Things To Avoid When Smoking Marijuana

-

October 9, 2023

Trying marijuana for the first time? Here’s how to get that high you’re seeking.

Smoking marijuana is the most popular and readily-available way of consuming weed, especially for first-timers. Joints, bowls and bongs is the traditional, old school method espoused by the faithful, the expert and sometime theS Newby. Still, you’d be surprised by the amount of misinformation that people believe, even those who’ve used weed for long periods of time.

To avoid bad advice and have a great time, here is list of things to avoid when smoking marijuana for the first time. Follow this and it can help you achieve the high you aspire to.

Smoking a joint like it’s a cigar

You’re not supposed to smoke a joint like a mob boss by keeping the smoke swirling inside your mouth. In order for the drug to have an effect on you, you have to inhale the smoke all the way down to your lungs. There’s also a pervasive belief that the longer you hold the smoke in, the stronger its effect will be. This is not true, you’ll only be feeling lightheaded because you’re depleting your brain of oxygen.

Going all out on your first try

quiz dont be that toker test your cannabis etiquette before imbibing — Photo by Shane Cotee/EyeEm/Getty Images

Marijuana users have different stories when it comes to their first few times getting high, with many of them getting too high and paranoid. This happens because it’s hard knowing what you’re supposed to feel the first time you smoke weed, leading people to overdo it in order to ensure that they get high. Take it slow and let the THC do its job.

Now knowing how to use the carb

Your carb is that little hole in the side of your bong or pipe. You’re supposed to cover it as you light up, so that smoke accumulates, and then release it so you can inhale. Carbs are very misunderstood, and they can be the reason why some people don’t make the best out of their cannabis.

While you don’t need to be an expert on strains and their components, it’s important to know the basics of the two most common types of marijuana. Indicas are more mellow, and affect your body physically, leaving you relaxed and ready to chill out in the couch. Sativas are more intense and activate your brain, which makes them a great partner for parties and doing other types of active stuff. For newcomers who are afraid of getting a bad high, indicas are a more safe choice because they offer a smaller chance of getting paranoid.

Freaking out

10 types of marijuana for depression — Photo by Xavier Sotomayor via Unsplash

If the freakout comes, it’s important to remember that if you only smoked marijuana there’s nothing to worry about. The anxiety and paranoia will pass, and in an hour (tops) you’ll feel way better. In the meantime, distract yourself with your pet, take a nap, watch a show or some cute cat videos and all be well.

It also helps for first timers to smoke with people they trust, someone who’ll be able to calm them down if they start getting too antsy.

Packing the bowl wrong

If you’re chopping up your weed with scissors and then stuffing the pieces carelessly into your bowl, the marijuana gods are giving you the stink eye. Be sure to use a grinder or be very thorough with your cutting, preferably using your fingers. Put the right amount of weed in your bowl or joint, allowing some breathing room for the particles. The bowl or joint should be snug but air should be able to circulate. Tear, cut or grind: How do you break up your bud?

Using a bad lighter

marijuana pipe — Photo by SharonMcCutcheon via Pixabay

The fumes from matches and heavy butane lighters will ruin the quality and taste of your marijuana and will also mess with your lungs, so try to buy a reliable and simple lighter. This small factor will improve your experience dramatically.

Torching the bowl

We all torch the bowl at some point, lighting up the center of it and accidentally burning the whole batch of weed. While there won’t be an actual fire, lighting up right in the middle ruins the bowl for other people, tampering with the marijuana flavor. You should curb your bowl, lighting up the corners of it so everyone can have a turn and your weed can last for longer periods of time.

Poor marijuana storage

why adults with medical conditions use more marijuana — Photo by Norman Posselt/Getty Images

RELATED: Should You Tip Your Budtender?

Your marijuana must be stored in a dark cool place inside an airtight container. This will help in preserving its taste and effect. If you want to take the next step, try investing in a humidor, which will solve a lot of your cannabis storage problems. Here are 8 ways to properly store marijuana for freshness.

Coughing is a good thing

There’s some mystery surrounding coughing and smoking weed. Some claim that coughing means that you’re smoking good quality marijuana, or that you’re starting to get high. None of this is true. Coughing is related to the heat of the smoke you’re inhaling and the irritation that that causes on your throat and lungs. Here’s how to stop coughing so hard from smoking marijuana.

Eating raw marijuana

How To Use CBD To Reduce Holiday Stress — Photo by Dennis Aglaster/EyeEm/Getty Images

People will do anything for a good high, especially when they’re not informed and they’re just getting involved with marijuana. Don’t be that person who eats raw marijuana leaves. This won’t accomplish anything; cannabis must be heated for its THC to be released.

What Happens When You Pour Grease Down The Drain

Jillian Peterson

-

October 8, 2023

0

What Happens When You Pour Grease Down The Drain

Everyone seems to be in the kitchen and creating Insta worthy dishes to be shared with friends and family. But cooking can be a bit messy. We all know you’re not supposed to pour hot grease down the drain, because it will clog the drain and corrode your pipes. But the repercussions are way, way worse.

Tech Insider takes us inside a sewer drain, where grease, once combined with everyone else’s discarded grease, forms huge globs, sometimes called “fatbergs,” that can grow to enormous sizes (a 17 ton fatberg was once found in a British sewer) and completely clog the sewer system. And cleaning them out can take weeks.

RELATED: Rainy Weather Cocktails

Next time you have leftover fat to get rid of, let it solidify and throw it in the trash. Soak up any residual grease with a paper towel. Now, watch this and try not to gag.

It’s a common misconception that pouring grease down the drain is okay if you run hot water and pour dish soap after it. In reality, grease should never go down the drain. Even if it’s hot and easy to pour out of the pan, it will eventually cool and solidify somewhere in your plumbing. This causes a gummy, goopy mess to form along the pipe walls, trapping other debris that flows down the drain. Over time, the resulting clogscould bring your drains to a standstill.

Even if the grease makes it past your home’s plumbing system, it continues to wreak havoc in the municipal sewer system. Some cities spend millions of dollars a year addressing damaged sewer systems and clearing out masses of solid waste—obstacles the industry calls “fatbergs,” which are named for the cooking oil and grease that hold the obstructions together. By never pouring grease down the drain, you can help prevent clogs and other plumbing problems further down the line.

A convenient, mess-free way to dispose of cooking grease is to pour it into an empty jar, can, or other container. Screw the lid onto the jar, or wait for the grease to cool and harden in the can. Then, throw it in the trash.

You can also wait for the grease to solidify in the pan and then wipe it out with paper towels, which you should then throw away. To prevent your garbage can from getting smelly, be sure to empty it shortly after disposing of the oil or grease.

The BEST Tips For Grilling With Cannabis

Danielle Guercio

-

October 7, 2023

0

The BEST Tips For Grilling With Cannabis

Though sometimes grill temps can be a little high for cannabis cooking, there’s a few ways to get around this if you want to be creative. Here are some tips.

Smoking weed in the sunshine is a pretty nice thing. So is doing pretty much anything with cannabis and sunshine. With a party full of partakers, you can really get creative in your recipes and experiments with access to a barbecue grill. Though sometimes grill temps can be a little high for cannabis cooking, there’s a few ways to get around this if you want to be creative.

Knowing what bare minimum we do about cannabinoids, heat control is everything. This is why sometimes we marinate, while other times we make a satchel or apply the goods as a post-cooking sauce. Here are some tips for making the most out of a special BBQ.

Toss with THC before cooking

Burgers will grill relatively quickly, and the searing will create a seal that will keep some THC in if you add an infused oil into the mixture. This also goes for homemade veggie burgers which you can craft the night before out of starches, beans, and cooked vegetables. Try not to put anything patty shaped on too high for too long, since you want to cook the outside but just make the inside warm-to-hot, not burning. If you like a well-done burger, skip infusing for sure, as you’ll burn off too much of the potency.

Chopped veggies and meats or spears for kebabs are a much better choice for a THC-infused marinade. The surface area will allow the marinade to soak in, and the potential potency drop won’t be anything to cry over.

Seal-in foil for safe THC keeping

Chicken is a natural candidate for foil steaming, as grilling it is great but it can turn dry very quickly. Since chicken must be completely cooked, you can preserve the juiciness by tossing with a cannabis infused sauce, searing, then cooking with the sauce in a sealed packet. Try olive oil with lemon and rosemary for a tasty time.

Potatoes are absolutely fabulous on the grill

And when they are cooked in foil they get the insides to the temperatures needed to cook all the way in one go. Toss in a cube of cannabutter with diced potatoes and some thyme for a really delicious version of campfire potatoes. You can alternatively cook in a cast iron skillet on the grill surface with foil as a lid.

Medicate after the grill

Whole corn on the grill is one of the yummiest ways to have the stuff, and it’s also the perfect vehicle for some post-grilling sauce or butter application. Make a cotija-cilantro-coconut sauce with some infused coconut oil and slather all over that ear.

Grilled whole vegetables are also a favorite for their minimal prep time and photogenic finished look, but unlike chopped veggies, these don’t take as well to THC marinades due to a lack of surface area. Glaze them after with some glycerin tincture mixed with balsamic vinegar, a sauce that you can make in seconds.

BBQ ribs, hot dogs, sausages

All grilled classics waiting for a healthy dressing with the condiments that mark the season. These aren’t as friendly vessels to pre-dosing but boy oh boy can you get on there with some sauces and such, so go for it!

best BBQ — Photo by The Digital Marketing Collaboration via Unsplash

Just try to keep the basic idea in mind, that over 300 degrees requires care and planning when cooking with cannabis. If you want to be on the safe side, always add the strength after it comes off the hot grill.

A Perfect Dessert Recipe Paired With Wine

Frankie Frankeny

-

October 7, 2023

0

A Perfect Dessert Recipe Paired With Wine

One of the perks of of being a chef and a cookbook writer is getting to learn from the best in the industry. While shooting books, I get to spend extended hours with the amazing and talented in the restaurant world.

Pairing wine with savory foods I’ve been fortunate enough to spend half my life learning from the greats. Not so much with sweets until I shot The Wine Lover’s Dessert Cookbook with Jennie Schacht and Mary Chec. The First Lady Of Chocolate, Alice Medrich, sums this book up best:

This book is an instant jumpstart, a quick and confidence-inspiring way to start learning and practicing the art of serving wine with dessert…Great new work, And yes, I wish I’d thought of it myself!

The recipes and pairings are the bomb. Here are two of my favorites. Enjoy this deliciousness this weekend while peaches and nectarines are in season!

Fresh Mango-Nectarine Crumble

In this twist on the typical crumble, we’ve baked up a buttery topping to be scattered atop macerated fruit just before serving. Try adapting this with other fruits in season—peaches and blackberries, apricots and cherries, mango and crushed lychees, Fuyu persimmons and seedless tangerines.

Making the Match

The fresh fruit and buttery topping pair well with many wines, from a light muscat to a rich ice wine. Audubon Cellars Late Harvest Chardonnay (California) mirrors both the tropical and stone fruit flavors in this dessert.

Makes 6 servings

Crumble Topping

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into 8 pieces
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Fruit

2 ripe mangoes, peeled and cut into julienne strips
2 ripe nectarines, cut into paper-thin slices
3/4 cup Moscato d’Asti, or the wine you will serve with the dessert
1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

DIRECTIONS:

To make the crumble topping: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Stir together the flour, 1/3 cup sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Add the butter and sprinkle evenly with the vanilla. Use your fingertips to pinch and rub the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse cookie crumbs. Spread the crumble onto an ungreased baking sheet, squeezing a bit to make granola-like clumps. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes, stirring once or twice for even baking. Place the baking sheet on a rack to cool.

While the topping bakes, prepare the fruit: Combine the mango and nectarine pieces in a medium bowl. Add the wine, 1/4 cup sugar, lime zest, and lime juice, and stir gently to avoid breaking up the fruit, adding sugar to taste, if needed.

Pile the fruit into six dessert cups and drizzle each with a tablespoon or two of the juices from the bowl. Scatter the crumble topping over the fruit.

Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Fresh Peaches

Panna cotta, or “cooked cream,” is quintessentially Italian in its simplicity. The trick is to use just enough gelatin to set the cream without compromising its silky smoothness. Here, buttermilk adds a tangy contrast and peaches complement the wine. You could easily substitute berries, plums, or other fruits in season, varying the wine to match them.

Making the Match

Peaches pair well with the muscat canelli grapes used to make Asti and Moscato d’Asti. We love this with La Spinetta Moscato d’Asti (Piedmont, Italy). This also matches well with a delicate, late harvest white wine without oak and not too sweet or heavy, such as a demi-sec Vouvray. Look for a wine with fresh stone fruit flavors that pick up on the peaches, rich cream, and tart buttermilk.

Makes 4 servings

Vegetable oil for ramekins
1 1/4 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
1 cup heavy cream with no additives
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup buttermilk
4 ripe yellow peaches, preferably freestone
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

DIRECTIONS:

Lightly oil four 4-ounce ramekins or custard cups. Pour 1/4 cup cold water into a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the surface. Let soften for 5 minutes.

Gently warm the cream and sugar in a small, heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently. A drop should feel warm but not hot against your upper lip. Remove the cream from the heat and stir in the softened gelatin for at least 1 minute until it is completely dissolved. Stir in the buttermilk. Divide the mixture among the prepared molds and place them on a plate to cool until they are almost room temperature, about 1 hour. Refrigerate until the panna cotta is set, about 3 hours or up to 4 days. The cream should move in a single jiggle when you shake one of the molds. To avoid condensation, wait until they are completely cold before covering tightly with plastic film.

Prepare the peaches up to 2 hours before serving. Working over a small saucepan to catch their juices, peel the peaches with a sharp knife and cut them into 1/4-inch-thick wedges. Gently stir in brown sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice a little at a time, adjusting to taste, to bring out the flavor of the peaches. Gently warm the peaches to dissolve the sugar and slightly soften the fruit. Cool to room temperature.

Just before serving, run a thin, sharp knife around the inside of the ramekins to loosen the cream, then invert each into the center of a broad-rimmed soup bowl or serving plate. If the panna cotta does not release easily with gentle tapping, insert the knife between the panna cotta and the ramekin to coax the cream out. Place peach slices decoratively over and around the panna cotta, spooning some of their juices over the top.

###

Named one of the 100 Most Creative People in the US by Entertainment Weekly , Frankie captures images for some of the best names in culinary.

Frankie has helped create: The Art of the Bar: Cocktails Based on the Classics;The Model Bakery Cookbook; Miette: Recipes from San Francisco’s Most Charming Pastry Shop; The Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook and The Star Wars Cookbook Series. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

The BEST Gin And Tonic Cocktails To Make

Warren Bobrow

-

October 7, 2023

0

The BEST Gin And Tonic Cocktails To Make

Nothing signals summer more than the classic gin and tonic. The bracing refreshment of the quinine-a bitter beacon against the sweet/tart of the always cane sugar (never high fructose corn syrup) tonic water. Why cane sugar? First of all, the high fructose stuff is cloying and sweet. Cane sugar has depth and patience, along with a haunting sweetness; one that is neither too sweet, nor too tart and definitely not out of balance. The Gin and Tonic is more than just a sum of its parts. It is a metaphor for relaxation. Here are 5 ways to make them all for yourself.

Bourbon — Photo by Eaters Collective via Unsplash

Way Down East

2 oz. oven roasted lemonade (slice lemons in half, sprinkle with white balsamic vinegar and 1 tsp. ‘Sugar in the Raw’ then roast for two hours at 300 degrees, cool and juice, then add cane sugar to taste)
3 oz. botanical gin, such as Barr Hill, created from raw honey and local Vermont grain
1 oz. cane sugar tonic water (of your choice, but always made with cane sugar)
5 drops celery bitters
Roasted lemon rounds

Prepare the oven roasted lemonade according to the above. To a Collins glass, fill: ¾ with ice. Add the gin. Top with the oven roasted lemonade. Top that with the tonic water. Dot with the celery bitters. Garnish with a slice of roasted lemon. Serve.

Related: The BEST Delicious Whiskey Cocktails

The next take on the Gin and Tonic is with a brilliant gin from Spain that is botanical — from the gathered herbs — quite refreshing and the addition of lemon zest in the glass brings this cocktail to another level entirely. As the former cocktail had lemon juice in it that was roasted first, this cocktail is based on both a lemon oil rubbed into the walls of the cocktail glass and a few threads of saffron- combined with cane sugar simple syrup, tonic bitters and good sized splash of Stiegl Grapefruit Radler, a splendid grapefruit infused beer from Germany. I don’t see it used in cocktails much and I wonder why not?

The Intellectualist

2 oz. Mahon gin (from Spain)
1 oz. Royal Rose saffron simple syrup
4 oz. Stiegl Grapefruit Radler
4-6 drops tonic bitters
Lemon zest (no pith!)

Rub the inside of a Collins glass with the lemon zest. Add ice and set to cool. Meanwhile, in a cocktail mixing glass: fill ¾ with ice and combine the Mahon gin with the Royal Rose simple syrup. Strain over the Collins glass and ice. Dot with tonic bitters. Top with the Stiegl Grapefruit Radler. Serve. So easy!

Related: 5 Brilliant Cannabis-Infused Daiquiri Recipes

Another simple take on the classic uses ingredients that your supermarket has, I’m pretty sure of it.

The Optimistic Panda

3 oz. botanical gin, such as St. George rye gin
2 oz. lemongrass infused simple syrup — cane sugar only!*
3 oz. cane sugar tonic water
Splash of sherry (Fino style)

*smash lemongrass with the side of your chef’s knife, add to 1:1 simple syrup (cane sugar to boiling water, stir well) in the fridge overnight

Prep: To a pair of coupe glasses, pre-chill with ice and set aside to cool. To a cocktail mixing glass: fill ¾ with ice. Add the botanical gin and the lemongrass simple syrup. Stir. Strain into the coupes. Top with tonic water. Serve with a small strip of lemongrass over the top and a bar spoon of sherry.

If you love the refreshing characteristics of a Gin and Tonic in the heat of the summer to whet your appetite or sate your thirst, this Indian influenced sip is just for you!

Chai Masala Gin And Tonic

1 oz. chai tea mix (reconstituted into 3 oz. of botanical gin, such as Caorunn gin from Scotland)
Pinch of cardamom and clove powder
3 oz. cane sugar tonic of your choice

To a Collins glass filled ¾ with ice: Add the tea and gin mixture. Top with the cane sugar tonic water. Serve with brilliance and alacrity!

Ah, sage. My favorite kind of ingredient for the G&T is that leaf — a haunting reminder of the fall, easily translated to the experience of cocktail infamy with the addition of Fruitations cranberry syrup.

Related: 5 Great Ways To Use Fresh Herbs In Your Craft Cocktails

Pro-Tip: Toast the sage by lighting it on fire over a fire-proof surface and capturing the smoke inside an inverted Boston Shaker.

Smoked Sage And Cranberry Tonic And Gin

Sage leaf
Boston Shaker (well chilled to capture the smoke)
2 oz. Fruitations cranberry soda and cocktail syrup
3 oz. Bulldog gin
3 orange zests (preserved in cane sugar for a month before using)
6 oz. cane sugar tonic water

Toast sage leaf with fire, capture the smoke in your Boston Shaker. Quickly invert and fill ¾ with ice. Meanwhile, rub the inside of two double old fashioned glasses with the orange zests and deposit at the bottom of the glass. Add ice to the glass. Add the Bulldog gin to the Boston Shaker filled with sage smoke and ice. Add the Fruitations syrup. Cap and shake hard for 20 seconds. Strain into the double Old-Fashioned glasses. Top with cane sugar tonic water. Garnish with a toasted sage leaf.

Do Relaxing CBD Bath Bombs Work

Maria Loreto

-

October 6, 2023

0

A relaxing bath with CBD bath bombs probably sounds nice right about now. Here’s what you should know about them.

CBD bath bombs are some of the most successful CBD products on the market, combining skin care and relaxation — two of the compound’s strongest benefits with the most proven results. But how effective are they, really?

It’s hard knowing which results are real and which ones are exaggerated. CBD bath bombs are believed to be very helpful by those who use them, with dozens of blog posts discussing their benefits and perks. Even if the CBD provides little to no effects, the negative side effects of CBD topicals are limited and there’s really no way of going wrong with a well made bath bomb.

It’s important to keep in mind that there’s a big limitation with all CBD products due to a lack of scientific research. This is due to a lack of resources for these studies that can be chalked up to FDA limitations and the compound’s complex legal situation.

CBD bath bombs are simple products that work like many other CBD topicals. These bombs are dissolved in hot bath where users submerge themselves, staying there for at least 30 minutes in order to reap full benefits. CBD bath bombs claim to relax you and help you get rid of stress; they also treat body aches and nourish your skin.

how to come down from a marijuana high quickly bath — Photo by Roberto Nickson via Unsplash

Aside from interacting with the cannabinoid receptors in your skin, a decent CBD bath bomb should also contain a good amount of essential oils that will augment the bomb’s soothing and relaxing effects.

Despite the mystery that surrounds CBD, CBD bath bombs are some of the most accessible products available. Although there’s no way of proving how valid they are unless CBD goes through rigorous testing, CBD topicals have a track record of plenty of skin benefits. They’re also some of the least invasive ways for people to try out the compound.

Trying To Make Cannabis SAFER And Save You Money

Terry Hacienda

-

October 6, 2023

0

Trying To Make Cannabis SAFER And Save You Money

The GOP and Biden aren’t concerned about small businesses…or your wallet

Having a 40 hour a week job and working hard should not be a reason you are flagged to not get a car loan. Building a legal business you are passionate about shouldn’t be the reason your bank shuns you. Over 40 states have some form of legal weed and over 48 million have used marijuana. Roughly 90% of Americans believe it should be legal in some form or another. Yet, the GOP and Biden administration believe myths and prefer a thriving illicit (and dangerous) market over a legal, safe, beneficial legal market. There is one elected who is trying to make cannabis SAFER and save you money!

Currently, marijuana business owners, with over 90% being small businesses, operate in an environment where they deal with large amounts of money and second class citizen status. And it directly affects the consumer. Robberies, zero tax breaks, expensive non traditional bank operating loans all get pushed to product cost, impacting the wallet of millions of consumers.

This doesn’t count the 1,500 unlicensed New York City dispensaries which are crushing stores who have gone to the mammoth lengths and huge cost the state has required to operate legally. And they are upcharing consumers also!

Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti

The Washington state Treasurer, Michael Pellicciotti, is leading a group of bipartisan legal state officials to help the Senate understand the practical need for SAFER banking. While pleased the new bill has seen more progress than any other, he knows there is more work to done.

One issue around the lack of a SAFER Banking act it makes it harder on the regular workers of businesses to get car, house and other traditional loans. Without SAFER Banking, this is seen as a negative and counts against a regular worker who is holding onto a steady job. Even with a well paying job, banks are more likely to look at through a “no” lens.

Pellicciotti has an important ally in Washington Senator Patty Murray. Murray is the number three in the Senate, a co-sponsor of SAFER Banking, and a champion. Her support is an excellent counterbalance to Mitch McConnell is has been fighting legal marijuana.

Pellicciotti shared “The lack of routine banking services for cannabis businesses and their employees have industry-wide consequences. For employees, in addition to the continued safety risks of working in a cash rich environment, participation in the cannabis workforce can become a barrier to accessing necessary financial services such as car loans, mortgages, and even checking accounts.”

“For businesses, operating costs are uniquely inflated due to higher insurance and liability rates, security costs, and added fees for those businesses that are able to bank with state chartered financial institutions. Added together, these factors create tremendous pressure at every level of the industry that impacts daily operations and drives up prices.”

Pellicciotti has an important ally in Washington Senator Patty Murray. Murray is the number three in the Senate, a co-sponsor of SAFER Banking, and a champion. Her support is an excellent counterbalance to Mitch McConnell is has been fighting legal marijuana.

“It’s ridiculous that legal cannabis businesses in Washington state are forced to operate entirely in cash—and it puts the safety of their employees and our neighborhoods at risk,” said Senator Murray. “That’s why I’ve been working for years on SAFE Banking legislation and I’m thrilled to see bipartisan momentum behind this bill, which has now advanced further than ever in the U.S. Senate. The SAFER Banking Act is an important first step in doing the right thing for small business owners and the communities they operate in—and I’m going to keep pushing to get it across the finish line. We can’t stop there, though—we need to work towards broader cannabis policy reforms that address the long history of racial injustice and criminalization that have harmed so many communities across the country.”

Wishing this team good luck in trying to make cannabis SAFER and save you money!

Does Charlize Theron Smoke Weed

Maria Loreto

-

October 6, 2023

0

“I really appreciated marijuana way more than alcohol or anything else,” the actress once said. Has her view changed? Let’s discuss.

Charlize Theron, one of Hollywood’s most talented actresses, has a real knack for picking roles allowing her to showcase her abilities. She became a force on the big screen, and watching her career develop has been incredible for moviegoers. Known for both her transformative roles (“Monster,” “Bombshell”) and numerous action movies (“Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Atomic Blonde”), she’s one of the coolest people out there, always getting involved with new and interesting projects. She recently was photographed being stunning at the Dior fashion show in Paris.

Kenneth Branagh, the actor and Thor director is quoted:

“Charlize is a whirlwind of sexual energy. I hate to burden people with expectations but Charlize seems to me an effortless star presence. She’s fearless, beguiling, a big card player and quite a hoot.”

Theron has been pretty open about her past marijuana use. But where is she with weed?

She’s made public comments ranging from the fact that she didn’t try weed until she was older and that her mom used to come over to her house to drop off edibles.

RELATED: Does Joss Whedon Smoke Weed?

“She showed up at my house, literally drove in her little tennis outfit and brought me a little container and just left it on my kitchen table,” Theron told Jimmy Fallon. “She was like, ‘So I got some blueberry-covered chocolate ones, but if you want it faster-acting, you should go for the mints. Those you suck, and it works faster.’ ”

Charlize Theron Liked To 'Wake And Bake' For Most Of Her Life — Photo by Flickr user Gage Skidmore

That same year, while speaking with E! News, she discussed her weed habits more in depth, explaining that while she used to wake and bake regularly, she’s now taking it slower. “But I really appreciated marijuana way more than alcohol or anything else. My chemistry was really good with it when I was younger and then it just changed one day. Like, in my early thirties I just became boring on it and I would just stand in front of my fridge, so that’s no good.”

Theron explains that she doesn’t know what changed in her system when it comes to her marijuana use, only that she needed a break. She has discussed potentially using it for sleep. Around 70% of young adults casually using cannabis report that they do so to help them sleep.

“I’m open to retrying it again because now there’s all these different strains and you can be specific with it,” she said. “And I’m actually really interested because I have really bad insomnia, and I’d much rather get off sleeping pills and figure out a strain that helps me sleep better. So when I have a moment, I’m actually doing that with my mom. My mom has really bad sleep too.”

It seems she might not be currently waking and baking, but potentially, Theron and her mom might be receiving a little help for a good night’s sleep.

Recreating A Flaming Homer From The Simpsons

Amy Hansen

-

October 6, 2023

0

Recreating A Flaming Homer From The Simpsons

Duff Beer and doughnuts are two fake foodstuffs that are pretty hard to eff up. But the cocktails featured on “The Simpsons” are a total mess, a pleasure not to have existing in real life.

That didn’t stop Cocktail Chemistry from attempting to recreate literal versions of a few choice drinks from the show, including Skittlebrau (beer and Skittles) and the Flaming Homer, which Homer invented during an episode where he was booze desperate and combined the end bits of every liquor bottle in his cupboard, including a bottle of kids cough syrup. Fortunately, Cocktail Chemistry had the good sense to make a more palatable version of this drink, minus the Dimetapp and “21 run” booze.

A more challenging recreation involved a single plum, perfume, and a man’s hat. Watch for yourself. Two of the drinks are worth a home bar attempt.

RELATED: Great Fall Whiskeys

The drinks first showed up when it aired on the Fox network on November 21, 1991. In the episode, Homer tells Moe Szyslak about the Flaming Homer, an alcoholic cocktail of cough medicine and fire that he invented. Moe steals Homer’s recipe, renames it the Flaming Moe and sells it at his tavern.

4 Ways Weed Works in The Bedroom

Mary Sauer

-

October 6, 2023

0

As if more frequent sex and an increased desire for sex isn’t good enough, it appears that weed makes the whole experience better. Who doesn’t want that?

There’s been a lot of debate about whether or not it’s a good idea to use marijuana before having sex. For some time, the assumption has been made that being high probably isn’t going to improve what happens in the bedroom, but research says otherwise.

Instead, it seems that the majority of users experience some benefit from using weed before sex. Here’s a look at four specific ways marijuana makes for better intimacy.

Increased Sexual Desire

If we’re being totally upfront, and that’s how we do things around here, the effect of marijuana on libido varies from person to person. Of course, this shouldn’t be all that surprising since we already know that not everyone experiences a high in the same way.

That being said, there is some evidence that marijuana can increase sexual desire in a large percentage of adults. For instance, in 2011, Michael Castleman, MA, surveyed his readers at Psychology Today to find out how marijuana affected their libido. Only 12% reported decreased desire while using marijuana while 67% said they experienced increased libido. The remaining respondents said that dose and strain seemed to influence their experience.

These results are in line with additional research published in 2017 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, which found 62% of study female participants associated marijuana use with increased sex drive.

More Frequent Sex

4 Ways Cannabis And Sex Complement Each Other — Photo by eclipse_images/Getty Images

A look at the general population reveals that nearly half of adults are engaging in intercourse roughly once a week, or a few times a month. More frequent sex doesn’t necessarily improve happiness, but individuals who hope to have more frequent sex might give regular marijuana use a try.

Here’s why. In 2017, analysis of self-reported marijuana use and sexual frequency was published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Both men and women who use weed daily self-reported having 20% more sex than those who abstain.

Better Sex

As if more frequent sex and an increased desire for sex isn’t good enough, it appears that weed makes the whole experience better. Who doesn’t want that?

In the research mentioned above, the female participants also reported experiencing more pleasure during sex if they used marijuana before becoming intimate. More specifically, 68 percent shared that sex was better while high and 62 reported a more pleasurable orgasm when they used marijuana before sex. A smaller percentage said that weed use seemed to increase vaginal lubrications as well.

Reducing Anxiety

Legalizing Medical Marijuana Causes People To Have More Sex — Photo by Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty Images

The pressure to perform can have a negative effect on how both men and women experience sex. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by or worsened by feeling anxious.

The right dose of marijuana could help lessen anxiety. According to research published by the University of Washington, a low dose of marijuana is the most effective for calming anxiety. In contrast, a high dose might increase symptoms of anxiety. This means, if your hope is to keep cool in the bedroom, your best bet to take it easy and start slow with pre-love making marijuana consumption.

For those who experience anxiety while high, trying different strains may help. Additionally, cannabidiol, which is a non-psychoactive cannabis product, has been found to reduce anxiety at all doses.

Here’s What You Need to Know First

Thinking about using marijuana before sex? There are a few things you need to know beforehand. In general, it isn’t a good idea to just go for it. Take some time to experiment with different doses and strains before having sex while high. In general, it seems that starting with a low dose is probably the best.

Lastly, and this goes without saying, never ever dose your partner without permission or pressure them into using marijuana before sex. Like all sexual experiences, consent is a non-negotiable when you’re using weed in the bedroom.

The Fresh ToastThe most trusted name in cannabis

Trying marijuana for the first time? Here’s how to get that high you’re seeking.

Smoking a joint like it’s a cigar

Going all out on your first try

Now knowing how to use the carb

Freaking out

Packing the bowl wrong

Using a bad lighter

Torching the bowl

Poor marijuana storage

Coughing is a good thing

Eating raw marijuana

Though sometimes grill temps can be a little high for cannabis cooking, there’s a few ways to get around this if you want to be creative. Here are some tips.

Toss​ ​with​ ​THC​ before​ ​cooking

Seal​-in​ foil​ ​for​ ​safe​ ​THC​ ​keeping

Potatoes are absolutely fabulous on the grill

Medicate ​after​ the​ ​grill

BBQ ribs, hot dogs, sausages

Way Down East

Related: The BEST Delicious Whiskey Cocktails

The Intellectualist

Related: 5 Brilliant Cannabis-Infused Daiquiri Recipes

The Optimistic Panda

Chai Masala Gin And Tonic

Related: 5 Great Ways To Use Fresh Herbs In Your Craft Cocktails

Smoked Sage And Cranberry Tonic And Gin

A relaxing bath with CBD bath bombs probably sounds nice right about now. Here’s what you should know about them.

The GOP and Biden aren’t concerned about small businesses…or your wallet

“I really appreciated marijuana way more than alcohol or anything else,” the actress once said. Has her view changed? Let’s discuss.

“Charlize is a whirlwind of sexual energy. I hate to burden people with expectations but Charlize seems to me an effortless star presence. She’s fearless, beguiling, a big card player and quite a hoot.”

As if more frequent sex and an increased desire for sex isn’t good enough, it appears that weed makes the whole experience better. Who doesn’t want that?

Increased Sexual Desire

More Frequent Sex

Better Sex

Reducing Anxiety

Here’s What You Need to Know First

Don't Miss Your Weekly Dose of The Fresh Toast.

Toss with THC before cooking

Seal-in foil for safe THC keeping

Medicate after the grill