May 31

What’s in my Vape? Distillate vs. Live Resin Vapes

By Annemarie Porreca Cannabis 101

What’s in my Vape? Distillate vs. Live Resin Vapes

Chances are, your local Massachusetts dispensary carries more than a few different vape options for you to choose from. Hardware options include reusable batteries with cartridges, high-voltage dab pens, disposable models and more. But when it comes to what’s inside, will you be looking at distillate or live resin vapes?

Located off of 495 in Lowell, MA, Smyth Cannabis Co. is the most popular dispensary for distillate and live resin vapes in Andover, Ayer, Billerica, Burlington, Chelmsford, Nashua, Dracut, Groton, Haverhill, Lawrence, Littleton, Lowell, North Andover, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, Wakefield, Westford, Wilmington, Woburn and the surrounding towns.

What is Distillate?

Cannabis distillate is a refined cannabinoid oil free of taste, smell and flavor. Unless otherwise indicated, most readily-available flavored vape carts are made of distillate. Distillate vapes are relatively inexpensive and may contain up more THC than live concentrates, as they are more refined.

How is Distillate Made?

In short, cannabinoids such as THC are isolated from plant matter and then concentrated into a pure liquid form using heat and vacuum technology. Terpenes are destroyed during this process and must be added back into the potent solution after distillation.

Distillate vapes may be flavored with terpenes derived from either cannabis plants or other organic sources. You can find distillate vapes that mimic the flavor of your favorite strains, or distillate vapes that don’t taste like cannabis at all.

What Does it Mean When a Vape is “Live?”

Live resin vapes are made from cannabis plants that have not been cured.

During curing, harvested cannabis plants are laid out or hung up to dry and age for up to several weeks. This reduces moisture, chlorophyll and excess sugars inside of the buds, but also degrades some of the sensitive terpenes and other natural compounds.

With Live resin and live rosin vapes, the process of curing is skipped and plants are instead flash frozen immediately after harvest.

Live Resin Vapes

Live resin vapes are made by flash-freezing freshly harvested plants for up to 48 hours in order to preserve their terpene profiles. After that, solvents such as butane and propane are used to extract both terpenes and cannabinoids.

Live Resin vs. Live Rosin

Contrarily, manual extraction methods such as dry sifting and ice water extraction may also be used in place of solvents. Pressure and low heat are then applied to concentrate the extracted matter. Solventless concentrates made from flash-frozen cannabis plants are known as live rosins.

The method of extraction is the only thing that differentiates live resins from live rosins. And while live resin vapes tend to contain slightly more THC than live rosins, they usually come at a higher price tag due to the complex extraction process required to make them.

Cured Resin

Cured resin vapes are made using cured buds that have been dried and aged.

When it comes to flower, smoking cured bud provides a smoother and much more enjoyable experience. However, the difference between smoking cured resin vs. live resin concentrates is more subjective, as there is no substantial difference in potency or quality.

Which Should You Choose?

Price Point — Distillate vapes will almost always be the most affordable option due to the fact that that the integrity of the plant does not need to be preserved. Distillate can be made with trim, shake and low-testing buds, even from a blend of different strains. All that will remain after the distillation process is THC in pure liquid form.
Flavor / Terpenes — Live resin vapes are going to taste like weed. Terpenes are preserved from the plant to bring you a similar, yet more potent, experience to smoking flower. If you find your favorite strain available as a live resin cart, you’ll probably be stoked with the results. Contrarily, if you do not like the taste of weed, you can easily find a cartridge that’s been flavored to taste more appealing
Potency — If testing strength is what you’re looking for, you may want to choose a distillate vape. It is very common in the Massachusetts recreational market to find distillates testing well into the 90% range.

Visit Smyth Cannabis Co. For The Best Distillate & Live Resin Vapes in MA

Whichever type of vape you prefer, you can find it at an unbeatable price at Smyth Cannabis Co. Conveniently located right off of I-495 in Lowell, MA, our recreational dispensary carries top quality vapes, concentrates, flower and more. We’re proud to offer our own line of distillate vapes, flavored with terpenes from both your favorite strains and other botanical blends. Live resin vapes are also be available from Fernway and other brands you love.

Check out our menu to see what we have in stock today!

Apr 16

Love2

How To Sober Up When You Get Too High

By Annemarie Porreca Cannabis 101

How To Sober Up When You Get Too High

We’ve all been there… One minute you’re laughing and having fun after smoking weed or taking an edible and then before you know it, the good vibes melt away and you find yourself panicking. In your state of existential dread you might even ask yourself, “Am I going to be okay?” Of course you are! You just got too high. And here’s how to sober up when you get too high:

1. Take Some CBD

THC is the cannabinoid found in marijuana that makes your brain feel high. CBD, on the other hand, contains no psychoactive effects. It may, in fact, actually reduce the negative effects you feel and help sober you up when you get too high by blocking THC from activating cannabinoid receptors in the brain.

You could try CBD edibles, tinctures or flower to put your mind at ease. But we definitely would not recommend taking in any more THC.

2. Eat a Greasy Snack To Sober Up When You Get Too High

Similarly to alcohol intoxication, a delicious and unhealthy snack can sometimes be the antidote. In addition to filling your guts with something non-psychoactive, it’ll distract you from the paranoia by giving your mind a simple and familiar task to focus on.

Foods to Eat:

Lemon: Contains compounds such as limonene, which gives a calming effect.
Peppercorn: Contains caryophyllene, a selective CB2 antagonist which increases the more calming effects of THC.
Pine Nuts: Contain pinene, a terpene believed to improve calmness and clarity. This terpene is also found in marijuana, accounting for the piney taste found in many strains.

Foods to Avoid:

Mango: Contains the mycocene terpene, which is said both speed up the onset of your high and increase its duration
Chocolate: Contains a high concentration of the terpene anandamide, which gives a feeling of euphoria. This terpene is also found in cannabis in high concentrations.
Green Tea & Black Tea: High caffeine content will add additional stimulation to your high. They also contain an antioxidant known as catechin which interacts with the same CB1 receptors in the brain as cannabis does.

Eating will be extra effective at sobering you up from edibles, which can take several hours to take effect, by stimulating your metabolism.

3. Take a Cold Shower or Bath

This one might not be feasible if you’re out in public or at a friend’s house. But showering in general helps to relax your mind and body. “Shocking” your body with a cold shower might be a nice, grounding way to help bring you back down to earth.

4. Sober Up When You Get Too High By Sleeping It Off

Applicable in many tough situations life throws at us, try sleeping it off. It’s a surefire way to pass the time while your body naturally sobers up. And remember, you’ll feel normal again once you wake up.

5. Take a Safe Dose of Ibuprofen

An early study showed Ibuprofen to be effective at counteracting the effects of THC.

6. Remember to Stay Calm

Rest assured, it’ll pass. A bad experience stemming from getting too high can be discouraging, especially for new marijuana users. But ask any regular user and they’ll tell you — they’ve been there.

You are okay and you are going to feel normal in a couple hours. Deep breaths can go a long way in helping you relax. As can focusing on your body’s normal functions such as eating. The following checklist is a common exercise used to ground oneself during episodes of anxiety:

5 Things You Can See
4 Things You Can Physically Touch/Feel
3 Things You Can Hear
2 Things You Can Smell
1 Thing You Can Taste

We promise that you’ll sober up when you get too high in just a few hours. So just keep on keepin’ on and when it doubt – nap it off!

It is important to note that the above information is for educational use only and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Smyth Cannabis Co. does not guarantee the accuracy of any of the above information. Individual results will vary. All Smyth Cannabis Co. products are grown for recreational use and do not claim to possess any medical benefits. Smyth Cannabis Co. is a recreational-only dispensary and does not employe medical professionals. Consult your physician before using cannabis for any medical purpose.

Mar 15

Love5

Types of Dabs & Cannabis Concentrates — Which to Choose?

By Annemarie Porreca Cannabis 101, Products

Types of Dabs & Cannabis Concentrates — Which to Choose?

What are Concentrates?

With so many types of dabs available, which one should you choose? Concentrates, oils and extracts, also known as “dabs,” are products that have been processed to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant while removing excess plant material. The process involves separating the trichomes from the rest of the plant. Because of this, concentrates have a much larger concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes than flower alone.

The oldest type of concentrate is hash, or dried blocks of packed kief. People have been making it for thousands of years. Originally, the technique involved hand collecting and separating the hash. While some small shops still incorporate traditional solvent-free methods, most producers have moved to solvent-based extraction.

Solvent-Based Extraction

During solvent-based extraction, essential oils within the cannabis plant are separated using chemical solvents such as butane, propane, alcohol and CO2. Solvent-based extraction will make many different consistencies, depending on how the product is treated. Today, most concentrates and types of dabs are identified based on their consistency.

Usually, the harder a dap is, the less terpenes it contains. Concentrates with gooey and saucy consistencies tend to have the highest amounts of terpenes. However, if the concentrate is too runny, it will be difficult to smoke. To sum it up, concentrate consistency is a matter of personal preference.

And while the terms concentrate and extract are often used interchangeably, they are not actually the same. Extracts are a specific type of concentrate made using solvents. In short, all extracts are concentrates, but not all concentrates are extracts.

Types of Dabs & Cannabis Concentrates

Shatter

Brittle, see-through concentrate made with solvents

Terp Sauce

Terpenes are concentrated into a runny liquid, oil or “sauce”

Bubble/Water Hash

Trichomes are separated using only ice, water and filters

Crumble

Dried oil with a texture similar to honeycomb

Crystalline/Sugar

Isolated cannabinoids in their pure crystal form

Wax

Sticky and sappy type of concentrate for dabbing

Distillate

Refined cannabinoid oil free of taste, smell and flavor

Badder/Budder

Whipped under heat into a cake batter-like texture

Rosin

Solventless concentrate made using heat and pressure

What are the Benefits of Concentrates?

Most types of concentrates do not need to be smoked. For example, most consumers choose to go smoke-free by vaporizing or even eating them.
Cannabis concentrates are potent and effective. So, it takes less product to get the results you’re looking for.
Extracts are refined. Essential oils and cannabinoids are separated from plant material to create a smooth, clean flavor-forward experience.

Smoking Dabs

You don’t need to have a fancy dab rig set up to enjoy smoking concentrates because you can get an extra boost of potency just by simply mixing your flower with powdery kief or wrapping some wax around your joint.

If you are looking to further explore the world of dabs, you’ll want to invest in a dab rig. Dab rings are usually made of glass, ceramic, titanium or quartz and are equipped with a “nail” (the equivalent of the bowl of a bowl), which is heated up and applied directly to the concentrate, creating vapor which is then inhaled. Traditional methods require a high-temperature torch to heat up the nail, but electric nails are also on the market.

The Peak Pro by Puffco

Vision Plus by Puffco

In addition, most weed stores carry a selection of vape pens. A vape pen is a discreet and portable option for smoking concentrates. Although it will not produce vapor as potent as a dab rig, it is an excellent choice for convenience.

Vape pens consist of a battery-operated heating element that is activated either by a button or by taking a drag, and a cartridge which is then heated up and vaporized. While some cartridges can be refilled and reused, you’ll find a selection of pre-filled vape cartridges at your local dispensary. Most of these are designed to fit most vape pens using universal 510 threads.

Different types of concentrates require different levels of heat in order to burn properly. Therefore, you should check with your budtender to make sure your rig is compatible.

Check out this article for some other factors to consider when choosing your dab concentrates.

How Else Can Concentrates be Consumed?

Most people are familiar with “dabbing,” or heating up a concentrate and inhaling its vapors. But you do not need to dab in order to consume concentrates. Other options include tinctures, topicals and edibles.

Visit Smyth Cannabis Co. For All Types of Dabs & Concentrate Supplies

Smyth Cannabis Co. in Lowell, MA offers the highest quality cannabis flower, pre-rolls, edibles, concentrates and more. Whether you’re already a dab lord or just getting started, our friendly budtenders will help you pick a concentrate and get you set up with any necessary rigs. Come visit us in Lowell to learn more about our lab tested products.

Jul 08

Love3

Massachusetts Dispensaries | Navigating an MA Dispensary Menu

Massachusetts Dispensaries | Navigating a MA Dispensary Menu

By Annemarie Porreca Cannabis 101, Dispensaries & Local Info

Massachusetts Dispensaries | Navigating a MA Dispensary Menu

Located off of 495 in Lowell, MA, Smyth Cannabis Co. is the has the best recreational dispensary menu around Andover, Ayer, Billerica, Burlington, Chelmsford, Nashua, Dracut, Groton, Haverhill, Lawrence, Littleton, Lowell, North Andover, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, Wakefield, Westford, Wilmington, Woburn and the surrounding towns.

Strain Types | MA Dispensary

There are three (or sometimes four) main strain types listed on any given MA dispensary menu. In short, you can pick a strain type based on the desired effects you are looking for.

The first one is indica. Indicas are known for their calming and relaxing effects. Just think of “in da couch.” For example, they’re known to slow you down more than sativa strains and are often used to help consumers sleep.

Next, there is sativa. Are you looking for a head-rush high that will leave you feeling energized, focused and productive? Then we recommend choosing a sativa. Sativas are known for their uplifting and energizing effects. They are associated with more of a “head high” than indica strains.

A hybrid strain is one that has been bred from both an indica and a sativa. As a result, it gives you the best of both worlds. Hybrids are very rarely perfect 50/50 splits and generally produce effects that lean towards either indica or sativa.

Massachusetts MA dispensaries might also list High CBD as another strain type on their menus. High CBD strains are mostly used for medicinal purposes, although their bodily effects can be beneficial to recreational consumers, as well.

Further, you can better understand a strain’s effects by looking more in depth at the cannabinoids and terpenes its contains. But for beginners, the indica/sativa/hybrid model is a quick and easy way to get a basic idea of how a strain will affect you.

Potency & Percentages

Several different percentages are used to describe cannabis products. In general, these percentages give better insight as to how potent or “strong” the product is.

TAC (Total Active Cannabinoids) — To put it simply, TAC represents the concentration, per gram, of all ingredients of the product that have the ability to produce drug-like effects. This even includes those that are not psychoactive.
CBD (Cannabidiol) — This active cannabinoid does not get you “high” but instead yields a calming medicinal effect on the body. A higher concentration of CBD is associated with more of a relaxing “body high.”
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) — This is the cannabinoid responsible for making you feel high. Usually, the higher in THC your product is, the faster and more intensely you will feel the “head high” and other effects. Inexperienced consumers should work their way up gradually before using products very high in THC, to avoid unpleasant side effects like nausea and anxiety.

In conclusion, the goal here is to find a good balance so you can feel good and enjoy the cannabis without getting too high for your comfort level.

Strains Massachusetts Dispensaries

Certainly, most Massachusetts dispensaries boast a variety of strains on their menu. There are some universally well-known strains you might recognize, and oftentimes for good reasons. In addition, there will be several other strains that you will be seeing for the first time. As listed above, strain type and potency are going to be the main factors in helping you choose one that’s right for you.

On the other hand, more experienced consumers may begin to take notice of a strain’s terpene profile. Terpenes are naturally occurring organic compounds found in plants, including cannabis. Unlike cannabinoids, terpenes do not directly contribute to making you feel “high.” However, some terpenes are still considered to be psychoactive because of how they affect your brain. The entourage effect is the theory that terpenes affect the experience of your high. To sum it up, it works like aromatherapy. Scents from different plant-based essential oils can impact a person’s mood. So while they may not directly be responsible for making you feel “high,” they still certainly play a role in the effects you feel from THC.

Pricing

While MA dispensary base prices are usually much lower than you would expect, you might still find yourself “sticker shocked” at the register. Usually, potency is the main factor that Massachusetts dispensaries take into consideration when determining their prices. For example, higher potency products tend to cost more money. However, sometimes you can luck out and find competitive pricing on products that are nearing their expiration date, or may have failed their first round of lab testing.

Next, it is important to note that special sales, deals and other promotions do not apply towards recreational cannabis products. This includes customer rewards and loyalty programs. It is illegal for all Massachusetts dispensaries to offer any happy hours, coupons, BOGO deals or coupons for marijuana sales. Any money off you are given may only be used towards merchandise and accessories.

Lastly, expect to pay about 20% of your recreational marijuana purchase price in taxes. In addition to the standard 6.25% Massachusetts sales tax, there is also a marijuana tax of 10.75%, plus a local tax of up to 3% that varies based on city. On the other hand, medical weed sales are tax exempt because taxes do not apply to medicines in MA.

Top Rated MA Dispensary | Smyth Cannabis Co.

Conveniently located right off of 495 in Lowell, Smyth Cannabis Co. offers the highest quality cannabis flower, pre-rolls, edibles, concentrates and more. Above all, our friendly budtenders go out of their way to help all customers find products they love at industry-leading prices. Additionally, we carry a rotating selection of our premium cannabis products, along with products from other local brands.

Parking is available for free onsite. Visit Smyth Cannabis Co. in Lowell today!

Cannabis 101