You might know that understanding the human endocannabinoid system can help cannabis users navigate how the plant might affect them. Are you ready for a deeper dive into the subject?

CB1 and CB2 Receptors

The human body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) was uncovered in 1992. It has been revealed that the ECS is a network of CB1 and CB2 receptors located throughout the body, transporting the cannabinoids. In this system, imagine that cannabinoids are like keys and they fit into ECS receptors like locks. This sets off a process to slow down nerve signals like a dimmer on a light switch. 

Phytocannabinoids are found in plants. Endocannabinoids are found in animals, such as those produced by the human body itself. The human body produces endocannabinoids such as  anandamide and 2-AG, for example. The ECS can also be supplemented with phytocannabinoids, found in several types of plants, but most abundantly in cannabis.

CB1 receptors are found in the nervous system, specifically at points of communication. Cannabis activates these receptors and slows the release of neurotransmitters at these sites, which can help stop seizures. CB2 receptors are found primarily in organs, such as the liver and spleen, and in cells in the immune system. Activation of CB2 reduces inflammation and pain.

Why is 2-AG an important endocannabinoid? 

2-AG, or 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, is found in high concentrations in the brain. An important consideration in 2-AG biology is that it is a significant metabolic intermediate in lipid (fat) synthesis. 

Not only is 2-AG found in the brain, but also in the liver, and lungs. However, it is not located in the gut, heart, kidney, or spleen. It is the major source of arachidonic acid used for prostaglandin synthesis.

The prostaglandins are a group of lipids, or fats, produced at sites of tissue damage or infection that are involved in controlling injury or illness. Prostaglandins control processes such as inflammation, blood flow, and the formation of blood clots.

Therefore, cannabis may have wide-ranging and potentially beneficial effects by manipulating 2-AG production in our bodies.

Remember that cannabis is not just made up of THC and CBD, but hundreds of other cannabinoids such as CBN, CBC, and CBG. Terpenes and flavonoids are worthy of consideration too. The entourage effect means a stronger medicinal effect by using whole plant medicine.

THC and CBD

CBD can decrease the negative effects of THC. interacts with CB2 and opioid dopamine and serotonin receptors known to improve immune system, pain, depression anxiety and addiction. People with PTSD can often be marked by a deficiency of anandamide. When they consume THC, it mimics anandamide to the CB1 receptors in the brain, undoing some of the adrenal overdrive of the amygdala and provides symptom relief.

THC affects the body psycho-actively. CB1 receptors are activated throughout the cortex, midbrain, cerebellum and spinal cord. This activation can relieve anxiety, impair memory formation and recall, and slow reaction times. It also provides pain relief, cancer symptom relief, and improves sleep.

CBD is not psychoactive; it actually decreases psychoactive effects of THC. CBD binds to CB2 receptors through the body, as well as opioid, dopamine, and serotonin receptors in the brain. CB2 activation by CBD improves immune system function and provides relief from pain, anxiety, depression, and addiction.

The ECS is the reason why cannabis has a medicinal benefit. It supports our immune and nervous systems in maintaining homeostasis, and regulating appetite, energy levels, memory, and self-preservation. We can moderate this system ourselves either through natural endocannabinoid production stimulation or through the consumption of phytocannabinoids found in cannabis.

Are you ready to take an even deeper dive into the science of this incredible plant? Find out more today from CSC…. 

Source: Dr. Marty Moore, Honahlee, 2021 https://youtu.be/_DZTgwNGF1Q

An introduction to the endogenous cannabinoid system by  Hui-Chen Lu and Ken Mackie    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789136/

Prostaglandins. You and Your Hormones. https://www.yourhormones.info/hormones/prostaglandins/

Anxiety and depression are some of the most common symptoms of the most common disorders in America, yet many feel they suffer alone. Anxiety and depression are moods, symptoms, or the name for a type of disorder, not necessarily disorders in and of themselves. From cancer and chronic pain patients, those suffering a range of long-term disorders, stress, or pain can often check the box of depression or anxiety as a disruptive symptom of their disorder.

Anxiety is often marked by symptoms such as increased alertness, racing heart, and sweating palms. Depression is generally marked by a low positive affect, lethargy, and less enjoyment in daily life. Both depression and anxiety can be expressed as restlessness, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and irritability.

Biochemically, stress begets stress. An over-sensitive stress response system is a common trauma response. Chronic stressors create stress-sensitive symptoms. In this way, anxiety and depression are “two sides of a similar reaction to stress, in terms of both thought processes and hormones,” says Brit Garner of SciShow Psych.

Both conditions can be looked at through the lens of the fight-or-flight response, acutely or over time. When the body perceives a threat, it prepares to fight, run, or freeze. Chronic anxiety could be triggered by helplessness and depression as hopelessness in response to threatening stimuli. The anxiety is the running and fighting; depression is the freeze response. These responses create disorder in our lives when we struggle to overcome these cycles of anxiety and depression.

In western medicine, antidepressants are usually the first line of defense against both depression and anxiety. Physiologically, the depressed or anxious brain will exhibit lower levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. SSRIs positively affect serotonin and may provide relief. As far as medical cannabis intervention goes, healthcare leaders seem split, with some saying that cannabis use can worsen depression or anxiety, while others say it can improve it.

“Oftentimes, depression is part of this bigger picture and sometimes depression is the final common endpoint for things that have gone wrong in the brain and the body and really the brain is in this withdraw and protect mode.” Although EEG studies show underactive left frontal lobe in depressed brains, “we want to wake the brain back up and help people interact with their world in a better way. This is where cannabis medicine can come in handy.” CBD and THC can help regulate sleep dysfunction in people with depression and anxiety. A rested brain and body are better able to combat depression and anxiety and can improve motivation and energy levels during the day.

Depression affects up to 7% of Americans at least once in their lifetimes and anxiety as many as 18%. Almost 1 in 5 people are experiencing depression and anxiety chronically enough to disorder their lives. Cannabis is a potentially effective treatment tool. Increased equitable access to medical cannabis for anxiety and depression treatment will bring clarity for specific cannabis interventions.

Sources:

Why Do Anxiety And Depression Go Together?; SciShow Psych, 2019: https://youtu.be/xdAjGRvxGPMCBD, Cannabis, and Depression by Dr. Dani Gordon, MD https://youtu.be/DCk4Dy_Joc8

Have you ever been ordered to submit to a health screen? Perhaps it caused you to worry about not passing the test. Even though the active effects of cannabis wear off after a few hours, how long is it detectable? The answer is a little complicated.

Cannabis is metabolized very differently from person to person. Consumption frequency, method, and amounts are some of the more obvious variables that can affect cannabis blood testing, but age, gender, and body fat percentage can also affect results. Due to the many variables affecting detectable THC in the bloodstream, rough estimates of detection time windows are the best that current research can provide.

What about frequency and dosage? 

Light: Occasional cannabis use, fewer than one to three times per week, in small amounts

Regular: Five to seven times per week with moderate dosages

Chronic: Daily cannabis use, frequently throughout the day or in large amounts, seven days per week

THC and its metabolite, THC-COOH, are the substances that drug tests seek. These substances are lipid-soluble, so overweight people will have THC in their system longer than those who have less body fat. Exercise breaks down fat and can release THC and THC-COOH back into the bloodstream, especially for overweight and chronic cannabis users. Unfortunately, THC released from exercise won’t get you high; levels are detectable but minuscule, so any post-exercise high likely is stemming from natural endocannabinoids and endorphins.

In general, regular, chronic, and overweight users will see THC and THC-COOH in higher levels on blood tests than light users. For light cannabis users, blood tests can generally detect THC and THC-COOH for up to 24-72 hours. For regular users and chronic users, expect to find detectable THC as long as three to seven days after your last consumption. According to LabCorp, operator of one of the world’s largest laboratory networks, “Testing can indicate use anywhere from three days to more than 30 days prior to testing. Chronic, heavy users of marijuana may test positive for even longer than 30 days after last use.” As exercise can re-release these compounds, avoid exercise for up to 72 hours prior to testing if you are an overweight or chronic user, as this can increase the odds of failing a blood test—even if you have not consumed cannabis in several weeks. As a rule, cannabis users with a higher body fat content will be on the high end of estimates for detectable metabolites.

Blood tests are increasing in popularity as a way to test for THC, especially because it does not typically detect THC as sensitively as a urinalysis, meaning it can provide a more accurate estimate of use in the last 30 days. Saliva tests detect as recently as 72 hours and may be a better indicator of cannabis use than blood tests for employment screenings or roadside testing. According to LabCorp, “Since screening tests are not definitive, confirmatory testing is typically done to verify the results. A positive confirmatory test means the person had THC or THC-COOH in their body when the sample was collected, but it does not confirm when THC was used or ingested.”

Interested in gaining more knowledge about cannabis and how it affects the human body? Contact us today about our classes.

Sources:

https://www.labcorp.com/help/patient-test-info/marijuana-thc-testing

CBG, or cannabigerol, is the mother of all cannabinoids. THC and CBD are born from CBG in its acidic form in cannabis plants. CBG is not intoxicating, but it does interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in ways similar to THC. It increases the benefits of CBD and plays a role in the entourage effect of some cannabis strains.

CBG inhibits the same CB1 receptors as THC in the endocannabinoid system. It can be used like any other cannabis product such as through vaporization or ingestion.

How CBG affects the body

CBG is antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory, making it great for pain and injuries. It has been speculated that CBG can be more effective for managing pain than even THC therapies. CBG is prevalent in strains found to be especially useful for treating glaucoma.

CBG also has anti-tumor and cancer-fighting properties. It is effective in treating bladder disorders and IBS. As a neuroprotectant, CBG aids in treating neurodegenerative disorders, ALS, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s. 

Applied topically, it can be used to relieve local pain or skin disorders. As CBG combats anxiety and depression, it can also be used to counteract some unwanted side effects of THC, similarly to how CBD tampers THC’s effects. CBG also helps with blood pressure regulation and appetite stimulation via its endocannabinoid functions.

More research and CBG production are underway.

Want to learn more about CBG? The Cleveland School of Cannabis offers numerous courses that cover the endocannabinoid system. You’ll learn about CBG, CBD, THC, and the rest of the important compounds that make up the fascinating plant we call cannabis. Check out the certificate programs we offer here. 

Sources:

All About CBG, Reveal Cannabis, 2020: https://youtu.be/Bx724SLj0SY

The Difference Between CBD and CBG, Natural Earth Cures, 2019: https://youtu.be/WFCmHiA_GYs

Management and success of legal marijuana and the growing cannabis industry require education to succeed.
 
Cleveland, OH, April 21, 2021 – Cannabis Hub is a direct reaction to the changes in marijuana laws across the country and the need for cannabis-related education. Cannabis Hub is an educational organization with a mission to bring cannabis knowledge to the world through specialized instruction. The partnership with the Cleveland School of Cannabis, the Second State Approved school in the nation, allows Cannabis Hub to provide education that will support a knowledgeable and successful cannabis industry.
 
The legalization of marijuana (medical or adult-use) can have a beneficial impact on the community. The first step was legalizing medical marijuana; the health benefits of medical marijuana are well documented. Now more states are legalizing adult-use/rec, because the economic benefits of legal marijuana are proven too. The next step is adaptation and education to ensure an economically equitable, safe, and sustainable cannabis industry.
 
Adapting to the cultural shift of cannabis and understanding its effect on the community are critical. Much like the evolution of technology, legal marijuana is progressing rapidly, and its impact will be significant. Education is required for states, businesses, and individuals to adapt
to and succeed in this new cannabis culture. Knowledgeable, skilled workers are essential at all levels, inside and outside of the cannabis
industry. Government officials need to understand the impact of cannabis in their communities. Patients and consumers need to understand how to use cannabis products. Business owners need to understand how cannabis affects their businesses. And those in the cannabis industry need continuing education.
 
Cannabis Hub provides professional, specialized education to help develop a fair and equitable cannabis market while balancing safety with economic growth. Curricula and courses are customized for government agencies, industry regulators, dispensary employees, businesses, medical marijuana patients, and consumers. The “Cannabis and the Workplace” series provides business leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to develop workplace policies on cannabis use, insurance, liability, and more.
 
The new cannabis industry offers many opportunities. There are business opportunities directly related to cannabis and countless others in ancillary businesses (transportation, testing, packaging) or already existing businesses (real estate, finance, marketing). Now is the time to gather resources and knowledge and take advantage of new opportunities in the growing cannabis industry.
 
About Cleveland School of Cannabis

The mission of the Cleveland School of Cannabis is to foster adult learning through high-quality, residential and online education that integrate personal development along with career-oriented skills and knowledge related to cannabis, science, and business, to prepare graduates for entry-level employment in the industry.
 
The Cleveland School of Cannabis is the only State Approved Career School for Cannabis education east of Colorado. CSC has industry leading affiliates in all major sectors of the cannabis industry. We work diligently to offer top notch cannabis education. Employers can be confident that when they hire CSC alumni, that they are getting individuals who are well equipped to represent their company with dignity. CSC is setting new standards to bring a level of prestige and professionalism that the cannabis industry has yet to see.
 
We develop leaders and provide our students with the skills and education necessary to take advantage of every opportunity that arises as a result of a new budding industry.
 
For more information about Cannabis Hub or Cleveland School of Cannabis, contact:
Kevin Greene, Vice President
Cleveland School of Cannabis
kevingreene@csceducation.com
484.634.6838

Cannabinoids are a natural, historical, and integral part of the human diet, within and outside of cannabis consumption. Cannabinoids are produced naturally in plants, known as phytocannabinoids, and in the human body, as endocannabinoids. Our endocannabinoid system (ECS) is the natural infrastructure for interacting with cannabinoids from plants.

Cannabis is the only known plant that has significant amounts of phytocannabinoids present as a visibly viscous resin on the plants’ flowers and leaves, giving cannabis its sticky reputation. Here are some of the cannabinoids you need to know about as you choose the cannabis strain that is right for you.

THC: Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannibinol (major cannabinoid)

Responsible for the feeling of being high, THC is the form that THCA takes after heating raw cannabis material to the appropriate levels. THC is useful for mild-to-moderate pain relief, nausea control, insomnia relief, appetite stimulation, and depression treatment. It can be used to wean off addictive drugs such as opioids. Also, THC provides quality of life improvement for terminal cancer, AIDS, and other end-of-life illnesses.

THCA: THC-Acid

The acidic form of THC in growing cannabis plants, THCA, is not intoxicating. Activation via heat transforms THCA into THC. THCA can be used therapeutically by consuming raw cannabis material, often achieved through juicing raw cannabis leaves and flowers with water. Glycerin or alcohol tinctures made without heat, such as water extracted hash capsules, are another source of THCA. THCA therapy takes three days to three weeks for full therapeutic benefits. Many regimens recommend THCA for daily preventative therapy and THC for acute episodes of chronic pain or illness. In modern research, THCA has shown positive potential in cognitive development and in emotional intelligence, speech, and cognition changes in children undergoing THCA therapy.

THCV: Tetrahydrocannabivarin

Known as a propylcannabinoid, this rarely occurring cannabinoid intensifies the psychoactive effects of THC but lessens their duration. THCV-rich strains are often referred to as “diet weed”, as THCV potentially inhibits cannabis-related appetite stimulation.

CBD: Cannabidiol (major cannabinoid)

CBD is not intoxicating but has been reported to positively affect mood and behavior. For pain relief, especially due to spasticity, fibromyalgia, or MS, CBD may be recommended. Its anti-spastic properties make CBD an excellent choice for those living with epilepsy. It is also an anti-inflammatory and can be used topically. CBD can prevent neuropathy from diabetes and chemotherapy, while also having properties that may fight tumors. It has proven useful in treating anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It improves quality of life for those living with autism. Extracted in large amounts from hemp or cannabis plants, CBD is available in capsules, edibles, sublinguals, tinctures, topicals, flower, and more.

CBDA: CBD-Acid

Like THC, CBD also has an acidic form, CBDA, which converts to CBD via heat activation. Also not intoxicating, CBDA possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-convulsant properties. Moreover, CBDA shows promise in providing improvement for end-of-life medical treatments. Like THCA, CBDA therapy takes three days to three weeks for full therapeutic effects.

CBDV: Cannabidivarin

Another propylcannabinoid, this non-intoxicating compound may be a key differentiator in whether or not a CBD dominant therapy has greater or lesser benefits for epilepsy and spasticity disorders.

THC to CBD Ratios:

The naturally occurring ratios of CBD to THC in cannabis plants are determined by genetics; however, these ratios can be manipulated into medicines that target specific ailments with cutting-edge technology.

CBD prolongs the effects of THC by inhibiting the enzymes in the liver that break down the THC, causing it to recirculate in the bloodstream. However, this process also reduces the feelings of intoxication from THC. A higher CBD content means less of a high, but it gives longer-lasting therapeutic benefits from the THC.

CBN: Cannabinol (major cannabinoid)

A byproduct of THC degradation through exposure to light and oxygen, CBN is sometimes considered a negative indicator of processing, incorrect storage, and age. While this can apply to indoor-grown cannabis, CBN naturally occurs in outdoor grown plants due to UV light exposure from the sun.

CBN has anticonvulsant properties and decreases heart rate without decreasing blood flow. It generally induces feelings of grogginess, but is a dose-dependent substance; low doses can help as a sleep aid while high doses can be alerting. Low-THC cannabis flower with myrcene is a similar experience to the therapeutic effects of CBN.

CBG: Cannabigerol (emerging major cannabinoid)

CBG is the precursor to all other cannabinoids and is found in immature cannabis plants. It is non-psychoactive and has anti-inflammatory properties. High CBG levels can, but don’t necessarily, indicate an early harvest. CBG has been identified as the cannabinoid that best treats intra-ocular pressure associated with glaucoma and may have many undiscovered therapeutic effects.

CBGA: CBD-Acid

The acidic form of CBG and the building blocks for THC, CBD, and all other cannabinoids as the plant matures. More research is needed on the full-scale, potential medical value of CBG in its acidic form.

CBC: Cannabichromene (potential major cannabinoid)

With promising and powerful anti-anxiety properties, CBC is a cannabinoid most prevalent in juvenile plants. Some plants that cannot produce THC and CBD efficiently will accumulate CBC. This is because CBG is the building block of all cannabinoids and when it cannot convert to CBD or THC, it often converts to CBC.

So, that’s a little primer on your endocannabinoid system for newbies. Understanding how all of these components can work together and separately to heal the body and soul is fascinating. What to learn more? Reach out to the Cleveland School of Cannabis today. You can see the full certificate program course schedule here. 

Source:

https://youtu.be/COxEoW_rsLw Understanding Cannabinoids, Green Flower, Biochemist Samantha Miller, 2019

Do you know about these novel ways of consuming cannabis and their varying effects?

Tinctures:

Tinctures are fast-acting, alcohol-based liquid cannabis extracts. They are delivered as drops or sprays under the tongue and absorbed immediately into the bloodstream. For a slower absorption rate and longer-lasting effects, tinctures can be added to food, drink, or capsules. Ingested tinctures have a slower onset because they must be processed by the liver, just like edibles. Tinctures can be seen as a therapeutic treatment between edibles and concentrates (1-2 hour onset).

Beverages:

Discrete and smell-free, cannabis-infused beverages are an emerging market. Beverages kick in faster than solid edibles as they are processed more quickly in the body, which means effects are over in a more reasonable time frame than in solids edibles as well. A wide variety of flavors are available today.

Topicals:

Apply topicals, which contain absorbable cannabinoids, to the skin as an anti-inflammatory. Topicals do not get you high and are a great option for those who need to stay clear-headed but need pain relief. Topicals give you more localized relief of aches and pains.

Capsules:

Capsules contain cannabis tinctures or concentrates with accurate oral dosing. “Improved patient experience with improved patient outcomes,” says Chris Diorio, Director of Research and Development at Pharmacann. “The PharmaCann capsules provide a safe alternative than smoking or vaping. They also provide patients with a safer alternative to highly addictive opiates.” Capsules have a faster onset compared to edibles. For patients with chronic pain, capsules are recommended.

Suppositories:

For abdominal or low back pain, including relief of discomforts related to menstruation, Suppositories can be used rectally or vaginally. Effects vary relative to absorption rates and delivery methods.

Want to learn more about novel cannabis products? Reach out to The Cleveland School of Cannabis to begin your cannabis education journey today. 

Sources:

https://youtu.be/AHT2fL8TwzU (Leafly, Consumption Methods)

https://youtu.be/IaTYEAMc1BI (Consumption Methods)

https://youtu.be/xZ4lqcU9tMs (Leafly, Tinctures)

https://youtu.be/M9wzFcncJH8 (PharmaCann, Capsules)

https://youtu.be/sPDV6WK6at8 (Healer, Suppositories)

Like with other medications, taking too much cannabis over a course of time can cause you to build up a tolerance to it. Increased tolerance to cannabis can make it more difficult for you to achieve the same pain-relieving effects that you normally get from your standard doses. For medical cannabis patients to reset their tolerance to its previous level, doctors recommend a tolerance break, or a “T-Break.”

Here are some questions to help you decide if a “T-Break” is right for you:

What is a tolerance break?

A “T-Break” is a period of abstaining from using THC based medications, typically at least 48 hours. The longer the time you’ve used higher doses, the longer the break you may need to get back to optimal function, especially if using it for a chronic disease.

Should I talk to my doctor about it?

Yes! Give your MMJ doc a call to discuss your situation. You will get advice based on your patient history and her years of clinical experience treating others with similar conditions. If your doctor suggests a T-Break instead of switching strains, here’s what you might expect.

Do I need to take a T-Break from CBD or just THC?

CBD and THC, cannabinoids found naturally in cannabis, affect our endocannabinoid system (ECS). Our ECS regulates at least 15 major bodily functions. In fact, we now know that our ECS is so critical to our bodily functions that Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CED) has arisen as a potential new diagnoses, theorizing that many chronic illnesses are actually ECS imbalances.

CBD up-regulates the ECS, but does not directly stimulate our ECS receptors. THC does directly stimulate our ECS receptors and thus affects the bodily functions regulated by the ECS more directly. A direct example of this is that THC makes you feel “high” or “stoned” while CBD does not give you these psychoactive effects.

Because CBD does not directly stimulate our ECS, we do not need CBD breaks because we do not experience a CBD tolerance.

THC and Tolerance Breaks

THC is different; too much can cause overwhelm to our ECS and we can experience diminishing returns on our cannabis use.

Long time users of increasingly higher THC levels need a longer T-Break to get back to optimal dosage. Daily users can start by taking just one day off per week from using THC for a quick refresh of the ECS. It can take up to a month of abstaining from THC to return to regular ECS function.

Varying your strains and forms of administration of your cannabis consumption can help mitigate tolerance development, as one can become tolerant even to a particular cannabis strain or THC delivery method.

It is important to continue using CBD and other methods of up-regulating the ECS (yoga, diet, sleep, etc) during tolerance breaks. Restart THC medications after a tolerance break at a rate of about 50 percent of the dose that was effective before the break.

When returning to your higher dose: Start low, go slow, and be mindful of the results. Tolerance breaks can have the benefits to patients of obtaining symptom relief without unwanted side effects or auxiliary challenges, such as increased medication costs.

Want to learn more about T-Breaks? The Cleveland School of Cannabis has a full course schedule here.

You’ve probably chuckled at some of the more unusual marijuana strain names you’ve seen listed on your favorite dispensary’s menu. Eyebrow-raising names like Poochie Love, Green Crack, or Dopium may evoke an image that’s more recreational than medicinal. 

But you’d be wrong to assume that the names are silly or meaningless. The names of marijuana strains have embraced the plant’s historical origins and helped shape the modern legal marijuana horticulture practices of today. 

Strain naming started in the 1960s when growers across the world swapped the highest quality genetics. These early strains were typically named based on the part of the world they came from, such as Panama Red, Acapulco Gold, and Afghan Kush. 

Some strains get named for unique aromas, such as diesel and skunk. Some are named for the fruit flavors that they smell like, as guided by their terpene profiles. Blueberry, Lemon OG, and Strawberry Cough are a few popular fruit strains you’ll often see on dispensary menus. 

Famous people who’ve contributed to the field of cannabis in meaningful ways often get a strain named for them as well. Jack Herer, Willie Nelson, and the CBD strain Charlotte’s Web are a few examples.  

How Cultivators Use Marijuana Strain Names 

Marijuana strain names provide more than just a historical reference. Strain names arm medical marijuana cultivators with a handy guide to tell them what effect a particular strain might produce.

Cultivators breed strains to purify and strengthen strains, combine strain traits, or enhance specific strain characteristics. By breeding two different strains, new strains get born all the time. And that strain has to get a name. So the lineage of a strain can become quite complicated. By selectively breeding over several generations, it allows the breeder the chance to improve cannabis genetics to breed a strain that might be better than either parent.

Lawsuits and Other Complications

If you’ve ever heard of the popular strain Girl Scout Cookies, the breeders were forced to change these strain names due to legal threats from the Girl Scouts of America. Gorilla Glue strain? Same deal – a lawsuit from the glue manufacturer. This is why you’ll often see these strains listed on dispensaries as GSC or GG#4. 

Another topic that’s hot in the industry regards whether adding new strain names complicates the user’s experience. In 2017, one company attempted to simplify the cannabis user’s experience. Canndescent, a distributor of ultra-premium cannabis flower in California, stopped using strain names all together. They instead adopted a descriptive, effects-based classification system: Calm, Cruise, Create, Connect and Charge.

“You shouldn’t need to bio-hack your body through a periodic table of ominous strain names like Durban Poison and Train Wreck just to buy some pot,” CEO of Canndescent Adrian Sedlin said in a press release.

Copyright law, marketing, and genetic mapping of strains might be a few key factors that play a larger role in naming cannabis strains in the future. But for now, just resist giggling when your dispensary budtender tells you to try the Purple Monkey Balls. (It’s a strain name!)

Interested to learn more about marijuana strain names? Check out the Cleveland School of Cannabis certificate programs that can help you prepare for a job in the cannabis industry.

The evolution of cannabis has brought the plant into the mainstream, and brought to the surface a bevy of new, confusing terms and phrases for patients. High on that list is “terpenes”, the fragrant aromas that a plant emits that helps to shape a cannabis strain’s medicinal profile. One of the most important aspects of choosing the right cannabis strain for your needs is knowing your desired effects and that requires selecting for certain terpenes.

Terpenes and their effects

Typically, we use terms like “skunky” to describe the pungent odor of cannabis. But why does cannabis have such a strong and distinct smell? The answer is terpenes, and their natural presence in cannabis affects how each strain smells, tastes, and is classified.

Over 100 different terpenes have been identified in the cannabis plant. Every strain combines a unique mix of terpenes that produces different effects. For instance, myrcene can calm you whereas caryophyllene is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Evolutionary adaptation

Terpene expression is an evolutionary adaptation for cannabis plants. Like many fragrant blooms, the cannabis plant secretes specific combinations of scented oils to repel pests and attract pollinators. These terpene oils color the scent and flavor profiles of cannabis strains.

Terpene expression goes beyond just taste and smell. Terpenes play a role in the very effects that we get from that particular plant when it gets consumed. Terpenes give certain strains certain effects. Such as relaxation, pain reduction, or anxiety relief. Terpenes also naturally occur in other plant life, such as hops, trees, and fruits.

How terpenes interact

Another fascinating aspect of terpenes is how they interplay. Cannabis plants typically have an entire array of terpenes and how they interact with each other is what leads to the “entourage effect”. Experimentation with terpene combinations enriches both the art of cannabis horticulture and the connoisseurship of finding preferred strains.

The world of terpene research is abuzz in the cannabis world. Not only can we hone in on artisanal blends for appearance and taste, we can manipulate and uncover potential new therapeutic uses for cannabis. What terpene combinations provide the most pain relief? The most appetite stimulation? The most anxiety reduction?

Simply put, terpenes are the natural oils secreted by cannabis plants that can help us select for specific traits in cannabis strains. Terpenes exist throughout nature and learning more about them can help you choose the strain that works best for you.

Want to learn more about terpenes? Check out the Cleveland School of Cannabis full courses or programs here.