Capitate-Sessile Trichomes: Slightly larger than bulbous trichomes, capitate-sessile trichomes develop before the cannabis plant begins to flower. They sit flush against the plant’s surface, particularly on the underside of leaves and stems. Although they do produce some cannabinoids, their output remains relatively low. As the plant matures, many trichomes evolve into capitate-stalked trichomes responsible for higher cannabinoid production.
Capitate-Stalked Trichomes: Capitate-stalked trichomes are the largest, most abundant, and the only type visible to the naked eye. They measure between 50 and 100 micrometers and have a long stalk with a bulbous, mushroom-like head. These trichomes primarily produce cannabinoids and terpenes and play a key role in determining the potency and aroma of cannabis. They typically appear during the flowering phase, and growers use their color and maturity to determine the optimal time for harvest.
Cannabis trichomes are tiny, crystal-like structures on the plant’s surface that store the key compounds responsible for its potency, flavor, and therapeutic effects. They play a crucial role in shaping the overall cannabis experience because they contain cannabinoids like THC and CBD, as well as terpenes.
Yes, the amount of trichomes plays a significant role in potency. Trichomes store raw cannabinoids and terpenes that influence aroma and effects. While a higher trichome density suggests higher potency, the cannabinoid and terpene concentrations in the trichomes determine the plant’s strength.
Cannabis potency depends on the concentration of cannabinoids, primarily THCA and CBDA, stored in the trichomes. Genetics, growing conditions, and harvesting time influence cannabinoid and terpene combinations, impacting the plant’s strength and effects. Keep in mind that the plant’s raw THCA must be “decarbed” first, typically with heat, to become psychoactive THC.
The ideal harvest time occurs when 50-70% of the trichomes are milky or cloudy, with the rest turning amber. At this point, the plant contains the highest THC concentration, producing potent and euphoric effects. Overly amber trichomes indicate THC degradation into CBN, which has sedative and weakly psychoactive properties.
Trichomes are at their best when they are primarily cloudy or milky, as this indicates the highest THC concentration, which occurs near the end of the flowering phase, just before they turn amber and degrade into CBN.
Yes, trichomes can turn into kief. Kief is a powdery substance made of detached trichome heads, which accumulate at the bottom of a grinder or are sifted from dried cannabis. It is highly potent due to its high cannabinoid and terpene concentration.
Currently, 24 states sell cannabis recreationally. If you are in one of these states, it’s understandable that you might feel tempted to forget about the medical card process. Even if you qualify as a patient, it’s an application process that does take some information and patience.
While recreational cannabis is available in many states, there are still some benefits to those who have a medical cannabis card and purchase from medical dispensaries instead of recreational weed options. For example, some states allow for higher possession limits for medicinal cannabis users.
Just like many other things that require purchase, cannabis is subject to state tax laws. You might see a difference in price between your purchase and someone making a similar purchase. This may get you wondering if medicinal and recreational weed taxes are the same.
An excise tax is placed on goods like tobacco, beer, or cannabis. People sometimes call excise taxes “sin taxes” because they add an extra fee on top of local and sales taxes.. In most states, the excise tax is the consumer’s responsibility to fulfill.
A sales tax is standard to expect when you purchase almost anything, like a television, etc (unless you are a resident of Alaska, Montana, Delaware, Oregon, or New Hampshire) and is paid to states for services and retail goods. The sale of cannabis is no exception.
This tax applies when you buy cannabis products, and the exact amount you pay depends on your state’s laws. Most states apply different tax rates for recreational versus medical marijuana, with medical purchases often taxed at a lower rate, or sometimes not at all.
Cannabis taxes vary by state, as each state sets its own regulations. Since cannabis remains classified as a Schedule I drug, the federal government cannot impose taxes on it, giving states full control over how it’s taxed.
If you are a consistent cannabis buyer at your dispensary, a medical marijuana card will eventually begin to pay for itself with the funds being saved over time. Meeting with a specialized cannabis doctor could help lead you through the process of state approval.
Researchers have conducted studies over the years to explore how cannabis affects speech—both immediately and in the long term. There are even notable speech differences between biological males and females, specifically in verbal learning and memory, that also happen in the short and long term.
In this article, you’ll gain a better understanding of how cannabis can affect speech, what research says about the effects on speech, how this can affect conversations in social settings, and what this means for cannabis consumers.
Marijuana affects speech immediately or with a delay, depending on the consumption method. When smoked or vaped, the effects of cannabis, including changes to speech, can be felt within seconds to minutes. When ingested by mouth, the effects typically take 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in and usually last 1-4 hours.
Buy Medical MarijuanaInterestingly, modern research suggests that being born female appears to be a protective factor in immediate and delayed verbal recall compared to males and even non-consuming females. Recent studies also suggest this effect holds true in the long term, but without a clear reason why.
For example, it’s possible that chronic cannabis use can lead to long-term changes in speech patterns, such as alterations in tone, inflection, and enunciation. Long-term use may also cause cognitive impairments like difficulty with memory, focus, and thought processes. Fortunately, research suggests many of these long-term effects are reversible, often improving after 72 hours of stopping cannabis use.
Another older study suggests that long-term marijuana use may impair verbal memory, making it more difficult to recall words by middle age. The study followed men and women for 25 years, starting in their young adulthood.
Reto Auer, the study’s first author and academic chief resident at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, explained that the findings revealed a gradual decline in verbal memory with more frequent marijuana use. He clarified, however, that the study shows only an association—not a definitive cause-and-effect relationship.
Smoking marijuana as a consumption method can also harm vocal cords, potentially causing laryngitis, bronchitis, sputum production, wheezing, coughing, scarring, and other voice issues. Research shows that any smoke, whether from tobacco or cannabis, can damage vocal cords. Prolonged smoke exposure, high temperatures from smoking or dabbing, and lung retention of smoke can also lead to throat injuries, increasing the risk of voice issues.
Decades ago, a 1986 study examined the effects on social conversation after consuming cannabis and found decreases in speech quality and quantity. Researchers also observed increased heart rate and heightened self-reports of feeling “high” and sedated. However, that study was observational and conducted when cannabis research faced more significant restrictions, reducing its reliability.
While speech can potentially be negatively affected, studies still suggest that cannabis may positively enhance social experiences and conversations. For example, a 2021 case study in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research reports that one patient with treatment-resistant stuttering began taking medical cannabis and had marked improvements in:
A more recent Drug and Alcohol Dependence study found that cannabis boosts positive emotions in social settings over isolated use, revealing users felt fewer negative emotions when consuming cannabis with others. The study’s results suggest that cannabis can enhance mood and encourage social engagement, especially in groups.
The results suggest that while cannabis elevates an overall positive effect across social contexts, any impact on adverse effects can vary depending on the individual and if the person is using cannabis alone or with others. The data remained equivocal, meaning the differences were too small to draw solid conclusions.
The social context of cannabis use greatly influences its impact, as research shows that consuming cannabis with friends enhances social bonding, while using it alone may trigger negative feelings like paranoia or anxiety, depending on the individual.
Another recent study using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) further shows that cannabis use in social settings reduced negative emotions and boosted positive ones, especially in those with PTSD or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), while solitary use often heightened negative emotions. Studies like these further emphasize the importance of the social environment when using cannabis to shape its effects on mood and behavior.
For people who have social anxiety disorder (SAD), a study finds that those with SAD had higher levels of CUD and were more likely to experience social withdrawal and isolation. Social isolation tends to be more common in those who use cannabis as a way to self-medicate and manage negative emotions, however.
Overall, the impact of marijuana on speech and cognition can vary from person to person. Factors such as biological sex, age, body weight, metabolism, tolerance, method of consumption, and the strain or potency of the cannabis product all play a role.
While some research suggests that cannabis may negatively affect speech and social interaction, these findings often have limitations. Although researchers have noted subtle speech changes in users, they still have not reached definitive conclusions. Female-at-birth individuals appear to have some protective factors when it comes to verbal learning and memory, even in the long term.
Many studies rely on self-reported data or small sample sizes, which can reduce conclusion reliability. Additionally, cannabis dosages, frequency of use, and individual differences influence outcomes. Therefore, it’s essential to interpret negative study findings cautiously, as they may not be conclusive.
Fortunately, emerging evidence points more toward cannabis enhancing social interactions, promoting sociability and relaxation, easing treatment-resistant stuttering, and, less commonly, adverse social effects. Still, additional rigorous studies are needed to better understand the social and communicative impacts of cannabis use.