Medical Marijuana

General information about Medical Marijuana in Illinois

I’m New To Marijuana. What should I expect?

Marijuana affects everyone differently. Some new users do not feel the affect the first time they try it. It all comes down to how your body processes the cannabinoids, or THC and CBD – although CDB to a much lesser extent. It is always a good rule of thumb to start with a “lighter” strain first and then work your way up to the strain and dosage you feel the the most at ease.

There Seems To Be A Lot Of Terms Associated With Marijuana. What Does Sativa, Indica and THC Mean?

Well, lets break this down. Marijuana produces a chemical compound known as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are what give the plant its medicinal properties. There are two kinds of cannabinoids found in marijuana: THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and CBD (cannabidiol). THC takes up the majority of the chemical compound and is known to give a more euphoric feeling while CBD produces more of a sedative quality within the body.

A strain of marijuana will differ depending on the composition of cannabinoids within the plant; however, there are only three types of strain compositions: Sativa, Indica and Hybrid.

Sativa strains tend to be more focused on the “mind” and give the added benefits of increased energy, creativity and focus while Indica strains are more “body” and tend to increased relaxation, pain relief and appetite. Here is a better breakdown:

Hybrids are just that, a hybrid (or combination) of the two strains Indica and Sativa- usually getting the better aspects of both strains and combining it into one. Most hybrids are not a straight cut down the middle, though. Often, a hybrid strain will have a dominant side and will show more of those effects than the other strain.

Example: An Indica dominant hybrid strain might leave you focused but will also be very relaxing and will leave you really sleepy. Differentiating effects can be taken down even further to the plant level once the strain has been determined.

And Names Like Kush, Diesel and Haze, What Do They Mean?

Just as wine has many different vintages – like chardonnay, merlot, pinot noir (or brew styles for beer – like stouts, ambers, ipa); marijuana is not that different. Each plant is specified by not only its strain but by the name or type of plant each flower comes from. Meaning that while a specific plant might be from a sativa strain, it’s effects and flavor will differ from other sativa plants based on the composition of the cannabinoids within the plant. Each plant will have it’s own set of properties. It just comes down to figuring out which plant type you prefer.

What Is The Best Way To Take Medical Marijuana?

There are many different ways to ingest marijuana. The most traditional method is by smoking the flower via a joint or a pipe and metabolizing it that way. However, some users find traditional smoking to be too harsh on the lungs and prefer alternative methods of ingesting the plant’s medicinal qualities.

Not everyone feels comfortable smoking the flower product in order to gain the positive effects of the plant.

One of the main alternatives for consuming marijuana is through a concentrate. What are concentrates, you ask? Well to put it simply, concentrates are distilled THC, or the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. They can be distilled from Sativa, Indica or Hybrid strains and are created by separating the cannabinoids from the organic plant material. Once they are separated, the matter is made into various concentrated products, including: wax, keif, hash, and oil.

Wax is just like it sounds, a wax-like substance that is quite potent- containing up to 80% THC.

Keif comes from loose, dry amounts of resin glands created by sifting marijuana buds through a mesh screen. This results in a dust-like product that’s often used to make hash.

Hash is a compressed resin that is made from the organic material and contains about 70% THC. The majority of all edibles, or baked goods containing cannabinoids, are made from resin. Edibles are a nice alternative for consuming marijuana as it allows your body to absorb the cannabinoids through ingested food.They can come in many different shapes and sizes – from trail mix to brownies to crackers.

However, it is warned that eating an edible can cause the cannabinoids to take longer to feel results as they need to be broken down in the bloodstream before they can take effect. Once they are in the bloodstream it can also take a while for cannabinoids to dissipate and have been known to create more of a hallucinogenic experience. Always start with smaller doses for edibles and wait at least 45-60 minutes for them to start working.

Oils, or tinctures, are another way to absorb the benefits of medical marijuana. A tincture is an herbal extraction process of taking the plant’s essential oil, or the most concentrated properties of the plant, and combined with a commercial-grade consumable liquor (anywhere from 80-181 proof or 40%-90% ethanol). The final product is a very potent, 25%-90% alcohol, but very effective. A user would use the tincture by administering a few drops from the tincture’s dropper directly into the mouth or into tea, water or another beverage. The alcohol allows the cannabinoids to take effect rather quickly and it is recommended to wait up to 20 minutes for the effects to start.

Users can also use concentrates for vaping, or vaporizing, as a nice alternative to the traditional smoking methods. With vaporizing, a user will add a concentrate into a vaporizer which then rapidly heats the concentrate into a gas and can be inhaled. The gas is much lighter and softer on the lungs while giving users all the psychoactive properties of marijuana in its purer form.

Remember!! Concentrates are very potent! It is always recommended to start with small amounts and to build up from there. Marijuana affects everyone differently and it is always best to figure out what works for you by starting slow.

Will 3C and RISE Dispensaries offer Edibles? What About Vapes, Concentrates and Tinctures?

Yes, both of our Illinois dispensaries will be offering a wide variety of MMJ products, including edibles of many different varieties, oils, vapors, and traditional flower products as well as various accessories. As of right now, the exact product makeup that our Illinois dispensaries will offer is contingent upon what and when growers will have products available. Check back to the website closer to opening to get a more definitive list of products our Illinois dispensaries will be offering.

How Much Marijuana Can I Purchase?

Adults over the age of 18, or parents of children with epilepsy, who have applied for and received an Illinois Medical Marijuana card are allowed to purchase Medical Marijuana products in any combination up to 2.5 ounces every 2 weeks / 14 days. If a patient feels that they require more product than the currently allowable limit, they can consult with their doctor and ask for a recommendation for more than the 2.5 ounces currently allowed for purchase every 14 days.