Cannabis Education

Cannabis sold on the legal market by provincially licensed retailers has been produced by federally licensed producers (LP’s). LP’s that have a license to grow legally are required to uphold standards that involve rigorous lab testing of their products at licensed testing facilities and regular inspections of their operations by Health Canada.

Cannabis produced by the black market is not held to any particular standard of quality or safety.

There is really no difference in the selection, potency or quality of cannabis sold to medical patients vs. recreational consumers. Regardless as to whether it is sold through the medical system or by retailers for the recreational market, all legal cannabis products are grown and packaged by the same federally licensed producers in Canada.

The main difference between the two is how it is accessed and purchased.
Medical cannabis can only be accessed online through direct purchase from a licensed producer whom your doctor will most likely have a relationship. Patients will need a prescription.

Recreational cannabis can be purchased directly through storefront cannabis retailers who have been licensed for resale by their respective provincial government.

As a licensed retail cannabis store we are only permitted to sell cannabis products that are in their original packaging and received from the wholesale Liquor and Cannabis Distribution Branch of BC. We cannot open packages and we cannot permit customers to open the packages within our store, even after they have purchased them. You should transport your cannabis purchases home before opening the package in order to ensure you are transporting your cannabis in a legal manner.

Strains are different varieties of cannabis that each come with their own unique array of cannabinoids and terpene profiles. Different strains may result in a different experience depending on a number of factors.

When buying cannabis the two words you will hear the most are Indica and Sativa.

Cannabis is a species of flowering herb that is split into these two main subspecies. Their origins can be traced back to certain geographical regions: Indica is a short, stalky plant that grows better in cooler climates…it originates from the Hindu Kush region of Pakistan. Cannabis Sativa grows much taller and has thinner leaves…this subspecies enjoys warmer climates and originate from equatorial regions of Asia and South & Central America.

Each has its own range of effects on the body and mind resulting in a wide spectrum of benefits and uses. Most consumers use these simple guidelines to help select which strains they use for which purpose and experience they seek.

• Indica strains are believed to be physically sedating and calming…great for relaxing at home or for use as a sleep aid.
• Sativa strains tend to provide more invigorating, uplifting cerebral effects that pair well with physical activity, social gatherings, and creative projects.

Most strains on the market these days are actually a hybrid of the two subspecies. In the world of hybrid strains look for words like “sativa dominant” or indica dominant” to help guide you in the right direction.

Cannabis contains hundreds of natural chemical substances. More than 100 of these are known as cannabinoids and they interact with our body’s own endocannabinoid system. The two most prevalent and widely recognized being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

Terpenes are naturally occurring chemicals within many different plants…including cannabis. Terpenes give cannabis its distinctive smell and differing aromas. Terpenes are widely believed to have a multitude of medicinal benefits, however the exact effects of terpenes on their own, and within the cannabis plant are still mostly unknown.

The best mantra for a beginner is “start low and go slow”. The practice of micro-dosing is key to enjoying your experience. In fact many long time cannabis users have adopted micro-dosing as a preferred way to consume cannabis and avoid the dizzying euphoria, and possible anxious feeling that come with higher doses of THC.

Whichever form of consumption you choose, the staff at Happy Isle Cannabis can guide you on how to micro-dose.

There is no steadfast expiration date for cannabis. Like with fine wines or whiskey, it has more to do with how you store it than how long you store it for.

The greatest concern is protecting it from mold and mildew. Cannabis should be stored in a dark, cool, dry place. Use containers that block out the light and moisture. Cannabis likes a relative humidity level of between 59% and 63% RH. There are several products on the market that are designed to help maintain this RH level within your container. Please ask us in store about products that will help prolong the shelf life of your cannabis.

Always ensure your cannabis is stored in a locked child-proof container away from children, teens and pets.

All cannabis products are labeled based on federal guidelines. Each product label will include the name and contact information of the licensed producer and their brands name, as well as packaging date, lot number, weight and Health Canada THC warning symbol.

Usually consumers are most interested in the THC and CBD content, which is also listed by federal law. The higher the THC content the more potent the product will be. An average amount of THC is around 15% with some strains as high as 30% or more. For those seeking a more mild “high” look for THC content below 12%. A strain with more than 4% CBD is generally considered to be a high CBD strain, rarely will you see CBD higher than 10%.