The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a combination of endocannabinoids, enzymes and cannabinoid receptors that helps regulate several functions in the human body.  

Research on the ECS is still fairly recent. We know cannabinoids are structurally similar to endocannabinoids and enter the body through ECS cannabinoid receptors, offering certain therapeutic and psychoactive effects. 

Both cannabis plants and people have chemical compounds in our systems called cannabinoids. In humans, they’re called endocannabinoids (in plants, they’re phytocannabinoids). 

Endocannabinoids interact with our endocannabinoid system, binding to cannabinoid receptors all over our bodies to help regulate stress recovery, nervous system protection, immune system response and homeostatic balance (our overall condition of optimal health and stability). 

The Cannabis Act is a federal law that came into force Oct. 17, 2018, legalizing access to recreational cannabis in Canada. The law governs the production, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis across Canada and protects public health and safety.  

Each province and territory is responsible for setting its own rules around how cannabis can be sold and where stores may be located, among other regulations. In Ontario, recreational cannabis is available for purchase only by adults 19 years of age or older and only through Authorized Cannabis Stores and OCS.ca. It is illegal to purchase cannabis from non-licensed sources.  

Learn more about who does what in the sale of legal cannabis. 

Often used in the production of edibles and infused beverages, nanoemulsion refers to cannabinoids that are broken down into microscopic molecules that are suspended in a lipid, or fat, allowing them to travel to their desired destination in the body more quickly and in greater quantities. Instead of being gradually metabolized in the liver and stomach, these tiny cannabinoids move directly into the bloodstream, producing a faster onset of effects.  

Products formulated with nanoemulsion may feature terms like “quick onset” or “fast-acting.” Research into the nanoemulsification of cannabinoids and the potential effects is ongoing. 

A tolerance break, or T-break, is a self-determined period of eliminating or cutting back on cannabis to restore sensitivity to cannabinoid receptors. It can also help to reduce dependence and unwanted symptoms. 

The phenotype of a plant refers to the physical traits its growing environment pulls from its genetic makeup, or genotype. These characteristics include shape, size, smell, taste, colour and potency. Breeders search for the best traits in a plant, a process called “pheno-hunting.” 

Cultivar is a horticultural term that means “cultivated variety,” which refers to a plant that has been selected and improved on by humans. It is considered a more accurate term than strain when referring to plant varieties. 

A gummy, also called a “soft chew,” is a sweet or tangy edible, often fruit-flavoured, that is made with ingredients such as gelatin, sweeteners, flavouring and colouring. Consumed through ingestion, gummies are infused with cannabis extracts that contain cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. 

A dispensary is a term used for a store that sells cannabis. Legal cannabis products are sold through Authorized Cannabis Stores, which are privately owned retail stores that have been licensed by the AGCO. A legal store can be identified by the Cannabis Retail Seal, which must be displayed outside the entrance. Find your nearest Authorized Cannabis Store.