The first in a series of educational articles about the history, types and safe consumption practices of legal marijuana, and some of its derivatives.
By Tom Ossa, Reporter
RocklandNews.com
Co-written with assistance of AI
NYACK, NY – Cannabis is now officially and legally for sale in Nyack. This past Thursday, Rockland County’s first officially recognized Cannabis store in Nyack opened , to much fanfare. Treehouse Cannabis, located on Route 59 – was met with the same welcoming as many Mom-and-Pop small businesses have experienced over generations of commerce in the Hudson Valley.
Mayor Joseph Rand presided over the 11 am ribbon cutting and a DJ spun tunes. Hundreds of guests, a dozen vendors, a taco truck and even two Tesla Cybertrucks were noted at the grand opening. The attendees ranged from their early 20’s to (in several cases) a handful of casual gentlemen and ladies in their 60’s and 70’s. Security was on hand to ensure that nobody under 21 was allowed into the retail store, which resembles more of a local family computer store than the folklore stigmatizations that sometimes follow.
At the same time, social media groups in Rockland were abuzz on this topic. Some congratulated the new family-owned business. Some looked for contact information on their website, and asked about in-store and home delivery services. And some voiced their opinion – and even anger – about the opening of the Cannabis store in Rockland, and what this means for their future.
Having scientifically studied the Cannabis culture for the past 30 years, this reporter has decided to provide some occasional articles to Rockland News on the topic, in the hopes of clarifying some facts, and more importantly…dispelling some myths.
The aim is to bring to the table in these articles some acquired technical skills, derived from his first company, Rockland Web Design Inc. (est. 2007), and his second company, RockWeb Systems Inc. (2020), the latter of which houses this publication, Rockland News.
This reporter will also aim to put his History degree from Ramapo College, his hobby of conducting small home scientific experiments, as well as draw upon (as Jimi Hendrix would say), experience – to good use. Safeguards that Rockland County residents should be aware of will also be discussed, if they choose to learn more about this new locally available consumer product. Safety first. Always.
Finally, please note that this reporter does not enjoy referring to himself in the third person.
Part 1: Definitions
In any textbook worth its salt, there is an area toward the beginning of the book that outlines definitions. I feel this is the logical place to begin providing information to the public on this now-legal-in-NY consumer product. For more background information, visit this Wikipedia article on Cannabis. And yes, I’ll have more sources in the future. Consider this to merely be a starting point.
The Basics
Cannabis: A plant that produces chemical compounds called “cannabinoids”, which are responsible for its effects on the mind and body. Cannabis is used for both recreational and medicinal purposes. The overall effects are different than other drugs, such as alcohol or coffee. Various interchangeable terms are used to describe cannabis, such as marijuana, weed, flower, pot, plant, and more.
As is coffee and alcohol – two other popular drugs in world society, cannabis has been consumed in various ways for thousands of years, in numerous countries across the world, throughout history – including smoking, vaping, and oral ingestion are the three most popular forms.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): The primary psychoactive compound in cannabis that causes the “high” sensation. THC levels vary among different strains of cannabis. Some low-THC products might cause a simple small “buzz”, the results of which vary per individual, and type of cannabis. Products with higher levels of THC could induce further unfavorable results, such as anxiety or – at higher doses – paranoia.
Generally speaking, even experienced users of cannabis urge their peers to aim toward, and/or start with lower dosages – known as “microdosing” (see below), especially if a beginner. Regardless of the dosage, effects typically last from 1-4 hours. Motor vehicles or dangerous equipment should never be operated under the influence of THC.
Video games are typically considered a safe activity, as well as casual conversations with friends at coffee shops, or attendance at local music concerts, plays and other events that provide visual or auditory stimulation for its attendees.
CBD (Cannabidiol): A non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis known in the scientific community for its therapeutic benefits, such as reducing anxiety, pain, and inflammation, without causing a “high.” To sum it up differently, CBD tells the brain to feel a little less pain for a while.
Notable figures that currently endorse CBD include Star Trek and Shakespearian Actor Patrick Stewart, who uses a topical cream to lessen the effects of arthritis in his hands.
Flower: The dried and cured buds of the cannabis plant, typically smoked or vaporized. Flower is the most common form of cannabis available for purchase.
Strain: A specific variety of cannabis plant, often bred for particular effects, flavors, and aromas. Strains are typically categorized as Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid.
Types of Cannabis (Strains)
Sativa: A type of cannabis strain known for its uplifting and energizing effects, often recommended for daytime use to boost creativity and focus. Typically, Sativa has more THC and less CBD.
Indica: A type of cannabis strain known for its calming and sedative effects, often recommended for evening use to promote relaxation and sleep. Indica typically has more CBD and less THC.
Hybrid: A cannabis strain that is a mix of both Sativa and Indica strains, offering a combination of effects that can be tailored to individual preferences. Hybrids have varied percentages of each of the above-two types of cannabis, which produce a variety of effects.
THC Dominant: Cannabis strains or products that contain high levels of THC, typically chosen for their psychoactive effects.
CBD Dominant: Cannabis strains or products that contain high levels of CBD and low levels of THC, often used for therapeutic purposes without strong psychoactive effects.
As the legalization of cannabis spread in the United States over the past 10 years, so did the varieties of the above-mentioned strains. Farmers developed numerous types of this “new” cash crop in the US, often blending various types to produce new plants. For this reason, the availablilty of pure Sativa or Indica plants have significantly reduced in favor of hybrid plants.
Hobbyists that study the various types of plants further subdivide the above strains into various compounds.
Additional Scientific and Hobbyist Terms
This is admittedly where some people will admittedly get bored, and that’s ok. Some will find it fascinating, similar to the age-old concept of one tiny atom within one’s fingernail being speculated to be “one tiny little universe”.
Cannabinoids: Chemical compounds found in cannabis that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to produce various effects. THC and CBD are the most well-known cannabinoids. There are over 55,000 known individual cannabinoids in various forms of cannabis.
Terpenes: Aromatic compounds found in cannabis (and other plants) that contribute to the plant’s smell and flavor. Terpenes may also influence the effects of cannabis. There are over 55,000 known individual terpenes in various forms of cannabis, such as myrcene, limonene, and linalool.
Endocannabinoid System (ECS): A complex system in the human body that helps regulate various physiological processes, including mood, pain, appetite, and sleep. The ECS interacts with cannabinoids from cannabis, which in turn produces various physiological effects.
Ingestion Terms
Edibles: Cannabis-infused food and drink products. Edibles take longer to produce effects compared to smoking or vaping, but can have longer-lasting effects.
Vaping: A method of consuming cannabis by inhaling vapor produced by heating the flower or concentrate without burning it. Vaping is often considered less harsh on the lungs than smoking, but many in the scientific and health communities still urge caution.
Tincture: A liquid cannabis extract, often made with alcohol, that is consumed by placing drops under the tongue or adding it to food and drinks.
Microdosing: The practice of consuming very small amounts of cannabis to achieve mild effects, often used to manage symptoms without experiencing a full “high.”
Full-Spectrum: A type of cannabis extract that contains all the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds found in the cannabis plant, offering a more holistic effect known as the “entourage effect.”
Entourage Effect: The synergistic interaction between various cannabis compounds, such as cannabinoids and terpenes, which is believed to enhance the overall therapeutic benefits of the plant.
Future Articles About Cannabis
This reporter will occasionally provide additional articles about cannabis, with the intent to provide useful and/or factual information, and if successful – perhaps a little humor (Don’t hold your breath on that last one). If you have any information you wish to provide, for the purpose of a future article, feel free to send a message using the form below.
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