Intro to Cannabis
In addition to having medical, industrial, and religious applications, cannabis is one of the most popular recreational drugs around the world, coming in only behind alcohol, caffeine and tobacco.
In the United States alone, it is believed that over 100 million Americans have tried cannabis, with 25 million Americans having used it within the past year.
Now that cannabis is legal in California for anyone over the age of 21 to use, people are becoming more and more interested in trying it and learning about the different strains and their effects.
4Twenty Market provides a unique counseling approach that will help you identify the most effective cannabis strains and delivery methods to meet your individual needs. You’re encouraged to provide feedback during each visit to help us improve the quality and effectiveness of our product.
From cannabinoid and terpenoid assays to pathogen, pesticide and mold screening, 4Twenty Market oversees the most comprehensive medical cannabis quality assurance program in California.
Find what works for you
If you’re new to cannabis, you should know that an incredible variety of cannabis strains exist and each will produce their unique signature effects.
Here are just a few:
OG Legend
The House Collection – Known for its tart and pungent terpenes — with limonene, caryophyllene, and linalool leading the pack — OG Legend is a high-THC hybrid offering a fresh take on classic Kush, while still staying true to its West Coast roots and “no-ceiling” effects. Start slow with this high-potency hitter, and let it unlock your mind for a deliciously unforgettable journey.
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Trainwreck
The House Collection – Descended from the great Acapulco Gold of the 1970’s, this legendary flower hits like a freight train in delivering a clear and energetic up. With a complex taste and nose of spicy-apple and citrus, Trainwreck will get you through that daily to-do list with a smile, or happily punch up your evening party plans.
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Pincher’s Creek
The House Collection – Sweet, delightful, and functional, Pincher’s Creek produces a clear and uplifting sativa high that’s reminiscent of original Skunk. Wafting with sticky-sweet aromas of citrus, brown sugar, and banana-nut, Pincher’s comes at you with a fruity hashish flavor, and works like a charm for daytime boosts of energy or body support.
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OG Citron
Specialé ENHANCED+ – With all the smoothness and flavor of an OG Kush — alongside the easy up and extended ride from the super rare 2:1 THC-to-CBD ratio — it’s no wonder OG Citron has been a favorite for years. So let this legend deliver a fresh and citrusy blast for the senses, with all-day support for whatever your body or mind needs.
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Smoking is the most common method of using cannabis.
Cannabinoids, such as THC, in smoked cannabis reach the bloodstream within five seconds of inhalation. Peak blood levels of cannabinoids are achieved within five to ten minutes after smoking. The biggest advantages to smoking cannabis are the speed of effects and the ability to accurately gauge the dose.
Cannabis cigarettes (joints or blunts) are not very efficient, since only about a third of the available cannabinoids is absorbed by this method. Experienced cannabis smokers tend to be twice as efficient as novices at extracting cannabinoids from cannabis cigarettes.
Waterpipes (bongs) are more efficient than cigarettes, delivering over 50% of available cannabinoids. Because waterpipes deliver large volumes of smoke, the dose is difficult to gauge.
Glass pipes are the most efficient smoking method, as their small bowls encourage manageable doses. All glass pipes should regularly be cleaned of cannabis tar by scrubbing them with 90% rubbing alcohol and salt, then rinsing with water.
To properly smoke cannabis, you must both inhale and exhale normally. Studies have shown that breath holding beyond ten seconds does not increase cannabinoid absorption. Use the smallest dose of cannabis that produces medicinal effects. Wait at least ninety minutes between doses of smoked cannabis. When smoking, herbal cannabis flowers with higher cannabinoid content reduces exposure to irritating tars.
As the availability of medical and recreational cannabis has increased, so has the popularity of edibles.
The selection of cannabis infused food and drink is constantly expanding with dispensaries selling everything from medicated sodas to savory snacks. You can make your own at home! Essentially any recipe that calls for oil or butter can be infused with cannabis.
In the edible preparation process, the cannabinoids are combined with lipids (fats) and decarboxylated (heated) converting them from their acid forms into their activated states. The activated oil can also be ingested in pill form.
The effects associated with ingested cannabis last much longer than the other consumption methods (anywhere from 4 to 8+ hours) and can be significantly more intense. This is because THC, the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, is converted to the more psychoactive 11-hydroxy-THC by the liver. This compound is approximately 5 to 10 times stronger than the original THC. Smoked/vaporized cannabis does not have the same effect as it does not pass through the liver.
The downside to edibles is the delayed onset time, which can take anywhere from 20 to 90+ minutes. Onset time is directly related to digestive process – eating them on an empty stomach results in a faster processing and vice versa. The combination of delayed onset and variable potency make dosage control more challenging.
The effects of vaporizing cannabis are felt almost instantly.
A vaporizer is a device that heats cannabis buds and/or concentrates to 315-440°F (157-227°C), which causes the cannabinoids stored in the plant’s trichomes to evaporate into a gas without combusting any plant material. For reference, the boiling point of THC is generally accepted to be between 315°F (157°C) and 392°F (200°C). All other major non-psychoactive cannabinoids evaporate between 320°F (160°C) and 428°F (220°C).
The effects of vaporizing cannabis are felt almost instantly which makes dosage control easy. The cannabinoid-rich (up to 95%) vapor is free of tar and carcinogens, which is beneficial for those looking to avoid potential lung and respiratory irritation. As a bonus, many users prefer taste of vaporized cannabis to that of the combusted flower.
A tincture is a liquid cannabis concentrate derived through alcohol extraction.
Tinctures were once the most common form of medicinal cannabis in the United States, prior to their prohibition in 1937. Tinctures are typically administered sublingually – a few drops of the cannabinoid-rich liquid under the tongue is often a sufficient starting dose. Tinctures are available in a variety of potencies, cannabinoid profiles, and flavors.
Tinctures provide a rapid delivery without utilizing the lungs and allow for consistent dosing.
One major benefit to tinctures is the rapid onset relative to orally ingested edibles. The solution is absorbed by the arterial blood supply under the tongue within seconds. The mucosa lining inside the entire mouth and the tongue itself also play a role in the absorption process. The effects will be felt within roughly 15 minutes, allowing for easier dose control (relative to edibles). That said, try to leave the tincture under your tongue for as long as possible before swallowing – maximizing quick absorption to the bloodstream as opposed to processing through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, for those desiring the edible-effect, tinctures can be added to your favorite drink.