Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis and Dispensaries
You may find the answers to these frequently asked questions useful!
Contents
About Cannabis
What is Cannabis?
What is Hemp?
What are the effects of Cannabis?
What is vaping?
What are edibles?
How do I consume edibles?
Can Cannabis beverages make you high?
Is Cannabis legal in Canada?
Storage
Where should I keep my buds?
Does Cannabis go stale?
Social Considerations
Can everyone use Cannabis?
Can you take too much Cannabis?
Can I give Cannabis to minors?
Can I give Cannabis to pets?
Can I consume Cannabis while driving?
Can I use Cannabis and alcohol simultaneously?
Shopping
Is your Cannabis safe?
Do I need ID to buy Cannabis?
Do I need a prescription to shop at Old West Cannabis Company?
Is there a limit to what I can order?
Can I buy Old West Cannabis online?
Can I change my order?
Can you deliver my order
Can I order from the Old West Cannabis Company website anytime?
What is your return policy?
What’s the best way to contact you?
About Cannabis
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis, also known as “weed” or “pot”, is a plant that grows in a field or greenhouse. There are three main types: Sativa, Indica and Ruderalis. Once the flowers on the plants are picked and dried, you obtain Cannabis, also known as weed, pot, or marijuana.
There is a lot of terminology surrounding Cannabis because the plant contains over 120 compounds. Two in particular have been well studied: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). In layman’s terms, THC gets you “high” while CBD doesn’t. Thus, THC is often desired by people looking to have a party; CBD is in demand due to its medicinal qualities. If you are interested in THC you will find people look at the distribution of Sativa and Indica strains. Sativa tends to be a more euphoric drug while Indica is more mellow; users often remember Indica because it puts them “In di couch”
What is Hemp?
Hemp is a variety of Cannabis plant that has no THC but does have large amounts of CBD. Aside from the CBD that can be obtained, hemp fibre is in high demand for clothing, textiles and paper goods production.
What are the effects of Cannabis?
In the short-term, Cannabis may produce relaxation, giddiness, heightened awareness, focus, creativity and increased appetite. These effects are more pronounced in products with a lot of THC as opposed to CBD.
Cannabis can also have some undesirable side effects for some people. These include lethargy, anxiety, elevated heart rate, coordination issues, delayed reaction to stimulus and nausea. The best way to mitigate these effects is to be very moderate with consumption of Cannabis.
Lastly, the effects you experience and the speed of onset can be based on consumption method. Soking or vaping tends to produce very quick effects; ingestion (edibles, etc.) can take several hours to achieve full effect.
What is vaping?
Vaping Cannabis involves heating the substance to a point where the active compounds turn to vapour. It’s different than smoking but still has a characteristic odour.
What are edibles?
As the name suggests, edibles are products that you eat. There are many manufacturers producting edibles as the moment and they range from Cannabis flower through chocolates, cookies, brownies, cakes, lollipops, gummies etc. Some make you high (because they contain THC) while others have non-intoxicating effects because they contain entirely CBD. Edibles are legal in the Province of Ontario.
How do I consume edibles?
Edibles can be sneaky. They can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours to “kick-in” and then can last for up to 12h. So you have to be patient!
We recommend trying a small quantity of these products at a time. Don’t consume an entire pack of anything or you may regret the feeling (see “Can you take too much Cannabis?”, above).
Can Cannabis beverages make you high?
It depends on the amount of THC in the beverage. Generally, the more THC the greater the high. Beverages containing just CBD won’t get you high. As with any Cannabis product, you can’t drink Cannabis beverages and drive a vehicle. Most Cannabis beverages use distilled Cannabis extract in a base of carbonated water and assorted flavours. And most beverages do not have the pungent odour associated with smoking Cannabis.
Is Cannabis legal in Canada?
Yes, Cannabis has been legal and available for recreational use since October 2018.
Which Cannabis products are legal in Ontario?
The landscape of legal products is constantly changing. Dried Cannabis flower, extracts, edible oils, gummies, gels, beverages and vaping pens are all available in Ontario. Note that product offerings vary by province, and new products are being released weekly.
Storage
Where should I keep my buds?
Cannabis flower likes cool, dark, dry places the best. Don’t use plastic bags, clear glass jars or overly sunny locations to store Cannabis as this will impact the freshness. The best choice is a Cannabis humidor or a dark glass jar. And don’t put Cannabis in the fridge or freezer.
Does Cannabis go stale?
Cannabis can stay fresh for about six months if it’s stored properly.
Social Considerations
Can everyone use Cannabis?
Let’s get the obvious out of the way; Cannabis is illegal for those under the age of nineteen. Among the adult population, there are some folks who need to be cautious. They include:
- Seniors
- Pregnant or nursing mothers
- People with a history of schizophrenia, depression or bipolar disorder
- People with liver, kidney, heart or lung disease
- Anyone who has a medical condition that affects their daily life
If you are among these groups, then talk with your family doctor. They will be able to provide you with resources to help guide you on a safe journey.
Can you take too much Cannabis?
The old adage about “Too much of a good thing” definitely applies to Cannabis. When it comes to trying a product for the first time, another adage “Slow and steady wins the race” might also apply. So the answer is yes: you can take too much Cannabis. This can lead to a sense of unease or agitation. The best course of action is to wait it out; sleeping, if possible, will make the process much easier.
Can I give Cannabis to minors?
No! Not only is this illegal, it could be very dangerous. Young brains are still forming, and studies have shown that Cannabis use in minors can affect the development of neural pathways. If you suspect a minor might have a medical condition that requires treatment (with CBD for example) then reach out to a doctor. Under no circumstances should you attempt to treat a medical condition yourself.
Kids can be very curious, and Cannabis 2.0 products include products like gummies, chocolate, etc. In all likelihood, kids would mistake these products for sweets. Make sure your Cannabis is kept under lock and key to avoid accidental ingestion by your kids.
Can I give Cannabis to pets?
Please don’t. You are not doing them any favour giving them Cannabis. If you suspect a pet might have a medical condition that requires treatment (with CBD for example) then reach out to the veterinarian. And if you’re having a party make sure flower, edibles, etc. are kept out of the reach of inquisitive animals.
Can I consume Cannabis while driving?
No. And you need to leave several hours after ingesting or smoking to allow Cannabis to purge itself from your system. Law enforcement has zero tolerance for people who get high and drive, and the fines are substantial.
Can I use Cannabis and alcohol simultaneously?
Caution is the key word here; we don’t recommend combining the two as they can have a synergistic effect. Basically, the two taken together can give you a bad experience, especially among vulnerable people such as those with a history of psychosis.
Shopping
Is your Cannabis safe?
Old West Cannabis Company only buys from government authorized suppliers. All Cannabis suppliers undergo rigorous testing under the guidance of Health Canada. You do not need to be concerned about product safety.
Do I need ID to buy Cannabis?
Yes. The government requires age validation for all Cannabis purchases. The rules are the same as for purchasing liquor.
Do I need a prescription to shop at Old West Cannabis Company?
Old West Cannabis Company is a recreational dispensary; you do not need a prescription to shop here. If your doctor prescribes medical Cannabis then you would get that prescription filled at a pharmacy just like any other drug. There is no difference in the types of Cannabis available to recreational versus medical patients in Ontario; the only change is that if Cannabis is prescribed by your doctor then you may have benefits coverage to pay for the prescription.
Is there a limit to what I can order?
Health Canada limits the daily purchasing level to 30g of dried flower or equivalent. Our computer software tracks this threshold to ensure you don’t go over the limit.
Can I buy Old West Cannabis online?
We can’t ship you Cannabis if that’s what you’re asking. However, in Ontario we’re allowed to do click and collect. You can pay for your order through our website, then pick it up in the store. We’ll text you confirmation when we receive the order, then send you another text when it’s ready for pickup. You’ll need to show valid photo ID as well as the card used to place the order. Alternatively, you will be allowed to place the order and pay when you pick it up. If you select this latter option then you must pick up the order within 3 business days or the order will be cancelled.
For online orders we allow Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Visa Debit or Mastercard. If you’d rather use cash then you have two options. Come to the store and buy in person; we’ll gladly accept cash. If you want to click and collect then visit your local variety store and buy a pre-paid Visa or Mastercard. This will work for online click and collect purchases at our store. Ordinarily you won’t have to line up, you’ll just be able to pick up your order. However, during the pandemic you might find us required to put limits on the number of people in the store.
Can I change my order?
We aim to please at Old West Cannabis Company. If you need to change your order just give us a call at 905-240-9378 and we’ll do what we can to set things straight. Note our phone is only answered during business hours; after hours we’re sitting around the campfire.
Can you deliver my order?
Recreational dispensaries in Ontario are not allowed to ship or deliver Cannabis. Having said that, over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic the Ontario Government has allowed local delivery during lockdowns. If local delivery becomes allowed again then we’ll post something on our Pickup and Shipping Policy page.
Can I order from the Old West Cannabis Company website anytime?
Place an order whenever you wish but keep in mind it will only be available for pickup during regular store hours.
What is your return policy?
We don’t accept return of Cannabis products under any circumstances. We do allow returns of non-Cannabis merchandise; see our Pickup and Shipping Policy for details.
What’s the best way to contact you?
Our staff can answer questions about products, orders, or our store. Just contact us at info@oldwestCannabis.ca or by calling 905-240-9378. If we don’t answer immediately then we’ll get back to you on the next business day.