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Smoke Signal e-Newsletter

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By LARRY LECHUGA

We understand that you might be at least a little apprehensive about your first visit to a medical marijuana dispensary. You undoubtedly have some questions. What do I have to bring? How much will it cost? What qualities should I look for in my medicine?

“I had my medical marijuana recommendation ready and I had searched out a collective next to my house,” said Jack Daoust, a medical marijuana patient from Los Angeles. “But I had no idea what to expect from my first dispensary visit. I was a little nervous, actually, since I knew virtually nothing about marijuana.”

It’s normal to feel a little clueless before your first dispensary visit especially if you’ve never used marijuana before. There’s no need to worry, though. We’re here to help. I’ll list the essential things you’ll need and give you some helpful information that will make sure that your first dispensary visit goes as smoothly as possible.

What To Bring?
Before you venture to a dispensary, you want to make sure that you have two things: your doctor’s recommendation or medical marijuana card and your California state ID. It’s perfectly fine to have only your doctor’s recommendation since medical marijuana cards are optional in California. Be sure to keep these items handy in the future because you’ll need to show these documents for every subsequent dispensary visit.

You also need to take money with you, but you probably already figured as much. Normally, the smallest increment in which you can obtain medical marijuana is 1 gram, which will run you about $18 – $25 depending on the strain you purchase. The next increment is normally an eighth of an ounce (the equivalent of 3.5 grams since there are roughly 28 grams in an ounce), which normally costs between $30 – $55. Larger amounts come in increments of quarter-ounces (7 grams) all the way up to an ounce.

For your first visit, however, it might be a good idea to try small quantities of different strains to see which is best suited for your specific needs. A lot of times, finding the right strain for you comes down to experience and experimentation.

Indica vs Sativa: The Basics
Just as you would want to know the differences between different medicines at a drugstore, it’s a good idea to have a basic idea of the differences between the different strains of marijuana.

“I remember walking into a dispensary for the first time and I had no idea what Indica or Sativa meant,” said Jack Daoust. “With so many different types of strains out there, it would definitely have been helpful if I knew at least the basics about strains!”

There are two common strains of marijuana: Sativa and Indica. These terminologies are derived from the respective scientific names of the cannabis plant: Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. There are various physical differences that set Indica and Sativa plants apart: Sativas are relatively tall, have narrow leaves, and have a light green color. On the other hand, Indicas are relatively short, have wide leaves, and have a darker green shade.

But physical differences aside, Sativa and Indica strains more importantly differ in the types of highs they produce. Sativa strains are known for producing an uplifting, energetic, and cerebral high, while Indica strains are known for their relaxing body high.

This difference in highs can be explained by the different proportion of chemicals found in both. Indica-dominant strains have higher levels of cannabidiol (CBD), while Sativa-dominant strains have higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). As you might guess, Indica-Sativa hybrids will have varying levels of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids.

Frank Sheftel, owner of Toluca Lake Collective, notes that the difference in highs makes each strain ideal to treat different conditions. “Indicas are a really a good night time medicine. They’re also good for helping with pain, nausea, and insomnia. A Sativa is good for appetite and energy. It’s more of a daytime medicine,” he said. “GDP and Lavender Kush are popular Indicas. Snowreck and Sour Diesel are strong Sativas that are patient pleasers.”

Other Common Questions
Armed with the necessary documents and a little bit of knowledge, you’re now ready to embark on your first dispensary visit. However, if you’re a first-time patient, we’re sure that you have some more questions. Here is some information that you might find helpful in the near future.

How should I smoke my marijuana? There are three popular options: pipes, joints, or vaporizers. You can find tutorials on how to use each by searching on Youtube or Google.

Where is it legal to smoke? According to Proposition 15, you cannot smoke your marijuana in no smoking zones, within 1000 feet of a school or youth center (unless you are in a private residence); on school buses, in a motor vehicle being operated, or while operating a boat. Also, the recent Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensary ordinance forbids patients from using marijuana anywhere on the premises of dispensaries. In public, patients are advised to be discreet or consume edibles.

What’s the best way of storing my marijuana? The days of Ziploc bags are numbered. There are much better ways of storing your marijuana — try a sealed jar like those sold by 420 Science (420Science.com).