Did your provider send you here? Start with the quiz below to find what may work best for you.
'MERICA Patient Education Guide
Your Guide To Medical Cannabis
Welcome! Whether your provider sent you or you found us on your own, this guide breaks down strain types, cannabinoids, terpenes and delivery formats in plain language — and our patient quiz helps you figure out what to look for at the dispensary based on your needs.
Take The Patient QuizPatient Quiz
What Should You Look For?
Answer 6 quick questions about what you're hoping cannabis can help with and how you like to take it. We'll show you the strain type, cannabinoids, terpenes and delivery format worth asking your dispensary about.
Your Patient Profile
Here's What To Look For
Cannabinoids To Ask For
Your Top Terpenes
Your Format, Explained
Classic Strains To Ask About
Bring This To The Dispensary
Print your results (or screenshot this page) and show it to your budtender. Ask for products that match your strain type, THC:CBD ratio, cannabinoids and terpenes — and check the lab label (COA) for the terpene breakdown.
On your phone? Tap print, then choose Save as PDF or share it to keep it handy.
This quiz is educational only and is based on commonly reported potential effects. It does not diagnose, treat or replace advice from your certifying provider or physician. Effects vary from person to person. Talk to your provider before starting or changing cannabis use, especially if you take other medications.
From The Research
What The Experts Say
The key points from the articles your provider recommends, in one place. Each card links to the full source if you want to read more.
🧠 Your Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
- Every vertebrate has an ECS. It evolved over 600 million years ago, and its main job is homeostasis: keeping your body's internal balance steady.
- It has 3 parts:
- Endocannabinoids: cannabis-like molecules your own body makes (like anandamide and 2-AG), built from omega-6 fatty acids.
- Receptors: CB1 and CB2, found throughout the brain, nerves and body.
- Enzymes: FAAH and MAGL, which break endocannabinoids down when the job is done.
- It helps regulate pain, inflammation, immune and nervous system function, mood, memory, learning, appetite and how your body reacts to change.
- Plant cannabinoids like THC and CBD work by interacting with this same system.
- Some researchers think small, regular doses may help the body make more of its own endocannabinoids and receptors, and that sensitivity can increase with consistent use.
- A low-functioning ECS ("endocannabinoid deficiency") is a theory being studied in migraine, fibromyalgia and IBS.
Source: Healer ↗
🧪 Cannabinoids 101
- Over 140 cannabinoids have been found in cannabis, and fewer than 10% have been studied in depth.
- There are 3 kinds:
- Phytocannabinoids: from the plant (THC, CBD).
- Endocannabinoids: made by your body.
- Synthetics: lab-made (like THC-O and HHC). These are often stronger and less predictable.
- Heat activates them. Raw cannabis contains "acid" forms (THCA, CBDA). Smoking, vaping or cooking converts them into THC and CBD. This is called decarboxylation.
- Most strains contain less than 1% of the minor cannabinoids (anything other than THC and CBD).
- Cannabinoids seem to work best together. This is called the entourage effect.
3 more cannabinoids to know
- CBDV: non-intoxicating, related to CBD. Being researched for seizures.
- CBDA: non-intoxicating raw form of CBD. Studied for mood, anxiety, sleep and nausea.
- CBGA: the "mother cannabinoid" the plant uses to make THC, CBD and the others. Being researched for gut inflammation and neuroprotection.
Sources: Weedmaps ↗ · Way of Leaf ↗
🍋 Terpenes 101
- Terpenes are the aromatic oils that give each strain its smell and flavor. They're made in the same resin glands as THC and CBD.
- Over 200 terpenes have been found in cannabis.
- Terpenes don't get you high on their own, but they can shape how THC and CBD feel (the entourage effect).
- Two products with the same CBD amount can feel different because their terpenes are different.
- The same terpenes are found all over nature:
- Myrcene: mango, hops, thyme, lemongrass.
- Limonene: citrus peels, rosemary, peppermint.
- Pinene: pine trees, basil, dill.
- Linalool: lavender, mint, coriander.
- Caryophyllene: black pepper, cloves, cinnamon. Known to interact directly with your ECS.
- Terpinolene: apples, limes, lilacs.
- Humulene: hops, sage, ginger, ginseng.
12 more terpenes to know
- Ocimene: sweet and herbal (mint, parsley). Linked to an uplifted mood and energy.
- Geraniol: rose-like (lemons). Studied for brain health.
- Eucalyptol: cool and minty (eucalyptus, tea tree). Linked to relaxation and memory.
- Bisabolol: light and floral (chamomile). Linked to stress relief and skin support.
- Valencene: sweet citrus (Valencia oranges, grapefruit). Linked to an uplifted mood.
- Borneol: minty (rosemary). Linked to circulation and relief from pain and inflammation.
- Phytol: green tea-like (matcha, kale). Linked to calm and sedation.
- Sabinene: peppery and woodsy (juniper, nutmeg). Linked to digestion.
- Delta-3-Carene: pine and cedar. Studied for bone health and memory.
- Camphene: earthy and herbal. Studied for heart and skin health.
- Terpineol: lilac. Linked to calm and sedation.
- Nerolidol: woody and floral. Studied for antioxidant properties.
Sources: CannaCon ↗ · Leaf411 ↗ · Weedmaps ↗ · Leafly ↗
🛒 Smart Shopping Tips
- Check the COA (lab label). It's the only reliable way to know a product's exact cannabinoids and terpenes.
- Strain names aren't a guarantee. The same strain can test very differently from one harvest to the next depending on how it was grown and cured.
- Shopping by "shape and color": Leafly's guide sorts strains by THC:CBD ratio (shape) and main terpene (color), which is a quick way to compare.
- For the most terpenes, look for full-spectrum extracts, live resin or terp sauce.
- Heat burns off terpenes. A vape set to a lower temperature keeps more flavor and benefits than an open flame.
- Topicals (creams, oils) offer terpene benefits without smoking.
- Fun fact: mangoes are rich in myrcene, and some people eat one about 45 minutes before using to enhance THC's effects.
Sources: Leafly Cannabis Guide ↗ · Leafly ↗ · Leaf411 ↗ · Weedmaps ↗ · CannaCon ↗
The Basics
Strain Types & Typical Effects
Head high
- Energy
- Focus
- Uplifted mood
- Enhanced creativity
Body high
- Relaxing
- Pain relieving
- Helps anxiety
- Helps sleep
Generally a 50/50 combination of indica and sativa with a balanced effect.
Some hybrids are more relaxing and some are more energizing — it depends on the terpene and cannabinoid profile of the strain.
Less of a "high" because of the CBD
- Helps inflammation
- Helps pain
- Can calm anxiety
The Medicinal Components
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are the medicinal components found in cannabis. Here are some of the most common ones and their potential effects.
The cannabinoid that causes the high / psychoactive effect. Calming and uplifting depending on the dose and strain.
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pain relief
- Promotes sleep
- Helps depression / anxiety
- Neuroprotective
- Reduces nausea
- Stimulates appetite
Mitigates the effects of THC. 1:1 CBD-THC products and high-CBD products are available. The more CBD vs. THC, the less likely you will feel intoxicated from the THC.
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pain relief
- Calming for anxiety
- Reduces nausea
- Neuroprotective
Sedating and promotes restful sleep.
- Inflammation
- Pain
- Restful sleep
- Appetite stimulation
- May help glaucoma
Has antiviral and antimicrobial properties, and it may also help with depression.
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pain relieving
- Calming for anxiety
- Antiviral
- Antimicrobial
- May help depression
Uplifting.
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pain relieving
- Calming for anxiety
- Calms GI pain / nausea
- Nerve pain
- Focus / ADHD
- Glaucoma
The raw version of THC, with no psychoactive effects.
- Potential to help pain
- Inflammation
- Nausea
Milder psychoactive effects than THC.
- Uplifted mood
- Energizing
- Appetite suppression
- Increased satiety
- Metabolism boosting
Aroma, Flavor & Effect
Terpenes
Terpenes give strains their aromas and flavors — and they enhance the effects of cannabinoids. Here are some of the most common terpenes and their potential effects.
- Uplifting
- Eases anxiety
- Helps with focus
- Reduces nausea / GI pain
- Energizing
- Uplifts the mood
- Reduces anxiety
- Reduces anxiety
- Helps with focus
- Bronchodilator
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial
- Neuroprotective
- Reduces nausea
- Reduces nerve pain
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pain reduction
- Calms anxiety
- Neuroprotective
- Antioxidant
- Reduces GI pain / nausea
- Reduces anxiety
- Pain reduction
- Improves sleep quality
- Improved sleep quality
- Relaxing
- Anti-inflammatory
- Pain reduction
- Eases nausea / GI pain
- Anti-inflammatory
- Reduces nerve pain
- Reduces inflammatory pain
- Helps ease nausea
- Appetite suppressant
Educational Reference Guide
Cannabis Delivery Formats
How each format is digested, how predictable it is, how much reaches your system (bioavailability), and how long it takes to work. Tap a format to see everything about it.
At a glance: onset and duration
Show the full side-by-side comparison table
This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional.
Good To Know
A Note About Edibles
Dispensaries sell full-spectrum edibles or isolate edibles.
Contain a wide array of cannabinoids, terpenes and other compounds found in the cannabis plant, providing the entourage effect.
Contain only isolated cannabinoids to bring about a specific response. For example:
- Some isolate edibles contain just THC
- Some have CBD and THC
- Some have THC, CBD and a minor cannabinoid like CBN
Quick Tips
Keep In Mind
Go Deeper
Learn More
🧪 More About Cannabinoids
Weedmaps — Cannabinoid Dictionary ↗ Way of Leaf — Top Cannabinoids & What They Do ↗ The Cannabis Reader — Guide to Common Cannabinoids ↗🍋 More About Terpenes
Leafly — What Are Terpenes? (Infographic) ↗ Leafly — Cannabis Guide ↗ Weedmaps — Terpenes Dictionary ↗ CannaCon — 15 Terpenes Explained ↗ Leaf411 — What Are Terpenes? ↗🧠 Cannabis, Health & The Endocannabinoid System
Healer — The Endocannabinoid System ↗Ready to see what else we're about?
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