Diem Blog

Have you ever had cannabis questions that you were too afraid to ask? Maybe you stopped by the local dispensary looking for information, but speaking to the budtender was intimidating. Or perhaps instead your state only recently legalized cannabis, and now you’re seeking answers before using cannabis for the very first time.

No matter how experienced you may be with cannabis, chances are you’ve got at least one or two lingering questions that have always been on your mind. From the varying methods of consumption, to the differences between an indica and sativa, it’s important that you gain the knowledge you need to feel comfortable around this popular plant.

At Diem Cannabis, we know how valuable it is to get the cannabis information you deserve when you’re looking to feel a bit more comfortable. That’s why we decided to answer your biggest cannabis questions right here. Let’s dig in.

What is Cannabis?

Some of you may be reading this question with a bit of an eye roll, but remember that in order to build a house, you first need to have a strong foundation. And if you want to know the many intricacies of cannabis, you first have to start with the basics.

Simply put, cannabis is a plant with psychoactive properties that’s been used the world over for hundreds of years. Also referred to as marijuana, cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug, though that’s changing as both states and countries continue to legalize it or reduce barriers to access it.

The primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis is delta-9-tetrahydro-cannabidiol, or THC for short—that’s the magical stuff that gets you high. And though we often associate cannabis with stoned teenagers in a John Hughes movie, it actually contains medicinal properties that seek to manage pain, stress, fatigue, inflammation, and much more, thus making it a substance that can positively impact millions.

What’s the Difference Between Indica & Sativa?

You probably hear the terms “indica” and “sativa” thrown around in conversation, but what do they actually mean? Sativas are cannabis strains known to provide you with more energy, whereas indicas are strains that often produce more mellow effects. To remember this, think of using sativa during Saturday activities, and indicas when you feel like staying in.

That being said, it’s important to note that most cannabis strains are a hybrid version of the two, though one usually dominates over the other. And while most strains have a brief outline of their common effects, you may find an indica strain that gives you energy and makes others sleepy, or a sativa that makes you feel mellow. There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to using cannabis, so it pays to work closely with a budtender and find the strains that are right for you and your needs.

What Are Some Different Ways I Can Consume Cannabis?

There are many different ways to consume cannabis, and finding the one that suits you best is simply a process of gentle experimentation. You can inhale cannabis via smoking or vaporization, though the latter has come under recent scrutiny and isn’t currently recommended unless operating through a licensed dispensary.

But if smoking isn’t your thing, you can also consume cannabis via oral delivery by using tinctures, ingestible oils, and edibles. Of the many different methods we often choose to get high, smoking and consuming cannabis are by-far the most popular. A final option that’s slowly growing in popularity, however, is through the use of topicals like skin creams or transdermal patches. This is a rather discrete method of consumption that doesn’t often produce the same cerebral high you’d receive from smoking or consuming cannabis, but instead is more clear-headed and best suited for localized relief.

What If I Get Too High?

Most of us have been there at some point, and chances are you will be too. While being too high is often a scary experience in which your heart feels like it’s about to burst from your chest as you’re launched into space, in reality that won’t happen—and you’ll be completely fine at the end of the day.

The best options to counteract being too high are simple tactics that include drinking water, exercising, using CBD oil, or swallowing black pepper. If you find yourself too high, remember that it will pass with time, and you should try your best not to work up your nerves. If possible, put on some relaxing music and close your eyes. The sensation of being too high won’t grow much stronger than that, and it’ll pass in time.

Can I Become Addicted to Cannabis?

While the cannabis plant itself is not addictive, marijuana use disorder has occurred in very serious cases that involve overconsumption of cannabis. If someone uses cannabis very frequently and abruptly stops, they may report cravings, irritability, restlessness, and other forms of physical discomfort for up to two weeks. That being said, cannabis is similar to everything we choose to put inside our body—it’s always best to consume in moderation.

Can I Overdose On Cannabis?

Back in the day, prohibitionists used to claim that you could overdose on cannabis if you consumed too much, but in reality this is impossible. In order to overdose on cannabis, you’d need to consume approximately 1,500 pounds of the stuff within 15 minutes, and there’s no way you’re doing that—ever.

Is Cannabis a Gateway Drug?

With statistics in states that have legalized cannabis indicating an opioid usage decrease after the plant became legal, it’s grown far less likely that cannabis is a gateway drug in any form. Though the prohibitionists that claimed you could overdose were the very same ones that said it’s a gateway drug, again they’ve been proven wrong with time. We now have a decade of legality to show the good side the plant has to offer.

Can I Get High Before Exercising?

Getting high before exercising is based on two factors: you, and the strain you choose to smoke. As frequent cannabis users here at Diem, some of us love to take a few tokes from Strawberry Guava before going on a long run, whereas others choose to enjoy cannabis in a more leisurely fashion with calmer strains. If you’re someone that likes to exercise and wants to incorporate cannabis, go for it! But should you choose to do so, just be sure the strain you smoke won’t leave you in a mellow puddle on the gym floor. If you want to combine weed with your workouts, consider choosing from these energizing strains: Apricot Octane, Lemon Meringue, and Blue Dream.

Can I Eat Cannabis Raw?

Technically speaking, you can eat cannabis raw just as you used to eat raw Play-Dough when you were a kid. But eating raw cannabis won’t get you high, and it isn’t a recommended method of consumption by any means. If you’d like to consume cannabis via edible, check out our handy Fall-inspired cooking guide with recipes for producing cannabutter (an ingredient you’ll need in your edibles to get you stoned), alongside a number of other delicious treats!

Where is Cannabis Legal?

It makes us a bit sad to say that cannabis isn’t legal everywhere, but it’s certainly growing in popularity around the world! Here in the U.S., eleven different states have legalized the use of cannabis in some form, be it medicinal or recreational. Use this handy map to find out where your state stands on legalization, and where you can go to consume cannabis if there are restrictions in your neck of the woods (we’re a bit biased, but we recommend checking out Oregon).

Diem Can Help!

Everyone here at Diem was once like you. We were new to the cannabis scene, and we had a lot of questions that we wanted answers to from professionals. But in time we found the knowledge we needed to feel comfortable around the cannabis plant, and now it’s kinda sorta become our job to share that information with the world (and it’s become our favorite thing in the whole wide world along the way).

If you find yourself with any sort of cannabis-related questions, contact us and we’d be more than happy to help. When you welcome cannabis into your life, wonderful things are always on the horizon. Shop online at our Massachusetts (Lynn & Worcester) or Oregon (Salem & Portland) locations!

 

*Statements made on hellodiem.com have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice.