cananbis

Treating Multiple Sclerosis With Marijuana

Published

1 year ago

September 6, 2023

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More than two million people worldwide currently have a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In the U.S. alone, an estimated 1 million people live with the neurological disease. Often misunderstood, MS affects the body in myriad ways, starting with the sclerotic nerves. Many who experience the debilitating effects of MS struggle with pain, loss of motion and dramatic lifestyle changes that can affect life-long happiness. What about treating multiple sclerosis with marijuana?

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is open to cannabis as an option. They state although there are no cannabis-based FDA-approved medications to treat MS or its symptoms, some clinical trials have shown that non-smoked CBD/THC modestly improves reported spasticity and pain in people with MS.

Individuals with MS also experience muscle stiffness (commonly called spasticity), a condition that the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America calls quite common among those that have the disease.

Via MSAA:

“Spasticity is a common symptom in MS. It is a tightness or stiffness of the muscles – occurring typically in the legs (calf or thigh), groin, and buttocks. Although less common, some individuals may experience spasticity in their back. These are all muscles that help people to stand and balance in an upright position.”

While muscle stiffness affects an estimated 90% of MS patients, a study of medical marijuana has shed light on how cannabinoids in weed may alleviate spasticity. Given a single marijuana cigarette, the double-blind study found that participants with MS believed their symptoms had improved.

In a 2000 study, researchers worked with a 30-year old man with MS to find how his tremors were affected with the use of 5 milligrams of THC. Interestingly, when doctors compared the man’s handwriting and head movement before and after taking marijuana, his lines appeared cleaner without an obvious tremor.

While the study was decades ago, researchers have come a long way in understanding THC and CBD’s effects on other MS symptoms, such as pain and sleeplessness. In fact, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society supports more research on the potential benefits and drawbacks of using the drug to treat MS and research is finally catching up to the demand.

Presented in May 2019 at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, research showed that the benefits of CBD and THC with, “long-term-effectiveness” in an Italian study. Researched documented, “After one month, 1502 (81.4%) of 1845 patients achieved ≥20% improvement in numerical rating scale for spasticity and 814 (40.2%) achieved ≥30% improvement.”

As with any substance, doctors advise speaking with your care team about adding THC or CBD to medicines already in the pill box, but there’s promising studies on the horizon and this may only be the beginning.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society supports the removal of barriers for long-term safety and efficacy research of medical cannabis and derived compounds for the symptoms of MS and eventual creation of evidence-based guidelines in MS care.

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baking

Cannabis Cinnamon Buns

Published

5 months ago

August 9, 2024

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Want to wake up to an extra special breakfast? Try this marijuana breakfast treat!

During the 1985 holiday season, food history was made with the first Cinnabon^® Bakery in the SeaTac Mall in Seattle, Washington. Thousands of eager customers waited to try the original Cinnabon^® cinnamon roll and it became instant obsession. A father and son took the sugar, sticky breakfast treat and put it out for the world. This was the second big change for the bun, the canned cinnamon rolls premiered in 1956, changing weekend mornings for millions of households. The marriage of breakfast and dessert is a great way to start a special morning, but if you want something extra special, enjoy these cannabis cinnamon buns this weekend!

This recipe give you a chance to spices since you don’t have to use strictly cinnamon; adding other zippy spices to the mix like ginger, clove, lemon, and cardamom make things more interesting. Copious amounts of butter and sugar and THC are all supporting roles for some of the best buns around.

Canna-Cinnamon Buns

Smitten Kitchen 2009, with amendments
Makes 15 buns, 4mg THC per bun estimated

Dough

¼ cup half and half
¾ cup warm water
3 Tablespoons cannabutter*
3 ½ cups flour
½ cup sugar
1 large egg
2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
1 teaspoon salt

Filling

¾ cup demerara sugar
½ stick unsalted butter, softened
3 Tablespoons ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon clove
½ teaspoon cardamom
½ teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of salt

To create the dough, mix in a stand mixer or bread machine until you have a very wet looking blob. A bread machine will do the rising for you, but if you’re not taking that approach, dispense into a well oiled bowl and cover with oiled plastic wrap, allow to rise for at least an hour. It should triple in size and now be a giant fluffy cloud of goodness.

Plop the dough on a floured surface and roll into a sheet. Spread room temperature butter over the sheet, then add all of your delicious spices and sugar.

Roll this sheet into a log, then cut it with a sharp or serrated knife into about 15 slices. Arrange the slices in a square metal or glass baking dish that has been generously greased, then allow to rise again for 45 minutes to an hour.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees when you’re ⅔ of the way through the second rise.

Pop in your pan and bake for 15-20 minutes, keeping close watch.

They will bake up rather quickly so if your oven runs hot drop the temp to 350 degrees. Cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before digging in.

*Cannabutter

Decarboxylate 3.5g of finely ground cannabis at 225 degrees for 20 minutes in a tightly sealed, oven-safe container. Put cannabis in lidded mason jar or vacuum sealed bag with cannabis and one stick of butter. Heat in water bath just under boiling for at least 1 hour. Strain and chill to use in recipes.

Now for the fun part: spices like cinnamon and cardamom can actually help you get more high from a single dose of THC. The same flavors in those spices are the terpenes that make a cannabis strain have different effects, like myrcene. Play with the ratios and you can change the effects, but it’s all still going to taste like that yummy cinnamon that makes firm memories every time you fill up the house with their delightful presence. Try sealing some up individually and freezing, then you can have a single serving, medicated breakfast anytime!

Photos: Maria Penaloza

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cananbis

5 Off-Strip Vegas Places To Feast

Published

9 months ago

April 5, 2024

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Vegas is a place to have fun and indulge! But what way to enjoy an evening is to take a break and have a feast!

Vegas is the city of excess, satiating your desires and indulging your whims. Long known as a city of drinking, gambling and showgirls – it is involving into even more. The culinary scene has exploded. Gone are the mid level buffets and now is global food scene to rival some of the top cities in the world. And if you head off strip, you can get a bigger and tastier experience.

And Sin City has added another major semi-vice. While it is proven is has medical benefits, marijuana can also be used for fun and Vegas is becoming a green destination. Planet 13, most likely the biggest dispensary in the country, just opened their new consumption lounge Dazed. Coming soon adjacent to the retail experience is Cannabition, a state of the art cannabis immersive experience. And while it may not be the same without Elvis in a chapel, there is now a company specializing in cannabis Weddings.

So during a night (or maybe day) of indulging – you might be hit with the munchies or the drunkies, so slip off the Strip and embrace some amazing food. Here are 5 off-strip places to feast recommended by a true insider. Michael Stratton latest project is Cannabition, adding another layer to his seasoned career in entertainment and hospitality. He was a general manager at Bong Load Records, overseeing releases from The Killers, Beck, Elliott Smith, James Blunt and more. He also spearheaded the development and operation of the acclaimed music venue The Bunkhouse Saloon in Las Vegas.

Golden Steer Las Vegas

The Golden Steer

Located at the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Sahara and made famous by the Rat Pack. This old school Vegas steakhouse opened in 1958, and its rich history including Sammy Davis, Jr. performing and having his friends there to eat in the main dining room. Their beef and lobster is Insta famous and mouthwatering.

Tacotarian

An authentic vegan experience in the Arts District. The casual environment with cool modern decor serves creative plant-based Mexican dishes like vegan al pastor and carne asada tacos. “Our concept is really good Mexican food that just happens to be vegan,” said Kristen Corral, cofounder of Tacotarian. “When you think of a Mexican-American restaurant, you think of yellow and orange colors, and that’s not something you always see inMexico. We’re doing Mexican in a very modern way — we brought in bright teal, black and white, and natural woods. Plus, we serve alcohol, which is not typical of vegan brands.” Have a walk around while in the area and grab some drinks at a nearby bar or visit some vintage shops.

Fukuburger

Eat like a local on Jones in the Asian District. Many people don’t realize the massive Asian and Pacific Islander populations calling the Las Vegas valley home. If you’re looking for something different, Fukuburger is a casual burger restaurant with Japanese flair, serving burgers with Japanese-inspired toppings like teriyaki, furikake seasoning, and spam. What started out as a food truck has turned into a cult.

Esther’s Kitchen

Italians have a long association with Vegas. Nestled in the Arts District, this is not your ordinary pasta place. Consistently noted as one of the highest-rated restaurants in the area, it is a thoughtful, chef-driven concept led by chef and owner James Trees. The rigatoni carbonara is perfect when you have been imbibing a little too much with the green or cocktails.

Lotus of Siam

On Flamingo Road close to the Strip this place is an easy trip for top-rated Northern Thai food. It is has received numerous accolades, including being named one of the “best Thai restaurants in the country” by major publications. Chef Saipin Chutima is a pro at creating delicious delights. No wonder they have a local and tourist following for dishes like their Sai Oua.

Hope you might enjoy these 5 off-strip Vegas places to feast when you have the munchies or drunkies.

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bongs

The Best Reasons For A Good Bong

Published

10 months ago

March 11, 2024

admin

Acceptance of marijuana has grown with the President talking about it positively in his State of the Union address, Missouri doing over $1 billion in sales and 85+% of the population believing it should be legal in some form. If you are new to cannabis or an old hat though, bongs can make for an excellent experience. Here are the best reason for a good bong.

Some people find bongs inconvenient and apropos to a college dorm room, but bongs are effective in managing dosages and treating your lungs with a little more care than a joint thanks to the water filter. Technology has evolved over the years, with devices now available to help keep your space clean, are more compact and, most importantly, make the most of your high priced stash.

Better grasp on your dosage

Consistent doses are difficult to achieve when smoking weed. When rolling a joint or a blunt, these can end up coming out in different sizes, containing different grams of weed. When packing a bong, there’s always the same bowl, which allows for consistency and keeping better track of how much you smoke without having to count the amount of puffs you take.

A cleaner space

The easiest way to consume is a vape or gummies, but a bong has advantages also. Smoking requires something for ashes, a strong smell and generally a bit more mess, a bong can be both attractive in the space and be cleaner.

An easy way to clean a bong is to use rubbing alcohol and sea salt. Soak it for a while and then jostle it around. Rinse really well, let dry and put it away until next time.

Longer lasting marijuana

Bongs are more efficient when it comes to prolonging your weed. Since you consume so much smoke per hit, they tend to get you high faster, with less puffs than if you were smoking a joint or blunt.

Smoother hits

Water used in bongs allows the hits to be smoother and gentler on your lungs, preventing irritation and filtering out some of the ash that occurs with combustion. There’s also no need to add tobacco or paper, both compounds that damage your lungs.

So if you invest in a good bong, you can go old school and have a great journey.

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