How to Read a Cannabis Menu and Understand THC, CBD, and Other Important Details

Cannabis

If you have never been inside a Boston dispensary, it is completely normal to be confused by the process. Unlike other stores, dispensaries do not display ounces on the shelves for you to pick up and bring to the counter (although they may do so with pre-packaged items, such as edibles). Instead, you’ll need to look at a menu to determine which products you want to try.

A cannabis menu contains information to help you make a decision based on your tolerance, goals, and preferences; however, you first need to understand how to read the menu! Here are the basics of reading a cannabis menu to make sense of all the important details it offers, from insights into taste to the cannabis compounds that provide potent effects.

Basic Menu Formatting

Every business will have its own style, and that includes how it formats its menu. Yet, there are a handful of items you can expect to find:

• Sections: Basic separators indicating which products are available, such as edibles and prerolls
• Strain types: The three main genetic types of cannabis strains are Sativa, Indica, and hybrid. We’ll explain more below.
• Strain names: More specific identifying information about the genetics and possible effects of a variety
• Composition: A breakdown of the psychoactive and non-psychoactive components in the weed
• Price: The cost is broken down by weight

Menu Keywords: What to Know

Now that you understand the basic menu sections, let’s take a closer look at the details. You will most often find the following information.

Strain names

Every cannabis variety has its own name. Sometimes, its name comes from how it tastes (the strain Gelato is named for its sweet flavor, reminiscent of ice cream), and sometimes, it’s named after its parentage (Berry White is a strain that is made from Blueberry and White Widow). Names help you be very specific when choosing a product, so you always know what you’re getting.

The dominant strain types

Each strain is categorized into one of three types: Indica, Sativa, or hybrid. This genetic component influences which compounds can be found in the plant and, by extension, what effects you might expect. In general, Indica offers relaxation, Sativa provides energy and a heightened mood, and hybrids are a mixture of the two (sometimes leaning more towards either an Indica or Sativa direction).

The cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are compounds that provide the “trip” experience. Not all of them are psychoactive, so understanding what experience you want can help you choose products with the right natural “ingredients” for your high.

• THC: This is the weed component that provides psychoactive effects, such as euphoria and heightened senses.
• CBD: This compound is often used for relaxation, pain management, and stress relief.

Cannabis has many other compounds, but THC and CBD are the two most likely to be listed right next to each strain name, as they are typically most helpful for shaping customers’ expectations.

Terpenes

Some menus might list the terpenes found in a particular strain. Terpenes are responsible for the distinct smell and taste of strains, and many also possess therapeutic effects. For example, limonene gives strains a citrus flavor, but it can also decrease anxiety. Other common terpenes include myrcene, caryophyllene, and linalool.

Less common compounds

Menus with very granular detail may also include some of the less common compounds found in some strains. Not all strains have these, so it’s common for even regular hobbyists not to have encountered them. Here’s a quick guide to help you recognize these compounds if you encounter them in the wild.

• THCP: A more potent form of THC that is only recently gaining public awareness. It can produce effects more than 30 times those of THC, so these products are not ideal for beginners.
• HHC: A less intense type of THC that has had extra hydrogen atoms added to it. This can provide a THC-like experience for those with lower tolerance.
• THCA: THCA is not psychoactive in itself; instead, it’s the precursor to THC. In other words, some products, such as prerolls, contain THCA, which turns into THC when heated (in a process called decarboxylation). Sometimes, menus might list the THCA content in place of the THC content because they are related.

Make Your Purchases With Confidence

Whether you are new to cannabis as a whole or simply trying a new product, understanding what you read on a Boston dispensary’s menu makes it more likely that you’ll go home with a cannabis product you love. If you stop by Pure Oasis, our friendly budtenders can answer any of your questions and educate you on using a cannabis menu. We’ll listen to your goals and concerns and help you pick a product that suits your needs. Drop by for a visit anytime.