What COVID Has Taught Us About Safe Drug Use

Thomas Green, MD

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March 13, 2020

It is pretty clear that we should not be sharing joints, bongs, and vape pens. All of this is obvious, yet it is counter intuitive to the social atmosphere of marijuana use.

A doctor’s take on what COVID has taught us about safe drug use.

The explosion of coronavirus cases has awakened the world as to how quickly diseases may spread in our mobile society. We have all been given advice as to how to protect ourselves and the people we love. With the COVID-19 outbreak, is to time to change our habits and embrace safe marijuana use?

Purell and other sanitizers have jumped off the shelves in markets. People are wearing surgical masks and even stealing surgical masks even though they have been given good advice through evidence that masks worn by the healthy will not prevent the spread of disease. Simple hand washing and avoiding contact appears to be the most important part of prevention of disease.

It appears that the people most at risk of severe disease and death are the elderly and those who are medically frail with lung disease, diabetes, immunodeficiency and those who smoke.

It is hard to know who is at risk of severe disease in the United States. At this time the disease is underreported in the country. Our best reporting comes from China, but we have to realize that their health care system and population is different than the U.S..

After examining 72,000 patients, they found a case fatality rate (CFR) of 2.3%. But the most important part of this reporting has to do with age groups and those with other diseases and their risk of death.

legal marijuana users have stopped buying vapes following illness epidemic — Photo by HighGradeRoots/Getty Images

From what we know, most people have a very mild illness, however, those who are elderly have a much higher risk of severe disease and death. The elderly also have a greater risk of preexisting diseases and immune systems which are not as robust. In the Chinese data we see a CFR of 14.8% in 80-years-olds, which decreases to 0.2% in those 10- to 39-years-old and 0.4% in 40- to 49-year-olds.

So, if you are under the age of 50, there is some risk of death associated with COVID-19. But the reality is that if you do not already have a preexisting serious disease, the risk of death is quite small. The importance of prevention of disease in this age group is not transmitting it to a higher risk group. That being said, we still do not have information about the rate of pneumonia, degree of pneumonia or long term after effects in all age groups.

We do not have significant data of the rate of disease or the CFR in the United States because we have not tested a significant amount of people. We will get that data as more people are tested who have minimal-moderate symptoms. We do not know if there will be long term lung damage from pneumonia in people in the United States.

How do we decrease contact in recreational drug use? It is pretty clear that we should not be sharing joints, bongs, and vape pens. All of this is obvious, yet it is counter intuitive to the social atmosphere of marijuana use. Will we end up only having parties through Skype/FaceTime/Hangout or other visual voice chats. I doubt it, but it sure decreases the chance of communicable diseases.

But people!! We are dealing with real disease here that is easily spread. We know that COVID-19 is more communicable than SARS/ MERS (remember them?), but much less deadly for those who are infected. The life you might be saving might not be your own, but that of your parents or grandparents or Mr. Jones who lives down the street.

Thanks for thinking of others.

The Emojis People Are Using To Ease Anxiety

Maria Loreto

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March 13, 2020

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The Emojis People Are Using To Ease Anxiety

The use of emojis tend to reflect what people are feeling and what’s currently stressing them out at any given moment.

Stressful moments in history are reflected in the digital world, with the coronavirus being no exception. What’s a better representation of digital expression than the use of emojis?

Facemoji, an emoji keyboard available for download on the Android Play Store, analyzed the use of emojis and words over the past four months, capturing people’s reactions before the outbreak and in the midst of it.

“The chosen time period reflects usage before the outbreak started (November-December 2019), as well as data after the outbreak began spreading more rapidly (January-February 2020),” explained a representative in an email to The Fresh Toast.

Stats show that during the end of January, there was a sharp increase in the use of the word “virus.” This moment coincides when the WHO announced that the coronavirus was a worldwide threat and the US banned flights from China. Around this time, people also started to use the face mask emoji more regularly. Another emoji that’s been progressively more and more utilized is the sneezing emoji.

Emojipedia, a website dedicated to looking into emoji news and updates, also showed that people have been using more “sick” emojis, including the face mask and the bacteria emoji.

? Analysis of the following emojis finds tweets with ? or ? most likely to be about COVID-19 / Coronavirus https://t.co/CJTC7qrjma

? Medical Mask
? Nauseated
? Vomiting
? Sneezing
? Thermometer
? Bandage
? Ambulance
? Pill
? Syringe
? Microbe
? Soap
? Sponge pic.twitter.com/t7sFkwSuBr

— Emoji-social-distancing-pedia ???? (@Emojipedia) March 11, 2020

“We found a significant proportion of tweets featuring the Microbe and the Face With Medical Mask were indeed related to the coronavirus – 42 percent and 36 percent respectively,” behavioral scientist Keith Broni told Mashable.

Another emoji that’s being used when talking about the coronavirus is the crying/laughing emoji, which suggests people are scared, awkward, but also humorous on the face of a pandemic. The increasing use of coronavirus memes and Tik Toks also show that even in the midst of a freak out, we still have to laugh.

Democrats May Have Hurt Chances For Federal Marijuana Legalization

Mike Adams

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March 13, 2020

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Democrats May Have Hurt Chances For Federal Marijuana Legalization

With or without a presidential victory in November, Democrats must win Senate seats to have a fighting chance at taking the cannabis issue up a notch next year.

Democrats are busy trying to plot out a strategy to overthrow President Trump and regain control of the Senate in the November election. But, unbeknownst to the party, their actions over the past several months are blowing their plans to take over Capitol Hill right out of the water.

It seems that all of that impeachment business — a process that ended in acquittal on all counts — really stuck in the craw of the American people. Now, more voters have sided with Congressional Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, according to a new Gallup poll. And that could mean hard times for the progress of federal marijuana reform come 2021.

Although a lot is riding on this election year, the one issue that really stands to gain some traction, depending on how the cards fall at the polls, is marijuana legalization. Sure, weed has become a bipartisan issue over the past few years, but it is mainly the Democrats spearheading the cause. We watched last year as the Democratic-controlled House approved a couple of cannabis-related measures.

Much of the same will happen in 2020. The one roadblock that remains, however, is the Senate. McConnell and crew simply are not entertaining the concept of legal weed. In fact, they’re not supporting any part of the Democratic agenda. It’s because of this division that Democrats are hoping to win the Senate seats up for grabs this year and step into 2021 with all the power. That’s when a lot could get done, including federal marijuana reform.

But Democrats might have trouble convincing America that their party is the way to go. The poll, which was published early this week, shows the approval-rating of the Republicans post-impeachment has increased by several percentage points. Surprisingly, too, is the overall favorability of McConnell. In less than six months, his approval-rating went from 47% to around 62%, a sign that we could be gearing up to see another several years of his heavy-handed influence on Capitol Hill. Unfortunately, this could prolong prohibition in the Land of the Free.

Judge Dismisses Federal Marijuana Lawsuit, Says Weed Can Be Beneficial — Photo by matt_benoit/Getty Images

Senator McConnell still refuses to get behind marijuana legalization. He’s said time and again that he has no plans to support such action. It means any marijuana-related bill that makes its way through the House is just going to get squashed once the upper chamber gets a hold of it.

Democrats are desperate to change the dynamic in the upcoming election. It’s part of the reason why they’re apprehensive about Bernie Sanders as their candidate. Much of the party is too concerned that his socialist ideas will turn more voters onto Trump and sabotage their chance at the Senate.

And that can’t happen.

Democrats are on a seek and destroy mission to lay claims to the 3-4 Senate seats up for grab (three if the new vice president is a Democrat and four if Republican). After all, if they are successful, Senator McConnell loses his position as Majority Leader and some new blood gets tossed into the mix. If we’re honest, that’s exactly what needs to happen this year.

McConnell has been running the show in D.C. for far too long, and it shows. But where America has been mostly divided when it comes to their political affiliation, the latest poll shows that we could start seeing more voters leaning toward the Republican side. And much of this, as we suggested could happen in a previous article, is the direct result of the impeachment. It completely backfired.

But is Republican rule a sure thing in 2021? Absolutely not. All we are saying is if more American voters decide to keep the Senate in the hands of Republicans — and Senator McConnell — marijuana legalization at the federal level is probably as good as on hold for at least another six years.

With or without a presidential victory, Democrats must win those Senate seats to have a fighting chance at taking the cannabis issue up a notch next year. If not, we’re afraid prohibition will live on.

Here’s What To Do If The Coronavirus Has You Working From Home

Maria Loreto

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March 13, 2020

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Here’s What To Do If The Coronavirus Has You Working From Home

Working from home is effective, but it might pose a challenge for people who aren’t used to it.

Now that the coronavirus has begun to directly impact our lives, you might have started working from home. If you live with roommates or a partner, this might be an anxious time due to the amount of oversharing you’ll be submitting yourself to.

While working from home is not uncommon, for those who are not used to this, it can create some problems and a consuming mix of work and personal life. The primary thing you should focus on is ensuring that you separate your work life from your social life. When you’re finished with work, leave your computer behind! This way, you won’t feel like you’re never not off the clock. You also don’t want to spend all of your time watching Netflix when you should be working, because, you know, you might get fired.

Here are a few tips that can help you make the most out of your time while telecommuting.

Set up a space for your laptop

While you may not have a space to call an office, it’s important to find a spot that can serve as one, preferably someplace that isn’t a couch or a bed.

5 Ways To Prevent Your Electronic Device From Overheating — Photo by VIKTOR HANACEK via picjumbo.com

Try using a dining table or counter and try to sit on a chair, preferably far from distractions like your TV or bookshelf. It’s also helpful to avoid taking your laptop to your bed or bedroom, since once you start working from there, it’s tough to get back on track.

Establish a routine

Creating a temporary office in your house is important, since it allows you to develop a routine. Working from home can get tough once you realize that there’s not much socializing going around you and that you could easily waste away the hours sitting on your couch and watching Netflix.

Here's What You Should Know If You'll Be Working From Home — Photo by Alexey Suslyakov via Unsplash

Establish a routine that works for you, be that dressing up for work, putting on a comfy pair of sweatpants, checking emails at set times and limiting the amount of time you spend on social media. Now that you’re working from home, completing your work requirements is on you. There’s no nosy co-worker peeking at your computer, which is good, but also bad.

Take a break

Just as it’s important to work and to complete your tasks on time, it’s also very important to take breaks and remember that there’s a world out there.

5 tips on how to quickly reduce stress — Photo by rawpixel.com

While most communities are suggesting avoiding crowded places, you can always go for a run, take a walk around the neighborhood, or just sit on a park bench or beach to destress. The idea is to clear your head, allowing you to get back to work with fresh ideas.

5 Of The Hottest Jobs In Cannabis

Veronica Castillo

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March 13, 2020

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Cannabis jobs pay 11% more than the average salary in the United States. Cannabis is hot and the range of cannabis jobs is even hotter.

Cannabis is an industry and the boom in jobs has been huge. Even with some layoffs and business closures, cannabis is beating the manufacturing industry in job creation. The Motley Fool states that the North American cannabis market is expected to grow by 28% through 2021. All this growth means that jobs in cannabis are going to be created for years to come.

We have already seen a boost in jobs:

Data shows 211,000 full-time cannabis jobs added to the United States job market. If taking into consideration part-time and indirect employment, that figure increases to almost 300,000.
Of all the states, Florida added the most jobs in cannabis — 9,000 in 2018 which equals a 703% increase.
Forbes states that cannabis is projected to reach a 110% job creation rate between 2017 and 2020.

There are many out there looking to make the career transition into the cannabis industry and may be wondering if a job in cannabis will still allow the payment of bills and care for family. CNBC reports that cannabis jobs pay 11% more than the average salary in the United States. Cannabis is hot and the range of cannabis jobs is even hotter.

Understanding The Importance Of Marijuana Studies And Outcomes — Photo by boonchai wedmakawand/Getty Images

5 of The Hottest Jobs in Cannabis and Average Salaries

Dispensary Manager: the overseer of daily dispensary operations and sales; $48,634 annually.
Cannabis Grower/ Cultivator: the people that work the Cannabis farm, overseeing the growth of Cannabis plants; $14.00 hourly.
Cannabis Trimmer: the specialists that oversee harvest: cutting/trimming the flowers from the stems; $13.85 hourly.
Cannabis Budtender: referred to as sales associates, this position is the happy face behind the counter, similar to a bartender; $12.54 hourly.
Extraction Technician: the scientist responsible for extracting oils/cannabinoids/ terpenes from the Cannabis plant; $16.15 hourly.

Salaries vary by company, location, and recreational vs. medicinal legality. Because cannabis is a newer industry with many people wanting to make a transition, a lot of newcomers are in competition for getting hired.

Preparing for a Job in Cannabis

Preparing for the transition of a new job in cannabis means self-mastery/self-motivation. Cannabis is a new industry and something that employers like to see: prospective employees that take ownership of their career development. Though job training is almost always offered, it is always a plus when employers see that candidates have already started the process on their own. It shows leadership that the candidate took their personal development seriously for a transition into a new industry.

Interested in landing a job in the booming cannabis industry? Here are some online training institutions that can help get you started: Cannabis Training University, THC University, Cannabis Training Institute, Clover Leaf University, The Trichome Institute.

The Future of Marijuana Testing In College Sports

Brendan Bures

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March 13, 2020

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The Future of Marijuana Testing In College Sports

Oklahoma University football coach Lincoln Riley believes college football needs to adapt to the new realities of marijuana.

The world of sports is changing its tune on marijuana. Under the new proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement, NFL players will no longer be suspended for positive drug tests, including marijuana; Kevin Durant has become the first superstar athlete to publicly advocate for NBA players to use cannabis as medical treatment; and Major League Baseball removed cannabis from its banned substances list, though the league quietly reminded players not to show up high to stadiums.

As these professional leagues change their polices, will college sports do the same? The NCAA and major universities still test student-athletes for marijuana use. Should they fail, it automatically results in a six-game suspension for players. This comes at a time when many major football and basketball programs in college sports reside in states with medical marijuana or adult-use legalization.

Like in Oklahoma, for example, which has more dispensaries than any state in the country. Last year, three University of Oklahoma football players were suspended for positive marijuana tests at the end of the season. Responding to a question about the status of those players at a press conference, OU football head coach Lincoln Riley discussed “the elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about.”

“As far as marijuana testing, we’re operating in a different world than it was 10-15 years ago. Laws, availability, perception of it, everything’s changed,” Riley said. “So I think we need to adapt, too. We’re certainly from our end trying to study if what we are doing is working.”

https://twitter.com/jasonkersey/status/1237120736533385218

Riley told reporters that universities should focus more on “the welfare of the student-athlete,” according to The Athletic. Under that protocol, teams would treat marijuana use more like alcohol and only intervene should substance abuse issues arise. This is similar to the NHL’s current drug policy.

“To maybe give you an idea of some of the talks we’ve had, let’s say we had a player, maybe, that had an issue with abusing alcohol,” Riley said. “It’s not necessarily illegal from an NCAA standard, this and that. We would sit down and talk to this player. We would get him counseling. We would approach it more from a wellness and … being healthy for the rest of your life and putting yourself in good situations, helping you perform athletically, academically, all those things. We tried to do everything we could.

“And I don’t know that we’ve all necessarily been able to do that with marijuana, specifically because of the ramification of a guy testing positive.”

Proof Marijuana Has Been Part Of Professional Sports For Decades — Photo by LightFieldStudios/Getty Images

Believe it or not, punishment used to be worse for college athletes who failed a drug test. A positive marijuana test previously resulted in a full-year suspension, which the NCAA reduced to six games four years ago. The NCAA also doubled the threshold for what constitutes a positive marijuana test. Those suspensions can create lasting damage in a player’s ability to improve and reach professional sports. In addition, publicity around a student-athlete’s failed marijuana test can negatively impact future job opportunities outside sports.

Riley believes players should be given help if they need it, and it should be done without any announcement to media or fans.

“It’s made it kind of the elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about,” said Riley. “Like we do with every part of our program, we’re trying to evolve. We’re not saying, ‘Well, we’ve just always done it like this, so that’s how we’ll do it.’ We’re trying to improve and make sure we’re doing everything we can for our student-athletes. I don’t know that I have all the answers right now. These are evolving, and it’s something we’ll continue to look at to make sure we’re doing the best that we can.”

College sports will inevitably change — as professional sports have — in attitudes and penalties surrounding marijuana. But when that will happen is anyone’s best guess, according to Riley.

“If you look at the trends in other sports, I think you would certainly say probably sooner rather than later,” he said. “It just seems to be the way that the world’s going.”

Congress Approves Bills That Will Expand Medical Marijuana Access For Veterans

Brendan Bures

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March 12, 2020

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Congress Approves Bills That Will Expand Medical Marijuana Access For Veterans

The bills would allow VA doctors to recommend medical marijuana prescriptions to patients while another would kickstart veteran-related cannabis research.

A pair of key bills that could expand veterans’ access to medical marijuana passed in a House Committee this week. One piece of legislation would allow Veteran Affairs doctors to recommend medical marijuana prescriptions in states with legal programs, something doctors are currently prohibited to do. The second bill would direct the VA to conduct a clinical trial in the efficacy of marijuana in treating post-traumatic stress, chronic pain, and other health condition connected to service.

“We have been working for years to give veterans the opportunity to receive legal medical cannabis treatment for chronic pain and PTSD,” Rep. Earl Blumenauer, who introduced the first bill, told The Fresh Toast. “Even though this has been approved on the floor of the House in the past as an amendment to appropriations bills, it’s been stonewalled by Senate Republican leadership. This is the way forward to guarantee it becomes the law of the land.”

This action by the House Veterans Affairs Committee represents the first cannabis-related markup of legislation on Capitol Hill this year. The bills will now move to the House floor where they will receive a vote.

“Passing these bills should be the first order of business for a Congress that prides itself on supporting our veterans,” said Don Murphy, director of federal policies at the Marijuana Policy Project. “Like every American, veterans should be granted the freedom to access cannabis to treat their medical conditions as an alternative to potentially dangerous pharmaceuticals.”

veterans medical marijuana — Photo by rawpixel.com

Veterans can currently access medical marijuana only if they’re willing to go outside the VA network and pay out of pocket for expenses occurred, including their weed purchases. This is an accepted arrangement as stated on the VA’s website. VA leadership has opposed similar bills to these in the past, because marijuana remains a Schedule I drug at the federal level. So long as that remains true, the VA says it will follow the lead set by the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Department of Justice.

The 2020 election could play a significant role in the implementation of these bills, should they pass. President Donald Trump has displayed an anti-marijuana position recently, a shift from his campaign promises to leave cannabis legislation to the states. Democratic candidate Joe Biden intends to reschedule marijuana to a Schedule II drug, while his opponent Bernie Sanders says he would legalize adult-use cannabis through executive order during his first day in office.

Former VA secretary Dr. David Shulkin opposed the above measures in his time of office, but last year he walked back those previous statements.

“There is growing evidence that medical marijuana—I’m not talking about recreational marijuana—but properly prescribed, may have some real benefits in anxiety improvement, in pain management, and potentially, in the issue of substance abuse,” he said.

“I think the time is now,” Shulkin added. “I believe that the VA should be involved in research on anything that could potentially help veterans and improve their health and well-being.”

Here Is What To Know About CBD Sublingual Strips

Maria Loreto

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March 12, 2020

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Here Is What To Know About CBD Sublingual Strips

CBD strips melt sublingually and provide relief from anxiety and pain.

Out of all the CBD products out there, CBD sublingual strips are one of the few that make a lot of sense. CBD oil has repeatedly proven effective when consumed orally and sublingually, so these strips are a discreet and efficient way of providing quick anxiety relief.

Most CBD strips are dissolvable. Once they are ingested, there’s no trace of them and no need to dispose of paper, bottles or packaging. CBD strips are more convenient than traditional CBD oils since these come in paper packages. Once you run out of them, you can simply dispose of the packaging without having to account for small glass bottles.

CBD strips’ packaging also makes it easier to use these products on the go, giving you the chance to consume them while taking the subway, walking down the street, and more.

CBD & THC Oils Are Popular But Most Cannabis Ends Up Going To Waste — Photo by AnuchaCheechang/Getty Images

CBD strips are easy to use, simply requiring you to place them under your tongue and to wait for them to melt. The CBD in them will be absorbed through the sublingual artery and will make its way to your bloodstream within minutes. Unlike pills and edibles, who have to be ingested and broken down by stomach acids, CBD in sublingual strips acts like a tincture, making the trip faster and with less stops. Makers of the products also claim strips won’t cause digestive issues.

If you’re interested in purchasing these products, you should check out brands like Kin Slips and Elevate. Both provide different price ranges, flavors and amount of CBD per serving.

Consume Marijuana In Front Of Kids In Legal States Is A No-No

Mike Adams

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March 12, 2020

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Consume Marijuana In Front Of Kids In Legal States Is A No-No

Using marijuana in the house when children are present is not only frowned upon, it can also lead to parents being charged with a criminal offense.

Some people believe marijuana makes them better parents. They claim it takes the edge off and allows them to find moments of relaxation when their little curtain climbers go from being a bit rambunctious to full-blown evil. Without it, who knows? They might drop them off at the nearest fire department, put in a call to an adoption agency, or sell them off to a band of gypsies.

One way or another, moms and dads need a way to decompress from the grind of raising kids, and weed does the trick for some of them. But it’s still one of those things that can get parents into trouble.

It is mostly common knowledge that any and all weed-related activities in areas of prohibition are bound to bring some unwanted hassles with the law. But almost no one stops to consider the unsung rules in legal states. For example, using marijuana in the house when children are present is not only frowned upon, but it can also lead to parents being charged with a criminal offense.

It doesn’t matter if an adult is using marijuana for medicinal or recreational use, most states will come out with the prosecutorial hatchet against adults who smoke weed when minors are around.

“You cannot knowingly use in close proximity [around] anyone under 21 years of age,” Illinois attorney W. Scott Hanken told ABC affiliate News Channel 20.

Some people may disregard this part of the law. They might think, “how is anyone going to know whether we are using pot in front of our kids or not?” Well, to those people we say: It really doesn’t take much to spark an investigation. Let’s say a teacher catches a hint of marijuana odor on a child’s clothing, that alone could be enough to get the police involved. Or maybe a child is overheard bragging on the playground about how his parents always smoke weed in the house. If these incidents (or one like them) are reported — and teachers are required by law to do so — the police must investigate. And yes, this is even true in states where marijuana is legal.

What Parents Should Know About Dabbing Vs Smoking Marijuana — Photo by Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images

In the same way that a person can get charged for child neglect or endangerment by chauffeuring children around with THC in their system, the same rules apply for people who use weed in front of kids. Depending on the state, this could mean felony charges, steep fines and even jail time.

So, how is a parent supposed to consume marijuana when their kids are always home? Very carefully.

As we’ve covered in other columns, marijuana should always be kept out of the reach of children in the first place. ALWAYS. We want to avoid sending little Jimmy to the emergency room from an accidental THC poisoning, so it is imperative that all cannabis products be stored in a safe and secure location. However, if a parent decides to throw caution to the wind and use cannabis freely around their progeny, we would strongly advise against smoking it.

Edibles are a safer form a consumption when the little ones are at home. Not only is there no pungent odor to contend with — one that can linger on hair, clothing, backpacks and other items — but there’s no paraphernalia clutter or any other stoner markers that could ignite a conversation at school.

Now, this certainly isn’t fair, considering that there typically aren’t any laws that prevent parents from drinking alcohol near kids. There are still times, though, when even booze can cause the same hassles as weed. All an outsider has to do is suspect a child may be around some unsavory activities and report it. From there, the outcome is up to police and Child Protective Services.

All in all, if you are a parent, you should probably keep your pot use away from children. And definitely don’t allow them to partake. That’s one sure fire way to see they get sent to foster care while you go to jail.

How CBD Can Enhance Beer

Becky Garrison

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March 12, 2020

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Though cannabis/hemp and hops belong to the same Cannabaceae family, cannabis offers an even broader range of flavors and aromatics than what can be found in hops.

During last year’s Feast Portland, a food and drink festival celebrating the bounty of the Pacific Northwest, Jeremy Plumb, Director of Production Science for Prūf Cultivar, spoke at an educational panel titled “Cannabis & Cocktails: Best Buds?.” As much as he enjoys a good cocktail, Plumb used this opportunity to elaborate on his affection for combining cannabis and hops.

While cannabis/hemp and humulus (hops) belong to the same Cannabaceae family, Plumb commented how cannabis offers an even broader range of flavors and aromatics than what can be found in hops. “Any aroma found in nature can be found in some variety of this plant,” he exclaimed.

Later in an email interview, Plumb elaborated on the connection between these two close cousins by noting that the entire cannabis genome is contained within the hops genome. However, while these two plants have a lot in common, including similar pathways by which a wide array of aroma compounds are produced, there are many important distinctions.

In addition, the fact that humulus doesn’t produce cannabinoids, such as THC, CBD and CBC, hops contain far less options from an aromatics and flavor perspective than what one finds in cannabis. According to Plumb, “From a brewing perspective, the large quantities of terpenes like linalool, limonene, beta-caryophyllene and carene are quite fascinating and more likely to be used in the near term.

Terpenes and other categories of aroma compounds in cannabis will offer craft brewers a revolutionary pallet of new aromas and flavors in the brewing arts.

heres what happens when you mix marijuana and beer — Photo by BENCE BOROS via Unsplash

Plumb points to practice such as dry hemping, whirlpool hemp extract additions, and tinctures that are already being researched by large breweries such as New Belgium, which famously released the first nationally distributed hemp beer, The Hemperor.

As an aside, the availability of these new aromas coincide with increased consumption of IPA worldwide, especially Hazy IPAs. “I believe we will see craft hemp aroma crops becoming a lucrative source of revenue for farmers, and an ideal source of innovation for brewers and beer enjoyers in the near future,” stated Plumb.

However, Plumb points to the current difficulties in bringing CBD infused beers to market. “This category of compounds will remain contentious for some time, and will very slowly be adopted into brewing due to safety concerns, regulatory issues, and a lack of research.” Hence, trying to find a CBD beer at a local brew pub maybe a challenge at this juncture.

For example, in Oregon despite the advances made in creating CBD beers by local craft brewers like Coalition Brewing, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission banned CBD infused beer from being sold in bars, restaurants, and grocery stores. Such limitations appear to remain in place while the FDA fine tunes its regulations on infusing CBD into food and beverage products.

While one can still find non-alcoholic CBD drinks on the market, those wishing to experience the combination of CBD and hops can always add CBD drops to their beer should they be unable to find CBD beers available in their market.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

What COVID Has Taught Us About Safe Drug Use

It is pretty clear that we should not be sharing joints, bongs, and vape pens. All of this is obvious, yet it is counter intuitive to the social atmosphere of marijuana use.

Democrats May Have Hurt Chances For Federal Marijuana Legalization

With or without a presidential victory in November, Democrats must win Senate seats to have a fighting chance at taking the cannabis issue up a notch next year.

Here’s What To Do If The Coronavirus Has You Working From Home

Working from home is effective, but it might pose a challenge for people who aren’t used to it.

Set up a space for your laptop

Establish a routine

Take a break

5 Of The Hottest Jobs In Cannabis

Cannabis jobs pay 11% more than the average salary in the United States. Cannabis is hot and the range of cannabis jobs is even hotter.

5 of The Hottest Jobs in Cannabis and Average Salaries

Preparing for a Job in Cannabis

The Future of Marijuana Testing In College Sports

Oklahoma University football coach Lincoln Riley believes college football needs to adapt to the new realities of marijuana.

Congress Approves Bills That Will Expand Medical Marijuana Access For Veterans

The bills would allow VA doctors to recommend medical marijuana prescriptions to patients while another would kickstart veteran-related cannabis research.

Here Is What To Know About CBD Sublingual Strips

CBD strips melt sublingually and provide relief from anxiety and pain.

Consume Marijuana In Front Of Kids In Legal States Is A No-No

Using marijuana in the house when children are present is not only frowned upon, it can also lead to parents being charged with a criminal offense.

How CBD Can Enhance Beer

Though cannabis/hemp and hops belong to the same Cannabaceae family, cannabis offers an even broader range of flavors and aromatics than what can be found in hops.

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