Both Beehive Farmacy locations, one in Salt Lake City and the other in Brigham City, offer a full menu of medical cannabis products. Our products generally fall under one of two categories: flower and concentrates. Given that the variety of cannabis concentrates is pretty significant, we thought it appropriate to discuss them in this post.
Any cannabis product that is not flower is a concentrate. So when we’re discussing concentrates, we are talking about things like vape cartridges, gummies, tinctures, topicals, etc. They are called concentrates because their active ingredients are extracted from biomass and then concentrated in the products along with other ingredients.
How much do you know about concentrates? Assuming your knowledge is limited, here are three things you definitely should know:
1. It’s Not Just About THC
The beauty of cannabis concentrates is that processors can make all sorts of products for a variety of needs. The most important aspect to this is the fact that medical cannabis is not all about THC. No doubt THC is an important compound with medicinal benefits. But processors also make products with a variety of different terpenes and cannabinoids, such as CBD and CBG.
This is important to understand that chasing THC levels is not necessarily the right strategy when selecting a cannabis product. Some conditions that respond well to CBD do not respond well to THC and vice-versa. And if THC is to be most effective it’s important to find the “sweet spot” or that just right dosage.
This is why we recommend speaking to a pharmacist whenever you visit Beehive Farmacy. A pharmacist is the most qualified person to help you get the most from your medical cannabis products.
2. Cannabis Concentrates Come in Different Formulas
Taking the THC and CBD discussion one step further, you should know that the concentrates come in different formulas. We have growers and processors to thank for this. They have come to realize that certain benefits can be derived from terpenes and cannabinoids other than THC and CBD.
The more that growers and processors learn about hemp and marijuana, the more they discover opportunities for new formulations. For example, they might make one particular product with a specific terpene profile originally designed to enhance flavor and experience. Yet later testing reveals the formula offers previously unknown medicinal benefits.
This is yet another reason to regularly consult with a medical cannabis pharmacist. Different formulas and profiles mean different results for patients who try them.
3. Delivery Methods Make a Difference
The third thing you should know about cannabis concentrates is that the delivery method matters. They make a real difference. A case in point is the vape cartridge. As you probably know, smoking raw flower is still illegal in Utah. Some patients prefer vape cartridges because they offer the same instantaneous effect.
On the other hand, edibles take a bit longer to kick in. So a pharmacist might recommend edibles when you desire a longer effect and a vape cartridge when you desire immediate relief. Their recommendation is based on how these products deliver their medicinal benefits.
Raw flower has its place at the medical marijuana table. There is little doubt of that. But the future of medical cannabis seems to be in concentrates. Concentrates are what processors are focusing their efforts on. They are investigating terpenes and cannabinoids to learn exactly how they work. They are coming up with new formulations and delivery methods that help patients get the most out of their medicine.
If you have questions about concentrates, do not be afraid to ask our pharmacist on your next visit. Remember that Beehive Farmacy has locations in both SLC and Brigham City.
