Ohio recreational marijuana for beginners: Navigating THC, pre-rolls, edibles and terpenes
Last month, Ohio voters chose for Ohio to become the 24th state to approve the sale of recreational marijuana.
Starting on Dec. 7, anyone over the age of 21 can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and 15 grams of extracts. Adults 21 and older can grow up to six plants individually and no more than 12 in a household with multiple adults. However, some of this could change as Ohio lawmakers are expected to make changes to the law as early as this week. Answers were generated by Dispatch research from multiple marijuana experts.
When can I buy recreational marijuana?
The state still has some kinks to work out. Even though recreational marijuana officially becomes legal on Dec. 7, sales aren't expected to start until sometime next year. The Division of Cannabis Control must establish rules for packaging and product standards, licensing and more.
If you're new to marijuana, the world of THC, CBD, terpenes, edibles and pre-rolls might make your head spin. The we compiled answers to common questions for people who may want to wade into the weeds.
So, what is cannabis?
Cannabis is the catch-all term for a family of plants within the Cannabis sativa family. All products harvested from this plant are considered cannabis. The plant contains about 540 chemicals and is versatile. It can be smoked or made into butter, candy, drinks, topical oils, lotions, vapes and other products.
While there is some debate on whether to use the term cannabis or marijuana, people will know what you're talking about when you use either term.
Are THC and CBD different?
Both THC and CBD are derived from the cannabis sativa plant and are considered cannabinoids, but they affect users in different ways.
THC, the naturally occurring ingredient in marijuana that produces the "high" feeling, is a psychoactive that can affect mood, time perception and heightened senses. CBD, on the other hand, does not produce a "high," but instead promotes relaxation and can be used in medicinal settings for pain management, nausea and insomnia.
THC content in cannabis products varies widely, so it helps to know the full spectrum of the THC scale whether you're a beginner or an expert user. The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) established the standard unit of THC at 5mg.
Generally speaking, marijuana flower that's between 7% and 11.99% will produce a mild effect for users. Flower with a THC content between 12% and 16.9% is considered to have medium potency, and flower with a THC content between 17% and 20% is considered high potency.
Marijuana has a THC limit of roughly 35%.
While it's good to have these numbers and percentages in mind while shopping, keep in mind that each person's body breaks down THC differently, and some may have different tolerance levels.
CBD can be found in certain extracts, oils, topical products and vapes, and is known more for its medicinal benefits, such as pain management. CBD is also used to manage epilepsy and is found in the FDA-backed prescription oil called Epidolex. Researchers are still learning more about CBD and its potential usage.
What are terpenes?
The different aromas that accompany the vast strains of marijuana are due to the naturally occurring compound called terpenes.
This chemical is found in a variety of animals and plants (besides marijuana) including, lavender oil, sage and thyme. Terpenes also serve the practical purpose of protecting the marijuana plant from predators while in the wild or making itself more attractive to particular creatures.
Cannabis contains over 150 types of terpenes, and the stronger, more powerful ones come together to give the different cannabis strains a unique scent profile and taste.
Different factors can affect the terpene profile of a particular plant, such as whether or not it was grown indoors or outdoors, the type of soil used, the types of plants grown nearby, and a host of other elements. The popular Cherry Pie strain, for example, is known for its sweet, earthy and herbal aroma.
What are edibles?
Edibles are foods with cannabis baked, cooked or infused into them. Dispensaries sell a range of these products, including cookies, gummies, candy bars and drinks.
Be careful when biting into the first edible your friend gives you. Different products have different levels of THC, so make sure you ask about the dosage before taking a bite, or you may be in for a long day and a bad high.
Additionally, edibles take longer to have a noticeable effect compared to smoking, which may prompt you to eat more so it hits faster. Instead, this will cause the effect to hit you harder and, depending on your tolerance, may result in a bad experience. When it comes to consuming edibles, patience and restraint is key.
When buying edibles, the main thing to look for is the number of milligrams (mg) in the package. For example, a 100 mg package of 10 edibles means the whole package contains 100mg and each piece is 10 mg.
For a general idea of dosages to take:
1 mg to 2.5 mg is considered a "microdose" and is good for first-time users. You may feel more relaxed, and any pain or nausea you may be experiencing could fade away without you feeling high.
A "moderate" dose sits between 2.5 and 15 mg and is for more experienced users. This dosage will produce a high and may leave users feeling more social, goofy and even euphoric. It's also great for people with persistent sleep or pain issues.
A "high" dosage, anywhere from 20 mg to 50 mg, is reserved for seasoned consumers and should be taken with caution due to the punch that it packs.
The amount of time it takes to feel the effects will vary from person to person and depends on several factors, including tolerance, and digestion time. This also applies to how long the highs last. While the high generally lasts longer than when smoking (typically 6 to 8 hours), it all boils down to each person's metabolism.
Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid: What's the difference?
You may have heard about different strains of cannabis and the effects that they can have. While they all produce a high, each provides a unique experience that may be better suited to certain situations than others.
Sativa
Cannabis sativa is usually found growing in hot and dry places such as Africa, South America and parts of Asia. This strain gives users a cerebral high and produces an energetic feeling. Since it has stimulating effects, experts say it's better for daytime use. This strain generally has more CBD compared to the indica strain. Some other effects from consuming sativa include:
An overall uplifting mood
Increased creativity and ideas
Increased energy and more apt to socialization
There are hundreds of sativa products sold by different dispensaries. Sour Diesel, Durban Poison, Green Crack, Blue Dream and Strawberry Cough are just a few of the varieties you can experiment with to find the right high.
Indica
You may have heard some people refer to the indica strain as "in-da-couch." That's because this popular strain is known for giving users a body high and is favored by most for its relaxing and drowsy effect. It can also help users manage symptoms like insomnia, nausea and pain, and can also help increase appetite (commonly known as the munchies).
Just like sativa, indica also boasts hundreds of different strains to choose from:
Grandaddy Purple (known for its sweet berry scent and relaxing effects)
Ice Cream Cake (users have said this strain may cause some giggly euphoria)
Purple Punch
Hybrid
Hybrids are strains that blend both sativa and indica together, offering users something from both worlds.
Cultivators and growers take the best of both strains and combine them to create unique experiences for users. You can usually find hybrid strains at any dispensary with a descriptor of what it's been cross-bred with and what effects will be most prominent upon consumption.
Ways to roll up: Blunts and joints
The most common way people enjoy Mary Jane is by smoking it. There's an innocuous debate within the cannabis community about what's better: joints or blunts. You can also smoke from an array of one-hitters, water pipes or glassware.
While smoking either of these will result in a high, there are key differences between these two methods of smoking, some with more health risks than others.
Blunts
Blunts are cigars that have had the tobacco removed and replaced with marijuana. These can be purchased at any convenience store or gas station for $1 or less and come in different flavors.
Blunts provide a thicker, slower burn and are one of the most popular ways to enjoy smoking. A blunt can hold between one and two grams of weed when wrapped. You may also hear blunts referred to as "Backwoods" or "Swisher Sweets," which are two popular brands used to smoke.
Blunts also burn slower compared to joints and tend to last longer.
Since blunts come with tobacco, they do provide a more enhanced experience when smoking. However, keep in mind that you are also adding nicotine to the experience, which in turn can become addictive and bring its own health complications.
Joints
A joint is simply hand-rolled marijuana inside rolling papers that doesn't include tobacco. You can find rolling papers at your local smoke shop and some gas stations. Most joints aren't that large and contain about one-third of a gram of weed, but can have more depending on the size of the paper.
Joints don't come with additional substances like blunts, so smokers tend to report feeling the actual effect of the strain they're smoking. There are also fewer health risks when compared to blunts.
Whether you choose to roll up with a blunt or a joint, using either of these requires knowing how to properly roll them to get the most out of your weed. Check out this article by Verts Dispensary to learn how to roll properly.
Many dispensaries also sell pre-rolled joints.
@ShahidMeighan
smeighan@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio recreational marijuana: A beginner's guide for new users
