Cannabis Education

Yes! We are fully licensed to purchase and sell cannabis by the BC Provincial Government, as well as Health Canada. As such, we are fully compliant to The Cannabis Act and the BC Terms and Conditions for cannabis sales. Our cannabis products are purchased from Health Canada’s Licenced Producers (LPs) all across Canada, and brought into our Parksville store for your local, legal enjoyment.

Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant that have been reported to have therapeutic benefits. The most well-known ingredient is called delta-9- tetrahydro-cannabinol, commonly known as THC. This is the part of the plant that gives the “high”, or psychactive effect associated with cannabis. Another cannabinoid is cannabidiol, known as CBD which which does not produce the intoxicating effect produced by THC.

The two most commonly discussed cannabinoids are THC and CBD. THC and CBD have the same chemical formula with 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms. The difference is in the way the atoms are arranged to give out different chemical properties that affect your body in different ways. We have two types of cannabinoid receptors in our bodies.

THC binds with receptors mostly in the brain and can give you a feeling of euphoria and the “high” associated with cannabis consumption. THC is believed to help with conditions such as chronic pain, muscle spasticity, glaucoma, insomnia, nausea, low appetite, anxiety and more.

CBD is the second most prevalent of the active ingredients of cannabis, derived from the hemp plant. CBD is the non-psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant. Concentrations of CBD counteract THC, while maintaining symptom relief. CBD is well tolerated even in large doses and helps to combat seizures, inflammation, migraines, depression and other mental disorders.

Terpenes exist in all plants and fruits. If you smell a lemon, it’s the terpene limonene you’re smelling. Similarly, when you’re out smelling the fir trees around Parksville, that’s the terpene a-Pinene that’s filling your nose! Terpenes exist in cannabis at high levels and are just as important in a cannabis strain as the cannabinoids are.

Terpenes are the building blocks of all plants, giving plants their aroma and taste. Cannabis terpenes also produce different effects that give strains their different nuances.

Some common terpenes that are celebrated in cannabis include:

-Humulene which has an earthy, woody, and spicy aroma and taste, and is also found in basil, hops, and coriander.

-Limonene is known for its citrus aroma and taste in cannabis, and it’s also found in peppermint, juniper, and of course citrus rinds.

-Linalool gives off a spicy and floral scent and flavor, and is commonly found in plants and herbs like lavender, mint, cinnamon, and rosewood.

-Pinene is found the resin of coniferous trees like the pine trees all over Parksville and Vancouver Island, and can also be found in sage, eucalyptus, olive, rosemary, and sassafras as well as other plants and herbs.

-Terpinolene is found in apple, cumin, some citrus fruits, tea tree, marjoram, and oregano, Terpinolene has a smoky and woody taste and aroma.

There are thousands of cannabis strains, scientifically known as cultivars, with more being added every day as experts called “phenohunters” cultivate and discover new genetics. Strains are usually cultivated in sativa, indica or hybrid varieties, each producing different effects. The effects of strains can vary from person to person.

The term “strain” refers to the flower’s particular characteristics including botanical lineage/genetics, appearance, and its chemical profile. Strain names are used by Licensed Producers to help the user understand the components of each strain, but the strain name doesn’t always tell of what to expect. It should be noted that different Licensed Producers will have different resulting effects under similar or even exact same strain names, so it’s important to become familiar with cannabinoid content and terpene profiles.

Sativa plants grow tall and thin with narrow shaped leaves. Sativa strains have become known for their energetic and uplifting effects. These “daytime” strains are great for social gatherings, calling upon your creativity or to give you a boost of energy through the day.

Indica plants are usually short and bushy in the way they grow. Indica strains tend to grow faster than sativa strains and have a higher yield. Indicas produce more of a sedative effect on the body that is ideal for relaxation (why you’ll hear “in da couch” in cannabis lingo). These strains are best for nights at home.

Hybrids are a combination of both sativa and indica that possess traits and characteristics attributed to both classifications. Indica-dominant strains are known for their “body high”. Sativa-dominant strains provide an energetic effect followed by a feeling of calm.

Traditional cannabis oil is made from raw plant material and it is with this oil that nanoemulsions are made. Nanoemulsion is a technique where cannabinoids such as THC and CBD are broken down to a minute size and then bound to an emulsion. It is this process that allows the cannabis to be water soluble, making it 3-4 times more bioavailable than traditional cannabis oils and edibles. Consumers may feel the effects of nanoemulsions in as little as 30 minutes.”

In British Columbia, you must be at least 19 years of age to enter and purchase cannabis (including accessories) from a licensed retailer. 2 Pieces of Identification may be required to verify age for anyone that can appear to be under the age of 40. At Kaya Connection Parksville, we take the safety of Parksville and the surrounding communities on Vancouver Island very seriously, and therefore will take every precaution to ensure we are enforcing regulations when it comes to ensure sales are compliant, and to adults 19+

Choosing the right cannabis consumption method is a personal decision. Each option can have different effects on each individual. At Kaya Connection Parksville, we invite you to browse our various accessories to find what’s right for your preference. When trying out new consumption methods, we recommend you to start slow and with small amounts to see how you are affected.

Some people choose to combust (light, or ignite) the cannabis in hand-rolled cigarettes called joints or will pack the cannabis into a “bowl” in a pipe, or bongs. When you combust your cannabis, is considered fast-acting but can feel harsher on the throat than other consumption methods (“Cough to get off” is a common funny expression used in cannabis culture).

Vaporizing cannabis provides a convenient and discrete way of consuming cannabis. Vaporizing is achieved by heating the cannabis below the point of combustion, transforming the cannabinoids and terpenes into a vapor that can be inhaled without releasing other by-products that occur from combusting cannabis.

Cannabis oils are designed to be ingested and can take anywhere from 30 minutes up to 2 hours before the effects can start to be felt and can last up to 8 hours. Oils are most effective when they are consumed under the tongue through sublingual administration

Edibles are another effective way of consuming cannabis. The activated cannabis is mixed into foods such as brownies, cookies, or candies through a calculated dose that is consistent across all products (this is ensured through product testing).

Teas and other beverage options will be made available soon at Kaya Connection Parksville! The general rule of thumb with cannabis edibles is “start low and go slow” as they can often pack a punch with a delayed onset.

At Kaya Connection Parksville, we have all the accessories you’ll need to create the most perfect cannabis experience. Whether you’re into “old school” cannabis consumption methods, or prefer something more refined, classy, or discrete, we have something in store for you. Come visit us at our convenient Downtown Parksville location to browse our various accessories, curated from the top brands in cannabis.

The BC Government has put a limit of 30g of dried flower or its equivalent on each person per day. This means that a person cannot technically visit a cannabis retail store and purchase more than 30g of cannabis more than once per day.

The Cannabis Act prohibits adults of legal age to possess more than 30 grams of cannabis in public. It’s strictly prohibited for people under the legal age to be in possession of cannabis.

It is also legal to carry up to 30g of cannabis in a motor vehicle, but the cannabis must be in legal packaging, and be out of the reach of the driver. It is illegal to smoke cannabis in a motor vehicle, or operate a vehicle under the influence of cannabis. You may also travel across Canada with this amount of legal cannabis.

In many cases, you are permitted to travel with cannabis on airplanes on domestic flights only, restricting possession to 30 grams. It is absolutely prohibited to leave the country of Canada with cannabis.

You will want to make sure you have your cannabis sealed and labeled in its original jars that you purchased at Kaya Connection Parksville.

If you are flying across Canada with legal cannabis, you are advised to check the cannabis policies of your airline.

It is permitted for adults 19+ to smoke or vape cannabis in public spaces where tobacco smoking and vaping is permitted. Be mindful of your surroundings when smoking or vaping in public places.

Smoking and vaping cannabis are not allowed in the following public places: Playgrounds, sports fields, skate parks, swimming pools and spray pools, or any decks or seating areas associated these places; Public buildings, workplaces, or common areas of apartments, condos, or dormitories, and within six metres of air intakes, windows, and doorways attached to these places; Within six metres of bus stops, transit shelters, train stations, ferry docks and similar places; Regional and municipal parks, except for designated campsites; Provincial parks, except for areas identified or designated; Public patios; and Health board properties, except in designated smoking areas.

If your hotel permits it, registered hotel guests may smoke or vape cannabis in their hotel room, but always ask the policies of your hotel first.

Consumption is banned on K-12 school properties, as well as any adjacent sidewalks or boulevards.

It’s also illegal for both driver and passenger(s) to consume non-medical cannabis in a car.

All products that are manufactured and distributed by Health Canada’s Licenced Producers (LPs) are tested for for pesticides, moulds, potentially harmful contaminants, as well as terpenoid and cannabinoid content. Kaya Connection Parksville is dedicated to ensuring that we due our diligence to choose Licensed Producers who use ethically and environmentally responsible growing practices. We will be happy to show you the testing information that is provided by Licensed Producers, as well as describe to you the important features of the cultivation and testing processes.

At Kaya Connection Parksville, we are always open to answering your questions about cannabis, given that our answers are compliant with The Cannabis Act. We encourage you to learn about cannabis as much as you can. Read books, and articles from reputable sites like Leafly, HERB, and other resources created by cannabis educators. Health Canada also has some cannabis resources that are available for your perusal, so you can understand the laws, regulations, and more about the substance itself. An educated consumer is a happy consumer, and at Kaya Connection Parksville, if we don’t have the answers, we’ll always point you in the direction of resources to help!

There are many important components to the labels of cannabis products sold within Kaya Connection Parksville. These labels are mandated by Health Canada and are designed by the Licensed Producer (LP) through which Kaya Connection purchased the cannabis products sold in our store.

Here are a few important aspects of your cannabis packaging and label that you should know:

Excise Tax Stamp: This stamp indicates that the manufacturer has paid the federal cannabis excise tax to Canada Revenue Agency.Each stamp has a unique identifying number and is colour-coded according to the jurisdiction under which the cannabis is to be sold.

Warning Symbol: Health Canada’s warning symbol must appear on any cannabis product that contains more than a “negligible” amount of THC (“negligible” meaning enough THC to produce a psychoactive effect, or a “high”)

Strain Name: Strain names do not pertain to what is inside or the expected effects of the cannabis. The most helpful information is found in the THC and CBD content label as well as the terpene content found on the strain description and terpene description.

Brand Name and Logo: The brand name and logo is the only opportunity for cannabis brands to develop brand recognition with their customers. The brand logo is located in the upper right-hand side of the warning label.

THC and CBD Content:THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are two of the key compounds found in cannabis. Regulated cannabis must display THC and CBD content as two separate and distinct figures. For THC, there are two figures displayed. The THC content of dried cannabis is displayed first, while the second figure is the THC and CBD content when the cannabinoids are activated by heat (smoking, vaping, cooking, etc). Potency (or the strength of the “high”) is usually determined by the percentage of THC found in a cannabis strain. Usually, a strain with 0 to 10% would be considered “weak”, while anything 20% or pver would be considered a high level of THC.

Warning Label: The Warning Label differs by product and Licensed Producer, as well as the method of consumption of the product itself.

Strain and Terpene Description: This is optional information for the Licensed Producer to include but include information on dominant terpenes.

Net Weight: This displays the net weight of cannabis in a package in grams.

Packaging Date and Expiry Date: Licensed Producers must include an expiry date for their products. Kaya Connection Parksville takes every measure to ensure the cannabis we sell to our cannabis is fresh and is packaged and sold within a timely date.

Other information included on your label includes Recommended Storage Conditions, Producer information (phone number and email address for the producer), Child Safety Warning, Lot Number, and Opening Instructions.