Late last month, my sciatica pain came back in full force. Sitting was incredibly uncomfortable, and it got to the point where I was crawling on my hands and knees just to be able to make it up the stairs.
Immediately, I reached for CBD.
For me, the most amazing aspect of cannabis is the ability to derive such a massive range of benefits from just one plant. Sure, many of us know and love the potent, psychoactive effects of THC, but CBD deserves some love as well—and not just from medical patients.
In addition to studies that show CBD’s ability to reduce epileptic seizures in some patients, there’s evidence that the cannabinoid may help boost memory and cognitive functions. It’s also being explored as an anti-inflammatory, pain reliever, and immune system booster. And many people find it helpful in easing stress, anxiety, and sleep issues.
While hemp-derived CBD products are easy to find online, those products aren’t required to be tested for potency or contaminants. Buying from a state-licensed cannabis shop, on the other hand, means your CBD choices meet the same standards as any other product on the store shelf.Who's Open for Business?Regardless of where you are Massachusetts, the state has a number of awesome CBD products to choose from! Here are some of our favorites.
Flower
Deja Blue
(Courtesy of Cultivate)
$35 per eighth ounce at Cultivate
It can be hard to come across high-CBD flower (most consumers still seem to prefer high-THC strains), so when I find a new strain or one I haven’t seen in a while, I go for it. At Cultivate, I found Deja Blue, a high-CBD, low-THC strain that’s perfect for anyone who has never tried cannabis before. It’s also a good bet for folks who want the benefits of CBD with just a tiny kick of THC. Bonus: It’s cheaper than regular flower, which currently goes for an average of $50 per eighth of an ounce at shops across the state.
Edibles
D-Line Gems
$25 for 80 mg (in 5 mg doses) at NETA
Edibles can be a great way to enjoy CBD, and these gems are an easy, discreet option. If you’re exploring CBD to help manage stress or anxiety, try this: Pop one watermelon-flavored gummy at the start of each day for a week. Log your progress and see if you notice a difference when it comes to overall stress levels!
Brother Jonathan’s Dark or White Chocolate High-CBD
$30 per bar at ATG
ATG sells both medical and adult-use cannabis, though adult-use consumers will need to make an appointment in advance, and those fill up very quickly. If you happen to be a medical patient or don’t mind booking a slot, be sure to check out ATG’s Brother Jonathan’s high-CBD chocolate. It comes in either dark or white chocolate and offers a little midday pick-me-up that also happens to taste delicious.
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$75 for 20 capsules (25 mg each) at NETA
(Courtesy of NETA)
Another discreet way to consume CBD is in capsules. While these may take a little longer to fully take effect, capsules are a reliable way to control dosing throughout the day, especially if you are using CBD for pain relief.
Concentrates
Rick Simpson Oil 1:1
(Courtesy of Cultivate Dispensary)
$75 per gram at Cultivate
Rick Simpson oil, or RSO, is a raw, whole-plant cannabis extract. This one has a 1:1 ratio of THC and CBD. With a honey-like texture, this legendary oil that was developed to help cancer patients (and has since been used to treat arthritis, depression, diabetes, and more) is pricey—but also incredibly potent. A gram can last up to a month, depending on a patient or consumer’s needs.
Cartridges
Shark Shock 2:1 CBD:THC
(Courtesy of INSA)
$50 for a half-gram cartridge at INSA
When my sciatica flared up last month, I was incapacitated, rendered almost immobile from pain. Enter INSA’s Shark Shock 2:1 CBD:THC vape cartridge. The pen provided the anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects I was looking for from CBD while the THC helped complement those effects—and let me sleep pain free!
RUBI Pod 4:1 High-CBD Blend
$60 for a half-gram pod at NETA
The RUBI pod has four times the amount of CBD to THC, combining the physical benefits of CBD with a very light psychoactive effect. (I found it to be more of a pleasant, euphoric experience than a full-blown high.) The ability to offer a full dose of CBD while also letting you keep a clear head makes this pod an ideal product for daytime use.
