Cannabis

How Sativa Became The Energy Queen Of Cannabis

Published

1 year ago

September 20, 2023

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Common wisdom about cannabis enthusiasts is they don’t have any common wisdom. The stereotype of the drooling guy “on” cannabis sitting in his parent’s basement playing video games for hours or Instagrammig nonstop is what many of the non consumer imagine to be true.

In fact, consuming cannabis—especially certain sativa strains—has quickly become the best way to energize getting chores done. Every busy chore hustler knows that choosing the right CBD/THC sativa combination, with the right terpene profile, can do the trick.

Strains are generally carefully cultivated for their energizing effects.

For example, according to Humboldt County Emerald Farms, there are four strains used to create AK-47: Colombia (sativa), Mexico (sativa), Thai (sativa) and Afghanistan (indica). The strain has a strong skunky sour, earthy scent, peppered with hints of pine, sage, sandalwood, and some light citrus. Smoking the bud creates an energizing type of euphoria.

The sativa-dominant Silver Haze began with the Haze variety that was popular in the early 1980s. Since then, Haze characteristics have been prized by cannabis users and growers around the world. Silver Haze was the first to create a space-efficient Haze variety that can grow fast and produce a high yield.

Amsterdam-based Sensi Seeds, the world’s largest cannabis seedbank with over 500 varieties, crossed Haze and Northern Lights strains to produce this high potency Sativa strain.

Other strains featuring Silver Haze genetics include Lemon Haze (Silver Haze plus Lemon Skunk); and Silver Dog (Silver Haze plus Chemdog).

Sativa cannabis strains are relatively easy to pick out in cultivation operations. They are characterized by a taller stature, slender-bladed leaves, a more open bud structure which often grows in a distinct spiral formation around the branches, and a lighter green color. All sativa cannabis strains are native to the tropical regions, where the long hot summers caused them to develop a longer flowering time than varieties from harsher climates.

Why you didn't get the cannabis strain you think you did — Photo by Zummolo/Getty Images

The scientific name cannabis sativa was first published in 1753 by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus who is known today as the father of modern taxonomy, which is the science of classifying organisms. The term sativa simply means “cultivated” and describes the common hemp plant grown widely across Europe in his time.

But how it got to mean a version of the cannabis plant that gets you energized is one of those head-scratching botanical genetics mysteries that always surround this wonderful and complex plant.

In fact, studies show that the sativa strain of cannabis, which is really low-THC hemp, is more similar to cannabis indica—and that, even though there is a “moderate correlation between the genetic structure of marijuana strains and their reported C. Sativa and C. Indica ancestry,” cannabis strain names often do not reflect a “meaningful genetic identity.”

How Sativa Became The Energy Queen Of Cannabis — Photo by Jed Villejo via Unsplash

The sativa strain you see in your favorite dispensary is pretty much a human engineered phenomenon—or mutant, if you like—created over thousands of years of human breeding and cross breeding, and still being tweaked today.

Okay, so all that science-y stuff probably elicits a simple shoulder shrug pause of reflection for most cannabis enthusiasts, who just want to know what they should consume before attacking their to-do list.

Best bet? Ask a budtender. They get the. question all the time because, well, there is no perfect answer. And if you stress out about it, chill with a kinder, gentler, indica strain—which gives you the so-called “in the couch” effect of cannabis strains—and doesn’t have all of sativa’s annoying lineage and genetics baggage.

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Cannabis

4 Ways Marijuana Can Help You Have A Better Thanksgiving

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2024

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If going the family Thanksgiving route, these gatherings can sometimes be stressful, especially when dealing with relatives you don’t see often or navigating potentially tense conversations. Marijuana can help reduce anxiety and create a more relaxed atmosphere. Microdosing is a popular trend with the younger generations, and it could be helpful in during the holiday. Numerous studies have demonstrated that cannabinoids such as THC and CBD can effectively reduce anxiety. By helping to calm nerves and ease social tension, cannabis can contribute to a more pleasant and harmonious family gathering.

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Aquafina

Can Big Alcohol Help The Cannabis Industry

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2024

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It has been a rough few months for the cannabis industry…could Big Alcohol help during another rough patch?

The cannabis industry was worth $33 billion in 2023 and is filled with mom and pop businesses. With the majority of the population having access to legal marijuana, consumer use is up, states are filling their coffers, and more patients are using medical marijuana. It has become so mainstream, even the staid AARP has acknowledge a signifiant portion of boomers are using it for medical reasons. But federal restrictions are crippling the industry, despite the growth. The industry needs federal help, can Big Alcohol help the cannabis industry. Alcohol is in a majority of grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, resorts, planes and homes. They understand the consumers and sell $260 billion in booze a year, not counting the second level market up. The alcohol industry spends over $20 million annually on lobbying, a drop compared to the $220+ million pharmaceutical spends, but an impressive amount. But Congress, the DEA, and members of the administration are not fans…and help is needed.

Alcohol has a $14+ billion investment in the industry and has a voice in the Congress. Cannabis is a brand and revenue extension for alcohol rather than a competitor. A major change in the beverage industry came with the introduction of purified waters by PepsiCo (Aquafina) in 1994 and Coca-Cola (Dasani) in 1999. Seeing it as way to reach more consumers and revenue, the two soda giants are now the owners of the top two bottled water companies in the North America. WIth a stake in the outcome, the big liquor companies could guide Congress to open up more for cannabis. This would provide both industries access to more customers and more revenue for everyone, including government entities.

marijuana legalization — Photo by Alexander Sanchez/Getty Images

“While alcohol and cannabis can play in the same sandbox, we more often see consumers using cannabis as a replacement for more harmful substances like alcohol. In cannabis, we find a paradigm shift—entertainment and relaxation without the costs of alcohol’s physical and social tolls.” shares Jesse Redmond, managing director at Water Tower Research, LLC.

Like bottled water, alcohol could open up markets to an additional set of consumers. They have the expertise and relationships most cannabis businesses lack. Already, hemp beverage are in mainstream retailers like Total Wine (Texas) and in convenience stores.

The incoming administration has few cannabis champions with both the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate and the cabinet doesn’t seem to be focused on marijuana legalization at all. But the majority of members are a fan of booze and that can be used to marijuana’s advantage.

Both would benefit from product development, producing and marketing cannabis-infused beverages and edibles. From a marketing point of view it also makes sense consider the consumer reach. In addition, research shows that people often pair cannabis with alcohol rather than replacing one with the other. The proportion of consumers pairing cannabis with spirits or liquor increased from 12% in 2018 to 22% in 2022. The next 14 months will shape the cannabis industry path for years to come, let’s see if Big Alcohol plays a role.

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Cannabis

Can Microdosing Help Manage Holiday Family Anxiety

Published

2 days ago

November 22, 2024

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The holidays can be festive, fun and heartwarming – but for some, there is too much family drama….microdosing could make it better.

Carols, gifts, parties, festive meals with favorite foods are all part of hte holiday season. But even in the best circumstances, there could be stress. Some 89% say concerns around money, missing loved ones and anticipating family conflict cause them stress at this time of year. But roughly have say it is moderate and may not be any more than the rest of the year. While family tend to provide a positive effect, if you look at Reddit, there are are plenty of causes of drama during hte holiday at gatherings. For those who are experiencing some level of stress, can mircodosing help manage holiday family anxiety? It could be a better solution than a half of a bottle of booze.

Microdosing marijuana can be an effective way to manage holiday anxiety, offering a subtle yet impactful approach to stress relief during the festive season. By consuming small amounts of cannabis, typically between 1 to 2.5 milligrams of THC, individuals can experience the therapeutic benefits without feeling overly intoxicated.

Microdosing cannabis can provide several advantages for those dealing with holiday-related stress. Low doses of THC can activate the endocannabinoid system, potentially leading to decreased stress levels without causing an overwhelming high. This can be particularly helpful during family gatherings or social events that may trigger anxiety. It may alleviate the effects of social anxiety, allowing individuals to feel more relaxed and confident in social situations. This can be especially beneficial during holiday parties or family reunions.

Small amounts of cannabis can boost mood and social confidence, contributing to a more relaxed and enjoyable holiday experience. Another benefit is may induce deep, natural sleep patterns without excessive grogginess, helping to combat short term holiday-related insomnia.

To microdose marijuana effectively for holiday anxiety, consider the following tips:

Start Low: Begin with a dose of 1 to 2.5 milligrams of THC and maintain this dosage for at least three days. If you’re new to cannabis, begin with an even lower dose and gradually work your way up.
Gradual Increase: If needed, slowly increase the dosage in 1 mg increments until you begin to feel the desired effects.
Consistency: Once you find an effective dose, stick with it for at least four days to assess its impact.
Choose the Right Product: CBD-dominant strains or products with balanced THC:CBD ratios may be more suitable for anxiety relief.
Consider Terpenes: Look for cannabis products containing terpenes like limonene, pinene, and beta-caryophyllene, which have stress-relieving properties
Timing is Key: Plan your microdose schedule around holiday events or stressful situations to maximize its effectiveness.

While microdosing can be beneficial, there are some general precautions. Consider potential interactions with alcohol or other medications you may be taking during the holidays. If you are some medications, it is important to talk to a health professional. And remember everyone reacts differently to cannabis, so what works for others may not work for you.

By incorporating microdosing into your holiday stress management strategy, you may find yourself better equipped to handle the pressures and anxieties that often accompany the festive season. This approach allows you to potentially benefit from the calming effects of cannabis while maintaining clarity and function during holiday activities and gatherings.

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