The days of smoking cannabis out of apples is over. Smoking devices are readily accessible in tobacco shops and cannabis retailers, and their production and sale are big business. Creative shapes and sizes impress and create unique smoking experiences. However, as states across the U.S. continue to legalize cannabis for medical and recreational use, the legal status of cannabis paraphernalia—such as bongs, pipes, and rolling papers—remains a gray area due to ongoing federal prohibition of these devices. However, that does not mean that companies producing these products cannot seek protection of their intellectual property on the state and federal levels. And with a little creative tact, companies can find ways to federally protect their brands.

What are drug paraphernalia?

The term “drug paraphernalia” refers to any equipment used to produce, conceal, or consume illicit drugs. Under federal law, this encompasses:

“any equipment, product or material of any kind which is primarily intended or designed for use in manufacturing, compounding, converting, concealing, producing, processing, preparing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body a controlled substance.”

Examples of paraphernalia include:

• Pipes: Made from various materials such as metal, glass, wood, or ceramic.
• Water pipes and bongs: Often used for smoking cannabis or other substances.
• Roach clips: Small tools designed to hold the end of a marijuana joint.
• Chillums: Cone-shaped pipes often used for cannabis or hash.
• Cannabis rolling papers: Sometimes marketed for tobacco use but often employed for rolling cannabis joints.

The Federal stance on drug paraphernalia

Despite the widespread state-level legalization of cannabis, federal law continues to prohibit the sale, transport, and use of drug paraphernalia under the Controlled Substances Act. Specifically, U.S. Code Title 21 Section 863 makes it “unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale drug paraphernalia; to use the mails or any other facility of interstate commerce to transport drug paraphernalia; or to import or export drug paraphernalia.”

Yet, cannabis smoking implements are readily available in stores and online, and there is little indication that the federal government intends to crack down anytime soon. Producers have skirted the prohibitions by labeling their products with disclaimers indicating that they are intended and designed for use with tobacco products. However, a quick review of the design and shape of these items reveals that they are not well suited for tobacco at all.

Retailers such as tobacco shops, gas stations, and novelty stores often display these items prominently. Additionally, online marketplaces and mail-order services facilitate access to paraphernalia, making enforcement of federal restrictions even more unlikely.

Drug paraphernalia in Washington State and beyond

Many states permit the sale and use of cannabis paraphernalia, recognizing their utility in consuming legal cannabis products. This includes Washington State, which has provided an exception to the prohibition of drug paraphernalia if it is intended for cannabis consumption.

Washington law only permits cannabis retailers to sell cannabis paraphernalia to persons over the age of 21. Likewise a new federal law prohibits selling tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21. That being said, exotic shapes and sizes, with creative designs, such as dragons, skulls, or mushrooms, appeal to younger cannabis users. And they range in price from mere dollars to the tune of hundreds or more.

Trademark protection for smoking devices

Since cannabis paraphernalia is big business, it raises the question of whether a manufacturer can trademark the name of their products and stop confusingly similar names from entering the marketplace. The short answer is yes, they can. Potentially, both on the state and federal level. And despite the conflict between state and federal law, some trademark classifications are available to protect a cannabis company’s intellectual property. A little creativity in the federal trademark application process can go a long way in securing some form of trademark protection for a brand name, logo, and trade dress for a wide variety of smoking devices.

Each trademark registration must be associated with one or more classes of goods or services. Since manufacturers disclaim that these implements are for tobacco, on the federal level Class 34 encompasses most products related to tobacco, including lighters and pipes. So federal trademark protection is available if in fact these products are advertised as intended for use with tobacco. Likewise, many states now offer trademark protection themselves even for cannabis products and in Washington State, “smokers articles” are a class available for trademark registration.

However, on the federal level, trademark examiners common use extrinsic evidence to deduce the actual purpose of the products seeking trademark registration. If it appears that the product is unlawful drug paraphernalia, they will refuse registration. Advertisements and articles featuring the products and highlighting their cannabis implications have been reviewed by trademark examiners—and as you might expect there are instances where the USPTO has deduced their true intent. So, it is not a sure thing to merely label your products as intended for use with tobacco. Particularly when they are more elaborate contraptions, for example vaporizers and dab smoking equipment.

Conclusion

Even though there is a federal prohibition on drug paraphernalia, this does not mean that producers need to wait in order to obtain protection of their intellectual property. However, it could mean that your application on the federal level is rejected if you have too much notoriety as a cannabis product.

For more on this topic, check out this webinar or any of the following posts:

How Marijuana Benefits The Mental Health Of The Aging Population

Studies Show That Weed Is Great For Emotional Wellness Of Seniors, Not Just Young Adults

Mental health problems are commonly associated with teenagers and young adults. However, that doesn’t mean that the elderly aren’t prone to the same issues: the aging population is just at risk for the same mental health problems that young people are.

That said, it isn’t normal to develop mental health problems as we age. Older adults tend to feel satisfied with their lives despite having more illnesses, but what about the elderly who do struggle with their mental and emotional state?

Some of the many mental health challenges that older adults face includes feeling confused, anxious, depressed, sad, hopeless, irritability, constant anger, numbness, and changes in energy levels among others. And given their propensity to physical ailments and cognitive decline due to age, it’s critical to acknowledge and treat these mental health conditions, so that they can be in better shape to manage any illnesses they may have. Access to medical marijuana has been proven to be helpful in alleviating mental health issues among young adults, so why not the elderly too?

Now, studies are showing that medical cannabis helps the mental health of seniors, too. A recent study by the Cato Institute, shared in Marijuana Moment, reveals that for the elderly, aged 65 and up, access to legal cannabis improved mental health. The research authors also worked on a paper published in May in the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Specifically, they noted that living within a 30-minute distance to a dispensary “decreased the probability having a poor mental health day in the past month by about 10 percent,” the authors wrote. The researchers pored through geographical data to analyze the how distance from a medical cannabis dispensary affected self-reported mental health among older adults in New York.

The authors also state that “medical cannabis availability was not associated with self-reported poor mental health.” They add, “Collectively, these results suggest medical cannabis availability has limited mental health benefits on the population at large, with considerable mental health benefits for older adults.” They added that the most common reason that older adults use cannabis is for chronic pain caused by neuropathy, and since weed is effective for it, it can certainly improve mental health.

There are more studies that also now show, more older adults are turning to medical marijuana to help alleviate psychiatric ailments and achieve mental or emotional well-being. Polls show that the elderly turn to weed, just as much as young people do, for treating anxiety and depression.

A study from 2020, conducted by researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine sought to understand why older adults use marijuana. They polled 568 patients, and 15% of them consumed cannabis within the last three years. They found that it was commonly used to treat many common health-related ailments including pain and sleep issues, though there were also many participants who reported using cannabis to treat psychiatric conditions such as anxiety or depression.

“Pain, insomnia and anxiety were the most common reasons for cannabis use, and for the most part, patients reported that cannabis was helping to address these issues, especially with insomnia and pain,” said the study’s co-first author, Christopher Kaufmann, PhD.

In a 2024 survey, researchers found that around 1 in every 5 elderly adults turn to weed. The data, which was taken from the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging and AARP, found that 21% of participants older than 50 reported using cannabis. Meanwhile, more than 60% of them said they turned to it for relaxation, better sleep, and pain relief. NORML Deputy Director Paul Armetano commented on the findings, saying: “It is not surprising that a rising percentage of adults consider cannabis to be a viable option in their later years. Many older adults struggle with pain, anxiety, restless sleep, and other conditions for which cannabis products often mitigate,” he said.

Cannabis Can Contribute To Emotional Wellbeing For Older Adults

Elderly patients can experience anxiety and depression, just as much as younger adults. That said, cannabis products that contain CBD can be extremely beneficial for them. After all, CBD has been proven to help alleviate anxiety and stress, while improving our stress response without the psychoactive effects of THC. CBD for early dementia is being studies in a variety of senior groups right now.

It also helps that CBD is generally well-tolerated. Whereas the ‘high’ associated with THC can be overwhelming and scary for first-timers, CBD is more approachable and certainly much safer for the aging population, especially for people who are taking weed for the first time in their lives. CBD may have mild and tolerable side effects, including a change in appetite or dry mouth, though these are not dangerous and are in fact manageable.

Conclusion

CBD is a safe and natural addition for anyone’s lifestyle, including those who are 50 and up. Dosing is an important consideration when choosing how much CBD to take; always remember to start low and gradually increase your dose incrementally. Of course, medicate based on your body weight as well.

Patients can also benefit from higher doses to treat certain health conditions. For example, those who struggle with anxiety or chronic pain may benefit from 25 up to 40 mg of CBD daily. If you aren’t sure or are already taking several pharmaceutical medications, always consult your doctor.

There is a safe CBD product out there for everyone, including our grandparents. Just do your research and talk to a doctor if needed!

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5 Reasons to Grow Your Own Weed in 2025

Let me share a little secret with you – they say smoking weed isn’t addictive, but growing it? That’s a different story altogether! As someone who’s spent countless hours tending to cannabis plants, I can tell you that there’s something absolutely mesmerizing about watching a tiny seed transform into a magnificent, aromatic flower. It’s a hobby that can quickly become an obsession, but in the best possible way.

Yet here’s the interesting thing: despite the increasing legalization of cannabis across the globe, the vast majority of consumers will never experience the joy of growing their own. They’ll continue buying their stash from dispensaries or their friendly neighborhood dealer, which is perfectly fine! Cannabis cultivation isn’t for everyone – it requires patience, dedication, and a genuine interest in the process.

But I know some of you out there have been flirting with the idea. Maybe you’ve caught yourself watching growing videos on YouTube at 2 AM, or perhaps you’ve been calculating how many plants you could fit in that spare closet. You’ve been wanting to take the plunge but haven’t quite found the motivation to start. Well, my friends, 2025 might just be your year.

In this article, I’m going to give you five compelling reasons why 2025 is the perfect time to start your home growing journey. Whether you’re tired of dispensary prices, curious about different strains, or just want to connect more deeply with this magnificent plant, I’ve got some insights that might just convince you to cross over to the green side.

So grab your favorite piece, pack a bowl of whatever you’ve got handy, and let me tell you why 2025 could be the year you finally become the cannabis cultivator you’ve been dreaming of being. Trust me, you’ll want to hear this!

If you haven’t noticed that things have gotten ridiculously expensive lately, you’ve probably been living under a rock. The reality of inflation has hit us all hard, and here’s a sobering fact: $10 today is equivalent to what $7.41 bought you back in 2014. That’s nearly a 30% decrease in purchasing power! Every trip to the grocery store feels like a personal attack on your wallet these days.

While cannabis prices have remained relatively stable (thank goodness for small mercies), it’s everything else that’s eating into our budgets. That takeout you used to grab without thinking twice? That casual shopping trip for essentials? They’re all taking bigger bites out of your funds, and let’s be honest – it’s probably starting to nibble away at your precious weed budget too.

But here’s where growing your own becomes a financial game-changer. Yes, there’s an initial investment – we’re talking about a decent grow tent, some good lights, and basic equipment. But think about it: with a modest setup capable of housing six plants, you could be harvesting 2-3 times per year. Even with conservative yields, that’s enough to keep your stash jar full and your wallet happier.

And here’s the kicker – once you’ve got your growing operation dialed in, you might want to consider investing in a rosin press. For a few hundred bucks, you can start pressing your own concentrates. Do you have any idea how much money that could save you in the long run? We’re talking about turning your home-grown flower into premium concentrates that would cost you an arm and a leg at the dispensary.

In these economically challenging times, becoming self-sufficient with your cannabis supply isn’t just a hobby – it’s a smart financial move.

There is something that every home grower knows but dispensary-only folks might not understand – there’s absolutely nothing that compares to smoking weed you’ve grown yourself. I mean, think about it: you were there from day one, watching that tiny seed crack open and reach for the light. You nursed that baby through every stage of growth, fought off those pesky spider mites, adjusted nutrients when the leaves started yellowing, and yes, maybe even sat there talking to your plants while enjoying a peaceful joint.

Speaking of talking to plants, science is starting to catch up with what growers have known for ages. Researchers have found that plants respond positively to music, with classical and rock tunes actually helping them grow faster. It’s not just some hippie nonsense – plants are genuinely responsive to their environment in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

In fact, recent studies suggest plants possess a form of consciousness or sentience. They respond to touch, sound, and even emotional energy. This means all those hours you spend doting on your grows, adjusting their environment, and yes, even those stoned conversations you have with them, might actually be affecting their development in positive ways.

When you grow your own cannabis with love and attention, you’re creating something special. You don’t have to worry about what pesticides might have been used, or whether your purchase is inadvertently supporting some shady operation. You know exactly what went into your plants – and more importantly, what didn’t.

The result? Weed that’s not just clean and potent, but carries the positive energy you invested in it. Ask any home grower and they’ll tell you – there’s something different about smoking bud you’ve nurtured yourself. It hits different, and I don’t just mean the effects. It’s a completely different experience when you know every trichome on those buds grew under your loving care.

there’s an incredible feeling that comes from smoking a strain that literally no one else in the world has ever experienced. It’s like being part of an exclusive club where you’re the only member. As someone who’s dabbled in breeding, I can tell you it’s one of the most rewarding aspects of growing your own.

Here’s where home growing gets really exciting: with just a handful of seeds and some basic knowledge, you can become a cannabis creator. Think about it – you’ve got that indica that helps you sleep like a baby, and that sativa that gets your creative juices flowing. What if you could combine those effects into your perfect, personalized strain? Well, you absolutely can!

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t breeding cannabis complicated?” Sure, professional breeding with carefully selected traits and stabilized genetics takes skill and patience. But basic hybridization? It’s surprisingly straightforward. All you need is a male plant, a female plant, and a little bit of botanical matchmaking. When that male plant releases its pollen onto your chosen female’s flowers, you’re essentially creating a whole new variety of cannabis that’s never existed before.

Each seed from that union will be unique, carrying different combinations of their parents’ traits. Maybe some will lean more towards the relaxing effects of the indica parent, while others might express more of the sativa’s energetic qualities. It’s like opening a surprise package every time you grow one out – you never know exactly what you’re going to get, but it’s always exciting.

And hey, if you really get into it, who knows? With enough patience and practice, you might just develop the next award-winning strain. Stranger things have happened in the world of cannabis breeding!

As someone who appreciates every part of the cannabis plant, let me tell you about one of the most overlooked benefits of growing your own – hash production! While those pristine, crystal-covered buds might be your primary goal, there’s a whole world of possibilities hiding in those sugar leaves and smaller buds that some might consider “less than perfect.”

Here’s the beautiful thing about growing your own: nothing goes to waste. Those frosty sugar leaves that you’d normally trim away? That’s hash waiting to happen. Those smaller, popcorn buds that didn’t quite reach their full potential? They’re perfect candidates for hash making. And let me tell you, turning these “leftovers” into hash is nowhere near as complicated as you might think.

These days, there are plenty of hash-making kits available that make the process almost foolproof. Whether you’re interested in traditional dry-sift methods, ice-water extraction, or even pressing rosin, the equipment is readily available and surprisingly user-friendly. You don’t need a degree in chemistry to make quality hash – just some basic equipment and a little patience.

And let’s talk about the end product for a moment. There’s something magical about hash that just hits different. Even in this age of high-tech concentrates and fancy extracts, if someone pulls out some good hash, I’m always game. The intense flavor profile, the smooth smoke, the concentrated effects – it’s a classic for a reason. Rolling a joint with a sprinkle of your own homemade hash? That’s next-level satisfaction right there.

Look, if you’re already growing your own cannabis but not making hash, you’re leaving gold on the table. It’s like having a fruit tree and only eating the perfect specimens while ignoring perfectly good fruit that’s just a bit smaller or oddly shaped. Don’t be that grower – learn to make hash and thank me later!

You know, I might catch some flak for this, but I’ve got to say it – growing cannabis has taught me more about life than most self-help books I’ve read. And no, I’m not just talking about the practical stuff (though learning about pH levels and nutrient cycles is pretty fascinating). I’m talking about those deep, profound life lessons that seem to download directly into your consciousness while you’re just sitting there, staring at your plants.

There’s something almost meditative about tending to cannabis plants. You learn patience – and I mean real patience, not that “waiting for your DoorDash delivery” kind of patience. You understand that you can’t rush certain processes, that everything truly does have its season. No matter how much you want those buds to fatten up RIGHT NOW, nature operates on its own timeline, and respecting that rhythm is part of the journey.

I’ve spent countless hours just observing my plants, making minor adjustments, and in those quiet moments, some of my most profound realizations about life have bubbled up to the surface. Maybe it’s because growing cannabis forces you to slow down and pay attention to the subtle details. Or perhaps it’s because you’re literally nurturing life, watching this incredible plant develop from a tiny seed into something that can bring joy and healing to others.

Here’s what I think happens: when you’re focused on caring for your plants, your mind gets a break from the usual chaos of daily life. In that space, whether you’re adjusting your lights or checking trichomes, your thoughts have room to breathe and expand. You start noticing patterns, making connections, understanding cycles – not just in your grow room, but in your own life too.

I can’t fully explain why, but there’s something magical about growing cannabis that extends far beyond the plant itself. It’s like the process opens up new pathways in your mind, leading to a deeper appreciation for everything else in your life. And honestly? That might be the most valuable harvest of all.

Let me wrap this up with a sticky bottom line: I’m not here to pressure anyone into growing cannabis who isn’t already curious about it. This article is for those of you who’ve been sitting on the fence, watching growing videos late at night, and thinking, “Maybe I should give this a try.”

If that’s you, then let 2025 be your year to finally take the plunge. Whether it’s to save money, create your own unique strains, make some killer hash, or just connect more deeply with this amazing plant – growing your own cannabis can be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have.

Just remember to stay within your legal limits and don’t get too ambitious too quickly. The last thing you want is to end up in hot water because you got overly excited and turned your entire basement into a grow operation (yes, the temptation will be there!).

For those of you who decide to start this journey, I’m rooting for you! May your plants grow tall, your buds grow fat, and your first harvest be something truly special. Happy growing!

BENEFITS OF GROWING YOUR OWN STASH, READ ON…

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