Massachusetts is the only state that demands marijuana delivery drivers wear body cameras when making a drop.
With our love of delivery and being able to purchase anything from the comfort of our couch, it was only a matter of time before marijuana home delivery became a topic worth discussing.
Recreational marijuana is legal in 11 states, with variations between the laws in each one. Some of these states allow for marijuana home delivery, including those with the biggest marijuana markets, such as Nevada, California and Oregon. Home delivery has stirred some predictable issues, with some California residents criticizing the fact that marijuana can be delivered to neighborhoods and areas where the drug was banned.
Massachusetts, however, has taken a different approach, enforcing the use of bodycams on drivers whenever they have to make a delivery. These types of cameras are the ones normally used by policemen.
The rule, submitted in November, requires that transactions and customers be filmed, giving law enforcers access to the recordings if there’s a robbery or a felony committed.
“That footage would be protected. It could only be accessed by a court order or a search warrant or through a constitutionally valid search procedure,” explained commissioner Shaleen Title.
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In order to comply with the rule, delivery drivers must turn on their cameras when they are out of the vehicle and the recording must be held by the company who made the product for a period of 30 days.
The use of bodycams was criticized by the cannabis industry, which explained that the measure is expensive, invasive and completely unnecessary. Alcohol deliveries don’t require drivers to wear body cameras. If recreational marijuana is legal, why is there such a fuss about the possible mishandling of a marijuana package?
We’ve put together a list of tips for newcomers to empower you with the necessary knowledge to make an informed decision when buying CBD.
Perhaps you first heard about cannabidiol (CBD) from a friend, the news, or even an influencer on Instagram. CBD has become a hot new product in a booming industry for its ability to potentially relieve pain, inflammation, anxiety and more. What separates CBD from its counterpart THC is that CBD is non-psychoactive and will not get you “high”.
Think you’re ready to give CBD a shot and purchase some? This task in itself can be very confusing for shoppers. We’ve put together a list of tips for newcomers to empower you with the necessary knowledge to make an informed decision when buying CBD — and avoid being taken advantage of. Here is your beginner’s guide to buying CBD.
Differentiating Hemp CBD or Cannabis CBD with THC
These two terms may seem interchangeable, but they represent very different things – especially when it comes to CBD products.
People cultivate industrial (a.k.a. agricultural) hemp around the world (and it’s just become legal to grow in the US for the first time in many years) for numerous uses such as textiles, ropes, building materials, bio-fuel, food, and more.
Industrial hemp often grows to be over six feet tall, has few flowers (and they are usually quite small, when present), and contains virtually zero THC (the active alkaloid in cannabis that causes users to get ‘high’), and only small amounts of CBD. Due to the lack of THC, abundant supply, and legality in many parts of the world, industrial hemp is the most common source for CBD products.
People most often cultivate cannabis for its high THC content, and these plants are usually much shorter and bushier, with an abundance of the prized flowers that contain most of the THC, terpenes (aroma molecules, like pinene), and other cannabinoids (such as CBG, CBN, CBC, and CBDv).
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People have bred cannabis over many generations to favor strains that produce as much THC as possible – but that trend is changing in recent years. Many cultivars now exist (such as Charlotte’s Web or Harle-Tsu) that have CBD as the dominant cannabinoid, but there remain measurable quantities of THC, making high-CBD cannabis a no-go for people who need to avoid THC entirely (for drug tests or similar reasons).
In summary, CBD products sourced from industrial hemp contain a smaller variety of cannabinoids, and little to no terpenes – yet are almost always safe for those needing CBD without the risk of failing a drug test. CBD products sourced from high-CBD cannabis contain abundant terpenes and a broad spectrum of cannabinoids (greatly enhancing their therapeutic potential) but are risky for people looking to avoid THC completely.
Buy Full-Spectrum CBD Over CBD Isolate
You’ll often notice when shopping for CBD there’s two options: CBD isolate or full-spectrum. When buying CBD, always look for a full-spectrum product over an isolate if at all possible. CBD isolate is just that – CBD and nothing else. CBD isolate has a very narrow dosage window that offers therapeutic benefits – and even then the benefits are limited.
Truly full-spectrum CBD products contain a blend of cannabinoids, like CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC. CBDv, THCv, and more. These lesser-known cannabinoids each have conditions for which they offer superior relief over their counterparts.
The magic of full-spectrum CBD lies in the ‘entourage effect,’ a term used to illustrate the fact that when ingesting a synergistic blend of more than one cannabinoid, 1 + 1 = 3. Think of it as either taking a Vitamin C pill or eating an orange. Mother nature has deep, mysterious intelligence that she conveys to the user in full-spectrum CBD products.
Be wary, though. Many companies advertise their products as full-spectrum when they are not. The only way to know for sure is to check the company’s Certificates of Analysis (CoA). These are documents that verify a vendor has completed laboratory testing on their products and should give a breakdown of each cannabinoid present in their product – and in what amounts. Two to three (or more ideally more) cannabinoids and you’ve got yourself an authentic full-spectrum CBD product.
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A bonus of CoA’s is the ability to see if they’ve tested for common contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides/herbicides, microbials (such as mold), and residual solvents. This part of the CoA is especially crucial to look for on products that either don’t mention their plant sourcing, or state that their hemp comes from a toxic region such as China or India – and less of a concern when a vendor utilizes organic, US grown hemp or cannabis.
Determine the Route of Administration That’s Best for You
CBD products come in all shapes and sizes, from gummies and tinctures to lotions and bath bombs. Assessing your reasons for wanting to use CBD is vital in picking the type of product that’s best for you.
CBD products can be split into three main categories: edibles, inhalables, and topicals.
Inhalables (such as vape pens or concentrates, such as CBD wax) are most suited for those who need immediate relief throughout the day, such as with anxiety or breakthrough pain. Inhalable CBD enters the bloodstream immediately via the lungs, and beneficial effects last for about an hour.
Topicals (such as transdermal patches or CBD-infused body care products) work for a variety of situations. Transdermal patches are discreet, continuously deliver CBD into the bloodstream for over 24 hours and offer a ‘set and forget’ method of dosing. Body care products are good for the casual user who wants to add CBD to their daily self-care routine, or for those seeking relief with a variety of skin maladies.
Edibles are great for those seeking long-lasting and on-the-go relief. CBD-infused gummies, tinctures, and capsules can be taken on trips or to work without drawing attention to yourself. If you’re sensitive to the taste of hemp oil or want to avoid sugary products, go with CBD capsules. Edible CBD generally takes between 30-60 minutes to begin working and offers relief for up to five or six hours.
Understand the Importance of Finding the Proper Dosage
While the research on proper dosages for various conditions remains in its infancy, there is still an abundance of information online giving recommendations for a wide variety of illnesses, whether it’s Huntington’s, IBS, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, sleep disorders, anxiety, or high blood pressure.
Many research papers exist for the sole purpose of finding the best dosage for each condition, so our recommendation to you is to type in the situation you wish to treat with CBD alongside a search term such as ‘best dosage NCBI’ (NCBI offers an extensive collection of published scientific research) and see what you can dig up.
More is not always better with CBD. For example, many users find a low dose of CBD to be stimulating, while a higher dose tends to be sedating.
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If you cannot find any relevant information, it’s best to start low and slow. Many people new to CBD proceed cautiously by taking as little as one to three milligrams once or twice a day, but experts in the industry generally recommend a starting point of 25mg taken twice a day. Maintain this dosage for three weeks before increasing or decreasing, as CBD takes time to build up in the body, and a little patience will go a long way in helping you find your sweet spot.
Doing a little research on how much CBD you plan on taking will also help you decide which product to buy, as you may require something very potent – or perhaps not so much.
We wish you the best on your journey to buying your first CBD product, and as always consult with your healthcare provider before embarking on any natural products regimen!
A recent study found slightly more than twice as many individuals with depression (18.94% in 2017) used cannabis than those without the condition.
Cannabis is on the rise in the United States, especially among those suffering from depression. According to a study published in the journal Addiction, individuals with symptoms of depression were more likely than those without the condition to use cannabis.
“Depression is not generally a condition for which medicinal cannabis is prescribed, and it is not clear why recreational use would occur disproportionately among those with depression,” said study co-author Dr. Renee Goodwin. “It is conceivable that cannabis may be increasingly used in an attempt to self-medicate depression in states where it is legal for recreational use.”
Though there is not yet a scientific consensus on whether cannabis may or may not help treat depression, one study conducted by the University of British Columbia did find that patients with post-traumatic stress disorder were less likely to suffer from depression if they used medical cannabis.
Researchers surveyed 728,691 people over the age of 12 between the years 2005 and 2017. Respondents were tasked with self-reported any depression, daily, and non‐daily past‐30‐day cannabis use and perceived great risk associated with regular cannabis use.
They found slightly more than twice as many individuals with depression (18.94% in 2017) used cannabis than those without (8.67% in 2017). Adults with depression between the ages of 18 and 35 were more likely to use cannabis, with approximately one-third reporting cannabis use. Overall, cannabis use amongst both groups rose between 2005 and 2017.
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Researchers also found people with depression were significantly more likely to view cannabis as low risk when compared to those without.
“The prevalence of cannabis use among those with depression who perceived no risk associated with regular use was much higher than among those who perceived significant risk associated with use — 39% versus 1.6%, respectively,” added Goodwin. “With increasing legalization in the U.S., previous studies have shown that perception of risk associated with use is declining overall. The results of this study show that this decline is even more rapid among this vulnerable population: those with depression.”
A recent study shows a cannabis flavonoid was able to kill pancreatic cancer cells.
The marijuana plant is so much more than THC and CBD, even if these two tend to dominate the media and medical spotlights. A recent study found a compound present in the cannabis plant, not even a cannabinoid, is showing potential for treating pancreatic cancer.
The study published in the medical journal Frontiers of Oncology found the non-psychoactive derivative of cannabis, termed FBL-03G, caused the death of cancerogenous pancreatic cells.
The study was done in partnership with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, which introduced a cannabis-derived drug to two kinds of pancreatic cancer cells in lab mice. FBL-03G is an isolation of a type of cannabis flavonoid — a chemical found in nearly all fruits and veggies, popular for its health benefits and adding colors and smells to plants.
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Researchers conducted a variety of tests with the mice, in one instance applying the flavonoid directly into the tumors. This potential cancer treatment, paired with radiation, caused the pancreatic cancer to suffer a “major increase” in cell death. Another test left the mice with cancer untreated for 20 days and later provided them with the flavonoid. Half of the mice were still alive after 40 days.
“In this study, a flavonoid derivative of cannabis demonstrates significant therapy potential in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, including radio-sensitizing and cancer metastasis treatment potential. The results justify further studies to optimize therapy outcomes toward clinical translation,” concludes the authors.
While this study is important for the fact it found a connection between cannabis and the treatment of pancreatic cancer, it’s also relevant because it highlights other compounds less known in the marijuana plant.
There are over 500 chemicals available in the cannabis, all of them interacting in different ways with each other when exposed to other cells. The possibilities for research are endless, especially if we widen our scope.
THC’s effect on pregnancy is still unknown, prompting California to consider adding a risk warning on their THC products.
California legalized the use of marijuana over three years ago, yet the government is still testing the drug’s limits and adapting to people’s responses to it. Now, a state panel is considering whether THC should be declared a risk for pregnant women and if it should include warnings on their product labels.
The data on marijuana and pregnancy is complex, with some people praising its medicinal powers — providing relief from ailments such as nausea, body aches and anxiety, to name just a few — and others worrying over the plant’s potential negative side effects.
Studies conducted on marijuana and pregnancy date back to the 70s, with some claiming that the substance could have an effect on the fetus, influencing important factors such as birth weight and length of gestation.
It’s important to highlight that these negative side effects are consistent with the side effects that appear when pregnant women smoke any substance, meaning that the problem most likely lies within the way in which marijuana is ingested over the compounds in the drug itself.
The fact is, smoking anything is bad for the fetus and that there’s not enough research out there to see whether marijuana has an effect or not.
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While there are a few organizations that support marijuana use in pregnant mothers, some officials, including some that are a part of the cannabis industry, claim that there’s not enough data for pregnant women to be taking these kinds of risks. In the long run, there’s no way of knowing the extent of THC’s effects on pregnancies, and having products in circulation with no warning labels could expose cannabis companies to potential lawsuits.
The Associated Press reports that the California Cannabis Industry Association believes that marijuana’s standing as an illegal drug on a federal level has put a damper on studies looking into its risks and medicinal properties. “Good policy and consumer protections are based on facts and data,” explains spokesman Josh Drayton.
If THC were to be deemed a risk for pregnant women, products sold in California, even those advertised as CBD, would have to introduce clear warnings on their packaging.
As CBD supplement makers look for ways to distinguish their products, some are adding additional natural ingredients with a history of therapeutic use.
By now, most of folks have heard of CBD, the popular cannabinoid, cannabidiol, has shown promise in treating ailments such as inflammation and arthritis. Indeed, many companies have spun up to grab a piece of the rapidly growing CBD market.
Part of the appeal is the natural source of relief, as many medications have undesirable side effects and risks, including addiction. As CBD supplement makers look for ways to distinguish their products, some are adding additional natural ingredients with a history of therapeutic use to complement the primary cannabinoid in their formulations. One such product getting a lot of renewed interest is honey.
The connection between honey and health, especially varieties such as makuna, which has been shown in some studies to provide some relief from inflammation — as well as having antimicrobial and antioxidant properties — has been observed by people since ancient times.
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In a 2017 study focused on gastric ulcers conducted by researchers at King Abdulaziz University, and published in the journal Evidence Based Complement Alternative Medicine, rats given makuna honey showed marked improvement thanks to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the honey.
While some science and historic use points to honey’s curative properties, consumers should be wary of outlandish and unsubstantiated health claims such as honey curing cancer, heart disease, or diabetes. There are some experiments showing honey’s ability to kill off certain types of cancer cells under laboratory conditions, which is demonstrative of its antioxidant quality, but still a far cry from an actual cure for these major illnesses. Like many foods that are naturally chock full of healthy components, such as blueberries, leafy greens, and other “superfoods,” they’re a great addition to a diet but no panacea.
CBD honey is already making a splash in the health food world. And for those of you wondering, no, bees are not pollinating marijuana plants and making the sweet stuff with CBD already intact. In fact, in nature, bees and cannabis don’t have a particularly strong relationship. Cannabis does not produce nectar, and bees, like all insects, lack an endocannabinoid system, so they have little incentive to approach weed.
CBD honey is made from humans who infuse the sticky goodness with cannabidiol. And like most products made by people, those curious about CBD-infused honey should do their standard caveat emptor diligence, and not expect a miracle cure.
One of the first red flags of fake CBD products is a label that’s vague or doesn’t state where the CBD oil was sourced.
For every article about the wonders of CBD, there’s a contradictory one discussing the crazy amounts of fake CBD in circulation. 2019 was a great year to be a CBD enthusiast, but also a stressful one. You have to be smart if you want to avoid getting ripped off when buying CBD.
Reading product labels is often confusing, overly technical and filled with materials no one understands. Add to the mix the fact CBD is still in FDA limbo, and you need a list like this to point you in the right direction. Here are 5 things to check when reading a CBD label.
Make sure there’s CBD in your product
First thing’s first: make sure there’s actually CBD in your CBD product. Today’s CBD landscape is filled with products that claim to contain CBD while really containing just hemp oil, or lie about the amount of CBD they contain. Look for either CBD or cannabidiol and be wary of products containing hemp seeds, cannabis sativa, hemp seed oil, etc. Although these ingredients sound weedy, they’re not the same thing as CBD.
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Check the dosage
A good CBD label should state the amount of CBD milligrams it contains, the serving size, the milligrams per serving and the number of servings.
Keep an eye out for COA
COAs guarantee the product you’re looking at has been tested by a third party facility that has no relationship to the maker. Their results are unbiased and thus trust worthy. Reputable companies should feature this information on their labels, which should come in the shape of a bar code and should be easily accessed via smartphone. If this isn’t the case, the COA should appear on the product’s website.
One of the first red flags of fake CBD products is a label that’s vague or doesn’t state where the CBD oil was sourced. CBD can be sourced from cannabis plants or industrial hemp, and most quality products tend to be “full spectrum,” “broad spectrum,” or “CBD isolate.”
Know your cannabis state laws
This is important since CBD label requirements vary by state, with the best labels being from products sold in areas where marijuana is legal. If you’re purchasing a product from out of a legal state, these packages should at least imitate how regulated products look.
Here are several states positioned to legalize marijuana in 2020. These are the five that seem to have the best chance at success.
The cannabis advocacy community wants the nation to believe that 2019 was a banner year in the realm of marijuana reform. But the only things that really happened were that New York and New Jersey failed to make good on their word to legalize, Illinois followed through and the U.S. House of Representatives dilly-dallied with a couple of bills (SAFE and MORE Acts) that will never see the light of day.
This “banner” year that pro-pot organizations like NORML are so proud of really doesn’t equate to much. But we could have better luck next year. There are several states positioned to legalize marijuana in 2020. These are the five that seem to have the best chance at success.
New York: Although Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature failed to come to terms on legal weed in 2019, this clown shoe spectacle (brought on by arguments over taxes and social equity) puts the state in a better place to get something done next year. It is conceivable that a bill will be introduced soon that follows in the footsteps of Illinois, which was the first to legalize marijuana while making social equity a big part of the deal. If lawmakers start discussing this kind of legislation early in the next session, New York could easily become one of the next legal states.
Florida: Two marijuana voter initiatives are competing for a spot on the ballot in 2020. Both have managed to get to the judicial review phase of their campaigns by collecting 77,000 verified signatures. Where things get tight is they’ll need to submit another 766,200 signatures within the next month to qualify for a spot on the ballot. Supposing one or both can do that, Floridians will be voting for recreational marijuana in the 2020 election. Considering the success of medical marijuana in 2016, there is an excellent chance the voters will come out in support of this issue.
New Jersey: After the state failed to legalize marijuana in 2019, lawmakers swore that they were just going to turn the pot debate loose on the voters and see what happens. That is set to go down in 2020. Voters will get to decide in the November election whether adults 21 and over should have legal access to marijuana. Unlike other ballot measures we have seen in the past, this one doesn’t require signature collecting or any other hoop-jumping shenanigans to get done. New Jersey voters will simply answer the question when they head to the polls next year. If the latest surveys are accurate — 62% are in favor — the state seems poised to legalize the leaf.
Arizona: Marijuana legalization failed at the ballot box back in 2016, but only by a couple of points. A pro-pot group called Smart and Safe Arizona is trying for a different outcome in 2020. It already has the support of the state’s medical marijuana dispensaries, and it should have no trouble collecting the signatures necessary to earn a spot on the ballot.
There is, however, some opposition to the campaign. A small group of cannabis industry representatives are hoping to work with lawmakers in putting “good legislation” on the books. They’re not fans of the Smart and Safe Arizona plan because they believe its proposal would only serve large operations. Either way, it looks like Arizona stands a better-than-fair shot at legalizing weed next year.
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New Mexico: The legislative stars are aligning for legal weed. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham says she supports legalization — recently launching a legislative panel to look into it — and lawmakers in both chambers of the legislature seem open to the discussion. The state recently decriminalized marijuana possession, so there may not be much stopping the powers that be from establishing a taxed and regulated market in the coming year. But lawmakers will have to act quickly. The state’s legislative session is limited to only 30 days in January.
Be on the lookout for Ohio: Although no ballot initiative has been filed as of yet, there is a possibility that we could see pot advocates in Ohio pushing hard for recreational marijuana in the 2020 election. The majority of the state stands wholeheartedly in favor of legalization. It has for years. So, if a group can manage to get something on the November ballot, it would likely pass with ease.
This combo will produce better digestive health, a more regular sleep pattern, and a feeling of overall greater energy, making one liable to feel more balanced overall in addition to having their conditions lessened.
The practice of acupuncture, which uses a series of needles strategically placed on specific parts of the body, was an integral component of ancient Chinese medical practice. As we reported earlier, cannabis was also a part of this tradition.
Steven Phan, Come Back Daily Co-Founder, point to the connection between these two modalities. “Acupuncture and CBD are quite different but share a common goal, which is to relieve pain. CBD addresses pain symptoms by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system.
CBDweb illuminates how medicinal hemp and acupuncture work together to support the endocannabinoid system. As cited on their website, “Medical hemp and acupuncture work on the cellular level to signal CB2 receptors to turn off the protein acid that is responsible for inflammation.”
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Furthermore, this site notes that “acupuncture has been shown to provide a significant jumpstart for reducing chronic pain and inflammation, especially when paired with oral or topical hemp treatments.” Also, acupuncture can help with issues such as combatting the nausea from cancer treatment and menstrual cramps, which are conditions that can also be alleviated by CBD.
Even though both CBD and acupuncture are natural medicines, they do have a few side-effects. For example, one should be mindful not to ingest too much hemp oil, as it may lead to digestion issues. Also, those using blood clotting medications should avoid consuming hemp oil orally. Along those lines, those who have a pacemaker, experience chronic skin problems, or are pregnant or at risk of an infection should talk with their doctor before adding acupuncture to their treatment regime.
Furthermore, one should not think of acupuncture and CBD as a cure-all combo that can eradicate any disease. These regimes will produce better digestive health, a more regular sleep pattern, and a feeling of overall greater energy, making one liable to feel more balanced overall in addition to having their conditions lessened.
Finally, Phan offers this cautionary note that points to the need for further studies to fully explore how to best use these acupuncture and CBD together to treat one’s ailments. “Although both are holistic options towards preventative care, we do need more research to further understand their efficiency.”
CBD proved effective at alleviating depression in mice, but scientists also say the effects were long-lasting — a result that suggests CBD could be part of the next wave of antidepressants.
One of the latest trends in the ever-evolving world of marijuana is the therapeutic use of the plant’s non-intoxicating compound, cannabidiol (CBD). People are leaning on this cannabis and hemp derived substance as a trapdoor from a variety of conditions from anxiety to chronic pain. Some folks even argue that CBD is excellent at snuffing out the symptoms of depression. And if the results of a new study carry any weight on the subject, it would seem that science concurs.
Researchers at the University of Sao Paolo published their findings in the medical journal Molecular Neurobiology, which shows that CBD proved effective as an antidepressant in mice. Not only was the substance effective at alleviating depression, but scientists also say the effects were long-lasting — a result that suggests CBD could be part of the next wave of antidepressants.
According to a report from Leaf Science, the mice involved in the study were genetically bred to display symptoms of depression, like lethargy and immobility. In the lab, despite these animals being born down in the dumps, they became noticeably more active after receiving a dose of CBD.
Scientists also noted that the mice given CBD appeared to become less susceptible to the stress models of depression.
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All of this medicinal magic purportedly came within an hour after being dosed with CBD and the effects carried on for weeks later.
Scientists believe the results show that this cannabis compound could end up becoming a more effective antidepressant than the medicines presently on the market.
Other studies published on this topic throughout the years have turned out similar results. One, in particular, showed the use of CBD in conjunction with traditional antidepressants allowed the patients to consume fewer pharmaceuticals. This reduction in pill intake is important as it lessens some of the harsh side-effects these drugs are known for producing, like sexual problems, fatigue and insomnia.
Although researchers admit that more studies are needed to get to the bottom of how CBD works as an antidepressant, the latest findings provide hope for the more than 300 million people suffering from this debilitating condition around the world.
But it is going to take some doing for a CBD-based medicine to be recognized for its ability to treat depression in the United States. A drug company would first need to spend years inside the bureaucracy of the FDA approval process. Additional research and clinical trials would be necessary, as well as billions of dollars just for a fighting chance at bringing a CBD-drug to market that could be prescribed specifically for this condition. As for now, no drug company has anything like that in the works.
