Know Your Herbs

If you’ve been to a dispensary lately or perused our edibles listings at all, then you know weed gummies are booming. All of the bright packages and kaleidoscope of flavors could lead you to believe that infused candy possibilities are endless. But as a gummy connoisseur, let me tell you: most weed gummies are virtually indistinguishable. Textures, shapes, and flavors aside, if they contain 10 milligrams of THC distillate per piece, they’re effectively the same.

Why? Distillate is cannabis oil that’s been stripped down to one specific cannabinoid — typically THC or CBD. You can dab it, vaporize it, mix it into topical oils and creams or add it to edibles like gummies. It’s the concentrate of choice for most weed gummy brands because it’s flavorless, potent, consistent, and relatively easy to obtain. 

Distillates in gummies and the one-note effect

With distillate, you can pack a lot of THC or CBD into a gummy without muddying the color or adding a trace of grassy flavor. You also don’t have to worry about the effects changing from batch to batch, even if you purchase your distillate from a variety of wholesalers. That’s because you’re only dealing with one cannabinoid as opposed to the source flower’s natural blend of terpenes and major and minor cannabinoids, all of which can vary widely from harvest to harvest. 

With distillate, you end up missing out on the entourage effect, or the unique high you experience when you consume the full spectrum of cannabis compounds. You’re probably familiar with classifying strains as sativa, indica, or hybrid, but it’s really these varying levels of cannabinoids and terpenes that determine whether a high is more energetic, sleepy, or buzzy and balanced. 

It’s no wonder then why pure THC distillate can end up feeling one-note. This downside also applies to new users who face a higher risk of paranoid meltdowns without other terpenes and cannabinoids to buffer the intoxicating effects of THC. 

What to look for in the perfect gummy

This isn’t to say all weed gummies are a lost cause. There are some THC-only gummies I’m quite fond of — namely Elefante‘s watermelon gummies and Flurish‘s sour apple variety. The problem is when you try pack after pack of chemically indistinguishable gummies expecting a different outcome. That, my friends, is the definition of gummy-induced insanity. To level up your gummy game, look for any one of these three things when scanning ingredient lists and packaging. 

A ratio of cannabinoids  

Remember what I said about THC-only gummies feeling one-note? Adding CBD or another cannabinoid to a THC gummy can fix this and make for a more interesting or targeted experience — even if both the THC and CBD extracts are stripped-down distillates. 

More and more edible brands are going this route to differentiate themselves while still reaping all of the aforementioned benefits of using distillate. For low-dose consumers like myself, the explosion of gummies featuring a 1:1 ratio of THC:CBD has been a godsend. I’ve found these balanced highs to be infinitely more soothing than an edible with either THC or CBD alone. 

But it isn’t just about tempering the experience for low-dose users like myself. There is some evidence that low doses of CBD can actually enhance a THC high. If you’ve ever taken a 5 milligram CBD gummy after getting too stoned only to find yourself even more faded, then you know what I’m talking about. So mega-stoners take note: a little bit of CBD may actually give you more bang for your buck. 

Cannabinoid-rich recommendation: PLUS Gummies 

PLUS has been at the forefront of the weed gummy game for years, but they’ve really taken it to the next level with their effects-based formulations. Whether you’re looking for a gummy to help you relax or feel uplifted, they have a specific ratio for that. It also helps that the desired effect is printed right on the package. 

Available: California 

Find more PLUS products on Weedmaps

Added terpenes 

Similar to a ratio of cannabinoids, added terpenes can dictate whether your gummy high takes a turn for the energetic, buzzed, or sleepy. Terpenes are organic compounds that give cannabis and other plants their aroma and flavor, but they also interact with cannabinoids to influence your high. Linalool, for example, is also found in lavender and can send your high in a more relaxing direction, while limonene adds a citrusy aroma and a boost of energy. 

Bottom line: when gummy brands add terpenes to their confections, they’re selectively adding back compounds found in the plant naturally for a more tailored, unique experience. So even when THC is the sole cannabinoid present, the terpene blends make for a distinct, purposeful high.

Best terpene recommendation: Kiva’s Camino Gummies 

I’m obsessed with every flavor of Kiva’s Camino gummies, but the Sparkling Pear variety is my all-time favorite. With 2 milligrams THC and 6 milligrams CBD per piece and a custom blend of terpenes, it’s the weed equivalent of a glass of wine for me— minus the headache. You can eat one for a light, social high or double up for a full-body buzz. 

I also love that I can share them with my super-cautious friends without fear they’ll slip into a paranoid nosedive. For those with higher tolerances, Kiva has a range of 5 milligram THC gummies that are equally excellent with targeted effects. 

Available: California

Find more Kiva products on Weedmaps 

Full-spectrum cannabis oil 

While full-spectrum oils may result in an experience that’s hard to replicate precisely batch to batch, it does mean you can expect a far more nuanced high. That’s because full-spectrum oils are designed to retain as much of the original plant’s natural cannabinoids and terpenes as possible. 

You can count on these types of gummies having earthy undertones, but in my humble opinion, it only adds to the complexity of the flavor. If you’re looking to replicate the high you get from smoking flower, these are the kind of gummies you should look for. 

Full-spectrum recommendation: Rose Delights 

As previously mentioned, full-spectrum is the way to go if you don’t mind earthy flavors and somewhat inconsistent highs. Rose Delights fits squarely in this category while delivering on the complex, delightful experience front. To be clear, their confections are more Turkish delight than drugstore-variety gummy, which should only be a problem if you’re opposed to feeling fancy.

Each 5-milligram serving is small enough and tasty enough for high-dose users to take down a whole box. Meanwhile, low-dose users can play it safe and stick with one. 

As with all edibles, you can always eat more but you can’t eat less once you’ve started. Newbies, begin with 5 milligrams THC or less and gradually work your way up until you find your perfect dose. Remember, no one’s ever called the cops on themselves after taking too little. 

Available: California

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Featured image by R+R Medicinals/Unsplash

The post How to find the Best Weed Gummies in a Sea of Sameness appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Source: wm

Charlotte’s Web is a hemp cultivar developed by the Stanley Brothers, a family-bound group of Colorado growers, to have high levels of non-intoxicating cannabidiol (CBD). Falling well underneath the .3% THC outlined in the 2018 Farm Bill that opened the United States consumer market to CBD products, the proprietary strain is processed into full-spectrum hemp oil and sold in capsules, gummies, topical balms, and even dog treats. 

The life-changing benefits reported by those who rely on Charlotte’s Web and the CBD oil it produces to manage seizures, anxiety and other symptoms have changed hearts and minds in the medical and legal fields, leading the way for greater access while playing a surprising role in the widespread acceptance of cannabis-derived medicine.

The strain’s namesake, Charlotte Figi, became the poster child for the medicinal CBD movement, and a symbol of hope to thousands. She recently passed away following treatment for a potential case of COVID-19, and her legacy was honored across the world. 

Charlotte Figi, who was born with a rare form of epilepsy, helped inspire the CBD movement. She died on Tuesday. In a tribute, @drsanjaygupta says she changed his outlook on medical marijuana. https://t.co/YjEgMjHDUA pic.twitter.com/2rsg6NMeS3

— CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) April 9, 2020

“Charlotte Figi single-handedly transformed how the world viewed medical cannabis and children with epilepsy,” Illinois State Representative Bob Morgan wrote on Twitter. “She suffered so much so that others would not have to.”

Charlotte Figi and the road to medicinal CBD

While CBD products are commonplace today, public awareness around the non-intoxicating cannabinoid was low in 2006 when Charlotte had her first seizure at three months old. Her home state, Colorado, had begun their medical patient registry just six years earlier; less than ten states had legalized the sale of cannabis to qualified patients nationwide.

A frantic hospital visit led to few answers; blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging and recording of her brain wave patterns revealed nothing out of the ordinary. Over the next year, her seizures returned, lasting hours at a time and leading to frequent hospital stays and prescriptions to seven different drugs, including habit-forming barbiturates and benzodiazepines.

#CharlotteFigi The little girl who inspired the CBD movement, dies from Codvid19 Rest In Peace angel! 2006-2020 pic.twitter.com/GIZNEvslNW

— Cannabis Doll (@CannabisDollpr) April 10, 2020

Despite the medication, the seizures always returned — and now, Charlotte was suffering status epilepticus, a condition where seizures last more than 30 minutes or come in clusters, with no time for her to recover between each electrical disturbance in her tiny body. Seizures of this length carry a high risk for injury and death to neurons and neuronal networks, which can lead to developmental disability, permanent brain damage, and death. 

At two and a half, doctors confirmed, via tests for a particular gene mutation, that Charlotte was living with a rare, drug-resistant form of epilepsy known as Dravet Syndrome. Her parents tried everything to manage the seizures, looking into experimental drugs and putting her on a ketogenic diet recommended by a specialist. 

When she was five, they decided to try medical marijuana.

Getting two doctors to approve the youngest medical marijuana patient in the state was only the beginning of the challenge; they also had to find an appropriate product for such a small child. Meeting the Stanley brothers, the group behind a family-owned grow operation, changed the future forever: not just for one little girl, but for the brothers’ business and the cannabis movement as a whole.

Testing strains and discovering treatments

The dispensary owners had crossbred a strain containing 22% CBD and levels of THC so low they’d jokingly dubbed it “Hippie’s Disappointment.” It had next to no value when sold to customers looking to get high, but the extracted oil was priceless to the Figi family. 

During her first years of treatment with cannabis oil, Charlotte went from having 300 grand mal (or generalized tonic-clonic) seizures a week to only two to three a month, usually in her sleep. She regained the ability to walk and feed herself. Frequent hospitalizations turned into days at school, horseback rides and games with her siblings.

Inspired by her progress, the brothers named the strain Charlotte’s Web. CNN’s Sanjay Gupta featured the company in his August 2013 special “Weed,” telling the story of Charlotte’s miraculous recovery publicly for the first time. After fifteen thousand families reached out in the next month, they decided to pivot their business away from medical marijuana and toward the production of low-THC industrial hemp.

Shutterstock

The company’s fields in Colorado, Kentucky, and Oregon are subject to rigorous soil and water tests to ensure they’re free from microbes, bacteria, and toxins before the first seed is planted. Farmers tend 250,000 plants by hand, testing phytocannabinoid levels every five days to ensure the plants are harvested at their peak.

“Most of my time with the company has been boots on the ground, hands-on farming, and developing with my brothers a lot of the agricultural processes,” says Assistant Director of Cultivation and company co-founder Jordan Stanley. “The core of it from day one has been to grow the best hemp genetics, and that starts on the farm.”

More than eighty phytocannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids are present in Charlotte’s Web hemp extract including CBG, CBC and even trace amounts of THC. While the company isn’t allowed to make any medical claims, testimonials flood in from families dealing with conditions that lead to seizures including autism, chromosomal disorders and genetic conditions like tuberous sclerosis complex.

Studies have shown that cannabidiol, whether in the form of hemp oil or US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved prescription treatment Epidiolex, can significantly reduce seizures resulting from treatment-resistant Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome by regulating neuronal hyperexcitability. Evidence suggests that CBD activates and desensitizes ion channels known as capsaicin and vanilloid receptors. In healthy humans, these proteins detect temperature, respond to stimuli like spicy food, and transmit and modulate pain; in epilepsy, neuropathy and chronic pain patients, the receptors are overly sensitive, their response amplified.

Ensuring greater access to medical cannabis

For parents, like Charlotte’s mother Paige Figi, accessing essential treatments for their children wasn’t easy. She’d been lucky enough to live in a state with medical marijuana, but each day she heard from families who didn’t have the same options. 

The Stanley Brothers established a non-profit foundation, Realm of Caring, to help such families access cannabis treatment. Realm Cares provides grants to offset the cost of cannabinoid therapy to qualified applicants; the Joy Fund is an interest-free loan for people looking to relocate to a state that has legalized medical marijuana and/or low-THC hemp oil. 

Paige Figi’s non-profit organization Coalition for Access Now worked with bipartisan representatives to introduce a federal bill, the Charlotte’s Web Medical Access Act of 2015, to remove CBD-rich plants from the legal definition of marijuana, thereby exempting it from classification as a Schedule 1 substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). 

Shutterstock

The group has also lent support in state legalization battles, sharing the story of not just Charlotte but many children like her to show skeptical minds the life-and-death urgency behind opening access to alternative treatments. “There’s not a lot that’s going to keep a mother quiet when their kid is suffering, and there was no stopping that movement,” Paige Figi told Charlotte’s Web.

Due to Figi’s tireless advocacy, state bills to legalize high-CBD, low-THC cannabis strains are sometimes nicknamed “Charlotte’s Web laws.” In 2014, Florida Governor Rick Scott referenced the strain when he approved the use of CBD oil or vapor for approved patients.

“As a father and grandfather, you never want to see kids suffer,” Scott said in a statement. “The approval of Charlotte’s Web will ensure that children in Florida who suffer from seizures and other debilitating illnesses will have the medication needed to improve their quality of life.”

In 2018, patient advocacy groups found an unexpected success with a Farm Bill that reclassified hemp (legally defined as cannabis sativa plants containing less than .3% THC by weight) as an agricultural commodity governed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Charlotte’s Web Holdings, Inc. released a statement where President and CEO Hess Moallem celebrated the landmark ruling.

“The Farm Bill provides the added legal clarity necessary to expand our distribution reach,” Moallem said. “Hemp’s removal from the CSA has been a core legal requirement for many national retailers wanting to carry whole-plant hemp extracts.”

The fight is far from over; the sale of industrial-hemp derived CBD still faces federal legal challenges from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (which has not approved it as a medical treatment, dietary supplement or food additive) as well as shifting regulation and enforcement in each state. 

As the movement continues, the story of Charlotte Figi, the Stanley brothers and the World’s Most Trusted Hemp Extract will continue to move forward.

Featured image from Shutterstock

The post How Charlotte's Web CBD Empowered the Medical Marijuana Movement appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Source: wm

What was once a small San Franciscan start-up has now turned the vaporizer world on its head. Probably the most recognizable name in the game, PAX Labs Inc stormed the scene when they introduced their portable loose-leaf vaporizers to the market.

Since then, PAX Labs has been climbing the vaporizer ladder starting with the PAX 1 to the PAX 2 and the current state-of-the-art PAX 3. But the loose-leaf lines aren’t the only products bolstered by tech and a smooth hit.

PAX is also known for its cheaper concentrate counterpart, the Pax Era. But very recently, they released a sleeker, more discrete edition to the old fan favorite: the Pax Era Pro. Named the first cannabis-only vaporizer certified by top safety organization Underwriter Laboratories, the Era Pro combines elegant design with an innovative delivery system.

Here’s our take on the new PAX Era Era.

What is the Pax Era Pro? 

The Pax Era Pro is a handheld concentrate vaporizer utilizing fresh PAX Era Pods for an extremely simple on-the-go experience.

The Era Pro clocks in at $69.99 — that price tag gets you the device and a USB-C charger in a range of colors including black, red, jade or grey. Compatible pods can usually be found for around $40—$60 depending on your legal state and brand of concentrate.

But what are the major differences between the Era and the Era Pro? The Era provides consumers with safety certifications, on-demand draw and Pax Pod-ID where you can check safety reports and strains through the PAX Android app. The Era Pro includes all of these measures, but tacks on expert temperature settings, Era pod memory (where your chosen pod “remembers” the temperature in which you like to vape), haptic vibration alerts and the previously mentioned UL-certification.

What are Pax Pods?

Just like your usual concentrate vaporizer, Pax Pods are cartridges — but they’re unique to the Pax brand and utilize SimpleClick technology for an extremely easy vaping session. Each pod contains a built-in ID that works alongside the PAX Mobile App (available for Android on Google Play) and is meant to reveal the full makeup of the strain you wish to imbibe. 

Recently, I obtained Heylo Cannabis‘ Show & Tell Pod which came with a complete analysis of pesticide pass/fail scores, cannabinoid content, and a terpene fingerprint among other tests and results to ensure it is safe to use. 

Though Pax Pods are similar to JUUL Pods, they are not compatible. Each PAX Era Pod will last you about two weeks when used regularly on medium temperatures. Higher use and higher temperatures will let you enjoy a full PAX Era pod for a few days since high temperatures tend to burn through cannabis material quickly.

I have used my PAX Era Pro regularly on low to medium temperatures and it’s still long-lasting after 15 days. How long your PAX Era pods last will be up to you.  

How do you use the Pax Era Pro?

Now that you know what the PAX Era Pro brings to the table and what an Era Pod can deliver, how exactly do you use this new device?

Charge the PAX Era Pro

Your Era Pro will come with a USB-C cord for charging, and brand new, straight-out-the-box Pros need about 45 – 60 minutes to fully charge:

• To check the charge, simply move the Era Pro back and forth. The petals on the front of the device will light up in a white color.
• To charge the PAX Era, connect the USB-C cord into the charging dock and plug it into the USB port on your computer or charging device
• The four petals on the front of the device show the battery level. Each petal signifies a 25% charge. Once all four petals stop pulsating and turn light blue, the device is fully charged and ready to use.
• When the battery is low, the upper left petal will blink red.

Changing Temperatures

Once your device is juiced up, it’s time to experiment with temperatures. Era Pro offers four different temperature settings based on your individual preferences. Higher temperatures will give your elevation more edge, while lower temperatures will focus on the flavor of your chosen Era Pod.

Using the above mentioned “SimpleClick” technology, changing temperatures on a concentrate device has never been easier:

• Adjust the temperature by using the “Pop and Click” method.
• Pop your pod up from the device (you don’t have to fully remove the pod).
• Drop the pod back down to change to the next temperature (no need to push it in completely).
• The device will vibrate and the petals will each glow yellow to indicate the temperature that the device is set to.
• Pop the pod back in once you land on your preferred temperature. Your pod will remember this temperature until you change settings — no need to set the temperature each time.

Here are the different preset temperatures:

• Low: One Petal (520°F)
• Medium: Two Petals (610°F),
• Medium/High: Three Petals (700°F)
• High: Four Petals (790°F)

How to Clean the Era Pro

Cleaning your Era Pro is easy – the only part you need to worry about is the handle, in which you can wipe it down with a sanitized wipe or any chosen cleaning solution. The mouthpiece is just the Pax Pod and can be wiped down, but will ultimately be discarded once you’re ready for a new pod. No ovens or small nooks or crannies to deal with.

What’s the Appeal?

The Pax Era Pro is one of the easiest and most discreet cannabis concentrate vaporizers I have ever used. The simple “click and go” pods will appeal to any consumer who doesn’t want to waste time learning an entire book of directions for one puff.

The people at PAX know what they’re doing when it comes to manufacturing tech-forward vaping devices, and the Pro is no exception. I enjoyed the easy set-up, simple temperature control, and clean hits.

It’s hard to come up with any downsides, as the Era Pro is the supped-up sister of the classic Era — and even simpler to use by design. You can take it anywhere, and it lasts for days.

If you’ve been looking for a fast and easy vaporizer that you can use for any event, don’t just take our word for it.

You can purchase the PAX Era Pro from the PAX Labs Inc’s website. All photos courtesy of PAX Labs Inc.

The post Everything You Need to Know About the Pax Era Pro appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Source: wm