Picture this: you’ve just opened up the bottom of your grinder and find a huge mound of kief. The question is, what should you do with it?

Kief can be used in a variety of ways. As many smokers will tell you, it’s more potent than its flowery brother. Be careful not to waste any of it.

If it’s been a while since you’ve used your grinder, make sure the kief is still safe to consume. Then, use this list to elevate your high.

What is Kief?

Kief is defined as “an accumulation of the trichomes, or resin glands, sifted from cannabis flowers.” This naturally makes kief more potent than flower, as it has a higher concentration of THCA. Concentrates like wax and shatter contain an even higher amount, so kief is a good middle ground between bud and concentrates.

 Kief is collected by using a grinder. When using a grinder, the middle portion collects the flower to pack in bowls, joints, etc. The very bottom part collects all the finely ground cannabis or kief. The more you use your grinder, the more kief you’ll have. 

The potency of the kief depends on the quality of the original flower. Buy higher quality weed à get higher quality kief.

What Can You Do With Kief?

Pothead engineers have come up with a diverse collection of ways to utilize kief. Because it’s more potent, less needs to be used to get a good high. Here are some ways to put that extra-potent kief to good use.

Top Off a Bowl

The simplest way to make use of kief is to use it as a bowl topping. Pack a bowl with regular flower, then sprinkle on your preferred amount of kief and light it up.  You can also layer the sides of the bowl with kief to make it last longer. Adding kief to an average weed bowl spike the potency way up.

It’s possible to pack a bowl of straight-up kief, but because it’s like a fine powder, inhaling hits harder.

Roll It

In the same vein as topping off a bowl, you can also add kief to your joints or blunts. Remember – kief is especially potent. Add what amount feels right to you and go from there.

Turn It Into Butter

Making cannabutter is a great way to use up your kief. If you enjoy cooking with cannabis, there are few better ingredients than a stash of kief.

Cannabutter is used in a variety of marijuana recipes. The process of making it is pretty simple too. Cannabutter can be made using just flower, but switching that out for kief has some interesting effects:

·         Kief has a much more subtle taste, changing the flavor of your edibles.

·         Kief is exceptionally more potent, changing the high of your edibles.

To make cannabutter, start by heating up the kief. This activates the THCA and turns it into THC, one of the chemicals that produces weed’s psychoactive effects. Then, combine the kief with melted butter, simmer for a couple of hours, and strain and freeze.

Voila! You just made some extremely potent cannabutter.

Spike Your Coffee

One of the most popular ways to use kief is by adding it to a cup of coffee. The heat from the brew activates the cannabinoids and creates a cannabis coffee that’s sure to brighten your morning. 

You may be nervous about mixing caffeine and marijuana, but no negative effects have been found about the combination. In fact, a study conducted in 2014 found that caffeine may actually improve the high attained from marijuana. 

Make Moonrocks

Moonrocks are an especially potent form of marijuana made with kief. The process is simple: cover buds in hash oil and roll around in kief. This gives the bud a glossy, but the coarse texture (hence the name moonrocks).

Moonrocks have been accepted by the weed community as a form of homemade concentrates, as their potency is much higher than that of just the ingredients.

Typically, moonrocks are smoked with a pipe, but they can be rolled into joints as well.

Try Your Hand At Hash

Hash is essentially heated and pressed kief. Doing this to the kief creates a softball of super-concentrated cannabinoids.

The look and consistency all depend on how much pressure and heat are applied, but doing this process does change the look, taste, and feel of the original product.

Roll a Caviar Joint

Joints are awesome, many stoners favorite way to smoke weed. There is nothing wrong with smoking a flower-packed joint, but maybe you want to step your game up.

Caviar, essentially small moonrocks, is the main ingredient in these high-potency joints. Typically, a caviar joint will run up the bill at a dispensary, but being able to make your own is an invaluable pothead skill. 

Your friends are going to love you if you’re the guy who always supplies the caviar.

Make Some Tea

So you’re not a coffee drinker. No worries, it’s not for everyone. You can achieve a similar effect by using hot tea. The concoction will give a relaxing body high that doesn’t mess with your gut like coffee sometimes does.

Cook Up Some Rosin

Rosin is a version of concentrates made using kief. It is an extremely strong form of marijuana that’s consumed by dabbing.

Making rosin can be somewhat complicated, but not impossible with a little effort.

You’ll need some parchment paper, a hair straightener (a rosin press is even better), and a significant amount of kief. Collect the kief on the paper, press between the straightener with a good amount of pressure, and wait for a sizzle. Don’t keep on too long, as it could burn.

Once it cools down, you’ve got a killer DIY rosin to dab.

Make Vape Juice

This is the most scientifically involved way to use your kief, but it’s possible to make vape juice with kief to put in a vape pen. The science can be complicated, and you’ll need some extra ingredients.

 If all goes well, you’ll have a homemade, highly-potent weed vape juice to brag about. 

If you’re looking to do any of these things, but find yourself low on weed, check out Cannasaver for deals to get started on your next kief project.

Continue Reading

Distillates have become an icon in marijuana culture. They have been considered the future of the cannabis industry in recent years. Distillate generally attracts marijuana lovers everywhere to its higher THC content and smoking discretion. THC distillate is found in dispensaries all over through cartridges, "dabables," edibles, or even spicing up joints. 

But what is distillate?

Let’s look at this clear, sap-like concentrate and figure out why it's being known as the new frontier of cannabis.

So, What is Distillate?

One of the most commonly made types of cannabis oils is distillate. Distillate can be vaporized, dabbed, or used in edibles/topicals.

Distillate is a sappy, translucent oil that is devoid of waxes/undesirable compounds from the original marijuana plant. 

The final product has been systematically stripped of all plant materials except for one specific cannabinoid; either THC or CBD. In our case, we will look at THC distillate.

The outcome of THC distillate is extremely potent but typically lacks naturally occurring terpenes. Sometimes terpenes or other flavors are put back into the distillate. 

The drawback of this technique is the possible lack of therapeutic benefits associated with terpenes which affect the overall entourage effect.

But does it get you high?

Well, that depends on the cannabinoid used in the specific distillate produced – whether it is THC or CBD. This matters big time.

THC distillate is likely to get you extremely high where CBD distillate is pretty strictly a therapeutic or medicinal use product. THC distillate is known to produce an incredibly clean high.

How THC Distillate is Made

Marijuana distillate is made through the actual process of distillation, think the way whiskey or moonshine is made. For cannabis, distillation is achieved through processes such as fractional distillation, short-path distillation, and other methods.

It begins as crude cannabis oil (plant material still present) and is purified through two main factors.

Winterization of Distillate

Winterization is a method to purify crude oil extract products. These products include plant waxes, chlorophyll, fats, lipids, etc. The crude marijuana oil is mixed with ethanol or alcohol. The mixture is then placed in a frozen environment for 1-2 days. When the distillate mixture is removed, impurities from the crude oil are separated and fall to the bottom by using colder temperatures. 

After being taken out of the freezing cold, it is passed through a filter. At the end of filtering the mixture, ethanol is removed entirely by using techniques such as rotary evaporation or falling-film evaporation.

When winterization is complete, we move to the next big step needed for distillation; decarboxylation.

Decarboxylation of Distillate

Decarboxylation is the process of removing carboxylic acid found in the amino acids and fatty acids within the plant. The removal process occurs when the heat is applied, heated to the point which eliminates the acid.

In other words, such heat allows the cannabis compounds such as THCa to change into 100% THC. THCa alone does not get you high until the actual decarboxylation occurs, activating the THC. The process helps cannabinoids interact and hit correct brain receptors in your body.

Do Not Try This At Home

For safety reasons, making distillate is a complicated process that should be left to the professionals. In Colorado, it is illegal to manufacture distillates without a marijuana extraction license.

Like everything, distillates do come with some pros and cons. Let’s look further...

Pros of Distillates

Potency and Purity

If you are just trying to achieve a potent high, THC distillates are the Robin to your Batman; a wonderful, dutiful sidekick. A small amount can produce incredible results. 

It is a solventless extraction eliminating the need for butane. Being made of entirely THC, you will know almost exactly what you are consuming into your body.

Discretion of Distillate Use

Distillates are odorless/smokeless which allows less attention to be drawn to you smoking. They are a quick and easy relief on a short break.

Full Decarboxylation

THC distillates are immediately ready to use. The decarboxylation allows THC to quickly travel to your bloodstream and produces quick results for which you seek.

Produces for Cheaper

THC distillates stretch cannabis plants further than ever before by using every material possible in the plant. It can even use low-potency material, such as trim, and boost potency. New technologies can even produce 75%+ in return for the crude oil product. Much more than BHO.

The Cons of Distillate

Higher Potency

Though higher potency is often a plus of distillate, THC distillate’s higher potency is discouraged to first-timer users or those not very accustomed to THC’s effects.

For these people, THC distillate can be overdone while smoking and lead to paranoia and anxiety. This often happens due to the lack of the modulation of CBD, CBG, and other cannabinoids present in strains.

High potency does not always equal a good experience.
 

Expensive Process

THC distillates are produced for cheaper than other methods cause more of the plant can be used overall.

But, things needed to make distillate are another matter entirely. The machinery needed to manufacture distillates can be 10’s of thousands of dollars to buy. They also required specialized, skilled lab technicians to operate.

Terpenes & Flavors Removed

In the distillation process, terpenes and other natural flavors are removed to isolate specific cannabinoids. They often require special equipment to add the natural terpenes back into the distillate. The diminished terpenes can lead to a lack of the entourage effect being able to occur in your body. This often means companies add artificial flavors into the mixture. The artificial flavors can be extremely off-putting to those seeking an authentic marijuana experience.

Tolerance

The high potency of THC distillate can majorly boost your tolerance. The result is the need for much more THC in order to obtain a desired high.

If distillates are something you really enjoy or they are something you were thinking of trying out, check out Cannasaver for the best deals on distillates (THC and CBD) near you.

So if you want 99% pure, solventless, sappy gold; distillates are the concentrates tailor-made for you.

Continue Reading

Colorado was one of the first states to legalize the use of recreational marijuana in 2012. Since then, the state has been a frontrunner in the fight for legalization and paved the way for many other states to legalize.

One of the big arguments for the legalization of recreational use was the insane amount of revenue and tax money weed could bring in on a statewide level. People felt that there was money to be made and no harm to be done.

 Turns out they were right.

Colorado Breaks Weed Revenue Record in 2020

Since 2014, Colorado has brought in over 9.9 billion dollars in revenue according to the Colorado Department of Commerce. The revenue has had steady growth over the last six years with little signs that it will slow down.

The sale of medical marijuana has remained relatively steady, with little ups and downs, but recreational sales have skyrocketed.

 In 2014, Colorado recorded about 680 million dollars in revenue from marijuana. In the six years since then, the revenue has multiplied by over fourteen times.

As expected, the money in taxes the state has made from marijuana far outweighs any of the alleged negative effects. Since legalization, the Colorado government has pulled in roughly 1.6 billion dollars in taxes on marijuana.

The Weed Revenue Spike of 2020

 2020 has been a hard year for everyone. There’s no one that’s gone unaffected by the pandemic. The last year changed the world.

 As you would expect, it also changed the marijuana industry. 

In 2020, Colorado recorded almost 2.2 billion dollars in marijuana sales. This broke the record from the previous year by about 450 million dollars.

The highest revenue was recorded in July, with over 220 million dollars in total marijuana sales. Colorado has come a long way since legalization. The total revenue for the entire year of 2014 was roughly three times that of July 2020.

It was reported by Marijuana Moment that Colorado pulled about 390 million dollars from taxes on marijuana in 2020.

Why Did Sales Spike?

It’s hard to nail down exactly why marijuana sales spiked rapidly last year. There are likely many factors that contributed to increased revenue. Some examples could be:

·         More people wanted a way to de-stress after the pandemic hit.

·         The general public’s ever-changing perception of the marijuana industry.

·         First-time users feeling comfortable trying marijuana after time has passed.

·         An increase in marijuana use in popular media.

·         Some have started to see marijuana as an alternative to alcohol.

The most likely answer is that all these aspects and more contributed to revenue growth. 2020 might have provided the perfect storm of timing, circumstance, and availability to expand the marijuana market.

The Role of the Pandemic

The pandemic affected people in a variety of ways. A common thought is that many turned to marijuana as a de-stressor, and the numbers back that up.

 It’s likely that the impending fear of a lockdown drove many consumers to stock up and buy more. The process of buying retail and medicinal marijuana also became easier, as dispensaries would offer curb-side and online ordering. 

The Colorado Sun reported that the national marijuana market grew by about 45 percent in 2020, bringing total revenue up to about 18 billion dollars.

It’s safe to say that the Covid-19 pandemic played a significant role in the uptick in marijuana sales.

Public Perception

Even as recent as ten years ago, a sizeable portion of the general public had a negative perception of marijuana. Though there will always be those who are against the growing and consuming of weed, the numbers continue to dwindle.

More and more people are finding that, simply, weed isn’t bad. The public perception of the plant is changing by the year. Marijuana use has become more accepted across almost all societal groups, and therefore more people are willing to give it a shot.

The most likely outcome of this is the continued growth in revenue via continued growth in legalization and use.  

The Effect of Time

         “Time is money.” – Benjamin Franklin

In this case, time may have led to money. Over the last several years, marijuana revenue has increased exponentially. One reason could be that people feel safer buying retail marijuana now that a significant amount of time has passed.

Consider this:

A substance that you were told not to use by anti-drug programs in elementary school suddenly becomes legal. You were a good student, so you listened to the dangers. But now the government has readily made that substance available, and that conflicts with what you were taught. As the years go by, nothing negative comes from the legalization of marijuana, and you feel as though the dangers you were warned about weren’t completely true. 

It could simply be that eight years since legalization (coupled with the stress from the pandemic) was enough time for more consumers to try smoking weed.

Marijuana in the Media

Consuming marijuana has been present in the media for decades. But over the course of the last couple, that seems to have spiked. Many celebrities endorse the use of marijuana. Some have even started their own weed-based companies.

The effects of marijuana in media have, in the past, been often dishonest and portrayed somewhat negatively. More recently, marijuana use has been portrayed as more fun, light-hearted, and widespread. This almost undoubtedly shapes the public perception.

People look up to celebrities. They look up to their favorite characters in movies and television. If marijuana use in the media continues to grow, it’s likely that marijuana revenue will as well.

Alcohol vs. Marijuana

Many people have found that alcohol can be destructive. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, it’s estimated that about 95,000 people die from alcohol-related causes per year.

Many people have found that marijuana is an acceptable, if not preferable, alternative to alcohol. It produces similar, but wildly different effects on the human brain.

Marijuana poses little-to-no threat when compared to alcohol. This, combined with the need for stress relief during the pandemic, likely contributed to the overall increase in revenue.

There are presumably many other factors that assisted this year’s marijuana revenue growth in Colorado. Check back in after 2021 to see if revenue continued to grow and if any determining factors were found.

Continue Reading

Over twenty-two million Americans use cannabis products. According to the World Health Organization, marijuana consumption has an annual prevalence of 2.5% worldwide. Research by Bridgeman and Abazia highlights that the use of marijuana for medical purposes has increased in recent years. But what is it about cannabis that affects the human body? The answer: cannabinoids.

But what exactly are cannabinoids? To answer that question, let’s visit why cannabis is used for some people. 

VeryWellMind.com discovered that youth and adults choose marijuana to relieve anxiety or mood disorders. Research has also found therapeutic uses of cannabis that include:

• Alleviation of nausea from chemotherapy

• Reduction of chronic pain

• Improvement of spasticity related to multiple sclerosis

• Treatment of epilepsy and schizophrenia

What are Cannabinoids?

Dr. Ananya Madel defines cannabinoids as naturally occurring compounds found in the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant contains over 480 different compounds. Only sixty-six of these are termed cannabinoids.

Cannabinoids interact with specific cannabinoid receptors on the surface of cells in parts of the central nervous system.

The effects of cannabinoids depend on which area(s) of the brain is/are involved. Cannabinoids may alter things like memory, psychomotor performance, or cognition. Pleasure or pain perception may be minimized or magnified.

Cannabinoids in the Cannabis Plant

Cannabinoids are divided into subclasses that include:

• Cannabigerols (CBG)

• Cannabichromenes (CBC)

• Cannabidiol (CBD)

• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

• Cannabinol (CBN)

• Cannabinodiol (CBDL)

• Cannabicyclol (CBL)

• Cannabielsoin (CBE)

• Cannabitriol (CBT)

The most abundant cannabinoid is CBD. It helps to ease anxiety and counteract the psychoactive effects of THC.

What is THC?

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. The most well-known cannabinoid compound is the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC).

How Does THC Get You High?

Physically, you may be familiar with THC, but scientifically, what’s going on with cannabinoids and THC? 

Here’s how it works: 

Smoking marijuana allows THC to overwhelm the system. The body’s cannabinoid receptors—especially those in the brain—are intercepted. Thus, they cannot do their job. So, communication between neurons is distorted, throwing the system off balance.

THC effects are wide-ranging. The body’s reaction time may be slowed in such activities as walking, talking, driving, decision-making, mental recall, and cause-effect deductions.

THC can make you feel good, less anxious, more relaxed, and euphoric.

Popular Cannabis Strains

Now that we know what cannabinoids are and how they work, here are some popular weed strains that you may want to try:

Wedding Gelato

This psychoactive has a THC level of 25%. It melts muscle control, inducing a blissful mental state. Wedding Gelato has 60% Indica genetics and 40% Sativa genetics. 

Purple Queen

This tall plant is distinctive with bright green buds, dark purple sugar leaves, and pale pink fan leaves. This Indica-dominant product creates a relaxing, euphoric high. Users’ minds remain clear and cheerful. Purple Queen has a THC level of 22%. The effects last for several hours.

Pineapple Kush

This tropical plant produces sweet, fruity flavors. As the name suggests, it is a hybrid of the Pineapple and OG Kush. It is Indica-dominant, providing relaxed, soothing, uplifting effects. The THC of 18% is relatively low.

Pineapple Kush is a popular choice for edibles and concentrates.

Sour Diesel 

This strain leaves users loose, carefree, and full of laughter. It eases stress and anxiety. Slavia-dominant, Sour Diesel originated in California. The original was a cross of Diesel, Northern Light, Shiva, and Hawaiian. The THC is a medium level of 19%.

OG Kush

This plant is known globally for its Indica-dominant high. Og Kush provides a meditative state and a permanent smile. It lifts depression and cures sleep disorders. 

This American west coast plant is a hybrid of Chemdawg, Lemon Thai, and Pakistani Kush. The mature flower produces enjoyable flavors of pine, fruit, and citrus. The plant has potent, resinous buds with a THC level of around 19%.

Green Crack Punch

This slightly Sativa-dominant plant creates surges of energy and boosts mood. The flowers contain a moderate THC level of 18%. The effect is mouth-watering hints of citrus and sweetness.

White Willow

This Amsterdam classic originated in the Netherlands. It is a nice balance of equal parts Indica and Sativa. Smokers like it for both its physical and mental effects.

THC levels usually average around 19%.

Royal AK-47

This plant produces a soft, soothing, mellow high with a fruity flavor. A descendant of plants from Colombian, Mexican, Thailand, and Afghanistan, the effects last for hours. It has a mix of 60% Sativa and 40% Indica.

The fat, tapered, dense flowers smell and taste sweet. 

Euphoria

This well-named plant is the result of a cross between Great White Shark and a CBD-dominant plant. The result is 20% Sativa and 80% Indica. Its effect is high energy combined with high mood. Euphoria banishes anxiety, stress, and inhibition. Users are sociable and talkative.

Euphoria has a low THC level of around 9%. The aroma is sweet and fruity.

Lemon Shining Silver Haze

This refreshing strain produces a high-energy motivation and idea generation. It is Sativa-high with a high THC level of 21%. Its effects are almost instantaneous.

The Best Ways to Enjoy Cannabis

The traditional way to experience the dried flowers of the cannabis plant is by smoking them in a joint, a pipe, or a bong.

Given cannabis products available today, there are many ways besides smoking or toking, or daubs to enjoy cannabinoids. Here are some suggestions for safe consumption.

• Edibles, tinctures, and patches allow subtle, discrete enjoyment of cannabis.

• For those with a low tolerance for CBD, consider CBD-rich micro-dosed products.

• If you suffer localized pain, try a transdermal patch or a balm.

• For a customized effect, you might try edibles or tinctures.

Why Shop at CannaSaver?

CannaSaver’s online coupon website offers new and experienced cannabis users great deals on quality cannabis products. Our illustrated, organized coupon catalog brings you a wide variety of cannabis deals for local dispensaries. 

Check out some of our other informative blogs. 

Shop deals from the comfort of your home, before you step foot in any local dispensary.

Continue Reading

Ew, weed stems...those small (or sometimes rather large) sticks at the end of the cannabis flower.

Sometimes when you buy cannabis flowers or buds from a dispensary or online at a cannabis provider like CannaSaver.com, there may be extensive stem—depending on the quality of the product. 

Weed stems contain little to no THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

Why Are Weed Stems Not Used? 

Because they contain little THC, weed stems have often been discarded as worthless. However, these parts of the cannabis plant can be used for several products.

Why Not Smoke Weed Stems?

Although it may be tempting to use every bit of the cannabis you’ve paid for or grown, avoid smoking weed stems.

Low in THC, weed stems will not get you high. 

There are also negative side effects. Healthline.com outlines some of them.

• Smoke inhalation damages your lungs.

• Toxins and carcinogens are released through smoking. These can cause cancer.

• Breathing toxins can also increase the risk of heart disease.

• Smoking stems can cause severe headaches.

• Stem smoking may result in a sore throat.

• Smoking stems may trigger uncontrollable and/or persistent coughing.

• The smoke from stems is not pleasant. It tastes like charred wood chips.

• Some stem smokers reported uncomfortable gas.

Uses of Weed Stems

Even though smoking weed stems is not recommended, there are some products that can be made using the stems.

"CannaTea"

Thrillist.com (https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/how-to-make-cannabis-tea-recipe) provides a recipe for making weed stem tea.

Grind a gram of weed stems

Add:

• A tablespoon of unsalted butter or coconut oil

• Teabag in the flavor of your choice 

• Four cups of water

• Flavor ingredients like honey, lemon, mint, milk, sugar, or cinnamon

• Cheesecloth, coffee filter, or a fine strainer

Boil water in a medium-sized pot. Add butter or coconut oil to boiling water. Allow to dissolve completely. 

Add ground cannabis. Turn the temperature to simmer.

Simmer for fifteen minutes. 

Use a cheesecloth or coffee filter to strain the mixture into an empty teapot. 

Add the teabag and extras. Steep for three minutes.

Remove the teabag. Stir well. Pour and enjoy.

Decarboxylation

Decarboxylation is the removal of the carboxyl group from cannabis stems. The process toasts the stems converting THC into a psychoactive form called Delta 9-THC. This increases the consistency and the potency of the weed. The heat acts as a catalyst. You can use your oven.

• Pre-heat oven to 215° F.

• Put weed stems on a cookie sheet.

• Toast for 15 minutes.

• Raise oven setting to 240° F.

• Toast for 45 minutes more.

• Remove from oven.

• Cool.

• Fine grind toasted stems.

• Use immediately or store in a light-tight/air-tight container.

Kief

Break off weed stems. Place in Ziploc plastic bags. Put bags in the freezer. Let sit.  Add additional stems as they become available. Give the bag a thorough shake each time you add stems. A pile will build at the bottom of the bag. The frozen resin crystals will detach from the stems. Sift the stems out of the residue and discard them. What’s left at the bottom of the bag is kief. You can smoke this or you can cook with it.

Hash

Separating the trichomes from the cannabis plant produces hashish. Trichomes are hair-like structures on the surface of the buds. Hash can also be made from kief.

RoyalQueenSeeds.com provides a step-by-step guide to creating hash.

Using solvents like butane, propane, or CO₂ extract the cannabinoids and terpenes from the trichomes or kief.

Before using, it is vital to purge the solvent. Whip it into a wax form, over a hot plate, or use a vacuum desiccation chamber. Be careful. The substance is highly flammable!

The Shoe Method is much safer.

Start with five grams of kief. You will also need a small piece of tape, parchment paper, and a pin.

• Wrap kief tightly in parchment paper. Tape closed.

• With the pin, punch a small hole through the package. This lets trapped air out. 

• Place package inside the heel of a hard-soled, closed-toed shoe. 

• As you walk, your weight will press the hash into a slab. This takes between fifteen and sixty minutes.

Cannabutter

As the name suggests, cannabutter is a product created by infusing butter with cannabis.

HerbieHeadshop.com offers this cannabutter recipe using weed stems. Have a coffee maker? That can work, too!

Preheat oven to 200 F. Grind stems. Lay ground-up stems on a cookie sheet. Bake for 40 minutes.

Melt butter at medium temperature. Add ten ounces of water and simmer. Add ground, toasted stems. Soak for three or four hours stirring every fifteen minutes. Add a half cup of water every hour. 

Set cheesecloth or a coffee filter over a heatproof container. Secure with string or elastic. Pour liquid slowly through the strainer. Bundle the edges of the strainer and squeeze tightly to extract all the cannabutter.

Place the container in the fridge. Let set. Collect the butter. Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

There are many ways to use cannabutter in the kitchen. This is an easy recipe from Emily Kyle. You can use kief or weed stems to create cannabutter.

This cannabutter won’t be as potent as cannabutter made from bud or leaf. But, cannabutter made from stems is less likely to cause an overdose.

When it comes to making edibles with cannabutter, you are limited only by your imagination. 

Infused Liquor

Start with a bottle of strong clear vodka. For every ounce of liquid, grind one and a half grams of stems. Place the stems or kief in the bottle and leave it in a dark room for three weeks. Stir contents occasionally.

Strain the stems from the liquid. Serve the infused liquor as you would regular vodka. Blend with your favorite mix or fruit juice. This makes an awesome bloody mary, martini, or margarita.
 

Continue Reading

If you’ve ever looked at a piece of cannabis bud closely, chances are you’ve seen the layer of frost-like crystals covering the leaves and stems of the flower. But just what are trichomes and what do they do?

That frost-like substance is also known as Trichomes -- they are tiny biological cannabinoid epicenters found on the flowers and leaves of cannabis plants.

They’re a treat for the weed lover’s senses as they tend to be shiny, sticky, and emit a variety of aromas depending on the strain. 

The Purpose of Trichomes

Trichome is defined as “fine outgrowths or appendages on the epidermis of a plant,” and they can be observed in a variety of plant species throughout nature. Originating from the Greek word “Tríchōma,” meaning “growth of hair,” trichomes are small resin glands that look like tiny hairs with a round and bulbous tip. They range in 10 to 100 micrometers and give marijuana buds their frosty, shiny, and sticky appearance. 

Protection Barrier

Trichomes serve many different functions for plants such as keeping them safe, healthy, and functional. In Cannabis, trichomes function as protection from difficult climate and outside elements such as harmful UV rays, strong winds, and fungal growth. 

Trichomes also deter animals and insects away from the marijuana plant by emitting a strong aroma and bitter taste.  

Cannabinoid Factories

Trichomes manufacture the hundreds of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that make each cannabis strain potent and unique. They are an essential part of the cannabis plant and without them, there wouldn’t be any THC, CBD, terpenes, or extracts for weed enthusiasts to enjoy. 

Types of Trichomes

Three types of Trichomes appear most often on cannabis plants. However, it is the third group that catches the weed lover’s attention. 

1. Bulbous Trichomes

2. Capitate sessile Trichomes

3. Capitate-stalked trichomes

Capitate-stalked trichomes

Capitate-stalked trichomes appear in abundance around the calyxes of budding flowers. They also measure much larger than their counterparts and is visible to the naked eye. Due to their size, capitate-stalked trichomes produce the highest concentration of essential oils -- from which all your favorite oily medicinal and recreational goodies are made. 

Although trichomes do produce cannabinoids, plants containing higher concentrations of trichomes don’t always produce high concentrations of cannabinoids. Factors such as UV light can impact the rate of cannabinoid and terpene synthesis. Usually, plants exposed to a broader spectrum of light will produce more cannabinoids and/ or terpenes, however, this can be strain specific. 

Do Trichomes Get You High?

To simply put it, yes. 

To further break it down, the compounds THCA and CBD are found within the trichomes of a cannabis plant. They are then heated and undergo a chemical reaction, producing the medicinal and psychoactive properties of your favorite strains. 

During combustion, THCA is converted into THC. When you consume marijuana, THC interacts with the cannabinoid receptors found in the brain resulting in the ‘high’ feeling we get after consuming cannabis.

Concentrates & Extracts

Cannabis concentrates and extracts including hash, shatter, cannabis oil, and wax all rely on trichomes that are harvested from cannabis plants. Weed growers use a method referred to as ‘solvent extraction’ to separate cannabinoids and terpenes from their plant tissues by using solvents such as ethanol and isopropyl alcohol. 

All solvents must be completely removed before cannabis extracts are safe to use. 

There are other methods to collect extract without the use of solvents. Rosin, can be made by pressing dry cannabis flower between heated metal plates. While hash, on the other hand, can be made through various methods including the water/ice method and hand rolling. 

Harvesting Trichomes

Most growers examine their plants with magnifying glasses, making it easier for the naked eye to see developing trichomes. Growers can also monitor the changes in their plants by analyzing their visual appearance and aroma. When it comes to harvesting trichomes, for most growers -- the denser the trichomes, the better. However, it’s really up to personal preference. 

Stages of Harvest

Early harvest offers a lively, energetic type of high. During this stage, trichomes will still appear clear and colorless and their yields are not yet at their peak.

Most growers wait until the majority of their trichomes (70%) start to turn cloudy in appearance, the high from this type of harvest is more profound with increased body effects. 

Some growers choose to wait until most of the trichomes start to display an amber or reddish tint. The high from late-harvested trichomes can be heavy with strong body effects. In simpler terms, this is the type of weed that will get you couch-locked stoned. 

Lighting Conditions and Trichome Yield

When growing your own plants, the quality of your crop is heavily dependent on seed quality. Good quality cannabis seeds will result in a higher trichome production yield, resulting in a crop of high-quality cannabis. Environmental conditions also impact trichome levels on cannabis plants, many modern growers have switched to LED grow lights to help them cultivate the most THC from their crops. 

Additionally, supplementing LED light with UVB light is another way to boost cannabis trichome production. This is a technique used by professional growers as the rate of trichome production increases as a defense to UVB radiation, so adding UVB will increase your trichome yield. UVB light can severely damage human eyes and skin, therefore it’s important to be extremely vigilant. Never look or enter any area where UVB lights are on. 

With marijuana being legal in some capacity in more than half of the U.S. states, more people are leaning towards growing and harvesting their plants. To grow the best cannabis, high-quality seeds supplemented with an optimal growing environment are needed along with proper care and dedication.

Thank you, Trichomes

The magic of cannabis is found within its trichomes, they are the prime source of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that characterize the quality and ‘high’ of our favorite cannabis strains. Without trichomes, the cannabis plant wouldn’t have its amazing healing and euphoric properties.

Continue Reading

For those about to dab, we salute you.

Concentrates are definitely fun for veteran smokers. Concentrates such as wax were made for a modern stoner wanting smoking potency and efficiency. Cannabis concentrates often hit between 60-80% in THC potency, sometimes hitting higher numbers.
With an onset time of 1-3 minutes, the effects can last a few hours. Concentrates maintain the terpenes from the marijuana plant thus adding to the overall cannabinoids being absorbed, natural taste involved, and controlling your overall high. 

But which wax strains are best when considering concentrates to dab or produce from? We’re so very glad you asked.

How To Choose Wax Strains

Marijuana strains with a wide spectrum of compounds and good flavor/aroma are typically chosen for high-quality cannabis concentrate. Dispensary extraction specialists prefer to use strains producing a mass amount of trichomes (kief). But best strains are often subjective. So here’s a list of a mixture of Sativa, Indica, and hybrid concentrates that are guaranteed to be making you feel good.

Grape Ape

One of the rare purple strains, Grape Ape is an often sought-out Indica strain. Grape Ape is a much beloved and popular strain with some to do with its legendary Grand Daddy Purp and Afghani lineage. 

The strain in its wax form hits high potencies much like its flower form. The wax can reach between 70-80+% THC. Grape Ape is also a fast grower, only taking between 7-8 weeks to flower. This can lead to more wax being produced.
The grape Ape concentrate has a grape-like smell and flavor. The strain provides pain-relief and is a great sleepy time high.

Pineapple Express

Pineapple Express in its wax form will, simply put, make your day better. As Saul from the movie, Pineapple Express (2008) once said, “It’s hands down the dopest dope I’ve ever smoked.” 

The one and only satisfying Sativa is a cross between Trainwreck and Hawaiian. The strain, in its concentrated form, astonished with thrilling smells; comparable to an apple or mango. How yummy does that sound? The taste is as close to pineapple, pine, and cedar as you can get.

Pineapple Express wax gifts you with a long-lasting, energetic high while heightening the senses to their absolute fullest. The concentrate provides productivity and creativity to flow and flow. “It’s almost a shame to smoke it. It’s like killing a unicorn, with like, a bomb”.

Wedding Cake

Don’t worry, we don’t have to sit at a wedding for this one. Wedding Cake is one of the newest crowd favorites on this wax list. The strain is a hybrid. It’s a cross between Cherry Pie and Girl Scout Cookies. 

Wedding Cake concentrate is very potent, anywhere between 80-90%. With vanilla smells and berry taste, the strain provides long-lasting euphoria and happiness. It provides pain relief, reduces insomnia, and helps with appetite. 

Green Crack

Though sometimes an off-putting name, Green Crack is a Sativa fan’s best friend. Not letting the name fool you, this Sativa is 100% energizing marijuana and delectable flavor, especially in wax form. The strain has a fast 7-8 week flowering time which is always nice with production. Outdoor grows can reach up to 20 ounces per plant.

Green Crack wax is the definition of pure energy. Green Crack wax has a super surge of cerebral ripples and sharpened focus. The concentrate has mouth-watering fruity/mango flavors and smells potent enough to blast you into space. 

Green Crack wax is a great daytime concentrate which aids in the fight against fatigue and stress. We think we could all use a little of that these days.

Harlequin

For those with a need for a CBD-rich strain, Harlequin is the gal for you. This strain is a high yield producer. With a 2:1 THC: CBD ratio, Harlequin provides a flavorful and balanced wax.

Harlequin is low on THC potency but very high in CBD. With some THC present, you can still get a little THC high but it's more there to interact with the CBD (entourage effect). 

Harlequin concentrate has aromas of cherry, pepper, with a slight earthiness. Medicinal users often use it for pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms.

Chemdawg

Ah, Chemdawg. This beautiful strain is a classic. It’s continually crossed to create some of the best strains around today. With a good yield, Chemdawg was basically made for concentrate production.

Enhanced Diesel scents spread throughout the room when the strain became an extract. It has an orange and earthy taste to it. Chemdawg also drips in the terpene caryophyllene which gives the concentrate some spice. 

The terpene also provides the benefits of being an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anxiety/depression reducer.

Chemdawg is a well-known, euphoric strain; only enhanced through concentrate.

Sour Diesel

Incredibly popular, Sour Diesel is a 90% Sativa dominant strain with effects that are only enhanced through the concentrate process. Sour Diesel is a cross of Chemdawg and Super Skunk, making for one heck of a great smell. Sour Diesel flower can be produced as quickly as 11 weeks. 

Sour Diesel concentrates are typically full of citrus flavor and gassy smells. Really gassy! 

This fast-acting Sativa is great for an all-day bake of creativity and energy. Sour diesel is a long-lasting concentrate that will leave you happy, stress-free, and relieving any pain you may have.

OG Kush

Now if we may, I’d like to introduce a strain that needs no introduction really, the legendary OG Kush. OG Kush is a 75% Indica, 25% Sativa hybrid strain. With medium to large dense buds, OG Kush is perfect for making concentrates.

The concentrate packs high potency without ever feeling overly intense. OG Kush has very earthy smells with rich citrus, pine, and faint fruit flavors. 

OG Kush is great for the end of the day. Perfect for relaxing your body, surrounding you in calm, and leaves a smile on your face.

Strawberry Banana

For me, taste and flavor are the number one factors I’ll choose a certain kind of wax/concentrate. That said, for those who value flavor in dabbing we bring to you, Strawberry Banana. This Indica heavy concentrate is rich in trichome/resin production. Also being a cross between Bubblegum and Banana Kush, this strain is the perfect candidate for a premiere cannabis concentrate.

Strawberry Banana has vibrant aromas of strawberry, banana, and other tropical fruits. The flavor follows suit, often being compared to the taste of a fruit smoothie. Yum!

Strawberry Banana provides a dreamlike head high, inducing creativity and sensory awareness. Sometimes even providing a slightly psychedelic experience. A lovely concentrate indeed.

Sweet Sweet

Speaking of such sweetness, we now bring to you a great strain of that “good good,” Sweet Sweet. This strain mirrors Strawberry Banana but for the Sativa lovers out there. The strain is high-yielding while producing beautiful trichomes. Perfect concentrate fit!

Sweet Sweet has a bubble gum aroma with tropical fruit flavors. It provides an energized and euphoric high that lasts for a long time.

Concentrates of Sweet Sweet can help combat headaches/migraines and drastically reduce stress.
So now we hope we’ve helped you select the best concentrate strains for you. 

Check out Cannasaver for the best concentrate deals out there. Select wisely and based on what kind of high will suit you best.

Continue Reading

Some smoke to take a little off the edge while others smoke to “amp” them up. For most people, weed helps to enhance whatever they’re doing, feeling, eating, etc. It seems that music sounds better, food tastes better, and overall experiences are better when you’re stoned. But does weed make sex better?

Although a general consensus regarding marijuana and sex has yet to emerge, if you know how to do it right, marijuana can definitely enhance your sex life in many ways. Lusty stoners everywhere have a long history of pairing marijuana consumption and sex, and many with great results. 

From reducing stress, increasing libido, lowering inhibitions, and even prolonging one’s staying power, marijuana offers many benefits to those who are looking for ways to improve their sex lives. 

Here’s how to use marijuana to enhance your sex life and how to avoid the pitfalls of marijuana consumption that can actually inhibit your sexual desire.

How Marijuana Makes Sex Better

Ever had that awkward moment with a partner – maybe it was the first time you were about to have sex – and you just needed to relax a bit to get in the mood? Or perhaps the mood just felt awkward and you were both looking to change that?

No? Just me? Okay, noted.

While some may turn to alcohol to take that edge off, there is a better, healthier (and safer) way of doing so – turn to weed.

By smoking just the right amount of marijuana prior to sex, stress levels decline and mundane thoughts more easily drift away, giving you much more headspace to devote to the intimacy, magic, and pleasure of sex. 

When we’re thinking about work, or chores, or bills that need to be paid, it’s hard to turn the brain off or to even contemplate something as fun and exciting as sex. Indulging in marijuana before sex will clear your mind and invite more pleasant, blissful thoughts to develop.

Marijuana can also enhance sex by lowering one’s inhibitions. We sometimes automatically reject the notion of trying something new, or perhaps we feel a bit shy when faced with the prospect of getting exactly what we want--whatever the reason, such inhibitions can stand in the way of having a good time. 

Marijuana can help you to loosen up and put fears, insecurities, and preconceived notions aside. 

Mixing marijuana and sex can help open your mind to new experiences and discoveries that may bring a lot more pleasure to your life.

Marijuana can even potentially increase your staying power, helping to prolong the moment of climax. If you or your partner are getting too excited too quickly and you want to slow things down a bit so that you can enjoy each other for longer, take a break to get some water and smoke a little bowl of marijuana. 

Just be sure your partner is fully agreeable so they won’t get the wrong impression. Touch your partner softly as you smoke the bowl, and don’t wait too long before you get back to it. You just want to back up a bit but not diminish the passion completely.

But don’t just take my word for it – according to a study, a majority (67%) of the ones surveyed had said that weed does make sex better. However, it’s important to note that you must take caution when pairing weed with sex. Consider a few things when you’re experimenting with sex and weed.

Things to Consider When Pairing Weed and Sex

Hold your horses there, Casanova. Take things slow when it comes to experimenting with weed and “gettin’ jiggy with it.”

Consider Weed Prior to the Night Of

There’s nothing worse than saving it for that magical night, all for it to blow up in your face – that is to say, have a bad experience. Let’s avoid the “This has never happened to me before!” phrase.

Test yourself with different portions. Start small and monitor how you feel. Introduce CBD to the mix if you end up taking too much, to counteract or balance out the effects.

Experiment with different types of cannabis, like concentrates, edibles, flower, etc. to see what your reaction is to each. Pay attention to how you feel with each variation of marijuana. Think about sex and see how you react to that thought. 

Consider Your Sexuality

Obviously, everyone is different when it comes to sexuality. It’s hard (see what I did there?) to measure how weed makes sex better because sex is so different for everyone. 

Experiment with what you like, what your partner likes, and try new things. Introduce new things, other than marijuana, just to measure comfort levels.

Consider Different Weed Strains

Not all strains are created equal. Some strains may be better than others when it comes to sex, just as they are with things like creativity, stress, etc. Not only should you experiment with different types of cannabis, but strains. 

How do Sativa strains make you feel? How do Indica strains make you feel? What about hybrid strains? Try all spectrums and compare. We do have a few suggestions on which weed strains may make sex better for you and your partner.

Best Marijuana Strains for Enhancing Sex

Yes, terpenes make a difference when it comes to the effects of marijuana, so consider a few different strains. Take note that any strain that contains the terpene linalool, which is known to take a load off.

SIDE NOTE: When it comes to using marijuana to improve your sex life, using marijuana in moderation is far more important than exactly what type of weed you choose. 

If you over blaze and get too stoned, you will have neither the motivation nor the energy to have sex. Smoke just enough to take the edge off, and no more. That said, there are some marijuana products that are decidedly better than others when it comes to enhancing sex. 

Marijuana-infused massage oils have become a popular choice, although they won’t actually get you stoned. 

Avoid edibles as these tend to lead to a heavier, more sleep-inducing high. 

Indica strains can also lead to sleepiness, so it’s best to avoid those as well. 

While a pure Sativa won’t put you to sleep, it might be a bit too much of a head high, leaving you too spaced out to really focus on the act at hand. 

What you want is a Sativa-dominant hybrid. 

This will provide a well-balanced high with just the right level of mind and body relaxation. 

Blue Dream

One good Sativa-dominant hybrid strain to try is Blue Dream. This strain is known to boost your confidence, lower your inhibitions, and get you to be a bit more social and talkative than you usually are. Those may help make sex better.

Skywalker OG Kush

Not too heavy of an Indica, as it’s an Indica-dominant hybrid, this strain is known for relieving anxiety and pressure. Relax – you got this. Walk on the clouds and enjoy the ride. Use a little Kush’n for the pushin’.

Super Lemon Haze

This Sativa strain is like a healthy energy drink. Tryin’ to go the distance? Super Lemon Haze may help with giving you energy and libido, so you can actually last as long as you say you will, without falling asleep after round 1.

Animal Cookies

This one’s a nice, balanced hybrid strain that won’t have you bouncing off the walls, nor falling asleep on your partners. It’s known for relaxation and for being a mood enhancer – in more than one way.

A few other notable strains to consider (as they all have qualities to help you enjoy sex a bit better:

• LA Confidential

• Jilly Bean

• Cheese Quake

• Grandaddy Purple

• Sour Diesel

• Mimosa

And last but not least, be safe you horny stoners!

Continue Reading

Dear Editors,

I've recently started seeing someone, and while I genuinely enjoy our time together, our dates seem to be on repeat. Our weekends are dominated by lighting up and diving deep into video game realms at his place. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a good weed and game session, but I'm hoping to sprinkle in some variety.

How can I persuade him to occasionally swap the controller for an outdoor adventure while maybe still enjoying our shared love for weed? Any ideas for a weed-friendly outing?

Looking for a different kind of spark,

High-and-Dry in Highlands Ranch

________________________________

Dear High-and-Dry,

Haven’t you ever watched Scooby-Doo? 

The problem with your partner is easy to solve. Just like Velma had to bribe Shaggy and Scooby with Scooby Snacks if she needed them to do her a favor, all you’ve got to do is use the right type of treats to tempt your boyfriend out of the house. Since your partner loves to get high, make marijuana a part of the date. Come up with some stoner date ideas, which really means, just add weed to any date!

Great 420 Date Ideas For Stoner Couples

Have a Picnic

One idea you might try is to roll up a blunt and invite your partner on a nice picnic. Grass pairs well with, well, grass. Pick somewhere that’s secluded – under a tree or in the shade – so you’ll have some privacy, enjoy your meal in the sunshine, then blaze up your blunt. Or blaze first. Either way, you’re relaxed, you’re out of the house, you’re high, and you’ve got food nearby. 

Go on a Hike

Nature is the best medicine – other than marijuana, of course. Let your wild side out. Colorado is a beautiful state that provides plenty of scenic, breathtaking trails and parks. Take a few joints out on a hike and smoke them periodically along the way or pop an edible at the trailhead. Bring some hammocks and enjoy the view with your honey, just remember to leave no trace.

Take a Tour

Enjoy a night on the town, tour-style. There’s a lot to learn about Denver that you wouldn’t otherwise learn than doing a city tour. 

Another good date idea for stoners is to take a marijuana dispensary tour at Medicine Man Denver, where you can visit their growing facility and check out the best strains they have to offer. Or, you might take a tour of a glassblowing studio like The Furnace Glassworks. You can watch artisans blow glass, pick out a new smoking accessory to purchase, then head back home or somewhere else private to try out your new piece.

If you want to really go all out and have the ultimate stoner date, book a tour or activity with Colorado Cannabis Tours. CCT offers many unique experiences specially designed to appeal to stoners like you and your boyfriend. 

Get "Crafty"

Cannabis can sometimes get those creative juices flowing and dates are best when memories are made. Create a memory together, whether it’s a class on painting, pottery, terrariums, or sewing. There are plenty of DIY/craft events around the Denver area to check out. Even some of them are pot-themed! If they’re not, perhaps bring an edible or two for extra creative inspiration. You could even try a steamy nude painting night of each other, which could be fun (and sexy around Valentine’s Day).

Make Some “Baked” Goods

Whether it’s an actual cooking class or just breaking out the cookbook at home, cooking as a couple can be quite fun – especially when weed is involved. You can even cook with cannabutter to mix the two! Flour, flower, and flirting can be the perfect combo for a stellar date night.

Photo Challenge Scavenger Hunt

This one is for photography lovers. Either take a scavenger hunt list from the internet or Instagram or try creating your own and take the cameras out! Don’t forget to pack some joints or edibles for a nice little high to give you a different perspective behind the lens. 

Netflix and “Cheech”

Sometimes the best date nights are the ones in comfy clothes, a warm blanket, a nice, heavy-setting Indica, and a movie. Perhaps things take a turn for the bedroom, either because they escalate (hubba hubba), or that Indica hits too hard, but either way, you’re sure to enjoy this relaxing date night.

Gift Exchange

One great way to show your love and appreciation for your partner is to give gifts. Even better if they’re weed-related! Create a date night where you both exchange gifts and words of appreciation for each other. Tacky, but if the gifts are done right, it could be a date night to remember.

If all else fails, tell your partner that you need to go to the marijuana dispensary, and just happen to stop for dinner and a movie along the way. Or, tell him there’s weed hidden all over your body, but he’ll have to meet you downtown for drinks to get the details. Trust me, with the right incentives, your boyfriend will be lured off the couch in no time.

Continue Reading

It happens to everyone. Maybe you misplaced a joint or forgot about the jar you keep in the top left cupboard, or maybe life just got too busy. And now you’re wondering: “Is the weed I stashed away for a while is still any good?”

Does Weed Go Bad?

Short answer—yes. Weed doesn’t really "go bad" like other produce but, unfortunately, it isn’t like a fine wine that gets better with age. Marijuana can actually lose potency and flavor over time, so keep that in mind next time you’re deciding whether or not you need a full ounce.

Why Does It Go Bad?

Cannabinoids are the chemicals inside marijuana that give its trademark high. One of the cannabinoids, THCA, morphs into the well-known THC when smoked or vaped. As time passes, these chemicals inside the plant break down, decreasing the high attained when consumed.

The terpenes in the bud supply flavor and smell. As with the cannabinoids, the terpenes break down after time. This causes flavor to become muted and lose that ‘fresh’ taste. It can also make the smoke harsher and more difficult to inhale.

Research has found that there are 113 different cannabinoids inside the marijuana plant, and there can potentially be many more. The breakdown of all these cannabinoids contributes to the old bud’s lack of flavor and potency.

How Long Will My Weed Last?

Generally speaking, weed should be smoked sometime within six months after buying it. This reduces the risk of any loss in flavor or potency. As with most pot smokers, it likely won’t last that long. But if you plan on stocking up so you don’t need to buy more for a spell, here’s what you should know.

Properly stored, weed can keep its potency for about six months to one year.

Healthline website reported that weed will lose about 16 percent of its THC after one year. This effect gets worse with time with roughly 41 percent of THC lost after four years. Light, oxygen, and moisture all contribute to the breakdown of cannabinoids.

• Light: Weed that has been sitting in direct sunlight for too long becomes dry and flaky. Too much light can also heat up the container the weed is in, creating moisture.
• Moisture: Marijuana that sits in a wet or damp place for too long can produce mold, which can lead to negative effects when consumed. Don’t smoke moldy weed.
• Oxygen: Weed is a plant after all, and as with all plants, oxygen breaks down the chemicals inside over time.

How to Store Weed

If you’ve been smoking for a while, you remember the days of small plastic baggies and tin Altoid cans. One time even a crumpled CVS receipt. That worked at the time, and it will continue to work in a pinch, but it’s not the best way to stash your supply.

Weed lasts the longest in a dark, dry place with little oxygen intake and heat. To make weed last as long as possible, you’ll need an airtight container located in a place with the right temperature and relative humidity.

Container

The best storage container for bud is airtight glass or ceramic jars. These types of containers keep moisture and oxygen out and extend the shelf life of weed. Mason jars, which are relatively cheap and easy to get, are a perfect container for making weed last longer. Some dispensaries also sell containers designed specifically to store marijuana.

Temperature

The temperature of where the weed is kept also affects the shelf life. Too hot, and moisture can build up and cause mold. Too cold, and the trichomes could dry out and cause potency loss. A good place to store marijuana is in a dark, dry location like a kitchen cabinet. Don’t put your weed in the fridge or freezer. The cold temperatures can dry out or freeze the trichomes and reduce the weed’s potency.

Humidity

Researchers agree that weed is best kept between 59 and 63 percent relative humidity. Above that can cause mold, below that can cause the bud to dry out. There are products, such as humidors, that can keep your weed at the exact humidity needed to extend shelf life.

Is My Weed Still Good?

So, you’ve found an old stash and are wondering whether or not it’s good to smoke. The odds are, yes.

But if it’s been hidden for a particularly long amount of time, there are some things you should look out for before lighting it up.

Mold: If you find mold anywhere on or near the weed, toss it. Inhaling the spores of mold can lead to serious respiratory issues. Typically, the mold will look like small, white cobwebs growing on the plant. Be sure to check your bud carefully if it’s been sitting for a long time.

Dryness: Is the old weed you just found super dry and dusty? If so, it’s still okay to smoke; but don’t expect the best high you’ve ever had. The bud will have less flavor and potency. And be careful when inhaling, dry weed can hit harder than the fresh stuff.

But I’m Not Talking About Flower

If you’ve got cannabis in other forms such as concentrates or edibles, the rules change on how long the shelf life is.

For edibles, keep in line with the expiration date. The weed may not go bad, but the food surrounding it can, just like any other snack. If it looks like something you shouldn’t eat, don’t eat it.

As for concentrates like wax or live resin, California and Nevada have one-year expiration dates. It’s safe to follow those guidelines.

How Much Weed Should I Buy?

If you like smoking the freshest possible weed every time, use it up in under six months. If properly stored, the bud should retain its potency and flavor over that time. Of course, keeping weed that long creates all sorts of risks, like accidentally leaving the jar open or leaving it on a windowsill.

To be safe, buy for about a month or two at a time. That amount is different for everyone, so stock up accordingly.

Last Words

No, weed doesn’t go ‘bad’ like a gallon of milk. It will lose potency and flavor over time but is safe to consume as long as there’s no mold.

If you don’t want to risk it, check out Cannasaver to stock up on some fresh bud.

Continue Reading

Bongs are just lovely, aren’t they? You know you love smoking from your bong, heck, I think most of us “cannaisseurs” do. Cypress Hill wouldn’t write about the glass beauty if it weren’t true.

The art piece that is your bong – the smooth, silky intake, delightful flower taste. The cool way the juicy marijuana smoke hits your throat and lungs. Seeing all the gross stuff remain in the water instead of your lungs – priceless.

Time does roll on, however, and that pristine glass becomes a darker shade of brown and after every sesh – becoming a slimy, sea monster of what it once was. After a while, you might even have a friend pass on the disgusting looking object. What was once a shining beauty of glass mixing seamlessly with your marijuana, now a horrible, passable monster – we’ve all seen that monster. We all remember that monster. In short, gross.

Your marijuana deserves better.

So, how do you clean a bong? 

You’ve seen a friend do it once or twice. It seems like a complicated, drawn-out process. Changing out the water is enough, right?

Well, changing out the water does help, most definitely. Short term. The longer you’ve gone without changing the water or rinsing it out, the less the water change alone will help. The process of a thorough cleaning of a bong isn’t as complicated as one may think. With some easily obtainable items, you can keep that sparkling bong gunk-free.

Dirty Bong? Clean It Up!

Items Needed: 

• Coarse salt

• 99% isopropyl alcohol

• Sealable plastic bags

• Long-handled cleaning brush (optional)

• Rubber bong plugs

• A pre-mixed solution to replace salt/alcohol mixture

 

1. Take everything off. This includes ash catchers, bowls, dab attachments, etc. Be careful removing because some accessories may be glued into your piece with accumulated resin. Trust me, it happens.

2. Put the accessories in a sealable bag. If putting multiple pieces in one bag, use caution when stacking glass together. We’ll look at these pieces a little later.

3. Empty the water out of your bong and rinse. Then repeat based on the amount of residue in your bong. 3-4 rinses will ensure a cleaner end product. The use of warm water helps in aiding stubborn resin out of the bong. The use of a long-handled cleaning brush helps in speeding up this process though not necessarily needed.

4. After rinsing, place everything on a clean towel. Pour about ¼ of your bong with coarse salt (table salt works in a pinch) into the bong. The grainer that salt, the slower you should pour. Large ice cream ice can hit the glass uncomfortably hard. Pour slow.

5. Continue by filling your bong with about ½ warm water. Caution: Do not mix warm and cold water when cleaning your bong. It can break it.

6. To finish the solution, fill your bong ½ with the 99% isopropyl alcohol. Make sure the mixture doesn’t overflow out of your bong. This can cause messes. No one likes messes. When in doubt, have more alcohol than water if needed.

Solution Sidenote: Companies make pre-mixed solutions to cleaning bongs. If you wish to skip the salt/alcohol mixture, due to time crunches or otherwise, here are a few amazing pre-mixed solutions that are a great option as well:

Formula 420 is a non-toxic, quick cleaner. The formula allows you to skip the scrubbing and soaking processes. The cleaner is also biodegradable and will leave your bong deodorized.

Orange Chronic is a cleaner made from natural substances such as oranges. This cleaner has a refreshing smell while kicking your resin’s butt. All this while you know your piece is getting cleaned.

Resinate has a cleaning mixture that is just right, taking the guesswork out of making solutions yourself. It sterilizes while leaving your bong squeaky clean. It also comes in various cleaning phase bottles and grinder cleaner.

1. Use bong plugs and shake salt or pre-mixed mixture around the bong. If you have no bong plugs, simply seal the top of the bong with your palm and plug downstem with whichever finger plugs it. Depending on your situation, this may need to have two people involved. Not everyone can swing a bong around.

2. Whichever cleaning solution you decided to use, fill the bong accessory bag about ½ way and then seal completely closed. Making sure it is 100% sealed, shake around a bit. Also, make sure the accessories are completely submerged. The more the solution can get into the accessories, the cleaner each piece will come out.

3. To get some of the finer cleaning details, use pipe cleaners and/or cotton swabs for the mouthpiece, bowls, downstems, etc. Any residue left behind you may want more off of.

4. Rinse each piece generously through some warm water. Allow each piece to cool a little bit so as not to crack the glass. Fill with crisp, clean new water and enjoy your renewed glass beauty.

Simple Steps to Maintaining a Clean Bong

Now that we’ve got our crisp newly cleaned bong, let’s try to keep it cleaner for longer.

By keeping residue out of our bong, we are also eliminating any contaminants thus keeping your bong healthier to smoke on. Dumping the water you use after each use and rinsing with warm water will clean freshly-accumulated ash. Simple as that. 

Some cleaners such as Resinate offer resin “shields” which are supposed to keep your clean bong cleaner for long. Another useful tip would be to have a cover or case for your bong. It will keep dust and other airborne particles from invading your bong, adding to the cleaning chore.

So will you ever again have a dirty bong? Absolutely freaking not! 

With these simple bong cleaning steps, hopefully cleaning will seem less intimidating. Never again will you have the disgusting monster of a bong. The bong in which everyone talks about not wanting to touch let alone take a hit out of. Instead, you can lay back and bask in everyone thinking you just bought a new piece.

Remember, a clean bong is a happy bong.

Continue Reading

Sometimes flower just doesn’t cut it. Maybe you’ve built up a tolerance, or maybe you’re just looking for a better high. Good thing for concentrates. These are the best concentrates in Denver.

What are Concentrates?        

Whether you're a first-time or experienced dabber, you might still be wondering exactly what concentrates are. Deciding what concentrate to choose and knowing how to use it properly takes a little background knowledge.

Concentrates are where you isolate the most desirable parts of the cannabis plant through a process of heat and extraction. Basically, concentrates are the best part of marijuana in a convenient package. Scientifically, it’s a bit more complicated. Suffice it to say concentrates will get you higher than the average flower.

Types of Concentrates

         Concentrates come in a variety of forms:

·         Live Resin

·         Shatter

·         Wax

·         Budder

·         Crystalline (Diamonds)

Though there are many different types of concentrates, they are essentially all the same product—extracted, compounded marijuana oils. They are named differently based on the consistency, density, and texture of the end product, as well as differences in how the concentrates are prepared.

How are Concentrates Used?

Some concentrates can be used topically or taken orally, while others are used in a vaporizer commonly known as a vape pen. Dabbing is also popular. This is the process of heating up a small amount of concentrate such as live resin with a device called a dab rig, and inhaling the vapors.

Think heating up a drop of hash on a penknife and breathing in the smoke—same basic concept, only now you can buy an actual factory-made contraption for this. Concentrates can also be cooked into edibles, or you can go the old-fashioned route and top off a bowl of ordinary flower to give it an extra kick. 

Live Resin

Live resin is simply cannabis oil that has been extracted from fresh flowers that have been freeze-dried rather than air-dried and cured the typical way. This produces a different flavor in the resin, imparting a more aromatic and floral bouquet. Live resin is usually somewhat gooey in consistency and typically has a higher terpene content.

Shatter

Shatter is heat extracted or chemically extracted cannabis oil that has hardened into a glasslike substance that's usually amber colored and mostly transparent. When it's heated, it becomes a viscous liquid similar to thickened honey. Shatter can be relatively inexpensive, with deals as low as 15 dollars a gram.

Wax

Wax refers to concentrated marijuana oil that has been extracted--often with butane or other chemicals—to produce a thick, oily, and wax-like substance that can be smoked or vaporized. Unlike shatter which is see-through and hard, wax is soft and opaque.

Budder

Like the other concentrates, budder is extracted from flower to make a more potent product. Unlike wax or shatter, budder has the consistency of, well, butter. It’s a type of hash oil that can be up to 70 percent THC.

Crystalline

Also known as dust or diamonds, crystalline is concentrated THCA that comes in a solid form. Think kief. Crystalline often has little flavor because of the relatively low amount of terpenes but makes up for that lack of potency.

The Best of the Best Concentrates

Colorado is home to some of the best, award-winning concentrate companies in America. Recreational weed use has been legal in Colorado since 2012, allowing local businesses to branch out and perfect their extraction techniques. The use of concentrates by stoners continues to grow as time goes by.

Here are some extraction experts that make some of the best concentrates you can find in Colorado:

·         Green Dot Labs, based in Boulder, makes some of the best live resin in Colorado. Deals on their live resin can be found here.

·         Sano Gardens, based in Commerce City, specializes in cannabis extraction. Their live resin is popular among Coloradoans.

·         710 Labs makes some of the best concentrates for both Colorado and California.

·         VIOLA is a marijuana company started by former NBA player Al Harrington. Their concentrates can be found in dispensaries across Colorado.

·         Nomad Extracts make their concentrates from Colorado-grown cannabis. They’ve won awards for both their wax and shatter, among others. You can find their platinum wax for 30 dollars a gram at dispensaries in the Denver-metro area.

·         Lazercat Cannabis are Colorado-based growers and extractors. Their live rosin is a premium concentrate.

·         Kush Masters is an extraction company “nested in a log cabin next to Boulder’s Flatiron mountains.” You can get eight grams of their wax for 120 dollars in Denver.

Where to Find Concentrates in Colorado

         Most local dispensaries will have plenty of choices when it comes to concentrates. A budtender is always willing to help or answer any questions one might have. We’ve put together a list of some Colorado dispensaries that have great deals on concentrates:

·         The Lodge Cannabis has locations on Federal Blvd and High Street. There’s currently a deal for two grams of Green Dot live resin for 90 dollars or four grams of wax for 70 dollars.

·         Pure Marijuana Dispensary has five locations across the Denver-metro area. You can find deals on cartridges, wax, and shatter (among many others) at any location.

·         The Stone Dispensary, located in Denver, has a wide variety of concentrate deals for the frugal stoner. The previously-mentioned Kush Masters live resin is 24 dollars OTD per gram. There’s also a deal on all brands of wax or shatter.

·         Mary Jane’s House is located on Quentin Street just a little outside of Denver. They have deals on wax right now for just 27 dollars for two grams.

Which Concentrate is Right for Me?

The first time trying concentrates can be confusing. There are a ton of choices, but only you are going to know which is best for you. Trial and error, so to speak. No shame in trying them all.

Looking for More?

There are tons of places to buy concentrates or other marijuana products in Colorado. Cannasaver can be a fantastic tool for finding the right wax, live resin, or any other concentrate for you. 

Continue Reading

For as long as I can remember (see what I did there?), people in my life would say, ‘stay away from marijuana’. Often, the charges against cannabis would be tied in with other ideas such as laziness, poor work ethic, and reduced memory function. As research dollars continue to flow into cannabis, we are finding that several of the key ‘scare’ tactics used were based on outlier evidence and are not totally factual.

In this article, we will discuss some emerging research on how marijuana affects memory. Specifically, we will review how memory is affected by cannabis and hopefully learn once and for all if we may clear the haze from anti-weed tactics and lighten the mood around its use. 

Confronting Old Ideas on Cannabis and Memory

Cannabis use dates back thousands of years, yet its use, cultivation, and sale have been partly-legal for less than half a century. 

Untold thousands have been arrested and several billions of dollars have been collected due to laws around marijuana.

We punish people for using it, for growing it, for having it in their possession, or for selling it. It doesn’t matter the relative devastation caused by cannabis when compared to drugs such as cocaine or an opiate, because drugs are drugs. 

The resulting psychosocial process makes it easier for some individuals with hardline abstinence ideas to be seen as the ‘model’ - the person who stays in favor of the law, of family, and of society. This can magnify small issues to an enormous scale. 

Such is the concept of ‘Reefer Madness’; a rare piece of goofy, anti-drug propaganda, speaking to people as though any use or experimentation with marijuana will leave life unfulfilling and lonely. 

The Problem?

When an experience is awful or conflated, it tends to have an outsized effect on how we recall the experience and our willingness to do it again. As human beings, we all are able to coordinate with others, experience empathy, feel joy and sorrow, and make choices based on information available to us.

As marijuana became more popular in the years leading to the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, so too did public misunderstandings of the plant. Ideas of madness and paranoia began to percolate around the subject of marijuana, and it was tacked on that significant impairment of memory was from cannabis. 

Back then, the media didn’t move as fast as it does now9 and it was scientifically valid to blame mothers for schizophrenia. Times have changed.

With more and more states legalizing cannabis after 80 years of prohibition, it is time to employ some of the advances in technological and scientific understanding to gain perspective. 

True: memory and reaction time are statistically correlated to cannabis use.

False: memory retrieval gets worse with cannabis use.

What is Working Memory?

Working memory is a lot like the RAM memory of a computer. It does not mean the information has been hard-coded into our memory. Instead, working memory implies a near-term function, where maybe only seconds to days have passed. 

On the topic of working memory and cannabis use, one recent study sticks out in particular. The study observed 75 participants, 60 of which have used cannabis while 15 had not. The objective was to determine whether the age of onset - that is, when in an individual’s life they first used cannabis - is related to working memory reaction time in the near-term.

Working memory reaction time was measured using a system of cues and responses which imitated the typical functioning of memory in our environment. With regard to memory and cannabis use, the series of cues made by researchers additionally evaluated the following:

• Memory Encoding: This was evaluated by showing one or three stimuli to be recollected.

• Memory Maintenance: Using advanced imaging technology (fMRI), memory maintenance was evaluated by showing where the information was held and maintained in the brain. 

• Memory retrieval: This was measured by showing four stimuli and evaluated by matching cues to the previous stimuli.

As the main focus of the study was to determine if the reaction time of an individual’s working memory relates to cannabis use IF exposed during adolescence, the true results of the study provide evidence that cannabis and memory have a highly variable, if not totally illogical, relationship. 

So How Does Marijuana Affect Memory?

By using an fMRI scanner, researchers were able to show the parts of the brain which are most active when supplied with the encoding, maintenance, and retrieval stimuli. 

As was consistent with previous research, the areas of the brain researchers focused on include the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which help regulate executive function and control in the near-term. 

The results found three relationships regarding working memory and cannabis use worth noting. 

First and most, unfortunately, the research reinforced the idea that individuals who began using cannabis earlier in life had longer reaction times than both cannabis users who began using after adolescence and non-users. This suggests broadly that cannabis use may impact the development of encoding information if used early in life. 

(Note: this does not mean cannabis use is a predictive factor for memory issues, rather working memory and cannabis use may have a relationship.)

Second, the age an individual first uses cannabis and whether they have used cannabis once or repeatedly had no relationship to the behavior of the brain. 

According to researchers, this may suggest the age a person initially uses cannabis may reflect substance use risk characteristics rather than a cannabis-exposure effect (such as impaired memory) on brain development. 

And last but not least, among the group of 75 participants, the researchers were able to show repeated cannabis use AND greater levels of overall cannabis use were associated with increases of performance in the activation (i.e. - working of) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during the maintenance period.

Additionally, across all 75 participants, users of cannabis generally performed better than non-users, which includes a faster reaction time and higher memory retrieval accuracy.

Continue Reading

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and everyone is wondering what exactly they should get their partner to make it extra special. And yes, that includes all the stoners out there. And if you’re feeling like just buying your partner’s favorite strain might not be enough this year, then here are some products to liven it up a little – the icing on the cake, as they say. These are some of our favorite stoner Valentine’s Day gifts.

Best Stoner Valentine’s Day Gifts

We get it, it’s hard to think about what your significant other may appreciate this time of year, especially if you’re too stoned. We got you! Light up that joint and read on for some good inspiration!

Cannabis Chocolates

What more could anyone ask for? Chocolate is a Valentine’s Day staple and adding a little bit of weed into the cocoa mix gives the gift that “little extra” that regular chocolate just can’t deliver. You can find some coupons on chocolates here.

Flowers

“Flowers don’t tell, they show.” – Stephanie Skeem

Generally speaking, roses are a go-to for Valentine’s Day. That being said, there are definitely better types of flower out there. Can’t really smoke roses, can you? However we have heard of rolling blunts with rose petals, so you could try that! Class it up by turning your flowers into a weed bouquet. 

Couples’ Massage

There are very few people that don’t enjoy a nice, relaxing massage. Double the relaxation by maybe enjoying the chocolates you got your partner before going in. It’s worth it. 

Cannabis Lotion

Okay, so maybe you don’t want someone else rubbing up on your sweetheart. Fair enough. But keeping them from getting a massage seems cruel, so try giving them one yourself. Coupling a massage with a cannabis skin lotion can really elevate it to the next level.

Edibles

Food! Everyone loves food. If you’re smart, you’ll be making your significant other a romantic dinner for Valentine’s Day. Liven it up with some edibles in the mix. Get baking and get baked.

Cannabis Candles

What better way to set the mood than with some romantic, cannabis-infused candles? It is Valentine’s day after all. Turn up the charm with candles that have a little extra kick.

New Glass

Back in the day, “fine China” used to be a great way to show your sweetie some love. Certainly, we’ve evolved a bit. In this case, don’t think of flatware as plates and bowls; at least not the bowls you eat out of. Grabbing a new glass pipe to smoke out of together is a better way of keeping up with the times.

Pre-rolled Love

Some people like to roll their own joints. A lot of people don’t. If your partner prefers to smoke without the work, a pack of pre-rolls is a perfect way to show you care. 

Cannabis Seeds

“Love grows by giving.” – Elbert Hubbard 

Growth is an important facet of any relationship. Why not symbolize that with a couple of seeds of your own, that grow in tandem with your relationship? Easier than raising other things.

Homemade Crafts

It’s hard to beat an old-fashioned joint. Be that as it may, Valentine’s Day is a special occasion. Trying your hand at rolling unique joints, like the tulip joint, is a great way to show your partner that they were on your mind. 

Weekend Getaway

Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, perfect for a nice 420-friendly getaway with your stoner beau. The COVID-19 pandemic has made travel harder this year, but a nice alternative to a hotel is finding somewhere warm, packing a tent, some food, and a bowl, and camping the weekend away.

Vaporizers

No one likes to admit it, but packing a bowl or rolling a joint can sometimes be a chore, especially when you just want a quick toke. Good thing vaporizers exist. Perfect for an easy smoke, they can fit in your pocket and work like a charm. 

Cannabis Lube

It’s pretty easy to explain this one. 

• Weed? Check. 

• Lube? Check.

I’m fairly sure everyone knows why this gift is sure to make your partner happy.

Soda Pop for Your Sweetheart

Is it soda or pop in Denver? Asking for a friend. Regardless of what it’s called, a nice way to switch it up is with some Keef Cola, a cannabis-infused soda (pop)? If Michael Bublé is singing about it, you know it’s a good Valentine’s Day gift. 

Weed Apparel

Yes, it can give a “Yeah I totally smoke weed” vibe sometimes, but there’s nothing wrong with showing a little love for your favorite honey by getting them something that shows a little love for their favorite flower. Things like pot leaf underwear can make for a funny, yet charming Valentine’s gift.

Marijuana Cookbooks

Weed and food go hand in hand. There are very few combinations that can stack up. Peanut butter and jelly? Close second. If your partner loves to cook and loves to smoke, a prime gift would be one that combines both. You can find marijuana cookbooks that can merge cooking and weed. Really, it’s a gift for both of you.

A Night In

No doubt that we’ve all been spending plenty of nights in, over the past year. With that in mind, it’s certainly possible to spice it up a bit. A romantic dinner, a romantic blunt, and a romantic movie can make for a fantastic quarantined Valentine’s Day. 

Stoner Flicks

Being high can make mostly anything fun. But one of the best activities is chilling out and watching classic stoner movies, like Half-Baked or Pineapple Express. A night in doesn’t have to be limited to rom-com. 

Grassy Gift Basket

Can’t decide on just one thing? Well luckily, you don’t have to. If you really want to step up your Valentine’s Day game, you can mix and match any of the above to really bring it home. Chocolates, lotion, and pre-rolls? You don’t have to be that charming, but it definitely isn’t going to hurt. 

All in all, you know best. It’s Valentine’s Day, and hopefully, you know what your stoner sweetie likes. Getting the right gift is a great way to show them that you really care. For specials on the above-mentioned products, you can check out websites like Cannasaver for deals that won’t break the bank. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, you crazy stoners!

Continue Reading

While marijuana isn’t necessarily unhealthy, smoking it may not be the healthiest way to consume. That’s why we’ve put together the healthiest ways to consume marijuana.

Why Search for the Healthiest Ways to Consume Marijuana?

There are many reasons to consume healthy products and to prepare them in a healthy manner.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that heart disease is the leading cause of American adult deaths. According to the American Heart Association, half the American population has some form of cardiac disease.

Many approaches to healthy eating including the DASH diet recommend eating a two-thousand-calorie-a-day diet that focuses on 

• Fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains

• Fat-free or low-fat dairy products

• Fish, poultry, beans, nuts, and vegetable oils

• Limiting saturated fats including full-fat dairy products, and tropical oils such as coconut, palm kernel, and palm oils

• Limiting fatty meats

• Eliminating sugar-sweetened beverages and sweet snack foods

The National Cancer Institute recommends eating foods raw or lightly cooked. They caution against fried and battered foods. The institute also urges people to eat foods high in antioxidants and free radicals.

Why Choose Marijuana?

A 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health learned that one in five adolescents under 25 years old used marijuana. VeryWellMind.com outlines reasons youth and adults choose marijuana. Some use it to relieve anxiety or mood disorders.

Research has also found other therapeutic uses of cannabis. These include:

• Alleviating nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

• The reduction of chronic pain symptoms.

• Short-term use of cannabinoids appears to improve multiple sclerosis-related spasticities.

• The use of cannabinoids is being examined as a treatment for such conditions as epilepsy and schizophrenia.

What are the Healthiest Ways to Consume Marijuana?

If you are worried about the effects of smoking or you don’t like the lingering taste or smell of marijuana, there are healthy alternatives.

Try Vaping

Vaping or vaporizing the flower isn’t the same as smoking. You’re actually heating the cannabis, not burning it. This significantly lowers smoking-related health hazards. Vaping allows the user to cook the bud at a chosen temperature. This allows various combinations of terpenes and cannabinoids without burning your throat or lungs.

Lower temperature settings release sweeter, lighter effects. Vaping also allows the combustion of oils and waxes from the plant.

Eat Edibles

Cannabis-infused foods are an increasingly popular way to ingest marijuana. If you are new to making edibles, try these dark chocolate hemp protein balls from the Minimalistbaker.com. 

If you are reluctant to create your own edibles, sample the increasing number of prepared varieties. Available in regular and gluten-free edibles from our trusted sources, you will discover an ever-widening selection of sugar-free, vegan, and kosher edibles.

If you want to skip the production stage, you can buy dried flower products. 

Whether you’re just getting started on baking edibles or you want to expand your methods of preparing munchies, sources like Sol Cannabis provide step-by-step directions. 

Create Cannabutter

You can get creative in the kitchen by creating cannabutter. You’ll find there are easy ways to make your own cannabutter. Emily Kyle offers this easy cannabutter recipe using your own dried product or with pre-dried cannabis.

Many cannabis chefs swear by this method of achieving a cannabis-rich infused butter as a base for baking. Using cannabutter to make edibles opens new product opportunities like those outlined in the recipes of MyEdiblesChef.com.

Experiment with Extracts and Oils

Oils and extracts preserve the medicinal goodness of marijuana. Those with allergies usually tolerate oils. These products are the fastest and easiest ways to enjoy the healthy benefits of marijuana. They are often consumed sublingually by placing the oil under the tongue. The substance then seeps into the bloodstream. Oils may also be injected.

Serve in Beverages

Cannabis oil may be added to the beverage of choice. Alcohol as a liquid is not recommended.

Try a cannabis smoothie. Place ice, fruit, and a little cannabis oil in your blender cup. Emulsify and enjoy.

A good way to enjoy cannabis oil in your coffee is to prepare a weekly supply of cream or milk. Add cannabis oil and puree. This works equally well with almond, hazelnut, or coconut milk. You can also stir in a dollop of cannabutter.

Create a relaxing cup of cannabis tea. Steep dry buds in boiling water just as you’d prepare tea using the leaves of your favorite brand. Using a tea strainer or a tea infuser ensures your brew will be leaf-free.

Blended non-alcoholic cocktails also accommodate cannabis oil for a tasty, healthy beverage.

Add cannabis oil to the juice of your choice by adding a drop or two to your juicer.

Experiment with Topicals

These weed-infused creams, balms, lotions, or salves provide pain relief for aching joints or muscles. They also help with skin conditions.

Chronic pain sufferers have experienced improved quality of life.

Topicals allow the cannabinoids to interact with targeted areas. The topical is absorbed by the skin. 

Topicals work best when the user directs them to a specific spot rather than as full-body consumption like edibles.

Topicals are the least invasive method of cannabis use. They don’t need to be inhaled, injected, eaten, or imbibed to feel their effects.

When selecting the most effective topical, Healthline.com suggests you pay attention to

• The company’s reputation

• The manufacturing process

• The topical ingredients

• What buyers say about the product

Explore Dabs using Wax, Shatter, etc.

Dabs, crumble, shatter, wax, and budder are all highly concentrated forms of cannabis. They differ in the way they are cooked.

Many users love the transparent sheen of shatter. Budder and crumble are both wax variations.

Dabbing involves using super-potent concentrated cannabis made from hash oil. Thus, there is little waste. First, a nail made of titanium or ceramic is heated. Then, shatter, crumble, or wax is placed on the heated nail. As it vaporizes, the user inhales it through a bong or a dab device. Dabbing is more like vaping because the user inhales the vapor, not smoke.

Consider marijuana smoking with a bowl, a joint, a blunt, a spliff, a bong, or a pipe.

Experienced smokers can control the degree of inhaling, the duration of smoking, and the effects they wish to achieve. 

A joint is a traditional way to consume marijuana. It involves rolling cannabis in thin rolling paper. Bigger than a joint, a blunt contains cannabis inside a cigar wrap. Made of tobacco, the wrap adds to the high.

Like a joint, a spliff is a mix of tobacco and cannabis. A bong is more efficient. Joints blunts and spliffs keep burning between hits. With a bong, smoking material burns only during the two or three hits you take. Bongs get you higher with the same amount of weed and do so with less smoke inhalation.

Bongs are harder to clean and less portable than pipes. But, bongs filter out the bad while retaining all the benefits of cannabis. Bongs burn cooler than pipes but you can experience water burns.

How Cannasaver Can Help

Shop from an online source that provides an illustrated, organized catalog of trusted products. Enjoy the savings of featured specials and coupons. 

Read more of our informative blogs. Take your time browsing our cannabis products. 

Continue Reading

What is THCV, you ask yourself as you look at the back of your typical plastic dispensary jar. 

If you're anything like us, the surprise of finding out about yet another cannabinoid related to THC always puts a smile on the face as well as a little confusion. "Well, I like THC, so will I like THCV?"

As states continue to legalize the beautiful flower, we learn more and more about different aspects of cannabis all the time. The magical plant never ceases to amaze. THCV is a little known, extremely understated cannabinoid amongst the ranks of THC and CBD. This compound could replace different types of medicine. You begin thinking, what are you missing out on? How is it different from THC?

Well, you want to know what THCV is? Want to impress your snobby weed friend with your absolute cannabis knowledge? Put your jar down and let’s take a peek at THCV.

THCV Like A G

THCV was discovered in the early 1970s. It was known as a minor cannabinoid due to being found in lesser concentrations within a marijuana plant. The cannabinoid affects receptors in your brain associated with different parts of your body. 

THCV won’t really get you high. It is only psychoactive when ingested in high doses. When stoned in high doses, it’s known to feel stimulating with a sense of clarity and euphoria. THCV has a fast on-set time with a fast off-set time. If you are someone who suffers paranoia or anxiety when smoking weed, you may benefit from trying THCV for the speed through one’s body. In low doses, THCV shines as a great way to gain a medley of health benefits.

For those vaporizer users out there, THCV handles high temperatures much better than THC. THCV is typically found in African sativas.

The most common strains are:

• Durban Poison
• Willie Nelson
• Jack the Ripper
• Skunk #1
• Durban Cheese
• GSC

Health Benefits of THCV

Cannabinoids have many different benefits on your body. Low doses of THCV have been known to show results in areas of healthcare. In higher doses, THCV is converted to THC. This action nullifies any benefit of the THCV. 

THCV doesn’t affect you like being stoned except at high doses. For some people, this is exactly what they’ve been looking for. THCV is known to be a treatment for a variety of human ailments. It's even being looked at as an alternative to certain medications.

THCV and Bones

The cannabinoid slows/prevents degenerative bone diseases like osteoporosis. THCV achieves this by promoting brain growth. It binds to receptors in your brain in which regulate bone mass/growth. THCV also has the added benefit of our cannabinoid receptors being found throughout our skeletal system. A perfect match.

No More Panic Attacks

Strains with high levels of THCV are being looked for by those who seek relief from continuing panic attacks. These sativas and hybrids are known to knock-out an oncoming panic attack. In individuals with PTSD and various stress disorders, THCV helps these patients mentally while maintaining themselves without feeling they are suppressing any emotions. The cannabinoid inhibits any ability to feel panic while other emotions remain "open."

THCV Against the Munchies

If you’ve ever found yourself with the munchies far too often, try THCV. Trust us, we’ve been there and gotten that T-shirt. THCV is an appetite suppressant, the anti-munchies if you will. THCV is good for people worried about gaining weight from munchies or gaining weight in general. The cannabinoid blocks the receptor in your brain that triggers the body’s hormones for hunger. Typically, a good choice to combat any obesity worries.THCV isn’t just some substitute either. THCV burns more calories with the output of energy it provides. THCV has no known side effects. Obesity medications can cause side effects like depression, anxiety, and other disorders.

Diabetes Relief with THCV

Type 2 diabetes can be tamed with THCV, this may be very important to some of you out there. The cannabinoid has the ability to regulate blood sugar levels. It also reduces insulin resistance in the body. This keeps your medicine only needed for emergencies. THCV provides insulin level stabilization. Keeping sugar levels in their place. Blood sugar levels are important to regulate and maintain. 

The Brain and THCV

THCV has been known to be effective in brain conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and schizophrenia. The cannabinoid is known to keep convulsions from happening as convulsions are common. The antioxidant properties of the chemical have been studied showing a slowing in these brain conditions. It also hydrates the brain, allowing some protection from degrading further. This provides unbelievable relief for those with such ailments.

THCV appears to reduce tremors, decrease the effects of brain lesions, and improve some motor control. Unfortunately, Studies have only just started to gain momentum into just how beneficial THCV is in treating Alzheimer's patients. 

THCV vs. THC

THCV and THC are similar as seen through their names but are a little bit different from one another than you’d think. Their similarity being that they will both get you high, but with THCV you can only achieve this effect with really high doses. Otherwise, they have different outcomes. THCV is a fairly heavy appetite suppressant whereas THC is known to create munchies. Someone with cancer would benefit from having an appetite and thus, THC is often recommended. Someone with obesity and weight problems benefits from THCV and its appetite suppressant effects. THCV can be used as a day to day medicine for certain conditions where THC provides pain relief. Both have their place and are highly respected in their own right.

Next time someone says, what is THCV? You’ll be able to tell them just what they’ve been missing out on. With so many different benefits, THCV is definitely something you should ask your budtender about next time you are in the dispensary. You just might like it.

Continue Reading

Oh the juicy terps, glorious terpenes. By now, I’m sure you know all about wonderful terpenes. 

Wait, you don’t? 

Well, let’s boot in and upload that knowledge upon you. 

What are Terpenes?

Terpenes are biological aromatic compounds found in many different plant species. In cannabis, they are responsible for the various flavors and aromas each strain obtains. The terpenes produce citrus, pepper, pine, and floral tastes/smells gathered within the buds or more specifically in the trichomes (kief).

They promote relaxation/stress relief for indica strains.

As for the sativas, they produce focus, uplifting, and energy.

So now that you are an expert, you’re probably headed to your favorite dispensary to purchase a fresh jar of juicy terpenes. They are going to get you higher than you have ever been. Well, let’s stop there and ask this question:

Do terpenes get you high?

A Closer Look At Terpenes

So now that you have a little knowledge of terpenes and that they exist, let’s dive in a little closer. Terpenes come in a big bag of different types which influence the type of high you will experience while you smoke. Let’s consider terpenes a type of “choose your own adventure” for the cannabis world.

Limonene

This juicy citrus terpene is found in various different fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, berries, and lemons. Limonene reduces anxiety. This occurs by the terpene increasing your serotonin and dopamine production within your brain, thus improving your overall mental health. A happy brain is a good brain.

Limonene has a high availability which essentially means it will allow a substance, cannabis in our case, to enter your bloodstream and have an actual effect on your body.

Some other added benefits include being an antiseptic and helping overall gastrointestinal health.

Some strains which contain Limonene include:

• White Widow
• Hindu Kush
• Goji OG
• Banana Kush

Myrcene

The most common terpene amongst the marijuana ranks is myrcene. Studies have shown myrcene improves cell membranes in the body to absorb nutrients. Myrcene makes up 20% of all the terpenes found in all cannabis strains. The terpene also appears as the most dominant among 40% of shelved marijuana strains. With these percentages, there is a very good chance you have had plenty of this terpene. 

Myrcene affects the blood/brain barrier. The terpene lowers the barrier allowing THC to pass through easier thus allowing for a sustained high. The terpene protects against circulating toxins/diseases which cause brain infections. This process does not raise the psychoactivity of THC but naturally increases the sense of chill and couch-lock. This allows the marijuana to hit fast/strong. Typically completely halving the onset time. 

Some health benefits from Myrcene are digestion improvement, relaxing muscles, reducing asthma flare-ups, and aiding sleep.

Some strains which contain Myrcene include:

• Green Crack
• Ak-47
• Blue Dream
• 9 Pound Hammer

Pinene

This woodsy, lumberjack of a terpene is the most common terp in nature. Pinene is found in pine trees, coniferous trees, rosemary, and other plants. In the marijuana world, Pinene has earthy, woody, and piney tastes/aromas. This terpene hits with stimulation, focus, and clarity receptors in your brain. The terpene is also a bronchodilator, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, and, believe it or not, it improves your memory.

Some strains which contain Pinene include:

• Mimosa
• Do-Si-Do
• Island Sweet Skunk
• Jack Herer

Linalool

Linalool is a bit of a flower child. Overall floral with a hint of spice, the terpene is found in lavender, rosewood, birch bark, and cinnamon. Linalool is aromatherapeutic which promotes health and an overall sense of well-being.

The terpenes reduce anxiety and allow the feeling of sedation. Linalool helps prevent heart disease and is slightly pain-relieving. The flower child also produces vitamin E which has anti-aging properties. 

Some strains which contain Linalool include:

• Grand Daddy Purp
• Amnesia Haze
• Wedding Cake
• L.A. Confidential

Caryophyllene

Oh, the spice with everything nice. Caryophyllene is found in basil, black pepper, and oregano. The terp has spicy, woody, and pepper aromas/flavors. High caryophyllene terpenes are noticeably pain-relieving and inflammation-reducing. The terpene binds with CB2 receptors in the brain which improves brain health and overall well-being.

Caryophyllene can also counteract the effects of THC. This could be good for those who need to be less high/anxiety-ridden. This spicy girl is good for digestion, pain relief, and relieves itchy skin.

Some strains which contain Caryophyllene include:

• Skywalker OG
• Super Silver Haze
• Chemdawg

The Terpene Experience and Getting High

So I know you’re thinking as you stand at your favorite dispensary with your mouth watering at the sight of the jar of fresh terpenes, “Do terpenes alone actually get you high?”. 

Unfortunately, the short answer is no. 

This simply breaks down to the terpenes themselves containing no THC. For those needing a friendly refresher, THC delivers the high we are all fondly familiar with. The terpenes interacting with THC and other cannabinoids are where the terpenes shine. They come in and become a “pick your own high” known as the Entourage Effect.

The Entourage Effect is the combination of THC, any terpene, and CBD. Many believe that cannabis is improved by adding terpenes. Terpenes work closely in the brain interacting with your body’s naturally forming cannabinoids pairing divinely with consumed THC and/or CBD. The combination is much stronger than THC, CBD, and terpenes alone. 

The Entourage Effect indirectly works as a major chemical compound and increases the potential benefits of everything involved. This improves mood and biological responses which boosts the quality of life. For those with marijuana anxiety, certain terps keep paranoia and anxiety completely away.

Now that you are an actual expert, make sure you grab that jar of terpenes. They allow you to choose the flavor/smells you enjoy. Then, remember to also buy some stinky, dank flower because terpenes alone will not get you high. But the Entourage Effect swoops in to boost cannabis effects longer, faster, and stronger. Helping to improve your body beyond your high.

Health and getting high, who would have thought...

Continue Reading

Do you have iron lungs or do you have a chronic cough? Perhaps you clear your throat before you take a rip or shortly thereafter. Sometimes that bong rip hits a little harder than usual, sending you into a coughing fit, which makes you think  – do you get higher when you cough? 

The answer, although it would be cool, it actually does not! 

When Weed Hits Your Lungs

Lungs are amazing organs that keep us alive by pulling air into our body, extracting oxygen, and sending it to cells. The lungs also extract cannabinoids and THC and send them through your body to give you bodily pain relief or uplift your spirits. 

At some point during your hits, you will need to exhale and breathe a new breath. The same goes with the hit that it will contain a certain amount of THC which will affect you and your lungs can only pull out a certain amount. Once your lungs hit their absorption limit it's time to take a new hit. It's less important if coughing will get you high as it is if you have more buds to load. 

For some people, the cough before a bong rip is essential to help them take a big full breath of some delicious smoke or vapor of their favorite strain. For others, the cough is a completion of that same smokey pull to push out all of the smoke from their lungs. 

There are some people who can suppress their coughs or who have trained themselves to take short shallow breaths instead of coughing. Others can simply hold their breath until their urge to cough goes away. 

Why Do You Cough When You Smoke Weed?

[Weed] smoke has some toxins and the body has natural defenses to get it out, such as coughing. But coughing could also be a mechanism to help get you more oxygen. Coughing might help you contract your lungs and prepare for a big inhalation. 

As the body works shamelessly and effectively to keep you alive, the act of breathing when interrupted by smoke or vapor will result in an attempt (cough) to expel those things until you are breathing less irritable air. Your lungs will extract THC and CBD just as effectively regardless of coughing or not. There is a limit to the absorption capacity that your lungs max out.

Myth: Busted - Coughing Does Not Get You Higher

There is not a lot of medical evidence surrounding the claim that coughing will get you higher due to the Federal legal status of marijuana products. The anecdotal evidence is as wide-ranging as the colors of your favorite hippie’s hair. “Coughing gets you higher,” “holding your hit in longer will get you higher,” “blowing out smoke rings will get you higher,” and “you will float through the center of those O’s.”

But, alas, coughing does not get you higher. The lack of oxygen when you take a hit of smoke may make you lightheaded but this is a short-term side effect that will resolve quickly once you take a few breaths of air. The claim that coughing gets you higher, while fun to believe, is false. Coughing might help you inhale bigger breaths but it will not rocket you into outer space. 

Someone who was embarrassed by their cough when toking likely came up with this rhyme “cough to get off” to make themselves seem cool. That person may also have not learned how to use a carburetor (pulling out the bong bowl or letting your thumb up to let in some air) and did not inhale enough oxygen during their pull.

So instead of acting like you have a cold or COVID just buy more concentrates or buds and load another bowl. The marginal impact of coughing to get higher is merely the deprivation of oxygen. Although it is a fun myth to believe, it is not a truth, which will replace finding stronger and tastier weed. 

Make fun of yourself when you cough and laugh at your friends when they cough. There is nothing to be embarrassed about because your lungs are helping you to survive and as they have done for centuries of evolution – they will inhale and get you high. 

Continue Reading

Flower, waxes, and edibles, oh my! With the legalization of marijuana, many different strains and types of cannabis have become available to the public. Everyone’s looking for something unique, something different. Some people want to blast off while others just take a little edge off. Is higher % THC better? Here’s what we say...

What is THC?

Tetrahydrocannabinol is the chemical responsible for the psychological effects of marijuana. THC acts like the cannabinoid chemicals that your body creates.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that marijuana is the most commonly used psychotropic drug. THC is the component responsible for its effect.

THC attaches itself to the body’s cannabinoid receptors. These are the parts of the brain associated with such perceptions as thinking, memory, pleasure, coordination, and time.

THC Concentrations

THC concentration is measured in weight compared to the product. THC concentration depends on several factors. Exposure to air degrades THC. Its concentration also is affected by the cultivation of the marijuana plant, the soil, and the plants.

The hemp plant has a minimal amount of THC. It is used for industrial and medical purposes—not for recreational use. Hemp THC could be only 0.5 percent. 

Some cannabis strains can have as little as 0.3 percent THC by weight. Other strains may have as high as 20 percent THC by the weight in a sample. Some unusual varieties have tested over 30 percent THC!

According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the average % THC concentration in marijuana is between one and five percent. THC in recreational marijuana is widely variable.

How Has % THC Increased?

A new study by Alice Walton sheds light on changes in THC concentration.

Part of this increased THC concentration is the result of a shift in the production of cannabis plant material away from marijuana to sinsemilla. Sinsemilla is the female cannabis plant that has not been pollinated. Sinsemilla plants are grown from cuttings or seed. 

The History of % THC Rise

Marijuana plants have been around for the past several hundred years. They were first grown in Asia in 500 BC for medicinal purposes. The THC percentage wasn’t even a consideration in those days. However, some ancient cultures knew about the psychoactive properties of cannabis. They grew these specific varieties because of their higher levels of THC. These were used in both religious ceremonies and healing rituals.

The cultivation of marijuana in America dates back to the early colonists. They grew hemp for ropes, sails, and clothing. Early hemp plants had low levels of THC. The psychotropic properties of the plant were not a consideration in the cultivation of hemp.

By the early 1900s, scientists discovered that THC was what gave cannabis its medicinal properties. Researchers learned that THC interacted with areas of the brain to lessen nausea and promote appetite.

Between 1960 and 1980, marijuana’s THC content was less than 2%. There were no clear governmental guidelines or regulations over the cannabis industry. So, producers took a page from the tobacco and alcohol industries. Through improved production and plant generation, they developed strains of marijuana with a significantly higher concentration of THC.

As American Mary notes there has been a concerted effort to increase the THC percentage. Since the early 1980s, the average THC content has shown an increase from a modest two percent to between ten and twelve percent. Some even tested as high as twenty to thirty percent THC by weight! 

Is Higher % THC Better?

Is a higher concentration of THC in marijuana better? Some would argue that the more potent the product the better value for your expenditure. Others disagree.

Pros

Those who use marijuana with a higher concentration of THC are convinced that they get a greater rush with a smaller amount of products. They also argue that they need less to get the desired effect. Hence, they think they get better value for their cannabis dollar.

Cons

But, the writers of American Mary disagree. Their point is that it doesn’t take much THC to get most people feeling high. So why seek marijuana with astronomical amounts of THC? It’s like bringing a cannon to a duel. 

Others contend that THC isn’t the only consideration. When you purchase wine, you look for one whose taste you like. You don’t shop for the one with the highest alcohol content. Writer Mike Pizzo suggests that is how marijuana purchasers should choose the product they want.

Researcher Dr. Elizabeth Stuyt points out the dangers of high potency marijuana. Her study indicates that the psychoactive component of marijuana with higher concentrations of THC causes higher levels of addiction. The higher potency of any drug raises the possibility of addiction. It also increases return buyer frequency and his purchasing amounts.

Why Some Prefer a Lesser % THC

Substance contends that not all buyers make high THC a priority. For some, looking only at high THC overlooks other important factors. Searching for high THC fails to take into consideration other traits that enhance the experience.

Further, the writer contends that higher THC concentration does not translate to the most potent experience. He cites smoking Jamaican marijuana with a concentration of only 12% as being his ultimate euphoria. The THC content alone cannot explain the experience.

Other factors are worth considering! Writers of American Mary encourage buyers to try different strains of cannabis with a variety of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. In doing so, buyers will discover the flavor profiles and experiences they will enjoy the most.

 Just like with fine Scotch, choosing the best product for you is a matter of trial and error. There are over four hundred and thirty compounds in a cannabis plant. The way in which these components interact will result in a wide range of reactions from the user. Add to that the wide range of user traits and the number of expected reactions is mind-boggling.

So how do you choose? Like with any other product, consider THC as only one of the many factors in your favorite cannabis. 

It’s not just the THC content that’s important. Rather, it is how the THC combines with other characteristics of the whole plant.

So, is higher % THC better?

The answer is not necessarily.

Continue Reading

In Colorado, cannabis is pretty easy to find these days. However, when you’re trying to be adventurous with your cannabis and make some homemade edibles and goodies, you don’t always have all the equipment you need for cooking. Have no fear, here’s how to strain cannabutter without cheesecloth.

What is Weed Butter?

Also known as marijuana butter or cannabutter, weed butter is a combination of cannabis and butter. Weed butter is most commonly used to make cannabis edibles. These include cannabis cookies and brownies.

Why is Straining Required?

Once it is infused, cannabutter needs to be strained. This is often done by slowly and carefully allowing the product to seep through cheesecloth. This method allows only the oil to get through the filter.

You don’t have to strain your cannabutter. You can take the plant bits out of the cannabutter using a slotted spoon. However, you will have to be content with plant pieces floating around in your weed butter.

Straining is required to ensure that the product with which you are going to bake doesn’t contain excess plant materials.

Problems with Using Cheesecloth for Straining

Cheesecloth is gauze-like, woven cotton cloth. It was originally used to create and wrap cheese. Hence, its name. Cheesecloth is costly and can be used only once.

Cheesecloth is tricky to cut. It is also messy and time-consuming to use as a strainer. If you squeeze the cheesecloth to hurry the process, you can end up with plant materials in the cannabutter.

A final disadvantage is that most households don’t have cheesecloth on hand. It is not always easy to find. You can buy cheesecloth at a kitchen supply store or a fabric store by the yard but you need to cut it to the size you need for your strainer.

Alternatives to Straining with Cheesecloth

1. Try Muslin

Select 100% cotton, unbleached, lightweight muslin. The cheaper the quality of the muslin the better it is for straining. You want a loose weave. This will provide a strainer that is tighter than cheesecloth and much cheaper. Muslin is also easier to find and to cut than cheesecloth.

Place the muslin over the mouth of a bowl, a cup, or a measuring cup. Secure with a device like an elastic band or clips. Place the cannabis leaves or buds in the muslin. Pour hot butter over the cannabis and allow it to strain into the receptacle below.

1. Consider Found Materials

You don’t have to go out and purchase cheesecloth or muslin. Look around you. Straining materials are there. How about using a pillowcase, a tea towel, a bandana, or a scrap of fabric from your craft basket?

Stretch the material over the mouth of a bowl. Hold in place with an elastic band or clips around the rim. Put the cannabis in the material and pour hot butter over the material. Allow to strain. 

When done, discard the cannabis. The fabric can be washed and reused.

1. Create an Herb Bag

Use found material to create a pouch. Place the cannabis materials inside and sew closed. Place this bag in a bowl of warmed butter. Allow the cannabis to infuse the butter, stirring from time to time. 

When the butter is infused to your liking, take the bag out and discard it. You can make several of these bags while you have your sewing machine out. Store in a closed, dry container until they are needed.

1. Coffee Filters Work

You have them on hand. Coffee filters make good strainers for cannabutter because they are already set up to be used to filter materials and infuse the liquid. 

First, run hot water through the filter to remove the paper taste. Place the filter in a mug, a bowl, or a dish. Put the cannabis buds or leaves in the filter. Then, pour heated butter in a circular motion over the cannabis and allow the mixture to brew.

Once the butter is infused, remove the filter with the cannabis inside and discard it. You’re left with delicious cannabutter for cooking.

1. Cloth Table Napkins are Versatile

Those cotton table napkins or cloth diapers can also serve as filters. Stretch the material over the mouth of a bowl. Hold in place with an elastic band or clips around the rim. Put the cannabis in the material and pour hot butter over the material. Allow to strain. 

When done, discard the cannabis. The fabric can be washed and reused.

1. Look for a Fine Mesh Bag

Fine mesh bags can be purchased in a hardware store. Mesh bags are worth the price because they are easy to clean and can be reused.

Put the cannabis in the mesh bag. Pour hot butter over the bag. Allow to strain. 

When done, discard the cannabis. The mesh bag can be washed and reused.

1. Select a Fine Wire Sieve

A wire sieve is easy to clean. It can be used several times. Be sure to choose a sieve that catches the plant materials. Because it is reusable, a wire sieve is an inexpensive strainer. Moreover, it is easy to use and not messy.

1. Repurpose Pantyhose

Stockings or pantyhose are a good substitute for cheesecloth. Simply stretch a clean pair of pantyhose or tights or a nylon stocking over the mouth of a large mixing bowl. When you have finished straining the cannabutter, toss the pantyhose in the washing machine and reuse it.

1. Use the Two-Cup Method

Originally used to brew tea, this also works for cannabutter. Place cannabis in a cup. Pour hot butter over top. Stir until the butter is fully infused. Then pour the mixture into a strainer over a second cup. Discard the plant pieces remaining in the sieve.

If you don’t have a strainer, you can pour the mixture in the first cup into the second cup using a slotted spoon to catch the plant pieces.

If you don’t have a slotted spoon, use a fork to hold back the plant material as you pour the infused butter from the first cup into the second one.

1.  Create a Tin Foil Infuser

Cut out a square of tin foil large enough to cover the surface of a cup. 

Fold the square twice so you have a small square. Use a sharp paring knife to make holes in the closed corner.

Fold out a pocket and place it in the cup. Put in the cannabis material. Pour in hot butter. Allow mixture to brew, stirring occasionally. When the butter is infused, remove the tin foil infuser with the plant material and discard it.

** Don’t Use a Paper Towel

People often make the mistake of assuming a paper towel will work as effectively as a filter when they are considering how to strain cannabutter without cheesecloth.

Avoid using paper towels as strainers. Paper towel production uses bleaches and other chemicals. When you strain the butter through a paper towel, it leaches these chemicals into the cannabutter. 

And that's how to strain cannabutter without cheesecloth.

Continue Reading