happytravelers, Author at Happy Travelers Weed Tours

The High Tea Experience

Are you ready for the most memorable Ladies Day ever? How about a Unique Bachelorette Party Experience? What would be more fun than High Tea with your Besties? Enjoy the Happy Travelers Tours High Tea Experience!

The High Tea Experience includes:

A High Tea Treat Tower

A "sweet and savory" Treat Tower filled with mix of yummy CBD-infused treats and non-infused treats from our Catering Chef
CBD-infused loose-leaf Teas, brewed Table-side in traditional British Tea Service Style

The Best Part? It's available on a Daily Basis! Served at 4:20 in our Tea Room in Downtown Sonoma.

Please email [email protected] or call 707-386-9859 for reservations and event planning

To Get Up-Close-and-Personal with Cannabis

For more information about Happy Travelers Tours up-close-and-personal Cannabis Experiences visit our homepage or Book your Experience today!

by happytravelers

Why Marijuana Should Be Legal

Why marijuana should be legal is a complicated story covering all of American history. Starting with legal hemp in Colonial times to the Schedule 1 Classification in the 20th Century, the journey to re-legalize cannabis covers lots of ground. Remember, back at the turn of the 20th Century, legal cannabis was available at the corner store. So, what happened?

Marijuana has gotten a bad reputation over the years and many people consider it nothing more than a drug that gets people high. One of the major reasons why many people vocally support calls to ban marijuana are the number of myths and misunderstandings surrounding it. The good news is that this is changing. Over the years, various studies conducted around the world have found multiple medical benefits from marijuana use and public opinion regarding marijuana has changed for the better over the last few years. The percentage of American adults who oppose marijuana legalization has sharply declined in recent years.

If you are still on the fence about marijuana, here are some reasons to help you make up your mind, starting with the fact cannabis is used for medicinal and recreational purposes around the world. There are over 480 compounds found in the plant, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

No Deaths Have Been Reported Due to Marijuana Overdose

One of the most popular marijuana myths that are still doing the rounds is that a marijuana overdose can kill a person. Nothing could be further from the truth. Recent studies shows that a person would have to consume 20,000-40,000 times the amount of THC in a joint to die due to an overdose. To date, not even a single account of death due to a marijuana overdose has been recorded.

It is Safer Than Many Legalized Drugs

A study conducted by a team of drug experts in the UK found that marijuana has lesser side effects than many other popular drugs. Researchers found that the combined health risks posed by marijuana are much lower than that associated with alcohol and tobacco consumption

Marijuana is Not as Addictive as Many People Think

Many people wrongly think that trying marijuana once would get them hooked to the substance. This is not true and is one of the many myths surrounding marijuana.

Cannabis Can Help with Insomnia

Many strains of cannabis indica show promise in treating sleep disorders. Respondents participating in a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute reported sleeping more peacefully after ingesting a cannabis plant extract spray.

It is Not a Gateway Drug

Many marijuana detractors claim that people who try marijuana first are bound to start using harder substances. In reality, most people who use marijuana do not go on to use other substances.
In fact, cannabis is being used to wean addicts off of opiates and nicotine

Medical Benefits

Yes! You read that right. Marijuana can help alleviate symptoms associated with a number of health conditions.

It is prescribed by physicians around the world to patients with nausea.
It can help people with HIV/AIDS overcome poor appetite.
Marijuana is known to relax muscle tension, spasms, and help manage chronic pain
CBD, one of the compounds found in cannabis, may help cancer cells from spreading
A study found that marijuana use can help control epileptic seizures
Helps alleviate pain in multiple sclerosis
Endocannabinoid compounds in marijuana can help ease depression symptoms
Can help alleviate symptoms for those with Parkinson’s disease
Can help improve cognitive performance and concentration in people with ADHD/ADD
Endocannabinoid contains anti-inflammatories that are known to fight the brain inflammation that causes Alzheimer’s Disease
Can help cope with pain associated with arthritis
Helps with Crohn’s Disease
Can help alleviate symptoms of Dravet syndrome
Marijuana has a calming effect on the user. It helps control mood and can be used for treating kids with autism

Economic Reasons

Here is a laundry list of economic reasons why legalizing marijuana makes sense:

More Revenue for the Government
- A study conducted in 2017 found that legalizing marijuana at the federal level that year would have resulted in a generation of $131.8 billion in tax revenue to be collected between 2017 and 2025. Thanks to a reduced peak business tax rate, this estimate has fallen. However, the government would have still been able to generate $10-billion plus every year.
Legalization Can Help Cut Law-Enforcement Costs
- The federal government spends around $4 billion of dollars to enforce marijuana laws every year. Legalizing marijuana would help reduce these costs. Additionally, removing marijuana from the list of controlled substances would help reduce costs associated with court cases that go to trial.
Job Creation
- Legalizing marijuana can help create millions of jobs. Marijuana legalization will increase the demand for professionals who can coordinate with farmers, processors, retailers, and distributors. Legalization will also benefit lenders, builders who specialize in developing retail outlets, and players in any other industries that cater to the cannabis industry.

Pro and Con Arguments

Proponents of legalizing recreational marijuana say it will add billions to the economy, create hundreds of thousands of jobs, free up scarce police resources, and stop the huge racial disparities in marijuana enforcement. They contend that regulating marijuana will lower street crime, take business away from the drug cartels, and make marijuana use safer through required testing, labeling, and child-proof packaging.

Opponents of legalizing recreational marijuana say it will increase teen use and lead to more medical emergencies including traffic deaths from driving while high. They contend that revenue from legalization falls far short of the costs in increased hospital visits, addiction treatment, environmental damage, crime, workplace accidents, and lost productivity.

A growing number of states have legalized the drug for recreational or medical purposes in recent years. The changing legal landscape has coincided with a dramatic increase in public support for legalization, which is favored by a majority of Americans.

Here are six facts about Americans and marijuana:

Two-thirds of Americans favor marijuana legalization, reflecting a steady increase in public support, according to a September 2019 Pew Research Center survey.
Views of marijuana legalization differ by generation and political party, though support has increased across demographic groups over time. Majorities of Millennials (those born between 1981 and 1997), Gen Xers (born between 1965 and 1980) and Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) say the use of marijuana should be legal, up sharply from a decade ago. And while a smaller share of the Silent Generation (born between 1928 and 1945) currently favors legalization, support among these Americans has also increased.
Few Americans say marijuana should be illegal under all circumstances. In the fall 2019 survey, 59% of U.S. adults said marijuana should be legal for recreational and medical purposes, while another 32% said it should be legal for medical use only. Just 8% said the drug should not be legal.
Supporters and opponents of marijuana legalization cite different reasons for their views. Americans who favor legalization are most likely to point to the drug’s perceived medical benefits or to say it would free up law enforcement to focus on other types of crime; 86% and 70%, respectively, say these are very important reasons for their support, according to a Gallup survey conducted in spring 2019.

Among Americans who oppose marijuana legalization, 79% say a very important reason is that it would increase the number of car accidents involving drivers who use marijuana.

About half (48%) of American adults say they have ever used marijuana, according to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. That is lower than the shares who say they have ever consumed alcohol (86%) or ever used tobacco products (66%).
Eleven states and the District of Columbia have legalized small amounts of marijuana for adult recreational use, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Combined, these jurisdictions are home to 29% of adults in the country.

Roughly three dozen states (33), as well as D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, have approved some form of a medical marijuana program.

Why Marijuana Should Be Legal Conclusion

If you're interested in learning more about why cannabis should be legal Book a Happy Travelers Tours Cannabis Adventure and get up-close-and-personal with Cannabis Plants!

by happytravelers

Flavinoids, What the Heck Are Flavinoids?

Flavinoids are antioxidants, which may play a significant role in heart health and may help to prevent diseases caused by free-radical damage, such as cancer.

The word “flavonoid” actually comes from the Latin term flavus, referencing the color yellow as it appears in nature. This makes sense considering a primary function of flavonoids is to provide color pigmentation to plants, notably in flowers, for the purpose of attracting pollinators.

You've heard that "eating the rainbow" is good for your health. But do you know why? Colorful produce contains special compounds called flavonoids, which are plant-based nutrients that offer plenty of health benefits from reducing inflammation to slashing your risk of certain diseases.

Flavinoids, What the Heck Are Flavinoids?

In an August 2019 study published in Nature, researchers found that regularly eating foods rich in flavonoids was associated with a reduced risk of developing heart disease and cancer. That association was even stronger among people who smoked or drank large amounts of alcohol, which are two groups that tend to have higher levels of inflammation.

There are six flavonoid subgroups: flavonols, flavones, isoflavones, flavanones, chalcones and anthocyanins:

FLAVINOID	FOOD or CHARACTERISTIC
Flavonol	• Berries • Tomatoes • Onions • Kale • Apples • Cherries • Broccoli • Grapes • Red wine • Green tea
Flavones	• Celery • Broccoli • Green pepper • Carrots • Olive oil • Navel oranges • Parsley • Thyme • Oregano • Dandelion • Peppermint • Rosemary • Chamomile tea
Isoflavones	• Soybeans (and soy products such as tofu) • Alfalfa sprouts • Peanuts • Legumes
Flavanones	• Grapes • Oranges • Lemon • Lime
Chalcones	• Chalcone is an aromatic ketone and an enone that forms the central core for a variety of important biological compounds, which are known collectively as chalcones or chalconoids.
Anthocyanins	• Purple Colored Cannabis

Flavonols

Flavonols are the largest and most well-known subgroup of flavonoids. Flavonols, especially quercetin, have been studied extensively for their role as an antioxidant.

Oxidative damage to the body is responsible for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's and many cancers.

Flavones

One of the major health benefits from flavones is their anti-inflammatory effects, according to a June 2016 study in Plants. Inflammation is usually the common thread between many chronic conditions, such as obesity, diabetes and cancer.

Isoflavones

The king of all plant proteins is the soybean, which is high in catechins and a particular type of flavonoid, isoflavones. Isoflavones have a mixed reputation because of their similarity in structure to estrogens.

Flavanones

Flavanones are found in citrus fruits, in the juice and in the peel — and yes, you can eat the peel. The flavanones are responsible for that bitter taste, which most people stay away from. Flavanones are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory, and they have been shown to lower cholesterol.

What Are Cannabis Flavonoids And Why Do They Matter?

To date, researchers have discovered 483 unique compounds in the cannabis plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. In recent years flavonoids have taken a back seat while much has been talked about cannabinoids and terpenes.

Flavinoid Research

Researchers have discovered nearly 6,000 different types of flavonoids in nature with many of them being unique to specific plants. Cannabis plants contain several flavonoids that are found nowhere else in nature, known as cannaflavins.

Flavonoids are phytonutrients that are found in nearly all fruits and vegetables. These compounds are primarily responsible for giving fruits and vegetables their color. Flavonoids serve numerous purposes throughout nature like helping flowers attract pollinators or protecting plants from potential threats such as the sun’s damaging UV rays or pests and diseases.

Cannabis flavonoids are primarily responsible for giving cannabis plants their pigmentation. For instance, the deep purple color of certain strains is attributed to the flavonoids anthoxanthins and anthocyanins.

Flavonoids Are the Future of Cannabis Research

Flavonoids have been incredibly understudied. Up to this point, researchers have primarily been concerned with unlocking the full potential of cannabinoids and terpenes but now, flavonoids are the future.

Could Flavonoids Play a Role in Pain Relief?

There have been 200 or more bioactive compounds that have been discovered in cannabis. Flavinoids account for roughly 10% of these known compounds with around 20 varieties known to exist in cannabis. Similar to terpenes, flavonoids share a role in how we perceive cannabis through our senses. But there’s a lot more to flavonoids than what meets our nose and taste buds.

In 1986, a researcher from the University of London was able to isolate two cannaflavins and found them to have extremely potent anti-inflammatory effects.

More specifically, the anti-inflammatory effects produced by Cannaflavin A and Cannaflavin B are believed to be up to 30x more potent than those produced by Aspirin. However, despite their effectiveness, the amount of cannaflavins in cannabis is actually very small. Cannaflavins are believed to make up less than 0.15% of the fresh weight of cannabis.

Cannabis molecules stop inflammation at the source and do not pose the same health risks as the over the counter NSAIDs:

Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Advil

Flavonoids and Cannabis

Both odor and flavor are possible in cannabis due to the synergistic qualities that terpenes and flavonoids share with one another. Moreover, flavonoids also affect the pigmentation of cannabis, just as they do with other flowers.

Those beautiful, deep purple cannabis strains owe their coloration to the flavonoids known as anthoxanthins or anthocyanins.

What To Do Next

If you’re interested in learning more about Flavinoids, Book a Happy Travelers Tours Wine and Weed Tour and get up-close-and-personal with Cannabis Plants.

Join us and see Cannabis Flavinoids in person or read: Terpenes, What the Heck Are Terpenes or Trichomes, What the Heck Are Trichomes!

by happytravelers

Guest Testimonials: Happy Travelers Tours

Guest Testimonials are the proof that when say "we guarantee at the end of the day you’ll be a Happy Traveler" we put our money where our mouth is. In addition to conducting post-tour Survey’s for Guest Testimonials, Happy Travelers Tours uses Yelp for Guest Testimonials as well.

Yelp Guest Testimonials for Happy Travelers Tours

If you’d like to read Happy Travelers Tours Guest Testimonials on Yelp, just follow this link and take a look at the Happy Travelers Tours Yelp page.

Here is a Yelp Testimonial excerpt: My GPS gave me the wrong address to meet up with Van. We ended being 20 or 30 minutes away from where we were supposed meet. Van went out of his way to come get us. He didn't have to do that and we're very appreciative for that. So I would definitely recommend one of these tours. It's fun and safe. A really good experience!
This is another from Yelp: This tour was fun! Everything from beginning to the end was great! The mountain view was spectacular! The veggie panini wow!!! The wine was yummy. Trimming the buds! This was a very good tour. You'll get the best of both worlds. Van our tour guide was wonderful. He was very attentive, kind and thoughtful. Thank you! Nancy, his wife was also fantastic. This was memorable.

Here are a couple of new Yelp Posts from April, 2021:

This tour was fantastic!!!! Van is great and has a lot of good information and a great humor. He will not disappoint. Will be doing this again in a couple months!!!
Van was awesome very informative with great conversation and a pleasure to do business with we hope to visit the area again and we will for sure do business with this company. 100% satisfied.

Here is a post from June 2021:

This tour was everything and more. The conversation, the laughs, the education it was all together such a good time. I highly recommend that you guys go on ahead and book a tour absolutely amazing.

Testimonials from Happy Travelers Tours Guests

These samples are from our post-Tour Survey:

Very educational tour! Fun time! Van takes a lot of pride in the tour! (Shawn and Stefanie S., Sept '24)
We had an absolute BLAST on our tour. Van was a joy and was super knowledgeable, fun, and a great guy to get to know. We really enjoyed chatting with him about all things weed- and non-weed-related. We really enjoyed looking at the cannabis plants and learning more about the growing and cultivation process. It was also really interesting to learn about the cannabis industry and its relationship to the wine industry in the Napa area. It was also really interesting driving through the hills and seeing the trees/nature that have been affected by wildfires. I'm very grateful we had the opportunity to join Van on the Happy Traveler's tour! (Catherine B. July '24)
HEY YO Check this out. If your scrolling through or looking for a tour guide then this is your stop. Happy Travelers Tours was most excellent. Our tour guide was Mr. Van and yes, I'm gonna say it "Van is the man". We took the buds & brew tour for our 40th anniversary and were quite impressed with his knowledge of beer, wine & weed and all the long history behind it. Van is a plethora, an encyclopedia of all kinds information and also a couple of pretty funny stories. (Luv ya Bubba). Everything was well received as well as enjoyed. Well if your in the Napa, Sonoma Valley area I highly recommend Happy Travelers Tours. Ask for Van. It was really Awesome. Thx. Hope to do it again soon. (Rob G., March '24)
Enjoy the entire tour, we were picked up at the hotel in their limo and the tour began once we entered the vehicle. Van is very knowledgeable about Cannabis and a great guide. We were able to visit an active indoor cannabis facility. This was a very educational. (Sergey G., Feb '24)
We made a reservation by phone, and showed up at the agreed upon time not quite knowing exactly what to expect. Van greeted us at the door, and introduced himself to us. Nancy was preparing for our arrival. We found them both to be quite personable and friendly. Moreover, the entire experience was about meeting a couple of incredibly nice people, who have a story to tell, and experiences to share, as well as information to be dispersed. We left a couple of hours later, and talked about it for a couple more hours at home. I would highly recommend the High Tea Experience to anyone and everyone who would be so inclined. A+++++ (Doug and Kathy, Nov '23)
This is Nathan, I had a wonderful time learning about Cannabis and how it is grown indoors with the best tour guide of a lifetime! (Nathan B., Feb '23)
"I must say this tour was beyond amazing. From start to finish Van made my birthday trip one of the best!! I can't wait to visit again! I will be booking with Happy Travelers Tours every time I come to Napa!" (Rickee T. Jan '23)
"Van and Nancy were awesome hosts. Van was very great with communicating and organizing our visit. Our tour included a history of Sonoma and some delicious treats from Chef Laura. Chef Laura worked hard to accommodate the different dietary needs of our group such as gluten free, non-pork and no nuts in addition to others. We had a combo of infused and non-infused items. Van arranged for us to experience our high tea at a wine tasting room at Seamus and we got the option to add a wine tasting to our high tea. Chef Laura prepared sweet treats and sandwiches to accompany our tea. This experience was a nice break away from all the traditional wine tastings of the area. I highly recommend and the entire group enjoyed." (Dorisa R., Nov '22)
"What a great experience! Fun, knowledgeable team Van and Nancy delivered a one-of-a-kind memory for sure. Highly recommend!!! First-rate customer service as well. You will not be disappointed!!" (Mark G. and Jeff N., Oct '22)
“This was a great tour! Van gives an interesting and informative tour of the past and present of the weed industry in Sonoma. We got to see some big weed plants - something we hadn't ever seen before. Van is really laid back and open to questions. In general, it was a great day, and we're planning on coming back next year - when there should be even more plants!”
“This tour is a great diversion from the wineries and it's not just about weed. It includes a beautiful ride with lots of current and historical information about Sonoma, cannabis and the developing cannabis industry. The food and wine are good too!”
Van provides an in depth explanation of the entire grow, harvest, and processing of product mixed in with humorous stories. A fun and educational experience at a beautiful location! (July 7, 2021)
Van was a superb host and we would definitely book this tour again. (July 20, 2021)
Van was extremely knowledgeable and eager to answer our many questions. The day was both informative and fun. Highly recommend. (Michael S., July 28, 2021)
We had a great time on our adventure with Van! We learned a lot about the dispensaries, local breweries, and Santa Rosa in general! You’ll definitely enjoy the ride! (Courtney M. July 31, 2021)
Great tour and trip with Van! Tour was very enjoyable and he kept us entertained and interested the whole time. (Michelle S. August 2, 2021)
The Happy Travelers tour was very fun and informative. Van was so pleasant, smart, and made me feel very comfortable about cannabis use. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone that wants to learn about the benefits of cannabis use or anyone that is new to the cannabis experience. This tour gave me the knowledge base and peaked my interest to pursue a career in cannabis nursing. Thanks Happy Travelers Tours!!! (Chikisha F., August 12, 2021)
We did the sip and sniff tour with Van. The tour was excellent and Van is very knowledgeable of the area as well as cannabis. We learned a lot. The food that was provided was excellent and very tasty. Would definitely do this tour again or one of the other tours. Thank you Van for an excellent time. (Tim M. September 11, 2021)
This is was an anniversary present from my husband and let me tell you I absolutely loved it and want to do it every weekend! (Veronica L., September 11, 2021)
We had such a great time! Van is so personal and knowledgeable about the area - there wasn't a dull or awkward moment to be had. We did the Buds and Brew tour and it was a blast. We got to see cool behind the scenes action at the dispensary and topped off the day with delicious food and beers. It was truly one of the best tours we have been on and we would do it again in a heart beat! (Dawn, Linda and Daun M. November 16, 2021)
Amazing tour with an amazing tour guide! Would definitely recommend! (Anja and Steven S., November 24, 2021)
Had so much fun on the happy travelers tour with Van. Van has such great stories and really knows his stuff. Will be back again with family. (Kellie and Rick W., January 1, 2022)
Very enjoyable day with Van’s van. The man shared great stories and lots of information regarding the history of wine/cannabis in Sonoma county. (Zach M., January 8, 2022)
We had a fantastic time on the sunset tour.. Van was a fantastic host a fantastic host who told funny yet educational stories. The the beach that we went to was beautiful. We really appreciate the experience! (Darryl and Dana M. February 25, 2022)
Had an amazing time with Van on the sunset tour! So informative, relaxing, and entertaining (keep those stories up, Van). (Micaiah and Devin, March 11, 2022)
Very much recommend! The weed and wine tour was great thanks to our tour guide, Van. We learned so much and had a really good time! It was the best part of our weekend and we went hot air ballooning so it just shows how awesome the tour was. Thank you to Happy Travelers Tours (: (Tehreem K., March 13, 2022)
Best tour, amazing conversations with amazing people. (Victor M. August 27, 2022)
Riding with Van in Van’s Van was a great experience. We learned some things, were entertained and had a general good time. The farm, dispensary, and winery were all very welcoming. We believe it’s because of Vans great relationships. Thanks again! (Amy C., November 18, 2022)

Get Up-Close-and-Personal with Cannabis

If you want to spend your day getting your hands on cannabis plants (and dried flowers) then you should consider spending time getting up-close-and-personal with cannabis on a Happy Travelers Tours adventure!

Write Your Own Testimonial!

Come on Tour with Happy Travelers Tours and you can write your own Guest Testimonial! Take one of our Best of Class Tours and then tell us (and the World) what you think! Book a Happy Travelers Tours Wine-and-Weed Tour today!

by happytravelers

What is Marijuana

What is Marijuana? Also called weed, herb, pot, grass, bud, ganja, Mary Jane, and a vast number of other slang terms—is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried flowers of Cannabis sativa and Indica.

What is Marijuana - History

While cannabis plants have been grown since at least the 3rd millennium BCE, evidence suggests that it was being smoked for psychoactive effects at least 2,500 years ago in the Pamir Mountains; the earliest evidence found at a cemetery in what is today western China close to the tripoint with Tajikistan and Afghanistan.

What is Marijuana - Chemistry

If the plant contains more than .003% of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it is “marijuana” if it has LESS than .003%, it’s “hemp”.

Hemp which contains .003% THC can be used for CBD products. Less than .003% is industrial hemp territory, which has over 50,000 different uses.

Is Marijuana Easy to Consume?

Some people smoke marijuana in hand-rolled cigarettes called joints; in pipes, water pipes (sometimes called bongs), or in blunts (marijuana rolled in cigar wraps).

Marijuana can also be used to brew tea and, particularly when it is sold or consumed for medicinal purposes, is frequently mixed into foods (edibles) such as brownies, cookies, or candies. Vaporizers are also increasingly used to consume marijuana.

While most people are familiar with marijuana flowers (or “buds”), there are stronger forms of marijuana including:

concentrated resins containing high doses of marijuana’s active ingredients,
honeylike hash oil
waxy “budder”
hard amberlike shatter.

These resins are increasingly popular among those who use them both recreationally and medically and are typically consumed either with a vaporizing tool or a special type of Bong called a Dab Rig (see What is Dabbing?)

Vaporizing Tools pull the active ingredients (including THC) from the cannabis and collect their vapor in a storage unit. A person then inhales the vapor, not the smoke.

How do people use cannabis?

People use cannabis for as many reasons as there are stars in the sky, however, for classification purposes, there are two kinds of use: recreational and medical.

The differences between the two, at the surface, seem obvious: recreational users consume weed to get “stoned” or “high” whereas medical users use cannabis to help manage a wide array of issues, include, but not limited to:

Anxiety
Stress
Eating Disorders
Injury Recovery
Pain Management
PTSD
Epilepsy

Some use cases support smoking and vaping on an ‘on demand’ basis, some required topical applications with physical therapy and/or exercise and some required a combination.

Many medical (and recreational) consumers of cannabis use ‘hybrids’ or crosses between the cannabis strains (read about Indica vrs Sativa) and between THC rich strains and CBD rich strains.

Conclusion

So, what is marijuana? It’s a complicated subject with many answers. To learn more Book an up-close-and-personal experience with Happy Travelers Tours!

by happytravelers

Is Marijuana Legal in Florida

The answer to the question ‘is marijuana legal in Florida’ is a disappointing, No. Not only is it a No – there are still draconian laws on the books which prevent legal cannabis in Florida.

Early in the 2020 legislative session, Sen. Jeff Brandes (R) introduced a bill — SB 1860 — to legalize and regulate cannabis for adults 21 and older. A companion bill — HB 1389 — was also introduced in the House.

Unfortunately, the legislature adjourned its session in March without taking action on the bills, and an effort to put legalization on the ballot for voters to decide on in 2020 also failed.

How draconian are Florida’s pot laws?

Possession of small amounts is illegal: Possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum sentence of one year imprisonment and a maximum fine of $1,000. Possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000.
Sale or delivery qualifies as a felony: Sale or delivery within 1,000 feet of a school, college, park, or other specified area is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $10,000. The sale of 25 pounds or less of marijuana is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000. However, the delivery of 20 grams or less is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum sentence of one year imprisonment and a maximum fine of $1,000.

Is medical marijuana legal in Florida?

Medical marijuana permitted: An individual may register as a medical marijuana patient if his or her doctor certifies that the individual suffers from one or more of the following conditions:

Cancer
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Crohn’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those above
Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
A terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than the qualified physician issuing the physician certification
Chronic nonmalignant pain caused by a qualifying medical condition or that originates from a qualifying medical condition and persists beyond the usual course of that qualifying medical condition

To qualify, a patient must be a permanent or seasonal resident of Florida, be entered into the medical marijuana use registry, and obtain a medical marijuana ID card. You can learn more about the requirements to become a patient here. Patients can purchase marijuana from registered marijuana dispensaries, called Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers

When will marijuana be legal in Florida?

This table is a compilation of marijuana policy reform in Florida

DATE	ACTION
1978	The Florida Legislature enacted the Therapeutic Research Program, which was never operational. The program would have required federal permission and would have involved pharmacies dispensing marijuana to cancer and glaucoma patients. It was repealed in 1984.
1991	In Jenks v. State, the First District Court of Appeals allowed two seriously ill HIV/AIDS patients to raise a medical necessity defense to marijuana cultivation and drug paraphernalia charges. The court found that the defendants had met the burden of establishing the defense at trial and reversed the trial court’s judgment and acquitted the defendants.
1998	The same First District Court of Appeals upheld the medical necessity defense again in Sowell v. State, even after the legislature made a slight change to its Schedule I statutory language that was unfriendly to the use of medical marijuana
2012	Simultaneous bills HJR 353 and SJR 1028, a constitutional amendment to allow medical marijuana in Florida, were introduced by Rep. Jeff Clemens (D – Lake Worth) and Sen. Larcenia J. Bullard (D – Miami) but never voted on. This marked the first time that medical marijuana bills were filed in both the House and the Senate.
2014	The “Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014” allows specified physicians to issue orders for certain patients, allowing them to use low-THC cannabis, which is defined as having no more than 0.8% THC and more than 10% CBD. It requires the Department of Health to create a registry of patients and to authorize five organizations to grow and dispense the cannabis. Requiring doctors to issue “written orders” rather than recommendations or certifications puts them at risk under federal law. Advocates were able to get a medical marijuana constitutional amendment on the November 2014 ballot. Since it was a constitutional amendment, it needed 60% or more of the vote to pass. Unfortunately, it only got 57.6%.
2015	Local governments began opting to allow officers to cite, rather than arrest, adults found in possession of marijuana.
2016	Amendment 2 – which established a medical marijuana program – passed with a popular vote of 71%.
2017	2017: In special session, the legislature passed SB8A to regulate Amendment 2, and implementation is underway by the Office of Medical Marijuana Use within Florida’s Department of Health. In June 2017, Gov. Scott signed the Industrial Hemp Pilot Projects Bill, which gives Florida A&M University and the University of Florida permission to conduct research pilot projects on growing and selling hemp. Nearly two years later, in May 2019, the Florida Legislature passed a bill enabling the commercial production of hemp. Florida had its hemp regulatory plan approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in April 2020.
2019	The legislature enacted SB 182, repealing a ban it had previously instituted on smoking medical cannabis. June 2019, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law HB 7107 to allow a cannabis-derived drug for children with epilepsy. The bill changes that specific drug’s classification in state law from a Schedule I substance to Schedule V.

Recreational Marijuana in Florida

Florida has some of the harshest recreational marijuana laws in all of the United States. The possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana is charged as a misdemeanor with one year imprisonment and a fine of $1,000. Possession, use, or sale of anything greater than 20 grams is charged as a felony with prison time ranging from five years to 30 years and up to $200,000 in fines.

Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Marijuana

A mandatory minimum sentence is when a judge must sentence the defendant to at least the outlined mandatory minimum amount of jail time for violating a specified law.

Hash, Concentrates and Paraphernalia

Being caught in possession of hash can result in up to five years in jail and a $5,000 fine. Selling, delivering, or manufacturing hash is also a felony, and carries the same penalties as a possession.
Marijuana concentrates hold the exact same penalties as hash, with possession, sale, and/or delivery resulting in five years of jail time and a $5,000 fine.
“Marijuana paraphernalia” is any product used as an accessory for using marijuana, such as pipes and bongs. The possession of marijuana paraphernalia is a misdemeanor, with Florida marijuana law punishing those in possession of paraphernalia with up to one year of jail time and a $1,000 fine.
Drivers in Florida are forbidden from using their car or some other type of motor vehicle if there is any detectable level of THC and/or marijuana in their system. If you have recently consumed marijuana, even if it is legally obtained medical marijuana, do not operate a motor vehicle under any circumstances.
While hemp-derived CBD products are legal under federal law in the United States, individual state laws are dynamic and fluid. Individual states may enact their own laws governing hemp-derived CBD.
Even for first-time offenders, the cultivation of cannabis for any purpose is considered a felony in Florida.
- If found cultivating fewer than 25 plants, it is considered a third-degree felony punishable by incarceration up to five years and fines up to $5,000.
- If an individual is the owner of the property where more than 25 plants are being illegally cultivated, the offense is charged as a second-degree felony, punishable by 15 years in prison.
Florida’s Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative, signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott in March 2016, permits certain dispensing organizations to grow and distribute cannabis.

Local Decriminalization of Marijuana in Florida

Several local jurisdictions that have passed resolutions or laws that decriminalize the possession of marijuana or other cannabis products. For example, in Miami-Dade County, possessing up to 20 grams of marijuana only comes with a $100 fine.

What To Do Since Marijuana is not legal in Florida?

If you are planning a Cannabis Vacation, consider a visit with Happy Travelers Tours in the heart of Northern California’s Wine-and-Weed Country. Book one of our up-close-and-personal Tours with Cannabis Plants!

by happytravelers

Is Marijuana Legal in Nevada

Is Marijuana legal in Nevada? Yes, but. While it’s come a long way since pot-hibition started, it’s still heavily stigmatized and consumption on their properties make the casino’s and hotel’s as nervous as when the hookers are at the bars.

Nevada legalized recreational use in 2017 however, it’s illegal to smoke in any ‘public spaces’ (see table below) and, technically, the ONLY place you can smoke marijuana legally in Nevada is in a private residence.

This list shows places where consuming cannabis in Nevada is prohibited:

Hotel Rooms
Casinos
Schools and Universities
Dorm Rooms
Common Areas in Apartment Buildings
Offices Buildings
Restaurants
Bars
Stadiums
Public Restrooms
Federal Property

Is Marijuana Legal in Nevada? Only if You Buy From a Dispensary

Most dispensaries are in Las Vegas, Henderson, and Reno. A county’s population determines the number of dispensaries it can license.

COUNTY	# of DISPENSARIES
Clark County	80
Washoe County	20
Carson City	4
Remaining 14 Counties	2

Local governments determine their dispensaries’ store hours. And the dispensaries must keep these hours conspicuously posted. Currently, Las Vegas dispensaries may operate between 6:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M. And in Reno, closing must be no later than midnight.

Nevada Residents and Tourists Can Legally Purchase Marijuana

As the individual is over the age of 21 and presents valid government ID, that person is legally eligible to purchase.

For tourists, this means that anyone meeting the age criteria is free to purchase marijuana legally. This is the case regardless of that individual’s country or state of origin and the rules regarding marijuana in that location.

In the state of Nevada, an individual is able to purchase one ounce of marijuana or 3.5 grams of concentrate at one time. This same rule applies to how much an individual is legally allowed to possess at any given time.

Traveling with Marijuana in Nevada

When marijuana is being transported in a vehicle, it should be in a sealed container away from the driver and any minor passengers. Failure to do so could result in an “Open Container” fine or, in the case of minors in the vehicle, the much more severe citation “aggravating circumstance.”

It is also illegal to take marijuana across state lines even if the next destination also has legal marijuana laws because of different marijuana regulations in each state.

Conclusion

Yes, marijuana is legal in Nevada however you can only smoke or consume it in or at a private residence. Due to their Federal Licensing rules, Hotels and Casinos are especially strict about smoking weed on their properties. They take their licensing very seriously so, either find your old “sneak-a-toke” or buy a vape instead.

What To Do Now that Marijuana is legal in Nevada

by happytravelers

Is Marijuana Legal in Texas

Is Marijuana Legal in Texas? Not Quite. But, it’s come a long way since pothibition started in Texas in 1931. Texas was the first state to impose penalties for pot possession and, over the decades, created the most draconian cannabis laws on the books.

Reforms have been slow to come, but, finally, are starting to gain momentum at the City, County and State levels.

The State of Cannabis in Texas

This table shows progressive and positive changes in cannabis law in Texas since 2017

DATE	JURISDICTION	ACTION	DETAILS
2017	Dallas, City	• Cite-and-Release	In April 2017 the Dallas City Council voted 10–5 to adopt a cite-and-release policy for possession of less than 4 ounces of cannabis. In October 2017 county commissioners 4–1 voted to approve the plan, and it went into effect in December 2017.
2017	Bexar County	• Cite-and-Release • Diversion	In September 2017, Bexar Country District Attorney Nico LaHood announced a new cite-and-release policy for persons caught with less than 4 ounces of cannabis. The program also allowed cited individuals to avoid criminal charges by attending a class, paying a fine, and performing community service. The policy went into effect for the Bexar County Sheriff's Office in January 2018.
2017	El Paso County	• First Change Program	In October 2017, El Paso County commissioners voted unanimously to allow people caught with less than 4 ounces of cannabis to pay a $100 fine and perform 8 hours of community service in lieu of facing criminal charges. Named the First Chance Program, it only applies to people that are not caught with any other drugs.
2017	Travis County	• Diversion Program	In December 2017, Travis County commissioners unanimously approved a plan to allow persons cited for less than two ounces of cannabis to take a four-hour educational course (at the cost of $45) rather than being subject to criminal charges. The policy went into effect in January 2018.
2019	Dallas County	• Limited Enforcement • Diversion	In April 2019, Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot announced that individuals caught possessing misdemeanor amounts of cannabis would no longer be prosecuted for first-time offenses. Individuals who commit subsequent offenses would be offered diversionary courses to avoid a criminal conviction.
2019	Bexar County	• Expanded Cite-and-Release • Limited Enforcement	In May 2019, Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales announced that an expanded version of cite-and-release would be implemented during the summer and apply to San Antonio Police Department as well.[54] Additionally, Gonzales announced that his office would no longer prosecute possession of less than one ounce of cannabis.
2020	Austin, City	• Depenalization	In January 2020, Austin City Council voted 9–0 in favor of a resolution that effectively eliminates penalties for possessing up to 4 ounces of cannabis and directs the city manager to "take the steps necessary and appropriate to eliminate, to the furthest extent allowable under state law ... the use of arrest or other enforcement action for cannabis-related possession offenses". In July 2020 Austin Police Department announced that it had revised its enforcement policies to comply with the resolution.
2020	El Paso, City	• Cite-and-Release	In May 2020, El Paso City Council voted 7–0 to adopt a cite-and-release policy for possession of less than 4 ounces of cannabis. The measure directed the city manager to devise a plan to put the policy in effect by September 1.

Medical Cannabis in Texas

Medical cannabis is legal in Texas in very limited circumstances. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the Texas Compassionate Use Act into law in 2015, allowing people with epilepsy to access cannabis oil with less than 0.5% THC. Last year, he signed House Bill 3703, which expanded the list of qualifying conditions to include diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS.

Hemp Yes, Cannabis No

Since Cannabis and Hemp are often indistinguishable by look or smell because they both come from the cannabis plant. The difference amounts to how much of the psychoactive compound THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, they contain.

Texas now says that cannabis (plants or its derivatives) with a THC concentration of more than 0.3% is considered illegal but if the substance has less than 0.3% THC, it’s considered hemp.

What To Do Until Marijuana is Legal in Texas

If you’d like to learn more about Cannabis, visit Happy Travelers Tours in the heart of Northern California’s Wine-and-Weed Country and Book one of our up-close-and-personal Tours with Cannabis Plants!

by happytravelers

Is Marijuana Addictive

Is marijuana addictive? The science says “yes” but the way cannabis is consumed says “doubtful”. So, is marijuana addictive? It all depends. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that 9% of people who use marijuana will become dependent on it, and that number jumps to 17% when use begins at younger ages (notably, teenagers), according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Given this, should our question be: do people develop “dependencies” for cannabis? Further, how does a medical marijuana patient’s use avoid dependence or, addiction?

Dependence and Addiction: What Are the Differences?

Marijuana Dependence:

a person feels “withdrawal” symptoms when not using cannabis

Marijuana Addiction:

a person can not stop using cannabis even though it interferes with many aspects of their life.

Estimates of the number of people addicted to marijuana are controversial, in part because epidemiological studies of substance use often use dependence as a proxy for addiction even though it is possible to be dependent without being addicted.

The majority of pot smokers do not develop a marijuana addiction, but some smokers (about 9%) do develop all the symptoms of an actual addiction after chronic marijuana use.

Marijuana Addiction

The fact that most users never develop an addiction doesn't mean that it never happens. Some marijuana users will exhibit all the classic behaviors of someone who has an addiction. People who use marijuana will become dependent on it (about 17% in those who start using in their teens), according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Users who begin smoking marijuana before they reach the age of 18 are four to seven times more likely to develop a disorder compared with those who wait until after 18 to smoke, according to the NIDA

Higher Potency Factor

Cannabis is significantly more potent than it was during the NIDA studies of the 1990’s. While the average THC level in the cannabis used in the 90’s was about 3.7%, the average confiscated by law enforcement in the 10’s checks in at about 9.6%. This is a 159% increase in potency, which may be a driver behind the rising number of people who develop a dependency issue.

Marijuana Abuse v. Dependence

There is a difference between marijuana abuse and marijuana dependence. Marijuana abuse occurs when someone continues to use the drug despite negative consequences.

What kind of negative consequences are indicators of an abuse issue? Job loss, difficulties with school or even getting arrested for something related to cannabis (buying on the street, for example).

But, is it an addiction? Maybe.

Classic Addictive Behavior

When a person becomes dependent upon marijuana, then, they have a cannabis use disorder. They might display some of the classic behavioral symptoms of addiction:

Will begin to lose control, needing increasing larger amounts
Will spend more time thinking about using
Will deny claims from those close to him that he has changed
Substance use will begin to take a central role in life
Will spend more time and money acquiring more marijuana
Will become irritable or agitated if they run out
As negative consequences mount, they will continue to use

The exception to this ‘use escalation’ is with Medical Marijuana, consumed with a Doctor’s recommendation, and monitored by a medical professional. When using cannabis in a clinical way, addiction and dependency are managed similarly to any prescribed medication.

Seeking Treatment

As Americans become more understanding that drug addiction is not a character flaw but, rather, a disease, they continue to have a disconnect that marijuana addiction is real. Not only are more Americans entering treatment, there’s also the issue of Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome.

Regardless, some argue that there is no ‘safe dosage’ of marijuana. However, no deaths due to a marijuana overdose have ever been substantiated.

How Does Marijuana Affect the Brain?

THC, the main compound in marijuana, interacts and activates brain proteins called cannabinoid receptors, which are critical in the areas of learning, memory and reward processing. It also causes the brain to release a chemical known as dopamine, which is often associated with positive emotions.

Marijuana Legalization & Public Opinion

“We have been terribly and systematically misled for nearly 70 years in the United States, it doesn’t have a high potential for abuse and there are very legitimate medical applications…the science is there. This isn’t anecdotal.” says CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

More and more states are changing their stances on both medical and recreational cannabis use. It’s predicted that soon, cannabis could be legal throughout the United States of America.

What To Do In The Meantime

To learn more about cannabis, get up-close-and-personal with cannabis plants and learn about the cannabis industry Book a Happy Travelers Tours Adventure today!

by happytravelers

How To Grow Marijuana

We’ve published a couple of articles on how to grow marijuana under Cannabis Cultivation Outdoors, How To Build Hoop-Style Greenhouses and Cannabis Cultivation Indoors. These articles are good starting points to learn how to grow marijuana; this article will talk about several things to consider.

Strains and Other Considerations

First up: strains and other considerations. Let’s start with: do you have a preference when it comes to the kind of cannabis you consume? If you’re a ‘body high’ type of person, then, consider Indica and Indica-dominate hybrids.

If, on the other hand, you like a cerebral high, then, consider working with Sativas. Another consideration is: how long is the grow cycle? If you’re thinking quick turns in an indoor room, then, you should focus on the strains with 90 day cycles (from Flowering).

On the other hand, if you’re not concerned with “cycling the room” as frequently as you can, then you might think about the longer flowering strains: ones which need 120 days to mature.

Growing Marijuana Indoors

Continuing the thought from above, if you’re going to build out an indoor grow room, remember this: you are going to be recreating the outdoor environment inside. This means you will have to deal with: heat, air circulation, water and pests.

Space

While it’s certainly true you can set up a ‘grow room’ inside your residence, creating a space specifically for growing is the best option. When you build up a room (or set up a greenhouse) you can ensure you accommodate for: plumbing, air conditioning and dehumidifying as well as electrical work (sub-panels are often needed).

Lights

Lights are the biggest energy draw and can produce significant heat through the ballasts (if you’re using incandescent technology). LED lights have advanced in recent years to the point they’re used either as the only source of light in commercial grows or they’re being used in conjunction with sodium vapor or other lights.

There are a couple of advantages to LEDs: size, UV light spectrum and heat management are much easier to manage with LEDs. In fact, using computer controllers, the UV spectrum which the LEDs generate can be modified to mimic the natural UV spectrum changes which occur outdoors during the grow season.

Air Circulation

All grow rooms need air circulation for several reasons, including: creating ‘wind’ so the plants grow up strong, moving the air so there’s plenty of CO2 and Oxygen exchanging going on and, keeping the room cool (this is critical if you’re using ballast driven lights).

Nutrients

Both indoor and outdoor growers need to pay attention to the soil they’re using and the nutrients which get added to supplement the grow stages. Nutrient science is a deep dive unto itself and the more experience you have with your strain choices and your growing methodology (dirt versus hydroponic) the more success you’ll have over time.

Learning how to grow marijuana is a long-term process – your first foray may or may not produce an optimized yield, however, you’ll learn so much on the way that your SECOND time growing will have huge improvements.

Pest Control

Indoor pests run the gamut from mites to mold; ALL grows have to manage pests. Some indoor grow operations run “clean green” operations which use clean-room level protocols. Other operations are lower-tech.

The first rule is: don’t go into your grow room with same clothes you wore to your FRIEND’s grow room. You don’t want to transfer any pests from their room to yours.

Research the types of pests which are common in your area and know that Ladybugs are your friends. They act like Roomba’s in your grow room, eating anything which could be a problem for the plants but leaving the plants alone.

Harvesting

Most strains are “auto-flowering” which means, when you ‘flip’ your lights from the 18+ hours of daylight to 12 hours of day and 12 hours of dark, the plants will start to flower. If a strain is a 90 day grow, the “90 days” start when you ‘flip’ the lights to 12/12.

This means, on or about day 90, your plants will be ripe and ready to harvest. How do you know if they’re ripe? That’s a conversation about trichomes. To learn more, read our article Trichomes, What the Heck are Trichomes.

Curing and Drying

Quite possible the most overlook aspect of learning how to grow marijuana is the curing and drying process. If you dry your weed to quickly, the flavor profile gets lost. If you take too much time, the risk of mold increases exponentially.

Fortunately, curing and drying is both art and science. The science part is this: your drying room needs to be pitch black, it needs to maintain a temperature of about 60 degrees Fahrenheit and about 60% humidity (use a dehumidifier if you need to).

When your science part is optimized, then the art part comes into play in deciding the “when” you plants are ready for the next step, called “bucking” (for snapping the buds off the stalks and putting them into a Bucket before they’re trimmed).

Usually, that moment is around day 12 or 14 of curing; you’ll know the plants are ready when a bud ‘snaps’ right off the stalk without any stalk-strings. You’ll know it when you get there.

Growing Marijuana Outdoors

The first thing to think about when you’re going to grow outdoors (or ‘sun grow’) is: what is the microclimate and terroir of the soil? Just like a vineyard, cannabis grows thrive when the strains are compatible with both the climate and the soil. So, how to you figure this out?

If you don’t have a friend who is showing you the ropes, then, it’ll be by testing. Your first season you’ll want to try two or three strains to see which thrive and which struggle.

When working with a mentor, work with someone who has grown successfully in your area – they’ll have a leg up on the strains and any unusual pests.

Space

The beauty about sun grows is that all you need is a container for your plants and a nice Southern exposure for maximum sunlight. You can grow one plant in a pot or you can set up a garden, it’s really all about your location and how much sunshine the plants will get.

Nutrients

Growing outdoors brings unique nutrient challenges to your garden. Again, if you’re working with a mentor, they’ll have a good idea of what to use. If you’re doing this on your own, you’ll want to research when to bump your plants with nitrogen versus when you should mix in phosphorus.

Pest Control

Outdoor pests are numerous and it’s almost impossible to ‘immunize’ your plants against them. You can, though, help them out by doing a couple of things. If you can get dried rice hulks (it looks just like hay), you an spread this on the ground around your plants.

The most common pest, dirt mites, HATE dried rice hulks, so, when you spread it on the ground, the mites won’t climb up your plants. You can also encourage beneficial insects (dragonflys and ladybugs for example) to visit your garden by putting other plants and flowers nearby to attract them.

Harvesting

As we discussed under indoor growing, harvesting is usually determined by both the grow cycle of the plants and the appearance of ‘ripe’ trichomes. With outdoor grows, the flowering is triggered by the Summer Solstice, so, typically, plants are put into the ground around the first or second week of May and allowed to “veg” until June 21^st. On June 22^nd, because the sun will be out one second less than it was on Solstice, the plants will automatically start to flower.

This is why outdoor cannabis harvests happen in late September and early October – most plants have a 90 to 120 day grow cycle.

Curing and Drying

Again, the curing and drying of marijuana is the most important step in the grow cycle. Since outdoor grows are an annual event, you don’t want to mess up all your hard work by either under or over drying your cannabis.

What To Do To Learn More

Book either a Happy Travelers Tours Farm Tour or Dispensary Tour and get up-close-and-personal with cannabis plants. Learn how to grow marijuana from industry professionals.

Our Dispensary Tour visits a state-of-the-art indoor grow and our Wine-and-Weed Tour visits a mountaintop outdoor grow.

by happytravelers