When you're putting something foreign into your body, or at least something your body is yet to become fully accustomed to, it pays to do due diligence, and find out what you might be letting yourself in for before you bite the bullet and consume it.
And to be honest with you, I would never trust any drug that wasn't properly labelled. But if you're let to learn how to read and decode cannabis labels, then the labels may not mean very much to you at all.
However, I'm here to change all that. In this article, I'm going to explain how to decode cannabis labels. By the end of the article, you will feel much safer when deciding what to buy for yourself. Or you can even take this information and make your own labels if you so wish.
Understanding cannabis labels is even more important when you are handling the highly concentrated amounts you find in dab jars. But it's worth noting that the various abbreviations used on the labels mean the same thing regardless of whether you're handling dab jars, hemp, CBD oil, or CBD capsules.
If you're new to taking cannabis the different labels can be somewhat confusing if you're not already familiar with the terms. But the good news is that you only need to know a handful of terms before you can accurately read and understand a cannabis label.
However, it's worth noting at this point that each state has its own labeling laws. So, strictly speaking there isn't a nationwide standardization of what should be included on a cannabis label. But, you'll be pleased to know, a lot of what does tend to get included is pretty much self explanatory.
HHC is the newest cannabinoids in the market and it is quite similar to THC and CBD, as it offers a number of health benefits. If you are interested in HHC and want to know more about it, read about it on Area 52.
What's Included On The Label
Here's what's typically included on a cannabis label:
- The strain name
- Who the strain was grown by
- Whether it's indica, sativa or hybrid class
- The lab where it was tested and the date it was tested
- The expiration date of the testing results
- Details on legal compliance with state law
Well, that's the simple bit covered, now for the rest.
Total THC (Or THC Maximum)
THC stands for Tetrahydrocannabinol. It is the ingredient in cannabis that produces a high, and it is a cannabinoid.
In general terms, the greater the amount of THC, the more powerful the high. A strain of cannabis with a powerful high will typically have between 28 and 20 percent plus total THC.
In edibles however, the included THC is measured in milligrams rather than percentage. In which case 20mg is considered to be a high dose (excuse the pun).
Sometimes the amount of THC present is broken down to
For example, THC Decarb is transformed to THC by aging and curing, while THC-acid is transformed to THC by heating. The greater the amount of THC Decarb or THC-acid, the greater the THC potential of the strain.
CBD And CBDA Levels
CBD stands for cannabidiol. This is the chemical present in cannabis that has medicinal properties. It is just one of hundreds of cannabinoids that can be found in cannabis plants and medicines.
The level of CBD in different forms of cannabis is typically labeled in one of two ways. It may be depicted as a percentage, or alternatively the number of milligrams present may be stated instead.
And just like there’s an acid version of THC, there’s also an acid version of CBD. It is known as CBDA. CBDA is basically raw CBD and when you heat it, it will convert to CBD. The greater the level of CBDA, the greater the CBD potential of the strain.
Neither CBD or CBDA are psychoactive, which means that they are not responsible for producing a high, that’s the task of THC.
Other Cannabinoids
THC and CBD are rarely the only cannabinoids present in cannabis, and you will often find many others. These include the likes of Δ8-THC, THCV, CBG, CBN, and CBC.
As a general rule, the cannabinoids most similar to THC can potentially produce a high. The others tend not to, but if you’re ever unsure just have a quick Google.
Strains with high numbers of total cannabinoids tend to be more potent which is very handy for those who wish to use them for medicinal purposes.
And that covers all the main information on a cannabis level.
