Beginner’s Guide to Everything Cannabis

In today’s world, cannabis has become quite the popular tool for people seeking both therapeutic and recreational activities. And with more and more countries around the world slowly integrating and accepting cannabis in their lifestyles, many people are turning to learning the correct practices of this heavenly plant. That’s why we at Awesome Trays have decided to put together this guide to help absolute beginners in getting started and familiarizing themselves with the cannabis world. 

First things first, what is Cannabis? 

Cannabis refers to a plant with psychoactive properties (primarily from the active ingredient delta-9 TetraHydroCannabinol - THC). When the flowers of said plants are harvested and dried properly, you’re left with one of the most common and famous substances in the world; Some call it weed, some call it pot, and others call it marijuana. 

Cannabis constitutes more than 120 components, which are referred to as cannabinoids. Even in today’s world, experts still aren’t exactly sure what each and every different cannabinoid does, but they have a pretty good understanding of two of them, known as Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

CBD: Cannabinoids are the non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, meaning consuming CBD will not get you “high” or will not result in the euphoric feeling generally associated with its cousin, the THC component. It’s often used for therapeutic reasons such as helping to reduce inflammation and pain. It may also ease nausea, migraine, and anxiety.

THC: This is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. THC is responsible for the “high” that most people associate with cannabis.

Cannabis products can contain just CBD, just THC, or a combination of both. But the harvested and dried flower that most people associate with cannabis contains both cannabinoids, though certain strains may have much more of one than the other. Hemp for example, has large quantities of CBD, but no THC. 

What are the different types of Cannabis? 

Cannabis comes in several shapes and forms, and can have distinctive features in each form. This is to say that effects of consuming cannabis in different ways can result in different sensations. 

Flower: After the harvest, the cannabis flower or bud is dried and trimmed and set up for the perfect smoke session. This is the most common way weed is consumed nowadays but it surely isn’t the only one. 

Hash: Hash or Hashish is a concentrated form of cannabis where the cannabinoids are separated from the plant material using a dry sift method, which in turn is then pressed  into what is called Hash.

Edibles: Marijuana edibles are food and drink items that are infused with cannabis. Usually, the effects associated with smoking marijuana only take minutes, however edibles take between 1-3 hours as food is absorbed into the bloodstream through the liver. 

Oils and TInctures: they come in a liquid form of extracts designed to be orally consumed . This results in quicker absorption and discretion. This form is mostly for consumers who seek only the effects of cannabis without engaging in tasting it nor smoking it.  

How to use cannabis in different forms? 

Cannabis has several different ways to be enjoyed, each method has its benefits, depending on the reason for usage. Whether for therapeutic use or recreational purposes, consumers are constantly searching for new methods to use cannabis. 

Smoking the Dried Flower

Smoking cannabis flowers usually involves either rolling a joint or straight-up smoking it through a pipe or a bong. For joints, the flower is broken down into smaller pieces by a grinder and then either lined up in a rolling paper ready to roll or simply filled into a pre-rolled cone. Some people seek the more convenient options and prefer to acquire their material prepared already. For pipes and bongs, the process is even more simple and entails the burning of the flower on the tip of the apparati and inhaling the smoke using the utensils.

Edibles

Another famous way of consuming cannabis is through ingesting edibles. Usually the method of choice for those with a bit more experience with cannabis or just for the people that personally don’t enjoy smoking. 

Vaping

Vaping is the process in which a portable device with an oven-like chamber heats cannabis to the point where it releases vapors for inhalation.