How to Smoke Weed for Beginners

This post is called How to Smoke Weed for Beginners, however, we're going to cover a lot of ground from the reasons why people use cannabis, to the different strains and ways to consume cannabis and a conversation about how to smoke weed for beginners, the goal of this being a chance to provide education and illumination so you can make an informed decision.

Why Do People Smoke Cannabis?

People use marijuana to heal, boost creativity, relax, inspire, socialize, energize and improve focus. It’s an affordable and natural way to maintain balance between your body’s essential functions like eating, sleeping, and healing.

Daily activities made better

Using marijuana enhances, excites, and elevates your everyday routine—even already pleasurable activities like relaxing or exercising.

Marijuana as medicine

People use marijuana and its medicinal compounds, called cannabinoids, to heal both mind and body. The two most common compounds are THC and CBD, which have differing but complementary effects.

Cut back to live more

People who use marijuana as part of their regular routine tend to decrease their use of alcohol, opiates, tobacco, and narcotics as a result. Marijuana’s unique properties lend itself to numerous safe, effective, and non-addictive purposes.

Instead of Alcohol
Skip the hangover and the empty calories — try marijuana instead of alcohol the next time you’re looking to have some fun. You’ll have a great time and your liver will thank you. It’s no surprise that 4 out of 5 consumers surveyed have replaced their weekly drinking with cannabis.

Instead of opiates

For those suffering from severe or chronic pain, going through chemotherapy, or recovering from injury, marijuana is a reportedly great alternative to opiates. Treatment with THC and CBD alleviates pain while avoiding dangerous side effects and addiction. In fact, one-third of patients surveyed have completely replaced their opiate use with marijuana.

Instead of tobacco

If you’ve been meaning to quit tobacco, marijuana can likely help you achieve your goal. Opt for a quick vape or a slow smoking joint the next time you have a craving or social obligation to smoke. It’s reportedly healthier and non-addictive. We’ve found that one out of ten tobacco-users surveyed have entirely replaced tobacco with cannabis.

Instead of sleeping pills

Put on some relaxing music, turn off the lights, and tuck yourself into bed with a sedating Indica vaporizer, which reportedly reduces anxiety and induces mind and body relaxation.

Vaporizers are convenient pen-shaped devices that are more discreet than traditional options, like a joint. They are odorless, portable, and require virtually no heating time. Vaporizers are often filled with oil cartridges, and vaporize the marijuana instead of combusting it, releasing the active compounds without unhealthy contaminants that you’d find in smoke.

Regardless of your experience level, the effects are felt almost immediately, making this the most efficient way for your body to process marijuana.

 How long do effects last?

The effects of marijuana can last from 1 to 6 hours depending on the individual, how much of a cannabis smoker they are (newbie, occasional, frequent or chronic), the type of strains being consumed and other factors, ranging from how tired a person is to how much they’ve eaten that day. It’s complicated.

I want to smoke weed for my first time.

The first question is: How high do you want to get?

Whether you’re looking to microdose for a subtle mood boost or dive deep into euphoria and relaxation, we’ve got some tips to help you enjoy your experience.

How High Do You Want to GetSmoking/VapingEdibles
Not High at AllHigh CBD products with a ratio of 24:1 or 16:1 CBD:THCHigh CBD products with a ratio of 24:1 or 16:1 CBD:THC
A Little HighSmoking: less than 10% THCEdibles: less than 2 mg THC
Noticeably HighSmoking: between 10% and 20%Edibles: between 2mg and 10mg
Super HighSmoking: more than 20% THCEdibles: more than 10mg THC

How to Smoke Weed: A Beginner's Guide

It's never too late to learn the basics.

The decidedly uphill battle to legalize marijuana, medical or otherwise, is likely to be with us for decades to come.  While alcohol and tobacco remain America's "official" ways to inebriate, the fact of the matter is: cannabis is less harmful and more beneficial to both the body and society in the long run.

If you happen to be interested, here's a Marijuana Basics Primer:

1. Indica vs. Sativa

Learn the difference. Indica makes you sleepy; it's more of a body high, good for pain, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping—you'll likely nod out a couple hours after smoking. Sativa is a more upbeat, artistic, and cerebral high. It sparks the imagination and energizes you directly after smoking, and will keep you awake if you smoke too close to bedtime.

2. Just Say No to Blunts

The use of tobacco leaf rolling papers or hollowed-out/re-rolled Swisher Sweets as the delivery device of choice for weed is called a Blunt. The challenge of smoking blunts is that not only can it lead to an addiction to nicotine, it also kills the taste of the myriad delicious strains now on the market. Nobody would ever mix a shot of red wine in a glass with ice and Coke, would they?

3. Know Your Equipment

Some people swear by vaporizers, which eliminate the intense skunky smell (good for dorm rooms and public spots) and the inhalation of smoke (possibly but not medically proven to adversely affect the lungs). However, the vape high is considerably less intense and shorter lasting. While a bong can be unruly and downright disgusting, a small water pipe can fulfill the same purpose, filtering the more noxious elements of combustion. For cleaning, isopropyl alcohol cuts resin nicely.

4. Giggling Gets Old

The first time you smoke, feel free to giggle your ass off, munch down on Double Stuf Oreos and barbecue potato chips, and marvel at the newfound intensity of movies, music, sex, et al. The primary effect of weed is to enhance the sensory enjoyment of everything around you. Over time, however, you’ll get beyond the endless giggles and into the newly opened doors of your perception.

5. Expectations

If pot makes you feel paranoid, it's because it affords the user a slightly different view of him or herself. When you're high, your words echo discreetly in your own coconut, and your point of view is slightly off center from normal, affording you a kind of fleeting glimpse of yourself and your actions that you might not ordinarily have. Weed invites self-observation, which is not for everyone. Even though it should be.

Terms you Should Know

  • Cannabis: A tall plant with a stiff upright stem, divided serrated leaves, and glandular hairs. It is used to produce hemp fiber and as a psychotropic drug in extract, ingestible, or smokable flower.
  •  Marijuana: A dried preparation of leaves and female flowers of the hemp plant. Used as a psychotropic and anti-inflammatory drug.
  •  Cannabinoids: The chemical compounds that are the active principles of marijuana. Naturally occurring in plants, animals, and humans; isolated from marijuana alone are at least 85 known cannabinoids, the most well-known being THC (the psychoactive compound we know and love) and CBD (the non-psychoactive compound that’s been finding it’s way in headlines for treating children and toddlers with epilepsy).
  • Cannabinoids exhibit various effects and can treat a wide assortment of ailments such as Cancer, Epilepsy, chronic pain, nausea, lack of appetite, Glaucoma, ADHD, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Tourettes, migraines, seizures, and much, much more.
  • There are no known incidents of fatalities by marijuana overdose. There is no connection between marijuana and social/psycho disorders. Like any controlled substance, care should be taken to avoid developing addiction in recreational users. Steps can be taken to cut lung damage and respiratory problems, such as exhaling immediately, smoking weed high in THC, and using a water pipe (also known as a bong!).

Indica Strains vs Sativa Strains

Cannabis plants come in two main classifications: Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica. The first thing a new user will pick up is which of the two they prefer.

  • Indica plants produce marijuana strains that give you a deep body high, often making you sleepy or “couch-locked”. Indica strains are used to treat chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia.
  •  Sativa plants produce marijuana strains that give you a creative and uplifting “mind high”.  Sativa strains are used to treat depression and are great at providing energy and focus.
  •  Hybrids of the two plants create strains that combine benefits of both classifications and are directly influenced by the individual genetics of the plant. The resulting amount of choice is incredible. Hybrid strains   fall into the following categories:
  •  Indica Dominant- Excellent for treating daytime pain.
  •  Even- Strains that have an equal between a cerebral and body relaxing high.
  •  Sativa Dominant- Energetic strains that boost focus and creativity without putting you to sleep.

Weed for Beginners

How to Get Cannabis Legally

  • To obtain weed legally in the US, you must visit a recreational marijuana dispensary in one of the four states that have legalized weed. A marijuana dispensary is simply a store, filled with pot. It’s amazing. You must be 21 or over and have identification.
  • To legally use marijuana medically in states where it is available, you must apply for a marijuana registration card; a process that requires a Dr. visit, application fees and about a one month wait time.

How to Cannabis is Consumed

Cannabis is enjoyed in many ways. The most popular method with the easiest self-dosage control is to smoke it. You can smoke weed in a joint or a blunt or a pipe or a bong. Steps can be taken to reduce lung damage and respiratory problems, such as exhaling immediately, smoking weed high in THC, and using a water pipe (Bong!). Vaporizers are a healthy alternative to smoking, as are tinctures and edibles.

What to expect from smoking weed for first time

Some people say you don’t feel anything your first time; some people say it’s the best they’ve ever felt.

Whatever the outcome, smoking weed for the first time can be climactic, anti-climactic, exciting, a little scary and, most of all, confusing.

Furthermore, it’s rare that a first-time smoker is around someone who is as experienced as, let’s say, Tommy Chong. Usually, it’s a bunch of people in a circle not wanting to admit they have no idea what they’re doing.

So, we’re going to move the learning curve up a bit and give you, cannabis virgins, a few tips on how to smoke weed.

How to Buy It

In order to smoke weed, you need to have weed, so this first step is pretty simple.

Most of the time, first-time cannabis consumers will smoke someone else’s weed. Someone will hand you a joint, bong or, God forbid, an edible at a party because "it’s just crazy man that you haven’t been high before."

In that case, you can skip this step and read on. But, if you really want to impress your friends, or simply want to experience being high for the first time in a more personally accommodating environment (read: in your house by yourself), you need to know how to buy it.

We’re going to stick with legal procurement, here, because we have to respect the law. So, when you’re heading into a dispensary, there are a few things you need to remember.

Bring your ID

This is not an option. These institutions are heavily regulated and one wrong move ruins it for all of us. And, trust us, you don’t want to get all the way through the line just to be told you can’t be served.

Allow yourself plenty of time

Most of the dispensaries have lines out the door at all times. You may not be able to make it there and back on a lunch break. Allow for time to be in line and time to check out the product. You want to be able to make a quality choice, after all.

Speaking of time, don’t go right at closing

Remember when we said these dispensaries are heavily regulated? Well, just because you’re there before they close doesn’t mean they have to serve you. Everyone has to have paid and be gone when “closing time” hits.

So, even if you wait in line for two hours, if it’s time, it’s time, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Ask for help

Bud tenders are trained to help guide you through this process. Don’t know which strain to get? Don’t know how much to buy? Don’t know if you’re in the mood for Sour Patch Kids or cookies? They will be more than happy to assist you.

Cash is King

Some dispensaries cannot take plastic yet. You don’t want to get all the way to check out only to find that you can’t actually buy any bud at all.

How to Consume Cannabis for the first time

Alright, so you’ve made it legally through the line and you’ve got weed in hand. And, now it’s time to smoke it!

Your smoking options includes:

  • joint
  • blunt
  • bowl
  • bong
  • vape pen or vaporizor
  • a myriad of devices that probably aren’t fit for a first-timer (dab rigs and such)
  1. A joint or blunt is probably the easiest way to smoke, but rolling can be hard if you’ve never done it before (and we’re assuming you haven’t) and, as we mentioned above, we’re not fans of smoking blunts, so let’s skip that.
  2. Bong rips may be a bit too harsh and heavy for a first-timer and vapes can be expensive. It’s our considered opinion the most economical and efficient way to consumer cannabis is the old-fashioned pipe. So, we recommend smoking a bowl.
  3. You can purchase a pipe (known as a “bowl”) at any head shop. To find a head shop in your area, Google “head shops in my area.”
  4. We also recommend picking up a grinder while you’re there, so you don’t have to worry about trying to properly break up weed.

OK, I've got a Grinder and a Bowl, Now What?

The first step in using a grinder is to “break up” or separate your bud from the stem. Since a “bud” is the dried flower which grew on the cannabis plant, it has a ‘stem’ (also known as “lumber”) which the bud mass has grown around. Breaking up a bud is easy, just pull the bud mass apart from the stem and, voila, it’s broken up!

The next step is to put the broken up bud mass into the grinder and then turn the top and bottom in opposite directions. The grinder’s “teeth” will tear the bud mass apart and turn the sticky flower into a finely grown “tobacco” which you can then easily load into a pipe (or, once you get the hang of it, roll into a joint) and then smoke.

We recommend you use just enough ground cannabis to loosely fill the bowl, which you then gently tamp down. This way, once you start to get it burning, you won’t have to fight with the pipe and the burn will be even and steady as you inhale. And, that’s the trick – once you inhale, just hold the smoke in for a moment and then slowly exhale. When you exhale the first hit of a fresh bowl, you’ll be able to taste all the terpenes which you were smelling when you ground up your cannabis.

And, there you have it! You’ve officially smoked weed! Don’t worry if you cough. Cannabis smoke expands in your lungs so you don’t have to take a deep drag, but, since it is expansive, it can cause you to cough.

There is an old saying in cannabis culture: if you don’t cough, you don’t get off. The idea is: by holding your hit in for a prolonged time, you’ll get more THC into your blood stream. The trade-off is: you’ll most likely cough a lot as you learn to do this.

Here are a few things to keep in mind to make sure your experience goes as smoothly as possible.

No matter what state you're in right now, you cannot smoke weed in public.

  • It’s still illegal. So, make sure you are at a private residence when you enjoy your bud.

Do not pass a cached bowl to someone.

  • The term “cached” means the bowl or bong no longer has any smokable bud in it. If you are smoking with friends, do not pass a cached bowl to someone.
  • He or she will just suck ash through the pipe and probably not want to be your friend anymore.

Remember to “puff, puff, pass.”

  • This may sound trite, but it’s important. Don’t hog the weed if you’re smoking with friends.

Eating edibles? Read the dosage properly.

  • At Happy Travelers Tours, we don’t recommend eating cannabis as your introduction to consuming marijuana. There are several reasons for this, including the simple fact it can take up to 90 minutes before you feel the affect and you have no way to titrate your dose once you’ve eaten an edible.
  • However, if you do decide on an edible as your first (or second) cannabis experience, we do recommend you are in a familiar, comfortable, environment where you can fall asleep without worry, since that is the most likely end result of your experience!
  • Make an appropriate decision on how much you should eat. Then, eat half of that.

What to expect: what does smoking weed feel like

  • Take a moment and just breathe. You will feel your heart race a bit and your face will get a little flush. You might even feel kind of light-headed.
  • Odds are it’s both the weed and your nerves, and that’s OK. It will pass in a minute.

Here’s what else you should expect when you’re high

You will get the munchies.

  • The cannabinoids in marijuana work with your neurons, and they basically tell your brain it’s time to eat, even if it’s not. Make sure you have food on hand before you smoke. If not, Domino’s delivers, y’all.

Your mouth will get dry.

  • Maybe you’ve heard the nasty cottonmouth rumors floating around. Well, they're true.
  • Marijuana will dry out your mouth and eyes, so make sure you’ve got plenty of liquids around.

It will last about two hours.

  • But, your body will calm down in about 15 minutes, and you will be able to relax and enjoy your buzz -- unless you ate edibles, in which case, the high can last longer depending on the dose.

Time will go by fairly slowly.

  • This is normal. The beautiful thing about weed is it allows you to savor every moment for what feels like longer. Take it all in.

If you don’t feel high, smoke more.

  • The great thing about weed is you can never do too much.

To learn more about consuming cannabis, consider Booking a Happy Travelers MountainTop Grow Tour and get up-close-and-personal with cannabis plants. Or, check out our Dispensary Tour and take a private, back-room tour of our Indoor Grow Partner and their retail operation. If you prefer a Sunset with your cannabis experience, take a look at our Sip-and-Sniff Sunset Tour - it's probably got what you're looking for!

Read what other Guests have said about Happy Travelers Tours on our Testimonials Page.


Recreational Weed States

The legalization of cannabis, and the establishment of recreational weed states in the United States, continues to occur on a state by state basis. While there has been significant speculation as to what it will take for cannabis to be legalized throughout all 50 states and territories, the timeline for this continues to be elusive.

Looking Back at History

The movement towards recreational marijuana states starts with medical marijuana in California. In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis, sparking a trend that spread to a majority of states by 2016.

Recreational Weed States Arrive!

In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize cannabis for recreational use. However, it would six more years before California recreational weed became available, and it's been in the past couple of years we've seen an explosion of cannabis related businesses in California.

This table provides some key dates and milestones in cannabis' journey from being illegal in all 50 states to being able to walk down the street in San Francisco smoking a joint without fear of being busted!

It's truly amazing the amount of progress we've seen in the past 24 years - it'll be even more amazing 24 years from now!

1996Medical Cannabis Legalization Begins
1996California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis with the approval of Proposition 215.[23] Arizona also passed a medical cannabis ballot measure, but it was rendered ineffective on a technicality
1998Oregon, Alaska, and Washington all legalized medical cannabis through ballot measure.[25] Nevada also passed a medical cannabis initiative, but it required second approval in 2000 to become law, as per the state constitution
1999Maine legalized medical cannabis through ballot measure
2000Hawaii became the first state to legalize medical cannabis through state legislature.

Nevada and Colorado legalized medical cannabis through ballot measure
2001Nevada decriminalized cannabis through state legislature
2003Maryland passed legislation establishing reduced penalties for persons using cannabis due to a medical necessity (as established at trial)
2004Vermont legalized medical cannabis through state legislature.

Montana legalized medical cannabis through ballot measure
2006Rhode Island legalized medical cannabis through state legislature
2007 New Mexico legalized medical cannabis through state legislature.
2008New Mexico legalized medical cannabis through state legislature.
2010New Jersey legalized medical cannabis through state legislature.

Arizona legalized medical cannabis through ballot measure.

California legislators reduce penalties for cannabis to a civil infraction
2011Delaware legalized medical cannabis through state legislature.

Connecticut decriminalized cannabis through state legislature
2012Connecticut legalized medical cannabis through state legislature.

Rhode Island decriminalized cannabis through state legislature
2012Recreational Cannabis Legalization Begins
2012Colorado and Washington become the first two states to legalize the recreational use of cannabis, following the passage of Amendment 64 and Initiative 502
2013Vermont decriminalized cannabis through state legislature.

New Hampshire legalized medical cannabis through state legislature.

Illinois legalized medical cannabis through state legislature
2014Utah became the first state to pass a low-THC, high-CBD medical cannabis law. These laws allowed low-THC cannabis oil to be used for treatment of certain medical conditions with a doctor's recommendation.

Maryland legislators decriminalized cannabis and approved a comprehensive medical cannabis law, expanding the very limited measure that was passed in 2003.

Missouri decriminalized cannabis through state legislature.

Minnesota legalized medical cannabis through state legislature.

New York legalized medical cannabis through state legislature.

Alaska and Oregon legalized recreational cannabis through ballot measure.

By the end of the year ten more states passed low-THC, high-CBD medical cannabis laws: Alabama, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Tennessee, Iowa, South Carolina, Florida, North Carolina, and Missouri
2015Delaware decriminalized cannabis through state legislature.

Louisiana legislators passed a limited medical cannabis law.

During the year, five more states passed low-THC, high-CBD medical cannabis laws: Virginia, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming
2016Pennsylvania legalized medical cannabis through state legislature.

Ohio legalized medical cannabis through state legislature.

Illinois decriminalized cannabis through state legislature.

California, Nevada, Maine, and Massachusetts approved ballot measures to legalize recreational cannabis. Arkansas, Florida, and North Dakota approved ballot measures to legalize medical cannabis.
2017West Virginia legalized medical cannabis through state legislature.

Indiana passed a low-THC, high-CBD medical cannabis law.

New Hampshire decriminalized cannabis through state legislature.
2018Vermont became the first state to legalize recreational cannabis through state legislature. Unlike all other states that had legalized recreational, however, no provision was made for commercial sale.

Indiana legalized CBD for any use.

Kansas legalized CBD for any use.

Oklahoma legalized medical cannabis through ballot measure.

Michigan approved a ballot measure to legalize recreational cannabis.

Missouri and Utah approved ballot measures to legalize medical cannabis
2019Hawaii decriminalized cannabis through state legislature
Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_cannabis_laws_in_the_United_States#State

If you'd like to take a Tour of some of Sonoma County's most interesting Dispensaries, check out our Cannabis Dispensary Tour!

Or Book one of our Mountaintop Cannabis Tour's for 2020!

 


CBD vrs THC

CBD vrs THC

As the legal use of marijuana and other cannabis products grows, consumers are becoming more curious about their options. This includes cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), two natural compounds found in plants of the Cannabis genus.

CBD can be extracted from hemp or from marijuana. Hemp plants are cannabis plants that contain less than 0.3 percent THC, while marijuana plants are cannabis plants that contain higher concentrations of THC. CBD is sold in the form of gels, gummies, oils, supplements, extracts, and more.

THC is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana that gives the high sensation. It can be consumed by smoking marijuana. It’s also available in oils, edibles, tinctures, capsules, and more.

Both compounds interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system, but they have very different effects.

Read on to learn more about these compounds. While they may have a lot in common, they have some key differences that determine how they’re used.

CBD vs. THC: Chemical structure

Both CBD and THC have the exact same molecular structure: 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms. A slight difference in how the atoms are arranged accounts for the differing effects on your body.

Both CBD and THC are chemically similar to your body’s own endocannabinoids. This allows them to interact with your cannabinoid receptors.

The interaction affects the release of neurotransmitters in your brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals responsible for relaying messages between cells and have roles in pain, immune function, stress, sleep, to name a few.

CBD vs. THC: Psychoactive components

Despite their similar chemical structures, CBD and THC don’t have the same psychoactive effects. In fact, CBD is a nonpsychoactive compound. That means it doesn’t produce the “high” associated with THC.

THC binds with the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in the brain. It produces a high or sense of euphoria.

CBD binds very weakly, if at all, to CB1 receptors. In fact, it can interfere with the binding of THC and dampen the psychoactive effects.

CBD vs. THC: Medical benefits

CBD and THC have many of the same medical benefits. They can provide relief from several of the same conditions. However, CBD doesn’t cause the euphoric effects that occur with THC. Some people may prefer to use CBD because of the lack of this side effect.

In June 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approvedTrusted Source Epidiolex, the first prescription medication to contain CBD. It’s used to treat rare, difficult-to-control forms of epilepsy.

CBD is used to help with other various conditions, such as:

  • seizures
  • inflammation
  • pain
  • psychosis or mental disorders
  • inflammatory bowel disease
  • nausea
  • migraines
  • depression
  • anxiety

THC is used to help with conditions such as:

  • pain
  • muscle spasticity
  • glaucoma
  • insomnia
  • low appetite
  • nausea
  • anxiety

CBD vs. THC: Side effects

CBD is well-tolerated, even in large doses. ResearchTrusted Source suggests any side effects that occur with CBD use are likely the result of drug-to-drug interactions between CBD and other medications you may be taking.

THC causes temporary side effects, such as:

  • increased heart rate
  • coordination problems
  • dry mouth
  • red eyes
  • slower reaction times
  • memory loss

These side effects are part of the compound’s psychoactive properties.

Neither compound is fatal.

However, high THC use may be connected to long-term negative psychiatric effects. This is especially true for adolescents who consume large amounts of THC.

The effect on the brain is more profound for teens. Using the compound increases the risk for some psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia.

CBD vs. THC: Drug testing

Cannabinoids like THC and CBD are stored in the body’s fat. They can show up on drug tests for several days or weeks after you use them.

Not every drug test will be able to detect CBD, but CBD-sensitive tests are available. Most standard drug tests will look for chemicals related to THC, so THC or marijuana use might show up on a screening.

Likewise, hemp can produce some THC in addition to CBD, so a test could be positive for THC even if you’ve not used it.

Why do people talk about THC content in CBD oil if THC and CBD are two different compounds?

CBD and THC are two of the most prominent cannabinoids found in the Cannabis plant. Both marijuana and hemp produce CBD and THC.

However, marijuana has a higher concentration of THC. Hemp has a higher concentration of CBD.

The average marijuana strain today contains about 12 percentTrusted Source THC. CBD oil may contain small amounts of THC because it’s present in the hemp plant. CBD can have no more than 0.3 percent THC to be legal at the federal level.

Takeaway

CBD and THC both have medical benefits. They’re also both considered safe, but consider the possibility of side effects and interactions with other drugs you’re taking. Continue your research and talk with your doctor if you have any questions.

TAKEAWAYCBDTHC
Anti-inflammatoryYESYES
Decreases SeizuresYESNO
Eases DepressionYESNO
Eases MigrainesYESYES
Helps with InsomniaYESYES
Helps with PsychosisYESNO
Hemp-DerivedYESNO
IllegalYES*NO
Increases AppetiteNoYES
Interact with Endocannabinoid SystemYESYES
Marijuana DerivedYES*YES
Pain RelieverYESYES
Produces a "High"NOYES
Reduces AnxietyYESYES
Reduces NauseaYESYES
Shows on Drug TestPOSSIBLY**YES
Side EffectsALMOST NONEPSYCHOACTIVE SIDE EFFECTS
Used for Various ConditionsYESYES

* CBD can be extracted from hemp (cannabis plants that contain less than 0.3 percent THC) or from marijuana plants (cannabis plants with higher concentrations of THC).

** CBD isn't detected in hemp products, but hemp products may contain trace amounts of THC. THC may show up in high enough concentrations to produce a positive drug test.

Is CBD Legal?

Marijuana-derived CBD products are illegal on the federal level, but are legal under some state laws. Hemp-derived CBD products (with less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal on the federal level, but are still illegal under some state laws. Check your state's laws and those of anywhere you travel. Keep in mind that nonprescription CBD products are not FDA-approved, and may be inaccurately labeled.

Let's Revisit the Medical Benefits of CBD

The list of conditions CBD may help with is ever-expanding. Here are some of the most common conditions and symptoms patients combat with CBD:

  • Epilepsy and seizure disorders
  • Pain and inflammation
  • PTSD and anxiety
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Opioid withdrawal

Though clinical and anecdotal evidence suggests CBD’s benefits in managing different conditions, it became most famous for treating a rare and debilitating form of pediatric epilepsy. Dravet’s Syndrome is notoriously resistant to current approved treatment methods. Sufferers are plagued by seizures, often up to hundreds a day, that worsen as they age and can be life-threatening. Currently, treatment methods include having the child wear an eyepatch, specialized diets, and brain surgery, but all have mixed success rates.

Keep in mind that CBD levels may vary from crop to crop—even from plant to plant. However, below are some strains that have been bred to contain higher CBD levels, so they might be a good place to start. Check the map on their strain page to see if these are sold at a dispensary near you. We also recommend checking with dispensaries about the specifics of their strains’ CBD levels. It’s always a good idea to purchase only lab-tested products that clearly state the CBD/THC levels so you know what kind of experience to expect.

To learn more, read our Blog Post Indica vrs Sativa: Which to Choose?

Click here to Book a Happy Travelers Tour!


What is a Bong?

What is a Bong? A bong (also water pipe, billy, bing, or moof) is a filtration device which uses water and/or ice as a filtration system and is generally used for smoking cannabis, tobacco, or other herbal substances. In construction and function a bong is similar to a hookah, except smaller and especially more portable. A bong may be constructed from any air- and water-tight vessel by adding a bowl and stem apparatus (or slide) which guides air downward to below water level whence it bubbles upward ("bubbler") during use.

To get fresh air into the bong and harvest the last remaining smoke, a hole known as the "carburetor", "carb", "choke", "bink", "rush", "shotty", "kick hole", or simply "hole", somewhere on the lower part of the bong above water level, is first kept covered during the smoking process, then opened to allow the smoke to be drawn into the respiratory system. On bongs without such a hole, the bowl and/or the stem are removed to allow air from the hole that holds the stem.

Bongs have been in use by the Hmong, in Laos and Thailand, and all over Africa for centuries. One of the earliest recorded uses of the word in the West is in the McFarland Thai-English Dictionary, published in 1944, which describes one of the meanings of bong in the Thai language as, "a bamboo waterpipe for smoking kancha, tree, hashish, or the hemp-plant." A January 1971 issue of the Marijuana Review also used the term.

Historically, it is generally accepted that the bong was first brought to the United States by US soldiers stationed overseas in the 1960’s. Since then, artisan glass blowers have made bongs into their own art form.

How a Bong Works

The basic concept of the bong is to cool the smoke being inhaled by passing it through one or several chambers filled with water or ice. The more contact the smoke has with the water, the cooler and smoother the smoke. Although these devices vary in size, shape, and complexity… the one thing they all have in common is delivering a pleasantly refreshing smoking experience.

Essentially a bong consists of 5 pieces:
1.    Tube and/or base – the long, straight tube is essentially what defines a bong. These can vary in sizes from 8” on up. The base is filled with a small amount of water.
2.    Downstem – a tube that slides into the side of the of the bong and into the water. These may also be slotted at the base to create more bubbles.
3.    “Carb” or carburetor (generally a pull or a slide) – a hole in the side of the base to create clean air flow and clear the tube. (Most times, this means simply lifting the bowl off of the downstem.)
4.    Bowl – placed at the opposite end of the downstem, this is where the herb is packed.
5.    Percolator – a filter that creates bubbles in the water when smoke is drawn through the tube.

ICE Pinch

Many bongs today come with an ice pinch in the tube. These “pinches” in the glass, usually located at a mid-point or near the top of the tube, prevent the ice cubes from falling into the water (at least until they melt small enough to fall through). This additional filter of ice provides another cooling level before reaching the smoker’s mouth.

Why Use a Bong? The Benefits of Percolation

There is no denying the distinctive sound of a bubbling bong, but there is science behind that beloved gurgle. Although the level of filtration acquired is debatable, studies are promising that passing smoke through water helps to filter some of the toxicants that may be inhaled while smoking. With other smaller devices, such pipes, cigarettes, or joints, the smoke is not filtered which allows small particles, toxicants, even burning embers to pass into the smoker’s mouth, esophagus, and lungs, potentially causing damage over time. Using a water pipe, as the smoker inhales, the smoke travels through the water trapping particulate matter, as well as, commingling with clean air and water vapor, which essentially expands the smoke. As more bubbles are created, the more the smoke expands, and the smoother and cooler the hit.

With this in mind, there are many different types of percolation filters found in bongs today which are engineered to provide better air flow and produce a better smoking experience.

These are but a few of the most popular types of percolators:

  • Honeycomb – just like the name suggests, this filters the smoke and water through dozens of tiny holes.
  • Turbine – pulls smoke through 5-6 slots creating a cyclone effect in the water.
  • Hanging – a series of smaller tubes, hang in the center of the main tube to create more bubbles.
  • Inline – a small horizontal slotted tube near the bottom of the base
  • Fritted – finely porous glass filter, almost looks like fibers, creates the smallest bubbles, which creates the most filtration, but can also clog the easiest.

Other Pieces and Parts of a Water Bong

In addition to the percolator, the other parts play an important factor as well. The down stem, example, has three common styles:

  • Classic Down stem – a simple glass tube with a flared end to fit the bowl.
  • Diffused Down stem – like a classic down stem, but with extra slots at the base to create more airflow.
  • Direct Inject – also called a “stemless bong”, this is built into the side of the bong.

Bowls also come in different sizes to fit whatever size stem is being used in the bong. Three sizes for glass on glass bongs are generally considered standard: 10mm (small), 14mm (medium), and a 18mm (large). For water pipes with standard downstems 9mm and 12mm tend to be the most popular size bowls. Even the base of the bong may vary in shape from just a tube, to a flared beaker-style base, or a bubble base.

The Variations are Limitless

So many options, combined with the artistic creativity of extremely talented glassblowers, equals an impressive array of intricate, beautiful glassware seen in water pipes. Some very elaborate pieces may have several chambers with multiple levels of diffusion and functionality, others may be finely detailed sculptures of artistic splendor that sit on a shelf, never used. While some might only be used to entertain guests. Just remember the more complex the piece, the higher the price tag. Bongs can vary in price from very cheap $10 pieces to upwards of $20,000 or more (see Expensive Bongs below)

A bong is considered by many to be one of the most exquisite ways to smoke. From the perspective of improving the overall smoking experience, a bong not only provides the smoothest, coolest hits; it is also a unique and functional piece of artwork.

Different Types of Bongs Materials

Let’s look at the different types of bong materials in use today:

  1. Glass happens to be the most popular bong material
  2. Plastic is the second most used material for bongs
  3. Ceramic bongs are much heavier compared to glass or plastic bongs

Expensive Bongs

Glass pipes, bubblers, and bongs come and go like the wind. One day you have a beautiful blue bubbler in your hands, making huge smoke clouds and seemingly enjoying the hell out of its life. Next thing you know there’s a million pieces of glass on the ground and your cat has that evil look she’s so very fondly of throwing in your face.

Although it can be a disheartening feeling to lose a member of the squad, they can usually be easily replaced for under 100 bucks. However, like with most things, you can spend some major money on these dope weed pipes. Here’s a list of the most expensive bongs for sale:

    • ME Glass X Blitzkriega Balloon Giraffe – $7,000
    • Burtoni & Euphoria “Squid Chopper” Hybrid – $7,000
    • Scott Deppe’s Grateful 4 Mushrooms – $14,000
    • Scott Deppe’s Take Me 2 The Mothership – $20,000
    • Illuzion Glass Galleries 2017 Annual 420 Party Collaboration Vabor Bubbler by AKM, Cowboy, and Darby – $30, 000
    • “Double Rainbow” Bubbler and Hand Pipe Collaboration Set by Adam G., Darby, Buck, 2BA, and Eusheen – $33,000
    • Pirate Ship Bubbler – $30,000
    • Roor Skull Gun – $90,000
    • Scott Deppe’s Gold Encrusted Skull Bong – $100,000
    • “The Throne” Bubbler Collaboration by Clinton Roman, Scott Deppe, Darby Holm, and Banjo. “The Throne” really is the king of all glass pieces, any other claiming they need a reality check. “The Throne” is considered to be one of the most iconic and legendary functional glass pieces in the industry. Standing nearly two feet tall, this mega collaboration was constructed in 2010. The skulls, made by Scott Deppe, remove from the top revealing the mouthpiece, and the structure itself was assembled by Darby Holm using the Deppe’s Darkness color. Banjo constructed the one-foot tall goddess that sits upon Darby’s lattice of bones. The airflow of this piece begins at the push bowl, where it travels down into a large natural percolator and then on up the skeletal backbone to the mouthpiece. Since this piece was first exhibited, there have been several similar pieces created, but this one will always be considered the true original. “The Throne” can be viewed at Illuzion Glass Galleries in Denver, Colorado, USA.

Bongs are great!

All in all, bongs are a great way to consume cannabis. Not only do they provide a filtration and cooling function, they can look really cool as well.

For more about consuming cannabis, read our blog post Ways to Smoke Cannabis

Visit our Booking page to get a seat on our Wine-and-Weed Tour!


The Best Pot Brownie Recipes

We were sitting around wondering what the ‘best’ pot brownie recipes looked like and so we’ve compiled three pot brownie recipes from the web. In our table we give credit as due, along with the source and we are happy to provide this easy pot brownie reference!

The “pot brownie” needs less introduction than most baked goods, but you’ll find no sloppily constructed, slightly burnt bars here.

Home Grown, Home Baked

For those who don’t live near a dispensary (or a group of friendly college kids), here’s a low-key way to get your hands on safe, tasty edibles: Go homemade

Not only will they taste better, but when you DIY, you’re also fully in charge of how much bud actually ends up in the brownies. This recipe calls for a full 1/8 ounce (3.5 grams) of cannabis, yet the process still works if you decide to use less.

An easy way to measure this is to use about 3 tablespoons of finely ground cannabis (more on this below).

Decarboxylated Cannabis

Pro Tip: To draw out cannabis’s full potential in edibles, it must be decarboxylated.

Decarboxylation is basically a fancy way of saying that the herb needs to be heated to fully activate it to its psychoactive form. As in: A joint won’t get anyone high unless it’s lit on fire.

This recipe makes 16 potent brownies. While they are delicious, we do not recommend you eat more than one at a time. If you’re new to all this, eat a small one. And be patient. It could take up to 90 minutes for the brownie to digest and the high to hit you. When eaten, cannabis is absorbed by our livers, so the ‘high’ is different than if you smoke or vape; also, since it has to be digested before it can be absorbed it can take a long time before you feel it.

Smoke, Eat, Vape

Marijuana can be responsibly enjoyed in many forms, from vaporizing to smoking to topical lotions. But for many, the easiest method of dosing legal or medical marijuana is simply eating it—and if done right, it can be delicious. Edibles offer a wide range of options, allow users to experience the effects of THC slowly, and they don’t require you to know how to smoke.

When it comes to marijuana edibles, there are some things you need to know before you get started. For starters, it’s important to remember that your body metabolizes THC differently than when you consume it by smoking or vaporizing it. Dosage may be smaller with an edible than with a traditional smoking method. The length of time it will take for an edible to metabolize in your system will depend upon how much you have eaten that day and your metabolism.

Choose Your Strain

Because of this, it’s wise to start slowly when consuming pot brownies or any other form of marijuana edible. It’s always easy to eat more, but you’ll have to wait it out if you take too strong of a dose. When making your butter, the strain of marijuana you pick will impact the effect that your brownies will have. A Sativa strain will give you a more exciting creative and energetic feeling, while an Indica strain will make you more relaxed. Both strains can severely ruin your day if you eat too much of them.

How Much Weed in Brownies?

The better question is how much weed should you use in making weed butter because that’s the real difference maker (and we’ll get to that shortly).

You wouldn’t be making pot brownies or cookies if you didn’t want to get high, but that doesn’t mean you want to get wrecked. If you want your butter to last longer or keep yourself from accidentally taking too much, use less butter. If your recipe calls for a 1/2 cup of butter, use 1/4 cup of your pot butter and 1/4 cup of standard butter.

This method is useful if you have friends who are snacky, might not think about dosage, or if you simply want to be able to enjoy a whole brownie without worrying about the dose. Just because a high is stronger doesn’t mean it’s better.

Butter Versus Oil

Call us old-fashioned, but we recommend using weed butter as opposed to different oils. There are too many variables at work with the oils, making it difficult to know what to expect when you’re finished.

Weed butter is easy to infuse in a crockpot or standard stovetop pan, but it takes time, effort, and the willingness for your home to smell like weed for a few hours.

Is There Weed In This?

It’s an easy bet a good portion of 14-64 year old humans ask “Is there weed in here?” when handed a homemade brownie. So ubiquitous are THC-laded chocolatey treats that this buddy comedy fuel is often people’s first foray into edible cannabis. (Likely attributable to chocolate’s powers of covering up nearly any unpleasant taste.) Too-strong brownies sometimes carry the deep bitterness of raw marijuana, but with the right proportions you can make a brownie that’s as delicious as it is dastardly.

Some bakers opt for chocolate ganache while others are in love with the cocoa (powder). Both will give you moist and gooey brownies on their own, but combining the two makes them addictively fudgey and, pot or not, they stand alone. Brownies bake up like an extra-dense cake, and both the pan and the baking time dictate the degree of fudge you end up with. A big wide pan will give you a thick chewy result, whereas smaller portioned pans will bake up super fast and gain height.

Prepare Cannabis Infused Butter

The best method for smaller batches of infusions is to simply seal up one stick of butter with an eighth of mid-to-high grade finely ground and decarboxylated bud, and heat at 170℉ or 160℉ for an hour or two. Shorter cook times give you more of the early cannabinoids like CBD and THC, as well as preserve the terpenes that give each strain its unique smell and taste. Longer cook times provide sleepier butter that has more CBN, known for couch lock, not to be ignored if you suffer from insomnia.

Here's Our Best Pot Brownie Recipes

Recipe #1Rebecca FirkserGreatist.comMakes 16 Servings
QUANTITYINGREDIENTNOTESDIRECTONS
4 OuncesUnsweetened, Quality ChocolatePreheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9-by-13 inch glass baking pan with cooking spray.
3/4 CupCannaButterSee RecipePlace chocolate in a large glass mixing bowl and melt in the microwave or over a saucepan of boiling water.
1 and 3/4 CupsCoconut SugarAdd cannabutter to melted chocolate and mix until combined, then mix in coconut sugar, salt, and vanilla.
1/2 TeaspoonKosher SaltAdd eggs one at a time, mixing until fully incorporated.
2 TeaspoonsVanilla ExtractMix in flour, and walnut and/or mint, if using.
3Large EggsPour batter into prepared baking pan and bake for 25–30 minutes. Let cool slightly, then cut into 16 pieces. Store leftovers — clearly marked if there are others using your kitchen — in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for several months.
1 and 3/4 CupsAll Purpose Flour
2/3 CupChopped WalnutsOptional
CannaButter
1/8 OunceFinely Ground Cannabis TrimIf you know a grower or you are a grower just use the 'left over' bio-mass from the trimming operationPreheat oven to 240°F (115°C). Spread cannabis evenly on a baking sheet. Bake 50 minutes (if using less cannabis, check oven after 35–40 minutes). Remove from oven and set aside.
3/4 Cup or
1 1/2 Sticks
Unsalted ButterIn a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add decarboxylated (oven-baked) cannabis and lower heat to a simmer. Cook for 45 minutes, then remove from heat.
Recipe #2John-Michael BondDailyDot.comMakes 16 Servings
1/2 CupCannabis ButterIf you want to make it weaker, use 1/4 cup of cannabis butter and 1/4 cup of unsalted butterPreheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
1 CupWhite SugarGrease a pan with cooking spray or by lightly coating a paper towel with cooking oil and rubbing it down. You want your pan to be around 8×8 or 9×9 inches, but if you don’t mind thinner brownies, a larger pan can work. Just make sure you check the brownies after 15 minutes instead of 25 or 30.
1/3 CupUnsweetened Cocoa PowderMix your cocoa powder, flour, salt, and baking powder together in a mixing bowl and set it aside.
1/2 CupAll Purpose FlourMelt your butter down in a saucepan until it is a liquid, being careful not to let it reach a boil. You want your butter melted but not hot.

Mix sugar and vanilla into the butter.
1/4 TeaspoonSaltAdd your sugar, butter, and vanilla to the mixing bowl with your other dry ingredients, along with your eggs.

Beat the mixture in your mixing bowl until your mixture is velvety.

Pour the brownie batter into your baking pan.
1/4 TeaspponBaking PowderPut your brownies in the oven, and let bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
1 TeaspoonVanilla ExtractLet them cool completely before eating and remember, it takes about 90 minutes for cannabis to be absorbed into your bloodstream
2Eggs
Recipe #3Danielle Guercioskillet.lifehacker.comMakes 16 Servings
1 StickCannabis ButterSee recipe abovePreheat to 350℉. If you’ve prepped your butter in a sous-vide bag, toss it into a bowl with warm water and let it soften fully before mixing the batter. Baking all brownies, even cannabis brownies, calls for your standard wet bowl, dry bowl batter technique, so start by mixing all of the dry ingredients together. Then, in a second bowl, combine vanilla and eggs.
1/4 CupVegetable ShorteningMelt the chocolate gently with either a double boiler or in a microwave in short bursts. Stir in the shortening into the chocolate until it melts. Stream the chocolate mixture slowly into the eggs and mix with a spatula, then fold in cannabutter. Make sure everything is uniformly mixed without aerating too much.
1/3 CupCocoa PowderFold the wet batter into the combined dry ingredients, and stir this sinfully thick goop again until it’s just mixed. Here’s where my bff OXO bowl scrapers come in handy: they allow you to squeeze out every last drop of the fudge into a waiting greased and parchment lined 9x7 pan. Smooth out the mixture and smack it flat on the counter a few times to make sure there is no air trapped inside.
1 CupCake FlourBake for 15 minutes, rotate the pan, then bake for another 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes. At this point your brownies are warm and edible, but be warned that their structure will come from cooling completely, similar to chocolate chip cookies. If you can’t wait for them to cool completely, at least use a big, sharp knife to cut off a slab so you don’t damage the innards too much. Use the paper to take them out of the pan and cool the rest of the way on a wire rack.
2 CupsSugarPortion, or don’t, but keep in mind that each 1-inch square will have roughly 29 milligrams of THC, a potent dose, so serve small chunks. You can also swap out half of the butter for the non-psychoactive kind and drop the dosage down to 15 milligrams, which is much more reasonable for people who don’t smoke habitually. Follow the basic edible protocol not laid out by Maureen Dowd and try not to consume more than 5 milligrams at time if you are a new denizen of weedland. Always wait 60 minutes before eating more, because eating too much can leave you impaired for hours at a time.
1/2 TeaspoonSaltThese devilishly rich bites will be too tasty to resist, so no one will judge you for making them sans herb, but if you want to impress someone or just imbibe the nostalgic way, this is it.
4 OuncesBittersweet or Semisweet Chocolate
1/4 TeaspoonsBaking Powder
1/8 TeaspoonBaking Soda
2Jumbo Eggs
1Vanilla Bean - crushed

Want to learn more? Read this post on Edible Marijuana

Still Curious? Book a Wine-and-Weed Tour with Happy Travelers Tours! Or, sit down and enjoy CBD-infused Tea and Treats with our High Tea Experience!


Smoke Weed Everyday

There are people who smoke weed everyday. They wake up to a toke, before breakfast and  their morning coffee. But is it harmful and excessive to smoke weed everyday?  What really are the facts, what happens to a person that consumes marijuana day after day, and year after year.  What does the research tell us about the dangers and benefits of heavy, daily marijuana use?

Daily Cannabis Consumption - The Benefits

Medical Marijuana has been found to treat or alleviate the following symptoms.

  • Contain Cramps
  • Lift Depression
  • Lower Eye Pressure
  • Lift Fatigue
  • Treat Headaches
  • Lower Blood Pressure
  • Lower Inflammation
  • Mitigate Insomnia
  • Enhance Appetite
  • Treat Muscle Spasms
  • Stop Nausea
  • Raise Pain Tolerance
  • Reduce of Stop Seizures
  • Reduce or Halt Spasticity
  • Lower Stress

CAN WEED MAKE YOU SICK?

The simple thinking is that marijuana smoking would be similar to smoking cigarettes and getting high all the time might destroy your liver or some organ, like alcohol.  Then you're going to be addicted, just like cigs and booze.

This is the line of thinking that was used by the Fed back in the day to scare a very gullible public about the dangers cannabis.  In a study of a few thousand marijuana moderate to heavy users, it was found that there was no greater incidence of lung disorders, including cancer.  Also, it was found that moderate daily marijuana use was associated with an improvement in lung capacity.

Then there are the studies about the liver and other organs.  Moderate daily use is correlated with improved liver function and is not associated with organ damage of any type.

Onto addiction.  Marijuana is addictive to a small % of the population that partake and is several times less addictive than alcohol and there is no comparison with cigarettes, which is among the most of all addictive substances.  In addition, cannabis tends to moderate cravings found in drug abuse and obsessive compulsive behavior. This munchie inducing herb actually balances appetite to LOWER weight in the long run.

Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome is a very real reaction to smoking cannabis. You can read more about it in our Blog Post.

Daily cannabis smokers are more likely to go to the hospital. BS!

According doctors at the Boston Medical Center, people that consume marijuana daily are no more likely to visit a doctor than non-smokers.  Furthermore, many sick people that visited the hospital regularly have started using cannabis daily to treat their conditions and symptoms, so the real healthy effects of smoking marijuana daily could be masked somewhat.

This good news about the daily use of cannabis and your lungs is despite the fact that there is tar and other carcinogenic things in a joint, plus many illegal (and legal) growers use horrible pesticides and herbicides, that definitely irritate and damage lung tissue.

One of the benefits of legalization is the implementation of Quality Control, Testing and other consumer safety requirements which make Cannabis purchased through legally licensed dispensaries significantly more pure.

Daily Cannabis Consumption can treat Chronic Pain

Cannabis has been documented in European literature in the treatment of pain.  Queen Victoria's physicians prescribed alcohol extracts of Indian Hemp (has THC) for her cramps and migraines.  Today, Whoopi Goldberg does the same for her cramps and migraines. Literally every study on pain shows that cannabinoids are much better tolerated as compared to addicting and body destroying opioids, and especially the synthetic ones.    If you glance at a weed consumer, you won't be able to tell if they toke or not, but an opiate addict sticks out like a sore thumb, like a prison of war victim.

Cannabis has been used for millennia to treat pain. US Pharmacopeia in 1930 listed Cannabis and tinctures thereof, to be a potent painkiller and was especially good for women's issues.  Literally every study done on marijuana indicates that it's safe and it's opioid counterparts are, in every case, found to be dangerous with potentially life threatening side effects.

Is the pharmaceutical industry is against marijuana. No, not any longer.

The medical researchers in the US are chomping at the bit to get on board and catch up with the rest of the world, a world that has a head start on the synthesis of cannabinoids and derivatives.  As legality looms large, the number of cannabis medicine related research events - that is positive studies and clinical trials aiming to explore the benefits - will explode. Sadly, as was the case of opium, cocaine and now cannabinoids, man made toxic chemical derivatives will likely supplant the natural, much more tolerable and effective (in the long term) herbals.

Medical studies suggest that cannabinoids are useful to treat diverse conditions, especially those related to inflammation, acute or chronic pain. The discovery of cannabinoid receptors, their activators (endocannabinoids and components of weed) how the body's own chemicals are synthesized, transport, and degradation of these chemical  messengers, has equipped the medical community with with understanding to develop new chemical analogues.

They don't know how weed works or how to prescribe it.

Some current treatments with highly addictive and toxic opioids and anti-inflammatory drugs are not effective for certain painful conditions. These same conditions may be treatable with non-toxic cannabinoids and analogues because the endogenous cannabinoid system components, CB1 receptors, are present in the nervous and immune system and work with the body's own endocannabinoids in pain modulation. Cannabis cannabinoids like CBD and THC can supplement or replace the body's own endocannabinoids (in short supply) to intervene in pain mechanisms.

“The herb is the healing of our nation, the alcohol is the destruction of it.” - Bob Marley

Smoking Weed every day makes you stupid. - Not really.

Regular weed smokers know that there are a few potheads in every crowd, people that fall in love with the herb, the holiday feeling, and like to live every moment in the "Bob Marley Zone". And, there are some people who shouldn't smoke cannabis (or consume anything, really). However, there is little to no evidence that smoking THC, or CBD with moderate THC, hampers cognitive ability.  Certainly, cognitive ability can be impaired with too much THC, but these effects are temporary and have no measured permanent effects in longtime users.

If you are an energetic, creative person, and your receptors like cannabinoids, the results can be extremely good, and the creative juices flow, doors and windows open to the canyons of your mind.  Weed especially compliments the overactive, overachiever, to tone it down and go at a slower and more wholesome pace.

Smoking too much weed will make me fat -   Nope

According to literature. the ingredients in weed, THC and CBD act to modulate the receptors that affect appetite, both up and down.  Generally, obese people don't feel properly satisfied when they eat and continue to eat to feel better. It's the lizard brain at work, an impulse in the subconscious brain generated by simple errant biochemical reactions gone wrong.  Cannabinoids and other drugs act as biochemical switches to turn on/off hunger, pain, inflammation and so on.

Some cannabinoids like THCV, a type of THC found in South African strains and derivatives, works in the reverse of regular THC to turn off hunger.  At the end of the day, the net effect of long term weed smokers is that they don't put on extra weight, and in fact have substantially less fat on their bodies compared to their non-toking comrades.

The American Journal of Epidemiology published a study about daily marijuana users, which showed a lower risk of obesity than marijuana non-users, regular cannabis users have thinner waists and lower insulin levels than those cannabis-free.  Cannabis was the single best treatment for anorexia, because it stimulates a healthy appetite and reduced fears of getting fat.

Smoking Weed Daily is a gateway to other drug abuse. BS!

Wherever weed is legal, drug and abuse statistics go down, all of them and every case.   Back in the day, then you had sometimes had to go to a drug dealer for your weed and he also had some narcotics, then it was possible that a gateway effect existed.  This gateway effect had nothing to do with weed, but the circumstances, where weed was placed in an environment with shady players doing shady things.

Anyone that rents real estate knows that you want to rent to responsible weed smokers and not bing alcohol consumers.  Weed smokers pay the rent and don't break things, while the drunks are generally a nightmare experience all round.

"Smoking cannabis regularly resulted in a 3 percent reduction in the probability of alcohol consumption and a 5 percent reduction in the probability of binge drinking among this younger group, the researchers found. Younger adults to substitute high caloric alcoholic beverages with lower-calorie marijuana 'high,' resulting in lower body weight and lower likelihood of obesity."

Cannabis is bad for the heart.  BS

If your blood pressure is too low from medication, weed may lower is further to the point of blanking out.    In this case, rather than swear off weed, you might contact a doctor that is deep in cannabis based medicine experience and ask two questions.  Can my high blood pressure medicine be reduced, or could cannabinoids lower my blood pressure to normal levels all on its own.

Most clinical research revolves THC and CBD, the psychoactive and non-psychoactive components of most strains of cannabinoids.  Medical professionals are now leaning toward balanced cannabis medicines, including a variety of terpenes and other types of cannabinoids as opposed strains containing only psychoactive THC.  The benefits of the "other cannabinoids" such as CBD, CBN, CBC on the cardiovascular system and heart are only now being studied in any great detail.

Conclusion

Granted, we are not clinical researchers, however, we find no body of clinical nor anecdotal data to suggest that daily use of cannabis is harmful to one's health. Given its low toxicity, in comparison to toxic pharmaceuticals, cannabis is indeed the choice for long term treatment.  With that said, the body will build up a tolerance and even reject THC if the dosage is too large and is taken for too long a period.

The research strongly indicates that any substance whether herbal or drug, natural or synthetic, taken in significant quantities that profoundly affect the body, should be cycled with a ration of something like 1:3 or 2:7 on:off.

This translates into one week to 10 days off weed per month.  If you can't anty up and go weed free for a week here and there, then maybe, sir or madam, you do have a dependence issue.

Which leads us to a conversation about overuse.

Overuse, Addiction or Nothing to Worry About

For those of us in legal weed states, it's ridiculously easy to indulge. There are $5 joints for sale in every neighborhood. But how do you know when you're overindulging? Weed's mild nature can make it difficult to spot developing problems. It doesn't cause hangovers; it's pretty easy to lead a functional life through a perpetual haze; and, unlike cocaine, alcohol, or coffee, quitting doesn't usually result in withdrawal symptoms.

Still, experts say that pot addiction—or, as psychologists call it, cannabis use disorder—does exist, and out of control weed use can negatively impact both your wallet and your relationships. Plus, we still don't know entirely how cannabis affects our cardiovascular and brain health.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, symptoms of cannabis use disorder include spending a "great deal of time" obtaining and using cannabis, as well as having "a strong desire or urge to use cannabis."

In my case, both are true. I am a medical cannabis patient and I operate a cannabis tour company.

I use cannabis because I was in a bicycle accident many years ago and I crushed 12 vertebra in my spine as a result. I use both THC and CBD to help manage intense chronic pain.

As a Tour Operator, I spend a LOT of time talking about cannabis with my Guests and helping them to make good choices about their own cannabis consumption.

Do I think I have a problem with cannabis use? Not really. While it is true I consume more than most people, I use it medicinally and it provides me a benefit. And, besides, talking about cannabis is really fun!

Learn More, Take a Tour!

For more information about consuming cannabis, read our blog post Ways to Smoke Cannabis

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Honeymoon Ideas and Things To Do

Honeymoon Paradise – that’s a good description of Sonoma County’s Wine and Weed Country! As far as honeymoon ideas go, there is so much to do besides visit wineries! This article is going to talk about some of them, and, yes, we’re also going to talk about wine, because, in Sonoma County, Grape is King, Wine is Queen and Cannabis is the next in line!

Sonoma County

Birthplace of the California wine industry, 17-mile-long Sonoma Valley sits between two mountain ranges and is home to dozens of wineries where tastings and tours are held daily. Sonoma's town square is the Plaza, surrounded by historic adobe buildings, boutiques, and restaurants. Thanks to its hot springs, the area has drawn health-conscious visitors for more than a century. Today it includes several world-class resorts and spas and is the gate way to Sonoma County.

The City of Sonoma is full of historic buildings, fine restaurants and breweries and is home to California oldest winery, Buena Vista. In addition, Sonoma is very walk-able and bike-able with trails connecting both sides of town!

Napa Valley

Napa Valley, which consists of six towns (Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, Yountville, and the city of Napa), similarly boasts first-class wine producers, restaurants, resorts, spas, and Wine Country scenery.

Downtown Napa visitors walk from tasting room to tasting room without needing a car. It’s a grown-up version of a bar crawl with sophisticated flair. It's also a time saver if your romantic getaway to Napa Valley is limited by time. You might not get to stroll through the vineyards but you will get to swirl more wine in the glass or boogie to some of the great local music.

Russian River

Many of the 150 wineries in and around the Russian River Valley are small, family-run operations. Some have tasting rooms as chic as the bar in an elegant restaurant, while in others, visitors stand amidst barrels and stainless steel drums, sampling wines that have been poured by the winemaker himself.

The Russian River Valley is also known for its commitment to artisanal cheeses and locally grown produce, making the region appealing to both food and wine aficionados. And, of course, the River runs to the Sea, in this case the magnificent Pacific Ocean and the rugged Sonoma Coast.

Spend a day visiting the coastal communities of Bodega Bay, Jenner and the Sea Ranch!

Other Wine Country Activities

Before you start thinking, not another winery!, arrange to spend time involved in one of California wine country activities likely to delight honeymoon couples:

  • Hike along the ocean bluffs in Russian River and Napa Valley
  • Go kayaking or canoeing on the Russian or Petaluma River
  • Day spas - where you can soak up to your necks in mineral-rich mud
  • Hot-Air Ballooning - soar over the beautiful northern landscape
  • Shopping - including wine, glasses, and accessories
  • Check out the Microbreweries
  • Treat yourselves to a romantic dinner
  • Take a Happy Travelers Tours Wine-and-Weed Tour and get up close to Cannabis Plants

Tip for Tipplers

Unless you have a designated driver, avoid tasting wine and getting behind the wheel. Options include staying in Downtown Napa to enjoy tasting rooms there, hiring a limo, even visiting vineyards in a horse-drawn carriage. Wine tour shuttles are in abundance and you can choose conveyances that range from a private car service to a jovial party bus. If you have more time to spend, swish, and spit, consider booking passage on the Napa Valley Wine Train. A variety of romantic hotel and train packages are available.

Happy Travelers Tours is for hire and available for private tours or as a car service. Give us a call at 707-386-9859 to take care of your transportation needs.

We think Sonoma County is California's best honeymoon destination. That may seem like a grand proclamation, but we're not just boasting. Here's why: Sonoma County is where you can find abundant sunshine, more than 425 wineries, romantic vineyards, breathtaking Pacific Ocean beaches, award-winning restaurants, majestic redwood forests, relaxing resorts, and did we mention world-class Cannabis? Last but not least, this favorite Wine Country is just 45 minutes away from San Francisco. Who needs more?

Simply take a look at these five points, and you'll surely agree that Sonoma Wine Country region is prime not only for Weddings but for the happy couple's getaway, too.

The Romance of Wine and Cannabis

There's no denying the pleasure of a fine glass of wine, and shared with a loved one, a sip adds an extra special statement to even the most simple moment. Sonoma County boasts more than 400 wineries, and 60,000 acres planted with world-class wine grapes of nearly every varietal imaginable.

In addition, Sonoma County boasts both indoor and outdoor cannabis cultivation, retail dispensaries and Tours.

Princess for a Day

Would you like to play princess for a day? Visit Sonoma's Wine Castles, for example: Ledson, Chateau St. Jean, Ferrari-Carano, and Francis Ford Coppola wineries. Send an email to [email protected] and as about our Princess for a Day Tour! We’ll be happy to provide Royal Transportation for your day!

Lovely Places to Cuddle

Whether you're looking for a posh, modern retreat (the recently renovated Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, for example) a quaint, historic B&B amid the vineyards (the 1880 Radford Inn beckons), or flat out luxury (Madrona Manor is a classic European mansion), lodging here is so unique and welcoming you may never choose to leave your estate grounds.

The Embrace of Mother Nature

Running hand-in-hand through grassy meadows, strolling through whispering mountaintop forests, romping on the beach, and plucking flowers from vast gardens to wear in your hair. Does that sound like a greeting card?

It's reality in Sonoma County, which spans more than 1 million gorgeous acres, from the Mayacamas Mountains range to the Pacific Ocean coast. With near-endless parks, preserves, babbling streams, greenbelts, and vast open agricultural and grazing areas, there's something new to explore every day.

How much open space is there, really? In fact, rural lands take up almost two-thirds of Sonoma County's total acreage, and the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District continues to acquire more land for protection every single year, enjoying a remarkable 28 percent growth since 2006.

Come on a Happy Travelers Tours Wine-and-Weed Tour and visit a 3 acre Cannabis Grow high up in the Mayacamas Mountains!

Wine … and Dine

Given the wondrous agricultural bounty grown in Sonoma County, the pasture-raised beef, lamb, pigs, and poultry, plus rainbow arrays of artisan cheeses, breads, and treats like handcrafted chocolates, it's no wonder that we're home to some of America's best farm-to-table restaurants.

Just a few of our top-rated destinations include the 2019 Michelin star favorites SingleThread (three stars), Madrona Manor (one star), and Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant (one star).

If you're a true foodie, you might even think about a spring wedding, to take advantage of Restaurant Week in March.

Play Time

Because Sonoma County encompasses such a broad range of landscapes, the recreation is equally expansive.

You and your honey can horseback ride at wineries or along the coastal bluffs of Bodega Bay, zip line through the redwoods, hike and bike, kayak the Russian River, and go hot-air ballooning over vineyards, lakes, and valleys.

Perhaps you'd like to take a winery tour in a horse-drawn carriage, or stroll through a vineyard or a Sunset Cannabis Tour which visits a dispensary on the way to the Sonoma Coast, a catered dinner and a breathtaking view of the sun setting into the Pacific Ocean.

Nothing says “romance” like a glass of fine wine. Sonoma County and Napa Valley, CA form the epicenter of the verdant wine-lover’s dreamland known as California wine country. This is one of the best growing regions in the world for wine grapes, resulting in dozens of vineyards and a seemingly endless array of vintages.

Add in their variety of luxurious spas, and it becomes clearer than ever that Sonoma and Napa Valley are the perfect place to unwind. From a Cedar Enzyme Bath at the Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary to a Rose Petal Body Polish at the award-winning McArthur Place Hotel & Spa, California wine country is your oyster for romantic pampering and invigorating treatments.

Prefer something a little more fast-paced? Active couples can pedal through the region’s rolling hills and quaint country roads on a bike tour. Take to the skies into a hot air balloon for stunning views of the gorgeous California landscape. Get the most of the pleasant, sunny weather with world-class golf courses. Flirt beneath ancient Redwoods in the Armstrong Reserve. Glide through warm-water bays on kayaks, laze along rivers on a canoe, or go white-knuckle and take to the rapids on a rafting expedition. Take a drive up a mountain to an outdoor cannabis grow.

Whether you’re more spa nut, wine enthusiast, adrenaline junkie, or a bit of all three, California wine country gives the best of all worlds.

  • GETTING THERE: Sonoma County has its own small airport with regional flights. Most travelers will make a connection in Portland, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, or other nearby cities for a local flight to wine country.
  • RENT A CAR: Attractions and activities are spread out, so rent a car to make everything you want to see and do easy to access.
  • WINE & DRIVING DON'T MIX: To get the most out of California’s world-class wine country safely, book a tour that provides transportation. No one should have to be the designated driver for their own honeymoon! Remember, Happy Travelers Tours is available for hire!
  • WHEN TO VISIT: While beautiful year-round, rainfall is highest during the winter months. May through October are most popular, though frugal honeymooners might snag discounts during the off-peak season.
  • SHOP AROUND FOR PACKAGES: Streamline planning and get all the best California wine country has to offer by shopping for inclusive honeymoon packages. These can get you wine tours, spa days, outdoor activities, and a hotel stay for one price, potentially more affordably than if you booked them all separately.

Happy Travelers Tours provides transportation, private tours, day-trips, wine-and-cannabis tours and, all our Tour Guides are Certified Tourism Ambassadors, which makes us outstanding Guides to Sonoma County! Call 707-386-9859 or email [email protected] for more information.


Buds, Buds and Buds

Let’s talk about Buds. Or, if you prefer, Budz. Either way we’re referring to the best part of the cannabis plant, the fully mature and ready to smoke flower, a.k.a. Buds.

As in: got any buds? Or, Get your budz here! Sometimes there’s nothing more glorious than bags of weed all lined up and ready to go. A big bag of marijuana is one of the most amazing things to behold!

Bagging weed for sale has changed over the years; in the past a triple-beam scale, a plastic baggie and some weed was all you needed. Post-legalization, the process for bagging up weed is a much more controlled process, requiring a technician to log a large container of cannabis out of the inventory system and then, in a clean-room environment, transferring the cannabis from the master container to child-proof containers or into containers which can then be sealed child-proof.

And, of course, it’s much more expensive to package cannabis post-legalization than it was in the bad old days. Let’s talk a bit more about Buds. Please refer to this graphic from Leafy to better understand the anatomy of the cannabis plant.

Cannabis Plant Anatomy

Cannabis buds will form at most of the plant’s nodes. A node is where a leaf or branch grows off the stalk. The larger the plant grows, the more nodes will appear, which means your plant will have more locations where buds can grow.

Many novice growers, as well as more experienced ones, struggle with the quality of their weed buds. The plant might grow fantastically, but it just doesn't always seem to produce the most desired results.

The following list highlights several cannabis tips which can help you improve the quality of your buds.

Source Quality Cannabis Seeds or Clone Starts

Get to work and do some research on your options: seeds versus clones. For seeds Source from a reputable seller/broker who has:

  • Genetically stable seeds
  • Feminized Seeds
  • Auto-Flowering Seeds

For Clones, it’s the same principle, you’re just looking for the Clone Starter to have the same qualities as listed above.

Grow Room Conditions

Grow Room conditions are critical to ensuring the success of your crop. The correct lighting configuration, air circulations, temperature and humidity are all mission critical. Remember, you’re trying to re-create the ‘great outdoors’ inside the space you’ve constructed as your grow room.

Provide the Proper Nutrients

You need to give it the right amount for each growth stage, especially when it's flowering. During the flowering stage, make sure that the nutrients are low on nitrogen but rich in phosphorus and potassium.

Provide Support for the Plants

This means: either put tomato cages around your plants or rig up a plastic netting arrangement which provides places for your plants branches to grow through and rest on … this allows them to “get a break” when those buds start fattening up and adding water weight.

Harvest at the Right Time

The whole thing about harvesting is that it’s both science and art. The science is that the plants life cycle is a fixed number of days, so, you pretty much know when they’re entering their final phase. However, the way to measure “ripeness” is to examine the trichomes on your plant.

They should be standing erect with a drop of resin at the tip. The resin should have gone from a clear, transparent state to a golden or amber color state. When you see this, your plants are ready to be harvested and then cured!

Curing Your Buds

The next next stage, and arguably the most important, is the current stage. It’s in the curing process where all the terpenes get expressed and your cannabis matures into the dank you’re looking for.

To cure you need a dark room which has a constant 60 degree temperature and a 60 percent humidity. Use a dehumidifier if you have too. The curing should take between 12 and 14 days. Too fast and the weed won’t have all it’s flavor profile and too slow and the weed could get moldy.

You’ll know it’s ready when you can “snap” a bud off it’s branch and it breaks cleanly …congratulations! Now, all you gotta do is Trim it.

It’s a Lot of Work to Grow Buds

As you can tell by reviewing the short list above, it takes a lot of work to grow ‘dank’ buds. Of course, if you live in a legal state then it’s really easy to just go to the dispensary and purchase the budz of your choice!

If you’ve never been to a retailer, then just remember, at first glance, the cannabis you want should make you wish you already had a joint of it rolled up or a bowl packed. This is the weed that you’ll find on most cannabis Instagram pages. The green will pop through all the juicy trichomes. The buds should look like they were just removed from the plant, even though they have been drying and curing for the past few of weeks.

When you’ve got that kind of cannabis in hand, you’re ready to have yourself a real good time!

To learn more about cannabis, and get up close to cannabis plants, Book a Happy Travelers Tour today!

To learn more about the terms: bag of cannabis, bag full of weed, bag of bud and bag sizes of weed visit our blog post https://happytravelersweedtours.com/weed-measurements-weights-and-amounts/


Cannabis Strains for Pain Management

Best cannabis strains for pain management

Cannabis and Pain Management has been a controversial subject for decades. Without Federal approval, the United States has only been able to conduct limited clinical studies, so, most reports are built on anecdotal stories from users, as opposed to controlled scientific programs.

Studies have been conducted abroad, however, a more concerted and focused effort will need to occur in order for the body of science to grow. In the meantime, the internet can be used to source the limited amount of information which is available.

The classic "measurement" for pain management is: what are the percentages of THC and CBD in the flower (or oil or edible)?

However, there are a few things that you will want to consider outside of simple percentage CBD and THC. One of these considerations is the ‘type’ of cannabis you are purchasing.

There are three categories that your medical marijuana can fall into:

  • Indica
  • Sativa
  • Hybrid (a mixture of both indica and sativa)

While this is not an exact science, users tend to report more effective pain-relieving properties with indicas. In one survey, participants reported that indicas helped more than sativas when it came to headaches, joint pain, neuropathy, and spasticity. Users also reported indicas to be more helpful when it comes to sleep and sedation.

Lastly, there are countless user reports on specific strains of weed that have been found to be powerful for relieving pain. While some of these strains are high CBD, indica strains, some strains of weed used for pain do not fall into this category.

Some of the most renowned pain-relieving strains (per user reviews) include:

Strain  Category CBD Content THC Content Description
ACDC Hybrid High Low Produces no noticeable high feeling due to very low THC content. Helps to relieve pain and even control stress.
Purple Kush Indica dominant hybrid Low High Produces a strong body high with associated reductions in pain. A very relaxed and sleepy high.
Harlequin Mostly Sativa High High Mellow psychoactive effects that are great for pain relief experienced with menstrual cramps and arthritis.

CBD oil for pain

Whether you live in a state where medical marijuana is not available, or you would like pain relief without any “high” feeling, CBD oil may be a good option for you.

When it comes to CBD only studies, the majority are preclinical or animal studies. There are limited studies examining the effect of CBD alone on pain in humans. Most of the studies out there examine the benefits of THC and CBD together, or whole Cannabis sativa plant, for pain.  That said, the research conducted thus far, along with countless user reports, suggests that CBD itself may be able to help relieve pain.

Activation of cannabinoid receptors has been linked to the inhibition of pain. The exact mechanisms of action are still being researched, however, CBD has been found to increase the levels of endocannabinoids in the body, specifically anandamide. It is plausible that this increase in endogenous endocannabinoids could have an impact on pain.

Here we will examine the limited scientific evidence, along with theories relating to the use of CBD for pain.

CBD Oil ApplicationDescription
CBD Oil for Nerve PainNeuropathic pain, also known as nerve pain, is a unique type of pain that is caused by injured, dysfunctional, or irritated nerves. This pain tends to be chronic and severe, and with no known cure or remedy, every individual is left to try numerous strategies to find something that works for them.

Some of the most common sources of neuropathy include diabetes, injury, cancer, infections, alcoholism, and autoimmune disorders. While there have been human clinical trials that support the benefits of THC and CBD for nerve pain, there have been fewer studies examining just CBD. In an animal study, researchers found that oral supplementation of CBD led to improvements in neuropathic pain in rats.
CBD Oil for Back PainBack pain is one of the most common forms of both acute and chronic pain. Acute back pain tends to be caused by an injury, such as by falling or lifting something heavy. Chronic back painis that which lasts more than three months and is often caused by a ruptured or bulging disc, arthritis, osteoporosis, scoliosis, or nerve pain.

Some back pain is partly caused by inflammation, and numerous preclinical and animal studies have found benefits of CBD for inflammation. Through possible reductions in both nerve and inflammatory pain, CBD may help relieve back pain.
CBD Lotion for PainWhen it comes to localized pain, topical CBD lotion or creams may be a great option. By applying the CBD directly to problem areas, concentrated CBD is delivered to exactly where you need it the most.

While human studies on the efficacy of CBD lotion are lacking, there are plenty of animal studies and personal accounts to support this use. In one study, researchers found that rats with arthritis treated with transdermal CBD experienced reductions in pain-related behaviors and inflammation.

Dosage amounts of cannabis and CBD for pain

Cannabis and CBD dosing for pain are highly individual. Studies have found a bell-shaped dose-response curve with cannabis extract, meaning that it slowly becomes more effective until it hits a certain point, and then the effectiveness decreases. To further complicate matters, the effective dose found in human studies varies greatly from one condition and one study to the next.

For example:

  • in migraines, the effective dose of THC and CBD was found to be 200 mg/day, with no benefits found at 100 mg/day.
  • however, doses of Sativex, an oral spray that delivers 2.7 mg THC and 2.5 mg CBD per spray, was found to be effective in the treatment of central neuropathic pain in Multiple Sclerosis at doses of around 20-30 mg/day CBD + 22-32 mg/day THC.

CBD dosage for pain has not been examined in any human studies. Like the Cannabis sativa extract, studies have found that exceeding the optimal dose of CBD can lead to a reduction in efficacy. In a study examining the effect of CBD on anxiety, 100 mg and 900 mg were not effective, where 300 mg was.

So where, then, should you start when it comes to dosing Cannabis sativa or CBD oil? Follow these steps when adding in a cannabis or CBD oil product:

  1. Choose the product that you would like to take
  2. Start at the lowest recommended dosage
  3. Split this dose between 2-3 doses throughout the day
  4. Stay at the same dose for 3 or more days and see how you feel
  5. Increase your dose until you find the best dose for you

Cannabis sativa is good for pain

Studies and anecdotal reports have shown that cannabis is good for pain. There are numerous products available for you to use if you live in a state where pot is legal. Some products that may help if you want something other than bud itself include:

  • Lotions or creams
  • Tinctures (dropper bottles with cannabis-infused oils)
  • Capsules or pills
  • Edibles (chocolates, candies, teas, or other foods infused with cannabis)

Here is a table of various cannabis strains for pain management:

HELPS WITH - STRAINDESCRIPTIONEFFECT
General PainACDCAll hail ACDC, one of the most effective painkilling strains out there due to its one-two punch of cannabinoids CBD and THC. As a general rule, cannabis strains with high amounts of both THC and CBD tend to make the best pain medicines, and there are plenty of high-CBD strains out there offering similar chemical profiles as ACDC.Relaxed
Focused
Uplifted
Euphoric
Happy
Blackberry KushBlackberry Kush is a heavy THC-dominant strain that wraps the mind in dreamy, blissful euphoria while lifting pain from the body. With the exhale of its sweet, berry flavors, it’s easy to sink into a new mindset—one that isn’t dominated by throbbing aches and pains.Lazy
Euphoric
Sleepy
Happy
Creative
Inflammation and ArthritisHarlequinLooking for cannabis that will quiet the roar of pain without a foggy mind? Try out the high-CBD strain, Harlequin. Its uplifting and clear-headed effects set it apart from heavier, more intoxicating options and make it a perfect choice for daytime medicating.Happy
Euphoric
Focused
Uplifted
Energetic
Blue WidowBlue Widow is a prolific hybrid cross between parent strains Blueberry and White Widow. Leafly reviewers praise Blue Widow for its anti-inflammatory qualities, and perhaps the reason for this is Blue Widow’s rich terpene profile that typically boasts high levels of caryophyllene alongside a hearty cannabinoid content.Anxiety
Stress
Pain
Depression
Insomnia
Headaches and MigrainesPurple ArrowPurple Arrow hits the target somewhere between heavy pain relief and uplifting euphoria, making it a great choice for headache sufferers needing swift relief without overly sedating effects.Euphoric
Happy
Uplifted
Lazy
Giggly
Blueberry HeadbandHeadband hybrids are commonly described as “cerebral” with effects that go straight to the crown of your head. Blueberry Headband lives up to its name, delivering focused headache relief and a sweet berry flavor.Happy
Relaxed
Uplifted
Euphoric
Talkative
CrampsRedwood KushWith effects that relax tension in both mind and body, Redwood Kush is known to deliver a woody forest aroma alongside hefty amounts of THC to help ease muscle cramping.Euphoric
Happy
Uplifted
Creative
Lazy
DynamiteDynamite is another high-THC strain that blows pain and cramping out of the water, but be wary: Dynamite is also known to incite the power of the munchies.Euphoric
Lazy
Sleepy
Happy
Uplifted
Spinal Injury PainCataract KushCataract Kush is a heavy-hitting hybrid cross between powerhouse classics LA Confidentialand OG Kush. This strain’s potency may not be for the novice consumer, but it’s perfect for patients needing a strain that can expertly annihilate pain associated with spinal injury.Lazy
Euphoric
Happy
Hungry
Sleepy
Maza SharifDescending from some of the earliest landraces of Afghanistan, Mazar I Sharif is a relentless painkiller with a potency you can see on her heavy blanket of crystal trichomes. Afghani strains have a reputation for their high cannabinoid contents, so it isn’t hard to imagine that so many patients have found relief from stubborn pain in Mazar.Lazy
Euphoric
Hungry
Sleepy
Creative

To learn more, Book a Happy Travelers Wine-and-Weed Tour today!


Vape Pens

Vape Pens. What are they and how do they work? What's the difference between disposable vape pens and a battery with pre filled vape cartridges? What's a concentrate vape pen and how is it different than a bud vaporizer?

We're going to answer these questions and provide information about "best of's" in this blog post all about Vape Pens!

How Do Vape Pens Work?

Let's take a peek under the hood with some help of the good folks at TheCannabist:

1. The tank

The cannabis oil holder is usually called a tank if refillable, or cartridge if it’s intended for single-use. It’s also typically combined with the atomizer as a single unit. Tanks are usually polycarbonate plastic, but glass and stainless steel tanks can also be found.

2. The atomizer

The little heater in a vape pen is called an atomizer. Fancier versions are called cartomizers, clearomizers or other new jargon, but they are still atomizers at heart — that pint-size heating element converts liquid to tiny airborne droplets. Atomizing is what we should really call vaping, but that’s a lost cause for sure.

If you dab a bit of oil on the heating element, that product will likely be labeled an atomizer. Surround the atomizer with polyfill material to keep it saturated with oil from a separate tank and it’s a cartomizer. Drip the oil from a separate tank onto the atomizer using a silica wick and it’s a clearomizer. The wick can be swapped for cotton, steel mesh, or other “premium” materials.

3. The sensors and software

Some vape pens automatically turn on when the user inhales through it, while others use a push button to toggle the heating element. Both of these methods require sensors to determine when the user is inhaling or button-pushing. Embedded software controls the various pen parts.

4. The battery

Vape pen batteries must provide enough current to power a tiny heater that reaches 400 degrees in mere seconds. So, just like your cell phones and other power-hungry devices, vape pens use rechargeable lithium ion batteries, which have high energy density. They also have a very small chance of exploding if improperly charged.

Disposable Vape Pens vs a Battery Pack with Vape Cartridges

Starting with disposable vape pens, the first issue is how do you correctly dispose of it? They ARE really convenient and reasonably priced, what could be the problem? The issues with these pens focuses on two component parts:

  • the battery
  • the residue or remaining concentrate

The challenges are the batteries aren't typically easily recyclable because they're part of the chassis of the disposable vape pen and the residue or remaining concentrate is considered - are you ready - a hazardous material.

While you can't throw vape pens and batteries into the recycling for curbside pickup, they can still be recycled through the right facilities. The easiest way to ensure your old vape pens and batteries are disposed of properly is to bring them to your local Hazardous Materials Management Facility (HMMF).

On the other hand, Vape Pen Batteries are units which contain a rechargeable battery to which the user attaches a vape pen concentrate cartridge. The cartridges however still present a problem, specifically due to any residue left in the cartridge.

You might wonder, why can’t cannabis oil cartridges be recycled after use? Vape pens and their cartridges are made up of many different materials in minuscule quantities. Because of the complexity of these products, traditional recycling facilities have no method to extract the desired resources.

Dealing with spent cartridges is a specialized field. Anytime you want to recycle something as unique and complex as a vape cartridge, you need a large quantity that can sustain the business offering the service.

With no shortage of cartridges, this brings us to the second problem: Why can’t we collect vape cartridges? When states began to transition to legal markets, regulations were put in place to deter illegal resale activity. The fear was that items like cartridges would be collected and trace amounts of cannabis oils could be extracted to produce an unregulated black market product. Because of this, it is illegal for businesses to allow for drop-off bins for cartridges.

So - what's a conscientious consumer to do? It seems the most appropriate path to take is to find a Battery system which you like, purchase the vape pen concentrate or oil you like and recycle those used cartridges at your local HMMF location.

Or - you could use a Dried Herb Vaporizer. Let's Discuss!

If you decide that using a vaporizer for dry herbs is the right choice for you, you'll quickly find there are several different types to choose from.

  • The most common type is a portable vaporizer, which allows you bring your vape with you just about anywhere you go. Portable dry herb vaporizers come in all different shapes and sizes, so you will have plenty of options to choose from including many that are incredibly discreet.
  • If you plan on enjoying your herbs at home, you should look into purchasing a desktop vaporizer. These units are usually much larger in size and often more expensive. However, they are capable of producing the best quality vapor and are generally built to last longer.
  • The last type to consider is a dry herb vaporizer pen, which is usually the least expensive and is considered the lowest quality. A vaporizer pen for dry herb is basically a portable vape that is shaped like a pen and resembles an E-cigarette closely. It is important to note that these types of units typically have a dry herb heating chamber where a heating coil is utilized in order to heat the herbs. Unfortunately, this type of heating mechanism actually burns the material rather then vaping it. Therefore, it is very important that you spend time researching the device to ensure it functions as a true vaporizer before buying one.

For your convenience, we've pulled together information about the "Best Vape Pens" and present it to you here in this convenient chart:

Vape Pen CategoryPlaceNameRating (1 to 10)
Best Weed Vape Pens for THC Oils1stKandypens Special-K9.6
2ndPCKT One Plus9.6
3rdO-Pen Vape9.2
Best CBD Vape Pens1stCBDfx Terpenes Vape Pen9.6
2ndCBDfx Vape Pen9.5
3rdHemp Bombs Disposable9.4
Best 510 Thread Batteries1stKandypens Special-K9.6
2ndPCK one Plus9.6
3rdMig Vapor Migi Pro9.4
Best E-Liquid Pens1stFreemax Twister 80W9.4
2ndInnokin Plexar9.3
3rdSMOK Stick V9 Max9.2
Best Dab Pens1stKandypens Crystal9.7
2ndKandypens Prism9.6
3rdMig Vapor Wasp9.5

If you'd like to learn more about cannabis culture, cannabis production and the convergence of wine and weed consider Booking a Happy Travelers Tours Wine-and-Weed Tour!