CBD dominant weed strains are a great way to get the medicinal benefits of marijuana without so much of that heady high. That can be important if you want to use it during the day at work, and it’s also a great way to tap into the numerous health and wellness benefits of CBD while you go about your day. After all, many people already use CBD to help them stay focused and calm no matter what the day has in store for them.
But if you haven’t had much experience with CBD weed strains, you may not know what to look for. Sure, CBD doesn’t have the intoxicating effects of THC, but, just like THC-laden strains, there are differences in strains that you should be aware of. Some strains are intended to prevent seizures or send you into a light state of relaxation, while others may actually have THC included to help boost the synergistic effect and dial up that high. There’s no right or wrong strain, though you’ll definitely have to pay attention to what you opt for lest you end up with a hybrid that could have as much THC as it does CBD.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT
While many people opt for one weed strain over another precisely because it has a high level of THC or CBD, many CBD dominant strains have some trace amounts of THC. Pure CBD products will only have 0.3 percent THC, which is a federally mandated limit for the sale and purchase of CBD products, though many prefer to mix both THC and CBD for maximum effect. A CBD weed strain may not necessary get you high, but they could, so it’s best to know what you’re getting into.
In a nutshell, the entourage effect comes into play when you have a CBD dominant weed strain that includes more than 0.3 percent THC. Some strains may only include a few percent of THC while others may have equal amounts of each. It goes without saying that if you’re looking for a high CBD strain to help you focus and de-stress at work, you’ll want to keep that THC content as low as possible.
But if you’re relaxing at home, wanting to rejuvenate after a strenuous workout or to dial up the relief on your days off, a CBD dominant weed strain with a healthy dose of THC may be just what you need. The THC and CBD will work synergistically with each other to provide even more medicinal benefits, and many high CBD strains have beneficial terpenes and other ingredients within.
IS IT HEMP OR MARIJUANA?
The easiest way to tell if a given weed strain is hemp or marijuana is to look at the THC content. Any strain that has less than 0.3 percent THC is considered a pure CBD or hemp strain. However, if the THC is higher than 0.3 percent, it’s either a hybrid or a pure THC strain.
Keep in mind that some strong marijuana strains can have a THC content up to and exceeding 20 percent, as well as having virtually no CBD. These strains will give you the heady high and other effects of cannabis, yet none of the benefits of CBD. While there is some overlap with THC and CBD, both generally provide much different effects.
It’s also important to note that while CBD products with less than 0.3 percent THC are legal nationally, products with more than 0.3 percent THC are only legal in specific states with recreational or medical marijuana laws on the books. And even if it’s legal in your state, it’s likely not legal for you to show up to work or to drive with a significant head buzz. It’s kind of like alcohol — you can drink it at home but driving under the influence or showing up to work is definitely a big no-no.
WHAT IS A WEED STRAIN?
All this talk about weed strains can be confusing if you’re new to marijuana and CBD products. Strains are basically different varieties of weed. Some strains, like certain types of alcohol, may produce certain effects over others, though there’s also a lot of crossover and grey areas between different strains and products. And just like with alcohol, it could take some trial and error before you land on the right strain for your need.
It all starts with what you’re looking for from a CBD dominant weed strain. If, for legal reasons, you’re wanting to keep the THC content as low as possible, you’ll want to look for strains that are marketed as CBD-only, meaning that the THC content is under 0.3 percent. If you’re willing to move up to higher THC levels, try opting for strains that have THC content in the low single digits. Three or four percent goes a long way, and you might even find that one or two is even better. That said, some of the best CBD strains may have equal amounts of CBD and THC.
Embarc on your cannabis journey today with CBD dominant strains from Embarc.