post 5
CategoriesAnalysis/Opinion, Culture, Guides, List, Products, Technology by

Top 4 Stoner Gifts on My Cannabis Wishlist

Some people on your holiday gift list may be hard to choose presents for. However, the stoner in your life should be pretty simple to please. While every cannabis consumer and connoisseur would love a bag of top-shelf bud, an infused edible, or a new smoking apparatus there are some other rather extraordinary and elevated stoner gifts available on the market today. From tools that will help you de-carb your cannabis and ones to help you make infused butter and oils to ones that can even help you grow your own cannabis at home the list is almost endless. Here are five of my favorite cannabis centric gifts that will elevate the happiness of the stoner in your life this holiday season.

The Magical Butter Machine

The Magical Butter machine is well… simply magical and sure to light up the eyes of any stoner on your list. This high-tech device allows for at home cannabis chefs to easily infuse cannabis and other herbs into butter or oil of their choice. The Magical Butter Machine makes cooking with cannabis at home, as easy as adding a few ingredients and pushing a button! First, you will want to decarboxylate your cannabis though, and for that, I highly recommend the next product on our list! Learn more here!

The Ardent Nova Herbal Decarboxylator

The Ardent NOVA Decarboxylator takes the guesswork out the decarb process. If you aren’t familiar with this process, check out this article. The NOVA guarantees full activation of the THC in your product without producing an odor in a clean, straightforward process. The machine offers the ability to decarb up to 1 ounce of flower. Or if you prefer, 5 ounces of kief at one time! Learn more here!

The Grobo One Automated Grow Closet

For individuals lucky enough to be able to grow their own cannabis at home, an automated grow closet such as the Grobo One makes a fantastic gift. I will warn you though, this is the most expensive gift on the list with a hefty price tag. But as you will see, it is well worth it! The Grobo One is made of high-quality steel and Canadian birch wood.
Its features include an ultra-efficient LED lighting system, a small, sleek design that will fit in almost any room, and full automation of the growing process. According to their website all you have to do is, “plug it in, plant your seed, select the recipe on the Grobo app and let Grobo One do the growing.” Learn more here.

The Juice Box Rosin Press

The Ju1ceBox rosin press makes the process of making your own cannabis concentrates at home from bud easy as possible. This small handheld extractor utilizes the idea combination of surface pressure and heat. This and precise timing intervals to ensure high yields of clean extracted oil. This process of extraction eliminates the need for dangerous solvents and hydraulic components. It also allows you to make amazing concentrates in just a few minutes! Learn more here.
What is the must-have dank gift on your cannabis wish list for 2018? Let us know in the comments below!
 
 

vape
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.

Grobox
CategoriesGrowing, Products, Technology by

Weed Supply Issues Resolved By Grobox

My weed supply is in constant jeopardy.

From work to school and kids, there is rarely time left for personal pleasures. All the demands of the day add up and wear you down. Those demands leave me with the desire for a stable weed supply.
I love getting to unwind with a bowl of fine weed at the end of the day. But because of federal law, I can’t grab a joint or two while I’m at the store. I have to drive to the dispensary (which can be miles out of the way) within business hours.
That doesn’t even take into account the wildly fluctuating prices. Sometimes a gram of wax is $20, other times it can be as much as $55 for the cheapest dabs available. I don’t know about you but I have a problem with having my weed budget double unexpectedly.

Options seem limited.

For years, I only found two ways around these challenges. I either had to suck it up and pay or go without. At least until I really looked into producing my own supply.
Now, I have a few big challenges when it comes to growing my own weed. The first was the weather. Oregon is great but plant’s don’t do well here in the winter. As a year-round toker, that really cut into my ability to produce so any solution needed to be indoor.
Then there was the challenge of indoor space. I don’t have a huge warehouse to grow weed in. All I have is my living area. I couldn’t really get away with transforming my entire living room into a grow room.

The complexity was a real turn off.

Weed takes a lot of care to manage a weed supply well. Controlling light, watering, Ph, maintaining micro and macro nutrient levels and limiting smell are just the tip of the iceberg. Plus it needs different care depending on the type of setup I chose.
I had to learn an entirely new vocabulary just to understand what kind of light I needed. Not to mention learning how to prevent and eradicate pests. Then there was the variety of nutrient options to choose from.
It was overwhelming for someone just starting out and made me throw my hands up. It seemed easier to just pay the extra and deal with shortages when they came. At least until I learned about Grobox.

I found the answer.

Grobox is a self-contained and automated growing chamber. The small footprint means it fits anywhere (even apartments). It even comes with a built-in filter to keep that sticky-icky from alerting neighbors.
I really liked how incognito it is. Grobox uses a hydroponic system so I never have to worry about people seeing me haul sacks of soil into my house. And I don’t have to dedicate an entire room to growing my personal stash.
Grobox is packed with sensors to optimize the growing conditions throughout the grow. Because I get to choose what gets planted, I always get my favorite strains. I can grow anything from a squat indica to a tall sativa and always get the best buds.

I finally get control of my supply.

Although handy gardeners can build grow boxes themselves, pre-packaged grow boxes take the guesswork out of setup and maintenance. All you need to do is pull it out of the box, fill it up and plug it in. Even a complete novice can set it up and grow beautiful marijuana their first try.

Also Read: The Best Types Of Seeds For Growing Weed

I also never have to deal with the fluctuating weed supply again. The LED lights and low-energy components also mean it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to operate either. I can grow weed year round and barely notice a change in my utility bills.
With Grobox, I know exactly what goes into my weed. I can check it’s progress daily and always know that it’s pesticide free. All the hard work of monitoring the plants is taken care of. It really is a great way to take control of my weed supply.

Have you experimented with growing your own supply? Would your first try at growing have been different with one of these? Have you used a Grobox before? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section!

weedreader plane
CategoriesCulture, Marijuana News, Offbeat, Technology by

Hemp Airplane Flies High With Weed Fuel

Can you imagine flying in a hemp airplane?

The idea of a hemp airplane isn’t as far fetched as it might seem. Modern airplanes use special composite fabrics and a liquid epoxy in construction. Fiberglass and carbon fiber are the most common materials in aviation but any fabric works.
There are many reasons to use a given material. Carbon fiber is super light, but is prohibitively expensive. Fiberglass is weaker and heavier than carbon fiber, but it is far cheaper. But both materials come with heavy environmental costs over the course of their lifetime.
Hemp is heavier than carbon fiber but it is lighter than fiberglass, a favorite material of the aerospace industry. The thin strands are actually 10x stronger than steel, meaning building with it takes less material which saves weight. The manufacturing process for hemp is also carbon positive, meaning it reduces the overall level of greenhouse gases.

One stoner made a pot plane his mission.

Derek Kesey is the CEO of Hempearth Group Ltd and the face of the hemp plane. He founded the company in 2012 to explore hemp-based products that can benefit humanity. Kesey kicked things off with an Indiegogo campaign to design the 4-passenger hemp plane and followed it up with investing.
But Kesey didn’t always want to build hemp planes. A former organic-restaurant owner based in Ontario, he dabbled in music and internet marketing in the past. He has also pursued new hemp-based opportunities like hemp-based fuel and launching a cryptocurrency while developing the aircraft.
The extra projects haven’t stopped the hemp plane from moving forward though. As the first commercial airplane to be built entirely out of hemp products, it has everyone doing fly-by’s. It also plans to make headlines when she takes her inaugural flight at the Wright Brothers memorial in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

It really is a hemp airplane.

In addition to making the hard exterior shell and fuel out of hemp, the team tried to work hemp into everything they could. Things like the engine and landing gear have special requirements that prevent using hemp. But the engineers managed to get the final total to just over 75% hemp.
Wanting to make the project truly sustainable, Kesey and his team decided to ditch the traditional fuel. With oil reserves across the globe dwindling, standard options don’t make long-term sense. Instead of running on fossil fuels, the hemp plane uses Hempearth hemp oil to get airborne.
Sourcing genetics from Canada and setting up a chemistry lab in Costa Rica, Hempearth worked hard to fine tune their recipe. But now that the formula is set, they stand to revolutionize the fuel industry. If the process is cost effective going into the future, it will change the world.

Would you fly in a plane made of hemp?Where would you fly if you had a hemp airplane? Would you pay extra for hemp-based fuel to protect the environment? Would you try to smoke the seats or simply enjoy the view? Let us know in the comments below.

marijuana payments
CategoriesAnalysis/Opinion, Technology by

Tips On Processing Payments For Marijuana Companies

Marijuana is generating billions of dollars every year.
In 2016 alone, legal sales of medical and recreational marijuana reached $6.7 billion. Up from $5.4 billion in legal sales during 2015. In 2017 we saw even more growth as the market reached $10 billion and employed hundreds of thousands of people across the country. And the trend is projected to continue as more states move to pass marijuana reform.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any challenges. Medical and recreational dispensaries, producers, refiners and manufacturers all face significant financial hurdles. The biggest challenge is finding a financial institution that will accept and process their payments. The majority of institutions will close or refuse to open accounts for clients in the marijuana field.
But there is hope for cannabusinesses. While the largest banks won’t work with cannabis there are banks that do. Small banks and credit unions make up a vast network of options that can offer a dizzying array of features. But sometimes finding the relevant information is harder than expected. So below are a few tips to help you find the right institution.
Ensure The Payment Processor Understands Your Business
There is a lot of red tape around marijuana because of its schedule 1 status. It means that any mistake in financial records might lead to catastrophe. Any financial institution you rely on needs to understand the right and wrong ways to submit paperwork or process transactions. If the bank or processing company you are looking at doesn’t, you might be setting yourself up for failure.
But don’t forget that they need to work with your prospective clients as well. It doesn’t help to accept credit cards if none of your clients own the cards you accept. Your financial institution should be able to process MasterCard, Visa, Discover and other options.
Work With A Company That Offers You Options
Modern banking and payment processing institutions have a vast arsenal of tools available to them. And you don’t have to choose a bank that services the cannabis industry exclusively. Payment processors that work with high risk businesses like dating, gambling, and traveling websites often prove themselves a solid option for savvy business owners.
Some of the perks of working with payment processors like this include fraud protection tools, transaction monitoring and chargeback/error protection. They aren’t for everyone but the benefits can outweigh the risks for certain businesses. Just make sure they offer the services you need before signing up with them.
And don’t forget to look for a company that offers solutions to problems such as technical support and website assistance. Most even offer these services 24/7 at no additional cost so you can deal with issues whenever they arise. And beware contracts that don’t have an exit clause or other way for you to leave if things don’t work out.
Avoid Gateway, Set-Up And Monthly Fees
Fees are a part of banking but some are more harmful than others. Gateway, set-up and monthly fees all work to eat away at any potential profit. Because of the volatility of the cannabis market, many institutions charge additional fees to help ensure themselves against loss. These additional and hidden fees build up quickly and can lead to unexpected ruin.
Before signing up with any financial institution, make sure to read and understand the terms and conditions. Because there are a variety of possible local options in addition to internet-based alternatives, there is no reason to agree to these fees. After reviewing the paperwork and checking any applicable CBD merchant accounts, compare the services carefully before finally choosing one for your marijuana business.
Ensure Everything Is Transparent
Ask your payment processing company what strategies they have in place to deal with increased sales and profits. Small companies may be fine processing a couple thousand dollars a month, but put a few thousand dollars a day on them, and they simply can’t keep up. This can lead to them to abandon your business right when you need them most.
But don’t be afraid to start small. Sometimes all you need is a foot in the door to open up real possibilities. A small payment processor or other financial institution isn’t s problem if you don’t have massive or growing income. Unless you sign a long-term contract with no exit clause, you can transfer to a better fitting company when it suites you.
However, financial institutions work best when they are permanent part of a long term solution. And everyone needs to be up front and direct about what their goals are. If the institution isn’t transparent about how their logistics or fees, they will always be a liability to your business. But if they are transparent, payment processors can be a vital part of your financial foundation.
Do you have a tip for cannabusiness owners browsing payment processors? Did a hidden or transactional fee send you into a wild panic? What tips did I miss? Let us know in the comments below!

10 Easy Makeshift Smoking Devices
CategoriesCulture, Guides, List, Marijuana Recipes, Offbeat, Technology by

10 Easy Makeshift Smoking Devices

Everyone needs a makeshift piece eventually.

Sometimes, an accident robs you of the only pipe you own and a makeshift option is needed. Other times, you bring weed to a party expecting to find a pipe there already. Either way, two of the three key ingredients for smoking (weed, fire, and a pipe) are present with no hope of the third finding you.
It is up to you to channel your inner MacGyver and create a makeshift smoking device they will talk about for decades. Many stoners struggle with trying to be as inventive as the Big Mac himself. This list will help you go from zero to hero in 420 style.

Here is a list of 10 makeshift smoking devices that will keep the smoke flowing and the party going. 

 

  1. 2-Liter Bong:

Drill a 1/2″ hole halfway down in the middle of a 2-liter bottle. Make another hole on the opposite side of the bottle from the first and about 2 inches higher. Take a 1/2″ straw and wedge a 10mm socket into one end securely. Insert the open end of the straw into the hole at ~45-degree angle. Fill the bottle with water until the tip of the straw is submerged but ensure the liquid does not reach the first hole. Load the weed into the socket, cover the second hole with thumb and draw through the mouth of the bottle.

Pro Tip:

Plastic straws melt (producing toxic chemicals) after a couple hits. Try using silicone straws for a safe makeshift smoking that won’t react to the heat of a bowl. Just don’t try setting silicone on fire.

 

  1. Apple:Makeshift Smoking Device

Use a pencil or drill to make hole down the entire center of the core. Create another hole that intersects the first hole at ~135 degrees near the bottom of the apple and bite out a bowl. Use the bottom of the core as a carb and the top of the apple as the mouthpiece. Draw hit from the first hole.

Pro Tip:

Place metal or glass bowl (if available) in the hole instead of letting the weed touch the fruit. This keeps the cannabis dry.

 

  1. Banana:

Use knife to cut the first inch of the tip (not stalk) off the banana. Set the tip aside for use later. Use a straw or drill to create a whole going 1/2 to 3/4 the length from the end that was cut. Drill hole at ~90 degrees to the first hole. Set the tip in the second hole and secure with toothpicks. Use the banana tip as bowl and draw through the first hole.

Pro Tip:

Fresh fruit is better for making pipes because old fruit can be too soft to hold its shape.

 

  1. Soda Can:

Flatten one side of empty can until it forms a small divot. Using a knife or screw needle, punch holes in the can to create the bowl. Punch additional hole in the side of the can for carb. Draw hit from can opening. Soda have chemical linings on the inside and out. Make sure to burn off the harmful material before taking the first hit.

Pro Tip:

Right handed smokers like a carb on the left of the pipe while left handed smokers prefer a carb on the right side. This makes it easy for the thumb to close or open the hole while toking.

 

  1. Strawberry:

Use a straw to core the strawberry. Create a second hole with the straw intersecting the first at ~90 degrees. Place a joint in the hole and draw hit from first hole.

Pro Tip:

You can use a steel 1/2″ or 10mm socket as a makeshift bowl.

 

  1. Knife Hits:

Roll a piece of paper up into a cone with an opening at both ends. Secure paper with tape or origami that shit to make a smoke hood. Take two kitchen knives and place the blade side against a heating element until red hot. Take a small pea sized nug (of any grade cannabis) and twist between knives beneath wide end of hood. Draw hit from narrow end of hood.

Pro Tip:

Cut the bottom off a 2-liter bottle. Punch holes in bottom piece. Fill bottle with ice and wedge bottom piece into the top piece. This creates a cooling ice dome that makes the smoke significantly smoother.

 

  1. Paper Towel Steamroller:

Drill a 1/2″ hole 3/4 of the way down an empty paper towel roll tube. Wedge a 10mm socket securely into the hole. Draw through the end furthest from the bowl and use the palm of the hand to cover the other end like a carb.

Pro Tip:

Fill a different empty paper towel roll with wadded up dryer sheets. When exhaling smoke, blow through the sheet-filled tube. The air on the other side smells like fresh laundry instead of pure resin.

 

  1. Coconut:

Drill a hole in top of the coconut. Drain the milk and set aside. Drill second hole intersecting first in the center of the coconut at ~135 degrees. Place joint in second hole. Draw hit from first hole.

Pro Tip:

You can use the coconut juice as bong water if you drop a stem down the second hole.

 

  1. Sobe Hit:

Using a nail or screw driver, punch a hole in the bottom divot of a glass Sobe bottle and set aside. Cut 1/2″ hole in the lid of the bottle. Wedge a 10mm socket into the hole in the cap. Cover hole in the bottom of the bottle and fill with water. Screw cap back on and fill with weed. Uncover bottom hole and light bowl simultaneously. Once all water has drained, unscrew cap and draw hit through bottle mouthpiece.

Pro Tip:

Hold Sobe bottle above a pitcher to catch and reuse the water. This also makes it easy to do gravity bong hits if the bottom breaks out of the bottle.

 

  1. Lightsaber:

Unscrew blade portion of saber and set handle aside. Remove plastic light bulb housing. Apply thin line of superglue to base of plastic cup. Slice top 1″ off the saber blade. Drill 1/2″ hole in second to bottom section of blade. Drill second 1/2″ hole 1 inch above and directly opposite the first hole. Take a 1/2″ straw and wedge a 10mm socket into one end securely. Insert the open end of the straw into the hole at ~45-degree angle. Fill the bottle with water until the tip of the straw is submerged but ensure the liquid does not reach the first hole. Load the weed into the socket, cover the second hole with thumb and draw through the open end of the blade.

Pro Tip:

Steel down-stems are commonly available in a variety of sizes at smoke shops. A properly sized down-stem should almost tough the opposite corner of the bottom of the chamber. Having it touch can transfer heat and cause plastic parts to melt faster.

cann dui
CategoriesMarijuana Legalization, Science, Technology by

Cannabis DUI and Alcohol DUI Laws are Treated the Same

In many states, cannabis DUI laws are treated like alcohol DUI laws.

But a cannabis DUI and an alcohol DUI should be treated differently for many reasons. One example of their difference is how THC and alcohol levels are metabolized. THC stays in the body for weeks after consuming while alcohol is purged in several hours. Yet the highs last about the same amount of time.
Getting pulled over weeks after smoking results in drivers getting charged with a DUI. That’s because it’s difficult for cops to determine how recently a driver smoked a bowl. Traditional sobriety tests don’t correspond to cannabis effects either. For example, a stoned driver can stand on one leg while a drunk driver cannot.
Scott Leist was a Seattle police officer, and a defense attorney for the Washington Traffic Defense. Leist agrees that Washington’s Cannabis DUI laws are a problem. In Washington, there is a .08 limit for alcohol and THC, but THC is nothing like alcohol.
Leist said, “some studies suggest that driving with moderate levels of THC in one’s system can actually improve driving performance.” There is simply no good science about what determines impaired driving with weed and what doesn’t.

THC doesn’t metabolize quickly and completely like alcohol.

Leist found that alcohol can metabolize quickly, meaning that it is easy to test when the last time alcohol was consumed. Marijuana is different because a person can consume weed and be impaired for a few hours. But THC stays in the system long after the consumption and high phase.
How quickly and completely THC metabolizes depends on a few factors. Namely; how it was consumed and when, how often the person consumes, and the potency of the substance. Small amounts of THC can be found days or even weeks after consumption. At the other end, a heavy consumer can test over the 5ng/mL limit long after they are sober.
Alcohol has more exact prediction than weed. What is the marijuana equivalent of two beers? How much THC at what age and weight will get a person to 5ng/mL levels? How fast does THC wear off for each person? Nobody knows the answers to these questions because cannabis research is hampered by federal scheduling. Alcohol has no scheduling restrictions to prevent accurate studies so much more research is available.

There are no accurate field sobriety tests for THC intoxication.

Police Officers don’t have a lot of experience or training for marijuana DUI detection’s. Smell alone is not a good clue for recent intoxication. Physical signs like red eyes is not enough to prove that a person is THC impaired.
There are a variety of reasons a driver might experience the ‘signs of THC intoxication’. A person crying or struggling with allergies causes red eyes. Fatigue can also reproduce the short-term memory issues associated with weed.
The best method cops have available is a warrant granted blood test. But blood tests don’t reveal when the last time the driver consumed weed. Unlike alcohol, there is no way to check if a person has had too much THC. There is no breathalyzer that would reveal THC impairment. A person can’t give themselves a field sobriety test like the alcohol tests.

Abby McLean drove sober and received a DUI.

Northglen, Colorado resident Abby McLean went through a DUI roadside checkpoint on her way home. She is 30, had nothing to drink or smoke that night and had no worries. When the cop walked up to her car he saw that she had blood shot eyes and smelled weed in the car.
The cop pulled out his handcuffs to arrests McLean when she exclaimed that she was on her way home to her children. McLean was forced to take a blood test which tested positive for THC intoxication. Her blood test was 5 times over the legal limit. She didn’t go to jail that night but she did go to court. It was a hung jury, but McLean settled for a lesser punishment.
Mark Kleiman is a professor of public policy at New York University. Kleiman said, “you can be positive for THC a week after the last time you used cannabis. Not subjectively impaired at all, not impaired at all by any objective measure, but still positive.”
It didn’t matter that McLean hadn’t smoked at all that night. If she smoked a week ago, she still got a cannabis DUI. Denver, Colorado’s District Attorney Mitch Morrissey says that Colorado won’t completely throw out the THC blood test. He then explained how it gives courts an extra piece of evidence during trials.

How to travel with cannabis in the car.

Scientists at UCSD are researching a new generation of cannabis field sobriety tests. One of these tests is called critical tracking. A person moves their finger around a square on a tablet to measure time distortion, because time can slow down when a person is high.
There is still a long way to go before an accurate field sobriety test exists. Tests like critical tracking are still in their experimental phase. But the nation is in desperate need for an accurate cannabis sobriety test.
Leist advises that drivers keep their weed in the trunk or in other inaccessible parts of the car. Crossing state borders with weed can result in significantly higher penalties and fines. Drivers should try to remember what they have stashed in their glove box. And don’t consume while driving or you will get a cannabis DUI .

CategoriesAnalysis/Opinion, Growing, Research, Science, Technology by

GMO Weed Coming to Stores Soon

People have been genetically modifying weed since the beginning.

Ancient farmers grew cannabis plants with specific goals in mind. The different goals produced two distinctly new variations or phenotypes of cannabis. The two GMO variants are known as cannabis sativa and cannabis indica. Our ancestors used selective breeding to modify the genetics of cannabis ruderalis to create what we currently recognize as weed.
Selective breeding is a great example of the basic concept of genetically modified organisms. By only breeding plants with the best traits, later generations display more desired traits. Both still have the same level of development, one is just more useful.
South African plants need to be tall enough to reach above the scrub brush to get enough light. Sativas like Durban Poison grow incredibly tall because of having South African genetics. But cannabis from the Hindu Kush mountains grow short and dense enough to resist the high winds. Breeding them together may pass on the cold resistance of the Hindu Kush, and/or the height of the Durban Poison.

The race is on to find a better way.

Researchers at Phylos Bioscience launched the Cannabis Evolution Project last year to map the genome of marijuana. By documenting the specific genetic markers of cannabis, the team adds real data to the collective body of knowledge. Phylos also provides producers with a time-stamped certificate of authenticity that helps establish and defend intellectual property rights.
Phylos also shares the sequence data in the Open Cannabis Project’s database. Although they don’t share data without permission. The process prevents companies like Monsanto from capitalizing on weed by securing exclusive patents to specific strains.

Advancements in genetic engineering are coming fast.gmo

Genetic engineering is defined as manipulation of the genetic code or DNA. Plants and animals can be genetically manipulated because both have DNA. Each strand of DNA contains instructions for how, where and when cells should grow. The whole sequence is called the genome. We are quickly learning about the complex code that makes up the genome of cannabis.
Mice were the first creatures to have their DNA manipulated. Scientists managed this feat back in the 1970s. Plants weren’t modified until the 1990s. Through intense study and experimentation, we can predictably enhance certain qualities in a wide range of organisms.
Using modern genetic tools like CRISPR, we can cut and paste different genetic sequences. Researchers can use CRISPR to create indicas that grow tall like sativas, hybrids that produce trichomes in veg or instill UV light responsiveness.

GMO crops are becoming increasingly common.GMO Weed

Just over 20 years ago, the first genetically modified crops entered the market. After only two decades, GMO crops have flooded food and agricultural markets. GMO’s are adopted by industry after industry and change the very face of agriculture in the process.
Most soybean, corn and canola crops produced today are genetically modified. These crops fight off pests, resist disease and produce more stable products. Commercial farmers have adopted these GMO crops in part because of increased consistency.
Marijuana farmers are always looking to increase the consistency and potency of their crops. A GMO crop that promises to fight off pests, diseases, and resist cold would be mighty tempting. Especially if that crop produced commercial quantities of flower.

canntech
CategoriesTechnology by

Cannatech Introduces New-Age Weed Technology

Silicon Valley utilizes Cannatech to introduce new weed technology.

For a long time, the most popular and sophisticated weed technology was smoking cannabis through rolling papers and bongs. Now-a-days American states are legalizing marijuana as well as several countries around the world. Thus, Silicon Valley is developing ingenious weed consumption and growing technology.

Cannabis Engineers can now Attend Cannatech.

Cannatech is an annual international convention. The innovative minds of several engineers come together to discuss and show off their latest creations in weed technology. Products that are found at the convention include; lights, extractors, smoking pens, cannabutter machines, plug-n-plant systems, and much more.

Growing Indoor Weed is Expensive.

Light bulbs break easily and increase the electric bill substantially. Advances in LED lighting have brought the electricity costs down significantly since they are sturdier and the light produced is better for cannabis plant growth than traditional bulbs.

Modern day solvent extractors are for everyone.

There used to be a few machines in the market that extract cannabis using solvents. Now, there are more machines available for commercial use that use lower temperatures and can extract larger quantities than ever before. There are also machines available for enthusiasts to use at home.

Secret Vapers Take Over!

The vaping device craze is flooding the marketplace with vaping tools. Too many people complain about the smell when smoking using regular means. The worst offenders are joints, bongs and pipes. The new vaping pens offer consumers a chance to conveniently smoke without bothering the people nearest them.

Cannabis Butter Machines

There are a few methods of creating cannabutter, but they normally leave us with a strong odor that permeates throughout residences. The newest butter machines seal off the smell and allows users to mix in buds and trim. This method allows users to keep their cannabis butter creation private without receiving unwanted attention from their neighbors and landlord.

The plug n’ plant grow system for the modern house.

A smart system that has everything a person would need to grow a small farm in their home. The plug n’ plant system is an automated miniature grow house that monitors and adjusts itself. The only thing people need to do is trim a few excess leaves to allow light to pass throughout the canopy and the system is useful to grow other plants as well.

What is in store for mainstream society?

Users and non-users can make use of weed technology. Cannabutter machines can be used to make other types of infused butter, it doesn’t have to just be weed. The fertilizers can be used for other plant nutrients, and the plug n’ grow is also useful to grow other plants as well. Tobacco can be used in vape pens to help give off a more discreet scent instead of bothering the people walking past them. The growing industry is a win-win for all technology innovators and it will be inspiring to see what other technologies cross over into weed culture.