In Florida’s medical program, products are batch-tested through licensed laboratories, and the results are documented in a Certificate of Analysis (COA)—a lab report that helps confirm potency (what you’re getting), purity (what you’re not getting), and safety (whether it meets the state’s limits).

Let’s break down what gets tested, how it works behind the scenes, and how to use testing info to shop smarter at Green Dragon FL.

What does “spectrum” mean in cannabis, anyway?

“Spectrum” is a way of describing how much of the plant’s natural chemical makeup is present in an extract.

Cannabis contains:

• Major cannabinoids (like THC and CBD)

• Minor cannabinoids (like CBG, CBC, CBN, THCV, etc.)

• Terpenes (aromatic compounds that also influence effects)

• Flavonoids and other trace compounds

Different extraction and refinement methods keep (or remove) different parts of that mix. That’s where “full-spectrum” and “broad-spectrum” come in.

What Is CBN, Exactly?

CBN (cannabinol) is a cannabinoid that’s closely related to THC, but it’s not the same experience. One key detail: CBN is commonly formed as cannabis ages, because THC can slowly break down into CBN over time (storage conditions like oxygen, heat, and time can influence this).

That “aged cannabis makes you sleepy” folklore? It’s partly why CBN became associated with sleep in the first place.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most common cannabinoids found in cannabis. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t create the “high” feeling most people associate with marijuana.

Instead, CBD is often used by patients who want a more functional, daytime-friendly experience—or who want a “buffer” alongside THC (especially in balanced ratio products like 1:1 THC:CBD).

CBG—short for cannabigerol—has a way of showing up in cannabis conversations right after someone says, “I want relief, but I don’t want to feel too high.” In the world of medical marijuana Florida patients, CBG has become one of the most-requested “minor cannabinoids” because it’s non-intoxicating on its own, often described as clear-headed, and it plays a unique role in how the cannabis plant makes many of the compounds we already know and love.

Let’s break down what CBG is, what the science actually suggests (and what it doesn’t—yet), and how to shop smarter for CBG-forward products at Green Dragon FL.

THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) gets talked about like it’s one thing: “the high.” But in clinical settings, THC is also a studied, pharmacologically active compound with real therapeutic potential and real tradeoffs. The difference between “THC as medicine” and “THC as chaos” usually comes down to: intent, dosing, product selection, and patient-specific risk.

If you’re a Florida medical marijuana patient, you’ve probably seen this play out in real life: two products with similar THC numbers… but totally different experiences. One feels mellow and body-forward. The other feels bright, buzzy, or more “heady.”

Here’s the deal: cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) are the headline act—but terpenes are the “how it feels” supporting cast that can help explain why your body responds the way it does.

Let’s break down the key differences (Green Dragon style), so you can shop with more confidence—without getting lost in lab-report alphabet soup.

A chemovar (short for chemical variety) is a more science-forward way to talk about cannabis—based on what’s in the plant (and product), not just what it’s called. Instead of relying on old-school categories, chemovars focus on the combination of:

• Cannabinoids (THC, CBD, and more)

• Terpenes (aroma compounds like limonene, myrcene, pinene, linalool, etc.)

• Sometimes minor compounds (like minor cannabinoids and flavonoids)

This shift matters because research has long suggested that popular naming and broad “indica vs. sativa” sorting doesn’t consistently map to chemical composition—especially in today’s world of extensive crossbreeding and branding.

When Florida patients talk about medical cannabis, the conversation usually starts with THC (or CBD) and ends there. But if you’ve ever tried two products with similar THC percentages and had very different experiences—more body relief from one, more heady intensity from another—you’ve already met the missing piece: cannabis terpenes.

One terpene in particular keeps showing up in modern cannabis education for a reason: beta-caryophyllene (β-caryophyllene). It’s famous for its peppery, spicy aroma, but what really makes it stand out is that it can interact with the endocannabinoid system—specifically by engaging CB2 receptors.

Let’s break down what that means (in real-life terms), how to spot beta-caryophyllene on a lab report, and which terpene-forward options to look for on Green Dragon FL menus.

If you’ve ever tried two products with nearly identical THC numbers and thought, “Why do these feel totally different?”—you’ve already bumped into the reason patients keep talking about the entourage effect.

In simple terms, the entourage effect is the idea that cannabinoids (like THC + CBD) and aromatic compounds (like terpenes) may work better together than they do alone—changing not just the “strength,” but the shape of your experience.

For Florida medical marijuana patients, terpenes like linalool can be a helpful educational lens: not as a guarantee of effects, but as a way to understand why two products with similar THC numbers can feel totally different. And at Green Dragon, we’re big on helping patients shop smarter—premium bud, not premium prices—with real-world, practical guidance.

What is pinene, exactly?

Pinene is a common terpene in nature, and it typically shows up as alpha-pinene (α-pinene) and beta-pinene (β-pinene). α-pinene is especially well-studied across plant science and essential oil research, and it’s also a known component of cannabis aroma chemistry.

Limonene is one of cannabis’s most recognizable terpenes—the aromatic compounds that help shape a strain’s scent, flavor, and overall vibe. In the world of medical marijuana Florida patients, limonene tends to get a lot of love for one simple reason: it often feels bright. Think citrus zest, fresh-squeezed energy, and that clean, upbeat aroma that can make a heavy day feel a little lighter.

If you’ve ever smelled a jar of flower and thought, “yep… that’s the one that’s gonna melt my shoulders,” you’ve probably met myrcene.

Myrcene (often listed as β-myrcene on lab reports) is one of the most common cannabis terpenes—and it’s strongly associated with that classic earthy, musky, herbal aroma and a deep, body-forward, wind-down vibe. It also shows up outside of cannabis in plants like hops, lemongrass, and mango (yes, the mango thing is real—at least aromatically).

Responsible consumption isn’t about being “perfect” with your routine—it’s about staying intentional, informed, and in control of your experience. In Florida’s medical program, that also means staying aligned with your physician’s certification, your allowed routes of administration, and the state’s dosing and supply limits. (GovDelivery)

Below is Green Dragon’s patient-first, practical guide to consuming responsibly—whether you’re just starting your medical marijuana Florida journey or tightening up your habits for a more consistent routine.

If you’ve ever tried to “fix” your sleep with one big change—new pillow, new tea, new everything—you already know the truth: better rest usually comes from a repeatable routine, not a one-night miracle. Sleep hygiene is the name for those repeatable habits and bedroom cues that tell your body, “we’re safe, we’re slowing down, it’s time.” And for many Florida medical marijuana patients, cannabis can be a helpful part of that wind-down—when it’s used intentionally, and not as the whole plan. 🌙✨

Below is a simple, realistic routine you can build in layers: foundations first, cannabis second, consistency always.

Florida weather is a whole vibe—salt air, sunshine, and that “walk outside and instantly dewy” humidity. But the same climate that makes the Sunshine State feel tropical can also make cannabis quality harder to protect from seed to sale (and even after you bring it home).

If you’ve ever opened a jar and thought, “Why does this feel a little dry?” or “Why did my gummies turn into one big gummy?”—you’ve already felt Florida’s climate at work. Let’s break down how heat, humidity, storms, and storage conditions can impact cannabis freshness, flavor, and consistency, plus what you can do to keep your meds in peak shape.

If you’re a Florida patient exploring medical marijuana, talking to your doctor about cannabis isn’t just “nice to do”—it’s one of the smartest safety moves you can make. Whether you’re already using cannabis or you’re just curious, your healthcare team can help you avoid medication interactions, dial in realistic expectations, and build a plan that actually fits your life (work, sleep, pain, anxiety, appetite—whatever’s on the list).

And here’s the thing: a good doctor conversation doesn’t require a perfect script or a PhD in cannabinoids. It just requires clarity, honesty, and a little prep.

Quick reality check: “entourage effect” is real… and still debated

You’ll hear the term entourage effect a lot—the idea that cannabinoids + terpenes together may create effects that differ from isolated compounds. There are reviews discussing possible synergy and “multi-compound” effects in medicinal cannabis products.

Cannabis contains 100+ naturally occurring compounds called cannabinoids, and THC + CBD are just the headliners.
The rest (often called minor cannabinoids) can show up in smaller amounts, but they may still influence the overall feel of a product—especially when you’re comparing two options with similar THC.