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Recreational Medical Delivery Dispensary

INSA FAQs

Cannabis FAQs

Questions About Cannabis

For those who are new to cannabis we suggest finding a product that is a little lower in THC. Sometimes it is best to start off with products that have a good balance of CBD to THC to be sure that it’s not an overwhelming experience. CBD also has the added benefit of typically being excellent for pain and relaxation.

An item with a good balance of CBD to THC is usually known to be a good place to start for sleep aid. Some people report that products with only THC work better with their systems, but if you are new to cannabis, it may be the case that you would prefer products that contain a mixture of CBD and THC.

Customers have reported that a product with a good balance of CBD to THC is most effective for treating chronic pain.

Many cannabis users report that CBD is an excellent anxiety reliever but there is limited scientific information about the effects of this compound. Sometimes individuals report that THC products make them more anxious and that products containing CBD have less anxiety provoking effects. Cannabis products affect everyone differently and starting with a low dose in a safe environment to see how these compounds affect you is a good idea before taking a larger dose.

Many individuals report that products that are high in CBD and low in THC are helpful for pain relief with a less intense psychoactive effect than high THC products. Topicals like lotions and salves can also be a great option, even when they include THC, users do not typically report psychoactive effects.

THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the psychoactive component of cannabis that is responsible for its euphoria, pain relieving aspects, among other benefits. CBD or cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis that can be excellent for pain relief and anxiety reduction. Both come from the same part of the cannabis plant, but they attach to different receptors in our bodies accounting for the different effects.

While everyone is different and responds to cannabis uniquely, you may want to try a 1:1 CBD to THC product as they are very popular with customers that use cannabis for pain relief.

Products

Edibles

There are a lot of factors that may explain why edibles don’t work for any one person. Their metabolism, digestive system, and other factors all play a role in absorbing cannabinoids. It is not uncommon for someone to find that edibles do not have much effect with their particular system. Some things to potentially try to increase the effect are consuming the edibles with a high-fat food and increasing your intake by a serving at a time.

Everyone responds to cannabis very differently. That is doubly true for edibles. For some people who are experienced cannabis consumers, edibles will still affect them very strongly, others have reported taking a larger dosage and feeling nothing. It is very dependent on your digestive system and other factors. Consuming flower is more consistent in how it affects people. You typically feel the effects within 1 to 15 minutes. With edibles the effects can be delayed up to two hours. We always recommend that you take it very slow. You can always take another puff or eat another serving, but you cannot undo one.

If you are new to cannabis, it is always a good idea to start off with a single serving. You can always have another serving but you cannot undo one. Tip: Edibles work more effectively when eaten with something a little fatty.

There are many different types of edibles. Some are formulated to be energizing, or sativa like, others are formulated to be more sedative. A hybrid edible is made to be in the middle, according to customers, it tends to be a more body focused experience for people.

A lot of our customers report that using an edible that has a good balance of CBD to THC for sleep. Some edibles formulated with THC and melatonin have also been reported to be effective for some people. Many people find that edibles work best when taken with fatty foods, typically about 2 hours before bed.

A lot of our customers report that they use an edible that has a good balance of CBD to THC for pain. Start with a low dose taken with fatty food to test the effects.

CBD is known to be an excellent anxiety reliever. Sometimes THC products can set off people’s anxiety, but CBD products are known to have a lower chance of this occurring. CBD is reported to raise your serotonin levels, making for a happy relaxing experience that is not inebriating. With that being said, some people report responding better to items with THC to resolve their anxiety, everyone is a little different in this respect. If you are new to cannabis, it is always a good idea to start off with a single serving. You can always have another serving but you cannot undo one. Tip: Edibles work more effectively when eaten with something a little fatty.

Sometimes people are known to respond differently to sugar based and fat-based edibles. A lot of customers report a sugar-based edible like a fruit chew can be good for mood elevation, instead of a fat-based edible like chocolate. Sugar-based edibles can sometimes take effect faster. However, if you are a concerned about the THC, try a 1:1 CBD to THC chew, as they tend to be less strong. In either case, make sure to start off with one serving the first time and wait a full 2 hours before having more to see how they affect you.

 
 

Flower

When trying flower for the first time, make sure to take it slow. Select a cannabis that is lower in THC, the 12-16% range is a good place to start according to other customers. After one inhalation, wait a good 20 to 30 minutes before having more to make sure it is not an overwhelming experience. Remember, you can always take another, but you cannot undo one!

Sativas, Hybrids, and Indicas are different categories of cannabis plants. The cannabis in each group grows similarly and are reported to have comparable effects. Sativas are known for being very energetic and cerebral. Indicas have a reputation for being very relaxing and great for nighttime use. Hybrids are in between where they are reported to not bring you up to high or too low.

Though everyone is different, cannabis classified as Sativa, are known to be great for daytime use.

A lot of our customers report to use Indica dominant strains to help them sleep. Customers also have reported using cultivars that have a high CBD content.

A lot of our customers are known to use flower that is high in CBD for pain. If you prefer cannabis with THC, then look for something with high amounts of myrcene, caryophyllene, and pinene. These are terpenes, or essential oils, that are in cannabis that customers have reported can help reduce pain the most efficiently.

Cannabis is a natural product with its own grow cycle. While we always strive to have a good range of THC content, sometimes flower with over 20% THC is simply not available. If you find you need high THC content, you may want to consider trying a concentrated product such as a distillate vaporizer, which can have up to 4-5 times the amount of THC as flower products.

 
 

Concentrates

A concentrate is made by condensing cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, and getting rid of the plant material. Along with being up to three times as potent, concentrates have a more intense, clean flavor.

There are 3 main ways people use concentrates. The first way is to add concentrates to flower. Kief, the sifted trichome heads of cannabis that have a high concentration of THC, is the easiest to use with flower. Put it inside a joint or on top of a bowl. When using a wax, shatter, or batter in a bowl, try to make a flower-concentrate lasagna! A layer of flower, then a layer of concentrate, and finally a small layer of flower on the top. Another way people use concentrates is with a vaporizer. Wax is the best type of concentrate for use with electronic vaporizers. With these, you load the product and it heats with an atomizer. Insa has a few varieties to choose from. The most popular way to use concentrates is by dabbing. No, I’m not talking about the dance move. Dabbing is a form of vaporizing. If you want to try dabbing, you need a specialized pipe and a torch. They range in all shapes and sizes, but they all should have a bucket or banger, and a carb cap.

There are many different types of concentrates, the names are mostly related to their texture. Waxes tend to be dry and crumbly and are excellent for use in electronic vaporizers and would be a good choice for those new to concentrates. Shatter is brittle and beautifully transparent and is usually very high in potency.

 
 

Vaporizers

For those who are new to cannabis we suggest finding a product that is a little lower in THC. Sometimes it is best to start off with products that have a good balance of CBD to THC to be sure that it’s not an overwhelming experience. Make sure to take it slow and start off with one puff and wait at least 20 minutes before having another if you want more of an effect.

To use the Dart, you must have a dart battery. First, take the plug out of the pod mouthpiece. Then slide the pod into the battery, they magnetically connect. To activate the vaporizer inhale on the pod, the atomizer will automatically fire.

To turn on the Insa Dart-X, press the button 5 times consecutively, and the three LED indicators blink three times. The device will turn off automatically if no activity is detected for 10 minutes or longer. To adjust the temperature—when the device is unlocked, long press the button for 2 seconds to change the temperature settings. To lock the device, press the button 5 times consecutively when the device is on, and the three LED indicators fade out.

To unclog the dart, give it a very hard pull. To prevent clogs, try to keep the mouthpiece plugged with the little nub it comes with when you are not using it. Also, try to keep the pod upright as much as possible. Other customers have seen a big improvement in the draw when they do those two things!

Temperature can affect the vaporizers. When they are very cold, the oil becomes thicker and hard to vaporize. Try to keep your vaporizers at room temperature at all times for the best performance.

Our batteries are around 350mAh volts. Please make sure to only use the charger it comes with, and never use a ‘fast’ or ‘quick’ charger as that can short the battery out and break it.

The Blue Dream, Green Cush, Strawberry Cough, Pineapple Express are all popular with our customers when they are looking for a vaporizer that is energizing!

A lot of our customers have been known to use the 1:1 CBD to THC Northern Lights vaporizer, others prefer the THC only variety of Banana Kush. It depends on your experience with cannabis and what your body responds best to. Some people who wish to completely avoid the effects of THC prefer the CBD heavy variety of Berry Gelato.

Everyone responds to cannabis differently, but the most popular vaporizer among customers using cannabis for pain relief is the 1:1 CBD to THC Northern Lights . Our customers also enjoy the CBD heavy variety of Berry Gelato.

In order to use a cartridge, first take the protective plugs off of the mouthpiece and bottom. Make sure you have a 510-thread battery, and simply screw on the cartridge. To activate the vaporizer, inhale on the mouthpiece; the atomizer will automatically fire.

Tinctures

Tinctures typically provide effects that are comparable to a combination of the effects of a vaporizer and an edible. You drop it under your tongue and wait for it to absorb there as much as possible, so that is bypasses the digestive system and enters the bloodstream directly. This can cut down on how long it takes for you to feel the effects; tinctures typically take 25-45 minutes to work. If you add the drops to food, they are reported to work like a traditional edible.

 
 

Topicals

Lotions or salves do not get you high. A topical product can have a lot of THC in it, and you still will not get high from it due to the way your body absorbs it.

The lotion has a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC where the salve has a 20:1 ratio of CBD to THC. These different formulations can be good for different things, and some people respond more strongly to either CBD or THC. For pain relief the lotion has gotten great feedback from customers. The salve has been reported to be great for sore muscles at the end of the day or skin conditions like eczema.

Possibly. Depending on the sensitivity of the test and the frequency and location of application, THC from topically applied cannabis may show up on a drug test.

 
 

Our Dispensaries

Massachusetts Customers

We accept cash. We have an ATM at all locations for your convenience. ATM transactions come with small fees. View all accepted payments  CLICK HERE

To visit Insa at 506 Cottage Street in Springfield, a valid Massachusetts medical card and government issued ID is required for admission. To visit our Easthampton, Salem or Downtown Springfield (1200 W Columbus Ave) locations, just a valid, government-issued ID is required.

Unfortunately, Massachusetts regulations do not allow the sale of medical products to out of state patients. However, if you are 21+ and have a valid ID, you can still purchase recreational products at our Easthampton, Salem, or or Downtown Springfield (1200 W Columbus Ave) location, though you will have to pay the tax.

Any non-defaced, government-issued, 21+ ID that has a name, date of birth, and picture, is valid for entry. This includes: US State Drivers’ License, US State Identification Card, US Passport, US Passport Card, and Military ID. We do not accept paper temporary IDs. If you still have a question about your specific ID, please let us know before visiting the store.

Call 877-500-insa between the hours of 9am-7pm 7 days a week to speak with a retail expert to place an order or get answers to your cannabis questions.

1. Visit insa.com

2. Select the store you will be picking up from

3. Select the items you would like, and add them to the cart

4. When you are done selecting items, scroll back to the very top of the page. At the top right-hand corner, click the shopping cart icon

5. If everything looks good, select the blue “Proceed to Checkout” button

6. Fill in the Customer Information and select a pickup time 7. Click “Place Order”, and come to the store at your selected time

Unfortunately, we cannot hold orders overnight. But you are more than welcome to place a new order when you are able to pick up.

The earliest you can place your order is the day before after the close of business.

For information on becoming a patient, or maintaining your patient status, please check our our patient-benefits page. This includes everything you need to become an MMJ patient here in Massachusetts.

Salem and Downtown Springfield (1200 W Columbus Ave) do not have medical licenses, and so it cannot sell medical product. You may still shop at any of our recreational dispensaries, but you would have to pay the tax. We have medical locations in Easthampton and Springfield (506 Cottage Street).

To shop at a medical dispensary, you need a Massachusetts medical card. We have recreational locations in Easthampton, Downtown Springfield (1200 W Columbus Ave), and Salem.

You cannot smoke adult use cannabis in a place where you are prohibited from smoking tobacco and you cannot consume adult use cannabis in a public place. Cities and towns may pass bylaws or ordinances authorizing exceptions in certain areas for social consumption.

Medical and recreational customers will come into the facility and be directed to a retail associate to pick up their order.

The tax for cannabis products for recreational use is 20%. The prices listed on the website do not include tax.

The state limit for adult use customers is 28 grams or its equivalency. A gram of concentrate or a 100mg edible works out to be 5.6 grams of flower. You can purchase a maximum of 5 grams of concentrates or 5 100mg edibles per day if nothing else is on your order.

Unfortunately, due to federal and state regulations we cannot ship cannabis products at this time.

Unfortunately, due to state regulations we have to be able to confirm your identity and age in person for any purchase. Also, regulations will not allow us to accept payment virtually, so there wouldn’t be a way to mail you a gift card at this time.

 
 

Massachusetts Medical Patients

  • New Customer Discount: 2 $50 off coupons. Max one per visit on purchases of $100 or more.
  • Card Renewal: 2 $50 off coupons. Max one per visit on purchases $100 or more.

We offer two kinds of veteran discounts, and compassion discounts for state certified medical patients with proof of hardship. A medical patient qualifies for the compassion discount if their income is at 300% or below the federal poverty line. To qualify for these discounts, you must first bring in documentation, and then we can add the discount to your profile. These are our current weekly discounts that are subject to change: Please check our our patient-benefits page for more info. Unfortunately, due to state regulations, we cannot offer discounts on recreational cannabis products.

There are many benefits to becoming a medical patient. The first is that you no longer have to pay the 20% state tax on all cannabis products. Also, as a medical patient you qualify for discounts and sale pricing that an adult use customer does not. When you get your certification, there are new patient discounts at several dispensaries that you can take advantage of to offset the cost of signing up. If you want more information on becoming a medical patient check out our our patient-benefits page for more info. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask!

 

Still have questions? Connect with the INSA team today!