Page 147 – The Fresh Toast

How Does Marijuana Affect The Brain?

Amy Hansen

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May 24, 2023

Have you ever wondered what is going on in your head when you use marijuana? What it does to your brain? When it is right, being a bit strong makes music, food and other sensual pleasures enhanced and just awesome. Why and what happens, we have answers for the casual user.

Like alcohol, heroin and other intoxicants, things definitely take place when you are imbibing. Some good, some with caution. While research is opening up our understanding of the brain and also the brain when high, we still have a ways to go. Currently 50% of cannabis research is focused on the negatives of the plant, but there seems to be a robust interest in learning more about the benefits, especially for medical purposes.

Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works. It makes it harder for brain areas controlling balance, memory, speech, and judgment to do their jobs, resulting in a higher likelihood of injuries and other negative outcomes.

Marijuana use directly affects brain function, specifically the parts of the brain responsible for memory, learning, attention, decision-making, coordination, emotions, and reaction time.

The effects can differ depending on things like how plant potentcy, how it was consumed (smoking, edible, oil, etc), and past use. It might:

Heighten your senses (colors might seem brighter and sounds might seem louder)
Distort your sense of time
Effect motor skills
Lower inhibitions

THC, acting through cannabinoid receptors, also activates the brain’s reward system, which includes regions that govern the response to healthy pleasurable behaviors such as sex and eating. Like most other drugs that people misuse, THC stimulates neurons in the reward system to release the signaling chemical dopamine at levels higher than typically observed than natural rewarding stimuli. Researchers have also confirmed the effect on the perception of time in both humans and animals.

Marijuana And Sleep — Photo by Matthew Henry via Burst

Short-term cannabis use appears to increase the time you spend in deep sleep, the stage that helps you wake up feeling refreshed. But, THC decreases the amount of time you spend in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when you spend more time dreaming, processing emotions, and cementing new memories.

This information has been focused on casual use for those over 21. The brain does not stop developing until you are around 25. Marijuana and alcohol use and, especially heavy use, can hinder brain development that may not be able to be undone. Like other drugs, long term heavy use can develop serious complications.

Marijuana and medical marijuana offer safer and better options than alcohol and some pain killers. They also offer proven treatments for ailments from pain to nausea for cancer treatments. Hopefully it will be a matter of time before more research is done for a better understanding of the plant and a clearer view of its potential.

Things To Do When Cut Off From Netflix

Amy Hansen

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May 23, 2023

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Across the country people are nashing their teeth as Netflix cancels “free” subscriptions.The streaming service said it began alerting members on Tuesday about its new sharing policy, noting that Netflix accounts are only to be shared within one household.

“Your Netflix account is for you and the people you live with — your household,” the company said in an email, which it posted to its blog on Tuesday. People are upset, so here are things to do within ut off the Netflix.

The email goes on to say that members can transfer a profile of someone outside of their household so the person can begin a new membership they pay for on their own. Or they can pay an extra fee — $7.99 a month — per person outside of their household using their account.

What to do now? We have some suggestions.

board games — Photo by Flickr user John Morgan

Play a game

Go retro and play a game. Whether you are 2 or more, make an evening of being a little goofy, a little competitive and a whole lot of good times. Monopoly is still the reigning champ of games but Life is super easy and quick. For more people there is Pictionary (group game), Cards for Humanity, and others. For in-depth you have Catan, Ticket to Ride, and chess. Many board games lead to bouts of laughter that stimulate endorphins. The simple act of having fun can help boost serotonin, relieve symptoms of anxiety, and increase enthusiasm

Make a childhood favorite

“Trying to make your favorite recipe from childhood is a great experience. Pour a glass of something good and make it an adventure!. Experimenting with flavors and textures to nail nostalgia is always fun” says celebrity chef Justin Khanna who is a YouTuber, podcaster and the founder of the modern hospitality education company Repertoire.

Whether it is a special Mac and Cheese, chicken & dumplings, cookies or biryani…start chopping and get your taste buds excited.

Explore

Research has shown that walking promotes the release of brain chemicals called endorphins that stimulate relaxation and improve our mood. Walking does not have to be done at a fast pace to have stress-relieving benefits. Even a stroll at a comfortable pace promotes relaxation, studies indicate. Make it interesting and exploring an area you haven’t been too – a new neighborhood, a park, a stroll on the beach, a park engages the eyes and feet.

listening to music — Photo by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels

Music and Marijuana

Whether it is Dolly or Lizzo, BTS or Coldplay, you can crank up the music and indulge in a little chill time. Music and marijuana have a long, pleasant history and you can truly savor the beats when you have had a bit of vape time. With or without the influence of cannabis, listening to music enhances activity in your nervous system’s reward center, otherwise known as the mesolimbic dopamine system. The relationship between music and cannabis becomes more interesting considering consuming cannabis can also be a pleasurable dopamine-increasing act.

Oh – and this

You could just go to another streaming service, Youtube, your phone. But it doesn’t seems as much fun as unplugging and engaging in the real world.

Should Marijuana Be Part Of Your Beauty Routine?

Amy Hansen

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May 23, 2023

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Should Marijuana Be Part Of Your Beauty Routine?

The quest to look perfect! There are a variety of looks from classic to goth – over the top Dolly Parton and restrained beauty Audrey Hepburn. Marijuana has a variety of properties to help and beauty companies are taking advantage of it. Malin + Goetz to Estée Lauder see marijuana has all sort of uses in smoothing, brightening and helping how we look. So should marijuana be part of your beauty routine?

Marijuana in beauty products brings healing and enhancing affects to your body without the high. The reality is that you simply won’t be applying enough of it at any one time to notice any psychoactive effects. Even if you pack your face with cannabis-infused foundation, it’s just not going to be enough.

Photo by Francois Durand/Stringer/Getty Images

Why use THC or Hemp makeup and why is it good? In the purely “Friday night date night” area it fights fine lines and wrinkles and boosts collagen production.

Wrinkles? Free radicals are tiny molecules that are found throughout the body. They are essential and natural. But if left unchecked, they can cause oxidation of the skin cells which is a direct cause of fine lines and wrinkles. This process can also be accelerated by sun exposure, radiation exposure, alcohol consumption, and smoking.

In the bigger maintenance area, it can:

Reduces inflammation
Tackles excessive sebum production to minimize and treat breakouts
Fights common skin issues like acne, eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis
Helps kill bacteria that cause acne and cold sores

Sounds like a nice addition to your the make up case.

Thinking of the hair and scalp region, the marijauna anti-inflammatory sativa and essential fatty acids stimulate hair growth, as well as add more sheen for shinier, healthier-looking hair. It also contains vitamin E, which can boost hair cell regeneration. Cannabis Gamma-Linolenic acid is moisturizing and combats dryness to improve scalp health (mean less dandruff).

Estée Lauder, home of the hyper popular La Mer, launched their Origins brand becaming one of the first mainstream beauty companies to release cannabis-infused products. Pretty cutting edge in 2018. Estée Lauder during her career was a pioneer. She invented the idea of gift with purchase, which her competitors (and male commenters) said was stupid and no woman would care about it. She proved them wrong. She also developed designer licensing deals, which has been revolutionary in the fashion and art world.

As you continue your beauty journey, consider avoiding smoking marijuana and other products (other ways here) as smoke damages the skin.

Is Marijuana A Narcotic?

Amy Hansen

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May 23, 2023

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On November 6, 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational use of cannabis by voters. Since then there has been more states, Canada, Spain, Netherlands, Israel, Italy and more who have legalized it for the general public. It is accepted by the general population but still struggles in a Congress ruled by a majority of 58 year old men versus a balanced population with an average age of 38.

Cannabis is currently treated as a Class 1 drug and in the same category as a narcotic. But is it a narcotic? A narcotic is a drug or other substance that affects mood or behavior and is consumed for non-medical purposes, especially one sold illegally.

Marijuana is complex chemically and not yet fully understood, but it is not a narcotic. Like alcohol, marijuana acts as both stimulant and depressant, but it lingers in body organs longer than alcohol. So why is it treated like one?

The US Is About To Be Sandwiched Between Two Countries With Legal Weed — Is It Next? — Photo by Carol Yepes/Getty Images

The much-maligned marijuana plant has been suffering since the early 20th century. It was a loser in the great (and profitable) opium debates. But recently it has started being seen a savior to the opioid crisis. The Center for Disease Control sees medical marijuana as a viable, safe option to opioids (Such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone) which kill over 28,000 people a year. For reference, there has been 0 deaths related to marijuana.

The Narcotic Drugs 2021 report presents data and analysis on the global production and use of narcotic drugs, which include opium, morphine, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and, unfortunately, cannabis among more than 140 internationally controlled substances, with the list being updated regularly by the INCB on the basis of scheduling.

President Biden announced in October of 2022 that it was going to look at rescheduling cannabis and it wold have a global impact on how marijuana is treated. But the President, his administration and Merrick Garland have been slowly walking the review. This hurts veterans which the Depart of Veterans Affairs changed policy to medical marijuana can help those that defended the country. In April of this year, a group of 80 human rights groups asked President Biden to change the policy. They included the ACLU, Human Rights Watch, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, and

The American Medical Association has long advocated for comprehensive, well-controlled cannabis studies to determine its role in the treatment of disease. To advance this policy, our AMA supports removing federal cannabis research roadblocks, since we cannot generate sufficient scientific evidence without sufficient research.

On 2nd December 2020, the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the drug policy making body of the UN re-classified cannabis and cannabis resin under an international listing that recognizes its medical value. The CND voted on recommendations made by the WHO’s 41st Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD), which suggested that cannabis should be reclassified from its current listing alongside heroin, fentanyl analogues and other opioids considered to be exceptionally harmful to public health. The US changing policy would have a massive global impact.

Marijuana and medical marijuana offer safer and better options than alcohol and some pain killers. They also offer proven treatments for ailments big and small. Hopefully it will be a matter of time before more research is done for a better understanding of the plant and a clearer view of its potential.

Does Marijuana Lower Male Testosterone

Terry Hacienda

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May 22, 2023

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As the US has a conversation about masculinity, there is a notion that marijuana lowers male testosterone. The imagine of the couch sitting stoner being lazy is ingrained in our mind. For those who remember the 70s Show, the older store owner was a true stoner hippie model.

Testosterone is a sex hormone that plays important roles in the body. In men, it’s thought to regulate sex drive (libido), bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and the production of red blood cells and sperm. Combined with estrogen, the female sex hormone, testosterone helps women with growth, maintenance, and repair of a woman’s reproductive tissues, bone mass, and human behaviors

RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

Is There A Link Between Runner’s High And A Marijuana High? — Photo by rawpixel.com

The relationship between marijuana and testosterone is complicated. Thankfully, there are more funds available for research today and we are unpacking data to figure out more benefits and drawbacks of cannabis.

A 2018 study in Andrology looked at healthy guys without clinically low T who had consumed marijuana at some point in the last five years. Researchers found that healthy guys who had smoked within the last 30 days had higher serum testosterone levels compared with those who hadn’t imbibed in a while. Another study, published in the World Journal of Urology in 2020 found similar results—that marijuana use was associated with small increases in testosterone.

It is worth noting that even the non-spiked levels were still clinically healthy, points out Jonathon Lisano, Ph.D., postdoctoral associate at the University of Colorado Boulder who studies the effects of cannabis on health and exercise.

Studies found that heavy alcohol consumption results in reduced testosterone levels in the blood. Alcohol also impairs the function of the testicular Sertoli cells that play an important role in sperm maturation. It stands to reason that heavy use of marijuana would lead to the same thing.

Chronic use of marijuana may impact male fertility and reproductive outcomes, says a new report published online in the journal Fertility & Sterility Oregon Health & Science University. Using non-human primates, the study is the first to assess the impacts of substance use on testicular function via a mode of delivery, and dosage, that reflects current human consumption.

So what does it mean? Mostly like it means if you are already healthy – moderation over daily, exercise over couch surfing, and maintain a balance.

There is much to weigh about the benefits of marijuana and especially medical marijuana and more research needs to be done.

Men Consume More Marijuana – Surprised?

Amy Hansen

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May 22, 2023

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Data says men consume more marijuana. It today’s environment, we tend to focus on the individuality of the person and not their gender, except in the consumer marketing world. Men and women have some different patterns of behavior which drives habits and buying decisions. Men spend more on cars, food and tend to be more risker takers with investments. Women spend more on healthcare, clothing and are more cautious with their savings.

Last year, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics released the data about how men and women are different when it comes to relaxing. On an average day, people age 15 and older spent 5.3 hours per day in leisure and sports activities, such as watching TV, socializing, or exercising. Men spent more time in leisure activities (5.6 hours) than did women (4.9 hours). These averages include people who did these activities and those who did not.

So it should come as no surprise that men consume more marijuana than woman, since it follows the trend on relaxing and on them using more intoxicants. More men than women use cannabis. Gallop released data in the US sharing 18% of men consume marijuana vs 14% of women. In Canada, the 2019 National Cannabis Survey, also found more men than women use 20% vs 14%.

This dovetails into alcohol and cigarette use also.

Almost 58% of adult men report drinking alcohol in the past 30 days compared with 49% of adult women. Men are more likely to binge drink than women. Approximately 21% of men report binge drinking, compared with 13% of women.

Difference are also how men and women consume. Men were more likely to use joints/blunts, vaporizers, and concentrates, while women lean toward pipes and oral administration like edibles.

Men tend to enjoy beer more than women, thus most beer marketing is geared toward males. Bud Light, Coors Light and Miller Light are the largest selling intoxicant brands in the United States. Also an interesting note is men drink rosé for over 10 years at higher rates than women.

Nearly every 4th adult in the world smokes tobacco. More than one-third (37%) of men in the world do, but just over 8% of women.

Generally in the US, men tend to use all tobacco products at higher rates than women. In 2015, 16.7% of males and 13.6% of females smoked cigarettes. While Canada’s numbers are a lower but men at 13% and women only 9%. It says something about their tobacco campaigns they have fewer smokers.

Brands use this data to drive product decision and then campaigns to entice customers. From this data, it seems the marijuana industry is doing a stronger job in reaching women than alcohol and tobacco…which makes sense with it being the least harmful product.

Drug Test To Get A Job? Most Private Say No, Government Says Yes

Terry Hacienda

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May 19, 2023

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Drug Test To Get A Job? Most Private Say No, Government Says Yes

We are at record low unemployment and help wanted ads are everywhere from the CIA to the local bodega. Employers are talking about how to do the same (or more) with less people. And with it, norms have changed when it comes to hiring. The percentage of jobs requiring pre-employment drug tests is now lower than 2%. In fact, only one city in America has a percentage of jobs higher than 2.4%. In Arlington, TX, almost 7% of the jobs available require a pre-employment drug screening. New York City had the lowest percentage of jobs in the country requiring a pre-employment drug test.

cannabis coworker and the marijuana industry land rush — Photo by Matthew Henry via Burst

The most common drug test is the urine test. These tests indicate if one or more prescription or illegal drugs are present. They test detect the presence of drugs such as marijuana, ethanol, cocaine, opiates, methamphetamine, amphetamines, PCP, benzodiazepine, barbiturates, methadone, tricyclic antidepressants, ecstasy, and oxycodone.

According to Scott Rabinowitz, partner with national search firm Herd Freed Hartz, “ Drug testing as part of the executive hiring process, especially for cannabis, is no longer private industry standard, especially in states where cannabis is legal. In 25 years of executive search experience across multiple industries I have only encountered one private company that relied on testing for THC as part of their hiring decision.”

While some professions like pilots, surgeons, dentists, nurses, physicians, school buses drivers, etc., require the applicant to be focused and clear headed, others have a more relaxed view. It is estimated a third of tech workers consume cannabis.

pharmaceuticals marijuana — Photo by Cappi Thompson/Getty Images

Yet one major, if not the major employer, government, is still figuring it out. Some states still require testing prior to receiving the job. HERE is the list of states and their policies. The federal government still requires testing, but is slowly changing their approach. When hiring an individual for a federal government position, a significant emphasis is placed on high-level screening and background checking. This includes a thorough drug test to ensure the potential candidate is not breaking any drug-related laws.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Defense (DoD) requires federal government pre-employment drug testing. These agencies have the highest requirements for their employees, and pre-employment drug testing is mandatory for all government employees. Yet both have been tweaked their policy. The Air Force and Space Force have also made changes to allow a broader net for potential employees.

The DOT has also adjusted their policy on cargo drivers once they have been hired. While they still have random drug testing (for good cause with those big rigs on the highway), the testing is more in line with alcohol and only go back for 24-80 hours.

Is Marijuana Harmful?

Amy Hansen

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May 19, 2023

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Marijuana is recreationally legal in 23 states, medically in 40. Roughly 88% of Americans believe it should be fully legal in some form. Respected universities like the University of Alabama, Cornell, the University of Mississippi and more are doing research as scientists continue to discover benefits and downsides of cannabis.

People still ask, is marijuana harmful. The answer is not really, if youconsume in moderation. Like most things (sugar, drinking, etc), if you do it in excess, it can lead to a host of problems.

A popular argument in favor of legalizing adult cannabis its adverse health effects are modest compared with those of other licit (alcohol and tobacco) and illicit drugs. It has been made clear via research marijuana is better and easier on the body than alcohol. Each year over 33,000 North Americans die from alcohol-induced causes. There have been 0 documented deaths from marijuana use alone.

Scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder conducted a review of existing imaging data that looked at the effects of alcohol and marijuana, or cannabis, on the brain.

Their findings linked alcohol consumption with long-term changes to the structure of white matter and gray matter in the brain. The use of marijuana, however, seemed to have no significant long-term effects on brain structure.

Study leader Rachel Thayer, of the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder, and colleagues recently reported their resultsTrusted Source in the journal Addiction.

Cigarettes are more rougher on the body with over 500,000 people in the US and Canada dying due to smoking each year. But smoking cannabis isn’t the best either. Smoking is rough on the lungs period. Cigarette smokers tend to work through a pack or more a day while marijuana smokers consume less, but both damage the lungs. If you are going to use, there are other alternatives than a joint.

Medical Marijuana has been recognized as important to cancer, PTSD, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS and more.

The FDA has not approved the cannabis plant for any medical use. However, they have approved several drugs that contain individual cannabinoids. Epidiolex was approved for the treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome, two rare and severe forms of epilepsy. Dronabinol and Nabilone are used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. Dronabinol is also used to treat loss of appetite and weight loss in people with HIV/AIDS.

There are studies to see how it could help Alzheimers, Crohn’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Glaucoma, and more. The greatest amount of evidence for the therapeutic effects of cannabis relate to its ability to reduce chronic pain, nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, and spasticity [tight or stiff muscles] from MS.

Consistent with numerous other studies, researchers report patients using medical cannabis reported improvements in health-related quality of life, which were mostly sustained over time. Adverse events were rarely serious.

So the answer is if you are going to do alcohol, cigarettes or marijuana, marijuana is most likely the best for your body.

Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

Amy Hansen

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May 18, 2023

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Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

All we want is to live happy, productive, healthy lives right? Who would have guessed cannabis could play a key role. According to observational data published in the JAMA Network Open, patients suffering from pain, cancer, anxiety, and insomnia report significant, sustained improvements in their health-related quality of life following the use of medical marijuana.

Consistent with numerous other studies, authors reported patients using medical cannabis reported improvements in health-related quality of life, which were mostly sustained over time. Adverse events were rarely serious.

cannabis heart health — Photo by megaflopp / Getty Images

The study was led by Thomas R. Arkell, of the Center for Human Psychopharmacology at Swinburne University of Technology in Hawthorn, Australia. The research could provide significant life changes for the millions who have chronic illness.

“This study suggests a favorable association between medical cannabis treatment and quality of life among patients with a diverse range of conditions,” the authors said in the study. “However, clinical evidence for cannabinoid efficacy remains limited, and further high-quality trials are required.

The did caution the relatively incidence of adverse events demonstrates caution with THC prescribing and careful identification of patients with contraindications.

benefits of cannabis — Photo by Flickr user Jurassic Blueberries

Observational trial data from chronically ill United Kingdom patients also reported that the use of medical marijuana is well tolerated and improves subjects’ health-related quality of life.

With the passing of the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act (H.R.8454) in 2022, there has become a change in how medical marijuana is not only funded but what is funds.

According to an analysis from Science magazine cannabis research funding in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom spent $1.56 billion between 2000 and 2018. An estimated half of the money was spent on understanding the potential harms of the recreational drug.

Just over $1 billion came from the biggest funder, the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which doled out more money for research on cannabis misuse and its negative effects than for studies of cannabis and cannabis-derived chemicals as a therapeutic drug.

If you are effected by one of the things the study suggests can help, you should have a conversation with your physician.

Outdoor Grows Will Uproot The Cannabis Industry

Terry Hacienda

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May 18, 2023

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Outdoor Grows Will Uproot The Cannabis Industry

Gardening is a huge hobby in the US and agriculture is a massive industry. Cargill, ADM and CHS are behemoths in agribusiness producing billions of dollars in revenue and using 100s of thousands of acres. Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and California has large swaths of land devoted to outdoor agriculture. Wheat, cotton, peanuts, soybeans and tobacco still drive part of the Southeast economy. As state and federal legalization comes to the cannabis industry, outdoor grow is going to uproot the investments in indoor grow.

A recent article in Cannabis.net shared someone was able to buy marijuana in Brazil for retail $.30 an oz. In the US, the basic cost of growing an ounce of weed is $29.50. This is before it is sold to a producer who then makes a product and sells to a retail, who then sells it to a customer. If trends hold, outdoor grows will uproot the cannabis industry.

growing marijuana — Photo by skodonnell/Getty Images

Some leaders in the industry have been touting the benefits of indoor grow. Tilray’s entire grow side is all indoor. So there is a huge vested interest. But Hershey is the largest chocolate company and Bud Light is still the number one beer. Walmart, Amazon, Costco and Target and the largest retailers. Consumer prove over and over they want good flavor at a good price.

So why is indoor more prohibitive? Both share some same cost of labour, plants, water, insurance, etc. A varying cost is land. With outdoor grow the larger piece of land, the larger the crop. With indoor grow, the larger the land, the larger to cost of the building and its expenses. It is usually a huge upfront cost. Now add indoor’s grow cost of building maintenance, fluctuating energy prices and limited size of your crop and your get expensive flower.

The indoor industry’s next big push is the reasoning is they can grow year round. But is it cost effective and worth it? Some of the largest agriculture states are Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa, known for harsh winters and shorter growing seasons. Canada’s bountiful crops not only sell in country, but are exported to China, the US and more.

When you look at outdoor agriculture in the the US and Canada it is a $1,296 trillion industry. And that is a case for strong outdoor grow.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

How Does Marijuana Affect The Brain?

Things To Do When Cut Off From Netflix

Play a game

Make a childhood favorite

Explore

Music and Marijuana

Oh – and this

Should Marijuana Be Part Of Your Beauty Routine?

Is Marijuana A Narcotic?

Does Marijuana Lower Male Testosterone

Men Consume More Marijuana – Surprised?

Drug Test To Get A Job? Most Private Say No, Government Says Yes

Is Marijuana Harmful?

Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

Outdoor Grows Will Uproot The Cannabis Industry

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