THE CANNABIS THREAD 101!!

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Member Blog: Hiring New Budtenders – Keep Your Eyes Out For These Red Flags


The success of your dispensary relies on many things – your location, the quality of the products you sell, and the people who work for you. While it might seem as if you can put just about anyone behind the counter and have them ring up transactions, the art of being a budtender is a completely different animal. Managers and owners who are in the position of needing to replace or expand their current staffing may not fully realize how their employees can make or break their business, so let’s go through a few important considerations.

It goes without saying that anyone can end up unintentionally hiring someone they shouldn’t have, so if any of the following scenarios have happened to you, don’t feel bad. This information can help in many types of businesses and will specifically save you a headache if you work in the cannabis industry.

Cannabis Knowledge

On-the-job training is certainly something that every dispensary manager should provide, as it’s impossible for someone to walk right in and run the show on their very first day. However, it’s another situation entirely if your new hire doesn’t know the first thing about cannabis. Not only is a basic understanding required pertaining to strains, methods of consumption, and weed culture in general, but if they bring knowledge to the table that impresses you, they’re a keeper.

Anyone who can’t answer simple questions about cannabis or CBD may not be the best choice for your operation unless you have the time and patience to teach someone from the ground up. Ultimately you want your customers to feel as if they’re consulting with experts, not the other way around.

Don’t Neglect Background Checks

This tip can take a two-fold approach, as the person you end up hiring is going to be trusted with access to tons of product, money, and maybe even the store keys someday. Reference checks are a must in today’s day and age, so if they don’t readily have people available for you to chat with, you may want to dig a little deeper.

Aside from simply calling previous employers, it doesn’t hurt to run a full background check on your potential new employee. You never know if people are representing themselves truthfully and it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Again, if your prospect is uncomfortable with this idea, you don’t simply want to brush it off and continue hiring them anyway. That’s not to say that you should instantly dismiss them either as some people have a criminal record they are embarrassed by but have changed.

Common Sense And Intuition

When it comes down to it, working as a budtender does require a specific set of skills but in general isn’t that much different than many other professional retail occupations. Take some time to consider everything a person brings to the table, listen to your gut, and above all else, let common sense guide you. If something doesn’t feel right about your new hire, pay attention to that notion or else it could cost you your business.

 

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How Much Does it Actually Cost to Open a Dispensary?


Reading headlines about the cannabis industry, one might get the impression that cannabis business owners are all cashing out big. And while there are many success stories, high startup costs, ranging between $250,000 to $750,000, make the financial reality of opening a dispensary difficult for a lot of budding entrepreneurs.

But the growing demand for cannabis allows for great opportunity, even in the most saturated markets. Retailers who want to compete with big-box stores should work smart, focus on creating a great store experience, and invest in cannabis tech that streamlines operations to reduce cost.

Step 1: Licensing

The first step in opening a dispensary is getting a license. The licensing process, which varies based on location, is extensive and expensive. Expect to undergo thorough background checks and spend at least $5,000 on licensing fees.

In places like Washington, the number of licenses granted by the state are capped and only available by purchasing one off of a current licensee. This can run upwards of $25,000 plus legal fees.

Capital Requirements Preclude Many

Besides the licensing and possible legal fees, there’s another thing that precludes many from the industry: capital requirements. Before licensing, some states require proof that you can financially weather the true cost of operating a cannabis business. Depending on where you apply for a license, a local government may require proof that you have enough liquid assets to keep your business afloat in rough times.

Location, Location, Location

Finding a location for a cannabis dispensary isn’t impossible, but can be expensive. City and state regulations define the legal proximity dispensaries can be to a school, church, park, arcade, and/or anywhere else children might be likely to gather.

Finding a permissible location with foot traffic and parking might cost up to $100,000 per year. To keep customers coming back, it’s important to invest additional money to make the store friendly, welcoming, and modern.

The Cost of Cannabis-Friendly Banking

The legal ambiguity of cannabis creates a tenuous relationship with state-legal businesses. When banks work with U.S. cannabis businesses, they take on the risk, however unlikely, that federal enforcement priorities could change and cannabis-friendly banks could be targeted.

Most banks refuse to take on the risk. Others, like local credit unions, upcharge for their services and the risk incurred. Some banks charge up to $2,000 in holding fees every month for cannabis businesses!

Day-to-Day Costs & Smart Investments

You can’t run a dispensary without product, customers, and staff. In a state that allows for vertical integration, it can cost more than $500 per pound to grow your own cannabis; plus the inventory costs for edibles, topicals, and other products. To attract customers, you’ll need to invest $10,000 to $25,000 on marketing. The payroll costs for a staff of budtenders, store manager, and a master grower can total more than $250,000 annually. Finally, consider costly insurance policies, license renewal fees, taxes, legal retainers, and trademark protections.

Those day-to-day costs really rack up fast. A smart cannabis retail owner can save time and money elsewhere by investing early in technology that will optimize their operation. Investing $25,000 on hardware and software, including computers, an integrated point of sale system, and a full security system, can be a large upfront cost but could save your business in the end.

 

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Canada Legalizes Cannabis – When Will The U.S. Follow?

On June 19, Canada became the first G7 nation and second in the world after Uruguay to fully legalize cannabis for adult use, paving the way for what is estimated to be a CAD$9.2 billion dollar industry by 2025. Canadian Prime Minister Justin TrudeauTweeted in response to the move:

“It’s been too easy for our kids to get marijuana – and for criminals to reap the profits. Today, we change that. Our plan to legalize & regulate marijuana just passed the Senate. #PromiseKept”

The passing of the iconic Bill C-45, also known as the Cannabis Act, was met with raucous applause from the across the globe and sent marijuana stocks soaring. Provinces and territories now have until October 17 to develop and implement their own regulations for the sale of cannabis products; according to the federal statute, adults will be able to carry and share up to 30 grams of marijuana in public and cultivate up to four plants at home.

But when will the United States follow suit and become a part of the multi-billion dollar global cannabis market?

High Time for Federal Legalization

“With leading policymakers on both sides of the aisle calling for reform, there has never been more momentum behind the effort to replace criminal marijuana markets with regulated businesses, but we still have a long way to go.” says Aaron Smith, executive director for the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA).

Despite the fact that 29 states, as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, have legalized cannabis for medical and/or adult-use, the plant is still illegal at the federal level. This has led to immense headaches for business owners within the legal space who only wish for their companies to thrive but are hindered by lack of access to traditional banking and fundraising opportunities and stuck operating within individual state lines.

Lawmakers from legal states have heard their constituents’ voices loud and clear and have joined together to develop the STATES Act, short for “Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States.” Introduced by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Corey Gardner (R-CO), the bill aims to protect states that choose to legalize cannabis by creating an exemption to the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, and would remove industrial hemp from the Controlled Substances Act entirely. The bill would also allow banks to work with cannabis businesses more easily. Representatives David Joyce (R-OH) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have already introduced a companion bill in the House.

When asked about the STATES Act by reporters, President Trump replied that he would more than likely support the measure, stating: “I support Sen. Gardner, I know exactly what he’s doing. We’re looking at it. But I probably will end up supporting that, yes.”

Full Legalization Needed for Market to Thrive

Adopting a federalist approach on the issue of cannabis law reform will certainly mean that individual states will be allowed to flourish, but it stops short of the immense financial opportunities that federal legalization could bring.

“The cannabis industry is vibrant and expanding rapidly, but until the threat of federal interference is removed, our economic potential is limited,” said Aaron Smith, NCIA. “Lack of access to financial services, exorbitant tax pressures, and the absence of interstate and international commerce are all problems that we can fix by turning up the pressure on Congress.”

U.S.-based companies and investors are missing out on huge financial investment opportunities due to cannabis’ current status as a Schedule I controlled substance. According to a recent white paperreleased by NCIA’s Policy Council, as of February 2018, 39 of the 89 federally-licensed producers (LPs) of cannabis in Canada were publicly traded, raising a total of $1.2 billion CAD in January 2018 alone. On June 20th, it was announced that Tilray would be joining Cronos Group as the second Canadian LP listed on the U.S.-based NASDAQ; behemoth Canopy Growth is listed on the NYSE.

In late 2017, Canopy announced the sale of nearly 10 percent of its stock to U.S.-based alcohol giant Constellation Brands (known for Corona and SVEDKA vodka) for a cool $191 million dollars. Now that cannabis is legal in Canada, there are certain to be even bigger deals fastly approaching that U.S. operators are missing out on.

Impressive Advancements are Being Made – Just Not in America

The United States is also being left behind in terms of research and development and intellectual property within the cannabis space. In countries such as Israel, where the federal government appropriates money to researching marijuana, rapid advancements are being made that could be groundbreaking – and have global effects. In 2017, there were more than 110 clinical trials involving cannabis in Israel – far more than any other developed nation. It was also recently revealed that China now holds around half of the IP related to hemp in the world. This puts Americans at a disadvantage as the rest of the world competes to create innovative and life-altering cannabis medicines and technology.

“R&D requires access to capital and federal and academic support,” explains Frank Lane, President of Cannabis Financial Network. “These remain elusive in the U.S. because cannabis remains federally illegal. The U.S. is slowly allowing more University backed cannabis research but at a much slower pace then Israel, Canada and have allowed research on a federal level for years. The U.S. will be playing catch up as medical cannabis continue to be adopted globally.

Exports Expected to Rule Canadian Market

While legal domestic sales won’t begin for several months, some Canadian LPs have already been exporting cannabis products to several countries that have approved the plant for medical purposes. It was announced last October that Cronos Group had reached a deal to put their products in over 12,000 pharmacies across Germany, where the government is choosing to use their own socialised healthcare systems to handle the distribution of cannabis product to patients. Obtaining these lucrative government contracts means big money for exporters, and unfortunately for entrepreneurs from the U.S. looking to cash in may be too late by the time legalization occurs.

“Many European and Latin American countries are approving cannabis for medical use,” Lane adds. “These are billion dollar markets that countries like Canada and Uruguay are seizing because they have federally legalized cannabis and become adept at developing pharmaceutical grade products.”

U.S. Canna-Businesses Must Double Down on Reform Efforts

Until the federal government ceases to consider cannabis a Schedule I narcotic, American businesses will continue to lag behind and miss out on multi-billion dollar opportunities. Therefore, it is more important than ever that the industry continue to communicate with policymakers in order to create impactful change – before it’s too late. Attending events such as the NCIA Quarterly Cannabis Caucus series is a perfect way to engage with local politicians and fellow entrepreneurs while also staying up to date on the latest legalization developments.

Read more about how the U.S. is falling behind in the global cannabis market in this report produced by NCIA’s Policy Council.

 

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Member Blog: The Health Benefits of Raw Cannabis


Juicing is an increasingly popular health trend. Many people, from nutritionists to athletes, are consuming pressed vegetable juices to get the nutrients contained in leafy greens like spinach and kale. But what about cannabis?

Health Benefits of the Cannabis Plant

The leaves of the cannabis plant are rich in antioxidants, polyphenols and antibiotics, along with cancer-reducing and anti-inflammatory compounds. In fact, the U.S. federal government found in pre-patent research that CBD, which is a cannabinoid found in raw cannabis, is a stronger antioxidant than vitamins C or E.

Along with its nutritional value, raw cannabis can provide therapeutic effects and promotes basic cell function – activating receptors in your brain, releasing antioxidants, and removing damaged cells from the body.

Studies have also shown that consuming raw cannabis has the potential to treat lupus, arthritis and neurodegenerative diseases, help stimulate appetite and decrease nausea, prevent the spread of malignant prostate cancer cells, and prevent cell damage that can lead to serious illness and poor health.

Consuming Raw Cannabis

Consuming raw cannabis does not cause the “high” feeling that one gets when smoking cannabis or consuming it via edibles. This is beneficial for those who do not enjoy the psychoactive feeling often associated with marijuana.

By consuming the plant raw, one can receive all the nutritional and health benefits of the plant without feeling stoned. In fact, it’s been reported that you lose 99% of the health benefits of the cannabis plant when you smoke or cook it.

Juicing marijuana is the easiest and most convenient and way to consume the nutrients found in raw cannabis. Juicing the leaves of raw marijuana extracts essential minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, including:

Iron
Zinc
Calcium
Potassium
Selenium
Carotenoids

In terms of dosage, one suggestion is to consume 30g of fresh cannabis leaves per day.

Tips for Juicing Raw Cannabis

Add in 2- to 4-inch buds and 15 large fan leaves into a juicer. You can use the juice in smoothies with other vegetable and fruit juices, or freeze the juice to make ice cubes. Freeze leftover leaves to preserve their nutrients for future juicing.

Additional Tips for Juicing Cannabis:

Don’t use dry cannabis or nuggets that have already been cured for smoking.
Look for small, sticky crystals on the flowers and make sure that buds are amber colored.
Combine 1-part cannabis juice to 10-parts carrot juice to help reduce cannabis bitterness.

Additional Raw Cannabis Information

When incorporating raw cannabis into your diet, there are side effects to consider, including allergic reactions, possible ingestion of insecticides and pesticides, and compromised immune system from possible pathogenic exposure.

Consuming raw cannabis isn’t the best solution for fast symptom relief. Typically, it takes about three days to notice benefits. For some, the benefits may not be noticed for four to eight weeks as the nutrients build in your system.

To learn more about the benefits of cannabis, or to find a medical marijuana-recommending physician near you, visit MarijuanaDoctors.com.

 

[roots69]

These people are just plain rotten!! If they were lying their asses off then, everythings a damn lie!!



Meet the Man Responsible for Marijuana Prohibition

Most cannabis consumers are only too aware of the federal-level prohibition that forces so many to purchase from the black market. This illegality potentially exposes medical and recreational users to harder drugs and criminal elements — and obviously drives up prices.

What most fans of the culture don’t know is the story of the man who was the architect of American cannabis prohibition. Harry Anslinger, the nation’s first drug czar (as Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics), for years contributed racist, sensationalistic — and typically completely fabricated — articles to a variety of newspapers and magazines owned by his co-conspirator, William Randolph Hearst. He was also the author of the Marijuana Tax Act legislation passed by Congress in August of 1937. This law, although replaced by the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, was the genesis of the modern day drug war and has been responsible for the emergence of a healthy black market for cannabis and the prosecution and incarceration of millions of pot smokers.

The following is an excerpt from my new book Understanding Medical Marijuana (Chapter 3: Why is Marijuana Illegal?):

___________________________________

Paramount Protectionism: Anslinger & Hearst
Two men are primarily responsible for the modern federal-level legal prohibition of marijuana that has been in existence for the past 78 years: Harry Anslinger and William Randolph Hearst.

Anslinger was an ambitious government bureaucrat who, in 1930, became Director of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (the precursor to today’s Drug Enforcement Agency, or DEA). Nepotism was in full force: Anslinger was appointed by his wife’s uncle, Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon (of Mellon Bank, one of the most powerful financial institutions in the world at the time). Hearst was a publishing and timber mogul who owned major newspapers and popular magazines (think of him as the evil Rupert Murdoch of his day).


Harry Anslinger

Hearst, according to one biography, “…hated minorities, and he used his chain of newspapers to aggravate racial tensions at every opportunity.” His motives were understandable: He lost 800,000 acres of timberland to Pancho Villa during the Mexican revolution. His means of institutionalizing his bigotry, however, were less deserving of empathy.

The term “marijuana”—derived from the Mexican slang “marihuana” (either purposefully or accidentally misspelled)—was first coined in the United States in the 1890s. It was popularized in the early 1930s by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and in articles appearing in magazines and newspapers owned by Hearst. Hearst, via his publishing empire, continually attempted to taint public perception of the plant by leveraging popular prejudice against Mexican-Americans. The Mexican Spanish term “marihuana” was used to elude the public’s existing familiarity and comfort level with hemp and the medical application of cannabis tinctures (it was not a commonly smoked recreational drug at the time).

In fact, the terms “marihuana” and “marijuana” weren’t even included in official dictionaries at the time. If not for the efforts of Anslinger and Hearst, the herb would almost certainly be referred to as cannabis (the Latin name that’s most common in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Australia), not marijuana.

Anslinger drew upon the social stereotypes and prejudices of the day to stigmatize cannabis. “There are 100,000 total marijuana smokers in the US, and most are Negroes, Hispanics, Filipinos, and entertainers. Their Satanic music, jazz and swing, results from marijuana use. This marijuana causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes, entertainers, and others” he said. Anslinger also made highly inflammatory and provocative statements involving significant fear mongering, such as “Marijuana is an addictive drug which produces in its users insanity, criminality, and death.” His racist side is revealed by statements such as “Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men.” He also proclaimed, “You smoke a joint and you’re likely to kill your brother.”


William Randolph Hearst

Hearst and Anslinger were supported by Lammot du Pont of the DuPont chemical company and a variety of pharmaceutical corporations, all of which had a financial interest in defeating hemp to promote their own products. For example, DuPont began selling rayon (the first man-made fiber) in 1924 and invented nylon, a synthetic competitor to hemp, in 1935. One reason pharmaceutical and petrochemical companies disliked cannabis was because people could grow it themselves. (It should be noted that Andrew Mellon, the Treasury Secretary who appointed Anslinger to the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and the wealthiest man in America at the time, was—along with Mellon Bank—a financial backer of DuPont.)

In February 1938, Popular Mechanics Magazine reported that hemp was the new “billion dollar crop” in the United States[1], due entirely to the introduction of mass production harvesting equipment. The hemp decorticator, a farm machine that mechanically separated the fiber of the hemp stalk, threatened to make hemp a strong competitor to wood. The decorticator saved massive amounts of labor and made hemp production affordable and practical on a small scale (such as on family farms).

Capable of yielding up to three crops per year in southern climates, one acre of hemp produces about the same amount of cellulose (used to create paper, among other things) as four acres of trees. Amazingly, hemp can be made into about 5,000 different products—from paper, clothing, and food to fuel and construction timbers.

The promise of hemp-based products was so great that they threatened to replace those made from petroleum-based petrochemicals, such as synthetic fibers and even gasoline. If you think this was just slightly intimidating to the likes of corporate barons such as Hearst, Mellon, and DuPont, you’re right. Billions in profits were at risk for entrenched old-school businesses and their financial backers and cronies.

Surprisingly, Henry Ford’s first Model-T automobile was built using hemp plastic panels, not metal (which featured an impact strength 10 times greater than steel). Ford envisioned his car running on fuel made from hemp or other plants. These facts threatened DuPont’s petrochemical market share (driven by new synthetic products such as rayon, nylon, cellophane, and oil-based plastics) and Hearst’s huge timberland and mill empire.

The Smear Campaign
Anslinger (basically the government puppet of corporate barons DuPont and Mellon) and Hearst (who had a clear financial interest in defeating the success of hemp), embarked on one of the world’s most effective and long-lasting smear campaigns.

Together, they crafted a highly inflammatory anti-marijuana public relations crusade with the goal of making the euphoric herb (and, more importantly, its sibling hemp) illegal—effectively eliminating it as a competitor to a variety of petrochemical products (DuPont’s territory) and timber (Hearst’s goldmine). Using Anslinger’s position within the U.S. government and leveraging Hearst’s empire of newspapers and magazines as propaganda outlets, the two concocted outlandish stories, all of which depicted marijuana as being hyperbolically more destructive than what is perceived today as a mild euphoriant that gives its recreational users giggles and the munchies. Their dramatic and sensationalistic stories described pot as an evil drug that led to murder, rape, and insanity.

As early as January 1923, Hearst published in the San Francisco Examiner that “Marihuana is a short cut to the insane asylum. Smoke marihuana cigarettes for a month and what was once your brain will be nothing but a storehouse for horrid specters. Hasheesh [a purer, more potent form of marijuana] makes a murderer who kills for the love of killing out of the mildest mannered man…”



In February 1928, a similarly sensational article appeared in the Hearst publication the Examiner, falsely stating that marijuana was known in India as the “murder drug,” claiming that it was common for a man to “catch up a knife and run through the streets, hacking and killing every one he [encountered].” Even more outlandish, the article claimed one could grow enough cannabis in a window box to “drive the whole population of the United States stark, raving mad.”

The American Magazine, another Hearst publication, in its July 1937 issue published a sensationalized article co-authored by Anslinger entitled “MARIJUANA—Assassin of Youth” which described a young Florida man who murdered his family, an act attributed to his “habit of smoking something which youthful friends called ‘muggles,’ a childish name for marijuana.” The article claimed that the murderer “had no recollection of having committed the multiple crimes. The officers knew him ordinarily as a sane, rather quiet young man; now he was pitifully crazed.”

Such articles are obviously, by modern standards, laughable—especially when a significant percentage of adults since the 1960s have sampled marijuana. Those who have tried the herb know, from firsthand experience, that it doesn’t make one “pitifully crazed” or cause users to kill their families.

Prohibition Begins
Dr. William Woodward, a doctor, lawyer, and the legislative counsel to the American Medical Association, testified before Congress at a 1937 hearing to outlaw cannabis, stating that there was no evidence that the herb is dangerous. He warned that prohibition “loses sight of the fact that future investigation may show that there are substantial medical uses for cannabis.”

When the legislation, drafted by Anslinger, was presented on the floor of the House for a vote, a representative from upstate New York asked, “Mr. Speaker, what is this bill about?” The Speaker replied, “I don’t know. It has something to do with a thing called marijuana. I think it’s a narcotic of some kind.” The New York representative queried, “Mr. Speaker, does the American Medical Association support this bill?” A member of the hearing committee interrupted and replied, “Their Doctor Wentworth [sic] came down here. They support this bill one hundred percent.”

And thus, with that lie—and despite the efforts of Woodward (one of only two medical doctors to testify at the committee hearings) and the actual opposition of the American Medical Association—the U.S. Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 in early August.[2] The cultivation and possession of cannabis and hemp has been illegal in the United States ever since.[3]

According to a 2010 article by the Associated Press, “After 40 years, the United States’ war on drugs has cost $1 trillion and hundreds of thousands of lives…” In the past 10 years, $211 million was spent to enforce pot laws in the state of Washington alone (as reported by the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington State). Meanwhile, Hearst, Mellon, and du Pont are all household names, more than a half century after the last of the group died.

One of the most indicting official statements against marijuana prohibition came, ironically, from one of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s own Chief Administrative Law Judges, Francis Young. Young, after lengthy hearings regarding the efficacy of the herb in 1988, stated, “Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known. It would be unreasonable, arbitrary, and capricious for the DEA to continue to stand between those sufferers and the benefits of this substance….” Despite his strong official opinion, the DEA did not implement his ruling and allow the rescheduling and testing of marijuana, citing a procedural technicality.

 

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Cannabis Seeds: How To Grow Your Own Cannabis Plants From Cannabis Seeds

Here's your 6-step how-to for taking your cannabis seeds from start to finish


Have you ever wanted to grow your own cannabis from cannabis seeds?

Whether you are a recreational user or a medical cannabis patient, you don’t have to rely on dispensaries to get the cannabis flower you want to enjoy. You can actually grow it yourself from cannabis seeds!

(Of course, you should obey the marijuana laws in your state before buying cannabis seeds or growing your own plants. Check out this post to see the status of marijuana legalization in your state and how many plants you can grow.)

If you are thinking of buying cannabis seeds and growing your own cannabis plants, read on in this post to see how to have success growing your own plants from cannabis seeds.

What kind of cannabis seeds you can buy
When you’re looking to buy cannabis seeds, it might be overwhelming to start out with. You have to look at different strains, different types of cannabis, and different kinds of seeds, and there are lots of cannabis seeds to choose from.

To start out with, you should think about what kind of plant you want to end up with. If you’re looking for a body high, you’ll likely want an indica; if you want an energetic head high, you’ll probably want a sativa.

From there, you can research indica or sativa strains that match the effects you want to achieve. Most cannabis seed shopping websites will have descriptions to accompany each seed about the effects that strain will have.

And if you are hoping to grow cannabis plants for medical use, you can search for cannabis seeds for low-THC plants or strains that are high in CBD. CBD (cannabidiol) is a popular choice for medical patients since it offers the pain relief effects of marijuana without the mental effects.

Many people who shop for cannabis seeds opt to buy “feminized” seeds, which are ones that have been bred to only produce female plants (which is what you want, since the female plants are the ones that flower).

Finally, you’ll have the option of choosing normal cannabis seeds or what are called “autoflowering” cannabis seeds. Autoflowering cannabis seeds are normal seeds that have been crossbred with a fast-growing type of cannabis seed called Ruderalis, which allows them to flower on their own in about 2-4 weeks (as opposed to 3-6 months for regular plants) and means you can have multiple harvests in a year.

How to germinate and grow marijuana plants from cannabis seeds
So here’s the good news: there’s a reason that marijuana is called weed. It grows like a weed, which is good for amateur growers and first-time planters.

However, there are a few steps you should take to ensure the success of your cannabis seeds and make sure they grow up into healthy, flower-producing plants.

Step 1. Germinate

Before you pop your seeds in the dirt, you actually need to let them sit in a dark, moist environment for about a couple of days (up to 5) to germinate.

Start by wetting a paper towel, and wring it out until it is just damp, not dripping wet. Fold it in half and place it on a plate, and then place your seeds on the towel at least 1/4 inch apart. Cover them with the other half of the paper towel (or another damp paper towel), and then cover that plate with another plate to maintain a humid, dark environment.

Check on your seeds every 24 hours, and look to see if they have cracked. You want every seed to crack open and have a white shoot on one side, and a tiny root sticking out on the other side.

Once that happens, you are ready to plant!

Step 2. Plant
When planting, you have options. You can choose to simply sprinkle your seeds around the soil and cover them lightly with a top layer of soil, and you’ll most likely have at least a few plants grow.

However, if you want to grow the maximum number of plants possible from your cannabis seeds, it’s worth it to take a little time to do your planting in an organized way.

Instead of using plain potting soil, look for a nutrient rich soil that is meant for vegetative and flowering plants. If you’re mixing your own soil, for the early stages you’ll want equal parts turf, worm meal, and perlite for your cannabis seeds.

Collect your soil in a stable, clean pot and get it slightly damp (not muddy, just wet to the touch). The pot should be big enough to accommodate roots for your plants; look for something at least 10 centimeters deep to start out with. Once it’s filled with your soil, use a pencil to create enough 1/4 inch deep holes for each one of your cannabis seeds.

Drop a seed into each hole and cover with soil. Mist all the soil with water once a day until your first sprouts start to appear. Between waterings, cover the top of your plant with clear plastic wrap to maintain a high level of humidity.

Step 3. Light it up
Your plants will need many hours of direct light every day to grow from seeds into flowering plants. After you’ve planted your seeds, make sure they get at least 18 hours of direct light every day (which means you will likely need to invest in a lamp or two, since the sun won’t be out that long in most places, and you want direct light and heat on your plants).

Step 4. Vegetate
As your plant begins to grow, it is in what is called its “vegetative” state. This means it is growing, but not flowering.

As the grower, it is up to you when you’ll allow the plant to start flowering. However, it’s recommended to let your plants stay in the vegetative state for at least 2-3 weeks to give it enough time to grow so that at the flowering stage it will grow big and produce. (This window is true even for autoflowering plants.)

If you want to keep your plants small, or just can’t wait to get to the flowering stage, you can force it to happen almost right away once your plants have sprouted out of the soil. However, for big, healthy, high-producing plants, you will want to maintain a couple weeks in this stage.

At this point, if you have been using your own homemade soil, you will want to change the mixture to include equal parts turf, compost, and worm meal. If your plant gets to be over about 25 centimeters tall, you’ll also need to double the depth of your container to something 20 centimeters deep or bigger.

Step 5. Flower
If you’ve given your plant time to grow in the vegetative state, you can expect it to double in size once you let it flower. Therefore, if you know how tall you want the final plant to be, you can determine to move it into the flowering stage once it has reached half that height.

To set off the flowering stage in your cannabis plant, simply turn off the lights! After a plant has had 12 uninterrupted hours of darkness, it will start to flower.

Continue to give the plant 12 hours of light during the day, and 12 hours of darkness at night, to keep it happy, healthy, and producing.

The amount of time your plant will need to spend in the flowering stage varies by strain, so consult with your packaging. However, unless you are using autoflowering seeds that take 2-3 weeks, you are looking at a minimum of 6-8 weeks for your plant to flower.

Step 6. Harvest, dry, cure
After your plant has been flowering for the appropriate number of weeks, you can harvest! Most plants have a 2-3 week window where you can grab the flowers, and if you want until the end of that window, you can usually get the maximum amount of bud.

To harvest, start by cutting down your plants. Or, if you have big plants, you can cut off individual branches one-by-one instead.

Then cut off the big fan leaves that aren’t the buds; also cut off and save any additional small leaves (not required, but they can have some potent resin on them that you can enjoy later on), and hang the plants with the buds upside down indoors. The room should be warm, but can cool off as the days go by. If you live in a humid environment, you might try turning on a small fan to keep the air circulating.

Resist the urge to otherwise force or speed up the drying process. It will take about 4-10 days for them to feel dry to the touch, but it is worth it in terms of flavor and not risking over-drying the buds.

This process is important for maximizing the flavor and effect of the cannabis, reducing potential for mold on the buds, and decreasing the “harsh” effects that are likely to make you cough or give you a headache from smoking the plant.

Once the buds are dry, detach them from the plant and store them in a clean mason jar. Don’t fill the jar all the way to the top; you want to leave a little room for air.

Open the jars once a day to let some air in. If your buds feel quite wet or humid, you can take them out of the jar or leave the lid off for a day, depending on how much they need to dry. Otherwise, keep the lid on and only open once a day.

After a 1-2 weeks of regularly checking on your buds once a day where they have maintained a nice state of dryness without being brittle or hard, then your buds are beautifully cured. You can continue to store them in the jar, opening once a month.

You just turned cannabis seeds into your own supply!
Taking the creation of your cannabis into your own hands can be an incredibly empowering and exciting experience. If you are a regular recreational user or medical patient, and it’s legal in your state, why not try cultivating your own little cannabis garden from cannabis seeds? And let us know how it goes!

 

[roots69]

Tips for the Home Grown Beginner: Soil, Soilless, or Hydroponics?

Takeaway: Cannabis can be grown successfully in soil, soilless media or hydroponically. Consider some of the pros, cons and tips to each method before jumping the gun and making some potentially costly, beginner’s mistakes.

You’ve decided to start growing weed at home. Maybe it’s so that you will have a reliable supply, maybe it’s for medicinal purposes; regardless of your motive, it is important to perform a little due diligence before seeding your first plants without a plan as to where and how to raise them. The decision of where to grow them will often dictate how it will be advisable to grow them. Cannabis can be grown successfully in soil, soilless media or hydroponically. Consider some of the pros, cons and tips to each method before jumping the gun and making some potentially costly, beginner’s mistakes.

Soil

If you are in a position where you can raise home-grown cannabis outside, then opting to grow them in natural soil is an easy choice. Many consumers claim that outdoor grown cannabis tastes better, and contains more natural levels of THC and CBD, among the myriad other chemical properties of marijuana. Soil-grown marijuana, so long as it is not grown in the understory of trees, receives the best possible light, natural sunlight. Don’t discount the benefit of rain water and the abundant carbon and oxygen they will get when grown outdoors in soil. Plants don’t need to be kept “dwarfed” or not allowed to reach their full height potential when grown outdoors.


The ideal location for an outdoor crop of cannabis would be a slightly sloped, open and southern facing patch of ground. The soil should be well-draining with a pH in the range of, or adjusted to be between 6.0 and 6.5. The cannabis plot should be sited such that there is natural or man-made protection from the prevailing high winds such as with a screening of trees or a fence. So long as there is adequate spacing between the plants, the incidences of disease and pests in outdoor, soil-grown cannabis is lower than with indoor-grown plants as there are not usually natural predators found in indoor grow spaces.



Growing cannabis in soil is not without certain risks and challenges. There is always the risk of unwanted pollination of your crop from wind-borne or insect-carried pollen from other male cannabis plants that may be in the area unbeknownst to you. There are seasonal issues with outdoor, soil-grown cannabis for anyone living in regions that experience frosts or winters. Indoor growers have this advantage. The risk of theft or seizure is always there as well whether or not it is legal to grow in your area or not.


If growing outside is not an option for you to begin cultivating cannabis, but you are not ready to commit to a hydro system, then the other main indoor option is to grow your weed in some type of soilless media. It is not advisable to bring outside soil in for indoor growing as it increases the chances for insect and disease pressure.


Soilless Media

Though not exclusively used for inside production, as cannabis could be grown outside in containers filled with soilless media, weed is often grown indoors in some form of soilless media. This is generally the route that most beginning cannabis growers end up taking. Soilless media is the name given to any number of (usually) commercially prepared growing mixes such as potting soils and seedling mixes. They are comprised of some combination of peat moss or coir, perlite, vermiculite, sometimes bark, and sometimes fertilizer, wetting agents or other amendments. The benefits of using a soilless media, are that you, as beginning grower does not have to figure out what to put into your pots. The soilless media of your choice is prepared consistently with static and reliable pH levels and constituent ingredients.



Cannabis grown in a soilless media should be done so in a mix that provides a pH in the range between 6.0 and 6.5, similar to garden soil. When seeding or rooting cuttings, a lightweight mix, devoid of bark should be selected. When plants have sufficient roots on them and have their first set of true leaves, they (the plants) may be transplanted into a “heavier” mix that could include bark or sand in addition to the peat, perlite and vermiculite. It is important to select a mix that strikes the balance between retaining enough moisture so that the mix is not prone to drying out too quickly and selecting one that does not retain too much moisture so that the cannabis roots cannot get oxygen and then rot.


Hydroponic

Hydroponic growing of cannabis is sometimes the path taken by beginning growers, but can be overwhelming to others. Like soilless media, cannabis can be grown hydroponically outdoors, but it is far and away more common for hydroponic marijuana growing to be done indoors. Many experienced growers like the hydro system for the very reason it may be intimidating to new growers. You, as grower can and need to manipulate all of the factors for successful growth. Hydro growers must make sure that their systems provide sufficient nutrient exchange, enough oxygen and support for each plant. For those that do grow cannabis successfully, they often cite the highest potential for yields with hydroponic crops versus either soil or soilless media-grown cannabis.


If you have a hydroponic setup where the variables can be easily controlled by you, then hydroponic cannabis may be the way to go. Unlike soil-grown or soilless-grown cannabis, the pH in hydro systems for ideal weed production should be between 5.5 and 6.0. It is important to check this level often and adjust as needed. Nutrients move around much quicker in a hydro system than either a soilless or soil system. Any miscalculation in acid, alkaline materials or nutrients can quickly damage a crop and require starting over.


Regardless which system you as a beginning grower opt for, make sure to take the above mentioned factors into consideration to try and avoid costly mistakes.

 

[roots69]

Interesting!!!



How Big Pharma forces us to buy drugs instead of cannabis


Simply put, Big Pharma has been a long time opponent of legalizing medical marijuana as it threatens to ruin its business and drop the market cap for pharmaceutical drug companies.

Even though medical cannabis has been legalized in more than half of the US states, all of Canada and in Mexico, prices of drugs that could be replaced by cannabis are still on the rise.

Worse yet, prices of drugs that are made from the cannabis flower are being artificially inflated in places where medical marijuana is legal, but most recently in Germany of all places.

This is due to the fact that the Big Pharma has so far only competed with the black market when it comes to marijuana, but now all of that is starting to change.

Lobbyists are doing work
Ben Cohen, of US News, said in an article:

“For years, large corporations and well-heeled lobbyists have blocked the legalization of marijuana for medical use or recreational use in order to protect their own profits”.

Some companies have done that from the shadows, while other pharmaceutical companies openly funded programs against legalizing medical marijuana.

One such company was Insys Therapeutics, which makes products containing fentanyl and other opioids, as well as a synthetic version of THC.

In 2016, Insys Therapeutics donated $500,000 USD to defeat a marijuana legalizationmeasure that was voted on in Arizona, which failed to pass, only getting 48.7% of the votes needed.

It’s sufficient to say that Big Pharma is perhaps one of the strongest lobbying groups in the world, and we’ve even heard that from President Trump personally:

“Pharma has a lot of lobbies, a lot of lobbyists and a lot of power,” Trump said at a press conference in 2017.

Why exactly are these lobbyists doing their work so hard? Well, simply put, because the pharmaceutical companies have most to lose in cannabis legalization.

The effect of pop culture
Dozens, if not hundreds of symptoms and conditions for which pharmaceutical drugs are sold and prescribed for can be treated with cannabis flower and drugs made from cannabis extracts.

Here is a list of some of the drugs that will not be in demand as much once cannabis replacements become available:

• Anti-Depressants
• Anti-Anxiety drugs
• Painkillers
• Seizure meds
• Sleeping pills

Painkillers and sleeping pills are perhaps some of the most addictive drugs on the legal market, and they are also some of the most sold drugs in the world.


Related
Louis Armstrong and Marijuana – The Famous Trumpeter Loved His Weed
Just ask around, I bet you won’t hear anyone say: “Oh, I’ve never heard of Xanax or Zoloft…”.

Xanax is so popular among the youth that there’s a whole trend revolving around popping these pills for fun and relaxation.

Rappers are naming albums after Xanax, Actavis, Codeine, and it’s just not right. We are even seeing rappers brag about their addictions to “lean” like it’s something to be proud of.

The rise of pill prescriptions over the last 20-30 years has directly led to a pill-popping mania that now has people jumping on the bandwagon, and it’s not funny at all. Far from it, it’s dangerous.

Why Germany of all places?
Germany legalized medical marijuana in March 2017, and since then its program has had a huge influx of patients.

Bit by bit, prices of treatments based on cannabis flowers rose to between $350 and $2,600, more than four times as much as pharmaceutical drops or tablets.

The way medical marijuana law in Germany is set up is as follows:

“Patients can access cannabis on prescription and charge health insurance companies for it. Doctors treating patients are obligated to provide clear proof and justification for the therapy”.

Could you imagine something like that happening in America? Of course not, because in America insurance companies would freak out, go broke overnight and then quickly file for bankruptcy.

Something similar happened in Germany just a few days ago, but on a bit smaller scale.

A German health insurance company, Techniker-Krankenkasse (TK) alongside with the University of Bremen, has recently started questioning the effectiveness of medical marijuana.

TK published a report saying that just in 2017 nearly 16,000 patients have applied for reimbursement of medical marijuana costs.

“It is unclear which groups of patients cannabis helps in which dose — and in which form it should best be administered,” University of Bremen professor and author of the study Gerd Glaseke said.

A review of several studies focused on cannabis showed that its use led to the possible improvement in cataracts, and scientists have confirmed that it can stimulate appetite in AIDS patients.

The demand for medical marijuana has skyrocketed since March 2017, and Germany is well on its way to having one of the bigger medical marijuana programs in Europe.


Related
Germany refuses to grow more medical cannabis despite a growing demand
Another thing going in their favor is that the German government has signed a supply deal with Aurora Cannabis.

In fact, Aurora acquired a German cannabis distributor Pedanios in a deal that cost them around $23 million dollars.

That way, Aurora increased the average price per gram sold, which jumped to $8.36 from $5.96 in the same quarter last year.

So, to answer the original question, how is Big Pharma forcing us to buy drugs instead of cannabis — by lobbying politicians, riding the culture wave, funding anti-cannabis campaigns and thriving on cannabis shortages.

 

[Dannyblueyes]

Here's a rather dry, but interesting article about African American doctor P.B. Randolph. He and his wife were known for healing their patients with Cannabis in the 1800's .It's been claimed that one of his patients was Abraham Lincoln.

http://www.soul.org/component/conte...DWIpT3RNgjngD-EF3s8_Ffo1PJhlBJ1-N5TsqhsJaBl8o

 

[roots69]

Why Big Pharma Is Fighting The Legalization Of Weed

Why is big pharma fighting the legalization of weed? It may seem crazy to think of it this way, but in this day and age, we’re going through our own sort of prohibition. But this time it’s not for alcohol, it’s for marijuana. In a recent interview, Giadha Aguirre de Carcer, founder and CEO of New Frontier Data said big pharma stands to lose $18.5 billion if all 50 States legalize medical marijuana.

Scientific research has revealed a plethora of health benefits that can be reaped from regular marijuana use. But these facts haven’t been enough to convince everyone about its usefulness and validity. And it will come as no shock that one of the biggest naysayers about the marijuana industry is (you guessed it) the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the country.

But why is big pharma fighting against the legalization of weed with such passion? Simply put, it hurts their bottom line.

As with so many political issues in this country, it all comes down to money, certainly not moral high ground. But the full truth about how and why the biggest pharmaceutical companies are fighting back against weed legalization is a little more complicated.

Keep reading to find out more.

Legalization of Weed

A Startling Example
Let’s rewind to the months directly before the 2016 presidential election. Did you know that the biggest personal campaign donation ever in history was made?

It was a donation of $500,000 from Insys Therapeutics in opposition to Arizona’s recreational marijuana initiative. And with a donation this big, they meant business.

So, who are Insys? Their best-known product is called Subsys, which is a fentanyl-based spray created for use from cancer patients.

And if fentanyl sounds familiar to you, it’s because you’ve heard about it in the news recently. It’s causing a surge of addiction and overdoses around the United States. It’s difficult to find any state untouched by the grasp of this powerful synthetic opioid.

As a result of this donation, Arizona was the only state where this initiative did not pass (the other eight states in the running did). But why did Insys make such a large donation in opposition to the legalization of marijuana?

It won’t surprise you to learn that Insys’ latest drug at the time, Syndros, is a synthetic version of what else but… THC! Now everything is starting to make sense.

This big pharma company donated half of a million dollars in order to stop an initiative that would create natural competition for their synthetic counterpart. Even now, Insys is creating another synthetic, marijuana-based drug, this time with CBD.

This is a disturbing recent example of how big pharma is trying to destroy the medical marijuana industry. And, of course, with the sole interest of their own bottom line.

Products from the Biggest Pharmaceutical Companies That Decline When Weed Is Legal
Synthetic marijuana products aren’t the only medications that would take a tumble if weed were legal. These other drugs would find their sales hurting as well.

Anti-Depressants & Anti-Anxiety Meds
Depression and anxiety, in many forms and at many levels, affect millions of Americans. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, General Anxiety Disorder affects 6.8 million adults.

Social Anxiety Disorder affects 15 million, and Major Depressive Disorder is at a whopping 16.1 million. PTSD is a part of 7.7 million American adult’s lives.

Those huge numbers mean that there’s a huge opportunity for big pharma to make big money. However, many people find that marijuana is a fitting alternative to medications like Xanax and Zoloft. And when weed is legal, the country sees a decline in prescriptions being handed out for these types of medications.

Pain Killers
At the top of the list for most addictive prescriptions out there are these medications. From codeine to hydrocodone to our old friend fentanyl- painkillers are addictive on their own. But they can also lead to addictions to other dangerous street drugs.

The medical benefits of marijuana for calming and managing pain is big competition for these drugs.

Meds That Treat Seizures
You heard right- marijuana is quite the miracle medicine when it comes to treating people who suffer from seizures. And like the other drugs on this list, the biggest pharmaceutical companies out there have a monopoly on these sorts of treatments.

The legalization of weed could mean big trouble for many of these drugs.

Sleeping Pills
If you’re a marijuana user yourself, especially those strains in the Indica varieties, you know how sleepy it can make you. For this reason, it’s considered big competition for prescription sleeping pills, like Ambien and Lunesta.

Sleeping pills are easy to prescribe (think about it- who doesn’t have trouble falling asleep from time to time). So replacing these pills with marijuana would mean big trouble for big pharma.

So What’s the Latest?
Public comments are being seeked out by the Trump Administration on marijuana reclassification, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is asking for public comments about the “trafficking, actual abuse, medical usefulness, abuse potential, and impact of scheduling changes on availability for medical use” of cannabis and several other substances now under international review. Public comments on marijuana’s effects and legal status will be considered in preparing a report from the United States to the WHO (World Health Organization) regarding the diversion of these drugs and abuse liability. WHO will then use the info to recommend that certain international restrictions be placed on these drugs.

In Geneva next month, the WHO’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) will consider the classification of marijuana, and is now seeking to gather information on status of national control, harmful use, the legitimate use, and potential impact of international control, the United Nations body commented in a notice excerpted in the FDA filing.

What if the US House get Control?
Experts suggest if the United States House of Representatives flips, federal cannabis reform could follow. Marijuana proponents believe if the United States House of Representatives breaks the deadlock on federal reform, the US Senate will follow because it recognizes that the majority of Americans favor legalization.

Wrapping Up
When the facts are considered plainly, it’s easy to see why America’s biggest pharmaceutical companies are fighting against the legalization of weed. It hurts their business, and there’s nothing more to it.

By replacing or diminishing the sales of many common prescription drugs and preventing the sale of their own synthetic marijuana drugs, these big pharma companies would experience a massive blow to their wallets. It’s no wonder or surprise that they would be fighting so hard to keep it where it is- classified as a Schedule I drug alongside heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and meth.

It can be both sad and humbling to realize we live in a world where the manufacturers of drugs that are meant to help people heal are, in fact, often only interested in lining their own pockets. But it’s also a reality that we all deserve to know about.

 

[roots69]

Big Pharma vs. Recreational Cannabis

The cannabis industry struggles with Big Pharma.


For the last several years, the pharmaceutical industry has fought against the legalization of cannabis. Many may think the federal government is the number one enemy, but big pharma may supersede or at least reign near the top of the list of organizations, government officials, and people campaigning against the legalization of cannabis.

The problem with the drug industry is that they don’t disagree with the overwhelming amount of research that illustrates cannabis’s healing powers. They want to bottle the secret cure and sell it. Legalizing recreational cannabis gets the medicine to the people first without involving pricey insurance and even pricier medicine.


Notable scientists and researchers are discovering proof that cannabis is unique to any other plants because of the number of therapeutic benefits that its many cannabinoids have. Its known to inhibit cancerous tumor growth and treats anxiety, PTSD, nausea, and many other conditions and symptoms.

The Arizona Campaign

In 2016, an Arizona-based company, Insys Therapeutics donated $500,000 to the group opposing the recreational cannabis initiative in Arizona. Apparently, it’s the most significant individual donation ever made in the history of anti-cannabis legalization campaigns. Insys manufactures the fentanyl-based painkiller spray, Subsys that’s highly addictive and approved for use with cancer patients.

Just before voting for Proposition 205 began, advertisements played on television describing the troubles that the legalization of recreational cannabis would bring to Arizona residents and their children. They painted the picturethat Colorado’s legalization of cannabis brought danger to children in the form of cannabis edibles that resembled candy too much.

The campaign against legalizing recreational cannabis claimed that the herb was a danger to children and a public health problem. It successfully stopped the recreational cannabis initiative.

FDA-Approved Synthetic Cannabinoids

In reality, they’re just eliminating the competition so that they can market their products made from synthetic cannabis compounds on the medical side. This theory was proven when the DEA approved Insys to develop synthetic cannabis medicines and launch their cannabinoid Syndros. Syndros treats aid patients with loss of appetite and nausea in cancer patients. It’s the first liquid Dronabinol that’s FDA-approved.


Major pharmaceutical providers are a concern for the recreational supporters who hope to make cannabis available to everyone. Once it's manufactured by big pharma, the expense of these products will increase exponentially, and everyday citizens won’t be able to afford the medicine that many desperately need. Small businesses can’t afford a battle with the pharmaceutical industry.

Cannabis legalization is sweeping the nation, leaving Arizona as the only state that rejected legalization. Big Pharma’s campaign to squash cannabis initiatives seems hypocritical and downright unethical considering the products that they are pushing. Especially since research is proving that cannabis is a less expensive and safer alternative medicine with proven therapeutic benefits.

Hypocrisy?

Cannabis activists are angry that Insys so vehemently argued against recreational legalization only to turn around and market the same treatments that they deemed dangerous to children and public health. They also actively play a part in the opioid crisis further pushing their products like Fentanyl. Apparently, they care more about making money than helping people with safe and viable treatments.

Mason Tvert, of the Marijuana Policy Project, was quoted as saying, “It’s pretty absurd that federal law considers marijuana to have no medical value, but allows for the development of the synthetic versions of the same substance.”

Cannabis businesses continue to struggle with laws that are contradictory, banking issues, struggles with law enforcement, and many other problems. Many hope that since the recreational cannabis market is so large that it will remain separate from Big Pharma in general. However, aggressive campaigns like the one in Arizona illustrate that this may not be the case and that there could be major skirmishes between the two markets in the future.

 

[roots69]

How the Booming Israeli Weed Industry Is Changing American Pot

U.S. medical marijuana companies are setting up shop in Israel, where fewer roadblocks mean better research – and faster results

Israel's Breath of Life Pharma has set up the world's largest medical marijuana facility in the world.

Jack Guez/AFP/Getty

Standing on the rear balcony of a gray factory building off the side of a highway, Tamir Gedo shields his eyes from the blazing sun. He points to the 23 acres of agricultural fields spread out before him. “We’ll be able to produce more cannabis here than the entire state of Colorado,” he says. Minutes later, walking past the 8,000 square-foot storage room, he adds, “We can store enough in this warehouse to supply medical marijuana for the whole United States.”

With one million square feet of cultivation fields, a 35,000-square-foot production plant, and 30,000 square feet of grow rooms and labs, Gedo’s company, Breath of Life Pharma (BOL), is about to open the world’s largest medical marijuana production, research and development facility. According to Gedo’s estimates, BOL will produce 80 tons – more than 175,000 pounds – of cannabis per year.





A tour of BOL’s new facility feels like a walk through the medical-marijuanaversion of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. With its patented extraction and purification equipment, grow rooms and germination labs, BOL will be pumping out pharmaceutical-grade cannabis tablets, capsules, inhalers and oils that are customized to treat certain ailments, with specific and controlled consistencies.

And no, this isn’t happening in Colorado, California, or anywhere near America for that matter. This medical weed wonderland sits in what might be the last place you would imagine finding the world’s largest facility for medical marijuana: Israel.

Over the past 50 years, Israel has become the epicenter of medical pot. Home to Raphael Mechoulam, the pioneer of marijuana research, Israel is where THC and the endocannabinoid system were first discovered. And with the world’s largest number of clinical trials testing the benefits of medicinal cannabis, Israel has become the global destination for medical cannabis research and development. Now it is becoming the offshore greenhouse for American cannabis companies seeking to overcome the federal roadblocks standing in their way.


Israel was among the first countries to legalize medicinal use, and is one of just three countries with a government-supported medical cannabis program. Though recreational use remains illegal, support for legalization is a bipartisan issue, with some of the most outspoken proponents coming from the right. Until now, Israel’s role in this multi-billion dollar field has been limited to R&D. Yet now that the Israeli government has approved the export of medicinal cannabis products, companies there are hoping to gain a larger piece of the market. While importing cannabis into the United States is illegal under federal law, companies can get around that ban by receiving drug approval from the FDA – and that is exactly what Israeli companies hope to do. According to the FDA, nothing is stopping them, as long as they meet the agency’s arduous requirements for drug approval.

While the FDA has approved three drugs containing synthetic cannabinoids (Marinol, Syndros and Cesamet, which treat symptoms of AIDS and chemotherapy), it has never approved a product derived from botanical marijuana. According to the agency’s guidelines, “Study of marijuana in clinical trial settings is needed to assess the safety and effectiveness of marijuana for medical use.” Yet initiating clinical trials on U.S. soil is difficult to the point of being nearly impossible. So, American companies are increasingly taking a shortcut: beginning phases 1 and 2 of their clinical trials in Israel, after which they will complete phase 3 in the U.S., speeding up the process through which they can apply for FDA approval of the botanical cannabis drugs they are developing.

Though this level of American R&D in Israel is new, Israel’s impact on the American cannabis industry is not. The very fact that medical marijuana is now legal in 29 U.S. states and counting, is a direct result of Israeli research, which essentially legitimized the study of cannabis in the international scientific community that had long stigmatized it. Without this research, “We wouldn’t have the scientific interest we have now around the world,” says Paul Armentano, deputy director of the D.C.-based National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). “That really opened the door to making the study of cannabis and cannabinoids a legitimate avenue for more conventional scientists and researchers.”

“The seriousness with which the Israeli scientific community approaches this is incomparable,” says Charles Pollack, director of the Lambert Center for the Study of Medicinal Cannabis at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. “Israel is a hotbed of quality cannabis research, because they have a much more favorable regulatory climate for doing serious scientific research on medical cannabis.”

Israel is becoming the offshore greenhouse for American cannabis companies seeking to overcome the federal roadblocks.

The Lambert Center is one of several American institutions that have partnered with BOL, collaborating on at least one of the more than 50 clinical trials the Israeli company will begin once its new facility is fully operational in late September. Of the 15 international companies that have already signed up to conduct their R&D at BOL’s facility, at least six are American, and Gedo is in talks with more.






BOL isn’t the only Israeli cannabis company benefitting from international interest. A growing number of American investors are getting on the Israeli cannabis wagon, which they see as the best vehicle for transforming the medical cannabis field, still in its infancy, into a pharmaceutical-level industry.

According to Saul Kaye, the founder of iCAN, an Israeli cannabis R&D firm, 2016 saw the investment of more than $250 million in Israeli cannabis companies and startups – half of that investment camefrom North America. Kaye predicts that investment will grow ten-fold over the next two years, reaching $1 billion. At least 50 American cannabis companies – and counting – have established R&D operations in Israel.

Israel’s journey to the forefront of the medical cannabis field began with 86-year-old Israeli chemist Raphael Mechoulam, known in the field as the Grandfather of Medical Marijuana. In 1963, as a young researcher, Mechoulam secured 11 pounds of Lebanese hashish, which had been confiscated by his friend at a police station in Tel Aviv. He used that hash to identify, isolate and synthesize THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, for the first time in history, and study its medical uses. He was also the first to decode the structure of CBD, the plant’s primary non-psychoactive ingredient. But Mechoulam’s most groundbreaking discovery came in 1992, when he and his team at Hebrew University in Jerusalem discovered the physical reason humans can get high.

“It turned out that the cannabinoids in the plant actually mimic the compounds that we form in our brain,” says Mechoulam, a professor and researcher at Hebrew University who works with several American cannabis companies. He and his team discovered that THC triggers the human body’s largest receptor system, now known as the endocannabinoid system, and that the human brain produces its own cannabinoids – compounds that stimulate the body almost exactly the way THC does.

While Mechoulam’s research is what first placed Israel on the medical marijuana map, the country’s progressive attitudes toward cannabis, coupled with the Israeli government’s liberal regulatory policies and the nation’s technological leadership, are what have maintained Israel’s status as the capital of medical marijuana research and development. It might also help that Israel has the world’s highest ratio of marijuana users, according to Israel’s Anti-Drug Authority, with 27 percent of the population aged 18-65 having used marijuana in the last year. That rate is followed by Iceland and the U.S., at 18 and 16 percent respectively.




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While the Israeli government invests millions of dollars in medical cannabis research, the U.S. government makes the same research nearly impossible.

“There are onerous restrictions on conducting this research in the U.S. that don’t exist in Israel,” says one expert.

Despite the fact that 95 percent of the U.S. population lives in states where cannabis is legal in some form, marijuana remains federally illegal. This policy makes conducting research into the medical benefits of marijuana notoriously difficult on U.S. soil. Researchers who wish to do so must go through the DEA, the FDA and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Even when American researchers are given approval, they have only one source for their material: a cannabis farm at the University of Mississippi, operated by NIDA. The process, if successful, can take years.

“There’s a lengthy and arduous regulatory process for getting approval for doing studies, and limited resources at these agencies for processing those requests,” says Pollack, of Thomas Jefferson University. “It’s deliberately made very difficult for us.” In Israel, on the other hand, a cannabis clinical trial can get off the ground in a matter of months.

“I think they have approached the issue in a more even-handed and genuine way than the U.S. government has,” says Armentano of NORML. “There are onerous restrictions on conducting this research in the U.S. that don’t exist in Israel.”

This is precisely why many American researchers from universities and private companies are using Israel as an offshore research hub. For example, Pollack, from Thomas Jefferson University, will be conducting clinical trials at BOL’s new facility. Since the trials haven’t begun, he won’t divulge details, but says they will focus on orphan drug indications, meaning they will be testing the benefits of cannabinoids on people with diseases that don’t afflict many people in the U.S. (It also means that the clinical studies are smaller – and go faster – given that fewer patients are needed for these trials.) For that reason, he said, “Big pharma companies tend not to pursue them because there’s not a big enough market for these drugs.”

Kalytera – a California-based company with a lab in northern Israel and Mechoulam on its scientific advisory board – is also focusing on orphan drug indications, conducting clinical trials at Israeli clinics and hospitals in order to bring to market a cannabinoid drug for the treatment of graft-versus-host-disease, which can happen after certain kinds of transplants.

What institutions like Kalytera and Thomas Jefferson University do is they conduct the initial phases of their clinical trials in Israel, since it’s much easier to get the process started here, and then they do the final stages in the U.S., since FDA approval requires that part of the study be done there. Once they reach the final stage (phase 3) it’s much easier to conduct the rest of their study in the U.S., because they’ve already amassed enough data to show that it’s safe. This is the ultimate goal for Kalytera, Pollack and other researchers in Israel: to speed track the process of conducting a clinical trial that meets FDA standards, thus shortening the journey toward FDA approval of their drugs.

In addition to Kalytera, Mechoulam works with two other American companies, helping them develop new cannabinoid drugs and delivery methods out of his lab in Jerusalem, where he tests the specific properties, compositions and combinations of the cannabis compounds that are best suited to alleviate a specific ailment. American companies then use that research and data to manufacture cannabinoid drugs in the U.S.

According to Saul Kaye of iCan, about 50 U.S. cannabis companies are conducting research in Israel through partnerships, joint ventures or by employing Israel-based researchers like Mechoulam. At least 15 American cannabis companies have set up their entire R&D operations on Israeli soil, conducting clinical trials, and developing the appropriate dosing forms and delivery systems for pharmaceutical-grade cannabis-based drugs. According to Michael Dor, senior medical advisor at the Health Ministry’s cannabis unit, at least 120clinicaltrials are currently under way in Israel to test the medicinal benefits of cannabis — more than any other country.

At least 15 American cannabis companies have set up their entire R&D operations on Israeli soil.

Cannabics, a Maryland-based, publicly-traded company, is conducting a clinical trial at an Israeli hospital in order to develop a capsule for cancer treatment. In 2015, One World Cannabis Pharmaceuticals, a public company based in Delaware, established an Israeli subsidiary overseen by Yehuda Baruch, the first head of the Israeli government’s medical cannabis program, established in 2007. They are now beginning phase 1 of a clinical trial to test the benefits of a topical cannabis cream to treat psoriasis. Their next trial will study the efficacy of a soluble pill for the treatment of chronic pain. They eventually plan to conduct clinical trials on patients with multiple myeloma.



Some Israeli companies have partnered with American companies to establish a presence in the U.S., where they sell products that were developed in Israel. For example, Tikun Olam, Israel’s first medical cannabis distributor, opened an American subsidiary in 2016. It now sells its proprietary medical-grade plant strains at 10 dispensaries in Delaware and Nevada and will soon be available at dispensaries in Oregon and California. Their most popular strain is Avidekel, a non-psychoactive CBD blend used to help children with seizures.

Some American researchers have even moved to Israel all together. Alan Shackelford, a Harvard-trained physician, was among the first American doctors to prescribe cannabis to a child. His eight-year-old epileptic patient Charlotte Figi sparked national interest in CBD after her miraculous story aired on CNN’s Weed documentary in 2013.

Yet after years of failed attempts to conduct clinical trials in the U.S., Shackelford recently established his own research entity in Israel because of his frustration with the American government’s stonewalling.

“The U.S. government has funded $1.4 billion in marijuana research since 2008,” says Schackelford. “Yet $1.1 billion of that went to studying addiction, withdrawal and drug abuse,” problems that barely exist with cannabis when compared to the effects of other legal medications, like prescription painkillers, which killed more than 17,000 Americans in 2016.



His research subjects in Israel will include the development of new delivery methods, he says, “because to date, most medical cannabis products no matter where you look in the world, are pot-culture derived. They’re things like brownies, cookies, candy and smoking. Even with advances to these things being much more consistent, they’re still not medically appropriate.”

While the U.S. government restricts American cannabis companies on U.S. soil, it does not prevent them from or penalize them for conducting their work in Israel. According to Robert Farrell, president of Kalytera, “The FDA has no problem with this work being done in Israel. When you file with the FDA, in the application you say, ‘Look we’ve done the previous studies in Israel, gave the drug to this many patients, the drug is safe, it works, now we want to conduct a larger study with patients in the U.S.’ If the FDA is satisfied with the data, they’ll say, ‘Go ahead, try it in the U.S.'”

The FDA will never get behind cannabis the plant as medicine, since it can’t be controlled as a consistent drug.

Even the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has funded cannabis research in Israel. Indeed, much of Professor Mechoulam’s groundbreaking research was funded by the American government. The NIH provided him with grants to the tune of $100,000 a year for over four decades, says Mechoulam.

There is also nothing preventing Israeli companies from receiving FDA approval for their cannabis-based drugs, as long as they meet FDA requirements. In order to do so, they will need to develop the kind of products that are more in line with pharmaceutical standards, such as the kinds of capsules and inhalers BOL is developing.

While that goal is feasible, Gedo and others admit that it will take time, perhaps several years, to achieve. The process of getting FDA approval is an arduous one, especially for a drug that has long been viewed with skepticism by the medical establishment. Yet it is these clinical trials that are taking place at a record pace in Israel, along with the advancement of pharmaceutical grade cannabinoid drugs, that will enable Israeli companies to eventually receive FDA approval for their drugs, or for the drugs thatthey are helping American companies to develop.

As Gedo notes, the FDA will never get behind cannabis the plant as medicine, since it can’t be controlled as a consistent drug that has the same effect day in and day out. After all, there are 140 active compounds in cannabis, and the composition of the flowers plucked from one branch can fluctuate wildly, by up to 300 percent. “The experience of a user will vary a lot with the same strain,” says Gedo. “So even if you have the best-grown product, it will never become a scientific pharmaceutical product.”




This is precisely why the FDA has never approved a botanical marijuana drug, a larger problem than scheduling when it comes to drug approval. According to Senate testimony by the FDA’s Douglas Throckmorton in 2016, who was citing a report from the Institute of Medicine, in order to obtain FDA approval, drug manufacturers “must demonstrate that they are able to consistently manufacture a high-quality drug product. This is an essential part of drug development and presents special challenges when the drug is derived from a botanical source, such as marijuana…. If there is any future for marijuana as a medicine, it lies in its isolated components, the cannabinoids and their synthetic derivatives.”

BOL and other Israeli companies are working to meet that challenge by developing cannabis-based drugs – the capsules, inhalers, creams and oils composed of isolated, controlled and consistent cannabinoids. Going this route, they could eventually receive FDA approval.

While Gedo is optimistic, he’s also realistic, knowing the complexity of the FDA’s drug approval process, and the skepticism that remains among many in the medical establishment.

Still, asked when Israeli companies might be exporting their cannabis medicine to the U.S., Michael Dor, of the Israeli Health Ministry says, “I believe it’s not far.”

 

[roots69]

10 Steps for Starting a Cannabis Extraction Company


The cannabis extraction business is hot. More than 50% of today’s legal marijuana sales are concentrates and infused products, and extracts constitute the fastest growing segment of the marketplace.

With that kind of demand, you can bet that entrepreneurs, investors, and canna-businesses are flocking to get a part of the red-hot market niche. However, compared to many other cannabis-based businesses, starting an extraction operation is a complex proposition.

However, with the proper guidance, you can be producing extracts in record time. In this article, we will discuss the ins and outs of starting a commercial extracts lab in 10 easy to digest steps.

1. Understand your business concept.
A well thought out business concept is vital to developing a successful extraction operation.

What is your niche? What is your product? Who is your customer? What is your material source? How much material do you intend on processing per month? These, and many other inquiries, are all important considerations that should be addressed prior to moving forward with any planning.

According to Nick Tennant, co-founder of Precision Extraction Solutions, “These are often the first questions we ask of new customers. I would say that 8 out of 10 don’t know the exact answers and need guidance, we are happy to help with that.”

While many budding entrepreneurs loathe the thought of putting pen to paper and writing a business plan, it is crucial to providing the key building blocks of your extraction business. Your plan will dictate how large your extraction lab will be, what kind of equipment you choose, the size and layout of the lab, from primary extraction, to post processing and packaging rooms.

Photo Credit: Sarah Climaco
2. Identify the ideal location of your business.
Once you have a thorough grasp of your business plan, it’s time to start looking for a legal state and municipality. Different states have different extraction laws, licensing processes, and regulations. Also, some municipalities are extraction friendly, others are not.

Pick a locale that has reasonable access to raw material to process and is geographically convenient for properly executing your business plan.

Photo Credit: Sarah Climaco
3. Prepare your license applications.
Once you identify your preferred locale, you’re ready to make your pitch to the local municipality for what may well be a very lucrative license. The process is usually pretty straight forward via an application process. The municipality may well to see that business plan we discussed before, so it’s good to have it prepared in advance. In any event it’s good to be precise and buttoned up with the application process.

At this stage of the process, you will have to be flexible with what your municipality is requesting. From an applicant’s standpoint, it is always better to have more information so you are well prepared for any questions that might come up. This can come in the form of code standards, engineering documents, and references. Some municipalities may not have a solid grasp of extraction regulations and it may well be up to you to educate them.

You may consider retaining an experienced local attorney to help facilitate the licensing process, not only for their experience and legal acumen, but for their contacts with the local municipality personnel and the credibility an attorney provides.

4. Find your real estate, cautiously.
The single biggest pitfall for aspiring extraction businesses is committing to real estate before thoroughly investigating local zoning and regulations. It is absolutely essential that your property be properly zoned and you have the blessing of your target municipality before financially committing to a property. Whether leasing or buying, consider making your lease or purchase agreement to be contingent upon obtaining licensing.

Photo Credit: Sarah Climaco
5. Build your team.
Now this is where everyone screws up. You will need to have a diverse team of experts to guide you in making your vision a reality. This includes a designer, an architect, multiple engineers, a certified extraction equipment manufacturer and a project manager.

This is not a light decision to make. The extraction industry is so new and specialized that most of these professionals, including architects and engineers, have no clue about the vital intricacies of building a lab that is not only compliant but also meets the unique needs of your business.

Choosing the wrong team, or a wrong team member, can be very costly in terms of both time and money. Even a two-month delay can mean millions in lost revenue and strategic advantage. A lab that has poor workflow or is missing key ingredients can be disastrous to your ongoing business.

Photo Credit: Sarah Climaco
6. Prepare for construction, hire a contractor.
By the time you are ready to build, you should have a full list of equipment and production processes laid out. It is your team’s job to make this vision into a final construction print. Once you have a set of stamped architectural drawings, you will be ready to hire a contractor, obtain final municipal approval and start construction.

With the solid guidance from your professional team, finding a contractor should be one of the easier parts of the process. Like for any commercial build, you should simply find a general contractor with a stellar reputation for quality and timely work.

Photo Credit: Sarah Climaco
7. Select and order your equipment.
With the assistance of your team, you should know beforehand all of the equipment you’ll need to purchase for your lab. You should start ordering your equipment during the lab’s construction.

While there are many viable vendors for the specific gear required by a startup extraction company, entrepreneurs should be careful to consider price, extraction technique, warranty, and a host of other factors when making your final choice. Work with your equipment manufacturer to target lead times, delivery, and installation times.

8. Installation, inspection and field verification.
Prior to final municipal inspections, your equipment will need to be installed. Upon installation, a state licensed engineer qualified to provide a field verification of your equipment and the installation will make a personal inspection. This is a usual municipal requirement and your equipment manufacturer can arrange for the field verification.

Photo Credit: Sarah Climaco
9. Final inspections.
Commonly referred to as Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ for short) and depending on your locality, the AHJ may be the local fire marshal or another city inspector. Your AHJ will use your engineer’s field verification of all extraction equipment installations to certify that your lab is safe and regulatory compliant. The AHJ relies on such field verification, as well as its own inspection, for the final sign off on your lab.

Photo Credit: Sarah Climaco
10. Training and workflow.
You’re now ready to go. Training of your extraction staff on basic and advanced extraction methods, workflow, efficiencies and how to produce the highest quality extract destined for your unique product is of tantamount importance. An inefficient, unknowledgeable or sloppy operator can cost you a lot of money. It’s best to get things correct, right out of the gate.

Extract and extract-infused products are anticipated to ultimately be 90% of all marijuana sales. If you’re ready to take the plunge, follow these steps and you’ll be on the way to a lucrative future in the cannabis extraction business.

 

[roots69]

If you live in a location where cultivating cannabis is legal, you have the opportunity to grow your own! Let’s say you are allowed to grow six mature marijuana plants, and each one produces an average of 14 ounces of weed. That’s 84 ounces! Now imagine it costs around $200 an ounce. You have just grown $16,800 worth of cannabis. Not a bad return on an investment of a few hundred dollars and a maximum of three months!

In the event you want to grow weed at home, you’ll need to take the time to create a feed chart. This provides you with the recommendations and guidelines you need to achieve the healthiest, largest, and most potent cannabis crop. There are dozens of nutrients you can give to your plants, and each one causes a unique reaction from your crop. For instance, one nutrient could increase the pH of the soil while another will decrease it.

Not only does a feed chart tell you which products to use, but it also lets you know when it’s the right time, along with details of how much of each nutrient a marijuana strain requires. Those who use hydroponic systems (using a soilless medium like Rockwool) need a feed chart more than anyone else, because they are in complete control of their crop’s nutrient intake.

If you are a new grower, you may find cannabis growing to be something of a riddle. The nutrient concentrations you must feed your plants depend on the strain, growing environment, and even the plant’s stage of growth. The latter point is essential because there is a huge difference between nutrient requirements in the vegetative and flowering stages, for example.

As a novice cultivator, a feed chart will prove to be your savior. Once you develop your skills, it will be possible to adjust a feed chart based on what your specific crop needs. At that point, you can develop customized charts that account for a variety of factors including the traits of a specific strain, quality of water, and climate.

Reading Feed Charts for Cannabis Gardens
Don’t be fooled by the apparent simplicity of a feed chart; learning how to read one is a complex assignment. Typically, a feed chart looks a lot like a spreadsheet with vertical and horizontal columns. Although it depends on your preferences, most growers place the week-by-week format on the horizontal axis and the various nutrients on the vertical axis.

Once again, it depends on your preferences, but it is best if your feed chart measures nutrient intake in a ‘per gallon’ format. For instance, if your chart says the plants need 5ml of a nutrient solution in week 7, you mix 5ml of the nutrient per gallon of water and add it to your crop. If you’re making 20 gallons of the solution, add 100ml of the nutrient in total, because 20 x 5 = 100.

When the nutrients are added to the solution, use a parts per million (PPM) reader, otherwise there’s a good chance that you’ll add too many nutrients. This is a common problem with novice growers in particular, with Nitrogen being the main culprit. A well-designed feed chart also tells you to add certain nutrients before others.

Feed Chart Adjustment
If you’re growing weed for the very first time, it is probably best to stick rigidly with the feed chart recommendations. Once you have a couple of successful harvests, you can learn how to adjust the chart for the specific needs of your crop. First of all, make sure you understand the feed chart because it is essential to determine how your plants react after being fed. Otherwise, you don’t have a point of reference. When you have knowledge of a feed chart, you will know what can happen when you increase or decrease the intake of a certain nutrient.

As a feed chart involves weekly analysis, you need to go one step further and write a daily journal to record every single feeding. Not only should you write down how much of a nutrient you gave to the plant, but you should record the time at which you fed the plants as well. Take notes on how well the crop responded to the feedings. Timing is everything. Did you know that feeding your plants at the beginning of the day will increase the humidity in the grow room?

Your detailed notes will begin to reveal trends. For example, you may discover that you aren’t providing enough nutrients to your plants during the vegetative growth stage. Once you go back over your notes, you’ll know that adding extra nutrients early on is necessary for bigger bud growth.

It is as easy to underfeed your marijuana plants as it is to overfeed. A nutrient lockout occurs when you add too many nutrients to your plants. They build up in the growing medium and prevent your plants from consuming the nutrients. In the end, overfeeding could actually cause your plants to starve to death. Nutrient deficiency involves not providing enough nutrients to your crop, but it actually carries the same symptoms as nutrient lockout! When you keep a close eye on your feeding schedule, you’ll be able to tell the difference.



What’s the Difference Between Simple and Expert Charts?
As you can probably guess, an ‘expert’ chart is significantly more detailed. A simple chart is fine for beginners because it will contain everything you need for a successful harvest. Once you make the step up from novice to intermediate, however, you’ll need an expert chart if you want to get the very best from your crop.

Expert charts include far more nutrients to improve the size and potency of your crop. By adding the right extras, you may see a boost in your crop’s aroma, flavor, yield, and potency. Nutrients can also provide a much-needed boost to your crop’s immune system, which helps it fight off diseases and pests.

What Are Drain-to-Waste and Recirculating Systems?
These are types of hydroponics systems. In a recirculation system, the nutrient runoff is collected, replenished, and added to the substrate. In a drain-to-waste system, nutrient runoff is drained into the ground and or rerouted to a holding reservoir.

The Advantages of a Drain-to-Waste System:

• More control over the composition of the runoff being applied.
• An ability to increase the feeding time and remain sure that your crop is receiving a balanced nutrient solution.
• Significantly less maintenance because the excess solution isn’t being recycled back into the reservoir. As a result, you won’t need to check the pH of the reservoir. With a recirculating system, pH levels can vary, which means you need to check and adjust it periodically. Failure to correct pH levels means poor nutrient absorption, among other issues.
• Keeping pathogens at bay. In a recirculating system, pathogens quickly spread and infect plants that use the same reservoir. This won’t happen with a drain-to-waste system because when water leaves any plant, it goes to a drain instead of the main reservoir.
• Making it easier to flush out salts.

Although recirculating systems maximize nutrients, there are a few problems associated with them, including:

• Allowing pathogens to spread amongst the plants rapidly.
• Major pH fluctuations which mean more maintenance.
• Imbalanced nutrient levels.

Why Do the Numbers on the Bottle Differ from the Chart?
When you read the nutrient level of a solution on a bottle, you only see the amount of a single nutrient such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. On a feed chart, you are planning for a combination of several nutrients. Therefore, if you rigidly follow the recommendations on a bottle of nutrients, you’ll probably end up with an excessively strong solution. The result will be a nutrient lockout.

What Does PPM Mean?
PPM stands for parts per million and is a measurement that gardeners use to determine a nutrient solution’s density. It is a method of referring to the precise amount of minerals and nutrients in your water because your plants can only comfortably take a specific amount at any given time. It is wise to invest in a PPM reader as it can help you determine if your plants are experiencing nutrient deficiency or lockout.

Why Are pH Levels Important?
The pH scale is a method of measuring the alkalinity or acidity of a substance. The scale ranges from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline). Marijuana prefers to grow in soil that is slightly acidic. When using soil as the growing medium, keep the pH between 6.0 and 6.8. When using a hydroponic system and a soilless medium such as Coco Noir, keep the pH between 5.5 and 6.5.

As long as you keep your growing medium’s pH within the range above, your crop will be able to absorb the nutrients it needs to grow. For instance, your plants will absorb manganese better with a more acidic medium. If you allow the pH of your growing medium to remain outside of the ideal ranges for any period, a wide range of problems can occur. The biggest issue is a nutrient lockout because improper pH levels negatively impact a marijuana plant’s ability to absorb nutrients efficiently.

 

[roots69]

Cannabis 101: Why isn’t marijuana’s CBD intoxicating?

The marijuana compound has hit the mainstream for tons of people who don't feel like getting high

It was back in 1992 when scientists learned that the human body was equipped with what is called the Endocannabinoid system, which is a series of receptors (CB1 and CB2) all over the body designed perfectly to respond to cannabis.FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images

Since the non-intoxicating compound in marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD), hit the mainstream a few years ago, with its ability to provide relief from a variety of health conditions from chronic pain to seizures, now it seems that everyone wants in on the remedy.

In a lot of ways, CBD has become a socially acceptable way for the zombies of popular culture to consume marijuana without being considered a stoner — this in spite of the fact that it is a derivative of the cannabis plant, a substance the federal government still considers a no-no.

But how is it that this part of the plant doesn’t come with the high typically associated with weed?

Well, that’s all science, baby.

It was back in 1992 when scientists learned that the human body was equipped with what is called the Endocannabinoid system, which is a series of receptors (CB1 and CB2) all over the body designed perfectly to respond to cannabis. Considering that cannabinoids were first discovered in the 1940s, it is a bit baffling that it took researchers so long to determine that humans were built to feel the effects of marijuana. But they finally got there — that’s all that is important — learning how the various components of the cannabis plant reacted with certain receptors in the brain, immune system, and vital organs.

Without going overboard with all the science babble, let’s just say that CBD pushes back against the stoned effects of marijuana. If THC, the chemical compound in pot that produces the feel goods, is the party, CBD is the person at the door making sure the scene doesn’t spiral out of control.

It is for this reason that if an individual smokes a strain with a near equal ratio of THC: CBD, the high that comes with it will not be as intense as a high-THC strain on its own.

Although CBD is often referred to as the non-psychoactive compound, this is not completely accurate. The cannabinoid does work on the mind, which typically makes it a psychoactive force — only it does this without getting the user stoned. This is why CBD has the ability to combat pain and even certain mental health issues. Research has shown the compound has mood enhancement properties, not to mention the ability to relax anxiety issues and reduce seizure frequency in epilepsy patients. In fact, CBD’s ability to control seizures is really where all of its popularity came from in the first place.

It’s true that CBD is non-intoxicating, but it can still lead to incarceration. Depending on how the substance is manufactured, it is still considered a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

CBD extracted from industrial hemp seed is typically overlooked, but possession of any substance squeezed from the cannabis plant itself can lead to jail. It is important to understand the pot laws in your state.

 

[roots69]

What Does 2019 Hold in Store for Weed?

2019 is here and we could not be more excited! So, what does this year mean for weed? What do we have to look forward to as we start this new year?

2018 was quite the exciting year for cannabis. Recreational weed was legalized in Canada, hemp was legalized in the US, legalization won big at the ballot box, prestigious universities began to teach classes in how to grow the best pot. 2018 was an exciting year for cannabis, but 2019 no doubt holds some exciting things in store. What does the new year hold for weed?

You’re Going to Hear a Lot More Talk about Legalization
Canada legalized recreational cannabis last year, which marked a big change for legal cannabis. Canada was the first major economic player on the world stage to legalize cannabis in this fashion. So far the legalization experiment has not worked out all that well for Canada when the country wide weed shortage and month long strikes by Canada Post put the legal weed market in jeopardy but things seem to be evening themselves out.

One thing that we are going to hear a lot more of in the coming months is going to be talk of legalization.This is going to be an important issue in the upcoming presidential election. Cannabis is finally a winning issue on a candidate’s platform, as well as in the ballot box, as recent elections have proven. Cannabis use is more popular than it has ever been before, among people of all political beliefs and affiliations. People are finally beginning to realize the costs and consequences of the war on drugs. Of course reasons for legalizing are for a lot less noble than you would think. Hint: the reason is money.

You Have Definitely Not Heard the Last of CBD
Unless you were walking around with your eyes closed and your fingers in your ears, you probably saw that CBD was possibly the biggest health trend of 2018. I can pretty much guarantee you that there will be more of this. You have absolutely not even begun to see the end of the CBD trend. I predict that 2019 will bring CBD even more into the limelight as we start to see more research emerge on the health benefits of taking CBD.

In 2018 we saw a number of high profile corporations flirt with the idea of manufacturing and selling CBD beverages of their own. Of course this is about as far as it went with some of them, but I predict that changing attitudes and new research on CBD will encourage corporate America to take the plunge! Of course, whether or not this would be a good thing remains to be seen.

More US Cities/ States will Expunge Cannabis Related Offenses
In 2018 several major US cities announced that they were expunging old cannabis related offenses, in an attempt to address the racial disparities in arrests and incarcerations. The state of New Jersey, which is currently working on legislation that would legalize recreational cannabis, included expungement of old criminal records as part of their bill.

From this, one can surmise that as 2019 progresses, more cities and possibly states will announce similar plans of their own. It’s entirely possible that Democratic primary hopefuls such as Bernie Sanders would include not only legalization to their platforms, but criminal justice reform as well.

Of course, I could be wrong and none of these things could happen. One thing is for certain: 2019 will be a great year for weed!

 

[roots69]

We Should Abolish Drug Testing for Cannabis
Employment related drug testing for cannabis does more harm than good. Several companies are now realizing that it's time to phase out testing for THC.

As an enthusiastic lover of cannabis for nearly two decades, one of the biggest banes of my existence was always the dreaded work place drug test. I’ve lost out on more than a few good jobs because I could not pass a UA, despite having a great looking resume and all of the right qualifications. Every cannabis user out there can relate to the stress of not knowing whether or not enough time had passed since they’d put down the pipe.

Smoke Weed or Keep Your Job?
Things did not change when states began legalizing cannabis. In fact, many medical cannabis users found themselves out of a job, simply for daring to take their medicine. This of course caused a lot of undue financial stress that certainly was not helping people who were already in a delicate physical state. People who suffered from debilitating medical conditions were basically out on their asses, even if their doctor had suggested they try cannabis. This is not the case with people who are prescribed, for example, prescription pills.

Drug tests have always been unfairly biased against cannabis users anyway. Cannabis being fat soluble makes it stay in the system for weeks longer than far more dangerous substances like meth and heroin, which are out of the system in a matter of days. It’s time to get rid of employment related drug testing for cannabis.

What do we get from drug testing for cannabis? Law abiding citizens in legal states are unjustly punished for partaking in a perfectly legal activity, which of course leads to financial ramifications. Medical cannabis users are forced to choose between treating their medical condition or keeping their job, a thing that is necessary for them to treat their medical condition in the first place. On the employer’s side, companies are losing out on tons of qualified candidates, people who would surely be assets to their companies. It’s a lose-lose situation.

Caesar’s Palace stopped testing employees for cannabis last year. Image Source: Travel Channel

A Lot of Employers are Phasing Out Drug Testing for Cannabis
Fortunately, employers across the US are starting to come around to the idea of doing away with drug testing for cannabis. Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, where recreational cannabis has been legal since July 2017, announced early in 2018 that they would no longer be including cannabis in the list of substances they would test employees for. Other companies in legal states have complained that testing for cannabis eliminates a significant portion of their pool of qualified employees. Yeah, we know. We cannabis lovers have experienced this frustration for years!

There are no state laws that protect recreational cannabis users and few protections exist for medical cannabis users, though the groundwork has been lain down. Now they just need the legislation. Even members of the Trump administration have shown a change in attitude towards cannabis testing. At a hearing of the House Ways and Means committee, Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta hinted that employers should reconsider drug testing for cannabis so as not to disqualify qualified candidates.

Change is already in the works. I think that soon we will see the last of drug testing for cannabis. Spark one up in celebration folks!

 

[roots69]

Boy, these people are going to try just about anything to try and stop this cannabis train!!


Illinois Cops Argue Legalization Will Put K-9 Units Out of Work

Illinois law enforcement is now making the argument that legalizing recreational cannabis would put police dogs out of work. Okay then.

Illinois law enforcement has a new reason why recreational cannabis should not be legalized in the state, and it’s probably one of the dumbest arguments I’ve ever heard: legalization would put K-9 units out of work. No, seriously this is the angle they’re using. Last I checked drug sniffing dogs don’t collect paychecks. Oh no some cops might lose their jobs! Honestly, why would fewer cops be a bad thing? This sounds like a sweet deal to me.

Macon County Sheriff Howard Buffett had this to say on the matter, “The biggest thing for law enforcement is, you’re going to have to replace all of your dogs. So to me it’s a giant step forward for drug dealers, and it’s a giant step backwards for law enforcements and the residents of the community.” Um okay dude, that sounds like a crock of shit if you ask me. “It gives the bad guys one more way to beat law enforcement,” he added.

Last I checked, dogs are able to smell more than one thing throughout their lives. Why not retrain them to sniff out other drugs, or to just not respond to the smell of cannabis anymore? According to Chad Larner, trainer for K-9 units in Macon County, this would be “extreme abuse.” Really? Retraining dogs is “extreme abuse” now?

If retraining would be impossible, why not just retire them? Surely there are plenty of people willing to adopt a retired police dog? Larner says that since K-9 units are trained not to be social that these dogs would have to be euthanized. Now that sounds like extreme abuse to me.

Illinois NORML of course acknowledges that this is a fallacious argument as the state would only legalize small amounts. The K-9 units could easily still search for large amounts that would be brought in by cartels. No other legal state has had to euthanize their police dogs, so it’s highly unlikely that Illinois would do the same. Legalization opponents have simply run out of arguments, so they are scraping the bottom of the barrel. If this is the best they can do, then they should probably just accept the inevitable.

 

[roots69]

Check this guy out!!! Im sure he's being backed by the cops!! Anyway, thats one of the dumbest remarks Ive heard about cannabis!!



New Jersey Senator Claims Weed Will Kill You If It’s Too Dank

New Jersey Senator Ronald Rice claims that he opposes legalizing recreational cannabis in Jersey because if your weed is too dank it can kill you.

A New Jersey state senator recently made a claim about cannabis that was so ridiculous I nearly spit out my coffee when I read it: apparently if your bud is too dank it will kill you. No seriously, this is what he said. Senator Ronald Rice (D-Newark) said while arguing against the strong trend of legalization in the country that while he was okay with legalization as a way to curb incarceration of young black men, he added, “I still want to deter people from doing something that’s bad for them,” said Rice. “If you get too high you die from it… It kills you directly if it’s too potent.”

So basically if your bud is too dank, it will kill you. I’d hate to see what he thinks concentrates will do. First of all, as we all know by now cannabis has never killed anyone, let alone high THC cannabis. It’s been jokingly said that you would have to smoke over one thousand pounds of weed to overdose on it. Basically it would be physically impossible to consume enough weed to kill yourself.

So, why do people like New Jersey Senator Rice say these things? They know that they are not true. Could it be that there is an ulterior motive at work here? Rice was a former police officer for the city of Newark before running for mayor in 2006. He certainly has no love for Cory Booker, the New Jersey senator who introduced the Marijuana Justice Act, which would have ended cannabis prohibition throughout the US last year. As a former law enforcement officer, he certainly would have no love for cannabis.

One can imagine that there is a lot of pressure being put on New Jersey lawmakers from neighboring New York state to keep recreational cannabis from happening. Current governor Andrew Cuomo still subscribes to the gateway drug myth

There is almost always an ulterior motive with cannahaters, especially when they’re being as blatantly dishonest as this.

 

[roots69]

The 10 Best Weed Strains of 2018

Feast your eyes upon the award-winning cannabis varieties that wowed the world in the past year. We reveal our illustrious list of the best weed strains currently available for connoisseurs, aficionados and medical patients.

Sour Girl

Photo Courtesy of C.R.A.F.T.

C.R.A.F.T.
bayareacraft.org

The winner of third place in the hybrid flower category at our 2016 NorCal High Times Cannabis Cup, this Sour Diesel x Girl Scout Cookies cross comes from Citizens Research Alliance for Therapeutics, one of the finest collectives in the Bay Area. Stop by and pick up some Clean Green Certified and sun-grown Sour Girl and experience the intense smell and cerebral high. Farmers will get the best results growing Sour Girl organically as well as feeding and watering her lightly.


GMO Cookies

Photo by T.H.Caeczar

Mamiko Seeds
instagram.com/mamikoseeds

With a unique name and an uncommon terpene profile, GMO Cookies has taken the cannabis-connoisseur world by storm. @SkunkMasterFlex1 found this gem of a phenotype from a pack of Mamiko Seeds’ D-Cookies. Most people would be disgusted at the aroma and flavor of a strain being described with such terms as “garlic, halitosis, DMT and dry socket,” but the rareness of this variety makes it very special. She yields heavy, tests high, gives great returns on hash, has strong bud structure and looks incredible! Take this one down at around 70 to 74 days for optimal effects.

Motorbreath #15

Photo by Heady Monster

Pisces Genetics

@Sticky_ Icky_O.G is the man responsible for finding this highly-sought-after feminized cultivar that is a cross between Chem D x SFV OG. He popped 20 seeds and selected #15 for the perfect combo of pure fuel and gas with Chem D flavors at the forefront. This particular pheno also exhibits a beefy branchy structure atypical of OG-dominant strains and an indica-forward potency that cuts through the fog and makes for great concentrates. Motorbreath takes almost 10 weeks to flower fully, so be patient and you’ll be rewarded with stinky and powerful nuggets with virtually no ceiling to the high.


Grease Monkey

Photo by GreenDotDave

Exotic Genetix
exoticgenetix.com

The name of one of the best weed strains speaks for itself! Grease Monkey is an amazing cross of Gorilla Glue #4 x Cookies & Cream that glistens in the light. Terpene profiles vary from pheno to phenol, with some giving off hints of hot cocoa, caramel and paint thinner, and others with the scent of a vanilla-bean latte. The hash coming from this cultivar is insane! If you’re looking for something with bag appeal, large nugs, high returns on both solvent and non-solvent extracts, an intoxicating aroma, and an intense overall effect, this might be one of the best weed strains for you.


I-95

Photo by @GreenDotDave

Top Dawg Seeds/Money Mike
topdawgseeds.com

In reference to the United States’ longest north-south highway, Top Dawg Seeds and Money Mike bred a cultivar using strains from the East Coast: (Triangle Kush x Legend OG) x Star Dawg. This might be the most intense Chem/OG hybrid you can find! She reeks like a skunk dipped in gasoline, with some sweet, hashy Afghan undertones. The lucky few people who were able to access these beans have all come across some gold in their seed packs. Even the males show great promise with tremendous breeding potential, as many of the I-95 crosses that have been coming out have also been incredibly potent and pungent.


Over the Moon Kush

Photo by Damien Distefano

Sin City Seeds
homeofthedank.com

We got a taste of this powerful beauty at our Cannabis Cup in Michigan, and there’s no doubt as to why it has Detroit and the rest of the Midwest talking. This cross, (Headband clone only x Blue Power) regularly tests at higher than 30 percent THC, and the amount of essential oil she releases is staggering. Extract artists love the high yield of grease-filled trichomes, and growers love the tight stacking and short stocky structure of this outstanding cultivar. Make sure you try this strain and get yourself a pack of seeds of this future Cannabis Cup winner.

Remo Chemo

Photo Courtesy of Dinafem Seeds

Dinafem Seeds
dinafem.org

Legendary Canadian grower Remo united with Dinafem Seeds in Spain to produce this new therapeutic feminized strain that boosts appetite and reduces pain for medicinal patients, particularly people fighting cancer. Extremely potent with high levels of THC, the earthy Remo Chemo delivers hints of black pepper among the overarching diesel-fuel aroma. The indica-dominant plants grow dense and sturdy, so pruning is necessary during the vegetative stage for bigger yields when the plants ripen. Outdoors, harvest Remo Chemo around mid-October for best results.

Purple Punch

Photo by Emerald Mountain Media

Symbiotic Genetics
instagram.com/symbioticgenetics

Purple Punch was bred and discovered by Supernova Gardens in Hawaii back in 2012. The company discovered a female Grand Daddy Purp from an old pack of Granddaddy Genetics’ GDP and crossed it with a Larry OG male from a pack of seeds from the Cali Connection. This variety was passed around to a few people, but it didn’t really find the spotlight until it got into the hands of @Budologist420 and @_TheVillage. Pictures of Purple Punch started showing up on Instagram a short while later, and that’s when it really started to take off. It’s some of the most photogenic and tasty cannabis around!

Sundae Driver

Photo Courtesy of Rez Organics

Cannarado Genetics
radogear.com

A feminized cross of Fruity Pebbles x Grape Pie, Sundae Driver is one of the best weed strains of the year and represents another exquisite creation from Cannarado. This frosty variety exhibits incredible resin production with a scent and taste of grape-jelly donuts. The phenotype hunted down by Jungle Boyz caused a ruckus online with high-definition macro photos showing almost-white nuggets that look like they’re covered in tiny diamonds. Due to high demand, the resale value of these rare seeds jumped nearly 1,900 percent, so if you have an unopened pack of these, cherish them and grow out a mom of your own.

Wedding Cake

Seed Junky Genetics
instagram.com/seedjunkygenetics_jbeezy

@SeedJunkyGenetics_JBeezy is the man responsible for breeding this exquisite masterpiece from the Bay Area of California. One of the best weed strains of the year, this cross (Triangle Kush x Animal Mints) represents a true keeper with good yields, strong vigor when growing, and excellent flavor and potency. TLC in Los Angeles dubbed it Wedding Cake, and the rest is history. Extract artists will also be happy with the returns and essential-oil preservation. Breezy says: “She flowers anywhere from 63 to 77 days depending on how dialed she is from the start of the vegetative stage.”

Sour Girl

Photo Courtesy of C.R.A.F.T.

C.R.A.F.T.
bayareacraft.org

The winner of third place in the hybrid flower category at our 2016 NorCal High Times Cannabis Cup, this Sour Diesel x Girl Scout Cookies cross comes from Citizens Research Alliance for Therapeutics, one of the finest collectives in the Bay Area. Stop by and pick up some Clean Green Certified and sun-grown Sour Girl and experience the intense smell and cerebral high. Farmers will get the best results growing Sour Girl organically as well as feeding and watering her lightly.

 

[roots69]

Short Path Distillation 101
Two of the most popular distillation methods whose product offers both a better flavor and experience is the Short Path Distillation Process and its cousin, the Short Path Wiped Film Distillation Process. Both of which achieve very similar results in different ways. We’ll be going into detail on those differences a bit later, however.

AARON LABARBERAAaron LaBarbera is a freelance writer who sees the intersection of technology and cannabis as an exciting way for people to use it medicinally and recreationally. He views the benefits as life-changing and hopes through Cannabis Tech that…



Benefits
Flavor and “experience” are obviously more consumer-centered advantages but for producers, there are many more that come with employing either a Short Path Distillation Process or Short Path Wiped Film distillation process. One such production advantage is something called continuous feed which is great for making large quantities of product for longer periods of time with greater consistency. Where other extraction processes use heated beakers Continuous feed also allows for a greater degree of scalability to your production which just isn’t much of an option with Batch Mode stills.

High evaporation rates allow for more distillates to be captured while the relatively low processing temperatures (130-180 deg) contribute to the fact that there aren’t any solvents needed to move the extract material through the process. Most importantly, this system will separate cannabis into high concentrations of THC and CBD distillates.

The compact design of Short Path Distillation systems makes them an ideal choice to use in operations where large quantities of multiple strains need to be extracted. Lastly, these machines are easy to use and are largely automated in their function.



The Short Path Wiped Film Process
Let’s take a look at how the Short Path Wiped Film Distillation process works.

Where other methods employ solvents to help the extract material move or flow through the process, these systems take advantage of the melting points of cannabinoids instead. These compact systems are set up with a feed vessel sending extract material into a heated evaporation vessel. Inside this evaporation vessel is a rotating wiper blade that evenly distributes the extract material onto the vessel walls. The extract material only spends a short amount of time on the wall to limit heat exposure and any degradation to the material.

Image courtesy of Root Sciences

Inside the evaporation vessel at the center is an internal condenser. This is where the various parts of the extract material are split up and concentrated. The close proximity of the condenser to the heated vessel wall provides a short path for the extract to travel to. Hence the name Short Path Distillation process. As the wiper system moves the extraction material down through the vessel, it evaporates to the condenser which converts it back to a liquid. This liquid is then collected at the bottom and is now a distillate.

Heavier material like the chlorophyll, sugars, salts, and wax fractions are unable to evaporate off the surface of the evaporation vessel wall and so they travel, via the wiper blades, into a separate container which is also at the bottom. A separate and chilled evaporator captures the terpenes in their own flask.



The Short Path Process
The Short Path Distillation process employs a setup that uses the same principles without the wiper system to distribute the extraction material. Instead, a heated flask is where the extraction material is fed. Gradually, increased heat is applied to the extract material in the feed flask. A vacuum is also applied to assist in drawing the vapors up into the fractionating tubing. From the fractionating tubing the contents then hit the condensing tube where the fractions take separate paths. As with the wiped film process, the weight of each fraction determines the collection flask.

Image courtesy of Buchi.

To further improve product refinement, each process can have the extract material run through them multiple times. Similar to the wiped film process, this setup is also relatively compact and lends well to multiple devices working simultaneously in a smaller space.



Cost
Ok, so you know how these very similar distillation processes work and we talked about how they can benefit your production. But what is the associated cost? Well, there are several places to purchase this type of equipment from which, along with the kind of capacity they are capable of, can vary in price. What you can expect is that basic turnkey short path systems start just under $3,000 and can move well past the $10,000 mark depending on capacity and features. Wiped film evaporators run between $5-40,000, also depending on capacity and features.

 

[roots69]

Questions about Cannabis Distillation

The options with the cannabis plant is limitless!!


Frequently Asked Questions
Hey – really read this section, don’t blow it off! (It will pay off.)
In the rapidly evolving marijuana industry, there has been increasing interest and growth in the production of distilled THC extract and CBD extract utilized in various product forms including vaping oils, edibles, dabs, tinctures and others. Cannabis distillation after extraction has become very important in greatly improving the purity, color, safety, and value of finished product. At the same time, there remain a lot of questions, misinformation and incorrect terminology on the topic within the cannabis business community. Below, we attempt to answer many reoccurring questions and to clarify some of the prevailing confusion surrounding cannabinoid distillation. Please take the time to read through this. Many have found it to be a turning point in their understanding of the functionality and importance of distillation and in particular, the advantages of Pope wiped-film molecular short-path distillation equipment.

1. Where are Pope Scientific’s distillation systems manufactured?
At Pope’s plant in Saukville, (near Milwaukee) Wisconsin, USA. The equipment is made, fully tested and serviced in our facility, and nearly every subcomponent is likewise of domestic origin. Spare or additional parts are normally available overnight to locations throughout North America, and within 2-3 days to most other countries worldwide.

2. What is the purpose of this equipment?
Extraction can only go so far in purifying of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD. So a different technique is needed for increasing purity. A thermal separation technique works well at this point because cannabinoids have a different boiling point range than other materials in the extraction mixture. Molecular (short-path) distillation is the best thermal separation method for this heat-sensitive material because it is the gentlest type, causing the least amount of thermal degradation of product.

3. Is molecular distillation similar to extraction?
No, they are quite different operations. With extraction, solids, (or sometimes liquids) are brought into contact with a solvent. In cannabinoid work, the solvent is typically ethanol, or butane/propane, or supercritical pressurized CO2, or others. Certain compounds such as cannabinoids, terpenes, chlorophyll are dissolved into the solvent, after which the solvent is evaporated away. The separation is accomplished via an affinity of the target compounds to be transferred by dissolution into the solvent. With distillation, the separation is carried out not by solvent affinity, but by differences in the volatility (boiling points), between the various compounds. More volatile materials are more easily distilled and condensed as distillate while the heavier materials remain as liquid collected as residue. Distillation is performed after extraction to further concentrate and purify the desired compounds.

4. What level of purity is expected with the Pope stills?
It depends on the quality and composition of the feed material, factors going back to the original plant strains plus all subsequent handling and processing prior to distillation. Often, extracted material prior to distillation is in a range of 55-70% cannabinoid, and it is typical to distill this up to a range from 85-90+%, with up to 96% being reported. In addition to increased percentage purity, the product is significantly lighter yellow in color, with high clarity.

5. Does molecular distillation require addition of solvents?
No, additional solvents or other compounds do not need to be added to the feed material. This question often arises because potential users know that concentrate from extraction can be quite thick and viscous. But rather than using “thinning agents” such as solvents, the high viscosity or melting point of cannabinoids is handled by keeping materials warm enough to flow throughout the entire set of distillation components. Equipment needed for these heating functions is provided in the Pope still systems configured for cannabinoid applications – there is nothing else needed to buy.

6. What is the difference between Pope’s wiped film molecular still (WFMS) and a short-path still or a fractional still?
There seems to be a lot of confusion and misuse of terminology in this type of equipment. So, below are some points to keep in mind:

A. Molecular distillation is the same thing as short-path distillation. These both imply use of high vacuum and a condensing surface in close proximity to a heated evaporation surface. For many applications such as cannabinoids and other compounds with even greater molecular weight and boiling points, if this distance is not close, the equipment will not work well, if at all.

B. Some people associate the term “short-path” only with a basic glassware setup involving a basic boiling flask with a neck leading to a condenser and a receiver flask(s), or else a similar variation called a KIugelrohr. These are also referred to as pot stills, (in the vessel, not marijuana sense), and are all considered batch mode apparatus. But these are only one type (and the simplest) of short-path or molecular still – there are other forms, including Pope’s continuous mode WFMS.

C. Molecular stills are not fractional stills. Fractional still equipment implies utilization of a vertical packed column providing multiple equilibrium stages or “theoretical plates”, requiring the condenser to be further away from the boiling flask and reached only after the sometimes quite long obstacle of the packed column, a problem for heat sensitive materials such as cannabinoids. The single theoretical plate of molecular stills is sufficient for most cannabinoid work and offers the least product degradation (Pope does offer fractional distillation equipment of several different types and size ranges for other applications).

7. So what is the advantage of a Pope WFMS over a basic boiling flask type molecular short-path still?
There are several, including:

A. The WFMS is a continuous mode, rather than a batch mode still. This means that with larger or special flasks, or with liquid pumps, they can operate for extended periods of time with any quantity of feed material and with the same consistent product composition over time. The WFMS is also scalable, such that when much larger quantities of material needs to be processed, larger versions of the same type of equipment can be utilized to accommodate the greater throughputs required. Batch mode stills such as the BFMS are very limited in scalability.

B. The WFMS offers much less thermal degradation and greater product purity and yield because of: i) a very short residence exposure time to a heated surface – only a matter of seconds, compared to many hours in a BFMS, and ii) a highly efficient dynamic rotating wiped film action providing turbulent moving thin film mixing compared to the limited, less dynamic liquid/vapor interface of simple boiling flask apparatus.

8. How is the distillation carried out?
There are normally two (or more) passes made through the Pope still. The first is to remove whatever amount of remaining air, gas, water, solvents and lighter end terpenes remain in the extract. The second, carried out at greater vacuum and temperature, is normally for distillation of the cannabinoids away from the heavier residue including chlorophyll, heavier waxes, sugars, salts, pesticides, dark colored components and other undesired matter. Without the first devolatilization pass, the cannabinoid distillation will be slower and not be as successful because the vacuum obtained will be weaker and microflashing of gasses and volatiles will physically carry some undesired compounds and colors over to the distillate product. There are also additional distillation strategies which are covered in training at Pope.

9. Is extreme vacuum level and capacity required?
No, in fact, very high vacuum level in the evaporator body is not even attainable because of the vapor pressure/temperature properties of cannabinoids. At the typical body temperature range of 130 – 180°C, the vacuum range observed is normally roughly around 0.1 to 0.3 torr, no matter what kind of vacuum pump is utilized. Pope mounts the vacuum sensors on the vacuum arms of still bodies, as close to the process as possible, where more meaningful, useful and accurate readings are obtained. Some people have mentioned to us that their experience has been that much greater vacuum levels had been observed and required with various equipment they have used. However, in those situations, the sensors have typically been mounted directly near the inlet to vacuum pumps where an optimistic reading is observed. By that point, vapors will have been collapsed and condensed on internal and/or external condensers plus a very low temperature cold trap, resulting in magnitudes less numbers of molecules per volume at the sensor – the factor that actually defines vacuum level! Pope’s molecular still competitors normally likewise mount their sensors near the vacuum pump inlet – the higher vacuum levels these may read are indicative of nothing other than sensor placement. Our molecular stills are capable of true body vacuum levels of better than 0.001 torr – when the materials being processed possess very low vapor pressure and much greater boiling points and molecular weights than cannabinoids. Sometimes, clients prefer to use very high capacity (>15 CFM) vacuum pumps as well, in the thought that these will perform better than the ones Pope provides as standard, however, these are also not necessary for reasons similar as above.

10. Does the operator need to be highly educated and experienced to operate the Pope still?
Not necessarily, but this is not a “set it and forget it” operation such as in the case of a rotary evaporator or other simple batch device. Being that this is normally the final processing step prior to packaging, that the feed material can have varying composition and quality, that the final product specification goals of various batches may vary depending on management, marketing and retailer preferences, and that the Pope still operation can be adjusted to accommodate these variations, there is some thought that goes into proper operation. With good analytical information on the distillation feed material, well laid out product goals, and an operator who is interested and strives to learn and to accomplish these goals, there will be much greater success than where some of these factors are missing.

11. Does this equipment work well for distillation after different types of extraction methods and other processing steps?
Yes. Whether the extraction method used is butane/propane, supercritical CO2, ethanol or other means, distillation with the Pope stills will perform excellently and will significantly increase product purity. And whether or not the material has been winterized, (dewaxed), or whether or not it has been decarboxylated, the distillation will likewise provide excellent results. Of course the final product purity, yield and appearance is also affected by initial plant strain and quality, the type and quality of the extraction process and the subsequent steps carried out prior to distillation. There are some rule of thumbs as well, for example, material that has been winterized will result in distilled product that is more optically clear and of greater purity than non-winterized material.

12. Why wipers instead of rollers?
Pope’s diagonally slotted wipers are designed to provide optimized thin film turbulence and to not only propel the material in a circular path around the inner cylindrical heater surface, but also downwards, resulting in shorter and controllable residence time. Rollers utilized by other manufacturers rely on gravity for the downward motion, are not as efficient and may also fling residue material to the internal condenser.

13. What is the difference between hemp and marijuana and how does this affect distillation results?
Both hemp and marijuana are varieties of Cannabis Sativa [Genus: Cannabis/Species: Sativa]. The big difference is that hemp contains greater amounts of CBD and lesser amounts of THC than typical marijuana, with the best selected strains being developed that contain very low to undetectable percentages of THC. This is very important because when distilling CBD for greater concentration, whatever THC is present will co-distill and become greater in percentage in the distillate as well. Thus plant material with < 0.3% THC can become concentrated to even >10% in some cases.

14. Are Pope’s Wiped Film Molecular Stills used any differently in the processing of hemp than they are in the processing of cannabis?
Not really. In both cases we are removing remaining light materials, solvents and gases first, then distilling cannabinoids (THC, CBD, etc) away from heavier botanical materials including chlorophyll, lipids, salts, sugars and possible heavy metals and pesticides. As always, parameters should be set for optimization based on variances in natural starting composition and product goals. Something to keep in mind with CBD production: Oftentimes, hemp harvesting is crude and can include not just buds and trim, but whole plants—stems and all. Wax content in extractions of this nature will be much greater than in typical cannabis THC processing. If winterization is not performed, distillation equipment can get clogged more readily, requiring significantly greater maintenance and cleaning.

15. Can Pope’s Nutsche Filter-Dryers play a role in hemp processing?
After distillation, isolation of certain cannabinoids by crystallization can be performed. An important example is CBD production, where high purity and elimination of THC to less than 0.3% is required. Pope’s nutsche filter-dryers have been used by many clients to provide > 99.5% CBD crystal with very low to undetectable levels of THC. Contact Pope directly for further information.

16. How is training and installation handled?
There is no additional charge for this; it is free to our customers! Personal training and demonstration (with non-cannabinoid materials*) is performed at our Saukville, WI facility, 25 miles north of Milwaukee. Clients visit sometime between the time when equipment is ordered and when shipped. This is done privately, one company at a time – you receive full attention, without the presence of any potential competitors. Nearly all users have found that after this training and demonstration, they are able to set up and start operating the equipment themselves, making good quality product the same or next day after receiving the still, with no difficulty. Of course we are always here for questions via phone or email, again without charge. Special trips to client’s facilities can be quoted if necessary.

*While Pope sells equipment to licensed cannabis companies in legal states, we are located in Wisconsin which is not currently a cannabis legal state. Accordingly, Pope can not and does not handle or process any cannabinoids at our facility.

17. What other equipment does Pope offer?
Our wiped film molecular stills (WFMS) are one of the versions of the family of Pope’s wiped film stills (WFS). Another version is the wiped film evaporator, (WFE), which is similar to a WFMS except that there is only an external condenser and no internal condenser. These operate at weaker vacuum levels and are primarily used for removing large percentages of solvent from less volatile components. This can include, for example, bulk removal of ethanol from heavier materials such as cannabinoid after extraction or winterization. In fact, Pope’s WFE’s are utilized in the cannabinoid field for this purpose, particularly when the quantity of solution to be concentrated becomes greater than what is practical via rotary evaporators. Pope also offers a wide range of custom stainless steel portable pressure vessels, tanks, reactors, mixers, dispensers and fully customized turnkey processing systems. In addition, Pope’s pressurizable nutsche filter-dryers are available in many sizes and configurations. These vessels and nutsches are utilized in many industries, including cannabis. DOWNLOAD OUR BROCHURE

18. What is the history of Pope Scientific, Inc. and the Pope Wiped Film Stills?
Incorporated in 1963, Pope has been serving companies and institutes worldwide with technology and processing equipment for labs, pilot plants and production. The WFS product line was developed by The Arthur Smith Company in the 1950’s and transferred to Pope in 1975. The WFS’s have been used in a multitude of heat sensitive product applications, including pharmaceuticals, vitamins, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, foods, flavors, fragrances, edible and essential oils, extracts, polymers, bio-based materials and fuels, waxes, specialty chemicals., etc. In addition to providing equipment, Pope has a very active toll distillation processing, lab and pilot services department – we know about processing! Pope is, “Solution Driven”.

 

[roots69]

Different types of distilleries



Single Stage

Two Stage

Three Stage

Four Stage

 

[roots69]

• THC DISTILLATE - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

THC DISTILLATE - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Need to Know - THC Distillate Facts



What separates the distillation process from others is the method of preparation, which uses “Short Path Distillation”, a process that has been around a long time, but is generally new to the marijuana industry.



First, the marijuana plant material is ground and extracted into a solvent. The solvent is separated from the cannabinoids using the following process.





Due to Marijuana cannabinoids high boiling point a short path distillation process is used to vaporize the components under a high power vacuum was is used to distill at a lower temperature. Things evaporate much quicker under lower air pressure and a vacuum is the ultimate, zero pounds air pressure. The distillation process equipment has a very low “residence time” which is the amount of heat a substance is exposed to while being evaporated.



Using this molecular distillation, virtually everything is separated; from the THC, from terpenes, to additional lipids, pesticides, plant material and all the other components.

THE PROCESS


The THC distillation process is split into two parts. On the first run you remove the Terpenes (which can be reintroduced to the THC distillate) from the cannabinoids at lower temperatures (they have a lower boiling point). On the second run, you removes the lipids, impurities and solvents, which leaves an odourless high value clear distillate (contains the THC, CBD and other cannabinoids). Basically, the cannabinoids present depends entirely on the strain you have chosen.. The wiped film evaporator creates a distillate that can produce a fine oil used in vape cartridges, tinctures or edibles.

Cannabinoids’ high boiling point means that they are very high viscosity, or thick like heavy oil, honey or tar. The extraction and separation system must be designed to cope these viscous substances. Note that the CBD is crystallizes, while the THC is thick like goo.



Related Post
BHO & DABS - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW



DISTILLATE ADVANTAGES

PURITY


This process creates a very pure Marijuana extract and omits the need for solvents to pull out the marijuana components. Extractions such as BHO (butane hash oil) and Co2 (carbon dioxide) require alcohol based solvents to make their final product. A very high level of THC without any impurities is the bonus of this method.


THC CONTENT


This process allows for 90-99% THC in the finished product, compared to 15-25% flower THC content and 60-80% of BHO and Co2 Extractions. This method is ultra clean in nature, which explains why distillation is rapidly becoming an industry standard product.
...


DISCRETE USAGE


The pure, distilled THC produce is odourless and flavourless which means it can be consumed discretely, as there is no odor. The distillate can be used for edibles, E-cig, vape or even topical applications. If inhaled, there is almost do tar at all. Since THC dilates the airways, it is probably good for the lungs and conditions like asthma - and there is a lot of research that backs up this suggestion.


EFFECTS

Distillates effects are felt almost immediately. In the preparation process, the THC already activated and its high potency brings extremely quick results to patients requiring heavy duty medication, like spinal injury, Crohn's and cancer.


USAGE


Since the invention of Rick Simpson Oil (RSO, high oral THC extracts have been shown to treat patients for an entire day without the need to smoke a joint every few hours. THC Distillate only requires a drop or two for it’s effects to be felt. Couple this with an almost immediate onset (under the tongue) of effects, distillate is a perfect application for medical patients. Swallowing distillate is great for all-night relief, effects hit after an hour and peak at hours two, dropping off at hour eight, or thereabouts.


VAPORIZING


Simply fill the vape tank with distillate. It is important to use a Ceramic coil rather than a cotton coil, so the taste doesn’t get altered by impurities. The potency of the THC Distillates will all be there using a cotton wick, but the wonderful terpenes can go missing, but not when you use and by smoking a ceramic coil. Note too, that the distillate fractions in run1 and run2 need to be combined obviously to get a full herb product, that is the cannabinoids plus the terpenes.



DABS


Dabs are one of the most popular methods to consuming THC distillates. Dabbing is essentially vapourizing the THC on a hot surface, by taking a dab of THC distillate. This is a great way to consume Marijuana without needlessly wasting end product, that is if you have good inhalation technique and the vapor is not lost..



JOINTS


For those who love smoking weed, just spread a little bit of distillate on your rolling paper and then roll a joint using regular marijuana. This will allow for you to use much less flower, yet still have all the great medicinal effects from your Marijuana. The addition of adding the oil to your joint will improve the potency and quality of the burn and smoke. Call it the cherry on top.



ORAL

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Since the THC in distillate has already been activated, it can use it orally by putting a pea size drop under your tongue. Or you can add distillate by mixing it into cooking oil or butter and then infusing the butter into your favorite recipe. Note the weight in mg of the distillate used and divide that amount into the number of portions. This way, there will be no surprises and each portion will have a uniform amount of THC.









WHY CONSUME DISTILLATION INSTEAD OF BUD ITSELF?

The original way to consume Marijuana is through smoking its flowers. While smoking marijuana has proven to be safe and not linked to lung diseases, there are undesirable by-products of smoke that enter your lungs. If you require heavy doses of THC for a chronic condition, smoking too much plant matter can leave you with an unwanted heavy lungs. Also, as mentioned previously, distillate has no smell and is four to eight times more potent than raw herb.



HELPS DIGESTION


Often illness can have an adverse effect on a person’s appetite. The less one eats, the weaker the body will becomes and the longer the healing process is going to take. The right type and amount of marijuana should improve most anyone's dampened appetite. An illness is only as strong as the body is weak.


420EVALUATIONSONLINE: Recreational marijuana won't go on sale in California until 2018. So anyone wanting to buy marijuana based medicines needs to have a doctor's recommendation to treat their conditions and symptoms. Fortunately, the California Medical Board allows patients to get their 420 evaluations, cannabis ID cards and grower's permits online. Our process takes only a few minutes and is one hundred percent completed online. Patients don't pay until they are approved. Our ID and recommendations are used at California licensed dispensaries, cannabis clubs, cooperatives, delivery services and other access points.



FURTHER READING



THC Distillate Facts plus Everything You Need to Know

In today’s health crazed world, seeking wholesome options for optimal living is a daunting task. This holds true in the world of Marijuana as well. New products and regimens for medicinal patients sprout up from every corner of the internet with the next big thing. What makes THC Distillate any different, rather then your run of the mill shatter or wax? THC Distillate is here to stay and improve the lives of its user’s along the way.



Marijuana Distillate: Everything You Need to Know

Welcome to one of the newest production trends in concentrates. But be wary, with a potency of nearly 99%, Marijuana distillate is not for the new and inexperienced. Generally speaking, Marijuana concentrates isolate or separate cannabinoids like THC and CBD to create a pure and refined final product that goes above and beyond an average flower with 15-25% THC content. More recently, there’s been a surge in distillate—a clean and clear concentrate product with up to 99% activated THC.



KIND GREEN BUDS MARIJUANA STRAIN LIBRARY MARIJUANA GROW GUIDE

A translucent amber oil produced by charcoal filtering in most cases, produces between thirty and sixty per cent total cananbinoids, which is mostly THC (in most strains. Utilizing somewhat complex and chemical exacting techniques, it is possible to further refine this semi-crude oil.

Fractional distillation of this semi-crude oil yields a product, which is up to twice as strong as the ether phase, and can be converted into nearly pure THC. Pure THC, a thin transparent oil, can be produced by chemically isolating the pure cannabidiol and then isomerizing it to THC. This is a very complex chemical operation that requires sophisticated equipment and reagents. These advanced laboratory techniques are probably beyond the reach of average home alchemist but these techniques are important, in the sense that they lead to the production of of pure THC.


Fractional Distillation


Fractional distillation of cannabis oil requires heat under a reduced pressure (or vacuum) created by a using air-tight apparatus and a vacuum pump. The THC and related cannabinoid substances vaporize at quickly and at a lower temperature. The cannabis oil vapors are condensed back into the purified (distilled) oil by contact with a cooled (with ice) surface.



THC Distillation

THC distillate made from Marijuana or hemp is fast becoming a standard household medical & recreational marijuana product. Now there is a lot of research on the subject of medical cannabis, and most of the science is angled at finding out whether this new found food supplement is beneficial or detrimental. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is extracted from Marijuana, the distillation process uses a wiped film evaporator to also remove lipids, solvents and any other impurities, leaving a clear THC distillate.

When patients use THC/CBD distillate, these ingredients can bind itself with the body cell membranes which house the CB1 receptors. It is the receptors that modulate the nerves that result to dial down aches and pain. In addition, marijuana is an anti-inflammatory which will helps with a myriad of disorders, from Crohn's, to arthritis to vascular disease.

 

[roots69]

• KIEF - EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW

KIEF - EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW
Exotic Kief


Kief is THE most elite form of organic cannabis. It's concentrated in THC, cannabinoids and is full of the terpenes that is the desert, the cherry on top, the touch of class, the most exotic of highs.



Kief is known as the caviar of cannabis. Some people equate Kief with Moroccan hashish, but it's only the raw, fresh organic ingredient. In hashish, some of the terpenes are lost in processing and storage and some of the THC degrades into cannabinol. Cannabinol (CBN) is a psychedelic cannabinoids in its own right and different kind of mellow, dreamy high. For some select conditions and individuals, it may well be that CBN might work even better than THC.



On the other hand, fresh Kief full of terpenes is also a special form of cannabis, and the wealth of terpenes work to enhance and moderate the THC and other cannabinoids. The terpenes in Kief are very beneficial to humans but other critters and bugs don't enjoy terpenes at all. Mosquitos hate essential oils (same as terpenes). Insects, mold, fungus and bacteria for the most part are repelled and / or killed by terpenes.



Kief is the pinnacle of the marijuana experience. Don't do too much of it though, like you don't get drunk and hungover on four bottles of very fine wine, you drink the one, and repeat the fine experience again.


Related Post
DABBING CANNABIS OIL - IS IT THE WAY TO GO?


When you handle cannabis bud, you will notice that sticky pollen stuff sticks to your fingertips. That is Kief. The concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes in Kief can be about 50% higher than the bud, so if you have bud grading 20% THC, then the Kief may be up to 30%.




"You might not feel like it makes a significant difference, but the fact of the matter is that it DOES have more of the chemicals we want with less other material in it than the plant. If you smoke a gram of weed or a gram of kief made from that same weed, you're inhaling WAY more cannabinoids from the kief. I have no sources, but I'd guess that it's significantly more than the conservative 2x ." - Kief Dude




KIEF UP CLOSE


If you look closely at good cannabis, you will notice many tiny crystals about. These crystals predominantly comprise Kief. The technical word for these these crystals and the tiny cannabis organs make them is trichomes. There are actually several kinds of trichomes, but the distinction is not really useful, makes little difference to the average person. A trichome under the microscope (20x) looks like a glass mushroom type thing. Pure trichomes are nearly pure cannabinoids and terpenes. The rest of the dust that makes up Kief, is lower grade fiber and flower components.

They figured out a long time ago how to extract Kief. It is a simple mechanical process that uses no solvents and there are no impurities what so ever, and there is little loss of terpenes.




Kief is mechanically separated from the plant material. Therefore it is a pure, solvent-free concentrate without chemical impurities. Other extracts, such as Rick Simpson oil or Live Resin solvents like acetone, butane or alcohol are used and there can be residuals. Also, much or all of the terpenes can be lost through heating the extract through volatilization.




"Many grinders have a section that filters the weed so only the smallest parts get through. Usually these are the crystals. It's close to a concentrate of weed, and it's very potent and powerful. It more than makes it worth buying a 20$ grinder" - Reddit Dude




There are various ways of harvesting kief. The easiest is by using a three-part grinder, remove the top, place buds between the grinder-teeth, and close, . After a few turns the kief separated from the other vegetative matter and drops to the bottom section. Vegetative matter in the top can be used in a joint or what have you, and the Kief will concentrate at the bottom but it takes quite a bit of bud to make a sizable quantity.



In the Rif Mountains in Morocco the traditional dry sieve method involves hammering and filtering budd through a series of finer and finer sieves. The finer the sieve, the finer the end product. In the end, only the potent trichome caps remain.

These labour-intensive methods require old fashioned work and patients. There is a little art in adjusting the parameters, as that trichome caps will vary so you don't always use the same screen size. .





EIGHT WAYS TO SKIN A KIEF




Kief forms the basis and can be added to many other cannabis products: upgrading a joint or a pipe, e-liquid and to cooking and edibles and more.



VAPING KIEF


One of the most efficient and healthiest ways to use kief is via a vaporizer. Because the active ingredients of THC and cannabinoids are heated up to a precise, predefined temperature, nothing is lost through overheating and dangerous combustion toxic carbon by-products are kept to near zero levels.



Also, using a vape is probably twice as efficient as rolling a joint, where one third to half to the THC is wasted. Adding high grade Kief is like upping the octane level in your fuel several notches, so your meat vehicle can fly in style.







MAKING HASH FROM KIEF


Hashish has been produced from the Sahara through the Indian sub-continent for millennia. In the ages old preparation technique, cannabis was simply rubbed in the palms over and over to form smokable primitive hash balls know as Charas. A finer version of Charas can be made by hand using Kief.



Today, we certainly don't want to use our hands, unless we're stuck in nowhere and have a ton of bud about. Professionals use what is called a pollen press, pollen here is slang for Kief, which again is the concentration of trichomes, rich in cannabinoids and terpenes. As the Kief is pressed under pressure, it heats up and infuses the trichomes into the oily resin. The end product can be smoked in a pipe, added to a joint, or serve for a raw material for other cannabis based products.





ADDING KIEF TO JOINTS


Many people still consume cannabis via joint. Just mix it with the buds before rolling the joint. Alternatively, you can sprinkle some kief carefully on the moist outside of a rolled joint - and be sure to catch any that doesn't stick..





KIEF IN A PIPE

This is one of the best ways of smoking kief, especially hashish made from kief. Of course, you can upgrade by sprinkling some Kief on bud and smoke it in a pipe or bong. Rookies should take care to not use too much Kief and greenout, which is like eating a fine meal and wolfing down so much desert they throw up.



"Once I unknowingly took a giant bong rip that I believed to be topped with some kief so when I cleared it my friend told me "you just smoked an entire bowl kief" and the moment he finished saying that I could not stop coughing for over a minute and felt that I would throw up from all the coughing I was doing .only good thing was that I was rolling night so that hit helped me sleep and I could now actually handle smoking pure kief. But you are right,not knowing what you're smoking is not a good feeling." - Kief Dude



KIEF IN EDIBLES


Cooking and baking with cannabis is becoming quite and art form. Whole shows are dedicated to edibles and the delightful and differing effects of edibles. Pretty much any edible recipe that uses bud can be substituted with Kief. Kief cannabutter is not all the rage. Just go to our cannabutter recipe and take it from there. As with all edibles, it is important to gauge the dose and take it slow. Remember, start with a very small piece and wait an hour, otherwise you could be a couch mummy for many hours.





KIEF AND MOON ROCKS


Moon rocks consist of whole dried bud dipped in hash oil (BHO or Rick Simpson Oil) and sprinkled with kief on top. That's it. Check out our article on everything you need to know about moon rocks and take it from there.





ELIQUID AND KIEF

If you enjoy vaping, kief is an interesting alternative. Making your own e-liquid you need propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, a coffee filter and two saucepans.



"Mix propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine in a ratio of 1:1, plus the kief, in one of the saucepans. Fill the other saucepan with water and put it on the stove. Place the saucepan with the kief on top of it. Now light the stove and wait till the steam starts melting the kief mixture. To inject home-made e-liquids into an e-cigarette, it is best to use a syringe."



KIEF COFFEE??


You can use kief to improve your coffee or tea. This only works with hot drinks, because the cannabinoids first need to be activated, or decarboxylated, no heat, no buzz, so make sure the brew is hot for at least 15 minutes. Consider doing experiments, like adding Kief to strong peppermint and other types of teas full of terpenes. Google different tea herbs and find out for yourself the ingredients and paly around with it.






420EVALUATIONSONLINE Better get your California Medical ID son, sister if you want to buy concentrated cannabis like Kief, because the new laws don't allow recreational users to buy the best strains (over 18%) and any of the exotic concentrates. Medical patients also don't have to pay much of the tax and save, $20,$30, or $40 per ounce. In addition, patients with licensed medical doctor's recommendation can buy, possess and grow much more cannabis legally. So get your medical marijuana card son.




FURTHER READING



Kief in Edibles - Testimonials & Reddit - Testimonials




Everybody unfamiliar with straight kief, please take small hits. Not because you will get too high, but because if you don't expect the harshness and accidentally volcano that shit, you will never see it again and you have seriously fucked up.

Be extra careful not to volcano kief


Well, it's really not. Intensity varies for everyone, so some might say "It's outrageously different from just smoking buds". The kief you collect in your catcher would have normally been on the buds you smoke anyway. It's not 100% trichomes, its other small particles of the bud as well. I don't personally go out of my way to collect kief anymore because I get plenty high without the hassle. Some people have gigantic stashes of kief that they hoard for a rainy day. Nothing wrong there either. If I ever have a bit of kief in my catcher that I notice, I'll put it between some green in the bowl. Just one ent's opinion.



No, it's not like saying that, at all.Making a comparison of bho to bud smoking is a world different than the comparison of kief to bud smoking. Kief isn't processed like bho or hash. It's a raw collection of trichomes and small plant particles that slip through the screen(s). Trichomes aren't pure thc either., and kief is not processed (as I stated above) so I'm not sure THC is the only thing that gets you high when you're smoking kief, and Cannabidiol is stored heavily in trichomes, which produces different effects than THC. All the active chemicals that get you high aren't exclusively found in trichomes. Some are found in the bud. THC may be the primary psychoactive, but it isn't the only one. Here are some others.

 

[roots69]

• CANNABIS HISTORY - INCREDIBLE, FASCINATING FACTS

CANNABIS HISTORY - INCREDIBLE, FASCINATING FACTS
The greatest facts about Weed ever.



JESUS, QUEEN VICTORIA AND THE FOUNDING FATHERS



*The Founding Fathers - Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin and George Washington had large hemp plantations! Today, Jeff Sessions says these are bad people!



*Who wants to run a war room with PMS!!! Queen Victoria's physicians prescribed cannabis tonics for her menstrual cramps and migraines.

*Hemp was the number one source of fiber in the world for time immortal to 1930 - used for rope, sails, clothing, canvas, bags, tents, jackets. Cotton was softer and cheaper, but is torn to shreds in a gust, or heavy going, in other words, a weak weapon in tough war.

*When America became independent in 1776, it became the law that every farmer must grow hemp, in the interests of national security, for the army had no garments and rope, while the navy could not set sail.


*Cannabis is quoted in the bible as a treatment for many ailments. The bible thumpers were doing too much talking instead of reading their good book. Redic.



*Clothing in Biblical times was made from hemp fiber, while the US made it illegal 2000 years later! That would makeThe Shroud of Turin illegal if the fibers turn out to be hemp and not flax fiber! It's Ungodly!





*Tombs in Western China were unearthed, and found to contain the skeletons of blond Caucasians with an appreciable stash of cannabis. The cannabinoid profile - which is a measure of the main psychoactive and medicinal ingredients showed that the strain was cultivated and contained a blend of THC d9, THC d8, cannabidiol and cannabinol. Such a strain with this profile is considered to be highly balanced and medicinal today




CANNABIS PROHIBITION AND THE DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS


*A dirty, filthy pulp and paper - newspaper mogul named William Hurst combined forces with his equally rotten friends "went to Washington" and in effect, created the War on Drugs, entirely constructed to benefit big corporations and rogue elements (black) in the Federal Government.



*Actually, the first War on Drugs focused on alcohol. When alcohol became legal, they swapped marijuana into its place in the law enforcement sector. These formerly alcohol inspectors would proceed to wipe the industrial and medical use from the annals of American History. That is until the Internet arrived and the truth surfaced.



*With a rogue big corporate group, William Hurst acting as the tip of the spear, successfully conspired to make illegal, not only Indian Hemp (the smokable variety, ancestors of today's marijuana).

*Same as calling the cotton in your jeans a dangerous drug. The Federal Government has called industrial hemp that is used for fiber only - a dangerous drug. The farce is that industrial hemp is never smoked and has no street value because it isn't psychoactive at all.



*Liar Liar Pants on Fire. Hurst's Group of Liars included the pulp and paper industry,southern cotton and oil men, working in concert with the soon to be unemployed federal anti-alcohol G-men.



*UN Drug Front. The US Fed would go on to create UN policy on drugs including marijuana. Countries that did not go along with the UN policy, were classified as rogue states, with consequences that the CIA would conspire to remove the leadership from said countries. Very nice, huh*


*It only makes sense, not. When alcohol was prohibited, cannabis was legal. When alcohol became legal, cannabis was simultaneously declared illegal.

*Say what** During prohibition in the 1920's, the only way a person could buy booze was; if it had cannabis in it, and they had a medical doctor's prescription.

*The War on Drugs has been shown to be a tool of rogue government operations to generate black budget income and leverage the proceeds 10 times or more through the Wall. Not only that, the Feds have skimmed $28 trillion out of US budget over the past century. How's that for accounting* This number is now accepted in congress. The gig is up.

*They weren't counting on these facts to come out - on a medical marijuana blog no less, were they* Wall Street and City of London banks launder much of the World's illegal drug traffic, money, which included marijuana, and by leveraging (lend out 10 or 20x black money deposits) across the planet, the proceeds they create on the order of several trillion dollars per year.

*The term Marijuana - substituting for cannabis, the real name, was coined by the Federal Government as a propaganda term, borrowed from a Mexican-Spanish term for a smokable non-cannabis herb.

*Yes, Weed was once the most vile and evil of things in America. Basically the white moron masses were encouraged to become fearsome racists under the early War on Drugs. The Federal Government used the Reefer madness campaign to insinuate that weed was used rampantly by people of color and hispanics, which was said to cause laziness, deviant behavior, lust for white women, and other satanic activities.

*Cannabis was in the medical books for the first two hundred years of American history. The Editors of US Pharmacopeia were reluctant to remove cannabis from the books, many doctors objected, with cannabis prohibition laws and anti-scientific diatribe of the Reefer Madness campaign. Remember, medicine at that time was more honest and doctors earned a normal salary, not twenty times that of a fine working man. In effect, the pharmaceutical companies bought off the doctors and the entire medical industry with their blood money, plain and simple.

*The Feds thought you were stupid and they were right. Despite the blatant, stupid and ridiculous diatribe about cannabis dreamed up by the Federal Government, their program to remove American cannabis from from the historical record worked so very well in its objectives. .

*Even in the 1960's almost no one, recreational users and scholars alike, were aware that cannabis was an especially powerful medicinal herb, used for centuries round the world, so well did the Feds bury the long, long history of cannabis use in America as a medicine.




*The US Federal Government has a number of patents that lay claim to the efficacy of cannabis as a highly medicinal substance. Simultaneously, the Federal Government classifies the marijuana as a dangerous drug with no medical value whatsoever.


*The Feds claimed that CBD, a non psychoactive ingredient of some strains of cannabis, is a most dangerous drug - in a category of crack and heroin. This falsehood literally broke the camel's back, where almost no one at all believes a word that these people say. The Feds lost all credibility due to the fact that CBD has no value as a street drug, it has no reputation whatsoever as a street drug, it's completely non-psychoactive, you can't get high on it period, nor is it toxic, overdose is practically possible, as presented in its natural form.

*The Feds were on drugs when they said CBD is a dangerous drug but its killed no one. The Fed classified CBD is a most dangerous schedule I drug, the same category as heroin and crack. However drug death statistics show zero CBD related deaths, while pharmaceutical industry derived opiates deaths are in the tens of thousands per month across the Western World. Across Canada, fentanyl deaths are about 1,000 per month, extrapolating 10x to the population of the USA, that is about 10,000 deaths per month. That is about 2 times the deaths of the entire Vietnam War (1956 - 1976) - per year.



420EVALUATIONSONLINE - We supply online recommendations and ID for medical cannabis in California with a process that is 100% c online - new patients don't pay until a licensed physician has reviewed and approved their file. Recs and ID are used at dispensaries, cannabis clubs, online deliver services, cooperatives, compassion clubs and any providers of medical marijuana in California or Nevada (some precincts).



Why get a recommendation for cannabis now that recreational cannabis is legal in California*

• Save money on tax, $20,$30,$40 per ounce depending on the cost and county.
  
  
• Get access to super strong concentrates and "anabolic" strains.
  
  
• Grow and possess much more weed, more plants.
  
  
• Qualify for medical only sales and enter medical only sections of a dispensary.
  

FURTHER READING


Tetrohydrocannabidiol (d9THC)

Tetrahydrocannabinol - Wikipedia Tetrahydrocannabinol, abbreviated THC, is one of at least 113 cannabinoids identified in cannabis. THC is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis.



Cannabidiol (CBD)

Canabidol™ CBD Oil (Cannabidiol) - Maintain your Health ...Canabidol™ CBD Oil - The legal way to maintain your health with cannabis. Available in Pharmacies & Health Stores nationwide or via FREE Next Day Delivery

Cannabidiol - Wikipedia Cannabidiol (INN; abbreviated as: CBD) is one of at least 113 cannabinoids identified in cannabis. It is a major phytocannabinoid, accounting for up to 40% ...
Cannabidiol | C21H30O2 - PubChem - The PubChem Project
Upon administration, cannabidiol (CBD) exerts its anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic activity through various mechanisms, ...

CBD Information – The Ultimate Cannabidiol Information Guide
CBD Information Guide - There's a lot of confusing cannabidiol information online, so we broke down the wordy facts for you! Here's our easy & basic guide to what is ...

What is Cannabidiol (CBD)* | Medical Marijuana Inc.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is found throughout the seeds, stalk and flowers of cannabis plants -- including hemp and marijuana. Read here to find out more.



Cannabinoid Acids

THCA vs. THC: How to Read a Lab Result · High Times States that have legalized in cannabis require testing for potency and contaminants in cannabis, and lab-testing cannabis is quickly becoming an important part of the


THC-V

What Is THCV and What Are the Benefits of This Cannabinoid ... THCV, or tetrahydrocannabivarin, is a unique cannabinoid found in cannabis strains that offers an array of effects from energy stimulation to appetite suppression.

Tetrahydrocannabivarin - Wikipedia Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV, THV) is a homologue of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) having a propyl (3-carbon) side chain instead of a pentyl (5-carbon) group ...
An Overview Of Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) Though the chemical structure of tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is nearly identical to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), there are differences between each.




Cannabis and the Bible

Marijuana and the Bible - WEST COAST LEAF Passages from the King James Bible that are relevant to the legal and moral status of Cannabis sativa, L. And the earth brought forth grass and herb yielding seed ...
What Does the Bible Say About Cannabis* - OpenBible.info Genesis 1:29-31 ESV / 55 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth

Cannabis Archaeology

Cannabis in Archaeology & Palaeobotany - Sensi Seeds From studying pollen in soil and sediment deposits, researchers have managed to glean information on the early development of plants, including cannabis.
Marijuana and Archaeology | Dr. Claude Mariottini ... 8 Responses to Marijuana and Archaeology. Terry says: May 24, 2007 at 12:51 pm. ... Cannabis has certainly been cultivated since the beginning of recorded history.
Ancient Cannabis 'Burial Shroud' Discovered in Desert Oasis For the first time, archaeologists have unearthed well-preserved cannabis plants, which were placed on a corpse some 2,500 years ago.
Cannabis in Asia_ Archaeology | Confucianism | Hemp The Origin and Use of Cannabis in Eastern Asia Linguistic-Cultural Implications Authors): Hui-Lin Li Source: Economic Botany, Vol. 2...


Queen Victoria and Cannabis

Cannabis Britannica: The rise and demise of a Victorian ...In 1800 cannabis preparations were almost entirely unknown in Britain as only the medical men of the period had any interest in them and few had access to samples of ...
Medicinal cannabis - health.vic Information about the Victorian Government’s policy on medicinal cannabis.
High times: The Victorian doctor who promoted medical ...Thanks to one man's researches, cannabis was drug of choice for ailments from migraine to epilepsy – until an unexpected twist led to its downfall



Cannabis and the Founding Fathers


Cannabis and the Founding Fathers - BLOOM FARMS | A One ...Our mission is to bring safe and enjoyable products to people who use cannabis as part of a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle. Along the way, we’re out to remove the ...

Founding Fathers That Grew Cannabis | Culture Magazine On July 4, 1776, the American colonies committed high treason by declaring independence against the bullying British. Among the great ideas that our founding fathers

 

[roots69]

• NO FAIL CANNABIS OIL

NO FAIL CANNABIS OIL
A simple, quick, no-fail, nontoxic method to extract oil from marijuana for medical, recreational use right away. Also provided is some details about the how and why we do what we do plus words of wisdom from veteran home cannabis oil producers - with idiots weeded out.


A simple no-fail method to make healthy high quality home-made cannabis oil. All materials used are found in a typical kitchen. If there is something you don't have, it will be readily available in the local hardware store. This method of manufacture does not use dangerous or banned solvents and complies with the new California marijuana laws of 2017. Let's go.




WHY CANNABIS OIL?

Cannabis oil is a concentrated form of marijuana that can be conveniently consumed medically and recreationally:smoked, vaped, taken under the tongue, or taken orally in the form of edibles, in creams and more. Cannabis oil can be added to any recipe that calls for cooking oil or butter.




SUMMARY

Cook ground marijuana in alcohol and the oils go into solution. Then boil off the alcohol and nnly the marijuana oil remains. The sections of this procedure are:

• Ingredients - select the right strain
  
  
• Prepare - equipment and workspace
  
  
• Grind - marijuana in coffee grinder or blender
  
  
• Soak - marijuana in pure grain alcohol
  
  
• Stir - mixture for three minutes
  
  
• Strain - mixture into another container
  
  
• Repeat soak & strain
  
  
• Evaporate - boil off the alcohol
  
  
• Product - collect the Cannabis Oil
  
  
• Fill container, syringes with cannabis oil

INGREDIENTS

While most people use bud to make cannabis oil because the THC, CBD and other cannabinoids are concentrated there. However, the leaves and stems from the whole plant can be used to make cannabis oil as well, it just takes more plant material to collect a potent oil.

It is highly recommended that lab tested marijuana or organic home grown are used. In any case you want to do a visual and a sniff test. If your weed smells moldy consider returning it or discarding it. Use a strain that is proven to be effective for your conditions and symptoms or delivers a superior cerebral experience.

It is good to know what the cannabinoid profile is, the amount of THC, CBD and others that are present so you can make another batch with the same or differing potency. See the further reading section for advanced information about selecting weed.




THE WORKSPACE - SETUP EQUIPMENT

A kitchen or workshop with electricity and a sink makes for a very good, nice, happy workspaces. If possible, select a clean, open well ventilated area. Electricity and a sink You also want privacy. Even though marijuana is legal and this method does not use banned solvents, nosy neighbors could be confused from a distance and call the cops. So draw the blinds and secure your privacy. A small fan is useful to disperse fumes from the process,.

It is a good idea to have a fire extinguisher handy in any kitchen and at all times. In this method we are using alcohol, which is very flammable, but nothing like gasoline or butane where misuse can result in explosions.




MATERIALS

To produce cannabis oil you need marijuana and a solvent. The cannabinoids, the THC and CBD must be soluble in the solvent. We want to use a solvent that can be easily and safely removed from the oil after it is extracted from the marijuana. If some of the solvent remains in our oil, it should not be very toxic or totally non-toxic.

The cannabis oil extraction method is based on using one ounce of marijuana flower (bud).

Three ounces of trim can also be used to produce a fine oil.




GRIND BUD

Grind dry one ounce of marijuana or three ounces of trim in a coffee grinder or blender. You can clean the blades with grain alcohol and add it to the following mixture.




GRAIN ALCOHOL

Purchase 1 gallon of ethanol, which is the same thing as grain alcohol.

High proof (180+) 90% plus grain alcohol is used. In fact, grain alcohol, which is also called ethanol is natural and is completely harmless in low quantities. Ethanol is found in beer, wine and all alcoholic beverages. Residual amounts of ethanol at worst could amount a few ppm, which is less than 1/10000 an ounce.



"A side note is that the medical profession has gotten into the habit quiet some time ago to use isopropyl alcohol, which is actually toxic quiet. Drink it and you will go blind or die. Isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol is absorbed through the skin and this practice amounts to microdosing of a toxic substance. Such is the non-scientific nature of some :"accepted" medical practices." - 420Eol Science





APPARATUS - TOOLS

1 medium sized glass or ceramic mixing bowl. - Do not use a plastic mixing bowl
1 wooden spoon
A fine straining device such as: a muslin bag, grain steeping bag, clean pair of stockings, cheese cloth, tea filter, or coffee filter with a mesh strainer
1 container to catch the liquid-oil product; a 2-quart glass jar or mixing cup
1 wood spatula
1 double boiler (for range) or rice cooker and candle warmer


Note: Watch out for rice cookers from China with metal surfaces that are commonly coated with BPA. This is a real health hazard. BPA is a plague that has resulted in the enormous incidence of sexual/reproductive issues. BPA works slowly and consistently over time to foul the reproductive system of mammals, causing breast, ovary and prostate cancer, infertility and hormonal aberrations which cause erratic behavior.





SAFETY



This procedure is not very dangerous and does not use toxic chemicals and materials. Still beginners should consider the following safety information.

There is no substitute for knowing what you're doing. All the safety gear in the world won't prevent a nasty mishap if you're brain dead. With that said, as a beginner, you want to especially take note of safety issues.

You should wear safety glasses with good visibility. They need to be comfortable because loss of focus is really the biggest factor in accidents. Safety glasses that fog up are worse than none at all, generally speaking.

Wear protective gear. Again, you need to be comfortable and wear something that does not catch edges, does not catch fire easily. For example, a badly fitting lab coat catches on the edges and is a safety hazard, as are clumsy gloves. Rubber gloves work fine, but are only required if you are working with hazardous substances, which this method does not call for.

Nonetheless, beginners should wear rubber gloves when handling solvent. Respirator masks must be worn when dealing with particulate, but the reality is that solvents are drawn readily through most masks and are a hazard in giving the user the impression that they're safe when the mask is doing nothing but getting in the way.

At the end of the day, your safety equipment should be comfortable, fit well and actually protect you.




EXTRACTION OF CANNABIS OIL USING ETHANOL

Place one ounce of marijuana buds into a medium sized glass or ceramic bowl. Pour the high proof alcohol over the medical marijuana until it rests an inch above the surface of the medical cannabis.

Stir the alcohol-bud mixture with wooden spoon. Mix and mash the solvent and medical cannabis together for two to three minutes. The constant stirring motion will aid the solvent in absorbing the THC from the medical marijuana.

Strain the solvent-medical cannabis mixture into another container. Retrieve your straining device and second container. Place your straining device into the second container. Carefully pour the mixture through the strainer and let the dark green liquid fill the container.
If you are using a bag or cloth, squeeze/press the contents inside the cloth to releases the rest of the liquid into your container.


The resultant liquid is a mixture of the alcohol and the extracted resin from the medical cannabis Right now you probably extracted out about seventy percent of the oil, so we repeat the process to get most of the rest.




REPEAT THE EXTRACTION

Soak, mix, and strain the mixture a second time. The first wash will remove approximately 70% to 80% of the resin from the medical cannabis. This second wash will remove the rest of the THC
Empty the contents of your strainer into the medium sized mixing bowl
Pour the solvent over the marijuana so that it is completely submerged
Use a wooden spoon to mix and mash the alcohol-cannabis mixture for about 3 minutes
Place your strainer over the container, which contains the dark green liquid.from first extraction
Slowly pour the contents of the mixing bowl in your strainer. Allow all of the dark green extract to run into the container. At this point, you've captured perhaps 95% of the oil, and a third wash is pretty much counterproductive, is a waste of time and materials (solvent)




SEPARATION OF THE CANNABIS OIL FROM CANNABIS

Boil off the solvent in a double boiler. When it is time to boil off the alcohol, you have one of two options. The first is to use a double boiler and a range. This is a very safe method.

Fill the bottom part of your double boiler with water. Pour the dark green liquid into the top pan. If you cannot fit all of the liquid in the pan, gradually add it as the level drops.

Turn the burner on high and wait for the liquid in the top pot to boil. Once the liquid in the top pot is bubbling (the alcohol is evaporating), turn off the burner immediately. The heat from the boiling water below will continue to burn off the alcohol.

Allow the contents in the top pan to bubble for 15 to 25 minutes. Occasionally scrape the sides and bottom of the pan with your silicon spatula. If the contents stop bubbling, but still appear runny, turn on the burner to low. Once the contents resume bubbling, turn off the burner.

When the contents become a thick dark green syrup, all of the alcohol has evaporated and all you are left with is the medical cannabis oil. The process is complete.


Remove the top pan from the bottom pan and allow the medical marijuana oil to cool. As it cools, it will continue to thicken.




BOIL OFF THE SOLVENT

Boil off the solvent in a rice cooker.You may substitute a rice cooker for a double boiler.
Fill your rice cooker ¾ full with your alcohol-oil mixture. If you have an excess of the mixture, add it to the rice cooker as the level drops.Turn the rice cooker on high or select the “White Rice” setting.


Wait and the solvent-oil mixture will boil down. Observe the level. When the solvent-oil mix is becoming a thick, dark green color, remove the pan from the rice cooker, and gently swirl the mixture. When the amount of bubbles rising to the top stops or nearly stops, remove the mixture from the rice cooker.


Pour the green liquid from the rice cooker into a glass or metal dish. Set the glass or metal dish on a candle warmer. Turn on the candle warmer and allow any remaining trapped carbon dioxide to evaporate from the mixture. When the contents are no longer bubble, you may remove the glass or metal dish from the candle warmer. The lack of bubbles signifies that all of the alcohol has evaporated from the medical cannabis oil and the process is complete.




FILL SYRINGES OR CONTAINERS

It is best to store the oil in a glass container in a dark cool place. For immediate use, this cannabis oil can be used to fill a syringe. Slowly draw a measured amount of the medical cannabis oil into the plastic syringe by inserting the tip into the oil and pulling on the plunger up to the required volume.




QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - CANNABIS OIL



Q After the solvent evaporated, all that was left was a powdery substance. Did I heat for too long?

A That is probably what went wrong. Alternatively, the temperature may have been too high. Go through all your materials and start fresh. Check the temperature frequently.


Q Can you use fresh picked marijuana to make oil?
A Yes, you can use freshly picked marijuana to make the oil. Be aware that fresh buds will take up a greater volume than dried buds, and you should take the volume difference into account.

Q I used Everclear as a solvent, and the oil did not turn as dark and thick as the demonstrations show. Can I put it back in the rice cooker?
A You can, but it may lose some potency. The difference may simply be due to a different plant type.

Q What solvents can be used?
A High-proof alcohol is the safest solvent to use when extracting the THC from medical marijuana.

Q Is there a recipe to make oil with a low THC content?
A To make oil with low THC content (or high CBD content), you need to start with marijuana with low THC (or high CBD) content.

Q I suffer from epilepsy and arthritis. I take methotrexate, which is slowly killing me. I would like to try this, but it's not legal in our country. What can I do?
A You don't mention your country, but it is possible that you may be able to get a prescription from your doctor. Ask your doctor to find out if this is possible.

Q Can a patient with epilepsy smoke the marijuana instead of using marijuana oil?
A It is possible, but smoking marijuana shares some of the same dangers as smoking cigarettes.

Q How long will the oil keep?
A If you keep the marijuana oil refrigerated, tightly capped and in a brown or blue bottle (to keep out light), it should be stable for 6-12 months.

Q Is medical marijuana good for asthma?
A There are studies indicating that medical marijuana may be in asthma by acting to reduce the spasms and bronchial constrictions. Talk to your doctor first before trying the medical marijuana.

Q About how much oil can 1 ounce of marijuana make?
A It varies, it after some experience, you should be able to get 2-6 grams of oil per ounce of marijuana.



CANNABIS - MARIJUANA OIL - NEED TO KNOW FACTS

• Cannabis oil is used for medical and recreational purposes where legal.
  
  
• Cannabis is used to alleviate symptoms associated with: anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, colitis, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, nausea, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia, depression, inflammation of the liver, cancer, neurological disorders and neurological pain reduction.
  
  
• Cannabis oil can be mixed with olive oil or coconut oil to make it less potent, use it in cooking, or apply it to the skin.
  
  
• Cannabis oil is usually extracted from female marijuana plant flowers because male plants have much less cannabinoids, THC, CBD and others.
  
  
• Hemp seed oil comes from the seeds, which do not contain cannabinoids; no THC and no CBD.
  
  
• Marijuana oil is also known as hemp oil, hash oil, and cannabis oil.
  
  
• Possessing or selling crude, raw or concentrated marijuana is illegal under federal law in the United States. Whole or crude marijuana (including marijuana oil or hemp oil) is not approved by the FDA for any medical use.
  
  
• Refer to your local State Laws concerning marijuana outside of Federal lands and facilities.
  

420EVALUATIONSONLINE Notes: We specialize in providing Cannabis ID Cards, 420 Doctor's recommendations for medical marijuana and growers permits. While recreational marijuana is legal to consume, until 2018, only medical marijuana patients can buy it at a dispensary cannabis clinic, delivery service or any other source. Having a medical marijuana recommendation means you'll save a lot of money. When recreational marijuana goes on sale in 2018, it will include a tax, but medical marijuana card holders are exempt. In California, recreational users are slated to pay $85 more per ounce over medical users.



FURTHER READING

California Health and Safety Code Section 11379.6(a) under the Bergen Decision in 08 determined that using butane to make hash oil is not covered by the medical use statutes makes it unlawful to engage in the chemical extraction of a substance as part of the process of manufacturing a controlled substance.

The charge carries a prison sentence of three to seven years and a fine of up to 50 grand. Several fires have been reported due to BHO extraction. It is unsafe, and illegal. Butane hash-making equipment and chemicals seem to be a red flag for authorities when it comes to child endangerment charges and possible removal of children from the home.

 

[roots69]

• THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM - GOAT DISCOVERY

THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM - GOAT DISCOVERY
THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM - Dr. Dustin Sulak's clinics have treated over 20,000 patients with cannabis based medicines.



Modern Cannabinoid research has proven that this statement is still valid. In 1902 Thomas Edison said;



"There were never so many able, active minds at work on the problems of disease as now, and all their discoveries are tending toward the simple truth that you can't improve on nature."





MEET DR. SULAK


Dr. Dustin Sulak's clinics have treated over 20,000 patients with cannabis based medicines. The good doctor shares his state of the art knowledge about how cannabis works in the body, and that leads to a talk about the magic that is the human endocannabinoid system. Patients and Doctors alike stand to benefit from this profound yet simple to understand explanation about the way our body systems are really controlled.



Cannabis has a profound influence on the human body. This one herb and its variety of therapeutic compounds seem to affect every aspect of our bodies and minds. How is this possible?

At Dustin Sulak's integrative medical clinics in Maine and Massachusetts, his colleagues treated over 18,000 patients with a huge diversity of conditions and symptoms. In a single day he might see deal with epilepsy, chronic pain,cancer, Crohn's, multiple sclerosis, insomnia, Tourette's syndrome and eczema to name but a few.



All of these conditions result from varying causes, multiple physiological states, and enormously different symptoms. His patients cover the gambit, from the old to the young. Many are undergoing traditional medical therapy. Some are on a dedicated to an alternative path. No matter the differences, the common denominator is that nearly all patients agree that cannabis is important to treating their conditions and symptoms.



SHORTAGE OF SCIENTIFIC INFO ON MARIJUANA - NOT REALLY


As a physician, he is very wary of any medicine that is claimed to be a cure-all. Snake-oil remedies and salesmen, fads and styles, they come and go. The big claims too often turn out to be ittle more than propaganda, urban myth, telling people what they want to hear and believe. This turned out to be not the case. As the good physician explored the enormously wide variety of claims, he was astounded to find that there are literally thousands of supporting research papers, studies and trials out there. Furthermore, he discovered that there is an explosion of scientific research on the therapeutic potential of marijuana - and cannabis based medicines. Furthermore, he found more information about medical marijuana than on some of the most widely used pharmaceutical drugs.





PUBMED - 20,000 PAPERS THAT INCLUDE CANNABIS, CANNABINOIDS

After conducting his own survey two years ago in 2015, the good ohysician found that PubMed reported thousands of scientific journal articles published in the last 20 years containing the word "cannabis" - or 8,637 results. Now the total papers comes in at 10,000. Adding the word "cannabinoid," and he found that the results increase to 20,991 articles, which is an average of two new scientific papers per day for 20 years running.



"These numbers not only illustrate the present scientific interest and financial investment in understanding more about cannabis and its components, but they also emphasize the need for high quality reviews and summaries such as the document you are about to read." - Dustin Sulak' D.O.



So, how can this single herb treat so many different conditions? How can cannabis provide both palliative and curative actions? Why is it so safe while offering such awesome effects? The quest to answer these fundamental questions led scientists to the discovery of a unknown physiologic system, which is central to health and healing of in man and beast alike. This body system was named after cannabis (the key to the discovery) .... Welcome to the endocannabinoid system.




THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM

The endogenous or body's own cannabinoid system is so named after the plant that led to its discovery. The endocannabinoid system is probably the most important single physiologic system that regulates and maintains health. The body's own endocannabinoids modulate, dial up and down receptors (called cannabinoid receptors). Cannabinoid receptors are found on most of the body's cells - on the membrane - and are especially abundant and active in the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells. In tissue, the cannabinoid system performs several different tasks, with a single overall function which is homeostasis, maintenance and stabilization of the internal environment in response, an adaptation to fluctuations in the external environment.

Cannabinoids have been established - beyond any doubt to promote homeostasis at every level of life, from sub-cellular, in the organism, and probably at community level and beyond. Autophagy, for example, is a process where a cell sequesters part of its contents and is self-digested and recycled, and this happening is mediated by the cannabinoid system. While normal cells are left untouched, the old, mutated, and defunct cells are cleansed, and this is the secret - how cannabinoids assist in maintaining a balance between: the synthesis, degradation, and subsequent recycling of cellular products.




HOW CANNABIS FIGHTS CANCER

This is how cannabinoids fight cancer, and a how a deficiency in the endocannabinoid system - is the primary cause of cancer, or rather allows cancerous cells to propagate. Cannabis has been shown to repeatedly have a deadly effect on malignant tumor cells, causing them to self-consume, which is a normal thing in a healthy individual. This phenomena is called programmed cellular suicide. Cancer cells death, therefore promotes homeostasis and survival at the level of the entire organism.

Furthermore, endocannabinoids and cannabinoids are active in cells at the intersection of the body's various systems, allowing coordination and communication between various cell types. For example, at the site of insult and injury, cannabinoids decrease the release of activators and sensitizers in the injured tissue, which stabilizes the nerve cell, which in turn prevents excessive firing. This calms nearby immune cells, which prevents the release of proinflammatory molecules. So it is three different mechanisms of action on three different cell types that act toward a singular purpose: to minimize the pain and damage caused by insult and injury.



"The endocannabinoid system, with its complex actions in our immune system, nervous system, and all of the body's organs, is literally a bridge between body and mind. By understanding this system we begin to see a mechanism that explains how states of consciousness can promote health or disease." - Dustin Sulak D.O.



Regulating our internal and cellular homeostasis is not the only function of cannabinoids, they influence the organism's relationship with its external environment. Socially in humans, the administration of cannabinoids clearly alters behavior, commonly promoting sharing, humor, and creativity.



"By mediating neurogenesis, neuronal plasticity, and learning, cannabinoids may directly influence a person's open-mindedness and ability to move beyond limiting patterns of thought and behavior from past situations. Reformatting these old patterns is an essential part of health in our quickly changing environment."- Dustin Sulak D.O.



CANNABINOID RECEPTORS

Little Sea squirt animals or nematodes to vertebrate species share the endocannabinoid system. It is an essential part of their life cycle and the adaptation to environmental changes. The genetics of cannabinoid receptors in different species imply that the endocannabinoid system evolved in primitive animals over 600 million years ago, perhaps.

While we are learning a lot about cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system, the estimated twenty thousand scientific articles really are the tip of the iceberg. We know it's ice and we know it's big. We're expecting to uncover many more of it's miracle functions which relate to a deeper understanding about the mysterious cells themselves.



So, despite that fact we know a lot, there are likely huge gaps in our current understanding, inevitably we will discover much more about complexity of interactions between various cannabinoids, cell types, systems and individual organisms. This is the challenge to scientists, and the current research findings points to millions of hours work, clinical trials, much deeper study on the more than 100 naturally occurring cannabinoids, not to mention terpenes, which affect potency and what else?

As stated previously, cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) are present throughout the human body, embedded in the surface of cells, in the membranes. It now appears that cannabinoid receptors are more abundant than any other receptor system. When CB receptors are stimulated, this sets off a chain of physiologic processes.

• CB1 receptors have been found to be, predominant in the nervous system, connective tissues, gonads, glands, and organs.
  
  
• CB2 are predominant in the immune system and related structures.
  
  
• Many tissues contain both CB1 and CB2 receptors, each with a different action.
  
  
• A third cannabinoid receptor may exist, and scientists are looking hard at this possibility now.
  
  
  

"Endocannabinoids are the substances our bodies naturally make to stimulate these receptors. The two most well understood of these molecules are called anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). They are synthesized on-demand from cell membrane arachidonic acid derivatives, have a local effect and short half-life before being degraded by the enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL)." - Dustin Sulak D.O.




Phytocannabinoids are plant substances that stimulate cannabinoid receptors in a similar manner to the body's own cannabinoids. It is the cannabis plant that contains, by far, the most cannabinoids of any found in nature. This is what makes marijuana the most desirable herb on the planet, for in the US, cannabis is the number one commodity - by a wide margin, with estimated sales in the neighborhood of $100 billion. These numbers are achieved despite the Federal Government and major pharmaceutical companies doing everything they can to suppress the advancement of medical marijuana at all levels, and this especially true of medical research.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or d9THC, is the main psychoactive ingredient in almost all marijuana. There are other psychoactive cannabinoids, but they are confined to modest amounts in somewhat rare strains. There is a second type of psychoactive THC, called THC-V that is found in therapeutically useful quantities in some South African strains. THC-V is little studied at the clinical level, and exhibits several opposing properties as compared to d9THC. If suppresses hunger and is energising.


The famous d9THC is the certainly most widely known psychoactive and medicinal component, but other cannabinoids, especially cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol (CBN) have captured the interest of researchers due their obvious therapeutic properties. A variety of phytocannabinoids have been isolated from cannabis sativa and indica, while other medical herbs, such as echinacea purpurea, have been shown to contain non-psychoactive cannabinoids as well.

The cannabis plant has evolved to produce THC and other cannabinoids to promote its own health and offset disease. These marijuana-hemp cannabinoids have antioxidant properties that protect the leaves and flowering structures from ultraviolet radiation - neutralize harmful free radicals and protect the cells. Similarly, in humans, free radicals cause aging, cancer, and impaired healing and these cannabinoid antioxidants can help prevent free radical harm.

Novel and existing organic cannabinoids can be synthesized artificially in the laboratory. Some of these synthetic cannabinoids have a strength 100 or even 1000 times greater than THC in some body functions, making them extremely dangerous. Synthetic cannabinoids have made it from underground labs to the street. , A drug sold on the street called Spice is a synthetic cannabinoid mixture that sometimes contain amphetamines, crack and god know's what. The consequence of using Spice can be completely disastrous.



"Synthetic THC, marketed as dronabinol (Marinol), and nabilone (Cesamet), a THC analog, are both FDA approved drugs for the treatment of severe nausea and wasting syndrome. Some clinicians have found them helpful in the off-label treatment of chronic pain, migraine, and other serious conditions. Many other synthetic cannabinoids are used in animal research, and some have potency up to 600 times that of THC." - Dustin Sulak D.O.





While cannabinoids from marijuana are exceedingly safe to use in the clinic, this is definitely not the case with Spice. It should be noted that while synthetic THC has been found to safely work to alleviate many conditions and symptoms, its overall efficacy pales in comparison to nature's own cannabinoids. If what is called the entourage effect, the different cannabinoids work together for a more balanced and healthy effect. For this reason, strains that are more balanced, and contain more than just THC (with CBD and other cannabinoids) have found favor among perhaps the majority medical marijuana practitioners.



SUPPLEMENTING YOUR ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM


As we sort through the emerging science of cannabis and cannabinoids, one thing shines true: a dysfunctional cannabinoid system is disastrous to one's health and supplementation with phytocannabinoids can be extremely beneficial. From embryonic implantation in the uterus, to nursing and growth into a human being, to responding to injury and insult, endocannabinoids help us survive and adapt to an ever changing and often hostile environment.

As the good doctor realized these basic facts about cannabinoids, he wondered; can an individual enhance his/her cannabinoid system by taking supplemental cannabis? Beyond treating just the symptoms, and even cure disease, could cannabis help us prevent diseases and improve health by stimulating this ancient system that is hard-wired in every one of us?




CONSUMING SMALL OR MODERATE AMOUNTS OF CANNABIS BUILDS UP THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM

His conclusion was a firm yes. The literature documents that small doses of cannabinoids from marijuana time and again - does signal the body to make more of its own endocannabinoids and to grow more cannabinoid receptors. This is why first-time cannabis users don't feel much of an effect, but they begin to respond after using the herb several times, after they've built more cannabinoid receptors, .

More receptors increase a person's sensitivity to cannabinoids to the point where smaller doses have more profound effects, and this enhances the baseline activity of the endocannabinoid system. The doctor concluded that small, regular doses of cannabis probably acts as a tonic to our most important central physiologic healing system.




Why only Man Made Synthetics and NOT Organic God made Molecules are not prescribed..


Many physicians find the thought of recommending marijuana or even any herb, frankly disturbing or even mortifying. Then again, we should ask ourselves why the current medical system focuses on synthetic chemicals over naturally occurring remedies. The reason that medical school avoids telling their students, is that natural molecules are not patentable, only synthetics and synthetic manufacturing processes are.

Then there is the simple minded nature of medicine and cause and effect. While biological systems are complex and everything is interrelated, pharmacology essentially ignores this most important and basic fact of medicine. Today's drugs are purified single molecules, and action is measured for a single cause and effect. Interrelationships and individual genetic differences are seldom properly taken into account. In the case of medicinal marijuana, this is why the medical industry seeks to market pure synthetic THC and soon CBD; whereas it's already been shown in countless studies that the natural herb is more effective and is also preferred by patients, by a wide margin. So it goes in the paradigm of big pharma medicinal.

As stated previously, unlike synthetic cannabis derivatives, natural herbal cannabis may contain over one hundred different cannabinoids, including psychoactive THC, which all work in synergy in yet to be precisely defined ways, to produce a much better medical effects and less nasty side effects than THC alone. In fact, landrace strains - which are unaltered in genetic structure through selective breeding, have much more CBD and other cannabinoids, as compared to the standard super THC variety that dominates the recreational scene. While marijuana is safe and works well when smoked, many patients don't want respiratory irritation and resort successfully to using a vaporizer, marijuana in tincture form, or transdermal salve.



"Scientific inquiry and patient testimonials alike indicate that herbal cannabis has superior medical qualities to synthetic cannabinoids."- Dustin Sulak D.O.



"There were never so many able, active minds at work on the problems of disease as now, and all their discoveries are tending toward the simple truth that you can't improve on nature." - Thomas Edison said

So, is it possible that medical cannabis could be the most useful remedy to treat the widest variety of human diseases and conditions, a component of preventative healthcare, and an adaptive support in our increasingly toxic, carcinogenic environment? Yes. This was well known to the indigenous medical systems of ancient India, China, and Tibet, and as you will find in this report, is becoming increasingly well known by Western science. Of course, we need more human-based research studying the effectiveness of cannabis, but the evidence base is already large and growing constantly, despite the DEA's best efforts to discourage cannabis-related research.

"A 5,000 year history of safe therapeutic use, and a huge amount of published research, most Physicians know little or nothing about medical cannabis." - Dustin Sulak D.O.


So you must ask this question, does my Physician understand the benefits of medical cannabis? Can they advise you about indications, proper dosage, and best route of administration? Unless they have experience and education, the answer must be no. Despite the physician associations (American Medical Association and American College of Physicians) calling for more medical marijuana research, the U.S. Congress blocked federal interference in states' medical cannabis programs.


Functionally, the old paradigm blocking the use of medical marijuana is evaporating before our eyes, even as Jeff Sessions and the DEA keep on doing their thing to block cannabis based medicine. People need safe, natural and inexpensive treatments that stimulate our bodies' ability to heal themselves and improve their quality of life. Medical cannabis might be the best solution possible, as hundreds of thousands of patients attest themselves.



Editior's note: Dr. Sulak is not affiliation with this website.



420EvalutionsOnline provides 420 recommendations, cannabis ID cards and grower's permits in the State of California. The process is 100% online and patients don't pay unless their documents are approved by our licensed physician. Our documents are used at in State dispensaries, delivery services, cannabis clubs, cooperatives and other vendors of cannabis based medicines. In 2018, medical marijuana card holders will pay much less than recreational users, as they are exempt from paying marijuana sales tax.






FURTHER READING



Dustin Sulak, D.O. is a licensed osteopathic physician

Dustin Sulak, D.O. is a licensed osteopathic physician. He is a practitioner and advocate of integrative medicine, the intelligent combination of conventional and alternative approaches to healthcare. He has long been fascinated by mind-body medicine, spirituality in healthcare, and natural approaches to promoting health and healing. He is a clinical hypnotherapist, Reiki Sensei, practitioner of chi kung and yoga, and has studied with numerous conventional and alternative healers and physicians.

Dr. Sulak holds the distinction of being a Diplomat of the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine. He lectures on medical cannabis and the endocannabinoid system nationally.



Dr. Sulak holds the distinction of being a Diplomat of the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine.

He lectures on medical cannabis and the endocannabinoid system nationally. He is an advocate for medical cannabis and has been impressed by the excellent clinical responses he’s seen in medical cannabis patients. He is enthusiastic about educating patients on the optimal uses of medical cannabis, and educating healthcare providers who may be misinformed about this safe and incredibly effective medicine.

Physician of Osteopathy – Licensed General Practitioner
Sensei Reiki
Clinical Hypnotherapist Certified
BSc in Biology
BSc in Nutrition


The Free programs give you access to all our step-by-step videos, written content, worksheets, wellness activities & the opportunity to submit questions directly to Dr. Sulak.

Whether you are a new or experienced cannabis user, Dr. Sulak’s step-by-step programs will guide you on how to find your optimal dosage and delivery method to achieve optimal results using cannabis. Your membership will include access to all our Programs, Ask Dr. Sulak, Wellness Activities, and all future premium content we create based on your and the Healer community’s input.

Why Medical Cannabis versus Medical Marijuana? Dr. Sulak recommends using its real name that dispels the myths about this incredible plant and invokes the truth made available by thousands of scientists and researchers: Medical Cannabis. Cannabis has a lot to offer humanity, and you deserve to know the truth............

 

[roots69]

• 
  

• 
  THE MANY WAYS 99% OF MARIJUANA USERS FAIL TO OPTIMIZE

THE MANY WAYS 99% OF MARIJUANA USERS FAIL TO OPTIMIZE
Here is a list of the main things every medical marijuana patient should do to optimize their medication.

How to medicate with medical marijuana more intelligently using common sense techniques combined with knowlege. Equipped with a better understanding and some discipline, we predict you will improve work productivity, quality of life though the optimization of your cannabis based medicines.



"The Takeaway - Medical marijuana patients, take personal responsibility, do your research, document your activities, trials and tribulations, and above all else, use your brain, which means to apply it to make something happen."







THINGS EVERY MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENT MUST DO



Have you tried different strains with varying cannabinoid and terpene profile, CBD, other cannabinoids, microdosing, juicing raw hemp, keeping a diary, night and day MMJ, minimum effective dose, titrating (increasing dose to find optimum), transdermal application.



"How many Crohn's patients have tried juicing hemp? In our experience, the answer is unfortunately, approximately zero."



Most people approach the topic of marijuana with a very simple minded approach. Smoke some weed and bingo, they get high and their anxiety, pain or what have you melts away. Then repeat as required. This approach is fair enough, but this scheme is the starting point, not the end point. Especially of concern is the fact that a generous portion of the population don't really respond that well to THC at first. They overdose and quit or turn to CBD which affords no psychedelic effects while being highly medicinal.



The above protocol reflects a childlike understanding about cannabis and its myriad of qualities and products.


"Very few veteran marijuana users have ever tried transdermal application of cannabis extracts, that potentially afford better treatment of select conditions and symptoms? This includes treatment for skin disorders, psoriasis and itching. "







THE MANY THINGS YOU'RE PROBABLY NOT DOING RIGHT



Most people lack discipline period or even consider that discipline is required at all. They're unaware or overconfident about their knowledge, but don't know the basics.

By discipline, we mean keeping a diary.



"How many people keep a diary of their cannabis based medicines use? Very few. Would they benefit? Greatly."



There are three categories of people that form 99% of the medical marijuana using population. First, you have the THC tolerant, accepting crowd who benefits from smoking or vaping "top-shelf bud", that which is loaded with THC and little else. Then there is the new patient who is THC intolerant who quits before they get going due to the unwanted side effects. Then there is the CBD weed consumer, who happily and effectively medicates with in the way of side effects.

All three types of medical users are probably doing it wrong. 99% is the guestimate. By wrong, we mean that they are failing to optimize in many ways.




THE TOP THINGS THAT MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENTS FAIL TO DO



"After all the research and study, most people fail to apply the basic knowledge. We've seen it time and again. But their solutions are here in plain sight. People can see the light and relearn to use their acumen to their benefit. Simply make a plan, keep at it, write down what you do, think about the results. Perform corrective action. Be methodical and patient. All of this are rules of success in anything; basic knowledge that is lost in today's devolving intellect."







KNOW WHAT IS IN YOUR MARIJUANA BEFORE YOU USE IT



Some people know something about their marijuana, especially the THC content. But there is more, there is CBD and other cannabinoids plus terpenes. The various terpenes effects can be very different. Almost no one keeps track of cause and effect of the different terpene + THC + CBD effects. While it may be hard to nail down precisely which terpene does what to an individual, you can simply note your strain and its terpene content, and over a period of time, you might notice a trend, such as sour smelling strains are better for you than petroleum smelling varieties.




KEEPING A DIARY



People fail to keep a diary. You are an individual, unique like a snowflake only more so. No matter what the process, what your medication, you want to keep notes about the effects on what you are taking. Then you can go over your notes and find out, more precisely, what works and does not work for you. Notes should include strain, time consumed, how much (dose), effect, circumstances, cannabinoid content.

For example, nibbling on black peppercorns has been shown to relieve anxiety and paranoia caused by THC, yet few people that experience THC issues try eating peppercorns. Obviously this simple and safe process should be tried by anyone that consumes THC, to see if the effects are better, for mood and medicinal effect. Perhaps with pepper terpenes sleep is more restful, and dreams are better, or worse.

People fail to try strains high in CBD, CBD-THC, THCV, or concentrates, hashish with known quantities of ingredients (cannabinoids and terpenes). Even veterans are clueless about THC-V, Cannabidiol (product of aged THC) and the other cannabinoids, though they may speak yards and miles about them.



FAILURE TO DOSE OPTIMALLY

Patients fail to experiment with time of day, between meals, with meal use of varying forms of MMJ.



HEMP JUICE - ALMOST NEVER USED

One issue here, beyond plain ignorance about the benefits of raw hemp juicing, is to find an affordable source. It is time to start growing your own hemp and cannabis, at least for juicing. You also want to get a test kit to determine the approximate quantities of the different cannabinoids. Metaphorically, you might like the chocolate flavor much better than vanilla flavor.... especially for patients with leaky gut, epilepsy and so on.



MICRO-DOSING - WHEN LESS IS MORE



Small, subtle gains over the long haul are probably the quickest way to succeed in the long run.

For example, to lose weight, by shaving off just a pound or two per month, losses over the year could be 15 to 25 pounds. It is a very realistic thing to try and lose 1 or 2 pounds in a month, rather than lose 20 pounds in a month. Over the long haul, the slow and sure method is much healthier and is much easier to maintain. Microdosing in everything is very doable, targets can be met, and wins recorded - and milestones met frequently.

Microdosing delivers the benefits subtlety and up to 24 hours per day, if you use a patch, creams and time releasing formulations. You can vape some very tiny amounts regularly.



LESS THAN 1% TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CREAMS AND TINCTURES

Do not use creams and sublingual (tinctures under the tongue). Tinctures deliver cannabinoids and terpenes directly and again, different formulations deliver different effects. Energetic and medicinal effects can be noted in the diary and information can be considered later. Perhaps a CBD tincture with such and such stopped anxiety while promoting alertness, which is useful in say, typing up a report.



DIFFERENT DOSING ROUTES PROVIDE HEIGHTENED THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS IN SOME CONDITIONS

Absorption through the skin and into the lymph system affords focuses the activity of the cannabinoids on the endocrine and lymph system, which can afford heighten benefits in certain conditions and also compliment other cannabis based therapy such as vaping or consuming edibles.




THERE IS MUCH MORE TO MARIJUANA IS THAN THC

In today's inverted lowbrow reality, we have people like Jeff Sessions et.al. who say simple brained things about marijuana. The stereotypes revolve around the ancient image of the useless pot head who is lazy and useless due to his all day long consumption of weed, which is high in THC. Of course, none of the elements of cannabis based medicine are mentioned among these career governmental types.



On the other side of the coin, veteran recreational users are also guilty of stereotyping weed, having focused on the psychoactive properties of ever more potent strains (THC). The pursuit of the American dream, more is better and immediate gratification explains why most of the marijuana today has mostly THC in it and little else.



So the so-called pot heads are guilty of the same crime of the pharmaceutical companies, which is to isolate one substance unnaturally without considering that too much is seldom the best way to go, and that the cannabinoids and other ingredients work together to produce their medicinal effects. With that said, strong THC marijuana can work wonders and might be the best immediate option for some tough, chronic cases. Nonetheless, the many forms of therapy for cannabis based medicines should be investigated.

MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS GENERALLY UNAWARE OF CANNABIS VARIETIES



Medical and Recreational users and practitioners focus mainly on THC, the psychoactive component that accounts for most of its psychoactive (get's you high) properties.

Medical and Recreational marijuana are, by and large, specially bred for high THC concentrations without other cannabinoids. This type of mono-cannabinoid marijuana does not affect all the cannabinoid receptors, which could afford better therapeutic value.










NEW FOCUS ON CANNABIS WITH CBD

Recently, strains with both THC and CBD are CBD alone afford a more balanced and wide medication.



RAW MARIJUANA IS OVERLOOKED

Raw marijuana works in the body in more subtle ways in the body. Everyone should try juicing marijuana, especially for gastrointestinal issues.

Raw marijuana is not psychoactive. Raw marijuana is medicinal and but is not commonly used. Heating or burning changes the chemical structure of THC from an acid to non-acid form, This process is called decarboxylation.

Raw marijuana is medicinal but is surprisingly little studied. The properties of non-heated cannabinoids like THCa (small a denoted acid form) and CBDa are quite different in their reaction with body receptors that control many bodily functions such as: mood, inflammation, rhythms, pain, sensations, nerves, stem cell differentiation, programmed cell death, cell protection, regeneration and maintenance.

Because of the high cost of medical marijuana, it is not practical to juice large quantities of this herb. However, patients can grow their own plants, which many contain high quantities of non-THC cannabinoids.




PATIENTS & LOW MARIJUANA IQ

Patients should keep a diary. It is important to know how much you consume and when. For example, taking a small glass of hemp juice in the morning alone might work well, while combining it with an ice cream sundae might be a disaster. Patients fail to note what the composition of the marijuana is, how much of the different terpenes are in it, how much THC, how much CBD and some others are not even noted, like THCV, Cannabidiol, and others.

The effect of an edible - or any other medication, can differ radically depending if it is taken on an empty stomach, with a smoothie or with a hefty meal with fat. Throw in a no-brain approach of dosing randomly, rather than knowing the amount - the number of mg in an edible (or smokable form) means that you are failing to move forward and understand how much and what form of MMJ works best for you.




CONFUSION ABOUT HEMP - IT HAS MEDICINAL VALUE WITHOUT THE THC

Hemp is medicinal and cheap and does not get you high. Hemp does not contain much psychoactive THC, but it often contains a lot of d8THC which is very non-psychoactive, but is subtly medicinal. Again the researchers hardly notice that d8THC exists. Its medicinal properties, while subtle and safe, should be investigated by anyone that is interested in cannabis based medicines.

Large quantities of hemp juice can be consumed, and its healing properties on the gut should be obvious, after a few weeks of consumption. Other long term benefits can be noted in the patient diary.



NEW PATIENTS BOMB OUT WITH WEED AND THC - OVERDOSE

Too typically, new patients take too much THC, and then quit. They don't know that it takes the body about 3 weeks to adapt to THC consumption. If a person is a hyper-responder, then a low dose can easily cause negative side effects of dizziness, couch lock, and anxiety.

New patients should start by taking very small doses of THC with CBD in a 1:1 ratio. Just 2 mg in one go. Then add 2 mg every 2 weeks and document the process and the effects.



"Marijuana is much, much less addictive than opiates, pain killers, sugar, alcohol, cigarettes or pretty much most everything else. Still, there are those marijuana dependent, still the side effects of overconsumption pale in comparison to alcohol and sugar and etc."




MARIJUANA FEARS OF ADDICTION

The reality is that marijuana is nothing like cigarettes and it is nothing like alcohol. Nothing.Marijuana smokers generally have no problem going without, is a total contrast to cigarette smoking, which becomes a horrible nuisance to quit. The same goes with alcohol addiction, where no day is complete without getting a bit or alot drunk.

There is a sizable portion of the public that knows little about marijuana, but was addicted to alcohol and cigarettes, or have a close family member or friend that became lost in alcohol or drugs. They want to try marijuana because they heard so much about its benefits but don't want to smoke it for fear of what others might think, and that they might become an addict.



TAKEAWAY

Medical marijuana patients, take personal responsibility, do your research, document your activities, trials and tribulations, and above all else, use your brain, which means to apply it and make something happen.


420EVALUATIONSONLINE: We specialize in fast & affordable online medical marijuana recommendations, Cannabis ID Cards and Grow Permits in the State of California. Patients simply fill out the online form - takes about five minutes - and a licensed medical physician evaluates your medical application a short time later. Patients don't pay unless they are approved. 420EVALUATIONSONLINE Documents are used to legally purchase cannabis based medicines and bud from licensed dispensaries, online delivery services, cooperatives, cannabis clubs, compassion clubs and other points of access.

• How do I get a medical marijuana (MMJ) doctor's recommendation?
  
  
• What type of medical marijuana product should I take?
  
  
• What is the dose?
  
  
• What do I do about side effects?
  
  
• What type of MMJ can I take at work?
  
  
• What types are best for sleep?
  
  
• What if MMJ does not work, what then?
  

Why Microdosing Is Taking Over Medical Marijuana



"In all medicine, with all drugs, you look for the minimum effective dose.".



With microdosing, people are getting the maximum benefit from the minimum amount, without becoming stoned, paranoid or lethargic. Some are microdosing to regulate their moods, boost their creativity, or enhance their workouts and yoga sessions.



"It lifts my spirits, relieves the stress and tension that build up, and allows me to approach my work with keen interest."



When prohibition ends, microdosing could be the most popular way that people use cannabis. Right now, however, anyone who wants to microdose faces two hurdles: finding the right minimum dose, and finding products that will deliver it.

 

[roots69]

• 
  THC & CBD - WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

THC & CBD - WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
THC & CBD, Indica and Sativa - They are like sisters, both beautiful, both women, both with their own distinct character.



"In this article we explain the basic differences between THC and CBD and how they work together. We also put together a comprehensive list of the most popular THC and CBD strains in America today (2017)."



THC and CBD are two of the most abundant medicinal and recreational ingredients in marijuana. Both cannabis components are highly medicinal, but only THC gets you high, while CBD does not.



THC

THC or d9-tetrahydrocannabinol generally refers to the main psychoactive (stoning) ingredient of marijuana. THC effects vary greatly depending on the strain. THC and other components of cannabis, the terpenes and other cannabinoids (CBD, others) interact in synergy to produce their medicinal and recreational effects.

THC alone or synthetic forms are not nearly as effective as natural herb. In the plant, THC exists as organic acid, which is not psychoactive until it is heated (in a joint, vape), where carbon dioxide is released and psychoactive THC is formed.

THC works with cellular receptors of most body cells and especially nerve cells that modulate brain and nervous function. THC mimics the body's own receptor chemicals - called endocannabinoids - that are short supply in disease states. THC has been shown to induce sleep, reduce pain, inspire creativity, induce hunger. Overdose is not physically harmful, but panic attacks, dizziness and paranoia are common side effects, especially from smoking mono-THC marijuana which contains no CBD or other balancing components.



"Delta 9-THC, commonly called THC, is a psychoactive cannabinoid. It's what gets you stoned. In BC bud, there are only five compounds found in any great quantity. There's tetrahydrocannabinol acid or THCA abbreviated. Then there's Delta 9-THC (THC), there's cannabinol (CBN), then cannabidiolic acid, and then there's cannabidiol (CBD). This is the way they have been bred (in the US as well) and environmentally manipulated by breeders mainly with the goal to push up the THC level. Now, when I look at a BC sample (of bud), the compound that you see in the most abundance is THCA, because when you heat THCA it converts directly one-to-one to Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the compound that gets you stoned."







CBD

CBD or Cannabidiol is usually the second most abundant component of marijuana. Some strains have been bred to contain more CBD than THC. CBD might be more medicinal than THC, however, it is very different in that it has no psychoactive properties.

Similar to THC, CBD exists as an acid and converts to a more bioactive form upon heating (vape, joint, baking). Like THC, its toxicity is negligible. In opposition to all scientific and medical evidence, the Federal government listed as a Schedule 1 drug, in the same category as heroin.


"I've seen magic strains from time to time. A fellow brought me a strain with two names, called Salmon Creek and Big Bud. It was 21% cannabidiol (CBD). Now, getting 21% THC is fair enough, but this was 21% CBD, and 8% THC. That could be a very useful strain medicinally because CBD is important. It's things like that that blow me away, rather than the strain that I'm focused on for medicinal value." - Dr. Paul Hornby


CBD is now recommended by doctors worldwide to assist in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions; cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurological disorders, Crohn's, epilepsy, pain, anxiety, nausea, rheumatoid arthritis, schizophrenia, diabetes, PTSD, alcoholism, strokes and among others.

The CBD molecule differs slightly from THC, but its slight differences affect our body's cannabinoid receptors quite differently. In diseased conditions, receptors are not functioning properly, and over respond or under respond. In this way, CBD and the other cannabinoids dial up and down different body controls. Pain up, anxiety down, or simply normalize function.






"I've seen the more wild, natural type of strain to have a more balanced cannabinoid ratio. With lots of British Columbia?s bud, the THC is through the roof and all the other cannabinoids have more or less been suppressed. The true medicine, I believe, has more cannabinoids in it than just THC. THC does one job, and the other cannabinoids are important for modulating the effect of the Delta 9 (THC)." - Dr. Paul Hornby





TOP STRAINS - 2017 - MED AND REC



Most Popular Strains - Leafly

1 Blue Dream
2 Sour Diesel
3 Girl Scout Cookies
4 Green Crack
5 OG Kush
6 Granddaddy Purple
7 Trending Strains - Leafly




Tropic Thunder List


1 Lime Skunk
2 Trainwreck
3 LA Confidential
4 Harlequin
5 Tangerine Dream
6 Cannatonic
7 Ganja Wemo


Strains - Google Algorithm First Appearing

1 Pineapple Skunk ·
2 Burmese Kush
3 Landrace
4 Skunk #1
5 Jack Herer
6 Killer Tahoe OG


Strains - Reddit First Appearing

1 Presidential OG
2 Spooky Dream
3 Black Destroyer
4 Purple Space Cookies
5 Lemon Thai Kush
6 Dark Star
7 Peaches and Cream


HIGHTIMES - Strains

1 Black Lavender
2 Do-Si-Dos
3 Mendo Breath?
4 392 OG
5 Colorado Bubba
6 Goji OG
7 Catfish?
8 Stardawg
9 Gorilla Glue #4
10 Gelato


Leafscience - Strains

1 Girl Scout Cookies
2 Green Crack
3 Bruce Banner
4 Sour Diesel
5 Durban Poison
6 Kosher Kush
7 Blackberry X Blueberry
8 Tangerine Power
9 Banana Kush
10 Blue Dream



ALLBUD

1 OG Kush
2 Jock Horror
3 Purple Kush
4 Blueberry
5 Durban Poison
6 Wonder Woman
7 Neville’s Hazeis
8 Jack Herer
9 Zensation
10 Khalifa Kush



"I'll tell you that for an epileptic, you want a lot of CBD there. A higher CBD to Delta 9 ratio is better for epileptics as a general rule. So, if I find a strain with a high CBD level to a Delta 9 ratio, then I?ll put that into my epileptic group as a potential for epileptic treatment." - Dr. Paul Hornby






420EVALUATIONSONLINE LIST OF CBD STRAINS 2017

STEPHEN HAWKING OG / KUSH - CBD: 20%

CBD:THC: 5:1 indica dominant hybrid (70% indica/30% sativa)

AC/DC CBD: 20%

CBD:THC: 20:2 Sativa-dominant, 50% Sativa : 50% Indica

VC/DC CBD: 13%

CBD:THC: 1:1 Indica-dominant hybrid

CANNATONIC CBD: 20% +

CBD:THC: 3:1 (from 5:1 to 1:1)Genetics: MK Ultra x G13 Haze

SUPER SOUR WIDOW CBD: 11%

CBD:THC: 1:1.5 Hybrid - 50% Sativa : 50% Indica

HARIE - TSU CBD: 24%

CBD:THC: 20:1 Hybrid - 50% Sativa /50% Indica

CANNA-TSU CBD: 8%

CBD:THC: 1:1 Genetics: Cannatonic x Sour Tsunami CBD hybrid

SOUR TSUNAMI CBD: 10-12%

CBD:THC: 1:1 Class: Sativa-dominant hybrid

PENNY WISE CBD: 12%

CBD:THC: 1:1 Class: Indica : Sativa : 70:30

THE REMEDY CBD: 16%

CBD:THC: 15:1 Indica dominant hybrid (75% Indica/25% Sativa)

MEDICATED OG CBD: 16%

CBD:THC: 4:1 Hybrid 50% Indica: 50% Sativa

DARK STAR CBD: 3%?

CBD:THC: ?% very highly rated....

 

[roots69]

• 
  101 PATIENT REACTIONS TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA

101 PATIENT REACTIONS TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Americans from every walk of life chime in with their experiences with marijuana
A lot can be learned, simply by listening to people. Americans from every walk of life chime in with their experiences with marijuana. It's a great thing, however, a common theme is that Governments and the establishment continue to demonize and punish those who take marijuana. The irony is that our country always farmed hemp and marijuana until the 1930s. Marijuana was prescribed by doctors and cannabis tonics were sold in the pharmacy.

When the Feds decided to declare marijuana a narcotic, the college of physicians objected, as they knew full well that cannabis was not dangerous nor especially habit forming. Even the word marijuana was made up, borrowing a name from a Spanish word/ slang for smokable herbs.

"Prior to 1910, “marijuana” didn’t exist as a word in American culture. Rather, “cannabis” was used, most often in reference to medicines and remedies for common household ailments. In the early 1900s, what have now become pharmaceutical giants—Bristol-Myers Squibb and Eli Lilly—used to include cannabis and cannabis extracts in their medicines." - Leafly

And the travesty continues until today. Based on the overwhelming support for marijuana legalization (75+% and climbing) by the American population, the establishment's diatribe as lost nearly all credibility. Read on and see what the people are saying about America's largest cash crop.

101 PATIENT REACTIONS

My sister has had eye surgeries for glaucoma and was given a prescription for medical marijuana. She is unable to smoke it because she is a teacher and would lose her job, but she can lose her eye, right? Where is the justice in that? - Cat Baker

This herb has been around forever. My grandmother used every herb to fight and cure everything from stomach aches to glaucoma. Read up, the only reason it is not legal is that it is a free herb growing seed and is difficult to regulate.- Cat Baker

I have breast cancer myself and I smoke marijuana and it does really help a lot, my name is Kimberly Walker

I have had back surgery and for the rest of my life, I will have chronic pains in my back. Every time I go to the doctor, they give me pills that don't help or a shot to ease the pain. I don't do drugs, but if they are helping people making medicine out of marijuana and it really helps me with my pain. yes I will try marijuana because the narcotic prescription drugs are killing people. - Barbara Baker


They are gonna phase out prescription Narcotics, coz the Pharmaceutical Companies says , who made them and sold them, are they are addictive, and is a menace to society.- Tiu Well....


This is a good ex. of Eco terrorist Gene Altered Hemp -! It does not in anyway meet the standards of the "97 Agent Orange Act" or any other later-! - Eric Bolt

No not hardly. It will be good for those who need. No liver damage with that. - Sandy Hopkin

I can't believe there stopping treatment on people that are terminally ill because they take marijuana for help? This shit is ridiculous wtf is wrong with our society. - Adam Frye

Where's the scientific backing? Where's the credible studies? I smoke pot AVIDLY and this shit just makes me fucking laugh. You do realize this right here is why the government won't take this plant seriously, right? And I had cancer! - Gregory R Jones

I like to get high but I wasn't smoking weed when I got healed I got healed in my living room my Jesus Christ study Shepherd's Chapel on YouTube real truth teaching listen to Revelation it is a prophecy and Revelation in the Greek means apocalypse to unveil to make known not war and explosions learn real truth not traditions of men which make void the word of God. - Kathy Monroe

I'd it works use it people have used it wrong for years now we see what it is here for. - Tom Mcbride

Y can't they make it available for those who need it. It is a lot safer then alcohol. -
Sandy Hopkins

And apparently puts red dots inside of your boobs.... - James Scott

Works very well. - Carol Ann Neilson Yes it's good for the body...especially for headaches too. - Ann Ridley




Can't wait till it becom

e cbd juice - Luong Nam

It helps more ways then u know. Safer then booze and pills!!!!! - Sandy Hopkins



“The first time I smoked was at home with my mother and stepfather; they were like, If you are going to do this, we'd rather you did this with us." - Matt Damon




Eases pain and helps me sleep - Gail Anne Paul

Does vaping give you a different high than dabbing? - Canna Clue


Yes, mostly dabbing involves a higher concentration of THC.- 420EOL


I have epilepsia when I have my first baby, how I can get a prescription - Virginia Huertas



420EVALUATIONSONLINE: In California, until 2018, a medical doctor's evaluation is required to purchase cannabis based medicines and smokable strains from dispensaries, delivery services, cannabis clubs, cooperatives and other points of access. We provide Marijuana ID Cards, 420 Evaluations, cultivation permits. The process is completed 100% online and takes only a few minutes of a patient's time.

Note: No payment is required until the application for documents are approved by a licensed physician.



Doesn't make me that hungry anymore and the more you eat the more weight you lose. Depending on how fast your metabolism is, weed sped mine up big time. It doesn't help with my headaches and it sure as shit does not help with asthma. I cough up resin all - Dylan Smith-Cole


Medical marijuana treats a lot of different illnesses and I'm glad that states are starting to pass laws that would let people get medical marijuana for their different illnesses - Steve Holliday · ·


Having to apply and register for medical marijuana card is not a good idea at all as everyone knows its not legal on a federal level and the government sees an opportunity to identify and label drug users now the feds pay for half the roads and freeway... - Sam Nimer



If it was legal the taxes collected from the selling and or permit fees every year to grow your own would pay for the roads and heavy highway construction. Plus more. It would help the states and the people. And tax more on alcohol and the schools get hundreds of millions of dollars. It really is that simple. - Jason Alexander

Medicinal Marijuana is different from smoking, bonging the hallucinogenic rollers.. do not mix up the good effects with casual lifestyle smoking which is habit forming & dulls the mind! - Maree Suzette

I have a kid so I don't want smoke cannabis around my kid or even be high near her.But I wish they would make it legal in the state of Tennessee so I can try cannabis oil for my disability I have hemiplegic migraines.And I already had a surgery done which did help but not cure all my symptoms. - Ashley Nala Skye

I agree with some things on here...not all...it can be used to lose weight and relieve anxiety & depression...this picture needs a makeover for sure!!!! ( www.medicaljane.com ) THC-V is an appetite suppressant. - Dan Thompson

So much better than any prescription med! - Richard Cain

BULLSHIT I HAD A TOTAL COLONOSCOPY 7 OPERATIONS THE PAIN PILSS MADE ME A FKIN JUNKIE I LEFT HOSPITAL AFTER LONG YEARS I STOPPED PILLS SMOKED WEED AND HAVE NOT STOPPED BUT I HAVEN'T TAKEN ONE PILL NOW I'M ABLE TO WORK SLEEP EAT BE NORMAL MINIS SOME BODY PARTS SO I'M LIVING PROOF
- Rich Castle

I have anxiety description of chemical in balance in my brain is this weed going to help me. - Priscilla Fonseca



“Herb is the healing of a nation, alcohol is the destruction.” - Bob Marley



Nausea right now...time to smoke! - Majiq Moreau

Fake it increases your stress depression and anxiety. - Vishal Singh

I LOATHE the smell but I still feel that marijuana is light years better than anything Big Pharma has shoved down our throats since forever.....God bless natural remedies and anyone who can create an odorless version!! hahahahahaha!!! - Adrienne Harris ·

I saw the effects of medical marijuana first hand with my dying grandfather who had stage cancer. It's such an amazing treatment option! Considering nothing else took away his pain or increased his appetite please let's legalize and get cured everyday with your orders and questions are welcome! - Dina Samy


Decisions Decisions! Does it really matter! They both look outstanding! - Julie Patti

I will take a little bit of all of them and make a fruit salad. - James Reynolds
·
I don't care as long as it would take my pains ETC away and make me sleep. SO SICK OF BEING SICK AND TIRED. - Virtuous V Ebanks


THC makes me too paranoid. I quit liking that feeling early '80's can't understand Y others like that feeling. YUK. CBD is not like that. - Janet Teeter


Purple first, I've beverage had purple! Then on to the green! - Gail Chang


A beautiful masterpiece right there! I'd go for a green one first :- Deana Wonders


Just sit inhaling the natural essence of the herb for about an hour. - Donna M Hein

It don't matter, I'd be thankful enough just to be able to smoke some exotic shit like that. - Dennis Qualls

Smoke the green trade the purple for more green, - Jacob Huffman

Mmmmm, I'm a daily pain sufferer....Stuff both you pretty nugs in my pipe and smoke ya! - Lillian James

I had a total colonoscopy NO PAIN MEDS WORK LIKE WEED I'M LIVING PROOF IT WORKS SO I CAN LIVE AND WORK PLAY WIT NO PAIN AT ALL PERIOD SO TO U NA SAYERS TRY LIVING IN SOMEONE'S SHOES IN PAIN BEFORE U KNOCK IT. - Rich Castle

I agree! I love Marijuana. I no longer worry about others projecting their negative connotations about it.- Barry Ertel

I remember my grandmother using it. - Sue Dahlman

But why some others are getting crazy when they smoke the damn plant? - Marco Waponya

? I personally think that the corporate governments who deemed it unsafe & made it illegal, along with all persons involved in keeping it illegal & all law enforcement officials who have ruined lives over it should all be put in jail for infringement of ...- Kt Sastre

Having to apply and register for medical marijuana card is not a good idea at all as everyone knows its not legal on a federal level and the government sees an opportunity to identify and label drug users now the feds pay for half the roads and freeway...- Sam Nimer

Cloppers Against Marijuana Marijuana users are the most vile, disgusting people on the planet. They should all be put into concentration camps and then sterilized.... (Joke)

Bull shit ,I never feel like murder,killing,on just pot really u don't need know to much about weed ,people don't do stuff like that on weed but drunks do. - Maryann Gibson

The World says give us back our baby Jesus herb stolen by terrorist, from inside the fed-! - Eric Bolt

Lmao, not even a close representation of the human brain regions. Cloppers is not only anti marijuana, they're also antiscience. Funny. Therefore against human progress. Great job, keep the people stupid and weak cloppers, it speaks volumes of your mental capacity, fools. - Christopher Nuenthel

Wow Cloppers Against Marijuana what a load of bullshit. You're spreading ignorant opinions, not scientific fact. Your statement is actually the opposite of what marijuana research is finding, which is something quite available. - Christopher Nuenthel

Total agree recreational broke ass Illinois state no school no teacher no doctors what the f. where money is going other than your pocket. - Susie Q Drayton

We need it legalize quick ,I think my people get killed. - Maryann Gibson

Do bongs and thongs delegitimize the legal cannabis industry? - Cannabis Lovers

That true, we human should show some respect, trees give us everything and ask for nothing - Luong Nam

Yeah. Some side effects but. Not damaging to your organs. like Pills. - Norma Rios

Judge Rules Insurance Company Must Cover Medical Marijuana...This could theoretically establish a very much-needed precedent for patients!

How many people use it as a medical cure or pain relief? personally i just love getting stoned and it's an added bonus u get to eat lots n sleep lots. - Rhys Pedrick

Medically it's a miracle for many cures, I do believe this... - Fernanda Sulla

Doesn't make me that hungry anymore and the more you eat the more weight you lose. Depending on how fast your metabolism is, weed sped mine up big time. It doesn't help with my headaches and it sure as shit does not help with asthma. I cough up resin all...- Dylan Smith-Cole

Medical marijuana treats a lot of different illnesses and I'm glad that states are starting to pass laws that would let people get medical marijuana for their different illnesses, - Steve Holliday

Having to apply and register for medical marijuana card is not a good idea at all as everyone knows its not legal on a federal level and the government sees an opportunity to identify and label drug users now the feds pay for half the roads and freeway...- Sam Nimer

Depression is bull crap, it saved me from PTSD - Faith Morgan

? So much better than any prescription med! - Richard Cain

So True had I been allowed legally to not be a big pharm drug dealers dream as i've taken and take too many meds the less i take and trying to get card but use some i would not be so ill. Thanks cannabis i'm healing.- Susan Dorothy Portelance

Very true, since I starting smoking again I've only had 3 crohns flare up's!!! - Cathy Silak-Oddo

LOATHE the smell but I still feel that marijuana is light years better than anything Big Pharma has shoved down our throats since forever.....God bless natural remedies and anyone who can create an odorless version!! hahahahahaha!!! - Adrienne Harris

I support it for tax money and jobs can't smoke Lungs to bad from years in coal mines but if people vote this in government should support it to too much government is not good. - Dennis Pack

Smoking is bad for ya either way , much is being done in the extraction of oils from cannabis , its much easier on the lungs. - Thomas Hayes

Cannabis is now legal in South Africa I'm very happy for the people that need it. - Sarie Jansen van Vuuren

I support the legalization for medical cures, and not for recreational use, getting high.- Fernanda Sulla

As I have said if the government figures out a way to tax it, will be legal in no time. - Chris Challis

Unnatural isn't the right word. Unnatural just means what does not arise from nature. You're looking for irrational. - Josh Alderson

Pharma Boss and alcohol giants hate this and bribing the servants for years to banned it. - Akram Khan

We should all have the right to choose our medicine. We know our own bodies and should have the right to choose what feels best. Image may contain: plant and nature.

I have Crohn's disease and this disease is very debilitating anything that I can get it for some relief would be a blessing. - Steve Holliday

Salasevicius been trying medical marijuana to help me get off opiates. I've been suffering from severe peripheral neuropathy that I've had since 2004 (from chemo).- Valerie Godfrey

If the government can find a way to gain excise duty on it, it will become more acceptable like alcohol and cigarettes... right! - Chris Challis

We are a group of growers dedicated to providing you with best quality of medical marijuana strains and seeds. For over 6 years we have been helping people buy the very best marijuana strains and seeds - Lucy Betty

Kidney patient taken off transplant list for using medical cannabis. "I've tried so many pharmaceuticals and none of them worked, but the medical cannabis does, It helps me function. It helps me take care of my kids."

Kidney patient taken off transplant list for using medical marijuana -- A kidney patient in Maine has been taken off a transplant wait list for using medical marijuana.State lawmakers are now…AUGUSTA, Maine (WGME)

This is really sad and happens all of the time. You can take prescription meds that hurt kidneys and liver but you can't use a plant that helps!! - Kristy Barrett Cherry

This post is very true. Look it up. Water intoxication is very true and does kill people each year. Polydipsia is one of the conditions that causes this. - Michelle Baker-Zimmerman

What about the billions of plastic bottles that contained the water contaminating the planet. This bottled water is often filled with harmful minerals and you pay for that!!!.... Why not boil and chill your tap water. -Chris Challis.

If you talking about spring or alkaline water this post is a damn lie foreal eye drink nothing but water. Eye ain't missed a beat yet eye guess the weed kills the waters toxic cells huh?? - Ra King Pesowe

Google is an amazing thing. Some should try it before speaking out of their ass.- Kenny Riley



Researchers have identified over 70 unique cannabinoids within the cannabis plant, many of which interact with the human endo-cannabinoid system using the cannabinoid receptors found throughout your body. Some cannabinoids bind more selectively to certain receptors and are more specific for desired medical usage..

 

[roots69]

• 
  HOW MEDICAL MARIJUANA WORKS TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE

HOW MEDICAL MARIJUANA WORKS TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
Cannabis can lower blood pressure - Ask your Health Care Professional

"A new way to lower blood pressure by using synthesizes a marijuana (hashish) plant component was developed by a pharmacology PhD. student." - Jerusalem School of Pharmacy.



High Blood Pressure or hypertension is a chronic condition where artery pressure is elevated above the normal range.

• 100–140 mmHg pulse
  
  
• 60–90 mmHg between pulses
  

The integrity of the blood vessels lining plays a critical role in many human disorders, including vascular disease, stroke, heart diseases, diabetes, resistance to insulin , kidney failure, tumors, metastasis, thrombosis, and viral infectious disease.

Therapy with Medical Cannabis and its synthetic derivatives can also lower blood pressure without cardio-toxicity. Components of Medical Marijuana Produce anti-inflammatory activity; by reducing inflammation of vessel lining that restricts blood flow, thus the diameter of vessels is widened and blood flows more easily and pressure goes down.



"A systemic detox is definitely the way to go after holidaying. Tnis is a key to fighting heart disease, high blood pressure,, cancer, and other health-related illnesses."



How Medical Marijuana Lowers Blood Pressure

The body's endocannabinoid system plays an important role in the regulation of high blood pressure.







"Recent studies have revealed that children 8-10 years old are being diagnosed with Type II diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure at an alarming rate." - Lee Haney


Cannabinoids of Medical Cannabis, mimic the body's own endocannabinoids that are involved in cardiovascular system control. Many studies find that Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD work by normalizing the heart's pumping action by relaxing overly tense muscles and tissues, allowing blood to flow normally. These basic discoveries offer a solid scientific basis for Medical Marijuana Treatment of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disorders.



"The endothelium (blood vessel lining) produces a variety of substances that play important parts in the regulation of the circulation and vascular wall stability. The control of blood vessel wall homeostasis is achieved via production of relaxants that oppose constriction and endocannabinoids have shown to be a relaxant."









"Marijuana Cannabinoids has been found to reduce inflammation of blood vessel lining which widens the pipes and lowers pressure." Dr. W. Rivers





FURTHER READING



HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE & MEDICAL MARIJUANA

High blood pressure is caused by restricted blood flow; narrowing of vessels or dysfunctional valves. Hypertension is associated with vascular and disease, inflammation, diabetes, insulin resistance, kidney problems, tumors, metastasis, thrombosis, and infectious diseases. Just thinking about high blood pressure can bring on high blood pressure.



Hypertension - Awesome article Cali NORML

Emerging research indicates that the endogenous cannabinoid system plays a role in regulating blood pressure, though its mechanism of action is not well understood. Animal studies demonstrate that endocannabinoids profoundly suppress cardiac contractility in hypertension and can normalize blood pressure, some experts speculate that the manipulation of the endocannabinoid system may offer now therapeutic approaches in cardiovascular disorders."


The administration of natural cannabinoids yielded conflicting cardiovascular effects in humans and animals.The vascular response in humans in experimental conditions is characterized by a mild increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Complete tolerance to these effects develops quickly and health risks appear minimal.



CANNABIS TREATMENT CAN HELP WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

In a study done on hypertensive rats, researchers injected THC and recorded effects on blood pressure. Immediately after injection, their blood pressure dropped significantly. Even days after the injection, the rats injected with THC had significantly lower blood pressure. A similar study with cats had the same findings: that THC decreased their blood pressure long term. Given that the cats did not have hypertension, unlike rats under study, it seems THC can lower blood pressure regardless of a pre-existing condition.




Hypertension and Medical Marijuana; Why is it so important?

There are NOT a lot of controlled studies looking at a direct correlation, but in practice, I have not seen cannabis lower blood pressure... to where patients can stop taking medication. Things like stress, lack of sleep and pain can directly increase blood pressure. Medical cannabis can help all three of these so theoretically. it can lower blood pressure. This is a case by case thing and I can not make blanket statements about general situations. Blood pressure is something that should be tackled from many angles; meal planning, stress reduction, pharmaceuticals/medically and spiritually. The combination can lead back to a path of health. Looking at any one issue alone without addressing the other factors is going to be futile.



Medical Benefits › High Blood Pressure High Blood Pressure - Cannabis Search

While further research still needs to be conducted, existing studies indicate that cannabis may be a viable option for treating hypertension. In tests conducted on animals, researchers determined that cannabis dialated blood vessels in animals with high blood pressure, lowering and reducing the hypertension. Other research on humans has shown that smoking or vaporizing cannabis, speeds up the heart initally, before slowing down activity after ten minutes.








420EVALUATIONSONLINE Notes: It is important that a licensed Medical Cannabis be consulted before taking any MMJ medication for cardiovascular disorders. While Medical cannabis works for many patients, strains high in THC are not for everyone with hypertension.

To get a recommendation for medical cannabis in California and Nevada, paitiens can apply online here. The process is same day for 420 evaluations, Cannabis ID and Grower permits. Patients don't pay unless they are approved by our licensed physician. Documents are used to purchase medical cannabis at dispensaries, cannabis cooperatives, clinics, or other retailers of medical marijuana based products.

 

[roots69]

• 
  GUIDELINES FOR DOSING WITH MEDICAL CANNABIS - ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION

GUIDELINES FOR DOSING WITH MEDICAL CANNABIS - ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION
Photo credit: Cresco Labs

The process of any therapy is best guided by a medical doctor or health care professional with the acumen, proper training and experience. These days, medical marijuana is increasingly recommended and often substituted for prescription drugs that have serious side-effects and addictive properties. In some cases, such as epilepsy and other neurological, no other medicine provides a good quality of life solution.

Cannabis medicines are now commonly used in conjunction with other medicines to control pain, inflammation, anxiety and other symptoms.

The general public and many medical doctors still don't know that cannabis based medicines (CBM) can be delivered effectively to patients in virtually every way. Asthmatics, for example, can now inhale cannabis medicine with a vape, which of course, is a kind of vaporizer. In fact, smoking a joint may soon be the least common method of dose medical marijuana.

Routes of administration for Cannabis based medicines are:

• Inhalation
  
  
• Oral
  
  
• Topical
  
  
• Sublingual
  
  
• Injection
  

MEDICAL CANNABIS - RATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR DOSING

Summary - How to maximize medicating effects and minimize undesirable effects. - Donald Abrams, MD, Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of California, et al.- 2004.



This drug dosing construct is not unique to cannabis. A patient-determined, self dosing model is recommended. This self-titration model is acceptable given the variables affecting administration as well as the low toxicity of cannabis. Many other drugs have relatively low toxicity and high dosing ceilings (gabapentin being one notable example) and are commonly titrated (adjust the amount of medicine) effectively.

Inhalation; an experienced cannabis smoker can titrate and regulate dose to obtain the desired acute (medicating) effects and minimize the undesirable effects. Each puff delivers a discrete dose of cannabinoids to the body. Puff and inhalation volume changes with phase of smoking, tending to be highest at the beginning and lowest at the end of smoking a cigarette.

Comment: A vape is recommended to all medical marijuana users preferring the inhalation route.
Oral ingestion of THC or cannabis has quite different pharmacokinetics than inhalation. The onset of action is delayed and titration of dosing is more difficult.

"In a two day study, on one occasion, she was given a mixture of intravenous THC + CBD and on the other day a female patient was administered pure THC. With the CBD mix she was euphoric, coherent and happy. In contrast with the pure THC, she was paranoid, couldn’t form thoughts, couldn’t remember things, and was extremely mentally uncomfortable with how she was feeling." - The Beckley Foundation



420EVALUATIONSONLINE Medical Notes: These days THC alone is not recommended for most patients. Rather CBD:THC in a 1:1 ratio for THC tolerant individuals appears to provide far superior medical benefits to most patients while psychoactivity responses tend to be overwhelmingly better at reducing anxiety, enhancing the feeling of well being with minimal feelings of psychosis. Also non psychoactive medicines containing CBD and little THC are becoming particularly popular in the treatment of children, elderly, epileptics and hard-to-treat patients.

Table source



INHALATION - SMOKING

Examples: Joints, inhaler, vapes, pipes, flame, dabb.



Traditionally dried cannabis flowers (buds) or leaves are smoked. Concentrated oily marijuana Hash and kief are also used throughout the modern and ancient world. Inhaled medications are generally absorbed very quickly, and act both locally and systemically in a few minutes, Correct technique using inhalation devices is necessary to control the dose amount. Some medications can have an unpleasant taste or cause irritation in the mouth.

Inhalation delivers the medicine drugs to the nervous system and brain with little dilution by the circulatory system. Inhalation of psychoactive substance may cause addiction in certain individuals. Even so, marijuana ranks lowest in addictive properties, much lower than alcohol, cocaine, heroin, nicotine or even caffeine.

• Advantages: Easy, fast.
  
  
• Disadvantages: odor on breath and after-taste with some methods/medicines.
  
  
• Dose range: THC and/or CBD - 2-100 mg / day.
  
  
• Recommended Practice: Using vapes with the right concentrate (medicine) will afford superior benefits without appreciable odor or aftertaste.
  
  
• Effects: Begins in a few minutes and lasts about two hours plus or minus.
  

Dosage: Start with 2 mg, Inhale fully but naturally; you don't need to hold the smoke/vapor in your lungs …and exhale in a relaxed way. Wait a few minutes. and take another 2mg "hit" if your symptoms are still present. As you learn about your response, more medicine can be used right away, and then add on from there.

Preheat the vaporizer to the temperature recommended by the manufacturer. Insert a measured amount of dried (cured) cannabis flower or extract into a vaporizer. Press the on button and then simply inhale. The cannabis is heated to a temperature below combustion but still hot enough to release the active ingredients: the cannabinoids and terpenes. Vaporizers are now available in a wide array of shapes and sizes, from exotic units to pocket/purse pens. Note that Vapes are more efficient than smoking a joint, they're safer and you'll be saving a lot of money in the long run. Vapor can be so clean that the user sometimes thinks they never "got anything:. Rookies can be easily fooled into over-medicating and should wait 10 minutes before dosing again.

For most patients, the effects of smoking dried cannabis are felt almost immediately, but soon begin to diminish. Depending on the individual patient, and the cannabinoid content and potency of the cannabis strain, effects wear off almost completely within 90 minutes to 4 hours.

I DON'T WANT TO SMELL LIKE A POTHEAD

Will smoking or vaping make me smell like a pothead? The answer, yes, BUT only if you smoke joints in massive quantity. These days, most patients use a vape with good cannabis product that produces negligible odors. Marijuana smoke may be harmful to lungs but only in large, abusive - non-medical type amounts. In moderate use, one or two joints per day, the effects on the lungs appears to be negligible or are even therapeutic.

"After exercise-induced bronchospasm, placebo marijuana and saline were followed by gradual recovery during 30 to 60 min, whereas 2.0 per cent marijuana and isoproterenol caused an immediate reversal of exercise-induced asthma and hyperinflation." - PubMed

CAFFEINE MORE ADDICTIVE THAN POT - RODENT STUDY

"One difference between caffeine and THC, however, is that caffeine more reliably produces abuse-related effects in preclinical rodent models." - Dr. Lazenka,THC Researcher

Medical Marijuana Dispensary - Fully Stocked

SAFETY - LAB TESTED MARIJUANA IS THE BEST WAY TO GO

There is little point in medicating and poisoning oneself at the same time. Mold, pesticides and residual solvents are serious contaminants too often found in random testing. When using any kind of cannabis medicine, products should be free of residual solvents (used to extract medical ingredients), pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, mold, fungus and other toxic components.

The cannabinoid profile should be measured using liquid chromatography (LC) to see that the THC, CBD and other cannabinoids are present in the appropriate therapeutic quantity.

Overdosing is a possibility with both THC and CBD but are low-risk as compared to most other medications. The beauty of cannabis based medicines is that their toxicity and side effects are much lower than your standard pharmaceutical preparation. THC overdose can famously result in temporary psychosis and scares the living hell out of the victim. CBD is well-tolerated in humans and overdose is very uncommon. Side-effects are limited to minor complaints.

"Several studies suggest that CBD is non-toxic in non-transformed cells and does not induce changes on food intake, does not induce catalepsy, does not affect physiological parameters (heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature), does not affect gastrointestinal transit and does not alter psychomotor or psychological functions. Also, chronic use and high doses up to 1,500 mg/day of CBD are reportedly well tolerated in humans." PubMed

ORAL AND EDIBLE MEDICAL CANNABIS - RECOMMENDED

Examples: Edibles using cooking oils & butter, capsules. alcoholic beverages.



Advantages: Easy to take, long lasting, soothing and smooth. Raw cannabis contains THC-A,a non-psychoactive but medicinal form of THC.

Baking converts THC-A into psychoactive THC (d9). So raw and baked can deliver non-psychoactive or psychoactive effects respectively.

Disadvantages: Bitter, unpleasant taste for some palates. THC overdose is possible so start small when using THC high products.

Dose range: 2 - 100 mg

Side Effects: Eating too much medical cannabis (high in THC) can cause extreme drowsiness, dizziness, inability to concentrate, diminished ability to focus, rapid heartbeat, increases or decreases in blood pressure, need for sleep, and feelings of euphoria. Balanced forms with equal quantities of THC:CBD or CBD alone are recommended for THC intolerant individuals.

"Dr. William Courtney, a juicing guru of fame, recommends ingesting fifteen leaves and a couple of big buds daily."

The oral route is generally the most convenient and cheapest of drug delivery systems. In the majority of cases, medical marijuana tends to sooth and balance the intestinal tract, particularly the large intestine, were inflammation can be dramatically reduced as seen in many documented cases of Crohn's. However, drugs, including marijuana can cause gastrointestinal tract irritation in some. Medication that comes in tablets or capsules form tends to be delivered more rapidly than edibles such as brownies - where absorption is time-released.

"Juicing raw cannabis is the Crohn’s Disease health cure that Kristen claims saved her life. Diagnosed at 16 with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, the illness quickly turned into an auto immune disorder that left her bedridden for four years. Finally, the teen and her mother began to look for alternative treatments. Kristen began juicing raw cannabis, and after a month she claims her pain stopped and her recovery began. She is now an advocate for medical marijuana treatment for fellow sufferers." - Kristen Courtney

Cannabis is usually infused into butter and oil that is substituted into a great variety of recipes . Edibles take 20 minutes to an hour to take effect while inhalation takes only a few minutes. Doses can be difficult to judge because absorption rates vary depending on the individual and medicine. The condition of the digestive tract and the pre-intake of other foods and beverages also affect absorption, release and effect.

The easiest way to control an edible dose is to take a known amount of THC and or CBD on a relatively empty stomach, perhaps with afternoon tea or before breakfast. Another way is to munch a little bit, and then wait an hour and gauge the effect before eating more. Through trial and effect, the correct, comfortable dosage can be established.

Many patients with cancer, aids, chronic pain, nervous system disorders often find that oral administration provides greater relaxation and calming cerebral effects than any other method. Oral cannabis meds are particularly popular for those with medical conditions that interfere with a good night's sleep, Again, it is the type of cannabis, rate of delivery and dose that are the main factors in the result.

Many patients new to medical marijuana are looking for a solution. They were often taking several to a half dozen or more types of different meds and not getting the results; the quality of life they wanted. The reason they turned to cannabis in the first place was because the cocktail was not as effective as they'd like and / or, the side effects became too much to handle.

Cannabis tinctures have been around forever. Tinctures allow medication without any psychoactive effects. Before prohibition in the 1930's US Pharmacopeia listed tinctures as a preferred form of application. Marijuana infused whiskey was also a popular choice as some people would imagine. Today low-dose ethanol cannabis tinctures are readily available in states with legalized medical marijuana.

MANAGING ORAL DOSES

• Start with ¼ of the producer's recommended “dose”of the herbal medicine.
• Wait an hour and observe/analyze the effects - with a licensed health care professional if possible.
• Consume another ¼ dose if required, wait another hour, analyze effects.
• Consume the remainder of the dose, if required.
• Analyze results the next day and discuss optimal dosage with your health care professional.

Types of edibles: Smoothies, juice, baked goods, sauces, teas, soda, whiskey, tinctures, energy bars, yummy bears, nut mixes, ice cream, crackers, popcorn, the list goes on.


TOPICAL APPLICATION - RECOMMENDED

Examples: Creams, lotions, oils and patches.

Advantages: Topical medicines act mostly at the site of harm, high levels of patient satisfaction, easy to use, slow but long lasting effect, non-invasive, non-psychoactive.

By delivering drugs almost directly to the site of action, the risk of systemic side effects is minimized. However, skin irritation can result in a minority of patients.

Disadvantages: slow absorption. The dose of some forms such as creams or lotions, the dosage is difficult to control.

Dose range: 10 to 200 mg.

"CBD oil helps with the healing process and inflammation, stuff like that. So you want to get these for before and after the fights, training. It’ll make your life a better place." - Mixed Martial Artist - Nate Diaz

Topical herbal medicines are applied directly to the skin or muscles. Topicals include lotions, salves, balms, sprays, oils, and creams. Patient testimonials suggest that they are tremendously effective for skin conditions like psoriasis, joint diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, migraines, restless leg syndrome, spasms, common muscle stress and soreness. Unlike inhalation and oral routes , topicals are 100% non-psychoactive- you could bathe in them and never get stoned.


PATCHES - TRANSDERMAL APPLICATION

Cannabinoids like THC and CBD are fat and alcohol soluble. Formulations containing cannabinoids, like THC and CBD or other cannabinoids pass from the patch through the skin into the blood.

While patches are relatively rare right now, this route of administration might become the most popular and effective choice of all. Just slap on a patch and go. Some medication tends to be relaxing and other types invigorating. People with chronic conditions that require constant medication to maintain their quality of life can start their day with a "day patch" and finish off with a "night patch", counting their blessings all the while.

How to use: Just apply the patch to a clean, dry and probably hairless skin surface. Popular places to apply a patch are the inner-wrist area, top of foot or ankle. This method is readily accepted by patients that do not want to inhale cannabis medicine.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA SUPPOSITORIES - HEAVY DUTY THERAPY

The use of cannabis medicines delivered via suppositories is uncommon but it may become an an especially effective route to treat certain difficult to treat conditions, like cancer and organ insults.

Advantages: Efficient, fast and long lasting, may be particularly effective for liver, pancreas and internal organ injury resulting from cancer and other causes.
Cons: Inconvenient to administer "on the road". Refrigeration of medication is required. Hemorrhoid sufferers suffer.
Dosage: Suppositories come in various sizes, 1 or 2 grams usually with varying amounts of active ingredient and type. Bum pills can be cut in half to reduce dose.


"There is a “watershed” of veins in the rectum. Collectively they are called the rectal or hemorrhoidal plexus. The majority of the venous flow ( after absorbing cannabinoids ) goes by way of the superior rectal vein into the portal vein, while the inferior veins flow into the vena cava. The portal vein collects most all venous return from the pancreas to the rectum with all the nutrients and enzymes for digestion) where the blood goes on to the liver for what is called first-pass metabolism. The majority of the THC is converted to 11-OH-THC, a similarly psychoactive molecule. The vena cava on the other hand goes back to the heart and general circulation before it more slowly reaches the liver for metabolism. " - Jeff Hergenrather MD



HOW TO USE

Patients insert a small cone-shaped waxy ball of cannabis meds into their rectum, where it is absorbed via the lower colon into the blood . This method is perhaps controversial and less palatable than other ways to medicate, but some patients thank god for it. It is really not difficult, just put on some gloves, lie on your side, and insert the suppository about 2 inches into the anus . Squeeze sphincter muscles and don't move for a few minutes. Then you're good to go. There are also syringe deliverable suppository medicines too. Whatever floats your boat.



SUBLINGUAL

Examples: Essential Oils and Tinctures.

Advantages: Easy, fast, effective. easy to control the dose, prefered route for children.

Disadvantages: Hard to get the right medicine, often expensive.

Dose range: 1 to 100 mg.

Sublingual means drug administration through the tissue under the tongue. Some patients find that either oral or sublingual delivery is the best choice for their conditions. Many medicines are designed for sublingual administration, including cardiovascular drugs, steroids, barbiturates, opioids with poor gastrointestinal bioavailability, enzymes, vitamins and minerals.

A cannabis tincture is a highly concentrated form of marijuana dissolved in alcohol (ethanol), glycerin or MCT oil such as coconut. Dosage must be carefully monitored, it takes only a few drops to achieve a therapeutic effect. Patients start with a few drops sprayed or squirted under the tongue. Users monitor the effect and take another few drops, if required. In the beginning stages, the process, of course, should be done at home and be directed by a licensed health care professional. Tinctures can also be mixed with beverages l but the potency and effect is more unpredictable than simple under the tongue administration.



INJECTION - NOT GENERALLY RECOMMENDED

Examples: Hypodermic needle, IV drip.

Advantages: Fast, potent medication for extreme cases.

Disadvantages: Inconvenient, expensive, can require assistance, pain.

Dose range:2 to 100 mg.

Injections can be intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC). Injections meds take effect rapidly - in 15–30 seconds for IV, 10–20 minutes for IM, and 15–30 minutes for SC. Medication is more or less 100% bioavailable. Cannabis is used for AIDS/HIV, Cancer, chronic pain sufferers and anti-inflammatory conditions to improve feelings of well being, overcome anxiety,reduce inflammation, improve appetite and manage pain. People already on IV can conveniently use Cannabis based medicines by simplifying the appropriate concentrate to their drip. Of course this procedure must be approved and done by a licensed health care professional.

"After being diagnosed with cancer, Beverly Hills celebrity Cheryl Shuman began taking a cocktail of medications and up to 27 morphine tablets a day in a bid to overcome the disease. However, after learning about cannabis oil, Cheryl started to treat herself. She says the treatment cured her in 90 days and remains in remission to this day." - Cheryl Shuman

DABBING - NOT RECOMMENDED

Dabbing is a crude and rude but somewhat effective way to medicate with cannabis concentrates such as hash oil, budder, shatter, wax, etc. Dabbing devices vary but basically the medicine is placed on metal and heated to a very high temperature, perhaps with a butane torch and the vapor is inhaled. This method is not recommended because compounds created at a high temperature can be carcinogenic and expensive medicine can volatilize and wasted. Vaping is the superior technique in every way.


FURTHER READING

DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is for informational purposes only. Before taking any action, patients should contact a licensed healthcare professional with experience in therapy using medical cannabis.

 

[roots69]

Hmm... Why is anything grown naturally, always considered illegal in the western world???

• 
  MARINOL VS CANNABIS

MARINOL VS CANNABIS
What is the difference between Marinol, synthetic cannabinoid, and the natural cannabis?

Marinol (dronabinol) is the only US FDA-approved synthetic cannabinoid. Marinol is produced as a gelatin capsule containing synthetic delta-9 THC in sesame oil. It is an oral medicine and is available in 2, 5, and 10mg dosages.


When medical professionals consider a drug's effectiveness, they look at look at the medicine's ability to reduce symptoms, improve vital signs in balance with negative side effects.



Toxicology is the scientific study of adverse effects in living organisms caused by chemicals. The effect of a chemical in an organism is observed and documented with mechanisms or models of action are studied, formulated and/or critiqued.



A basic premise in basic toxicology theory (and practice) is that synthetic compounds are far more likely to be toxic or assimilate into the body in a suboptimal way, often resulting in an interruption in metabolic activities, causing minor to severe poisoning.



A simple illustration is common table salt. Naturally occurring sea salts contain a mixture of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium salts that resembles closely blood serum and sweat concentrations. Through processing, many table salts are nearly pure sodium chloride with the trace elements removed. Elite endurance athletes use the natural sea-salt product in their sports drinks to replace minerals lost in competition. Athletes on pure sodium end up cramping and prematurely exhausted. This is a very simple, fundamental and powerful concept, that many so-called nutritionists and general practitioners to not properly comprehend.



In fact, this is the problem in taking isolates and synthetic pharmaceuticals. Thought synthetic medicines are more toxic and often less effective than naturally occurring drugs and medicines, the medical establishment pushes them for one reason and one reason only. Money. Synthetic drugs can be patented, allowing the manufacturer, a 100% monopoly on sales and profits. As synthetic drugs gradually came into the marketplace, the manufacturers began to "support research" and fund medical schools.





In time, most great natural remedies would be effectively wiped from the physician's vocabulary and knowledge set. In other words, it is a process of brainwashing. So, instead of prescribing natural whole opium for example, the pharmaceutical industry synthesizes the opiate purifies it to make their "quality" standardized product.



Clinical Data - A comparison between Marinol (dronabinol) and Cannabis.



Marinol defined



"Marinol or Dronabinol is the INN for a pure isolated isomer of Δ9 THC, which is the dominant and psychoactive isomer found in most US grown cannabis. Orthodox medicine recognizes Marinol as a viable treatment for anorexia in people with HIV/AIDS as well as for nausea and vomiting in people undergoing chemotherapy. It is safe and effective for these uses" THC was first isolated in 1964 by Raphael Mechoulam and Yechiel Gaoni at the Weizmann Institute of Science.



Dr. Mechoulam was also one of the first scientists to discover the entourage effect, that cannabinoids and terpenes in combination are a more effective medicine, with less side effects, than isolates of monatomic strains of High THC weed with almost no other cannabinoids.



Whole Cannabis



Natural and hybrid Cannabis strains have been found to contain more than hundreds of medicinal cannabinoids, including psychoactive THC, non-psychoactive CBD as well as terpenes, flavonoids, sterols and other compounds - many of which, have outstanding therapeutic benefits in their own right.


Marinol vs. Natural Plant

• Orthodox Medical Doctors new to Medical Marijuana prefer Marinol because it is a standardized medical extract. In other words, they know what's in it and believe it is easier to get a handle on simple cause and effect in therapy.

• Both Marinol and whole cannabis can effectively and safely treat many diseases and symptoms without serious side effects as compared to other medicines.

• Marinol Lacks Several of the Therapeutic Compounds including terpenes - especially the non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD, which balances reduces anxiety in Natural Cannabis.

• Marinol gets you very high, while balanced and low THC marijuana strains do not get patients too stoned, anxious or paranoid.

• Marinol does not contain terpenes. Some terpenes have been found to enhance THC's medicinal properties while reducing or eliminating side effects of anxiety and psychosis, experienced by some.

• Cannabis can be vaporized and is prefered over the oral route by some doctors and patients.

• Marinol is in the hands of big-pharma and is more expensive than great lab tested weed.

• Patients much prefer natural cannabis to Marinol.
  

The position taken by CALIFORNIA NORML is that:



"Despite FDA approval2, Marinol typically provides only limited relief to select patients, particularly when compared to natural cannabis and its cannabinoids. Marinol should remain a legal option for patients and physicians; however, federal and state laws should be amended to allow for those patients who are unresponsive to synthetic



THC the ability to use natural cannabis and its cannabinoids as a medical therapy without fear of arrest and/or criminal prosecution. By prohibiting the possession and use of natural cannabis and its cannabinoids, patients are unnecessarily restricted to use a synthetic substitute that lacks much of the therapeutic efficacy of natural cannabis."

List of Medicinal Cannabinoids not contained in Marinol.

photo credit



CBG (Cannabigerol): Non-psychoactive, anti-insomnia. antimicrobial, lowers eye ball pressure

CBC (Cannabichromene): sedative that moderates the effects of THC. Pain killer, is non-psychoactive.


THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin): Turbo-energetic “high” effect. Appetite suppressant. euphoric, analgesic (pain relieving).

CBD (Cannabidiol): Non-psychoactive. Reduces muscle spasms, only remedy for some types of epileptic conditions . Muscle relaxant, painkiller, analgesic, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, antipsychotic, antinausea, and anti-rheumatoid arthritic properties



CBN (Cannabinol): Mildly psychoactive and non-narcotic analgesic (pain relieving).




Research Studies



THC works better with CBD


"Animal and human studies have shown CBD to possess anti-convulsant properties, particularly in the treatment of epilepsy.5 Natural extracts of CBD, when administered in combination with THC, significantly reduce pain, spasticity and other symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients unresponsive to standard treatment medications.6"


CBD or CBD plus THC works better than THC


"CBD was also found to be neuroprotective against glutamate neurotoxicity (i.e. stroke), cerebral infarction (localized cell death in the brain), and ethanol-induced neurotoxicity,9 with CBD being more protective against glutamate neurotoxicity than either ascorbate (vitamin C) "


The Entourage Effect

photo credit



The synergy of these compounds is likely to be significantly more efficacious than oral administration of synthetic THC alone.



"Good evidence shows that secondary compounds in cannabis may enhance beneficial effects of THC. Other cannabinoid and non-cannabinoid compounds in herbal cannabis ... may reduce THC-induced anxiety, cholinergic deficits, and immunosuppression. Cannabis terpenoids and flavonoids may also increase cerebral blood flow, enhance cortical activity, kill respiratory pathogens, and provide anti-inflammatory activity." - McPartland and Russo



"In an in vitro model of epilepsy, natural cannabis extracts performed better than THC alone. In human trials, patients suffering from multiple sclerosis experienced greater symptomatic relief from sublingual natural cannabis extracts than from the administration of oral THC."


Marinol Oral Dose is slow and erratic, Vaping MMJ is quicker and more effective



Once the game is on, it's full on. After oral administration of Marinol, patients have no choice but to experience the full psychoactive effects of the dose consumed. These dysphoric effects may last several hours.


"In practice, cannabis vaporization offers considerable advantages over oral THC consumption. While the oral ingestion of Marinol avoids the potential risks of smoking, it has significant drawbacks. Because of synthetic THC's poor bioavailability, only 5-20 percent of an oral dose ever reaches the bloodstream. The drug may not achieve peak effect until four hours after dosing."



Cannabis vaporization delivers cannabinoids to the bloodstream almost instantaneously.

Marino's therapeutic and psychoactive effects may be unpredictable and vary considerably, both from one person to another, and in the same person from one episode of use to another. By contrast.



Vaporization rapid onset also allows patients to self regulate their dosage of cannabinoids by immediately ceasing inhalation when/if their psychoactive effects become unpleasant.


Because of its rapid onset, many experienced medical professionals find that vaporized cannabis is more desirable than Marinol for patients requiring a fast-acting therapeutic agent for the sudden onset of nausea, anxiety, seizures, pain or spasms. Cannabis vaping allows patients that suffer from nausea and vomiting to receive their medicine - when they have difficulty swallowing or keeping food down. Cancer and HIV/AIDS victims often report vomiting up Marinol capsules during bouts of severe nausea.


420EVALUATIONSONLINE: To buy the finest lab-test medical marijuana in California, patients need a licensed medical doctor's recommendation to treat your conditions and symptoms. Click here to get your documents in minutes. The process is 100% online and your MMJ documents are emailed not long after you have completed your online 420 evaluation. It's free if you are not approved.

 

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  STRANGE AND AMAZING FACTS ABOUT MARIJUANA YOU JUST CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP - PART 1

STRANGE AND AMAZING FACTS ABOUT MARIJUANA YOU JUST CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP - PART 1
photo- Henry Ford Hemp Car

1



Medical Marijuana was legal during Prohibition (1920-1933).



However, you could buy Whiskey during prohibition - if and only if - it contained Medical Marijuana! Then when Alcohol was legalized, Marijuana became illegal. Like we said, you just can't make this stuff up.



The times are changing again as 40% of the US population can get Legal Access to Medical Marijuana



Marijuana is America's favorite quasi-illegal drug. Non-psychoactive Marijuana (CBD and other Cannabinoids) are legal in 80% of the country. Only 9 states have full on prohibition. Medical Marijuana is legal in about 50% of the states in the union. Recreational Marijuana use is now legal in Oregon, Colorado, Washington and Alaska. We expect that 75% of the country will have access to MMJ in the next 5 years.




2



Origins of Hemp use Dates Back to the Ice Age

Hemp fibers were used in Taiwan dating back 10,000 years. At that time, Mastodons were still roaming about the icy plains of North America. Who would know that this Herb would be demonized as a dangerous substance by "modern man", in all his fucking technological glory. Yeah, right, Cavemen can use hemp, but it's too dangerous for us evolved folk with our huge brain.

Just as Al Gore invented the internet, a Chinese Emperor Shen Nung first discovered Marijuana's medicinal uses. That story line goes up in smoke as Medical and Ritual Marijuana use artifact evidence from digs across Asia show that most every great culture used Cannabis and hemp.

Chinese script that translates into Hemp has been found on bones and turtle shells dating back 3000-3500 years.



In Western China, a European type person's (Caucasian) remains were found beside a large Cache of Psychoactive Marijuana. LCMS testing revealed an excellent Cannabinoid profile too. Some so called intellectuals think it was difficult for early man to figure out if a herb was psychoactive. But these kinds of thoughts are not founded in the historic record nor common sense. The minute you make a campfire from psychoactive herb, there will be no question whether it gets you high or not. The invention of fire by the way, dates back more than 500,000 years. .



3





Hemp and the Racket of War - Napoleon, Russia and the War of 1912


Hemp was the original and most sought after military material for hundreds of years. Hemp was used for sales, ropes, rigging and fiber for clothing. George Washington was well trained in the Traditions of British Hemp technologies. Upon independence, Washington decreed that in the interests of the country, every farmer had to grow Hemp. Imagine what the look on Washington's face would be if he knew that future Presidents would declare, with a straight face, that Marijuana and Hemp illegal, in the "best interests" of America.



The English Navy, which conquered much of the world relied on Russian Hemp to keep the Empire afloat, literally. A primary objective in Napoleon's invasion of Russia was to cut English Naval Hemp and timber supplies and weaken their fleet that were a thorn in the French side for a couple of centuries. Sadly for Napoleon and more sadly for the nearly 1 million soldiers that died, the greatest Marijuana raid in history failed miserably. Dito, the War of 1812 was designed to cut off North American timber supplies.



Of course War is full of scoundrels, a lot of New Englanders made a fortune supplying Napoleon's wars. The arms racket goes way back.





4



Marijuana is a Super-Duper Food



If you believe the nutritional reports from Food testing laboratories, Hemp seeds are among the healthiest food choices out there!. Hemp Seeds are an excellent source of protein, essential fatty acids, phytosterols, minerals, and fiber. They contain about 40-45% of oil and fatty acids,30-35% % protein and only 12% carbohydrates The amino acid composition of the protein includes every essential amino acid required by man. Almost no other plant can make this claim (if they could talk).



Vegans should note because a Hemp seed protein contains all the amino acids found in meat - that most vegetarians are deficient in. Hemp seeds contain all the essential amino acids that man requires to exist. Hemp oil has a superior fatty acid profile. It contains the somewhat rare fatty acid gamma linolenic acid, which is used normalize women's periods and to balance emotional swings.

45-60% Linoleic acid - Omega-6*
20-25% Alpha Linolenic acid - Omega-3*
7-9% Oleic acid - Omega-9*
2-3% Gamma Linolenic acid
1-2% Stearidonic acid
8-10% Saturated Oils



There is zero chance of getting busted on a drug test because hemp oils are very low in THC, the psychoactive ingredient of Cannabis. With hemp products you can make milks, smoothies, salad oil.


5



Hemp as a Building Material and Fuel for Cars!



Hemp is an incredible building material, not quite accurately advertised as 10x stronger than Steel. Example: At the turn of the last century (1900) making bio-fuel from Hemp was no secret as well. This is why both alcohol and Marijuana were prohibited - to kill competition with Big Oil. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.



Believe it or not, none other than Henry Ford wanted to make his own fuel Bio-fuel supply for his customers.



"Henry Ford’s first Model-T was built to run on hemp gasoline and the CAR ITSELF WAS CONSTRUCTED FROM HEMP! On his large estate, Ford was photographed among his hemp fields. The car, ‘grown from the soil,’ had hemp plastic panels whose impact strength was 10 times stronger than steel." - Popular Mechanics



In another incredible happening, researchers were able to show that 20 people using hemp rope alone could move a 10,000 stone thirty meters in an hour!. This explains how Easter Islanders were able to move 5 ton statues a mile or more. The crazy shit people do!



6



A Woman's Medicine?

According to the latest research, smoking pot delivers substantially different physiological effects to females and males. In animal trials, rats were found to be more sensitive to Cannabis's pain killing properties. It seems that estrogen plays a role in these sex-specific effects. At ovulation, when estrogen is highest (by far) marijuana appears to magnify its effects, which makes it a miracle medicine for PMS sufferers.





MMJ is also recommended by medical doctors to treat anxiety, depression, insomnia, weight management up and down, and keep you chillin when you would have been bitchin. None other than Queen Victoria, head of the world's largest Empire physicians prescribed Cannabis elixirs and creams and rubs to keep her royal highness at the peak of her powers.


Is a relaxed woman a sexy woman?



Scientists think so. "Studies have shown that during arousal and orgasm, parts of the female brain [associated] with high anxiety and stress deactivate, and many women I know smoke marijuana to help with this process of mental deactivation," - Sex therapist Ian Kerner



Women are generally more sensitive to Cannabinoids (the active ingredients of Marijuana) than men. It would be wise to know a good budtender that is an expert on Women's issues. Choosing the right strain of cannabis is very important. Some strains are high in very THC so look out. These marijuana strains may get rid of the pain, but if you smoke too much - you also might end up higher than a kite. Some strains contain CBD (non-psychoactive, highly medicinal component of marijuana) and little THC. These are the strains that deliver superior all round medicinal effects while keeping you chill but not stoned. Probably the best strain to start for most women would be a 5% THC with 15% CBD content.


420EVALUATIONSONLINE: We are online MMJ Document Specialists. Do you need a Doctor's Medical Marijuana Recommendation or ID Card? A grower's permit perhaps? Click here to apply free. Our patients only pay when the doctor has completed your Cannabis Evaluation and Recommended MMJ to treat your conditions or symptoms.



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