At the beginning of July, Vermont became the ninth U.S. state to legalize recreational marijuana and adults are permitted to possess up to 1 ounce of the drug as well as two mature and four immature plants. Vermont joins other states including California, Massachusetts, Maine, and Nevada where votes were passed to green light recreational marijuana in late 2016. That doubled the number of states where lighting up was permitted with Colorado, Alaska, Washington and Oregon all previously legalizing the green stuff. In terms of consumption, California has a massive market for recreational marijuana, larger than Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska combined.
Infographic courtesy of: statista
There May Well Be Some Benefits of Medical Marijuana, Session Admits
Marijuana is one of the most widely used drugs the world over. This is especially true among the younger generation, despite it being illegal in most nations. In the U.S, some states have yet to legalize marijuana us, causing a bit of confusion among American citizens. Worse yet, U.S Attorney General Jeff Sessions had recently gone on record to support the use of medical marijuana, when he had previously been dead set against it. Let’s take a look at how he came about his decision.
Sessions’ View
On April 25th, 2018, Sessions went before the Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee panel and acknowledged that indeed there are some benefits from medical marijuana. He went further to support the appropriateness of studying cannabis for medical uses. Many were a little taken aback as the Attorney General had previously gone on record to say that he did not believe that medical marijuana was a medicine.
During his speech, Sessions admitted having seen research indicating lower overdose deaths in states that allow marijuana use. However, he was fast to criticize the current use of cannabis, suggesting that it is not being used for medical purposes. This is not too shocking as indeed younger people seem to be using it more especially in states where marijuana use is legal. A recent poll on the matter asserts this claim as it found out that one in four young adults uses cannabis every so often.
Additionally, Sessions indicated that steps to license more marijuana growing entities would soon be taken. However, he had some conditions for this as they would be for marijuana research only. Also, he did not give a timeline on the same, raising some questions on his end game.
The Confusion
In 2016, the DEA enacted a policy that was intended to license more marijuana research growers. Since then, the agency has received at least 25 applications but has yet to act on any of them. According to the Washington Post, this delay has been caused by top Justice Department officials who stepped in to prevent DEA from approving them.
However, one can sympathize with Sessions’ dilemma as, during his answers to the Senate committee, he admitted that allowing the research would expose the U.S to the risk of violating international drug treaties. Furthermore, he seemed hesitant to give an actual timeline as he considered that most people who take medical marijuana do not have a prescription for it. In his view, it is just another excuse to get high within the confines of a medical prescription.
Advocates of marijuana being legalized were pleasantly surprised at his new stand. Considering that he had previously worked against their beliefs, this came as a good shocker. However, they urged the Justice Department to act on allowing cannabis research and broadening policy changes sooner. In their defense, they supported that marijuana does indeed help many patients, and the recent drag in research was a great hindrance to patients’ health.
Justin Strekal, NORML Political Director, told Marijuana Moment that what Americans needed was better research on consumer marijuana as well as lawful policies for legal markets. During his interview, he pointed out that the continued deliberations from the DoJ were affecting over two million registered medical marijuana patients in the legal markets.
In his testimony, AG Sessions told the subcommittee that the priority of drug agents and federal prosecutors was heroin, cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine, and not cannabis. However, he stated that if indeed cannabis agents ‘were illegally acting and violating federal law,’ their agents would work on that case.
Sessions remain opposed to the idea that cannabis is helping to address the U.S opioid addiction crisis. He still does not think that it is safe to use medical marijuana, which may indicate why his office is slow in giving a timeline for the research program to kick off. Despite studies showing that legalized medical cannabis has caused a reduction in opioid overdose, Sessions believes that this development will not be sustained in the long run. However, he acknowledged this and even asked his staff to look further into the matter, as he views science to be very important in combating drug addiction.
Many are confused as to how U.S Attorney General Sessions will tackle the research of medical marijuana. This is as a result of his change of heart in the matter, yet research is still on hold. However, patients of medical grade cannabis can rest assured that his changed views on the matter are the right step towards more research. It will take some time though.
This is What Cannabis Legalization Will Look Like in Canada
On June 19, 2018, the Canadian Senate voted in favour of cannabis legalization. Although public responses have varied, every reaction was followed up with one burning question: What next?
Unfortunately, there’s no one clear answer. As recreational cannabis moves into the mainstream, each province and territory will have its own legislation regarding minimum age to purchase, where you can buy—and consume—and who will be able to sell. It’s an evolving landscape that licensed producers are navigating alongside ancillary businesses.
Here’s what you need to know about each province:
British Columbia
Despite being known for its laid back west coast vibes, both growers and consumers in B.C. will face more restrictions than a lot of other provinces. Smoking cannabis will be prohibited wherever smoking tobacco is, with the addition of community spaces (sports fields, skating rinks, playgrounds, etc) and anywhere else that kids might commonly gather. Law enforcement won’t be taking infractions lightly: you may face serious penalty (a $2,000+ fine or up to three months’ jail time) for public intoxication.
Micro-producers in British Columbia—licensed cannabis cultivators with a smaller, more focused operation, similar to current craft breweries—will also feel the sting of targeting, having to first sell their cannabis strains to the government and then buy it back if they wish to sell directly.
Alberta
Following their current legal drinking and smoking ages, the minimum age to purchase cannabis in Alberta will be 18—setting it apart from most of the country, which will still hold a strict 19+ age policy in line with their drinking laws.
Also unlike many other provinces, Alberta will allow for privately-owned retail sales and brick-and-mortar shops, placing a 15% cap on how much of the market each business can retain.
Saskatchewan
With arguably the most lax upcoming sales model in the country, Saskatchewan will allow for cannabis to be sold through privately-owned brick-and-mortar retailers, as well as online. This will be huge for retailers and will create more, varied options for consumers.
Manitoba
Manitoba’s minimum age to purchase policy doesn’t line up with smoking and drinking. Nineteen-year-olds will be in a bar with 18-year-olds, and the 19-year-olds will be allowed to go out and smoke pot while the 18-year-olds won’t. This is because, while minimum age to drink or buy cigarettes is 18 in the province, you will have to be at least 19 to purchase cannabis.
Another way Manitoba is going against the grain is in their home growing policies. While legalization will allow Canadians to possess up to four, personal-use plants, Manitoba (along with Quebec) has banned this practice.
Ontario
Without skipping a beat, Ontario will roll out an online retail platform provided by the Ontario Cannabis Store starting October 17—the day the legalization comes into effect. This will be followed up by a private, brick-and-mortar retail model launching April 1, 2019.
“The Government of Ontario will not be in the business of running physical cannabis stores,” said Minister of Finance Vic Fedeli. “Instead, we will work with private sector businesses to build a safe, reliable retail system that will divert sales away from the illegal market.”
Quebec
Not only will Quebec have the youngest age to purchase at 18—they’ll also have the cheapest product, at an average of $5.88 per gram. (Undoubtedly, this could add to Montreal’s reputation as a go-to party destination.)
Much like Manitoba, home growing will be banned in Quebec—however, there are plans to review the ban in two to three years, presumably after some fine-tuning of early operations.
NEW BRUNSWICK
New Brunswick is placing a heavy emphasis on “safety first” when it comes to cannabis. Private retail sales will not be available in this province, and all marijuana within a private residence will be required to be kept under lock and key—similar to the province’s current gun laws.
NEWFOUNDLAND
This province will likely get to make Canadian cannabis history, as the timezone primes it to be the first place to (legally) buy recreational marijuana in the country. Newfoundland will also be the only maritime province to allow privately owned retail stores—LP giants Canopy Growth will have four locations throughout the province, including an outlet attached directly to their grow facilities in St. John’s.
NOVA SCOTIA
According to StatsCan, Nova Scotia currently has the highest cannabis use per capita in the country—along with the largest recreational marijuana “black market”, as a result. In an attempt to dissuade people from illegal dispensaries—and overcome building logistics that go along with being a highly-rural, dispersed province—the province will allow cannabis sales within all existing NSLC liquor stores.
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
P.E.I. is largely flying under the radar when it comes to cannabis. The province will roll out distribution similar to their current alcohol laws, with online and in-store purchase available through private sector only.
YUKON + NORTHWEST TERRITORIES + NUNAVUT
Based on their proximity to growers and producers, as well as size of community and demand, the territories will likely only ever experience cannabis sales via online purchase—although there is a possibility of the Yukon eventually rolling out brick-and-mortar shops.
Of course, as we move towards legalization over the next few months, it’s important to keep up to date with your own province’s rules and regulations so you know just what to expect come October 17, 2018.
Study Finds Cannabis Effective for Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia study sheds new light
A new study coming out of the University of New Mexico shows potential of cannabis to treat an especially difficult mental disorder. This is welcome news for sufferers of schizophrenia since there is little good news about the disease in the press. As one of the most complex neurological disorders known, there is precious little known about it.
Despite the poor understanding most people have of schizophrenia, teams across the world work to discover the mechanisms of the disease and try to find new treatments. The journal Medicines published a report recently on new research performed by two departments of the University of New Mexico. Jegason P. Diviant and Jacob M. Vigil lead the study testing the effectiveness of phytocannabinoids in treating schizophrenia.
The Department of Psychology and Department of Economics collaborated for the study and published their findings together last week. They looked at how neurotransmitters in the brain work in the presence of cannabis. Diviant and Vigil used a systemic approach instead of a targeted one and observed significant changes.
This is big news
For decades, doctors and patients alike believed that consuming cannabis reduced control over episodes. But it seems that at least some cannabinoids reduce neuroinflammation, a prime component of schizophrenic delusions. Cannabis also eased several other key components of the disease with no added health risks.
The big news is that the groups findings indicate that cannabinoids may provide effective control and relief from schizophrenic episodes. They even found evidence that it works when used in conjunction with certain standard treatments. But the researchers stopped short of declaring it an outright cure for schizophrenia.
The medical establishment is still coming to terms with the reintroduction of cannabis. Progress is slow but research like this is moving forward, offering the promise of new hope to suffering people. But these results contribute to a growing library of diseases that are treatable with cannabis.
More research is needed
According to the study authors, schizophrenia affects about 0.5% of the population and most sufferers are on chemical medications. But the complex nature of schizophrenia means that researchers and medical doctors have to look at the environmental, autoimmune, and neuroinflammatory causes simultaneously. When they do, cannabis proves to be an effective method of treatment by interacting with the endocannabinoid system.
Similar to a master network of chemical signals, the endocannabinoid system promotes mental and physical homeostasis. By infusing our bodies with specific cannabinoids (in this case phytocannabinoids) we can bolster our natural abilities and promote balance. As more research becomes public, it highlights the overall impact of the endocannabinoid system on an individuals health.
There is significantly more to learn about schizophrenia and how cannabis helps treat it. But we can all appreciate what this means for the medical world. For patients suffering from the various forms of schizophrenia, this is wonderful news. There may be a cannabis based treatment developed and released in the near future.
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.
Canadian Government Marijuana Sales
The use of cannabis is gradually increasing in many countries. With over nine states in the USA legalizing it, the number is likely to increase. Other states have started following suit by voting for its legalization.
Canada has not been left behind and it will make history on October 17, 2018. The Federal Government will legalize recreational marijuana. The push has been there for years. Medical marijuana has been in use since 2000. However, there would be laws that’ll govern the sales, possession, and usage of marijuana.
The marijuana prices have already become a talk of the town with every investor stretching their hands to this soon to be gold-mine. However, the government has stepped in to regulate the sales.
I am going to discuss three important factors about Marijuana legalization in the country.
The Effect Marijuana Sales Will Have on the Economy
The marijuana business is a guaranteed huge payday to the Canadian Government. According to statistics, over C$6 billion was spent on marijuana in 2014. Remember, at this time marijuana was not legalized. The government was able to generate a tax of over C$400 million. Now the drug is about to be legalized. The number is likely to double or even triple.
Bloomberg.com has stated that the weed sale has exceeded what the largest plane manufacturer produces. Statcan – a statistics agency company – has conducted a research and found that legalization would greatly boost the country’s GDP.
The agency has also gone a step further to find out how much the weed will cost. The agency wants to compare the cost of marijuana while it’s legalized and when it was still under the black market. The drug price is likely to reduce but users will increase. If you do the math well, the overall sales will be higher.
Tourism
Canada is the home to rich culture and incredible wonders of nature. The Rocky Mountains and cities of Victoria, Calgary and Vancouver are mainly dominated by itineraries. These are just but a small number of attractions professed by the country.
The government marijuana sales are likely to hit this sector in a positive way. Canada is trying to compete with the industry in the USA which is considered to be abnormal. According to the CEO and co-founder of Cannabis Data Firm BDS analytics, all the pharmaceuticals industries are interested in the sales. The move is likely to welcome many visitors to the country. This is so because it seems like the government is backing up the sales. Many European countries are closely monitoring the legalization with the aim of starting to tour the country. With the expansion of tourism, the economy is likely to be boosted.
The measure of weed consumption
The Canadian government is obviously going to reap quite a fortune from the sales. Upon legalization of weed in Colorado, the state government was able to collect over $76 million and $87 million in the first and second year respectively. Canada is the second largest country in the world and one of the most populated countries in the world. The sales are likely to be more.
To get the data straight, the government came up with models to measure the amount of weed consumption. The data collected will help in establishing the amounts of dollars the government would be able to raise.
The government came up with these guidelines to help in getting the average weed consumption.
- The number of people consuming the drug.
- The number of grams each individual is likely to consume.
- The number of days each individual can take consuming the weed in a year.
- The price of each gram.
Let’s assume that 150,000 people consumed 2 grams for a year daily. Let’s also say the price of a pop is C4$. If you do the math well, the overall amount spent would be over C$3 billion. This is an assumption. We have also not counted the kilograms of weed smuggled overseas or out of Canada. This is likely to boost the GDP of Canada.
The mathematics we’ve done above only reflect recreational marijuana, we’ve left out medical marijuana.
The Takeaway
The Canadian government did a lot of calculations before they opted to legalize the drug. Many people support the move and are optimistic that the plan will strengthen the economy. However, there will be some disadvantages in the social sector since many people will be addicts to the drug which can lead to an increase in criminal activities. However, for now, all the eyes are on the said date with the weed-lovers waiting for their big day.
The History of Cannabis – infographic
The cannabis plant has had a long—really long—history. The plant, and the way it is used, has changed a lot over the centuries. This infographic highlights the history of cannabis.
The Puffco Peak: The Pinnacle of Dabbing [Review]
A staple in the concentrate consumption scene, Puffco is behind some of the best vaporizers we see today. Being in the industry for only 5 years, Puffco immediately managed to be one of the foremost brands in the concentrate consumption platform. With products like the Puffco Plus and the Puffco Pro 2, this Los Angeles-based vaporizer company quickly gained a strong foothold in the portable vaporizer market, and with their latest offering, they plan to take your portable vaping experience to a whole new level.
The Puffco Peak was unveiled in the previously held International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) sometime around January earlier this year. It was then made available to wax concentrate consumers a few months later. During its release, the Puffco Peak was dubbed as the most advanced vaporizer ever made and was presumed to have cutting-edge features making it the smartest portable dab rig on the market.
First Impressions
With all the hype it was getting, the Puffco Peak swiftly became the talk of the town. Said to have been the future of dabbing, the Peak by Puffco is equipped with some of the most advanced features, the likes of what you’d see and expect from a top-tier rig.
Users found it hard to classify the Peak and later decided that it needed a classification of its own – and e-rig. The Peak brings together the elements of two of the best tools in concentrate consumption (an e-nail and a dab rig) very much like how its founder and CEO, Roger Voladarsky, brought together the “disciplines of design, technology, and engineering,” the principles and the elements that made Puffco the brand they are today. Quickly becoming an icon, the Puffco Peak sports a distinguishable triangular shape, a stable and firm figure, representing reliability and steadfastness, something dabbers are looking for in an e-rig. The Peak also boasts four unique heat settings giving you a wide array of temperature profiles, heats up in as fast as 20 seconds, features haptic feedback, and charges fast with low discharge rate. But what separates the Puffco Peak from the competition is its Intelligent Temperature Calibration (ITC), it’s what makes the Puffco Peak smart. It automatically remembers and adjusts the temperature and calibrates it with that of the ceramic bowl’s which ensures you’re getting the same level of heat – and high.
Could the Peak really be worth all the hype and all the money? It doesn’t come cheap, it’s placed under the $300+ mark making it not only a vaporizer of premium quality but one that sports a premium price tag.
Getting To Know The Peak
Puffco products are known to uphold the core belief of the company – the virtue of purity. The Peak follows suit and is probably the epitome of this standard having components that are specifically designed and engineered to faithfully preserve the qualities of your select concentrates. The physical components of the Puffco Peak mainly compose of ceramic and medical-grade glass pieces, intended to ensure the preservation and retention of the distinct flavor notes and the unmistakable aroma of cannabis concentrates. The glass pieces are made from hand-blown borosilicate glass giving it high resistance to thermal shock and very low coefficient of thermal expansion, perfect for demanding and intense vaping sessions. The glass attachment also features percolation water filtration, giving you moisture-conditioned hits for draws that are smooth both on the throat and on the lungs.
The Puffco Peak also features high-grade ceramic bowls that are perfect for both low-temp dabs and high-temp hits. The ceramic bowls are designed to evenly heat your concentrates regardless of the Peak’s heat settings. Ceramic is inert by nature, compared to quartz and titanium, ceramic holds heat the longest. Even on high temperatures, the ceramic bowls will gradually heat your favorite concentrates without getting to the point of combustion. Moreover, ceramic is pure and because of its inert properties, will not react chemically to heat and will not change or alter your material in any way. True to its promise, Puffco products like the Peak, delivers the best results and lets you experience and enjoy your concentrates in its purest form.
Both the ceramic bowls and the borosilicate glass attachments can effortlessly be removed for easy cleaning and upkeep.
Using The Peak
Surprisingly, while the Puffco Peak is chock full of features making it sophisticatedly high-tech, it operates and steers like the average vaporizer. It could well be because the underlying technology behind the Puffco Peak basically stems from portable vape pens – Puffco’s bread and butter.
This principle makes the Puffco Peak relatively easy to use. Here’s how.
- Make sure that the Puffco Peak is fully charged to get optimum results. Generally, the Puffco Peak charges more or less in two hours and will yield an average of 30 dabs before the battery goes low.
- Remove the glass chamber from the base and fill it with water, just enough that the water barely touches the air holes.
- Replace the glass attachment and hold the power button on the Puffco Peak to turn the device on.
- To toggle between the temperature profiles, simply tap the same button thrice till you get to your desired temperature level.
- Check and open the carb cap to expose the ceramic bowls where you’ll be loading your materials.
- Using the loading tool, drop desired amount of concentrates onto the ceramic bowls and tap the power button twice to begin heating the concentrates.
- Start vaping and enjoy.
With just a few easy steps, even beginners will be able to use the Puffco Peak like a pro. The water filtration effectively cools down the vapors as well as sift any irritants giving out subtle vapors – the kind that doesn’t make you cough.
Final Thoughts
There’s no wonder why the Puffco Peak is seen as the best in its class, it’s really worth every penny. With top-tier features like unique heat settings and smart temperature calibration, the Puffco Peak indeed is the pinnacle of dabbing.
Locked and Loaded: The Yocan Loaded Vaporizer
Yocan devices have been known as an industry standard for affordable and practical vaporizers that can perform as well as other devices twice its price. With their latest offering, The Yocan Loaded, they introduced new and revolutionary features like an extendable mouthpiece and a new way to remove and replace coils for quick and effortless transition from one vaping style to another. It’s a wax pen vaporizer built with the daily, on-the-go dabber in mind. Whether you’re a casual or a medical consumer, you’re sure to find that the Yocan Loaded is an ideal companion for your daily wax concentrate consumption needs.
The Loaded Design – What’s New
Like most of Yocan’s products, the Yocan Loaded wax pen vaporizers are simple, minimalistic, and straightforward. A single power button simplifies operation leaving little to no learning curve and using the Loaded comes as natural as breathing.
Atop the Loaded sits the extendable mouthpiece, one would simply have to turn the mouthpiece counterclockwise to extend the mouthpiece. Extending the mouthpiece provides a slightly longer vapor path and funnels the vapors to allow better cooling which helps remove some of the irritants from the vapor. Not only does the extendable mouthpiece enhance and improve the quality of the vapor, it also helps keep your vaping session clean as it keeps the actual mouthpiece hidden inside keeping it away from dust and dirt. This is perfect for those who keep their devices inside their pockets or in their bags when not in use.
Apart from the retractable mouthpiece, one of the new features from the Yocan Loaded is its atomizer base. The atomizers can be accessed in a chamber with a door-like hatch. Opening the hatch exposes the atomizer; the atomizer is connected to the battery via magnetic links allowing ease of use and quick removal and replacement of atomizers depending on your needs.
Both features aren’t exactly new to Yocan products, however, the way they were applied and executed opened a whole new experience to vaporizer users, especially the ones who prefer vaping on their feet.
Premium Coils
The Yocan Loaded comes with two premium atomizers both are quartz-based giving the Yocan Loaded the capability to respond immediately and provide on-demand heating without affecting the quality of the material in terms of taste, aroma, and potency. Quartz is inert by nature and it does not react chemically to heat which means it’s one of the safest means of heating your concentrates without getting to the point of combustion.
The quad coil boasts four quartz rods wrapped in high-quality coils. That means four times the fun, four times the vapor production. If you want to blow huge clouds of vapor that are highly visible and are dense they closely mimic the viscosity of real smoke then the quad coils are your best choice. Not only is it aesthetically appeasing, the heightened temperature level brought by the four coils also increases the intensity of the concentrates. The hotter the coils get, the more potent the vapors are. The vapors may come harsh and a small amount of dab on the quad coils will be enough to put you down for a good amount of time.
The dual coils, on the other hand, are the perfect balance of flavor and vapor. The output of the quad coils isn’t as visually stunning as the quad coils but they yield better tasting vapors compared to the quads. The two quartz coils create vapors that preserve the flavor profile of your favorite concentrate and minimizes the harshness that you will otherwise experience from the quad coils, the vapor output of the dual coil is smoother and provide subtler upshots – perfect for those seeking mild euphoria.
Overall, both atomizers allow the user to experience the full spectrum of their wax concentrates and the intuitively designed hatch perfectly complements both atomizers.
Yocan Staples
While the Yocan Loaded features new concepts and design applications, it still retains and embodies what we loved about Yocan products.
One feature that’s become a Yocan staple, especially for their wax pen vaporizers is the wax container or wax stash located just below the vape pen. Those who like to vape on-the-go will no longer have to worry about carrying excess baggage since the Yocan Loaded allows you to keep an extra stash of concentrates for that much needed reload. What’s the point of having two atomizers if you have too few materials?
You no longer have to worry about leaving home with just enough wax on you. You can now take on extended sessions and not worry about coming up short on wax. The bottom wax container is also magnetically latched onto the battery and like the atomizers, they can easily be removed and replaced. Yocan brings its design on a whole new level with the Loaded. The wax container’s interior is lined with medical-grade silicone so it’s safe to keep your wax concentrates in there. The container also features a dual compartment design which allows you to store two kinds of concentrates in one small container. This design and engineering are also rooted in the fact that the Loaded can be used with two atomizer coils. If you prefer to use different strains for each atomizer coil, then the wax storage discreetly hidden at the bottom of this wax vape pen is the perfect tool for keeping those waxy and oily substances.
Another principal feature seen on most Yocan products is the generous battery. The Loaded is outfitted with 1400mAh batteries that’s enough for more than just the usual, casual sessions. The decision to incorporate a larger, more powerful battery is based on the atomizer coils. A 1400mAh battery is the prime choice to power up the Loaded’s quad coils, the larger the atomizer, the more demanding its requirements are.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Yocan Loaded is the embodiment of a modern classic. A piece of technology that molds tried and trusted brand staples together with brand new innovations that are designed to help improve the user’s overall experience. Yocan Loaded is available at yocanvaporizer.com.
What are the Top Cannabis Strains for Pain?
Many people use medical or recreational cannabis to remedy pain. Marijuana is definitely a great choice but it’s also a very diverse drug. The properties of the bud will decide how effective it will be for relieving your pain. Most importantly, whether it’s an “indica” or “sativa” strain will serve as a telling factor of what you can expect.
Let’s evaluate the top indica & sativa strains for pain relief…
Indica Strains for Pain Relief
Indica is often joked as being “in da couch” because it gives a full body high that essentially shuts off your brain’s ability to send pain signals. For the most severe cases, indica weed is the way to go — many medicinal users religiously stick by indica for its strong pain relief effects.
Some top-rated indica cannabis strains include:
- Blue Cheese
- Critical Mass
- Granddaddy Purple
- Hash Plant
- Hindu Kush
- Master Kush
- Northern Lights
- Purple Kush
- Sensi Star
Notice a recurring theme in that list?
“Kush” is included in many of the names. If you’re new to marijuana, you might believe people use this term loosely — as if it’s a codeword in the streets like “green” or “herb”. The truth is, kush is always either an indica or indica-dominant hybrid strain.
Therefore, most users seeking pain relief results will find happy results from one of the kush strains. The other strains on that list are also very effective choices for pain relief. Many of these strains have very high THC levels as well, such as Purple Kush which measures in at 17 to 27 percent.
Sativa Strains for Pain Relief
The problem with sativa strains is that they provide more of a head high than a body one. The result is more relief to head-related pains such as chronic headaches or migraines. However, general pain relief in the body does occur when using sativa strains. Further, if you medicate through a vaporizer — even if it’s sativa, the pain relief impact will be long-lasting.
Even so, users seeking pain relief symptoms are highly recommended to focus their medicating experience on indica-based strains. If you wish to avoid the “energy dragging effects” that sometimes happen, go ahead and use an indica-dominant strain instead. That said, if your pain symptoms are minor — and supposing you like the head high effect — a sativa or sativa-dominant hybrid strain would be a solid choice.
Some top-rated sativa cannabis strains include:
- AK-47
- Amnesia Haze
- Green Crack
- Hawaiian Snow
- Jack Herer
- Laughing Buddha
- Sour Diesel
- Strawberry Cough
If you do go the sativa route, try microdosing first. Some users find that a high THC sativa strain can cause pain relief without any cloudiness when taken at lower levels.
One more note — if you go for a hybrid strain, remember there are two types: indica-dominant and sativa-dominant. For pain relief purposes, an indica-dominant will typically provide superior results. If you still find the body effect to be too much, the sativa-dominant alternative will at least keep some of the major pain relief benefits due to the partial indica content.
Final Verdict
Both medical and recreational marijuana heals pain in such a fashion that prescription painkillers are no longer required. Being dependent on a natural, herbal remedy like cannabis is a game-changer.
The opiate addiction epidemic our world is facing right now is well-known. You don’t want to become another statistic — but if you keep smoking a strain that doesn’t effectively provide pain relief, it’s possible you’ll give up on a weed as your painkiller and look for something else.
Don’t be afraid to explore the strains out there before you decide what works.
Use coupons and watch for marijuana deals and promotions to do a small bulk order on different strains. Research them beforehand and keep track of their effects on you, while noting their measurements, so you can figure out what strains relieve your pain the most.
A great tip: Find a few marijuana strains that work for you. Keep switching between them every so often so your body doesn’t fully adapt to the effects. The changeup will keep the pain relief symptoms working strong instead of weakening over time.
Note:
This post is meant to help users find and understand general information on cannabis strains for pain. Please get professional advice from your doctor before using any cannabis strain.
Sources:
https://greencamp.com/marijuana-for-migraines/
ILGM Affiliate Program Review
ILGM is one of the best affiliates out there
All sorts of companies offer affiliate programs. Amazon, Ebay, Walmart, and Target are just a few big names that fully embrace the affiliate design. But Fortune 500 companies aren’t the only ones that offer affiliate kickbacks.
Cannabis companies are also getting in on the action. I Love Growing Marijuana (ILGM) is a well-known online seed company that can ship pretty much anywhere in the world. But they also stand out as offering one of the best affiliate programs anywhere.
Most companies offer a single digit commission, little to no support, and have complicated purchase rules. But ILGM is different and goes above and beyond for their affiliates. They understand the value of each customer and do their best to offer the best value to clients.
People love how fast and professional ILGM is. User Jeri P had great things to say about the experience ordering. They said “Love this company. We received our order in 10’days. To say the packaging was discreet would be an understatement.” With such quick turn around, it’s easy to see why so many people love shopping with ILGM.
ILGM has great rates
But ILGM has more than fast service. They offer affiliates some of the highest rates in the industry. ILGM offers 20% commissions on all sales, no minimum. Every single purchase a referral makes will earn money. On average, their commissions come out to about $25 per sale.
They also have an amazing 90 day cookie period. This gives referrals plenty of time to put together shopping lists and make purchases. Sometimes this even results in multiple orders earning commissions.
But they don’t simply pay affiliates based on the traffic driven directly from their links. ILGM even has a Sub affiliate program for people looking for more than just the minimum. The sub system offers 5% commissions on all sales made through new affiliates brought to the site from existing ones.
They offer loads of support
Unlike many other affiliate programs out there, ILGM provides all their affiliates with promo materials like banners and product imagery. These high resolution resources make integrating the affiliate link incredibly fast and easy. They plug into almost any site with little or no effort and look great on all devices.
In addition to the promo materials, ILGM also offers personal affiliate support. This service ensures every affiliate is able to understand the ins and outs of the ILGM business model. ILGM also provides monthly updates and news through an affiliate newsletter, highlighting the most important changes and updates affiliates need to know about.
They even have a step by step introduction to the business and offer tips on how to best promote it. ILGM went so far as to produce a handy manual highlighting the most important and difficult to understand parts of being an affiliate. For people just getting into affiliate marketing, it can make a huge difference.
Their service is amazing
The best affiliate offer is worthless if the company is unable to provide customers the service they expect. Quick and easy to use menus, easy payment methods and quick delivery are some of the most important elements of great service. Customer service is one area where ILGM truly exells and people aren’t shy to share their experiences.
In a review of ILGM, Michael from the UK says “These came in the mail within a week. Though they took a while to show a tail (about 48hrs in a cup of water) they grew fierce.” But he isn’t the only one to have an amazing experience ordering product.
Little Red also raved about the quality of ILGM’s service in their online review. They said “first time growing, bought the seeds through a gift card. the website is so easy to understand. i will definately [sic] buy again.” With customers loving their service and high quality affiliate resources, ILGM has all the good stuff in one place.
The ILGM website is designed to be easy to use and read. All the terms and services are available online in plain English along with their marijuana growing eBook. The eBook is one of the best resources for new growers and can offer new insights to even the most skilled horticulturist. Affiliate marketers and paying customers get access to the eBook for free so don’t forget to check it out as well.
Let yourself in
ILGM is all about building a strong and vibrant community. One major element of that community is an understanding the importance of privacy. ILGM respects customer and affiliate privacy and ensure all data is secure. You can check out all of their service and offers yourself by going to the website.
