Florida Marijuana Legalization and What it Means for the South

Posted by CANNASaver on Saturday, 12 November 2016 in Canna Blog

What Medical Marijuana Means for the South

 
Florida has passed medical marijuana into legalization, and they could be responsible for more expansion of the industry than they realize. Since Florida is in close proximity to some particularly anti-marijuana southern states, we may see some similarities between what has been happening in Colorado and what could happen to Florida, but there is a chance that their participation in the industry could lead to a much faster acceptance in surrounding states.

I am from Tennessee, which is not a great place to live if you want marijuana to be an important part of your life, as even with heartbreaking stories of kids with ailments that could be extremely effectively remedied by medical cannabis, the push to get any sort of new state legislation on the plant has always failed. But now that Florida will be cultivating medical marijuana there is most likely going to be an overflow of black market sales from Florida to surrounding states, as that market never completely disappears, even in Colorado where you would think recreational sales would have helped squelch that presence there are still many people who use dispensary deals to make extra money on the side.

Some time ago Colorado came under scrutiny from surrounding states because it was said that their law enforcement was having to deal with more and more issues coming from recreational sales, people crossing state lines with products either just bought for themselves or in some cases just general trafficking. While this is of course a negative it does begin to tear down arguments against marijuana use, especially when you see your state’s populous leaving to go somewhere else to spend their money. This has an interesting effect of encouragement on the public from surrounding states, and can help push a state government to more seriously consider just what it is their state may be losing out on by not having their own medical or recreational programs in place.

The initial effect is generally some degree of exodus, and we will probably see many of the people that genuinely need cannabis for medical purposes moving to Florida from surrounding states. In Colorado’s case this heavily impacted the real estate market, and should they decide to move forward with recreational sales they will also see a great rise in their already substantial tourism industry. But even more important is the presence of an acceptance of marijuana in the south.

The south really has made no advancement in marijuana acceptance or legislation, with the exception of some instances where CBD products are available in medical capacities, but recreational might as well be a curse word. But now that Florida has begun their journey to solidify their own medical market, the southern states will have to sit by and watch as Florida rakes in money that could be theirs if they were to think about some form of legalization. This presence alone is important, as the previous closest place to watch deal with the marijuana industry was Washington D.C. I believe.

I left Tennessee to come to Colorado to be a part of this industry and gain as much experience as I could so that someday I could return and help my home’s market expand as much as possible, but the main reason I left was because I felt that southern states would be among the last to accept any kind of industry existence. But now that Florida has begun their journey I am much more hopeful that the south will take a much harder look at just what can be gained from participation in this growing marijuana world. I just hope that it goes well, so that I can go home someday and help the people close to me.

Florida Marijuana Legalization and its Impact on the South

Posted by CANNASaver on Saturday, 12 November 2016 in Canna Blog

What Medical Marijuana Means for the South

 
Florida has passed medical marijuana into legalization, and they could be responsible for more expansion of the industry than they realize. Since Florida is in close proximity to some particularly anti-marijuana southern states, we may see some similarities between what has been happening in Colorado and what could happen to Florida, but there is a chance that their participation in the industry could lead to a much faster acceptance in surrounding states.

I am from Tennessee, which is not a great place to live if you want marijuana to be an important part of your life, as even with heartbreaking stories of kids with ailments that could be extremely effectively remedied by medical cannabis, the push to get any sort of new state legislation on the plant has always failed. But now that Florida will be cultivating medical marijuana there is most likely going to be an overflow of black market sales from Florida to surrounding states, as that market never completely disappears, even in Colorado where you would think recreational sales would have helped squelch that presence there are still many people who use dispensary deals to make extra money on the side.

Some time ago Colorado came under scrutiny from surrounding states because it was said that their law enforcement was having to deal with more and more issues coming from recreational sales, people crossing state lines with products either just bought for themselves or in some cases just general trafficking. While this is of course a negative it does begin to tear down arguments against marijuana use, especially when you see your state’s populous leaving to go somewhere else to spend their money. This has an interesting effect of encouragement on the public from surrounding states, and can help push a state government to more seriously consider just what it is their state may be losing out on by not having their own medical or recreational programs in place.

The initial effect is generally some degree of exodus, and we will probably see many of the people that genuinely need cannabis for medical purposes moving to Florida from surrounding states. In Colorado’s case this heavily impacted the real estate market, and should they decide to move forward with recreational sales they will also see a great rise in their already substantial tourism industry. But even more important is the presence of an acceptance of marijuana in the south.

The south really has made no advancement in marijuana acceptance or legislation, with the exception of some instances where CBD products are available in medical capacities, but recreational might as well be a curse word. But now that Florida has begun their journey to solidify their own medical market, the southern states will have to sit by and watch as Florida rakes in money that could be theirs if they were to think about some form of legalization. This presence alone is important, as the previous closest place to watch deal with the marijuana industry was Washington D.C. I believe.

I left Tennessee to come to Colorado to be a part of this industry and gain as much experience as I could so that someday I could return and help my home’s market expand as much as possible, but the main reason I left was because I felt that southern states would be among the last to accept any kind of industry existence. But now that Florida has begun their journey I am much more hopeful that the south will take a much harder look at just what can be gained from participation in this growing marijuana world. I just hope that it goes well, so that I can go home someday and help the people close to me.

States Vote Yes to Marijuana! $8 Billion Expected

Posted by CANNASaver on Thursday, 10 November 2016 in Canna Blog

STATES VOTE YES $8 BILLION EXPECTED

Hello, and thank you. It is now time to mark this date in history in yet another forward movement for man kind and conduct happy celebration for the cannabis reception of the century.  Several states now take a position on the pro-cannabis course that's expected to generate at least another $8 billion in cannabis revenues as this ramps up.

 California now joins the union where recreational pot has already been in sales and use; Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington. California being the top dog obviously due to the large population has approved recreational cannabis and anticipates an estimated annual revenue of $1.4 billion dollars on rec sales alone. Cali already sees an estimated $2.7 billion from legal medical pot sales.

 Nate Bradley, executive director of the California Cannabis Industry Association said, "Proposition 64 will allow California to take its rightful place as the center of cannabis innovation, research and development. We are very excited that citizens of California voted to end the failed policy of marijuana prohibition."

 Chief Ken Corney, president of the California Police Chiefs Association seems a tad bit annoyed as one can assume by his statement, "We are, of course, disappointed that the self-serving moneyed interests behind this marijuana business plan prevailed at the cost of public health, safety, and the wellbeing of our communities.” “We will take a thorough look at the flaws in Proposition 64 that will negatively impact public health and safety, such as the initiative’s substandard advertising restrictions and lack of prosecutorial tools for driving under the influence of marijuana, and begin to develop legislative solutions."  Sort of a buzz kill dude.

abc10 reports that since Proposition 64 passed Tuesday night, adult use of recreational marijuana is now legal in California. People over the age of 21 are now allowed to carry and use up to an ounce of marijuana and grow up to six plants for personal use.

 Marijuana will be legal for commercial sale once businesses receive proper licensing, according to California NORML, a group dedicated to reforming the state's marijuana laws.

 

When can you start to Recreationally smoke?

Technically, you may use marijuana without a medical card starting at midnight November 9, 2016. Restricted areas of use include all public places, according to NORML.

So to recap history, Arkansas, Florida and North Dakota voted in favor of legalized use, sales, and consumption of medical marijuana. California, Massachusetts and Nevada have voted in favor legalized recreational marijuana in each of their states, but Arizona did not pass.

What's the financial future?

 A recent study found that in 2015, the  legalization of cannabis infused Colorado with nearly $120 million in new tax revenue. Sales were closing in on  $1 billion and it's been reported that by the year 2020, the U.S. cannabis industry could reach over $22 billion. More revenue, more career opportunities, less stress on society and more sales at the snack counter. Now that's a perfect world!

Enjoy the Now~

Mr.D

Marijuana Most Certainly Trumped the Election!

Posted by CANNASaver on Wednesday, 09 November 2016 in Canna Blog

Marijuana Won Big with More States Voting Yes for Recreational or MMJ

The 2016 election results are rolling in, and more states have voted to legalize recreational marijuana. With several states also voting to expand or legalize medical marijuana, it's a greener day today in America. Recreational marijuana legalization was on the ballot in Massachusetts, California, Maine, Arizona, and Nevada, while voters in Arkansas, Florida, North Dakota and Montana faced ballot questions relating to the initiation or expansion of medical marijuana programs. Cannabis activists around the country put in countless hours of work campaigning for marijuana legalization, and while their efforts didn't win out across the board, the 2016 election results are a definite win for marijuana.

Here are the state by state election results for recreational marijuana legalization and medical marijuana

Massachusetts marijuana election results

Massachusetts voters decided on Question 4 legalizing marijuana throughout the state. With 96% of people precincts reporting, the Massachusetts Question 4 results were 54% in favor of marijuana legalization with a lead of over 230,000 votes. Recreational marijuana will now be legalized in Massachusetts.

This measure allows for the sale, cultivation, use, and distribution of marijuana for adults age 21 or older and establishes a system for regulating and taxing retail marijuana sales.

California recreational marijuana election results

California voters decided to approve Proposition 64 legalizing recreational marijuana throughout the state. With 96% of the votes counted, Proposition 64 was leading by more than 1,000,000 votes. These California election results legalize marijuana recreational sales, possession, and cultivation.

Arizona election results for marijuana legalization

In Arizona election results for Proposition 205 did not legalize marijuana possession for adults age 21 and older. With 98% of the votes counted, there were over 80,000  more votes opposing Proposition 205 than there were votes in favor of marijuana legalization. For now, recreational marijuana remains illegal in Arizona.

Maine marijuana legalization election results

Maine voters decided on marijuana legalization initiative that would legalize marijuana possession of up to 2 ½ ounces and allow residents to grow up to six marijuana plants. At the time of this writing,the vote is extremely close with those in favor of Maine marijuana legalization having a slight lead. With 90% of precincts reporting, the marijuana legalization initiative had earned 50% of the votes with a less than 5,000 vote difference between those in favor and those opposed.

Nevada marijuana election results

Nevada marijuana election results have legalized marijuana possession and recreational sales, establishing a 15% sales tax and giving established medical marijuana dispensaries in Nevada the first opportunity to apply for a recreational marijuana sales license. The Nevada marijuana legalization initiative passed by a very slim margin of less than 100,000 votes.

Arkansas marijuana legalization election results

In Arkansas voters decided in favor of medical marijuana legalization by a slim margin of less than 70,000 votes. The election results for Arkansas marijuana legalization Issue 6 legalizes marijuana use for 17 different medical conditions.

Florida medical marijuana election results

Florida has legalized medical marijuana.Florida medical marijuana election results legalize marijuana use for approved debilitating conditions and diseases. Amendment 2 passed by a wide margin. With 100% of precincts reporting, 71% of voters chose to legalize medical marijuana in Florida, with nearly 4,000,000 more votes in favor than in opposition.

Montana marijuana election results

Montana voters decided to expand the state’s medical marijuana program, voting in favor of Montana medical marijuana initiative I-182. With 97% reporting, the medical marijuana measure had won 57% of the vote. These election results repeal the three patient limit imposed on medical marijuana providers, adds PTSD and chronic pain to the list of approved conditions, and paves the way for the expansion of the medical marijuana industry in Montana.

North Dakota medical marijuana election results

North Dakota medical marijuana election results are in favor of medical marijuana legalization by a 64% margin. North Dakota Measure 5 legalizes medical marijuana for epilepsy, glaucoma, cancer, ALS, and several other specified conditions.

Marijuana Legalization across America

These 2016 election results show that the tides have turned in favor of marijuana. Marijuana legalization is being adopted by more and more states, and if the trend continues, marijuana legalization at the federal level seems almost inevitable. For now, marijuana entrepreneurs in the newly legal marijuana states are scrambling to get their business plans in place and their applications ready to file, and marijuana activists are celebrating victories while looking ahead to a time when marijuana is legal across America.

Best Weed Strains in Colorado for 2016

Posted by CANNASaver on Sunday, 06 November 2016 in Canna Blog

Colorado Prefers Sativa: Where to find the most popular weed strains

Despite the plethora of marijuana strains Colorado cannabis consumers have to choose from, more often than not, they reach for the Sativa varieties. According to a recent report in Business Insider, the most popular marijuana strains in Colorado are sativas or sativa dominant hybrids. The report was based on an analysis of point-of-sale data provided by a large sampling of Colorado marijuana dispensaries. The three strains named in the report as the most popular marijuana strains in Colorado are all sativa-dominant: Blue Dream, Durban Poison, and Bruce Banner #3. If you're wondering where to find Blue Dream in Denver, or where to find Durban Poison in Denver or the famed Bruce Banner #3, read on. We’ve also included information on the effects, genetics, and origins of these top 3 marijuana strains to shed some light on what makes these particular buds the most popular weed strains in Colorado.

Blue Dream

Blue Dream is the #1 Most Popular Strain in Colorado. It's easy to find Blue Dream in Denver as many marijuana dispensaries keep it in stock. A cross between Haze, a powerful sativa, and Blueberry, a fragrant and potent indica, blue dream originated in California, where it remains a popular strain. Blue Dream produces a relaxed and joyful high without causing drowsiness, and it tastes and smells like blueberries. It tests at anywhere from 17% to 24% THC, so it's a pretty reliable strain that seldom disappoints. Denver isn’t the only place where Blue Dream is “highly” popular, either. Blue Dream is also the most popular marijuana strain in Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Portland, Tacoma, Phoenix, and several other cities where medical and/or recreational weed is legal. You can find Blue Dream in Denver at many medical and recreational dispensaries including Livwell and The Green Solution Northglenn. These stores often offer marijuana coupons for blue dream deals and other dispensary deals and weed discounts on CannaSaver.

Durban Poison

The second most popular marijuana strain in Colorado is Durban Poison. Originating in Africa, Durban Poison is a pure sativa that tests at 16% to 25% THC. It has a sweet, earthy taste and smell. Unlike indica that can slow you down and give you that heavy, sleepy feeling, Durban Poison is almost energizing in its effects. With thick, chunky buds that are coated in sparkling trichomes, Durban Poison is a popular marijuana strain throughout Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and pretty much everywhere else that it's available. You can find Durban Poison in Denver at Life Flower Dispensary or pick up some Durban Poison clones at Karmaceuticals.

Bruce Banner #3

Coming in at #3 is, coincidentally, bruce banner #3. One of three variations of the popular Bruce Banner strain, Bruce Banner #3 is a cross between OG Kush and Strawberry Diesel. It was created by Delta 9 labs. A popular marijuana strain in Colorado, Michigan, Oregon, and Washington, Bruce Banner #3 is famed for its quick-acting euphoric and calming effects. It has a spicy, earthy, and citrusy flavor and smell. Bruce Banner #3 is considered to be the strongest and best of the Bruce Banner phenotypes. You can find  Bruce Banner #3 in Colorado at Native Roots dispensary , Buddy Boy Brands dispensary and other marijuana dispensaries in Denver, Boulder, and elsewhere in Colorado.

Why Colorado Chooses Sativa

With all the opportunities for outdoor adventure, nightlife, and other fun things to do, Colorado is one of the most active states in the country. We might smoke a lot of weed here, but Colorado marijuana lovers shatter the stereotype of the lazy, couch-bound stoner. We like to get high, and we also like to get out and do stuff. In Colorado, smoking weed and having adventures go hand in hand. There are mountains to climb, trails to hike, hills to sled, and marijuana activities and 420 tours abound. Exhilarating and energetic in their effects, sativas and sativa dominant marijuana strains are the perfect complement to the active Colorado lifestyle.

Exploring Vaginas on Cannabis - A 3-Part Series

Posted by CANNASaver on Thursday, 03 November 2016 in Canna Blog

VAGINAS ON CANNABIS - Part 1.

A 3-Part Exploration of Weed and Vaginas

 

There appears to be a new (or not so new) craze going on.  Women are consuming cannabis vaginally and their stories are pretty savoury.  Both heterosexuals and lesbians are finding that showering their jewelry box with cannabis weed lube intensifies the overall sexual experience.

 

Here's one for you.  Lesbian and Author Anna Pulley shares steamy highlights on her blog about her "Week of Sex While High on Every Marijuana Product Imaginable" and hits the reader straight forward with her opening statement, “It smells like weed down here,” my girlfriend said. 

 

Now that is an attention getter no matter hetero or homo! The images it brings to mind are just down right funny. Imagining a vagina with a big blunt hanging out of  it is just laughable, - or picturing a bong gently touching well inflamed vagina lips as it draws a long inhale and the smoke is puffed from the nostrils after a soothing journey up the torso into the head.

 

OK, so maybe this author isn't a Cosmo writer, however Krista McHarden is. Her story is one of a heterosexual nature. She states "When I first heard about a new lube  infused with pot, I was all,"WTF is wrong with people?" and also, "When can I try it?"   She goes on with the product description, "bring to your fingertips the power of ancient plant medicine to inspire deep healing and unlock profound pleasures." "Sounds good to me! Let's get high and then get freaky."  (her words exactly!)

 

This author being male, had a strong sense of urgency to investigate further the vagina cannabis connection, and of course study both of these women's stories in depth so as to best be able to share their experiences of vaginal weed experimentation with you.

 

Krista says  the lube should be applied before you are naturally lubricated. She states, "It comes in a spray bottle, which is difficult to operate upside down, so I applied it with my fingers while I was still dry. I'm not gonna lie, it was... odd and about as sexy as a pap smear. Not a great start."

 

Well if anything we know for sure, the weed lube product packaging was designed by a man!  Hey, listen up  all you cannabis vagina products manufactuers, - show a little vagina sensitivity and repackage so applying is quick, easy and pleasureable!

 

Krista goes on... "I did this and then waited about 15 minutes before getting hot and heavy with my dude. It hit me and it hit me hard, in the absolutely most delicious way. I was super relaxed and also super ready to go due to the fact that I was feeling so damn good! This was a mellow high that felt like a warm and very sexual hug, which is also what I was doing at the moment. We did it, and it was fun as hell, and I wanted to try it again."  Of course, I had to ask myself: "Could I get addicted to putting weed up my vagina?" and the answer is, yes. Yes, I could. This is something that I'd only do with someone I felt fully comfortable getting weird with, and then only on special occasions. But during those times? Hell yes; it was a blast to be both completely relaxed and gorgeously sensuous and I can't believe I typed that and I hope my mom never reads this."

 

Whew... Thanks for that Krista!

 

Here is a great example of a heterosexual vagina that has tried weed lube along with a story that should be allowed time to sink in deeply. 

 

We'll get back to exploring the vagina cannabis connection in part two discussing vagina highs picking it up with Anna the lesbians story. 

 

Stay tuned and remember to always respect the vagina.

Mr. D

Is Dabbing Intimidating to First Timers?

Posted by CANNASaver on Tuesday, 01 November 2016 in Canna Blog

The Dabbing Intimidation Factor

 Seeing someone pull out a dab rig for the first time can be pretty intimidating for someone unfamiliar to the process. Dab rigs are pretty similar to any kind of water pipe, but they have some kind of heated element like a titanium or quartz nail that has to be heated to around 300 to 400 degrees before the concentrate is applied to it, more often than not with a hand-held torch. So when your friend busts out a bright blue propane torch when all you wanted to do was smoke a little there is definitely understandable doubt. Mostly I was just reminded immediately of hot knifing, which again did not garner any confidence in me. There are also straws, essentially a straight glass or glass and metal pipe, which also require their tips to be superheated, some with water chambers for some filtration but some literally just being thick glass tubes. But luckily with the constant expansion of the marijuana industry there have been a number of great improvements to this process that can make regular concentrate use a much less hassling process.

One of the more important ones that I unfortunately do not see people using as often is enails. Enails attach to the heating element of a rig and run electrical current into it to heat it up, and can do so at specific temperatures, which they can then maintain fairly constantly so you don’t have to go through the process of relighting your propane torch every time you want to dab, which as a regular user can be several times in a row. There are a wide variety of enails, many with digital readouts to dial in exact temperatures, which can be nice for those familiar enough to do specific temperatures for different kinds of concentrates to make sure they are getting the most out of them.

I have also used a few devices that are essentially an enail built into a full rig, though really just classifying as box vaporizers with some  new level of portability, for instance the VapeXhale which heats your concentrate in it’s own proprietary setup with glass attachments for actual inhale. These can give especially clean hits, and are a little more stable than trying make sure all your enail cables and rig are constantly safe, especially if you use them often. I would personally go this route, as ultimately ditching the torch fuel cost overtime would be worth it for me. These setups have also gotten considerably cheaper now that there are more companies producing them, some of them incredibly easy to use as well.

Vape pens are another growing market now that their demand has risen, similar to the previous vaporizers but almost always pocket sized. These of course don’t have quite the power or stability but they can still be a good option if you’re someone who’s out and about, and there are a huge number of options for them, from disposables to crazy high end, though some can only do specific concentrate types with specific attachments, and I definitely recommend finding one with a double coil over anything else, as vape pens can run into some issues as far as making sure to vaporize all of the concentrate loaded in them, less at a time is definitely better. There are also the preloaded disposable cartridges that can fit many e-cigarette batteries, which can be incredibly portable but may offer less as far as range of strains.

So why do it any other way? One of the important element of marijuana usage has always been the process. Some people enjoy getting their nails heated perfectly by themselves, some people still only smoke blunts or joints just because that’s what they’ve always done, some people only break up weed with their hands. But as concentrates continue to grow as an industry it’s nice to know there are people still making innovation in the accessories sector. I recommend trying new gear when you can, you never know what apparatus will hit you the hardest and new things come out all the time

Should I Try Marijuana Concentrates?

Posted by CANNASaver on Monday, 31 October 2016 in Canna Blog

Is It Time for Concentrates?

 
Concentrates are a far more prevalent product in the current marijuana industry than they ever have been, but for new customers and tourists the idea can be a little daunting and much of the time not something that they are actually looking for. I have seen tourists drop hundreds of dollars on concentrates and the necessary apparatuses to consume them, just for a few days worth of their trip, when really they could have gotten more than enough regular marijuana to meet whatever chemical demands their body may have had.

While concentrates are understandably a more purified form of what we are all smoking anyway, they can bring with them some disconcerting effects. There is of course the stigma that if you’ve not done concentrates before, your first time dabbing can be a little ridiculous compared to smoking regular flower. The first time I dabbed was right when I first moved to Denver, and I was blisteringly high for almost three hours. But the first thing I noticed was after having dabbed, regular flower did not hit me the same way for a few days. Concentrates can wreak havoc on your tolerance, and if you get too used to doing concentrates you can find yourself not even getting anywhere smoking regular weed. This is one of the main reasons I don’t do concentrates, because I enjoy actual smoking too much to let it get ruined by that level of tolerance. Even things like disposable vape pens can do a number on your resistance to THC, though generally only the higher end pure hash cartridges, as some of the ones cut with polyethylene glycol come in only slightly above smoking normally.

But for some people, particularly those who genuinely use it for medical benefits and need an incredibly strong high as fast as they can get it, and after building up a tolerance to regular marijuana it can be the next step for people not interested in edibles or tinctures. It can be pretty depressing for medical patients to find that their tolerance has risen to the point that an intake method doesn’t work anymore, and having this next step option is a nice trade off, though it can get considerably more expensive if you do it very regularly. That being said, because of the new regulation on concentrates only allowed to be sold as attributing to 3.5 grams of your allowed buying quantity, many dispensaries are running sales on concentrates, since they used to be able to sell considerably more at a time under previous regulations.

Some new products have cropped up as well, making ultra purified concentrates that then have additional terpenes added back in for an even more enhanced effect. These are very clean compared to regular flower as with smoking weed or tobacco there is a good amount of plant matter you are dealing with in the process of trying to get your chemicals. Terpenes can sometimes get lost or lessened in the case of some concentrate production, which can take away from the complexity of the high, but these days extractors have gotten much more skilled than when this all was starting. For people with greater levels of health concerns as far as what they put into their body can find concentrates to be the thing they might be looking for, though intake methods can have a decent presence in this decision as well.

This also comes into play when selling to people in a dispensary, as sometimes the people that want concentrates are only going to be in town for a few days and aren’t going to want to spend a whole bunch on a reliable setup, making for a growth in the available vaporizer pens, varying in price and reliability from 13$ disposable pens to several hundred dollar gold plated options. I have used a few of the disposables and had a roughly $60 pen that worked fairly well, but it is definitely a learning process as far as how much each pen can functionally use and timing for good hits.

Ultimately concentrates are for those with an already established tolerance, or an option every once in a while to have slightly too good of a time. They are definitely a big choice to make if you plan on switching to them regularly, though the industry is constantly working to make them more accessible so who knows maybe that’ll be the only way we smoke in a year or two. Just be wary, they can often be more than anyone regularly needs. 

The Green Party Stance on Marijuana Legalization

Posted by CANNASaver on Wednesday, 26 October 2016 in Canna Blog

Marijuana and The Green Party

With the 2016 elections quickly approaching and Green Party candidates like Jill Stein coming onto the radar of an increasing number of disillusioned voters, many in the marijuana industry are wondering, just how green is the Green Party? What is the party’s stance on marijuana reform, and would the marijuana industry find some safeguards under Green Party leadership? Would marijuana dispensaries in Colorado and other legal weed states face fewer regulations or more? While Presidential candidate Jill Stein isn't expected to get anywhere near the number of votes she needs to win, she may very well get enough votes to earn the Green Party a spot in future election debates. The Green Party already holds over 100 positions across the nation at the city and county level, and with more and more states opening up to legal marijuana, the party is definitely gaining supporters as well as attention. Here is the lowdown on where the Green Party stands on the green.

Protection for the Marijuana Industry

The Green Party platform includes powerful protections and safeguards for the legal marijuana industry, which is important to states like Colorado where marijuana is big business. Not only does the party platform call for the legalization of cannabis possession, sale, and cultivation, but also the DEA would be instructed to not interfere with or harass legally operating cannabis businesses, from marijuana cultivation centers to marijuana dispensaries and marijuana social clubs. Marijuana entrepreneurs would have some assurance that their businesses could continue, while new marijuana entrepreneurs would have the protection needed to open new businesses and industries.

Amnesty for marijuana offenders

The Green Party platform also calls for serious reforms to how the criminal justice system handles drug offenders. Drug use and abuse would no longer be handled as a crime but as a medical issue, and anyone currently being held on charges for non-violent marijuana crimes would be released.

Opponents worry that the Green Party's stance on drugs goes too far, not only legalizing cannabis but also paving the way for the decriminalization of extremely dangerous drugs such as crack and heroin.

Running on Reefer

Green Party candidates are outspoken in their support of marijuana legalization. Throughout her campaign, Presidential candidate Jill Stein has made reference to the need for drug reform and has voiced her support for marijuana legalization at the national level. Other Green Party candidates are also using marijuana legalization to gain supporters. Vanessa Tijerina, who is running for a congressional seat in southern Texas, has made a point of bringing medical marijuana into the spotlight, campaigning to raise public awareness about the medical benefits of cannabis.

The Future of the Green

With a majority of Americans now supporting marijuana legalization, the Green Party with its pro-cannabis platform could soon become a prominent feature of our country’s political landscape. While they're unlikely to win many races this time around, the mere presence of Green Party candidates on the ballot brings needed attention to marijuana legalization and the millions of citizens who support it. With dispensaries and other marijuana businesses on the line in states like Colorado, the sharp divisions that have separated political parties for decades have already begun to blur.

Marijuana Topicals and You

Posted by CANNASaver on Thursday, 20 October 2016 in Canna Blog

The Topicals Topic

 While the first thing many people may think of in regards to the marijuana industry is a bunch of people now allowed to get high, it has also made some amazing strides in the kinds of products available for medicinal usage even on the recreational side, several of which allow users to bypass any of the “high” aspect of using marijuana. Some edible companies are now producing CBD only edibles, with only a tiny amount of THC in them either to use as a catalyst to help enhance the CBD without enough to cause psychoactive effects, or for legal reasons, as dispensaries can only sell ingest-able products that contain THC because of food license sorts of things. Some companies can also do online ordering and shipping for CBD products that are made with hemp and have almost 0 THC content, usually in tincture form. I’ve used a few of these, and though I prefer more of a 1:1 ratio, they are still very helpful for pain and seizure relief, especially for people not looking for any kind of real intoxication.

There are also some very nice products available for topical relief if you’re not interested in ingesting something. I have used a few different lotions and salves, though my favorite is definitely the spray lotions, as you don’t have to use much and for muscle relief they can be very fast acting. Their speed seems to be the only real difference between sprays and lotions, though some of the thinner lotions are somewhat faster as well. Even though most of the lotions contain THC they don’t go into your blood stream, which can be a concern for some older customers just because of marijuana taboos that still very much exist. One of my coworkers had a grandmother that used it for her arthritis because smoking was not an option at her age, and there are now several more companies making these topical creams that there used to be so there are options for everything from pain relief to anti anxiety calming, all with quality ingredients you’d find in non-medicated lotion.

Another great option is trans-dermal patches, though these will go into your bloodstream so make sure not to get any with THC in them if that’s not what you’re looking for. These are pretty interesting because they can also give you options for taking more specific cannibinoids, some with all CBD, some with CBD and THCv, some with non activated THC, which can cause different effects than traditionally activated THC. Just for clarification, most THC in marijuana is actually THCa, which then turns into THC when activated by whatever heating element is used. The patches are time release and I’ve had them last between 8 and 12 hours, but you can also cut them into smaller pieces for multiple lesser uses.

These are just a few of the new options you can find in dispensaries for a little more relief than just average smoking, and there are always new products coming out. I’ve seen CBD medicated sugar for adding to drinks, bath salts that give crazy amounts of muscle relief and relaxation, even dog treats for arthritis. If you’ve been looking for something besides weed to maximize your relief, ask about some of these products, in my experience they are a fantastic thing to have on hand if you need a quick solution for pain.