Cannabis
Drug Plants Vs Manufactured Products: What’s Better?
When it comes to plant drugs, you often have the option of the plant, or manufactured products. Which is better? Read on…
Plant drugs
Not every drug is a plant. Though some like LSD and MDMA are based on plants or are synthesized using plants (ergot fungus and sassafras, respectively), some popular drugs, are nothing but a plant. Think of weed. We call it by this word because it’s literally a weed that grows by roadsides in many places. It doesn’t require any preparation beyond heating it; and plenty is gained without heat at all. Magic mushrooms are another great example of a basic plant drug that can be pulled from the ground and ingested, with no further preparation.
Beyond this, we have a range of drugs that started as natural, but were then processed into something stronger. Like heroin. Heroin is morphine processed with ascetic acid. Or cocaine, a processed form of coca leaves that involves nitric acid. In these cases there’s a certain amount of processing that goes on, but its done around the basis of the original plant. However, due to the processing; the results are a much more intense product. Cocaine is even processed further to make crack, a more intense version of cocaine.
Plant drugs have been used for thousands of years, long past recorded history. Some of what we know comes from fossilized findings, and carbon dated remnants. In terms of recorded history, from medical books to scripture; plants factor in as far as recordings go back. Different locations of the world worked with what they each had available. And they often came to the exact same understandings of a plant, in differing periods and locations; for which there would have been no communication or ways to share ideas.
Plants were (and are) widely used for spiritual purposes by many indigenous tribes the world over; as well as for medical treatments, and recreational use. Sometimes they are used so much, and so entrenched in culture; that modern governments allow them. Peyote is a great example. It’s used so widely by native cultures in the US, the federal government finally legalized the plant for spiritual use; a law that applies to anyone who wants to use the plant for this purpose, even beyond native tribes.
Synthetic drugs
The other side in plants vs manufactured products, is the manufactured products. These fall into two categories in my mind: products that are made from a plant, but produced in a different form; or completely synthesized, lab-made drugs. In either case, these products don’t grow directly out of the ground.
When it comes to products made from the plant, without creating a new drug; one of the best examples is vape products for cannabis and tobacco. And by this I specifically mean oil vapes, since dry herb vapes don’t require any level of production for the weed used. Oil vapes are vapes that use oil cartridges, and these cartridges contain compounds from the plants, that are leached into the oil. Instead of dealing with the plant, the user just deals with an oil cartridge and a battery.
Edible products are also included here. A brownie is not directly weed, and a gummy is not directly a mushroom. The drugs must be processed to some degree to create an edible form. This is something the average person can do in their kitchen with the right setup; but something for which there is a large and growing sales market, as well. Whereas you can choose what to put in when cooking at home; store-bought products include whatever ingredients the given company chose for their recipe.
When it comes to synthesized lab-made drugs, some examples are drugs like LSD, MDMA, antidepressants, synthetic opioids, Tylenol, and methamphetamine. There is no original form of any of these, so the only way they exist, is as lab-made products. Whether they’re synthesized using a plant is not important; as the drugs themselves are too different from the plants that they’re made from, to be associated with them in terms of effects.
Plants vs manufactured products – when manufactured is better
Some drugs only exist as one or the other. There is no natural form of methamphetamine, but there is also no lab-made version of salvia. Others exist in both realms. You can eat amanita mushrooms, or buy the gummy version; and same with cannabis. Both of these plants, and their accompanying industries, are great examples of the difference between plants and manufactured products.
Which is better? This is a matter of opinion. When it comes to weed, some manufactured products, like vapes, provide a more intense high than the plant itself; because they’re a more concentrated version. This is a useful concept for medicating; when often a very strong version of something is needed to get a medical effect. The weed industry provides both options, plants and manufactured products; and either can be decent in terms of effects, with manufactured products often offering a more intense experience.
Amanita mushrooms are another plant drug that has a good reason for manufacturing. These mushrooms come with a main compound that can make a person sick; though not enough to die. This compound, ibotenic acid, can be processed out through the decarboxylation method of boiling. This can be done by the individual who wants to use them; or by manufacturers who produce gummies or other edible products. In the latter case, all the user must do, is eat the product.
Manufactured products also come with the upside of dosing. We don’t all want or need the same amount, but its hard to know how much of the active compounds (or dangerous compounds) we’re taking in, when consuming plant material. Manufactured products generally have measured levels of compounds, creating a consistent experience; and making it easier for those who are less familiar with something, to get it right. This idea of consistency promotes the API market for pharmaceuticals.
Plants vs manufactured products – when plants are better
There are some issues, however, with manufactured products. Just like they can sometimes be more potent than their plant counterparts, sometimes it’s the opposite. Amanita mushrooms are once again a an applicable example. They’re newer to American culture, and don’t have a history of use as a plant. But they’re also hallucinogenic mushrooms (though different from psilocybin, as they work mainly off the compound muscimol). Producers seem generally afraid to create products with full-blown effects, which creates a market of products that don’t do much, even though the mushrooms themselves, do.
In terms of products being too strong, this is also an issue. A newer rise in emergency room visits is connected with very high THC products, which have become the norm. Whereas plants don’t generally have more than 20% THC (although this amount is incredibly inflated from earlier decades), manufactured products boast numbers like 90% THC. This is no longer in the standard realm of today; and its not shocking that more people get sick. Luckily, THC overdoses are not deadly, just uncomfortable.
Another issue is companies adding toxic substances. Not only does weed not need a lot of pesticides or other chemicals, it wasn’t an industry associated with them as a black market. Yet now with mass legal production, we’re suddenly dealing with sprayed weed, and overuse of agricultural chemicals. What once was a clean black market, is now a grossly dirty legal market; yet its the legal market that always brags about testing. Even though those tests back up just how dirty legal production is.
And then think about vapes. Weed might be sprayed with chemicals, but it doesn’t have to be. A vape cart doesn’t exist without the addition of some chemicals. Some are used that don’t have to be, like flavoring or colorants. But other things are necessary since its not a standard state for weed to be in, and it has to be preserved for transport. As such, things like stabilizers and preservatives (vitamin e-acetate) come into play. And this is beyond whatever other tinkering a manufacturer might do.
The same can be said for gummies, and other edibles. The US food market is not a pretty place, because regulation allows for tons of dangerous chemicals in food production. Sure, its possible to make a clean cannabis or mushroom edible, just like its possible to grow organic vegetables, or produce clean meat. However, just because something can happen, doesn’t mean it will. Edibles are food products; and liable to have a list of chemical ingredients, that only people with high level science degrees can pronounce.
Final thoughts
The reality is that for some drugs, both a plant option and a manufactured option, exist. It comes down to a buyer’s personal decision as to what is better. If you want the most basic, unadulterated form; the plant is best. But if you need a stronger product, want the convenience of vapes or edibles, need specific dosing, or have more trust in manufactured products; then this is probably the better option. Either way, if its well made/grown, you should definitely catch a buzz.
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The Court in Illinois, a legal state, makes a key ruling about cannabis
With over 50% of the population in the US and 100% in Canada having access to legal cannabis, there has been some changes. All age groups are embracing it, including Boomers who are using it in bigger numbers for its medical benefits. Beer sales are down as people are embracing vapes and gummies over calorie filled and hangover inducing beer. And the are figuring out how to keep people from driving under the influence. Now, a state court makes key ruling about marijuana which differentiates it again from alcohol.
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Law enforcement has treated cannabis like alcohol regarding driving under the influence. The smell of either gives probable cause, but now, for marijuana it is under doubt. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is very slow walking a decision about rescheduling cannabis. Part of the reason for the DEA is to combat marijuana and rescheduling would change a focus. Several sources say the agency is not keen on the change and hopes by delaying action until after the election, they may be given a pass. But this court ruling adds more pressure.
The ruling stemmed from a 2020 case in which Ryan Redmond was pulled over by Illinois State Police on Interstate 80 in Henry County. According to court records, Redmond’s license place was not properly secured to the vehicle and he was driving 3 miles over the speed limit.
The trooper allegedly smelled marijuana coming from inside the car, and subsequently found a small amount of cannabis inside. Redmond was charged with a misdemeanor for transport of cannabis.
Redmond exhibited no signs of impairment, leading Neville to opine that the trooper’s “reasonable suspicion” would not have advanced to a “probable cause search.”
The court ruled the smell of cannabis doesn’t provide probably cause, unlike the smell of alcohol on the breath.
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This court’s ruling could have an impact on federal law. Currently, there isn’t a fully reliable way to test people with data, like an alcohol breath analyzer. The next step in how the state adjusts will likely by copied by other states to avoid lawsuits. This will have an impact on federal policy…and maybe nudge the DEA.
With cannabis legal, more people are consuming. But the surprise it isn’t always about getting high and chilling out, a surprising number are using it for medical reasons. Gen Z, who is struggling with anxiety, use it to relax and also as an alternative to alcohol. Boomers are using it for medical reasons at increasing number. But a concern is they don’t users for these reasons don’t want to be too stoned. Here are the 4 differences between a mind vs. body high. This is a key part in consuming for medical reasons or just a relaxing evening.
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According to data, most medical cannabis patients report enjoying the hyper-sensory experience of feeling high. Sativa strains can induce a head high, which may empower you to think faster, act more quickly, and feel less inhibited at social gatherings. Indica is associated with more of a ‘bedtime buzz’, or what we call a body high, leaving you feeling relaxed, calm, and ready to catch up on some sleep.Indica strains may be well known for their ability to provide body-numbing effects that can help make chronic pain more manageable. cerebral strains can help alleviate chronic pain by reducing pain perception, or how acutely you feel pain and discomfort.
So marijuana can have two effects: body highs and head highs. While it’s very difficult to predict always predict the type of high, it’s slightly easier to differentiate a head high from a body high. So whether you use it for medical or just for fun, it is good to know which trip you are choosing.
Body highs heighten your physical sensations
Body highs are known for their powerful relaxing effects. This makes tend to leave the user less functional and more impaired. These highs are great for watching silly movies or enjoying a delicious meal. You’ll be less talkative but might be having a better time.
Mind highs alter your mood
Mind highs result in a brighter mood, with less laziness involved. They’re perfect for day use, since people remain functional with an added sheen of optimism and energy. Controlled mind highs are great for working out or carrying out day to day activities with an exciting twist.
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Body highs tend to help treat pain and provide relaxation
Since body highs are so focused on the body, they tend to be an amazing option for people who are struggling with some form of pain. They also enhance sexual awareness and bodily sensations.
Mind highs are talky and creative
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Mind highs are great for social or creative situations. They result in talky or giggly highs, easing social anxiety and making every situation fun and different. Creative activities like painting, writing, and more, come easily to people who know how to handle these type of highs.
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