Cannabis has a lengthy list of terms and phrases, and you can forget 90% of them. But you should add THCV to your weed vocabulary.

Cannabis is growing increasingly popular. But there’s a barrier to more popularity, and its not Federal legalization, its confusion. 

If you’re a seasoned consumer, you probably have a cursory understanding of cannabis terminology. But fresh customers often find our industry’s (surprisingly) complicated glossary a barrier to entry. It’s not keeping customers from visiting Denver dispensaries, but it is keeping some people from getting the most from cannabis. 

There are terms every Colorado cannabis consumer should know, from the obvious (THC and CBD) to the slightly-less obvious (cannabinoid, endocannabinoid, terpenes) to the esoteric (THCV).

THCV, or tetrahydrocannabivarin, is a lesser-known term, but it’s one you should know.

What is THCV, and, more importantly, what does it mean for you?

Let’s cover the basics first. THC and CBD are cannabinoids; cannabinoids are chemical compounds responsible for our favorite plant’s effects. THC gets you high, CBD helps relieve symptoms like pain, nausea, anxiety, and inflammation. 

THCV is also a cannabis compound. And, like THC and CBD, THCV has a unique set of beneficial characteristics. 

THC and THCV are molecularly similar, but their effects are different.

THCV is psychoactive – technically, it should get you high, but researchers aren’t entirely sure it does. 

“THC is, of course, famous for its psychoactive properties. CBD, by contrast, is known for having next to none. As science dives deeper into the psychological effects of lesser-known compounds in cannabis, there’s always that voice calling from the sideline: “Yeah, but does it get you high?” 

When it comes to THCV, the answer is…probably.  We’re not 100% sure yet. This is science, after all. It’s complicated.” —Leafly

We know this is confusing. 

Many Internet outlets claim THCV’s effects are more intense than THC. Some go so far as to call the effects “psychedelic.” The jury is still out. 

Most of our THCV knowledge comes from studies conducted in the early 1970s. Researchers found that THCV is a chameleon that exhibits little to no psychoactive properties in low dosages. In higher quantities, it displays intense psychoactive effects. A THCV buzz tends to arrive quickly and intensely and dissipates just as fast.

Beyond its dynamic psychoactive properties, THCV has numerous benefits to Colorado dispensary customers.

What are THCV Benefits?

Studies indicate that THCV can reduce PTSD-associated anxiety. The research also suggests that this lesser-known cannabinoid can improve motor functions, and reduce tremors in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients, and is an anti-convulsant for people with Epilepsy. 

Perhaps more interesting, THCV won’t give you the munchies. In fact, it has the opposite effect. The cannabinoid mitigates hunger, making it a potential obesity treatment and helpful for consumers interested in weight-loss. The cannabinoid is also known to regulate blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients. 

Cannabis prohibition at the federal level inhibits scientist’s ability to conduct more in-depth THCV research. Still, as our overall understanding of the various cannabis compounds increases, we’re learning the complexities of this historically misunderstood plant.

We keep things fresh in our dispensaries. Our teams are always on the lookout for new products from Colorado cannabis vendors. We also like to ask our employees for their favorites from time to time.

But it’s been a while. 

This is the perfect time to check in with our staff and see what they’re getting into. Here’s what our budtenders had to say.

Here are eight cannabis products Colorado Dispensary budtenders love.

Dadirri Caviar Cones

What happens when dry flower meets cannabis extract? Caviar, that’s what. And Dadirri crafts the cannabis industry’s most excellent caviar cones. 

Here’s how it works:

Dadirri Caviar joints feature top-shelf flower soaked in premium cannabis oil and coated in bubble hash for a smooth and delightful high. Our employees are fawning over Dadirri’s ‘Rest’ infused caviar cones, and we’re confident you will too. It’s pure luxury – treat yo’ self.

Wana Quick Fast-Acting Gummies

Wana’s new quick-release gummies are an edibles game-changer. With cocktail-inspired flavors, onset time between 5-15 minutes, and Delta-9-THC effects lasting up to four hours, their newest gummies deliver a “less intense inhalation-like experience.” 

Here’s how it works: 

Wana’s newest gummies use innovative onset technology called TiME (Thermodynamic Individual Molecular Encapsulation). TiME allows for greater bioavailability, by individually encapsulating Delta-9-THC cannabinoids and bypassing the liver to enter the bloodstream immediately. The high arrives fast and dissipates in roughly 2 – 4 hours, so you can move on with your day (or eat another gummy). 

We love the happy hour-inspired flavors, Peach Bellini, in particular. 

Wana Quick Fast-Acting Gummies

• CBD/THC 1:1 Strawberry Margarita
• Sativa Peach Bellini
• Indica Pina Colada

Shift Cartridges

Shift Cannabis carts are potent and delicious. They’re also pure, with no fillers, thickeners, vitamins, or mineral oils. Shift carts have a genuine quality you can taste. 

Here’s how it works:

Shift uses top-shelf distillate, offering a variety of homemade and hand-picked flavors designed for experience and taste. 

Sativas

• Sunshine Haze
• Island Sweet Skunk

Indicas

• Skywalker OG
• Cherry Kush

Hybrid

• Lemon Jilly

Sinsere Chocolates (pronounced Sin-sair)

Sinsere is the newest kid on the Love’s Oven block, but the chocolates are already a Lightshade staff favorite. Crafted from rich Belgian chocolate in too many flavors and effects for us to pack into this blog, Sinsere is sincerely good. 

Here’s how it works:

Love’s Oven crafts Sinsere in-house using the highest quality infused Belgian chocolate and top-shelf distillate. The Sinsere chocolate bites and single-serving Belgian chocolates feature 10mg of THC per piece. The 100mg THC Belgian chocolate bars are also 10mg THC per piece.

Spherex Mango Kush Carts

Spherex is on the cutting edge of scientific engineering and design. They unlock the power of cannabis through high-level refinement and extraction technology to offer a high-quality product we love. Spherex Mango Kush carts are an award-winning cannabis classic known for uplifting and euphoric effects and the taste of mango with kush and pine undertones. 

Here’s how it works:

Crafted with Spherex’s innovative extraction and refinement techniques, their vape cartridges feature unique terpenes selected from their favorite cannabis strains. Strains are analyzed for composition and blended to taste. With the perfect blend achieved, Spherex sources the highest quality natural terpenes to guarantee a consistent experience.

Dixie Elixirs

Dixie Elixirs are our go-to when we crave refreshing mocktails. And as spring transitions into summer, it’s a safe bet our budtenders are relaxing at home with a Dixie Elixir in-hand (when they’re not in one of our Colorado Dispensaries). Did you know elixirs were the first Dixie product? Now you do.

Here’s how it works:

Dixie Elixirs are crafted with pure cane sugar and are free of artificial coloring or flavors. Dixie uses homogenization technology to increase bioavailability and decrease onset time. And their packaging is child-resistant and features a dosing cap with a 15ml line to help you find the perfect dose. 

Dixie Elixir Flavors:

• Berry Lemonade
• Cherry Limeade
• Half & Half  (Tea and Lemonade)
• Root Beer

Canyon Cultivation Gummies

Canyon Cultivation is obsessed with quality, and it shows. Their range of amusingly named gummies checks every box. Delicious? Check. Easy to microdose? Check. Fun? Check. Right now, our employees are enjoying Canyon Cultivation’s unique Sour Cherry Limeade flavor, but every gummie is excellent. 

Here’s how it works:

Canyon Cultivation’s range of gummies (“Chew It”) offers smaller doses with big flavors. Because, as Canyon says, “Perhaps the only drawback to most gummies is that you only get to eat one.” They’ve created these lower dosage gummies so you can microdose to your heart’s content and keep the chill vibes going all day long. And with 100mg of premium THC in every package, you’re not missing out. 

Chew It Flavors:

• Sour Cherry Limeade
• Sour Lemonade 
• Sour Watermelon Lemonade
• Pineapple Lemonade

Stratos Sleep Tincture

Sleep is essential for healthy bodies and minds, but most of us spend our nights counting sheep in our fast-paced and stress-filled world. Cannabis is a proven and effective sleep aid. Stratos Sleep Tincture is one of the best products designed specifically for this purpose. Our in-house insomniacs approve. 

Here’s how it works:

Stratos Sleep is a 1:1 CBD tincture made with equal parts indica dominant THC and whole plant CBD, to create a balanced, sleep-inducing effect. Stratos uses a proprietary combining method for homogenization to ensure consistent dosing. Its cannabis oil is derived via whole plant CO2 extraction. Pick up a bottle and get some rest. 

The eight cannabis products discussed in this blog are only a handful of the options available in our Colorado Dispensaries. The next time you shop with us, ask your budtender what they love. We guarantee you’ll discover your next favorite product or strain. 

We’re with you – because we are you – and we want to know that you’re okay. 

History is marked by events that change how we live. Some are gradual and creep slowly toward a tipping point, and others draw a direct line in the sand. 

If you’re old enough to recall the world before – and after – 9/11, you understand the shocking immediacy of change Americans experienced. And almost everyone can tell you where they were the moment our Twin Towers fell. 

Similarly, coronavirus is changing experiences for generations of people globally. The virus is eliminating jobs, transforming our economy, and tearing families apart. 

Colorado cannabis dispensaries are essential, and our budtenders are proudly serving the community. They are taking risks alongside our nation’s hospital workers, grocery staff, food service employees, delivery personnel, and all other essential workers. And they’re doing it because they recognize that we are all connected. 

The phrase “we’re in this together” is so pervasive that it’s in danger of losing meaning. But it’s the truth, and Lightshade wants you to understand that we are you.

We need each other now more than ever; this is the time for empathy, love, and compassion. And while we don’t know what the next six months look like, we’ll be here to support you with brave budtenders and weed. 

But please, wash your hands, use sanitizer, wear a mask, and be kind to our budtenders when you’re in our stores. We’re all doing the best we can. 

*Speaking of face masks: Because of State regulations, we ask that you kindly remove your mask at check-in and in our budbays. 

It’s natural to search for a silver lining amid the darkness. We won’t come out of this the same as we entered, but there’s light on the other side and a cleaner, more equitable, and deeply connected world. 

So, we ask – how are you? Are you okay?

The cannabis industry has a pest and sustainability problem. Here’s how Lightshade is tackling both.

Plants attract pests. Whether it’s from bugs or birds, they have a target on their backs. And cannabis grow operations have to contend with these weed-obsessed intruders. 

Too many cannabis grows use toxic pesticides for pest control. Unscrupulous growers carelessly spray crops to save money or avoid failure. Mite infestations spread like wildfire, and desperate growers can’t come to terms with the possibility of taking a loss, so they sacrifice the health of consumers (and our planet). 

And that’s not okay. 

We unflinchingly look at our processes to identify areas of improvement (from sustainability and planetary health perspectives). We find the good, the bad, and the ugly, and we make changes.

Here’s how Lightshade is caring for your health and the health of our planet.

Biocontrols – fighting pests with pests.

We’ve never used harmful pesticides. Instead, we give pests a taste of their own medicine. Biocontrols unleash beneficial bugs (yes, there are helpful insects) to eliminate the possibility of contamination from their less savory cousins. 

Here’s how it works: our growers maintain a baseline of beneficial insects to watch over the crop. They’re perpetually hunting pests. If a visitor brings unsavory friends (for example, spider mites) into the grow, our helpful pests get rid of them before anyone knows there could have been a problem. It’s guerilla warfare on a micro-scale.

A shortlist of beneficial living organisms:

• Dalotia Coriaria (aka the Greenhouse Rove Beetle)
• Stratiolaelaps (beneficial mite) 
• Amblyseius andersoni (beneficial predatory mite) 

Chemical-free pest management offers a solution to pests by using biological control agents. Biological control agents, also known as beneficial insects, are predatory mites and insects in various stages of development. By releasing beneficial insects into a garden space, you introduce natural predators to the common pests that damage your crop. Beneficial insects can be used as a preventative measure or for treating outbreaks, saving growers from having to resort to harmful or illegal pesticides.”—Leafly

Why are pesticides harmful?

The word ‘pesticide’ covers everything from fungicides to prevent mildew and mold, to herbicides for eliminating weeds, to insecticides to control bugs (and not the beneficial kind). All pesticides aren’t necessarily harmful to people (where the planet is concerned, that’s another story). But you still don’t want to smoke them. 

Relatively inert pesticides become harmful when combusted and inhaled. And while more research needs to be done before we can speak to or understand the full scope of health problems related to burned and inhaled pesticides, we encourage you to err on the side of caution. That’s what we’ve done, and it’s why we’ve never used pesticides in our grows. 

*Click here for the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s (CDA) list of pesticides approved for use in cannabis grows.  

Our overall sustainable practices.

In states like Colorado, where cannabis is legal, attention is increasingly focused on the sustainability impacts of our industry. We’ve initiated a sustainability program to reduce our environmental footprint. Here’s how:

• Last year we completed the construction of our state-of-the-art 40,000 square foot greenhouse. Our newest cultivation facility uses natural light for the entire year. Supplemental artificial light is used for only 6 months out of the year. And, our greenhouse is cooled through water evaporation which cuts our overall energy consumption by half. Also, every drop of water is recycled, allowing us to decrease nutrient and water consumption by 50 percent. 
• Lightshade’s original cultivation facilities always have and will always use organic pest control methods.
• We use LED lighting and high-efficiency climate control systems at each Lightshade Denver, Aurora, and Federal Heights dispensary. And our Colorado dispensaries use single-stream recycling containers to house every piece of waste produced.
• We switched our packaging last year to bags that use 85 percent less plastic than our previous drams. We’ve also partnered with Green for Green. They placed recycling bins at each dispensary – customers can return spent drams for cleaning and reuse. 

“Commercial buildings represent 35 percent of citywide emissions, and – as cannabis businesses occupy an increasing amount of commercial building space – the cannabis industry plays an important role in helping the community meet its emission reduction targets.”—Cannabis Environmental Best Management Practices Guide, Denver Public Health and Environment

Our commitment to the community and the environment is unwavering. And we are always looking at ways to improve. This year our cultivation team is sitting on the City of Denver’s sustainability committee and a committee for organic certification. Ligthshade is also working toward the goal of receiving organic certification – we’ll be one of the first grows in Colorado to earn this designation. 

Are you interested in learning more about what Lightshade is doing to support the health of our community and the environment? Get in touch!

The first state to legalize recreational cannabis was also the first state to imprison two people for its sale and possession.

On October 2, 1937, Samuel Caldwell opened his hotel room door to an audience of FBI Agents and Denver Police Officers. Caldwell, an 8th-grade educated petty criminal clad in farmer’s overalls (now enshrined as the ‘first pot POW’), had roughly four pounds of cannabis in his room. 

It’s said Caldwell attracted the eye of local authorities after selling two joints to 23-year-old Denver local, Moses Baca (more on that later). 

Caldwell was sentenced to four years hard labor at Leavenworth Penitentiary, and Baca, also arrested, found himself in a cell for 18 months. The fanfare surrounding Caldwell and Baca’s trials brought to Denver cannabis opponent (and known racist), Harry Anslinger, the nation’s first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. As America’s leading anti-cannabis zealot, Anslinger couldn’t resist taking a front-row seat in the courtroom. 

The irony of Baca and Caldwell’s convictions isn’t lost on students of Colorado cannabis history. They were the first cannabis-related arrests in the same state that ended its prohibition 76 years later.

Moses Baca bought two joints from Samuel Caldwell. Or did he?

Claims that Moses Baca bought two joints from Samuel Caldwell are false. Here’s the real story: Baca’s arrest came three days before Caldwell’s – in Five Points – for a quarter ounce of weed hidden in his dresser drawer.  

“As the folk hero status of Caldwell and Baca grew with the cannabis reform movement, the two began being erroneously linked as buyer and seller of those first federal joints. Facts, as they say, should never get in the way of a good story.” — Daniel Glick, Leafly 

The cannabis folk hero status bestowed upon Caldwell and Baca in the decades since their arrests confused an already hazy history. Today Caldwell is deified on mugs and t-shirts, but let’s not forget that the now-lauded cannabis Prisoner of War was also a career criminal. 

(Caldwell wasn’t a cannabis consumer. Seeing a financial opportunity, he had only started selling weed a few months before its prohibition.)

And Baca, Caldwell’s 23-year-old “accomplice,” was a bystander in our nation’s racist campaign against “marihuana.” As a Mexican-American, Baca was a shiny poster-boy for cannabis prohibition. His arrest stoked the fears of Americans taken by the government’s anti-immigrant rhetoric. In 1937 Congress criminalized cannabis and not because they felt it was psychologically or physically harmful. Cannabis prohibition was an attempt to stem the tide of Mexican immigration and control the economic competition hemp posed to the timber and pharmaceutical industries. 

Still, Moses Baca wasn’t entirely innocent. Like Caldwell, Baca had a lengthy rap sheet; it was a “Drunk & Disturbance” charge that led Denver authorities to his door, and he had a strong reputation as an abusive husband. 

Baca’s violent past is too often overshadowed by his cannabis martyrdom. 

The facts of Caldwell’s and Baca’s arrests, and their popularity as cannabis folk heroes, belie a more profound history. One in which truth is obscured (on both sides) by agenda and stereotypes. 

Credit is due to “Uncle Mike” for uncovering the stories of Steven Caldwell and Moses Baca.

Most of what we know about Steven Caldwell and Moses Baca comes from the Colorado cannabis activist “Uncle Mike.” 

“Uncle Mike calls himself “just a redneck from Craig,” a rural Colorado town more well known for being a hardscrabble coal community than it is for breeding cannabis activists. After a lifetime of living in the underground, he still isn’t comfortable using his real name.”—Leafly 

After serving time for a cannabis-related offense, Uncle Mike hit the history books, uncovering the truth surrounding Caldwell and Baca. Mike sifted through years of dusty documents and jumbled news stories to assemble a coherent and truthful story. He collected his findings in a book: 

U.S. District Court, Denver, Colorado, Imposes First Federal Marihuana Law Penalties: Compilation of Publications, Interviews, Criminal Files, and Photographs of Moses Baca & Samuel Caldwell

Today we have Uncle Mike to thank for shedding light on this forgotten corner of cannabis history.

A growing interest in the functional and recreational properties of cannabis is creating a space for culinary innovations.

Colorado cannabis consumers love edibles – and we can’t blame them. After all, edibles are a discreet (and delicious) way to enjoy our favorite plant. And with advancements in dosing, healthier options, and the emergence of infused beverages, the category is set to grow even further in the new decade. 

The humble edible was once limited to the classic pot brownie and infused cookie. Still, as cannabis legalization spreads, the opportunities for product innovation grow, and with improved dosing accuracy, and more variety, the options for Denver dispensary customers at every stage of their cannabis journey are significant. 

Lightshade’s broad selection of Colorado edibles appeals to every kind of cannabis consumer, from the canna-sseur (see what we did there?), to the yogi, endurance athletes, to people interested in a healthy wine alternative. Budtender’s at our medical and recreational dispensaries in Denver and Aurora, and our Federal Heights, Colorado dispensary, answer questions about cannabis edibles every day. So, we decided to collect the most common questions Colorado dispensary customers have about edibles and our answers in one place. 

Without further ado, here is our guide to Colorado cannabis edibles!

What are the most common types of edibles found in a Colorado dispensary?

Cannabis gummies, infused baked goods, tinctures, and beverages, are the most common types of edibles found in Colorado dispensaries. We are also starting to see more experimental infused options like marshmallows, and truffles to round-out our Denver dispensary edibles selection. 

Most edibles are digested through the gastrointestinal tract, which means that these infused products take the longest to kick-in. But it’s worth the wait! The effects tend to last the longest – up to eight hours (or more) in some cases.

Cannabis-Infused Drinks, Tinctures, and Hard Candies are three types of increasingly popular edibles.

Cannabis Beverages

Cannabis-infused beverages hit Colorado dispensary shelves a few years ago, and today they are growing in popularity. From soda to sparkling water, to cold brew coffee, Denver dispensary customers love THC-infused drinks. 

Like an infused gummy or baked good, cannabis-infused drinks pass through your digestive system. But since it’s a liquid, the effects are felt faster – as fast as a tincture in most instances (but they last longer).

Hard Candies and Cannabis Tinctures

Hard candies and tinctures are growing in popularity as fast as infused drinks. And while the practice of making and consuming herbal tinctures dates back thousands of years, after a decline in demand, tinctures are very much back in fashion. Tinctures and candies are a discreet and fast-acting consumption method, which explains the sudden rise in popularity. 

Absorbed through a process known as oral uptake, a few drops of a tincture beneath the tongue sends potent cannabinoids directly to the bloodstream and brain, bypassing the digestive system, which explains the speedy onset. In contrast to edibles and drinks, the effects of a tincture or infused candy tend to last only two to three hours.

Are edibles good for new cannabis consumers?

Edibles have a reputation for being inconsistent and risky. While we understand the reputation, with today’s accurate dosing and strict regulations, the chances of finding yourself in a state of edible-induced panic are slim. 

That said, there are a few guidelines newly initiated Colorado dispensary customers should follow. Beginners need to start with a microdose and slowly work their way up to higher potency. The phrase “start low and go slow” applies to you if you’re a new cannabis consumer! 

Ask a budtender in one of our eight Colorado dispensary locations if you have questions about the safe consumption of cannabis edibles. We want you to have the best experience possible.

Are there side effects of cannabis edibles?

The effects of an edible vary by type and dosage. Still, regardless of dosage or the style of edible, you can expect more of an overall body high than the deep cerebral (head) high you get from smoking or vaping cannabis. 

THC is synthesized into 11-hydroxy-THC when it’s absorbed through the digestive system – it’s far more potent than the delta-9-THC received by our brains after smoking or vaping weed. And edibles take longer to move through the body, which is why the effects are more sustained. We suggest that you wait at least one hour after the first dose (enough time for the results to fully kick-in), before considering another round.

Uh-oh, you over-consumed. What should you do?

Breathe deeply – you’re going to be okay. There is not one single recorded death from a cannabis overdose. It’s impossible. 

And, CBD is your best friend if you’ve consumed too much. CBD helps reduce the side-effects of THC, so it’s a good idea to keep a 100% CBD edible or tincture nearby for those times when you’ve gone a little too far. 

Follow the CBD tincture up with a good round of sleep, and you’ll be right as rain.

If you’re wondering, “what’s the closest dispensary near me?” head to our locations page for a list of Lightshade Colorado dispensary locations. Also, don’t forget to visit our order page to check out Lightshade’s selection of edibles and place an order for pickup.