Cannabis Education

Behind the Scenes of “Organic” Cannabis Certifications

The sun is shining, the days are longer, and the air is sweet and warm. Summer in Portland has arrived. With all of this incentive to get outside, our thoughts have journeyed past city limits towards the farms just beginning their growing seasons. As you may know, Farma is committed to sourcing mostly from “organic” cultivators, however the federal status of cannabis restricts the plant from receiving federal USDA organic certifications. This has led to a bewildering number of organic-like certifications for those states with legalized cannabis programs.

Dr. Ethan Russo Comes to Town

The annual Cannabis Science Conference provides a platform for scientists, clinicians, educators, and advocates working within and around the cannabis industry, from across the globe, to share ground-breaking innovation and research. The work of one of these prestigious presenters at this year’s convention, Dr. Ethan Russo, is central to Farma’s philosophy and we were lucky enough to have him by for a visit.

Green Source Gardens: A Polycultural Paradise

Caring for the home we’ve inherited is not a part-time project and the folks behind Green Source Gardens have committed their lives to bringing life back into places where it has been stolen. They are “stewards of the soil;” nurturing the ecosystem as a whole to ensure the vitality of the diverse inhabitants, and rehabilitating the land in the process.

Don’t Fear the Reefer: a guide to comfortable cannabis consumption

Feeling “too high” can be scary. We’ve all heard the horror stories of paranoia and discomfort. A bad experience can leave a lasting impression, one that may deter folks from seeking out the wide-ranging relief that cannabis can offer to those who consume it responsibly. The best way to avoid an overwhelming experience is by following the cardinal rule: START LOW and GO SLOW.

How to get the most out of your dispensary visit

We’re revamping our communication channels and writing this post to guide you towards them – so you can get all your Farma questions answered before you come in.

What’s the Deal With CBD?

For those of us that are lucky enough to live seizure-free, CBD can be a wonderful entry point to the wonderful world of cannabis use. Consuming even small amounts of CBD can help reduce anxiety, make you feel happier, and melt some tension from muscles that seem to never let you forget the weight of the world. Oh, and did we mention it can make THC more approachable? Just how does it work, you ask? Well, we’re here to clarify.

Topicals: Healing Without a High

Of course, bodies aren’t perfect. Any number of things can go awry within this primary regulatory system. Cannabis can help. With infused topicals, cannabis can help supplement and control deficiencies and abnormalities within the cutaneous ECS without risk of intoxicating effects.

Budtender Bios: Audreal

Meet Audreal. She’s a multimedia maven with a knack for people and gadgets. You’d recognize her voice and her smile anywhere – unless you haven’t shopped at Farma or listened to her latest single, that is. You also may have seen this up-and-coming artist on your Spotify or IG discovery feed once or twice. But music is just her side project (for now). Before becoming an allstar budtender at Farma, Audreal spent years honing her connoisseur skills in the coffee world. Luckily for us, she brought her sensory wisdom and infectious energy along with her. She’s wicked smart, creative, and one of the most emotionally mature people you’ll ever meet. You can follow Aud on IG here (@she_is_aud), on Spotify here, or on Apple Music here. For inquiries: Audrealgillettmusic@gmail.com

Do You Even Lift Bro?

For some athletes, cannabis is as common as compression pants. The first time I saw cannabis and fitness come together was a couple of years ago in a dark California gym parking lot. My friends and I were about to go show Leg Day what’s up. Before we went in, they wanted to hotbox the car. They invited me to join, but I just stood there dumbstruck. Why would I want to go to the gym high? What about smoke’s effects on my lungs? What about weed making me lazy? What about Leg Day?! Since that night, I’ve come to appreciate how The Reefer, in all its forms, can be a great workout companion. Hot boxing before Leg Day is still not quite my jam… but a high THC topical massage for sore muscles? CBD edibles to reduce inflammation? Linalool before yoga? Yes, please!

Farma Giving Guide

‘Tis the season for gift guides, and while that feels a bit generic for our favorite plant, we know purchasing cannabis for someone else can be tough. So here’s a couple tips for those of you thinking about wrapping up any reefer for those age 21+ folks on your list this year. Short on time and just want the answer? Don’t worry… we got you too. Feel free to jump ahead to our 2018 Farma Gift Guide below!

Terpinolene : Sweet, Citrus, Pine

There’s nothing like cracking open a fresh jar of a classic Durban Poison or Super Silver Haze. As the unmistakable aroma of sweet, citrusy pine wafts up through the air “Oos” and “Ahs” often fill the room as well. Terpinolene is the terpene predominantly responsible for these reactions. Those who have never come across this potent aromatic compound so common to cannabis are immediately drawn in, while noses in the know quickly set expectations of the effects they’re likely to experience upon exhale.

THE ECS AT A GLANCE: THE CB1 AND CB2 RECEPTORS

Cannabinoids aren’t just something you put in a pipe and smoke– our bodies make them naturally. In fact, without them, it’s unlikely we would have become those first few divided cells in our mother’s womb. The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is the primary regulatory network responsible for the creation and break down of these endogenous or endo-(of the body)cannabinoids. Often referred to as the “bridge between mind and body,” the ECS mediates key physiological and cognitive functions like mood, immune function, pain sensation, appetite, sleep, and metabolism. The ECS is found in the central and peripheral nervous systems. It’s a complex network comprised of receptors (CB1 and CB2), endogenous cannabinoids (which function similarly to the plant-derived, or phyto-cannabinoids THC and CBD) and enzymes that both create and break down those cannabinoids within the body. While so far only the CB1 and CB2 receptors are considered designated ECS targets, there are a number of other identified pathways in our bodies that both endocannabinoids and phytocannabinoids can act on, with potentially more still awaiting discovery. For now, let’s take a closer look at the foundations of the system we actively engage with each time we take a puff … or just a deep breath.

Jelena Grove Covers Suppository Science for Project CBD

Historically, the “back door” has been used to deliver relief to patients who struggled to swallow medications– namely cancer patients with severe nausea, and those with compromised esophageal or gastrointestinal tracts. As access to quality cannabis products grows and people look to this pharmaceutical powerhouse as a real treatment option, we’ve seen a resurgence of interest in suppository medicine from people with wide-ranging concerns and symptoms – from enhancing intimate moments to treating severe pain and inflammation. But do cannabis suppositories work? Farma’s own Jelena Grove gives us the low-down on what’s up with rectal and vaginal delivery in this comprehensive piece published with Project CBD. Click here to read the full article.

Minor cannabinoids, major prospects

Lately we’ve been hearing about the therapeutic potential of the cannabis plant’s lesser-known compounds CBG, CBC, CBN, and THCV. These cannabinoids are already being marketed as active components in all sorts of cannabis products, from vape cartridges to transdermal patches and even capsules.Beyond these kinds of processed products, even the labels on regular ol’ flower will begin to feature more minor cannabinoids as labs begin to test for a broader spectrum of compounds. So here’s a quick introduction to get you acquainted with the new cannabinoids on the block.If you’re curious about CBG (cannabigerol), we wrote a whole post about it. You can read it here.

Got lungs? Listen to this

First thing’s first: if you’re searching for accurate and accessible information about all things cannabis, the Periodic Effects Business & Science podcast should be one of the first places you look. One episode in particular has recently captivated the ears of our staff, and we think you should know about it.

Farma Favorites: Read, Watch, Listen Vol. #1

Maybe you’re here because you want to learn more about cannabis but you’re not sure where to start. Maybe you’re already a seasoned weed pro looking to expand your personal archive .Wherever you are in your journey with this plant, you’re probably curious about cannabis and its many dimensions. So to kick off our Farma Favorites series, this Volume #1 list features a full-spectrum of media to engage all your learning moods.

De-Mystifying the Munchies

Almost every cannabis user has gotten high and experienced the intense desire to consume every edible item currently residing in their fridge. This experience is often referred to as "the munchies." And there’s no time to talk about the munchies like right before a major sugar high overtakes most of the United States.

CBG: the OG cannabinoid

While CBG can’t be used to grow organs (as far as we know), early research has suggested it might one day be useful for a number of conditions: from chronic pain to neuroprotection, treatment of anxiety and depression, to potentially, some forms of cancer (Russo, 2017). Oh, and it’s also non-intoxicating.

How to read chemotype data

Portland's cannabis market is saturated, making it difficult to choose the right product, especially with the confusion surrounding strain names. Despite popular expectations, not all strains are consistent, and the names can be misleading, often lacking genetic accuracy. This results in a market full of variety but also misinformation, leaving consumers uncertain about what they're actually getting unless it's genetically certified.

THC SOS!

Let's keep it 100: cannabis has side effects. Yes, you can do too much weed. No, it can’t kill you. But overdoing it on THC can lead to a pretty uncomfortable experience. Whether it’s from a strong edible, an extra puff, or a dosing mistake, the following tips will help you manage and de-escalate an overwhelming high.