Education Station
Your Guide to Common Cannabis Questions
Put yourself in the driver's seat. Learn to control your medication effects-- both wanted (good health benefits) or not (unwanted side effects)!
At DarkHorse Delta Enterprises, our mission is spreading cannabis education, awareness, and cannabis medication advocacy. We network with several other groups in this mission, writing educational articles, participating in podcasts, answering questions for patients, and more. We have gathered together answers for common questions about cannabis (and hemp) medication and using our education system, The Cannabis Calculators.
Q: What are cannabinoids and terpenes?
Answer:
Cannabis contains hundreds of ingredients which have yet to be fully studied due to continuing federal prohibition. The most common of these are cannabinoids and terpenes. These ingredients work together to give cannabis its effects. Experts have found over a hundred different cannabinoids (you may know them as THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, etc) and estimate there are around 200 different terpenes inside differing strains of cannabis. Examples of commonly found terpenes include myrcene, caryophyllene, pinene, and limonene. The cannabinoids are unique to cannabis only, but the terpenes can be found in other plants too! In fact, terpenes are found in essential oils and help produce their health effects. We included some of the most commonly found and better researched cannabinoids and terpenes on our devices.
Interested in learning about other terpene-containing plants to help boost your natural medicine healing effect? The Cannabis Calculator #2 can help with that! Just click the link below to learn more.
Click Here
Q: I am new to cannabis medication. How do I figure out how much cannabis to use?
Answer:
Everyone’s body is different and reacts differently to cannabis medication. Keeping this in mind, a cookie-cutter approach is not the best way of figuring out what dosage is best for you. We recommend starting with a product where the dose is easily controlled such as a tincture and branching from there. A slow, methodical approach will give you better results than following routine dose recommendations or just guessing and jumping in. This is because everyone’s body is different and requires different levels of cannabis medication to be brought back into balance.
Keeping a journal of your personal experience with each cannabis product is highly recommended to get the best overall results from your medicine. Every person’s body reacts to each ingredient a little differently, so it is important to write down how you respond to each one. Different amounts of the ingredients also give you a different experience, so keeping up with HOW MUCH of each ingredient is important too. You will find this information on product labels and lab reports.
Need a journal worksheet to get you started? Just click the link provided to download, save, and/or print our FREE My Cannabis Calculator Journal to quickly get you started on your path to personal wellness!
A common recommendation to finding out your best tincture dosage (called the therapeutic window) is to use a small amount (1 single drop under the tongue once or twice daily) and increasing by an extra drop every 3 days or so as tolerated. It is very important to keep a diary of how you feel every day, making note of symptom relief as you increase. Make note of when you start feeling relief of your symptoms—this is the beginning of your therapeutic window. Continue to increase the amount until you don’t have any noticeable increase in symptom relief or you experience unwanted side effects. The dose right prior to that is your maximum dosage and the end of your therapeutic window!
Note: Some people who are new to cannabis medication are very sensitive to the effects of THC. These folks may need to develop a little “tolerance” to the psychoactivity coming from it. Often taking a slightly higher dosage at bedtime allows patients to experience these effects when sleeping– and helps with sleep in many cases!
Free Journal
Q: Does hemp (CBD flower) and high THC cannabis have the same ingredients?
Answer:
Hemp IS cannabis. It is just segregated for legal reasons. Hemp contains 0.3% or less THC levels as required by law. So, just like high-THC MMJ, hemp contains similar mixes of cannabinoids and terpenes contained in a multitude of different strains or cultivars--minus the high-THC levels, of course. Many patients find that mixing high-THC strains with hemp provides better overall health control... and helps stretch medication too (and save you money)! Learn to identify which cannabis ingredients you should target. Get customized education with The Cannabis Calculator 1! Our calculators can be used for both hemp AND cannabis. *** Please note that the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the list of federally controlled substances, BUT some states still choose to make it illegal to possess. Always check your state's law about hemp cannabis possession.
Q: What are acidic and non-acidic cannabinoids? Why are they both included on my calculator(s)?
Answer:
Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD are the main active ingredients found inside cannabis medication. Acidic cannabinoids are the natural form of these cannabinoids inside the plant. In other words, they are cannabinoids found inside the raw plant before you smoke them (or otherwise "activate" them with heat). Heating cannabinoids changes them into their non-acidic form-- the one you are probably most familiar with (THC, CBD, and more). This happens through a chemical process called decarboxylation. Decarboxylation, aka decarbing, occurs spontaneously when smoking or vaping or can be done deliberately by applying heat before using or infusing into edibles, oils, and using in recipes. For instance, the natural (acidic) form of THC is called THCA. Decarboxylation changes the natural, acidic form (THCA) into the non-acidic and better-known (delta 9) THC. Both forms of cannabinoids have medicinal benefits.
Examples include (not all-inclusive):
THCA -----with heat turns into----------- THC.
CBDA-----with heat turns into -------- CBD.
CBGA-----with heat turns into--------- CBG.
CBCA-----with heat turns into ------- CBC!
Q: How do i use acidic cannabinoids?
Answer:
Acidic cannabinoids are found in raw cannabis and hemp flower. Some products at dispensaries and online contain some of the acidic cannabinoids in their formula too.
CBDA can be more effective than CBD in helping with inflammation and related pain in many people at much lower dosages, allowing you to save money. An online example of tinctures containing the acidic CBDA can be found by clicking the link below.
Click Here
Q: What about an easy way to get my acidic cannabinoids?
Answer:
Acidic cannabinoids are the natural kind found in the raw cannabis plant and dried flower. Research has shown that they have medicinal value, sometimes better than its non-acidic kind! Raw cannabis is non-psychoactive (meaning it won’t get you high) and has more terpenes, the stuff in the plant causing the smell, taste, and some of the effects. Using the raw product as a herb/vegetable in salads, smoothies, or a simple canna-tea are all cost-effective choices. Just remember that applying heat changes the medication through decarboxylation.
So, how do you harness the healing power of these natural cannabinoids?
Fresh raw cannabis flowers can be eaten directly (chewing for a few minutes can speed up the effects), added directly to food (such as a salad or smoothie), prepared into an oil, or brewed into tea. While large doses can cause some digestive upset, most people have no problems after consuming. Raw cannabis is best used for nausea, inflammation, pain, and seizures. An easy (and less expensive method) involves brewing a simple canna-tea using your choice of cannabis flower strain.
A simple canna-tea recipe to use with flower from hemp, MMJ, or both:
Gently simmer 1g cannabis flower in 1 liter of water in a covered pan for fifteen (15) minutes. DO NOT BOIL as this will change the medicinal properties! Remove from heat, allow to cool, then strain into a pitcher, expressing the liquid from the bud material. The tea is best consumed within 24 hours as it quickly loses potency but can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week. NOTE: A raw cannabis preparation that is exposed to heat, such as during the cooking process or being left in a car on a hot day, will transform into a product with totally different (and potentially psychoactive) effects from decarboxylation. You should refrigerate acidic products when possible.
Q: How do I find out which cannabinoids and terpenes are in my product?
Answer:
Each state is different as far as testing and reporting requirements but any legitimate business should be able to provide you with the product's lab report (certificate of analysis). This report will include tests for which ones are found in your product along with other important details. Many products come with a scannable QR code linking directly to the report! Check with your dispensary or online retailer for how to access these reports.
It is important to know which ones are in there as well as HOW MUCH it contains. Everyone reacts to them differently, so it is important to include these details in a journal. For example, strains with high amounts of THC and citrus based terpenes can aggravate anxiety in some people. Lower levels of these ingredients can help you avoid this effect. Descriptions found on community websites such as CannaSOS, Cannigma, Iheartjane, Leafly, and Weedmaps can give you a general idea of what genetically should be in a strain but will most likely still leave you guessing.
Note: when purchasing hemp/CBD products online, we recommend only purchasing trusted, lab verified products. The industry is still unregulated and thus levels can vary widely. There have been reports of false labeling and contaminated products in the past. ALWAYS ASK FOR THE LAB REPORT. Learn how to read them with our short YouTube video found at the link below.
Click here
Q: Do cannabis strains with high levels of THC work better for me?
Answer:
In almost every instance, a more balanced cannabis strain with lower levels of THC produces the best overall health effect. Too high levels of THC can often induce unwanted side effects (such as anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, tachycardia, and more) and lead to medication “tolerance” which is where the medication stops working as well. Cannabis is a biphasic and bidirectional medication, meaning that it can cause the very symptoms you are trying to relieve AND more is not always better.
This is why we don’t have an overwhelming demand for Marinol, a synthetic form of THC that has been on the market for decades. It contains synthetic THC only and loses the competition against cannabis for symptom relief. Cannabis has multiple ingredients that boost the overall effects. Learning to ID the ingredients inside cannabis that work best for you is important to gaining the most control over your health issues. Learn to identify them with The Cannabis Calculator 1. Learning how they work in your body can put you in the driver’s seat to controlling your health (and avoiding unwanted side effects)!
Link to Calculator 1
Q: Edibles are expensive. How do I make my own?
Answer:
Using cannabis medication is expensive--and insurance does not cover any of it. As such, most patients are looking for ways to cut some of the costs involved. Cannabis edibles and capsules are a popular but expensive way to take your medication– unless you learn to make your own. The popular cannabis gummy can reach costs of up to $4 per dose in many dispensaries. Chocolate bars are even more.
Learning how to make cannabis edibles can be intimidating for many. Luckily, many websites exist with simple, easy to follow cannabis recipes and videos that take you step by step through the process of making your very own edibles and more! Whether you are a novice or expert, these sites cover everything from making gummies to adding cannabis into your everyday cooking! One example of a cannabis recipe website from The Canna School can be found by clicking on the link below.
Click Here
Our cannabis education system puts vital education right at your fingertips. Simply turn the dial for customized, targeted education. Searching for strains to suppress the appetite? Turn the dial to Weight Control. Looking for which ingredients can help you quit smoking? Point the calculator to Addiction Control and quickly start on your path to becoming tobacco free! Learn about other terpene-containing plants with our terpene calculator (Calculator 2-Back side). Discover all of this and more with The Cannabis Calculators!
Wondering how to figure out how strong your cannabis edibles are?
There are several online dosage calculators that do the complicated math for you! We like Emily Kyle’s easy to use Dosage Calculator!
Simply plug in the numbers and the dosage is figured for you.
No more confusing algebra!
MONEY SAVING TIP
Did you know using a programmable (digital) vaporizer to vape cannabis can help you save money? Targeting the boiling points of your cannabis ingredients releases them in greater amounts without losing them to the destruction from combustion seen in smoking cannabis– and without the potential toxins. Even more savings are possible with dry herb (flower) vaporization as explained below! Check out The Cannabis Calculator 2 for an easy reference guide to these vital temperatures. Skip the research and use The Cannabis Calculators instead! Information about our favorite, money-saving dry herb vaporizer from Arizer can be found here.
DON’T THROW AWAY YOUR USED CANNABIS MATERIAL FROM YOUR DRY HERB VAPE!
Savvy cannabis patients know this material still contains small amounts of the active, medicinal ingredients. This material is commonly called Already Vaped Bud (AVB) and can be reused/ infused into cannabis oils, creams, and edibles– potentially saving you more $$$! AVB is also known as ABV (already been vaped) bud.
Check out one AVB recipe from Emily Kyle or follow along with a fun video from Chef Luigi.
Click the cards below
To learn fun facts about some of your cannabis ingredients!
CBD
CBD
Studies have shown that CBD-infused dental products, such as toothpaste and
mouthwash, are extremely effective. When used in combination with another cannabinoid
called CBN, studies have shown that they can help a condition called bruxism, also known as
teeth-grinding
Pinene
This cannabis terpene has been shown to be an effective lung bronchodilator for
asthma symptom relief. Pinene also helps to counteract the memory loss associated with THC! People with anxiety can be sensitive to this terpene and may need to
avoid high levels of it- use caution.
Caryophyllene
Recent studies have shown that this common terpene helped control diabetes
in rats when used with the food supplement called L-arginine. Its powerful effects were shown
to normalize blood sugar and glucose tolerance as well as repair damaged pancreatic cells!
Caryophyllene is the only terpene found to act directly on our endocannabinoid system (ECS)
receptors as well.
Ocimene
This terpene has been shown in studies to kill the virus that causes SARS. This virus is
known as the SARS-CoV virus and is in the same family of coronaviruses as the COVID-19 virus
causing the pandemic (aka SARS-CoV-2).
Guaiol
Also known as champacol, this terpene has used in the past to treat syphilis and regulate menstruation (periods). This terpene has a diuretic effect which could be helpful in controlling blood pressure.
CBN
This mildly psychoactive cannabinoid is formed from degraded THCA. Often known as the
“sleepy cannabinoid,” it is commonly used as a sleep aid. Researchers found that 2.5-5mg of
CBN was as effective as 5-10mg of the addictive sedative diazepam (more commonly known as
Valium).
THCA
This cannabinoid ingredient is the acidic or “natural” form of THC found in the cannabis
plant before it is broken down by time or heat. It is non-psychoactive, meaning it won’t get you
“high,” but contains many great medicinal benefits. Although more research is needed, studies
point to similar health benefits in seizures, inflammation, cancer, neurodegenerative conditions
such as Alzheimer’s, nausea , vomiting, and pain.
THC
This well-known cannabinoid ingredient is famous for its psychoactive, “high” effects.
High levels of this cannabinoid have been found to help PTSD sufferers find relief, especially
from nightmares, as it has been shown to reduce the “dreaming” stage of sleep.
CBDA
This cannabinoid ingredient is the acidic or “natural” form of CBD found in the cannabis
plant before it is broken down by time or heat. Based on animal studies, CBDA may be more
potent than CBD for certain medical conditions. These include nausea, stress-induced anxiety,
pain , inflammation, and seizures. It is also more easily absorbed by mouth than CBD and doesn’t
weaken the THC “high” like CBD is known to do.
CBG(A)
Known as the “mother of all cannabinoids,” this cannabis ingredient is the parent of other cannabinoids. CBG has many medicinal benefits as well-- helping with glaucoma, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and more!
Limonene
This terpene, along with other ingredients such as humulene and THCV, has been
found to have appetite-suppressing benefits for those seeking to avoid weight gain. Limonene has an energizing, stimulating, and alerting effect and can help counteract THC-induced paranoia and anxiety.
**Warning: The information contained within this site is not intended to replace medical instructions, diagnosis, or treatments. Content on this site is for reference purposes and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed healthcare professional. Consult your doctor for any contraindications, allergies, and medicine interactions. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Cannabis remains federally illegal and has not been been approved by the FDA to treat or prevent any disease.
FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
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