• Labels include a QR code that links to the Certificate of Analysis (CoA). A CoA will tell you the results of testing for harmful contaminants as well as which specific cannabinoids are present in a product. 

• Cannabis can change when it is exposed to air or other contaminants, so your CoA will not be accurate forever. To see if your CoA is still accurate, look at the “Expiration Date” if you haven’t opened the product since you bought it, or look at the “Use By Date” if it has been opened.

Different products have different potency, meaning they have different amounts of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. The amount of these compounds in your product can change how it affects you. 

• On edibles (like chews or lozenges), check labels for nutritional fact information, the amount of cannabinoids (in milligrams, or mg) per serving and in the entire container. 

• On inhalables (like pre-rolls or flower), check labels for the percentage (%) of the product that consists of each cannabinoid. These products will typically list the cultivar (or strain) of cannabis that is inside.

The “right” amount or serving size of cannabis is different for everybody! The “right” amount also depends on what kind of cannabis experience you want. Different things can impact how cannabis will affect you – this starts with the kind of cannabis product you consume and how potent (strong) that product is. Other things that may impact how cannabis affects you include: 

• Body size

• Product form and potency 

• Metabolism 

• Stomach contents 

• Cannabinoid and terpene profile 

• Set and setting 

• Frequency of cannabis consumption

Cannabis edibles in New York State may have up to 10 milligrams of THC per serving. Serving sizes vary from person to person and differ depending on product form! 10 milligrams may be too much for you, so when you hear Start Low and Go Slow keep in mind: 

• Start Low with a low serving size. If you’re newer to cannabis that may mean starting with 2.5 milligrams. You may have to cut your edible in a half or into quarters to start with or have fewer sips of a beverage rather than taking the entire serving at once. 

• Go Slow before consuming more. It can take up to 2 hours to feel the effects of edibles. Wait before you consume more. 

• A higher THC percentage (or more potent product) does not necessarily mean a better cannabis experience. It’s about the product – the terpenes and other cannabinoids (like THC or CBD) present in the product contribute to the overall effect just as much as potency.

If you are a habitual cannabis user, you may notice that over time, it takes a heavier dose to feel desired effects. This occurs when you developing tolerance to THC.
Tolerance occurs when your body gets used to constantly being exposed to something. This can happen with anything from alcohol to opiates, to even the environment you live in. THC is one of the only cannabinoids that people can develop a tolerance towards.
When your body is in distress, cells release endocannabinoids which bind to the cannabinoid receptors on/in your cells. When bound, the cell changes its signal and instead, starts working to minimize the stressor effects on your body. This system is crucial to maintaining homeostasis and many other bodily functions.
THC is a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. When THC is bound to a cannabinoid receptor in your body, it triggers the same reaction as the endocannabinoids released by your cells. If THC is consumed in a large enough dose, it binds to your brains cannabinoid receptors that control pain, anxiety, mood, and may cause feelings of euphoria.
The number of cannabinoid receptors fluctuates depending on what is happening around you. With the number going up in times of stress and going down when too many receptors are being activated via use of THC. A decreased amount of receptors causes a tolerance to THC, as there are fewer receptors to bind to.
THC tolerance however is reversible. One way to lose your tolerance to THC is to stop consumption of THC for a minimum of 48 hours. Another way to avoid THC tolerance is to start more regularly consuming CBD as it is shown to loosen THC’s bind on your cannabinoid receptors. Additionally trying new strains is shown to increase the amount of time it takes to develop a tolerance.

Indica: is a subspecies of the cannabis plant, known for its short stem and broad leaves. Indica strains are sought after for their relaxing effects. It has been known to help reduce nausea, pain, and increase appetite. Typically consumed at night.

Sativa: is a subspecies of the cannabis plant, known for its long stem and more narrow leaves than indica. Sativa is often used to elevate the mood. It is categorized as having an energizing effect, as well as stimulating to the mind.

Hybrid: is a crossbreed between an indica and sativa plant. Within this subset there can be indica dominant and sativa dominant strains.

THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9-THC) is a cannabinoid known for its psychoactive effects, or the feeling of being high.

CBD or Cannabidiol is the second most prevalent cannabinoid in cannabis. Many people who grow hemp, grow varieties that are high in CBD. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a “high” or psychoactive effect by itself. 

Cannabinoids come from trichomes (resin glands), found on the plant’s buds, flowers and leaves. There are hundreds of these chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant and they vary from strain to strain (see cultivar section). There are hundreds of cannabinoids that researchers are currently studying. To truly understand how cannabis might affect you, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how these active chemicals interact with each other and in your body. Botanically derived terpenes are naturally occurring organic compounds found in practically all plant life, including cannabis.

Terpenes are similar to essential oils and are responsible for the scent of cannabis and contribute to its flavor. For example, some common terpenes give the scent of citrus (limonene), pine (pinene), lavender (linalool), and black pepper (caryophyllene). 

• Citrus (limonene) 

• Pine (pinene) 

• Lavender (linalool) 

• Black pepper (caryophyllene) Some research indicates that terpenes have the potential to influence the effects of cannabis by interacting with cannabinoids – creating a therapeutic effect. Flavonoids are a group of compounds that have been found in foods and plants, including cannabis. They affect the taste and smell of cannabis and may be responsible for some antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Researchers are studying how cannabinoids and terpenes work together to create the unique medicinal effects of the cannabis plant. This is referred to as the “Entourage Effect.”

Concentrates are extracted cannabis products that are the most potent (strong) cannabis form and contain high levels of active ingredients from the cannabis plant; primarily cannabinoids (like THC or CBD), terpenes, and flavonoids. THC is a cannabinoid known for its psychoactive effects or the feeling of being high. CBD does not cause a high and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Because they only include select parts of the plant, concentrates are extremely potent and are recommended only for those with a higher tolerance to cannabis and experienced consumers.

Concentrates can range from 50%-98% THC. (For comparison, cannabis flower typically ranges from 12%-30% THC)

Delta-8 is a chemical found in very small amounts in the cannabis plants. Because it occurs naturally in such small amounts, the delta-8 found in commercial products is usually synthetically made from CBD or delta-9 THC.
Delta-8 is a type of THC, which is the psychoactive compound in the cannabis sativa plant.
While CBD and hemp don’t have enough psychoactive compounds to get users “high,” they do contain trace amounts of delta-8 THC. The THC can be extracted from these legal sources and sold along with other legal cannabis products. While delta-8 THC is extracted from legal CBD and hemp, it has similar effects on the mind as the more common THC compound called “delta-9 THC.”

Delta-9 or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is a compound in the cannabis plant that causes users to experience a “high.”
Δ 9-THC acid is extracted from cannabis flowers using a first organic solvent, then separated using a second aqueous solvent. Δ 9-THC acid is converted to Δ 9-THC carboxylic salt before being extracted by a third organic solvent and converted back to Δ 9-THC carboxylic acid.

Delta 9 is significantly more potent than Delta 8. Some experts believe it to be about twice as powerful overall. Side effects are more severe with Delta 9, including paranoid delusions, mental cloudiness, motor impairment, and anxiety.

Cannabis edibles may take up to 2 hours to fully take effect, making it easy to eat too much (overconsume). When you eat or drink cannabis products, they can feel several times stronger than cannabis products that are smoked. When THC is broken down through the liver (which happens when you eat or drink cannabis) it affects your body differently – this is why many people feel the effects of edibles more intensely than other forms of cannabis consumption.

Edibles are food products, and as such, they do eventually expire or lose their optimal freshness. Some edibles last longer than others; depending on how they were made, the type of edible, and weather the edibles contain preservatives.
Certain baked edibles last much longer than others. However, they eventually loose their original colors and get stale (eg. chocolate bar or a gummy). If the edible is past its “best eaten by date” and tastes, smells, or looks odd; it is best to throw it away rather than risk food poisoning.
You should also follow the “best eaten by dates” on items that contain highly perishable ingredients. Products containing more sugar (like lollipops and gummies) won’t expire as quickly because sugar acts as a preservative, but will become less visually appealing over time. The “best eaten by date” also has nothing to do with the potency of the edible but rather the shelf life of the ingredients used to make that product.

Active molecular cannabinoids like THC and CBD do not go bad but rather break down into different molecules, which may have a lessened or different effect on you from the original molecules. For instance, THC degrades into the molecule called Cannabinol (CBN), which is known to have an effect that puts the user to sleep and is usually much less intoxicating than THC. Ergo, an edible that’s been sitting around for a long time may give you more sleepy than high feeling. All cannabinoids degrade over time, loosing their potency.

Edibles should also be stored in cool, dark, dry place because moisture, temperature, air and sunlight all affect the longevity of the edible. It is advised to store edibles in an airtight container, even in the fridge. If the label advises the edible to be refrigerated, then you should do so to preserve or even extend its shelf life. If not kept in an airtight container, the edibles may absorb moisture and flavors from inside the fridge.
Remember to store edibles in safe containers in hard to reach places so that they don’t fall in the wrong hands (anyone under 21 years of age). If the edibles are improperly stored, they may loose as much as 10 to 20 percent per year in potency.
So make sure your edibles are stored in airtight, secured containers; free of moisture, light and heat.

When it comes to determining what the perfect pre-roll is, we consider the entire smoking experience: Smokability, terpene and flavor profile of the flower, consistency, and lastly, is the weed exceptional?
Smokability: When the joint burns and is harsh on your throat and makes you cough while smoking it, it’s not a good pre-roll. In fact, it’s not good weed. Many people consider white ash to be ideal while smoking a joint.

Flavor/Terpene Profile: Flower can look and smell great in its package, but when you hit the joint, those terpenes can deliver a grassy, burnt hair, or even cardboard taste that makes you ask yourself, “Why did I just drop $20 on a joint?” The best quality preroll should give both distinct and subtle flavors that are unique and dynamic to that particular strain.

Consistency: If you purchase a strain from a particular brand today and then again months later, will the quality, smokability and terpene flavor profile be as good as you remember?
If you buy different strains from a particular brand, will there be great experiences when it comes to liking the flower and pre-rolls?
If a particular brand only uses trim and shake for its pre-rolls, the answer is an automatic “No.” Only full-flower joints will do!

Lastly, is the weed exceptional? When the combination of the smoking, terpenes, flavor, and effects come together, are you impressed? That’s all that really matters when deciding if you’re going to go back to that brand and buy that preroll or flower strain again.

There are many different ways to consume and enjoy cannabis. There are the traditional method of smoking using pipes, bongs, blunts or joints; consuming edibles and smoking rosin or resin. Products containing resin or rosin are called concentrates or extracts.

Because of the high THC potency, over the last decade, cannabis concentrates or extracts have become extremely popular.
Concentrates are mostly consumed vaporizing or dabbing.
Dabbing is a process where the concentrate is heated up in a quartz chamber called a nail or banger and then is inhaled as a vapor. This method of consumption is rather new and has the benefit of having safer vapor with less carcinogens.
Two of the most popular concentrates or extracts are rosin and resin.
Rosin is oftentimes regarded as the superior concentrate due to its solvent-less means of creation and higher quality. The process to make rosin starts by collecting plant matter and transferring it into micron bags which are put in an ice bath where they sit filtering and isolating the THC. Afterwards the remaining material is dried turning it into bubble hash. Then the bubble hash is put in a machine which applies heat and pressure to create rosin. However it comes with the downside of being more costly than resin.

Resin is a light to dark brown, sticky substance found on the trichomes of a cannabis plant. Trichomes appear on flowers and sugar leaves of mature female plants. These trichomes produce all of the medical efficacy and psychoactive effects of marijuana. Resin is considered the most valuable part of the plant and delivers the majority of the psychoactive compound THC.
Resin is cheaper than rosin and is still of higher caliber than other cannabis products. How resin is created varies from simple application of pressure and heat to complex processes requiring expensive lab equipment and trained technicians. Live resin is made by flash-freezing the cannabis plant immediately after harvest, ensuring that all of the compounds don’t have any chance to deteriorate. The extraction process is meant to remove as many of the impurities, namely fats and lipids, as possible from the product. Resin can also be created using various solvents such as ethanol or butane being poured over flash-frozen plant matter. After the solvent is removed, you are left with a robustly flavorful product due to the high amount of terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids.
If you have never tried dabbing or vaping, please ask our fully trained expert bud tenders and they will be happy to teach you and explain the process to you.

Hashish or hash is a cannabis concentrate with origins traced back to the Middle East. It has been used for medicinal and religious purposes for thousands of years. Hash is known and used throughout the world, including but not limited to China, India and Europe.
Sift Hash is made from frozen cannabis trim and put into a tumbler which acts like a sieve. The leaf material is spun until the THC trichomes fall though the micron filter to the bottom of a container. The first spin produces a byproduct called Dry Sieve which is then pressed using pressure and heat to make different products like sift rosin and pressed sift hash.
Bubble Hash is made from cannabis trim in a large sealed micron bag and submerged into cold water and ice, then agitated until the THC trichomes collect in the water. Water is then drained through micron side bags and the trichomes are dried and collected. Then heat and pressure are added to mold the product until final form of rosin or hash.
“Charas” from the Himalayan foothill is the oldest example of hand rubbed hashish, while Afghani hashish is the oldest example of sieved hashish.