The two that matter most
THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the intoxicating one and, inconveniently for marketing, the one carrying most of the medical evidence: the National Academies' strongest findings — chronic pain relief, chemotherapy nausea control, MS spasticity improvement — all involve THC or whole-plant cannabis. It's also the side-effect driver: anxiety at high doses, impairment, tolerance, and use-disorder risk concentrate in THC.
CBD (cannabidiol) doesn't intoxicate and carries one rigorous, FDA-approved use: seizure reduction in specific epilepsy syndromes (Epidiolex). Beyond that, evidence is early — small studies suggest anti-anxiety effects, and patients widely report benefit — but the gap between CBD's reputation and its proven uses is large. What CBD clearly does do is moderate THC's anxiety and intoxication, which is why ratio products exist.
Minor cannabinoids and how to read a label
CBN is marketed for sleep, CBG for inflammation, THCV for energy — and for all three, human evidence is thin to nonexistent. Treat minor-cannabinoid claims as hypotheses you're paying to test. Terpenes (the aroma compounds) likely shape effects at the margins, but 'this terpene profile will make you creative' is menu poetry, not pharmacology.
Reading a label: 'Total THC 22%' on flower means 22% by weight — a high-potency product by any historical standard. Edible labels list milligrams per piece and per package; 10 mg pieces are standard adult-use dosing but double a sensible medical starting dose, so look for 2.5 and 5 mg options. Every legal product should have a batch-tested certificate of analysis available on request — ask for it; it's the real difference between dispensary and street product.
The information on this site is for educational purposes only and is not medical or legal advice. Cannabis use carries risks; consult a licensed physician about whether medical cannabis is appropriate for you. Federal status (as of June 2026): marijuana dispensed under state medical licenses and FDA-approved cannabis products are Schedule III controlled substances; all other marijuana remains Schedule I under U.S. federal law. Laws cited here change; confirm current rules with the linked primary sources before acting on them.