by Owen Allerton | Jan 18, 2024 | Products
Recognizing when animals are uncomfortable is part of being a good pet parent. You notice when things are off because you want what’s best for your furry friend. From separation anxiety when you leave for the day to reduced activity from arthritis in their joints, pets experience similar emotional and physical ups and downs as their owners.
As more people seek alternative options for their furry companions’ health, cannabidiol (CBD) use emerges as a promising solution. This article will help you navigate the CBD scene for pets in Kitchener so that you can make the best decision for your cuddle buddy.
Highland Cannabis, your friendly mom-and-pop shop in Kitchener, is dedicated to making your experience smooth and informed, whether you’re new to cannabis or a seasoned enthusiast.
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What is CBD?
Hundreds of cannabinoids (naturally occurring cannabis compounds) develop in marijuana plants as they grow to maturity. CBD is one of them, known for its therapeutic effects, and so is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), known for its euphoric effects. Those two are the most well-known. However, our budtenders at Highland Cannabis might recommend products to you, not for your pet, that have high amounts of cannabigerol (CBG) or cannabinol (CBN).
We mention this so you understand that there is more at play than just THC and CBD when you use cannabis products.
All mammals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that reacts with cannabinoids found in marijuana and hemp plants. Hemp plants contain CBD but not THC, making them useful for therapeutic and drug trials.
How do CBD and THC Interact with our Endocannabinoid System?
Our ECS has CB1 and CB2 receptors. Receptors are like parking spaces for the molecules floating around our brain, called endocannabinoids, that have similar structures to the ones found in cannabis. CBD and THC hijack the parking spaces because of their similar structures and can interact with our bodies.
CB1 receptors control and regulate things by turning up or down the activity of systems like hunger, temperature, or focus.
CB2 receptors exist primarily in our immune tissues. They are critical for controlling our immune function and gastrointestinal conditions. CB2 receptors are widely used in drug development because they don’t cause the high associated with cannabis that stimulating the CB1 receptors does.
The Potential Benefits of Cannabis for Pets
Research suggests that CBD might help pets feel better. The caveat is that pets who accidentally consume cannabis products with THC will get sick.
Some possible benefits include:
- Pain: A Frontiers in Veterinary Science study showed decreased arthritis pain and increased activity in dogs treated with CBD oil.
- Stress and anxiety: CBD provides a mellowing effect that eases our nervous systems. Studies suggest that CBD affects parts of the brain influenced by serotonin, a hormone that brings feelings of happiness and relaxation.
- Seizures: In a controlled test, dogs with epilepsy were given oral CBD and their traditional antiseizure medications and experienced fewer seizures. Additionally, a Colorado State University clinical trial found that 89 percent of dogs who received CBD experienced less frequent seizures.
What are the Risks of Treating My Pet with CBD?
The biggest risk of giving your pet cannabis is intoxication. The best way to avoid potential mishaps with any cannabis product is to purchase from a licensed cannabis retail store, like Highland Cannabis in Kitchener. Licensed retailers always have accurate ingredient labels, so you know how much CBD or THC is in the product.
The most common side effects of CBD treatment include:
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Changes in appetite or weight.
Speak to your veterinarian before giving your pet CBD products, as you would before administering any medication. We also advise people to start low and slow. Begin with a low dose and wait a few hours to monitor the response before increasing the amount. And only increase in small increments.
Types of CBD Products for Pets in Kitchener
IMPORTANT: if pets consume cannabis products with a high dose of THC, it can be toxic.
CBC News quotes Owen Allerton, our owner at Highland Cannabis, as he urges everyone to “keep products stored out of reach from children and pets—up high, out of the way and in a sealed container.”
In studies with CBD done on pets, the most common products are oils. Here are our favourite tinctures at Highland Cannabis in Kitchener.
CBD Tinctures for Pets
CBD Reign Drops are our favourite product to recommend because they are low cost and low dose. This product is a great starting point—a low initial investment, and you’re less likely to administer too much.
Bacon CBD Extract by Apothecary Botanical is an all-natural plant-based CBD product. Plus, who has heard of good boys and girls not liking bacon?
Apothecary Labs – Bacon – Extra Strength CBD extracts this concentrate from hemp plants, which don’t contain THC. Their lab adds natural bacon flavour for that savoury taste and irresistible aroma.
Double-check with your veterinarian before giving your pet any sort of cannabis products, especially ones that may contain small amounts of THC.
What are the Proper Dosages For Pets?
Just like humans, everybody reacts differently to cannabis products. An animal’s tolerance and size will help determine the proper amount of medication. Still, the best way to determine the correct dosage for your pet is to speak with a veterinarian with CBD experience. Also, monitor how your pet responds to CBD the first few times until it becomes an everyday part of life.
There are many success stories of people who give their pets CBD products and experience a higher quality of life. That’s the magic of this beautiful plant. So approach cautiously, but don’t write off this method completely. CBD is full of potential.
Navigating CBD for Pets in Kitchener: Highland Cannabis’s Advice
As a caring pet owner, you don’t want to see your pet in distress. But at the same time, you also don’t want to give them something that could make them feel worse.
An informed and practical cannabis experience starts with Highland Cannabis in Kitchener. Always vet the ingredients and consult with professionals to ensure safety, especially regarding THC and your pet.
The magic of this plant lies in its possibilities, offering hope for improved well-being and a brighter, happier future for all the good boys and girls out there.
Sources
- “The endocannabinoid system: Essential and mysterious”
– Harvard Health Publishing
- “Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs”
– Frontiers
- “The Endocannabinoid System of Animals”
– MDPI
- “Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders”
– National Library of Medicine
- “Randomized blinded controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of oral cannabidiol administration in addition to conventional antiepileptic treatment on seizure frequency in dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy”
– National Library of Medicine
- “Results from CBD clinical trial to assess efficacy on seizure frequency in dogs ‘encouraging’”
– Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
- “An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies”
– National Library of Medicine
by Owen Allerton | Dec 4, 2023 | Products
Canna gifts are perfect for the holidays. What makes the cannabis plant unique is its medical and recreational benefits. You can’t go wrong whether you get CBD cream for someone needing muscle relief or high-THC dried flower for relaxation.
Here at Highland Cannabis, our team works hard to support you on your weed journey. We made a cannabis gift guide for 420-friendly people in Kitchener to make your holidays extra special.
From casual consumers to more serious enthusiasts, our guide has recommendations for everyone on your list. Even the naughty ones.
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Gifts for the Cannabis Green Thumb in Kitchener
From harvesting and trimming to curing and storing, a lot of work goes into growing weed. If you’ve got some home grower friends or family members, here are some gifts they’ll love.
It all starts with a seed. At Highland Cannabis, we’ve got feminized seeds for your green thumb friend, so they don’t have to worry about male plants ruining their crop this season.
Canna Seeds Co’s Frosted Zin Autoflower Seeds – Hybrid – 8 Pack are a great option for any homegrower. Due to its autoflowering abilities, the Frosted Zin strain delivers robust harvests in a short amount of time.
Autoflowering strains aren’t for everyone, though. Some people prefer the traditional process. That’s when the Garlic Chem Feminized Seeds 5-pack comes into play. This plant has above-average yields and a notable resistance to powdery mildew. Tell that to any weed-growing enthusiast, and they’ll be all over it.
Marijuana Grow Gifts for After-Harvest Care
Growing the plant is arguably the easy part. Curing and properly storing what you’ve grown matters even more so you can enjoy the full benefits of the plant.
Get your weed gardener friends a bunch of the Boveda Humidity Packs we carry in-store and online. Boveda humidity packs restore and maintain humidity to protect the terpene profile of the bud.
It’s best to use humidity packs in stash jars, also available in our store. The Highland Cannabis Stash Jars are a great way to rep your favourite local cannabis shop and keep your weed fresh.
Holiday Weed Gift Ideas for Mom
Treating mom with a gift basket of cannabis wellness goodies this Christmas could put you in her good books for a long time. It might seem hard to believe, but moms do enjoy weed, too. So impress your mom and get her personalized cannabis accessories and weed products from Highland Cannabis.
First up in the wellness pack for moms is the Bubba Kush | Chocolate Hashberry | Blue Dream | Bath Bomb 3-pack. These relaxing bath balms will ease her stress and turn her bathroom into a spa-like oasis.
Next up is the high CBD ufeelu – The Feel Stick – Blend – 30g. Your mom can apply this salve stick directly to muscles and joints for pain relief. It features a broad-spectrum blend of 500mg CBD, 100mg CBG and 100mg CBC in a moisturizing cocoa butter and beeswax base.
Lastly, I don’t know about yours, but my mom loves Christmas ornaments. Toss a sneaky Canna Leaf Christmas Ornament on the tree this year and see if she notices.
P.S. For even more thoughtful gift ideas for mom, check out our Mother’s Day Cannabis Gift Guide.
Gifts for the Low-Key Stoner in Kitchener
Vape pens and small pipes are perfect for people who want to enjoy the benefits of cannabis discreetly. Vaporizing cannabis flower or concentrates produces less odour than smoking does, and you can easily tuck a pen into your pocket and take it on the go.
The Grenco Science – G Pen Micro+ X Lemonade has a rechargeable battery and smart-chip technology, so your precious concentrates don’t overheat and burn.
The High Expectations Hand Pipe by Genius is a discreet pipe that fits in your pocket and allows you to enjoy the experience of smoking cannabis flower instead of concentrates. It’s super sleek and easy to clean and take anywhere.
RYOT came out with a Dry Herb Vape for $99 that is tiny, easy to use, and perfect for someone who enjoys smoking cannabis but also wants to give their lungs a break. Using dry herb vaporizers is much less harmful to you than smoking a joint.
Gifts for the Weed Scholar
Whether you grow cannabis for fun, enjoy making tinctures and topicals, or like having coffee table pieces to display in your home, cannabis-related books make great gifts.
In the book How to Smoke Pot (Properly), VICE weed columnist David Bienenstock highlights pro tips from friends in high places, including cannabis celebrities and thought leaders of the marijuana movement. Readers will learn everything from the basics of blazing to how Mary Jane makes humans more creative and collaborative.
The book CBD: A Patient’s Guide to Medical Cannabis– Healing without the High explains how to use CBD-dominant cannabis for healing. This is the go-to guidebook for anyone wanting to learn about CBD.
If you’re curious about the overall healing properties of weed, The Medical Cannabis Guidebook: The Definitive Guide To Using and Growing Medicinal Marijuana is the most exhaustive guide to medicinal cannabis produced to date.
The Highland Cannabis team’s mission is to educate and provide accurate cannabis information to our customers so you feel confident and prepared during your cannabis journey.
Gifts for Classic Weed Smokers in Kitchener
Sometimes vaporizers, concentrates and topicals are just too much for people to handle, and they prefer the basics.
Nothing is more classic than a big ol’ bag of weed. The Big Pleasures Pure Laine Cannabis 28g is a high THC hybrid. And 28g for under $100 is a great deal.
Treat someone special to some top-shelf bud. Jungl’ Cake by MTL Cannabis is a high-THC strain with bright green buds, deep orange hairs, and frosty white trichomes.
For ready-to-smoke classic weed options, nothing beats pre-rolls. Jonny Chronic has an amazing strain called Cherry Bomb. Make someone’s Christmas morning extra special this year by stuffing their stocking with the Cherry Bomb Pre-Roll 10-Pack.
Bags of cannabis flower and packs of joints are timeless. Any weed lover in Kitchener will be thrilled by any of these canna gifts.
Weed Gifts to Spice Things Up in the Bedroom
Being open and trying new things in the bedroom can help deepen intimacy with your partner. Here are some gift ideas that could enhance the bedroom experience with your partner.
Pick up some massage oils and arousal oils to take things up a notch. We sell Proofly’s Intimacy Collection, which has a warming CBD massage oil for relaxation, CBD arousal oil that sets the stage, and a water-based unisex lubricant that can increase pleasure.
You can purchase any of the three products individually or as a collection in Highland Cannabis’ online store. Trying new things can be a little awkward, but it doesn’t have to be. Cannabis can help you relax and feel more comfortable in the moment.
The Edible Cannabis Gift Pack for Candy Lovers of Kitchener
Cannabis edibles are a great option for many people. If you care about your health and don’t want to inhale smoke, edibles are a good choice. When you take cannabis by mouth, it stays in your system longer than if you inhale it.
Many people are starting to use cannabis drinks and gummies as a healthier alternative to alcoholic drinks.
The OG Cola | 355mL by Sweet Justice is naturally flavoured and sweetened with real sugar. It has a fast onset and a low 3.5mg dose with a predictable effect, making it a safe bet.
On the higher dose end of the spectrum, we’ve got the OG Kush Root Beer | 355mL that comes in at 10mg per can. Get buzzed discreetly and drink ice cold in a frosted mug or as a root beer float.
Serve up a tasty cannabis culinary treat this holiday with the Chocolate Brownies | 2-Pack. Each brownie contains 5 mg THC and 2.5 mg CBD and provides a chewy, soft and decadent chocolate taste.
For a balanced buzz, the SOURZ 2:1 Tropical Triple Berry are 2:1 CBD/THC tropical fruit soft chews. They’re packed with flavour and great for sharing.
At Highland Cannabis, we carry a diverse and delicious range of edible cannabis treats that make for perfect holiday gifts this holiday season.
Highland Cannabis is Here to Elevate Your Gift-Giving Game in Kitchener
From nurturing your homegrower’s green thumb to pampering your wellness-focused mom to stocking up your classic weed lover’s stash, our curated cannabis gift guide promises something for every enthusiast.
We believe in more than just products. It’s about empowerment and education, and our goal is to ensure your cannabis journey is guided with knowledge and supported by quality products.
Merry 420 Christmas from the Highland Cannabis team!
by Owen Allerton | Oct 30, 2023 | Products
Do you remember the first time you smoked weed? For many, that initial experience can be a mix of excitement and nervousness. Perhaps you had a friend by your side, guiding you through your first leafy adventure, or maybe it was a solo mission into the weeds. Regardless of your first time, one thing is certain: the nature of your cannabis journey can be greatly influenced by who you’re with, your surroundings, and the type of cannabis you choose.
It’s perfectly normal to be a little bit apprehensive about cannabis if you’re new to it. The landscape has evolved, with an abundance of strains, products, and information available both online and in stores. At Highland Cannabis, your friendly neighbourhood mom-and-pop cannabis shop nestled in the heart of Kitchener, we’re here to make your experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Count on us to guide you through all things cannabis especially if you’re a first-timer.
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by Owen Allerton | Aug 16, 2023 | Products
As we continue to explore the ever-expanding world of the cannabis industry since legalization—cannabis brands, producers, and retailers are uncovering new insights about cannabis and its properties. Recently, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of the effects of THC and CBD, the two most widely recognized cannabinoids in the industry. Think of them as entry-level cannabinoids. While THC and CBD might be the most well-known, it’s worth noting that there are hundreds of other cannabinoids, each interacting uniquely with the endocannabinoid system. These diverse compounds offer users a range of experiences. Some prefer CBN for sleep aid, others find relief from menstrual pain with CBG, and many enjoy CBC for a boost of creativity or inspiration.
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