Just as carefully choosing the perfect wine to pair with your meal, selecting your favorite cannabis strain is highly dependent on a variety of factors closely related to an individual’s preferences and the effects they’re seeking.
When it comes to an individual experience inhaling marijuana flower, a pleasant aroma can be a determining factor to a more positive outcome, rather than THC potency, dose or terpene expression, a new study is suggesting.
Published this month in the journal Psychoactives, the report is titled “The Nose Knows: Aroma, but Not THC, Mediates The Subjective Effects of Smoked and Vaporized Cannabis Flower” and co-authored by Dr. Ethan Russo.
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The Study
The group of scientists led by Russo was focused on identifying which marijuana features affect its overall appeal, reported Cannabis Health.
As part of the research, volunteers consumed several commercially available cannabis flower products and complete an anonymous survey.
The Results
Based on the data analyzed by independent researchers, a ‘pleasant subjective aroma’ seems to be a “predictive of pleasant subjective effects,” the paper said. Surprisingly, terpene expression as well as THC potency and dose proved to be a less important indicator of the quality of consumed cannabis.
It seems thatthose who consumed smaller amounts of marijuana enjoyed it more as they were likely to report higher appeal scores.
The greatest overall appeal was evidenced in those aged 60 and older, while males reported enjoying cannabis more than women, as they were more likely to report the appealing effects of THC.
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Conclusion
Russo and his colleagues said their findings are a step toward educating consumers about making safer choices when it comes to cannabis products. After all, high-THC consumers comprise the majority of all cannabis users, according to data from Flowhub. This study is a step toward minimizing that trend and reducing the risks of THC overconsumption.
“With a constantly growing worldwide legal cannabis consumer base, there is a great need for consumer education about how to consume safely and responsibly,” researchers said in the paper. “Aligned with harm reduction approaches, these blinded, unbiased results suggest that optimal recreational enjoyment may be achieved by using small amounts of low-potency cannabis with a pleasant aroma, particularly when used once per week or less.”
Whether it’s for sleep assistance or pain management, marijuana has become part of the everyday routine for many who use it regularly. But is there a “best” time to get high?
It will prove difficult for a true cannabis lover to find a time of day that isn’t suitable for getting high. There is, of course, the morning wake and bake. Then there are the periodic afternoon sessions that are suitable for all sorts of people, from those on long hikes in the wilderness to medical users trying to manage their pain. Once the sun starts to set, those who spent the day at the office unwind with a joint, while others wait until after dinner to pop an edible before they begin their evening routine.
Sure, weed has found a home at nearly every time of day, but which time is the best for getting high? While everyone may have a different time they prefer, is it considered better to get high in the daytime or at night?
Why Consuming Marijuana in the Day Is Better
People use cannabis for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes little thought goes into the timing of its consumption, while in other instances it is methodically planned. Regardless of which camp you fall into, there are many occurrences when consuming marijuana during the day is the best time to enjoy its benefits.
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Marijuana For Pain
One of the most common (and growing) reasons medical marijuanas use cannabis is to control pain. In fact, as we havereported, there is evidence that cannabis can be more effective than opioids at managing chronic pain. When using marijuana for pain it is either used before activity as a preventative, or in response to pain. Either way, it is most common to use marijuana during the day to manage pain in order to get through the day. This ensures the day is met with as little difficulty as possible.
Marijuana as a Stimulant for Activity
The notion that weed turns you into a loafing couch potato was debunked long ago. In fact, as more people use and experiment with cannabis they find that it can even have the opposite effect. Marijuana, with certain strains in particular, can act as a stimulant of sorts, and even inspire physical activity.
“When we run, our bodies actually produce endocannabinoids, a naturally occurring form of THC which, along with endorphins, are responsible for the runner’s high that athletes enjoy,”according toOutside. In other words, weed helps motivate people to work out more eagerly. Sure, some people exercise in the middle of the night, but the vast majority of active individuals see most activity in the daylight hours. This makes getting high in the daytime the preferred time for those using marijuana for physical activity.
Using Marijuana to Improve Your Morning Mood
For the individual who says they aren’t a morning person, cannabis in the daytime might be just what you need to change the morning perspective. According to astudy on cannabis use and the morning time, “Immediately following cannabis use, men and women reported higher positive and lower negative effects than they did that morning. These positive consequences probably reflect the immediate “good drug” feelings associated with cannabis.” So for those who struggle with bad moods and thoughts in the morning, using cannabis to re-align you can be effective, but it must be done in the daytime for best results.
Why Consuming Marijuana at Night Is Better
Nighttime cannabis use also has its perks, even if they are mostly all different from those seen in the morning. Whether it’s for safety reasons or sleep assistance, marijuana has become part of the nightly routine for many who use cannabis regularly.
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Safer Alternative to Alcohol
Happy hour, the after work “wine” down and a beer after a long day are all engraved into the social psyche when it comes to post-work relaxation. Unfortunately, alcohol dependence can lead to some major health issues, not to mention deadly accidents. Marijuana has become a popular alternative to alcohol in these situations, as we have reported. This helps mitigate negative experiences associated with habitual alcohol use.
Kent Hutchison, who co-authored a study examining alcohol’s effects on the brain, told Medical News Today,”While marijuana may also have some negative consequences, it definitely is nowhere near the negative consequences of alcohol.” Unless you work the overnight shift, this benefit is only experienced when using cannabis in the twilight and evening hours.
Minimize Risk and Adverse Side Effects
While safer than alcohol, cannabis does not come without its share of risk factors. There are all sorts of less-than ideal side effects, from perception problems to potential paranoia. For those concerned about these side effects, it is often best to use cannabis in the comfort of your own home and with the peace of mind knowing that all the day’s errands are completed. “Some patients may prefer to use THC only before bed, or at other times when impairment does not impact their work, hobbies, or ability to function in daily life,” according to GoodRx.
Sleep Aid Benefits
As we havereported previously, cannabis is often used as an effective sleep aid for those struggling to get a proper night’s rest. Both THC and CBD help many who struggle with rest for numerous reasons. If you use cannabis as a sleep aid, the odds are you need to take it at night.
Final Thoughts: Which is Better, Daytime Or Nighttime?
When attempting to answer this question, you need to ask yourself why you are getting high in the first place. If you are trying to correct a morning mood, manage pain or increase your activity levels, then daytime is definitely the way to go. If you use cannabis as a sleep aid or replacement for alcohol, then the nighttime is the right time.
A new Gallup poll shows that Americans who support legal weed is at an all-time high.
The number of Americans who support legal marijuana hasn’t waned. A new Gallup poll show that 68% of Americans are more supportive of marijuana than they’ve ever been.
The numbers have greatly increased since Gallup polls first started asking Americans about marijuana in 1969. At that time, only 12% of Americans were in favor of the drug.
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Poll results show that the majority of subgroups are in favor of marijuana use, including liberals, Democrats, young adults, women, middle and upper-income adults, and town and rural residents.
Even older adults and Hispanic adults, which are some of the least supportive demographics, are turning in higher than expected numbers, with them supporting marijuana legalization by 53% and 56% respectively.
The groups that are least supportive of marijuana legalization include conservatives with 49% and those who attend church on a weekly basis 46%.
NORML’s executive director Erik Altieri shared a statement on the poll’s results, commenting on the discrepancy that exists between Americans and political action. “An overwhelming majority of Americans have consistently opposed our failed prohibition of marijuana for nearly a decade; it defies common sense and the concept of sound policy that our elected officials at the federal level have yet to take meaningful action,” he said.
“Voters of almost every age and in virtually every region of the country agree that marijuana should be legal. It is well past time that Congress finally takes action to reform our nation’s laws to reflect the people’s will and relegate our disastrous prohibition policies to the trash bin of history.”
Gallup’s poll shows that marijuana isn’t as novel as it used to be, with the drug’s approval remaining steady over the past three years. While older demographics are less likely to support weed, younger people, no matter their religion or politics, are more open to embracing the plant and painting a more accurate picture of the country’s future and their stance on the drug.
Not all doctors can recommend medical cannabis. Only cannabis doctors registered in your state can recommend medical marijuana.
In the United States, medical marijuana is legal in 36 states, four out of five permanently inhabited US territories, and the District of Columbia. The National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is fighting to reform harmful cannabis legislation. Here is a guide on how to a get a medical marijuana card from a doctor.
There is quite a bit of variation in cannabis laws from state to state, including how it can be produced, sold, and consumed. The first state to pass a medical marijuana program was California in 1996. After California started the first medical marijuana program, several other states soon followed suit.
While the United States has medical marijuana programs across the country, cannabis remains federally illegal and is still classified as a Schedule 1 substance with no medical value. To learn why cannabis is illegal in the United States, check out our article Why Is Weed Illegal?
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What Is a Medical Marijuana Card?
A medical marijuana card is a license issued by your state that indicates that you can use, buy, and grow cannabis products in that state. A medical marijuana card typically contains information like your full legal name, your date of birth, your address, your patient license number, and your photograph.
In general, most states’ medical marijuana cards last for about one or two years before you need to renew the license. Some states will allow you to purchase cannabis with an out-of-state medical marijuana card, while others will not. If you are a medical cannabis patient and are planning to travel, it is a good idea to look up local regulations if you intend to use your medical marijuana card while out-of-state.
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card
First and foremost, you need a doctor’s recommendation to get your medical marijuana card. In some states like California, you can do a quick 5-minute consultation with a doctor over the phone and get your medical marijuana card online. In other states like Oklahoma, you need to have a face-to-face consultation with a physician.
Of course, you need to have a qualifying condition to get a medical marijuana card. Qualifying conditions vary from state to state. In California, doctors will often recommend cannabis for back pain, insomnia, anxiety, as well as cancer, glaucoma, Chron’s disease and a variety of other conditions. Other states like New York have a more restrictive list of qualifying conditions.
What Is a Cannabis Doctor?
Not all doctors can recommend medical cannabis. Only cannabis doctors registered in your state can recommend medical marijuana. However, some states will require medical tests from your primary care practitioner to verify that you need a medical marijuana card, so it is always a good idea to consult with your primary care practitioner first.
Before you meet with a cannabis doctor, it is worth noting that no doctor in the United States can prescribe cannabis. Prescriptions are under the FDA, and cannabis is federally illegal. Cannabis doctors work around these legal barriers by “recommending” cannabis.
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What to Expect When Getting Your Medical Marijuana Card
While your experience will differ state to state, there are some general points that the cannabis doctor should touch on during your consultation. You should expect to be asked about your health conditions, any medications you may be taking, and any questions or concerns you have about using cannabis products. The cannabis doctor may ask you about your symptoms and advise you on what times of day to ingest based on your goals.
Additionally, your doctor should advise you on any adverse side effects that you may experience like increased heart rate, dizziness, drowsiness, and more. After you have spoken with your doctor, you may need to register with your state’s health department. You should look up your state’s regulations to make sure you take the proper steps to get your medical marijuana card.
In California, you don’t have to do anything further and they will send you an electronic copy of your medical cannabis recommendation. It may take a few weeks to get the physical copy of your medical marijuana card, but you will be able to use the digital copy right away to purchase cannabis medicine.
Now that you know how to get a medical marijuana card, you can use Jointly to find the best products and optimize how you consume cannabis so that you can enjoy your ideal experience every time. Jointly is cannabis wellness app that teaches you how to achieve your wellness goals with cannabis and CBD. Jointly allows you to track and record your CBD and cannabis consumption, including the dose, time of use, cannabinoid profile and various other factors that can influence your experience. As you track your cannabis consumption on Jointly, you will learn about the 15 factors that can impact your cannabis experience and how to eliminate side effects. Download the Jointly app on the App Store or the Google Play Store to get started on your cannabis wellness journey.
It makes no sense for medical or healthcare providers to discourage people, including recreational cannabis users, to stop buying high-THC cannabis. Here’s why.
The accessibility to a fantastic array of cannabis these days is amazing. Consumers have hundreds of choices right on their fingertips: from non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD), mind-altering tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to get you high, medicinal products, and compounds of all forms for recreational and medical users.
There are also those that say the weed in the market today is nothing like our grandparents’ weed. That is also true, but many are criticizing the potential dangers of high THC cannabis.
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After all, it’s common to see cannabis flower and oil products with THC contents with an average of 20% THC in dispensaries, while the braver, more seasoned consumers go for concentrates that can reach as much as 95% THC. These are not for the faint of heart, nor are they for those with possible mental health problems such as a risk of psychosis and schizophrenia.
Having said that, we shouldn’t be demonizing high potency THC just because of that. It does have many health benefits.
A recent paper backed up by data from the Project Twenty21 (T21) in the United Kingdom assessed the quality of life for medical cannabis patients suffering from anxiety and chronic pain when they were given a high-THC cannabis flower containing 20% THC and 1% CBD ratio, called Khiron 20:1, cultivated by Khiron Life Sciences.
High THC flower is the most commonly prescribed cannabis-based product for medical use in humans. These have been legal in the United Kingdom since November 2018, as authorized by the Home Office for eligible patients. Smoking of these flowers is prohibited, though inhalation is permitted.
The data analyzed patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) which were collected before and after 3 months for follow-up. They looked at metrics including health-related quality of life (HRQoL), sleep, and mood of patients. Meanwhile, they also measured the severity of illness using the Brief Pain Inventory Short Form as well as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale.
The researchers found that inhaling the cannabis was effective in improving sleep and general mood, while reducing pain severity and anxiety. “Our results indicate that controlled inhalation of pharmaceutical-grade, THC-predominant cannabis flos, Khiron 20:1 is associated with a significant improvement in patient-reported pain scores, mood, anxiety, sleep disturbances and overall HRQoL in a treatment-resistant clinical population,” the researchers concluded.
Other Benefits Of Potent Cannabis
Truth be told, many people are in dire need of the medicinal benefits of high-THC cannabis. The fact that any cannabis product contains more THC means more of it will enter the bloodstream, resulting in more powerful physiological and psychoactive effects. It also means that patients can derive more powerful therapeutic benefits from medical conditions. It has been proven to help countless people with severe and chronic pain, insomnia, vomiting, nausea, lack of appetite, and many more.
In addition, studies show that THC is a neuroprotectant, which means it prevents damage in the brain cells. Over time, the quality and quantity of brain cells are reduced, which can increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and much more.
Thousands of people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also find relief from THC products. The insomnia, depression, severe anxiety, nightmares, and agitation can all rob one of living a normal life, but THC has also been shown to help. By taking THC products, PTSD patients can finally experience some semblance of a normal life.
On the other hand, it can also be used recreationally. Smoking or consuming potent THC products greatly leads to relaxation, offering powerful stress relief without the harmful side effects of alcohol. It can even help boost creativity and help people work out more efficiently.
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Stop Criminalizing High Potency THC
In summary, there is evidence for the benefits of high THC cannabis. Of course, we are again emphasizing that those with serious mental health disorders such as psychosis and schizophrenia are clearly not the best market for these products. But they work just fine for the others that do take it.
Take alcohol, for example. There are numerous alcohol brands containing high levels of potent spirits, which can easily cause alcohol poisoning. It doesn’t even take several drinks for this to occur. Yet, we allow these substances to be sold openly – in many cases even to minors – while demonizing high potency marijuana.
Sure, even cannabis concentrates can be over consumed. This is not ideal. But that’s why instead of criminalizing it or claiming they cause mass hysteria and psychosis, what we really do need is more education. It has been established by experts and scientists that just 5mg of THC is enough to produce mild psychoactive effects even in occasional or non-users; only experienced recreational consumers should experiment with higher doses. Furthermore, people who are prone to mental health problems are advised to work under supervision of a cannabis-knowledgeable doctor if they intend to use higher doses to assist with certain ailments, physical, mental, or otherwise.
It makes no sense for medical or healthcare providers to discourage people, including recreational cannabis users, to stop buying high-THC cannabis. No amount of THC can kill anyone, but there should be an emphasis on responsible consumption. Sure, you might have an uncomfortable hit lasting a few hours, but that’s why it’s always recommended to go low and slow.
For anyone who wants to learn more about incorporating high THC cannabis either for recreational or medical purposes, do your own research. Patients are better off talking to a doctor. Don’t go about it on your own, especially if you think you may have a mental health condition.
There were several important, albeit lesser known, ballot measures that passed during the midterms that each help to end the prohibition and criminalization of marijuana in the US. Here’s what you may have missed.
The 2022 midterm elections were historical and surprising for many on several fronts. In addition to the unexpected senate and house results, there were an unusual number of historic ballot measures passed on everything from abortion rights to cannabis legalization.
By now, you have likely read that Maryland and Missouri became the twentieth and twenty first states to legalize recreational adult use cannabis. North Dakota, South Dakota and Arkansas all saw their legalization ballot measures fail. These ballot measures were the big headlines, but they were not the only ballot measures for cannabis voted on in this election. In fact, there were several important, albeit lesser known, ballot measures that passed during the midterm election that each help to end the prohibition and criminalization of marijuana in the United States.
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5 Texas Cities Voted to Depenalize Marijuana Possession
In conservative Texas, where recreational marijuana is illegal and the drug itself is still highly criminalized, five cities voted to change how cannabis position is viewed in the eyes of the law. The five cities; Denton, Elgin, Harker Heights, Killeen and San Marcos all passed ballot measures that “largely prohibit local police officers from either arresting or citing people for Class A or Class B marijuana misdemeanors,” according toNORML.
This is definitely a victory for these major cities, especially in the deep red state of Texas, but these victories start creating a hyper-localized and confusing cannabis policy framework in the Longhorn state. “While these local advancements are important in mitigating harm on citizens and reprioritizing law enforcement time, they result in a patchwork of differing marijuana enforcement policies based on location,”said Texas NORML’s Executive Director Jax James, who believes this calls for lawmakers to take statewide reform measures in 2023.
5 Ohio Cities Voted to Take Local Decriminalization Measures
Texas was not the only state that had several cities vote for marijuana decriminalization measures. Citizens in five Ohio cities made similar votes. The municipalities of Corning, Kent, Laurelville, Shawnee and Rushville all approved statutes relating to marijuana decriminalization.Te
These five cities are not alone in Ohio, as 20 other cities have already taken this step, and many have done so through similar initiatives in the past. According toBenzinga, “The 20 jurisdictions across Ohio that have already approved local statutes decriminalizing cannabis possessions did so either via voter initiatives or through their city councils.” This continued forward momentum has many in Ohio optimistic about the state’s chances of legalization in the near future.
25 Towns in RI Voted to Allow New Weed Businesses Near Them
Rhode Island may have already legalized cannabis earlier this year, but it still found its way onto the ballot in 31 cities and towns this midterm election. These 31 cities were asked if they supported new cannabis-related businesses opening their doors in their towns — 25 voted yes.
This overwhelming support suggests that many in Rhode Island are ready and eager for recreational cannabis in their state, and in many individual towns. It is important to note, however, that just because the town voted “yes” does not guarantee a dispensary will be opening its doors in that town in the near future. As WPRI Newsexplained, “Even if your municipality voted yes, it doesn’t mean a store will open there. Recreational sales are starting at existing medical marijuana dispensaries on Dec. 1, and future store locations have not yet been proposed.”
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Colorado Votes to Decriminalize Psilocybin and Other Psychedelics
While this last measure does not relate directly to cannabis, it is certainly historic, and at the very least can qualify as “cannabis-adjacent.” Colorado citizens voted to decriminalize several psychedelics, including psilocybin, which is found in magic mushrooms. Proposition 122, known as theNatural Medicine Health Act of 2022 decriminalizes the possession, growing and sharing of psilocybin, psilocyn, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), ibogaine, and mescaline, according to Time.
And if that news isn’t trippy enough, “it also clears a pathway for the use of all these psychedelics at ‘healing centers’ — facilities licensed by the state’s Department of Regulatory Agencies where the public can buy, consume, and take psychedelics under supervision.”
In an attempt to extend the shelf life of weed, many people try many things. While some of these might actually work, others are myths that shouldn’t be believed.
Does weed go bad? Even though cannabis packaging has improved a lot, the product still needs to be stored in a certain way for it to remain fresh. A lot of people still wonder whether they need to do anything to keep their marijuana fresh, and the answer is yes. Because while weed won’t go ‘bad’ as most other foods would, it will still get moldy and lose its potency over time. Here’s how to Identify old marijuana.
The biggest threat that cannabis faces is in the form of moisture. Exposure to moisture can cause marijuana to grow mold and mildew, which can be very harmful to people. Stale weed also loses its strength over time which all but kills the purpose of consuming it in the first place.
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To increase the shelf life of weed, cultivators make it undergo the process of curing. When it is carefully cured, a certain amount of moisture is trapped inside the cannabis because losing too much moisture is also bad since it can cause the flower to become brittle. It is, therefore, important to store weed in a way that can maintain this moisture without introducing more of it.
Another factor to consider is that weed’s cannabinoid content starts getting affected in the presence of light and oxygen. Too much of these can make the weed lose its potency and also make it smell grassy.
How Long Does Weed Stay Good?
This question doesn’t have a straightforward answer. There’s a reason why cannabis packaging usually doesn’t come with an expiration date because the flowers don’t really expire in the traditional sense — they just lose their potency and can become moldy. The better question to ask is, “how long does weed stay good?”. And the answer to that would be up to two years if you store it properly.
After two years, it starts losing its potency significantly. Some research suggests that marijuana loses around 16% of THC just after the first year of storage. After that first year, it starts dropping even more. After two years, it can lose up to 26% THC. After three years, this loss increases to 34%. So, if you’re still asking yourself, “does weed get old?”, it really does.
The two things that cannabis has to be kept away from are light and oxygen. Exposure to UV light was found to be the most rapid way to age cannabis in a study done in 1976. Both light and air slowly convert THCA into THC, which then gets turned into CBN. CBN may not be harmful for consumption, but it does not have the psychoactive properties that THC has. Too much oxygen also makes cannabis buds smell like hay. The best way to preserve the integrity of your cannabis is to store it in a cool and dark place. It should be kept away from humidity and in an airtight container.
The best thing to do when you buy some marijuana is to consume it as soon as possible. That will ensure that you get all the benefits out of it that you’re looking for, and there are no risks to your health that could arise with longer storage periods. When you buy a jar of weed, you can see the harvest date printed on it. The fresher it is, the stronger it will be.
Good vs Bad Weed: How to Understand If Yours Is Fresh
There are a few ways in which you can determine the freshness of your cannabis buds:
The first thing to note is the smell. Weed that’s not in the best condition will lose its aroma or smell different when compared to a fresh batch. It can even smell quite bad at times.
You can also look at it and see if it’s old. Fresh buds will not crumble when you press or break them. If your weed does that, it’s a good sign that it is old.
The texture of old weed is also different. It will not really harm you, though, unless it has grown moldy while sitting in a wet jar.
Old marijuana also doesn’t taste pleasant. It can often have a harsh flavor that will likely make you cough or even vomit.
One of the first things you should do when you buy some cannabis is to check for mold. Weed does not have to be old to grow mold. A research study showed mold and bacteria growth on 20 weed samples that were purchased directly from dispensaries and growers. So, even if you have just bought your marijuana, check if you can see any small white fuzzy spots.
Any of these things can mean that your weed is stale. Smoking stale weed won’t usually cause any serious health issues unless you have a weak immune system. Weed that contains fungus or bacteria can cause serious problems for such people, while it will likely only cause coughing or vomiting for healthy adults. The bottom line is that if you feel like your weed is bad, the best idea is to just throw it away. If you’re asking yourself, “what does good weed look like?”, then it looks and smells fresh, has its own aroma, holds its structure when you break a bud apart, and doesn’t have fuzzy white spots on it.
Do Edibles Expire?
How long does marijuana stay good in an edible form? This depends on the edible in question. If cannabis is introduced into an edible product the correct way, then the expiration date of the actual edible will remain unchanged. In other words, the presence of weed in an edible should not change how long the edible product lasts.
How long an edible remains fresh depends on what it is. For example, refrigerated products like condiments and drinks can stay fresh for 5 to 7 days, while products with dairy in them, like a cannabis chocolate bar, can go bad within a week. So, when it comes to edibles, you should follow the same storage principles as you would with normal food products. If food items are not stored properly, they will go bad much quicker than if they were stored in an airtight container or the refrigerator, depending on what kind of edible you have.
You can tell that an edible is going bad by the smell or taste of it. A weed edible will start to smell bad, just like a normal food item would. The longest-lasting edible products are gummies and candies, while products like brownies and cookies also have a long shelf life.
How to Properly Store Weed to Keep It Fresh Longer
There are several little things you should consider when thinking about proper weed storage. The shelf life of weed can drastically change depending on your storage method. Here are some things you should be doing:
Get the right kind of containers. Do not use plastic bags or other plastic jars. The reason for this is that plastic holds a static charge that can reduce the potency of your marijuana by messing with the trichomes. The ideal containers to choose from are glass ones that have airtight seals. They do not let in too much oxygen and also don’t have any static charge. You can find the ideal weed storing containers at the dispensary you buy your cannabis from.
Another thing to consider is humidity. The ideal humidity range for weed storage is between 59 and 63 percent. If you have higher humidity, your weed can trap moisture and get moldy. In lower humidity, there is a risk of your cannabis getting dried out.
You should also keep it in a dark place with little to no sunlight. UV rays are very detrimental to cured cannabis, so this might be the most important thing to keep in mind. You should also keep it in a cool place, but that does not mean you should go freezing it. Just don’t keep it somewhere it can trap moisture or get direct light.
How to Store Other Cannabis Products
In the case of edibles, the best thing to do is to keep them in their own packaging. Keep them in a cool and dark place, like you would keep most food items anyway.
Concentrates should be kept in small containers that are often specifically designed for them. These are mostly made of glass or silicone. You should keep these in a cool and dark place as well.
For vape pens, the same rules apply: keep the airtight cartridges in a cool and dark place.
Myths About Old Weed and Marijuana Storage
In an attempt to extend the shelf life of weed, many people try many things. While some of these might actually work, others are myths that shouldn’t be believed:
It is not wise to store cannabis in a cigar humidor. These products usually have a lining of cedar, which has oils that can damage cannabis. If you want to use a humidor, there are ones specifically designed for storing marijuana, and only those should be used.
Some people think that adding an orange peel in a bag of weed will help maintain the moisture content and keep the cannabis from getting dry. This does not really work. On the contrary, it increases your buds’ risk of developing mold due to the increased moisture. The orange peel can also change the aroma or taste of your marijuana.
It is also unwise to keep your cannabis in a freezer. The freezer is likely to make the trichomes on your buds brittle, and they can snap off when you handle the buds later. Also, the freezer can increase the chance for mold to appear because of the moisture inside.
Does Weed Get Old?
The topic is a really important one, so we suggest you read the opinions of these industry experts:
Robert Miller, Purefectionery
Flower changes as it ages. A lot of people say they feel like the more cannabis ages, the more CBD-like quality it takes on. My thing with older weed is, if you take care of it.
Dee Dee Taylor, 502 Hemp
Not really. It may lose some of its cannabinoid content, but not necessarily get old.
Dr. Joseph Rosado, MD
If not stored properly, it can get old. But that old weed will have a high level of CBN because if you leave cannabis laying out with oxygen over seven to ten days, the THC can convert into CBN which is excellent in helping people with their sleep and/or insomnia.
Jack Robson, High Desert Pure
Yes. It’s a plant. Like any plant, it will decompose if you leave it long enough.
Lawrence Perrigo, Saints Joints
Yes, it does get old. It will degrade and stop smelling good. I guess you’ll just have to smoke your weed fast!
Matthew Frigone, Lazy Bee Gardens
Yes. Proper storage and cure can prolong but oxidation will still occur. Not all strains hold cure as well as others either. I have some that look like crap after only a few months in cure, and others that look just harvested like 9 months deep.
Scarlet Palmer, Sensi Seeds
Yes indeed! It goes through various chemical changes as the cannabinoids naturally decarboxylate and change. Eventually it will stop having any psychoactive effect, but will be very soporific.
Terry Sardinas, Bird Valley Organics
Yes, but if you add a spinach leaf to your jar of dry Cannabis, you can help give it a refresh.
“It’s time to democratize the medical cannabis market in Germany and offer investors the opportunity to participate early,” said Philip Schetter, Cantourage CEO.
On Friday, a Berlin startup became the first medical cannabis company to list on the Frankfurt stock exchange.
After a draft of theGerman government’s cannabis legalization measure was leaked, it seems the EU country is getting closer to setting up retail marijuana distribution, possession and home cultivation.
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With the ticker symbol “HIGH,” shares of the Berlin-based company HIGH, +200.93% rose as high as €19.70 Euros after the IPO was priced at €6.48 per share. One Euro equals $1.04 US dollar.
The First MMJ Company On the Frankfurt Stock Exchange
Cantourage, a startup founded in 2019 that imports, processes and distributes marijuana for medicinal purposes, was looking for a cash influx to fund its expansion in a “dynamic market,” after noting the emerging industry growth in Germany and across Europe.
“It’s time to democratize the medical cannabis market in Germany and offer investors the opportunity to participate early,” said Philip Schetter, Cantourage CEO.
Barron’s reported that at the market opening, the new entrant debuted at €6.48 per share, achieving a valuation of €86.6 million euros.
Listed on the Frankfurt stock market’s Scale segment for small and medium-sized companies, Cantourage aims to raise capital through a private placement of around 15% of its shares. The company also seeks to develop production capabilities and “make preparations for the upcoming legalization of recreational cannabis.”
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Imports will need to be stepped up to meet expected future demand for marijuana, according to the company, which currently has 38 partnerships with suppliers in 17 countries.
According to a survey presented by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, roughlyfour million adults use marijuana in Germany, indicating a substantial illicit market involving the cannabis trade.
Lauterbach said the new plan represents “the most liberal legalization of cannabis in Europe,” which will result in “the most regulated market” in the EU, though it needs to be reviewed by the European Commission before taking further action.
Most of these landmark strains date back well before the 1960s, which is when Americans slowly started creating new strains by cross-breeding.
There are so many weed names it has become comical. And it isn’t just the names either; aside from strains like “Cheetah Piss” or “Crouching Tiger Hidden Alien,” the sheer volume of strains that have been cultivated since marijuana has become mainstream is so unreal you have no other choice but to laugh.
As we venture on into a world with more and more cross-species specialty strains, it might be a good exercise to look back in time, to the plants that started this now colossal global industry.
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The birth of cannabis may have started more than 2000 years ago. According to Science, there is “clear physical evidence that mourners burned cannabis for its intoxicating fumes on a remote mountain plateau in Central Asia some 2500 years ago.”
While science can use carbon dating to trace the birth of people getting high, the plants that have been getting people high for hundreds, and even thousands of years, are still around today. Whether along the trading routes of the Silk Road in Asia, or by natural plant evolution, several original strains of THC filled cannabis popped up around the world from South America, to India and Africa.These long-standing original strains of cannabis are the landrace strains.
A landrace strain is another way of saying the “original strain” or “OG” if you want to make it sound cool. Most of these landmark strains date back well before the 1960s, which is when Americans slowly started creating new strains by cross-breeding these landrace strains to form a new type of weed that had the best of two or more of these landrace strains.
According toMedMen, “One of the very first was conceived by California’s famed underground Sacred Seeds. Dubbed Skunk #1 for its pungent aroma, the indica-dominant creation was a cross of three heavy-hitting landrace strains: Afghani, Acapulco Gold, and Colombian Gold.”
You might think that with all this cross-breeding and extraction from one strain to build more and more super strains that these landrace strains have been lost and forgotten by time. But they are, in fact, alive and well. You have likely even heard of several of the more popular landrace strains, as they are either common folklore or still available for purchase in cannabis dispensaries to this day.
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Landrace strains are named after the geographical area where they were originally discovered and cultivated. Some popular landrace strains include Acapulco Gold, Maui Wowie, Hindu Kush, Afghani, Thai and many many others. These strains are still in existence today, often in part thanks to purists who continue to grow them.
Landrace strains are grown and preserved year after year, often preserving the best of each crop, just like farmers do with plants like heirloom tomatoes, which explains the other common name for landrace strains. “Another term for original landrace strains is heirloom strains, and you may see breeders and sellers of seeds use this term instead,” according to online dispensary Acreage Pharms.
Regardless of what you call them, without these original strains, the hundreds of cleverly (and not so cleverly) named new strains would not exist. So the next time you see Acapulco Gold or Hindu Kush on a dispensary menu, consider giving it a whirl. It will take you back in time, and help you understand what cannabis was many years ago, before it was a business.
The psychedelics industry continues to attract investors with huge bankrolls, as psychedelics decriminalization efforts continue across the US, and broader psychedelics legalization efforts pick up speed.
Psychedelics companies look to be solidly on the rise this year without the need for any figure-finagling, fancy-dancing sleight of hand. The same can’t be said for the cannabis industry, which appears to be in the midst of a reset.
While both industries face limitations, it’s beginning to look like the psychedelics industry is stepping up to mainstream acceptance faster than cannabis did in its early days. Psychedelics is staying true to its medical roots, as it plays up how it can profoundly help treat mental health conditions. On the other hand, cannabis’ attention seems divided between medical and recreational use, with the goal of just achieving a high seeming to take priority.
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According to Politico, most cannabis companies continue to hemorrhage red ink nearly a decade after Colorado and Washington became the first states to establish legal markets for anyone at least 21 years old. An analysis of financial filings from two dozen of the largest publicly traded U.S. operators shows that they collectively lost more than $550 million in the first six months of 2022 on revenues of nearly $4.5 billion.
The Politico report also noted that cannabis companies spent heavily last year to expand capacity due to misguided optimism about the prospects for loosening federal marijuana restrictions after Democrats won control of Congress and the White House. That led to a glut of product and plunging prices in many of the largest state markets, such as California, Colorado, Massachusetts, and Michigan.
The cannabis industry is facing some of the same setbacks that any maturing emerging industry faces, such as hostile takeovers (Agrify), critical political issues related to who controls and regulates the market, and a growing list of lawsuits.
Plus, there’s the cannabis black market, which continues to be a force to reckoned with, especially in California. In 2019, estimates place illicit cannabis market sales at around $8.7 billion in that state, while the legal cannabis market reported sales of around $3.1 billion that year, according to Statista.
Meanwhile, the psychedelics industry continues to attract investors with huge bankrolls, as psychedelics decriminalization efforts continue across the U.S., and broader psychedelics legalization efforts pick up speed in states like Colorado (Colorado Proposition 122 is on the ballot today), which could propel an even faster growth.
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The U.S. government appears to be all in, adding fuel to the psychedelics development fire. For example, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) in June 2020, gave the University of North Carolina and Dr. Bryan L. Roth (with the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy) a grant of nearly $27 million to create better medicines for treating mental illness using psychedelics and other psychoactive molecules. The work will capitalize on the UNC research already underway to develop new techniques to fully understand how drugs might affect signal processes inside cells to create drugs that are more effective.
The National Institutes of Health, which essentially ignored psychedelics from 2006-2020, jumped in to help in October 2021 with a $4 million grant (funded by NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse) to Johns Hopkins to study psilocybin and tobacco addiction.
The global psychedelic drugs market is expected to gain market growth in the forecast period of 2022-2029. Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the market is growing 13.3% in the forecast period of 2022 to 2029 and is expected to reach $6.5 billion by 2029 from $2.4 billion in 2021.
There are other examples of government and industry turning their efforts toward building the psychedelics industry as the cannabis industry struggles, but much will be ironed out over the next two years, as a string of advancing psychedelics clinical trials could quickly lead to FDA approval and drug development by late 2024. As with most things psychedelic, time will tell.
