The Cannabis Compendium for Patients

Factors to Consider Before Purchasing Your ‘Bis Bliss’

By Erin Ray

Flavonoids

Similar to terpenes, flavonoids affect how you perceive cannabis through your senses. But there’s a lot more to flavonoids than what you smell or taste when enjoying your cannabis. In fact, flavonoids are essential in providing the distinguishing qualities used to differentiate between strain varieties. Both odor and flavor are possible in cannabis due to the synergistic qualities that terpenes and flavonoids share with one another.

Flavonoids also influence the pigmentation of cannabis, just as they do with other flowers; for example, all of the beautiful, deep purple cannabis strains owe their coloration to the flavonoids known as anthoxanthins or anthocyanins. And, true to its multitasking superpowers, research has shown that flavonoids are also highly pharmacologically active. While more research is necessary to determine if flavonoids enhance the properties of cannabinoids or modulate their efficacy, emerging data reveals the overwhelming medicinal benefits of cannaflavins found exclusively in cannabis, including Orientin, Quercetin, Silymarin and Kaempferol – all with anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antioxidant and anti-cancer potential.

Dosage

Determining the correct dosage for cannabis can be tricky since it can be subjective and is also relative to factors like which strain it is, what type of product it is, etc. Furthermore, there isn’t a standard “recommended THC dosage.” Nevertheless, there are a few basic guidelines and dosage ranges that might be helpful for quick reference:

THC Dosage: 1-2.5mg
Typical Effects: Mild relief of symptoms including pain, stress and anxiety; heightened focus and creativity. Great for new medical marijuana patients or more experienced patients interested in microdosing.

THC Dosage: 2.5-15mg
Typical Effects: Stronger relief of symptoms; euphoria; impacted coordination and perception. Excellent for stubborn symptoms not affected by smaller cannabis doses; potential treatment for sleep issues.

THC Dosage: 30-50mg
Typical Effects: Strong euphoria; significantly impacted coordination and perception. Great for patients with a high tolerance for THC or with GI systems that don’t absorb cannabinoids well.

THC Dosage: 50-100 mg
Typical Effects: Seriously impacted coordination and perception; possible unpleasant side effects including nausea and increased heart rate. This is considered a high dosage and is generally reserved for those who have a high THC tolerance.