Shop Talk

Our Budtenders Explain Factors Affecting Cannabis Product Selection

By Erin Ray

Terpenes and Strains

Terpenes, and Why They Are Important
We could launch into a scientific explanation of terpenes, but we’ll spare you. All you really need to know is that terpenes (or terpenoids), as they apply to cannabis, are aroma compounds produced in the flower and leaves of the cannabis plant. Can you believe there are over 100 terpenes in one cannabis flower?!

Understanding cannabis terpenes is critical to navigating medical marijuana; they are as crucial as cannabinoids when it comes to therapeutic treatment with cannabis. At Custom Cannabis, we always advise our customers to consider more than the potency of THC and CBD in a strain because the concentration of terpenes and their impact should not be underestimated. Many of our medical marijuana patients rely on how their bodies could potentially respond to specific terpene profiles to help identify which strains may work best to treat their symptoms.

Main Functions of Terpenes
Terpenes may be responsible for many physiological effects associated with the cannabis plant. Considered to have a range of potential medicinal properties, these aroma compounds work with cannabinoids that may provide therapeutic relief to some patients. Together, they may create an “entourage effect,” which may enhance the potential singular therapeutic properties of the plant. The entourage effect is key to utilizing cannabis as a possible medicine. Patients can embrace the phenomenon of cannabinoids and terpenes interacting synergistically. Aim to pick products that have robust, natural terpene profiles. Every cannabis strain has varying percentages of terpene content – a diverse terpene profile may help impart a unique and significant sense of relief.

How Terpenes Affect The High
The terpene profile of a particular cannabis strain may influence the type of “high” or psychoactive effect that a patient may experience. Like CBD, certain terpenes may alter the psychoactive effect of THC and enhance its potential medicinal benefits.

Different cannabis terpenes may affect your mood, your physical state and your sense of relief. Have you ever experienced the uplifting effect of citrus? This is because of a terpene called limonene, which has stress-reducing properties. Suppose you’ve ever used lavender essential oil at night to help you relax and drift off to sleep. In that case, you’re already familiar with the soothing properties of linalool. The more you try different strains and terpene profiles, the more you will learn which terpenes work best for your symptoms.

Common Terpenes and Their Uses
Refer to the helpful terpene chart on page 9, which we’ve created to help guide you in your selection process and revisit it whenever needed.

“Terpenes are just as crucial as cannabinoids when it comes to cannabis therapy—understanding them can make all the difference in finding the right strain for your needs.”

What You Will Be Doing While Using Your Medical Marijuana (Impairment and Safety)
Your daily activities and responsibilities affect when and how you use your medical marijuana. The Custom Cannabis staff can help you determine which products are best for you, depending on your schedule, to ensure you can balance the side effects of medical marijuana with other aspects of your life. For example, edibles can induce a more intense high than smoke or vapor due to how they are metabolized but may have a delayed effect, whereas the effects of marijuana peak just minutes after inhaling marijuana smoke or vapor.

Because marijuana acts as a nervous system depressant and impairs decision-making skills, there are certain activities you should avoid when cannabis compounds are still active inside your body, including but not limited to:

- - Driving
  - Carrying a firearm
  - Swimming
  - Operating heavy equipment
  - Supervising babies or young children
  - Working around machinery

Additional Impairment Guidelines
For helpful information on best practices, safety and additional impairment guidelines, ask one of your knowledgeable Custom Cannabis budtenders or visit the Arkansas Department of Health’s website.

Your Specific Medical Conditions, Health Concerns and Symptoms
We understand that discussing your health may be a sensitive topic for you. Please know that Custom Cannabis is a safe space, and our knowledgeable, empathetic team members will always respect you and your privacy. We ask that, on your terms, you share basic information about your medical condition and any symptoms you are having. This information plays a critical role in the medical marijuana strains and products we recommend for you and which products will best suit you; for example, if you have difficulty breathing, we would recommend an edible, topical or tincture.

Our budtenders are knowledgeable about the endocannabinoid system, the major cannabinoids and how THC and CBD interact with the brain and body. Understanding the biological aspects of our products means we can better serve customers like you!

And, don’t forget, in Arkansas, although pharmacists are not required to be physically present in dispensaries, they are mandated to be readily available to serve as consultants, providing expertise and guidance (in a remote capacity) to patients like you and our dispensary staff. You are not alone in this journey. If there are ever any questions or concerns regarding potential interactions between medical marijuana and the other medications you take, we recommend checking with your medical team and consulting our pharmacist first.

Check out the Custom Cannabis Superstore product menu.