What Should You Know Before You Shop at Look for At Virginia Dispensaries?
Medical marijuana has only been accessible in VA for a short period of time, but residents of the Commonwealth have already begun to expand their vocabularies to include all things cannabis. If you’ve heard the term, “terpenes” and you wonder why you should care about which ones are in our medical marijuana, you’ve come to the right place.
VA Marijuana Legislation Expanding Everyone’s Vocabulary
Over the last couple of years, marijuana has been a hot topic in Virginia. It’s become easier than ever to qualify for medical marijuana; and even since Dharma Pharmaceuticals welcomed the first medical marijuana patients in Bristol, VA in October 2020, new legislation has swept through the state legislature.
This includes employee protections for medical marijuana cardholders in VA, and adult-use legalization—with possession and personal cultivation becoming legal as early as July 1, 2021.
You still won’t be able to legally purchase cannabis products until dispensaries can get licensed for adult-use retail, which is projected to be in 2024. However, patients who have a Virginia marijuana card can visit any medical marijuana dispensary in the state and freely purchase a variety of cannabis products right now.
The dialogue about medical marijuana is becoming more advanced as people get help tailoring cannabis treatment plans from their marijuana doctors, and they get educated about the options out there.
One term people are throwing around lately, is “terpenes.” What is a terpene, anyway? What do they do, and why are they important in your cannabis? Let’s dive right into the answers.
Terpenes 101: What Are They?
Terpenes are compounds found in plants (and some animal products) that give them their color, texture, flavor, and smell. There are currently 20,000 known terpenes found in nature, and 100 of them can be found in varying concentrations and combinations in different strains of cannabis.
What Do Terpenes Do?
When you slice open a lemon and immediately feel uplifted and refreshed, that’s because of terpenes. When you sniff black pepper and sneeze, it’s terpenes. If you relax every time you smell your chamomile and lavender tea, that’s also terpenes.
Aromatherapy, one of the oldest, gentlest forms of natural medicine makes use of the smell of certain terpenes to affect how you feel and help you heal.
In cannabis, terpenes give medical marijuana strains their specific effects. If you extracted pure THC, you would get a pretty standard result no matter which plant it came from because it is just the base product. The same goes for CBD, CBG, or any other cannabinoid.
What makes the experience unique is the presence of terpenes.
Why Should You Care Which Terpenes Are in Your Medical Marijuana?
The terpenes present in your medical marijuana are going to have a major influence on how your products influence you, and the days when no one knew the difference between Maui Wowie and Purple Kush are over.
Virginia dispensaries carry products that allow you to tailor your cannabis treatment to address your precise needs, but you want to get to know which strains contain which terpenes. This will help you to shop with confidence and know which questions to ask your local budtender.
For a more in-depth look at specific terpenes and what to look for at VA dispensaries, take a look at this guide to common terpenes found in Virginia strains.
Work With a Virginia Marijuana Doctor to Learn Which Terpenes are Best for Your Condition
The doctors at Virginia Marijuana Card are here to help you learn which therapeutic cannabis products will work best for your lifestyle and your specific condition. They will take the time to answer all your questions, and to get you on the right path with your new wellness journey!
Give us a call at (888) 633-5808, or simply schedule an appointment online. Our compassionate doctors will meet with you through our secure, private telehealth service, to get you the relief you’ve been looking for in the comfort of your own home!
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
At Virginia Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to MMJ. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (888) 633-5808, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Virginia!