What are Cannabis Topicals used for

What are Cannabis Topicals used for?

New methods of cannabis consumption are arising every day. Smoking used to be the only method, but now you can vaporize, eat, or apply marijuana to your skin with cannabis topical. Cannabis-infused topicals are one of the newest modes of consumption. Topicals are cannabis-infused lotions, balms, or oils that can be absorbed through the skin for relief of pain and inflammation. Cannabis topicals can be used for several purposes.
Can Cannabis Topicals get you high?
Topicals can provide patients with the medicinal benefits of marijuana without the traditional high because they are not psychoactive. Cannabis topicals provide patients with the therapeutic benefits of marijuana without the cerebral high that usually follows a marijuana high. The amount of THC in topicals is usually so low, no type of high is felt after applying cannabis topicals.
Even if a topical has active THC in it, the high that usually follows marijuana smoking will not occur. Most topicals penetrate a system of CB2 receptors which aids in pain relief. Topicals reach the CB2 receptors in the skin and they cannot reach the blood stream. If a transdermal patch with cannabinoids is applied, the cannabinoids can reach the bloodstream and have psychoactive effects, if the THC content is high enough.
Pain Management
The most popular use of marijuana-infused topicals is the relief of localized pain, tension, and inflammation. The cannabinoids in topicals have painkilling properties. One example of how topicals combat pain is provided by Cannabis Basics’ CEO Ah Warner:

“Arthritic pain is caused by inflammation. My products have [THCA] and CBD, both of which are anti-inflammatory. Active THC is not for inflammation, but when left in its acid form and combined with CBD, the two work to get rid of inflammation and the pain that comes with it.”

So by combatting inflammation cannabis topicals are stopping the main cause of pain in sufferers of arthritis.
Sexual Pleasure Enhancer
Dr. Jennifer Berman, M.D., a prominent sexual-health advocate and clinician in Los Angeles, prescribes both Foria products to patients regularly-and is, in fact, such a fan of the line that she recently discussed it on Conan. “Perimenopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal women who have noticed a decline in response have had great success with it,” she says. “Younger patients who have difficulty achieving orgasms have had enhanced response with it as well.”
Eczema Treatment
Cannabis topicals can also be used to treat various skin disorders including dermatitis and eczema. Cannabis oils should ease some of the itching and dryness that eczema sufferers experience. Users reported improvement from their skin disorders after applying marijuana-infused topicals.
In Conclusion
Marijuana topicals have several uses and all of them are medicinal. These topicals can only be obtained in certain states with medical marijuana laws. They don’t get you high but they can help with pain, skin disorders, cuts, burns, and even enhance orgasms. So whether you’re looking to improve your bedroom game or relieve some pain, you may be in the market for some cannabis-infused topicals. These topicals can be acquired at dispensaries where medical marijuana is legal or they can be made at home.
image: leafly

Strain Review Girl Scout Cookie

Strain Review: Girl Scout Cookie

GSC or Girl Scout Cookie is one of THE most popular strains in the US, and growers have created strains like Thin Mint and Platinum Cookie (keeping in line with the theme) off the back of GSC’s popularity and fabled buds. The grow period is quick and the average yield per plant is anywhere between 25 and 30 grams, so expect to find this strain housed in dispensaries across the country. Because it’s won numerous Cannabis Cup awards, expect quality, reliability, and a high you can count on sticking around. Effects are reported to begin within 10 minutes, with mild tingling, laughing, and smiling.
Medical patients favor GSC for its pain relieving capabilities, from moderate to severe, and because it often helps with nausea and loss of appetite. Cancer patients going through chemo or suffering from no appetite may try Girl Scout Cookies and be amazed at how it might help. Many users report intense food cravings, or the “munchies”, and people with eating disorders often find relief using GSC to gain an appetite and actually enjoy food.
The taste profile is sweet, with some reports of chocolate, coffee, or vanilla, and often matched in flavor. Others have smelled and tasted mango, cookie batter, or citrus. The nuggets are small, dense, and look a little like OG Kush–orange hairs, long leaves. No surprise there, as GSC comes from a blend of OGK and the sativa strain Durban Poison. Regardless of which flavors you encounter, GSC is definitely a hybrid treat you’ll need to hit up a dispensary to try (please no harassing any little girls in Girl Scout uniform–they won’t have these cookies).
Feelings of stress disappear and are replaced with euphoria, a gentle sleepiness, and a pleasant full-body buzz in the muscles that creeps in and lasts long. Hardly any reports of paranoia or anxiety with this strain, and it’s enjoyed both indoors on the couch or outdoors in the sunshine. Not as great for multi-tasking stoners, Girl Scout Cookie provides head highs with a boost in spirits, so plan for a goofy adventure or just chilling out with some friends. Expect the giggles, feelings of happiness, and relief from anxiety, stress, and potentially migraines for those that suffer.
Chemical Makeup
THC: 17-28%
CBD: 0.09-0.2%
CBN: 0-0.5%
CBG: 0.4-2.2%
THCV: 0-0.6%
CBC: 0-0.7%
CBL: 0-0.4%
β-Linalool: 0.09-0.3%
β-Myrcene: 0-0.5%
a-Pinene: 0-0.3%
D-Limonene: 0.08-0.5%
β-Caryophyllene: 0-0.9%
image: leafly

Strain Review OG Kush

Strain Review: OG Kush

Scented like pine and lemon with fuzzy, orange hairs and dark green leaves, OG Kush is another top favorite hybrid strain. With a THC content as high as 31%, this strain provides many users with relief from migraines, ADHD symptoms, and stress and insomnia. Fantastic for first-time users looking to start big. The effects are an intense relaxation, euphoria, and an increase in the munchies. This makes it popular for those with a lack of appetite, needing a way to relax and eat what they need. OG Kush is good to the last drop, right down to the crystals found studded on every nugget.
Variations of the phenotype include Tahoe OG and Alpha OG, with parentage of Chemdawg (seemingly the father of most cannabis strains) and Hindu Kush. OG Kush grows best outdoors, and is especially earthy, woodsy, and a true original grown in the right conditions. The strain has bred hybrids, knock-offs, and variations alike, but you’ll know when you get your hands on the ‘OG’ OG. The scent when smoked is often lemony, hazy, and the feeling overall reaps the benefit of both sativa and indica, depending on which is more dominant in the crop.
OG Kush buds are some of the most easily recognizable, with long, sticky leaves and those little orange hairs. Some crops yield buds with purplish or brownish tint, while others are dense, coated in kief crystals, and moist as all get out. Unless left to dry out, OG Kush stays on the stem, so not much shake towards the end. Nugs break apart more easily in a grinder, but pulling apart each leaf and savoring in the beauty could add whole new dimensions to your cannabis experience.
There are a few potentially negative affects, such as dry mouth and dry eyes, increase in paranoia, and possible dizziness. Take it slow, and you might feel more benefits like increased appetite, lower stress, and pain relief. Other reports say it brings on the giggles, light-headed relaxation, and some claim relief from symptoms of PTSD. Try smoking a joint of OG Kush before bed, if you have trouble sleeping or suffer from depression and insomnia. Be warned of variations leaning harder on the indica genes, as they’ll cause a deeper body high, so avoid this strain if you need to be active or want to keep alert.
Chemical makeup
og-kush
 
image creadit: thecannabist.co

Strain Review Sour Diesel

Strain Review: Sour Diesel

Tried-and-true, Sour Diesel is high among the most popular strains out these days. Belonging to the sativa family, Sour D is a strain ready to provide a dreamy, happy euphoria. Medical patients claim feeling relief from stress, pain, and depression in particular after consuming Sour Diesel. The aroma is quite pungent, earthy, and as the name says, a thick cloudy diesel. Many say they reap the benefits of a dreamy high with no couch-lock.
The strain first appeared in the early 90s and was made popular by cannabis breeder Chem Dog, and many believe Sour D to be descended from the classics Northern Lights, Chemdog, and a Skunk phenotype. Understandably, Sour Diesel is among many users favorites, and is sure to be found in any dispensary in either its original form, or one of its hybrid descendants.
Buds are dense, cheesy, and vary in color from bright greens to orange, lemony yellows. The taste has been reported with mixed reviews–some enjoy, others find it unbearable. It means it with the name ‘Diesel’ – expect the pungent, fuel-like flavor when you toke it. The scent is strong and skunky, so be aware if you’re lighting up and needing to be sneaky.
Sour Diesel strain often provides a fast-acting head high and a mild body high, so it’s ideal for cannabis users who enjoy being active. Hiking, swimming, sports, or dancing would all be boosted to the max with a hit or two of Sour D. On the flip side, more sedentary users can enjoy a lift in creativity and an absence of social anxiety (though this may vary from person-to-person). Most report feeling relief from depression with continued use of the strain, and its effects are often perfect for those who enjoy a wake-n-bake but still need to function throughout the day.
As with any strain, reactions will be different per person. Start slow and take notice of the smell, taste, and feeling after the first hit to see if Sour Diesel is right for you.
Other strain qualities reported are feelings of relaxation, energy, and overall mood uplift, decrease in fatigue, depression, and stress. Excellent for those with chronic pain or those in need of a creative energy boost. THC content ranges typically from 19-25%, and about 0.1-0.3% CBD content.
sour-diesel
Chemical Makeup
THC: 19-25%
CBD: 0.1-0.3%
CBN: 0-0.04%
CBG: 0-1%
THCV: 0-0.2%
CBC: 0-0.5%
CBL: 0-0.6%
β-Linalool: 0.01-0.1%
β-Myrcene: 0.06-0.5%
a-Pinene: 0-0.4%
D-Limonene: 0.01-0.6%
β-Caryophyllene: 0-0.5%
Image credit: medicaljane

Marley Natural Launches Product Line in Portland Oregon

Marley Natural Launches Product Line in Portland, Oregon

The Marley name has always been synonymous with the cannabis community and culture. So it comes as no surprise that the Marley family has their own cannabis-based product line. This company known as Marley Natural, offers a product line that includes pre-rolled joints, smoking accessories, sun-grown herb, beauty and hygiene products, as well as oil cartridges for vaping. Marley Natural originally launched their product line in Southern California on Bob Marley 71st birthday which was February 6th. Since their original launch on the legends birthday, they have also introduced their product line to the medical marijuana market in Northern California. This week Marley Natural announced that they have also launched their product line within the recreational cannabis market in Portland Oregon.
When it comes to cannabis flowers the Marley Natural line is available in four different categories. These categories are Marley Green, Marley Red, Marley Black, and Marley Gold. These four categories naturally represent the four primary types of cannabis that is available on the market today. These four types include Sativa, Indica, Hybrid, and CBD strains. Of course, all cannabis offered in the Marley Natural product line is cultivated in the state of Oregon to the highest of cultivation standards.
Marley Natural is not just another cannabis product line. The company has been built upon the morals and values of the legend Bob Marley himself and they work directly with several different organizations throughout the culture that are dedicated to ending cannabis prohibition and helping those in the communities affected the most by the War on Drugs. Marley Natural is dedicated to ensuring  that the product they bring to market is of the highest quality and their profits are put to good use helping those affected by cannabis prohibition throughout  minority communities. For example, on Saturday, August 27th, they are helping host Rise Up Expungement Day and are helping picking up the tab to pay the costs associated with having the cannabis charges expunged from the records of offenders in Oregon that are unable to pay the fees themselves. This is just one way that Marley Natural is sharing the love. Have you tried a Marley Natural product? If so, weed love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
 

With A Heavy Heart We Remember Jack Splitt Son Friend And Advocate

With a Heavy Heart We Remember Jack Splitt- Son, Friend and Advocate

There have been many individuals who have left their mark on the cannabis culture, but none were quite like Jack Splitt. Jack Splitt was the inspiration behind “Jack’s Law.” Jack’s Law requires schools in the state of CO to allow parents to administer cannabis-based medicine to their children on school grounds. Jack suffered from cerebral palsy and experienced very severe pain due to this illness. He utilized a cannabis-based medical patch which delivered medicine throughout the day and was very successful at relieving his ailments. When a school employee removed this patch from his arm back in 2015, Jack’s Law was introduced to make changes. After changing the minds of many legislators, Jack’s Law was signed by Governor John Hickenlooper this June. Aside from Jack’s Law, Jack was an inspiration of many initiatives in the state aimed at the rights of pediatric medical marijuana patients. He was also the inspiration behind CannAbility Foundation. This foundation helps to provide resources to the families of sick children who utilize whole plant cannabis for treatment.
It is with a heavy heart today, that we report Jack lost his battle to cerebral palsy and passed away at home with his family on Wednesday, August 24th at just 15 years old. His passing comes one week after he started classes at Wheat Ridge High School. Jack has been described by many as a very vibrant, happy and even flirtatious young man, despite the suffering he went through for so many years.
In Jack’s 15 years of life he brought hope and a smile into thousands of people lives. Everyone who knew Jack and had the pleasure of meeting him has had one common thing to say in their remembrance of Jack, and that is that he had a smile that would change your day. Through his and his family’s advocacy, they have changed the future for thousands of children that rely on cannabis for relief. Jack will forever live on in the hearts of his loved ones as well as thousands of people from around the world that have followed his story.
In the wake of Jack’s sudden passing, his family has set up a Go Fund Me account to help raise the funds needed for his burial services.  If you would like to help this family during their time of tragedy, please consider giving to this fund. If you have a memory of Jack, we would love for you to share it with us in the comments below and help his legacy be remembered throughout the community and culture.  Our deepest condolences to everyone touched by his passing.
 
 

Edibles that wont make you fat

Edibles that won't make you fat

What do you imagine when you think of a marijuana edible? Probably a brownie, cookie, gummy, or chocolate bar. If you’re the type of person that requires a high dose of THC to get high, you might have to put on a few pounds or risk diabetes just to get high with sweet edibles. Some people don’t want to inhale any form of marijuana but may also be on a diet or opposed to sweets. Your dentist will probably be hype you ate a whole bag of extra sweet marijuana lozenges just to get high but you should know there are other options. Fortunately, with the rising popularity of legal marijuana, savory edible options are becoming more abundant. This is good news for those of us with less of a sweet tooth.
Here are some savory instead of sweet edible options.
Potzo Ball Soup by Jeff the 420 Chef
A twist on the traditional Jewish soup dumpling made from a mixture of matzah meal, eggs, water, and a fat, such as oil, margarine, or chicken fat.” By adding canna-olive oil to the mix, you’ll have a savory cannabis-infused matzo ball soup in no time. It takes about 40 minutes to prep the meal and an hour and 30 minutes to cook it.
The sweet cannabis candies are marketed to a younger “stoner” crowd but there are now several options of edibles that appeal to more than just 21 year old men. You can find out the ingredients and cooking instructions for this recipe and others on Jeffthe420chef.com
Get Baked Beans
There are multiple ways to make this dish. You can spend 8 hours rinsing and soaking dry beans or you can just open up a can of premade beans and add cannabutter into the mix. If you’re a food critic you may want to make the beans the long way but if the closest you’ve come to culinary excellence is scrambled eggs you may want to go with option B. The ingredients and instructions for all methods can be found at the link above.
Hot Buttery Cannabiscuits
You should be able to prep and bake some hot buttery cannabiscuits in less than an hours time. If you’ve got access to cannabis oil in it’s solid form, you can have the ultimate breakfast wake and bake. The ingredients and instructions are all in the link above.
Medicated Hot Wings
You can make medicated hot wings in the same way you make regular hot wings. The beauty of cannabutter is any recipe that uses butter can be infused with marijuana. Just use cannabutter in the place of butter when making your hot wings and you’ll have em ready in no time.
If you don’t even want to make your own hot wings you can just order wings from wherever, even a chinese food spot, then add medicated hot sauce to it in the same way you would add tabasco to a dish.
If you like spice and want something savory that can be added to nearly any dish you can use medicated hot sauce. Just pay attention to the dosage, don’t use a 500mg bottle of hot sauce to soak a bowl of wings. A few squirts out of the bottle should do the trick no need to incapacitate yourself for several hours.
image: quicktrading.com

weedreader template

Marijuana and Running

Some inexperienced smokers who get really stoned when they smoke feel as though they can’t accomplish any tasks like running. Most daily smokers who have tried running while high would report that it is still quite possible. Some even believe it enhances the experience. There is also research on cannabis and running revealed anti-inflammatory effects. There were also reports of stress and muscle pain reduction, according to exercise physiologist Dr. Scott Weiss. So basically you’ll be in a better mood to run and the exercise should cause less damage while high.
Meet some stoned-runners 
If you need more evidence that running and marijuana can go hand in hand, there’s a stoned-running club in New Orleans called Vapor Apollo. The founder of the group claims that running while high “encourages attention to detail and makes running less boring.” They’d like to “kill that stereotype of weed and laziness, if possible.”
Jasmine, a 27-year-old smoke shop owner who gets high before every run agreed. She was 60 pounds heavier four years prior and knew she needed to make a change. She hated running and team sports.
“No matter what anyone tells you, running is very uncomfortable,” she says. “It’s a constant battle to keep yourself moving forward. Long story short, I hated running and I happen to know that marijuana is a great way to get myself to do the things that I don’t really want to do.”
One ultra-marathon runner Jeff Sperber has had three surgeries and stage four arthritis in his toe. He has a prescription pain medication but prefers not to use it because he claims, “I can’t do that stuff and function as a normal human being.” However, he says “as a weed smoker, I can function.”
Another ultra-marathon runner, Avery Collins says, “it’s pretty simple. I enjoy going on runs when I’m high. He said that cannabis does not grant him a competitive advantage but it makes practicing for long races more enjoyable and calms his muscles post-run. So athletes aren’t using marijuana as a performance enhancing drug when running. They’re just using it when they’re not competing.
Combination of runners high and marijuana high
According to a study published online, the same neurotransmitter that makes the body relaxed is triggered by both exercise and ingesting marijuana.
“Exercise causes the body to produce a particular neurotransmitter that makes the body relaxed-the same one triggered by smoking marijuana”
“When volunteers exercise for 30 minutes, the level of endocannabinoid anandamide in their bloodstream goes up.”
Dr. Johannes Fuss, researcher at University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, auhored a study that found “emotional benefits after acute exercise, often termed as a runner’s high.” Much like THC exercise causes anandamide to work with the endocannabinoid system affecting emotions. People who experience a runners high report feelings of euphoria much like smokers of sativa cannabis strains.
In conclusion
There are currently no definitive studies on marijuana’s performance enhancing effects. The World Anti-Doping Agency said in 2013, the level of acceptable marijuana in an athlete’s system was increased so that out of competition use would not disqualify anyone. So far any use before a sporting event is still forbidden. However, marijuana can aid runners outside of competition with motivation and pain relief.

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A Legal Retail Cannabis Market in California Could Offer Many Benefits

When it comes to cannabis legalization in the U.S., California is where it all began back in 1995 when they became the first state to legalize cannabis for medicinal uses. The retail/recreational legalization of cannabis has been a hot topic in the state of California ever since. While there have been many initiatives over the years calling for the legalization of adult recreational cannabis, this November the citizens of the state will finally have the chance to make it happen.
If voters in the state pass Proposition 64 to legalize an adult retail market, it is estimated that the sales in the first year will exceed 1.6 billion dollars. According to research by The Arc View Group and New Frontier, the combination of retail and medical sales in the state would most likely exceed 6.5 billion dollars by 2020. In 2015 the state’s medical market brought in 2.8 billion dollars in revenue.
According to the Executive Vice President of Industry Analytics for New Frontier, “the adult use market in California will undoubtedly make California the new epicenter in cannabis.” While the legalization of cannabis for adult use in the state would benefit many individuals in California, as well as the state’s economy, it has other benefits to offer as well. California has a significant influence on drug laws in Mexico. It is thought by many, that if California legalizes a retail market, it will also encourage their neighbors to the South to do the same.
While this market could offer many benefits, it will not be implemented without having to overcome several hurdles many of which will have to do with cultivation and regulations. When medical marijuana was legalized in 1995 there was very little government oversight of the program. This lack of oversight and the lack of stringent regulations is said to have led to a significant amount of the legally cultivated product being diverted to the black market and sold illegally. This has led to the “gray cultivation market” making in excess of 9 billion dollars annually.
According to John Kagia, the Executive VP of New Frontier, the state will not only become an epicenter in terms of revenue, it will also become a leader in the innovation throughout the industry. Kagia, as well as other co-authors of the report, believe that Silicon Valley should play an essential role in providing intellectual and technical expertise as well as capital to help progress the industry further than ever before. Many people also feel that if a legal retail cannabis market is introduced in the state, that California will become an epicenter for cannabis research as well as a pioneer in developing organic cultivation standards.

Get Your Oregon Cannabis Charges Expunged for Free

Get Your Oregon Cannabis Charges Expunged for Free

From tearing apart families to impeding the ability for many individuals to further their education or even obtain a good job, the prohibition of cannabis has caused detrimental harm in communities across the United States. For many individuals who have been arrested for cannabis, it is hard for them to obtain a job or further their education even after they serve their time, whether it be in jail or on probation. This is due to the fact that these drug charges still carry with them on their records for the remainder of their lives.
In the state of Oregon, where cannabis has been legal for adult recreational use since 2014, individuals that have a criminal record in the state for offenses that are now legal, have the opportunity to have the charges expunged from their records. Unfortunately for many individuals they are unable to pay the fees and lawyer costs associated with the process, so they continue to feel the negative effects of prohibition still today.
Knowing that the fees are impossible to pay for many people, Marley’s Naturals has teamed up with the Minority Cannabis Business Association to help individuals have their records cleared with absolutely no out of pocket costs. On August 27th, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., individuals with previous cannabis charges that are eligible for expungement can come to the Village Ballroom in Portland Oregon, located at 704 Northeast Dekum to fill out the necessary paperwork and file for their charges to be expunged from the records without paying a penny.
The process is expected to take less than 2 hours and all fees will be paid for by Marley Natural™ and the Minority Cannabis Business Association. This event is being called Rise Up™ Oregon Expungement Day and is just one way that the MCBA is taking action to stand by its mission statement. The MCBA knows all too well the consequences that the war on drugs has had and continues to have on the minority communities. That is why they have made it part of their mission to combat these consequences and help individuals overcome them. Through this event, many individuals will have a second chance at a normal life that they may not have had otherwise. If you have cannabis charges in the state of Oregon and are eligible to have them expunged from your record, but have been unable to pay the fees associated with doing so, be sure to RSVP to this event today.