Can Cannabis Help You Quit Smoking Cigarettes?

Cannabis

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June 29, 2022

Can Cannabis Help You Quit Smoking Cigarettes?

If you live in a state where weed is legal and you’re ready to take quitting smoking seriously, it might be a good idea to have some fast-acting edibles handy for when the urge to smoke strikes.

Nicotine is widely known to be one of the most addictive substances on the planet, and it is certainly the most addictive legal drug in America. According to the CDC, tobacco causes about one in every five deaths in America. While there have been some positive results from anti-smoking campaigns that have helped reduce the number of new smokers in recent years, nothing close to a cure for nicotine addiction exists today.

There are all sorts of products on the market that try to help those addicted to nicotine move away from tobacco, including patches, gums, lozenges, pills and everything in between. In recent years, some have even started to turn to cannabis in the form of CBD gummies and even THC. But can these cannabis derived edibles really help you quit smoking?

Can CBD Help You Quit Smoking Cigarettes? — Photo by Mathew MacQuarrie via Unsplash

Recent studies have shown CBD has been effective in helping with cigarette withdrawals, and decreasing one’s desire to smoke. One study, by University College London, found that using CBD helped reduce nicotine desire almost instantly. “The study found that after a single dose of CBD treatment, heavy daily smokers find smoking-related cues less visually attention-grabbing,” UCL said.

CBD and its connection to smoking cessation has spawned many brands to market their gummies to those trying to quit. When it comes to THC, however, there has been far less research done in general. Further, with marijuana still illegal and untrusted on a federal level, it is much easier to promote CBD, which has been widely accepted as having very few negative side effects. But when you take a look at some of the benefits of medical marijuana and reference the main side effects of nicotine withdrawal, you can start to see the reason some are turning to marijuana to help quit smoking.

According to the National Cancer Institute, some of the most common nicotine withdrawal symptoms include irritability, insomnia, anxiety, depression and others. Any one of these symptoms can be difficult to overcome on your own, but combine them all at once and one can be left feeling debilitated. Coincidently, some of the benefits of marijuana include alleviating depression and anxiety.

In regards to sleeplessness, Americans have used a little bit of weed to fall asleep on restless nights for generations. Many of marijuana’s perceived benefits seem like they would directly benefit those experiencing severe nicotine withdrawal. But with limited research and a federal prohibition, it is still difficult to say if THC can definitely help you quit smoking.

If you do decide to give THC a try on your nicotine-quitting journey, edibles would be the logical choice, as smoking a joint instead of a cigarette does not exactly constitute the whole “quitting smoking” idea. But marijuana edibles may have not been highly effective at treating nicotine withdrawal, as it turns out, because they often take upwards of one to two hours to kick in and produce the symptom-relieving effects. This may no longer be the case, however, now that several manufacturers have released fast acting edibles.

The newly-popular fast acting edibles use different scientific techniques, like emulsification, to get the THC into your system much quicker, mirroring the high of smoking rather than the delayed and elongated high of traditional edibles. This new formula allows edibles to bypass the stomach and get into the small intestine faster, so the effect is more similar to smoking.

Just like with nearly all aspects of marijuana research, there needs to be more analysis on whether or not marijuana can help those addicted to nicotine and other dangerous and addictive substances. If, however, you live in a state where marijuana is legal and you are ready to take quitting smoking seriously, it might be a good idea to have some fast-acting edibles handy for when you really want to head to the store and buy a pack of smokes.

House Committee Approves Protections For State Marijuana Programs From Fed Interference

Benzinga Staff Writer

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June 29, 2022

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House Committee Approves Protections For State Marijuana Programs From Fed Interference

Since 2014, members of Congress have passed annual spending bills that have included a provision protecting those in compliance with state medical cannabis programs from the DOJ. However, such guidance has not been officially renewed under the current Administration.

By Nicolás Jose Rodriguez

A House Appropriations subcommittee approved an amendment on Tuesday afternoon that would prevent the Department of Justice (DOJ) from interfering with legal adult-use marijuana programs as part of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations legislation for the Fiscal Year 2023, NORML reported in a press release.

The bipartisan amendment, introduced by Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA) David Joyce (R-OH) along with Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Tom McClintock (R-CA) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) would bar the DOJ from using resources to interfere with the ability of states, territories, tribal governments or the District of Columbia to implement cannabis laws or to target people acting in compliance with those laws.

legal marijuana — Photo by Olena Ruban/Getty Images

Morgan Fox, political director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) said the amendment brings peace of mind to individuals, businesses and institutions.

“As federal lawmakers steadily work to determine the best way to finally end marijuana prohibition and undo the damage it has caused, the people involved in regulated cannabis programs in the growing number of states that are leading the way on this issue deserve to know whether the federal government will actively get in the way of their continued successes,” Fox said.

“Including these protections in the federal budget will go a long way toward giving individuals, businesses, and state governments some peace of mind while signaling to the vast majority of Americans who support legalizing and regulating cannabis that their elected representatives are actually listening to them.”

Congressman Earl Blumenauer added: “Congress must honor the will of the voters and prevent wasteful Department of Justice prosecution of those complying with their respective state’s or tribe’s cannabis regulations. I appreciate the partnership and leadership of my colleagues, Representatives McClintock, Lee, Joyce, and Norton to move this important language forward today.”

Since 2014, members of Congress have passed annual spending bills that have included a provision protecting those in compliance with state medical cannabis programs from undue prosecution by the DOJ. However, such guidance has not been officially renewed under the current Administration and “does not carry the force of law,” NORML stressed. Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland recently said the DOJ was examining cannabis policy and would address the issue “in the days ahead.”

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been reposted with permission.

How Will Cannabis Legalization Factor Into An Uncertain Texas Election Cycle?

Marijuana Legislation

Benzinga Staff Writer

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June 28, 2022

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How Will Cannabis Legalization Factor Into An Uncertain Texas Election Cycle?

While Beto O’Rourke and cannabis reforms could win out in November, the state’s conservative grip still appears strong.

By Andrew Ward

Depending on how you perceive the past few months, Texas may be heading towards a minor liberal reform, or the conservatives could be doubling down on its dominance.

The past few months, ranging from gun tragedies to legal decisions to special elections, highlight a busy and somewhat unclear Texas political landscape heading into November.

texas capitol building — Photo by Ruben Reyes from Pexels

The recent back-and-forth momentum leaves most sources uncertain where Texas will stand post-Election Day. However, many appear firm on two points: Texans are frustrated, and most support legalizing cannabis.

Much Messing With Texas

No matter the outcome this Fall, Texas will remain an overwhelmingly conservative-held Congress. The state has deep GOP ties, with Republican Presidential nominees taking the state in every election since 1980.

Still, with frustrations running high across the board, changes of some kind could be on the horizon.

February data from the Texas Politics Project listed border security (19%), immigration (12%), COVID-19 (11%), political corruption (9%) and the economy (6%) as its top five voter issues.

March results from the 2022 Texas Lyceum Poll cited border security (14%) as the top trouble spot. Inflation, political corruption/leadership and energy prices are all tied at 9%. Cannabis legalization was not mentioned in the list of 25 concerns.

“From the shaky electric grid to health care access, the economy, endemic corruption, and gun violence, issues are swamping the Texas election cycle,” said Susan Hays, a Democratic candidate for Agriculture Department Commissioner.

Hays said the typical voter likely places cannabis somewhere in the middle of their priorities this voting cycle.

“But voters consistently raise cannabis reform as an important issue for them,” she said.

Jax James, NORML state policy manager said cannabis legalization “definitely” falls behind gun and abortion rights, adding that property taxes could also be considered a higher priority to most Texans.

texas cannabis — Photo by PromesaArtStudio/Getty Images

James said the state’s current surplus may make legalization less of a concern to those outside of advocates. In July 2021, state Comptroller Glenn Hegar projected Texas would have a $7.85 billion surplus for the 2022-2023 biennium.

“The desire to have legal market revenue is not as big as it could, perhaps,” said James.

How Cannabis Policy Fits Into The Discussion

Texans have come around on legalization and now seem to be waiting on key lawmakers to do the same. Across the aisle, voters have supported a legal market expansion for some time.

“Overarchingly, cannabis is truly a fairly bipartisan issue here in Texas,” said James.

June 2021 results from the Texas Politics Projects saw 60% of those polled supporting a small or large quantity possession. Just 13% opposed legalization in any form.

A May 2022 poll from The Dallas Morning News and The University of Texas at Tyler found similar results. 60% of those polled supported adult use legalization, with 83% favoring medical. 42% of identified Republicans supported adult use.

Public support hasn’t done much to sway Gov. Abbott from previous stances. He prefers to see cannabis remain a Class C misdemeanor.

James blamed Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who has been linked to squashing reform momentum for several years.

“The Governor has actually negotiated with activists to get quite a bit more done than has passed,” James said.

Others offered similar opinions. “Texans do seem to want a more robust medicinal program, similar to Oklahoma, but the current Lieutenant Governor will not allow cannabis legislation to be brought to the Senate floor,” said Matt Hawkins, founder and managing principal at Entourage Effect Capital.

Tristan Seikel is executive director of the nonpartisan group Decriminalize Denton, one of the cities taking up decriminalization in November. He feels that the rise of local-level policy and ballot questions is a response to stalled state-level efforts.

“People are organizing more and providing support for each other, I think, as a necessary reaction,” Seikel said.

Medical advocates have also continued to push for changes to its restrictive market. In 2021, the Texas Compassionate Use Program expanded its coverage to people with cancer and PTSD. Efforts to include chronic pain were removed in the Senate.

Conservatives Gaining Recent Ground

While Beto O’Rourke and cannabis reforms could win out in November, the state’s conservative grip still appears strong.

“I can’t even begin to speculate on how our election is going to go this year, especially with the recent news of a Republican flipping a historically Democratic district in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Shayda Torabi, CEO of Restart CBD and host of the To Be Blunt podcast.

In mid-June, GOP candidate Mayra Flores flipped the typically Democratic seat during a special election.

Is Texas Ready To Become The Stoned Star State In 2021? — Photo by Bo Zaunders/Getty Images

The state GOP also made waves in June when its new party platform included claims against the 2020 election results, condemned gay marriage and called to repeal the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The platform also opposes cannabis legalization but does support rescheduling.

With results not coming for several months, we’re left to wait and see what will unfold. While waiting, NORML’s James reports knowing of several companies waiting to capitalize on what could be a lucrative Texas market.

Rather than just waiting, she urges those companies to get involved. “The activists are here on the ground doing the work, and we need to make sure that the businesses and the people in positions of power are supporting that work.”

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been reposted with permission.

White House Says Brittney Griner Has ‘Fullest Attention Of The President’ As Biden Heads To NATO Meeting In Spain

Benzinga Staff Writer

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June 28, 2022

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White House Says Brittney Griner Has ‘Fullest Attention Of The President’ As Biden Heads To NATO Meeting In Spain

By Maureen Meehan

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday that the ongoing detention of WNBA superstar Brittney Griner has the full attention of President Biden.

“It has the fullest attention of the president and every senior member of his national security and diplomatic team. And, we are actively working to find a resolution to this case and will continue to do so without rest until we get Brittney safely home,” Sullivan told reporters on Air Force One as Biden is traveling to Spain for a NATO meeting.

Sullivan said that he and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have both spoken with Griner’s wife, Cherelle, to “convey our very deep sympathy, convey that we just can’t even begin to imagine what the family must be going through, what Brittney must be going through.”

On Monday, Griner’s detention was extended for six months pending the outcome of a trial, which is scheduled to start this Friday, July 1.

Sullivan reiterated to reporters that Griner was “wrongfully” and “unjustly” detained and that the White House is working for her release but would not go into details, according to The Hill.

Griner’s appearance in a Russian court Monday was the first time the two-time Olympic gold medal winner has been seen publicly, with the exception of her booking photo. Arrested on Feb. 17 at a Moscow airport for allegedly having cannabis oil in her suitcase, Griner faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Last week a Putin spokesperson said Griner was not a hostage but had broken Russian law.

Is A Deal In The Works?

Numerous organizations and individuals have called on Biden to broker a deal with Russia for Griner’s release like the one that brought home US Marine Trevor Reed in exchange for a Russian pilot convicted of drug trafficking conspiracy.

Some believe that Moscow is using Griner to gain leverage for that very reason.

“This may sound counterintuitive, but the trial is a crucial part of the process. The Russians have to keep pretending that this is a legitimate arrest. There is no reason to believe that the charges are legitimate or that her trial will be fair. But if and when she’s convicted, the Russians will have made clear their credible alternative to a deal to bring her home,” Dr. Danielle Gilbert, assistant professor of military and strategic studies at the US Air Force Academy, told ESPN.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been reposted with permission.

New Study Says Marijuana Users More Likely To Need Emergency Care

Maria Loreto

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June 28, 2022

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New study says marijuana users are more likely to visit the ER and be hospitalized when compared to nonusers.

A new study says marijuana users more likely to need emergency care, painting a different picture than most people think. The study claims marijuana users are more likely to be visit emergency rooms when compared to non-users.

The study, published in the journal BMJ Open Respiratory Research, relied on self-reporting from Canadian residents between the ages of 12-65 over a six-year period. After adjusting for counfounding factors, cannabis users were 22% more likely to visit the ER or to be hospitalized.

marijuana pipe — Photo by Sharon McCutcheon via Unsplash

Per the study’s abstract, its objective was “to evaluate the association between cannabis use and respiratory-related emergency room (ER) visits and hospitalisations.” Researchers didn’t find a link between cannabis use and respiratory emergency occurrences, instead, they found that people who consumed cannabis often visited the ER due to physical bodily injury.

“Physical bodily injury was the leading cause of emergency department visits and hospitalizations among the cannabis users, with respiratory reasons coming in a close second,” said study author Nicholas Vozoris, in an email exchange with CNN.

“Although no significant association was observed between cannabis use and respiratory-related ER visits or hospitalisations, the risk of an equally important morbidity outcome, all-cause ER visit or hospitalisation, was significantly greater among cannabis users than among control individuals,” concludes the research.

Marijuana use has long been associated with slower response times from users, which is why most experts recommend avoiding the use of heavy machinery or doing any physical task that demands coordination after consuming cannabis. This is a valid concern, yet one that shouldn’t be mythologized and brought out of proportion.

emergency room — Photo by MJFelt/Getty Images

There are a lot of things we don’t know about cannabis, making it a priority for researchers and experts to analyze every possible aspect of the drug and how it could impact the population as a whole. Still, it’s important not to fall back on fear mongering; as we continue to embark on this new stage of cannabis use on a national level, responsible authorities should advocate for safe and responsible use of the drug.

The Uncertain State Of Cannabis Rights For Native Americans

Marijuana Legislation

Tom Gaffey

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June 28, 2022

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The Uncertain State Of Cannabis Rights For Native Americans

There is no single answer or solution for how to improve the current state of cannabis in indigenous Sovereign nations because the issue is complicated, and opinions and challenges vary from tribe to tribe throughout the land.

Many lawmakers continue to say marijuana policy should be left up to individual states. Often, they then proceed to either oppose federal marijuana legalization, or deflect back to their opinion that it is a state issue. With more states legalizing marijuana, it may seem that slowly but surely the United States might fully legalize marijuana with or without federal legislation. This logic, however, overlooks a major group of people: Native Americans.

Cannabis and its tricky legality among indigenous people and their sovereign nations continues to be a topic so unresolved that the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs launched a hearing called “Cannabis In Indian Country,” which had a listening session recently.

native american — Photo by Tony Anderson/Getty Images

While this committee may spark some necessary dialogue and highlight major issues on the subject, there is not one universal opinion or solution. This is because nearly every Tribal Nation has its own unique views and challenges when it comes to marijuana legalization.

A sovereign nation, by definition, should have supreme authority over how it runs, but history has shown this is not always the case with Native American Nations, and this includes marijuana laws. While many rules and governance can not be infringed upon by the federal government “Under US law, however, Congress has the authority to legislate on tribal issues. Thus, in the context of marijuana legalization efforts in Indian Country, federal laws may affect legalization implementation,” according to the CDC.

Federally recognized Native American tribes, of which there are well over 500, are often caught in limbo when it comes to marijuana legalization. “State and territorial medical marijuana markets have been protected by Congress for years. But Native American tribes were never included in those protections,” wrote Politico. The article goes even further to say that some tribes gave up part of their own sovereignty to states just to make sure their cannabis markets were protected from the federal government. These kinds of deals between states and tribal nations are only one way that borders become blurred.

Lands within the Cherokee Nation, for example, became the first area in North Carolina where medical cannabis was legalized, making marijuana policy a bit foggy in that Western region of the state. In New York, where marijuana was recently legalized, a strange twist of fate in the form of a legal ordinance is currently allowing the Mohawk Tribal Council in Upstate New York to sell marijuana legally in dispensaries months before it was legal off the reservation.

William Roger Jock, a partner in Good Leaf Dispensary on Mohawk lands, explained this change in fate to ABC News: “We have been stepped on for so long and to have something like this happen, it’s almost liberating.” While this change of fortune is a short lived one, it is a welcome opportunity for those who often seem to get the short end of the legal loophole.

marijuana legalization — Photo by FatCamera/Getty Images

Cannabis in Native American Nations is a complicated matter. There is no single answer or solution for how to improve the current state of cannabis in indigenous Sovereign nations because the issue is complicated, and opinions and challenges vary from tribe to tribe throughout the land.

There is one simple thing that can be done, however, in order to improve these conflicting and confusing legalities. And that thing is for lawmakers to remember and carefully consider Native Americans when making future marijuana laws, and how these laws will impact their lands and the lands bordering their nations.

Dyslexia Comes With A Surprising Benefit, Research Shows

News

Maria Loreto

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June 27, 2022

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Dyslexia Comes With A Surprising Benefit, Research Shows

Learning disabilities are usually thought of as limitations. New research shows that these conditions have benefits of their own.

A new study reframes the way scientists have been thinking about dyslexia. Researchers found that people with this particular learning disorder might have an edge when compared to people without it, having better decision-making skills, spatial awareness, and more.

The study, published in the Journal Frontiers in Psychology, reexamines the way that developmental dyslexia has been viewed, finding some of the advantages it provides for people with the condition.

When Will Kids Under 12 Be Able To Get COVID-19 Vaccine?1 — Photo by MI PHAM via Unsplash

The study shows that the brains of people with dyslexia might find it easier to explore their environments for clues, impacting their decision-making skills, abilities that were highly important back when humans made life or death decisions on a frequent basis.

“This research proposes a new framework to help us better understand the cognitive strengths of people with dyslexia,” said Helen Taylor, psychologist of the University of Cambridge and one of the study’s lead authors.

Dyslexia is a condition known for its impact on reading and learning. While this limitation can impact people’s self-esteem, particularly due to how modern learning is designed, scientists have found that people with dyslexia are better equipped at spatial reasoning and are also more inventive, creative, and better at predicting a variety of outcomes.

“We believe that the areas of difficulty experienced by people with dyslexia result from a cognitive trade-off between exploration of new information and exploitation of existing knowledge, with the upside being an explorative bias that could explain enhanced abilities observed in certain realms like discovery, invention, and creativity,” said Taylor.

Researchers explain that people with dyslexia have been around for ages, with our reliance on reading and learning ⁠— relatively new developments in terms of evolution ⁠— bringing this issue to the forefront, prompting experts to view them as a cognitive limitation.

Dyslexia is a common condition, with around 3 million cases reported in the US annually. It usually runs in families and is often linked with trouble learning, social problems, and problems as adults.

Will The Juul Ban Affect The Marijuana Vape Market?

Maria Loreto

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June 27, 2022

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Will The Juul Ban Affect The Marijuana Vape Market?

Cannabis vapes and e-cigs are not impacted by the Juul ban. Still, according to people that work in the industry, this could change in the future.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale of Juul products. While this decision is unrelated to marijuana vapes and products, some experts predict that it could have an impact on the industry later on.

The FDA ban affects Juuls exclusively, but it shows the organization’s intent to keep its eye on vape products.

Will The Federal Ban On Flavored E-Cigarette Pods Serve Its Purpose? — Photo by Scott Olson/Staff/Getty Images

MJBusinessDaily spoke with Arnaud Dumas de Rauly, CEO of Blinc Group, a New York-based vape company. He explains that the federal illegality of marijuana should keep the industry safe from FDA interference. “However, this doesn’t mean that will be the case forever,” he said.

The vaping crisis of 2019 is largely responsible for the FDA’s scrutiny of these products. While it was discovered that Vitamin E acetate, an additive present in THC vaping products, was responsible for EVALI disease, it highlighted just how many users consumed vapes. It also highlighted some mismanagement of Juul executives, with the company being found to put its customers at risk.

Still, many experts believe that banning any type of vape product would only result in a new product for the black market, exposing people to even more risk.

“If the FDA truly wants to keep consumers safe then they should regulate and hold vaporizer companies to the highest scientific standards,” said Dumas de Rauly.

In the meantime, Juul obtained a temporary reprieve from the FDA. The company appealed the FDA decision, allowing for their products to remain on shelves. Currently, Juul is the fourth most popular e-cigarette brand among teens, who are favoring disposable vape brands.

Marijuana & Military Troops: House Lawmakers Approve Two Cannabis-Related Measures

Benzinga Staff Writer

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June 27, 2022

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Marijuana & Military Troops: House Lawmakers Approve Two Cannabis-Related Measures

According to recent studies, cannabis can function as a substitute for prescription drugs, particularly opioids as the trend of replacing them with cannabis seems to be growing.

By Jelena Martinovic

House lawmakers approved two amendments to a must-pass defense spending bill concerning marijuana-related issues in the U.S. military.

The House Armed Services Committee passed both measures on voice votes during a markup of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Veterans Can Use Medical Marijuana, They Just Have To Pay For It — Photo by Bumblee_Dee/Getty Images

Panel To Review Marijuana Penalties For Soldiers

Sponsored by Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD), the first proposal deals with cannabis sentencing standards under the military code, and is seeking that the Military Justice Review Panel “develop recommendations specifying appropriate sentencing ranges for offenses involving the use and possession of marijuana.”

The panel’s assignment is to investigate how sentencing for marijuana-related offenses compare to “comparable offenses, such as alcohol, and the overall burden on the military justice system of our current approach to marijuana-based offenses,” according to a press release.

“Today, cannabis-related offices are treated harshly in comparison with other comparable offenses,” Brown said. “My amendment doesn’t change current law, but what it does do is require our armed services to review and provide recommendations for potential reform.”

Another Study On Marijuana As Alternative For Opioids

The other proposal from Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) seeks a Defense Department-led study on how efficient cannabis is for certain conditions as compared to opioids, reported Marijuana Moment.

According to recent studies, cannabis can function as a substitute for prescription drugs, particularly opioids as the trend of replacing them with cannabis seems to be growing.

veterans marijuana — Photo by DerwoodPhotography/Getty Imagess

Earlier this year, Moulton sponsored a bill that would allow VA physicians to discuss medical cannabis treatment with military veterans and would protect veterans who are honest about their marijuana therapy history.

In February, the VA said that although marijuana use is still considered federally illegal, “veteran participation in state marijuana programs does not affect eligibility for VA care and services. VA providers can and do discuss marijuana use with Veterans as part of comprehensive care planning, and adjust treatment plans as necessary.”

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been reposted with permission.

5 Ways Summer Heat Can Affect Your High

Tom Gaffey

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June 27, 2022

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Here are some precautions and considerations to think about when you decide to get high and embrace the soaring temperatures.

Record heat events are starting to become the norm these days. Much of the US has already experienced multiple heat waves, and summer has only just begun. When the weather gets oppressively hot, there is not much you can do to improve the situation other than to stay hydrated, and if you consume cannabis, maybe get high and hope for a breeze.

Enjoying some quality THC on a particularly hot day can certainly improve your mood, even if it can’t make it cooler. There may even be some physical benefits to getting high on a hot day. But there are some precautions and considerations to think about when you decide to get high and embrace the soaring temperatures. Here are five things to remember about marijuana during these brutal summer heat waves.

5 Summer Activities To Do While High — Photo by Aral Tasher via Unsplash

1. Don’t Let Your Edibles Melt

Edibles are great for all sorts of occasions. Long plane rides, might nights and days in nature can often be improved by a gummy or piece or THC chocolate. It is important to remember, however, that these products can easily melt and perish in the heat, and extreme heat can render them almost useless.

“I recommend tinctures and flower as they won’t quickly break down in high heat,” cannabis educator Emma Chasen told MedMen. When you do purchase edibles, make sure you store them somewhere safe, and only take out what you need during the hot months.

2. Summer Heat Can Weaken Your Weed

Just like with edibles, all your weed needs to be stored properly in these extreme temperatures. Remember to store your weed in a cool dark place, especially if you are an infrequent user or like to buy in bulk. As we have previously reported, sunlight can break down and weaken the product and heat can induce moisture and cause mold.

Airtight glass containers like mason jars are great storage containers for your weed, as they seal airtight, and don’t promote moisture. Any dark place in your home that is climate controlled is a good spot to store your weed during a heat wave.

3. Make The Most Of Marijuana’s “Cooling” Ability

There have been several studies suggesting that marijuana can, in fact, lower your body temperature in some cases. This is certainly a handy side effect for those braving temperatures in the 90s and above. As we have previously reported, marijuana can cool your body temperature down, and this is thought to be due to the way THC interacts with a receptor called TRPA-1.

Not all weed is created equal, however, when it comes to this cooling phenomenon. According to Arizona’s The Flower Shop, “switching out the tinctures and edibles for bong rips, dabs, or other methods that heat the product is sure to activate the body’s cooling response quicker.” So if you are hoping weed will cool your body down, be sure to do your research to understand more about how it works.

4. Stay Hydrated, Consider A Cannabis Cocktail

The last few years have seen a tremendous boom in cannabis beverages. These drinks are both refreshing and highly effective. They often use emulsifying technology to infuse weed into their drinks, which means you feel the effects much quicker than an edible. This will help you monitor how the THC is making you feel in hot weather.

RELATED: Does CBD Help With A Sunburn?

You can also have some fun at home in the AC mixing up some of your own cannabis cocktails. This allows you to have some fun in the kitchen while you beat the heat and stay hydrated. Whatever way you decide, adding hydration to your cannabis routine is a good way to stay safe in extreme heat.

5. Be Careful With Your Smoking Devices

If you are someone who likes to vape, be sure you pay attention to where you store your vape during the summer months. Overheating the device can cause malfunction, leaks and weakening of the product. Storing indoors in a cool dark place, just like your other marijuana products, is the best bet.

Also remember that glass can retain heat. If you leave a pipe or bong in the hot direct summer sunlight it can reach high temperatures. The glass even risks cracking and shattering if it changes dramatically in temperature. So while it might seem like a great idea to put ice cold water in your bong this summer, make you do this in a cool place, not while you and your bong are baking in the sun.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Can Cannabis Help You Quit Smoking Cigarettes?

If you live in a state where weed is legal and you’re ready to take quitting smoking seriously, it might be a good idea to have some fast-acting edibles handy for when the urge to smoke strikes.

House Committee Approves Protections For State Marijuana Programs From Fed Interference

Since 2014, members of Congress have passed annual spending bills that have included a provision protecting those in compliance with state medical cannabis programs from the DOJ. However, such guidance has not been officially renewed under the current Administration.

How Will Cannabis Legalization Factor Into An Uncertain Texas Election Cycle?

While Beto O’Rourke and cannabis reforms could win out in November, the state’s conservative grip still appears strong.

Much Messing With Texas

How Cannabis Policy Fits Into The Discussion

Conservatives Gaining Recent Ground

White House Says Brittney Griner Has ‘Fullest Attention Of The President’ As Biden Heads To NATO Meeting In Spain

Is A Deal In The Works?

New Study Says Marijuana Users More Likely To Need Emergency Care

New study says marijuana users are more likely to visit the ER and be hospitalized when compared to nonusers.

The Uncertain State Of Cannabis Rights For Native Americans

There is no single answer or solution for how to improve the current state of cannabis in indigenous Sovereign nations because the issue is complicated, and opinions and challenges vary from tribe to tribe throughout the land.

Dyslexia Comes With A Surprising Benefit, Research Shows

Learning disabilities are usually thought of as limitations. New research shows that these conditions have benefits of their own.

Will The Juul Ban Affect The Marijuana Vape Market?

Cannabis vapes and e-cigs are not impacted by the Juul ban. Still, according to people that work in the industry, this could change in the future.

Marijuana & Military Troops: House Lawmakers Approve Two Cannabis-Related Measures

According to recent studies, cannabis can function as a substitute for prescription drugs, particularly opioids as the trend of replacing them with cannabis seems to be growing.

Panel To Review Marijuana Penalties For Soldiers

Another Study On Marijuana As Alternative For Opioids

5 Ways Summer Heat Can Affect Your High

Here are some precautions and considerations to think about when you decide to get high and embrace the soaring temperatures.

1. Don’t Let Your Edibles Melt

2. Summer Heat Can Weaken Your Weed

3. Make The Most Of Marijuana’s “Cooling” Ability

4. Stay Hydrated, Consider A Cannabis Cocktail

5. Be Careful With Your Smoking Devices

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