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CategoriesTechnology, Vaporizers by

New Tariffs Hit Cannabis Vapes Hard

New tariffs hit vapes hard

America is in the middle of a trade war and foreign powers are fighting back with new tariffs. Recently announced tariffs proposed by president Trump are poised to make importing some manufactured goods from China more expensive. But the move sparked political and economic backlash with more tariffs announced in response.
The escalating trade war against China and other countries is about to hit cannabis consumers with higher prices. Modern cannabis consumers increasingly rely on vaping devices, batteries, filters and cartridges. Higher import taxes mean higher prices when checking out at the vape shop.
Heavy vapers could see significantly higher prices in the coming months for consumables manufactured in other countries. But the longer the trade war wages on, the more consumers are going to feel the pinch. Nobody understands this better than Arnaud Dumas de Rauly, the Co-CEO of Blinc Group.

Companies walk a fine line

Dumas de Rauly has a long list of clients looking for vaping hardware. His company sells technologies and products related to vaping nicotine and cannabis. There is also his incubator program that helps develop, research and brand tech for the vape industry.
The vape research, development and branding company Blinc Group CEO recently testified that the policies put in place by the Trump White House will impact consumers. Dumas de Rauly testified as part of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative public hearings. The hearings specifically deal with the new tariffs and their impact on American businesses.
In his testimony, Dumas de Rauly claimed that the proposed tariffs would have consequences beyond simply higher consumer costs. He pointed out that “25% of sales come from cannabis vaping products”. In 2017 Colorado collected $247M in cannabis taxes and the increased cost could lead to decreasing sales and less income for the states.

The cuts go deep

It’s more than just the people making and selling vaporizers that will feel the impact of the new tariffs. Consumers should feel the squeeze every time they go to the shop. But shop owners also need to prepare for increased prices on the supply side and reductions in consumer demand.
Since the tariffs target Chinese imports, anyone who relies on cheap foreign goods to do business is going to feel the pinch. Higher prices and lower demand for everything from carrier services to accounting and cell carriers will put additional strain on the market and could negatively impact consumer confidence. If it doesn’t right itself, the market can get into a death spiral that reduces access to all but the wealthiest.
The full impact of the new tariffs will only become apparent after they go through. A heavy response from China could deepen hostilities, increasing import costs further. It also isn’t clear if this is the limit of sanctions the U.S. and China intend to impose or if more will follow. If relations continue to chill, it could put spell doom for many entrepreneurs and small businesses that rely on vape sales.

The information provided in this article is designed to provide helpful information. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any medical condition. These are opinion pieces based on trusted sources.

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CategoriesAnalysis/Opinion, Culture, Reviews, Vaporizers by

How to Take Modern Day Dabbers To New Heights

Vaping industry is gradually growing with new ideas and models being invented and fitted in the vapes to make the vaping experience fun and easy. Well, this has also led one of the leading vape manufacturing company referred to as Puffco to come up with a new sleek design of a vaping pen that will give you the best results. What makes the vaping device stand out from the traditional pens is the designing that is unique, and yet it also contains some other features found on the e-nail and the dab rig. Another excellent feature found on this device is the fact that more than one person can share it. This gives you an opportunity to enjoy your vaping moments with your buddies.
Why should you consider getting one of this improved dabber?

The Design

Unlike other vaping devices where you have to either select portable or a tool to use on top of the desk, this new puffco peak is designed for both purposes. The shape of the pen is done in a triangular form which allows you to hold it with one hand or even place it on the desk for the same purposes. The flat and stable design on the base side will enable it to sit correctly on the counter for easy use.

The presence of the Intelligent Temperature Calibration (ITC)

This feature is widely found on some of the top shelf portable vaporizers, and now you can also see it in this newly invented dabber. The fundamental work of the feature is to automatically adjust its temperature based on the current temperature to get the same exact experience after every inhale. So this allows you to enjoy your vaping moments without worrying about the heat of the e-liquid.

Ceramic and Glass Materials

Another excellent feature that makes this peak to stand out is the materials used in its making. The peak has ceramic material which is equipped to ensure that it lasts for long and retains its original texture even after extended usage. As we all know, ceramic materials are resistant to abrasion and also to high temperatures. Meaning you can wash your peak comfortably without worrying about damaging it, and this also allows you to vape comfortably without getting your hands heated up. Therefore, the material used for vaping does not stick to the pen giving you a new and fresh experience on every new vape.
The other likeable element on this vaping peak is the glass structure which is equipped to serve the same purposes as the ceramic materials. Check out some of the benefits for having a glass bubbler on the peak at Puffco Peak Review.

Excellent Battery

With puffco, you don’t have to keep on carrying the ignitor or a lighter as it performs with the use of electricity. The battery is rechargeable and stays for long hours before you recharge it for use. This feature gives you some privacy since no one will be alert in the case where you are lighting the peak, unlike the traditional ones which require you to use lighter.
If you need a more advanced and easy to use dabber, then get yourself this new puffco peak. It is made of excellent and sturdy materials that make your vaping to be comfortable and fun too. Maintaining its cleanliness is natural considering the elements are easy to wash. Therefore, giving you a new and better vaping experience for every use.

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CategoriesAnalysis/Opinion, Marijuana News by

Marijuana Banned at The Happiest Place on Earth

Marijuana Banned from Disneyland and Disneyworld!         

Anyone caught bringing marijuana into the park or found smoking it on premises will end up in Disney Jail! Marijuana banned from Disneyland and Disneyworld indefinitely. According to High Times, Walt Disney World has forbidden Cannabis of all types from their parks in California and Florida.
Coincidently, marijuana just became legal in California and Florida. Despite the current legal state regulations Walt Disney World has continued their strict prohibition on alcohol and marijuana. Social perceptions have evolved over the years and Disney has kept an iron-grip on its ‘child friendly’ reputation.

What Else is Banned in Disney Worlds?

Cannabis and alcohol are not the only things banned in both resorts. Selfie sticks, drones and of course weapons of any kind are absolutely banned from both parks. Walt Disney World will continue to ban these items because their parks are attempting to cater to a broad family friendly environment.
Some religious schools, churches and other organizations that are not known to be progressive would stop attending both theme parks if they allowed the banned items. This makes up a majority of their sales. The Walt Disney corporation would lose millions of dollars if over half of their customers stopped attending.

Does Anyone Sneak-a-Toke?

Why yes, plenty of people attempt to sneak-a-toke. The wait time for several rides are hours long, and eating cannabis is easier to quickly ingest and get away with than smoking a joint. Others have reported taking a quick vape hit because it’s harder to spot who just took a hit or where the scent is coming from. So yes, there are lots of people who are sneaking bits and hits here and there.
Many people will still take a risk and consume cannabis somehow because they have legitimate ailments and cannot wait till the end of the day to consume marijuana in some form or another. In the end, ailments don’t just go away because it is an inconvenient moment to have them. People who use cannabis as a medicine simply won’t get to experience Disney magic unless they keep it under wraps.

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CategoriesAnalysis/Opinion, Cannabis infographics, Guides, Medical, Science by

Vapes and the Hot Science Behind Them

What is Vaping?

Vaporizing  or “vaping” has become one of the most popular ways to consume cannabis in recent years. Where old-school cannabis consumers would smoke plant matter, designers and engineers decided to vaporize the cannabis instead of burn it. The devices they created are referred to as vapes. These vapes come in a variety of shapes, power and styles and are one of the most commonly sold items in dispensaries across the nation. While there are stationary vaporizers, most of the industry is dedicated to portable devices.
One reason that portable vapes have become so common is because they are often much more discreet than smoking. Instead of creating a skunky, thick smoke that hangs in the air and clings to your body, vaporizers create an aerosol-like cloud that dissipates quickly and doesn’t linger.
Vaping is perfect for discreet or mobile cannabis consumption. For those who need to get high and then go back to dinner with grandma or at a concert, a vaporizer is the method of choice. The popularity of commercial nicotine-based vapes or “e-cigs” makes identifying a stoner in a group of vapers almost impossible.

What Kind of Vaporizers are out there?

When most people think of an electronic cigarette, they think of regular old, retro e-cigs. You buy them at a gas station, and (Vuze and Blu are two popular brands) they are made by tobacco companies. This part of the market is dominated by tobacco companies like Imperial Tobacco and RJ Reynolds. The cartridges in these vapes come pre-filled and are disposable.
In an actual vape shop, you’ll find products commonly referred to as APVs—Advanced Personal Vaporizers or “Vape Pens” and “Vape Mods”. APVs are produced predominantly by companies based in China like Innokin. They contain electronics to regulate the power level, produce a moderate amount of vapor, and are generally under $100. Mods are for use with user-rebuildable atomizers, can potentially produce tons of vapor, and can be expensive.
Both Vape Pens and Mods function on battery power. The industry has embraced advances in tech like USB-Rechargable batteries. Mods tend to have larger batteries than Pens because they need to push out a lot more enery. While a Vape Pen may last an average user 2-5 days, a Mod with the same size battery might only last 1-2 days.
Rel Vapes

Are Vapes easy to use?

Even though using a USB-rechargeable vaporizer seems infinitely easier than loading a bowl or rolling a joint, they come with their own challenges. This is especially true in the case of flower vaporizers. Loading the tiny chamber can be a headache, as can cleaning out the vaporized plant waste with anything but a specialized tool.
Cleaning comes more often in vaporizers than traditional smoking bowls as well. This is due to the dominance of exceptionally small chambers. The small chamber is due to the high amount of energy needed to vaporize plant matter (more on that later). Also, portable vaporizers eventually run out of battery, leaving you not-so-high and dry if you forget to plug it in and don’t have a USB port available.
Vaporization does have the advantage of not actually burning the plant material, which gives a clean taste, bereft of the woody finish you get when smoking. While some users prefer this nuanced flavor, many heavy cannabis users like the increased potency and cleanliness of vaping.

RSO

What’s in the cartridges?

Vaping is commonly seen as safer alternative to smoking. Vape cartridge or “e-liquid” begins with a vegetable glycerin base. Most manufacturers use certified organic VG. While the glycerin doesn’t carry flavor very well, it does produce a lot of vapor. Then comes is propylene glycol. propylene glycol—or PG—is a main ingredient in albuterol, or asthma inhalers, and is perfectly safe to inhale when vaporized.
Commonly mistaken as being a main ingredient in antifreeze (diethylene glycol) which has actually been found in mass market e-cig products, PG is thinner than VG, and carries flavor very well. The final ingredient is flavorings. These are commonly suspended in PG and are food-grade. Flavorings can be natural or artificial, and cannabis based vape cartridges usually include terpenes.
The final ingredients are the active ingredients. They contain pharmaceutical-grade nicotine or cannabinoids like THC and CBD. All manufacturers make products in varying strengths. Cannabis based cartridges are required to display concentration and overall volume of active ingredients.
Dab Rig

What is the best way to vape?

“Anything that lights the plant on fire creates respiratory irritants,” explains Dr. Mitch Earleywine, a professor and researcher at the State University of New York at Albany. When users are trying to consume cannabis in the safest way possible, there are a few things to understand about what happens to the cannabis when it’s heated. Namely, you’ll need to understand the difference between conductive and convective heating.
Conductive Heating
Vaporizers and other tools that use conduction to make cannabis smoke or vaporize typically use flower or concentrate applied directly to a hot plate. The heat changes the raw thc into a useable form and literally boils it. When dabbing, the “hot plate” is an ultra-hot metal nail that is heated to extremely high temperatures using a blowtorch.
Convective Heating
Rather than heating the cannabis matter directly with a heating plate, convective vaporizers use an electronic mechanism to heat air. Once the air reaches a certain temperature, it is forced over the plant matter/concentrate. The hot air actually heats the cannabis product, extracting the THC and turning it into a vapor without burning the substance.
Of the two types, convective vaporization is believed to be the best for your body. The convective method avoids the charring associated with nearly every other method, meaning that convective heat creates the purest form of activated, consumable cannabis vapor.

Vape Pen Cartridge

Is the high different?

Proper vaporization releases most essential oils in the plant while it stays below the point of combustion. These essential oils contain the majority of the cannabinoids and terpenes which give cannabis its effects. In essence, vaporization gives you all the good stuff and very little of the bad.
Truth On Pot explains, “a collaborative study conducted by California NORML and MAPS found that vaporizers could convert 46 percent of available THC into vapor, whereas the average marijuana joint converted less than 25 percent of THC. Likewise, patients ranked vaporizers as the most efficient method of marijuana intake — requiring a lower dose than smoking, edibles, and tea — in a recent study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs.”
Here’s a handy chart from NowSourcing that breaks down why that is even further:
Vaping Infographic
 
 

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Concentrates and Extraction Techniques

Concentrates are becoming a major player in the cannabis industry.

The word “Concentrates” often refers to the wax you vaporize, the tincture under your tongue, and your orally administered CBD oil. The potency of these cannabis products is steering consumers toward the more concentrated forms of weed. This is especially true as the therapeutic potential of non-smoking consumption is becoming better known.
People around the industry are taking notice of the meteoric rise in popularity of concentrates. OpenVape CEO Ralph Morgan believes cannabis concentrates will be more popular than smoking buds in the coming years. “I see concentrates becoming a part of folk’s daily regimen,” Morgan said in an interview.
The Cannabist’s concentrates expert Ry Prichard agreed with Morgan’s statement and his timeline. “Most of the clients that I work with have seen their sales go from 20 percent to 30 percent to 40 percent and now they’re about even,” Prichard said, “and a lot of shops, especially on the boutique end of the spectrum, are 70 percent concentrates.”

Concentrates make up a large segment of the current market.

Under the rubric of cannabis concentrates falls anything created through an extraction process. Solvents like butane, propane and CO2 strip the active compounds from the cannabis plant. Solventless processes also exist that can produce increadibly high concentrations as well.
Some types of extracts test in the 70-80% THC, while others are instead rich in non-psychoactive compounds like CBD. There are a lot of intricacies to cannabis and new methods of extraction are being developed regularly as the market expands. Here is a quick rundown of the most popular products the average consumer can buy that fall under the rubric of “concentrates”.

Solventless Extracts

Many solventless extractions are offered in less stable, sappy forms. Their color can vary from a golden opacity to a darker amber depending on production factors. Cure time and starting material play a big role in dialing in these nuances.
Heat, pressure, and exposure can impact the consistency of these products. Higher temperatures tend to create stable products that more resemble shatter, whereas lower temperatures often produce sappier, less stable products. Both high and low temp products appear on dispensary shelves these days and have begun to form respective niche markets.

Kief


Also known as dry sift or pollen, kief is made up of the resin glands called trichomes on cannabis flowers. These glands produce the terpenes and cannabinoids that bring the diversity of flavors and effects to cannabis. Kief is often used to make hash and is commonly collected in a grinder. It is normally sprinkled onto flower cannabis or vaped directly for a more potent high than smoking flower alone.

Rosin


Rosin opened the door for several different new products. Solventless shatter, a type of rosin that maintains a glass-like consistency, may resemble butane hash oil in appearance but is manufactured with nothing more than heat and pressure. Hash oil of this consistency is obtained through the acquisition of key genetics and the right combination of heat, pressure, and exposure to heat.

Hash


One of the oldest products in the cannabis industry is has. This concentrate is made by compressing the plant’s resin. Where kief preserves the structure of the trichomes, hash tries to merge them into a single superstructure. The powdery kief normally that coats your cannabis flowers can be collected and pressed together to form hash.
Solvents like ice water or ethanol may be used to more effectively strip the plant of their cannabinoid-loaded crystals but are not required. This method produces less potent results than BHO and other cannabis concentrates but remains a staple of cannabis culture around the world.

Budder

Another variation of hash is budder. Also called cake batter or “whipped” rosin, these products are created by incorporating light heat and agitation to rosin. The result is a whipped consistency that looks very similar to a salve of some sort. This technique has been known to significantly increase the aromatic properties of the hash oil it uses.
This method provides a new creamier texture that can be much easier to work with than shatter or sappy consistencies. While many retailers are beginning to sell whipped hash oils, the process can be achieved easily at home with preexisting rosin by simply stirring it with a warm dabber tool.

Solvent Based Extracts

Butane and propane are popular solvents used to extract cannabinoids like THC and CBD from cannabis plants. They are some of the more dangerous methods as well due to the explosive nature of the two solvents.
Extraction can be done at home using simple equipment and is also done on large scales, but the process is almost the same. To start, fill a tube (metal or plastic) with plant material. The quality of the material used directly affects the quality and yield.

C02 Oil

CO2 Concentrates
Supercritical fluid extraction is another method commonly used to extract cannabinoids. While it is possible to use other gasses, C02 is the most commonly used gas for this method. CO2 has the benefit of not causing harm if not fully purged from a product like butane.
C02 has become the connoisseur’s extraction choice because it goes past “critical” at around 90 °F, a temperature well below the deactivation temperature for cannabinoids. This means more flavor is preserved and a clearer high is produced than with other methods.
This extraction method relies on pressure and temperature to extract the terpenes, cannabinoids, and waxes from the cannabis material. Extractors use this knowledge of which temperature and pressure each terpene, cannabinoid, and wax separate them from the homogenous solution of marijuana material. This way they are able to target certain flavors and “types of high” produced by the genetics they are using or add additional flavorings.

Butane Hash Oil (BHO)

BHO, or butane hash oil, is an extremely potent concentrate used in dabbing and other vaporization methods. Cannabinoids are drawn out of the plant with butane which leaves behind a wax. The wax will either remain sticky or harden up, resulting in a crumbly “honeycomb” or a glasslike “shatter.” Because its THC content can reach into the 70-80% range, BHO is a popular remedy for people who need the highest concentrations available.
BHO is relatively easy to produce at home or in an industrial setting. After covering one end of a tube with a filter or mesh screen (with holes small enough to prevent plant material from seeping through), butane is sprayed into the tube. Refiners then allow the resulting cannabis-butane solution to drip into a glass dish below the filter end of the tube.
The butane must be purged from the solution for safety by heating the solution in a hot-water bath. The solution is slowly heated until the escaping gas produces bubbles.The water-bath quickly becomes cold, so it frequently changed or a heating plate is used until the solution is fully purged of solvent. The remaining “goo” is cooled and then used as the concentrate known as shatter.

Rick Simpson Oil (RSO)


In 2003 a man named Rick Simpson treated his skin cancer using a homemade cannabis remedy. By soaking the cannabis in pure naphtha or isopropyl alcohol and allowing the solvent to fully evaporate, a thick tar-like goo is created. Also known as Phoenix Tears, Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) can be ingested or applied directly to the skin. Many businesses sell their own renditions of the Rick Simpson Oil these days. Some are high in THC while others contain only non-psychoactive compounds like CBD.

Tinctures


Up until prohibition of cannabis in 1937, tinctures were the most common form of cannabis medicine in the United States. A tincture is a liquid concentrate using alcohol for extraction. Alcohol pulls out many of the plant’s beneficial cannabinoids and is stable to work with. A few drops under the tongue is a normal dose, but patients can safely use more as needed. Tinctures are a great way for patients to medicate without having to smoke and come in a variety of flavors.
Thanks for reading.