Medical Marijuana

A general list of ailments with symptoms or ailments that proponents claim can be treated with medical marijuana.

Acquired Hypothyroidism Acute Gastritis Agoraphobia AIDS Related Illness Alcohol Abuse Alcoholism Alopecia Areata Alzheimer's Disease Amphetamine Dependency Amyloidosis Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Angina Pectoris Ankylosis Anorexia Anorexia Nervosa Anxiety Disorders Any Chronic Medical Symptom that Limits Major Life Activities Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease Arthritis Arthritis (Rheumatoid) Arthropathy, Gout Aspergers Asthma Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) Autism Autoimmune Disease Back Pain Back Sprain Bell's Palsy Bipolar Disorder Brain Tumor, Malignant Bruxism Bulimia Cachexia Cancer Cancer, Adrenal Cortical Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Uterine Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cerebral Palsy Cervical Disk Disease Cervicobrachial Syndrome Chemotherapy Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Chronic Pain Chronic renal failure Cocaine Dependence Colitis Conjunctivitis Constipation Crohn's Disease Cystic Fibrosis Damage to Spinal Cord Nervous Tissue Darier's Disease Degenerative Arthritis Degenerative Arthropathy Delirium Tremens Dermatomyositis Diabetes, Adult Onset Diabetes, Insulin Dependent Diabetic Neuropathy Diabetic Peripheral Vascular Disease Diarrhea Diverticulitis Dysthymic Disorder Eczema Emphysema Endometriosis Epidermolysis Bullosa Epididymitis Epilepsy Felty's Syndrome Fibromyalgia Friedreich's Ataxia Gastritis Genital Herpes Glaucoma Glioblastoma Multiforme Graves Disease Headaches, Cluster Headaches, Migraine Headaches, Tension Hemophilia A Henoch-Schonlein Purpura Hepatitis C HIV/AIDS Hospice Patients Huntington's Disease Hypertension Hyperventilation Hypoglycemia Impotence Inflammatory Autoimmune-mediated Arthritis Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Insomnia Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED) Intractable Vomitting Lipomatosis Lou Gehrig's Disease Lyme Disease Lymphoma Major Depression Malignant Melanoma Mania Melorheostosis Meniere's Disease Motion Sickness Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Muscle Spasms Muscular Dystrophy Myeloid Leukemia Nail-Patella Syndrome Nightmares Obesity Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Opiate Dependence Osteoarthritis Panic Disorder Parkinson's Disease Peripheral Neuropathy Peritoneal Pain Persistent Insomnia Porphyria Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) Post-traumatic Arthritis Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Prostatitis Psoriasis Pulmonary Fibrosis Quadriplegia Radiation Therapy (Learn more) Raynaud's Disease Reiter's Syndrome Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Rosacea Schizoaffective Disorder Schizophrenia Scoliosis Sedative Dependence Seizures Senile Dementia Severe Nausea Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Sinusitis Skeletal Muscular Spasticity Sleep Apnea Sleep Disorders Spasticity Spinal Stenosis Sturge-Weber Syndrome (SWS) Stuttering Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) Tenosynovitis Terminal Illness Thyroiditis Tic Douloureux Tietze's Syndrome Tinnitus Tobacco Dependence Tourette's Syndrome Trichotillomania Viral Hepatitis Wasting Syndrome Whiplash Wittmaack-Ekbom's Syndrome Writers' Cramp http://unitedpatientsgroup.com/resources/illnesses-treatable

Tincture/Oil

Alcohol / Glycerin Tincture A tincture is the product of mixing plant matter with drinking alcohol or glycerin. It's a liquid, edible form of hash that's often dark in color. Alcohol tinctures are often referred to as "Green Dragon", made with the highest proof and clearest alcohols, and offer a heavy body buzz combined with the effects of the alcohol. Glycerin tinctures take months to properly make, and are much sweeter than the alcohol variety (making it a perfect edible for children). http://weedporndaily.com/weeducation/hash-and-concentrates/ -------------------- Oil is gooey and sticky like honey, and will string if you dab it. This is the least refined process causing THC levels to be the lowest. This is often used for cooking and placed in edibles. Oils are also a very common form for medical administration especially for kids. ----------------------------- Up until its prohibition in 1937, tinctures were the most common form of cannabis medicine in the United States. A tincture is a liquid concentrate procured through alcohol extraction, which pulls out many of the plant's beneficial cannabinoids. A few drops under the tongue may be a sufficient dose, but patients can safely apply more as needed. Tinctures, which are now available in a variety of flavors, are a great way for patients to medicate without having to smoke. ----------------------------- Spurred by the millions of cannabis consumers in newly legal states like Colorado, Washington, and Oregon, cannabis concentrates of all consistencies, potencies, and price points have emerged and are quickly gaining popularity. The major difference between today's legal concentrates selection enjoyed by a small slice of the country and the rest of the nation's black market bingo is the fact that some now don't have to risk their lungs and health smoking pesticide-ridden gak obtained from a stranger in a creepy motel parking lot — and worry that it was produced by an ignorant, sloppy amateur or a heroin and prostitution-fueled Mexican cartel. Emerging within this small, but rapidly growing market for specialized cannabis products is tinctures. Tinctures are an ages-old method of delivering the medicinal benefits of marijuana to patients of all ages. While cannabis that is high in psychoactive THC and, thus, relatively potent can certainly be used to create a tincture, historically this extraction and consumption method has been limited to purely medical applications and was often considered a "hemp extract" or "hemp oil." Another way of describing a tincture is an alcohol infused with cannabis resin. According to The Weed Blog, an online publication out of Oregon, many seasoned marijuana smokers aren't even aware of the humble tincture, let alone have ever partaken of such an extraction. Said the blog in one of its posts: "Tinctures are perhaps the least popular and beloved way of consuming marijuana. They don't have the ritual that comes with smoking, nor the fun of edibles." Cannabis Tincture, What Art Thou? While not the type of concentrate that captures headlines and results in petabytes of pot porn floating amongst the internets, tinctures are, without a doubt, the oldest mass-market way of extracting and consuming the cannabinoids and terpenes found in the medicine-bearing trichomes of the cannabis plant. During the majority of the 19th century, physicians from throughout North America, the United Kingdom, and Europe dispensed, recommended, and prescribed cannabis tinctures for a wide variety of common ailments. In fact, during the period of 1837 to 1937, which some writers have referred to as the golden age of medical cannabis — and the century preceding its federal-level prohibition in the United States — a mild cannabis tincture, typically manufactured by a large pharmaceutical company, was the home solution administered to adults and children suffering from everything from skinned knees and headaches to sore muscles and menstrual cramps. In 1890, British physician J.R. Reynolds published his 30 years of experience with cannabis, recommending it for multiple conditions. In his position as the court physician to Queen Victoria, he infamously administered a tincture-infused cannabis tea for her menstrual cramps. During this period, it was rare that a tincture of "cannabis sativa" was not present in the medicine cabinets of everyone from wealthy downtown debutantes to prairie ranchers to middle class suburbanites. According to the book Understanding Medical Marijuana, "...one museum has identified more than 600 medical products involving marijuana as a chief ingredient prior to its prohibition in 1937." Most of these would have been packaged and distributed through retail pharmacies, drug stores, and physicians as tinctures. How It Happens Technically, tinctures are created by soaking the leaf trim or, preferably, whole bud flower of cannabis in a nearly or fully pure alcohol extraction solution. For homebrew concoctions, this typically involves soaking everything within a glass jar, in the dark. The most popular example of such an extraction solution is a wood grain alcohol like Everclear. Unfortunately, wood grain alcohol is illegal in many states. As a result, some desperate tincture lovers have been known to resort to using Bacardi 151 rum to soak their cannabis (while this is basically effective, it is not recommended; defiant college students will keep doing it, regardless). This was aptly stated by the High Times Kitchen, which said in an instructional video: "Remember, this only works with grain alcohol. Don't be getting, like, your Pabst Blue Ribbon and putting it in with your weed. It'll just become a mess." It should be noted that those blessed with kief and hash (typically cannabis gardeners) can use these concentrates instead of flowers or trim for enhanced potency and reduced soak time when preparing tinctures. This is relatively rare, however. Those who invest the time and effort to create kief and hash to satisfy the cravings of cannabis connoisseurs or who spend the money to purchase these old-school concentrates will typically want to enjoy the pleasure of smoking, vaping, or dabbing such relative rarities — not using them to create a tincture that is most commonly made with sugar leaf trim and considered more medicinal than recreational. First, it must be ensured that any herb used to create a tincture is properly and thoroughly dried. After the dried herb is ground, it is placed in a canning jar at a ratio of between one and six grams of cannabis to one fluid ounce of alcohol (35 mL). The potency of the final tincture will depend heavily upon the quality of the herb used to create it, not just the ratio employed. After the alcohol-to-herb mix is to one's taste, it should be made air tight and placed in a cool, dark space (like a drawer or basement shelf) to soak for between ten days and one month. Longer soaking periods result in more thorough extraction, enhancing potency and flavor (more important when using trim, especially from weak plants). After the desired period has ended, the alcohol is strained from the plant material using something like cheesecloth. For consumption, tinctures should be stored in one to five ounce dark brown medicine bottles featuring eye dropper caps. This will protect them from being degraded by light and allow quick, convenient access by a patient. In the case of companies employing large-scale, commercial manufacturing facilities, a Mason jar sitting in a basement obviously doesn't cut it. Such production employs high-end equipment involving fully sterile environments and closed loop extraction using harm reduction solvents like carbon dioxide or going fully solvent-free by using a combination of extremely high pressure and heat. THC vs. THC-A The steps outlined above produce zero high or euphoria from one's tincture, regardless of the strength or strain of the cannabis used to create it. Why? A short chemistry lesson: THC actually doesn't reside within the precious nugs that sit in one's stash box or a battered baggie in their hoodie. Unknown to many cannabis consumers, THC is stored within the plant as THC-A, the acidic precursor to THC. Only when sufficient heat is applied, as during baking, smoking, or vaporizing, is the THC-A decarboxylated and converted to THC. It is estimated that 80-90 percent of the THC in raw cannabis is stored in the form of THC-A (minor decarboxylation also occurs during the drying phase of harvesting). When burned or vaped, about 95 percent of the THC-A in raw cannabis is converted to THC. The conditions for which THC-A provides relief include insomnia, muscle spasms and seizures, and nausea/vomiting, making it very effective for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. It also relieves pain, acts as an appetite stimulant (perfect for wasting syndromes), and — possibly of most value — is believed to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells. From a chemical perspective, decarboxylation simply means that the THC-A molecule, when it encounters sufficient heat, drops a carbon dioxide molecule, giving it a slight change in molecular structure. Although small, this transmogrification is significant enough to now allow the molecule to fit into the CB1 receptors that populate the brain and nervous system within one's endocannabinoid system — and produce the euphoric psychoactive effect that has most been associated with cannabis indica within the popular media since the mid-20th century. Those wishing to create a trippy tincture should consult one of the hundreds of online recipes for using a conventional kitchen oven to bake one's ground cannabis to decarboxylate the THC-A and populate their energizing elixir with psychoactive THC. Like any topic, different sources will advise a variety of techniques and recipes. High Times magazine even suggests use of a special $175 herbal butter extraction device called a MagicalButter that, when heated to 160 degrees F (71 C) on the "tincture" setting, reduces the time required to make a tincture to only four hours when employing 10 grams of top-shelf buds (which don't even have to be ground) and 2-5 cups of grain alcohol (a special straining bag is available from the same company). Because THC-A has been shown to provide significant medical efficacy, many patients will desire to produce tinctures that are heavy in this cannabinoid and low in euphoric THC, especially if they have a busy job or young children (although THC is better for depression and PTSD). Those wishing to consume THC-A for medicinal benefit may also choose to engage in juicing, a process by which juice is derived from the raw fan leaves of mature cannabis plants to produce a non-psychoactive drink, such as a tea or smoothie, that is rich in cannabinoidal acidic precursors, like THC-A and CBD-A, as well as a number of therapeutic terpenes. CBD and Brand Tinctures Within the past few years, cannabis strains high in the non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD and low in (or completely lacking) psychoactive THC have gained the attention of cultivators, processors, and retail brands to produce a new and fledgling industry focused on CBD-only and CBD/THC oils and tinctures. Stories abound in the popular press about desperate parents who move from prohibitionist regions to legal states like Colorado and California to gain safe access to reliable and laboratory tested products to treat their very sick children. Such products are sometimes available from major brands like CW Botanicals (CBD-only Charlotte's Web) and Dixie (Dew Drops), although many dispensaries and retail outlets, especially in states where recreational cannabis is legal, produce their own products in-house. Such major and trusted brands of tinctures offer not only potency and reliability, but also purity. For example, Dixie employs a laboratory-grade closed-loop CO2 extraction process to create a wide range of tinctures from hybrid strains of cannabis with plenty of THC (typically 50 to 90 mg per bottle). Often labeled "cannabis refuges," nomadic parents have been ravaged by the fear that their child might lack access to an organic medicine that improves quality of life by dramatically decreasing the occurrence of memory-scrambling seizures from something like Dravet syndrome — especially when conventional pharmaceutical drugs and therapies have repeatedly proven ineffective. Rapid Onset and Stealth For parents such as these — as well as patients with dozens of other diseases and ailments — one tremendous advantage of tinctures over edibles is more rapid onset. While edibles require between 45 minutes and two hours to even begin taking effect, tinctures go to work after as little as 15 minutes. For patients trying to treat severe pain or avoid the nausea of chemotherapy, waiting one to two hours for their medicine to begin taking effect is simply not practical. For young children, smoking and vaping typically isn't a viable option. Another advantage that tinctures share with canna-foods and their concentrate cousins is stealth. Tinctures are discrete and mimic conventional pharmaceutical medicines. No one medicating with the sublingual application of a cannabis tincture in an office setting or a restaurant will generate strange glances or suspicions. Because only 23 of 50 U.S. states have legal medical cannabis programs in place, this stealth factor is of no small consequence to millions of beleaguered patients throughout America who live in prohibitionist states and everyone who simply can't light up while sitting at their office desk or during a cross-country flight. Multiple Paths Whether one makes their own tincture using either homegrown buds or trim purchased from a local gardener or purchases a finished product from a licensed, regulated dispensary or retail shop, the advantages of tinctures are many, including considerably more rapid onset than edibles. While tinctures don't take effect as fast as smoking or vaporizing (which both hit in about 2.5 minutes and can be administered via vape pens), they are a stealthy and practical way for both patients and recreational consumers to discretely and safely consume cannabis medicine and THC at work or in public. Many who are averse to smoking, especially those who suffer from respiratory ailments, will appreciate the qualities offered by well-made, potent, contaminant-free tinctures. A one-ounce bottle can easily be stowed into a pocket, purse, or center console, delivering medicinal relief to children and adults when and where they most need it.

Budder

Budder takes on the space between wax and crumble with a consistency that resembles peanut butter. This form is made by whipping the original sap or shatter that you're working with. Shatter eventually breaks down into budder with time and a little bit of heat. Budder can represent an abundance of terpenes, but can also mean that the material wasn't purged enough. If you're having trouble getting some on your tool, try sticking it in the freezer for about 15 minutes to solidify it. Budder is safe to keep it in either a container or parchment paper. https://cannabistraininguniversity.com/cannabis-extraction-methods/ -------------------------- Unlike Shatter or Glass, Budder is more whipped and flavorful, but at the same time less potent, only containing ~ 70% THC. Shatter is usually put through a second extraction process that removes fats, lipids, as well as Terpenes. Terpenes are the things that give marijuana its scent and flavor. Therefore, Budder, which only goes through one extraction process, retains most of the marijuana's terpenes, leaving its hits with the smell and taste we are all so familiar with. The only compromise is having a lower THC level in relation to its Shatter counterpart (Shatter usually has ~80% THC). Sometimes, users can be confused with Wax and Budder, since they are so similar in appearance. A more runny and creamy substance usually means it's Budder, whereas Wax tends to be a bit more crystalline and harder. At the end of the day, the biggest difference between Wax and Budder is the THC levels. Wax will have THC levels in the mid-60s to mid-70s. However in Budder, THC levels can get as high as the low-80s. http://higheconomist.com/marijuana-concentrates-what-is-budder-what-is-wax/ -------------------- Budder is super high grade hash oil that has been "whipped" up into solid chunks. It is the result of high grade source material combined with technique, the proper temperature, and good timing. Budder has a creamier consistency and retains more of the terpenes so it tends to be more flavorful. http://higheconomist.com/what-is-cannabis-concentrate/ -------------- Budder has been lab tested by Dr. Paul Hornby to be 99.7% THC. Budder which is below 90% THC would no longer be classed as budder. Budder was invented by the 'BudderKing' in Vancouver (Canada). Tips and techniques for smoking Budder: 'Quarter Mile Method' (for those with electric stoves) - Heat up a quarter on the element of your stove till the quarter is glowing red hot. Have a tiny amount of Budder (an amount the size of a pin head or slightly larger) ready on the end of a long metal pin. As soon as the quarter is glowing red hot, turn off the stove burner, and allow the quarter to cool SLIGHTLY, but only slightly (5 seconds). Touch down the pin to the top of the quarter, and inhale the resulting smoke through your mouth. It helps to catch it all if you use a paper towel tube. Hold in the smoke for 15 seconds, then exhale and take a seat. Repeat if necessary. Hot Knife Method - Heat up the tip of a single hot knife with a blowtorch, torch lighter, or gas stove. Then, allow it to cool slightly. Hot Knife Method - Heat up the tip of a single hot knife with a blowtorch, torch lighter, or gas stove. Then, allow it to cool slightly. Have a tiny amount of Budder ready on the end of a pin, touch it down onto the tip of the hot knife. Be sure to keep the blade of the knife flat, as Budder liquifies instantly when heated. Budder looks and feels like ear wax! The more light golden color the more potent the budder is. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Budder

Cannabinoid Cheat Sheet

Cannabinoids are the groups of chemical compounds present in the cannabis plant that affect body and mind through their interaction with special receptors. http://fosterdam.com/learn-ommp-resources/cannabinoid-cheat-sheet/

Cancer

CBD oil/tincture is best to treat cancer. ------------------- Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body.[1][2] Not all tumors are cancerous; benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body.[2] Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss and a change in bowel movements.[3] While these symptoms may indicate cancer, they may have other causes.[3] Over 100 cancers affect humans.[2] Tobacco use is the cause of about 22% of cancer deaths.[1] Another 10% is due to obesity, poor diet, lack of physical activity and drinking alcohol.[1][4] Other factors include certain infections, exposure to ionizing radiation and environmental pollutants.[5] In the developing world nearly 20% of cancers are due to infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human papillomavirus (HPV).[1] These factors act, at least partly, by changing the genes of a cell.[6] Typically many genetic changes are required before cancer develops.[6] Approximately 5-10% of cancers are due to inherited genetic defects from a person's parents.[7] Cancer can be detected by certain signs and symptoms or screening tests.[1] It is then typically further investigated by medical imaging and confirmed by biopsy.[8] Many cancers can be prevented by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, not drinking too much alcohol, eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, vaccination against certain infectious diseases, not eating too much processed and red meat, and avoiding too much sunlight exposure.[9][10] Early detection through screening is useful for cervical and colorectal cancer.[11] The benefits of screening in breast cancer are controversial.[11][12] Cancer is often treated with some combination of radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.[1][13] Pain and symptom management are an important part of care. Palliative care is particularly important in people with advanced disease.[1] The chance of survival depends on the type of cancer and extent of disease at the start of treatment.[6] In children under 15 at diagnosis the five-year survival rate in the developed world is on average 80%.[14] For cancer in the United States the average five-year survival rate is 66%.[15] In 2012 about 14.1 million new cases of cancer occurred globally (not including skin cancer other than melanoma).[6] It caused about 8.2 million deaths or 14.6% of human deaths.[6][16] The most common types of cancer in males are lung cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and stomach cancer. In females, the most common types are breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and cervical cancer.[6] If skin cancer other than melanoma were included in total new cancers each year it would account for around 40% of cases.[17][18] In children, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and brain tumors are most common except in Africa where non-Hodgkin lymphoma occurs more often.[14] In 2012, about 165,000 children under 15 years of age were diagnosed with cancer. The risk of cancer increases significantly with age and many cancers occur more commonly in developed countries.[6] Rates are increasing as more people live to an old age and as lifestyle changes occur in the developing world.[19] The financial costs of cancer were estimated at $1.16 trillion US dollars per year as of 2010. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer

CO2 Oil

Hot on the market is CO2 oil, a concentrate made possible by expensive botanical extractors that use pressure and carbon dioxide to separate plant material. This method, called supercritical fluid extraction, is one of the most effective ways of reducing cannabis to its essential compounds. The amber oil it produces can be vaporized in a variety of ways, one of the most popular being portable vaporizer pens. Among the industry's best sellers are disposable cartridges containing CO2 oil and a medical grade solvent called polypropylene glycol which gives the oil its liquid consistency.

Edibles

Marijuana edibles are food items made with marijuana or infused with marijuana oils. Edibles may be an alternative to smoking or vaporizing marijuana. Edibles come in many forms, e.g. brownies, cookies, candies, including animal or fruit-shaped gummies, suckers and chocolates, and as beverages. Why Do Edible Marijuana Products Seem Stronger? The amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, can vary in edible marijuana products. This makes it harder to control how much THC is consumed. The amount of THC in homemade marijuana edibles can vary even more. Many users can be caught off-guard by the stronger potency and long-lasting effects of edibles. Important Safety Guidelines: Start with a single 10mg (of THC) serving or less; Don't take more until you have waited at least 2 hours; edibles are slow-acting; Keep edibles far away from children and pets! How Are Edibles Sold in Washington Marijuana Stores? The Washington State Liquor Control Board issued rules for edible packaging and labeling on June 24th, 2014. All marijuana edibles sold in Washington state recreational marijuana stores must be approved (both the product itself and its label) in advance. Packaging must not appeal to children by using cartoons, depictions of kids, or images of toys, and all edibles must be sold in child-resistant packaging. Additionally, the marijuana must be homogenized throughout the product, so that it is evenly distributed, and serving sizes must be clearly marked or scored on the product. What is the Recommended Dosage for Edibles? Washington's definition of one edible dose is 10 milligrams (mg) of THC. Some edibles have more than one dose of THC, and may come with directions to only consume part of the product. Eating too much of an edible may produce unwanted health effects. The effects of marijuana use of any kind can vary from person to person, and each person may have a different tolerance level. Always read the dosing recommendations and know exactly how much THC is in the edible. Will Ingesting Marijuana Affect Me Differently Than Smoking It? Yes. Unlike smoking marijuana, where the effects can be felt almost immediately, effects from edibles can take from 30 minutes to 2 hours to take effect, and may last longer than expected, depending on the dose, when your last meal was consumed, and/or any medications or alcohol used at the same time. Store Edibles Safely Away from Children and Pets! Accidental ingestion of marijuana and marijuana-infused edibles by children has increased in states that have legalized marijuana for recreational or medicinal use. It is extremely important store these products in child-resistant containers and out of reach of children and pets. http://learnaboutmarijuanawa.org/factsheets/edibles.htm ------------------ Marijuana edibles are becoming a popular alternative to smoking cannabis. Edibles are a discreet and convenient way to consume cannabis, particularly for those who cannot tolerate smoke. Made by infusing cannabis with food, many find that edibles offer a high that is more calm and relaxing than smoking pot. On the other hand, the effects of edibles can be hard to predict and tend to differ between individuals. Before sinking your teeth into edibles, do yourself a favor and get to know the facts. What are Edibles? When thinking of edibles, marijuana brownies usually spring to mind. But edibles actually come in many shapes and sizes. These include cookies, gummies, cakes, hard candies, chocolate bars and more. Unlike smoking cannabis, where cannabinoids enter the body through the lungs, edibles introduce cannabinoids through the gastrointestinal tract. The result is a high that is more intense and lasts much longer. Some edible products are manufactured to contain as much as 100 milligrams of THC, and therefore should be used for multiple servings. Other edibles have lower dosages of THC such as 5 or 10 milligrams. What are the Effects? There are differences between eating and smoking cannabis that should be kept in mind. This is because the active ingredients are absorbed by different parts of the body. The most traditional form of ingestion is smoking marijuana by pipe, joint or bong. The effect from smoking pot generally affects users immediately, but also begins to diminish immediately. Marijuana edibles take longer to start working — usually 30 to 60 minutes. However, the effects can last between 4 to 12 hours depending on the dose. Edibles are often a preferred method for ingesting cannabis because of the negative impact smoking has on one's health. Additionally, edibles can be discreetly consumed in places where smoking is not allowed. The high that accompanies edibles tends to be more relaxing than the high experienced through smoking, giving you more of a "body" high rather than a "head" high. Eating and Dosing Responsibly State laws require that total milligrams of THC and number of servings be included on packages. In Colorado, one serving constitutes up to 10 milligrams of THC. New users or people with smaller frames might find 10 milligrams is too potent, and therefore might be better off starting with 5 milligrams Keep in mind, a single chocolate bar can contain as much as 100 milligrams of THC Rich and dense products such as brownies or chocolate also take longer to digest, which means it will take longer for you to feel high. On the other hand, infused drinks and tinctures begin to work much faster. Weight, metabolism, gender and eating habits also play a role in how fast you'll feel the effect from edibles. It is recommended that edibles be taken with food and not on an empty stomach, or the effect will intensify. Consuming Too Much... Consuming too much edibles is rarely a pleasant experience. In fact, eating less may give you a better buzz than eating too much. Because it may be hard to determine how much your body needs to medicate or get high, it's best to wait at least one hour to assess the effect. Signs of an edibles overdose include paranoia, lack of coordination and hallucinations. If you feel like you've gone overboard on edibles, don't panic. Remember, symptoms usually subside within a few hours. Stay calm, stay hydrated and eat food. http://www.leafscience.com/2015/10/27/beginners-guide-marijuana-edibles/

Hash

One of the oldest players in the cannabis game is hash, a concentrate made by compression of the plant's resin. The powdery kief that coats your cannabis flowers can be collected and pressed together to form hash, or solvents like ice water or ethanol may be used to more effectively strip the plant of their cannabinoid-loaded crystals. Though not as potent as BHO and other cannabis concentrates, hash remains a staple of cannabis culture around the world. https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/the-great-wide-world-of-cannabis-concentrates ----------------- Hash, or hashish, is the product of collecting the resin stalks, trichomes, or THC, from cannabis plants. This classic form is commonly collected by growers when they handle the mature plants. The resinous trichomes of the plant rub off on their hands, thus creating the common terminology for it: rub. In some areas it's referred to as finger or scissor hash. When the plants are trimmed after curing, they also trickle down trichomes. Growers tend to trim over a silk screen, and the sieved product is what's commonly referred to as kief. It's also collected in grinders with screens inside, though without a filter through a proper silk screen, it's not truly a hash. Another common collection technique utilizes several silk screen bags(bubble bags) and ice water to separate the trichomes from the cannabis plant matter and filter them through the screens. This yields a solventless bubble hash, full melt, or ice wax. How to use Hash: Dabs Smoking hash with a bong or bubbler is also an option, using attachments that replace the bowl/slide called skillets or hash nails and vapor domes. With a skillet or nail, the stoner has to heat it with a torch, and then drop their concentrate onto the skillet/nail(see above). The process is commonly called a dab or dunk. The metal or glass nail/skillet is heated to a temperature near THC's vaporization point, providing less harmful smoke and more flavor. Depending on the quality of the concentrate and it's extraction, there may be residue(resin) left over on the hash nail or skillet. Vaporizing Vaporizing your hash/concentrates is another healthy option for medicating. There are several devices and apparatuses that allow for vaporization. All forms of hash and concentrate may be vaporized, excluding edibles (glycerine, cooking oil, or grain alcohol based hash). Vaporizers in general are an excellent start. A vaporizer is a device designed to heat up to the exact temperature that THC and other cannabinoids vaporize. It's the healthiest and tastiest way to 'smoke'. Depending on the quality of the concentrate and it's extraction, there may be residue(resin) left over in the vaporizer. Orally The healthiest options for hash consumption are always oral. Most hash can't be eaten in it's current state. Only cannabis butter/oil, tinctures, and decarboxylated hashes are orally active. Other forms of hash (bubble, BHO, etc) may be mixed with butter, oil, glycerine, or drinking alcohol to create an edible form of hash. Edible hash may be used in cooking and baking, as long as the temperature doesn't surpass approximately 350 degrees Farenheight. THC and other cannabinoids vaporize at this point, making the edibles less potent and wasting weed. If hash is heated at approximately 250 degrees Farenheight for 30 minutes, it becomes decarboxylated, converting inactive THCA to THC. Decarboxylation allows you to make hash edible without mixing with butter/oil/etc, however the product is less potent and more of a body high. Concentrate Bowl Another popular attachment for bongs and bubblers is a concentrate bowl. It's a bowl/slide with holes on the sides, rather than one on the bottom, so that the hash can melt to the bottom of the bowl and the vapor gets sucked through the holes. To smoke with one of these specialty bowls, hash is placed in the bottom of the bowl. Generally a glass 'wand' is heated with a torch and when it comes in contact with the hash, the wand vaporizes the hash. Soldering irons, lighters, and hemp wicks are also an option — but do no achieve the proper vaporization temperatures, causing combustion (and carcinogenic smoke). Soldering Iron Hash/concentrates and even flowers(plant matter) may be slightly vaporized, mostly smoked with a proper soldering iron(see the FAQ for more information on picking the proper soldering iron). The ceramic tip of the soldering iron heats up to a temperature slightly above the vaporizing point of THC and other cannabinoids. This process minimizes the amount of harmful smoke consumed by the stoner, as well as the consumption of any byproducts from lighters. To use the soldering iron, it's simply pressed against the hash/concentrate/flowers in a bong, bubbler, pipe, etc. You may also place hash directly onto the soldering iron and using a whip(hookah hose), straw, or even your lips to suck the smoke in. The process is similar to a 'hash cup'. Hemp Wick Another healthier option for consuming cannabis is the hemp wick. Although this method doesn't vaporize, it's still healthier than burning a bowl or sparking a joint with a lighter. By using the hemp wick, the stoner benefits by avoiding harmful chemicals released by lighters(such as butane). Smoking All forms of hash may be simply smoked in any method used for flowers. In a bowl, blunt, or joint, the concentrates may be mixed with marijuana to burn evenly and slower. Salads of kief and flowers are common, also known as "supercharging" a joint or blunt. How do you make hash?: Hash can be fairly easy to make, and many of the processes are safe. When dealing with chemical extractions(alcohol, butane, etc), incredible care must be taken into the process. The product may contain harmful chemicals if mistakes are made, and explosions/harm can occur from mishandling of chemicals. It's also important to note that any form of chemical extraction is generally illegal, so check your local and federal legislations before attempting the extractions. Cannabis Butter/Oil and Edibles BHO Budder/Wax Skunk Pharms: How to properly clean/winterize BHO Bubble Hash Kief Skunk Pharms: Glycerine Extraction r/QWISOInfo: QWISO Hash Cannabis Culture: How to make wicked hash Cannabis Culture: How to make bubble hash r/BHOInfo http://weedporndaily.com/weeducation/hash-and-concentrates/

Scissor / Finger Hash

Scissor or finger hash is the product of trimming wet cannabis plants. Cannabis plants are very sticky, especially when they still growing and wet. While handling and trimming plants, the resin stalks (trichomes) get rubbed onto growers hands/gloves and scissors. By rubbing the trichomes off the hands/gloves/scissors, you get essentially wet kief. The product is often discoloured (due to plant matter, dirt, etc) and gummy in texture. http://weedporndaily.com/weeducation/hash-and-concentrates/

Cannabinoids

There are over 480 natural components found within the Cannabis sativa plant, of which 66 have been classified as "cannabinoids;" chemicals unique to the plant. The most well known and researched of these, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), is the substance primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. The effects of THC are believed to be moderated by the influence of the other components of the plant, most particularly the cannabinoids. The cannabinoids are separated into subclasses. These are as follows: Cannabigerols (CBG); Cannabichromenes (CBC); Cannabidiols (CBD); Tetrahydrocannabinols (THC); Cannabinol (CBN) and cannabinodiol (CBDL); Other cannabinoids (such as cannabicyclol (CBL), cannabielsoin (CBE), cannabitriol (CBT) and other miscellaneous types). What Do Cannabinoids Do? Like opiates (substances derived from the opium poppy such as heroin), cannabinoids affect the user by interacting with specific receptors, located within different parts of the central nervous system. Two kinds of cannabinoid receptors have been found to date and are termed CB1 and CB2. A substance that occurs naturally within the brain and binds to CB1 receptors was discovered in 1992 and termed "anandamide." Additional naturally occurring substances that bind to CB1 have since been discovered, and these, together with the receptors are termed the "endogenous cannabinoid system." The actual effects that the cannabinoids have reflect the areas of the brain they interact with. Interactions tend to occur in our limbic system (the part of the brain that affects memory, cognition and psychomotor performance) and mesolimbic pathway (activity in this region is associated with feelings of reward) and are also widely distributed in areas of pain perception. We are still learning about the endogenous cannabinoid system. Much of the research however, has focused on the many potential medical uses of man-made cannabinoids, called "synthetic analogues." What is the Difference Between Cannabinoids? The major differences between the cannabinoids are determined by the extent to which they are psychologically active. Three classes of cannabinoids, the CBG, CBC and CBD are not known to have such an effect. THC, CBN, CBDL and some other cannabinoids on the other hand are known to be psychologically active to varying degrees. CBD is probably the most abundant cannabinoid, contributing up to 40% of cannabis resin. Interestingly, CBD may actually have anti-anxiety effects and lessen the psychoactive effects of THC. This means that a plant with a greater percentage of CBD may reduce the intensity of the effects of the THC, which in effect lowers the potency of the plant. Use of a cannabis plant with less CBD has been shown to have an increased psychological impact and result in unwanted effects such as anxiety. When THC is exposed to air it oxidizes and forms CBN. CBN is only very weakly psychoactive and not unlike CBD interacts with THC to reduce its effects. This is why cannabis that has been left out unused will have increasing amounts of CBN and decreasing amounts of THC and thus lose potency. http://learnaboutmarijuanawa.org/factsheets/cannabinoids.htm

Vaporizing

This fact sheet describes the devices and products currently available in Washington State for vaping cannabis and — from a science-informed perspective — what is currently known and what more we need to know about vaping marijuana. Not long ago, marijuana was mostly available in two forms: joints or bbaked into rownies. Not anymore. Marijuana legalization has brought many new commercial products to the market, with promises of delivering the safest, the most discrete, the most pleasurable or the purest cannabis use experience to consumers. There's no indication that the stream of new products are drying up soon: in a market-oriented environment - the next perfect device is just around the corner. Among all the new products, those designed to vaporize cannabis have been the focus of a lot of curiosity. Meanwhile, parents, public health officials, clinicians and cannabis users are seeking more information, beyond the marijuana industry's marketing sound bites. Research suggests that - among marijuana users - vaporization is perceived as a safer alternative to smoking (Lee et al, 2016). It is widely known that smoking (any product) is bad for our health: when marijuana is smoked, its combustion releases carbon-monoxide and other by-products that, when inhaled, harm your lungs, throat and overall respiratory system. Vaporization releases the main components of the marijuana plant before combustion occurs, at lower temperatures, avoiding the release of toxic by-products associated with combustion. The risks associated to marijuana use are not only or mostly related to the respiratory system. Impact on function, memory, coordination and risk of developing cannabis use disorder are related to how often, how much and in which circumstances a person consumes cannabis. Does this mean that vaporizing cannabis is the safe way to go and there is nothing more to talk about? It's not that simple. While using vaporization methods may spare the respiratory system (Tashkin, 2015), other risks involved in using marijuana are still the same (see box). Moreover, there are many other facets to this complex topic that are not well understood. From a science-informed perspective, the jury is still out and it will take years to develop and conduct large and robust studies that can offer a better picture of the benefits and risks associated with this relatively new phenomenon. Even more importantly, there are many vaporization devices, products and vaping practices, making it impossible to generalize findings without careful analysis. What Cannabis Products Can Be Vaporized? There are two types of products that can be vaporized: marijuana oils (also called extracts or concentrates) and the marijuana plant (usually flowers/buds). Cannabis oils There is a high diversity of names and products under this broad category. Raber et al (2015) classified them by their production methods (Figure 1). In Washington State, these different extracts are available in retail stores, typically with THC content much higher than in the plant (typically 50-80% THC). It is also possible to find oils with very little THC and mostly CBD (non-intoxicating, medicinal cannabinoid), but this is less common. Raber et al, 2015The relative safety of these products is not well known and research on this topic is an urgent public health matter. For now, it has been suggested that the health risks associated with these products vary by methods of extraction (for example, water-based vs. Butane extraction) and by-products added afterwards (as it is the case of glycerol, added after CO2 extraction). One of the concerning and not well- researched aspect of concentrates relates to contaminants and residues. In Washington State, where marijuana is tested for pesticides and contaminants before going to retail, the testing is always performed on the raw materials (cannabis flowers). The concentrates are produced afterwards and not retested. At this point in time, it is not known: -How much of the solvents remain in the cannabis extract and whether or not this poses a risk for the consumer. -Whether cannabis extracts carry dangerous amounts of pesticides and other contaminants, given that possible safe levels detected in the plant exponentially increase with product concentration. In California (Raber et al, 2015), where testing is not mandated, 57 samples of cannabis concentrates were brought to a laboratory by medicinal patients. Laboratory analysis found that 72% of the samples presented solvent residuals (mostly isopentane, but also butane, hexane and propane, among others). A third (33.3%) of the concentrates were contaminated with pesticides, mostly paclobutrazol (Raber et al, 2015). The study does not report whether the levels of contaminants detected entail health risks; the safety threshold is not known at this point in time. Another unanswered topic is whether or not vaping high THC extracts translates into higher doses of THC per day, given the high potency of these extracts. It is possible that some consumers may see the very high concentration of THC or CBD as an opportunity to consume less and achieve the desired effect. It is also very possible that some consumers will use concentrates as often as other forms of marijuana, which would dramatically increase their exposure to THC thereby increasing the chances of developing cannabis use disorders. While there is some indication that this may be the case for "dabbing" (see Dab Rigs section), there are no current data for other vaping methods. Plant Flower buds from the cannabis plant can be vaporized; this practice is considered safer than smoking. Vaporizing the plant material is the most recommended method of cannabis administration for medicinal users. There is a chance, however, that those seeking to vape are in fact still inhaling marijuana smoke. In an unregulated market, many vape pens have poor temperature control and can heat cannabis to the point of combustion (see vaping devices, below) - the use of high quality vaporizers are as important as the product being inhaled. Vaping Devices There are currently three main types of devices for vaping marijuana products: table top vaporizers, vape pens and dab rigs. There have been also some reports of utilization of e-cigarettes for hash oil vaporization (Morean et al, 2015) Traditional Desk Top Vaporizers Vaporization of the cannabis plant through a desktop vaporizer is the safest method of inhaling cannabis and the recommended method for medicinal cannabis patients. This device is neither portable, nor discrete; in WA State, the cost of a desktop vaporizer varies between US$500 to $600. Desktops vaporizers have precise temperature control and heat the cannabis just below the point of combustion, near 338° F, causing the active compounds to evaporate into a vapor, thereby reducing the harmful by-products of combustion (Abrams et al, 2007). Because less of the THC is burned off than when smoked, vaporization may have a stronger psychoactive effect, but offers rapid onset of effects allowing the consumer to easily titrate dose to the desired effect. Vape Pen Vape pens are a newer method for vaporizing marijuana and are not well-studied. The first generation (Giroud et al, 2015) of vape pens are similar to e-cigarettes, designed to slowly heat oil cartridge contents to the point of vaporization. While they are marketed as convenient, safe and affordable, they are unregulated and not very reliable. Some of these vape pens come with a cannabis oil cartridge attached to it - once the oil ends, the whole device should be discarded. These vape pens are also called "e-joints" and have the appeal of being small, convenient to carry, and release almost no cannabis smell when used. Other types of these first-generation devices have replaceable "e-juice" with variable THC/CBD content. First generation vape pens do not come with temperature control: they may heat cannabis to the point of combustion, making it equivalent to smoking. Many use piezo-electric elements that are red-hot within a second which can be hard on the lungs. The second and third generation of vape pens (Giroud et al, 2015) use more sophisticated technology, with heating coils made of different materials (cotton, synthetic fillers, ceramic). These vape pens come with temperature control and a small compartment (called a tank) that can accommodate marijuana flowers, oil cartridges, and marijuana oils in the form of wax or shatter. They are bulkier and more expensive than first generation vape pens (up to $120), but can be used many times. Between the simplest, first generation vape pens and the latest and more expensive models, there is an enormous variety of other products, varying in size, price, temperature control, heating technology, looks and portability. Some are rechargeable using blue-tooth technology, USB ports, or cell phones, while others still depend on electric power; and some are not rechargeable at all. Dab Rigs Dabbing is a method to inhale cannabis vapor from concentrates, oils or extracts through a dab rig. The typical "dab" set-up involves a handheld torch and a type of bong or water pipe with a heating element that allows fast vaporization of cannabis concentrates. The most common type of heating elements are a skillet and nails, usually made from titanium or quartz or sometimes glass. "Dabbing" is inhaling cannabis extract vapors created by heating the skillet or nail with the torch and saving the vapor in a "dome" that attaches to the modified pipe. A quick search online suggests more than 200 different styles of dab rigs are available, with prices varying from $25.00 to more than $400 dollars. Vaporization through dabbing delivers a very high dose of THC in a short period of time. To this date there are almost no studies on this emerging practice in terms of prevalence, trends, and short/long term effects. Medicinal users may also dab, although seem to prefer traditional vaporizers (Loflin & Earleywine, 2014). Some studies suggest that dabbing is becoming popular among non-medical users, as documented by the number of tweets (Daniulaityte et al, 2015) and You Tube videos (Kraus et al, 2015) on the topic. Some of the questions surrounding this emergent practice include: -Is dabbing more likely to trigger psychotic episodes in cannabis users than other forms of cannabis use? So far, there are a couple of case studies suggesting this could be the case (Keller et al, 2016; Pierre et al, 2016). -Is dabbing associated with a higher risk of cannabis use disorders? In an online national study, 357 cannabis users who reported dabbing rated this practice as "more dangerous" than using flowers and reported higher rates of withdraw symptoms and tolerance with dabs, compared to other methods of use (Loflin M & Earleywine, 2014). Final Considerations in This Emerging Area of Study Recently, the prestigious journal Addiction published an article (Budney et al, 2015) and a series of commentaries (Cox, 2015; Fisher et al, 2015; Gartner, 2015; Tashkin, 2015) about vaping marijuana in its "For Debate" section. It should be noted that "dabbing" was not part of this debate - while technically dabbing is a form of consumption of cannabis vapor, it has been treated as a separate phenomenon altogether by researchers, the marijuana industry, and consumers. The main points of this Debate are summarized below. Possible benefits: -Vaping may reduce negative health effects associated with inhalation of cannabis smoke. This is particularly important for medicinal users, who may have their health compromised and use cannabis daily. -Theoretically, vaping limits second-hand exposure to cannabis smoke -Marijuana users report vaping tastes better than smoking, has no smell, and provides more desired benefits from a smaller quantity of cannabis -In countries where tobacco and marijuana are used together, the advent of portable vape pens may disentangle tobacco use from marijuana use, since they are mixed together to increase the burning properties of the most commonly available form of marijuana in these countries (hash oil). This possibility would mean many lives saved, since tobacco dependence associated mortality is very high. In the US, using marijuana with tobacco has been reported by 20% of recent users (Schauer et al, 2016). Possible downsides: -The inhalation of residual solvents and carriers (such as glycerol) as well as concentration of pesticides may have deleterious health consequences; -Increase in cannabis use frequency and/or quantity among consumers, due to convenience (higher portability and increase ability to disguise use in the absence of smell), better taste and lower perception of risk. -Increase in the incidence of new consumers, who would not consider smoking marijuana but maybe interested in trying a method perceived as lower risk and less harsh on lungs. -Increase in marijuana addiction (or cannabis use disorders). Studies focused in other substances suggest that increases in potency (as it is the case in extracts) and delivery efficiency (as is the case of vaporization) increases the probability of misuse and addiction. In conclusion, marijuana users and the marijuana industry are embracing cannabis vaporization while outpacing our capacity as a society to produce science-based knowledge, inform the public, and promote health-oriented policy. It is hoped that research will discover answers to many of the existing questions to guide the decisions of individuals, professionals, and policy-makers alike. http://learnaboutmarijuanawa.org/factsheets/vaping.htm

Spice and K2 (Synthetic Marijuana)

What is Spice? The term "Spice" refers to a brand name of a range of smokable herbal mixtures that are sold on the Internet and in various specialized shops in some parts of the world. Since the Spice brand first appeared in the early 2000s, a large number of competing products made by other manufacturers have also become available ("K2" is another common brand name for synthetic marijuana). These psychoactive herbal and chemical products typically include olive-colored herbs, combinations of herbs, or plant materials enhanced with a synthetic analog of THC, the active compound in marijuana. These synthetic chemicals can be even more potent than THC, and because these products are unregulated, it is very difficult for users to know what the actual contents of each drug are. This is a large part of the potential danger in taking Spice, K2, or other synthetic marijuana products - not knowing what chemicals or drugs you are really taking or how strong they might be is. Synthetic cannabinoid products are primarily produced internationally, but are also increasingly being made in the United States. These products are generally sold on Internet web sites; however, they have also been found for sale at "headshops" and similar locations. The products are often marketed as "natural herbal incense" and include warnings that they "are not for human consumption," an attempt to skirt legal regulations on consumables. On December 15, 2008 it was announced by the German pharmaceutical company THCPharm that the synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 had been identified as one of the active components in at least three varieties of the Spice brand. JWH-018 is a synthetic cannabinoid first synthesized in 1995 for experimental purposes. It is a naphthoylindole, which belongs to the aminoalkylindole family, i.e. the chemical structure differs substantially from Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but it produces similar effects in animal experiments and has been reported to be more potent than THC. Since that time, numerous other synthetic cannabinoids have been identified. Is Spice Legal? The short answer: NO. Spice mixtures that contain synthetic cannabinoids were made illegal in the United States in 2012, with the passage of the Food and Drug Administration's "Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012" (part of the FDA's broader "Safety and Innovation Act of 2012"). This law bans synthetic compounds commonly found in synthetic marijuana, synthetic stimulants ("bath salts"), and hallucinogens, by placing them under Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act. Spice and some of the synthetic cannabinoids contained in similar products are also banned in many European countries, including the UK, Switzerland, Ireland, Poland, France and Germany. It is important to remember these ingredients are not disclosed by the manufacturers, do not feature in the product's information material, and may therefore be purchased and consumed unknowingly. Unfortunately, this could lead to significant problems for anyone who may attempt to purchase these products online. Some spice products have been found to contain a second controlled ingredient, such as a prescription sedative or designer opioid, and it is likely that any similar product imported under the name "Spice" would be subject to seizure on suspicion of being a prohibited import. Is Spice Safe? Synthetic cannabinoids or cannabinoidomimetics - substances mimicking cannabis - are often described as "research chemicals." Research chemicals are experimental substances created for laboratory research purposes that are not approved for human consumption and in nearly all cases have never been tested on humans. The vast majority of these chemicals have only been recently synthesized and little, if any, data exists currently about their side effects, adverse reactions, long-term damage, or dependence potential. Most importantly, there are no officially published safety data and virtually nothing is known about their effects in humans. Results from animal experiments with these substances are very sparse. There is currently no way to effectively estimate purity or safe dosage, with the risk of even very small doses causing acute neurotoxic effects. Not only can synthetic cannabinoids cause agitation, hallucination, high blood pressure, and rapid heartbeat, but studies have also found a connection between synthetics and hypokalaemia (dangerously low levels of potassium in the blood; Hermanns-Clausen M et al 2013), and damage to the kidneys (Thornton SL et al, 2013; Bhanushali GK et al, 2013). Studies have also suggested an association between synthetic cannabinoids and psychosis (Oluwabusi et al, 2012; Hurst et al, 2011; Every-Palmer 2011), and myocardial infarction (heart attacks) have been associated with the use of the synthetic cannabinoid K2 (Mir et al, 2011). Based on the information available, it must be assumed that different amounts or combinations of synthetic cannabinoids are added to many of the Spice products currently available online at manufacture, without informing the buyers. It should be also noted there is evidence that identically named or packaged products have been known to change their composition from one batch to another. Manufacturers change the exact chemicals used as each specific formulation is banned, making it impossible to know exactly what you might be taking, how potent it is, or what its effects might be. Since the synthetic chemicals involved are very potent, even minor errors in their addition to herbal mixtures may lead to severe toxicity incidents. In summary, products containing synthetic cannabinoids are illegal across the United States and importing them into the country could result in a fine or even imprisonment. Resale of Spice products may lead to drug supply (dealing) charges. In addition, we know little about the ingredients contained in these products and as a result the possible health consequences of using them via any route of administration remain unknown at this time. http://learnaboutmarijuanawa.org/factsheets/spice.htm

Kief

Kief is the product of sieving dry plant matter through a screen. Kief is essentially the trichomes from the cannabis plant. It is not a 'true' hash however, until it's been sieved through a proper screen to remove any plant matter. This finer form of kief is called dry sift/sieve. It's also popular to extract kief utilizing dry ice and bubble bags (screened bags for bubble hash extraction). Kief burns faster than flowers, so it's best to be vaporized, converted to a more stable finger hash, or combined with flowers in a joint, blunt, or bowl. Kief is commonly collected in grinders with screens. http://weedporndaily.com/weeducation/hash-and-concentrates/

CBDL

Cannabinodiol (CBDL) is one of many phytocannabinoids present in the plant Cannabis sativa, otherwise known as marijuana. Despite being present in low concentrations, it is relevant for being one of three known psychoactive cannabinoids found in the plant's flowers, although at lower concentrations than THC and cannabinol. It is a constituent of Lebanese hashish. The chemical nomenclature and preferred IUPAC name is 2,6-dihydroxy-6′-isopropenyl-3′-methyl-4-n-pentyl-biphenyl, the aromatic analogue of cannabidiol. It can occur as a product of the photochemical conversion of cannabinol. http://www.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=Cannabinodiol

Indica

Effects: -Relaxing and calming -Body "buzz" -Best for night use or afternoon -Relieves body pain -Relaxes muscles -Relieves spasms -Reduces seizures -Relieves constant nausea -Relieves headaches and migraines -Relieves anxiety and stress -Specific Diseases; Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis or Lupus -Sleep aid for people with insomnia ------------------------ Indica plants are short, usually under six feet, and have fat deep green leaves. Indicas originate from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and the surrounding areas. The high from a quality indica strain leaves you relaxed and social. The stronger varieties will numb your body and put you to sleep. Great for relaxation, stress relief, and couchlock. https://www.leafly.com/explore/category-indica -------------------------- Cannabis indica, formally known as Cannabis sativa forma indica, is an annual plant in the Cannabaceae family. A putative species of the genus Cannabis. Broad-leafed Cannabis indica plants in India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan are traditionally cultivated for the production of charas. The difference between charas and hashish is that hashish is made from a dead marijuana plant and charas is made from a live one. Pharmacologically, C. indica landraces tend to have a higher cannabidiol (CBD) content than C. sativa strains Some commercially available indica strains have been selected for high levels of CBD, with some users reporting more of a "stoned" feeling and less of a "high" from C. indica when compared to C. sativa. The Cannabis indica high is often referred to as a "body buzz" and has beneficial properties such as pain relief in addition to being an effective treatment for insomnia and an anxiolytic, as opposed to sativa's more common reports of a "spacey" and mental inebriation, and even, albeit rarely, comprising hallucinations. Differences in the terpenoid content of the essential oil may account for some of these differences in effect. Common indica strains for recreational or medicinal use include Kush and Northern Lights. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_indica

Sativa

Effects: -Uplifting and energetic -Cerebral; spacey or hallucinogenic -Best for day use -Spark new ideas and creations -Feeling of well-being and at ease -Uplifting and cerebral thoughts -Stimulates and energizes -Stimulates hunger, making it useful for patients diagnosed with anorexia or certain forms of cancer -Increases focus and creativity -Combats mental or behavioral issues such as depression or ADHD --------------------- Sativa plants can grow upwards of 25 feet tall but most stay under 12 feet. Light green leaves that are long and thin, the stereotypical marijuana icon. The high from sativa strains are often described as uplifting and energetic. These are great for daytime use and a favorite for medicinal users because of the pain relief properties. https://www.leafly.com/explore/category-sativa ---------------------- Cannabis sativa is an annual herbaceous plant in the Cannabis genus, a species of the Cannabaceae family. People have cultivated Cannabis sativa throughout recorded history as a source of industrial fiber, seed oil, food, recreation, religious and spiritual moods, and medicine. Each part of the plant is harvested differently, depending on the purpose of its use. The species was first classified by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. Its seeds are chiefly used to make hempseed oil which can be used for cooking, lamps, lacquers, or paints. They can also be used as caged-bird feed, as they provide a moderate source of nutrients for most birds. The flowers (and to a lesser extent the leaves, stems, and seeds) contain psychoactive chemical compounds known as cannabinoids that are consumed for recreational, medicinal, and spiritual purposes. When so used, preparations of flowers (marijuana) and leaves and preparations derived from resinous extract (e.g., hashish) are consumed by smoking, vaporizing and oral ingestion. Historically, tinctures, teas, and ointments have also been common preparations. In traditional medicine of India in particular C. sativa has been used as hallucinogenic, hypnotic, sedative, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory agent. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_sativa

Pulmonary Heart Disease

Pulmonary heart disease, also known as cor pulmonale is the enlargement and failure of the right ventricle of the heart as a response to increased vascular resistance (such as from pulmonic stenosis) or high blood pressure in the lungs. Chronic pulmonary heart disease usually results in right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH), whereas acute pulmonary heart disease usually results in dilatation. Hypertrophy is an adaptive response to a long-term increase in pressure. Individual muscle cells grow larger (in thickness) and change to drive the increased contractile force required to move the blood against greater resistance. Dilatation is a stretching (in length) of the ventricle in response to acute increased pressure. To be classified as pulmonary heart disease, the cause must originate in the pulmonary circulation system. Two causes are vascular changes as a result of tissue damage (e.g. disease, hypoxic injury), and chronic hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. If left untreated, then death may result, RVH due to a systemic defect is not classified as pulmonary heart disease.The heart and lungs are intricately related; whenever the heart is affected by disease, the lungs will follow and vice versa. Pulmonary heart disease is by definition a condition when the lungs cause the heart to fail. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulmonary_heart_disease

Honeycomb

A wax that ends up looking like a honeycomb due to the gas bubbles forming inside the wax. https://cannabistraininguniversity.com/cannabis-extraction-methods/

Flower

AKA 'buds', are the part of the plant that is usually smoked after being properly cured through a drying process, and is also used to make edibles, tinctures, wax, shatter, budder, crumble and resin.

Bubble Hash

Bubble hash, full melt, or ice wax is the product of ice water extraction. It's one of the safest and cleanest forms of hash. Since the resinous trichomes don't get absorbed by water, it simply washes the trichome heads off the plant matter (rather than using a solvent to absorb the trichomes). The product is a stable, grainy texture. Ice wax is an extraction technique popularized by Matt Rize that provides a cleaner product. http://weedporndaily.com/weeducation/hash-and-concentrates/

Crumble

Crumble has the driest consistency of all concentrates. Depending on how much it has been broken down, crumble should be able to break into desirable sized dabs before a session. If you're the type that likes to get hands on, you'll have no problem dunking this type in without the use of a tool. Try to avoid using parchment paper and instead keep your crumble in a silicone or glass container with a lid. https://www.merryjane.com/culture/5-types-of-concentrates

Hybrid

Hybrid cannabis strains provide the best of both worlds. Expert breeders select the top sativa and indica strains and combine them into super strains that maintain the best aspects from both parents. Hybrids can be sativa or indica dominant and have the effects to match. https://www.leafly.com/explore/category-hybrid

Pins and Needles

The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include numbness, pins and needles, burning and funny sensations, usually starting in the feet and hands and extending in a "glove and stocking" distribution. http://drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Peripheral_neuropathy

Dabs

Dabs, otherwise known as cannabis concentrates, come in many different shapes, sizes and forms. Commonly described as sticky, the concentration of cannabis resins can also be very hard and stable. The consistencies range from hard shatters, sticky saps, dry crumbles and everything in between. Dabs can vary from translucent to opaque. Differences between concentrates depend on a few different factors like changes in temperature, moisture and physical agitation. Solid THCA is agitated to precipitate from the oil and then crystallizes. Hash oil converts from a single-phase substance to a multiphasic, amorphous substance, which simply means it goes from clear to opaque. Terpenes play a major role in the outcome of consistency of concentrates since they act as solvents, and the more present, the more liquified your product will be. The way that you handle each type is different since some are to be stuck to a tool, while others will need to be scooped with something that's shaped like a spoon. If you're not already equipped with one, try to get a multiuse dab tool in order to accommodate the different situations you might find yourself in. Here are several different types of dabs that you'll eventually come across. https://www.merryjane.com/culture/5-types-of-concentrates ------------------ Dabs are a more potent form of hash. Dabs are produced by extracting from cannabis plants the THC, trichomes, and resin and combining them in various forms. Compared to hash, dabs are an extreme way of extracting the potent aspects of cannabis and eliminating less useful components. Dabs often have a THC content between 60 and 90%. How Are Dabs Done? There are four main methods to consume dabs. The first two methods use a "rig", which is similar to a traditional water bong but it has been modified for dabbing. Rigs utilize either a titanium, quartz, or ceramic "nail". Users often use a blowtorch method of lighting them. The torch heats the nail up and then a "dabber", which is just a name for where the dab is kept. The dab is placed on the hot surface and it erupts with smoke. The Dab then vaporizes and the user inhales all the smoke. The second rig method uses an "Electronic Nail" or "E-Nail" which plugs into an outlet and electronically applies heat to the nail. The third method for dabbing is done with a portable vaporizer. The dab is places in the vape and works the same way dry herb would in a vaporizer. The 4th way of doing dabs is the cheapest and most popular way. Simply light the stove, apply a knife to the hot heat for a few seconds until the end of the knife is hot. Then drop a small bit of oil on the end of the hot knife. Next, inhale the smoke through a tube. Some popular manufacturers of E-Nails and Rigs for Dabbing are: -DankStop -Silika -Pulse Glass -AMG Glass What Are Some Of The Common Names For Dabs? Dabs go by many nicknames in the cannabis world. They are often referred to as "wax, honey oil, shatter or budder, crumble, or honeycomb". Let's take a closer look at some of these names and what they really are. Wax-The highest quality of hash. It is moist and crumbly, or thick and sticky. Very potent concentrated THC. Oil-Made by using a solvent to extract the THC. Oil is less refined than the other methods. It is sticky and difficult to handle at times. It is also commonly called "Butane Hash Oil" "BHO", or "Honey Oil". Budder-An oil that has been whipped to give it a more manageable texture, and make it easier to use with dabbing rigs. It fluffs like butter and is easier to handle than oil is when dabbing. It is more flavorful than most methods, but not quite as potent. Shatter-A transparent wax that is hard to the touch. It is easily breakable. It is the most potent form because it involves a second extraction process that removes waxes, lipids, and fats. Honeycomb-A wax that ends up looking like a honeycomb due to the gas bubbles forming inside the wax. Crumble-A wax that is easy to break apart into small, manageable pieces. So what do all these names and different forms really do? Is one better than another? All of the above terms are different results that come from making hash oil, usually as a result from using butane to extract the most potent aspects of the plant. None are better than the other. They are simply a result of the type of extraction used and the level of refinement. Wax and Oil are essentially the same thing, just that wax is usually vacuum purged to create a higher quality result. How Are Dabs Made? Dabs are made by extracting the active ingredient, THC, from cannabis using most often butane as the solvent, also known as Butane Hash Oil(BHO). The butane is purged at the end of the process, ideally leaving no traces in the final product. Dabs have a hard, wax-like appearance. One of the leading companies in the area of equipment for dabs is BHOGART from California. BHOGART manufacturers what are known as "closed loop" multi-solvent extraction technology. They sell various sized units, ranging in price from $1500 to $9000. All of Bhogart's closed loop extractors rely on the use of an external high-powered pump. These pumps are like using a pressure washer to cleanse all of the valuable oils from plant matter and increase the speed at which extraction and recovery happen. Unlike passive systems which are slow and incapable of recirculating the solvent to ensure a thorough extraction and good yield. The way that it works is the buds or trim of dried cannabis is placed in the long tubes. Bhogart has machines that hold a pound of bud or trim, all the way up to ones that hold 10 pounds. The general expectation of each "run" or use is that the end result will be 10% of the bud or trim, meaning if you use the 10 pound unit and fill it with 10 pounds of bud or trim, it will yield 10% of that, or 1 pound of wax. The machines need butane to operate. The butane is fed to the machines through cans and makes its way through the many lines. Is Dabbing Safe? It should be mentioned that using butane to make concentrates is not without its share of potential problems. People have blown up, burnt down their houses, and caused injuries as a result of trying to use butane for cannabis extractions. Butane is Highly Flammable. Anyone using it should do it outdoors only. Butane gas weighs more than air. If using it inside in a room without proper circulation it can easily blow up. ANYONE INVOLVED WITH BUTANE EXTRACTIONS SHOULD DO IT OUTSIDE, WEAR GLOVES AND SAFETY GLASSES, AND HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER NEARBY! Apart from the potential dangers of using butane, there is also the possibility that ingesting any amount of it is not healthy. When amateurs make BHO, they typically buy cans of butane normally used to refill lighters. These cans are not always pure butane, often rather a mixture of butane, isobutane, and propane. Some of the cannabis industry's top-rated extraction machine manufacturers are: -Apeks Supercritical -Extract Outfitters -Eden Laboratories -Kindness Essential Extrators https://cannabistraininguniversity.com/cannabis-extraction-methods/

Butane Hash Oil (BHO)

BHO, or butane hash oil, is an extremely potent concentrate popularly consumed for dabbing and other vaporization methods. Cannabinoids are drawn out of the plant through butane extraction, which leaves behind a wax that will either maintain its sticky consistency or harden up, resulting in a crumbly "honeycomb" or a glasslike "shatter." Because its THC content stretches up to 80%, BHO is a popular remedy for chronic pain and other intractable symptoms. Always be sure that your oil is lab tested for purity, as improperly purged BHO may contain traces of butane.

Concentrates

Cannabis concentrate or cannabis oil, shatter, wax, honeycomb, oil, crumble, sap, and budder... are all different names of cannabis extract. Cannabis concentrates are the the cannabinoids (THC/CBD) extracted forming the purest way to consume the plant. There has been a recent shift and growing demand for this process and cannabis extracts the common procedure to administer the medical benefits of marijuana to children. There has been a lot of research and focus on improving and innovating these research processes. After extraction, cannabis concentrate can be turned into different products. Each new product contains the same benefits of the cannabinoids, however appear visually different and are administered in a variety of ways. http://higheconomist.com/what-is-cannabis-concentrate/ ------------------- "Concentrate" is becoming an ambiguous word in the cannabis industry. It could refer to the wax you vaporize, the tincture under your tongue, or the orally administered THC-free cannabis oil that's changing attitudes toward cannabis everywhere. The future of cannabis is steering toward these potent concentrated forms, especially as the therapeutic potential of non-smoking methods is realized by the public. Under the umbrella of cannabis concentrates falls any product procured through an extraction process. Solvents (e.g., butane, CO2, ethanol) strip compounds from the cannabis plant, leaving behind a product with cannabinoids packed in every drop. Some types of extracts test as high as 80% in THC, while others are rich in non-psychoactive compounds like CBD deliver an altogether "high-less" experience. https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/the-great-wide-world-of-cannabis-concentrates -------------------- Concentrates refer to the product of a cannabinoid extraction process using a solvent (H2O, C2O, butane, alcohol, etc). The goal of concentrates is to eliminate all plant matter and extract the resin glands from the plant matter. Concentrates are made by mixing cannabis plant matter with a solvent. Then, the solution is usually strained and purged to remove all plant matter and any dangerous solvents from the product. There are various forms of concentrate: Cannabis Butter/Oil Budder/Earwax/Honeycomb/Super Melt Wax/Hash Oil ISO Hash/QWISO Bubble Hash/Full Melt/Ice Wax Shatter/Amberglass/Sexy Oil Kief/Dry Sieve Scissor/Finger Hash Alcohol and Glycerine Tinctures http://weedporndaily.com/weeducation/hash-and-concentrates/

THC

Effects: -Anti-epileptic -Anti-inflammatory -Anti-depressant -Stimulates appetite -------------------- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, dronabinol by INN), or more precisely its main isomer (−)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the principal psychoactive constituent (or cannabinoid) of cannabis. It can be an amber or gold colored glassy solid when cold, which becomes viscous and sticky if warmed. Like most pharmacologically-active secondary metabolites of plants, THC in Cannabis is assumed to be involved in self-defense, perhaps against herbivores. THC also possesses high UV-B (280-315 nm) absorption properties, which, it has been speculated, could protect the plant from harmful UV radiation exposure. THC, along with its double bond isomers and their stereoisomers, is one of only three cannabinoids scheduled by the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances (the other two are dimethylheptylpyran and parahexyl). It was listed under Schedule I in 1971, but reclassified to Schedule II in 1991 following a recommendation from the WHO. Based on subsequent studies, the WHO has recommended the reclassification to the less-stringent Schedule III. Cannabis as a plant is scheduled by the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (Schedule I and IV). A pharmaceutical formulation is available by prescription in the U.S. and Canada under the brand name Marinol and Cesamet. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrahydrocannabinol

CBN

Effects: -Pain relief -Anti-insomnia -Promotes growth of bone cells -Antibacterial -Anti-inflammatory -Anti-convulsive -Appetite stimulant -Comparable to a sedative; sleepy effects --------------------- Cannabinol (CBN) is a weak psychoactive cannabinoid found only in trace amounts in Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. Pharmacologically relevant quantities are formed as a metabolite of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) . CBN acts as a partial agonist at the CB1 receptors, but has a higher affinity to CB2 receptors, however; with lower affinities in comparison to THC. Degraded or oxidized cannabis products, such as low-quality baled cannabis and traditionally produced hashish, are high in CBN, but modern production processes minimize the formation of CBN. Cannabinol has been shown to have analgesic properties. Unlike other cannabinoids, CBN does not stem from CBG, but is the degraded product of THC. If cannabis is exposed to air or ultraviolet light for a prolonged period of time, THCA will convert to CBNA. CBN is then formed by decarboxylation of CBNA. Compared to THC, which can be found at 30% in a plant, you can find 1% of CBN in a plant, but a little can go a long way. You can consume it via oils, edibles, capsules and patches. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabinol

CBD

Effects: -Reduces nausea and vomiting -Suppresses seizure activity -Combats psychosis disorder -Combats inflammatory disorders -Combats neurodegenerative disorders -Combats tumors and cancer cells -Combats anxiety and depression disorders -*Currently being tested for Schizophrenia and Epilepsy ----------------- Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of at least 113 active cannabinoids identified in cannabis. It is a major phytocannabinoid, accounting for up to 40% of the plant's extract. CBD is considered to have a wide scope of potential medical applications - due to clinical reports showing the lack of side effects, particularly a lack of psychoactivity (as is typically associated with ∆9-THC), and non-interference with several psychomotor learning and psychological functions. Marijuana plants can be bred to have the highest concentrations of CBD. CBD is non-psychoactive, which means it does not cause a "high". It is well tolerated and safe even at high doses. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabidiol

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a group of neurological diseases characterized by epileptic seizures. Epileptic seizures are episodes that can vary from brief and nearly undetectable to long periods of vigorous shaking. These episodes can result in physical injuries including occasionally broken bones. In epilepsy, seizures tend to recur, and have no immediate underlying cause. Isolated seizures that are provoked by a specific cause such as poisoning are not deemed to represent epilepsy. People with epilepsy in some areas of the world experience stigma due to the condition. The cause of most cases of epilepsy is unknown, although some people develop epilepsy as the result of brain injury, stroke, brain tumors, infections of the brain, and birth defects. Known genetic mutations are directly linked to a small proportion of cases. Epileptic seizures are the result of excessive and abnormal nerve cell activity in the cortex of the brain. The diagnosis involves ruling out other conditions that might cause similar symptoms such as fainting and determining if another cause of seizures is present such as alcohol withdrawal or electrolyte problems. This may be partly done by imaging the brain and performing blood tests. Epilepsy can often be confirmed with an electroencephalogram (EEG), but a normal test does not rule out the condition. Epilepsy that occurs as a result of other issues can be prevented. Seizures are controllable with medication in about 70% of cases. Inexpensive options are often available. In those whose seizures do not respond to medication, then surgery, neurostimulation, or dietary changes may be considered. Not all cases of epilepsy are lifelong, and many people improve to the point that treatment is no longer needed. As of 2013 about 22 million people have epilepsy. Nearly 80% of cases occur in the developing world. In 2013 it resulted in 116,000 deaths up from 112,000 deaths in 1990. Epilepsy becomes more common as people age. In the developed world, onset of new cases occurs most frequently in babies and the elderly. In the developing world onset is more common in older children and young adults, due to differences in the frequency of the underlying causes. About 5-10% of people will have an unprovoked seizure by the age of 80, and the chance of experiencing a second seizure is between 40 and 50%. In many areas of the world those with epilepsy either have restrictions placed on their ability to drive or are not permitted to drive until they are free of seizures for a specific length of time. The word epilepsy is from Ancient Greek: ἐεπιλαμβάνειν "to seize, possess, or afflict".

Hypertension

High Blood Pressure or Hypertension, is a chronic medical condition. where artery pressure is chronically elevated above the normal range of 100-140 mmHg - when the heart pushes blood and 60-90 mmHg - between pulses. The lining of blood vessels, the endothelium play a critical role in a variety of human disorders, including peripheral vascular disease, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, insulin resistance, chronic kidney failure, tumor growth, metastasis, venous thrombosis, and severe viral infectious diseases The administration of Medical Marijuana and synthetic derivatives have also been shown to lower blood pressure without cardiotoxicity. Components of Medical Cannabis produce an anti-inflammatory response; by reducing inflammation of the lining that impedes or restricts blood flow, the diameter of blood vessels is widened and blood pressure is reduced. How Medical Cannabis Lowers Blood Pressure The body's endocannabinoid system plays an important role in cardiovascular regulation and high blood pressure. Endocannabinoids produced naturally by the body interact with the body and brain's control system that governs many bodily functions. Cannabinoids, components of Medical Marijuana, mimic the body's endocannabinoids that are intricately involved in cardiovascular control system control. Many studies report that Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD work by normalizing the heart's pumping action through the relaxation of overly tense muscles and tissues, allowing blood to flow more freely and normally. These basic discoveries offer a solid scientific basis for Medical Cannabis treatment for high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disorders. "The endothelium (blood vessel lining) produces a variety of substances that play important roles in regulation of the circulation and vascular wall homeostasis (stability). The control of blood vessel wall homeostasis is achieved via production of vasorelaxants (relaxants) and vasoconstrictors (constriction). Relaxants include and endocannabinoids)." -- Dr. Schiffrin, Canada Research Chair and Director of the Hypertension and Vascular Research MMJDOCTORONLINE Notes: It is important that a licensed Medical Marijuana be consulted before taking any MMJ medication. While Medical Cannabis works for many, Strains high in THC should not be indicated for everyone with Hypertension. For more information, contact one of our Medical Marijuana Doctors for a Cannabis Consultation. https://mmjdoctoronline.com/blog-marijuana/high-blood-pressure

ISO HASH / QWISO

ISO HASH / QWISO Iso hash is the product of a isopropyl alcohol extraction. QWISO is an acronym for Quick Wash Isopropyl Alcohol hash, a popular technique for creating iso hash. Using alcohol as a solvent is incredibly cheap, however the flavour isn't as comparable to other solvents/methods. The product depends on the quality of the cannabis and extraction. High quality QWISO often looks clear and yellow, like a shatter, with a malleable texture. Low quality iso hash is often green (from plant chlorophyll) or black, and gummy in texture. http://weedporndaily.com/weeducation/hash-and-concentrates/

Rick Simpson Oil (RSO)

In 2003 a man named Rick Simpson treated his skin cancer using a homemade remedy made from cannabis. By soaking the cannabis in pure naphtha or isopropyl alcohol, the therapeutic compounds are drawn out of the plant, leaving behind a tar-like liquid after the solvent fully evaporates. Also known as Phoenix Tears, Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) can be orally administered or applied directly to the skin. Many other business now sell their own renditions of the Rick Simpson Oil, some of which are high in THC while others contain only non-psychoactive compounds like CBD.

Qualifying Conditions in California

In California, the following conditions qualify: AIDS/HIV Anxiety Arthritis Cancer Chemotherapy Side Effects Eating Disorders Fibromyalgia Glaucoma Lyme Disease Migraine Headaches Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Radiation Therapy Side Effects Variety of Other Chronic, Debilitating or Terminal Illnesses http://unitedpatientsgroup.com/beginners-guide/

Shatter

It is less flavorful than budder, and is the more refined process creating the purest form of concentrate. Shatter gets it's name from it's glass-like appearance, but don't confuse translucency with quality. --------------- Shatter, with its flawless amber glass transparency, has a reputation for being the purest and cleanest type of extract. But translucence isn't necessarily the tell-tale sign of quality - the consistency and texture of oil comes down to different factors entirely. The reason shatter comes out perfectly clear has to do with the molecules which, if left undisturbed, form a glass-like appearance. Heat, moisture, and high terpene contents can also affect the texture, turning oils into a runnier substance that resembles sap (hence the commonly used nickname "sap"). Oils with a consistency that falls somewhere between glassy shatter and viscous sap is often referred to as "pull-and-snap." ---------------- Shatter is what is referred to as very stable and glass like concentrates that more than likely will break into many pieces when dropped on a hard surface. Some shatter has some adhesive properties to it, while other kinds will be smooth to the touch. In order to get some onto your nail, either drop it in with your fingers, or heat your dabber a little with a lighter to cause the extracts to melt to the tool. A lot of people try to find shatter because it is thought to be the purest substance. Wrap your shatter in parchment paper to store and move it. https://www.merryjane.com/culture/5-types-of-concentrates

Sativa vs. Indica

It's first important to understand the different morphologies, or forms and structures, of indica and sativa strains. Indicas are short and stocky, while sativas are tall and lanky. Of course, from an efficacy perspective, sativas are better for treating depression and PTSD, while indicas are good for arthritis and cancer and are better at pain management. Sativas tend to deliver a more energetic, cerebral high, while indicas are more sedating, delivering the infamous "couchlock" and appetite stimulation (munchies). https://www.whaxy.com/learn/cannabis-plant-anatomy

Neuropathy (disambiguation)

Neuropathy may refer to: Peripheral neuropathy, a condition affecting the nerves of the peripheral nervous system Cranial neuropathy, any condition affecting cranial nerves Auditory neuropathy, any condition affecting the auditory nerve Optic neuropathy, any condition affecting the optic nerve (including "Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy") Diabetic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes mellitus Familial amyloid neuropathies, a rare group of autosomal dominant neuropathies of autonomic (and sometimes also sensory or motor) nerves Giant axonal neuropathy, a rare neurological disorder that causes disorganization of neurofilaments Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy (HNPP), a peripheral neuropathy that affects the sensory and muscle nerves Neuropathy, ataxia, and retinitis pigmentosa (NARP), a condition that causes a variety of signs and symptoms chiefly affecting the nervous system Neuropathy target esterase, a protein (enzyme) that catalyzes (increases the rates of) chemical reactions Organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy, a neuropathy caused by killing of neurons in the central nervous system, especially in the spinal cord, as a result of acute or chronic organophosphate poisoning Polyneuropathy, a neurological disorder that occurs when many peripheral nerves throughout the body malfunction simultaneously Contrasts Neuropathy contrasts with terms describing problems in other parts of the nervous system such as: Encephalopathy Myelopathy Radiculopathy Neuromuscular junction disease Myopathy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuropathy_(disambiguation)

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is damage to or disease affecting nerves, which may impair sensation, movement, gland or organ function, or other aspects of health, depending on the type of nerve affected. Common causes include systemic diseases (such as diabetes or leprosy), vitamin deficiency, medication (e.g., chemotherapy), traumatic injury, radiation therapy, excessive alcohol consumption, immune system disease, Coeliac disease, or viral infection. It can also be genetic (present from birth) or idiopathic (no known cause). In conventional medical usage, the word neuropathy (neuro-, "nervous system" and -pathy, "disease of") without modifier usually means peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy affecting just one nerve is called "mononeuropathy" and neuropathy involving multiple nerves in roughly the same areas on both sides of the body is called "symmetrical polyneuropathy" or simply "polyneuropathy." When two or more (typically just a few, but sometimes many) separate nerves in disparate areas of the body are affected it is called "mononeuritis multiplex," "multifocal mononeuropathy," or "multiple mononeuropathy." Peripheral neuropathy may be chronic (a long-term condition where symptoms begin subtly and progress slowly) or acute (sudden onset, rapid progress, and slow resolution). Acute neuropathies demand urgent diagnosis. Motor nerves (that control muscles), sensory nerves, or autonomic nerves (that control automatic functions such as heart rate, body temperature, and breathing), may be affected. More than one type of nerve may be affected at the same time. Peripheral neuropathies may be classified according to the type of nerve predominantly involved, or by the underlying cause.[1][2][3] Neuropathy may cause painful cramps, fasciculations (fine muscle twitching), muscle loss, bone degeneration, and changes in the skin, hair, and nails. Additionally, motor neuropathy may cause impaired balance and coordination or, most commonly, muscle weakness; sensory neuropathy may cause numbness to touch and vibration, reduced position sense causing poorer coordination and balance, reduced sensitivity to temperature change and pain, spontaneous tingling or burning pain, or skin allodynia (severe pain from normally nonpainful stimuli, such as light touch); and autonomic neuropathy may produce diverse symptoms, depending on the affected glands and organs, but common symptoms are poor bladder control, abnormal blood pressure or heart rate, and reduced ability to sweat normally. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripheral_neuropathy

Extracts

Shatter, wax, honeycomb, oil, crumble, sap, budder, pull-and-snap...these are some of the nicknames cannabis extracts have earned through their popularity, prevalence, and diversification. If you've heard any of those words before, they were likely used to describe BHO (butane hash oil), CO2 oil, or similar hydrocarbon extracts. This list of descriptive subcategories might lead you to believe that there are stark differences between each one, but the division between glass-like shatter and crumbly wax is more superficial than you'd expect. For those of you who are new to the concentrates game, a cannabis extract is any oil that concentrates the plant's chemical compounds like THC and CBD. This is achieved through a variety of extraction processes and solvents, the most common being butane. Advancements in extraction technology have enabled the use of other solvents like carbon dioxide and pure hydrocarbons in a process that utilizes pressure in a safe closed-loop system. The end product is a highly potent oil of varying consistencies most popularly used for vaporization and dabbing. https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-is-cannabis-oil-shatter-and-wax --------------------- Cannabis extraction is a delicate process and could have serious consequences for medical patients if done incorrectly. Like most arts there are several extraction processes, here are the most common ones: Non-hydrocarbons Dry Sieve Water CO2 Isopropyl Alcohol Hydrocarbons Butane / Propane Hexane With such a large diversification of names and processes, it's easy to believe that each process would lead to distinct properties and differences. On the contrary, many of these differences are purely superficial. In order to extract the cannabinoids, cannabis must be placed in a solvent. The cannabinoids and terpenes are dissolved into the liquid or gas solvent, and the remaining plant is filtered out. The next step which is the most fragile and determines the purity of the concentrate is the removal of all remaining solvent. If any remaining solvent could cause great harm to a patient. What is left over after the solvent is removed is the concentrate. http://higheconomist.com/marijuana-concentrates-what-is-budder-what-is-wax/

Wax

Wax is a sticky form of concentrates that should only be handled with a (clean) dab tool. This type will not work with your hands and will end up getting on everything. Extracts with decarboxylated THC usually ends up sappier, and the same tends to go for CBD as well, so don't be discouraged from everything that isn't hard shatter. Like budder, you should be safe to keep wax in any type of storage that you have available for your dabs. https://www.merryjane.com/culture/5-types-of-concentrates -------------------- Cannabis wax refers to the softer, opaque oils that have lost their transparency after extraction. Unlike those of transparent oils, the molecules of cannabis wax crystallize as a result of agitation. Light can't travel through irregular molecular densities, and that refraction leaves us with a solid, non-transparent oil. Just as transparent oils span the spectrum between shatter and sap, wax can also take on different consistencies based on heat, moisture, and the texture of the oil before it is purged (the process in which residual solvents are removed from the product). Runny oils with more moisture tend to form gooey waxes often called "budder," while the harder ones are likely to take on a soft, brittle texture known as "crumble" or "honeycomb." The term "wax" can be used to describe all of these softer, solid textures.