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  • Key Differences Between Gummies And Joints

    Key Differences Between Gummies And Joints

    With the mainstreaming of marijuana, alcohol is taking a dip in use.  Gen Z are embracing the trend of California sober and all generations are taking a second look at cannabis. The American Medical Association and the College of Physicians have recognized cannabis has medical benefits, and a significant portion of users are using it for anxiety and sleep. Microdosing has become a thing to help people manage stress, focus, and more.

    RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

    But how people consume has evolved, so has how they have consumed.  Traditionally, people smoke a joint, or a bong or bowl.  Homemade edibles were popular, but not nearly as used as inhaling.  With with legal marijuana, come reliable, flavorful products which have captured the public’s eye – and wallet.  And gummies and vapes are discreet, on-the-go ways to consume with the added benefit of discretion.  In data collected from BDSA, a leading analytical firm who covers cannabis, shared 49% of those who have used marijuana have used a gummy.

    While both edibles and flower contain THC, the highs they produce are not exactly the same. Here are the key differences between gummies and joints.

    Photo by SageElyse/Getty Images

    THC

    THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects. It is one of many compounds found in the resin secreted by glands of the marijuana plant.  It acts much like the cannabinoid chemicals made naturally by the body, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).  Cannabinoid receptors are concentrated in certain areas of the brain associated with thinking, memory, pleasure, coordination and time perception. THC attaches to these receptors and activates them and affects a person’s memory, pleasure, movements, thinking, concentration, coordination, and sensory and time perception, according to NIDA.

    Terry Hacienda

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  • On Women’s Day, Women Are Making An Impact On Weed

    On Women’s Day, Women Are Making An Impact On Weed

    Senator Patty Murray is the second most powerful woman in the government, and she is clearly supportive of the cannabis industry.  The stereotype of the industry is more of a stoner dude being chill, but times have changed.  And now, on Women’s Day, women are making an impact on weed. Women represent 50.4% of the US population and 50.3% in Canada. While the industry is still driven by men, women are having a big economic impact. They have drive companies, have been a voice in how cannabis is grown, and have an significant impact on which products are purchased.

    RELATED: NY Begs Tech Companies To Solve Their Weed Problem

    The number of cannabis consumers in the U.S. who identify as women is also growing. The rate of growth for female consumers in the U.S. is outpacing that of males — 55% vs. 49%, respectively.  And it even with Gen Z, which is drifting away from alcohol and embracing marijuana.  So as consumers, they have a valuable part of the industry.

    Photo by Sharon McCutcheon via Unsplash

    And while fewer in number, women now account for 39% of marijuana executives helping drive the industry.  The star is Nancy Whiteman at Wana Brands.  As Co-founder and CEO, she has position the edible company to be stocked on the shelves in mainstrain stores as soon as it is possible. Rescheduling can see her have a huge win. She has the vision to see the future of how products are sold to the public.

    Debra Brochardt founded Green Market Report and established the business magazine as the most reliable and trusted site for clear, honest industry information. Shanita Penny has been helping shape public policy at the Coalition for Cannabis .

    RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

    Some 37% of active physicians were women in 2021, up from about 36% in 2019, and about 47% of residents and fellows were women. This is a key in medical marijuana as they tend to be younger and also embrace new treatments.

    Women buy 61.2% of wines under US$20 a bottle, which make them a huge force in the time industry.  It also shows frequency and volume.  As cannabis becomes more mainstream, this will a key driver in the vape and edible portion of marijuana.

    Sarah Johns

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  • Economics Puts Pressure On The Feds To Move on Marijuana

    Economics Puts Pressure On The Feds To Move on Marijuana

    Certain industries have a huge influence of the federal government – insurance, banking, alcohol and more. And companies like Boeing have had a long a cozy relationship. Congress understands the value of money, especially if it benefits states.  Now the data says the cannabis industry is continuing strength legal growth and making a difference in government bottom lines. The economics puts pressure on the Feds to move on marijuana.

    RELATED: NY Begs Tech Companies To Solve Their Weed Problem

    BDSA, a leading analytics firm which covers the cannabis industry, just released their 2023 year in report.  And it shows another strong year for the marijuana industry. The reports reflects the growing acceptance of people consuming and the public becoming more accepting of medical marijuana.

    Photo by Cappi Thompson/Getty Images

    The biggest news is the industry is U.S. sales totaled $29.5 billion in 2023. Global legal cannabis spending grew to $36 billion. One of the stars last year was Missouri. With over six million residents, it is the 18th most populated in the country. Yet, the state hit $1 billion in sales. There seems to a shift in public consumption as Canada now has the data of people lowering beer consumption and embracing the healthier cannabis option. Long term this is beneficial for many reasons including domestic violence.

    RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

    The bleak spot is New York and their continuing chaos with legal and illicit dispensaries.  The botched rollout has been highly expensive for the state in regards to lost sate revenue and for honest business owners, mostly mom and pops.  While New York made $174 million on the small amount of licensed shops, the state lost an estimated $1.5+ billion to the black market and its 1,500+ unlicensed dispensaries in New York City alone.  New York’s mess kept the industry from breaking $30 billion.

    In their forecasting, BDSA expects continuing 12% growth in the market with additional states onboarding.  This puts pressure on the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to move on the recommendation to reschedule cannabis which will have a significant impact on the industry.

    “U.S. adult-use markets currently represent approximately 56% of total global cannabis sales, and are poised to claim an even larger share of global sales in the coming years as U.S. medical markets contract,” said Roy Bingham, co-founder and CEO of BDSA.

    Terry Hacienda

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  • Reading While On A Marijuana High

    Reading While On A Marijuana High

    Marijuana can enhance a variety of things or bring things down and chill you out. While used for fun or medical reasons, sometimes you just want to cozy yourself up and have a great experience. From Boston to Mountlake Terrace, people consume and immerse themselves in a movie.  Others hike, workout, code, and more.  And for a some, the lose themselves in a good book.  Here are tips on reading while on a marijuana high.

    Similar to doing any other activity while high, what you really need to do in order to succeed is practice. Marijuana can add a lot of layers to reading, making the experience more enjoyable or even helping reconnect with it if you’ve been having a hard time focused on full books.

    Just like listening to music and reading, getting high and reading can help craft a better  mood. Once you hit the right stride you’ll disover you’re more relaxed and engaged with the story.

    Choose the right book

    Photo by Wikimedia user BrokenSphere

    RELATED: Here’s What You Can Do With Extra Weed

    If you’re just starting out pairing weed and books, you don’t want to kick it off with dense literary novels. Try something that feels easy to for you, going back to something you used to read when you were young or a genre that’s simple and compulsive, like romance or horror. Good ideas are the Harry Potter books or something by Stephen King. A graphic novel can also make for a really good starting place.

    Let go of the “right way to read”

    5 Online Bookclubs To Join Now That You're Spending More Time At Home
    Photo by Thought Catalog from Pexels

    Reading lends itself to very ritualistic behaviors. Some people prefer to read paper books and can only read when they’re surrounded by total silence. While there’s no judgment, you’ll have more success if you’re able to read while in a variety of situations. Train yourself to read in different places, even if it’s only for 5 or 10 minutes at a time. When high, try your best to read and enjoy yourself, avoiding stress if your mind can’t hold on to all of the words that are on the page.

    Pay attention to the strain

    RELATED: Forgo The Wake And Bake — And 4 Other Cannabis Productivity Hacks

    The strain you’re smoking will have an impact on your reading experience as a whole. Try to avoid sleepy strains, since they’ll make a relaxing activity even more relaxing and you’ll fall asleep, which is great but doesn’t really serve the purpose of this article. Choose a strain that’s cerebral yet contained, something that will help you feel creative but also grounded. Ask your budtender for a light indica or a sativa that doesn’t produce too much anxiety.

    Watch your dosage

    book, read, old

    When starting on your weed reading journey, watch your dosage, taking a couple of puffs to see how your body takes to this new experience. You can always smoke later if you need more, but it helps to start off slow. Happy reading!

    Sarah Johns

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  • Why Marijuana Smells Skunky

    Why Marijuana Smells Skunky

    It is the telltale sign someone is having fun. Whether walking down the street or stepping into a crowd, you know exactly what is going on. Marijuana has a distinctive oder to clue you in when fun is going on.  But as cannabis goes mainstream and becomes legal, the smell is increasing fading. Here is why marijuana smells skunky and why is it disappearing.

    RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

    Smoking weed was the original way to consume.  But today, thanks to data from BDSA, we know most newer and younger partakers use vapes or gummies to enjoy the benefits.  The aroma is less prevalent, but it still as potent. Smoking still produces the smell, but why does some weed reek of skunk or dirty socks and other times it has the aroma of lemons or pine? The answer is terpenes.

    Photo by Alina Rosanova/Getty Images

    Terpenes are essential oils providing the fragrance in foods and herbs. When you take a whiff of basil, for example, what you are smelling are the terpenes. Cannabis strains also have unique terpenes producing the aroma. Some strains smell lemony (limonene) or spicy (caryophyllene) or floral (linalool) or piney (alpha-pinene).

    Terpenes not only provide the smell, they have essential therapeutic benefits, as well. Some of the most prevalent terpenes and their medicinal value:

    • Alpha-pinene (essential pine oil), the most common terpene in the plant world and one often found in cannabis, is a bronchodilator potentially helpful for asthmatics. Pinene also promotes alertness and memory retention by inhibiting the metabolic breakdown of acetylcholinesterase, a neurotransmitter in the brain stimulates these cognitive effects.
    • Myrcene, another terpene present in numerous cannabis varietals, is a sedative, a muscle relaxant, a hypnotic, an analgesic (painkiller) and an anti-inflammatory compound. This musky terpene contributes mightily to the infamous “couch-lock” experience and is the one which gives off the skunky aroma.
    • Limonene, a major terpene in citrus as well as in cannabis, has been used clinically to dissolve gallstones, improve mood and relieve heartburn and gastrointestinal reflux. Limonene, an anticonvulsant, has been shown to destroy breast-cancer cells in lab experiments, and its powerful antimicrobial action can kill pathogenic bacteria.
    • Linalool, a terpenoid prominent in lavender as well as in some cannabis strains, is an anxiolytic compound which counters anxiety and mediates stress. In addition, linalool is a strong anticonvulsant, and it also amplifies serotonin-receptor transmission, conferring an antidepressant effect. Applied topically, linalool can heal acne and skin burns without scarring.

    RELATED: How To Be Discreet When Using Weed

    • Beta-caryophyllene is a sesquiterpene found in the essential oils of black pepper, oregano and other edible herbs, as well as in cannabis and many green, leafy vegetables. It is gastro-protective, good for treating certain ulcers, and shows great promise as a therapeutic compound for inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disorders because of its ability to bind directly to the peripheral cannabinoid receptor known as CB2.

    And now you know why marijuana smells skunky.

    Terry Hacienda

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  • The Ultimate Guide To Marijuana Tasting

    The Ultimate Guide To Marijuana Tasting

    Wine tasting has become a huge sub industry with wineries offering tastings from Virginia to Washington state.  But do you know you can do marijuana tasting?

    Visits to wineries are slightly down from 2019, but are still going strong. It seems from Total Wine and Bev Mov to local wineries and groceries stores are doing tastings. Thanks to Two Buck Chuck, palates have expanded and who doesn’t want a free taste of wine? So here is the ultimate guide to marijuana tasting.

    There was great hope California would have consumption lounges allowing people to really dig into flavor and experience.  But Governor Newsom but a big stop on the concept.

    RELATED: California or New York, Which Has The Biggest Marijuana Mess?

    With marijuana is being treated more like alcohol these days, it stands to reason the scene could soon see an uprising in cannabis tastings. Similar to the swish and spit rituals taking place at wineries and other liquor-slinging establishments, the reach of marijuana will one day be given center stage for customers to hit samples before making a purchase. Cannabis discussions around tastings are become more commonplace not on in dispensaries, but in living rooms.

    Appearance

    The first thing a true cannabis aficionado looks at is the overall appearance of the bud. These folks get excited when they see the herb is covered in crystals. That excitement spirals into an excitement when they realize the color of the crystals is more yellow than white. Typically, the more yellow, the more THC. But no matter how yellow the crystals, always ask the weed steward when they what is their roll plan so you can be prepared.

    Photo by HighGradeRoots/Getty Images

    Aroma

    Now that you’ve identified a good-looking bud, the next step is to examine its aroma. Don’t worry. You do not have to be well versed in the art of cannabis selection to represent like a marijuana master. Similar to how it is done in beer and wine tastings, just wave the herb under the nose and take shallow sniffs. The goal is to try and get a feel for its components. You might catch a whiff of citrus, pine or even the business end of a skunk. But, as a rule, if the aroma is pleasing, chances are you will be happy with the next step.

    RELATED: How Much Does Weed Cost?

    Flavor

    There are a variety of methods in which to capture a rush of optimal flavor. Some say a French inhale is the best method for tasting bud. But the most important aspect of this process to remember is the first hit is when the magic happens. Unless a person has been assigned to pen an elaborate tasting profile on a particular strain, the best advice here is to just take in the smoke, hold it in, and search for the flavors that turned you while testing the aroma. Chances are you will stumble onto something new to tickle the senses. Just make sure the device you are using to sample the bud is clean.

    Photo by David McNew/Staff/Getty Images

    Effect

    This is the fun part — the test drive. Just kick back and see how the herb hits. Does it make you chatty, sleepy, or does it turn you into a cartoon character? It is important to understand how a strain works on you personally. But remember, there are more strains to sample. A good weed testing will consist of around 5-6 strains. You’ll need to try all of them. But be sure to cleanse your palate after every sample. Fruit juice or plain crackers are good for this.

    Terry Hacienda

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