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Need help choosing cannabis products?

Two questions: The occasion & how do you want to consume it?

Then: what to hold

Cannabis can be consumed in a wide variety of ways.

Inhaled

Felt within seconds to minutes, full strength in 10–30 minutes, and can last up to 6 hours (some effects up to 24). Health Canada suggests new consumers start with flower under 10% THC, or with as much CBD as THC.

Ingested

Nothing for 30 minutes to 2 hours, full strength can take up to 4 hours, and it can last up to 12 (some effects up to 24). Health Canada suggests 2.5 mg of THC or less to start, then wait.

On the skin

Creams, balms and lotions with cannabis in them, applied to the skin. Not for smoking or eating.

Gear

No cannabis in these, and the same shelf as everything they go with.

Not sure where to start?

Boarding is the mild end of the menu: under 20% THC, 2.5 mg or less per piece, or as much CBD as THC. Ask at the counter, or start on the New to Cannabis guide.

Strength, in plain terms

Flower, pre-rolls and vapes are labelled in % — how much of the product is THC. The number is on every product label on the menu, so you can compare before you come in. Cannabis products can vary in terms of strength so the product label is your best starting point. Health Canada suggests people new to cannabis look for 10% THC or less; if nothing on the shelf is that mild, ask us and we will point you at the gentlest thing on our menu

Edibles and drinks are labelled in mg — the total THC in the package. Health Canada caps a package of edible cannabis at 10 mg of THC, so 10 mg is the most you will find in one pack. A pack of five 2 mg pearls splits that same 10 mg five ways. Health Canada’s advice for a first edible is 2.5 mg or less, which is where our Boarding list starts.

If you are new to any of this, one is plenty to start. You can always have more next time.

The other letters on the label

Cannabis contains more than 100 cannabinoids. Here are some of the most common ones you will see.

THCTetrahydrocannabinol
Intoxicating

The main cannabinoid in most products, and the one the THC % or mg on the label refers to. On every legal label.

CBDCannabidiol
Not intoxicating

Not intoxicating on its own. On every legal label, beside the THC number.

CBNCannabinol
Barely active

Forms as THC ages and oxidises. Roughly a tenth as active at the receptor as THC.

CBGCannabigerol
Not intoxicating

Present in small amounts. Not intoxicating in any meaningful way.

CBCCannabichromene
Not intoxicating

Present in lesser amounts. Not intoxicating.

THCVTetrahydrocannabivarin
Not intoxicating

Related to THC but behaves differently at the receptor. Seen on some ratio products.

Terpenes, briefly

Terpenes are the aroma compounds in cannabis — the same family of molecules that make lemon peel smell like lemon and pine needles smell like pine. Every strain has its own mix, and that mix is what you smell when you open a jar.

Earthy & musky

MYRCENEEarthy, musky, faintly fruityAlso in mango, hops and thyme
HUMULENEWoody, earthy, hoppyAlso in hops and coriander
BORNEOLEarthy with a camphor edgeAlso in rosemary and camphor

Citrus

LIMONENEBright citrus peelAlso in lemon and orange rind
NEROLFresh citrus with a rose noteAlso in lemongrass and hops
CITRONELLOLLemony and rosyAlso in citronella and geranium

Pine & herbal

PINENEPine needles, fresh forestAlso in pine, rosemary and basil
TERPINOLENEPiney and herbal, slightly floralAlso in nutmeg, apple and cumin
EUCALYPTOLCool, minty, eucalyptusAlso in eucalyptus and tea tree
CARENESweet pine and cedarAlso in cypress and rosemary

Floral

LINALOOLLavender and soft floralsAlso in lavender and coriander
GERANIOLRose and geraniumAlso in roses and lemongrass
TERPINEOLLilac and light floralsAlso in lilac and pine
BISABOLOLSoft floral, chamomile-likeAlso in chamomile

Spicy & peppery

BETA-CARYOPHYLLENEBlack pepper, clove, woodAlso in black pepper and cloves
SABINENEPeppery and spicy with woodAlso in black pepper and nutmeg
CYMENESpicy, woody, a little sharpAlso in cumin and thyme

Sweet & fruity

OCIMENESweet, herbal, tropicalAlso in mint, parsley and mango
VALENCENESweet orangeAlso in Valencia oranges
PHELLANDRENEMinty with a citrus edgeAlso in mint and dill

Woody

NEROLIDOLBark and wood with a floral traceAlso in ginger, jasmine and tea tree
CEDRENECedarwoodAlso in cedar and cypress

Skunky & cheesy

Skunky and cheesy are aroma groups rather than single terpenes. These are blends of the ones mentioned above — myrcene, pinene, beta-caryophyllene, limonene and linalool. The sharp skunk note sitting on top of that blend comes from volatile sulfur compounds, the same family of molecules behind garlic and onion.

The practical use: your nose is a fair guide. If you like the way a product smells, you will probably like the product.