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Thanks to legalization, the cannabis industry is booming for medical patients and recreational enthusiasts. This exploding market has driven demand for a string of cannabis innovations and a growing demand for new and interesting forms of cannabis. Did you know there’s even purple weed? The growing industry has left budtenders with an almost encyclopedic knowledge of diverse and even obscure cannabis strains and cultivators selectively breeding for higher THC content, selective terpenes, and even the unique purple color. Some strains can take on a subtle violet color thanks to their breakdown of phytochemicals, a.k.a. plant chemicals.

The budding cannabis industry has driven an interest in unique ways to consume cannabis ranging from high-THC moon rocks to dabs to edibles of all kinds. The expanding interest in specific strains has caused a growth in cultivation of new and unique strains to match the increasing demand. Where does purple weed fit into all of this?

Cannabis strains are all unique and can each have a different chemical breakdown. As plants, it’s not completely unheard of for them to grow in different colors ranging from pink to almost black but more commonly purple. But what exactly is purple weed? What makes it purple? Is it better? Is purple weed stronger?

This post will explore all of the details about this unique variety of cannabis and all of the secrets of purple weed.

What Is Purple Weed?

The name may say it all but many may not know that there are strains of cannabis that can naturally take on a purple tone. Certain strains like Grandaddy Purple can have a natural purple tint either to their stems, flowers, or leaves.

You may think they’ve been doctored but there’s actually naturally-existing cannabis strains that can contain high amounts of chemicals that make them purple. Part of what drives the usership of cannabis besides the high are the many phytochemicals that can serve as anything from a natural sleep aid to a pain reliever and in many cases an antioxidant.

So what makes purple weed so great? Let’s start by exploring what makes these strains purple in the first place.

What Makes Weed Purple?

It’s shocking enough to believe that there is purple weed that occurs naturally out there. Longtime cannabis enthusiasts may be familiar. However, even then you may still wonder what makes purple weed purple?

Purple cannabis strains owe their distinctive color to a group of phytochemicals called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are a group of water-soluble pigments biologically part of a chemical family called flavonoids. Flavonoids are found throughout the plant kingdom and have their own health benefits.

Anthocyanin can create purple, blue, and red to occur in plant tissues. They are found in common foods like red and purple berries, grapes, apples, plums, cabbage, and other highly pigmented foods.

As cannabis plant’s cells begin creating concentrations of anthocyanins, this can result in a range of purple shades in the leaves or buds or even as purple looking crystals in the trichomes. The development of anthocyanins can be caused by genetics, as only some strains can generate anthocyanins. However, there are also environmental factors that can increase a plant’s anthocyanin content.

Why Is Some Weed Purple?

Why do some cannabis plants create anthocyanins in the first place? It’s important to remember that while cannabis is full of compounds that can engage with our endocannabinoid system and other parts of the human body they are often created to keep plants alive.

There are a few factors that can result in the development of these purple-inducing anthocyanins, the first being genetics. This post will include a list of the most commonly known purple strains. However, environmental conditions can influence the anthocyanin concentration in these plants. This explains why some purple cannabis can have a deeper hue than others.

Research suggests that climate change may be driving increased anthocyanin levels as plants can use these compounds for thermoregulation, to moderate their temperature or photoprotection to reduce excessive inbound radiation. In a 2021 study, researchers examined how plants displayed flower colorations as a response to biological stressors like extreme temperatures or drought.

Another study found exposing cannabis flowers to different light across the spectrum, specifically short-wavelength blue and UV light, can increase anthocyanin content. Again, so many phytochemicals serve as defense mechanisms for plants and these benefits can translate to the human body.

Cannabis strains must naturally possess the genes that promote anthocyanin synthesis, in order to create purple pigment. Additionally, given the novelty more cultivators may try to interbreed and create more purple strains.

Is Purple Weed Better?

Before you take the plunge and try purple weed, you may be asking yourself, Is purple weed good? Is it better? Is it stronger?

What sets purple strains apart from other strains is simply the pigmentation. However, anthocyanins do possess antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-obesity qualities. This can help boost the added effect of other compounds like cannabinoids and terpenes.

Anthocyanin can also serve as a potent antioxidant which can help reduce oxidative stress. This is what causes natural cell aging but it can also participate in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) or neurodegenerative diseases. Antioxidants can also help in cancer prevention and help reduce the spreading of cancer.

Is Purple Weed Stronger?

Many people may report that purple weed is stronger but this may be more caused by the placebo effect or the novelty of difference because they actually are likely to have less THC concentrations.

Recent study has found cannabis plants with higher concentrations of anthocyanins actually tend to produce lower levels of THC. This is because the biochemical pathways for anthocyanin production and cannabinoid production compete for the same precursor molecules within the plant’s metabolism. That means if you have more of one you may be less likely to have more of the other.

However, this does not mean that it may not have stronger effects. The entourage effect is the sum of how all of the chemicals in cannabis work together. Anthocyanin and THC and the other chemicals in that strain may cause a feeling of a stronger high.

Does Purple Weed Do Anything Special?

Some cannabis studies have found that purple strains have helped with the effects of perceived depression and anxiety symptoms.

Another study with 163 individuals, some who used dark purple strains, used it for treating chronic pain found they are less likely to show problematic cannabis use patterns compared to others who used it for other conditions.

Science is still studying the various benefits of the hundreds of chemicals in cannabis. Increased interest, legalization, and funding is leading to more interesting finds and growing exploration of the full scope of benefits.

So which strains are purple?

What Strains Of Weed Are Purple?

Again, a cannabis strain must contain the proper genetic makeup to even synthesize anthocyanin. The list of purple strains is growing and here’s a list of all of the strains known to appear in any hue of purple.

Purple strains of cannabis include:

• Grape Ape
• Blackwater
• Purple Urkle
• Blue Knight
• Purple Berry
• Purple Afghani
• Purple Lemon Haze
• Purple Haze
• Purple Haze x Malawi
• Purple Tangi
• Lockdown Kush
• Lemon Cake OG
• Purple Diesel
• Grandaddy Purple
• Grape Skunk
• Purple Kush
• Obama Kush
• Purple Skunk

Thanks to selective breeding more strains can potentially be bred to be purple. If you’re curious about a deep dive into these strains this post highlights all of the various details and flavors to these strains in depth.

Final Thoughts

One benefit to growing legalization and the administering of medical marijuana is we are doing more research into the benefits of the countless compounds in cannabis. These survival defense mechanism chemicals all help plants thrive and some of those attributes are transferable to the people that consume them.

Purple weed is more than a strange mutation or curiosity. It’s been found to have its own blend of organic compounds that can also help boost your health and the effect of other phytochemicals. If you’d like to try purple weed as a form of treatment, start by getting your medical marijuana card today.

The process is seamless, thanks to Green Health Docs, and can give you access to the best medical-grade cannabis in your area and you can be part of a whole new approach to medicine.

This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.

The post What is Purple Weed, What Makes Weed Purple & Is Purple Weed Better than Normal Weed? appeared first on Green Health Docs.

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Cannabis is proving to be a boon to both medicine and the economy. Still, oftentimes, even things that are beneficial can end up getting abused. Cannabis does offer a physical high and potential distraction which can lead to bad habits, namely addiction.

People can develop an unhealthy dependency on things that take them out of their everyday experience including everything from sugar, caffeine, cigarettes to even heavy drugs. But is weed physically addictive? Can you become physically dependent on cannabis? How long might weed withdrawal last and what does it look like?

While there are countless medical benefits to using cannabis to help treat various symptoms and conditions, excessive marijuana use, especially when used irresponsibly, can potentially lead to a use disorder. Like an addiction it’s a series of unhealthy habits.

While cannabis is not toxic and there is no potential for a lethal overdose there are negative side effects to overusing cannabis. These physiological side effects can take time to right themselves. This post will cover the ins and outs of cannabis addiction, explore weed withdrawal and provide some strategies for stopping a dependency on cannabis.

Can You Be Addicted To Weed?

Yes, you can become addicted to cannabis. You may not become chemically dependent on cannabis like you may become with other drugs like cocaine, heroin, meth, or even alcohol. If you suffer from persistent cravings and compulsive use despite weed having negative impacts on your life this might signal you have a weed addiction.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 3 in 10 cannabis users can develop a substance use disorder. The use of cannabis comes with a 10% chance of developing an addiction. Teens who start using cannabis before 18 years old are up to 7 times more likely to develop a use disorder.

Substance use disorder is synonymous with addiction but unlike some substances that are likely to cause a physical dependency ranging from heavy drugs to caffeine your body will not develop a dependency on cannabis. In the same way someone might become addicted to sex or food your relationship with cannabis can become unhealthy. While, heavy alcohol or drug use can create a literal chemical dependency where your body needs it to function.

A Washington study in 2021 found that more than one-third of men surveyed in all age groups reported using cannabis daily, and more than 40% of those over 65. Nearly one-third of female cannabis users ages 50–64 and one-fifth of women ages over 65 use cannabis daily.

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What Can Too Much Weed Do To You?

Again, while you cannot develop a physical dependence on cannabis there are still negative impacts to heavy or regular cannabis use. Cannabis, specifically cannabinoids, connect with the endocannabinoid system that manages various vital body functions ranging from hunger to inflammation.

When consuming cannabis, whether medically or recreationally, it’s important to take tolerance breaks. If you’ve ever used cannabis regularly and found that you need to consume more THC to feel high it’s likely you need to take a break to let your tolerance reach more baseline levels.

One reason for this effect is that heavy cannabis use can decrease the number of CB1 receptors of your endocannabinoid system. This decrease in CB1 receptors can negatively impact memory, and cognition. Studies have also found that excessive cannabis use has been tied to shrinkage of the hippocampus. This is the part of the brain that governs learning and memory.

Luckily, taking time to abstain from cannabis use can reverse many of these negative effects unlike negative effects of other drugs or substances like alcohol. Your body will naturally replenish CB1 receptors after taking a significant time away from cannabis.

Can You Overdose On Marijuana?

You can overdose on marijuana but it is not the same as an overdose of drugs. An overdose of drugs can be potentially lethal and put your health at risk. A marijuana overdose is more an excessive amount of THC in the bloodstream that can be more unpleasant and unsettling than particularly dangerous.

The signs of a cannabis overdose include:

• Anxiety
• Panic Attacks
• Paranoia
• Rapid Heartbeat
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Visual or Auditory Hallucinations
• Seizures (In Severe Cases)

A marijuana overdose is often possible when someone consumes more THC than normal from a potent strain or high THC products like moon rocks or from unknowingly consuming edibles and being ill-prepared for the high.

More often than not the symptoms of an overdose are exacerbated by anxiety and panic. While your heart can beat faster, a marijuana overdose is only likely an issue if you have a heart condition or if you have a history of mental illness like schizophrenia. In those cases, those underlying issues are the causes of any major issues.

Also, if you ever end up getting too high one important factor is to relax and make sure to regulate your breathing. You can also use terpenes like pinene or the cannabinoid CBD to help mitigate the THC.

Chewing peppercorns, while also unpleasant, can help you get an instant influx of pinene to help you when you’ve consumed too much THC.

Benefits Of Quitting Weed

While cannabis has a myriad of benefits and untapped potential for treating various conditions and illnesses, if you are struggling with an addiction quitting marijuana use can be highly beneficial.

Quitting weed can lead to improved motivation, memory, and concentration. It can also help you address what you might be running from with excessive cannabis use. Oftentimes, you can miss out on your full potential by using substances to seek comfort or escape reality rather than dealing with any major issues in your life.

Quitting weed can also help your mental health. A study led by researchers at the Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found a statistically significant connection between excessive cannabis use and schizophrenia.

The study found that 30% of the cases of schizophrenia among men aged 21-30 may have been avoided if those patients did not have a marijuana addiction. There has also been research into cannabis psychosis which is a schizophrenia-like condition that results from excessive cannabis use.

If you smoke weed, quitting cannabis can help you mitigate any health risks. If you overindulge in the munchies, stopping cannabis use can help you more readily manage your diet.

One obvious benefit to quitting cannabis use can also help you save money. Like with any addiction including alcoholism, you can save a significant amount of money that you can devote to other aspects of your life.

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk

How Long Does it Take To Get Weed Out Of Your System?

More often than not people are concerned with cannabis in your system as it relates to drug tests. About 65% of cannabis leaves your body in your fecal matter and 20% in your urine.

The half-life of THC, the amount of time it takes for half of it to leave your system, is approximately 1.3 days. For heavy users, it can be anywhere from 5-13 days. For more check out this post.

Cannabis is completely undetectable in the body after about 90 days. 3 months is a good barometer because by then it will not be in your system. However, this can vary from person to person.

Most of the compounds in cannabis like THC are fat-soluble. This means that they can, in some cases, become stored in fat tissue and occasionally get metabolized later. This is important to be mindful of if you are trying to detox from THC.

How Long Does It Take To Quit Weed?

This question is complex because it can take anywhere from 3 weeks to a lifetime to quit a substance you are addicted to. Again, cannabis addiction can often be more tied to other factors like anxiety, depression, unprocessed trauma, or bad habits.

The bulk of any withdrawal symptoms can taper off in about three weeks. Additionally, it can take about three months to fully eliminate any cannabis remnants from your body so a general timeline might be between 3 weeks to a little over three months to fully be clear of cannabis and any potential physiological effects.

However, it may take longer to address the underlying issues that caused your cannabis addiction. Again, cannabis is not likely to cause a physical dependency and isn’t as addictive as heavy drugs or even nicotine.

In order to support your recovery you may want to seek out support either medically or from a recovery program to address the psychological addictive tendencies which you can only address on your own.

When quitting a substance there are two things to consider. First is the withdrawal symptoms which often resolve over time as your body adjusts to not habitually using the substance. The other is emotional or personal in nature.

Let’s dive deeper and explore the full experience of withdrawal.

When Do Weed Withdrawals Start?

Quitting cannabis can be scary at first. Any choice to quit anything from alcohol to sugar can be met with resistance, withdrawal, and a flood of emotions. Usually any withdrawal symptoms will begin within the first 72 hours. The peak of withdrawal often occurs within the first 2-6 days and any lingering symptoms can resolve within three weeks.

Photo by Andrew Neel

What Are Common Weed Withdrawal Symptoms?

People’s body chemistry can vary but many of the reported symptoms of cannabis withdrawal can include:

• Decreased Appetite
• Mood Swings
• Irritability
• Trouble Sleeping/Insomnia
• Inconsistent Sleep
• Headaches
• Loss of Focus
• Cravings for Cannabis
• Sweating, Including Cold Sweats
• Chills
• Increased Feelings of Depression
• Increased Feelings of Anxiety
• Stomach Problems
• Abdominal Pain
• Shakiness

How Long Does Weed Withdrawal Last?

According to a 2020 study, the prevalence of cannabis withdrawal syndrome is only about 47% so there is a chance you may not even suffer from any physical symptoms. However, if you use cannabis to help you sleep or deal with anxiety or depression these conditions may worsen over the course of your withdrawal period.

Again, your relationship with cannabis can vary and you may even have unprocessed cannabis compounds stored in your body fat. This means that your withdrawal may last on average about three weeks or longer if you’re an excessive cannabis user.

How To Stop Smoking Weed Cold Turkey?

Luckily, cannabis does not make one physically or chemically dependent so there’s no risk to quitting cold turkey. Even alcoholics who try to quit drinking may need to seek medical help and support to quit cold turkey. Additionally, as mentioned, not everyone faces cannabis withdrawal.

If you do decide to quit cold turkey you’ll want to establish healthy habits to help replace cannabis use. Consider finding relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga when you feel compelled to smoke as they can help provide the same desired effect.

Physical activity and exercise can not only increase your endorphins but also address any unprocessed cannabis byproducts lingering in your body fat.

You can also seek out support in the form of 12-step groups, group or solo therapy to address not just the emotions that arise but help provide a support system as you seek sobriety from cannabis.

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko

How To Sober Up From Weed If You’re Struggling To Quit

Quitting any substance can be a challenge. After all, while many substances are inherently addictive, what drives people to use, and overuse, is often unresolved mental and emotional struggles they may be avoiding.

While cannabis may not seem on-par with cocaine or heroin use if you are struggling you may want to seek out rehab. Here are other helpful resources to consider:

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a national organization that provides many resources for people struggling with addiction. Their national helpline number is 1-800-662-4357.
• Marijuana Anonymous is a 12-step program similar to AA but focused specifically on people struggling with cannabis dependency.
• Recovery Dharma offers a Buddhist and trauma-informed approach to recovering from addiction. To those deterred by 12-step’s religious stance this may be a program to help you with approaching addiction.

Final Thoughts

While medical marijuana is proving to have great results, like opiates, if it is addictive to you it may not be helpful in your healing. There are other alternative treatments you may want to seek out if you personally have a problem with cannabis.

Addiction is serious business but luckily you have the power to address it. Often, addressing the underlying issues with therapy and the help of a professional can help you address any tendency towards habitual or addictive uses of a substance.

People can often become addicted to caffeine, sugar, nicotine and alcohol so while cannabis becomes more common it’s important to ensure that you have a healthy relationship that serves you and your physical and emotional health.

This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.

The post Is Marijuana Physically Addictive & How Long Does Weed Withdrawal Last? appeared first on Green Health Docs.

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People are turning to marijuana for more than just the high. Whether for pain relief, to reduce anxiety, or to better connect with their body cannabis offers a whole host of health benefits. It’s not just due to name-brand cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Many of these benefits are due in part to compounds like pinene.

Pinene is one of the more popular terpenes. Terpenes are biological compounds that help plants thrive by giving what humans will notice as a scent or taste. However, these compounds are engaged in a whole host of biochemical interactions and do far more for plants behind-the-scenes including preventing fungal and bacterial outbreaks, and attracting animals to eat their fruit to disperse their seeds.

Terpenes serve a whole host of biological processes like repelling insects and attracting hummingbirds and bees to pollinate them. There are benefits to human beings beyond a lovely aroma, too. Some of these benefits transfer to human bodies like fighting bacteria, serving as antioxidants, and more.

In this post we’ll cover how pinene can do everything from kill bacteria to help with inflammation and even help you if you’ve gotten too high.

What Is Pinene?

Pinene is one of the most common terpenes found in nature. You wouldn’t think that pine needles and orange zest get their scent from the same chemical compound but that’s what’s so interesting about the world of terpenes.

Pinene is what’s responsible for the pine essence in many coniferous trees while also providing the citrusy aroma of orange, lemon and lime zest. While limonene is also present in citrus fruits pinene does help in giving them their distinct scent.

Pinene is one of the major components of conifer extracts. The oils in these common plants, terpenes are often oily, all contain pinene. They’re even found in black peppercorns.

Pinene exists in nature as two major isomers, i.e. chemicals with the identical chemical formula but different arrangements to their molecules. Those two isomers alpha pinene and beta pinene also have a suite of different benefits.

Pinene is fairly abundant both in cannabis strains and in the plant kingdom in general from conifers to citrus to herbs and spices like sage, nutmeg and clove. That’s right your favorite pumpkin spice flavors just might be pinene rich as well as your Christmas trees making it a holiday-friendly terpene. Besides its signature scent pinene has a whole host of other benefits to the human body.

Pinene Terpene Effects

One of the most interesting benefits of pinene is that it can be utilized if you ever get too high. The cannabis industry has taken our fixation on THC and run with it. There are products like moon rocks and crystalline which can have insanely high THC levels approaching 60-90% THC.

While you don’t run the risk of a deathly overdose it is possible to suffer from psychosis or simply be ill-equipped to handle the level of high you may find with some cannabis products. If this ever happens, the pinene in peppercorns can help neutralize the THC.

This is all done via the entourage effect. Again, all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in cannabis all have a series of chemical interactions with each other and throughout your body called the entourage effect. Chewing peppercorns can help get some pinene to temper the effects of too much THC.

In addition to tempering an excessive high there are a whole host of health benefits. Pinene has been found to be:

• Antibiotic
• Anticoagulant
• Antitumor
• Antimicrobial
• Antimalarial
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Gastroprotective
• Anticonvulsant
• Neuroprotective

One benefit of pinene is that it offers bronchodilation which means it relaxes the airway in your bronchioles to allow for the opening of respiratory airways. This can be beneficial in treating asthma. Pinene can work with THC to help open up airways but can also combine with CBD, which has been found to reduce hyperresponsiveness in the respiratory airways helping reduce asthmatic sensitivity..

A 2020 study found alpha-pinene reduced inflammatory markers like TNF-α and IL-6 in liver cells. A 2015 study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine found alpha-pinene proved highly beneficial in reducing inflammation in animals.

A 2018 study showed pinene protected the skin from UV radiation by being both anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant. Antioxidants serve the body by eliminating the effects of free radicals and oxidative stress. Basically, radioactive molecules that are missing an electron try to neutralize their deficiency by feeding on cells. Antioxidants bind to these compounds in-lieu of them getting their needed electrons from our cells.

Pinene is a highly beneficial antimicrobial. Again, terpenes serve a purpose in plant life and these benefits can sometimes be applied to the humans and animals that consume them. For example, while it may serve plants by eliminating the growth of microbes like bacteria and fungus, it can do so in animals.

A 2012 study found pinene, both alpha and beta, prevented the growth of MRSA, the cause of many drug resistant staph infections. It also was shown in another study to reduce the risk of infection in lung tissue.

Those worried about anxiety who use cannabis to manage their symptoms might find benefits from pinene. A 2014 study found the inhalation of pinene helped reduce anxiety symptoms in mice.

There are also some neuroprotective properties and the ability to help with memory and cognition associated with pinene. Early animal trials found alpha-pinene may be able to help patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, amnesia, cognitive dysfunction, and overall memory loss.

The potential of pinene is still being tapped as more widespread cannabis legalization and medical marijuana prescription is adding to our collective scientific research and application of cannabis compounds like pienene.

Photo by Onxy

Strains High In Pinene

Pinene has the ability to boost and decrease cannabinoid function. It also happens to be one of the most prominent terpenes in the cannabis industry. If you’re curious about partaking in the potential of pinene, here are just a few pinene-rich strains:

• Blue Dream
• Jack Herer
• Dutch Treat
• Cinex
• Harlequin
• Sour Diesel
• Critical Mass
• Snoop’s Dream
• Big Smooth
• Cotton Candy Crush
• Grape Ape
• Remedy
• Super Lemon Haze
• Haze Berry
• OG Kush
• Strawberry Cough
• Bubba Kush
• Chemdawg 91
• Island Sweet Skunk
• Chocolope
• Cheese
• Kosher Tangie
• The Great Grape Ape Show

What Are Foods And Popular Plants High In Pinene?

Pinene is pretty common not just in cannabis but throughout the plant kingdom. Here is a list of some common fruits, vegetables and plants that contain the terpene pinene:

• Pine needles and pine trees
• Black pepper
• Rosemary
• Dill
• Basil
• Parsley
• Orange peels
• Mandarin peels
• Lemon peels
• Lime peels
• Eucalyptus
• Tea tree
• Sage
• Nutmeg
• Clove
• Thyme
• Copaiba
• Pineapple

Pinene is also one of the active ingredients in turpentine. You might think this paint solvent given its intense fumes is made from harsh chemicals but it’s actually distilled entirely from plants and includes terpinolene which is named for its turpentine scent. Pinene was first isolated in the 19th century from turpentine distilled from pine resin.

Photo by Alizee Marchand

What Is Hydrogen Peroxide Pinene?

One of the secrets to the success of pinene just might be its natural inclination to create hydrogen peroxide when exposed to air and light. In the same way that air and light can make THC go bad or degrade, this generation of hydrogen peroxide may be why it has natural antimicrobial qualities.

The prominence of pinene in nature is why it can often exist as an aerosol i.e. in our atmosphere. Its potential to create hydrogen peroxide can affect us environmentally. While excessive amounts of hydrogen peroxide can be toxic, pinene’s natural hydrogen peroxide can degrade into safe byproducts like formic acid.

Alpha-Pinene Vs Beta-Pinene

Pinene has two isomers alpha and beta-pinene. If you have heard of Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC you’ve heard of isomers. Delta-8 and delta-10 are chemically similar to traditional THC (Delta-9). However, they are slightly different in their specific chemical breakdown.

Similarly, alpha-pinene and beta-pinene are similar but different. This section will outline how those subtle chemical differences can present themselves in how these two compounds function. For example, alpha-pinene has the traditional pine tree odor while beta-pinene is more herbal and earthy in its scent.

Alpha-pinene tends to be more energizing and sativa-like, while beta-pinene can be more relaxing or indica-like. Alpha-pinene also improves concentration and focus while beta-pinene elevates your mood and serotonin level and it more readily bonds to the CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system which help reduce inflammation.

There is also more in the A-Pinene Vs B-Pinene debate including how these chemicals can impact the human body differently.

A-Pinene Vs B-Pinene Effects

Again, while they are somewhat chemically identical these subtle biochemical changes can affect how these chemicals interact with the human body. Here are some of the health benefits and effects of A-Pinene Vs B-Pinene.

Alpha-Pinene Effects on the human body:

• Stimulating, energizing
• Enhances focus and concentration
• Potent antimicrobial from its hydrogen peroxide conversion
• Encourages bronchodilation to open airways
• Potent analgesic (pain reducer) and anti-inflammatory

Beta-Pinene Effects on the human body:

• Relaxing, reduces stress and treats anxiety
• Potent sedative and aids sleep
• Elevates mood through increasing serotonin
• Potent anti-inflammatory by binding to CB2 receptors
• High potential of memory enhancement and being neuroprotective

Final Thoughts

Pinene is almost ubiquitous in cannabis and the plant kingdom. And yet, the potential benefits of this compound are only starting to reveal themselves. Medical marijuana is about more than just getting chemo patients high, the countless benefits to the compounds in cannabis like alpha-pinene and beta-pinene are showing some true potential to addressing countless conditions.

If you’d like to test out the pinene power for yourself consider getting your medical marijuana card. Not only does it have tax benefits in states with legal recreational cannabis it also ensures you work with your doctor to receive the countless cannabis benefits still to be discovered. To get your medical marijuana card, let Green Health Docs make the process quick and seamless.

This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.

The post What is Pinene? Alpha-Pinene & Beta-Pinene Effects, Benefits & Strains appeared first on Green Health Docs.

Photo by RDNE Stock project

Is Weed Legal in Texas?

First things first, weed is not legal in Texas for recreational use, but some forms of medicinal marijuana have been legalized and are available for purchase at medical marijuana dispensaries. In order to access these dispensaries, you must first have a medical marijuana card. Apply here today!

Weed Legalization in Texas

Cannabis legislation is one of the biggest political hot topics of our time. States throughout the United States are expanding their marijuana legalization to include medical marijuana and some states are even fully legalizing weed. What does that mean for Texas residents?

Is weed legal in Texas? Is medical marijuana legal in Texas? What is the state of marijuana law in Texas? This post will cover the current landscape of cannabis in the Lone Star State. From pending legislation to how to get your medical approval this post will cover it all.

Before exploring Texas cannabis law, let’s review how marijuana works throughout the United States. There are multiple forms of legalization and understanding them is vital to not breaking the law.

How Do Cannabis Laws Work?

Cannabis law in the United States is not as simple as turning a switch that makes marijuana legal. There are three ways marijuana can be legalized, or at least have its legal status changed.

Federally, marijuana is a controlled substance. On the state level, marijuana can be approved for medical use, recreational use or decriminalized.

Legalizing marijuana requires establishing a framework to accommodate legal sales of cannabis to qualified medical patients. Who can grow it? Where can dispensaries open? What will the taxes be on legal marijuana products?

Decriminalizing cannabis downgrades weed possession from a major drug crime to a fineable infraction. Legalizing recreational cannabis essentially fully legalizes cannabis however states must make many decisions on how the new weed market will function and what laws must be changed.

Is Weed Legal In Texas?

Weed is not currently legal in Texas. It remains illegal for recreational use however a form of medical cannabis is available for approved patients. Currently Texas has established a Compassionate Use Program (CUP) which allows approved doctors to prescribe low-THC cannabis.

Low THC cannabis is defined as compounds, salts, resins, oils and derivatives that contain no more than 0.5 % THC by weight. Also, Texas limits how patients can consume cannabis. Smoking weed remains illegal even for approved patients.

Semi-legal cannabis like CBD, Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC generated from hemp not marijuana remain legal which explains the rise of “cannabis” shops popping up throughout Texas.

Additionally, cities like Austin have decriminalized cannabis. Austin prosecutors and local law enforcement will not pursue charges for small amounts of marijuana plant possession, namely anything less than 4 ounces. Essentially the average personal amount of cannabis for private use has essentially been decriminalized throughout Travis County.

As of November 2023, Lubbock residents are seeking to decriminalize cannabis in their state. However, only time will tell how successful this measure will prove to be.

Is Recreational Marijuana Legal In Texas?

Currently no form of marijuana is fully legal in Texas. The closest Texas is to legal cannabis is their low-THC cannabis which is only available to qualified candidates who follow the proper steps to obtain a prescription through the Compassionate Use Program.

Marijuana is legally distinguishable from hemp because, while they’re the same species, anything that contains more than 0.3% THC is legally considered marijuana so it’s a controlled substance.

Texas’s CUP Program caps their THC at 0.5% THC by weight. This is noteworthy because in the realm of legalized cannabis, marijuana THC percentages can range from 50 – 75% or more. High THC products like moon rocks and crystalline can contain as much as 90% THC by weight for a frame of reference for the products in states where cannabis is legal.

Is Delta-8 Legal in Texas?

Delta-8 THC, the popular and semi-legal isomer of traditional delta-9 THC is semi-legal in Texas. Despite being legal federally, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, Texas added delta-8-THC to their controlled substances list in 2021. Texas hemp companies filed a restraining order to help combat the legal status and a judge filed an injunction keeping delta-8 legal.

Is Delta-10 Legal in Texas?

While delta-8 THC is legal in a gray area as long as the injunction against its legal status stands, delta-10 THC that’s derived from legal hemp is legal in Texas. Delta-10 is legal as long as it’s made from legal hemp and Texas has made no direct steps to criminalize it.

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Texas Weed Laws

Texas weed laws are interesting because Texas was one of the strongest states against cannabis. El Paso, Texas was the first city in the nation to criminalize cannabis. In June 1915, El Paso outlawed cannabis for fear of its danger of inciting violence. It was banned throughout Texas in 1931 and was considered a narcotic until 1973.

Until 1973, there was the potential for life sentences for possession of even small amounts of cannabis given its harsh penalties. This type of legislation is one of the major reasons for decriminalization. The reason being that as times change some people who may have been unfairly prosecuted based on their race could be serving life sentences for cannabis which is legal in a significant number of states. Also, some are given warnings while others face heavy penalties for the same substance.

In 1973, House Bill 447 downgraded Texas weed laws which were the harshest in the nation. Possession was punishable from two years to life in prison. HB 447 reduced it from a felony to a class B misdemeanor and offered an opportunity to resentence people who had been priorly charged. It did take some time to address those concerns. That attempt to resentence prisoners was first deemed unconstitutional but the governor stepped in and offered clemency to those affected.

In 2007, Governor Rick Perry signed House Bill 2391 which essentially decriminalized up to 4 ounces of cannabis. At an officer’s discretion, they could offer a citation instead of taking someone directly into custody for certain misdemeanors. However, Texas law enforcement said they’d still arrest minor pot offenders.

House Bill 63 was approved in 2019 by the House or Representatives but not the Senate. It attempted to make possession of one ounce of cannabis a Class C misdemeanor rather than Class B This would make cannabis possession a fineable offense resulting in a citation.

House Bill 1325 is similar to the 2018 Farm Bill but on the Texas statewide level. This bill legalized the possession, sale, and production of hemp-derived products. It allowed CBD products to be purchased without requiring a doctor’s approval. It also legally established the definition of hemp as marijuana with less than 0.3% THC.

In that moment, it opened up a legal issue that required the dismissal of hundreds of marijuana cases and eliminating new charges for many. The reason, it was the responsibility of the government to prove that those arrested were in possession of cannabis vs. what was now legally defined as hemp. It also legalized delta-8 THC which was briefly criminalized. However a judge’s injunction blocked that.

In 2020, Texas regulators banned the manufacture, processing, distribution, and sale of smokable hemp. While highly contested including a temporary injunction, in 2022, the Texas Supreme Court upheld the manufacturing and processing of smokable hemp but did not protect the legal status of selling it.

In many areas with strict marijuana laws lawmakers often tacked on a 6 month driver’s license suspension to any drug conviction. This “smoke a joint lose your license” legislation has been slowly overturned in many states. In June 2021, SB 181 allowed judges to waive drivers license suspensions for misdemeanor offenses to defendants without prior drug convictions.

Texas Weed Legalization

Many of the laws listed in the prior section focus exclusively on the criminal status of cannabis. While some laws lightened up sentences or even decriminalized cannabis they’re not quite the same as legalization.

In 2015, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 339 to create the Compassionate Use Program which legalized low-THC cannabis for medical use. That is the closest Texas has come to legalization at this point. In June 2019, Governor Abbott signed House Bill 3703 which expanded the list of conditions for patients in the CUP.

In 2015, state representative David Simpson proposed House Bill 2165 to legalize recreational cannabis. Sadly, the bill did not make it into law. This bill would have legalized cannabis. Many times states don’t outright legalize cannabis but instead establish a recreational program to ensure the economics work for the state. There’s also legislation that must be built into legalization that, when missed, can torpedo a bill from getting passed into law.

For example, Texas Health & Safety Code §481.111(e) (2) needed to be established to regulate the guidelines for dispensaries. These oversights can keep not just cannabis legalization but implementation at a halt.

Is Weed Decriminalized In Texas?

Given its hefty punishments in the past, Texas has lightened up many of its heavy laws governing cannabis possession and the law. However, it’s not been fully decriminalized statewide. Similar to the failed House Bill 63, 2023’s HB 218 was passed by the House and is awaiting next steps.

If signed into law, this would make possession of up to one ounce of marijuana a Class C misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $500 and no jail time. If passed into law, this would essentially decriminalize cannabis in Texas.

Like in many other states, some cities in Texas have decriminalized cannabis. They’ve created cite-and-release policies for small amounts of cannabis. The idea being police would fill out a citation or ticket and release those pulled over.

These policies began in February 2009 in Austin. In 2017, Dallas established their cite-and-release policy. Harris County, Bexar County, El Paso County, Travis County, Plano, have all established similar decriminalization policies that make marijuana a minor ticketable offense.

In May 2022, Austin voters approved Proposition A. This would fully decriminalize cannabis and prohibit no-knock warrants so police officers do not stop and search people over suspicion of marijuana possession. Later that year, voters approved similar measures in San Marcos, Denton, Killeen, Elgin, and Harker Heights.

This is very progressive considering cannabis prosecution began in Texas.

Is Medical Marijuana Legal In Texas?

Medical marijuana is legal in Texas. However, it’s currently only a low-THC program. That means that patients can only receive cannabis products that do not exceed 0.5% THC.

Texas’s Compassionate Use Program allows doctors to prescribe low-dose THC to patients for qualified conditions. Currently, the conditions that allow cannabis prescriptions are:

• Epilepsy
• Seizure disorders
• Multiple sclerosis
• Spasticity
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Autism
• Terminal cancer
• Incurable neurodegenerative disease
• Cancer
• Neuropathy
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

There’s also a comprehensive list of neurodegenerative diseases that also allow for low-THC prescriptions by Texas law.

Patients are eligible for Low-THC cannabis prescriptions if:

• They are a permanent resident of Texas
• They have a qualifying condition
• They get a prescription from a CUP physician
• That physician decides the benefit outweighs the risk

Photo by Talena Reese

How To Get A Medical Marijuana Prescription In Texas?

Getting a prescription is fairly straightforward. Patients locate a physician who is a member of the Compassionate Use Program.

That physician will then enter their prescription in the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT). Once entered, the patient or their legal guardian can go to any licensed dispensary to get the prescription. They’ll only need legal identification and the patient’s last name, date of birth, and last five digits of their Social Security Number.

There are no age restrictions for the CUP however younger patients will need a legal guardian in order to collect their prescription.

For help finding the right doctor who is in the CUP click here.

Texas Medical Marijuanas Laws 2023

There are always pending laws that can potentially change the legal status of cannabis in states where it is not yet legalized. However, only time will tell if they actually become law.

In June 2021, HB 1535 expanded the medical marijuana program to include more medical research and expand the coverage to include cancer and PTSD.

In 2023, House Bill 1805 seeks to expand the covered medical conditions and define a per-dose THC limit rather than a percentage limit for all patients. This would open patients up to the potential for higher dosages that could better treat their symptoms.

Texas Dispensaries

Texas has established a fairly large network of dispensaries and a pretty seamless process. It’s easy to find a medical marijuana dispensary in Texas. This helpful list of all of the dispensaries in Texas.

Unlike in other states where patients must register for a medical marijuana card, in Texas, the doctor enters your prescription into the Compassionate Use Registry. Within 24 hours, a patient can visit any dispensary of their choice and purchase their prescribed cannabis products.

Closest Recreational Dispensary To Texas

The closest recreational dispensary to Texas would be in New Mexico. Given New Mexico has legalized recreational cannabis Texans can legally purchase cannabis in New Mexico. However, if they transport it into Texas they are putting themselves at risk legally. Cannabis is not decriminalized throughout all of Texas yet so this could be technically breaking the law.

Final Thoughts

While growing interest in the countless medical breakthroughs with cannabis there is still the barrier of formerly negative opinions of cannabis. Texas, given it was the first state to criminalize marijuana as a narcotic, does seem to be embracing medical marijuana albeit slowly.

Only time will tell how long it will be before Texas considers recreational cannabis. However, patients curious about medical marijuana can have a fairly simple time obtaining their prescription for low-THC cannabis products.

If you need help finding a doctor or locating a dispensary, let Green Health Docs help make the process simple and seamless.

This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.

The post Is Weed Legal in Texas? Plus TX Weed Laws & Texas Marijuana Legalization Efforts in 2023 appeared first on Green Health Docs.

Photo by Hakuna Matata

The world of cannabis concentrates can be a bit overwhelming with quite a few different cannabis products all available on the market. The average cannabis consumer is looking for products chock full of cannabinoids and other plant chemicals people find so appealing. After all, the driving force of medical marijuana legislation is that these chemicals can all help the human body.

While people love THC because it gets you high, cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, CBN as well as terpenes and flavonoids can all help the human body in different ways. In an effort to preserve as many of these compounds as possible, innovators in the cannabis industry have devised different strategies to create concentrates. Cultivating these compounds results in products with varying consistencies, textures, and strategies to make them. They also can have vastly different potencies.

The result is a whole suite of new products. You may not know the difference when browsing at your local dispensary or picking out products but his post will break down how these products are made, classified, and the various differences between them with a special focus on hash and wax.

What Is Hash?

Hash is a bit of a complex term in the cannabis industry. It’s a shortened name for hashish which is a product made of collected trichomes, which are the most compound-rich section of the cannabis plant.

Trichomes are often why people collect the dust that forms at the bottom of their herbal grinder, called kief. Beyond being super concentrated with THC these structures also contain coveted chemicals like CBD, CBG, CBN, terpenes like caryophyllene and myrcene and flavonoids. They’re essentially like our endocrine glands in that they create a wide group of chemicals which help plants thrive.

Hash has become a bit of catch-all for a few cannabis concentrates because many of them start with a form of hashish. It can be a bit confusing because hashish is an international and historically popular cannabis concentrate. It’s been in use throughout the world for centuries and even makes an appearance in One Thousand and One Nights in the story of the hasheesh eater.

Hashish is often made by extracting kief and the natural resin found within flowering cannabis buds then pressing them together into a solid brick. Its vast notoriety means it has other names from other languages including chars, hasheesh, kif, bhong and ganja.

Innovations in the industry have led to new ways of extracting the trichomes from cannabis buds and making more modern forms of hash. More commonly cannabis creators use an ice water bath to separate the delicate trichomes from the cannabis plant. When processing the bathing plants the more resin dense trichomes will sink while much of the plant material will float.

By using ice water you preserve many of the chemicals including the sensitive terpenes similar to how cold-pressed juices tend to preserve more nutrients. Many plant chemicals can become denatured due to heat, or light. Did you know that if you overheat THC it can become CBN which will make you tired rather than high?

Innovations in the process of hash making have led to cannabis creators doing work to extract as many of these chemicals while eliminating as much plant material. Burning plant material can cause cellular damage. While cannabis is not quite as cancer-causing as tobacco, the overall goal of medical marijuana is to utilize all of the beneficial cannabinoids and other chemicals without putting your health at risk by exposing you to carcinogens.

After all, many of these chemicals can serve as antiinflammatories, pain relievers, and ideally prevent cancer. The more plant material you remove the cleaner the smoke. There are even pure THC crystals one can smoke available on the market.

Hash has become a bit of a shorthand for a few cannabis concentrates. This is mostly because most strong concentrates require the cultivation of kief as a first step or begin with hash as their main ingredient. With further processing you can get other concentrates and the texture of the concentrate can dictate its name for example: shatter, wax, crumble, and budder are named for their texture.

However, there are also different products named for their process of cultivation. Dry sift hash is made differently from bubble or ice water hash or traditional hashish. Dry sift hash is used through a series of complex sifting processes to extract trichome heads from the stalks to again eliminate more plant material. Butane hash oil is also named for a process using butane to help extract many of these chemicals.

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Hash Vs Dabs

Another common collection of concentrates is dabs. The hash vs. dabs debate can cover a few different products and even include some crossover. Hash is the core ingredient to most concentrates and after some additional processing other concentrates can be made that are under the hash umbrella.

Common hash products are:

• Hand-rubbed Hashish: Think of this as OG hash as it is the more common way people have made hash throughout history. Cannabis is rubbed to remove as much resin as possible which is often rolled into balls.
• Dry-Sieve Hashish: This is the most common form of hash where screens of various sizes are used to finely grind up cannabis collect trichomes then collect the resin within.
• Bubble Hash: Ice baths and cold water are used to collect trichomes which are then compiled into a batch. This extra process can add to its cost.

Other products that can fit under the hash umbrella

• “Pure” cannabis extracts
• Solvent extracted products like butane hash oil or resin
• Rosin

Dabs are concentrates that are “dabbed” onto an apparatus like a dab rig or water pipe. A small dab of product is heated which emits smoke or vapor which when inhaled gives a stronger high. Given the lack of plant material and concentration of cannabinoids it can hit so much harder. While dabs may seem new as far back as the 1960s soldiers would use acetone or petrol to extract THC from cannabis.

The main qualification for something to be called a dab is that it can be used to dab. Meanwhile, hash is a name for products with a high quantity of trichomes. Many of the same concentrate products could potentially be named in both categories. Often, when people are referring to dabs they are referencing butane hash oil or honey oil however any product that can be dabbed could be considered a dab.

What Is Hash Oil?

Hash oil is made from hash and trichomes which are treated with chemicals like butane or CO2 to separate the cannabinoids like THC from the plant matter. Butane hash oil is made by exposing raw cannabis flower to butane which lets the cannabinoids get filtered out with the butane.

The butane is then removed either by being left to evaporate or blasted with heat or a vacuum to extract it from the mixture. What remains is often resinous. While called butane hash oil it can be a bit more like a silky wax rather than your average olive oil. When using this method the final result could be shatter, honeycomb, oil, or wax depending on its texture. Again, hash oil tends to be resinous and not fully liquid.

Photo by Elsa Olofsson

Difference Between Hash And Hash Oil

The main difference between hash and hash oil is that hash is the ingredient and hash oil is the final product. Hash or hashish is a collection of trichomes that are bunched together in a brick or bundle. It can sometimes be a blend of the trichomes and resin or just a densely packed bundle of dusty looking plant material.

Hash oil is then a concentrate that’s made from this hash which is treated with chemicals to separate all of the cannabinoids and terpenes that flow out in an oily texture. Despite being named oil it can be a bit more solid and resinous and can be further distilled to make “red oil.”

What Is THC Wax?

THC wax is similar to butane hash oil in how it is made. The only difference is that it takes on a waxy texture like beeswax or candle wax. Many cannabis concentrates are very similar in nature and that’s why they can often be called hash and dabs indiscriminately. The reason being that they’re essentially made using the same process and used the same way, the only major difference being their texture.

THC wax is also made by cannabis or hash being blasted with butane or CO2. This separates many of the cannabinoids from the core plant material. Some other lipids may be filtered out in the purification process. Wax can be yellow, brown, or golden and can often be odorless because some terpenes may be filtered out.

Difference Between Hash And Wax

People new to hash may wonder, “Is Hash The Same As Wax?” as the terminology can often seem interchangeable. They are however different products as hash is often just a concentration of trichomes collected from cannabis.

Again, the main difference between hash and wax is that hash can be used to make wax. Hash, while it can sometimes be resinous, is also often a claylike resinous collection of trichomes. It’s mostly a solid and is then distilled to make other concentrates. It can contain plant matter like small stems or leaves.

Hash while trichome rich can be less potent with a potency of 20-60% THC which is more than the average joint but not as much as wax which can be from 60-90% THC. This is because wax is further refined. It can have an oily and waxy consistency. It does not contain any plant material and can often be purely cannabinoids.

Another major difference is that wax is made using chemical extraction while hash is often all natural with the only potential added ingredient being water.

Photo by Nick Harsell

Hash Oil Vs Wax

Hash oil and wax while made using similar processes are mainly different due to their texture. Hash oil can be a bit more viscous and, obviously, oily while wax can be a bit more solid. This also holds up to heat as hash oil can tend to become more oily when heated while wax can stay somewhat solid and maintain a sticky texture.

Wax can be made from hash oil that’s further treated to eliminate more lipids and fluids or it can be made from straight cannabis flower. Hash oil is often smoked or vaped while wax is often dabbed or can be added to joints to give them an added potency. Both can be used to make moon rocks or coat joints in kief.

Difference Between Hash Oil And THC Oil

There is a major notable difference between hash oil and THC oil. Hash oil is made from hash made blasting hash with butane to cultivate the cannabinoids and terpenes while eliminating the plant material while THC oil is an infusion.

Hash oil tends to be stronger and have a higher concentration of THC as it’s made from hash not straight cannabis. Again, hash is more concentrated so by weight it will naturally have more cannabinoids.

THC oil or cannaoil is made by gently cooking cannabis with oil to infuse it with THC. By slow cooking the cannabis in oil over a low heat you can infuse the oil with cannabinoids and terpenes into the oil. For a simple recipe for THC oil check out this post.

Hash oil has a higher concentration of cannabinoids because it’s made from a higher concentrated product. It also is made using solvents to separate the cannabinoids from the plant material which also increases its potency. Another key difference is that hash oil can be challenging and ill-advised to try to make on your own.

Final Thoughts

Cannabis products are continuously evolving. Cannabis enthusiasts are discovering new ways to preserve as many of the vital phytochemicals as possible for a more full spectrum effect on your endocannabinoid system. Not to mention, the goal of increasing your highs and access to cannabinoids.

While at first it can be intimidating, here’s hoping that this brief and straightforward breakdown of these products helps you not only feel better about trying these products but also to find the right one for you.

Before you try these products consider getting your medical marijuana card to get better access and more safely tested products. To make the process simple and easy try using Green Health Docs to get started.

This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.

The post What is Hash? What is THC Wax? And What is the Difference Between Hash vs Wax vs THC? appeared first on Green Health Docs.

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Part of what has driven both the popularity of cannabis and its widely expanding medical interest is all of the vital chemicals inside this plant. There are more than 500 compounds found throughout the plant kingdom that engage with the human body. In attempts to retain as many of these compounds as possible, and, of course, increase the THC high, cannabis enthusiasts have found new ways to cultivate concentrations of these chemicals using strategies ranging from ice baths to butane.

The names of these concentrates can be confusing or even intimidating and not always particularly intuitive. What is rosin? How about wax? What is the difference between rosin, wax, and hash? For example, there’s resin, rosin, hash, and wax. Many of these are varieties of dabs. There are even THC crystals, the list goes on.

The goal of these concentrates is removing as much plant material as possible while leaving only those vital chemicals. Removing plant matter is helpful in eliminating the carcinogens created when burning it. With the advent of vapes you can use oil or hash. You can also smoke concentrates with water pipes or dab rigs. These provide a concentrated high and, in many cases, depending on the product, a full spectrum experience

Full spectrum refers to preserving as many of the chemicals in the cannabis to ensure that you get the full benefits of a strain. Each marijuana strain has a unique combination of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. These all work in concert to provide you with one unique experience. Scientists and cannabis enthusiasts call this the entourage effect. Rather than looking at how these compounds work individually it’s the entourage of their effects that we focus on.

For example, THC can be energizing, get you high and even give you the “the munchies.” CBD can decrease that high while also helping you relax. The terpene limonene can boost THC’s psychoactive effects. The terpene beta-caryophyllene can help decrease the effects of THC to help you stop being too high. These are all at work to give you what you ultimately end up feeling from your cannabis.

This post will focus on rosin, wax, and hash and will review all of the differences.

What is Rosin Made Of?

Cannabis plants create a natural resin in a part of the plant called the trichome. Trichomes are glandlike plant structures that serve as little metabolite factories. They generate all the compounds we want from weed. Cannabinoids like CBG, THC, and CBD, terpenes like linalool, and flavonoids are all made in trichomes.

If you’ve ever seen crystal formations in buds that’s often the dried resin from these trichomes. Trichomes on the other hand are often found in the bottom level of most grinders. They are small structures and when they’re separated from the plant they’re called kief.

There are different strategies for extracting this resin. Rosin should also not be confused with resin, the product which is cultivated using chemical solvents to dissolve and separate the plant matter from the cannabinoids and other compounds. However, rosin is essentially made by extracting this resin. So how does that work?

What is Rosin?

Rosin is cannabis concentrate made by collecting trichomes then placing them under pressure combined with heat. A press is used to squeeze out all of the resin that’s inside the cannabis plant material. The goal is to get as much of the rosin out without losing many of the cannabinoids and other chemicals.

Heat is one big enemy to cannabinoids. For example it can degrade THC into CBN which rather than make you high will make you want to fall asleep. Cannabinoids exist in an acid form and it isn’t until they’re heated to a certain degree that they convert to what we can enjoy. This process is called decarboxylation.

The delicate process of extracting rosin requires applying enough heat that you don’t decarb the cannabis plant but help get the resin inside to be able to extract it. Rosin can be made professionally using various techniques to separate trichomes and a rosin press. You can also make your own version of rosin at home. Follow the simple recipe in the “How to Make Dabs” section of this post.

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What is Live Rosin?

Live rosin is made from cannabis plant material that’s cultivated and flash frozen. The goal of live resin is to retain as many of the natural chemicals in the cannabis plant that can be lost when cannabis is cured. There is a drying process from what grows on the vine to what gets to your dispensary.

Light and heat can degrade some cannabinoids so with live products the plant is frozen to preserve as many of these compounds as possible. It’s similar to the logic of cold-pressed juices.

After a day or two of freezing, the cannabis plant is given an ice water bath to separate the delicate trichomes. The ice helps separate the trichomes and then any water from this process is drained and the collection of trichomes is then freeze dried to harden them.

After hardening, these trichomes can be pressed into a type of hash or they can be grated through a process called micro-planing to get the finest consistency of kief. From here the kief blend is put in a rosin press device which applies heat and pressure to pull out as much of the rosin as possible.

From there, cultivators may refine the solution further to make it easier to dab, smoke, or vape or make it available for use.

What is Rosin Used For?

What do you do with rosin once it’s made? Rosin is popular for dabbing. Dabbing is a way to smoke weed where you eliminate much of the plant matter while increasing the high by smoking concentrates. With dabbing you can use a dab rig or a water pipe to heat a dab of rosin and then inhale the cannabinoids which offer a high and the terpenes that offer a flavor and scent profile.

Rosin can also be used to vape. You can find vape cartridges with rosin or you can also dab vaporizers that also may have specific vape cartridges.

Rosin can also be used to infuse into your smoking sesh by being added to your ground cannabis flower. If you’ve ever purchased joints coated with kief rosin can be used to make it stick. It can even be used to create moon rocks.

Rosin is a form of concentrate that’s made without solvents or chemicals. This makes it food grade and able to be factored into making edibles anything from gummies and candies to more traditional foods like baked goods or even savory edibles. Additionally, the terpene profile of your rosin strain can add to the flavor profile of your edible.

Rosin can often be pre-decarbed which makes it easy to incorporate into food. You can seamlessly add it to recipes from a gentle dab on a dessert or a drizzle on a savory item.

What is Hash Rosin?

Hash rosin is rosin made from hash or hashish which is a collection of pressed kief/trichomes and the resin mentioned earlier. Other rosin recipes call for cannabis or trichomes cultivated from cannabis. Hashish or hash is a product that’s been used for centuries and it is often the beginning step to creating rosin.

It’s a collection of trichomes and this resin so by weight it is likely to be more concentrated. Also, hashish can tend to be significantly stronger. It’s renowned the world over for being a super concentrated form of cannabinoids.

What makes hash rosin different from traditional rosin is that rosin is made from a product with heavy concentration of cannabinoids. This ensures that hash rosin is likely to be stronger and more potent because rather than coming from cannabis it comes from a concentrated form or cannabinoids.

Live Rosin vs Hash Rosin

The main difference between live rosin and hash rosin is that live rosin is made from fresh cannabis plants while hash rosin is made from hash. The goal of live rosin is to retain as much of the freshness and some of the phytochemicals that can get lost in the curing process or the cultivation of hash. Life rosin is likely to be more flavorful as it retains most of its terpenes. It can also feel lighter.

Hash rosin is made from an existing concentration of kief/trichomes and resin. Rather than retaining the freshness and terpenes like live rosin, instead it can end up being significantly stronger with a higher concentration of THC.

It can be on the harsher side and likely to make you more high. You can also make hash rosin at home if you purchase or make your own hash. Hash rosin can also leave a bit of residue in your smoking apparatus.

Rosin vs Wax

The differences between rosin vs.wax are pretty similar to the differences between resin vs. rosin. There are a myriad of cannabis concentrates on the market and they’re often either named for the process used to make them like rosin or the consistency of the final product like wax.

Wax is similar to resin. Chemicals are added to the blend of trichomes or cannabis plant material to cultivate a concentrate of cannabinoids and other cannabis phytochemicals. The overall consistency tends to be a bit more waxy like earwax and less fluid than resin.

Rosin can tend to be a bit softer and liquid than wax. It also is likely to retain more of its terpenes and can be a bit more flavorful. Additionally, a major difference between rosin and wax is that chemicals are used to make wax which may make you less likely to want to use it in edibles.

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Difference Between Rosin and Wax

There are a few differences between rosin and wax. The most obvious is the consistency. Wax is named for its waxy texture while rosin can have a softer texture like butter or a thick lotion. Rosin, specifically live rosin, can retain more of the terpenes and flavonoids which means that it is likely to taste better than wax.

Wax can still have certain chemical remnants from the extraction process which can affect the flavor. This also may be a turn-off to people who want to avoid the chemicals in the resin-making process. Wax can also be likely to be a bit more potent as the focus is on retaining cannabinoids which means that it can have a higher concentration of THC.

Rosin, specifically live rosin, can tend to cost more because of the intricacies of making it. Both collecting from live cannabis plants and some of the intricacies in the process can increase labor costs.

Wax is made similar to resin and oftentimes the result of the chemical-infusion process can potentially be sold as resin, wax, or shatter depending on the consistency of the final product. Resin is more liquid with wax being waxy while shatter can be more hard like candy.

Final Thoughts

Cannabis is a thriving worldwide industry with countless products popping up. Rosin, live rosin, and wax can all sound confusing to the new medical patient. However, all of these products help cannabis users find the experience, compound blend, and ease of use.

Rosin retains many of the beneficial compounds of cannabis without adding any chemicals that could put your health at risk. After all, if you’re using medical marijuana it’s likely for health reasons. Additional products like resin, wax, shatter and even crystalline can help you find the right product for you.

Before you dip your toe in the cannabis waters, get your medical marijuana card today to save money on taxes and get input from your doctor about how to use cannabis.

This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.

The post What is Rosin? And What is the Difference Between Rosin vs Wax vs Hash? appeared first on Green Health Docs.

Photo by Yash Lucid

Is Marijuana Legal in Georgia?

Long story short, the answer is no, recreational weed is not legal for consumption in Georgia, but some forms of medicinal marijuana are legal and available for purchase at medical marijuana dispensaries. In order to access a local GA medical marijuana dispensary, you must have a medical marijuana card. Click here to apply for one today!

Georgia Marijuana Legislation

Cannabis law is shifting despite not much movement on the national front. While marijuana remains a controlled substance that’s illegal on the federal level, states can still decide the legal status of cannabis for themselves. Some states have green-lit medical marijuana, others have fully legalized cannabis and there are still a few holdouts keeping it illegal.

What is that state of weed legality in Georgia? Is there any form of legalized weed available in Georgia? What are your rights regarding marijuana in Georgia? Understanding the law is important to protect yourself and, where possible, legally use marijuana.

American views on cannabis are shifting. President Joe Biden made a statement on marijuana reform and pardoned many federally charged marijuana-based crimes. Biden also stated he’d revisit the Schedule of marijuana as a controlled substance.

Where does Georgia stand on medical marijuana? Will recreational weed be legalized in Georgia? This article will review the current status of cannabis in The Peach State and options for Georgia residents. If you’re curious about signing up for a medical marijuana card in Georgia click here.

How Do Cannabis Laws Work?

These days, cannabis law is not quite as simple as legal and illegal. The laws governing cannabis can be confusing. Simply put, there are three different levels of cannabis legalization: cannabis legalized for medical use, recreational use, or being decriminalized.

With the legalization of medical marijuana, there are certain regulations governing how cannabis can be obtained, the health conditions that allow patients to qualify for a cannabis prescription, and in some cases, even how patients can consume it. Some states have not allowed patients to smoke cannabis or regulate how much they can obtain.

A preemptive step to the passage of medical marijuana is the approval of low-THC cannabis or products for medical patients. Florida began its legalization for medical use with the approval of low-dose THC for approved patients. A few years later, full-strength cannabis was approved for medical patients. As that system became more established, more attempts have been made to fully legalize recreational cannabis.

People can think it’s simple to legalize cannabis. However, infrastructure must be built and laws must be changed. Even with medical marijuana there are laws that keep cannabis otherwise illegal. The laws and regulations governing medical cannabis are important to understand to avoid facing legal consequences.

That is, unless cannabis has been decriminalized. Possession of marijuana carries heavy charges when it is a controlled substance. Decriminalization is another step in the legalization process. Despite how it sounds, decriminalization is not the same as legalizing cannabis. Decriminalization downgrades the crime of possession from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Rather than receiving jail time or heavy criminal charges for using cannabis, in areas where cannabis has been decriminalized, someone might simply face a fee or community service for possessing marijuana.

Part of the driving force for decriminalization is the fact that the prosecution of marijuana based crimes has been racially biased or unfairly prosecuted. While decriminalization is not quite legalizing cannabis it ensures someone doesn’t face jail time for possessing or using a substance that’s legal in many states throughout the US.

The final form of legalization is the approval of marijuana for recreational use. This is essentially fully legalizing cannabis. When legalized for recreational use cannabis is often treated like alcohol or cigarettes. People must be of age and provide identification to purchase it from dispensaries.

One of the reasons for delays in legalization is the work to regulate newly legal cannabis. Taxes, the conditions under which you can grow or sell cannabis, the places where one can legally obtain it, and the reworking of laws must all take place before it gets released in the market. This process takes time but understanding the law ensures you can not only follow it but also support legislation that pushes for cannabis laws you support.

Is Weed Legal In Georgia?

Currently, cannabis is not legal in Georgia. There has been an approval for medical cannabis products made of low-THC oil. That means cannabis flower, smokeable or forms of cannabis are not legally available.

Edibles are also not legal. The only allowed forms of medical cannabis available to patients will be oils, tinctures, capsules, and topicals that have the legally approved dose of THC (up to 5%).

Research into medical marijuana throughout the US finds the average percentage of THC being administered at around 15% across states where cannabis is legal. Meanwhile in areas where cannabis is legal recreationally, products can range from on the lower side 20-30% to as high as 90% with high-THC products like moon rocks, dabs, and crystalline.

The approval of low-THC cannabis is often an initial step where states dip their toes into legalizing cannabis to see if the framework is sustainable.

Georgia Marijuana Laws

As far back as 2015, Georgia’s House Bill 1 a.k.a. Haleigh’s Hope Act (HB1) approved the use marijuana for treatments by physicians, acupuncture, physician assistants, cancer and glaucoma treatment, respiratory care, clinical perfusionists, and orthotics and prosthetics practice in certain cases.

On April 17, 2019, Governor Brian Kemp (R) signed Georgia’s Hope Act (HB 324) into law. This bill allows patients to safely access low-THC medical cannabis oils within Georgia. “Low THC” is defined as anything up to 5% THC.

In 2021, Georgia passed SB 195 which expanded legally approved products beyond oils to include tinctures, transdermal patches, lotions, and capsules but excluded edible products, vaporization, and raw flower. Again, it’s important to note that Georgia only has approved low-THC oil which counts out smoking or edibles.

In the 2021, Georgia House Bill 1425 was introduced to aid in the approval of licenses for the production of the low-THC oil but it stalled.

Is Medical Marijuana Legal in Georgia?

While not quite medical marijuana, low-THC cannabis oil, low being up to 5%, is approved for the following medical conditions:

• • AIDS: severe or end stage
  • Alzheimer’s Disease: severe or end stage
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: severe or end stage
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder: when (a) patient is 18 years of age or more, or (b) patient is less than 18 years of age and diagnosed with severe autism
  • Cancer: end stage or when treatment produces wasting illness or recalcitrant nausea and vomiting

• Crohn’s Disease

• Epidermolysis Bullosa

• Epilepsy and Seizure disorders or trauma related head injuries

• • Hospice Care: inpatient or outpatient

• Intractable Pain

• • Multiple Sclerosis: severe or end stage

• Mitochondrial Disease

• • Parkinson’s Disease: severe or end stage
  • Peripheral Neuropathy: severe or end stage
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: resulting from direct exposure to or witnessing of a trauma for a patient who is at least 18 years of age
  • Sickle Cell Disease: severe or end stage
• Tourette’s Syndrome

As of September 2022, around 20,000 patients have signed up for the low-THC oil program.

Georgia Medical Marijuana Law

Currently, the laws governing the low-THC program are fairly strict. Patients are only allowed to be in possession of up to 20 fluid ounces of low-THC oil.

Patients and caregivers of patients who believe they may be eligible can consult their physician to obtain a Low THC Oil Card through the Low THC Oil Registry.

If approved by the physician, patients or their caregivers’ information will be entered into the registry. Cards cost $25. The Low THC Oil Card is valid for two years from their date of issue. After that time, cardholders will need to again consult with their physician about their continued eligibility.

If you’d like to start the process you can sign up with a physician here.

Dispensaries In Georgia

As of early 2023, there are no dispensaries but this will soon change. There are plans for the first dispensaries to open in Spring 2023. However, there is a fixed level of availability given the law. According to the law, only six producers are allowed to cultivate the medical cannabis to generate the low THC oil in Georgia. This includes an allowance for two universities.

That law also allows for cultivators to open up to 5 dispensaries allowing for up to 30 dispensaries in the state. The Georgia government can authorize private dispensaries but the licensing process has been bogged down in legal challenges that have yet to be resolved.

The law does allow pharmacies to legally sell medical cannabis preparations, however given its federal illegality, red tape, and legal bureaucracy might keep large franchise pharmacies from entering the medical marijuana space.

Georgia Recreational Legalization 2022-2023

There are two laws currently in contention that are pushing for the legalization of recreational cannabis. SR 165 and HR 281 would amend the state’s constitution to legalize use, possession and retail sale of marijuana for adults 21 and over.

If either of these is approved by lawmakers, the measure would place a question on the ballot to allow Georgia voters to choose to legalize recreational cannabis.

Is Recreational Weed Legal In Georgia 2022-2023?

As of now, recreational cannabis is not legal in Georgia. Additionally, medical marijuana is not fully legal, the law only allows for low-THC oil and products. Considering the strict letter of the law this may be a sign of reticence for a full approval of marijuana in the near future.

That being said, there are 20,000 patients waiting to utilize low-THC oil without dispensaries even being available showcasing an interest in access to medical cannabis.

When Will Georgia Legalize Weed?

As of now, there are two amendments up for discussion regarding legalizing recreational cannabis. Were these to be approved, Georgia voters could vote on this measure in the next election, then the government would draft the laws for legalization. It could be another two years.

To use a real world example, Florida approved low-THC oil in 2014. By 2016, Florida expanded to legalizing medical marijuana and decriminalizing it in major cities. As of 2023, recreational cannabis is not legal, however multiple laws have been brought to the Florida government and have failed based on their specific verbiage.

As to the question, is Georgia legalizing weed? Only time will tell if Georgia lawmakers and residents decide to legalize cannabis but it will likely be tied to the success, adoption, and efficacy of the low-THC oil program.

Georgia Weed Legalization & Decriminalization

In October 2017, Atlanta reduced the penalty for up to 1 ounce (28 g) of cannabis to a $75 fine. In March 2018 Savannah City Council reduced the penalty for marijuana possession to a $150 fine.

Cannabis is currently decriminalized in Clarkston, South Fulton, Forest Park, Kingsland, Statesboro, Macon–Bibb County, Chamblee, Tybee Island, and Athens–Clarke County. To contact your lawmakers and encourage them to push for decriminalization you can fill out a form by the The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) here.

Final Thoughts

When compared to other states, Georgia is still fairly new with regards to legalizing cannabis for medical or recreational use and even in decriminalizing marijuana possession. Only a few large cities have decriminalized marijuana possession and low-THC is the first step in medical marijuana legalization.

That being said, you can take the steps to join the low-THC oil registry, and sign up to see a doctor. The success of the low-THC initiative as well as voting for and supporting recreational legalization can help encourage Georgia lawmakers to push for marijuana reform.

This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.

The post Is Weed Legal in Georgia? Plus Georgia Weed Laws & Georgia Marijuana Legalization Efforts in 2023 appeared first on Green Health Docs.

Photo by Avery Meeker

So much of the draw to cannabis, both medical and recreational, is that it’s plentiful with cannabinoids including the psychoactive THC. Meanwhile, the parts of the cannabis plant that create and store these cannabinoids are the trichomes.

What exactly are trichomes and when do trichomes appear in a cannabis plant’s development? How do you know when trichomes have fully matured? What is the difference between trichomes and kief? How can you differentiate between trichomes and mold?

This article will introduce you to these fascinating parts of the cannabis plant and give you a clear picture of how they work. Trichome development is a key part of cannabis cultivation.

Understanding the anatomy of a cannabis plant and how trichomes develop can help you decipher between super potent and moldy weed. This introduction to trichomes will give you a full understanding of what they do.

What Are Trichomes?

Trichomes are hair-like glands that grow on the cannabis plant. Trichomes are essentially cannabinoid factories that create cannabinoids and are chock full of them when you harvest your cannabis.

While leaves and stems can contain some cannabinoids and terpenes, the trichomes are concentrated within cannabinoids. An important key to harvesting your cannabis flower is when you can tell that the cannabinoids in the trichomes are at the level you want them to be.

Over the cannabis plant’s life cycle, trichomes slowly begin creating a resin that’s full of cannabinoids and terpenes. If you’ve ever seen the small crystal formations that can collect on cannabis flowers, that’s resin that has dried on the trichomes.

Kief, which is popular for its high THC content, is often composed of trichomes that have fallen through herbal grinders. A tray at the bottom of many grinders allows you to collect these trichomes as they naturally fall to the bottom thanks to gravity.

Trichomes exist naturally in the cannabis plant to help protect it from pests and forces of nature. Many popular cannabinoids and terpenes actually serve a dual purpose in keeping plants safe by fighting off bacteria, pests, and harsh weather changes.

When Do Trichomes Appear?

Trichomes appear naturally in part of the development of female cannabis plants. Male cannabis plants aren’t often grown because they would fertilize your harvest.

Fertilization launches seed production which is the enemy to the cannabis grower. Seed development means your cannabis plants are focused on seed production and not on making THC. Plants with seeds tend to have a lower THC content.

Trichomes tend to appear in the third or fourth week of the cannabis plant’s flowering stage. Most strains begin flowering in 8-9 weeks, so trichomes can begin appearing in 11 to 13 weeks.

Trichomes drive the main goals of cultivation of cannabinoids. The development and maturation of cannabinoids within the trichomes help let growers know when it’s time to harvest.

What Do Trichomes Look Like?

It’s easy to confuse trichomes with the natural hair-like fibers that form on cannabis plants. The long hair-like follicles that develop on cannabis flowers and tend to turn brownish are called pistils.

Pistils are the female sex organs of plants. As the majority of cannabis is unfertilized female plants, they are loaded with pistils. These pistils can change in color during the development of the cannabis plant which is why they can be confused for trichomes.

Trichomes can look like small mushrooms under magnification. They start off clear then can turn milky and opaque and eventually turn amber. To the naked eye they can also seem hair-like like peach fuzz and they can even seem glittery.

Trichomes are not fully visible to the naked eye. They can seem like light hairs but you may need magnification to fully examine trichomes.

How To Look At Trichomes

Trichomes can be hard to fully see. Part of why pistils are so often confused for trichomes is that pistils are readily visible while trichomes require a closer view. In order to fully see trichomes you will need a certain amount of magnification to not just examine them but thoroughly observe their coloring.

You can look at trichomes with a magnifying glass, microscope, or jeweler’s loupe. In some cases, you can even use your phone depending on how much your camera will allow you to zoom in.

The goal is to magnify trichomes to observe their coloring to decide when to harvest. Magnifying glasses are not the best as they can only provide a certain amount of magnification. A microscope can seem like overkill.
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How To Check Trichomes Without Microscope

Collecting a sample of your cannabis and looking at it under a traditional microscope might seem fun or feel super scientific but it can be a waste of perfectly fine product. It can be excessive and purchasing a microscope will hardly provide a return on your investment when cannabis is concerned.

Instead of a microscope consider a jeweler’s loupe. Loupes are used to identify imperfections in jewels. They’re portable and easy to use. You can even use them to take photos of trichomes using your phone.

Some cellphones can even have cameras strong enough to zoom in to view your plant’s trichomes. Feel free to test your camera’s phone by zooming in to see how closely you can examine your cannabis plant.

There are also newer microscopes like usb microscopes that can let you observe trichomes without having to take a sample. Magnifying glasses can sometimes work but may not give you as thorough a look.

How To Increase Trichome Production

Trichomes grow in response to certain environmental factors. There are a few ways to encourage trichome production and increase their cannabinoid content. Plants create trichomes to help respond to UV light.

Proper UV lighting can help increase trichome production. The more light you expose your plant to and the greater the spectrum of light will increase trichome production. Exposing your plants to higher Phosphorus and Potassium levels during the flowering phase can improve trichome production.

Managing the surrounding temperature can also help terpenes from becoming denatured or vaporized based on heat exposure.

Clear Vs Cloudy Trichomes

Trichomes have three different stages of development. At first, trichomes begin forming and are totally clear. That means the trichomes have developed but haven’t begun producing cannabinoids.

Over time, the trichomes will begin turning milky in color as they produce more cannabinoids. As trichomes become opaque, it’s clear that these glands are more full of cannabinoids.

The trichomes will then slowly turn amber over time as cannabinoids get exposed to more heat and light. This is toward the end of the life cycle of trichomes.

What Do Trichomes Look Like When Ready To Harvest?

Trichome development can vary from strain to strain. This means that the balance of trichomes will also vary. Generally, you do not harvest cannabis until your trichomes have at least become milky. Clear trichomes are not ideal.

Different growers have shared different strategies. For example, indica plants can be best harvested when trichomes are milky but before any turn amber. With sativa plants or hybrids, which can often have longer flowering times, you may wait until 30 percent of the glands have turned amber to ensure greater cannabinoid development.

Photo by Chris Buchanan on Unsplash

How Long Before Trichomes Turn Amber

Trichomes can remain milky for about two weeks during the cannabis life cycle. Amber trichomes can tend to have more CBD but they can also have less THC as the THC will convert to CBN.

Do Trichomes Get You High?

Trichomes by nature of being the factories of the cannabinoids tend to be the most dense with THC the chemical that gets you high. Smoking trichomes or using them to create edibles will get you high.

The strength of the high and the density of cannabinoids is why kief can be in such high demand.

Can You Smoke Trichomes?

Yes you can use trichomes when smoking weed. Trichomes as kief are the main ingredient in everything from moon rocks to hash to dabs. Kief can be dusted on joints to increase their THC content and by extension the high.

Does Hemp Have Trichomes?

Yes! Hemp also has trichomes. While they will not contain the same breakdown of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds as marijuana they still exist in the plant. After all, hemp, by definition, is cannabis that has less than .3% THC.

Moldy Weed Vs Trichomes

Given the texture of trichomes they can be confused for moldy weed. While weed can have a long shelf-life and the main concern is the degradation of THC it can still develop mold. Weed can still become moldy.

Unlike mold on bread or fruits, it can be hard to spot mold on weed as it can be confusing when compared to trichomes or pistils. Oddly white or brown sections or if it has developed white fuzz, can be signs of mold.

Trichomes can resemble thin white looking hairs and will still look different from white mold that can form. Trichomes can tend to be crystalline or have a milky white or amber color versus mold which is just white.

If the weed is super dry or oddly spongy or has any other major textural changes that is a sign of mold. This can mean your weed did not have enough or was exposed to too much moisture. These textural changes can be a clear sign of mold.

It’s important to spot-check weed for mold or rot. Trichomes will tend to be uniform while mold may appear a different shade of white in a fixed section.

A study found even high-end cannabis products purchased at dispensaries were already contaminated with fungi and bacteria. Trichomes are not the only super small parts of the plant. There can be changes happening on the microscopic level that can potentially put your health at risk.

Also, keep an eye out for white powder or dust. That’s a sign of mold and spore. Again, cannabis can have kief which can resemble shiny dust. White powder can be a sign of mildew.

How To Tell If Weed Has Gone Bad?

Weed does have a long shelf life but it’s important to keep an eye out for mold which can be toxic. If you identify mold or see the texture has changed those are clear signs your weed has gone bad.

Smell is the key to identifying bad weed. While weed can occasionally smell skunky, if you smell something musty or mildew-like this means your cannabis has gone bad.

If you can see or smell mold it’s important you toss out your cannabis as there can be toxins in the weed that can make you sick. The heat used to smoke it or make edibles does not necessarily kill off all of the toxins from mold.

Final Thoughts

Before consuming cannabis, it may be interesting to know where all of your desired cannabinoids come from. These trichomes not only act like little factories of your favorite cannabis compounds, they also can help provide benchmarks for when to harvest your cannabis.

Trichomes while white and hair-like are still very different from mold. It’s important to know the difference between trichomes and mold to avoid consuming moldy weed.

Before you begin taking or growing cannabis be sure to apply online for a medical marijuana card today to ensure you can legally consume cannabis.

This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.

The post What are Trichomes? And How to Tell the Difference Between Moldy Weed vs Trichomes appeared first on Green Health Docs.

Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich

The cannabis craze is far from over with only about 4 states that do not have at least some form of legalized cannabinoid on the market or access to medical marijuana. Now, this doesn’t mean everyone is keen to be smoking joints for their health or ready to take the plunge into doing dabs. Edibles are a great way to dose that encourage the homeopathic benefits of cannabis.

Can you eat weed, as it is, and still get all of the benefits? Some beginners may think the ingredients in edibles are only meant to mask the taste or smell. There’s actually a fair amount of chemistry involved in converting cannabinoids, the medicinal compounds of medical marijuana, into a form your body can process.

Not to mention, fats are required to help these compounds more readily get absorbed by your body. Plus, the cooking of edibles is vital for your body to use these cannabinoids. You could eat pounds of raw cannabis and potentially not feel a thing.

Cannabinoids need to be heated, oils and fats make the best delivery system, and edible dosing is also important to avoid getting too high. This article will provide you with a full understanding of edibles, how they work, how they interact with your body and even a few tips and recipes for making your own homemade edibles. Not to mention how to properly dose because the effects of edibles can be very different.

Bon appetit!

Can You Eat Weed?

If you’re completely new to cannabis you may not know that you can consume cannabis orally. The issue is you cannot just take raw weed flower and eat it. You could, you just would not feel the psychoactive effects of THC and miss out on some of the medicinal benefits of CBD.

Unlike psilocybin (magic mushrooms) which you can eat raw then feel their effects, cannabis requires some treatment, mostly heat, before the cannabinoids are activated and can interact with your body.

Cannabis has over 100 cannabinoids that can all interact with the human endocannabinoid system, a division of our nervous system that governs certain body functions. The issue is that in the plant, these exist as acids that are not broken down the same way by the human body.

When heated, these acids become decarboxylated and this chemical process converts them into cannabinoids like THC, CBD, and CBG. They essentially become more bioavailable when heated. This is why you need to smoke cannabis or cook it into an edible to feel the high of THC. CBDA is also not as effective a cannabinoid as CBD.

There’s nothing inherently toxic in cannabis so you can eat it raw, you simply will not have the psychoactive effects you may be seeking. Raw cannabis can actually be good for you, there are some health benefits to consuming raw cannabis even without the high of THC or relaxing anti-inflammatory benefits of CBD.

Some people have been known to blend raw cannabis into smoothies or juice it because it is chock full of antioxidants, polyphenols and even some biological antibiotic compounds. Raw cannabis is high in Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Iron, Calcium, and Folate. It also contains a lot of fiber and some proteins and amino acids.

There have been studies that have shown the health benefits of THCA, the precursor to THC, including potential neurological benefits of being an anticonvulsant, helpful in therapy for Huntington disease, and even helpful in cancer treatment.

Additionally CBDA, which becomes CBD, has shown potential anti-inflammatory, antiemetic, anti-convulsant, and anti-cancerogenic properties and the potential for new drugs utilizing this acid is promising. There’s still growing research into the full scope of the natural ingredients in cannabis.

Can Eating Weed Get You High?

You can eat a whole gram of raw weed and potentially feel nothing at all. The reason, when unheated, the acid form of many cannabinoids do not interact with your body in the same way. Think of cannabinoids like little keys. When they’re decarbed, they can enter into CB1 and CB2 receptors which exist in our endocannabinoid system.

These cannabinoids can turn up or down certain body functions like relaxation, hunger, energy production, and inflammation. Without being heated many of these compounds simply do not engage with the endocannabinoid system in the same way. While the full benefits of the cannabis plant are still being studied, most turn to weed for the high.

The driving force behind medical and recreational marijuana is the benefits of THC and the potential market for people seeking to get high. For example, dronabinol is a synthetic form of THC created by pharmaceutical companies. Products featuring copycat cannabinoids delta-8 and delta-10 are popping to offer a high similar to THC.

Realistically, eating cannabis to get high requires the creation of edibles. These often fatty snacks help provide a vehicle for cannabinoids to travel through your body. The reason edibles tend to be fattier foods like cookies and cakes is that cannabinoids, THC especially, are oil soluble.

When cannabinoids combine with oil they can more easily get absorbed as your body digests the oil. The THC getting metabolized by your body is what gets you high.

Why Do Edibles Need Fats?

Cannabinoids like THC and CBD are fat soluble, which means they attach to fatty acids. Water soluble compounds dissolve in water which is why you might take a medication or vitamin with water. When they dissolve and combine with water the ingredients become available to your body as it absorbs the water.

Similarly, THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids hitch to fats and then circulate throughout your body as your body digests those fats. With edibles, unlike smoking, THC can be absorbed throughout the digestive process. Scientific studies have shown when cannabinoids are attached to fats like milk, butter, or oil, they increase your exposure.

As soon as you begin chewing your body can begin absorbing cannabinoids under your tongue. Your body will also convert THC into 11-hydroxy-THC in the liver. This is a compound your body creates when it’s metabolizing THC.

Cannabinoid-bonded fats provide the perfect transport for cannabinoids allowing you to absorb them even late in the digestion process. Another major point of entry is intestinal lymphatic transport. Cannabinoid-bonded fats can get absorbed by your intestines then travel throughout the body through lymph.

Your body’s relationship to fat-bonded cannabinoids as well as how it’s converted in the liver is partly why the high of edibles can be different from the high of smoking.

Photo by Elsa Olofsson

Types of Edibles

There are multiple types of edibles on the market. In areas where cannabis is legal, the sky’s the limit as cannabis restaurants, cafes, and bakeries are cropping up to offer people cannabis-based versions of their favorite foods.

The only limit to edibles is they require some sort of oil or fat. You need to be able to get cannabinoids into your recipe. Some common ways to add cannabinoids to recipes are cannabis based oils, butter, or other fats.

Cannabutter is a common starter ingredient for edibles. As often as you use butter in your favorite foods, snacks, and desserts you can convert them into edibles with cannabutter. Check out this easy cannabutter recipe.

Cannaoil is a simple way to convert your favorite cooking oil into an edible. It’s easy to make cannaoil, this post has simple instructions for making cannaoil. Any oil can become cannaoil but some are better than others.

You can also make THC syrup for sweeter treats or you want to quickly dose without having to swallow a spoonful of oil or butter. It’s easy to make THC syrup.

Common edibles tend to be higher fat snacks like cookies, cakes, and brownies which are often made with cannabutter or cannoli. Edibles are also often available in candies which are easy to dose so you can find gummies, hard candies, and even breath mints.
 

 

Smoking vs Edibles

There are a few different ways to smoke weed from joints to bongs to dabs to vapes. These can vary in their strategy but the delivery is inhaling heated cannabinoids. This gives you instant access to cannabinoids that have been decarboxylated.

Smoking offers an instant high. Smoking helps you better pace yourself, the results are instant, and it takes less time for your body to metabolize the THC. So you can have the full experience of cannabinoids and the experience fades.

With edibles, your body creates a different form of THC, not to mention you have potential access to a different blend of cannabinoids and terpenes. Your body can also access these compounds throughout the digestion process.

These multiple points of entry for edibles is why the high can feel delayed at first then escalate over time. This cascading effect is the various cannabinoids interacting with your body and more THC “hitting” throughout digestion.

With smoking, you get a quick,full understanding of how high you’ll be. With edibles, cannabinoids can enter your bloodstream at different times during the digestive process. This is why your highs can vary.

The highs from edibles can last as long as 24 to 48 hours depending on how much you consume. That being said, there are benefits to edibles.

Benefits of Edibles

There are many benefits to edibles. Making edibles can give you more bang for your buck than smoking. Smoking isn’t always the most effective way to get your cannabinoids. For example, smoking a joint can potentially waste flower as some of it burns when you’re not inhaling.

With edibles, you collect as many cannabinoids as you can into your fats. Your body also absorbs THC and cannabinoids throughout digestion. Your metabolization, and your high, can last longer meaning you have more exposure to cannabinoids.

Edibles expose you to less carcinogens than smoking. While weed is not the same as tobacco the smoking process exposes you to more cancer-causing chemicals. With edibles, you’re consuming only the cannabinoids in fats, so you’re only ingesting the healthy compounds.

The 11-hydroxy-THC your body creates the liver is unique to edibles. This is why the “high” of edibles can feel differently even to hardcore stoners. 11-hydroxy-THC is a compound that is only created by the human body. You may prefer the experience to traditional THC.

11-hydroxy-THC can affect you differently. This is why you might feel paranoid with edibles or smoking but not the other. It’s good to get a feel for what your body prefers more. With edibles, your high can also compound over time.

Edibles also offer more discretion and access to more cannabinoids without putting your health at risk. Smoking can never really be described as healthy. Edibles help you focus on the medicinal properties of marijuana. You can have a high or low THC edible without having to resort to dabs, crystalline, or moon rocks you may need to resort to when smoking.

Also, some edibles available on the market let you more properly dose. You may not know how smoking will affect you but you can take a small or even microdose of cannabinoids with edibles. Cannabis products purchased at dispensaries require testing and clearly labeled dosages.

With edibles, over time, you can get a clearer picture of how much cannabis you’re consuming and how you’ll feel each time. Dosage is everything.

Dosage for Edibles

With edibles, it’s best to understand your doses. This helps give you a clearer picture for how high you’ll get, and additionally, how much of your edibles you want to take. Here’s a guide to common doses for edibles.

1-2.5 milligrams of THC would be considered a microdose. You will likely feel something but not become so overcome you cannot function. This is ideal for new users as you can get a feel for how edibles might make you feel to a subtler degree.

2.5 – 5 milligrams of THC is a standard dose. Many store-bought edibles offer doses at 2.5 or 5 milligrams. It’s a great starter dose that will offer some effects and let you know how you’ll enjoy THC and edibles.

10 – 20 milligrams of THC is a larger dose for experienced users. This is more than the standard dosage so you’ll want to prepare yourself. Experienced users who may have a higher tolerance may take this dosage to feel above average either for fun or to medicate.

20 – 40 milligrams of THC is a high dose. Experienced cannabis users may opt for a higher dose of edibles on average. This much THC will cause strong effects and can even potentially make you tired.

50 -100 milligrams of THC is a macrodose. This is a heavy dosage and should be considered only when directed by a doctor. While one can take this much THC and not be ill, you do run the risk of an intense high that can persist for a longer amount of time.

How Long Does it Take for Edibles to Kick In?

A few different factors can affect how long it takes for edibles to kick in. Also, their experience can change over time as more THC or cannabinoids can enter your bloodstream.

It will take at least 30 minutes to an hour to begin feeling the effects of edibles. You need to wait for the beginning of digestion, and again, cannabinoids get absorbed throughout digestion. Over time, you’ll get a full picture of how the edible has affected you.

How Long for Edibles to Hit on a Full Stomach?

Edibles, as their name suggests, rely on your digestion. A full stomach can compromise your ability to get access to THC and may undercut how much your body can absorb.

It will take longer for your body to digest an edible when your stomach is already full. Think of it like putting your edible on a waiting list. Your body must first properly digest what was in your stomach.

It’s only after your body has fully digested your meal that it can begin digesting your edible. The full contents of your stomach can also dilute the amount of cannabinoids that your body can digest.

Photo by Justin Aikin

How Long Do Edibles Last?

Edibles can last in your system for a few hours to as much as two days. That’s how long it will take for your body to fully metabolize the THC and other cannabinoids.

Edibles themselves can last as long as their contents do. Edibles don’t expire until their ingredients spoil or go bad. Cannabinoids can lose their efficacy in 6 months or more. Different aspects of edibles can cause THC to degrade and become CBN which is less psychoactive.

How Long Does an Edible Stay in Your System?

An edible will stay in your system for as long as it takes for your body to fully metabolize the cannabinoids. A high from edibles can last anywhere from a few hours to as long as 2 days.

There’s also the chance for trace elements from edibles to still be found in your body. Like with the oils in the edibles, cannabinoids can bond to the fats in your body. They can last anywhere from 3 to 12 days in your system. With drug testing, they can show up in urine for up to 30 days and hair up to 90.

With edibles it’s not quite an exact science. Again, there are more access points for your body to absorb the THC and more fat for them to linger.

How Long is Needed to Recover From Edibles?

Depending on your dosage, it can take some time for the edibles to fully digest and metabolize. After a few hours, you’ve likely fully felt the full effect of THC and how you’ll feel. Over time, the effects will fade.

With super high doses, it can take longer to metabolize and the high may linger. Two days is the longer side of highs from edibles.

Final Thoughts

Edibles offer a great way for you to ingest cannabinoids while avoiding the perils of smoking. They also give you ready, discreet access to your medication, and can offer more bang for your buck.

While they can affect the body differently, edibles offer you a clearer dosage and a better understanding of how they’ll affect you overall.

Try applying online for a medical marijuana card today to take full advantage of the holistic and health benefits of cannabis with edibles.

This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.

The post Can You Eat Weed? What is an Edible? And More FAQs About How to Make Edibles for Beginners appeared first on Green Health Docs.

What is a tolerance break? Generally, a tolerance break is when you simply take time away from a substance for your body to reset. This lowers your tolerance to ensure that you don’t become too numb to a drug’s effects or end up using too much.

Heavy cannabis users can find themselves using a large amount of cannabis or switching to high-THC products like dabs, moon rocks, or even pure THC crystalline to feel the effects others may get from a few puffs.

That may seem harmless but this can drain money, encourage dependency, and even have psychological effects. While weed is non-toxic and many of its negative effects can be reversible it’s important to take breaks.

How long should a weed tolerance break be? What can you do to curb withdrawal? This article will help you understand how to plan a tolerance break, how to support any symptoms during that time and other strategies for how to lower your tolerance for weed.

What is Tolerance?

The human body was built to adapt and it will adjust to frequent exposure to a substance. There may come a time where you level up to two cups of coffee a day or you find a cocktail doesn’t quite give you the rush it did back in college.

The reason is our bodies will adjust on a molecular level to certain substances. Our body develops a tolerance. With cannabis, there’s also effects on our entire nervous system.

Regular cannabis consumption can actually reduce the number of CB1 receptors of our endocannabinoid system. That’s pretty serious considering the endocannabinoid system is a division of our nervous system that regulates body functions including hunger, energy metabolism, and inflammation.

Long term cannabis use can also negatively impact memory, and cognition. Studies have also shown that the hippocampus can shrink due to prolonged cannabis use. The hippocampus governs learning and memory.

Luckily, the neurological deficits caused by cannabis are reversible but they require that you abstain from cannabis for some time. Honestly, from a health perspective, a tolerance break from any substance can be amazing for the body and get you back down to one cup of coffee a day.

A few days away from caffeine, sugar, or salt can help you get a clearer picture of how these substances affect your body. They can also help you get clarity on how they make your body feel.

While on the surface a growing tolerance may seem like a petty annoyance, and, sure, there is an ever expanding list of medical benefits of cannabis still being discovered, your body can still use a break every once and a while.

How to Lower Weed Tolerance

The prospect of going cold turkey can seem intense for some longtime cannabis users. Before reviewing the tolerance break, here are a few alternatives and some ways how to speed up a tolerance break.

These are also great strategies to prepare leading up to a t break to temper any intense withdrawal and ensure your tolerance break goes more smoothly.

Photo by Dad Grass

Use it Less Often

If a tolerance break seems too extreme try paring down how often you’re consuming cannabis. If you use it more than once per day, bring it down to once a day. If you’re doing it everyday, try taking a day off in between each use.

The idea is rather than completely abstaining you can take your usage down slightly until taking a two day break doesn’t feel so extreme. This can also help lower your tolerance as your body readjusts.

Microdose

If you’re a big proponent of the multiple medicinal properties of cannabis and want to use it regularly the answer may lie in microdosing. Many use medicinal cannabis the way the average person uses it recreationally.

The high of THC doesn’t ensure the cannabinoids are at work. While patients with certain conditions may rely on high-doses of THC for pain management or to help during cancer treatments, for the average user a little can go a long way.

Microdosing allows you to have a small dose of cannabinoids regularly in your system but you’re not pursuing the high of THC which will elude you if your tolerance is too high.

Having a dose of about 2 to 5 milligrams of THC in an edible can offer a smaller dose of cannabinoids per day. Over time, this can help reduce the tolerance of heavy cannabis users.

Edibles, tinctures, or THC pills can offer a nice alternative to smoking and a simple way to microdose cannabis. Speaking of switching from smoking…

Try Consuming Cannabis Differently

There are multiple ways to consume cannabis and cannabinoids can affect the body in slightly different ways depending on how you consume it.

If you’re used to smoking weed, switching to edibles can change how your body processes cannabinoids and offer an alternative experience. With edibles, your body has more access points to engage with cannabinoids.

The body metabolizes THC differently when it’s consumed orally which can have slightly different effects on how you feel. Your body will convert THC into 11-hydroxy-THC which can interact with your body differently.

This can help with consuming less cannabis by taking advantage of the fact that your body will react differently. This can also give you a chance to take a break from your preferred method of consuming cannabis to help break the habit.

Chose Higher CBD Strains or Focus on Different Cannabinoids

Our understanding of cannabinoids is expanding, one alternative to THC is the countless other cannabinoids found in marijuana. THC, while offering a great high, is not the only psychoactive compound available. HHC, delta-8 and delta-10 can offer psychoactive experiences and offer you an alternative to wean yourself off too much THC.

Higher CBD strains are also a great alternative. CBD can counteract the high of THC but it’s also been found to have the potential to be neuroprotective which can help avoid some of the neurological issues with THC. Plus, CBD has its own host of health benefits.

If you want to lower your tolerance and not-quite-ready to cut out cannabis products altogether, switching strains, trying different cannabinoids, and avoiding THC can all help bring your tolerance down.

How to Lower THC Tolerance Fast

The fastest way to lower your tolerance is to completely abstain from cannabis. It’s easy in this day and age to want a quick fix. Luckily, a tolerance break doesn’t have to be super long.

The study that revealed a drop in CB1 receptors after prolonged cannabis use, has shown that your body can begin CB1 upregulation after only 2 days. Granted, the more time away from cannabis the lower your tolerance will go and the more you will counteract any negative neurological effects.

Taking regular breaks can help not just regulate your THC tolerance but also neurological effects of heavy THC use.

If you want to increase the effectiveness of your tolerance break try pairing it with exercise. Exercise will help you burn fat and boost your metabolism. THC is fat soluble and has been known to bond with fat.

Plus, people with more body fat can metabolize THC more slowly. Proper hydration can help with flushing your system. However, THC is fat soluble so hydration will not magically rid your body of THC.

Additionally, exercise and hydration can help mitigate some withdrawal symptoms.

Tips for Managing Withdrawal

While cannabis has countless health benefits, THC can be habit forming. Pure THC, whether as crystalline or dronabinol, has been known to have a potential for dependence

This dependence can be chemically, your body seeking to regulate its CD1 downregulation with more THC, or habit-forming because of other addiction triggers.

During a T-break or when stopping cannabis use, you can potentially face withdrawal symptoms or struggle with the conditions you’re using cannabis to manage. Here are a few tips for helping to manage THC withdrawal.

Exercise

Photo by Li Sun

Not only will exercise help with metabolizing THC, it will also help improve your mood. If you’re using THC for anxiety, depression, or other emotional or mood issues a little exercise can go a long way.

A new exercise regimen can help when shifting from habitual use of cannabis by giving you something new and a new source for endorphins and energy.

Find Alternatives

If you’re using medical marijuana for a specific health issue you can seek out another traditional prescription or homeopathic remedy. While it may not be as effective as THC, using an alternative for a few days can ensure that you get the most from your T break while also managing your illness or symptoms.

Maintain Your Sleep Hygiene

Many use cannabis to help with sleep. If you take a T-break you may find yourself facing struggles sleeping. So much of sleep issues has to do with sleep hygiene. If you only use your bed to sleep, avoid working, eating, and watching TV in bed you can help train yourself to more effectively wind down for sleep.

Also regulating your screen time before bed can also help you wind down. Getting enough sleep can also help manage irritability that may develop from withdrawal.

Find Help

People can become addicted to anything that alters how they feel. Emotional triggers and life issues can encourage dependency so talk therapy, support from friends and family, and support groups can help you handle any emotions or frustrations that come to the surface while taking your tolerance break.

Managing your withdrawal can help you not just reduce your tolerance but better manage your relationship with cannabis.

How Long Should a Tolerance Break be from Weed?

Now that you have a better understanding of what can happen on a tolerance break and how to prepare, there’s a choice for how long you want to take a break from using cannabis. This will vary depending on your usage, how you feel, and why you need to take a break.

If your goal is to completely reset your body to how it was before you began using cannabis you may need to take a few weeks. This will ensure all the THC has left your system and that your body has begun to completely regulate your endocannabinoid system.

There are no hard fast rules for tolerance breaks. How long a tolerance break from weed should be can vary from user to user. After all, cannabis affects you differently depending on your body type, body chemistry, and even your gender.

2 Day Tolerance Break

If you’re a habitual cannabis user and don’t use high THC products a 2 day tolerance break is more than enough. 2 days is also a great idea if you start to find yourself needing more THC to feel the same effects.

3 Day Tolerance Break

If you’re a regular THC user, you may want to give yourself at least three days. You’ll want to give yourself two full days for your body to process the changes and an additional day or more of padding to allow your body to readjust.

4 Week Tolerance Break

Heavy cannabis users can need as much as 4 weeks. The study found that it took 4 weeks for CB1 receptor density to reach the same levels as non-cannabis users. That also gives you enough time to ensure there’s no cannabis in your system.

How Often Should You Take a Tolerance Break?

A tolerance break may just seem like how you lower your tolerance for weed but t breaks are an important strategy for managing your relationship to cannabis. When to take a tolerance break depends on how you feel and getting to know your body.

When you find yourself needing cannabis to function or find that the usual amount isn’t enough to feel anything, that’s the ideal time to take a break. Rather than increase your intake try taking a t break.

This will help you not only lower your tolerance, but resist dependency and avoid any bad habits that can have you using too much cannabis. Not to mention ensure the proper response of your endocannabinoid system.

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk

How Do I Get My Appetite Back After Quitting Weed?

Heavy cannabis users can sometimes report losing their appetite after stopping cannabis use. It can almost be like a reverse attack of themunchies, with your body adjusting. When you stop using cannabis your endocannabinoid system is readjusting and that can have some side effects.

The key is to manage your lack of appetite and ensure that you’re eating properly. This can be a great opportunity to shift your diet or eliminate problematic substances like sugar or caffeine. As your body adjusts to your time without cannabis, your appetite will naturally return.

Here are some tips for managing appetite loss when quitting cannabis use.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is key. Not only will water help with cellular function it can also help you better get in touch with your hunger.

Change How You Eat

If you really are struggling with eating, you can try smoothies, protein shakes, and soups to help keep your calories up. It’s also a great opportunity to try a new diet by building up the habits of eating more fresh vegetables.

You can also opt for more frequent smaller meals to ensure that you get enough calories. Snacks like fruit and nuts can be quick things you eat to keep your blood sugar up rather than gorging on large meals when your appetite is low.

Get To Know Your Body

After long term cannabis use, you can get used to the munchies. There are many different signals that let you know your body is hungry. It’s not always a rumbling tummy or rushing to snack.

You can start to pay attention to when you’re low energy, irritable, or tired to see when your body needs you to eat something.

Vitamins to Lower Weed Tolerance

Sadly, there’s a lot of misinformation about cannabis because there’s a lot of random data out there and only with growing legalization that more study is separating fact from fiction. Vitamins may seem like a magic way to lower a tolerance to weed.

There has been anecdotal data that says that Vitamin-C or omega-3 fatty acids can help lower your tolerance. These are incorrect and actually misunderstandings of similarities between these vitamins and cannabinoids.

Grapefruit juice and CBD both interact with enzymes that break down certain medications during digestion. This can seem to increase their potency because those drugs will take longer to break down.

Another confusion comes from research out of the University of Illinois that our body can create endocannabinoids from omega-3 fatty acids. These can interact with some of the CB2 endocannabinoid receptors that govern inflammation. A study in 2019 found that these endocannabinoids have no effect on cannabinoid tolerance.

That being said, taking a vitamin with omega-3s may help during a tolerance break by engaging with certain cell receptors.

Final Thoughts

Cannabis has countless benefits. Apply online for a medical marijuana card to try cannabis for your health needs.

Heavy cannabis use can cause certain neurological issues and dependency. While these are reversible, healthy use of cannabis can require abstaining and the occasional tolerance break. Too much of a good thing is never great for your health and anything, even cannabis, can require moderation.

This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.

The post What is a T Break? Learn How to Lower THC Tolerance Fast with our Weed Tolerance Break Chart appeared first on Green Health Docs.