Is Weed Too Expensive?

Times are really tough out here for the average American citizen. The average income in the United States is what - around $30,00 a year? Not to mention the rate of inflation ensures that pay increases are made less and less significant each year. And of course, the cost of living for things like rent, healthcare, and more continues to climb with no end in sight for everyone. 

I surely am grateful for the fact that I have a steady job and income that I can count on in these hard times, because not everyone is so lucky. Weed is one of those things that also continues to fluctuate in price. For anyone that has traveled to different places in the country and taken a look at the local dispensaries, you may have noticed the large disparity between states and the price that marijuana runs for. 

In fact, depending on where you live in the United States, you may end up paying double or even triple what people in other states are paying for the same type of cannabis strain or product. Why is this? Well, a lot of it has to do with the complicated relationship between weed and the law and policies that allow it to exist in our nation. Most states have now legalized medical marijuana programs for specific patients that qualify, and a select few of those states have also legalized adult use as well. If you live in a state that has affordable cannabis, consider yourself lucky. In many places around the United States. Medical and recreational marijuana users alike are shelling out big bucks for weed on the regular.

So what about the cannabis industry makes for such a difference in the price of weed from state to state? Well, to answer this question, we should look at the top five states where weed is most expensive. The most expensive place to buy marijuana in the United States is Virginia, at about $18.60 per gram. This is by far the most expensive price in the country, since the second most expensive place is Pennsylvania with a price of $15.62 per gram. While that may not sound terribly expensive, you need to think about it in terms of buying an ounce. Say you wanted to buy an ounce of weed in Virginia. Do you know how much you would be paying? Try about $530! That’s like my whole monthly income and some more on top. Comparing that price to other states in the country really shows how pricey marijuana can be for some people. 

I really pity people that live in a place where cannabis is not affordable. Where I am from in Michigan, buying weed is relatively cheap compared to a lot of other places in the nation, and I am super grateful for that. Anyways, the problem with pricing weed so high is that it can be hard for medical marijuana patients to properly self-medicate with weed. 

Not to mention, insurance companies that normally cover the cost of other healthcare options do not cover medical marijuana. It is quite literally cheaper to get your hands on some dangerous opioids, which by the way is being called an epidemic by the World Health Organization, than it is to get an ounce of weed. 

If we truly want people to begin relying on other ways of medication rather than dangerous opioids that can lead to addiction and abuse, we need to start rethinking how we price marijuana in this country. Much of the reason that prices are so high is because of corporate taxes and licensing fees, as well as retail and excise taxes on marijuana.

Drying and Curing Cannabis

If you’re someone who likes to dry and harvest plants, you’ve probably looked at cannabis buds. If you’re someone who already does enjoy growing homegrown Kush, one of the big things that you must do, is to make sure that it’s cured and dried. Here, you’ll learn a little bit about this. 

What is it and Do I need to Do It? 

This is basically literally drying out your buds to reduce the moisture to make smoking and vaporizing easier. Curing is where you put the buds in containers for up to 2 weeks, offering better aroma and flavor as they start to mature. 

You may wonder if you need to do this. Well drying is something that’s good if you want to improve the shelf life and the quality of products. That’s because, cannabis buds which are freshly harvested have moisture in them, and you need to eliminate this moisture before you start to smoke. That’s because fresh buds definitely are a bit harsher on the flavor, and if you take out the moisture, it reduces the amount of harshness, and it also offer s a better terpene profile. The second reason is because fungi love those places, so by drying this, you do reduce the chances of this hitting your stash, causing mold to form. 

By letting these dry, it reduces this up to 15%, removing water from the layers of the buds. 

Curing is basically super imperative to do too, since it helps keep the weed fresh for a long time.  that’s because when you do harvest the buds, they’re filled with various starches and sugar, which bacteria and enzymes feed on, and that impacts the smoke that you have. 

How it’s done 

The best way to do this is to trim the buds either wet or dry. You can do this after you dry or cure them. it’s best to trim the buds when they’re wet, much more precise, and so that there isn’t any agitation when you handle these buds.  This is something that also takes a lot of buds to the top shelf options, which make it really good for those interested in really taking their cannabis cultivation to the next level. 

So how it’s done is simple.  you want to make sure that they’re dried after harvested, and you want to ensure that they dry on every single side so that it’s got an even smoke to it.  What you do is you harvest them, put them on wire racks or string these, and if you decide to use wired racks, ensure that you flip these so that they aren’t flat on one singular side. 

As for the humidity levels, keep it moderate, up to 55%, since this of course will help to ensure that there is moisture, but not so much that it will waterlog the buds. To cure them, once they’ve been fully dried, you want to take the buds and place these bad boys in a container which is airtight from there you can let this sit on the shelf, but only if you’re someone who is going to use this down the road. 

If you dry and cure the buds, it’ll help with the flavor profile. This is how a lot of the big dispensaries do this, and it’s something that can definitely be worth looking into if you’re a cannabis fanatic. Through this, you’ll also be able to really get the full benefits that are there, and also create a product that’s top shelf right from the comfort of your home, which is always a good thing.

CBD and Addiction

Cannabidiol or CBD is something that comes with a lot of research, and applications. Here, we’ll discuss how it can help with possibly combatting addiction. It’s a fascinating and powerful part of us, and it’s something that definitely is a big issue for plenty of people. But let’s look at it from a different perspective. How can CBD assist with this? Let’s find out. 

What addiction is 

It’s basically compulsive behavior and doing something even though you may not want to, but you’re not able to stop it. Spending money too much, doing something on instinct without realizing it, continuing behaviors not good for you, getting cravings from this, and even making excuses are all signs of it. Sometimes, it’s triggered because your brain’s reward mechanisms are releasing dopamine, so they will definitely trigger these points, making it easier for you to get addicted for the long-term. 

Can CBD Help though? 

Does it have any place in treating substance abuse disorders, where you have to compulsively have a substance, much to the problems that come with it? Well, so far all the studies are in their early stages, so it’s too early to discuss what CBD may play in the realm of addiction. But the research is becoming stronger than ever, and it does have a variety of applications, including interactions to the way the addictive system works. 

The role of this is definitely complex, and it does offer a lot of different systems, including dopamine, dopaminergic systems, and even the serotonin that works with addiction. It can possibly impact these, interacting with your receptors in order to create more beneficial effects. Some of the different disorders that are there, which you can combat through the use of CBD, include the following: 

• Cocaine 

• Tobacco 

• Alcohol 

• Meth

• Heroin or opiates 

• Cannabis or THC 

This is something that definitely plays a huge part in your dopaminergic system, and it can help with creating neurogenesis along with neuroprotection, helping your brain fight off those addictive properties. There is serotonin as well, which is something that’s a bi neurotransmitter and is responsible for sociability and happiness and is playing a major role in addiction as well. 

It’s something that animals deal with, where they don’t get enough serotonin, and it can cause addictive behaviors to form, and that reversing this may make those who are more susceptible to addiction less as a result of this. 

Some studies have found that the serotonin reuptake and the inhibiting of this is a big part of combatting addiction, since it can reduce both anxiety and stress, two major triggers that play a role in addiction, so it’s something that’s not only serotonergic, but it also may help with the way the neurotransmitters work. It also will modulate your dopamine response. It may play a role in the CB1 and CB2 receptors, along with the TRPV1 receptors, which are all constantly being looked at in a relationship to CBD. 

Currently the findings aren’t totally there, but it’s something that could be used to modulate, and play a good role in managing, along with overcoming various addictions. Is it safe though? In general, it’s pretty safe, to the point where even the FDA has drugs with it that are approved for treatment of conditions, which in turn involve CBD. We don’t know if there are super long-term effects, but so far, the results are promising, safe, and looking better than ever. CBD may play a role in the future of a person’s health and wellness, and right now, we have to wait and see the bigger picture.

Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid Strains - What You Need to Know

When it comes to using marijuana for the first time, it can be a little bit overwhelming. It seems like there are a million different products and strains available at any given dispensary. How on earth are you going to choose the right one? Well, as the United States’ acceptance of medical marijuana continues to grow, medical patients have better resources in figuring out the difference between marijuana strains and which ones are best for them. 

There is a lot to know about different strains of cannabis, especially now that there are well over 700 strains that have been developed and introduced in the North American market. If you are looking for a little bit of insight into how strains work and some of the things you need to know about them, then you have come to the right place, my friend. 

Today, I wanted to take some time out of my busy schedule to write a beginners guide to sativa, indica, and hybrid strains. If you did not already know, those three categories are basically what every type of marijuana strain will fall into. It is important to know the difference between strains and how they can affect and benefit you, whether you are a medical weed user.

So firstly, let’s talk about sativa. Sativa strains are most generally associated with what is called a “head high”. This type of marijuana strain is great for increasing energy levels and focus, which makes them a popular choice for daytime and social use. Say you are going to a concert with some friends and want to light up a joint beforehand - in that case, sativa is the way to go. Sativa users usually experience lighter and happier moods, euphoric highs, and increased levels of creativity and thought. 

However, sativa strains can also cause some unwanted side effects in some patients, specifically things like rapid heart beat, anxiety, and even insomnia. It is best to not take any sativa cannabis before you try to go to bed, since you will likely experience racing thoughts and increased energy levels. 

There are certain medical benefits for sativa strains specifically, especially for people that tend to lose focus or motivation. Sativa strains have been used by patients with ADHD and ADD due to the way it lowers their symptoms and increases focus. When using sativa, make sure that you are careful with how much you smoke and the specific strain that you use. Popular sativa strains include Sour Diesel, Durban Poison, Lemon Haze, Green Crack, and Panama Red.

Indica strains differ from sativa strains in a lot of ways. Primarily, the type of high that one experiences from an indica strain is less of a head high and more of a body high. Indica strains are great for a night at home when you want to relax on the couch or head to bed early. This type of marijuana will leave your body feeling warm and tingly, and it’s almost impossible to find an uncomfortable position on the couch after smoking enough indica. 

Most people use indica strains at night due to how relaxing and calming they are - you will definitely want to fall asleep early. Indica strains also have a lot of great medical benefits, especially when it comes to reducing stress and anxiety. Since indica helps people to relax, many patients use it to reduce their pain levels before going to bed which can help people with insomnia. Popular indica strains include Hindu Kush, Granddaddy Purple, Northern Lights, and White Widow.

When it comes to picking the right strain, I suggest picking a hybrid of the two. Hybrids are great because they combine both sativa and indica, making for a great mix of body and head highs.

When Should I take CBD Oil?

CBD oil is something that works in certain times of day, and it’s something that does work better based on when you take it. Here, you’ll learn about the best time to take CBD oil, and what it means if you take it in different time periods. 

The best Time 

The best time is pretty much determined based on when you’re taking it. If you’re taking this to help with stress and anxiety, or with stress and pain before you start the day, then early on in the morning may be better for you. If you’re taking this to improve your sleep, then do it at night for the best results that you can get from this. 

This is cool though since it can be taken whenever you want, but the best thing to remember is that the way you take it does depend on the  type of means, so also keep that in mind too. For example, if you’re taking this as a tincture, you can place this underneath your tongue, and you’ll feel the effects in around 15-30 minutes, as it gets absorbed there. This then gets absorbed into your blood stream and it can clast up to 6-8 hours in some cases, but usually, it’s about two or three hours. 

If you do drink cannabis beverages, it can sometimes work a bit faster, depending on if you decide to have it go under the tongue first. Edibles take a lot longer to cause effects, since they need to go to the liver, and from there get metabolized. The effects of this do peak after a few hours but can last almost 12 hours in some cases. The best way to consume this does depend on whether or not you need this to quickly be done, or if you want to get long-term effects from this as well. 

The times of day and their benefits 

Morning is sometimes a good time if you need that little burst of energy, since it can improve the synthesis of proteins within the brain, and help you wake up. If you have chronic pain, this is a great way to handle chronic pain in a person. It also may offer pain relief regardless of the time to take it, but for those who have pain in the morning, it can impact the day time. 

If you have anxiety though, you can of course use this to help, since this can relief the feelings of anxiety that you have, allowing you to feel better, a lot more relaxed, and able to handle the day as you continue. 

Morning does have some drawbacks though, especially if you take a lot.  If you have a ton, it may cause sedative results from this, but usually, it’s not totally apparent. 

As for the afternoon, this is good for relieving stress, is a natural antidepressant, and it improves the energy and the brain health. However, in the afternoon it can cause a bit of fatigue, your appetite get reduced and diarrhea. 

As for nighttime, CBD is best for those who use it to unwind. It does have the sedative effects too, but the drawback to this, is that you do need to take a lot. Too little, and it’ll wake you up. CBD is also considered a powerful muscle relaxant, which helps and offers benefits to allow you to fall asleep in a better, easier way. 

However you take it is ultimately your call, and there are tons of great ways for you to get the health benefits that you desire through the use of CBD as well.

Cannabis for epilepsy Treatments

Since there is a lot of emerging research on cannabis as an alternative for a lot of medicines in the world, a lot of people are looking to see if cannabis can help with other ailments. One of the disorders that they’re looking at is epilepsy, and it’s something that may not be treated just with cannabis, but a combination of the cannabinoids inside is helpful too. CBD does offer great chances for this to help with epilepsy treatment, and it’s actually shown to have a really good role in the treatment of this recently. While science is still looking at this, cannabis for various epilepsy conditions might be powerful enough to treat various epilepsy conditions, prevent seizures, and help with a lot of problems that may not otherwise be there. 

What is It 

Epilepsy is considered a neurological condition which means that there is abnormal brain composition, including weird behaviors, awareness loss, and other sensations that may be there. It also is characterized as well by the repetitive intensities of the seizures, all of which are caused by disturbances in certain parts of the circulatory system of the brain, and that in turn creates too much electricity. About 1 in 26 people get this at some point, and about 2/3 of people that have it don’t seem to have a reason for this. 

There are over 30% of deaths that happen with this too, especially amongst children, and epilepsy is the major cause of this, since they can experience falls and other traumatic events which can be critical as well. Since there isn’t enough drugs available, this is a major reason why a lot of epileptic patients deal with this. 

Cannabis Research at the Moment 

Currently, cannabis and epilepsy research has come a long way, and it actually is known for treating seizures quite efficiently. A lot of success stories about CBD cannabinoids and the plant itself are oftentimes looked at as great ways to treat this. One person named Charlotte Figi, who recovered from her condition of Dravet syndrome, which was a very unique kind of epilepsy, was a big supporter of this, since she was able to treat her symptoms in ways that drugs didn’t. 

Not to mention the discoveries of the cannabis plant working to treat epilepsy did have a lot of benefits, and it’s great not just for treating younger people, but adults too. Throughout the benefits of marijuana, there ware also stories about the role that the studies have done for this, and also have played a role in the legalization process. Some institutions have actually gotten permission to explore the medicinal benefits and uses of cannabis and determine the side effects of such as well. 

After the updated permissions and regulations, a lot of experiments along with clinical trials happened, and the goal was to find out as much as you can about the medicinal uses of cannabis, and also to determine how it not only prevents seizures, but also treats epilepsy in both adults and children. Based on preclinical studies, it was found that there were therapeutic uses for cannabis, but the lack of proper rules on cannabis research and how hard it is to do it have stopped it. 

Right now, there is some research being done to look at the treatment of chronic diseases to prove the medicinal benefits of this, and this is something that’s been called out as the only plant out there to be used for purposes that are medicinal, despite also being a schedule 1 drug with many rules and regulations placed on it.

Cannabis Decriminalization Vs. Legalization

Both these words are all a big part of the way that cannabis is regarded. If you’re curious about what these mean, and if there are any possible chances of getting charges, you’re not alone.  Some of these are important to understand, and it’s important that in states that do decriminalize the plant, there is a chance that you could get a misdemeanor, especially if you’re not using it medically. Here is the difference, and what it means for the state of marijuana. 

All about Decriminalization 

At this point, 27 states currently have some kind of decriminalized version of cannabis. It’s not legal, but if you consume or have it, you won’t get tired or arrested for this.  It’s not going to be a big crime, or there may be no problem at all. For example, let’s take New York, if you have less than three ounces of some kind of cannabis, you won’t get in trouble. But if you’re possessing up to 8 ounces, it’s considered a misdemeanor. 

New York only partially decriminalized this though. If you’ve got more than 5 ounces, it’s a felony, and you can get arrested and incarcerated.  Some states that do have more lenient ideas on this don't apply it everywhere. There is still the civil penalties and fines that come with this, but if it’s decriminalized, it’s not a felony, and you’re not going to be charged with it.  You may get charged with an infraction or misdemeanor though. Many as well have been able to get the criminal records that they have expunged in states that have made cannabis decriminalized. Prior felonies for marijuana may impact housing, employment, and the like, and this gets erased from the record. 

Some of the time, you can also have a clean state with this, which is great for those who have a history of this, and it also gets rid of the war on drugs. 

Legalization 

On the flip side, it’s basically legal to use it, and it’s not a crime to use this. There are some types of legalization. First, you have it for recreational or medical usage, and some for medical usage only. The first is less common, which means that only a few states have it. But that means any adult over the age of 21 in possession of this is allowed to use it. 

There is a big illegal cannabis market, and if you purchase this on the market even in legal states does lower the quality of the product itself, and it can cause problems with criminal results. Legalizing this lets people get this from dispensaries that are totally legal and kosher. 

What’s More Common Right Now 

Right now, decriminalization is definitely more common, but currently, about 19 states have legalized the use of this. If you do factor in the medical programs and the legality of those however, medical legalization is becoming way more common too.While legalization, especially through the use of marijuana, is becoming a lot more common, recreational usage still is a major hurdle in some cases.

This is because a lot of people think they’re going to be reckless with this, but to this day, if you operate machinery or drive a car while under the influence, you can face the consequences period. 

Some states have voted however to fully decriminalize the use of cannabis, so you won’t even have to worry about jail or getting charges for consuming or possessing even the smallest amounts of weed. But, if you’re constantly repeating, or doing a large amount multiple times, there is still the risk of possibly getting charged and arrested. It’s also important to note that even though the charges for the state may not be levied against the person, there is still the possibility of federal punishment. 

The marijuana movement is definitely growing, and we’ve made some great strides. Hopefully, as time goes on, we can see more and more move not just into decriminalization, but also full legalization of this, in order to help keep those who are innocent out of jail and able to not get arrested for this too.