Pot Thots: Meet Your Strains, Prologue — THC and CBD

In our occasional column “Pot Thots,” our writers take us on a journey into the brave new world of legal weed.

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For the many of us who have been long-time consumers, buying, smoking, and eating cannabis is nothing new. However, since its legalization on October 17th, 2018, a lot more people have started to enjoy that good green plant.

But for the uninitiated, the constant flow of new research, strains, and equipment may be overwhelming. So let’s get to the basics of what cannabis actually is in its simplest form: weed.

Over the next four instalments of Pot Thots, we’ll break down the three main types of weed: Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid. We’ll also talk about their neglected cousin, the health-conscious Ruderalis.

But first, some background info so we’re all starting with the same knowledge. For those who don’t know, THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol. This is the compound that allows for a high in the body. CBD, or cannabidiol, has health benefits for the body; first and foremost, it‘s a stress reliever. It has uplifting effects on mood, and it’s an anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, anti-convulsant, and anti-oxidant as well. CBD grants physical effects without offering the high of THC. Different strains of weed have different amounts of THC, CBD, and other compounds, leading to different overall effects.

It’s important to remember that although cannabis is legal to smoke, buying and selling edibles won’t be legalized until 2019. (But if your mom makes edibles and doesn’t sell them, she’s not doing anything illegal.) You’re allowed to have up to 30 grams on your person at any time. You can grow four plants per household (not per person, unfortunately), and you can keep your entire yield!

Now for a fun tidbit: the first written reference to cannabis was in the Rh-Ya, a Chinese book of medicine written around 1500 BCE.  

Stay tuned to learn about all the strains you’ll come to know and love.