Blog

How Much Cannabis Can You Legally Possess

How much cannabis can you legally possess

If you are a customer who is looking to purchase or use the Cannabis flower in any Hamilton Weed Dispensary or products, there are certain government guidelines and restrictions that you need to follow. There are restrictions set on how much Cannabis you can legally possess at one time, and before you go out and make a purchase, you must be aware of these limits and read the cannabis label carefully.

What is the minimum age for possession?

Under the federal Cannabis Act, individuals who are of 18 years or older can possess cannabis following certain limitations. Although the minimum age for the general public is 18, each province and territory can have their own laws about it. Most provinces like Ontario have raised this minimum age to 19, and some, such as Quebec even have the minimum age at 21.

No person is allowed to sell or give Cannabis to a person under the age of 18 or the minimum age requirement. Any person using youth for a cannabis-related offence or selling or giving a youth Cannabis can get a penalty of 14 years in jail maximum.

How much Cannabis can you possess?

Any person who is of legal age can have up to 30 grams of dried Cannabis under the law. However, a problem arises with the various other forms of cannabis available. Since there is so much variety of cannabis products, the government has devised equivalent amounts so the consumer can develop a conversion method and have an idea of a general limit.

The limit of 30 grams of dried Cannabis, under the federal law is equivalent to:

150g of fresh cannabis
450g of edible Cannabis products
2100g or 2.1 litres of liquid Cannabis products.
7.5g of concentrates
30 Cannabis seeds
If you wish to grow Cannabis for personal use, you are allowed to have 4 plants per residence. The seeds or seedlings should be purchased from a licensed store.

Under the same act, 1gram of the dried Cannabis is set equal to:

5g of fresh cannabis
15g of edible Cannabis product
70g or 70ml of liquid Cannabis product
25g of concentrates. These can be liquid or solid.
1 Cannabis seed.

Regulation of cannabis

The Cannabis regulation falls under federal, provincial and territorial jurisdiction.

The federal government is responsible for regulating producers and growers that manufacture Cannabis and all related products to make sure it is safe and of good quality.

They are also responsible for the industry rules and standards set regarding the types of products sold, packaging and labelling requirements, standard sizes, potency, tracking etc.

The provinces are responsible for the distribution and sale of cannabis. They can add further safety measures such as:

Increasing the minimum age limit
Lowering the personal possession limit in their jurisdiction
Create additional rules for growing Cannabis. E.g. limiting the number of plants per residence.
Restricting where people can consume Cannabis e.g. public spaces.

Possession of cannabis greater than the limit is considered a criminal offence and has a penalty of up to 5 years in jail. Production and cultivation of cannabis beyond the set personal limits can also result in jail time of up to 14 years. For this reason, each individual has to make sure that they are obeying all laws and regulations set about the possession of cannabis.

Difference Between Hybrid and Balanced Cannabis

Difference between Hybrid and Balanced cannabis

Even though there are 3 main types of Cannabis plants, there are a lot of variations to them in our Hamilton Weed Dispensary Store. There are different strains and hybrids that have been produced and keeping track of all of them is next to impossible. Knowing the differences between the numerous types of cannabis can also be a hassle, leaving the customer more confused than ever. One of the most common questions is the difference between balanced and hybrid Cannabis so let’s further discuss what they are.

Classification of Cannabis

Mainly the Cannabis flower can be divided into 2

Sativa
Indica

In addition to these 2, you can also have a mixture of the 2 types which are known as hybrids. In these hybrids, different quantities of the 2 Cannabis types are used. The term hybrid refers to the fact that the new plant is a mix containing the Sativa and Indica strain.

There are many differences between these 2 strains of cannabis, from their general appearance to how they are grown. However, one of the most important differences is between the chemicals that each produce and what effects those chemicals have on the person.

Indica

The Indica type most commonly produces somatic effects. Somatic refers to the physical symptoms one may have.
It is the best fit for a quiet and relaxed time during the evenings or night for low activity, at home or before sleep.
The appearance of the plant is stocky and short, containing wide leaves.
The origin was previously said to be India; however, newer research shows that the origin of the plant may have been from Afghanistan.

Sativa

Is known to produce cerebral effects. They affect the brain and stimulate it.
This type of cannabis is chosen in more social settings where you might need to be more physically active or productive. It is a great choice for situations where creativity might come into play.
These pants are generally taller, up to 12 ft. They are slim with longer leaves.
It originally came from countries closer to the equator, such as Mexico, Thailand etc.

What is a hybrid plant?

The hybrid plant has traits from both its parent plants, Indica and sativa. The amount of traits from each plant can differ depending on the hybrid made and the breeders choice. The plant may be Sativa dominant or Indica dominant, depending on their genetic makeup and the effects you want to achieve. Each component adds a unique ability to the new hybrid plant. The various strains combine together to produce something that has properties from both the plants but is something completely different and new.

What is a balanced strain?

In a balanced strain, the balance refers to the amount of CBD and THC present in the strain. So a balanced product has a 1:1 of CBD and THC. The combination of the psychoactives create a unique sensation and effect for its consumers. When the 2 are present in equal parts, they produce a gentle but different effect. The psychoactive properties kick in when the product is taken in moderate doses.

Some examples of the ratios available include:

1:1. Here the product contains equal portions of CBD and THC.
1:2. In this ratio, the product contains more amounts of THC than CBD
2:1. The amount of CBD is higher than the amount of THC present.

What are THC and CBD?

THC is one of the most common cannabinoids present in the Cannabis plant. It contains the psychoactive properties that are responsible for producing a “high”. The THC dominant products contain little amounts of CBD and are intoxicating, giving a psychedelic effect.

CBD is the second most common cannabinoid present in the Cannabis plant. Unlike THC, CBD does not have any psychedelic effects. CBD dominant products that have little amounts of THC do not give a high; instead, they give a general feeling of relaxation and calmness.

In conclusion, a balanced strain talks about the THC and CBD content in the plant, whereas a hybrid refers to the strain of the plant itself from Sativa and Indica. Each of the strains, Sativa, Indica or their Hybrid, can be THC dominant, CBD dominant or balanced, having a ratio of 1:1. The important factor to remember is in reference to the species of plant and the content of THC and CBD in the plant.

How to read Cannabis labels

Even with the legalization of cannabis products, many consumers are still skeptical about trying them due to the excessive labelling. For an average person, the copious amounts of warnings, dosages and numbers can be extremely confusing and thus be off-putting to a first-time user. So, how do you decipher these endless labels to find what you are looking for?

Different kinds of labels

With the legalization of products containing CBD and THC, there are regulations set in place. These regulations make sure that each product has a clear indication that it contains cannabis along with the percentages. The products can contain labels of all safety warnings, information about the product itself, product name, the potency information as well as the branding from the licensed producer.

For newcomers, all the general information may also come off as extremely confusing. Some vendors tend to list 2 different numbers for the THC and the CBD content in the product. Along with that, different variations of Active THC, total THC, THCA and potential THC may be listed on the cannabis product. All of it combined can be overwhelming for any customer. So let’s break the measurements down and read into what the numbers actually mean.

The ABC's of CBD and THC

There is no need to give yourself a headache while reading all the different numbers on the labels. The 2 numbers actually indicate 2 different measurements of the same thing, being THC and CBD.

Firstly, let’s take a look at the THC numbers. The higher or, the greater number is to denote the amount of THC present in its primary form. This is when it is created from the plant itself and is called THCA ( tetrahydrocannabinol acid).

The THCA/ total THC/ potential THC etc. numbers refer to the total amount of THC that will be produced after the heating or carboxylation process. That is when the THCA is converted over.

When the carboxylation occurs, this THCA is converted into plain THC, which is in the form that our body uses.

The smaller number of THC on the product represents this plain THC in the plant. If a person were to eat a whole bud raw, that smaller number is the amount of THC would get in the system. Initially, when Cannabis products first came out, these numbers were displayed in an organized and efficient manner. Some standard practices included:

Having a single standardized cannabis symbol clearly stating that the product contained cannabis.
Brand name of the cannabis product. This told the customer what the product actually was.
The CBD and the THC content are clearly marked.
Any warning signs and messages for health.
Any other branding of the product, including any logos.
Useful information about the product that was required.
Any other non-essential information about the product.
Nutritional label containing the facts about the product.
List of ingredients that product contains.

However, all this changed when other edible Cannabis entered the market.

Cannabis products and edibles.

The cannabis flower and its products are measured in percentages. This paints a relatively simple picture explaining how much cannabinoid and terpene are in each bud.

On the other hand, edibles are more precise; hence they have a different way of measurement altogether. Since you add in disstailate that has been measured exactly to the mg, you are able to get exact quantities for each product. For example, if you add 1000mg of distillate to a tray of brownies and then divide the tray into 10 pieces, you can figure out exactly that each piece contains a 100mg of THC. The type of brownie or food does not play any factor in the potency of the THC. The brownies simply act as a delivery system for the CBD and THC. A small piece of brownie can contain 10mg of THC, whereas a whole cake can also contain the same 10mg of THC.

Thus, when it came to releasing edibles into the market, the section was made to keep the measurements simple by having the same units for both the flower and the edibles. As we already discussed, it was next to impossible to measure the edibles in percentages. So, the Cannabis flower measurements were converted to mg to maintain a standard.

This caused a little trouble as the flowers came in many different shapes and sizes, so the vendors had to measure the mg per some amount. Most ended up choosing mg/g, which allowed for much simpler conversions.

Comparing flower to edibles

These conversations caused a lot of confusion among the consumers. It added another step in the whole process of purchasing Cannabis where the customer would have to do math in order to get the perfect product for them. However, the main problem with the conversion is that consumers start to believe that both the flower and the edibles can be compared in terms of their potency. They often get confused and believe that since they smoke a certain percentage of the flower, that they will need the same mg of edible to reach the same effect.

This is entirely not true. The potency of the edibles is entirely different from that of the flower. When you smoke the flower, the THC is absorbed by the lungs and goes directly to the brain to produce the effects. On the flip side, with edibles, they are firstly absolved by the stomach and then the liver before they can even enter the bloodstream. The liver also changes the form of the THC to 11- hydroxy- THC, which is far more potent than its simpler form. It has a much longer half-life as well, which makes the high longer. Therefore it can cause adverse effects if taken without precaution, especially for those who try it for the first time.

When starting for the first time, the recommended dosage is 2mg of edibles, no matter how experienced the person is with smoking the flower. Even if the user has a developed tolerance for the flower, chances are that they don’t have a tolerance for the 11-hydroxy THC, which is why you should always begin slowly.

In conclusion, there is some amount of math involved with selecting THC and CBD edibles and flowers. All the numbers and measurements can seem confusing at first, but the trick is to go slowly to reach the optimum amount for you. More often than not, the vendor will have already done measurements for you, and you won’t have to do the math yourself.

Ways To Consume Cannabis Without Smoking Weed

Cannabis has many benefits associated with it and it can truly help many people with diseases or manage pain. However, most people don’t favour smoking cannabis to get their fix. Well, there are many alternative ways to reap the benefits of smoking weed without actually having to smoke it.

Edibles

This is one of the most popular ways to get the effects of marijuana responsibly . You can combine the cannabis with your cooking skills and create your own delicious snacks to consume the herb. A very famous way of absorbing the THC and CBD is by eating pot brownies or gummies. You can go as creative or as simple as your cooking skills allow when it comes to edibles. You will generally need a gram of ground-up cannabis per serving but it is best if you follow an exact recipe to make sure the measurements are precise. Edibles allow for a lot of creativity and variety when it comes to getting your fix and gives you a slower but fuller body high.

Creams and balms

If you are not a fan of smoking weed yet you still want the pain-relieving properties, then external use creams and balms are the best options. They are for topical use only, and they penetrate the skin which can be extremely beneficial for inflamed joints or other external pains. When purchasing a balm with cannabis you should look for the THC-activated kind and focus on the words “full-spectrum” to get the most effectiveness. Some lotions and salves might also contain other herbs along with cannabis which can further increase the effects of the cannabidiol.

Concentrated extracts

You can also get a concentrate of THC and CBD from a local supplier. This is a relatively pure and clean way to get the advantages associated with smoking or vaping weed. You get many variations with the tinctures themselves as they are available in varying strengths. You can ask your supplier about the recommended dosage and it is made easy to measure with the dropper on the tincture itself. Remember to always start small as the high kicks in pretty quickly. You can then adjust the amount you want to use according to your preference. These concentrates come in a small easy to carry bottle thus can be much more discreet than a joint or a vape.

Cannabis patches

The transdermal cannabis patches are a great option if you are looking for a slow stream of THC or CBD directly in your bloodstream. It allows you to get all the regular effects of smoking weed but a little subdued. That is why they are perfect for people who are new to smoking cannabis or aren’t looking for a major high. The patches can be placed anywhere on the body so they are extremely easy to cover up therefore allowing you to go about your day without having to think twice about getting high.

Weed suppositories

Weed suppositories are definitely not meant for everyone however they can be helpful for many, especially those who suffer from illnesses. Suppositories are a solid cone-like structure that contains weed oil. It is inserted either rectally or vaginally. These allow you to get a much more concentrated dosage of cannabis as it bypasses the liver and goes straight to the problem area. For the vagina, it can also ease the pain in many vaginal diseases. The tube is smaller than a pinky and it’s nearly not as uncomfortable as one might imagine.

In conclusion, weed can bring about many benefits for people and smoking up marijuana isn’t the only way to get these benefits. These alternatives are an easy way to get the specific benefits associated with weed that can make your life easier and better.

How To Consume Marijuana Responsibly

How To Smoke Marijuana Responsibly

Even with the popularity of marijuana and cannabis, there are still many people that have negative feelings associated with weed smokers. They are generally perceived to be dumb, irresponsible humans of society and thus not able to function properly. However, as most people who consume weed already know, this is far from the truth. Pot smokers are highly-functioning members of society with various professional goals and lifestyles. While it is alright to occasionally indulge and escape from the stresses of life, smoking weed like everything else in life should be done in moderation to not let it take over any other interests in life. Some factors that any weed smoker must keep in mind are as follows

Do Not Abuse Weed

Like any other substance, the best way to keep control of yourself is to not abuse weed. Do not use marijuana to the point that it impairs health, personal development or risks any of your achievements.

As a weed smoker, you should completely dismiss concepts like “wake and bake” which only perpetuates the idea that pot smokers only have one goal in mind as soon as they wake up which is to get high. While it is completely alright to have a little marijuana in the morning it is not the only thing a smoker thinks about.

Be sensitive towards your surroundings

When smoking weed you should always be aware of your surroundings. There is a certain time and place for everything and that should be kept in mind. You should not be afraid to say “no” if the condition of the smoking session isn’t positive, safe or productive.

A weed smoker should also always be respectful towards the people around them and their rights. Always maintain a courteous environment and respect the wishes of anyone who chooses to avoid marijuana entirely. Responsible smokers should adhere to any smoking laws and protocols either in private or public spaces at all times. No one should feel as if your preferences are being forced upon them in any way.

Do not smoke and drive

Getting behind the wheel under the influence should be avoided at all costs. Any person who has smoked weed should not be driving or operating any heavy machinery. Since marijuana causes short-term memory loss it is best that you avoid any activity that could put you or another person in harm’s way.

Marijuana does cause an impairment and public safety laws indicate that any person who is impaired should be kept off the roads. The laws not only check for THC impairment but also marijuana impairment itself.

Use edibles and concentrates with caution

Many people use edibles to consume cannabis without smoking weed. Consuming edibles or concentrates instead of smoking weed, adjust your dosage accordingly. Usually, the recommended dosage of THC for an experienced user is 10mg and 5 mg for a novice user. However with edibles, it can take up to 90 minutes for the THC to take effect, so it can be difficult to monitor the dosage. Remember to take less than you think you can handle to avoid an unpleasant high.

Similarly, with concentrates, the strength of the tincture can often surprise even an experienced user and with its quick effects, the user can experience a bad high pretty quickly. While there is no risk involved in an overdose of marijuana, it can build up the negative reviews that already surround marijuana users. So it is best to control the usage to what you are sure you can handle with ease.

Overall moderation

The best way to enjoy the effects of weed is by moderation. The main objective of smoking marijuana is not to get as high as you possibly can. Instead, it is to reach a nice, comfortable high that further enriches your life by allowing you to become more creative, have social interactions and other such activities that enhance your lifestyle.

To summarize, there are a lot of negative connotations that surround people who are weed smokers. While engaging in marijuana use is not harmful to anyone, there are certain factors that each person should consider to make their experience beneficial and provide comfort to people surrounding them.

Different Types Of Cannabis Plants

Cannabis plant is not like any regular plant that you may grow. Most importantly the plant has a negative reputation that has been built around it. Although there are recreational purposes for the plant, there are also many other benefits such as medicinal and industrial usage.

Cannabis is also not an easy plant to grow, there are many challenges that may come your way from the perfect environment to the tools and accessories needed to cultivate the best plant. Combining it all can be costly and requires immense tending and nurturing. There are many types of cannabis plants that can be grown and having information about them is essential to ensure a high-quality plant.

Types of the cannabis plant

There are 3 types of cannabis plants that can be grown. These are:

Sativa
Indica
Ruderalis

Cannabis Sativa

This type of cannabis plant has long finger-like pointy leaves. They have the ability to grow extremely tall as much as 20ft and because of its long flowering period, this type of cannabis has a higher yield. One factor that makes this breed of plant distinct is its high THC content. THC is responsible for the psychoactive properties of the plant and it was this potency of the plant which made it extremely sought after.

The effect of Sativa is different on each person however the user feels a general euphoric high, an energizing and uplifting feeling, increased happiness, creativity, improved focus, amplified senses etc.

Cannabis Indica

The cannabis Indica leaves are broader almost like a fan and are easily distinguished from the Sativa variety. They are also shorter at about 3 to 9ft and thus can be cultivated indoors. Cannabis indica is found in the subtropical region which has more light, therefore it starts flowering much easier. This allows commercial farmers to produce more plants and earn more.

The plant has a high amount of THC as well much like the Sativa variety but it also has a higher amount of CBD oil. This oil is extremely useful for medicines and has many great properties without any of the psychoactive ingredients. Some effects you may feel from Cannabis indica use are body relaxation, stress relief, soothing and reduced inflammation, increased dopamine production etc.

Cannabis Ruderalis

Cannabis ruderalis is the shortest variety of cannabis at about 1 to 2ft which is bushy with broad leaves. In comparison with the other 2 varieties, ruderalis has the lowest amount of THC and CBD which makes it less valuable for recreational and medical uses. However, one reason the ruderalis still remains its value is that it is used to create hybrids. Hybrids are new plants that contain traits of 2 plants bred together.

Genders of cannabis plants

There are 3 genders of cannabis plants, male, female and hermaphrodite. Each gender has its own usefulness and differences and there are different ways to cultivate them.

Male plants

For cultivating cannabis for use, male plants don’t offer much. Most growers choose to discard the plant immediately as to not fertilize the neighbouring female plants as well. Doing so will cause the female plant to fertilize and produce seeds instead of the flower that growers are looking for. However, the male plants are useful when the goal is to multiply the plants using more seeds.

You can identify a male plant in the relatively early stages of growth, around the 2-week mark after it has started the flowering phase. The pre-flower of the male plant is more rounded and like a small ball as compared to the female plant.

Female plant

The female cannabis plant is what all cannabis growers strive for. It is the main plant that produces buds and seeds for cannabis use.

As for the female plant’s appearance, its genitals show up much later in the flowering stage than the male counterpart. The pistil grows white wispy hair where the stalk meets the stem.

Hermaphrodite plant

Hermaphrodite plants are cannabis plants that have both male and female parts. Many plants turn into hermaphrodite plants due to environmental changes and the survival instinct or it can be due to genetic factors. This type of plant is not generally useful due to its low THC content. However, these plants work great as seed banks. They can be used to further create more feminized seeds of the cannabis plant.

Types of cannabis seeds

Seeds are the first step a grower inspects when cultivating cannabis for commercial use. They want the best quality seeds to ensure the best yield. Although it is impossible to determine the gender of the plant through the seeds, growers can visually examine the seeds to find the best one. These cannabis seeds are generally available in 3 types.

Regular seeds

These are the most common type of seeds. An average pack contains an even split between the male and female seeds. However, there is no guarantee and there is a possibility that you end up with all-male seeds. Nevertheless, since these seeds are the least expensive, it is not a huge loss.

Female seeds

These seeds are a bit more expensive than the regular seed pack however there is a guarantee that all seeds will be female plants. It is perhaps the best option for any grower who is looking to cultivate cannabis plants. However, there is a limitation to these seeds as not all strains of cannabis have feminized seed packs available.

Auto-flowering seeds

Cannabis plants need light to start their flowering stage. This becomes difficult in the colder months as the days are shorter. So growers might need to trigger the flowering phase or plant at the best time of year.

Auto-flowering seeds eliminate this problem. These seeds do not rely on the light cycle to trigger flowering and instead, they start to flower based on their timing. With these seeds, the growers don’t have to worry about the perfect timing and they can grow the plants any time of the year.

In conclusion, there is a lot to learn about the cannabis plant before you start cultivating. There are many types of strains each having its own benefits and uses. Other than the strains the plants also have different genders that the grower will need to determine and manage. There are ways to go around gender determination by purchasing feminized seeds or auto-flowering seeds if the grower wants to produce cannabis all year round.