BOTANICAN
Frequently asked questions
About our Products
Are Botanican’s CBDA products legal?
Lesotho
Botanican’s products are legal for over-the-counter sales.
South Africa
The THC limit for cannabis products to be sold or bought is currently 0.001%. Thus, only Botanican’s Hemp Leaf tea, with 0% THC, is legal for sale in South Africa. The government has indicated that they will change this to 0.2% in the near future.
The 0.001% THC limit pertains to purchasing or selling cannabis products. It is legal to possess and to consume cannabis products with any amount of THC in South Africa. So, if you purchase your Botanican oil and capsules in Lesotho, it is legal to possess them in South Africa.
Rest of World
Our products are legal in all countries which allow cannabis with 0.2% THC or higher to be bought and consumed. Many countries are revising their cannabis laws, so please check those of the country you are/will be in before purchasing or travelling.
What are the potential benefits of Botanican’s CBDA products?
Scientific studies confirm the health benefits of CBDA include:
- Improving mood
- Alleviating anxiety and depression
- Reducing inflammation and pain
- Reducing nausea and anticipatory nausea
See the Research section of the website for links to the latest scientific studies on CBDA.
What is the right product for me?
Botanican’s CBDA oil & capsules come in 3 strengths: 300mg, 600mg, and 1200mg. Strength indicates the total combined amount of CBD and CBDA in each bottle which is always in a 1:1 ratio.
The amount of CBDA required depends on your ailment and how well your body responds to cannabinoids. Begin with a low dose and increase every three to four hours until the desired effect is achieved.
How do I best use your products?
For low doses of CBDA, use the oil products: The 1200mg bottle yields 2mg of CBDA per drop, while the 600mg bottle yields 1 mg per drop.
For doses over 10mg, use the CBDA capsule products for doses of 10, 20 and 40mg per capsule.
For the fastest action, take Botanican’s CBDA products on an empty stomach.
Oil – place drops under the tongue to be absorbed quickly and directly by the sublingual glands.
Capsules – take with water before eating
Tea – Use one tea bag per cup, add freshly boiled water and steep for five minutes
What is the difference between CBD and CBDA?
CBD (Cannabidiol) is a naturally occurring compound found in hemp plants and has many potential therapeutic benefits. CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not induce any feelings of being “high.”
The chemical structures of CBD and CBDA are very similar. The only difference is that CBDA contains the extra COOH group, which decarboxylation removes.
CBDa (Cannabidiolic Acid) is the raw form of CBD, with a chemical structure that is nearly identical. When the CBDA molecule is heated, the process removes that extra COOH group, turning CBDA into CBD. This process naturally occurs over time even if direct heat is not applied.
CBDA has greater bioavailability compared to CBD. Scientists have shown that CBDA has 100 times the affinity to 5-HT receptors, when compared to CBD. That means CBDA is faster acting and more powerful than CBD. Have a look at the Learn More page on this website for more information.
Are there side-effects?
Do not take Botanican’s CBDA products if you are allergic to any terpenes. Linalool, for example, is the same terpene present in lilies and orchids. Do not take Botanican’s products if you are allergic to linalool.
If you do not know whether you are allergic to the terpenes in our products, start with a low dose and increase incrementally. If you experience any negative side effects (e.g. puffiness in your eyelids or any kind of skin reaction) discontinue use immediately.
You will not feel “high” from our products due to the very low levels of THC. However, CBDA can make you feel more relaxed or focused, elevate your mood and increase your sense of well-being. Some people report that CBDA makes them feel sleepy, while others find that it helps with motivation and focus. The effects can vary depending on your age, weight, metabolism, and other factors.
What are terpenes and which ones are in Botanican’s CBDA products?
Terpenes are volatile unsaturated hydrocarbons found in the essential oils of plants, especially conifers, citrus trees and fruits, and cannabis.
Botanican’s CBDA products have the following terpenes:
β-caryophyllene, β-myrcene, α-humalene, linalool, cis-β-ocimene, α-pinene, β-pinene, and D-limonene.
How long does it take to work?
Depending on how much you have eaten, the speed of your metabolism, and which product you are taking, it will take between 20 and 45 minutes to take effect.
Oil or capsules?
While oil drops are the most commonly used method of dosing CBDA, capsules are more quickly and effectively absorbed by the body, and provide a precisely measured dose of full spectrum CBDA.
What does full spectrum mean, and what is the entourage effect?
The term full spectrum means the product contains all the cannabinoids and terpenes that naturally exist in the cannabis plant, which went through a whole plant extraction process.
The “Entourage Effect” is the theory that the compounds in cannabis work together and combine to enhance their effects on the body creating a broader, richer therapeutic experience.
About payments and delivery
Are the products available outside Lesotho?
Botanican is currently working with distribution partners in the EU and US on our first international export of the capsule and oil products. Watch this space and subscribe to our newsletter to receive notification as to when and where our products will be available in other countries.
What are the payment options?
Credit card payments are available via Payfast.
Botanican also accepts payments through Paypal.
Do you offer bulk order discounts?
Yes, Botanican offers discounts to wholesale customers purchasing a minimum 100 units of the same product. Please get in touch with us directly to request our wholesale pricing.
How do I become a distributor?
Please contact us directly to discuss becoming a wholesale customer and distributor of Botanican products.
What if I am not happy with the product?
Please contact us immediately if you are unhappy with your product. We hope to be able to replace or refund, which depends on your location.