How people consume marijuana is changing, maybe you should consider mixing it up.

The classic stoner look is fading and the face of those who consume has changed. Even 10 years ago, the concept of someone using weed was a joint, bong or bowl, but consumer trends have dramatically changed. No longer is smoking the 50%+ way people get high, and it tends to be the 50+ aged crowd who does do it.  No, vaping is hot on the heels and gummies command a huge market.  According to BDSA, an analytic company covering cannabis, of the people who consumer 49% have used a gummy and 45% have used a vape.

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Vape technology has changed and it is become a go-to discreet cannabis consumption method. For modern users, it easy to take to family events, hiking and more…and it has moved away from the d-bag image and more people use them. Here is how to vape using a pen correctly.

First check the charge. If you’re using a pen with a separate cartridge, make sure the battery is charged and turned on. Make sure the cartridge is tightly connected to the battery. Then set the temperature if possible. Some rechargeable batteries allow temperature control, so set the temperature as desired.

For the big moment inhale. Press the button and inhale, or simply inhale if the device has no buttons. Inhale low and slow to pace yourself and maximize cannabinoid intake. This also ensures you don’t overheat the cannabis oil and damage the concentrate.

When smoking weed, the paper goes through a combustion process that creates smoke and toxins associated with cancer and other illnesses. Vape pens heat the marijuana and create a vapor, which can still have an odor, but is much less thick and invasive than smoke. Vape pen vapor usually doesn’t cling to clothes and fabrics, and can be quickly dispersed in a room within minutes.

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A lot of people argue that vaping is healthier than smoking flower, primarily because you eliminate the combustion and smoke, which are the most harmful aspects associated with marijuana.

Still, there are some risks associated with vape pens, particularly with the chemicals that are in the devices — the side effects of which remain unknown and largely unresearched. It’s also important to purchase products from trusted sources, especially due to the strange vaping illness that appeared last year that affected hundreds of people.

While vaping marijuana is still vaping marijuana, the highs vape pens produce are slightly different than the ones you’d get from a joint. If you’re not used to vaping, be sure to start off slow and to expect a stronger reaction. Vape pens usually pack a stronger hit than joints, especially if the cannabis comes from a concentrate.

The Biden keeps sort of promising/pushing rescheduling – will be in time to help the industry this year? 

The public has turned a corner about marijuana use. Except for a few older members in Congress (Mitch McConnell being one), the majority of the US and Canadians believe cannabis should be legal. The American Medical Association, founded in 1847 and long the platinum standard of medical decision in the US, has declared marijuana has medical benefits.  But the older members of the current administration, and most likely Biden himself, are still reluctant to make a move to help patients, people and the industry. The concern is will rescheduling come in time to help the marijuana industry in 2024.

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In October of 2022, in order to fulfill a campaign promised to younger voters, the government decided to look at scheduling. Both Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did the research and recommended to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to reschedule it from a dangerous drug to one with health benefits. While the DEA has never not followed their decision, the DEA has been quiet about doing so regarding cannabis. And time has marched on, rumor was it would be declared by the end of 2023, then 4/20, now maybe the end of summer.

And while customers continue to spend on legal weed, the underpinning of of the industry is crumbling with zero tax benefits, onerous decisions and a business stigma. The Vice President mentioned it should move forward and the President tried to take credit during his State of the Union address, but nothing has happened.

A key benefit is rescheduling would allow the industry typical business tax write offs. Currently, businesses which touch the plant can take zero tax deductions, but have the gift of extra business expenses. Rescheduling with give an industry with 50+% mom and pop businesses a chance. A decision will have to be made by the beginning of October to have any sway with young voters for the election, but will be it be too late to help this year? And how many small businesses will be hurt or be forced to close.

In political circles, it is clear while this isn’t a policy wanted by Biden and his team, it is a necessary one to help attracting increasingly distant younger voters. The DC rumor mill says a decision will be made in the fall if a decision is “need” or if they have regained enough ground with young voters.

Lonnie Rosenwald from Zuber Lawler shared “Whether the timing of rescheduling makes a difference depends on the effective date. For example, if the effective date is January 1, 2025, companies could deduct their ordinary and necessary business expenses on their 2025 federal income tax returns.”

“Rescheduling could be retroactive, in which case companies would need to file amended returns claiming deductions for past years quickly enough to avoid the running of the statute of limitations. Finally, if rescheduling is effective in 2024, it should be retroactive to January 1, 2024, regardless of the specific effective date of rescheduling. Companies that overpaid their 2024 taxes in making quarterly payments prior to the effective date of rescheduling would be able to claim deductions for ordinary business expenses for the entire year, and to receive refunds in 2025 for their overpayments.”

The general feel in the industry is the rescheduling decision needs six months of runway to go into effect before the elections. However, there is the potential to skip the interim process and go right to a final ruling and, in theory, this could happen as late as September.