If you live in California, you may consider yourself a lucky person, because the Global Weed Metropoly, as many people like to call Cali, has some of the most laid-back laws in regards to cannabis.

°Őłó±đÌęmedical use of marijuana was legalized in California in 1996 when Prop 215 came into force. Moreover, the recreational use of cannabis is legal here since 2016, and people can finally purchase legal marijuana from dispensaries since January 2018.

Wherever you look, marijuana is legal in California. But let’s say you still want to obtain a doctor’s medical marijuana card online. Perhaps you want to try it for the first time and you qualify for the MMJ program, or your medical card is about to expire and you need renewal. Whichever reason it is, this article is for you, because we’re going to discuss the 3 best ways to get a medical marijuana card online in California.

Nevertheless, before we elaborate on that part, let’s analyze the whole process of applying for a medical marijuana card in California.

Shall we?

Getting a Medical Marijuana Card in California: How Does it Work?

Like we said, California has adopted some of the most lenient application processes in the U.S. through Prop 215. That being said, if you live in California and need to obtain a medical card, you will be able to do so in minutes.

In Cali, the vast majority of dispensaries accept medical marijuana cards and recommendations, which helps patients overcome the legal intricacies on cannabis on the federal level. When using one of the available online services to get your medical marijuana card, the item will be sent a few days later, depending on the service provider.

Moreover, you will immediately get a recommendation that will help you purchase your medical marijuana much quicker.

Applying for a Medical Marijuana Card Online is Easier than You Think

The process with MMJ card online services is like a walk in the park. Most providers will ask you to provide some basic medical information and maybe a valid proof of I.D. But before you even think of applying for a medical marijuana card online in California, keep in mind that you must be a resident of this state. Otherwise, no doctor’s service can issue you a medical recommendation.

Once you upload all your documents, you will be asked to have an online consultation with a doctor, during which he/she will evaluate if you qualify for a medical marijuana card. Worry not, because doctors associated with MMJ card online services are cannabis-friendly, so as long as you’re not lying big time, you’re going to be all good.

You may be asked questions about your general health condition, the medical record, and why do you think medical marijuana could help you improve the quality of your life.

Like we said, it’s fairly easy.

What is a Medical Marijuana Recommendation?

Eve though California did make a huge progress in the right direction by easing the restrictions on medical and recreational cannabis, their MMJ program is not above the Federal law which still classifies cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug.

Therefore, doctors cannot prescribe medical marijuana because due to the contradicting laws; otherwise, they could lose their licenses. Fortunately, the California Medical Marijuana Program allows them to write medical marijuana recommendations.

Once you get your recommendation, you can walk into a dispensary and choose the products you deem necessary for your herbal remedy.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in California Near Me?

California has long been like a bullet train when it comes to cannabis. As we speak, Prop 64 came into effect in January 2018 when the state legalized the commercial sales of recreational cannabis.

Nonetheless, some people like to approach things in an extremely safe manner, which is why it’s good to have a medical marijuana card just in case you found yourself between the state and the federal laws.

There are more than 250 reported uses for medical marijuana. The most common cases of application for the MMJ card includes patients suffering from chronic pain, anxiety disorders, cancer, AIDS, migraines, seizures, and other conditions that make you a “prime candidate”.

But worry not, as a recommendation can be issued for “any other illness for which marijuana provides relief.” If there are any marijuana-friendly doctors near you, don’t hesitate and make an appointment.

Finding Your Marijuana-Friendly Doctor in California

Any California-certified doctor can write a recommendation for medical marijuana and get you a medical marijuana card online or locally. As mentioned before, unlike other medications, marijuana cannot be prescribe, as this would violate federal law.

Not only licensed physicians will be able to explain the benefits of cannabis, but they can also be of assistance when it comes to establishing your strategy for administering marijuana. And while a visit to your primary care physician is a good option, you might want to see a doctor who specializes in medical marijuana recommendations.

Cannabis-friendly physicians will honestly evaluate if marijuana will be beneficial for their patients, and if they the decision is positive, they can also make suggestions about what particular marijuana products and strains to try.

If you want to find a list of doctors who specialize in medical cannabis evaluations, we suggest that you visit California Norml and see if there is any physician near you who could write you a recommendation. It’s all the better if you can include any paperwork that documents your health condition, as it will help doctors get you qualified for the program.

But most importantly, remember that cannabis-related products or visits are not covered by insurance, so be prepared for an extra expense.

3 Ways to Get a Medical Marijuana Card Online

Thinking of getting a medical marijuana card online in California? We’re bringing good news, then: it’s totally doable. And better yet, it’s very easy.

Here’s our list of the best-reviewed Medical Marijuana Card Online services in California:

1. NuggMD

NuggMD allows you to have an online evaluation with one of the 420 doctors to get your medical marijuana card in California. Their recommendations are valid at all California marijuana dispensaries for a full year, so it’s definitely worth a try.

NuggMD is ranked at the top of the list simply because of the clear and simple application process, service, and overall experience. The company has been around for a while; they have been helping patients in California since 2008 and they pride themselves on having over 100,000 patients satisfied with their services.

Here’s how to get through their online medical marijuana card process:

1. Sign up on their website and submit any files that document your medical record. Don’t be afraid, your details are kept totally private in accordance with HIPAA standards and won’t be found on any public database.
2. Before you make an appointment for your evaluation, decide whether you want just a doctor’s recommendation letter (which will totally suffice), or a medical marijuana ID card which is convenient for regular visits to the same dispensary.
3. Schedule a consultation with a doctor. The MMJ evaluation generally lasts just several minutes and involves an easy phone call or video chat about your current condition, medical record, and how medical marijuana could help you.
4. Once you’re approved, check your e-mail inbox for the digital PDF version of your recommendation. You can use it the same day – all you need to do is print out the recommendation and go to a dispensary.
5. Your medical marijuana card and the official recommendation letter will be sent to you in the mail after 2-3 days.

±Ê°ùŸ±łŠ±đ:ÌęWhether you are a new patient or just need a renewal, it will cost you only $39. However, if you need a physical plastic card, you will need to spend $10 more.

2. GetHeally

GetHeally is our second-best provider on the list of the best medical marijuana card online services, and for a good reason.

The company offers an amazing customer service. Once you sign up on their website, a chat box pops out suddenly, with one of their representatives taking you through the entire process. According to the explanation from the staff, the MMJ card online process is extremely easy to pass and will take no more than 20 minutes, including the evaluation.

More interestingly, for people living in San Mateo or Los Angeles, the company has prepared in-person support via GetHeally connect. What’s best about their website is that this is a 100% online services, with no hidden costs – everything is perfectly transparrent.

Finally, all physicians are California-licensed and the company is HiPPA-Compliant, meaning all your information won’t leak out to the public.

This is how to get your medical marijuana card online with GetHeally:

1. Register on their website.
2. Enter a 3-stage process. It’s fairly easy, but if you fail somehow, the GH stuff will be there to help you out.
3. Schedule a consultation with a doctor. Again, it takes a few minutes to complete the evaluation and if you’re all honest about your ailments, the doctor will probably issue the recomendation.
4. Once you get approved, you will instantly receive a medical marijuana card online the same day. The original version will be sent to you within 2-3 business days.

±Ê°ùŸ±łŠ±đ:Ìę$50. This includes your appointments and a physical version of your medical marijuana card.

3. Eaze MD Online Medical Marijuana Card

When we look at Eaze MD we no longer have doubts about California being the world’s capital city of marijuana. The company has shown their customers a new dimension of online medical marijuana services.

Once you get through the straightforward evaluation process and get your MMJ recommendation, you can order marijuana from their website and they will deliver it right to your doors. What makes Eaze MD so special among other companies is that they offer a full range of services, including the following:

• Recommendations for new patients
• Renewals
• Recommendations for growers.

Moreover, Eaze MD uses the Telehealth service to ensure your data is protected from leaking out. Similar to other online medical marijuana card services, this is a fully online service, too, so if you’re looking for a truly outstanding way to get your MMJ card online, Eaze has got you covered.

Here’s how to apply for a medical marijuana card online with Eaze MD:

1. Create an account on their website. The process is extremely eazy (pun intended); all you need to do is answer a few online questions in the online form to determine if medical marijuana can really help you.
2. After that, you will have a consultation with one of the marijuana-friendly physicians. If you have any serious health concerns or need professional consultancy, it’s the best time to ask the marijuana doctor about it.
3. Like other top-rated medical marijuana online services, Eaze MD will send you the recommendation the same day once you get approved. The physical version of your MMJ card will be delivered to you within 2-3 business days.

±Ê°ùŸ±łŠ±đ:ÌęIf you only need a recommendation, it will cost you $29, which is a fair price if you ask us. However, a plastic card is a bit more expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions ČĘÁń¶ÌÊÓÆ” Getting a Medical Marijuana Card Online

Q: Is my medical marijuana doctor’s recommendation permanent?

A: No, you must renew it anually if you want to buy your medical marijuana.

Q: What requirements should I meet in order to qualify for the MMJ program?

A: You will need a valid form of U.S. identification and a condition which would qualify you for a medical marijuana recommendation.

Q: Do I need a California ID?

A: Typically, yes, but there’s nothing in the state’s law that requires you to be a resident of California to take part in the MMJ program here. That being said, if you know your rights and don’t mind spending a while on an argument with an office worker, feel free to do so.

Q: Does my health insurance cover my medical marijuana card?

A: Marijuana is still a Schedule I drug under the federal law, so no, your insurance does not cover your MMJ card.

Q: What conditions can make me a prime candidate for a medical marijuana card?

A: The most common illnesses that can qualify you for the MMJ program are chronic pain, AIDS, anxiety disorders, seizures, cancer, and plenty of other symptoms and ailments, but a recommendation can be issued for “any other illness for which marijuana provides relief.”

Q: What is the top limit for possession or cultivation with a medical marijuana card?

A: At the time, according to Senate Bill 420  (SB420), a medical marijuana patient can grow up to 6 mature cannabis plants for personal use, but the state is working hard to permit patients to grow any number of plants so that their medical needs are met.

How do you get your medical marijuana card in California? Is there a cannabis-friendly doctor near you or do you use online services?

The post How to Get Medical Marijuana Card Online appeared first on Weed News.

The 10,000-Year History of Cannabis

Discover the 10,000-year long history of cannabis use. See how this once sacred plant has suddenly become a feared drug in the eyes of the people, as well as why cannabis deserves the redemption story we’re witnessing now.

Since the dawn of the 20th century, cannabis use has become stigmatized by the majority of the world.

Interestingly, the largest contributor to the worldwide prohibition of marijuana has recently given the plant an opportunity for redemption. It appears the ban on cannabis will end exactly where it has started — in the United States.

The recent change in opinion was spurred by the  which abruptly ended 85 years of prohibition.

But, when we look at the history of cannabis from a wider perspective, the recent period of 20th-century ban on cannabis is just a drop in the ocean given its 10,000-year timeline.

The two members of the cannabis family— hemp and marijuana — have long been praised for their therapeutic properties and a large number of other applications. People were using hemp for ropes, textiles, paper, cosmetics, food, and even housing.

What went wrong?

What’s the history of cannabis use? And what lead to its prohibition 85 years ago?

Let’s dig a bit in the history of cannabis use, starting with the stone age.

The History of Cannabis Use: The Timeline

From prehistoric use to contemporary times, we cover the most important periods in the history of cannabis use.

• Hemp in the Stone Age
• Cannabis Before the Common Era
• Cannabis in the Common Era (CE/AD)
• Marijuana in The Middle Ages
• Renaissance & the Age of Discovery
• United States
• The Dawn of Marijuana Prohibition
• Reefer Madness and Its Aftermath
• Summarizing the 10,000-Year History of Cannabis Use

Hemp in the Stone Age

10,000 BCE: The First Recorded Use of Hemp

The first use of hemp cord in pottery was recorded in an ancient village sate over 10,000 years ago near the area that makes up modern-day Taiwan. This record makes hemp as one of the first agricultural crops on earth.

As explained in the on sustainable agriculture by Richard Hamilton:

Modern humans emerged some 250,000 years ago, yet agriculture is a fairly recent invention, only about 10,000 years old
 Agriculture is not natural; it is a human invention. It is also the basis of modern civilization.

This point was also mentioned by Carl Sagan in 1977 when he suggested that cannabis may have been the world’s first agricultural crop and a major driver in the development of civilization itself.

4,000 BCE: Pan-p’o Village

On top of being regarded among the “five grains”, hemp became one of the most popular clothing materials in China. Later on, hemp textiles made it to Turkestan where they were highly popular for their durability ().

The Role of Cannabis Among Ancient Cultures

2,737 BCE: Emperor Shen Nung

 mentioned cannabis as a potential medicine for treating gout, rheumatism, senility, menstrual problems, and inflammation.

2,000 – 800 BCE: Bhang

The first cannabis-infused drink, , was mentioned in the Hindu sacred text “Atharvaveda” (Science of Charms) under the name “Sacred Plants”, one of the five sacred plants of India. Bhang was a mixture of dried cannabis leaves and stems, used for medical and ritual purposes as an offering to Shiva.

2,000 – 1,400 BCE: Cannabis & Scythians

Nomadic tribes from the Indo-European region used cannabis in steam baths, but there are also records of burned .

2,000 – 1,000 BCE: Atharva Veda

Atharva Veda was another way to say “source of happiness”, “bringer of freedom”, and “joy-giver” in the Hindu language. Interestingly, it was also used in relation to cannabis in Hindu religious texts. At that time, cannabis was smoked at daily spiritual services and religious rituals ().

2,000 – 1,000 BCE: Ayurvedic Medicine

Cannabis was a popular  medicine. During this period, open religious use of marijuana spurred the exploration of its therapeutic properties. Weed was used to treat a range of ailments such as anxiety, bronchitis, epilepsy, tumors, dry coughs, nausea, or rabies.

1,550 BCE: Ebers Papyrus

Cannabis was mentioned in an as an effective treatment for inflammation.

1,213 BCE: Ramesses II, the First Stoner Pharaoh?

Cannabis pollen was found on, the Egyptian pharaoh who died in 1213 BCE after living for 96 years. Interestingly, Egyptians lived for 40 years on average at that time () so a 96-year-old pharaoh was something very special.

900 BCE: Cannabis & Assyrians

The Assyrians indulged in the psychotropic effects of marijuana for recreational and medical reasons ().

700 – 600 BCE: Zendavesta

Cannabis was found in the Zoroastrian “Zendavesta”, an ancient Persian religious document counting several hundred volumes. The text refers to bhang (cannabis-infused drinks) as “the good narcotic.” ()

700 – 300 BCE: Burials

Scythian tribes used cannabis seeds as offerings during their  in royal tombs.

600 BCE: Cannabis in Russia

The first signs of cannabis use in Russia appeared around 600 BCE in the form of hemp ropes and lashings.

500 BCE: Cannabis in Northern Europe

As told by Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian born in the Persian empire, cannabis seeds were used in burial rituals in Northern Europe. A gravesite was discovered in the late 1940s in Pazryk, where a Scythian couple was buried with two small tents and containers for burning incense (). One tent was accompanied by a decorated leather pouch with wild cannabis seeds inside. At the same time, an urn containing leaves and seeds of the cannabis plant was unearthed near Berlin, which was also believed to be brought by Scythians from northern Europe.

450 – 200 BCE: Greco-Roman Use of Cannabis

The Greek physician  for earaches and toothaches. Cannabis was also widely consumed throughout the Roman empire. Women from more prominent regions of ancient Rome also used cannabis to alleviate labor pains and menstrual cramps.

430 BCE: Herodotus, The Histories

 reported on both ritual and recreational uses of Cannabis by Scythians in 430 BCE.

100 BCE: Hemp Paper in China

China became the first country in the world to produce . The first evidence of hemp paper use also comes from China.

100 – 0 BCE: Pen Ts’ao Ching

The psychotropic properties of cannabis were mentioned in the newly compiled Pen Ts’ao Ching, the ancient herbal document in China ().

Cannabis in the Common Era (CE/AD)

0 – 100: Hashish in Siberia

Hashish was stored in Samaritan gold-and-glass paste stash box along with coriander and salt. Those containers were later placed in .

23 – 79: Cannabis in “The Natural History”

Pliny the Elder mentioned hemp rope and marijuana’s analgesic effects in his work “The Natural History.” ()

41 – 127: Plutarch

 observed Thracians using marijuana as an intoxicant. Thracians would throw cannabis buds into the bonfire, inhale the smoke, and then fall asleep. Interestingly, neither Herodotus nor Plutarch condemned the practices of these people; they just reported on the habits of another culture.

70: Marijuana in Roman Pharmacopeia

, a famous physician in Nero’s army, put medical marijuana in his “Pharmacopeia” — an official compendium of medicinal compounds.

100: Hemp in England

, making its first historical appearance in the country.

130 – 200: The First Marijuana Prescription

Greek Physician Galen prescribed medical marijuana for the first time ().

207: Hua T’o

was the first Chinese physician to describe cannabis as a painkiller. He used a combination of cannabis and wine to anesthetize patients before surgeries.

300: Cannabis in Jerusalem

A young woman in Jerusalem received to reduce cramps and relax muscles to speed up the birth.

Marijuana in The Middle Ages

570: Hemp in France

Hemp cloth was found in the tomb of the French queen Arnegunde ().

500 – 600: Talmud

The Jewish  described the euphoriant properties of cannabis and its use in religious rituals.

850: Cannabis & Vikings

Infamous conquerors were known for many atrocious acts throughout history, but , to be honest. For example, they brought hemp ropes and seeds to Iceland.

900 – 1000: Cannabis Use Spreads Throughout Arabia

Cannabis — or hashish, to be more specific — was becoming increasingly popular in the regions of Arabia. Scholars debated the advantages and potential risks of using hashish as it spread throughout the entire country.

1000: Italy Welcomes Hemp Ropes

Italy became yet another country to employ ropes in their infrastructure. Italians used hemp ropes on their ships (). At the same time, Arabic physician Ibn Wahshiyya started a discussion about the potential side effects of marijuana in his work “On Poisons.”

1025: Avicenna

Avicenna was a Persian medical writer and an author of “Avicenna’s Canon of Medicine”. In his book, Avicenna highlighted cannabis as an effective treatment for edema, gout, infectious wounds, and acute headaches. “Avicenna’s Canon of Medicine” was extensively studied between 13th and 19th century, having a profound impact on Western medicine ().

1090: The Legends of Persian Assassins & Hashish

Hasan ibn al-Sabbah became the first leader of the Nizari order, also known as  He recruited followers to form a paramilitary organization of paid mercenaries. According to some of the earliest written tales about the activity of Assassins, the order used cannabis — specifically hashish — to inebriate their victims before they gave them the kiss of death. The early 12th century was also when the use of hashish became very popular throughout the Middle East.

1155 – 1221: The Actual Invention of Hashish?

The Sufi master  tried to usurp the discovery of cannabis and invention of hashish. At that time, the use of hash spread to Iraq, Bahrain, Egypt, and Syria. Other written narratives mentioned the use of cannabis as an inebriant.

1171 – 1341: Cannabis in Syria

Cannabis was introduced by mystic devotees from Syria during the Ayyubid dynasty of Egypt.

1200: Hashish in “1,001 Nights”

Hashish was mentioned in , an Arabic collection of tales, as an intoxicant and aphrodisiac.

1200: The Oldest Monograph of Hashish

The oldest monograph of hashish, , was written at the beginning of the 13th century.

The psychoactive nature of cannabis was also described by Ibn al-Baytar of Spain. At the same time, Arab traders brought cannabis to the Mozambique coast of Africa.

1271 – 1295: Marco Polo

 gave second-hand reports of the story of Hasan ibn al-Sabbah and his order of assassins using hashish to inebriate their victims. The popularity of cannabis started to increase in Europe at that time, too.

1300: Arab Traders

Arab traders brought cannabis from India to Eastern Africa, where it spread among the natives. Cannabis was used by Africans to treat asthma, dysentery, fever, and malaria.

1300: Cannabis in Ethiopia

The discovery of  confirmed the use of cannabis by African tribes.

1378: Banning Cannabis Before it Was Cool

The first attempt to ban cannabis was recorded in the late 14th century when Ottoman Emir Soudon Scheikhouni issued the edict against the eating of hashish due to its rapidly spreading popularity ().

Renaissance & the Age of Discovery

1500: Spanish Conquest

. Native Americans used it for practical rather than medical purposes, making ropes or clothes. However, years later, they also discovered the medical benefits of the plant — as well as its intoxicating properties.

1526: Hashish in Afghanistan

, the founder and the first emperor of the Mughal Empire explored the history of hashish use in Afghanistan.

1532: Cannabis Mentioned in French Medicine

The French physician Rabelais mentioned marijuana’s medicinal effects in his work “Gargantua and Pantagruel.” ()

1533: Hemp Cultivation as a Homeland Duty in England

 would fine English farmers who didn’t grow hemp for industrial purposes. He passed an act telling all landowners to devote ÂŒ of an acre to cultivating hemp. The aim of the bill was to maximize the production of industrial hemp, which was used in middle ages to make ropes and textiles due to the plant being 3 times stronger than cotton and resistant to salt water. At that time, hemp was a major crop in the UK, and up to the 1920s, 80 percent of clothing was made from hemp textiles.

1549: Cannabis & Slavery

Angolan slaves who were delivered to the sugar plantations of northeastern Brazil brought cannabis with them and were even permitted to grow their cannabis plants between rows of cane. They were also allowed to smoke weed between harvests ().

1550: Cannabis in Poetry

Mohammed Ebn Soleiman Foruli of Baghdad wrote the epic poem, Benk u Bode, where he allegorically depicted a dialectical battle between hashish and wine.

1563: Medical Marijuana in Portugal

First records of medical marijuana use in Portugal date back to 1563 when a Portuguese physician reported on the plant’s therapeutic effects.

1578: Antiemetic and Antibiotic Effects of Marijuana

Li Shih-Chen, one of China’s most revered medical textbook writers, mentioned marijuana as a potential antibiotic and antiemetic ().

1600: The Hemp Trade is Real

Russia signed a major trade deal with England for the exportation of hemp (). As a key hemp producer in eastern Europe, Russia started to provide the western regions with massive supplies of hemp, contributing to the rapid development of the hemp industry on the whole continent.

United States

1606 – 1632: Cannabis in the USA

°Őłó±đÌę for industrial hemp at their colonies in Virginia, Plymouth, and Port Royal.

1612: Jamestown

 cultivated hemp for its exceptionally strong fiber and used it to make sails, ropes, and textiles.

1621: Cannabis as an Antidepressant

Robert Burton suggested in his  that marijuana may be an effective antidepressant.

1753: The First Classification of Cannabis

Linnaeus classified the Cannabis sativa plant family. At that time, both plants from the Cannabis sativa L. genus — hemp and marijuana — were referred to as cannabis ().

1764: Cannabis Dispensaries

 became the first place to sell medical marijuana. This may have been the first official marijuana dispensary the world has ever seen.

1776: First Hemp Farms in Kentucky

 began the home of hemp farmers. The majority of US hemp crops were grown in that state throughout the fall of the 18th century.

1798: Hashish & Napoleon

During his war conquest, Napoleon found out that the vast majority of the Egyptian lower class regularly consumed hashish. Soldiers returning to France brought this tradition with them, which caused Napoleon to declare a total prohibition on hash among his legions ().

1800: Marijuana Plantations Take Over the USA

 in California, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, and South Carolina. Americans might not have been as keen on hashish as the French, but they would use it quite often back then, too. Also, Hashish production significantly expanded from Russian Turkestan into Chinese Turkestan over the course of the 19th century.

1809: Assassins or Hashishins?

Antoine Sylvestre de Sacy, one of the most influential Arabists, suggested a possible etymology between the terms “assassin” and “hashishin”, which could explain the legends about medieval mercenaries using hashish to inebriate their targets ().

1839: William O’Shaughnessy

Cannabis research was systematized in English medical journals thanks to the contribution of the Irish physician . The man was particularly passionate about India, where he took a job with the East India Company, undertaking his studies on cannabis use and stimulating research with his findings throughout the West. O’Shaughnessy also significantly contributed to various other areas of scientific studies; some of his innovations are still in use. He also helped cement British reign over India by establishing its groundbreaking telegraph communications network. O’Shaugnessy was later knighted for this achievement.

1843 – 1846: The Hashish Club

The French author Gautier published , a book on Persians dedicated to the exploration of drug-induced experiences, particularly with hashish.

1850: Cannabis in the US Pharmacopeia

1850 was the year when cannabis was added to “The U.S. Pharmacopeia”, officially becoming an acknowledged medicine ().

1850 – 1915: Medical Marijuana Use is On the Rise

Marijuana was easily available in  and general stores due to its wide use throughout the United States as a medicinal drug.

1854: Cannabis as an Intoxicant

 became the first American writer to mention cannabis as an intoxicant and a recreational substance.

The Dawn of Marijuana Prohibition

1856: Ganja Tax

These two terms referred to cannabis and hashish.

1857: The Hasheesh Eater

The American writer Ludlow published , which was an autobiographical work describing Ludlow’s altered state of consciousness and philosophical discourse after consuming cannabis concentrates.

1890: Hashish Banned in Greece and Turkey

Greek Department of Interior Affairs put the ban on the importance, cultivation, and use of hashish regardless of the purpose. In the same year, hashish was made illegal in Turkey, while Queen Victoria received her personal medical marijuana prescription from her chief physician Sir J.R. Reynolds ().

1893 – 1894: Hashish Breaks Import Records in India

Despite being heavily taxed, the importation of hashish expanded throughout India. The report issued by the India Hemp Drugs Commission talked about 70,000 to 80,000 kg of hashish being legally imported into India from Central Asia ().

1906: The Regulations of Cannabis in the USA Begins

Cannabis became first regulated along with alcohol, opiates, cocaine, and others in the that passed in 1906.

1910: Mexicans Bring the Recreational Use of Marijuana to the USA

The Mexican Revolution resulted in a . They introduced the recreational use of marijuana to American society, which gave roots to the modern marijuana culture and became the major cause of cannabis prohibition in the United States.

1914: The Harrison Act

The Harrison Narcotics Tax Act introduced in 1914 defined the use of marijuana  — among other psychoactive substances — as a declared crime ().

1916: Bulletin N. 404

Bulletin No. 404 was introduced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) chief scientists Jason L. Merrill and Lyster H. Dewey. The scientists highlighted paper made from hemp pulp, which they deemed “favorable in comparison with those used with pulp wood.”

As further noted by  in his book “The Emperor Wears no Clothes:”

“The USDA Bulletin N. 404 reported that one acre of hemp, in annual rotation over a 20-year period, would produce as much pulp for paper as 4.1 acres (17,000 m2) of trees being cut down over the same 20-year period. This process would use only 1/7 to 1/4 as much polluting sulfur-based acid chemicals to break down the glue-like lignin that binds the fibers of the pulp, or even none at all using soda ash. The problem of dioxin contamination of rivers is avoided in the hemp paper making process, which does not need to use chlorine bleach (as the wood pulp paper making process requires) but instead safely substitutes hydrogen peroxide in the bleaching process. 
 If the new (1916) hemp pulp paper process was legal today, it would soon replace about 70% of all wood pulp paper, including computer printout paper, corrugated boxes and paper bags.”

Unfortunately, mass production of cheap newsprint from hemp was abandoned by major corporations in the USA, who already made large investments in operational equipment for harvesting cotton, wool, and linen while neglecting investments in hemp production. The shadow of cannabis prohibition looming over the country only worsened the economic situation of the hemp industry.

1915 – 1927: The Cannabis Prohibition Begins

The US government officially prohibited cannabis for recreational use. Prohibition first began in California (1915), then other states — Texas (1919), Louisiana (1924), and New York (1927) — followed suit ().

1919: The 18th Amendment

°Őłó±đÌę to the US Constitution imposed the ban on the production, sales, and transportation of alcohol. It also listed marijuana as an attractive alternative that could also result in abuse and addiction.

Reefer Madness and Its Aftermath

1937: Marijuana Tax Act

When US Congress passed , cannabis became criminalized despite the contradictory opinions of many medical experts.

Dr. William C. Hoodward, who testified on behalf of the American Medical Association, told Congress that:

The American Medical Association knows of no evidence that marijuana is a dangerous drug (
) A prohibition loses sight of the fact that future investigation may show that there are substantial medical uses for cannabis.

Congress, however, ignored his comments and ultimately passed the 1937 act. The information about marijuana prohibition was quickly spread by newspaper articles from magazines owned by William Randolph Hearst, who had significant shares in the timber industry, whose economic potential was threatened by hemp’s cost-effectiveness and sustainability.

1964: Discovery of THC

Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, an Israeli scientist, discovered and described the molecular structure of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis. He also synthesized the compound for further research ().

1970: Cannabis Enters Schedule 1 Classification

Cannabis was put under Schedule 1 in the Controlled Substances Act in the US, which limited any research into the plant. According to the Schedule 1 category, cannabis had no accepted medical use and, at the same time, a high potential for abuse ().

Modern History of Cannabis

1988: Discovery of the Cannabinoid Receptors

1988 was a groundbreaking year for cannabis. The CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors were discovered. Today, we know that these receptors are a part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a comprehensive network of chemicals and neuroreceptors that control nearly every biological function in humans ().

1996 – 2019: Cannabis Gets Its Redemption Story

Since the passage of the first medical marijuana reform in the United States (California), cannabis has received a well-deserved redemption story. Governments, such as those in Canada and various US states, began to legalize cannabis for medical and recreational purposes.

Summarizing the 10,000-Year History of Cannabis Use

It goes without saying that history likes to repeat itself. With the official introduction of the first federal marijuana legalization bill in the United States, we may soon witness one of the greatest turnarounds in the history of mankind.

There are rumors that the European Union prepares for employing medical and recreational marijuana reforms in each of its member states by 2028.

Recent recommendations from WHO on reclassifying cannabis as a medicine herald global changes in the legality of the plant in developed countries.

It’s time to break the shackles!

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Most plants have countless types, breeds, and variations. These variations have been cultivated over the years to enhance specific qualities. Cannabis is no different.

There are two types of cannabis plant strains: Sativa and Indica. However, as Canabo Medical Clinic notes, it is rare to find a pure Sativa or Indica strain. Instead, you have plants that are hybrids. These may be Sativa-dominant, Indica-dominant, or an even mixture of the two. Each cannabis plant has a unique genetic makeup and depending on the strain, unique qualities.

Sativa is famous for its “head high” energizing effects that reduce anxiety and improve creativity. Indica is known for its holistic, “body high” that increases relaxation and reduces symptoms such as insomnia. Hybrids can present a mixture of these qualities in a single strain.

With users seeking to optimize their recreational or medicinal experience, a debate has taken over the cannabis world: Indica vs. Sativa vs. hybrids—which is better? In this guide, we give insight into this debate. We explain what compounds create different effects and how to choose between these different types of cannabis to ensure you get the best experience.

Understanding the Effects and Compounds

Before diving into the different strains, it helps to understand the two compounds presented in all cannabis plants: cannabinoids and terpenes. These compounds determine the overall effects of any given strain.

Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds present in the cannabis plant. The two most well-known cannabinoids are THC and CBD. However, there are , too. The different cannabinoids and their effects are below:

• CBD – This compound has risen drastically in popularity within the last few years for its life-changing medicinal effects. It is most commonly available in an extracted form, such as an infused oil or edible. Research has suggested that cannabidiol (CBD) has several physical and mental benefits such as alleviating symptoms of seizures, depression, anxiety, and preventing pain and nausea.
• THC – Although tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has similar health benefits to CBD, such as helping to alleviate feelings of stress and depression, it is well-known for its various psychoactive effects. It increases endorphins in the brain and helps to bring feelings of euphoria. Subsequently, it comes as no surprise that this is the compound that causes the sense of “highness” that is most commonly associated with marijuana.
• CBG – Commonly known as the chemical precursor to CBD, cannabigerol (CBG) has a lot of the same benefits, such as reducing anxiety and depression. On top of that, as Healthline points out, it can help with the treatment of other mental health issues, too. Some conditions for which doctors prescribe CBG include obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
• THCA – Tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA) is similar to THC. However, the primary difference is that THCA does not have any psychoactive elements. Instead, it has anti-inflammatory qualities. These properties make it useful in the treatment of arthritis and other auto-immune conditions.
• CBN – Cannabinol (CBN) alleviates symptoms in neurological conditions such as seizures, epilepsy, and uncontrollable muscle stiffness.

Terpenes

Terpenes are a lesser-known compound in the cannabis plant but can be just as impactful as cannabinoids. Healthline reports that terpenes not only influence the effects of different strains but also the smell of the plant. There is a vast range of terpenes, all with their benefits.

Some of the most common ones and their effects are listed below:

• Eucalyptol: It contains extracts of eucalyptus and tea tree oil and is also known for reducing inflammation and fighting bacteria.
• Limonene: As well as reducing stress and improving moods, this molecule has a citrusy essence.
• Humulene: Cannabis strains with this molecule are anti-inflammatory and have an earthy/woody scent.
• Bisabolol: This compound may have microbial and pain-reducing effects. Its fragrance suggests hints of chamomile and tea tree oil – making it useful for reducing inflammation and irritation.
• Linalool: With its floral essence, linalool is useful as a mood-booster and relaxation aid.
• Caryophyllene: This molecule can improve ulcers, reduce anxiety, and ease depression with its peppery aura.
• Pinene: Unsurprisingly, this terpene is known for an intense pine scent. It acts as a useful memory booster and also helps in the treatment of symptoms like nausea, pain, and coordination issues.
• Ocimene: This one’s good for flu season as well as warding off viruses and bacteria, it helps ease congestion, and it also has a vibrant scent of parsley, mango, and basil.
• Myrcene: Myrcene is one of the most common terpenes and helps to reduce insomnia and anxiety. It also has a distinctive earthy scent.
• Terpinolene: As well as it’s antifungal and antibacterial quality, this compound also can act as a sedative. Its aroma has hints of apple, cumin, and conifers.

Choosing Between Indica, Sativa, or Hybrids

Each strain of cannabis – whether it be Indica, Sativa, or some hybrid in between – is unique with different kinds of cannabinoids and terpenes present in each one.

The general characteristics of Indica and Sativa (a full-body relaxation effect as opposed to an energizing “head high”) can be a good indication of the kinds of cannabinoids and terpenes present in your strain of cannabis. However, Healthline recommends looking at the descriptions that the grower and dispensary provide rather than relying solely on the broad type of cannabis itself as an indication of the kinds of compounds it contains.

That isn’t to say that Indica, Sativa, or a hybrid of the two don’t have their identifying qualities and merits to consider when you’re choosing a strain of cannabis. The remainder of this article will discuss how Indica, Sativa, and hybrid cannabis plants compare, so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.

Indica

In terms of physical appearance, cannabis Indica plants are generally shorter with fuller leaves. They are broader, chunkier, and bushier. It grows faster than Sativa due to it’s shorter flowering cycles and are suitable for colder climates with a shorter growing season. Popular strains include Afghan Kush, Granddaddy Purple, and the Hindu Kush.

Good for:

• Those who want a cannabis plant with higher levels of CBD and lower levels of THC.
• People who want to relax – Canabo Medical Clinic notes that patients who use Indica regularly comment on their relaxing qualities.
• Nighttime use – Canabo medical clinic also notes that due to its deep relaxation, body-focused effects, it is much better suited for winding down, making it better for nighttime.
• Pain relief – Healthline notes that Indica acts as an effective painkiller, most likely due to its focus on the body and an increased amount of CBD as opposed to THC.
• Reducing nausea – A further benefit cited by Healthline is its ability to reduce nausea and sickness.

Bad for:

• People who want a more intense “head high” from their cannabis
• Growers living in warmer climates who wish to grow their own
• People wanting to avoid CBD

Sativa

In contrast to cannabis Indica, cannabis Sativa plants are generally tall with long, thin leaves. According to Healthline, they can grow longer than twelve feet, and the bud of the Sativa plant is less dense and more feathery. Its flowering cycle and growing conditions make it a further point of contrast to Indica since the plant has longer flower cycles and, subsequently, is better suited to warm climates with a long season. Popular strains include Panama Red, Durban Poison, and Acapulco Gold.

Good for:

• Those who want to feel uplifted and have feelings of euphoria
• People who want cannabis with higher levels of THC and lower levels of CBD
• Those who want cannabis with more cerebral (mind-focussed) effects
• Use during the daytime
• People who want to feel energized
• Reducing anxiety
• Boosting creativity and productivity

Bad for:

• Using at nighttime – it is too much of a stimulant.
• Those living in colder climates who wish to grow their own
• People hoping to get some CBD-related effects from their cannabis, e.g. pain relief
• Those seeking full-body effects – its focus is on the mind.
• People wishing to grow their cannabis quickly – it takes longer to mature than other strains of cannabis.

Hybrid

As the name implies, hybrid plants fall somewhere in between Sativa and Indica strains, providing a middle-ground and offering a balance of both Sativa and Indica effects. . These days, it is rare to find a cannabis plant that is completely Sativa or completely Indica.

However, you can have hybrid strains that are either Sativa-dominant or Indica-dominant. Indeed, you can also find strains that are pretty much an even 50/50 split between the two varieties.

Popular strains include Blue Dream, Trainwreck and Pineapple Express.

Consequently, the appearance of hybrid plants often depends on whether it is more “Sativa-dominant” or “Indica-dominant”. According to Healthline, a lot of hybrid plants are grown artificially in a warehouse with the specific goal of increasing the amount of THC.

Good for:

• The combined benefits of Indica and Sativa as well as high THC levels
• Targeting specific areas or symptoms, such as reducing anxiety or relieving the side-effects of chemotherapy

Bad for:

• People who want cheaper and less time-consuming cannabis plants
• Those who prefer pure strains of either Sativa or Indica and don’t want a mixture of both

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, deciding between Indica vs. Sativa vs. Hybrid is up to your interests. Think about which qualities you desire and which strains or types can deliver. You don’t even have to choose one over the other at all. Many people have a selection of all three to use for different times of the day and various activities.

The post Indica vs. Sativa vs. Hybrid – What’s the Difference? appeared first on Weed News.

When we were younger, the only correct answer to the question “What’s the best way to store weed?” was “Hide it somewhere where the parents can’t find it or smell it.”

That wasn’t the wrong answer at the time. But we’re all at least a little older now, and the question deserves a more serious discussion.

You might be thinking that there’s only one correct answer to this question – you keep it in an air-tight jar and not a baggie. You’re partially right; that’s one very good answer. But there’s more to it than that.

Before deciding where to keep your stash, it’s best to understand a little about pot and its properties.

How to Store Marijuana

Cannabis, even if it’s been cured, has four natural environmental enemies: moisture, light, oxygen and high temperatures. That’s why “air-tight jar” gets only partial credit on our quiz; it’s a good start, but just not enough to fully protect your weed.

Let’s talk about each of those natural enemies.

Light

A study done nearly 50 years ago was the first reliable evidence to support what most stoners of the 1970s already knew: light is weed’s biggest enemy. The worst culprits are the UV rays produced by the sun, but common CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs also emit a good deal of ultraviolet light, and even regular fluorescent bulbs can damage your herb.

THC is extremely susceptible to UV rays because it’s a relatively unstable compound. Over time, the light will cause THC to degrade and turn into CBN (cannabinol), which doesn’t get you very high at all. Other cannabinoids like CBD will also suffer degradation with prolonged exposure to light.

That’s one reason why “air-tight jar” wasn’t 100% correct. Mason jars are terrific in sealing out the oxygen (we’ll get to that in a minute), but clear ones won’t stop UV light from slowly destroying your pot. Brown ones will, which is why you should ideally use brown air-tight jars (that’s why you often see beer in brown bottles). Green is a decent second choice since it will filter out about one-third of the UV rays.

And keeping the jars in a dark closet, drawer or pantry will go a long way toward protecting your flower from the light.

Oxygen

You already know that an air-tight jar is the best container for storing weed, and you can probably guess why. Too much air – more specifically, too much oxygen – can speed up the THC degradation process in the same way that light does, turning it into CBN. It can also oxidize terpenes and affect the taste and aroma of the bud.

An air-tight jar is crucial for storing your cannabis, but it shouldn’t be too large since that will leave lots of oxygen trapped inside. Choose one which is just big enough to comfortably hold the buds, but won’t force you to pile them on top of each other. Too-close quarters will increase humidity and create moisture – and as you’ll learn shortly, that’s another big enemy of pot.

Temperature

Weed stored in high temperatures won’t last long without losing most of its potency, aroma, and flavor. Heat, of course, dries out the flower, and also causes terpenes to evaporate. Needless to say, that’s not what we’re looking for. In addition, once the temperature inside the storage jar gets close to 80°, moisture will develop and make the environment perfect for mold growth.

That means you want to store your cannabis in a dry, cool place where the temperature won’t vary very much. Storage closets, basements and even drawers that aren’t regularly opened regularly and are in a cool area of the house are your best choices.

Moisture

Properly-processed pot is dried and cured and then packaged with the optimal amount of moisture to keep it fresh and not brittle. When things are done right, buds will be packaged when they have moisture content somewhere between 5% and 10%.

When you store it at home, your goal should be to maintain that amount of moisture. If it becomes drier some of the weed’s terpenes are likely to evaporate, altering its taste, its aroma – and a good deal of its potency. Additionally, trichomes (which contain the THC and CBD) will break down and may even break off completely once nugs become brittle.

On the other hand, if more moisture is absorbed by the flower, you can have an even bigger problem: mold, which proliferates in moist, humid conditions. Cannabis which has been exposed to high humidity levels for even a few hours can start to grow mold within a day. Not only can that ruin your stash, consuming moldy weed can make you quite sick.

Any moisture that may be created in your pot container is closely related to temperature and light, which we’ve already discussed. But one key to properly storing your cannabis is maintaining the right relative humidity inside the container, keeping it between 55% and 65%.

“Yeah, but how do you do that?” we hear you ask. Actually, it’s not hard. There are humidity control packets like Integra Boost or Bodeva which can be put right into your jar, and control capsules from companies like Evergreen Storage, which do the job for you and are worth the investment.

Best Ways to Store Weed – Putting it All Together

You’ve probably been taking a mental inventory of your home or living space while reading, to figure out a spot that meets all of these criteria. Houses and apartments vary, of course. But generally speaking, you want to store your weed in a brown mason jar (or other glass containers) that’s kept in a cool, dry part of the home that doesn’t experience temperature variation and doesn’t get much (or any) light.

Have a basement with a closet that doesn’t get ice-cold in the winter? That’s the obvious winner. Otherwise, pick the spot that comes closest to meeting the conditions which will preserve your pot for the longest period of time.

Why do we specify a glass jar instead of plastic? The discharge of static electricity is common with plastic of any sort, including containers, and that will blast the weed’s trichomes to kingdom come in a flash. You should also avoid keeping your bud in baggies for the long-term, not only because of static discharge possibilities but because static attraction can pull trichomes off of the cannabis and leave them stuck to the side of the bag. Baggies aren’t really air-tight, either.

What about the Refrigerator or Freezer?

Refrigerators are an often-used but less-than-ideal locations for storing weed. Their temperatures and humidity levels can fluctuate quite a bit, often leading to mold or THC degradation. They’re better than leaving your bud sitting out on a kitchen counter, but not by a lot.

Many people keep their mason jars in freezers for long-term storage, since the temperature and humidity don’t usually vary much. However, freezing makes the trichomes brittle and if the jar isn’t treated extremely gently, they can fall off. If you’re going to freeze your weed, be very careful handling it, and be sure to defrost it completely (letting the jar come to room temperature before opening it) to minimize the danger of ruining your stash.

The post The Best Way To Store Weed To Keep It Fresh appeared first on Weed News.

“Decarb” is one of the first terms you hear when you decide to get more serious about weed than simply finding the best place to buy an eighth.

“That flower isn’t going to get you high unless you decarb it.”

If all you do is smoke, you don’t have to worry about decarbing cannabis. The flower is automatically decarbed when it’s burned or vaped.

It becomes an issue, though, if you plan on processing your bud to make products like oils, tinctures or edibles. In those cases, the common wisdom is correct: you won’t get high until you decarb it first.

What is Decarboxylation, and Why is it Important?

It’s commonly believed that cannabis contains both THC and CBD. That’s not actually true.

Cannabis flowers contain THCA and CBDA, which are precursors to the better-known cannabinoids responsible for pot’s psychoactive and medicinal properties. In order for THCA and CBDA to be turned into THC and CBD, respectively, they must be converted by having one of the carboxylic acid groups removed from their molecular makeup.

That removal process, as you may have guessed, is called decarbing (which stands for decarboxylation). Decarbing “activates” the THC and CBD in weed; it occurs when the flower is heated or burned – which is why you don’t have to bother with decarbing when you smoke or vape pot. It happens naturally.

When you want to use marijuana for some other purpose, though, it must be decarbed first. Otherwise, its THC and CBD aren’t activated, and there will be virtually no medical benefit and no high when you consume it. As one example, you can’t buy some bud, blend it into a smoothie and expect to get baked. Unless you’ve decarbed it first, you may not even feel a slight buzz.

(Some people believe you don’t have to decarb pot if you’re going to be using it in a baked product, like brownies. That’s somewhat true; you don’t have to. But lab tests show that only some of the THC and CBD is activated when you bake raw cannabis in food. To reach full potency and realize the full benefits, always decarb first.)

So that’s what decarbing is. Here’s how to do it.

How to Decarboxylate Cannabis

In the Oven

The simplest way to decarb your weed is to put it into the oven.

You have to be careful with the temperature, though, for several reasons. Once the temperature goes over 300° you risk damaging the integrity of the cannabinoids, which obviously is not desirable. But those higher temperatures also can compromise the terpenes in cannabis, the oils responsible for pot’s flavor and aroma (and according to many scientists, possibly responsible for some of the psychoactive and medical effects as well). Once terpenes are exposed to high temperatures they can evaporate, leaving the cannabis tasting and smelling bad.

That means you want a temperature well under 300° for decarbing. The best choice is somewhere between 220° and 240°, depending on how hot your oven runs. Lower and slower is better when it comes to decarbing, so start at 220° and adjust on future batches if necessary.

You want the weed to brown slowly without burning. If it’s browning too fast or starting to burn, turn the heat down. Decarbing begins after about half-an-hour at 220°, but the entire process can take longer; 45 minutes is a good amount of time for your first batch.

Here’s the actual procedure to follow.

1. Crumple a large piece of aluminum foil (you can use parchment paper as well) and place it on top of an oven-safe baking sheet.
2. Break your flower into small pieces, each about the size of a grain of rice, and spread it out on the foil. Don’t grind it finely, because that will make it more likely to burn.
3. Loosely cover the foil and pot with a second piece of foil (or parchment), and bake at 220° for 45 minutes. When it’s golden brown in color, it’s done.
4. Cool and store in an air-tight container. It can now be ground finely for use in recipes if desired.

That’s all there is to it.

This simple method of decarbing may smell up your kitchen and oven more than you’d like. If you want to reduce the odor, there are ways to do that.

Using a Glass Jar

If you take your small bud pieces and heat them in a sealed jar (like a mason jar), most of the odor will stay inside the jar instead of spreading throughout your house. This method also helps keep the pot from burning and keeps the flavor and aroma inside the jar, a great benefit if you want to make an infusion later on.

1. Break your flower into small pieces, each about the size of a grain of rice. Don’t grind it finely, because that will make it more likely to burn.
2. Put the weed into your jar and lightly screw on the lid.
3. Spread a damp towel on an oven-safe baking sheet, put the jar on top of it, and bake at 220°. Open the oven and shake the jar every 10-15 minutes to make sure the flower heats evenly.
4. After an hour, remove the jar, shake once more, and let cool for another hour.
5. The decarbed pot is ready for use, or for storage. It can now be ground finely for use in recipes if desired.

Other Decarbing Methods

If you’re already a whiz in the kitchen or are ready to layout some bucks, there are other methods you can use to decarb your cannabis.

• A sous vide cooker (or immersion circulator) is perfect for decarbing, since the whole point of sous vide is to maintain an exact temperature for a long period of time. If using this method, you should pre-grind the weed since there’s no danger of it overheating or burning. Set the temperature at 205° and cook for 90 minutes.
• Decarboxylator machines sold for home use are relatively inexpensive, between $100-$200, and they make the process simple while eliminating most of the odor. Decarbing takes longer than in an oven, about 90 minutes, but this is a terrific alternative if you do a lot of cooking.
• A final alternative is buying a Magical Butter Machine or similar appliance, which will decarb the herb as it makes infused oils, tinctures or cannabutter. The cost is about the same.

Decarbing is a time-consuming but necessary process if you plan to do any baking or cooking with cannabis. Trust us, it’s well worth the time and effort.

The post Decarboxylation 101: How To Decarb Marijuana appeared first on Weed News.

It’s a pretty straightforward question. Can you smoke resin?

Of course you can. You can smoke the leaves that fall from trees or a chopped-up rubber tire, too. What you really want to know is the answer to a slightly different question:

Should you smoke resin?

The answer to that one is easy: only if you’re really, really desperate. Here’s why.

What Is Weed Resin?

Since we’re playing Q&A here, you almost definitely know the simple answer to this one, too. Resin is that gross black gunk that accumulates in your bowl after you’ve smoked.

The more complete answer, though, is that it’s a combination of ash, tar, carbon and leftover oils from the flower. That pretty much explains why it’s gunk, why it’s black – and why it’s gross.

Resin is left behind on all of the surfaces that the burning pot or the smoke touched, so there’s almost always some resin in the stem and even the mouthpiece. But most of it builds up on the bottom and sides of the bowl. Also known as “reclaim,” resin is often seen as the “weed of last resort” when money is tight or bud is in short supply. After all, it’s already there, so it’s free – and there must be some THC in there, right?

Yes, there is. But you should know more about it before trying to smoke it, though.

The Cons of Resin

There’s no need to discuss the pros and cons of resin in this section, since we’ve already mentioned the only pro: you already have it. Sadly, there are several important cons.

• Only a small amount of THC is left behind in resin; most of it (along with the other cannabinoids) was consumed when the bud was originally smoked, leaving only a little still trapped in the reclaim. That means it takes a lot more resin than flower to get high.
• That also means that the high you get from resin is a short one. Additionally, the smoke is thick and harsh so it can quickly irritate your throat and lungs, and since it takes more heat to smoke resin you can end up burning your hand as well as your mouth and throat.
• Smoking resin is bad for your long-term health. A major component of resin is tar – the same stuff that makes cigarettes so bad for you. Now add in the carbon dioxide and benzene that you inhale when you smoke anything at the extremely high temperatures that are required to burn resin, and it’s not a pretty picture. A few hits won’t kill you, of course, but it’s nothing you want to do regularly. It can give you a bad headache, too.
• Resin smoke smells and tastes nasty. ‘Nuff said about that.

So it’s not a great high, it’s not very pleasant, and it’s not good for you. But what if you’re broke and have no other choice?

How to Smoke Resin

Some people have tried smoking resin in joints or blunts, but reclaim is so dense that you can’t get much smoke out of it that way. Others have tried to vape it, but they end up with a bad taste in their vaporizer that they can never get rid of. Those who’ve tried to make tea or edibles from it say the taste is almost unbearable. You can simply smoke the resin as it sits in your bowl, but you have to get the bowl so hot that you’ll almost definitely end up with a burnt hand.

The best approach is to heat the bowl just enough to make the resin pliable, scrape it out (as long as the pipe isn’t plastic, which will shred), and roll it into a ball that can be smoked in a pipe or bong. The bong is a better choice because it will make the smoke less harsh.

You can scrape the resin out of your bowl with something as simple as a bent paper clip, or as “fancy” as one of those multi-pronged pipe tools they sell in smoke shops; just have something that’s “non-stick” (many stoners use parchment paper) underneath the pipe, so the gooey resin doesn’t destroy your table or floor.

Smoking resin is a great motivator. After you do it once, you’ll be incredibly motivated to get a job (or a better-paying one) so you can afford bud – and never have to smoke the resin again.

The post How To Smoke Marijuana Resin – Does It Get You High? appeared first on Weed News.

We’ve all been there, even if money isn’t the issue.

You go for your weed stash, open the jar or baggie or wherever you keep it – and there’s almost nothing left.

You can’t afford to buy more, or your dealer is out of town, or it’s the middle of the night and the dispensaries are closed. It doesn’t matter why. You’re stuck with the small amount of flower you have left – and you were really planning to get wasted tonight.

What do you do?

Putting aside the possibility that you take your mother’s (or friend’s, or therapist’s) advice and just go to bed sober, all you can do is make the most of what you have.

Here are the 6 Ways to Get the Highest from a Small Amount of Weed

1. Don’t Even Think ČĘÁń¶ÌÊÓÆ” a Joint or a Blunt

The least-efficient way to get high is to roll a joint or a blunt because they require a lot of bud (figure each one uses about half a gram) and a lot of that great smoke ends up wasted. We don’t have to tell you why; whenever you’re not dragging, the pot is still burning and the smoke is floating up into the atmosphere where it doesn’t do anyone any good.

If you consider smoking a joint an integral part of the experience and can’t imagine anything else, at least roll a pinner joint which will use less pot and smoke better, or roll with the paper inside-out which will cause the joint to burn more slowly.

2. Use a One-Hitter

These handy pipes aren’t just easy to carry around or hide in a pocket, they also help you get the most out of a limited supply. Because of the way they’re constructed, you can get a surprisingly good punch from them even though you’ve only put a small amount of weed inside. Not enough of a punch to get you high? Opt for a chillum, which will give you 4-5 good hits without burning up the rest of your stash.

3. Try a Glass Blunt

Glass blunts (plastic or glass pipes shaped like blunts) are getting more and more popular, for very good reasons. There’s no waste (there are no roaches leftover), they’re easy to use, and they give you a whopping good blast for your buck.

4. Vape Instead of Smoke

Since you’re heating the ganja instead of burning it, there’s less waste – so you’ll get higher from the amount of vape created than you would from smoke produced by the same quantity of flower. You can also take the AVB (already vaped bud) after your session and repurpose it in edibles; it’s already been decarbed so you can put it right into brownies, make cannabutter with it, or bake firecrackers (AVB and peanut butter, spread on graham crackers and baked in tin foil for 15 minutes or so). You can roll it and smoke the AVB, too; it will taste nasty but will really add to your buzz.

5. Have Some Coffee or Some Fruit

We have no idea whether the scientific proof of this is legit (it’s based on a 2014 study that was done with squirrel monkeys), but drinking a small amount of coffee helps a small high last longer. Don’t drink too much coffee, though; according to the study, it will just make you want more and more weed.

Other foods said to boost a buzz include mangos and nuts; the myrcene terpenes in mangos and the omega-3 fatty acids in nuts help THC pass through the blood-brain barrier faster.

6. Play Amateur Mixmaster

Many herbs including sage and thyme contain pinene terpenes, which open lung passages and allow the body to absorb TCH more easily. Mixing your pot with them will let you enjoy the stash you have left for a longer period of time while adding to your high.

Mixing pot with other herbs, including CBD, damiana or mullein, may not get you more stoned. But being able to smoke longer may make you feel like you’re increasing the buzz. Just think back to the days when you could only afford skunk weed, but told all of your friends loudly “Man, I’m so wasted!” You get the idea.

It Pays To Think Ahead

This probably doesn’t help when you’re staring at your nearly-empty stash jar. But it’s worth remembering the feeling, so you can be smarter the next time you replenish it.

1. Buy the Right Strain

This can go one of two ways. If your primary concern is the best high possible, do some research (or talk to your nearest expert) and find the strongest, highest-quality bud you can buy. That description can mean different things to different people; not everyone wants the mind-blowing high of Ghost OG or Original Glue, so find your level of comfort. You probably won’t smoke as much of it in each session, which will leave more sitting in your stash when you start to run low.

On the other hand, if you have a lower tolerance but tend to go through your supply quickly, you might want to think about taking a step back to a slightly-less potent strain. Your budget will last longer and you won’t be staring at the bottom of an empty jar so often.

2. Grind Your Weed Finely

Finely-ground bud will produce the best smoke because it burns slowly and evenly. The hits will be bigger and more satisfying, so when you don’t have a lot left you’ll be getting the best high possible. Just as importantly, though, what’s left after grinding – the kief, or fairy dust – can be much like the change you find in the couch cushions when you think you’re flat broke: a welcome surprise. It primarily contains highly-concentrated THC, so adding it to what’s left of your stash before smoking will take the experience to the level you’re looking for. The best way to grind herb is with a four-piece unit, which will have a chamber at the bottom to collect all of that lovely kief.

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Edibles present the opportunity for people to explore the medical benefits of marijuana without needing to smoke it. They are a safer method of ingestion as you are not inhaling smoke laced with pollutants like carbon, tar, and other carcinogens.

Medical cannabis users tend to have a lot of questions on how to determine the THC content of a homemade edible. Since THC levels vary widely, this can be quite tricky. Even after baking the batch, you might not be sure how many milligrams of THC are in each serving.

The amount of THC directly relates to potency and the effects you will feel after eating the edible. Every person has a different tolerance, and you need to be sure you are not overdoing it while also getting satisfactory results.

Cannabis plants are not lab-tested, so precise measurements are often difficult to ascertain. However, with the right steps and knowledge, you can get pretty close to estimating THC levels and potency.

Edibles Dosage 101: The Correct Dosing Formula

We can start by looking at the formula.

It starts with the average THC percentage. This table reveals THC percentages based on cannabis quality. Some cannabis runs as little as 3 percent THC while higher-quality strains provide 25 percent or more.

For this example, let’s say it is 10 percent THC since the formula is more straightforward with a round number. Divide 10 into 1000 for the per-milligram amount.

• One gram of cannabis = 1,000 milligrams
• 10 percent of 1,000 milligrams = 100 milligrams

So, one gram will have 100 milligrams of THC.

The next step is to divide the THC amount in the recipe by the number of servings. The number will give you the per-serving dose. Let’s say you are making a recipe with 7 grams of cannabis. The amount translates to 700 milligrams of THC. If you are making 24 servings with all 700 milligrams of THC, each serving would have about 29 milligrams.

If doing math is not your favorite pastime, then you can find the THC per serving with this . Use the calculator to determine the THC amount per serving and the number of grams of cannabis use during baking.

How Many Mg of THC in Your Edibles Is Enough?

As mentioned, potency is often a per consumer preference. Newcomers to edible dosage tend to opt for 10 to 15 milligrams of THC per serving. The potency of the product also helps you determine the number of servings to ingest. It is typically better to start low and work your way up to higher doses and potency as you go.

If you are very new to this method, make sure you test the waters with someone else present, perhaps someone who has tried edibles before, in case you have an adverse reaction.

6 Easy Tips for Dosing Your Homemade Edibles

Creating the perfect edibles is often the result of trial and error since both determining edible dosage and finding potency preference is subject to choice.

There are a few dos and don’ts to help this process along though.

• Don’t use too much cannabis – The lipids in oils will bind with only so many cannabinoids. After a point, the extra becomes waste.
• Do adjust if the recipe does not produce the right dose per serving – If the recipe is overpowering, add more regular butter or oil. If it is too weak, add THC with an extract or cannabis cooking oil.
• Don’t forget to decarboxylate the cannabis before cooking – Raw cannabis will not produce any effects, i.e. it makes the edible dosage ineffective. Not sure what decarboxylate means? Plenty of enthusiasts have their own videos on YouTube and Instagram!
• Do stir the batter vigorously – Stirring ensures the even distribution of cannabutter so that all doses have equal amounts.
• Don’t grind cannabis into powder – Otherwise, it will be too fine to strain. A powdery texture creates an overwhelming, plant-like taste that no one will want. Use a hand grinder instead and grind it coarsely.
• Do test the potency before baking – You want to check before instead of doing so retroactively. Think of that formula in reverse. Add a little oil to food or drink, wait an hour, and see how you feel. If the oil gives the desired effect, you are good to go and have the right potency.

Are There Health Risks from Edible Overdose?

Some of the health risks associated with edibles dosage come from theindustry. You should exercise care when purchasing marijuana. Some dispensaries may sell weak strains, and you should always use a trusted source when buying the plant. When in doubt, ask your prescriber for safe and reputable sources.

Key Takeaways

Edibles can be a potent and delicious way to consume cannabis. However, it’s essential to understand the varying potencies among different brands and any homemade batches you may produce. When you know the potencies, you increase your likelihood of gaining all the benefits you desire.

The post Marijuana Edibles Dosage: How Much THC Does It Take to Get High? appeared first on Weed News.

Did you know that kief is not just the name of a rapper – it’s also a byproduct of marijuana?

A close examination of a cannabis bud will reveal sticky, tiny, powder-like crystals. Inside each resides minuscule resin pockets holding the highest concentration of terpenes and cannabinoids – organic compounds that can alter the release of neurotransmitters in the brain. The terpenes and cannabinoids give cannabis its medicinal value.

These resinous pockets are also known as “kief.” They are in such high concentration that you might not need the rest of the plant. It can be easy to make from home, but it is far safer to purchase it from a dispensary.

However, before trying this particular substance, it’s recommended that you get some education on what it is, what it does, and how to use it. Read this article before embarking on your first kief experience.

What Is Kief?

Kief usage dates back thousands of years. It was traditionally mixed with spices, dates, and nuts to create majoun in Morocco. In the West, it was a prime concentrate before the rise of solvent-based concentrates.

On the market today, the drug is sometimes nicknamed “dry sift” or “pollen”. The concentrate itself is part of a “trichome.”

Trichomes are the bulbous glands on leaves, buds, and stalks of cannabis plants and are only about 50 to 100 micrometers in diameter. This sticky surface is quite common in nature. Carnivorous plants use trichomes to trap their prey. In the case of cannabis, it is the plant’s way of warding off herbivores.

Trichomes resemble little white hairs from a distance and stalk with heads when examined up close. Kief is supposed to be just the head without the stalk since the head holds the most terpenes and cannabinoids. When separated from the plant, this powder is considered a concentrate.

The Benefits

The high concentration of terpenes and cannabinoids within kief presents a few benefits. Here are some of the top ones:

• Strength: Kief is about 40 to 70 percent THC. Compare this to the typical 12 to 25 percent of a traditional flower, and the potency becomes apparent. If extracted carefully, it is possible to obtain 99% concentrate.
• Safe and easy collection: It takes minimal equipment and investment to collect kief. It is quite safe to collect, especially in comparison to solvent-based concentrates.
• Efficiency: Since kief is so pure, there isn’t any unnecessary plant matter, allowing your lungs freedom from other harmful byproducts.
• Versatile: You can add kief to a cannabis flower, bake it into an edible, or any number of other options.

How to Use and Make Kief

Extracting kief from cannabis plants is quite simple and safe. It starts with a high-quality flower. If you are extracting at home, try these two tools:

1. “Kief box” that filters various grades of flower to obtain the pure parts.
2. Three chamber grinders with built-in filtration screen to separate the flower and kief.

Boxes and grinders allow you to separate kief from the rest of the plant. Once separated, you can add it to joints or pipes as desired.

Kief boxes utilize micro-screens to filter out the product and extract the tiny trichome heads. You need to filter down to the heads to avoid excess plant matter, trichome stalks, and other particulates.

Once you practice enough, your kief will become purer. Some can reach “99% sift,” which is almost entirely pure trichome heads.

Some companies also offer ready-made kief, so you can also skip this part altogether.

In terms of use, you can do a few things to use it. Try one of these:

• Smoke it on its own as a joint. Remember it’s purer than the flower, so start small. Kief’s richness is released best without direct burning, but rather with gentle indirect heat and smoking through stainless steel or titanium.
• Sprinkle it onto a flower by adding it to your bowl. This method creates a stronger “kick” and increases the effects.
• Bake and eat it as an edible. With edibles, the general recommendation is to consume about a third or half of what you usually use when subbing in kief when cooking due to potency.

If you are making kief at home, avoid vaping or dabbing. It melts, so it will ultimately leave an unpleasant taste and clog the vaporizer with residue.

Other options for consumption include moon rocks or twax joints. The options outlined here are a great kick-start if you are new to this form of cannabis.

Always remember that it’s very potent. Kief has a stronger effect than regular cannabis. You won’t need a high dose, especially if you are new to the drug, to achieve the desired results.

Conclusion

You may be asking yourself, Is it that simple? Yes, it is! You simply need to understand what kief is, separate it from the plant, and use it in some of the ways outlined here.

Take the time to collect and refine before you smoke – and you are on your way to being a kief chief in your own right.

The post What Is Kief and What To Do With It? appeared first on Weed News.

There are a plethora of health and well-being benefits associated with cannabis. However, there exist, as well, concerns about its legal status and use as a recreational drug. The result is that the numerous benefits of the plant remain unknown or not talked about by the masses.

A by Harvard Health Publishing demonstrates the several benefits of marijuana. Studies have shown it is successful in treating Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and PTSD. With evident benefits, it comes as no surprise that cannabis use has become increasingly common.

Part of the prevalence of cannabis use has led people to experiment with different types of extraction. Cannabis extraction is on the rise. This article will explain the reason more people are doing this and delve into the most popular methods of extraction.

Why Extract Cannabis?

Increasingly, people are turning to cannabis not only for recreational but therapeutic uses as well. The benefits have led medical professionals around the world to seek out different methods of extracting oils from the cannabis plant.

According to PharmOut, cannabis extraction serves to isolate specific target compounds. Researchers can administer these compounds to patients based on their medicinal benefits. Compounds found in the cannabis plant are known as cannabinoids. Reports have shown that there are at least 113 of cannabinoids in the plant.

Subsequently, there are countless medicinal cannabidiol products like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). You can separate these compounds from the rest of the plant via extraction. Cannabis, in its extracted form, is known as cannabis concentrates. From a medical perspective, cannabis concentrates are beneficial. They make it easier to administer specific dosages of cannabinoids for medical treatment.

It is also used by those who wish to use marijuana in tincture or oil form, rather than smoking it or consuming edibles. Subsequently, cannabis concentrates are optimal for people who want to dab or vape marijuana.

Depending on what method you use, cannabis concentrates come in many forms such as oil, bubble hash, kief or rosin. Different forms of consumption can lead to varying quantities of THC in the resultant product. The variability is critical to note. Besides its medicinal uses, is also a psychoactive substance, which causes one to feel ‘high’. So, if you plan on extracting your own cannabis, proceed with caution and bear this in mind.

This article covers the two most popular types of cannabis extraction: solvent-based extraction and solventless extraction.

Solvent-Based Extractions

Christian Sweeney at Cannabistry Labs three types of solvent-based extractions:

Ethanol Extractions

Ethanol extraction is the most straightforward technique. It allows you to extract substantive amounts of THC in a small amount of time. It’s a simple process: heat the bud of the plant with some ethanol and then follow this up with distillation to obtain the desired cannabinoid.

Butane Extractions

The butane extraction method is similar to ethanol extractions. The technique also delivers the desired cannabinoids on a shorter timescale. However, it won’t produce the same quantity of products as ethanol extractions. Butane extractions do, however, have an additional benefit. The method lets you preserve some of the terpenes from the raw material.

In case you didn’t know, terpenes are the organic compound from cannabis that gives it its distinctive smell and flavor. Terpenes are also present in substances like essential oils. They enhance the overall effects of pleasure and relaxation from these oils. Terpenes from cannabis plants also have medicinal benefits.

CO2 Extractions

CO2 extraction is a highly-advanced and complicated method of extraction. As such, most experts recommend only other professionals or experienced extractors undertake this method.

CO2 extraction is a unique process in which you can change the temperature and pressure in each extraction. The variability makes it easy to tailor the process based on the strain you extract. Ultimately, the flexibility of the technique means that the chances of successful and quality extractions increase significantly.

Solventless Extraction

According to PharmOut, there are several ways to extract desirable components of the plant without the need for solvents. You can separate kief from the rest of the cannabis plant bud by sieving it and grinding it into a powder. Also, you can extract rosin via a flat heat press device.

You can even extract hash (or hashish) in two different ways:

1. One way is to freeze the buds. Break them into microscopic parts and then sieve the hash. Press the filtered product into a block.
2. Another way is to use ice-water to separate hash from the rest of the plant. Wait for it to dry and then again press it into a block.

Conclusion

Following these basics will make the cannabis extraction process quick, easy, and enjoyable!

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