FOR PATIENTS
CHOOSING A PRODUCT
Our medical-grade cannabis is imported from Canada and meet the highest pharmaceutical quality standards worldwide, the so-called GMP guidelines (Good Manufacturing Practice).
Below are the factors for consideration in product selection: –
CBD or THC?
The most commonly studied active cannabinoids are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (i.e. ∆9-THC or THC) and cannabidoil (CBD). THC is the primary constituent responsible for the euphoric effects of cannabis and CBD is the non-euphoric constituent. CBD is the non-psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, which means that it does not get you high. The most appropriate cannabinoid for a patient depends on their physiological response to CBD and/or THC.
These recommendations have been based on global usage experience to date.
Product Type
TYPE 1 | TYPE 2 | TYPE 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CBD-dominant – High CBD, low THC (non-euphoric cannabis) | CBD & THC Balanced – Mixed CBD and THC cultivars (intoxicating, but not as edgy as THC-dominant variants) | THC-dominant – High THC, low CBD (intoxicating cannabis variants) | |||
Pain | Nausea & Vomiting | Anorexia | Spasticity | Inflammatory disorders | Anxiety | Depression | PTSD | Seizure | Fibromyalgia | Insomnia | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CBD | |||||||||||
CBD:THC | |||||||||||
THC | |||||||||||
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OIL FORMATS
AfriCann cannabis oils offer patients a more consistent potency, resulting in consistent dosing. The oils are consumed orally (they should not be smoked) and are available in several different formats: bottled oils (provided with a graduated dropper), softgel capsules, and oral sprays. Regardless of format, all of AfriCann’s oil products are produced using carbon dioxide extraction before being dissolved in non-allergenic medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil.
Bottled Oils
These bottled oils include a graduated oral dropper. Five product options are available:
- 34,2mg of CBD per mL; 3mg of THC per mL
- CBD 25 – 25mg of CBD per mL; 1mg of THC per mL
- CBD 50 – 25mg of CBD per mL; 1mg of THC per mL
- CBD:THC – 18mg of CBD per mL; 18mg of THC per mL
- THC – 0mg of CBD per mL; 25.3mg of THC per mL
The oils are available in 20mL, 30mL and 40mL bottles. The 1 mL dropper is graduated in 0,25mL increments, allowing patients complete control over the measurement of their dose. It also allows the oil to be applied either under the tongue (sublingually), which aids with absorption into the bloodstream, or directly onto the tongue to be swallowed.
Benefits: This format gives patients’ full control over the dosage of their medication. This means that it’s a good option for those who dose at low or high amounts, or those who are slowly and gradually increasing their dosage until a level that maximizes therapeutic effects and minimizes potential unwanted side effects is found. The dropper also makes it convenient to apply the oil under the tongue.
Softgels
Softgels provide the benefits of cannabis oil within a convenient capsule. They’re available in the following cannabinoid-dominant options and potencies:
- 11mg of CBD per mL; 0,50mg of THC per mL
Each container has 30 softgel capsules
Benefits: Softgels provide a consistent, pre-measured amount of oil for those who know their effective dose. They allow for easier and more discreet transportation as well as consumption of cannabis oil. Finally, because the oil is sealed within the capsule, the softgels are flavourless and odourless.
Oral Sprays
AfriCann ’s cannabis oils are packaged in a convenient 15mL spray bottle. Two options are available to patients:
- 65mg of CBD per mL; 4mg of THC per mL
- 1:1 – 15mg of CBD per mL; 15mg of CBD per mL
Oral sprays rapidly dispense a pre-measured volume oil per pump. Each spray, when fully pressed down, is 0.1mL of oil.
Benefit: The smaller size and spray dispenser allow for easy transportation of patients’ medication and make it easy and discreet to consume on the go. They allow patients to take their medication in low, regular doses, commonly known as “micro-dosing”.
INDICA, SATIVA, OR HYBRID?
Indica and sativa are terms used to describe different types of plants. Sativa plants have narrower leaves and taller structure, while indica plants have wider leaves and a shorter, bushier structure. It is rare to find a strain that is 100% sativa or indica, as most strains are a combination of the two, so we refer to this broad category as a hybrid.
The effect of a strain has more to do with the overall composition of its compounds, including cannabanoids. For this reason, clinicians tend to focus more on the compounds in the cannabis plant, such as THC and CBD, to control patient symtoms. Sativa or indica simply refer to the general appearance of the plant
USING MEDICAL CANNABIS
START LOW
If you have no prior familiarity with cannabis or cannabinoids, you are advised to begin at a very low dose and stop if any undesirable side effects occur
GO SLOW
The dose should be increased slowly, only if required, and only until you reach a comfortable dose to minimize side effects
When starting medical cannabis for the first time, proceed slowly and watchfully in a gradual fashion. It is advised to wait between successive dosing to gauge for strength of effects, or for possible overdosing.
When taking orally, wait preferably 4 hours between ingestion of cannabis-based medicine doeses. Eating high-fat food together with oral dosage forms of cannabis can improve the absorption of the active substances
Inhaling cannabis by vaping results in faster onset of action than consuming cannabis orally. It is advised to wait for at least 10-20 minutes between successive inhalations.
Onset of actions and effects | Inhalation | Oral |
|---|---|---|
Onset of action | <5 minutes | 30-90 minutes |
Maximum effect observed | < 15 minutes | 2-3 hours |
Duration of action | 3-4 hours | 4-8 hours |
Note: Physiological response to medical cannabis may vary from individual to individual