in the navel. Tincture: Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts They come in bottles with droppers. Tinctures may be placed under the tongue for rapid absorption sublingually, or added to food or a beverage. They allow for precise measurement for specific dosing. Capsule/Tablet: Cannabis can be purchased at dispensaries in these familiar formats. Edibles: A food item infused with cannabis, for easy oral consumption. Chocolates and gummies are widely available; other edibles sold in dispensaries include cookies, mints and candies, etc. Beverages: A cannabis beverage is a drink with cannabinoids added. Some are choosing these as an alternative to a cocktail, glass of wine, or beer. Concentrates & Extracts: These come in multiple forms, and multiple routes of administration. These include:
Many individuals who could benefit from the medical use of cannabis don’t out of fear of "getting high." Fortunately, for many only a small amount of THC is needed to reap the potential benefits. According to Dr. Dustin Sulak, people are now turning to microdosing in order to treat conditions such as pain, depression, stress, anxiety, dementia and to help improve focus and promote sleep. While a substantial amount of empirical evidence is still lacking, there is some clinical research suggesting that using less THC is in fact more when it comes to medicinal cannabis. Microdosing is a practice of consuming medical cannabis with a low enough level of THC to provide benefits without “getting high”. Physiology, the type of cannabis product, especially the ratio of CBD to THC, and a number of other variables all affect what constitutes a microdose. This can vary greatly from person to person. For precise microdosing, Dr. Sulak recommends using a tincture or infused oil at 50 mg/ml. Start with 1 mg (1 drop) of THC 1-3x a day. Based on how you feel over the first 2 days, add 1 mg (1 drop) to your daily dosage on day 2-3 and continue to increase as needed every 2 days. Most people are able to microdose 1-5 mgs of THC per dose without being impaired. For more help, try Dr. Sulak's free step-by-step dosage program for the introduction of cannabis and review more how to articles on Healer for Microdosing.
Sparkling beverages and “mocktails” made with syrups and tinctures infused with cannabis are growing in popularity. Nano-technology allows for the relaxing and/or psychotropic effects of cannabis drinks to develop at a rate similar to that of alcoholic beverages. Sipping a cannabis beverage allows the consumer to pace themselves just like one can with alcohol based drinks. Cannabis beverages are seen by many as a wonderful way to reduce their alcohol consumption, and avoid the possibility of a nasty hangover, while still enjoying the social aspect of sharing a glass of wine, beer or cocktail with friends, or as a way to relax at the end of the day. Prevailing wisdom suggests caution when considering mixing alcohol with cannabis. Cannabis cocktails can be created with customized dosages. And, those with CBD can offset the “intoxicating” effects of THC, giving consumers an additional way to tailor their mocktail to get the desired effects. A variety of low-calorie cannabis seltzers are widely available in dispensaries; hemp based CBD beverages are found in both health food stores and grocery stores. Editor’s notes:
Gifting legal cannabis is legal in the state of IL if you abide by the following guidelines:
Licensed Members of Acannability agree to adhere to a code of ethics that includes the following commitments to product safety standards and best practices:[1] Subject to change.
- Meet or exceed all national and applicable state product safety standards, with the aim to meet standards set forth by ASTM Committee D37 (the cannabis committee of said international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards)United States Pharmacopeia, or another product safety organization deemed acceptable by Acannability™.
- As Best Practice for cannabis and hemp testing continues to evolve, cultivation and processing Licensed Members will have products batch tested by a reputable lab and confirm results of random samples with an Acannability approved third party agency. Testing on unregulated / unlicensed products (e.g.,Delta 8, Delta 10, CBD, etc.) will include testing of all inert and active components with appropriate label disclosure.
- Suggested dosage, route of administration, and consumption methods will be provided for every product either on the label or readily available and directed online through QR code. When appropriate, Licensed Members will include instructions of how/where cannabis products may be used or not used (e.g., topical unless otherwise specified).
- Licensed Members will Include all applicable active component information (e.g., cannabinoids, terpenes, etc.) and all applicable non-active product information (e.g., fillers, inert ingredients, etc.) on the label or website, regularly available and directed online through QR code.
- Packaging and marketing campaigns will be geared towards people of legal consumption age. Packaging should be adult-oriented: no mimicking of commercially available candy, cereal, or snack brand packages that could cause confusion and possible unintentional consumption of cannabis by minors.
- Companies producing and/or selling products for medical patients will prioritize the needs of patients over adult-use customers.
- If a product on the market is found to be mislabeled, moldy, or contain any known contaminants greater than allowed levels, a recall will be issued.
- Advertisements and marketing materials will be free of unsubstantiated and false claims.
- Cultivators, producers, and retailers commit to providing products for medical markets.
- Products will be sold through legal channels.
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