STELLAR
HARVEST
CANNABIS 101
People indulge in cannabis for a variety of reasons. Whether you are a medical or recreational cannabis user, chances are you will indulge in several strains and products until you find the right fit that works for you! Here at Stellar Harvest, we would like to empower you with knowledge while on this process of discovery. In the end, each person will favor multiple strains or products that will likely fall within the categories of indica, sativa, or hybrid. These broad categories allow us to make distinction between certain effects the plants may have, but there are several other compounds that play a role!
What's Indica?
What's Sativa?
What's a Hybrid?
CANNABINOIDS
WHAT ARE CANNABINOIDS?
All cannabis plants have dozens of different compounds called "cannabinoids." Cannabinoids contribute to the different effects that cannabis produces. Don't worry - you've probably already heard of some of the most popular cannabinoids!
Popular Cannabiniods:
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Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA)
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Cannabidiol (CBD)
Cannabigerol (CBG)
Keep on reading to learn more about each one!
THCA VS. THC
What is THCA?
When cannabis grows, it builds a profile full of cannabinoids unique to each plant. THC is the most well-known cannabinoid because of the psychoactive effects we get when consuming cannabis, but did you know that cannabis doesn’t directly produce THC? Instead, it creates all cannabinoids in an acid form, synthesizing tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). I know, crazy right?!
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THCA is non-psychoactive. To convert THCA to THC the cannabinoid must go through a process called decarboxylation. This begins to take place when fresh buds are dried and cured. However, most of the THCA converts to THC when exposed to heat, for example by smoking, vaporizing, or cooking edibles. THCA is basically THC in its acidic, non-psychoactive form.
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Click HERE to learn more about why, when & how you can use THCA!
What is THC?
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects that come with cannabis use, and depending on the strain of cannabis used, it can be one of the most abundant cannabinoids present in a product.
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Did you know that your body also makes cannabinoids? THC acts much like the cannabinoid chemicals made naturally by the human body! Cannabinoid receptors are concentrated in certain areas of the brain associated with thinking, memory, pleasure, coordination and time perception. THC attaches to these receptors and activates them and affects a person's memory, pleasure, movements, thinking, concentration, coordination, and sensory and time perception, according to NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse).
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Click HERE to learn more about why, when & how you can use THC!
OK, but what's CBD?
CBD is short for Cannabidol. CBD can be derived from both a marijuana plant and a hemp plant - the cousin to marijuana. CBD is just one of many moving parts of cannabis! CBD and THCA share a similar quality - they are both non-psychoactive.
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In 1940, Harvard-trained chemist Roger Adams extracted CBD from cannabis for the first time! Then Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, known as the “godfather of cannabis research,” took his work further and was able to describe the chemical structure of CBD. This helped with the creation of a foundation for further medical and therapeutic CBD research.
CBD has to be extracted from either a marijuana or hemp plant. Since hemp is very high in CBD, most CBD is extracted from hemp.
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Click HERE to learn more about why, when, and how you can use CBD!
Now there's CBG too?!
We've already discussed THC & CBD and their effects, but did you know there are many similar compounds in cannabis? Like the less popular cannabinoid called cannabigerol (CBG)! CBG isn't around in large quantities in most strains, like CBD or THC is, but its still pretty awesome.
Cannabis plants produce cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which is the precursor to the three main cannabinoids -
THCA, CBDA, and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA). Enzymes that are naturally present in cannabis plants breaks the CBGA down to the THCA, CBDA, and CBCA. Then, these are exposed to ultraviolet light or heat and breaks down and mainly becomes chemicals we are more familiar with; THC and CBD.
In order for us to get higher levels of just CBG, scientist have figured out the prime time to extract from budding plants. This time is about six weeks into an eight week flowering cycle.
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Click HERE to learn more about CBG!
Have you heard of Terpenes?
That's ok, we've got you.
We all know that cannabis has a certain recognizable...smell. Surprisingly, that one "skunky" smell we all associate with cannabis isn't alone. The scent that cannabis gives off is actually determined by what are called "terpenes". Terpenes are aromatic oils that are secreted by the same glands that create THC and CBD! Scents can range from skunky and sour to sweet and fruity! There are many factors that play a role in a cannabis plants creation of terpenes; like climate and weather, age and maturation, fertilizers and soil type, and it even can come down to the time of day!
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There have been over 100 different types of terpenes found in cannabis plants. Each cannabis plant has its own unique terpene types and compositions. Terpenes may also play a part in the effects that cannabis gives us. Some terpenes could help with relaxation and stress-relief, while others potentially promote focus and acuity.
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Click HERE to learn more about terpene types.