You’ve probably picked up a product, seen 28% THC on the label, and bought it based on that alone. Most people do. But that number only tells you how psychoactive something is likely to be, not how it’s going to feel, how long it’ll last, or whether you’ll actually enjoy it.

There’s A LOT that goes into how a certain cannabis product will feel, but it all starts with major cannabinoids: THC and CBD.

What Are Cannabinoids?

Cannabinoids are compounds the cannabis plant produces naturally. When you consume cannabis, they interact with your endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is a network of receptors throughout your body involved in regulating mood, sleep, pain, appetite, and more. Different cannabinoids interact with those receptors in different ways, which is why two products with the same THC percentage can feel completely different.

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)

THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, and the one most people already know by name. Basically, it’s what gets you high. Specifically, it works by binding directly to CB1 receptors in the brain, the receptors involved in mood, memory, pain perception, and sensory experience. That direct binding is what produces euphoria, altered perception, heightened senses, and the rest of the effects most people associate with cannabis.

It’s also the most clinically studied cannabinoid. Its synthetic form, dronabinol, is an active ingredient in FDA-approved medications (Marinol and Syndros) used to treat chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting and anorexia associated with weight loss in people with AIDS, and researchers have studied it for pain management. On dispensary shelves, THC percentage is still the default shorthand for potency, which works as a rough guide, but it tells you more about intensity than it does about the quality or character of the experience.

A few things worth knowing about THC as a consumer:

• Tolerance builds over time: Regular THC use causes the ECS to adjust, which is why the same dose that hit hard six months ago may feel underwhelming now. Taking breaks, often called a tolerance reset, can restore sensitivity.
• Set and setting matter: In many ways, THC intensifies your current state. Going in relaxed tends to produce a different experience than going in stressed or anxious, even with the same product.
• More isn’t always better: Higher THC percentages can intensify effects in ways that aren’t always pleasant, particularly for people who are newer to cannabis or more sensitive to THC.

CBD (Cannabidiol)

CBD is the second most abundant cannabinoid in cannabis and the dominant one in hemp. Unlike THC, it’s non-intoxicating. It doesn’t bind to CB1 receptors in the same direct way, so it doesn’t produce a high. What it does is subtler and, frankly, still being figured out by researchers.

The working understanding is that CBD influences the ECS more indirectly. It may slow the breakdown of anandamide, one of the body’s naturally produced endocannabinoids, allowing it to stay active longer. It also interacts with receptor pathways beyond the standard cannabinoid system. The result is an effect that many people describe as a sense of calm or ease. The clinical evidence for many of its effects is still developing.

How Major Cannabinoids Interact With Each Other

THC and CBD don’t just coexist in a product. They influence each other, and knowing how they do can be useful information for cannabis consumers.

CBD appears to regulate some of THC’s more intense effects. Products with a higher CBD-to-THC ratio tend to produce a more balanced, grounded experience compared to high-THC products with little CBD alongside them. Some research suggests CBD may reduce THC-induced anxiety and help take the edge off intoxication, though the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood yet.

• High CBD, low THC (e.g. 20:1): Minimal intoxication, so you stay clear-headed and functional, which is why it’s the ratio you’ll most often see in wellness-focused products.
• Balanced (e.g. 1:1): A milder, more manageable high that a lot of people find more approachable than going straight high-THC.
• Low CBD, high THC (e.g. 1:20): More traditional cannabis territory, with stronger psychoactive effects and less of a buffer.

These are generalizations, and terpenes, consumption method, and individual biology all add to the equation. But the ratio is one of the most useful things to look at when you’re deciding between products.

What This Means When You’re Shopping

Most people come to a dispensary only asking about THC percentages, but that’s only half of the story. Other things worth factoring in include:

• The full cannabinoid panel, not just THC: A COA (Certificate of Analysis) on a label from a third-party lab shows the complete breakdown, including minor cannabinoids like CBG and CBN. If a brand makes that easy to find, that’s a good sign.
• The CBD to THC ratio: Especially if you’re newer to cannabis, a product with a significant amount of CBD alongside THC often produces a more manageable experience than a high-THC-only option.
• Your own history with both: If high-THC products tend to make you anxious, leaning toward higher CBD ratios is a practical adjustment, not a compromise.

Find the Right Cannabis Product at The Artist Tree

THC and CBD are the foundation of how cannabis products are formulated, and understanding the relationship between them can help you find something that works for you, but so can we! Come by your nearest Artist Tree location, and our guides will walk you through the ratios, explain the lab results, and help you find a product that fits what you’re looking for, whether that’s a more controlled experience, something heavier, or anywhere in between. Shopping on Long Island? Our Long Island dispensary serves Farmingdale and the Nassau and Suffolk towns around it.