Frequently Asked Questions

1. Living Soil Basics & Practice

Q1. What is living soil, and why does it matter for cannabis?
Answer:
Living soil is a self-sustaining ecosystem of microbes, fungi, worms, organic matter, and minerals that feed your cannabis naturally—no synthetic bottled nutrients. It matters because plants grown in living soil tend to have a more complex flavor, aroma, smoother smoke, and more resilience.

Q2. How do I start with living soil (from seed to harvest)?
Answer:
You generally build a rich base soil with compost, amendments, and microbe inoculants. Let it “cook” for a couple of weeks. Then plant your seed/clone directly—no need for constant synthetic feeding. Over the grow, the microbes mineralize nutrients naturally.

Q3. When should I water living soil, and how much?
Answer:
You want to water so that you moisten the microbes, not drown them. A common guideline: water 5–10% of the soil volume every few days (e.g. 2 quarts in a 7-gal pot) depending on your climate & VPD.

Q4. Should I ever add nutrients to a living soil system?
Answer:
Yes, but sparingly and smartly. Use top-dressings or teas when the plant shows signs of deficiency—but in healthy living soil, much of what you need is already built in.

Q5. Why is my fresh living soil “heating up” or showing mold?
Answer:
That’s normal in many cases. After blending, microbial life can generate heat as they break down amendments. Also, you might see mold (fungal growth); that’s usually a surface or transient effect, not a death sentence.

2. Cannabinoids & Medicine

Q6. What are cannabinoids, and how do they work for inflammation?
Answer:
Cannabinoids (THC, CBD, CBG, CBC, etc.) are compounds in cannabis that interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system. Many of them have anti-inflammatory properties by modulating immune responses, reducing oxidative stress, and helping maintain balance.

Q7. What’s FECO, and why do you like it as a medical extract?
Answer:
FECO = Full Extract Cannabis Oil. It’s a highly concentrated extract using the whole plant (flower + resin) in a solvent. Because it carries the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and plant compounds, many believe it offers broader medicinal effect (“entourage effect”) than isolates.

Q8. How do you dose edibles or capsules made with cannabis extracts?
Answer:
Start low and go slow. Calculate total cannabinoids in your batch (for example, FECO might be ~70% cannabinoids) and divide by the number of servings to get mg per dose. Always test small (5–10 mg) and wait 1–2 hours before increasing.

Q9. Can cannabis topicals help with pain or inflammation?
Answer:
Yes, many people use creams, balms, or salves containing CBD/THC for joint pain, muscle soreness, or local inflammation. The cannabinoids act locally, not systemically (less risk of psychoactive effects). For an incredible topical recipe, see my friend DollySmokesDank.

Q10. Are there risks or side effects of using medicinal cannabis?
Answer:
Absolutely. Cannabis can have side effects: dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, interaction with medications, etc. Also, dosing errors or overuse can cause unwanted psychoactive effects or tolerance. Always consult with a physician, especially if you’re on medications.

3. Application, Use & Safety

Q11. How should I dry and cure cannabis to preserve terpenes?
Answer:
Avoid heat, terpenes start to become volatile at ~68F. For a 9 day dry, try for around 64F. I set exhaust to 64%RH and set my humidifier at 61% in my 4x4 dry tent. I have a circulation fan above the humidifier to blow the moisture down and around the tent. I have 2 more circulation fans around the bottom of the tent, indirectly moving around for the hanging buds. After 3 days I drop the exhaust to 62%, then 61% on about day 6. After 9 days it can generally sit like that until ready to trim.  

Q12. What’s the difference between raw cannabinoids (THCa, CBDa) vs. decarbed forms (THC, CBD)?
Answer:
Raw cannabinoids (THCa, CBDa) are non-psychoactive until you decarboxylate them (heat). Many believe raw forms are more anti-inflammatory or neuroprotective in some contexts. Once heated, they convert to THC/CBD etc.

Q13. Can I mix cannabis medicine with other supplements or drugs safely?
Answer:
It depends. Cannabis compounds (mainly CBD) can interact with liver enzymes (especially CYP450 family) and alter how some medications are metabolized—potentially increasing or decreasing effect. Always check with a healthcare provider about interactions.

Q14. What’s the shelf life of FECO, tinctures, or edibles?
Answer:
If stored properly (dark, cool, airtight), FECO and tinctures can last 1–2 years (sometimes more). Edibles and capsules tend to degrade faster (months) due to oxidation, moisture, and exposure to air/light..