While some states have clamped down on the production and sales of Delta-9 THC products, they are still legal in many states. As a result, you might be curious about what the shopping experience might be like for you and how you can secure the best products for your needs. 

Before you jump into the purchase of Delta-9 gummies, chocolate, and other sweet treats, take a moment to consider the following points. You might then be able to make your purchase with much more confidence. 

Check Dispensary Websites

Whether you’ve decided to try Delta 9 today or another day, you’ve likely been thinking about the best places to buy your preferred products from. When you’re shopping for the first time, it’s unlikely that you’ll have a list of trusted stockists. 

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t build up a list through research. There are thousands of dispensaries throughout the United States, which means you’re bound to find at least a few standout options online with high-quality websites. 

Visit high-ranking dispensary sites through your preferred search engine and look for features that point to those dispensaries being trustworthy. For example, if you can identify a padlock in the browser bar, you can rest assured that the site owners take site security seriously. 

Pay attention to the design and build quality of the website, how detailed the product descriptions are, and whether plenty of dispensary information is present to learn more about who is offering the products.  The more you can learn from each website, the easier you might find it to make an informed decision. 

Look for Third-Party Lab Reports

Most people don’t look for scientific reports when purchasing anything online, but it’s something worth considering when the time comes to buy Delta-9 products for the first time. Lab reports can detail the contents of the products you’re purchasing, the CBD and THC levels, and any additional cannabinoids, toxins, and terpenes. 

This information can be crucial for your peace of mind when you’re trying to determine a product’s safety before purchase. If you can’t find lab reports on the websites of dispensaries you’re planning to purchase from, you’re within your rights to request them. If you’re unable to secure one, consider shopping with a trusted dispensary with this information readily available. 

Research Your Product Options

Buying Delta-9 products for the first time can be overwhelming, especially when you see the wide range of options at your disposal. While you might already know that you want to try gummies, it’s easy to be lured in by the prospect of delectable chocolate, baked goods, and even lollipops. 

To avoid being overwhelmed by the selection, consider your reasons for purchasing Delta-9 products in the first place and the environments in which you’ll be consuming them. Gummies and lollipops come in convenient packaging and are practical options for eating in a variety of settings. They are also compact enough to pop into a backpack to transport from one location to another. 

If you simply want to treat yourself to something with Delta-9 to satisfy your sweet tooth, chocolate or even peanut butter nuggets might be more to your liking. 

Consider Reputation

Word of mouth counts for a lot amongst consumers, and most people would much prefer to buy goods and services from businesses that others trust over those they don’t. Before you make your purchase, take a moment to read reviews and testimonials from genuine customers. 

Usually, you can find this information on search engines like Google, along with social media platforms like Facebook. If your friends and family members use Delta-9 products, you might even be able to rely on them for dispensary recommendations. 

Review Doses

Dosages are one of the most crucial considerations when choosing a new dispensary and Delta-9 products. Too much Delta-9 THC, and you might not enjoy your experience, but too little, and you might not have much of an experience at all. 

Currently, manufacturers and dispensaries can produce and stock Delta-9 THC products containing up to 0.3% THC dry weight. However, this can be challenging to put into serving size terms when you start shopping. Pay close attention to the milligram strength per gummy, rather than just per serving or container, as some are manufactured to be stronger than others for a more intense user experience. 

Check Out Dietary Requirements

If you have any specific dietary requirements, such as gluten-free, vegan, or dairy-free, you likely always check the packaging of any food products you purchase. Delta-9 THC products should be no different. 

Pay close attention to the ingredients listed on each product’s packaging and any claims they’re making. For example, some Delta-9 products contain no gelatin and are vegan-friendly, while others have no gluten or artificial sugars. 

How to Try Delta-9 THC Products for the First Time

After conducting plenty of research to have complete confidence in your purchasing decision, you might be ready to consume a gummy, lollipop, or piece of chocolate containing Delta-9 THC for the first time. Here are a few tips that might enhance your experience. 

Start Small

As tempting as it can be to consume more than one delectable gummy at a time, it’s essential to start small as a beginner. Everyone’s sensitivity levels are different, meaning how you’re affected by Delta-9 THC might differ from how someone else is. 

Consider cutting one gummy into quarters and starting with one quarter at a time. You might then like to work your way up to a whole gummy as you become familiar with your own bodily sensations. Most dispensary owners also recommend consuming no more than one gummy in a 24-hour period. 

Take Your Time

You might have heeded dispensary workers’ recommendations to cut your gummy into quarters and consume one quarter at a time, but you might not know how long you’re supposed to wait between each quarter. 

Start with one quarter, and if you don’t notice the effects you thought you would, you will know that you can consume half of a gummy next time. Repeat this process until you reach a comfortable level. For some people, that’s half a gummy; for others, it’s an entire gummy. 

Purchasing Delta-9 products for the first time can be a daunting process, and it can take some time to find a stockist you trust and a product you’re comfortable with. However, through research and with time, you can be well on your way to a memorable purchasing experience. 

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DELTA-9 AND DELTA-10 THC?

According to the World Health Organization, over 280 million people around the world struggle with depression. Meanwhile, the WHO estimates that around 264 million people have anxiety.

Then there are also those who struggle with both.

While many of us occasionally feel temporary anxiety and depression due to certain events in life, for these millions of people, these mental health disorders can be so overwhelming and debilitating. It can rob us of our quality of life, preventing us from living healthy social lives, maintaining relationships, keeping a job, having stable income, and so much more.

Those that can afford it undertake therapy with licensed psychiatrists and psychologists, while those that are in need of help for more serious anxiety and depression have to turn to medications. Prescription drugs such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are among the first line of defense for anxiety and depression, including anti-depressant medications. While they can work for many people, they often have terrible side effects that are well known about – enough to make people want to quit them altogether.

These include, but are not limited to:

• Diarrhea or constipation

• Dry mouth

• Tremors

• Weight gain

• Nausea

• Headaches

• Insomnia

• Fatigue

And so much more.

Why Cannabis is Best for Anxiety and Depression

Over the past few years, there has been an increase in studies proving the efficacy of marijuana for treating anxiety and depression without the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs.

Patients who have been using cannabis for anxiety and depression report significant improvements as well. In one recent survey in Canada, more than 7,000 patients who had access to medical marijuana and to a licensed MMJ clinic in the country, were polled. The authors said that there were “statistically significant improvements” when they compared the baseline to follow up scores of anxiety and depression for at least one year.

“To our knowledge, this study is the largest completed to date examining the impact of medical cannabis use on anxiety and depression outcomes utilizing longitudinal data and validated questionnaires,” said the study authors.

“It provides evidence on the effectiveness of medical cannabis as a treatment for anxiety and depression that otherwise is not currently available, demonstrating that patients who seek treatment with medical cannabis for anxiety and depression can experience clinically significant improvements. This study offers reasonable justification for the completion of large clinical trials to further the understanding of medical cannabis as a treatment for anxiety and depression,” they concluded.

In summary, the findings showed that patients can expect long-term relief from anxiety and depression when medicating with cannabis.

There are also some studies suggesting that anxiety and depression patients are better off with CBD products as compared to THC for treating their conditions.

One study from 2021, conducted by researchers at the John Hopkins University in Baltimore as well as investigators from Charleston’s University of South Carolina, involved analyzing patterns among depression and anxiety symptoms that were self-reported by a group of cannabis users and non-users. Most of the participants in the study were aware of the cannabinoid composition of products they consumed, saying most of them consumed cannabis dominant in CBD.

“Initiation of medicinal cannabis during the follow-up period of the study was associated with significantly decreased anxiety and depressive symptoms, an effect that was not observed in controls that never initiated cannabis use…. Adverse effects attributed by participants to cannabis product use were infrequent, were more associated with THC-dominant product use,” the authors wrote.

Whereas higher doses of pharmaceutical drugs may be recommended for patients struggling with severe episodes or treatment-resistant conditions, with cannabis, one may only need a small amount in order to cope.

Such is the findings of a 2021 study conducted by Realm of Caring, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to researching cannabis. The findings, which were published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, were gathered after assessing data from the organization’s Observational Research Registry (ORR). They found that individuals who used CBD products on their own, or those who continued to use them during follow up, reported great improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms. Aside from that, they also reported that they had better sleep and suffered from less pain compared to those who weren’t consuming CBD.

“The biggest misconception this study addresses is that CBD doses need to be between 400-600mg before positive psychiatric effects can be achieved,” says Dr. Nicolas Schlienz, Realm of Caring’s Research Director. “We observed positive effects in people taking an average of only about 60mg per day, 1/10 of that dose,” he said.  

There was also another study from earlier this year, in January 2022, wherein findings from an open-label and randomized trial conducted by Advancing CBD Education and Sciences (ACES) published results of participants who purchased over-the-counter CBD products. According to MedScape, they found “clinically meaningful” improvements when it came to anxiety as well as sleep quality and pain.

“ACES is the largest clinical trial ever conducted on commercially available CBD products and provides first-of-its-kind real world evidence into what conditions users may experience benefit from CBD usage, whether these benefits are clinically meaningful, what attributes of CBD products may impact health outcomes, and what side effects may occur,” said Jessica Saleska, PhD, MPH, the study’s co-researcher and Radicle Science director of research.

Ethan Russo, MD, Radicle’s scientific advisor and a neurologist, as well as CEO and founder of CReDO Science, explains further that the study intended to advise consumers make knowledgeable decisions before buying commercially available CBD products.

Conclusion

CBD products are readily available for consumers throughout the country. Because of its safety profile, it’s an excellent way to mitigate everyday anxiety and depression. However, be cautious about mixing them if you are already taking prescription medications from a psychiatrist as there may be unwanted side effects.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION, READ MORE…

MEDICAL CANNABIS FOR DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY TAKES OFF!