Like with most plants, there are male and female cannabis plants. Both produce pre-flowers, but only female and hermaphroditic plants fully blossom.

The flowering tip of the female plant, often called the bud, is the part harvested for consumption because it contains the highest concentration of cannabinoids, the chemical compound that produces the effects of cannabis.

While the cannabis leaf has become the symbol of cannabis, they only produce trace amounts of cannabinoids.

A Cola is a cluster of buds on a female plant. They usually grow so closely together that they appear to be one large bud. This is where the highest concentration of cannabinoids are found. The topmost cluster of buds is called the main cola or apical bud.

Small tear-shaped leaves that encapsulate the plant’s ovary that contain its seeds. Some growers refer to the bract formation as the “seed pod.” Others refer to the bract formation as “sugar leaves” because of their white trichomes (see below).

Mushroom-shaped glands found on the cannabis plant’s leaves, stems and calyxes. Trichomes secrete resin, THC, CBD and terpenes.

These are the female plant’s reproductive parts. The pistil’s most important feature is the coloured hairs (called stigmas) that emerge from the ovule and can be seen shooting out from the bracts and ovaries. The stigmas collect pollen from the male plant to produce seeds. While the colour of the stigmas can be visually appealing, these have little to no bearing on the effect.

A collection of cells that form part of the perianth, a delicate, translucent veil that partially encloses the seeds.

This species can grow quite tall (up to 25 feet) and has long, serrated light green leaves. Cannabis sativa L, more commonly known as hemp is typically grown for industrial use and is regulated to ensure the plants do not contain more than 0.3% THC.

This species is generally faster-growing, bushier and up to six feet shorter than Cannabis sativa, with dark green leaves.

This species is short, stalky and shaggier with light green leaves. It tends to be rugged and auto-flowering, which is good for breeders.

There is a lot of speculation about the varying effects of consuming predominantly sativa versus indica strains, but significant differences can occur from strain to strain. Many products are made from hybrid plants, which combine both species, as growers explore and cultivate cannabis to produce desired effects.

• A cannabis plant’s THC content is expressed as a percentage of mg/g. This is often referred to as “potency.”
• THC is intoxicating and can produce a variety of intended effects, but consuming too much or choosing a product with a high potency potential can produce harmful or negative effects.
• THC content is indicated on the packaging of any cannabis product sold on OCS.ca.
• THC ranges shown on our product pages are provided by cannabis producers and may differ from ranges specified on the actual packaging.Of the more than 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the one principally responsible for the psychoactive and intoxicating effects of cannabis consumption.Live cannabis plants contain tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), the non-active version of this compound. When cannabis is decarboxylated (heated to a high temperature), dried or cured, the acid molecule (the “A” in THCA) drops off, and the THC is activated. This results in the effects we associate with consuming THC. It also means that cannabis in its fresh form is not yet active with THC.

THC interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Studies suggest this system plays a role in regulating stress recovery, protecting our nervous system, activating our immune system response and regulating our homeostatic balance (our overall state of optimal health, function and stability). Put simply, your ECS is made up of two things:

1) Cannabinoid receptors, present in nearly every region of your central nervous system and brain, as well as many other areas of the body, including your immune system; and

2) Cannabinoids that you naturally produce (called endocannabinoids).Your natural endocannabinoids fit into your ECS receptors like a key in a lock and help carry messages from cell to cell. THC works the same way, temporarily replacing your own endocannabinoids, but with different effects. These may include:

• the release of dopamine, resulting in feelings of relaxation;
• a physical response, such as reduced inflammation or an increase in hunger; and
• effects on various regions of the brain, including the hippocampus (memory), the frontal cortex (thinking and decision-making) and the cerebellum (physical movement and coordination).

Potency refers to the amount of THC in a cannabis product. THC content is expressed as a percentage of milligrams per gram of cannabis. For example, if a product is labelled 15% THC, it has 150 milligrams of THC per gram of cannabis. It is important to know that 33% is the highest potency currently available, and it is impossible to have dried flower cannabis with 100% THC. As a natural product, the THC content in a cannabis product may vary from product to product and between lots of the same strain.

All information on THC content for our listed products is provided by the federally licensed producers from which we purchase the product.

By law, THC content is indicated on the packaging of every cannabis product sold on OCS.ca. Additionally, products with THC amounts over 17% and 20% are labelled as “strong” and “very strong,” respectively, to guide customers in product selection.

The effects of THC will be different for everyone. When choosing a product, consider not only the THC potency potential, but also the method and amount of consumption along with personal factors such as your age, your gender, your health history and previous experience with cannabis. Consult with your physician if you have questions.

• Consuming small amounts of THC can produce effects such as relaxation, heightened happiness, arousal and creativity, more sociability and energy, and an increased appetite
• However, consuming large amounts of THC may produce overwhelming, unpleasant or harmful effects
• Consider products with low THC potency and/or at least a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD (cannabidiol) to help reduce the likelihood of unintended effects. Remember to consume it slowly and in small amounts.
• Remember that even the same products can vary between lots of the same strain. Please check labels carefully to be sure of the actual THC content in the product you selected.

• Unlike THC, CBD generally has no intoxicating effect.
• CBD interacts with the human Endocannabinoid System by encouraging the release of our own endocannabinoids
• CBD is most commonly made available as an oil or in capsule form.
• As a natural product, the CBD content in a cannabis product may vary from product to product and lot to lot.Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that are produced naturally in our bodies and in some plants; they’re called endocannabinoids in humans and phytocannabinoids in plants.Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most common cannabinoid in cannabis, and although it can have an effect on both mind and body, it has little to no intoxicating effect. It’s found in the trichomes on the flower of many cannabis strains, including hemp.CBD is extracted from the trichomes and is commonly made available as an oil or in capsule form. It can also be applied topically as a cream or salve, inhaled or ingested in dried flower format, or ingested as an oil or in an edible product.

Research into understanding how CBD works is ongoing. Studies to date suggest that rather than binding to the CB1 receptors in the human endocannabinoid system, as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) does, CBD acts differently, increasing or improving the production of our own endocannabinoids.

This is because chemically, CBD inhibits the production of an enzyme in our body that regulates and destroys our own excess endocannabinoids. This leads to us having more of our own endocannabinoids circulating in our bodies, which affects our physical state.Recent studies also suggest CBD may alter the effects of other natural chemicals in our bodies, including serotonin, which modulates mood and stress; adenosine, which impacts our sleep-wake cycle; and vanilloid, which contributes to pain modulation.

CBD content, also known as potency, is expressed as a percentage of milligrams per gram in cannabis. For instance, 12% CBD means that it contains 120 milligrams of CBD per gram of cannabis. It’s important to know that as a natural product, the CBD content in a cannabis product may vary from product to product and lot to lot. Also, all information on CBD content for our listed products is provided by the federally licensed producers from which we purchase the product. Please check all products carefully to be certain of the actual CBD content when you receive them.

CBD and THCAlthough it requires more scientific research, cannabinoids and other compounds in cannabis plants and products are thought to work together to amplify or modulate the effects of cannabis, a theory referred to as “the entourage effect.”Additionally, some studies show that CBD, in combination with THC, appears to reduce some of the psychoactive effects of THC. So selecting a product with similar levels of CBD and THC may help curb the overwhelming or unwanted effects (such as anxiety or paranoia) that are often associated with consuming high amounts of THC.

We all have individual preferences for smells and tastes, so knowing the terpene profile of a cannabis product can help you choose one with a scent and flavour profile you’d most likely prefer.

Since many terpenes are associated with various types of plants and herbs used in naturopathic remedies, some theorize that terpenes play a role in the effect of cannabis. For instance, linalool, a common terpene found in lavender, may be associated with relaxation. Some also believe in the theory of “the entourage effect,” referring to the possibility that cannabinoids and terpenes work together in the overall effect of cannabis. As of now, these are just theories- the impact of terpenes beyond flavour and aroma has yet to be scientifically proven.