As black market vaping products, including THC products, have been increasingly linked to vaping illnesses, support of marijuana legalization has only grown. As marijuana is still illegal on a federal level, agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are unable to regulate products, even in legal states. Meanwhile, legal states are also struggling to keep up with regulation and safety for marijuana products. This is becoming even more of a problem as marijuana related products, including pre-filled vaping cartridges, are far outstripping studies about general vaping risks, and specifically... Read More

With a string of illnesses and vaping related deaths in the last few months, the public has been turning a harsh eye towards all vaping products, including marijuana products. Several vaping related illnesses have been seen in Colorado, and nearly all of the patients were using a combination of tobacco and marijuana products. The source of the illness is still unknown, but many have pointed towards black market vaping products. In an effort to quell some of the destruction of vaping related illnesses, particularly in teens and young adults, many cities have taken it upon themselves to remove flavored... Read More

Coors and Lagunitas are both going to try their hand at marijuana infused beverages in Colorado. Coors will be distributing a non-alcoholic carbonated CBD soda and sparkling beverage line. Distribution will be limited to Denver. “We see a big demand for high-quality and unique products in the non-alcoholic space,” Coors Distributing Company marketing director Jennifer DeGraff says in a statement announcing the deal. “While both brands are locally produced and focus on using high-quality ingredients to deliver superior tasting products that stand out above competition, they each... Read More

Dispensaries in Colorado and other states with legal marijuana have struggled with the cash only business as federal banks have found loopholes to deal with the federally illegal industry. Setting a landmark precedent, the SAFE Banking Act, implemented by Colorado Representative Ed Perlmutter, has become the first marijuana bill to reach the congressional floor and the first to pass. “The SAFE Banking Act will help thousands of employees, businesses and communities in Colorado and across this country who have been put at risk because they have been forced to deal in piles of cash,”... Read More

As lung injuries from vaping have exploded across the country in the last month, the CDC has been scrambling to figure out what exactly is causing the injuries when vaping has long been touted as a safer alternative to smoking. It turns out, many of the injuries may be related to solvents used in black market THC cartridges. The findings have linked back to vitamin E acetate and myclobutanil, both found in the bootleg cartridges that the CDC tested, but notably not found in the legal and regulated cartridges from dispensaries. Vitamin E acetate is used to cut cannabis for use in vape pens. Myclobutanil,... Read More

The U.S. government intends on spending $3 million on research for CBD; none of the money will be spent on the THC counterpart which gets you high. Nine research grants have been approved that research CBD in everything from food to beauty products, along with some other lesser known chemicals, but THC was specifically excluded from the funding. Many find this to be an incomplete analysis of marijuana and pain management, as it is still unclear exactly what part of the plant may be helpful in pain management. This also inhibits the ability to discover whether pain can be managed without the intoxicating... Read More

CU Boulder’s CHANGE Lab has been working over the past several years to finally observe the potential benefits and risks to marijuana consumption, something that has previously been studied very little. Kent Hutchison, a psychology professor and cannabis researcher in CU Boulder’s CHANGE Lab, became frustrated with how little was known about the effects of marijuana when his elderly mother attempted to use marijuana to ease her chronic pain and consistently was given conflicting advice depending on what dispensary she went to. The same thing also occurred when Hutchison’s wife tried to... Read More

With CBD known for helping to reduce pain and inflammation, many seniors are wondering whether this non-psychoactive compound could help to relieve symptoms of arthritis. And there are now a few scientific studies which suggests that it can. But just what is CBD, how can be it used to manage arthritis, and are there any side effects to be wary of? We’ll answer all of that and more in this post. Hemp-based CBD products are sold all over the United States, and because of the low THC content, they aren’t subjected to prohibition like cannabis. While CBD is just one compound of more than 400 in... Read More

What is a Thai Stick?  Think of it as a cannabis version of a shish kabob made with your favorite strains all wrapped up to look like a well rounded cigar.  The Thai Stick became legendary back in the 60’s when soldiers returned from war with stories of powerful weed rolled tight to look like cigars that would burn for hours. With access to recreational cannabis, residents in legal states can revive the art of the legendary Thai Stick at home.  This vintage practice embraces the communal elements that bring people together.  If you are a hands-on person who likes to create works of art to... Read More

Recently, a show aired on Viceland called “Bong Appetite.” It is all about cooking with weed and all the amazing recipes weed can be incorporated into. In order for weed to have it’s psychoactive effects, the THC needs to be prepared certain ways, but I am curious about the non psychoactive benefits of eating raw cannabis and if ingesting raw cannabis has medicinal benefits as many other raw herbal medicines. According to an article by Delilah Butterfield in Feb, 2016, there are many nutrients in raw cannabis such as vitamins, essential oils and cannabinoid acids. The cannabinoid acids, THCa... Read More