Imagine this: you’ve been introduced to the world of cannabis by a close friend in Sacramento who knows the ins and outs of rolling the perfect joint. You’ve enjoyed a few puffs here and there, basking in the friendship and relaxation it brings.

But then, a few days pass, and you find yourself craving that soothing sensation again. You decide to take matters into your own hands and roll a joint. And that’s where the trouble begins.

Rolling a joint seems like a breeze when you watch someone else do it – grind, roll, and puff, right? But when you try it yourself, it’s a whole different story. Don’t sweat it, though. This guide is here to help you go through the rocky road of joint rolling, focusing on what not to do.

Simply put, below, we’ll walk you through the common mistakes so you can enjoy that puff without the hassle.

The Grinder Grind: Avoiding the Powder Pitfall

Getting the grind right is key to a great joint. Many beginners either turn their cannabis into a fine powder or barely break it up. Both extremes are no-gos. If your grind is too fine, your joint will burn too quickly and unevenly. On the other hand, if it’s too chunky, air won’t pass through properly, making it hard to draw on the joint.

The goal is to achieve a consistency that’s neither too fine nor too chunky. Aim for small, even pieces to ensure a smooth burn.

To avoid making this mistake, use a quality grinder and turn it until you get perfect consistency. This balance ensures that your joint burns steadily without canoeing or going out. As a beginner, it might require a few trials and errors, but once you understand the right way to grind, rolling a joint will become quite easy.

The Stash Shortfall: Keep An Eye on Your Cannabis Supply

In places like Sacramento, for instance, you can easily get flowers, pre-rolls, or extracts. Just look for Sacramento cannabis delivery– it’s super easy and convenient. You can choose from a wide variety of strains and have your selection delivered right to your doorstep.

This not only saves you a trip to the dispensary but also ensures you’re never stuck without enough cannabis to roll your next joint, enhancing your smoking experience and keeping the good times rolling.

The Loose-End Lament: Rolling Right

A gentle touch is important- roll it snugly but not so tight that you compress the cannabis too much. This technique ensures a smooth draw and an even burn, making your smoking experience much more enjoyable.

Remember, practice is essential. The more you roll, the better you’ll judge the right amount of tightness. Soon, rolling the perfect joint will feel like second nature.

To Sum It All Up

CAN YOU ROLL A JOINT WITH A DOLLAR BILL AND NOT PAPERS?

New Study Says Cannabis Makes Workouts More Fun

Forget Performance-Enhancing ‘Drugs’; Just Smoke Pot

Despite the well-known importance of regular exercise, not everyone looks forward to an hour at the gym, running, or any other kind of popular workouts these days.

While there are some people who willingly wake up at the break of dawn to work out, or look forward to pumping weights at the gym after a long day of work, for the rest of us, it’s nothing but a chore. But guess what? Using cannabis right before your workout can change all that. There are seasoned cannabis users who have already integrated pot into their wellness routine that can tell you, anecdotally: weed makes working out so much more fun.

And now, there are studies to prove it.

A recent study from the University of Colorado Boulder is the first to investigate how cannabis sold in legal states can change how people feel about working out. The researchers were particularly interested in common obstacles people cite for not working out, such as lack of motivation and enjoyment, pain, and other factors.

For the study, which was led by professor Angela Bryan, investigators analyzed 42 runners who were already consuming cannabis for their running workouts. They were asked to undergo a baseline session which involved the researchers documenting fitness data from the participants.

After that, the participants were then asked to go to a dispensary and purchase some flowers which were either THC or CBD dominant. Both compounds are well-known among marijuana users, though CBD is more popular for its relaxing properties while THC is famed for its high. The participants were then made to undergo a follow-up consultation which involved running on a treadmill at a moderate pace for half an hour. During this time, they were also asked questions to gauge how motivated they felt at the moment, if they were enjoying It, if the exercise felt difficult, their perception of time, and pain.

“The bottom-line finding is that cannabis before exercise seems to increase positive mood and enjoyment during exercise, whether you use THC or CBD. But THC products specifically may make exercise feel more effortful,” explains Laura Gibson, the study’s first author. Gibson is also a research fellow at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Health and Addiction: Neuroscience, Genes, and Environment (CU Change).

“We have an epidemic of sedentary lifestyle in this country, and we need new tools to try to get people to move their bodies in ways that are enjoyable,” explains Bryan. “If cannabis is one of those tools, we need to explore it, keeping in mind both the harms and benefits,” she added.

The Results

The participants all seemed to share the same sentiment about the experiment, citing more enjoyment and a positive correlation to exercise such as feeling the “runner’s high” when they ran while stoned. According to the researchers, the participants who consumed CBD experienced a more heightened sensation of positive emotions compared to those who consumed CBD. This leads them to suggest that athletes may be able to benefit greatly from consuming CBD especially since it doesn’t come with the intoxication that THC does.

“It is pretty clear from our research that cannabis is not a performance enhancing drug,’ Bryan added.

 

There have been other similar studies done in the past.

For one, a study in 2019 found that marijuana helps make workouts more enjoyable while reducing pain. The study, which was published in Frontiers in Public Health, was conducted through online surveys taken from around 600 individuals who lived in states where marijuana is legal. Around 80% of respondents admitted to using marijuana before going to the gym. Meanwhile, 67% of them said that they use weed before and after their workout.

The researchers found that the participants who got stoned during their workout were able to do 43 minutes more of physical activity each week, compared to the people who didn’t consume cannabis around the time of their workouts. According to the participants, marijuana helped make the workout more fun while helping boost recovery.

“There is evidence to suggest that certain cannabinoids dampen pain perception, and we also know that the receptors cannabis binds to in the brain are very similar to the receptors that are activated naturally during the runner’s high,” explains Arielle Gillman, the study’s co-author, and a former PhD student in the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Can Marijuana Really Help With Motivation?

Back in the day, weed users were accused of being lazy couch potatoes. However, we can’t deny the data we have these days; pot seems to be a driving force when it comes to motivation in general. Whether it’s to help motivate one to work out or to work harder, there’s just something in cannabis that helps.

Back in 2019, the University of Colorado published the findings of a similar study whose results showed that marijuana use makes workouts more enjoyable and even motivates individuals to work out. According to the researchers, investigating cannabis use and its impact on health including workouts “is becoming increasingly relevant as cannabis legalization continues, a situation that has been associated with increased initiation of use among adults, and increased potency of available products in legalized states.”

The investigators polled 600 cannabis consumers online, to dig deeper into the link between their athletic habits and marijuana consumption. “Results indicated that the majority (81.7%) of participants endorsed using cannabis concurrently with exercise, and those who did tended to be younger and more likely to be male,” they wrote.

“Furthermore, participants reported that cannabis use increased the amount of exercise in which they partook, and that it not only increased their enjoyment of the workout but improved their post-workout recovery,” they wrote.

Conclusion

While there’s more we need to understand when it comes to cannabis use and how it helps motivation, these are certainly fascinating findings that contract the stoner stereotypes perpetuated by the war on drugs. It’s certain that when used right for your specific needs, cannabis can be a safe, and all-natural lifestyle enhancer, and definitely a tool that can help you build healthier habits.

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Germany had a record 34.6 tons of cannabis imported in 2023 for medicinal and research uses, a significant increase from previous years. This inflow highlights how Europe’s biggest medical marijuana market—which is federally regulated—is changing, as seen by the increasing interest that foreign organizations are showing in Germany’s cannabis sector. Notwithstanding a little slowdown in growth relative to prior years, the notable rise in imports underscores the nation’s critical position in molding the world’s cannabis industry.

The surge in cannabis imports coincides with significant shifts in Germany’s regulatory framework, particularly the abolition of the previous cultivation quota system. This system, which restricted domestic cultivation to a select few companies, compelled the nation to heavily rely on imports to meet demand. With the introduction of more flexible conditions for cultivating medical cannabis under the new legislation, Germany aims to reduce its dependence on foreign imports, ushering in a potentially transformative era for the domestic cannabis industry.

End of Cultivation Quota System: A New Era for German Cannabis

The abolition of Germany’s growing quota system, which marks a watershed moment in the country’s cannabis industry, promises a paradigm shift in cultivation dynamics. Only three companies were awarded permits to develop medical marijuana under the previous system, following a stringent application process. As a result, their total output was limited to 10,400 kg over four years. As a result, the shortage of supplies from domestic farms forced a considerable reliance on imports to meet rising demand.

However, with the latest regulatory revision, enterprises may now apply directly to the Cannabis Agency for permission to produce medicinal marijuana. This decision marks a shift from the tight quotas of the past, providing a more streamlined and accessible route for firms to engage in cannabis growing. Peter Homberg, a major person in Germany’s cannabis business, believes that the increased flexibility in cultivation conditions will progressively reduce the need for foreign imports, opening the path for more self-sufficiency in the home market.

Once the growing quota system is removed, there will be a great deal of freedom for expansion and innovation in the German cannabis industry. By allowing a greater variety of companies to engage in cultivation, the regulation change fosters a more competitive environment that is advantageous to development and diversity. Moreover, this is a significant step toward aligning German cannabis regulations with evolving international standards, therefore enhancing the nation’s competitiveness in the global cannabis market.

While the transition away from import dependence may take time to materialize fully, the dismantling of the cultivation quota system sets the stage for a transformative journey towards self-sustainability. As companies seize the opportunity to expand their cultivation operations under the new regulatory framework, Germany inches closer to realizing its vision of a thriving and resilient domestic cannabis industry.

Imports in Flux: Dynamics of Germany’s Medical Cannabis Market

Germany is a significant importer of medicinal cannabis, but its position is under examination due to changing market dynamics and regulatory environments. In the past, the country has been a vital market for foreign exporters, providing profitable prospects in the largest federally regulated medicinal marijuana industry in Europe. Nonetheless, recent legislative modifications, such as the removal of marijuana from the list of illegal substances, portend a possible reorganization of Germany’s import market.

The elimination of the requirement for patients to get specific prescriptions for medicinal cannabis has simplified access to the drug by removing marijuana off Germany’s list of illegal substances. Standard prescriptions, on the other hand, are sufficient, streamlining the procedure and maybe stimulating demand in the medical cannabis industry. This legislative change is anticipated to rebalance the import-export dynamics, which might change the way cannabis goods enter Germany and change international export tactics.

It’s unclear how long Germany will continue to rely on cannabis imports despite these legislative changes. The timetable for reaching self-sufficiency is still unclear, even though it is expected that domestic cultivation and the elimination of regulatory obstacles would eventually lessen reliance. The future course of Germany’s medicinal cannabis market may be significantly influenced by strategic alliances and infrastructure investments made by industry players as they traverse this transitional period.

Fostering Domestic Growth: Germany’s Cannabis Cultivation Outlook

The cannabis industry is seeing a radical change as Germany allows for larger-scale commercial cultivation. The possibility of obtaining cultivation permits offers domestic businesses a special chance to profit from the growing market for medical marijuana. Demecan’s managing director, Constantin von der Groeben, is upbeat about the industry’s potential for expansion and notes that his company is prepared to surpass prior production quotas in light of the current legal environment. This shift toward homegrown production represents a calculated attempt to foster self-sufficiency in the German cannabis industry. Although imports would still be necessary to meet demand right away, the granting of crop licenses indicates a more extensive commitment to developing domestic production capacity. The sector prepares for a period of innovation and growth as stakeholders look at opportunities for extended cultivation activities.

This pivot towards domestic cultivation signifies a strategic endeavor to cultivate self-sufficiency within Germany’s cannabis market. While imports may continue to fulfill immediate demand, the issuance of cultivation licenses signals a broader commitment to fostering indigenous production capabilities. As stakeholders explore avenues for expanded cultivation initiatives, the industry braces for a period of innovation and expansion, poised to redefine Germany’s role within the global cannabis market.

Nevertheless, the timeline for achieving full autonomy in cannabis cultivation remains uncertain. While strides are made towards bolstering domestic production, Germany’s reliance on imports may persist in the short to medium term. As industry players navigate regulatory nuances and operational challenges, strategic partnerships and investments in cultivation infrastructure are poised to shape the trajectory of Germany’s cannabis industry, laying the groundwork for sustained growth and innovation.

Bottom Line

Germany’s record-breaking cannabis imports in 2023 underscore the nation’s pivotal role in shaping the global cannabis industry. Regulatory changes, such as the abolition of the cultivation quota system, signal a transformative shift towards self-sufficiency in domestic cultivation. While significant progress has been made, the timeline for achieving full autonomy remains uncertain. Strategic partnerships and investments will be instrumental in navigating regulatory complexities and ensuring sustainable growth in Germany’s evolving cannabis market.

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