What's better for me: CBD flowers or THC flowers, or CBD hash or THC hash?

When choosing a cannabis product, you can't avoid the two main cannabinoids: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). The content of these two cannabinoids is listed on almost every legal cannabis product right on the packaging. These two cannabinoids are the most common and well-known among the more than 100 compounds found in the cannabis plant, and for many users, they play a big role when picking a strain or product. Should you go for a strain high in THC, one high in CBD, or something more balanced?

In the online shop of Green Passion, you'll mainly find CBD flowers, CBD hash, and CBD oils with high CBD and low THC content. Below, you'll learn more about the THC and CBD content in cannabis flowers and other cannabis products.

What's the difference between THC-dominant and CBD-dominant flowers (CBD flowers vs. THC flowers), or between CBD hash and THC hash?

Depending on your preferences and needs, most people prefer a certain type of flower or hash with specific properties. The main difference in how cannabis products work comes down to the concentrations and ratios of cannabinoids, especially THC and CBD. While there are some similarities between these two cannabinoids, they're still fundamentally different, and the experience you get from a THC-dominant strain is quite different from a CBD-dominant one.

Generally, THC-dominant flower strains contain between 10% and 25% THC with a low CBD content, usually under 1%, while CBD-dominant flower strains typically have between 10% and 20% CBD, usually with THC under 1%. Balanced strains can have between 5% and 10% of both THC and CBD. These two phytocannabinoids create totally different experiences and effects at high concentrations; a high THC content leads to an intoxicating experience, while a strain with high CBD and low THC won't get you high. If CBD and THC are present in balanced amounts, you're more likely to have a "more balanced" experience than with a THC-dominant product. Using THC-dominant cannabis products can cause not only a high but also various unwanted side effects, which can vary from person to person, like nausea, dizziness, tiredness, dry mouth, trouble concentrating, mood swings, lack of motivation, dry and red eyes, increased appetite, and rapid heartbeat, all the way to anxiety, paranoia, and even schizophrenia. Strains with more than 1% THC are considered controlled substances in Switzerland, partly because of these potential side effects, and aren't freely available. Right now, products with more than 1% THC are only available in Switzerland as medical products (for example, as magistral preparations) (see more info). That's why we only sell CBD flowers, CBD hash, and CBD oils with less than 1% THC in the online shop and physical store of Green Passion in Switzerland. With moderate use of CBD flowers or CBD hash, you shouldn't expect any of the side effects mentioned above that can happen with THC-dominant products considered controlled substances.

So, which strain should you pick? This guide explains the difference between THC and CBD flowers and shows you when you might want to try one or the other.

How do I know if cannabis flowers are high in CBD or THC?

The easiest way to find out the THC and CBD content of a cannabis product is to read the packaging. Usually, the percentage of THC and CBD is clearly listed on the label. Sometimes, other cannabinoids like cannabigerol (CBG) or cannabinol (CBN) are listed too. Of course, this only applies if you're buying a legal, regulated cannabis product.

With products you get on the black market, this kind of info is usually missing or wrong. We generally advise you not to buy cannabis products from the black market, since they're often contaminated (see more info). To find out the cannabinoid content of black market products, your only option is to have them tested anonymously in a lab (for example, at www.swissdrugtesting.ch/).

Typically, THC-dominant cannabis flowers (usually about 10% THC or more) have low CBD content (1% or less). On the other hand, CBD flowers usually have little THC (generally 1% or less).

For processed or manufactured products like edibles or concentrates (like extracts), the THC and CBD content is often given as a ratio. For example, if you pick a product (like medical cannabis or cannabis from a pilot project) labeled “THC: CBD 10:1,” it means the product has ten times more THC than CBD. If you use it, you can expect a pretty strong THC experience. A ratio of 1:1 means the product has a balanced amount of THC and CBD.

But how do you know which percentage or ratio is right for you? It starts with understanding the properties and experiences linked to each phytocannabinoid, as well as your own goals.

Advantages of CBD flowers, CBD hash, or other CBD-dominant products compared to THC-dominant products

CBD flowers, CBD hash, or other products with high CBD and low THC have several features that make them the top choice for many users. These features include, among others, the following:

• Non-intoxicating: Using CBD flowers or CBD hash with high CBD and low THC won't mess with your senses like strains with high THC might. That makes these products perfect for people who want the taste and positive effects of cannabis, but not the high that comes with THC. Plus, CBD-dominant products are a good choice for anyone looking to cut down on problematic use.
• Calming: It's been observed that CBD helps you relax and can reduce stress and anxiety. A 2019 study found that 300 to 600 mg of CBD successfully reduced reported anxiety symptoms in 57 male participants. So if you want to chill out a bit but don't want to get knocked out by a high-THC strain, CBD-dominant products might be just what you need.
• No drowsiness and no other unwanted side effects: Using CBD flowers, CBD hash, or other CBD products with low THC content from Green Passion won't leave you stuck on the couch. In fact, studies suggest that CBD can even boost alertness and focus. [1] CBD-dominant strains probably won't make you feel sluggish or unfocused, and you shouldn't experience other unwanted side effects like dizziness or nausea, which can happen with some THC-rich strains.

If any of the above sounds like you, then CBD flowers and CBD hash from Green Passion could be just right for you.

Benefits of THC-dominant flowers

THC-dominant flowers get you high in a way that most CBD-dominant flowers just don't. But that's not the only thing THC flowers are known for; THC flowers and THC-dominant products can also offer some potential therapeutic uses:

• Sleep: There's evidence that high THC content can help you sleep. That makes THC-dominant strains a good choice for anyone struggling to get a good night's rest. On the other hand, some people report a racing heart after using THC, which can actually keep them awake.
• Pain relief: If you're dealing with tough-to-manage pain, THC might help too. But you should definitely check with your doctor about this. Several clinical studies on cannabis as a painkiller have shown promising results [2]. For people who don't mind the high, products with lots of THC can be an effective choice for pain relief. Some also say they use THC more in the evenings, while they stick to CBD-dominant strains during the day.

The importance of terpene content in cannabis products

Both THC and CBD levels in a product are important indicators of what you can expect when using a certain cannabis flower, but they're not the only things that matter. It's also important to consider the other cannabinoids in the flower, as well as a group of totally different compounds called "terpenes."

Terpenes are aromatic and flavorful compounds found in all sorts of plants around the world. There are over 200 terpenes in cannabis, and these compounds can really shape your cannabis experience. Some terpene combos can make you sleepy, while others give you a more uplifting effect. Some are great for pain relief, others for stress reduction.

The way terpenes and cannabinoids work together to boost each other's effects is called the "entourage effect." Researchers are still figuring out exactly how cannabinoids and terpenes do their thing, and how they interact when they're together.

Not all high-THC strains make you sleepy, for example. So if you're looking for a strain to help you sleep, go for one with lots of terpenes like myrcene or linalool. There's also evidence that a high amount of the terpene beta-caryophyllene can have a pain-relieving effect.

THC and CBD are good indicators when choosing

If you're looking for a solid starting point to pick a certain cannabis flower, you should first check out the THC and CBD content. To keep it simple: If you want to avoid getting high or any other unpleasant effects, steer clear of THC. If you're after a high or the unique effects of THC, go for strains with lots of THC. Anyone thinking about using cannabis for medical reasons should definitely talk to a doctor first.

Remember: THC and CBD levels are good indicators of how a certain strain or cannabis product might affect you, but it's also important to know about all the other compounds in the product. While a high-THC strain might seem great for someone looking for better sleep, some high-THC strains can actually do the opposite. And just because a strain is high in CBD doesn't always mean it'll make you feel sharp and alert, so it's important to consider the other ingredients too.

We get that finding the right cannabis product for you can be tricky sometimes. When that happens, the team at Green Passion is here for you. We want to hook you up with top-quality cannabis products like CBD flowers and CBD hash, but also help you learn and grow along the way. If you have any questions, our knowledgeable staff is ready to help you make the best choice for your needs and goals.

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4023456/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224384/