Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the key non-psychoactive compounds found in the cannabis plant, highly regarded for delivering wellness benefits without the “high” that comes with THC. CBD comes in a few different forms: full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate. Of the three, CBD isolate is the simplest, but that simplicity is exactly what makes it appealing to a lot of people. What Is CBD Isolate? CBD isolate is CBD in its purest form. Every other compound naturally found in the hemp plant is removed through an extraction and purification process, including other cannabinoids, terpenes, and plant matter. What’s left behind is pure CBD, typically in a crystalline or powder form, with a purity level of 99% or higher. Because of this, CBD isolate is usually flavorless and odorless, which makes it easy to add to drinks, food, or anything else you make at home without changing the taste. Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum vs CBD Isolate Understanding where isolate fits means understanding the other two options first. Here’s how they all compare. Full Spectrum CBD Broad Spectrum CBD CBD Isolate THC content Trace amounts (under 0.3%) None (removed during processing) None Other cannabinoids Full range (CBN, CBG, CBC, etc.)...

If you ever wondered why each cannabis strain has a signature taste, the answer lies in terpenes. Terpenes, like pinene, are the main aromatics that give cannabis a specific aroma and flavor, but it’s speculated that they have a much broader purpose. Here’s everything you should know about the terpene pinene and how it can impact your cannabis experience. Understanding Terpenes Terpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in many plants, including cannabis plants. Terpenes are stored in the trichome glands of female cannabis plants. The main purpose of terpenes is to be aromatics and flavorants, giving cannabis and other herbs their signature taste and smell. Each cannabis plant has a set of terpenes, which are determined by the plant’s genetics, so each plant has a unique flavor profile. Some cannabis strains are terpene-specific, while others have balanced terpene profiles with a mixture of multiple dominating terpenes. That’s why some cannabis is more fruity and citrusy, while others are earthy, spicy, woody, diesel-like, and everything in between. Different types of terpenes The number of terpenes found across a variety of plants is estimated to be in the tens of thousands. On the other hand, there are over 200 different kinds...

Cannabis plants get their aroma and flavor from terpenes. There are many types of terpenes, each having unique properties and notes that can shape the overall cannabis experience. Here’s everything you should know about myrcene, one of the most abundant terpenes present in cannabis. Understanding Terpenes Terpenes are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in many plants, including cannabis. Terpenes in cannabis act as primary aromatics and flavorants, giving the plant its signature taste and smell. A cannabis strain can contain numerous terpenes at once and have a complex flavor profile, but the dominating terpene determines which flavor note stands out. That’s why some cannabis is considered fruity and zesty, while others are spicy, earthy, or even diesel-like. Different types of terpenes The number of terpenes found across a variety of plants is estimated to be in the tens of thousands. On the other hand, there are over 200 different kinds of terpenes that can be found in cannabis. Terpene profiles can vary, as some terpenes are more abundant than others, depending on the cannabis strain and the plant’s genetics. The most popular terpenes and their signature aroma include: Pinene (crisp, woody, pine-like aroma) Linalool (floral, herbal aroma) Limonene (citrusy, zesty,...

Terpenes like limonene are flavorants and aromatics found in the cannabis plant. Many cannabis connoisseurs have heard about this term, but are unsure why they are so important. Here’s everything you should know about limonene and how terpenes can actually shape the cannabis experience. Understanding Terpenes Terpenes are naturally occurring compounds found in many plants, including cannabis. They are produced and stored in trichomes, which are found in female cannabis plants. Their main purpose is to be aromatics and flavorants, giving cannabis its signature taste and smell. Cannabis aroma and flavor are determined by the overall terpene profile, which can vary depending on the dominating terpene. Different types of terpenes The number of terpenes found across a variety of plants is estimated to be in the tens of thousands. On the other hand, there are over 200 different kinds of terpenes that can be found in cannabis, some being more abundant than others, depending on the cannabis genetics. The most popular terpenes and their signature aromas include: Pinene (crisp, woody, pine-like aroma) Linalool (floral, herbal aroma) Myrcene (musky, earthy, and sometimes exotic aroma) Humulene (earthy or woody aroma) Caryophyllene (woody or spicy aroma) Limonene Limonene is present in citrus fruit...

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of over 100 naturally occurring compounds known as cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. Unlike its more famous counterpart, THC, CBD is non-intoxicating, which means it doesn’t produce the “high” traditionally associated with cannabis. But “CBD” on a label tells you only part of the story. The other part is what else is in the bottle alongside it. What Is Broad Spectrum CBD? Broad spectrum CBD is a hemp extract that retains most of the plant’s naturally occurring cannabinoids and terpenes, with a notable exception of THC. THC is deliberately removed during processing. The result is a product that offers a more complete experience than CBD isolate without detectable THC. That combination is precisely what many CBD consumers are looking for. Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum vs CBD Isolate Understanding broad spectrum CBD is easier when you see where it sits relative to the other two main types: full spectrum CBD and CBD isolate. Full Spectrum CBD Broad Spectrum CBD CBD Isolate THC content Trace amounts (under 0.3%) None (removed during processing) None Other cannabinoids Full range (CBN, CBG, CBC, etc.) Full range, minus THC None Terpenes Yes Yes No Entourage effect Strongest Present, but...

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the key non-psychoactive compounds found in the cannabis plant, highly regarded for delivering wellness benefits without the “high” that comes with THC. But not all CBD is created equal. There are full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate CBD, and the type used in a product can shape how the product works and what you can expect from it. What Is Full Spectrum CBD? Full spectrum CBD is a cannabis extract that retains the full range of naturally occurring compounds found in the hemp plant. That includes CBD, of course, but also other cannabinoids like CBN, CBG, and CBC, along with terpenes and trace amounts of THC. That trace amount of THC is what sets full-spectrum CBD apart from its broad-spectrum counterpart. Under federal hemp regulations, full spectrum CBD products must contain no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight—far too little to produce a noticeable high, but enough to round out the cannabinoid profile. Full Spectrum vs Broad Spectrum vs CBD Isolate These are the three types of CBD oil and the three terms that get mixed up a lot, so here’s a quick comparison. Full Spectrum CBD Broad Spectrum CBD CBD Isolate THC content...

The cannabis industry has a lot of layers, including proper customer service. The best way to gain cannabis knowledge is to do it from someone with qualifications, and that’s exactly what budtenders are there for. The term budtender is made from the word bud, also known as cannabis flower, and the word bartender, someone who works in the customer service industry. Here’s everything you should know about budtenders and why they are important. Why We Call Our Customer Service Experts Guides Instead of Budtenders? Budtenders are one of the essential roles of the cannabis industry, as they have direct interaction with the customers. A classic role of a budtender consists of working in retail, selling, and informing potential customers about cannabis products. While their role involves working in retail, it is much more complex. And at some dispensaries, like at The Artist Tree, budtenders are called guides. The Artist Tree reinvented the traditional concept of cannabis retail, blending it with art, community, and culture. Each location is an interactive art gallery-inspired space, with compassionate guides who share knowledge and fuse cannabis retail with creativity and wellness. The Artist Tree is more than a regular dispensary, offering a special, experience-focused cannabis...

If you’ve spent any time browsing a dispensary menu, you’ve probably seen the word “exotic” thrown around. But what does it actually mean? Is it just marketing, or does it signal something real about the product? What Makes a Strain Exotic? There’s no official industry definition, but in cannabis culture, exotic strains are generally understood to be those that stand out from the standard selection in one or more meaningful ways: Unique genetic lineages: Bred from rare lineages that are not commonly available on the market. Distinctive appearance: Deep purples, vivid oranges, heavy trichome coverage, or unusual bud structure. Unique terpene profiles: Complex and unexpected aroma combinations that go beyond the standard earthy or skunky baseline. High THC potency: Rare strains often test at the higher end of the THC spectrum, though that alone does not make for an exotic strain. Small-batch or craft cultivation: Grown in limited quantities with extra attention to growing conditions, curing, and quality control. Exotic vs. Top Shelf Top shelf and exotic are two terms that get thrown around a lot, and both represent premium cannabis products, making it easy to get confused. They differ in focus. Top shelf: A quality tier, referring to the...

Top shelf is a label that’s been around long before legalization. But what actually makes a flower top shelf, and how do you know you’re getting the real deal and not just paying for marketing? What Is Top Shelf Weed? Top shelf is a catch-all term for cannabis flower of the highest quality in terms of genetics, cultivation, cure, aroma, and potency. The phrase comes from the old selling practice of putting premium products on the top shelf, where they’d get the most attention. Since no regulatory body defines or enforces what “top shelf” actually means, it’s used loosely in today’s cannabis industry. That means that some brands use it as a marketing tool. But that doesn’t mean that the qualities that define top shelf aren’t real. They are—you just need to know what to look for instead of just relying on the label. How Top Shelf Cannabis Is Made The top shelf designation isn’t just about high THC numbers. It’s the result of how carefully the product was handled from harvest to jar. Genetics: Top shelf flower comes from strains that have been selected and refined over multiple generations, not mass-produced from generic seed stock. Growing conditions: Many sought-after...

Cannabis is a plant. It grows from soil, water, and light, and, for most of human history, that’s how it was cultivated. But as the legal cannabis industry has scaled rapidly, the word “organic” has started appearing more and more on dispensary menus and marketing materials. What does it mean, and, more importantly, does it change your experience enough to matter? What Does “Organic” Mean in the Cannabis Industry? In the food industry, the word “organic” has a legal definition backed by the USDA’s National Organic Program. For cannabis, it’s more complicated. Because cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level, the USDA cannot officially certify cannabis as organic even in states where it’s fully legal. That means when you see “organic” on a cannabis product, it’s not the same certified label you’d see on a carton of eggs or a salad bag. Instead, growers use a range of terms and third-party to signal their growing practices: Clean Green Certified Program: Modeled closely on USDA organic standards, this is one of the most recognized third-party certifications in the industry. Certified Kind: Another third-party program that audits cannabis cultivators for sustainable and organic practices. Sun+Earth Certified: Focused on...