Should You Clean Your Winter Coat More Often In A Pandemic? Here’s What Experts Say

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February 14, 2021

Should You Clean Your Winter Coat More Often In A Pandemic? Here’s What Experts Say

Winter coats are usually worn consistently through the winter, getting a wash or two once the season is over. Should this habit change in a pandemic?

During the first couple of months of the pandemic, people went to great lengths to keep their homes sterile. Before entering, they removed their shoes and coats and sterilized their groceries and delivery packages. Now that we understand more about COVID019, we can forego this painful process and put our priorities where they matter: using a mask that’s in good shape and washing our hands often. But what about our winter coats?

Coats are usually worn actively for about four months out of the year, and then discarded once spring has sprung. Their cleanliness is up to whoever wears them, ranging from a dry cleaning session at the start of the season, to the very diligent and expensive decision to have them cleaned once or twice a week.

5 Ways To Stay Warm This Winter Without Spending Money — Photo by Frederica Diamanta via Unsplash

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has explained how the virus is transmitted, claiming that it’s unlikely for you to catch it when having contact with contaminated surfaces, like your coat. The most straightforward way of catching the virus is through the nose and mouth, so unless you normally deeply sniff your coat or lick the sleeves, you should be fine. Even if you did lick and sniff your coat, for it to be sufficiently contaminated, it would have to have been in direct contact with an infected person, who was sneezing or drooling all over it. You get the picture, it’s unlikely.

Still, it pays to be careful with this virus, especially now that there’s new variants to account for. When going out on essential trips, say to the grocery store or to the doctor, you can leave your coat away from your clothes in a hanger, and let it sit there for a couple of days. Wash your hands after interacting with them.

This precaution doesn’t ask much in terms of changing your behavior, but it allows you to be extra safe and for the passage of time to get rid of the bacteria that could be sitting there. By keeping your coat isolated, you’ll ensure that your other clothes stay clean and that the majority of your home remains decontaminated.

This Type Of Music Might Help Your Marijuana Grow

Mike Adams

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February 14, 2021

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This Type Of Music Might Help Your Marijuana Grow

For years, scientists have attempted to get to the bottom of why plants seem to flourish when exposed to harmonious compositions.

Professional cannabis cultivators often tout various techniques that home growers can use to get the highest quality bud. They claim the magic is in superior genetics, utilization of proper ventilation, ample water and lighting, and ensuring that plants are getting the right nutrients. Still, it might not hurt to also set up a couple of speakers next to your grow tent and start blasting heavy metal music at top volume. These tunes have been found to create healthier plants.

A long lost piece of research from expert gardener Chris Beardshaw suggests that exposing plants to heavy metal music, specifically Black Sabbath, works like a bizarre, sonic nutrient that makes them grow larger and more disease resistant. The subject was discussed back in 2013 on BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners Question Time. On the show, Beardshaw told listeners that not only did plants seem to prefer heavier music, but they didn’t care much for pop — so much that they died.

Now, it might sound like a bunch of bologna to suggest that the sounds of Sabbath can strengthen plants, but it’s hard to argue with the results.

According to Beardshaw, the experiment began when one of his horticultural students came to him with plans to write a dissertation on the effects of music on plant life. To get to the bottom of it, the team set up four greenhouses, one with no music and the others subjected to various styles. One greenhouse was given classical, another Cliff Richard, and a third got a dose of Black Sabbath.

“The one that was grown with classical music — a soft, almost a caressing of the plant when it is hit with that sort of sound wave — those grew slightly shorter because of the sound waves bombarding them and were slightly more floriferous and there was slightly less pest and disease,” Beardshaw told The Guardian.

“And the ones with Black Sabbath — great big, thumping noise, rowdy music — they were the shortest, but they had the best flowers and the best resistance to pest and disease. The alstroemerias in the Cliff Richard house all died. Sabotage was suspected but we couldn’t prove it.”

concert — Photo by Sebastian Ervi from Pexels

Although the study only concluded that Black Sabbath appears to help alstroemerias grow into healthier specimens, it would be naïve to discount the potential effects on cannabis. After all, this is not the first study to find that plants respond well to music. Scientists have decades of evidence showing that music can help plants grow stronger. Positive results have been found in agricultural crops, such as peanuts and tobacco, so it only stands to reason that the cannabis plant could also benefit.

Come on, Black Sabbath didn’t record a song called “Sweet Leaf” for nothing.

Some skeptics have conducted experiments of their own over the years in hopes of finding holes in the theory that plants like tunes. Interestingly, a lot of them became believers themselves. But Beardshaw’s study is the first of its kind to reveal that plants may actually prefer heavy metal music to any other genre. Now you know why pot is so prevalent at metal shows.

For years, scientists have attempted to get to the bottom of why plants seem to flourish when exposed to harmonious compositions. After all, herbs and flowers can’t possibly have rhythm and specific musical tastes, right? Not exactly. Come to find out, it’s not that plants actually like metal music more than pop or classical; they respond to vibrations. Since heavy metal music is likely to produce more beats than other genres, plants listening to it might experience more substantial gains.

Still, there isn’t a lot of concrete evidence showing that putting plants in front of loud electric guitars and pounding drums is a sure-fire way to optimize plant performance. Naysayers argue that music is no alternative to using quality soil, light and water. And we would tend to agree. But, you know, we were going to crank up some Sabbath anyway, so…

This Is The Most Obvious Symptom Of The New COVID-19 Variant

Maria Loreto

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February 13, 2021

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This Is The Most Obvious Symptom Of The New COVID-19 Variant

New COVID-19 variants are more transmissible, causing some concern for people and health experts. Here’s the most common symptom it produces.

New variants of the COVID-19 strain are in circulation. Having made their first appearances in Britain, South Africa and Brazil, the Britain variant, known as B.1.1.7, is expected to become the main source of COVID infection in America as early as next month. While the strain is more infectious, it’s very similar to the original COVID-19. But there is one symptom that shows up more often in the new variant, which can help provide some clarity for patients hoping to know the strain that’s affecting them.

The Imperial College London lead a study that compared two sets of patient data. The first set was comprised of patients who were treated during the months of November and December 2020, when it was estimated that only 16% of cases were caused by the new strain. The second set was made up of people who sought care during January 2021, where an estimated 86% of cases belonged to the new strain.

How To Stop Coughing So Hard From Marijuana Smoke — Photo by cottonbro via Pexels

According to the study, persistent coughing is the most prominent symptom associated with the new strain of COVID — more common than the loss of smell which has long been associated with the original form of the virus. While COVID-19 has always been linked with coughs, the new variant appears to increase the appearance of these symptoms, affecting patients in ways that are much more frequent and hard to ignore.

Other symptoms of the new COVID-19 variant include headaches, muscle aches, loss of appetite and chills, which have long been associated with the original form of the disease.

New variants of COVID-19 are concerning, but experts advise staying calm and diligent with safety measures.

While the variants are more contagious and demand for us to keep vigilant — purchasing good quality face masks, wearing them when necessary and maintaining our distance from members outside of our households — there’s still an effective vaccine in circulation. Hospitals and medical experts continue to vaccinate more and more people each day, with numbers improving in our advantage. It’s estimated that people of all ages and health conditions will be able to get their vaccines by April of this year.

Cannabis Concentrates: How To Choose The Right Gear

Green Market Report

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February 13, 2021

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Cannabis Concentrates: How To Choose The Right Gear

The best thing to do is to start with the basics. Gradually, you can move to more complex gear if you want to take your experience to the next level.

Concentrates are perhaps the trickiest form of cannabis you may come across. They are highly potent, and the consumption techniques are also complicated, whether you choose to smoke, vape, or dab. Still, using the right gear can make things a lot simpler for beginners, and you get better with practice and experience. The choice of equipment depends on several factors, which you need to consider when making your decision. Here are some helpful tips that you can follow while choosing the right gear for using concentrates.

Size and convenience

You will want to choose your concentrate gear according to your skill level. For a beginner, the simplest is the best because it will be easy to handle and use. Handling the potency and managing dosages for cannabis concentrates may be challenging enough for you, so you’ll want gear that is easy to use. Size also matters because larger pieces can be difficult to operate. Thankfully, there are lots of choices in bongs and bubblers, from large, table-top pieces to small, handheld ones.

smoking from pipe exposes you to more germs than a toilet seat — Photo by Bill Oxford/Getty Images

Method of consumption

The next factor to consider is the method of consumption and the form of concentrate. When it comes to types of concentrates, there are many, from wax to shatter, resin, rosin, oil, hash, and more. Consumption methods also vary depending on your preference, and the equipment you use will differ accordingly.

For beginners who want to learn how to smoke resin, a bowl gives you a good start. You can graduate to a bong or bubbler as you learn the ropes. Similarly, you will need a vaporizer for vaping a concentrate and a dab rig for dabbing it.

Quality of smoke

The quality of smoke makes all the difference when it comes to experience, both for beginners as well as seasoned users. You will want cooler, smoother smoke that gets you high without irritating your throat or lungs. A bong with an ice catch is a good option as it helps to cool the smoke before its inhaled. If you are more experienced, you can work with a nail and rig as it lets you control the temperature for an optimal hit. Lower temperatures deliver a smoother vapor, while higher temperatures make it harder-hitting.

Durability

When you spend good money on smoking or dabbing gear, you will want it to last. That’s why durability is another important factor for beginners. Look for gear made with high-quality material, even if it means spending a little more. You need to be extra careful about glass gear because there are chances of dropping the bong when you do not have much experience using it. Always stick to a reputed seller because they go the extra mile with quality and durability.

These factors will simplify your selection of the right equipment if you are just starting with concentrates. The best thing to do is to start with the basics. Gradually, you can move to more complex gear if you want to take your experience to the next level.

This article originally appeared on Green Market Report and has been reposted with permission.

Barriers To Studying Marijuana: Q&A With Dr. Thorsten Rudroff

Kate-Madonna Hindes

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February 13, 2021

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Barriers To Studying Marijuana: Q&A With Dr. Thorsten Rudroff

Dr. Rudroff recently spoke in depth with The Fresh Toast about common misconceptions and barriers to research currently in place when studying medical marijuana or CBD.

“We need long-term studies! There is a ‘painful’ parallel between medical marijuana and the past and present situation with opioids, where the short-term demonstration of efficacy on chronic pain led to the promotion and broad scale prescription of opioids in the absence of high quality evidence.” – Dr. Thorsten Rudroff

Recently, The Fresh Toast shared an article about Dr. Thorsten Rudroff’s study in partnership with the National Institute of Health and the University of Iowa that focuses on understanding how aging and mobility is linked to medical marijuana.

Already garnering attention all over the globe, the study sought participants to discuss if the use of marijuana could increase the risk of falls or cognitive impairments in aging adults.

Dr. Rudroff, whose background includes a PhD in neurophysiology and a degree in physical therapy, recently spoke in depth with The Fresh Toast about common misconceptions and barriers to research currently in place when studying medical marijuana or CBD.

Q: Other researchers often discuss the red tape that surrounds marijuana and CBD studies. Have you experienced this with your current study?

A: We have to distinguish between intervention and observation studies. Intervention studies, the investigators tell the subject how to use medical marijuana, are difficult. You need a special license to conduct these studies. To get this license can take more than 2 years. Observational studies, like this one) are easier to perform. We invite users to the lab and test them. However, it took some time to get approval from the UIOWA IRB (Institutional Review Board). For example, we had to make sure that we follow strict Iowa Marijuana laws. Furthermore, my lab is the first at UIOWA who is doing this kind of research. I hope that the next marijuana study will get approval much quicker.

Q: When people are researching CBD/marijuana, what are three things they should know, or better understand prior?

A: Importantly they should know the effects of THC and CBD. Careful with THC products, the higher the THC the more likely are side effects. Especially older people with heart problems should pay attention to the THC content. I also recommend working with the physician (neurologist) when someone decides to use medical marijuana. Lastly, people should use products from good sources and with correct labelling.

Q: Do you have any advice for researchers new to the market?

A: New research should critically review the literature. Many things are unknown. What are the long-term effects of medical marijuana? What are the interactions with other drugs? What are the specific effects of THC and CBD on cognitive and motor function?

The longer the FDA waits to remove marijuana from its drug classification, the farther behind the U.S. will stall in producing vital research for the older of vulnerable members of the population. Researchers like Dr. Thorsten are making important strides in creating mainstream conversations around marijuana use while de-stigmatizing weed and CBD in conversations with older adults.

This Word Will Ruin Your Valentine’s Day

Maria Loreto

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February 12, 2021

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This Word Will Ruin Your Valentine’s Day

This word has the potential to ruin your relationship over the long haul. Do yourself and your partner a favor and steer clear of it.

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to enjoy and appreciate your partner and to avoid petty fights. As we all know, relationships aren’t damaged by actions alone. According to experts, there are seemingly harmless words we should avoid whenever possible.

When we’re in a relationship, we quickly learn to steer clear from certain negative words, those that can harm our partners or terminate our relationship all together. But, there is one specific word that rears its ugly head often, and we’ve likely all used it without thinking twice. This word can slowly chip away at our relationships without us even realizing it.

According to experts, this word is “should.”

Your Genes Are Responsible For Your Craving Of Hugs Right Now — Photo by Ketut Subiyanto via Pexels

“Expectations that are attached to ‘shoulds’ are often rooted in unrealistic beliefs, unvocalized needs, or judgments regarding how a partner believes the other person should behave,” sex therapist Natalie Finegood Goldberg explained to Best Life.”The reason this is problematic is ’cause it’s equivalent to finger-pointing, which tends to be critical and elicit defensiveness.”

While the word is utilized in our daily lives with various people, it’s usually not meant as a “positive” when when used in our relationships; it’s often brought up in negative scenarios, like when one partner isn’t satisfied with the other, or when the state of the relationship is causing stress.

Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or any other day spent in close quarters, it’s important to periodically check in on how you’re communicating with your partner, and whether you’re intentionally or unintentionally harming them with your words. It’s completely natural and beneficial to have expectations in your relationships, but the way in which you communicate this is pivotal.

Steer clear of trouble this Valentine’s Day. Buy some flowers and order some food. Try your best to have a good time. But don’t point fingers unless you’re calling dibs on a chocolate truffle.

Here are 5 more words you should avoid using with your partner, according to Best Life.

Will California Really Ban Smokable Hemp?

Griffen Thorne

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February 12, 2021

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Will California Really Ban Smokable Hemp?

A total ban on smokable hemp products makes little sense. The state has time to think this through and come up with a better solution.

A few weeks back, I wrote a post entitled “California Tries Again with CBD“, in which I discussed a new piece of legislation (AB-45) introduced to ostensibly provide a regulatory framework for the manufacture and sale of certain hemp-derived products. Those products include foods or beverages that contain cannabidiol (CBD). In that post, I mentioned that provisions in AB-45 contain bans on smokable hemp products, and in this post I’d like to jump a little further into this provision and whether it has any chance of becoming law.

Currently, AB-45 provides in part:

Unless explicitly approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration, industrial hemp shall not be included in products in any of the following categories:

. . .

(3) Processed smokable products, including, but not limited to, electronic cigarettes with nicotine.

(4) Smokable flower, including, but not limited to, hookah and shisha with nicotine.

(5) A product containing nicotine[ or] tobacco . . . .

Unpacking this, virtually any kind of smokable hemp product would be banned, from flower to vape oil. Moreover, even assuming the definition weren’t so broad, the bill would give the Department of Public Health authority to ban other products it deemed to “pose[] a risk to human or animal health through regulation,” meaning other smokable products could be banned. Apparently, public health officials asked for these provisions to be included, so it’s not hard to see how they would regulate other products.

The Future Of Smokable CBD Products Is Not Great — Photo by Christian Wiediger via Unsplash

Notably, the above ban is subject to a major caveat: a smokable product may be allowed if the FDA specifically approves of that product. However, judging by how the FDA has handled hemp-derived products since late 2018, and given the recent vape crises that spurred regulators to implementing all kinds of bans on smokable products, that will probably not happen for many, many years (if ever).

So, the main issue is the likelihood that AB-45 will pass and include this smokable hemp ban. Perhaps the best place to start is the failed attempt to pass similar legislation in California in 2020, AB-2028. This piece of legislation contained a similar hemp ban which was apparently the source of massive backlash. Ultimately, the bill was unsuccessful because agreement could not be reached on its terms by the conclusion of the legislative session.

AB-45 will undoubtedly face the same kind of opposition this year, and it has much more time to make its way through the state legislature than the hurried AB-2028 did. There have already been reports of complaints from hemp farmers in the state: it’s likely that those will continue, because eliminating an entire product category can reduce the marketability of state-grown hemp.

AB-45 is in its infancy so there is plenty of time for the state to remove the smokable hemp ban. If it does not, there is a serious chance that the bill will fail and this will be the third consecutive year where the state has been unable to regulate CBD. If the state does manage to pass a ban on smokable hemp products, it is likely to be subject to immediate litigation like in Indiana and Texas.

All in all, a total ban on smokable hemp products makes little sense. The state has time to think this through and come up with a better solution. Stay tuned to the Canna Law Blog for more updates on California’s battle against smokable hemp.

Griffen Thorne is an attorney at Harris Bricken, a law firm with lawyers in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Barcelona, and Beijing. This story was originally published on the Canna Law Blog and has been reposted with permission.

COVID-19 Variants Are Much More Transmissible — Here’s How You Can Protect Yourself

Maria Loreto

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February 12, 2021

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COVID-19 Variants Are Much More Transmissible — Here’s How You Can Protect Yourself

Pump yourself up to be more diligent with your hand washing and face mask wearing if you’ve grown lax over the past couple of weeks because of pandemic fatigue.

New variants of the COVID-19 virus are emerging, causing concern due to how easily transmissible they are. The B.1.1.7 variant, first identified in Britain, is estimated to infect 50% more people than the standard version of COVID-19.

While it’s believed that the vaccine will work with all forms of the virus, these new strains have caused some stress for medical experts, who are asking for people to double up on security measures in order to avoid contamination.

Here are a few things you should know in order to protect yourself from these new variants:

It’s still the same virus

You Can Still Test Positive For COVID-19 After Getting The Vaccine — Photo by Gustavo Fring via Pexels

Firstly, while the variants are concerning, there’s no reason to enter panic mode. The virus remains the same, with experts being relatively sure that the vaccine will be able to treat it. Since it’s the same virus, the measures you’ve been taking to protect yourself against it should still work.

Pump yourself up to be more diligent with your hand washing and face mask wearing if you’ve grown lax over the past couple of weeks because of pandemic fatigue. It’s understandable, but these problems are here to stay for the long run, so it’s important to care for yours and other people’s well being.

Should you be wearing two masks?

stack of white yellow green and blue textiles — Photo by Vera Davidova via Unsplash

A lot has been said over double masks, with the CDC advising the use of a surgical mask and a cloth one on top. While the perks of double masking are up for debate, months of data have concluded that what’s most important is the use of a good mask, one that’s in good shape, that fits snugly and is made of flexible material. This way, your mask will adapt to the divots and shape of your face, while also covering your chin and nose.

Other things you can do to reduce risk

5 Common Hand Sanitizer Mistakes You Should Avoid — Photo by Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

Aside from diligent face mask wearing, keeping your distance from others and frequent hand washing, you need to think about your biggest sources of risks. Do you go out frequently, on trips to the grocery store or pharmacy? Limit your outings as best as you can, only going to the grocery store once a week if possible, while wearing your best mask. Try shopping for necessities during times when the store isn’t crowded and limit the amount of time you spend there, reducing your exposure and levels of risk.

Study Finds Interesting Data About Marijuana Use

Mike Adams

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February 12, 2021

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Study Finds Interesting Data About Marijuana Use

Old myths are being challenged by research from the University of Queensland

President Biden isn’t sure if marijuana legalization is right for the United States. He’s said before that he thinks pot is a “gateway drug” and he’s worried that providing people with legal access will somehow send the country into a tailspin of debauchery from which it may never recover. After all, America is already at the height of one of the worst drug epidemics in history, so why contribute to it further?

Cannabis advocates say prohibition is part of the problem. They argue that weed is safer than alcohol and that providing adults 21 and over with legal access is the right thing to do. However, a new study finds that, legal or not, regular marijuana users are more likely to go down the wrong path.

Researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia found that while cannabis might be mostly safe, people who use it regularly could still end up ruining their lives. The study, published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Review, shows that people who start using marijuana in their early years are likely to experience more challenges in life than those who never picked it up.

Overall, researchers found more adverse consequences in people who started smoking weed in their teens and early twenties. Two-thirds of the respondents (out of 1,792 subjects from Victoria, Australia) reported getting into hard drugs, engaging in problematic drinking, experiencing financial hardships, suffering depression, and having less fulfilling relationships — all by their mid-thirties.

“Cannabis users who began regular use in their teens had poorer later life outcomes than non‐using peers,” the researchers wrote in their conclusion. “The larger group who began regular cannabis use after leaving high school accounted for most cannabis‐related harms in adulthood. Given the legalization of cannabis use in an increasing number of jurisdictions, we should increasingly expect harms from cannabis use to lie in those commencing use in young adulthood.”

How To Make Your Joints Burn Slower — Photo by Thought Catalog via Unsplash

Previous research has also shown that marijuana use in a person’s younger years can lead to no good. The same goes for alcohol. Federal studies show that roughly 9 percent of those who start drinking at 21 are at a higher risk for developing alcoholism. The possibility of trouble increased for each year before the legal drinking age. Those numbers significantly increased for those who started drinking in their early teens. Nearly half of these people exhibit problematic drinking later in life.

Nevertheless, alcohol is America’s favorite legal drug. The U.S. booze market is worth $1.47 trillion — employing 2.3 million people while contributing $10 billion in federal tax revenue. It also kills roughly 95,000 people every year nationwide. And that’s not just the old raging alcoholics finally drinking themselves to death.

A recent study shows that more young people (under 40) are experiencing alcohol-related liver disease. There’s also a wealth of socioeconomic problems stemming from alcohol use. It, too, can be a gateway drug and contribute to an otherwise miserable existence. Everyone understands the risks, and nobody wants it banned.

Any presumed harms associated with marijuana use is no argument for continued prohibition. It would be wise for the federal government to finally get serious about cannabis research to get past the anecdotal data and establish a collection of hard facts on the positive and negative outcomes of marijuana. But waiting until we understand the pros and cons to change the law shouldn’t be necessary.

Most people will conduct their relationship with marijuana responsibly — the same way they do with alcohol — while others will not. Marijuana use doesn’t guarantee that a person will experience adverse consequences in their lives. Even the U.S. government admits that marijuana isn’t necessarily a gateway drug. If it is, it is no more problematic than alcohol.

What makes marijuana dangerous is continued prohibition. Although many states have legalized in some fashion, law enforcement continues to arrest hundreds of thousands of people every year for minor pot possession. These offenses prevent people from getting jobs, housing and progressing in their lives. A marijuana conviction can forever brand someone as one of the American downtrodden.

Only by establishing sensible policy can the nation begin to enter into a new chapter with cannabis. The Democratic-controlled Congress will attempt to do that in the coming months when it hears legislation designed to reform the national marijuana laws.

Benefits Of Having A Medical Marijuana Card In An Adult Use State

Andrew Ward

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February 12, 2021

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Benefits Of Having A Medical Marijuana Card In An Adult Use State

With each state’s laws varying to some degree, medical cardholders and applicants are advised to review state and local regulations.

State medical marijuana programs tend to suffer as adult use laws are passed. While much of the purchasing shifts to what is commonly called the recreational market, the medical sector still serves its purpose. In fact, medical cardholders can continue to find benefits in being part of the program, depending on a state’s laws.

Considering the following benefits, patients may find use in the medical cards well after adult use laws pass in a state.

Priority Over Adult Use

Possible Benefits Of Having A Medical Marijuana Card In An Adult Use State — Photos: JDawnInk/Getty Images, Matthew Brodeur via Unsplash

Having a medical marijuana license may also provide a patient with increased priority.

Unlike an adult use consumer, medical cannabis patients should not have to wait to obtain their medicine. That is the stance of states like Illinois and Nevada, which allow patients to avoid lines that can sometimes wrap around dispensaries, taking hours to get through. When in such states, patients are recommended to inform a staff member for medical patient access.

Additionally, Illinois prioritizes its cannabis supply for the medical market. When the state’s adult use market opened its market on January 1, 2020, Illinois soon saw a shortage of cannabis. However, due to its laws, medical patients were spared the drought.

Taxes

RNC Head Refuses To Answer Whether GOP Welcomes Medical Marijuana Supporters — Photo by thegoodphoto/Getty Images

Individual states provide tax breaks for medical cardholders. In some cases, patients may receive relief on pricey charges applied to retail sales and additional excise taxes. In other states, medical ID holders don’t pay taxes at all.

Underage Recreational Shop Access

More Legal Marijuana Equals Less Crime? Not So Fast — Photo by nattrass/Getty Images

Qualified patients are allowed to enter and purchase products from retail stores. Without a medical card, consumers typically must wait until they are 21, or at least 18.

Keep in mind that access comes with additional parameters. An underage patient can’t enter a dispensary on their own or make a purchase without the accompaniment of their guardian or designated caregiver.

Stronger Potency Products

In some cases, medical patients require more cannabis than the allowed dosage for recreational products. Doing so cuts down on the amount a patient has to buy and consume to reach the relief they seek from their medicine. With a card, certain states waive caps on purchasing as well as giving medical patients access to products the recreational market can’t buy.

With each state’s laws varying to some degree, medical cardholders and applicants are advised to review state and local regulations.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Should You Clean Your Winter Coat More Often In A Pandemic? Here’s What Experts Say

Winter coats are usually worn consistently through the winter, getting a wash or two once the season is over. Should this habit change in a pandemic?

This Type Of Music Might Help Your Marijuana Grow

For years, scientists have attempted to get to the bottom of why plants seem to flourish when exposed to harmonious compositions.

This Is The Most Obvious Symptom Of The New COVID-19 Variant

New COVID-19 variants are more transmissible, causing some concern for people and health experts. Here’s the most common symptom it produces.

Cannabis Concentrates: How To Choose The Right Gear

The best thing to do is to start with the basics. Gradually, you can move to more complex gear if you want to take your experience to the next level.

Size and convenience

Method of consumption

Quality of smoke

Durability

Barriers To Studying Marijuana: Q&A With Dr. Thorsten Rudroff

Dr. Rudroff recently spoke in depth with The Fresh Toast about common misconceptions and barriers to research currently in place when studying medical marijuana or CBD.

Q: Other researchers often discuss the red tape that surrounds marijuana and CBD studies. Have you experienced this with your current study?

Q: When people are researching CBD/marijuana, what are three things they should know, or better understand prior?

Q: Do you have any advice for researchers new to the market?

This Word Will Ruin Your Valentine’s Day

This word has the potential to ruin your relationship over the long haul. Do yourself and your partner a favor and steer clear of it.

Will California Really Ban Smokable Hemp?

A total ban on smokable hemp products makes little sense. The state has time to think this through and come up with a better solution.

COVID-19 Variants Are Much More Transmissible — Here’s How You Can Protect Yourself

Pump yourself up to be more diligent with your hand washing and face mask wearing if you’ve grown lax over the past couple of weeks because of pandemic fatigue.

It’s still the same virus

Should you be wearing two masks?

Other things you can do to reduce risk

Study Finds Interesting Data About Marijuana Use

Old myths are being challenged by research from the University of Queensland

Benefits Of Having A Medical Marijuana Card In An Adult Use State

With each state’s laws varying to some degree, medical cardholders and applicants are advised to review state and local regulations.

Priority Over Adult Use

Taxes

Underage Recreational Shop Access

Stronger Potency Products

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