Marijuana Legalization What it means for California and Other States

by Mrd 

Recreational cannabis cultivation, sales and use are the premise of Amendment 64. California voters will have the power and authority to follow the lead set by 1,383,139 Colorado voters on NoMvember 6, 2012, who voted yes to legalize cannabis.  A 52% favorable vote which has already had great impact on the industry forcing systems, rules and regulations into place. 

 It's reported that California's legalization of recreational marijuana would bank $1 billion in additional taxes per year.  Colorado collected more than $135 million in legal cannabis taxes and fees in 2015. If you compare the market size and tremendous growth in consumer purchases, $1 billion just may be a bit little low.

 On November 8, 2016, nearly 40 million California voters can flex their patriotic right to approve Amendment 64 which would legalize recreational sales to those age 21 and over.  Online consensus shows a strong positive movement toward legalization.

 Other states prepare to address many of the same issues and cultural norms within their communities when it comes to legalization.  Fortunately, in this country, voters have the power to make a difference and change old paradigms that no longer fit, ethically, morally or scientifically when there is greater benefit to all.

 If the population is educated with unbiased, un-agendaed, facts, with the number one understanding that in practise cannabis assists in relieving pain in the human body.  It is a plant that has a great impact on health, and obviously finances.

 Every state where medical marijuana is legal, you can expect recreational pot to follow.  There's an old saying, "Follow the money" and in this paradigm, it's growing out of the ground.

 Overall, legal marijuana in California, Colorado and every state that is forward thinking will have its impact.  Communities from coast to coast will begin to notice a much more positive vibe in their hoods as the populus begins to RELAX, and exhale from life's roller coaster ride.

 There will be less alcohol incidents, less fighting, less arguing and much more creativity flowing between neighbors.  Entrepreneurially speaking, the cannabis industry has already opened the door for those with the desire to become financially independant.  The cannabis industry has opened new avenues for job creation and for educational institutions who must teach the new industry employees.

 The scope of cannabis legalization is well beyond current comprehension.  It's like looking up at the sky and considering everyone is here on a single planet flying through space at an unheard of speed, hanging on the tip of a galaxy, surrounded by an infinite number of galaxies all in sync doing their own thing as we individually try to get a clue as to what's for dinner tonight.

 

Continue Reading

Marijuana Use by Adults and Seniors on the Rise

According to a recent report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, today's parents are smoking weed more often than their teenage kids do. Marijuana use among kids age 12 to 17 has fallen, while marijuana use among adults age 35 and up has sharply increased. With marijuana dispensary deals offering deals on ounces of buds, coupons for edibles, deals on concentrates, daily specials on marijuana and other incentives, older adults with more spending power have become one of the largest and most influential groups of marijuana consumers.

Since 2002, marijuana use by middle-aged adults in the 45 to 54 age group increased by 48%, while marijuana use by adults age 35 to 44 rose by 43%. These are pretty sharp increases, but they're nothing compared to the numbers of even older adults who are now using marijuana regularly. Marijuana use by seniors aged 65 and older increased by 333% over the past decade, while marijuana use by adults age 55 to 64 has increased by a whopping 455%. The one group who is using marijuana less often, however, is kids and teens. Only 7.4% of kids and teens age 12 to 17 reported that they use marijuana regularly, showing a 10% decrease in marijuana use compared to data collected ten years prior.

The report highlights the ways in which marijuana legalization is shaping our culture. In the “War on Drugs” era, more kids and teens were using marijuana. Now that parents and even grandparents are doing it, doctors are prescribing it, and national media outlets report on it daily, marijuana has lost much of the glamour it received from being something illicit and illegal, rebellious and “wrong” in the eyes of the parental units and society as a whole. Marijuana has become acceptable, recognized for its many potential benefits on both physical and mental health, as well as for its advantages over the far more dangerous and detrimental choice of alcohol for purposes of recreational relaxation. Opponents of marijuana legalization often tout their fears about legalization leading to increased marijuana use among youth, but the study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention proves these fears to be unfounded. It's a timeless truth that kids usually don't want to be like their parents, so if their parents are toking down, teens are less likely to see marijuana smoking as an appealing activity that's in any way cool or desirable. Stephen Colbert even did a skit about the phenomenon of parental marijuana use on a recent episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” The skit featured a very normal-looking, middle aged Minnesota couple chilling out at home on the sofa. They're obviously stoned, bong in hand. Their teenage son walks in and they quickly stash the bong behind the throwpillow. The son accuses his mom and dad in a resigned and annoyed sort of way if they're smoking marijuana yet again, then he makes a comment about he doesn't use marijuana himself, but instead snorts adderall like a normal person.

Ideas about marijuana use are definitely changing, and parents are finding new ways to talk to their kids about drugs and marijuana use more honestly and openly than ever. With marijuana's benefits as a medicine widely recognized by the scientific and medical community, and medical marijuana dispensaries and recreational marijuana dispensaries a common feature in many communities in states like Colorado, no longer can parents pretend to their children that marijuana use is something criminal or extremely detrimental or dangerous, especially when they are using it themselves to relieve insomnia, back pain, anxiety, just to unwind, or for a number of other valid and logical reasons. If we don't want our kids to use marijuana, it makes sense to talk about it as honestly as possible, being genuine about the positive as well as the negative aspects of pot smoking. When marijuana is unfairly demonized, kids who try it and discover its real-life effects are much more likely to distrust any warnings they've received about other drugs which actually do pose very serious risks. Legalization has forced a more honest and open dialogue regarding marijuana use, which in turn is leading to fewer kids overall using marijuana for recreational purposes.

Marijuana has matured, both in terms of its users and in terms of the marijuana industry itself. With all the medical and recreational marijuana dispensaries such as Livwell, Medicine Man Denver, and MMJ America, plus all the cultivation facilities, research institutes, seed banks and more, the marijuana industry has become big business. Paired with an increasingly older demographic of marijuana users, marijuana is no longer kids stuff. It's ironic that where the War on Drugs failed, marijuana legalization has apparently succeeded. Putting marijuana into the hands of parents and grandparents and other older adults has been the unexpected key to keeping it out of the hands of youth.

 

 

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Organic Pesticides and Cannabis Production

 I’ve gotten a good amount of questions into whether or not the weed my dispensary grows uses pesticides or is organic, the majority of people inquiring getting quite unhappy with my responses. The pesticide/organic stigma is of course a carryover from more heavily regulated industries like the food industry, and unfortunately with the way that dispensaries work these days it is not quite as available of an option for the marijuana industry. 

First off, noone in the recreational or medical side of marijuana sales can be actually considered organic, whether or not it technically is, because none of it has been tested by the FDA to receive that status. This brings up the question “What does that official classification actually mean?” One of the more interesting things is that if you do claim your weed is organic you can potentially be sued. There have been several dispensaries that had to change their names because they initially went with some kind of name referencing “organic,” which again they do not have clearance to use. 

As far as pesticides go, the dispensary that I previously worked for did use them, much to the chagrin of many snooty customers, trying to berate me for a decision that my company made to protect their product. In the current industry, at least in Colorado, most larger scale producers have to use pesticides on their product because of their scale alone. The goal for many dispensaries is always to expand into larger and larger grows, so as to minimize loss pesticides are a necessary “evil,” as one plant getting sick in a hundred plus plant grow can be devastating to the entire environment if not treated. As far as I know the only dispensaries I’ve heard of not using any pesticides are primarily the smaller, medical only locations. 

These conversations are always hilarious to me. It makes me wonder how much stock people put into labels and ingredient listings, and how much they actually know about the production of products they take to be the “clean” ones they pride themselves on maintaining consumption of. And on that note, some people that I know have been smoking for years previous to any kind of regulated cannabis, in which case there is a good chance they’ve had something with pesticides used on it, or that wouldn’t technically count as organic just because of how it was grown, not to mention I’ve heard a ton of stories about growing amazing weed with just Miracle Gro. 

At the end of the day, pesticides are necessary for full sized production facilities, and the CDPHE is very involved in making sure that everything used is above board, limiting the useable pesticide brands to six that are allowed to be used in growing marijuana, I believe. Not to mention no matter what is used in the product’s production should be flushed out before curing, unless the growers literally don’t know what they’re doing, and that stuff is instantly recognizable, it will make you want to die. 

I’m not saying don’t inform yourself to the specifics of your dispensaries products, but don’t look down on me if I tell you there are pesticides used during production, you made this industry what it is. Not to mention there’s probably toxic dust in every inch of air that exists outside of a can.  

 

Continue Reading

Choosing the Right Edible for You

Edibles are becoming a major aspect of the Marijuana industry, in some people’s mind they have even more importance than just weed by itself. For a decent part of the Medical side of the weed industry they are very important, as they allow somewhat of a more seamless delivery of the cannibinoids they are looking for without having to interact with their lungs and respiratory system, as well as eliminating some of the less desirable aspects of smoking like coughing, dry mouth, resin dirtying up smoking utensils, as well as being a less challenging option for people with harsh arthritis or tremors, as grinding weed and packing a bowl and even smoking it can become a hassle for regular users. But more and more people are finding that the edibles they have been directed towards may not be as effective as they may have hoped, though the problem may not be with the quality of the edible itself. 

One of the major differences I have noticed people running into regularly is the kind of concentrates used to create the edibles themselves. The companies that produce edibles can go a few different routes in the infusion of their products, from the actual infusion process to the form of the THC being infused. For instance, some companies use what is essentially a very clean BHO product, similar to dabs but extra clarified, which work well for most people but in some cases doesn’t seem to process correctly in specific patient’s systems. When I encounter patients like this I generally try and push them to try something that has been created with cannabutter instead, which processes somewhat different and can be the missing element for several people I’ve talked to. Cannabutter also has some potential to retain a more complex profile than concentrates, as the flower itself is mixed straight with the butter that is then used to make edibles, usually more along the lines of baked goods and some chocolate hybrid edibles. If you have been having trouble getting the effects you’re looking for out of things like gummies or candies, it’s possible that this switch could greatly benefit you. 

Another element that is always important to consider is how much of the edible you are actually consuming. In some cases with larger edibles, such as full sized candy bars or very low dosage candies that you have to consume many pieces of to meet your dosage, the sugar content can become an issue especially when looking to use edibles for sleep, as the sugar can adversely affect the THC doing this job. This is also heavily dependent on what your actual dosage is, the higher you end up having to consume the more often you may run into these problems. I have talked to several customers that stray from edibles that may actually be more cost effective or the actual Indica/Sativa specific item they may be looking for simply because they don’t want to eat that much chocolate or candy. I am personally much more in favor of eating less actual edible mass in all categories, though I think there is definitely a market for full substantial actual snack or meal edibles. 

Some people that run into the common “THC gives me the munchies,” issue definitely benefit from having more to eat so as to avoid the problem of eating more than their dosage of edibles. Unfortunately because of the lack of regular demand for these kinds of products they are much harder to find on many dispensary shelves, even though there are companies that produce things like THC infused frozen pizzas. One solution to this is to go with pure cannabutter and just use it in conjunction with the food you  are going to eat anyway, everything from baked potatoes to a dollop in soup could be a much easier to control dosage option, though you will definitely have to feel out exactly how much yous hould be using, companies will always disclaim how much is technically in what amount of cannabutter bought at a dispensary but if you go the make-your-own route you definitely need to pay attention and start low, one of my neighbors basically quit trying after making a slightly too bomb plate of spaghetti. 

So there are many things to consider when you look for the edible that will give you the best version of what you are looking for, and I highly recommend making notes on what works for you and what seems to work less. I also recommend putting chocolate bar edibles in oatmeal, it’s the best. 

Continue Reading

Five States to Vote on Recreational Marijuana this November

The November elections are rapidly approaching, and marijuana industry entrepreneurs are watching closely the results of initiatives in five separate states that would pave the way for recreational marijuana dispensaries and more widespread cannabis cultivation. Voters in Arizona, California, Nevada, Maine, and Massachusettes will decide whether or not marijuana possession, cultivation, and retail recreational marijuana dispensaries will become legal just as they are in Colorado, Alaska, Oregon, Washington, and Washington D.C. Here is an overview of the different recreational marijuana legalization intitiatives for 2016 that will be decided on this November.

Arizona: Despite many challenges and obstacles along the way, Proposition 205 which would legalize recreational marijuana in Arizona has made its way onto the November ballot. A lawsuit that sought to block the measure from placement on the ballot was dismissed by the Superior Court of Maricopa County, and the Arizona Supreme Court upheld this decision after the challengers appealed. If voters approve the proposition, Arizona residents who are of adult age would be allowed to legally possess up to an ounce of marijuana, consume marijuana privately, and grow up to six marijuana plants. The proposition would also pave the way for retail recreational marijuana sales, imposing a 15% tax on cannabis sold at adult use marijuana dispensaries. The vote on the proposition is likely to be a close one. While a July poll showed only 39% of Arizona voters in support of marijuana legalization, the campaign in favor of Proposition 205 has raised a lot more money than the oppossition groups. The campaign for voting “yes” on Proposition 205 has amassed over three million dollars in donations, while the opposing campaign has raised less than one million. If Proposition 205 passes, revenues from taxes placed on retail marijuana sales will be utilized in part for education and public healthcare initiatives.

California: This November, California voters will decide on Proposition 64, titled the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. The proposition would allow for recreational marijuana sales and establish the right of citizens age 21 and over to grow up to six plants and posess up to an ounce of marijuana. A15% retail tax on recreational cannabis would be established, and a system for expunging the records of past non-violent marijuana convictions would be put into place. California was the first state to legalize medical marijuana, way back in 1996. If aproved, the taxes imposed on marijuana cultivation and sales could bring in over a billion dollars each year to California's strained budget, and could save the state millions by forgoing the expense of keeping non-violent marijuana offenders in prison. With millions more in fundraising donations raised by supporters and an August poll showing over 61% of California voters in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana, Proposition 64 is very likely to pass.

Maine: It was a rocky road, but Question 1 which would legalize recreational marijuana sales, possession, and cultivation within the state of Maine will be put into the hands of voters this November. When supporters of the measure first submitted the signatures required to place Question 1 on the ballot, over half of the signatures were invalidated which left the group falling short of requirements. They challenged the decision and the ruling was overturned. When the signatures were reexamined in April, it was found that there were enough valid signatures to get Question 1 on the November ballot. If Question 1 passes, Maine residents age 21 and older will be able to purchase or possess up to 2 ½ ounces of marijuana and grow up to 6 flowering marijuana plants at a time. It would also impose a 10% sales tax on recreational marijuana sales. With a March poll indicating only a little over 53% of voters in Maine in favor of legalization, the fate of Question 1 is unclear, but it's likely to be a close call whichever way voters decide.

Massachusetts: Voters in Massachusetts will decide on Question 4, which would legalize the possession of an ounce of marijuana, allow for the cultivation of up to six marijuana plants, and establish a sales tax for recreational marijuana sales. Although Massachusetts approved medical marijuana in 2012, the first medical marijuana dispensary in the state didn't open its doors until June of this year. That doesn't give voters much time to see the marijuana industry in action and gauge its potentials, so it may be tough for some people to make a decision on Question 4. While an April poll conducted by Western New England University found 57% of Massachusetts voters in favor of recreational marijuana legalization, a poll conducted in July by Gravis Marketing showed only 41% of Massachusetts voters in support of making recreational cannabis legal. If campaign finance is any indication of who the winning team is, Question 4 has a really good shot of passing. Supporters have raised nearly half a million, while the oppossition has collected virtually nothing. River Rock Wellness of Colorado is one of the top contributors to the campaign, donating $10,000 in support of Question 4.

Nevada: In Nevada, voters will decide on Question 2, would legalize the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana and allow adults to cultivate up to six marijuana plants. A 15% sales tax on recreational marijuana sales would be imposed, and consumption would be restricted to private areas which could include retail marijuana dispensaries. The tax revenue would be earmarked for use in the k-12 public education system. A poll conducted in July by a local news station found 50% of voters in support of Question 2, 41% oppossed, and 9% undecided, so it could really go either way and at this point, it's too close to call.

New Opportunities for Marijuana Businesses

The growing trend towards legalization opens the way for more marijuana businesses to thrive and profit. Entrepreneurs who are contemplating opening a marijuana dispensary, grow house, or other marijuana business in one of the five states who  are voting on recreational cannabis should look closely at each state's laws now to get an idea of all the details and regulations, and how to start the process of applying for a marijuana business license. States like Nevada will limit the number of marijuana establishments that can open up in any municipality if their legalization initiative passes, so business owners wishing to cash in will need to be ready to act quickly once the votes are counted. CannaSaver will keep you informed of the latest updates and elections results, so stay tuned.

 

 

Continue Reading

Just Say No…To National Parks, Spend Labor Day Somewhere 420 Safe

Marijuana is legal in several states now, with several more sure to come in the near future.  But just because pot is legal in a state does not mean that everywhere in that state is a safe place to spark up.  Marijuana is still illegal federally, so that means that it’s still illegal on any federal land.  Now it’s pretty easy to remember that federal courthouses and military bases are federal land, but there is one kind of federal land that we all seem to forget belongs to big brother - national parks and recreational facilities.  These lands are the most fantastic examples of what America the Beautiful really means, and because of this, they are the ones we want to visit and get high at the most.  But take this word of warning from the Savvy Stoner to heart.  Do not be tempted to bring pot onto federal land this Labor Day weekend, or anytime, even if it’s dank and the cheapest weed in Denver and you’re only cutting through the park.  You could end up like tens of thousands of others who thought they could get away with it – at the police station, having no fun at all. 

So where are some alternative places to enjoy your 420 friendly getaway, read on for some ideas to get you on your way to a legal and safe Labor Day celebration that includes memories that you want to remember.

State Parks

If your vacation plans bring you to Denver, or anywhere in Colorado, or the country, then state parks may be a great alternative to national parks. Every state has their own parks that uphold state laws, so if marijuana is legal in your state, then it’s legal in the state parks too unless it’s a park rule like no glass bottles.  And the choices of scenery, location, and recreation options are usually almost limitless.  In Colorado there are 42 state parks, with facilities in just about every nook and cranny of the state.  There is probably a state park within about an hour of where you are now, even if you don’t know it.  Many state parks are fairly unknown places, making the crowds much smaller than at more highly publicized places and making it much easier to rent a cabin, yurt, or campsite to enjoy your stash.  Remember though to always check individual park rules and always be private, discreet, and polite when enjoying your weed – it’s only right.

420 Friendly Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts

Finding dispensaries, even good cheap dispensaries is pretty easy in Colorado, but that isn’t always the case when it comes to 420 friendly lodging.  Many national hotel chains still feel they must abide by federal law completely and refuse to allow 420 friendly advertising; but some do still make pot users feel right at home by providing accommodations like outdoor smoking areas to make up for the fact that marijuana smoking of any kind is not allowed in the guest rooms.  If that sounds a little too iffy, then there are pot friendly hotels and bed and breakfasts too.  420 friendly hotel rooms often come with, or have access to, bongs and vaporizers to add to your awesome Colorado marijuana experience.  If a little more homelike and cozy is what you want, then maybe the weed friendly bed and breakfast is for you.  These are just like “regular” B&B’s with one huge difference, weed!  Not only is its use encouraged, it is socially acceptable too.  These weed-centric B&B’s are usually within walking distance or so from at least one dispensary with great dispensary deals, and generally really nice places to just kick back and chill.

Private Property (with Permission)

Private property, like the kind owned by people you know, can be one of the best places to spend any holiday weekend.  Parking is usually free, the rooms are cheap, the roommates may be weird – but they’re usually related to you.  Oh, and there are usually plenty of great cheap dispensaries nearby where you can buy all the great cannabis products you need to have the best holiday weekend ever.  Edibles, wax, shatter, butter or dabs.  Whatever you call it; flower, bud, chronic or dank.  Friends and relatives’ homes or vacation property can make for the best 420 friendly vacation destinations.  Easy to book, 420 friendly, and best of all, cheap.  Your next Cannabis friendly vacation, think of your friends and family when you think of affordable and pot friendly places to stay and save your cash for great deals on $100 ounces and so much more.

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Great Cannabis Tour Options for Everyone’s Perfect Vacation

It’s hard to believe, you finally made it and earned that much deserved vacation – Colorado is decidedly your destination, but what next?  Finding a 420 friendly hotel can be a challenge, and then there are so many other details to worry about.  As thrilled as you are to be coming to the land of the free, how will you ever navigate this strange new world of legal marijuana?  You can try to do all the research yourself, but then there are also the burning questions of who is going to be the designated driver, and where can you legally smoke before your 420 enhanced adventures?  Cannabis tours can be the perfect way to make sure that your dream vacation doesn’t turn into a nightmare, and no matter what the perfect 420 vacation is to you, we’ve got you covered.

I don’t know about you, but my dream vacation, 420 friendly or not, always must include Kidd glove treatment.  On top of being treated like royalty, my perfect vacation is tailored to my every whim and desire.  It is a vacation, after all, right?  If this sounds like you, then Green Star Excursions is the cannabis tour company for you.  They provide a small handful of top of the line tour services that will make you feel like a vacation should from the moment you hit the mile-high city.  Green Star’s airport pickup service includes a stop at a dispensary on the way to your hotel, as well as a mini-tour along the way and if you have somewhere else to go before settling in, additional stops can be arranged. 

Once it’s time for the vacation to really begin, Green Star Excursion has private and customizable tour options for every kind of marijuana enthusiast.  Serious stoners can enjoy the City Cannoisseur Excursion and focus on what they came to Denver for, getting Rocky Mountain high.  Nature loving potheads can spend the day touring some of Colorado’s most beautiful landscapes on the Mountain Cannoisseur Excursion.  There is even an option for gardening enthusiasts, that will take vacationers behind the scenes in a real commercial grow operation with a Q & A session – picture taking allowed!  If none of these sound like your bowl of bud, then just give them a call and create your own perfect cannabis friendly vacation package – it’s what they do.

Of course, there are times that what you really wanna do is party hard, blow off some steam, and kick back in the hot tub time machine and have some fun.  If this is the sort of cannabis tour you’re after, then give one of My 420 Tours pot-laden adventures a try.  They offer a full sack of cannabis infused adventures that are sure to satisfy every sort of cannabis craving.

They offer an airport pickup service, of course.  And CCT also has some fantastic cannabis tour packages that include stops at some of Denver’s best dispensaries, including world famous Medicine Man Denver.  Cannabis tours aren’t the only service that CCT offers, not hardly.  CCT also offers cannabis vacation packages that feature all sorts of adventures.  Arts and crafts, cooking, antiquing, and outdoor adventures like horseback riding, rock climbing, and skiing are just a few of the exciting adventures included in their cannabis vacation packages.  Colorado Cannabis Tours can hook you up with a quick fun pot-related class or activity too.  Painting, pottery, cooking with cannabis, even glassblowing and pipe making are skills that you can learn while smoking and/or working with marijuana and CCT will help you locate these fun stoner events to enhance your cannavacation.

A huge part of any great vacation is a great place to stay while you’re there and both Green Star and CCT are ready and waiting to help you find your perfect 420 friendly lodging.  Green Star Excursions has partnered up with Bud and Breakfast, a group of 420 friendly bed and breakfasts that offer superb 4 star features in a marijuana friendly environment.  Many of these beautiful and peaceful bed and breakfasts even host 420 friendly get-togethers several times a day, during traditional Wake and Bake and 4:20 – of course.  If you’re in the market for more standard accommodations, then Colorado Cannabis Tours can help you find and book rooms with their 420 friendly hotel partners, and at discounted rates.

The next time you take a 420 friendly vacation in Colorado, use a cannabis tour company and get the most enjoyment and relaxation out of every bud – and remember to use your Cannasaver coupons, so you can get the best marijuana deals in Denver.

 

 

Continue Reading

How Much Weed Can You Buy In Colorado?

So you’re perhaps visiting colorful Colorado and you want to partake in as much cannabis smoking as humanly possible. We get it – with so many strains, terpenes, and types of marijuana products available, it’s like being a kid in a candy store. But how much weed can you buy in Colorado? Well, there seems to be a few set rules, but a lot of grey area around such rules. 

Let us explain. 

Buying Weed: How It Used To Be

It used to be that there were special marijuana deals you could get at marijuana dispensaries in Colorado that included an ounce of marijuana flower and a couple of grams of concentrates. These and many more of the best marijuana deals and best deals on concentrates in large quantities became a thing of the past on October 1st when new Colorado marijuana regulations went into effect that more specifically defined purchase limits by clarifying the concentrate to flower equivalency.

At the time, a gram of THC was considered a gram of THC, and tourists could only purchase up to 7 grams of it while residents in Colorado were allowed to purchase up to 28 grams of it, be it in the form of concentrates like wax and shatter, in the form of edibles, or in the form of buds. 

New(ish) Marijuana Regulations for Consumers

When the new marijuana regulations went into effect on October 1st, 2016, 800 mg of edibles or 8 grams of concentrate were considered equivalent to 28 grams of marijuana flower. One gram of concentrate is now considered equivalent to an eighth of flower, while two grams is equivalent to a quarter ounce. 

This meant that no longer would Colorado marijuana dispensaries be able to offer their retail customers anything close to an ounce of flower, paired with two grams of concentrates. 

So, now, if you purchase two grams of concentrates, the most bud you can buy is just three quarters.

Deals on whole ounces of concentrates have changed, too. The new regulations greatly diminished the quantity of concentrate purchased in a single transaction, and no longer are recreational marijuana consumers allowed to purchase more than 8 grams of concentrates at a time without exceeding the purchase limit. 

And, with many edibles packing 200mg THC per package, a few marijuana-infused candy bars can add up to the 800mg purchase limit very quickly. If you want to mix and match with some flower or edibles or concentrates, you have to really be smart in tallying up exactly how much of what you can legally get. The biggest challenge that marijuana dispensaries face now is to come up with alternative bundle packages that include a carefully thought-out balance of flower and concentrates or edibles that will appeal to marijuana consumers while staying within the rules (although you will see different dispensaries offer certain bundle packages that maximize how much weed you can buy in Colorado at a time).

New(ish) Marijuana Regulations for Dispensaries

Other new(ish) regulations have affected the cannabis industry more than the marijuana consumer. Remember that weird label that comes on every marijuana product you buy in Colorado, that looked a bit like a sheriff's badge, only it said, “Department of Revenue” and “marijuana” on it? That became a thing of the past as a new marijuana warning label has since been adopted. 

The new retail marijuana symbol features a diamond shape surrounding the word “THC” coupled with an exclamation mark. Each individually wrapped edible also contains this new icon. The new symbol for medical marijuana is virtually the same, only with an additional letter “m” to denote that it is a medical product. The new universal symbols came into use on October 1st, but there was a two-month grace period extending the compliance period until November 30th, 2016. Any establishments found selling marijuana labeled with the outdated universal symbol face serious penalties.

How Much Weed Can You Buy in Colorado Now?

The simple answer of how much weed you can buy in Colorado: Colorado residents and visitors alike may purchase up to 1 ounce (Oz) of marijuana at a time, once a day. 

Medical marijuana patients are allowed up to 2 ounces (Oz) of marijuana at a time, once a day. 

Possession of Marijuana in Colorado

Now, there currently isn't any system in place that actually prevents consumers from simply heading from one dispensary to another to get around the purchase limits, but the law also says that Colorado residents and visitors alike may only POSSESS up to 1 ounce at a time, while medical marijuana patients may only POSSESS up to 2 ounces at a time. 

So, nothing’s stopping you from going from dispensary and dispensary and maxing out your pot purchase limit, but be ye warned – if you’re caught with the possession of more than an ounce at a time (given you’re not a medical marijuana patient), there may be a fee or civil penalty assessed. We don’t recommend doing this. 

Don’t think you’re wise in leaving a dispensary with the maximum weed allowed, only to return and buy more, as they’ll have record of each transaction made. An example was made out of one of Colorado’s largest dispensaries, Sweet Leaf, after being busted for working around some of the loopholes.

If you’re driving, you can have weed in your car, but it must be under the allowed limit and must be in a sealed container. It is not allowed to consume marijuana in the car or while driving. It’s also not allowed to carry marijuana across state borders. 

So, whether you’re a Colorado resident and just don’t buy weed much or you’re only visiting Colorado for a short period of time, the new laws allow you to buy a significant amount of weed. So, how much weed can you buy in Colorado? The short answer is, enough. Unless you’re smoking an ounce a day, then we have a few problems to address. If an ounce a day isn’t enough, then just come back tomorrow! 

Continue Reading

The Future of Public Pot Use and Private Marijuana Clubs in Denver

“Where can I smoke weed in Denver?” It's usually one of the first questions asked by tourists, second only to “where can I buy weed in Denver?” While marijuana dispensaries in Denver are plentiful, and Green Star Excursions will even pick you up at the airport and take you right to a dispensary, places to smoke marijuana without fear of getting a ticket aren't quite so out in the open. Marijuana activists have been working for years now to reform current public pot use laws and private marijuana club regulations so that people will have more places to be able to safely blaze up. Many of these efforts have remained fruitless, but with momentum building and support mounting, voters and activists might have another shot this November.

Although one citywide initiative that would have made private marijuana clubs fully legal in Denver failed to make the November 8^th ballot, there is still a chance for a similar but different measure to be brought to a vote. The failed initiative, called the Responsible Use Denver Initiative, fell nearly 2000 signatures short of the 4,726 verifiable signatures required to make the ballot, despite the group behind the measure, Denver NORML, having turned in over 7,500 signatures. When the signatures were reviewed, many turned out to be from unregistered voters or from voters living in other counties. While disappointing to the many marijuana activists who worked countless hours on the effort, the news is not completely disheartening, as another initiative regarding pot consumption in businesses still has a chance. Deemed the Neighborhood Supported Cannabis Consumption Pilot Program, this initiative would allow marijuana to be smoked at certain establishments like cafes and bars. Such businesses would be required to seek and obtain approval from the neighborhood where the establishment is located before they can allow marijuana consumption on their premises. The Neighborhood Supported Cannabis Consumption initiative is currently under review by the Denver Elections Division. If there are enough verifiable signatures on the petition to get the measure placed on the ballot, Denver voters could be deciding within just a few months whether or not to legalize toking up at bars and other neighborhood-approved establishments. The Denver Elections Division is expected to complete their signature verification process by sometime next week.

Many are hopeful that this measure will indeed make the ballot, as the rules against public pot smoking cause a lot of confusion and inconvenience, especially for marijuana tourists. You can walk into any number of marijuana dispensaries in Denver such as Medicine Man Denver and easily buy weed, but then you're left with no place to legally smoke it. While Amendment 64 legalized the sell and possession of pot, consuming marijuana openly and publicly remains illegal under Colorado state law. Most hotels don't allow indoor smoking, which leaves the marijuana tourist with no obvious options when it comes to knowing where to smoke weed in Denver. Being able to just go to a bar or cafe or other business and sit back and light up would provide for an easy and convenient way for marijuana tourists and residents alike to enjoy Colorado cannabis culture to the fullest. It could also be a boon for the businesses that choose to allow marijuana consumption, attracting new customers and especially marijuana tourists to their establishments. The petition to get the Neighborhood Supported Cannabis Consumption Pilot Program on the Denver November election ballot has 10,800 signatures, so there is a strong chance that the Denver Elections Division will be able to verify enough of those signatures for the measure to come to a vote. The ballot measure has the backing of the Marijuana Policy Project, Veterans for Cannabis, Cannabis Business Alliance, Sensible Colorado, The Church, Club Vinyl, My 420 Tours, Colorado Cannabis Tours, and many other influential organizations and businesses. If the Neighborhood Supported Cannabis Consumption Pilot Program makes it on the ballot, hopes are high that the measure will pass.

Continue Reading

The Effects of Different Marijuana Strains | Enhance - Debilitate - Normalize,

When I first started budtending, I was very much of the "if it messes you up it's what you want" persuasion. I still very much dwell in that area but as I have had the opportunity to try a ludicrous amount of different strains and crosses, I can much more accurately get to the effect I'm looking for in most cases. Some strains I know for sure will effect me in a specific way, whereas some strains still baffle me and I need to do more pretend research on, all strains just making me wish I could test individual cannabinoids by themselves, But after all of this, I needed a way to explain the generalized effect of strains beyond the Indica Sativa Hybrid model, as there are plenty of cases where just those labels alone were either not accurate enough or in some cases even opposite. We recently got a Sativa strain that is under no circumstances effectually useful as a Sativa, and I would never sell it as such. A lot of categorization happens based on the physical makeup of the plants that are grown, as you can't necessarily know what a plant is really going to result in outside of how it has ended up in previous batches.
 

Indica vs. Sativa

The use of Indica Sativa and Hybrid in a consumer context is also essentially a curse. I cannot even begin to count the number of people that have come in not even ever having smoked weed adamantly telling me that they don't want Indicas, they hate them and they only want Sativas because someone told them all Indica strains would put them to sleep. This is understandable as these past two years have really opened up a lot as far as open experimentation and research, which can only continue to climb. But even so, the average customer is probably still going to tell you that they don't want Indicas, or that Sativas make them too paranoid or sometimes even that Sativas put them to sleep and they can ONLY smoke hybrids, which is generally all nonsense.

Even just going by my dispensary alone, we have always had Indica strains that are very energetic in addition to the more downer strains, and plenty of Sativas that I would never recommend for people to go out and do stuff on, more prone to relaxation and calmness. I have had a hard time really trying to narrow down how to describe the effects of different strains in a way that I can keep them all straight in my head and avoid being constantly thrown off by new weird crosses. So after much deliberation, I came up with the following three categories: enhance, debilitate, and normalize.
 

Three Ways to Categorize The Effects of Smoking Marijuana

Enhance strains are generally more applicable to Sativas and Sativa leaning hybrids, but are not limited to that by any means. Any strain that modifies your mental or physical feelings in a way that pushes you forward or helps you focus or even body high that reduces muscle pain could fall under this category, Enhance strains can come in many different ranges of strength as well, some lower THC strains being very beneficial for cerebral effect. These strains are generally more recommended for going out and doing things, mental expansion and creativity channeling, among other positive effects. The body high side of enhance strains I have also found to be a little more like lifting body high, losing a few pounds of weight in your extremities, good for all kinds of outdoor kinds of adventures. Enhance strains can also carry with them a heavy drop effect once they have worn off, as enhancement can't be permanent and you must eventually go back to normal you.

Debilitate strains come in two main types for me, strains that are very heavy on the body high and knockdown potential, and strains that make you stupid. I am a huge fan of strains that make you stupid, me stupid, what have you. I avoid a lot of enhance strains as I feel like there is rarely as much change in my headspace, sometimes getting a little more tangential than usual but that is rarely something I'm looking for, as anything more going on in my head just pushes me more towards just getting too distracted to function, whereas strains that knock me down mentally make me more able to enjoy the present rather than spiraling through my thoughts. Intense heavy body high as opposed to the enhance strains lifting body is also a preference for me, again because I want to be knocked down. While these strains can be often attributed to Indicas, the dumbing strains I have found are generally closer to hybrids, usually resulting from an interesting strain cross.

Normalize strains are interesting because they vary from person to person, as you may find that an Enhance or a Debilitate strain may actually knock you down or pick you up to normal. Most CBD strains that I have tried fall into this category, as they are generally just relaxing and relief heavy, without actually being too down. Some people associate CBDs with going to sleep or tiredness, but I don't really agree in any context. Normalize strains are more along the lines of getting you to a nice average space that you want to inhabit, rather than pushing you too much in any direction, similar to how people will take antidepressants or Adderall, things like that.

But these three categories are fairly fluid, really only getting assigned to strains that I think fully embody these ideas. Still if you go into a store and ask for something that fits one of these contexts, I guarantee you will have a much more productive conversation with your budtender. They may even be able to find you something much closer to what you need rather than just assigning you the Indica or Sativa of the day because you told them you couldn't smoke one or the other. I recommend you always take your drug research seriously, and try to move away from the traditional genetic classifications of weed. The sooner we start to move away from these ideas the sooner we can really advance into growing strains that do the same thing every time.

Save your stickers, keep a journal, whatever works for you, I encourage you to do it. Learning is the best aspect of this industry right now, as much as everyone else would have you believe it is money.

Money is not what we're working for.

Continue Reading