Canadian youth aged 15–24 exhibit one of the highest rates of cannabis use globally, with prevalence rates nearly double those of adults.
Among these users, there is a notable reliance on online THC flower. Flower, being the most versatile cannabis product, is favoured by younger cannabis users due to its affordability and potency.
Not only do young Canadians use cannabis flower recreationally, but they are also more prone to reporting negative emotions like stress, anxiety, and loneliness. This propensity contributes to their heavy cannabis use as a means of managing these mental health symptoms.
Table of Contents
Overview of THC Cannabis Flowers
Cannabis flower, often referred to as weed, marijuana, or pot, consists of the dried and cured buds of the cannabis plant. Their high desirability stems from housing most of the plant’s trichomes by emitting a distinctive aroma and harbouring cannabinoids like THC.
Marijuana flowers exhibit variability based on their strain but manifest as compact, green nuggets or buds. These buds contain a sticky resin, composed mainly of trichomes, and adorned with orange or brown hairs.
Types of THC Flower
Indica Strains
Indica marijuana flower originated from the Middle East and India. Indica plants can reach a height of six feet or more. Their leaves are notably bushier and reminiscent of Japanese maple foliage rather than the ubiquitous stoner pot leaf symbol.
The sedative Indica effects, often called “couch-lock,” prove optimal when seeking a strain to unwind with after a taxing day. The Indica flower is also viable for alleviating chronic pain, promoting sleep, and stimulating appetite.
Sativa Strains
Originating from regions like Africa and Central America, Sativa plants can grow impressively tall, sometimes reaching 20 feet. Their elongated and towering leaves bear a striking resemblance to the archetypal marijuana leaf.
Sativa strains tend to induce an invigorating “head high” rather than sedation. The stimulating cerebral effects of sativa flowers can provide significant relief for people with mental health conditions.
Hybrid Strains
Hybrid marijuana flower is a versatile middle ground between Indica and Sativa, which delivers a relaxing and energizing effect. A Hybrid strain boasts endless diversity, with plants varying in size, colour, and even leaf morphology.
Hybrids can exhibit remarkably high THC levels or offer targeted effects. They are for daytime or nighttime consumption. Cannabis hybrids fall into three categories: Balanced stain, Sativa-dominant strain, and Indica-dominant strain.
How to Use Recreational and Medical Marijuana Flower
- Pipes: Using a pipe involves adding cannabis to the bowl-shaped area at one end, a process commonly referred to as “packing a bowl,” and then lighting it. As you inhale, the smoke travels through the pipe’s chamber and exits through the mouthpiece.
- Water Pipes: Operate on a similar principle but incorporate a water-filled chamber. This water acts as a filter. This cools down the smoke and delivers a smoother inhalation experience.
- Joint: Crafted by rolling cannabis into rolling papers, akin to creating a cannabis cigarette. Lighting one end allows you to inhale through the other.
- Blunts: Share similarities with joints but employ cigar paper instead of rolling papers. People hollow out a cigar and fill it with cannabis, though they can also use pre-made blunt wraps. Blunts tend to be larger and hold more cannabis than joints.
- Vaping: Involves using a device to heat the cannabis flower right below the point of combustion. This transforms the active compounds, like cannabinoids and terpenes, into vapour.
- Edibles: Decarboxylate your cannabis flower to activate its compounds. Then, you can incorporate it into homemade edibles like gummies, baked goods, or chocolates.
Why is THC Flower Popular?
The cannabis flower stands out among its counterparts due to its inherent purity. It consists solely of dried and cured cannabis buds without additional ingredients or processing. Its effects tend to be more pronounced and readily felt, which surpasses those of alternatives such as edibles or tinctures. The flower boasts diverse terpenes and flavour profiles for an enhanced overall impact.
For those seeking a swift-acting, entirely natural remedy, the cannabis flower proves invaluable. For enthusiasts who derive pleasure from the ritual and sensation of smoking, the flower offers an appealing option.
As the cannabis landscape continues to evolve, an increasing variety of strains becomes available. You are no longer limited to low-THC flowers for a mild experience; instead, you can explore potent highs tailored to your preferences. The affordability of flower sets it apart from other cannabis products, as even a single gram can yield two joints, which is good enough for two sessions.
Statistical Trend on Cannabis Use
| Age | Consumption Total | Gender | FrequencyDaily or Almost | Product Type | Mode of Consumption |
| 18-24 | 38.4% | No Difference | 8.7% | Dried Flower | Smoking |
| 25-44 | 34.5% | No Difference | 10.3% | Dried Flower | Smoking |
| 45 and Older | 15.5% | Men: 6%Women: 3.6% | 4.8% | Edibles | Ingestion |
The younger group showed a higher tendency to report using vape pens and cartridges, cannabis extracts and concentrates, cannabis beverages, dried leaf or flower, and edible cannabis. Older respondents were more inclined towards utilizing cannabis topicals and oral cannabis oils compared to their younger counterparts.
Statistics Canada conducted a survey that revealed the top two product types used in the 12 months before the survey across all age groups: dried leaf or flower (62.1%) and cannabis edibles (57.1%).
Benefits of High-THC Flower
Data on mental health indicates that young people ages 15-24 face the highest likelihood of experiencing mental health challenges. Youth Mental Health Canada (YMHC) underscores this concern. They state that Canadians aged 15 to 24 are disproportionately affected by mental health conditions compared to other age groups, with 70% of mental health issues emerging during childhood or adolescence.
Canada holds the third-highest youth suicide rate among industrialized nations. Suicide among Canadian youth accounts for a significant portion of deaths within specific age brackets: 29% among 15 to 19-year-olds, 23% among 20 to 24-year-olds, and 19% among those aged 10 to 14.
This increased rate of mental health conditions can be one reason why younger generations are looking into smoking weed.
Depression
Researchers at the University at Buffalo explored marijuana’s potential in treating depression stemming from chronic stress. The focus of the investigation at the school’s Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) lies in endocannabinoids, naturally occurring chemical compounds in the brain. These compounds are instrumental in motor control, cognition, emotions, and behaviour and share a similar chemical structure to cannabis.
Their studies, conducted on animals rather than humans, have revealed that chronic stress may hinder the brain’s production of endocannabinoids, potentially resulting in behaviours akin to depression. The introduction of cannabis into the system appears to aid in restoring normal levels and function, potentially alleviating symptoms of depression.
Stress
In a paper published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, researchers revealed that 58% of participants using medical cannabis reported a decrease in stress and anxiety after consumption. Cannabis flower with high levels of THC and CBD were particularly effective in addressing stress and anxiety.
Medical cannabis users reported a notable 50% reduction in depression and a 58% decrease in both anxiety and stress levels following cannabis use. Even just two puffs of cannabis were sufficient in lowering feelings of depression and anxiety, while consuming 10 or more puffs yielded the most significant reductions in perceived stress levels.
Buy Weed Online For a Quick Access to Your Favourite Strain
GrassLife, an online dispensary, provides a diverse selection of high-quality buds, each boasting distinct effects, flavours, and aromas. Through strict quality control standards, we ensure that our customers can savour their marijuana experience, whether seeking recreational enjoyment or therapeutic effects. Explore our range of different strains, which offer Indica’s deep relaxation and body-high effects or Sativa’s cerebral and mood-enhancing qualities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of THC flowers can help in managing mental health symptoms for youth?
Some suggest that Sativas are great for managing mental health symptoms, but the truth is that looking at the cannabinoid and terpene content can help you determine which strain can help you with what you need. For example, Limonene-rich strains enhance the production of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, essential neurotransmitters that influence mood. This mood enhancement can effectively alleviate anxiety levels, significantly influencing depression.
Why do many users like to smoke or vape THC flowers?
Inhaling cannabis, whether through smoking or vaping, offers a rapid onset of effects, usually felt within about 5 minutes. One drawback is that this method of consumption tends to dissipate relatively quickly, roughly 1 to 3 hours.
Where do most youth source their cannabis?
Cannabis users aged 16 to 19 obtain their supply from friends and family, whereas those aged 20 and older tend to purchase cannabis either online or from a storefront. Only a small percentage of users, those aged 25 and older, choose to grow their cannabis.
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