Cannabis Cheat Sheet
Learn the cannabis basics and understand what you’re buying.
1
Ways to consume cannabis
Cannabis comes in many different forms. To choose what form of cannabis to buy, first decide how you plan to consume it.
| Method | How it works | Forms of cannabis to buy | Onset | Duration | Pros | Cons |
| Smoking | Dried cannabis flowers can be smoked in a pipe, bong or a joint |
|
Within seconds of inhalation | From 1-3 hours |
Most control of strain, source, and cannabinoid content from using raw flower Effects felt almost instantly More affordable |
Contains carcinogens Inconsistent potency between each batch Harsher on lungs |
| Vaping | Using a vaporizer to heat the cannabis until it produces a vapour, which is then inhaled |
|
Within seconds of inhalation | From 1-3 hours |
More subtle, less odorous than smoking No smoke inhalation More control over the dose More convenient setup |
Can be more expensive Some require hours of recharging |
| Edible | Food and beverages that have been infused with cannabis |
|
15 minutes to 2 hours | Roughly 4-6 hours |
Effects last longer Discreet and convenient No toxicity from smoking |
Not instantaneous More difficult to dose correctly because of delayed onset Improper storage or labeling (especially when sharing) can lead to overconsumption |
| Tincture | Liquid cannabis concentrate that’s created with alcohol and applied under the tongue |
Concentrate (To make homemade tincture) |
15-30 minutes | A couple to several hours |
Long lasting and fast onset Discreet, convenient and no odour Easy to dose accurately No toxicity from smoking Better availability of less common |
Alcohol content may not be preferable to some Might have unpleasant taste Pricier |
| Topical | Lotion, balm or oil that has been infused with cannabis and can be applied on the skin. The effects are just felt locally. |
|
5 minutes to 2 hours | Up to 12 hours |
Targets localized pain and inflammation No psychoactive effects Very discreet No inhalation required |
Some products may contain parabens or artificial fragrances |
| Oil | Made by extracting cannabinoids into a carrier oil. Often applied under the tongue |  Oil |
15 minutes to 1 hour | 4-10 hours | Fast onset Easy to dose accurately No toxic chemicals No lung or throat irritation Availability of pure CBD |
Pricier |
| Dabbing (For high tolerance users only) | Heating a small amount of highly potent cannabis concentrate or extract to create a vapor which is inhaled. | Extract |
Seconds after inhalation | 1-3 hours |
High potency for serious and immediate relief Heightened flavor and taste Less odorous than smoking Easier on lungs than smoking |
May be contaminated if made incorrectly Releases carcinogens Quickly raises tolerance with regular use May cause negative effects if user is inexperienced |
Dried flower
Pre-rolled joint
Vape cartridge liquid
Edible
Topical2
What are THC and CBD?
THC and CBD are two types of cannabinoids. Each strain has different levels of THC and CBD, which affect your mind and body in different ways.
| What is THC (Short for tetrahydrocannabinol) | What is CBD (Short for cannabidiol) | When CBD is combined with THC |
|
|
|
| THC-Dominant | CBD-Dominant |
 Very psychoactive
|
 Very low psychoactivity
|
 Shorter lasting
|
 Longer lasting
|
 Uplifting
|
 Body and mind relaxation
|
 Euphoric
|
 Clear-headed
|
 Soothing
|
Soothing
|
3
How strong
This depends on your experience level and of course, how high you want to get. We measure potency by THC. That’s because THC is the only chemical that can make you high.
Find the right THC range for you (Measured by total THC %):
| How potent? | TOTAL THC % | What does ‘total THC %’ mean? | |
|
|
We measure THC potency as a percentage of the total cannabis weight. So if a product is labelled 20% THC, it means that 20% of the total content is made up of THC, which is strong. Important to note:
|
4
All about terpenes
Each cannabis strain contains a different set of terpenes. These are aromatic oils that give a strain its unique scent and flavour, and can affect your body and mind. Each terpene offers something a little different. You can filter your search by the terpenes you like.
Most common terpenes
Myrcene |
Earthy, fruity Associated with relaxation |
Pinene |
Woody, pine, rosemary, orange peels Associated with alertness and focus |
Caryophyllene |
Spicy, woody, black pepper, cloves Associated with mind and body relaxation |
Humulene |
Hoppy beer, earthy green Associated with relaxation |
Limonene |
Citrus, lemon, lime, orange Associated with mood boosting and energizing effects |
Terpinolene |
Sweet, floral, fruity, apple, pear Associated with uplifting effects |
Linalool |
Floral, sweet, lavender Associated with mood boosting and relaxation |
5
How much to buy
Dried cannabis flower can be bought in different quantities. The smallest amount you can buy is 1g. The most you can legally buy at a time is 30g. The more you buy at a time, the cheaper the cost per gram.
As a reference, 1g = 1 large joint or 2 small joints
1
Ways to consume cannabis
Cannabis comes in many different forms. To choose what form of cannabis to buy, first decide how you plan to consume it.
| Method | Smoking |
| How it works | Dried cannabis flowers can be smoked in a pipe, bong or a joint |
| Forms of cannabis to buy |
|
| Onset | Within seconds of inhalation |
| Duration | From 1-3 hours |
| Pros |
Most control of strain, source, and cannabinoid content from using raw flower Effects felt almost instantly More affordable |
| Cons |
Contains carcinogens Inconsistent potency between each batch Harsher on lungs |
| Method | Vaping |
| How it works | Using a vaporizer to heat the cannabis until it produces a vapour, which is then inhaled |
| Forms of cannabis to buy |
|
| Onset | Within seconds of inhalation |
| Duration | From 1-3 hours |
| Pros |
More subtle, less odorous than smoking No smoke inhalation More control over the dose More convenient setup |
| Cons |
Can be more expensive Some require hours of recharging |
| Method | Vaping |
| How it works | Using a vaporizer to heat the cannabis until it produces a vapour, which is then inhaled |
| Forms of cannabis to buy |
|
| Onset | Within seconds of inhalation |
| Duration | From 1-3 hours |
| Pros |
More subtle, less odorous than smoking No smoke inhalation More control over the dose More convenient setup |
| Cons |
Can be more expensive Some require hours of recharging |
| Method | Edible |
| How it works | Food and beverages that have been infused with cannabis |
| Forms of cannabis to buy |
|
| Onset | 15 minutes to 2 hours |
| Duration | Roughly 4-6 hours |
| Pros |
Effects last longer Discreet and convenient No toxicity from smoking |
| Cons |
Not instantaneous More difficult to dose correctly because of delayed onset Improper storage or labeling (especially when sharing) can lead to overconsumption |
| Method | Tincture |
| How it works | Liquid cannabis concentrate that’s created with alcohol and applied under the tongue |
| Forms of cannabis to buy |
Concentrate (To make homemade tincture) |
| Onset | 15-30 minutes |
| Duration | A couple to several hours |
| Pros |
Long lasting and fast onset Discreet, convenient and no odour Easy to dose accurately No toxicity from smoking Better availability of less common |
| Cons |
Alcohol content may not be preferable to some Might have unpleasant taste Pricier |
| Method | Topical |
| How it works | Lotion, balm or oil that has been infused with cannabis and can be applied on the skin. The effects are just felt locally. |
| Forms of cannabis to buy |
|
| Onset | 5 minutes to 2 hours |
| Duration | Up to 12 hours |
| Pros |
Targets localized pain and inflammation No psychoactive effects Very discreet No inhalation required |
| Cons | Some products may contain parabens or artificial fragrances |
| Method | Oil |
| How it works | Made by extracting cannabinoids into a carrier oil. Often applied under the tongue |
| Forms of cannabis to buy |
Oil
|
| Onset | 15 minutes to 1 hour |
| Duration | 4-10 hours |
| Pros |
Fast onset Easy to dose accurately No toxic chemicals No lung or throat irritation Availability of pure CBD |
| Cons | Pricier |
| Method | Dabbing (For high tolerance users only) |
| How it works | Heating a small amount of highly potent cannabis concentrate or extract to create a vapor which is inhaled. |
| Forms of cannabis to buy |
Extract
|
| Onset | Seconds after inhalation |
| Duration | 1-3 hours |
| Pros |
High potency for serious and immediate relief Heightened flavor and taste Less odorous than smoking Easier on lungs than smoking |
| Cons |
May be contaminated if made incorrectly Releases carcinogens Quickly raises tolerance with regular use May cause negative effects if user is inexperienced |
2
What are THC and CBD?
THC and CBD are two types of cannabinoids. Each strain has different levels of THC and CBD, which affect your mind and body in different ways.
| What is THC (Short for tetrahydrocannabinol) |
|
| What is CBD (Short for cannabidiol) |
|
| When CBD is combined with THC |
|
| THC-Dominant |
|
Very psychoactive
|
|
Shorter lasting
|
|
Uplifting
|
|
Euphoric
|
|
Soothing
|
| CBD-Dominant |
|
Very low psychoactivity
|
|
Longer lasting
|
|
Body and mind relaxation
|
|
Clear-headed
|
|
Soothing
|
3
How Strong
This depends on your experience level and of course, how high you want to get. We measure potency by THC. That’s because THC is the only chemical that can make you high. Find the right THC range for you (Measured by total THC %):
| How potent? | TOTAL THC % | |
|
|
|
|
What does ‘total THC %’ mean? |
|
We measure THC potency as a percentage of the total cannabis weight. So if a product is labelled 20% THC, it means that 20% of the total content is made up of THC, which is strong.
Important to note:
|
4
All about terpenes
Each cannabis strain contains a different set of terpenes. These are aromatic oils that give a strain its unique scent and flavour, and can affect your body and mind. Each terpene offers something a little different. You can filter your search by the terpenes you like.
Most common terpenes
Myrcene |
Earthy, fruity Associated with relaxation |
Pinene |
Woody, pine, rosemary, orange peels Associated with alertness and focus |
Caryophyllene |
Spicy, woody, black pepper, cloves Associated with mind and body relaxation |
Humulene |
Hoppy beer, earthy green Associated with relaxation |
Limonene |
Citrus, lemon, lime, orange Associated with mood boosting and energizing effects |
Terpinolene |
Sweet, floral, fruity, apple, pear Associated with uplifting effects |
Linalool |
Floral, sweet, lavender Associated with mood boosting and relaxation |
5
How much to buy
Dried cannabis flower can be bought in different quantities. The smallest amount you can buy is 1g. The most you can legally buy at a time is 30g. The more you buy at a time, the cheaper the cost per gram.
As a reference, 1g = 1 large joint or 2 small joints
I'm new. What should I do?
If you’re just starting out, follow the golden rule:
Start low, go slow until you know
- Choose a strain with lower THC level
- Try a bit at a time
- See how your body reacts
- Adjust accordingly
Why we don't care about indica and sativa
When people classify cannabis by indica or sativa, they’re doing it wrong. Sativa and indica are 2 types of cannabis plants that may look different from each other, but are no different when it comes to the effects. We wish the industry was more honest about that.
At one point, it may have been possible to predict the effects a plant would have, but our industry has interbred these two plants to such a degree that there’s no longer a pure indica or sativa plant.
I'm new. What should I do?
If you’re just starting out, follow the golden rule:
Start low, go slow until you know
- Choose a strain with lower THC level
- Try a bit at a time
- See how your body reacts
- Adjust accordingly
Why we don't care about indica and sativa
When people classify cannabis by indica or sativa, they’re doing it wrong. Sativa and indica are 2 types of cannabis plants that may look different from each other, but are no different when it comes to the effects. We wish the industry was more honest about that.
At one point, it may have been possible to predict the effects a plant would have, but our industry has interbred these two plants to such a degree that there’s no longer a pure indica or sativa plant.