WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CANNABIS, MARIJUANA AND HEMP...OR INDICA, SATIVA, HYBRIDS?

There are numerous cannabis strains. In their book, Cannabis: Evolution and Ethnobotany, Robert Clarke and Mark Merlin propose a solution to the speciation of terminology that identifies cannabis based on its primary use, as hemp or drug, with descriptions of their accurate leaf structure from broad to narrow. 

“Drug” is used to describe those plants that have effect, medical or psychoactive. “Hemp” is used to descried plants used for other purposes such as fiber, seed oil or fuel. We like to use adjusted explanation proposed by Trichrome Institute which replaces “drug” with “marijuana”… 

So in short, there are “Hemp” and “Marijuana”… Hemp represents plant types which are nowadays used for fabrics, building material and seed oil, while Marijuana represents plant types that are used for medical and recreational effects.

BASIC CANNABINOIDS INFO (CBD, THC, CBG, CBN, CBC, CBDA, THCV)

CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, a compound found in Cannabis. It is extracted from dry flowers. CBD is non-psychoactive, which means it won’t get you ‘high’/”stoned”, however it does have weak psychoactive effect such as uplifting mood or general wellness. THC is a cannabinoid mostly found in cannabis, produced from the marijuana plant, and it’s illegal in most countries.

THC cannabinoid gets you high, in other words, has a psychoactive/intoxicated effect, so it can get you “stoned” and put you in “couch lock” mood. THCa, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is the acidic precursor of THC. Freshly harvested marijuana contains mostly THCa. Although other parts of the plant also contain some small percentages of THC, the highest percentage of THC is found in flowers. After the process of drying and heating, this THCa turns into THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). 

Cannabigerol (CBG) – occurs in significantly lower concentrations, and may have anti-inflammatory properties, according to some scientists, for example Gaoni and Mechoulam. As it seems, it may also have anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties.

Cannabinol (CBN) – may have anti-bacterial and sedative properties, and, according to some scientists, may be helpful in the treatment of pain. British chemist Robert Sidney Conn apparently discovered cannabinol in the 1930s. It’s also slightly intoxicating.

 Cannabichromene (CBC) – present in very low percentages, but still may have
anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. Some scientists think it may encourage new cell growth.

Cannabidivarin (CBDA) – may have anti-depressive properties. This cannabinoid is non-intoxicating, and becomes CBD after the process of decarboxylation.1

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)2 – was discovered in 1973, and it’s one of the best researched cannabinoids. Its chemical formula is C19H26O2, and it’s not water-soluble. It plays an important role in the Entourage effect.In very high doses, it can be psychoactive, and in lower doses, t won’t get you high. It may have anti-inflammatory and anxiety-reducing, and appetite-reducing roperties.

CO2 extraction, or carbon-dioxide extraction process, uses changes in temperature and pressure to extract the plant’s beneficial components. CO2 extraction has many advantages when it comes to extracting pure CBD isolate. 

Ethanol extraction uses cold, high-grade alcohol to extract all the active compounds from the cannabis plant’s cellulose material. This process results in pure, full-spectrum hemp oil. The resulting oil usually further refined using chromatography, to remove all remaining traces of ethanol. Butane and propane extractions are similar to ethanol extraction when it comes to a process, but different when it comes to final results. 

Although resulting oils have to be purged to remove the remaining traces of solvent, ethanol extraction is considered safer and healthier. Non-solvent extraction methods include freezing hemp buds, and this process detaches the resin glands from the flowers’ epidermis. The advantage of this process is that there are no solvent residues, but the process itself may damage the structure of the bud.

Pros & Cons of ethanol extraction:

Pros:

• Ethanol extraction is great for full spectrum extracts and tinctures
• Fewer storage requirements
• Great for extracting large volumes
• Can eliminate the need for dewaxing or winterization

Cons:

• A study by Shbiro et al., published in the October 2017 edition of European Neuropsychopharmacology, found that CBDA elicited antidepressant effects on rodents at doses up to 100 times lower than CBD
• A study by Wargent et al. that was published in 2013 showed that THCV has potential as a method of treatment for diabetics who suffer from obesity-related glucose intolerance.
• As a polar solvent, ethanol binds to water soluble components, for example, chlorophyll
• A limited array of products – it is really difficult to make shatter or ‘sauce’
• Post-processing requires the use of various methods of filtration and refinement
• The recovery process is slower and more demanding, thanks to the higher boiling point, compared to Butane and Propane

Terpenes are aromatic oils that give distinctive aromas and flavors to different cannabis varieties. There are more than 200 identified different terpenes in the cannabis plant. Some give distinctive flavors, such as mint, pine, and citrus. The interesting thing about terpenes is that the development of different terpenes starts with the purpose –their role is not only to repel predators but also to attract pollinators, but there are so many factors that have a great influence on that development. For example, climate and weather conditions, the type of soil, and the temperature… 

Different types of terpenes may also have different potential effects. Some terpenes are characteristic of particular cannabis strains. Terpenes can be found in other plants as well. For example, Myrcene is also found in mango, hops and lemongrass, and it gives calming and sedative effect. Pinene is a compound mostly found in pine, rosemary and sage, and it gives uplifting and energizing effect.

The most common cannabis terpenes are Myrcene (Mc), Limonene (Lm), Caryophyllene (Cr), Terpinolene (Te), and Pinene (Pn). Myrcene (Mc) is the most common terpene in commercial cannabis. It has very distinctive aromas of cardamom and cloves, very earthy and herbal. Limonene (Lm) has a very distinctive citrus aroma, vaporizes at 176 Celsius degrees, and can also be found in lemon, orange and lime. Caryophyllene (Cr) is the only terpene that also acts as a cannabinoid. It is believed that Caryophyllene can activate the human endocannabinoid system. Caryophyllene has a distinctive aroma mixture and can be spicy, woody, and/or peppery, with the aroma of cloves as well. It vaporizes at 130 Celsius degrees, and can also be found in different well-known plants such as cinnamon, black pepper, cloves or oregano.

Terpinolene (Te) is dominant in one-tenth of all cannabis strains. It may have an relaxing effect. The aroma is floral, herbal, and pine. This terpene is mostly found in various plants such as pine, cumin, apples, and tea tree. It vaporizes at 186 Celsius degrees. Pinene (Pn) is one really common terpene, but rarely dominant when it comes to different cannabis strains. Its pine aroma is highly recognizable, and it is commonly found in plants such as rosemary, sage, cedarwood, and also in pine needles. Humulene (Hu) has a very distinctive woody and earthy aroma. It can be found in coriander, basil, and cloves, and has anti-inflammatory potential value. Humulene vaporizes at 106oC.

Cannabis contains maybe 20 different flavonoids, including kaempferol and quercetin. Cannabis also contains one widely known flavonoid called apigenin, and this chemical compound is mostly found in chamomile. Most of the flavonoids found in cannabis belong to flavonol and flavonone group, but cannabis contains one unique group of flavonoids called cannflavins. They may have a high anti-inflammatory effect. Flavonoids belong to chemicals called polyphenols. They can be found in different plants, including most fruits and vegetables, and are responsible for their scent, color, and flavor. But, flavonoids have some other, really interesting features as well. 

For example, some can be responsible for attracting pollinators, while others protect plants from harsh climate conditions or pests. Numerous studies proved that flavonoids have antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and even anti-cancer effects. Their role in protecting the cardiovascular and nervous systems is also widely researched. In certain areas of the world where people consume fresh vegetables and fruits regularly, there are fewer cases of different chronic diseases.

So, there are several major groups of flavonoids, and each has its own characteristics.

a) Flavonols can be found in different fruits and vegetables, for example in kale, lettuce, tomatoes, apples, berries, tea, and red wine. These compounds, according to numerous studies, may have antioxidant effects and are beneficial in terms of reducing the risks of developing various cardiovascular diseases. The most well-known flavonoids are kaempferol and quercetin.

b) Flavonones are often found in different citrus fruits, but also grapes. These compounds are also known to have antioxidant properties; they fight free radicals.

c) Isoflavonoids have phytoestrogenic effect. This means they have the ability to mimic the hormone estrogen. Isoflavonoids can be found in soybeans, as well as in most beans and legumes.

d) Anthocyanins are mostly responsible for distinctive colors of different fruits and vegetables. It is believed that they are very strong antioxidants, with very good anti-inflammatory properties. They can be found in most berries, especially in blueberries and blackcurrants. When it comes to cannabis, anthocyanins, together with different terpenes, are responsible for a wide variety of colors.

Some other groups of flavonoids may possess beneficial values, for example, catechins, flavanols, and chalcones. These flavonoids can be found in most berries, but also apples, bananas, and other fruits. While terpenes and cannabinoids are mostly found in cannabis buds, flavonoids are also present in other parts of the plant. It seems like these parts of the plant also have a higher value than it was thought.

ECS stands for Endocannabinoid System. The endocannabinoid system acts as a homeostatic regulator of neuronal activity as well as a homeostatic regulator of other physiological systems. ESC has a regulatory effect on numerous functions, for example sleeping, emotions, inflammation, metabolic function, etc. Endocannabinoids naturally exist in human bodies and have a large role in balancing body and soul, as well as maintaining health. The ECS is comprised of CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB1 cannabinoid receptors are mostly found in the brain and the central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are mostly found in the immune system. Cannabinoids extracted from plants (or phytocannabinoids) are very similar to endocannabinoids produced by human bodies. Scientists believe that taking CBD supports ECS and plays a big role in achieving and maintaining psychical and physical health. Simply said, THC interacts with the CB1 receptors found in the brain and the central nervous system (CNS), while CBD interacts with the CB2 cannabinoid receptors found in the immune system. The result of this interaction is restoring and/or balancing the immune system and human health in general.

Entourage effect stands for the scientific theory that all the compounds in the plant, in this case, cannabis, work together in providing far better results than using isolated compounds. There are more than 120 different, recognized phytocannabinoids in cannabis plants. They all may have some effect on the human endocannabinoid system, or ECS, which keeps your body in balance. As it was mentioned before, the most popular cannabinoids are THC and CBD, and each has numerous effects and benefits. Although these cannabinoids are commonly taken separately, more and more experts suggest that taking them together with other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids may be much more effective, thanks to the so-called ”entourage effect”. It’s not only about taking CBD and THC together, but also about all other compounds that are found in cannabis. Certain flavonoids and terpenes may also provide neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Although some studies didn’t find evidence of terpenes’ role in supporting THC effects, most researchers agree that terpenes could improve CBD’s therapeutic potential.

You have probably come across products that contain synthetic CBD isolates. It needs to be clarified that such products have nothing to do with CBD oil, nor with the potentially beneficial effects of CBD. A synthetic isolate is a chemical substance that tries to copy the action of a natural isolate. The fact is that synthetic isolates do not contain active, potentially effective components of CBD, and can also be very dangerous. Synthetic isolates often contain 4-CCB, or 4-cyano CUMYL-BUTINACA, a chemical associated with synthetic marijuana. This chemical can cause serious side effects and serious damages to your health. Synthetic isolates are mainly present in various tinctures of questionable quality. When buying a CBD product, including tinctures, always pay special attention to the list of ingredients. If 4-CCB is among the listed ingredients, be aware of the fact that this product does not contain natural CBD oil. Don’t be fooled by attractive advertising and price; choose only high-quality natural products. Marinol was the first synthetic cannabinoid approved by FDA, and was prescribed for cancer and AIDS patients.

Real CBD isolates contain isolated CBD compound, it is in crystalized form, extracted from cannabis. This isolate is mostly used in medical combinations with THC, and some consumers use it for vaping, for example.

It may have some calming and relaxing effects. Although some consumers prefer using CBD in this form, recent medical studies confirmed that full-spectrum CBD may have a much stronger potential value. Full-spectrum CBD contains many other active components found in natural hemp, and most of these components, for example, terpenes and flavonoids, have their characteristics that can be highly beneficial for human health. Besides, full-spectrum CBD oil also contains other potentially beneficial cannabinoids which, together with all other components, and thanks to the so-called Entourage effect, may provide numerous health benefits that cannot be achieved with CBD isolates.

Titration is a process of finding your optimal dose of a particular CBD product. Your optimal dose will depend on various factors, including your age, weight, and health condition, but also the cannabinoid concentrations in the product you are taking. In any case, it’s always the best solution to start low and increase slow, until well being is achieved. Also remember that you need to change your dosage from time to time. Our body is lazy and very often it starts to forget, so its very common to change
your dosage to surprise your endocannabinoid system and let your body develop and adopt its needs and desires.

More about Titration
Titration is a process of finding your optimal dose of a particular CBD product. Your optimal dose will depend on various factors, including your age, weight, and health condition, but also the cannabinoid concentrations in the product you are taking. In any case, it’s always the best solution to start low and increase slow, until well being is achieved. Also remember that you need to change your dosage from time to time. Our body is lazy and very often it starts to forget, so its very common to change
your dosage to surprise your endocannabinoid system and let your body develop and adopt its needs and desires.

More about Titration
Titration is a process of chemical analysis in which is the quantity of one compound in a sample determined by adding an exact quantity of another substance with which this compound will react in a definite, exactly known proportion. This process is carried out by adding a solution of known concentration of titrant, or titrating agent, from a burette, until the equivalence point is reached. When the reaction is complete, this will be marked by some signal, a color change, or some electrical property. When it comes to cannabinoids, it is important to be clinically able to titrate the cannabinoids. This means that you have to carefully, slowly increase the medicine. This titration process makes sense when it comes to adequate doses for CBD products as well. Starting the treatment with very low doses, and gradually increasing these doses until you reach the equivalent point. When you reach it, your body will send the signal, and it will become obvious that you shouldn’t continue to increase the dose.