Sunday, December 21, 2025
Home Blog Page 873

How Texas Cannabis Activists Are Battling Stoner Stereotypes

Brendan Bures
-
0
How Texas Cannabis Activists Are Battling Stoner Stereotypes

Promoting medical marijuana and educating skeptics can be tough anywhere across America, including legal states. Advertisement restrictions are vast, and politicians routinely turn toward social media to advertise marijuana initiatives. But how do you target a different type of voter, one with entrenched attitudes toward cannabis, in areas like rural Texas?

The answer: A man in a cowboy hat. He’ll tell you what’s on his mind and it’s simple. “Medical cannabis isn’t legal for most Texans, and that’s just not right.”

Such a man exists and he’s part of a political ad campaign from Foundation for an Informed Texas and its executive director Jax Finkle. The group is fighting to have the state’s cannabis laws expanded. Under the Compassionate Use Act, only patients suffering from intractable epilepsy may access low-THC cannabinoid oil to treat their symptoms.

“So we’re working on an education campaign focused on rural Texas so that we can go to people in rural areas so they can understand what kind of program we have in Texas and then understand what medical cannabis really is,” Finkle told Texas Public Radio.

Hence the man in the cowboy hat. He goes unnamed throughout the video, as we watch him fix a tractor and attend to this country homestead. He relates tales of dealing with pain after working in the oil and renewable energy industries, and how he was prescribed opiates, which didn’t work for him. That’s why he turned to cannabis.

“It’s important to understand that it really is a medicine—it’s a plant-based medicine,” he says. “I like to work outside; I want to hunt; I want to fish; I like to be out on the farm. It truly improved my quality of life.”

The goal of the advertisement, according to Finkle, is to combat negative attitudes Texans may hold against legalizing cannabis ahead of the state’s 2019 legislative session. Whether Texas politicians will respond to such an initiative remains up for debate, but these are the workarounds activists must pursue in a large state like Texas. With its neighbors to the north in Oklahoma legalizing medical marijuana recently, and Texas Republicans and Democrats adding medical marijuana to its party platforms, medical marijuana in Texas could be closer than we think.

Ryan Reynolds Is Producing A Stoner Revival Of ‘Home Alone’

Brendan Bures
-
0
Ryan Reynolds Is Producing A Stoner Revival Of ‘Home Alone’

In basketball we have what’s called a “heat check.” The premise is simple: A player gets “hot,” swishing every basket he shoots, and momentarily appears unstoppable. The confidence becomes contagious and said player actually believes he can’t miss. To test his own surging momentum, the player will fire any shot from anywhere on the court. Usually this involves a “bad shot,” like being guarded by three defenders, or launching a shot just after passing the half court line. This is the “heat check” moment — if he makes the shot, the player truly is an unstoppable superhero like Superman, but if he misses, he returns to Earth as a mortal, the miss representing a suggestion to stay in his lane.

Ryan Reynolds is having a heat check moment. Following his career reinvention as Deadpool, and the commercial success of Reynolds projects like Life and Hitman’s Bodyguard, you’d be forgiven for thinking the actor can’t miss. Reynolds is in that rare moment in a movie career where an artist can make any content they want and someone will give them the money necessary to do so.

So what’s Reynolds doing? An inspired revival of Home Alone, one of the most successful comedies ever, but instead of the adorably sadistic Macauley Caulkin stopping the would-be robbers, defending the home will be…a paranoid stoner. The R-rated movie, no joke, is called Stoned Alone.

Here’s the description from Deadline:

Stoned Alone is reminiscent of that hallowed comedy classic. It centers around a twenty-something weed growing loser who misses the plane for his holiday ski trip. He makes the best of things by getting high. Paranoia sets in and he believes he hears someone break into his house. Turns out thieves have broken in. Fully stoned and fueled by paranoia, he tries to thwart the thieves and defend his castle.

While Reynolds remains renowned for his boyish looks and antics, he doesn’t appear to be starring in Stoned Alone. Instead, Reynolds will produce the film through his production banner at Fox. Directing will be Augustine Frizzell, whose debut film Never Goin’ Back will premiere later this year.

Veterans Still Fighting For Legitimate Access to Medical Marijuana

Mike Adams
-
0
Veterans Still Fighting For Legitimate Access to Medical Marijuana

Millions of U.S. military veterans could benefit from using medical marijuana, according to survey from the Department of Veterans Affairs. That is, if they were allowed to. The VA still mostly prohibits patients from participating in statewide medical marijuana programs since cannabis is illegal under federal law. The department even refuses to conduct research to explore its potential therapeutic benefits.

Vets could easily be one of the largest patient sectors for this alternative medicine. Anyone who needs proof of this should look no further than the compassion programs happening on the west coast.

Local growers there have been donating portions of their crops to former military service members who prefer it to the prescription drugs doled out and paid for by the federal government. So far, thirty states have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes. Yet veterans in those areas, at least those who exclusively lean on the VA for medical care, are getting jammed up when it comes to getting their hands on medical marijuana.

The herb is a Schedule I dangerous drug in the eyes of Uncle Sam. This means the plant has “no known medical value,” putting VA doctors in a position to bypass this option when consulting with patients. The problem, many physicians say, is a lack of research. Although the VA has conducted a number of studies to expose the negative sides of pot consumption, not much research has been done to reveal its therapeutic potential.

There is a push in Congress to change that. A proposal introduced earlier this year in the House of Representative would force the VA to find out more about the medical powers of cananbis with respect to the treatment of chronic pain and PTSD. Still, lawmakers on the Hill seem to have forgotten that they hold the key to ending this on-going debacle. All they have to do is eliminate from the Controlled Substances Act and the attitude of the VA would change. But forcing the VA to conduct research will do very little to increase access for vets, Curt Cashour, a spokesperson for department told The New York Times.

“The opportunities for VA to conduct marijuana research are limited because of the restrictions imposed by federal law,” Cashour said. “If Congress wants to facilitate more federal research into Schedule 1 controlled substances such as marijuana, it can always choose to eliminate these restrictions.”

As it stands, the VA is conducting a couple of smaller cannabis-related studies. It is looking into whether cannabidiol (CBD), the non-intoxicating compound of the cannabis plant, might be useful for patients suffering from PTSD. It is also examining the use of cannabis is hospice.

Former Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin believes the government should be doing more. “We have an opioid crisis, a mental health crisis, and we have limited options with how to address them, so we should be looking at everything possible,” he said.

With or without permission from the government, veterans are going to continue using marijuana. A VA survey found that close to 10 percent of vets have used pot in the past year—half of them for therapeutic purposes. Still, these men and women need the federal restrictions to be lifted so they can have legitimate conversations about medical marijuana with their doctors. Unfortunately, lawmakers are passing the buck.

“You may be a big advocate of medical marijuana, you may feel it has no value,” said Representative Tim Walz of Minnesota. “Either way, you should want the evidence to prove it, and there is no better system to do that research than the VA.”

Jeff Sessions Threatens Federal Law Trumping State Marijuana Legislation

Brendan Bures
-
0
Jeff Sessions Threatens Federal Law Trumping State Marijuana Legislation

Jeff Sessions couldn’t stay quiet for long, could he? As marijuana legalization continues on an upward trajectory, with Oklahoma recently legalizing medical marijuana, you can’t imagine Sessions would sit out contently. During a press conference in Massachusetts Thursday, the Attorney General asserted that while states may legalize, the Department of Justice will enforce federal prohibition policies.

“Personally, my view is that the American republic will not be better if there are marijuana sales on every street corner,” Sessions said. “But states have a right to set their own laws and will do so.”

Sessions was in Massachusetts for an unrelated press conference on fraud prosecutions. During the conference, a reporter asked about the federal stance in regard to legalization in Massachusetts. Though voters legalized recreational marijuana two years ago, legal sales have yet to begin, though they are expected later this year.

“We’ll enforce the federal law,” Session said in response to the reporter’s question. “I mean, the federal law remains the law of the United States.”

Sessions’ comments appear to be fangless, however, as a Department of Justice spokesperson clarified to MassLive this wasn’t a change in policy for the Attorney General. Attorney Andrew Lelling, a top federal prosecutor who reports to Sessions, said in a statement that the feds remained focused on prosecutions that would stop the opioid epidemic. Despite Sessions rescinding the Cole Memo—the Obama-era policy that instructed federal prosecutors not to pursue marijuana-related cases in legal states—Lelling said regulators were acting like the policy was still in full effect.

Federal reform also appears on its way. Momentum is building for the STATES Act, which would recognize states’ marijuana laws and make it impossible to prosecute those compliant with their state laws for marijuana-related offenses. Donald Trump voiced support for the bipartisan bill earlier this summer as well.

How To Choose The Perfect Wine For A Wedding Present

Zach Geballe
-
0
How To Choose The Perfect Wine For A Wedding Present

In case you don’t happen to be at the time in your life when weddings are a seemingly-weekly occurrence, allow me to clarify: it’s wedding season! While I’d go beyond the purview of this column to talk about what you should wear to your second cousin’s all-day pig roast, I did want to talk about one specific element of weddings, namely buying wine as a wedding present.

While of course shopping off a registry or just forking over some cash is easier, it’s also a great deal less fun. Besides, no one remembers a year later who bought them the citrus reamer or the fish knives, but if you get them a great bottle of wine, they will damn sure thank you when they open it…which hopefully isn’t that night when Aunt Lucy is showing off what she learned at her salsa classes.

What’s Their Taste?

The first thing to take into consideration are of course the tastes of the married couple, because buying Chardonnay for those who would rather drink battery acid doesn’t make a good impression. Yet I wouldn’t fret too much about that, as even people who don’t regularly drink a type of wine will, inevitably, find a time and place for it.

What’s Their Storage Sitch?

More importantly, you should think about time and (storage) space. When I give wine as a wedding present, I often write something on the bottle like “Happy 5th Anniversary!” While the thirsts of the newlyweds might foil even the best-laid plans, I do find it helps to offer some guidance.

If the recipients don’t have any kind of wine collection, I wouldn’t give them something to hang onto for decades, as it will either be consumed quickly or forgotten about and stuck somewhere to (proverbially, I hope) rot.

Suggested Wines To Buy

That said, let’s talk about what kinds of wine to buy. Assuming you’re looking for age-worthiness, the key factors will be acidity and tannins, as both act as preservatives to keep the wine protected as it ages. With white wines, that typically means a few varietals (like Riesling and Chardonnay) from cooler climates like the Mosel Valley or Burgundy, while with reds there are a wider range of options.

Bordeaux is a classic selection, but the good (and great) wines get real expensive real fast. I’d look at less-heralded regions like Rioja in Spain, where you get tremendous complexity and ageability for a fraction of the price.

Bubbles Are Your Friend

Finally, don’t sleep on sparkling. Besides being a great wine for celebratory purposes, Champagne and other high-quality sparkling wine can actually age for a very long time, becoming more complex and nuanced over time. Plus, having a great bottle of bubbles stashed away is a must for any couple, because you never quite know when an emergency might strike.

How Important The Temperature Control On Your Vape Is

Nicole Skrobin
-
0
How Important The Temperature Control On Your Vape Is

If you had to choose, what’s your go-to cannabis consumption method? For some, it’s inhalation via smoking or vaping. For others, it’s oral consumption via edibles or infused capsules/tablets. Then, there’s those who prefer topically administering cannabis if their intention is to achieve localized relief. Let’s not forget about sublingual consumption though, which is gaining more popularity amongst children and older generations.

However transdermal cannabis products have started to earn a name for themselves recently, which deliver long-lasting effects. Regardless of your go-to cannabis consumption method, there are ways to control cannabis’s effects aside from the particular strain you choose. Read on to find out how maintaining proper temperature control plays a role in regulating cannabis’s effects.

Complexity of the Cannabis Plant & Its Compounds

So far, it has been found that the cannabis plant contains over 70 recognized cannabinoids. As time goes on, more cannabinoids and Phyto-cannabinoids are being discovered. In general, each cannabinoid possesses its own medicinal value and effects. Some cannabinoids are non-psychoactive meaning that they don’t deliver psycho-active effects. A few of these cannabinoids include Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabinol (CBN), and Cannabigerol (CBG). Whereas, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the cannabinoid responsible for delivering psycho-active effects known as a cerebral ‘high’ feeling. Regardless of each cannabinoid’s effects, they all contain their own medicinal benefits.

In addition to cannabinoids, within the cannabis plant, there are other compounds known as terpenoids (terpenes) and flavonoids. Each of these compounds possess their own effects and medical value too. Then, some of these compounds have an affect on others, which is often referred to as the ‘entourage effect’. What’s the meaning behind all this though?

Purpose of Different Temperatures 

When lighting up a joint, bowl, or blunt, what are you really doing? When smoking cannabis, the bud is heated up until it hits a combustion point. The herb is literally set on fire. Once cannabis is burned, all the compounds within that strain are immediately released. With this being said, temperature plays a vital role when it comes to consuming cannabis. In general, individuals can utilize different temperatures to release certain compounds and cannabinoids within the cannabis that’s consumed. How does this process work, and what should you know about various temperatures regarding cannabis consumption?

Overall, each cannabis compound and cannabinoid contain their own boiling point. This means that a particular compound or multiple compounds are released out of the herb once it reaches a certain temperature. Because of this, an individual can control (to a certain level) the effects that cannabis produces and delivers. If users regulate the temperature at which they consume the herb, they can regulate the compounds that get released in substantial quantities through their particular boiling points.

Optimal Cannabis Consumption Methods

Although smoking cannabis has been a commonly-used consumption method for years, it’s not necessarily the best way to consume cannabis. Instead, some may think that edibles are an ideal way to control cannabis’s effects. However, this isn’t the case either. The longer one heats cannabis, the value placed on boiling points lessens. As time goes on, the highest heat-resistant cannabis compounds begin releasing themselves from the herb. One main issue with edibles is that they’re normally exposed to heat for extended periods of time (much longer than that of vaping).

Generally, vaping cannabis is the best way to control cannabis’s effects. In the past decade, vaping cannabis has evolved into a huge trend. Vaporizers have existed for more than ten years, however, the increased demand for vaping has led to advanced vaporizer technologies. Nowadays, most vaporizers contain built-in temperature control features. Therefore, users can properly adjust their vaping and cannabis consuming experience.

Overall, though, vaping is the optimal consumption method that allows users to control cannabis’s effects via temperature control. This is the case because the specific temperature range that cannabis is vaped at is the same exact temperature range that almost every cannabis compound begins releasing in large quantities. Also, the temperature range is the same in which users can dodge toxic by-products that can arise from combustion.

Temperature Range Guidelines

Furthermore, to understand the differences in effects of cannabis compounds, it helps to keep these temperature ranges in mind when vaping:

Low-temperature range (320 Fahrenheit/160 Celsius—356 Fahrenheit/180 Celsius):

Light mental/cerebral medication, subtle physical effects, and strictly medical effects of THC

Mid-temperature range (356 Fahrenheit/180 Celsius—392 Fahrenheit/200 Celsius):

Moderate to strong mental and physical medication, clear mental and physical effects, and Cannabidiol’s medicinal effects become clearer (if the cannabis strain contains a significant CBD content)

High-temperature range (392 Fahrenheit/200 Celsius—446 Fahrenheit/230 Celsius):

Intense mental and physical medication, strong bodily effects, and medicinal effects of all terpenoids and cannabinoids become clearer

All in all, it’s suggested to start off in the lower temperature range, and work your way up. Utilizing all temperature ranges in a single medicating session is one way to vape cannabis depending on your reasons for usage. However, if your goal is to effectively medicate and conserve on the amount of cannabis you use, vaping is an ideal way to go. Next time you consume cannabis, think carefully about the best consumption method for you.

Is Mexico About To Legalize All Drugs?

Brendan Bures
-
0
Is Mexico About To Legalize All Drugs?

Mexico’s President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador is considering legalizing all drugs in a creative effort to combat the violent crime and cartels in the country. Obrador, affectionately nicknamed AMLO, has given incoming Interior Minister Olga Sanchez Cordero the freedom to do “Whatever is necessary to restore peace in this country,” according to El Pais.

Cordero was speaking at a seminar to speak on narcotics-related violence when she mentioned that his instruction included a possible reevaluation of drug legislation.

“He knew perfectly well about my lectures and my articles in the press about the decriminalization of drugs,” Cordero said. “On the subject of decriminalizing drugs, Andres Manuel told me, and I quote: ‘Carte blanche…. Let’s open up the debate,’” she said.

Little headway has been made against the War on Drugs. Since 2006, when Mexico unleashed its army to fight drug trafficking, violence has steadily climbed. The militarization policy resulted in more than 200,000 murders and there is expected to be more than 30,000 murders in 2018. Cordero, who served on the Mexico supreme court for 21 years, said the military action violated the constitutional statute civilian authorities have to public safety.

“What no one can deny with hard data is that, at least in the past 10 years, the Mexican government has been incapable of stopping violence and responding to it with institutional mechanisms,” Cordero insisted.

Via Deutsche Welle:

The future interior minister also spoke about her plans to propose legislation in Congress for a so-called “transitional justice system,” that would include reduced sentences for criminals who cooperate with authorities on unsolved crimes. This would be an attempt to make headway in solving the tens of thousands of missing persons cases currently in Mexico.

But it would also include Lopez Obrador’s controversial proposal to provide legal amnesty for certain drug crimes. In her appearance on Tuesday, Sanchez Cordero clarified that those responsible for “grave human rights violations” would not be eligible for the proposed amnesty.

She also added, “A transitional justice system for Mexico is possible and urgent, not just for the victims of the violence but for all of Mexican society.”

5 Tips For Ordering The Healthiest Cup Of Coffee

Amy Hansen
-
0
5 Tips For Ordering The Healthiest Cup Of Coffee

Ordering coffee can take up a good portion of your day. By the time your drink is actually made, it’s almost time for another cup. There’s so many things to consider: coffee origin (Kenya, Costa Rica or Ethiopia?), milk preference (soy, whole, or nut?), syrups (simple, vanilla or mocha?) and size (short, tall or venti?). Not to mention hot, iced or blended. And you wonder why the line at Starbucks is so damn long. But how do you know your getting the healthiest cup of coffee you can?

Dr. Bob Arnot is here to the rescue.

He’s written a book, The Coffee Lover’s Diet, in which he examines all of those confusing studies on coffee and its effects on our health. Not to mention, he and his team performed more than 40 studies to reach their own conclusion as to which beans and best.

Dr. Arnot emphasizes that the most important part of our coffee ritual is the level of polyphenols, the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich micronutrients that are also found in wine and green tea (and why there are so many studies that boast the positive effects of drinking both).

Well + Good dug a bit deeper into the book to give us the five tips Dr. Arnot shares to ensure we’re getting the best cuppa in the morning.

1. Know Where Your Beans Come From

“The best regions are at high altitudes, have rich, volcanic soil, and are close to the equator,” says Dr. Arnot. “When you think about it, this is true for most plants, not just coffee beans. Vegetables and fruit grown in rich, nutrient-dense soil are going to be better for you.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTPmickDW6N

2. Choose A Light Roast

Dr. Arnot says it’s a myth that darker roasts have more caffeine. “We roasted beans in five degree elements and found the lightest ones were the highest in polyphenols.” He says dark roasts are a good way for coffee makers to cover their errors. “A lot of Americans think burnt coffee is just the way coffee tastes.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BW_WySpBHQ6

3. Don’t Get Distracted By The Brew Method 

While alternative Mr. Coffee methods are great, don’t get caught up in the difference between pour-over, Chemex, Aeropress, and all that other stuff. Yes, it’s fun but, “Don’t let fancy terms distract you from where the coffee beans are coming from.”

Well + Good points out that Dr. Arnot prefers to brew his coffee the Turkish way, which involves grinding the beans until they’re a very fine powder, resulting in the most polyphenols.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BW-9aPfApEG

4. Quality Over Quantity

More caffeine doesn’t necessarily mean better. Says Dr. Arnot, “For some people, caffeine can make them jittery, anxious, or keep them up at night. It’s important to pay attention to your body to see how much makes you feel your best.”

He says there are amazing decafs that still have high levels of polyphenols.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUW2EiUATgH

5. Don’t Dilute It 

Sugars and creamers are all fine and good, but the more stuff you add, the lower the amount of polyphenols. Dr. Arnot says, “If you have an amazing light roast, the taste will be so complex you don’t need any add-ins. It’s just so good the way it is.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BW85TjNgfk8/

14 Productive Things You Can Do After Smoking Marijuana

Rachel Krantz
-
0
14 Productive Things You Can Do After Smoking Marijuana

I’m a big fan of using cannabis productively. Sure, sometimes I like to lay around and watch a movie or otherwise veg out, but in general, marijuana tends to be an energizing drug for me, provided I set out from the get-go with an intention to move or understand my own mind better. Over the years, I’ve realized that there are certain productive things like chores and tasks that weed can be especially helpful for getting started on.


In general, I think that bribing yourself to do things you’ve been dreading is one of the most productive ways to use the drug — though using it to understand you own mind and body better is certainly even more important. Putting off that conversation with mom? Need to exercise or clean the apartment? Trying to learn to meditate? There are many options to put your love of Mary Jane to good use. Use these ideas as jumping off points, and remember — any of these productive stoner ideas can be done sober too!

Clean Your Place

http://giphy.com/gifs/cleaning-clean-HIrYP4RI9DpLy

Cleaning with some earbuds in — or better yet, silently — is meditative and oddly fun when you’re stoned, at least for me. It’s going to feel really satisfying to see your sink get all sparkly white, or to vacuum the house a little buzzed. Even better, it’s also pretty much a workout.

Get Rid Of A Bunch Of Stuff

http://giphy.com/gifs/southparkgifs-3o6ZtagZ74DibPxw2Y

A variation of cleaning, doing this stoned can give you a great perspective on which clothes and other items in your home just aren’t serving you anymore. You can ask yourself, “does this bring me joy?” or, “is this me now, or the old me?” and get rid of the stuff that’s weighing you down. Just be careful — you might end up purging more than you intended.

Call Someone You’ve Been Putting Off Talking To

Though not everyone does, I know I tend to put off calling my parents. If I have a conversation I’m particularly dreading — like I know I’m in for a major guilt trip about how I don’t call often enough — sometimes, I find taking a walk, getting a little high, and calling them helps give me the extra push I need to have a conversation with more patience and compassion. When you’re stoned, everything becomes a little more funny and easy to have perspective on, including the things that usually intimidate or annoy you.

Challenge Yourself To Do Something Brave

http://gph.is/2btguAf

The other week, I was only able to finally bribe myself into trying an exercise dance class (the humiliation! the fun!) by getting stoned beforehand. The idea of going to a dance class terrified me, but I was finally able to get myself there by promising that I would just go high and let it be a funny adventure for myself. It helped alleviate my self-consciousness, and guess what — I had a ton of fun. I allowed myself to use the same bribe the next day, and after that, I saw that I had conquered my fear and pushed myself to form a new habit I’m now genuinely excited about. Now that I’m not afraid, I don’t feel the need to get buzzed beforehand (though I’m sure I still might sometimes), and I’m glad MJ helped give me that little extra push I needed to remind myself I’m much braver than I think.

Your something brave might be a fitness class, a painting class, going to see some music alone, going to a party — the possibilities are endless. So long as you’re not driving or potentially going to hurt anyone else by showing up a little buzzed, do it.

Dance Around In Your Room

http://giphy.com/gifs/american-idol-xiv-IoqS1X90JZa0M

If going to a dance class sounds too scary, I highly suggest getting buzzed, putting on your favorite dance hits, and grooving hardcore in your room, preferably naked or in your underwear. Not only is it great exercise, but it will get the endorphins flowing, and help you practice being less judgmental with yourself. A dance party for one can be the best kind of party.

Try To Meditate

http://giphy.com/gifs/trailer-tlc-5ifUgGdvc8AiQ

And by meditate, I mean you can either sit and listen to your thoughts and breath in the present moment — or try one of these ideas, where you don’t have to sit at all. So long as you’re setting an intention to be mindful of your stream of consciousness and practice brining yourself back to the breath and the present moment, that’s meditation. The goal is not to “not think” at all, but rather to understand your own thought-patterns more. Weed is great for that in general, but if you try to focus its tendency to help you notice your thoughts from different angles, it can be incredibly productive.

Write A Stream Of Consciousness “List”

If meditating on the breath isn’t your style, try this variation, where you sit down at the computer or journal and write your stoned stream of consciousness. If it’s easier, do it in list form, and just write your thoughts as you come, without pause or editing. The next day, you’ll have a valuable record of what you were thinking about, and you won’t have lost all those brilliant and creative ideas that popped into your head high. Even if you only have a good laugh, journaling is in itself healthy and productive, and this form of non-judgmental writing is indeed meditative.

Make Some Art You Don’t Usually Make

http://giphy.com/gifs/coloring-rYtsMRyIyL9Ic

Whether you consider yourself an artist or not, the benefits of drawing, coloring, or otherwise making art are real. Make collages with friends. Finger-paint. Buy some Play-Doh. If visual art is already your serious craft of choice, challenge yourself to write or make music instead. The point is, you’re trying to exercise a different creative muscle here, and to remember that making things doesn’t have to just be about “being good” at something. At its root, it should be about having fun.

See Some Comedy

Yes, laughing is productive. It is cathartic and has proven health benefits. The next time you get buzzed, see some comedy, or watch some standup online. This is as easy as it gets, but it is important. Don’t just choose your comfort-zone show that makes you lightly smile. I want you to pick something that almost sounds like too much work because it might make you end up peeing your pants.

Eat Mindfully

http://giphy.com/gifs/eating-NU5aVd13mMbPW

When you’re stoned, you actually have a great chance to begin reprogramming your relationship with food. Try checking in with yourself and asking, “what is my body really craving right now?” and, “what would make it feel truly satisfied and nourished?” If you’re craving salt, make yourself a healthy snack like popcorn, and take your time dress it up with toppings exactly as you want it. If you want sweet, challenge yourself to bake exactly what you want, or go on an adventure to find it. When you do eat, challenge yourself to do so slowly, without the distraction of a screen. Notice each bite as much as you can, slow your chewing, appreciate your food, and the fact that you were able to give yourself exactly what you wanted.

Masturbate And/Or Have Sex Presently

Check out my stoned sex tips and see if you can be as present and honest as possible when you’re masturbating or having sex stoned. Use your heightened state as a way to focus more on your breath, or to notice the self-conscious thought patterns that aren’t serving you (“am I taking too long?” “am I doing this right?”). Let go, and see if you can use your heightened state to remind yourself to keep coming back to the present, arousing moment.

Go Out Alone

http://giphy.com/gifs/foreveralone-cRLzoE7cr1DLq

A variation on challenging yourself to be brave, being comfortable doing things alone is a challenge for some of us — especially women, who have been socialized to believe it is dangerous, or invites harassment. At a level that’s safe for you, go out lightly stoned and alone with as few safety blankets as possible. Try to see if you can take a very long walk by yourself, with only your thoughts as company. Go out to a nice dinner, and see if you can sit and simply focus on your food, and eating presently, noticing what’s happening around you. Go listen to some music. Sit on a park bench. If all this sounds too terrifying, check out this list of romantic dates you can take yourself on, and consider bringing something that makes you feel safe, like music, a journal, or a task you’re going to achieve while you’re out.

Talk To Yourself In The Mirror

All of the activities above cultivate compassion for yourself, but to get at it more directly, next time you’re high, talk to yourself in the mirror. You’ll feel weird at first, but try placing your hand over your heart and speaking from there. If you don’t like what you see, talk about it with yourself. If there’s a part of your body you don’t like, place a hand on it and try to send love and acceptance to it, or even say what you don’t like or how you’re feeling to your own face — just to get it out of your mind. You may find that in voicing your inner critic she loses some of her power. Ask yourself the question below, as well.

Ask Yourself: “What Do You Really Want?”

http://giphy.com/gifs/netflix-lily-tomlin-jane-fonda-grace-and-frankie-3o6Zt0I6EJOoFRNpJe

It’s a simple question, but when you take the time to really check in with yourself and answer the question honestly, the answer can be revelatory. Maybe it’s realizing you really want to feel safe and taken care of, and making yourself a pillow fort in response. Maybe it’s realizing you really want to try rock climbing, but have been too afraid to try. Whatever it is, try to practice checking in with yourself —  and then just doing the bravest, most non-judgmental and compassionate version of whatever the answer is. Be wary of the words “should” or “need” — and try to practice listening to yourself in a way that is kind — but doesn’t let yourself off the hook, either. You productive stoner, you.

 

3 Questions About Tequila, Answered

Jeffrey Miller
-
0
3 Questions About Tequila, Answered

In less than a decade, worldwide sales of tequila have doubled, while sales of premium and ultra-premium brands have shot up by 292 percent and 706 percent, respectively.

An agave plant cutter, or ‘jimador,’ cuts the tips off from agave branches at a Jose Cuervo blue agave field. / Photo: AP Photo/Guillermo Arias

In recent years, you may have heard of tequila tastings and walked by a new mezcal bar – and wondered about the difference between the two. Or you’ve seen a headline proclaiming that a shot of tequila a day will keep the doctor away.

As a food historian, I hope to debunk some myths and explore some little-known aspects of the Mexican spirit that’s become a global phenomenon.

What’s the deal with the worm?

Walking through the tequila section of your local liquor store, you may see a bottle with a worm floating in it. But if you see one, you’re looking at a bottle of mezcal – not tequila.

While all tequila is mezcal, all mezcal is not tequila: To be labeled as tequila the spirit must be distilled from at least 51 percent blue agave (Agave weberii) and made within a region around the Mexican town of Tequila.

Mezcals, on the other hand, can be made from any of 30 aloe-like succulents and can be made in a number of Mexican states.

As for the worm, it’s the larva of the maguey moth, an animal that lives and feeds on agave plants.

Hundreds of red worms used in mezcal wait to be placed into bottles at a plant in Oaxaca, Mexico. AP Photo/Gregory Bull

It was originally inserted into bottles of Gusano Rojo mezcal as a marketing gimmick. The worm isn’t a psychedelic as fraternity lore would have it, but it is edible and is sold as a delicacy in food markets across central Mexico.

Can tequila actually be good for you?

Tequila has long been thought of as a cure for various ailments.

During the influenza pandemic of 1918, Mexican doctors would prescribe tequila with lemon and salt to treat flu symptoms. To this day, Mexicans stir it into hot tea with honey to assuage sore throats.

In recent years, you may have come across articles giddily announcing that a shot of tequila a day can lower bad cholesterol and blood sugar.

But the study showing lower cholesterol levels was conducted on mice, and there’s been no evidence showing the same effect on humans. (In fact, the findings for mice couldn’t be replicated in a similar study.) Meanwhile, agave has been shown to have a higher fructose content than sugar – and even high-fructose corn syrup.

In the end, there’s not likely to be any inadvertent health benefits to your tequila benders.

Is the margarita named after a woman?

Tequila is mixed with lime juice, salt and liquor to make the margarita, one of the more popular summer cocktails.

Most of the margarita’s origin stories claim it was named after a girl named Margarita. One version of the legend says that the drink was named after dancer Marjorie King: On a trip to Mexico, she asked a bartender near Tijuana to make her a drink with tequila since she was allergic to grain-based spirits. Another version traces the drink to Ensenada, Mexico, where, in the early 1940s, a bartender concocted the drink to honor Margarita Henkel, the daughter of the German Ambassador to Mexico.

Neither story is probably true. Before Prohibition, a very popular cocktail in California was the Brandy Daisy, a mix of brandy, Curaçao liqueur and lemon juice. As people drifted over the border into Mexico to evade Prohibition’s restrictions, it’s likely that bartenders began making the drink with Mexico’s national spirit, which would have been more available and cheaper.

The Conversation“Margarita” is Spanish for daisy, so when Americans ordered a daisy, it would have been natural for the bartender to reply, “One margarita, coming up.”

Jeffrey Miller, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Hospitality Management, Colorado State University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. 

1...872873874...1,460Page 873 of 1,460

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

Stay informed with exclusive news briefs delivered directly to your inbox every Friday.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.

The Fresh Toast is an award-winning lifestyle & health platform with a side of cannabis. We work hard each day to bring uplifting and informative information about culture, weed, celebrity, tech and medical marijuana.

© Copyright @2020