CANNABIS FAQ & TERMINOLOGY
April 2024 UPDATE
CANNABIS SEEDS
WHAT DOES AUTOFLOWER MEAN?
Cannabis plants possessing autoflower genetics are considered “easier” to grow in most cases and are a great place to start for individuals that are new to growing. These plants will “flip” into their flowering stage all on their own without the need for an adjustment to the lighting cycle. The trade-off for this convenience is usually a diminished yield in comparison to photoperiod genetics.
The suggested lighting cycle for autoflower is roughly 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness for the entire life of the plant. The expected life cycle for these genetics is approximately 6-8 weeks from seed to harvest.
WHAT DOES PHOTOPERIOD MEAN?
Cannabis plants possessing photoperiod genetics require more input from the grower. These plants will remain in their vegetative state and continue to grow in size until the lighting cycle is adjusted. This allows you to “veg” a plant to a much larger size before initiating the flowering stage, potentially resulting in much higher yields in comparison to autoflower plants.
The suggested lighting cycle for photoperiod is 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness for the vegetative stage. Followed by 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness when you are ready to “flip” to the flowering stage. The expected life cycle for these genetics is approximately 12-16 weeks from seed to harvest.
WHAT DOES FEMINIZED MEAN?
Unfertilized female cannabis plants are the highest producers of THC and other desired cannabinoids. Because of this, we isolate them from their male counterparts to ensure they do not become fertilized during the growing process. If a female plant is exposed to pollen from a male, her flower and THC production will be greatly reduced. Seeds will also become present in the buds which is not desirable to the consumer. Pollen can be transferred through the air and does not require an insect or physical touch to jump from one plant to another. In most cases when the plants are able to be identified, growers will dispose of or isolate males before they are able to produce pollen.
EXISTING LIBRARY
WHAT IS THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)?
A crystalline compound that is the main active ingredient of cannabis. THC is psychoactive and is the main contributor to the “high” or “buzz” a person experiences when consuming cannabis.
WHAT IS A SATIVA?
Sativas are popular for day time use and tend to be more uplifting or energetic in their effects. Typically the plants are tall, thin and also display brighter greens than other genetics. The leaves of Sativa plants are usually skinnier and more pointed in their structure.
WHAT IS A HYBRID?
Hybrids are a mixture of Sativa and Indica genetics. They can vary in their balance as hybridization does not always result in a 50/50 relationship between Sativa and Indica traits. Hybrids allow for “fine tuning” of the plants desired effects or appearance.
WHAT IS AN INDICA?
Indicas are popular for night time use and tend to be more relaxing and sedative in their effects. Typically the plants are short, bushy and also display darker greens and even purples. The leaves of Indica plants are usually wider and more fan-shaped in their structure.
WHAT ARE TERPENES?
Terpenes are natural chemical compounds found in all plants in nature. They are responsible for the aromas, flavours, and effects a plant has when consumed. Cannabis producers are now testing for and listing terpenes on their packaging. These test results can be used as a guide to better predict the smell, taste, and expected effects of your product.
WHAT DOES FULL SPECTRUM MEAN?
This term is usually only used when describing various extracts like edibles or concentrates. Natural cannabis flower is all ready in its “full-spectrum” state. A full spectrum extract preserves all of the molecules found in the cannabis plant it was derived from. This is usually considered a “higher quality” extraction method.
WHAT IS A DISTILLATE?
Distillation is a post extraction process that isolates specific compounds from a source material. In terms of the cannabis plant, this specific compound is usually THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). All other compounds are lost or removed in the extraction process.
FULL SPECTRUM vs DISTILLATE
Distillates focus on extracting one element from the Cannabis plant (THC) and will usually have the highest possible THC content. When speaking about vapor products, producers will often add flavour to these products due to the fact they would have little to no flavour on their own.
Full Spectrum Extracts focus on extracting as much as possible from the plant and preserving the original or natural cannabis flavour. These extracts will have more depth with their effects due to the fact that they contain all the natural cannabis compounds like terpenes that distillates do not preserve.
WHAT IS HASH?
Hashish or “Hash” is produced through the removal of the cannabis plants trichomes using water, physical manipulation and temperature changes. Hash is typically a solvent-less extract and was one of the earliest forms of concentrated cannabis. Some of the first documented uses of hash date back to the 12th century! It is usually amber or dark brown in colour and comes in a variety of forms such as; Dry Sift, Pressed, Putty or Bubble Hash.
WHAT IS SHATTER?
Shatter gets its name from its glass-like consistency and is typically a translucent amber colour. It can be produced through a variety of extraction methods including, butane, alcohol and CO2. This extract is one of the purest forms of cannabis and usually ranges from 80-90% THC content. Most consumers prefer to “dab” shatter but it can be rolled into a joint or added to a bowl of flower for some extra kick.
WHAT IS ROSIN?
Rosin is another solvent-less cannabis extract produced using heat and extreme pressure. The process is often called “pressing” and is widely popular due to how easy and safe it is to do yourself. Many of the original cannabinoids are preserved in the final product and it is known for being one of the most flavorful forms of cannabis concentrate. Rosin usually takes on a dark amber colour and is oily and sticky in its consistency. Similar to shatter, most consumers prefer to “dab” rosin but it can be rolled into a joint or added to a bowl of flower.
WHAT IS WAX / CRUMBLE?
Waxes and Crumbles are dry cannabis concentrates that are similar to bees-wax in their consistency. They are credited with being the easiest to work with as a consumer due to the fact they are not overly sticky and can be worked with by hand rather than picks and tools. They are made through a chemical extraction process similar to shatter, using a solvent such as butane, alcohol, or CO2.
WHAT ARE DIAMONDS?
Diamonds are a hard, translucent crystal created through an elaborate multi-step process. They are not directly extracted from the cannabis plant but from a cannabis derivative (typically BHO). Positive pressure is applied to the extract vessel over a long period of time which forces crystals to form in the extract solution. Two finishing steps are used in the process depending on the desired final product.
Closed Loop:
Pure (Up to 99% THCA).
Caviar / Crystalline:
Terpenes are reintroduced to the extract solution before off gassing to add flavour and texture. Pure diamonds have little to no flavour on their own, hence the desire to reintroduce more cannabinoids and promote a more full-spectrum buzz.
WHAT IS AN EDIBLE?
Edible forms of cannabis differ from smokeables not only in the way they are ingested but also in their expected onset and duration. Their potencies are typically measured in milligrams rather than percentage due to the fact the weight of the product isn’t an important factor for comparison. All edibles have a prolonged onset time compared to a product that is smoked or vaped but can also be expected have much longer lasting effects!
The main formats of edibles on the market thus far include:
Solids – Gummies / Chocolates / Cookies / Hard Candies
Drinks & Drops – Ready To Drink Beverages / Teas / Infusers
Oils & Soft Gels – Sublingual Drops & Liquid Capsules
The main variable that determines onset time is the method of ingestion. Any edible that is held in the mouth (Sublingual Ingestion), like an oil or hard candy, can be expected to have a shortened onset time in comparison to anything that is swallowed. Due to the fact we are all unique individuals with different diets, metabolisms, and body mass; we encourage you START LOW & GO SLOW when experimenting with edibles for the first time. Be patient and make sure you wait for your product to “kick-in” before you consider taking another dose.