The Biden administration will move Tuesday to reclassify marijuana as a lower-risk substance, a person familiar with the plans told CNN, a historic move that acknowledges the medical benefits of the long-criminalized drug and carries broad implications for cannabis-related research and the industry at large.
The US Drug Enforcement Administration is expected to recommend that marijuana be rescheduled as a Schedule III controlled substance, a classification shared by prescription drugs such as ketamine and Tylenol with codeine.
A myth about cannabis is it is grown in healthy, organic atmospheres – which is frankly not true. Here is how spot bad weed.
Like corn, avocados and watermelons, cannabis is sometimes hard to tell if you got the right one. Peaches, apples, and tomatoes are easy with a squeeze, but other plants are more of challenge. Impurities are pretty common and not all growing habitats are healthy – including indoor. While 50+% of the country has access to legal weed, illicit weed still is a big part of the market, especially in states which don’t allow weed and New York which has over 1,500 unlicensed stories selling who knows what.
Figuring out if your weed is good involves seeing, touching, and smelling your buds to check for contaminants. The more you use, the more you will be able to understand quickly. Here is how to tell if you weed is bad.
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Visual Inspection
This can be done using the naked eye or a microscope. If the cannabis flowers are covered with too much shiny, crystalline substance, something could be afoot. During the harvest process, shake out buds and view the drop-off substances. Some impurities might see include grains, crystals, or powders. If you cannot identify some of these substances, it might be good to take a pass.
Visual is one one or even the first step. Pick up a bud to determine whether or not it crumbles or quickly dries out.
Smell and Taste Inspection
Before lighting up, take a whiff to get a better read. Although this only works if you’re familiar with what it should smells and tastes like. If you catch a hint or taste of chemicals or other unnatural substances, then you may have contaminated buds.
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Inspect the Combusted Weed
When lighting rolled-up buds, check if it gives up sparks when inhaled. Also, check what the flame looks like immediately and after the weed is lit. If you hear a crackling sound when you drag on the buds, it is very possible the buds are contaminated.
Also, check the flavor and smell given of the weed; if an abnormal order is detected, stop inhaling.
Inspect The Leftovers
This is the last process. If the previous inspections did not give off any weird results, there’s still a need to observe the ash left behind. A non contaminated bud will leave dark gray ash, which is obviously dry and soft to touch. If you see jet black, hard or greasy ash, then your buds contain one or more contaminants.
Cannabis is often exposed, directly or indirectly, to contaminants. Common culprits include sugar, sand, fertilizer, hairspray, and industrial pesticides or fertilizers.
Sand is one of the natural residues that can slip past the inspection of even the most experienced cannabis connoisseurs. Sand is an unavoidable material in agricultural operations, so there’s a high chance it contaminates the products by accident. Some unscrupulous growers tend to add sand on purpose to their products because it gives the buds a shinier and heavier look. It is always advisable to shake out your buds and sift through the ground ones before packaging.
Usually in large grown operations, fertilizer can put consumers at risk of developing life-threatening ailments if inhaled. Many chemicals are used for credible reasons, such as protecting crops and maximizing growth. However, the consumption of these hazardous chemicals over time can result in diseases such as neurotoxicity and asthma.
Other cannabis Contaminants to watch out for including fungus, mold and talc.
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If you ever find yourself with contaminated cannabis buds or products, the severity of contamination determines whether or not you’ll have to dispose of them. Some contaminated buds can be cleansed with the proper materials. However, if you have no time to do this yourself, it’s best to throw them out.
It is always best to purchase from a licensed, legal store as products are more closely inspected and have more oversight to ensure consumer safety.
The main objective of recognizing cannabis bud impurities is to ensure purer and smoother-hitting buds without taking in something harmful. Carefully check through your homegrown and purchased cannabis bids at all times, if not for anything, but stay safe.
As 50%+ of the US has legal weed available, synthetic marijuana is still around. Here is what you need to know about it
Marijuana has become increasing legal in the US, but it has not stopped the use of K-2, or spice. Created to provide similar reactions as weed, it has some significant drawbacks to natural cannabis. Often to be made to look like weed, it is not and the dangers are much higher. Here are the key things to know about synthetic marijuana.
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What is it?
Synthetic marijuana/fake weed/Spice/K-2 is a blended product. Containing shredded plant material and chemicals made in a lab, manufacturers spray chemicals onto the shredded plant material to make it look like marijuana. In reality, it is a group of manmade chemicals producing a “high” mimicking some of the effects of THC. Natural THC organically binds to the body’s cannabinoids, producing strong effects which can be euphoric and relaxing. Synthetic marijuana tries to do the same, but sometimes binds to the body’s endocannabinoid system in unpredictable ways. particularly since no one really knows what’s in these products.
Why is it dangerous?
Aside from its unpredictability, synthetic marijuana tends to bind more tightly to the body’s endocannabinoid system, creating a stronger relationship that’s harder to shake off. Side effects associated with synthetic weed are dramatic and dire, unlike the ones associated with regular marijuana use. According to the Cleveland Clinic, they include heart attacks, organ failure, seizures, psychosis, stroke, violent behavior, hypertension, and more. Researchers believe synthetic marijuana can make it more likely for people to suffer from psychiatric conditions, among them bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. About a quarter (28%) of synthetic cannabinoid users experienced central nervous system depression or coma—when brain and spinal cord functions slow down and impair breathing, heart rate, and cognitive processes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people between the ages of 20-30 are more likely to be exposed to synthetic cannabis, with men being more likely than women to try it out. Users tend to have already tried out cannabis or are regular cannabis consumers.
Weekends are made for naps, but done right they can make your week better also!
The body is a machine which needs fuel, maintenance and downtime. Around 30% of people don’t get enough night sleep during the week, which can cause problems during the waking hours. There has been a stigma around napping as being lazy, but often those “judging” are not giving their own body enough time to rest, refocus and beenergized for the challenges of day to day life. Data shows it is good for you and naps done right can make a huge difference.
Everyone is different and bodies need certain things to function, enough rest is one. Healthy sleep is one of the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8, their guide for improving and maintaining health. Naps can reduced fatigue, increased alertness, improve your mood and performance, and help with memory. But there are some guidelines…don’t sleep too long, don’t nap to close to your bedtime, and the following key lessons.
Figure out the right nap for the moment
The National Sleep Foundation shares there are three kinds of naps, each with their own patterns and effects. Planned napping, emergency napping and habitual napping. The first is when people sleep before they get tired, the second is when they nap because they’re exhausted and they have to, and the third is when they make a habit out of daily naps. Find the option that works best for you and you needs.
Naps should be short.
Productive naps are between 10-20 or so minutes. While we think of the more sleep the better, this is a case of a little goes a long way. Studies show a 10 minute nap can make people feel rested and prepared for the rest of their day. In fact, sleeping for over 30 minutes can disrupt in nightly sleeping patterns, which can alter your nights and productivity. Set an alarm for your naps, keeping them to a defined time, especially if you’re napping habitually and are not catching up on missed sleep.
Once awake, start moving
Weekends can be made for lounging around and being lazy. Spend all day in bed or lounging in the couch and end up sleeping on and off. But hese sessions can result in blurry days where the hours fly by and you end up feeling exhausted. It results in having trouble sleeping at night and not being rested. Days like these disrupt your circadian rhythms. Naps work best when they’re planned, with some activity and movement before and after.
Develop a schedule
Going to sleep at the same time every night provides plenty of positive results, helping you maintain a schedule and develop better sleeping habits. It’s the same with naps. “The brain prefers to anticipate something, not react to it. A nap is no different, which is why a scheduled nap always works better over the long haul when compared to a random nap.” This schedule shouldn’t force you to nap everyday, instead, it should help you nap more easily and feel more rested. Hope you can use the tips to make the most out of naps.
