Questions about mediacal cannabis

INSA FAQs

Medical Cannabis FAQs

For those who are new to medical cannabis look for products with higher CBD levels low THC levels, or a topical as a starting point.

Products that are high in CBD and low in THC are a good starting point, 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. Topicals are often chosen by patients seeking relief from symptoms of their qualifying condition without cerebral effects.

Your doctor can recommend medical cannabis for the treatment of conditions registered with the state of Ohio. See our Patient Resources to learn more.

PATIENT RESOURCES

 

 

 

THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the psychoactive component of medical cannabis that is responsible for its uplifting aspects. CBD or cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis. Both come from the same part of the cannabis plant, but they attach to different receptors in our bodies accounting for the different effects. Talk to your recommending physician about how CBD, THC or both can be used to treat symptoms of your qualifying condition.

Products

Edibles

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.

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.

If you are new to medical 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. Consult with your recommending physician to determine the appropriate dosage for you.

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 medical 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 administer another dose, but you cannot undo one!

Sativas, Hybrids, and Indicas are different categories of cannabis plants. Indica strains typically produce a full-body sensation. Sativa strains typically produce a cerebral (head) sensation. Hybrids strains are in between with some leaning more to Sativa dominance and others leaning to Indica dominance. Although this is generally true individual experience may vary, consult your recommending physician.

Though everyone is different, medical cannabis classified as Sativa, are typically used for daytime medicating.

Indica dominant strains tend to produce a full body effect and are typically used for nighttime medicating. Cultivars with high CBD content can produce similar effects.

Talk to your recommending physician if flowers with high levels of CBD, THC, and or myrcene, caryophyllene, and pinene can be used to treat symptoms of your qualifying condition including the reduction of chronic pain.
Medical cannabis is a natural product with its own growth cycle which contributes to the fluctuation of THC levels. 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.

Vaporizers

For those who are new to medical 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 dose and wait at least 20 minutes before having another if you want more of an effect.
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.
Sativa or sativa dominant hybrid vaporizers are typically known for daytime medication.
Indica or indica dominant hybrid vaporizers are typically used for nighttime medication as they tend to produce full-body effects. Talk to your recommending physician about vaporizers with a ratio of 1:1 THC to CBD and how it may affect your qualifying condition.

Everyone responds to cannabis differently, Talk to your recommending physician about recommended vaporizers for chronic pain relief.

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. Some vaporizers have a button which must be held or pressed while or before inhaling. Please read the directions for proper use or consult with dispensary staff before beginning using any vaporizer product.

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 have a low chance of producing cerebral effects. A topical product can have a lot of THC in it, and you most likely not experience cerebral effects due to how your body absorbs it. Everyone responds to medical cannabis differently.

Possibly. Depending on the sensitivity of the test and the frequency and location of application, THC from topically applied medical 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!