Canna Co-Op

Highwire Farms offers more than just Michigan-grown cannabis. Canna Co-op is our new member only loyalty/educational/rewards program. Like a traditional farmers co-op program, our concept is to help with things like pricing, communications, education and promoting the culture of all things cannabis.

CANNABIS 101

Whether you are just beginning to explore the medicinal powers of cannabis or have been self medicating for years, we hope that you will find value in the information below. Cannabis is one of the oldest and most versatile medicines in the world. For centuries, different forms of the plant have been used to relieve many conditions and symptoms – including pain and anxiety, reduce inflammation, encourage sleep and prevent seizures.

Our goal here is simple – to provide you with information on medical cannabis in a very straightforward and intuitive way.  Whether you have questions about common terminology used in the industry, what certain parts of the plants are called and what they do, the different ways cannabis can be consumed other than inhaling/smoking it, this section will provide some of those answers.

THE PLANT

Cannabis is a flowering plant with many purposes: its stalks can be used for paper, clothing, rope and building materials; and its leaves and flowers can be used for medicinal purposes.

The female plants can grow the flowers, or buds, that are utilized most often for human consumption. The cola refers to the plant’s “bud site” where tight female flowers bloom.  Colas form at all budding sites throughout the plant, but the larger, firmer colas tend to form toward the top of the plant.

On the flowers, or buds, you will notice what look like little translucent or white looking crystals. These are called trichomes. Originally developed to protect the plant against predators and the elements, these very small clear mushroom-shaped glands contain fragrant oils called Terpenes as well as the therapeutic cannabinoids like THC and CBD.

WHAT IS A CANNABIS STRAIN?

A strain is a genetic variant of cannabis. Most cannabis strains can be classified as either Cannabis Sativa or Cannabis Indica – two variations of the same basic species of cannabis. These two classes of strains tend to have very different effects on the consumer. Today we regularly see the influence of hybrid genetics that combine both sativa and indica varieties.

Over the years, countless numbers of hybrid strains have been created through genetic cross-breeding programs to develop plant profiles that are meant to take the best attributes of both parent strains – you’ll only need to go to your registered dispensary to see the assortment of strains that have been created over the past decades with a variety of cannabinoid profiles.

SATIVA VS. INDICA

Form and structure: Sativa strains are tall and lanky whereas indica plants tend to be short and stocky, The leaves of sativa strains tend to be thin and pointy leaves while indica plants are more broad and chunky. It should be noted, it’s not always easy to quickly identify the different species solely by their appearance.  The variation in form is primarily due to the different geographical regions in which each originate — indicas from the mountainous regions of Asia and the Middle East and sativas from more equatorial regions around the world.

Efficacy: The efficacy, or effect, of indica and sativa strains can be very different. A pure sativa will likely have a powerful uplifting/energizing effect. Sativas can promote focus and productivity – making them preferable for day-time use. However, strong sativas can cause a person’s mind to race and cause users to feel anxious or paranoid.

Indicas traditionally promote relaxation and general calming. Often, indicas are thought to be very beneficial for pain relief, anxiety and sleep disorders. Strong indicas might not be the best option for morning-use and wanting to stay productive. Likewise, consuming a sativa in the evening isn’t necessarily recommended.

That said, these expectations are sometimes over-generalized. Two types of cannabis compounds – cannabinoids and terpenes – hold most of the influence when it comes to the affects of the cannabis.

Hybrids are simply a mix of sativa and indica, providing the pros and cons of each species. Hybrid strains that are more indica than sativa are called indica-dominant.  Likewise, sativa-dominant strains have mostly sativa traits, but with indica influence.

THE EFFECTS OF CANNABIS

Cannabis affects everyone differently. Different strains and methods of consumption give users different effects. And new users generally feel different effects than more experienced users.

Effects can vary — some people don’t feel anything at all the first time they try cannabis. For the most part, the experience tends to be kind of relaxing and a little euphoric. Some people can become more outgoing and social. However, others find cannabis makes them tired, anxious or even paranoid.

It is very important to proceed with consuming medical cannabis cautiously and with respect for its efficacy – start slow with a low dosage and see how it affects you.  Keep track of your dosing, type of product and the feelings that it provided – this will help you better understand how cannabis can best work for you.

FDA DISCLOSURE

The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.

“‎Some of my finest hours have been spent on my back veranda, smoking hemp and observing as far as my eye can see.”

- Thomas Jefferson