What Is THCV?

Posted by CANNASaver on Friday, 22 January 2021 in Canna Blog

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. THCC 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.

Do Terpenes Get You High?

Posted by CANNASaver on Thursday, 21 January 2021 in Canna Blog

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...

Do You Get Higher When You Cough

Posted by CANNASaver on Wednesday, 13 January 2021 in Canna Blog

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. 

Is Higher % THC Better?

Posted by CANNASaver on Monday, 11 January 2021 in Canna Blog

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.

Dispensary Prices Vs Street Prices

Posted by CANNASaver on Monday, 11 January 2021 in Canna Blog

The History of Marijuana Legalization

Marijuana cultivation in The United States dates back to the 1600s. Colonists grew a certain type of hemp known as cannabis.

The American government encouraged settlers to grow hemp at that time. The crop was used to make rope, clothing, and sails.

Up until the Civil War, the domestic growing of hemp flourished. However, after the war, hemp was imported instead.

By the end of the 1800s, marijuana was being used as a medical product. Americans could purchase remedies that contained marijuana in drug stores.

In 1910, after the Mexican Revolution, Mexican immigrants brought recreational marijuana with them when they flooded across the border into the USA.

This gave rise to fear of the drug trade and drug gangs. Anti-drug campaigns warned against a "Marijuana Menace". 

In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, many were unemployed. Fear of and resentment toward Mexican immigrants escalated. Governments and the public were so concerned about the potential problems associated with marijuana that twenty-nine states voted to outlaw marijuana. 

In 1937, Congress passed the Marihuana Tax Act. This act placed a tax on the sale of marijuana. According to the terms of the act possession and sale of marijuana became illegal. Medicinal use of marijuana was legal but there was a very expensive tax on it. Those who grew, imported, distributed, or prescribed marijuana had to pay a tax. Extensive record-keeping was required for the sale of medicinal marijuana. 

Some contend that the act, in effect, criminalized the use of, production of, and sale of marijuana.  Some saw the act as a way to cut the production of hemp that was, by then, being used as a cheaper paper product than pulp.

Others argued that the tax was necessary to curtail the negative effects of marijuana use. They believed that marijuana affected brain function and caused an increase in violence and crime.

Not everyone believed marijuana had harmful effects. The New York Academy of Medicine issued an extensive report dispelling the negatives of marijuana use. Their report said that marijuana did not increase violence or insanity. They also stated that its use did not lead to drug addiction nor did it lead to the use of harder drugs like heroin or cocaine.  

World War II saw a resurgence in the production of hemp. The U.S. Department of Agriculture encouraged farmers to grow hemp. It was used for such military gear as marine cordage and parachutes. The "Hemp for Victory" campaign registered 375,000 acres of hemp fields in the United States. 

By the 1950s, federal laws enforced mandatory sentences for drug-related offenses. However, by the 1960s more lenient attitudes towards marijuana were in place. 

By 1970, Congress had repealed mandatory penalties for drug-related offenses. In 1972, the Shafer Commission determined that personal use of marijuana should be decriminalized.

In 1976, a parent's movement against marijuana led to the 1980s War on Drugs with mandatory drug sentences re-enacted.

By the mid-1990s there was a major shift in public perception of marijuana. In 1996, California passed Proposition 215 allowing for the sale and medical use of marijuana.

Today, thirty states have legalized the medical and/or recreational use of marijuana.

Street Prices

Once known as black market prices, street prices are what you would pay when buying marijuana from someone who is not a licensed dealer. 

Street Quantities and Quality

As expected, there is a wide variation in quality when you purchase marijuana from a street source.

Advantages of Street Purchases

While you need to do your research before purchasing marijuana from a street source, you are not limited in the quantity you purchase. You may also be able to find good deals. In states and countries where marijuana is now legalized, street prices have reportedly dropped to less than half of those of licensed dispensaries. When you buy on the street, there is even some room to haggle over prices.

But when purchasing from a street source, it’s buyer beware. There is no guarantee of quality.

Factors that Affect Street Purchases

With street prices, it’s a law of supply and demand. Since licensed dispensaries opened, many who bought on the street aren’t doing so anymore. Thus, independent marijuana sellers have been forced to drop their prices.

With street purchases, there is also a wide variation in prices from one location to another.

Dispensary Prices

To run a legal dispensary, vendors must be licensed. There are also strict guidelines about quality and pricing. Buyers pay a sales tax of approximately 15% when they purchase from a dispensary.

In a dispensary, you can expect to pay an average of $9.99 per gram. The street price for a similar amount might be less than $6.40. That’s a saving of over thirty-five cents per gram.

Dispensary Quantities and Quality

Most dispensaries are clean, pleasant places. They often have knowledgeable staff happy to help you choose a product. Many dispensaries also run educational programs.

Advantages of Dispensaries

A CTV News report contends that the legalization of marijuana has driven up prices.

Dispensaries are eager to match the product you purchase to your goals. They encouraged you to ask questions and to learn about their many products. Their aim is to nurture return business.

Factors that Affect Dispensary Costs

1. Product Type and Quality

The brand of the product may affect its price. Other factors include the amount of THC in the product. Cost may also be determined by how it is produced. Growing and drying processes can affect the quality of the weed.

2. Supply and Demand

The degree of demand and the amount of marijuana available greatly affects the pricing of marijuana. If the supply is low and/or demand is high, then the cost of marijuana will increase.

How Dispensary Prices and Street Prices Regulate Each Other

Street prices can affect the pricing of dispensary marijuana. Street sellers can undercut the prices of legal dispensaries because they do not have the overhead of a store. They also do not have to buy a license and charge sales tax.

Once dispensaries of legal marijuana cropped up, street prices dropped as buyers were lured to dispensaries by guarantees of safety and quality of the product.

Why Buy Through Cannasaver?

Cannasaver and is the best option for getting the best weed deals anywhere. Dispensaries have some great options as far as all cannabis products are concerned and unlike the days where you used to have to buy from the street, you actually know what you’re getting. If prices seem a little high, check out our deals and save on flower, concentrates, edibles, and more!

How To Make Cannabutter With A Coffee Maker

Posted by CANNASaver on Monday, 11 January 2021 in

What is Cannabutter?

Often referred to as marijuana butter or weed butter, cannabutter is used to create cannabis edibles like brownies and cookies.

Creating your own cannabis-infused edibles at home can be messy and time-consuming. If you wish to enjoy cannabis treats without the work, browse the great deals on prepared edibles.

How is Cannabutter Made?

Many sites like Healthyish.com and Bonappetite.com offer step-by-step instructions to novice cannabis cooks to create cannabutter.

Cannabutter Proportions

As you become more experienced, you can experiment with how much weed and butter to use. For beginners, a good starting point is four sticks (one pound) of butter for every ounce of marijuana. Try a half-ounce of weed and two sticks of butter. 

There are various ways to strain the product. A simple guide suggests creating cannabutter by following these steps:

1. Decarboxylation

Also known as decarbing, drying, or desiccating, this step involves baking or dehydrating the weed. The process activates THC, CBC, and other cannabinoids. When this step is completed, the lipids in the butter can bind with the weed.

For proper decarboxylation:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. 

• Take a half-ounce of weed and grind gently with a hand grinder or snip with scissors. 

• The finished product should be just fine enough for making a joint.

• Spread plant material on a glass baking dish. Place the dish on the center oven rack.

• If the weed is old or of lower quality, bake for twenty minutes. If it is a higher quality weed or cured weed, bake for forty-five minutes.

• Stir gently every ten minutes to prevent burning.

• The marijuana should change from bright to deep brownish-green.

If you want to streamline the process of making cannabutter, you can buy plant materials ready for infusion. Check out our cannabis products or already vaped material deals.

2. How to Make Cannabutter with a Coffee Maker

The next step involves infusing the butter with marijuana. A common technique uses a large pot containing marijuana, water, and melted butter. Put this on the stove on medium heat for ten minutes or so. Then, the plant material has to be separated from the water and melted butter.

Unfortunately, the straining process often results in spatters, filter accidents, and singed fingers while trying to get the emulsion through the strainer material.

Also, sadly, the precious cannabutter can get stuck in the cheesecloth or other filter material while it cools and solidifies. This wastes valuable cannabutter. 

These disappointing experiences often cause would-be cannabutter makers to abandon the project and simply buy their edibles.

A tidier, safer alternative is the coffee maker. You can use a regular coffee maker. Place the plant material in the coffee filter. Pour the butter/water mixture through the top and wait for the liquid to pass through the coffee-making process and into a Pyrex measuring cup below.

However, an espresso pot or a Mota Pot is more effective.

Follow these steps to use a simple espresso machine or a Mota Pot to create quality cannabutter without the muss and fuss of those kitchen accidents.

• First, unscrew the top of your espresso pot.

• Remove the middle chamber.

• Place a stick of diced butter in the bottom chamber.

• Fill the bottom chamber halfway or a little more with water.

• Weigh out decarbed weed you’ve dried yourself or try a $50 ounce of “shake.” 

• Place this in the middle filter chamber where coffee grounds would be placed.

• Screw the top of the espresso pot back on.

• Place the espresso pot on medium heat on the stove for at least ten minutes or more.

• Don’t use higher heat. You will burn the butter.

• Listen for the burping sound as the butter/water passes up through the weed in the middle chamber.

• It will bubble into the top chamber. Make sure all the juice has spurted into the upper chamber. 

• Pour this liquid into a Pyrex measuring cup.

• Place in the fridge to cool. This will allow the butter and water to separate. This will take approximately an hour.

• Use a butter knife to poke the edges so you can pry the solidified butter out of the measuring cup.

Using a Mota Pot is much the same process as with an espresso pot. Simply place the Mota Pot on the stove on medium heat with a stick of butter and a cup of water in the bottom. The water in the lower section heats and turns to steam. The hot steam forces the melted butter up through the filter containing the herb, infusing the butter with the THC.

The hot liquid is then poured into a Pyrex dish and cooled in the same manner used in the coffee maker or the espresso coffee maker. Click here for a step-by-step Mota Pot demonstration.

Why Strain Cannabutter? 

There is no rule that you must strain cannabutter. You can scoop the plant remains from the butter/water mixture using a fork, a slotted spoon, cheesecloth, or a metal sieve. Depending on the edible, some plant material may not detract from the weed butter. 

Using the coffee maker or Mota Pot method, the filter area of your coffee maker, espresso maker, or Mota Pot builds in this straining method.

How to Use Weed Butter

You can add weed butter to many recipes. You are limited only by your imagination. Use the cannabutter as part of the butter or oil specified by the recipe. For example, you can use a tablespoon of cannabutter and three tablespoons of non-weed oil or butter.

Follow these steps to make a good cannabis vinaigrette salad dressing. 

Fix nutritious soups by spiking the liquid with two tablespoons of cannabutter or canna-infused sesame oil.

Try these cannabis-infused Citrus Caramel Blondies. 

Are you in the mood for homemade hot-from-the-oven marijuana cookies? Try this simple recipe.

My favorites are still chocolate cannabis brownies. 

If you have decided you’d rather buy your edibles already prepared, indulge in Chaos Crispies or get a great deal on ANY “N-fuzed” gummies.

For other ways to make cannabutter, visit our blog!

Colorado Population Growth Since Legalization

Posted by CANNASaver on Sunday, 10 January 2021 in

There is a definite pattern of Colorado population growth since the legalization of marijuana. In 2015, Colorado was declared the state with the second fastest-growing population in America with a population of 101,000.

In the years after legislation to legalize marijuana, the population increased by over 30,000. In 2014, Colorado’s population increased by another 35,500. The year 2015 saw almost 37,000 new residents.

A study by IZA Institute of Labor Economics, a German research firm, found that the population of Colorado showed a sharp increase after the legalization of medical marijuana.

Several factors may have caused the population to increase at the time when marijuana was legalized. To explore the reasons for the Colorado population growth, the US Census Bureau used data from the American Community Survey.

Comparing the results of census data taken in 2005 and 2009, they concluded that the annual move to Colorado rose by between 11% and nearly 20% since the legalization of (medical) marijuana in 2011.

Population Growth Patterns

Population growth can be the result of increasing birth rates that are larger than death rates. It can also be explained by immigration. New residents may come from Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, or Asia.

Colorado’s rapid population growth comes mostly from domestic immigration. The movement of people from one state to another is a typical reason for population growth.

Why are People Moving to Colorado?

People choose to move from one state to another for several reasons. These include greater employment opportunities, climate, more affordable housing, greater safety, recreational options, retirement living, and better medical care.

While the rapid growth in marijuana production and the opportunities to use marijuana legally in the state have most certainly accounted for some of the population growth, there are other reasons people are moving to Colorado.

New job opportunities have opened up in Colorado. Denver Business Journal rated Colorado the second-best state for jobs. Some are related to marijuana production and sales. But other areas such as construction and tourism are also growing.

Colorado’s climate with an average of three hundred days of sunshine annually is a drawing card for both retirees and the younger set. Many come because they like the beautiful landscape, the laid-back lifestyle, and the many recreational opportunities.

Wealth Afforded by Legalization of Marijuana

Marijuana production and sales are big business for individuals and for the state of Colorado. In 2019, CNBC reported that Colorado state revenue for marijuana had surpassed a billion dollars.

Colorado imposes a 15% excise tax from the cannabis grower to the retailer. Additionally, the state places a 15% sales tax on the buyer.

In 2018, Colorado legal pot sales topped $1.2 billion, with the state pulling in about $270 million in taxes. Compare that to the approximately $45 million that the state collected in tax on alcohol that same year.

Presently, Colorado has almost three thousand licensed marijuana businesses. Over forty thousand Colorado residents are licensed to work in the marijuana production industry. 

In a little over three years, Colorado garnered $500 million dollars in state revenue from marijuana sales.

In April and May alone, the state saw its two highest-grossing months with $24 million in state revenue.

Colorado’s cannabis revenue is used for health, education, and youth drug prevention initiatives. 

Colorado politicians point to other positive aspects of legalizing marijuana besides tax revenue. These include increased employment, crime reduction, increased business, and residential construction, and higher occupancy rates in rental properties.

Cannabis Revenue in Other States

The eleventh state to legalize cannabis for recreational use, Illinois joins Washington, Alaska, Colorado, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, Vermont, Michigan, and Nevada. Washington, D.C. legalized marijuana sales, as well. To date, thirty states have legalized marijuana for medical and/or recreational use. 

Many state leaders see revenue from marijuana sales as a way to help states which are in financial crisis. 

Illinois estimates state revenue at $170 million annually. This income is from both marijuana sales and producer license fees.

Investopedia points out that there are several areas of revenue for states that have legalized marijuana. Job opportunities lure people to the state. New residents increase state revenue. Building projects abound when people move to the state.

Marijuana production, licenses, and sales bring in millions in state revenue.

In addition, cannabis production provides investment opportunities for the state, the country, and worldwide. 

Washington State reaped $376 million in annual revenue for legalized marijuana.

NewFrontierData.com, a cannabis data website, predicts that by 2025 legal cannabis will grow to $25 billion. This projects huge revenue for states with legalized marijuana.

Not all states have fared as well as they had projected. While California hoped to take in $643 million in revenue, it pulled in only $345 million in 2019. California’s marijuana industry is struggling to make a profit because of black market marijuana sales.

What are the Downsides of Legalizing Marijuana?

As with most things, there is a downside to legalizing marijuana.

Long-term or extended use of marijuana may be harmful both as a cancer-producing smoke and as a mind-altering substance.

Second-hand smoke from marijuana has proven to be harmful to others.

Regular use of marijuana can lead to the use of harder more harmful drugs including heroin and cocaine.

There is no argument. Cannabis production puts millions in state coffers. In addition, it creates large numbers of new jobs in production and sales. People who move to the state to fill these jobs boost the state’s economy. They create a need for increased housing and increase retail sales.

Medical marijuana has proven therapeutic benefits. Its legal availability does not seem to have increased its use among youth.

Crime and violence have decreased because of decriminalization of cannabis consumption and sale. Policing costs have thus decreased because the illegal selling and buying of marijuana has been removed. As Market Watch notes, where states have legalized recreational marijuana, police can spend time on solving these serious crimes instead of making marijuana possession arrests. 

How to Strain Cannabutter Without Cheesecloth

Posted by CANNASaver on Sunday, 10 January 2021 in

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10.  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.

What Is Live Rosin

Posted by CANNASaver on Sunday, 10 January 2021 in

There aren’t many concentrates that have unanimous agreement among cannabis consumers as a superior product, yet extract lovers across the spectrum clamor over live rosin. While we have known about rosin for years, it was finally time to up the game. So, what is live rosin?

In this guide, you will find information on the following: 

• The physical properties of live rosin

• How live rosin compares to rosin

• The best way to store live rosin

• The average cost of a gram of live rosin

• And some tips on if it is legal (or worth it) to make at home

Let’s Learn About Live Rosin

Rosin is a concentrated marijuana product that owes a large part of its fame to the method it is produced. We will get into that more later; for now, just know all rosin is solventless. 

Rosin looks much like shatter, a concentrate produced using a hydrocarbon such as butane or propane during extraction. Shatter has a texture that cracks, snaps, and shatters apart. Rosin is traditionally more of a clear to somewhat opaque shatter-to-sap texture. 

Live rosin has a bit of a sappy texture and a color that ranges from light amber to clear and reflective. Its luscious, glistening beeswax color draws the eyes into it.

How is Rosin Different from Other Concentrates?

Live rosin is at the higher end of the quality spectrum and carries the price to prove it. We will get more specific on pricing in a bit. Many common waxes, shatters, budders, badders, etc. utilize a hydrocarbon to strip the cannabinoids (THC, CBD, among others) from the plant material.

Most of the hydrocarbon is then purged from the residual material and prepared into various textures for numerous purposes. Not all of the butane or propane has been purged, however. While the remaining hydrocarbon extractant may be in the final product, there are mixed feelings about this. 

Some cannabis lovers believe hydrocarbon extractions can be just fine. Others like the idea that solventless concentrates will always have superior flavor. Enter: rosin.

What is Rosin? 

Rosin is a solventless cannabis concentrate made using two very simple principles - but using them in specific ways - heat and pressure. That is all it takes. Rosin, like resin, is not a new word but one that we borrowed from other products throughout history and across industries. 

Rosin provides a potent cannabis product produced under very specific quantities of heat, pressure, and time. There is a small difference in potency when compared to other common concentrates. The lack of a solvent to thoroughly plunder the plant of its content is largely to blame.

Rosin can be made legally at home as it is not produced using pressurized chemical solvents that can cause home explosions. Unlike BHO or PHO extracts which are a felony offense, rosin can be made (not well) with an item as simple as a hair straightener, a gram of flower, and some parchment. 

What Is Live Rosin? 

Like its family member rosin, live rosin is a solventless hash product produced under heat and pressure. Unlike traditional rosin, however, live rosin has a very specific difference - one that makes it exceedingly more difficult to produce. 

Making a product “live” refers to extracting the concentrate using freshly grown material. Not harvested and dried, but instead harvested and then immediately used in extracts. This preserves or amplifies certain flavors within the extract. 

How Do Rosin and Live Rosin Compare?

Commonly made using dried flower, kief, or water or bubble hash, rosin always comes from the dried or lightly processed cannabis plant. This can affect the potency, the terpene profile, and cannabis lovers and product makers have noticed the difference. 

Live rosin’s superior freshness has extract enthusiasts melting over the complex flavor and robust experience. The texture of live rosin resembles a more whipped, grainy butter than the light amber honey of traditional rosin. Live rosin is sometimes referred to as “rosin batter” due to the whipped honey color and texture.  

Both rosin and live rosin have a potency of between 60%-70% THC, slightly lower than many other forms of concentrate but still more than many cannabis products. 

Rosin and live rosin each carry a price point commonly higher than other forms of hydrocarbon-based extraction methods. Whereas a typical mid-range gram of wax is $30-$40 per gram, live rosin is between $60-$100 per gram and rosin is between $40-$60. 

How is Live Rosin Made? 

Both rosin and live rosin can be made using bubble or water hash, which are two of the oldest forms of hash. Live rosin utilizes fresh, non-dried cannabis flowers to produce the bubble hash, capturing the fresh terpenes and harolding the “live” spirit of the product name.

Bubble hash is not the same thing as kief or dry sift, kief can become a bubble or water hash. Heck, kief can even become rosin. 

Two Tips on Storing Live Rosin

Like other “live” cannabis products, there are more terpenes available. Sometimes this can look like a sauce around the extract. To best preserve these flavor sauces, along with the rosin itself, there are a few things to keep in mind. 

1. Keep a lid on

An airtight seal is the most important factor in maintaining the quality of live rosin. Oxygen can make the product visually degrade in a span of a few days, so it’s best to just keep an airtight seal on the product. 

2. Keep it in a cool, dark place

Much like our groceries, keeping live rosin out of sunlight helps preserve the freshness. While a closet or bedside table can work, a spot in the refrigerator works best.

Looking for Live Rosin? Check Out These Dispensaries:

The Stone

Denver, CO

Local Product of Colorado

Denver, CO

Reefer Madness Dispensary

Denver, CO

Little Brown House

Denver, CO

How to Smell Proof Your Stash

Posted by CANNASaver on Thursday, 07 January 2021 in Canna Blog

Let’s face it, friend – the dank Colorado “sticky-icky” is profoundly potent these days. With potency of the flower comes some of the most powerful odors known to the human nose. As your house fills with the attractive smells of your favorite dispensary, you realize you have your family coming over for dinner. 

You have no time to embrace the wonderful smells as you rush to think of solutions for the smell. An overload of nerves surges through you – how are you going to smell proof your righteous stash? Let’s skip the sandwich bags and look at some ways we can smell proof thy stash.

Starting at the Source

Mary Jane, how we love thee, but wowzers, you really stink. No more comments need to be heard from mom about letting a skunk die in the living room. How are we going to smell proof this noxious, inviting cannabis? Let’s seal up this odor in the most preserving way we can. No flavor or potency will be sacrificed this day.

What to Look for When Smell Proofing the Stash

We will start by hitting the obvious on the nose, the actual smell proofing. Smell proofing your stash will help to deter our precious cannabis from children, looky-lous, and animals alike. This will hopefully keep your stash’s threat level maximum low. We want to stay away from plastic jars. Marijuana smells leak out of plastic containers due to the porous nature of the plastic itself. Also, plastic containers run the risk of having static charges destroy the adorable trichomes.

Proper Stash Storage

Airtight, glass jars are a perfect place to start. With so many different styles to choose from, it’s a matter of personal preference but have fun with it. Just make sure it's glass and airtight. The cheapest, often most effective choice is simply Mason jars. Big plus – they often come in packs of six or so. Storing in jars prevents smells from coming out of the jar while providing cover from light and humidity. 

Another option is a humidor. Humidors keep the humidity between 50-65%. Be cautious however because they can fluctuate in humidity randomly which could spell mold for your innocent flower. For extra paranoia protection, you can also wrap the stash jar in laundry sheets or throw the jar in with coffee beans.

Fancy Stash Bags and Devices

These days, stash bags can get about as designer as you want them to be. That said, stash bags are absolutely amazing and necessary if you can get one. They typically have room for thy stash, pipe, lighter, and if lucky, your grinder. Lined in activated charcoal, stash bags absorb the strong smells leaving no odor behind. 

Another fancy thing you can do is invest in a good vaporizer. Vaporizers reduce the amount of odor being emitted while also having flavor and being a healthier overall choice.

Smell Proofing While Smoking Your Stash

Air Filters

There are a couple of great options when disguising cannabis smoke as regular smoke. The first option is a useful, crude device known as a sploof. Many of you probably used this creation at some point while smoking. It consists of a toilet paper tube stuffed with laundry sheets. 

Simply blow through the tube and smoke comes out smelling like freshly washed clothes. For the more adult, not McGuyver type, the Smoke Buddy is a longer-lasting choice. Made of various colored plastic, Smoke Buddies have a good design, effective, and not a toilet paper tube.

Smoke Outside

Sounds simple enough right? Get outside to smoke, friend. You will enjoy some fresh ol’ air while the sunlight neutralizes any smells you acquired during your sesh. UV light takes the smell away in about 30-45 minutes.

Odor Eliminators

It’s tempting to start spraying Febreeze or Axe like it’s going out of style. Don’t. The world and the environment will thank you. Instead, invest in some Ozium, Odoban, or Va-Por-Tek. They kill bacteria, break up stubborn odors, and will leave you (and anyone else) wondering if you ever smoked at all.

Clean your Glass

Never underestimate the power of a cleaned out piece. Pipes, bongs, vaporizers, the cleaner they are the cleaner you are. When dirty, glass pieces can be notorious sources of awful stoney smells. By cleaning the resin and ash out, the glass won’t smell and bet the flower tastes much better as well.

Air Purifier

To round out our festival of ripe cannabis smell remedies, an air purifier will finish the job of smell removal by removing the smell particles from the area in which the purifier is set up. Works best in a medium space. It will remove the remaining stale smoke smells.

Armed with your arsenal of goodies, your family shows up and cannot believe how good your house smells. No dead skunk jokes tonight folks. 

Marijuana is absolutely amazing and gets better every day, but we don’t have to flaunt it. Not everyone loves it as much as we do. Learn how to smell proof your stash and you become a professional pot lover. 

Do Mangoes Really Increase Your High

Posted by CANNASaver on Thursday, 07 January 2021 in Canna Blog

Psst, hey you. I hate to interrupt as I see you are about to light that delicious-looking bud in your pipe but I have a secret I want you and everyone to know. Ready? 

If you eat a specific fruit before you chief on that bowl in your hands, it will boost your high significantly.

Wild, right? A fruit that can help obtain and maintain your high for much longer than typically expected. This magical fruit, drum roll please, fresh mangoes. Okay, you think I’m nuts, totally get it. But let’s take a peek with the grand question ringing, do mangoes really increase your high?

The Intertwining Relationship Between Marijuana and Mangoes

Eating fresh mangoes 60 to 90 minutes before enjoying your top tier cannabis is one of the easiest ways to get the most out of your high and your flower. The exotic mango is made of a terpene that is fairly common among different marijuana strains. Did I lose you at terpenes? I hear you but they are not scary. They help make cannabis the psychedelic awesome ride we know and love dearly.

Oh, The Delectable Terps

Terpenes are biological aromatic compounds found in many different plant species. They are responsible for the various smells and flavors plants have. The terpenes produce the citrus, pepper, pine, and floral tastes/smells gathered within the buds. They promote relaxation/stress relief for Indica strains and uplifting/energy for sativas but how does this connect with mangoes? Follow me. 

The Science of Myrcene

The most common terpene amongst the marijuana ranks is myrcene. As far back as 1970, studies have shown myrcene improves cell membranes in the body to absorb good 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. This is quite handy because mangoes are also filled with the glorious terpene. Myrcene affects the blood/brain barrier.

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

The Benefits of Marijuana and Mangoes

The myrcene in both plants help prevent multiple health issues including but not limited to:

• Battling cancer 

• Bone density improvement 

• Stability of blood sugar levels for diabetics 

• Reducing asthma flare-ups

• Digestion improvement. 

The high-functioning digestive system helps to intensify edibles if taken. The myrcene in the mango also provides calming effects as well as pain relief. 

Mango Munchie Time

By eating the mango before your sesh, you are also toning down the effects of the munchies or rather the food cravings. Only 130 calories, the mango consists of mostly water and dietary fiber. This allows the eater to feel full in their stomach which will calm the over-eating stoner. The mango’s nutrients will rejuvenate the smoker while decreasing the risk of cancer with every bite.

Effective Mango Intake for an Increased High

Eat one to three mangoes before you smoke or eat an edible. If you have a fast metabolism, you should start this process one hour before consuming. For those with a slower metabolism, start one to two hours before your smoke sesh. When choosing a particular mango product for this adventure, always go fresh, fresh, fresh. Go ahead and skip juices or dried mangoes. Juices may be artificial and the myrcene harvested may have degraded much further with those products.

If for some reason you cannot eat a mango, some substitutions are:

• Lemongrass
• Thyme
• Parsley
• Hops

So, if your next smoke sesh you find yourself feeling adventurous (or if you’re running low on weed), dive right into a myrcene-drenched, fresh mango. Oozing in rich vitamins, nutrients, and a high of ever-increasing awesomeness, this method of getting stoned is sure to impress. From delighting people with high tolerances, health nuts, and couch-lockers; mangoes are truly here to increase that ever-fleeting high.

Proper Decarboxylation

Posted by CANNASaver on Thursday, 07 January 2021 in Canna Blog

Heat exposes the cannabinoids in your weed to decarboxylation. "Decarbing" your weed is a process that changes the chemical structure of the chemical compounds in cannabis to become more available to the bloodstream. That’s the simple part. In this guide, we discuss a bit of the chemistry and focus on proper decarboxylation of your weed at home.

Chemical Processes Maximize The Availability TO THE BRAIN!!!!

Ever wondered why marijuana is more commonly smoked?  How about expressed curiosity as to why edibles get you high, yet eating raw marijuana does not? 

The most forward conclusion one could make would be that heat and temperature conditions must have something to do with this phenomenon - and they’d be 100% right! This process is called decarboxylation. 

What is the proper decarboxylation process?

Decarboxylation put in simple chemical terms, implies that we remove a carbon atom and oxygen atom from a molecule (hint: it’s THCa). By heating cannabis, this causes these bonds to break within the THCa molecule, converting it to THC. 

That’s a simplification, yet it’s important to have a basic idea of the full concept before we dive further. 

What cannabinoids are activated by carboxylation?

Now that we know the removal of an oxygen atom and carbon atom via heat from the cannabis plant allows certain compounds to become more available to the body, but what does that mean? 

Cannabis contains hundreds of naturally occurring chemical compounds. Some provide an effect on the body, others are purely aroma, while others do not really do anything we are aware of yet. Not all of these compounds are cannabinoids, there are terpenes, flavonoids, among other compounds that make up the flavor and aroma of fresh cannabis and cannabis products. 

Cannabinoids such as THCa and CBDa exist in the raw flower in greater quantities - naturally. The problem: While these two cannabis compounds do have some appreciable medical benefits, it is their decarboxylated family members THC and CBD that produce the greatest benefit to medical patients and the best experience for recreational consumers. 

Decarboxylation of your weed removes the chemical bond preventing the cannabinoid THC, among others, from readily entering the bloodstream. Put another way, decarboxylation activates the THC and CBD.

Is decarboxylation necessary for edibles? 

Cannabis distillate is among the few types of cannabis product that comes activated (i.e. - decarboxylated) from the dispensary. If you plan on making edibles with anything else, "decarbing" your weed is 100% necessary. 

Eating marijuana fresh flower will not produce any of the psychoactive effects associated with smoking or vaporization. Decarboxylation is therefore one of the most important parts of the edible production process. With a good method, making edibles, tinctures, or other non-smoked products at home is both fun and consistent. 

A note about edibles:

Decarboxylation allows cannabinoids to more freely enter the bloodstream. Because food goes through the stomach and smoke goes through the lungs, there are different enzymatic processes in the body for processing the THC. 

Edibles do take longer to kick in as a result of their different process of absorption. Just keep in mind the experience and the timeframe are much different with edibles than with smoking or vaporization.

Weed and Decarboxylation: How to do it in 5-steps

Decarboxylation of weed, known colloquially as "decarbing," is essential for THC, CBD, or various other less prominent cannabinoids to be available to the body without smoking or vaporizing the product. Decarbed weed can be used to infuse oils; it can be easily added to salad dressings and sauces, and it can consistently produce the experience recreational cannabis enthusiasts are seeking. 

This process can be done with fresh flower and concentrates. As mentioned above, cannabis distillate does not need to be decarboxylated. There is a good reason, but it’s not one we will explore here (because we explored it here).

Step 1: Measuring your doses

Measure out the desired amount of weed for proper decarboxylation. This varies by both the user and the intended dose. Let’s run through a piece of math quickly:

• 3.5 grams is equal to 1/8th of an ounce

• The cannabis is 20 percent THCa, meaning per 1000 milligrams of full flower (or 1 gram) there is 200 milligrams of THCa.

• This means per 1/8th ounce, there are 700mg of THCa

** it should be noted that THCa does not 100% convert to THC. It’s generally good to estimate the final THC will be roughly 25 percent less than the initial THCa. 

• 700mg THCa * 0.25 loss = 175mg loss

• 700mg THCa - 175mg THCa = 525mg THC after decarboxylation

Step 2: adding the heat

Under environmental conditions, cannabis would grow, it would produce flower, and die. After the plant is dead, the remaining plant would continually be exposed to oxygen. A process of oxidation would eventually cause the THCa to lose an oxygen and carbon molecule, becoming THC. This process is expedited greatly by adding heat.

We've found the temperature 220 degrees Fahrenheit (~104 Celsius) for 55 minutes - 1 hour 5 minutes consistently delivers a bright experience rather than a burnt one. 

Preheat the oven so the timer is as accurate as possible. The goal is to minimize the loss of THC and maximize flavor. 

Step 3: preparing your cannabis for decarboxylation

If you are using fresh cannabis flower, grind it finely and evenly. If you are using concentrates, depending on the quantity, the most important part is you have a tool to scrape it from the container.

Step 4: get the cannabis oven-ready

Use an oven-safe container such as a Pyrex container. Spread the cannabis flower or concentrate evenly across the container. Some recommend putting tinfoil or a cover over the container, others don’t. We think it is up to preference. 

Step 5: it’s time to decarb your weed!

Pop that pot in the oven for 55 minutes to 1 hour 5 minutes. At the 25 minute mark, stir your flower and concentrates. This helps ensure even decarboxylation. At the hour mark, remove from the oven and let sit for five to ten minutes. 

Find great cannabis deals and get "decarbing" your own today with Cannasaver! 

When Will Weed Be Legal Federally

Posted by CANNASaver on Thursday, 07 January 2021 in Canna Blog - Latest News

States across the US are changing their views on cannabis, and they have been doing so for some time. That’s why it was monumental to see movement at the federal level, and not just the state. On December 4, 2020, the US House of Representatives passed H.B. 3884, titled the “Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2020”, or the MORE Act for short. But when will weed be federally legal?

While it is likely to be blocked in the Senate, the passage at the House of Representatives comes after 50+ years of strict federal prohibition of marijuana. While it may have taken a lifetime, and we still are not there yet, this is hopeful - and not just because it would make marijuana federally legal. 

The bill is loaded with resolutions that reach across political parties and offers some compassion for the mistakes and tragedies our criminal justice system has placed on consumers, growers, and non-malicious purveyors. 

Let’s take a look.

50 Years in The Making: Removing Cannabis From The Controlled Substances Act of 1970

The Wall Street Journal reports “The vote was largely along party lines. Libertarian Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan and five Republicans voted in favor of the bill, including Rep. Matt Gaetz (R., Fla.) who was a cosponsor. Six Democrats voted against the bill, all centrist lawmakers.” 

The bill passed the House with 228 Congressperson's voting in favor and 164 votings against the Bill, marking the first time since 1970 a measure for reforming cannabis laws that make marijuana federally legal was passed by either chamber of Congress.

What Would The MORE Act of 2020 Change?

There are several high-impact components in the Bill, most of which can stunningly reduce the past, existing, and future harm individuals and communities have faced from criminalization. 

Given these harms are and have always disproportionately impacted minority communities, the push to right the wrongs of our systems is front and center in the minds of many voters - and it seems most US House representatives support change as well. See some of their remarks below.

1. The MORE Act would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act

If signed into law, the MORE act would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, effectively leaving it to states to determine how they want their residents to engage with the plant.  

“Across this nation, thousands of men and women have suffered needlessly from the federal criminalization of marijuana, particularly in communities of color and have borne the burden of collateral consequences for those ensnared in criminal legal systems that have damaged our society across generations.” - Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)

2. Like the states already do, The MORE Act would allow the Federal government to tax cannabis

The legislation would impose a five percent federal tax on cannabis products. These funds would be used by programs in communities hurt by the war on drugs.

According to Marijuana Moment, “As now structured, the MORE Act would make it so cannabis would be federally taxed at five percent for the first two years after implementation and then increased by one percent each year until reaching eight percent. After five years, taxes would be applied to marijuana products based on weight rather than price.”

If passed, the MORE Act would both make cannabis federally legal - or at least states can choose without fear of a federal crackdown - and would create a Community Reinvestment Grant Program. 

The program would use tax dollars for job training, literacy programs, and youth recreation and mentoring services, and numerous other community services and organizations.

“This is about allowing states and localities to self-determine what their marijuana policies should be.” - Justin Strekal, political director at the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, to WSJ.

3. The MORE Act expunges criminal records for most offenders

Within the bill, there are measures to resentence individuals currently incarcerated for criminal offenses related to cannabis. While ‘resentence’ means that the individual may still be sentenced for a crime, under the MORE Act, a majority of low-level cannabis offenses will be expunged. 

The Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2020 clarifies that not all marijuana offenses are eligible for expungement. More specifically, violent marijuana offenders and “kingpins” will be barred from resentencing/ expungement under the MORE Act. 

Under the rules making cannabis federally legal, the number of incarcerated individuals for nonviolent marijuana charges would see a substantial drop. 

4. The MORE Act does not require that federal positions be tested for THC or other cannabis-derived compounds, except in limited circumstances

The rules go on to say that the Transportation Department and Coast Guard may continue to include marijuana in drug testing programs, but most federal employees (and applicants) would no longer be ineligible for work because they got high on holiday. Hurray!

If you didn’t know, marijuana testing was a federal employee requirement. And since THC can be detected in urine for 2-4 weeks, people seeking federal employment had to worry about their employment, and their activities outside of the office would collide in a negative way. The MORE Act would allow this anxiety to disappear. 

5. Immigrants would have broader marijuana protections under the MORE Act

The bill, passed Dec. 4, 2020, aims to further protections for immigrant individuals and families. With regard to immigration laws, the MORE Act, in making marijuana federally legal, states the following:

“....an alien may not be denied any benefit or protection under the immigration laws based on  any event, including conduct, a finding, an admission, addiction or abuse, an arrest, a juvenile adjudication, or a conviction, relating to cannabis, regardless of whether the event occurred before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.”

BONUS: The MORE Act minimizes barriers to entry for small business owners through loan program access

Under the MORE Act, a Cannabis Justice Office would be started. The Office would have appointees under the Justice Department. This individual or office would be responsible for distributing funds provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that provide loans for small cannabis businesses owned and controlled by socially and/ or economically disadvantaged individuals. These loans seek to reduce inequality by minimizing any existing bias or discrimination in current borrowing practices. 

Making Marijuana Federally Legal: What’s Next?

While the MORE Act passed the House of Representatives, the Senate is less favorable. The reasons for this are largely political and civil. However, since criminal penalties are being discussed, it is likely to cause a bit of frothy conversation first. 

The passage of the MORE act in Congress marks a first, but also a half-way point. There is more political and social support for changing the law than ever before, but it is not yet enough. When will weed be federally legal?

Not yet, but we're almost there.

Buying Weed in Colorado

Posted by CANNASaver on Wednesday, 16 December 2020 in Canna Blog

Marijuana is widely available in Colorado. There are certain cities and counties which do not allow the sale of cannabis products, but you will not have to go far to find places where you can fulfill your cannabis cravings. If you’ve never done it before, buying weed in Colorado can be intimidating. What do you get? How do you know what to ask? Will I look like a noob? Don’t worry, here are a few things to know about buying weed in Colorado.

Buying Legal Marijuana in Colorado

There are two types of dispensaries for buying weed in Colorado: Recreational and Medical. Many companies have dual storefronts as Colorado laws demand a separation of medical marijuana products from recreational store products. 

Buying Recreational Marijuana 

For recreational marijuana buying access is restricted to people over 21 years of age. If you possess a medical marijuana card you can start buying at 18 years old. For recreational marijuana, you just need your photo identification and your money and in the time it takes to get a coffee you can get an ounce from a dispensary. 

Buying Medical Marijuana 

By contrast, a medical marijuana card is not something you will just find on the street or come across by chance. It is a tool, available to those with medical conditions that must be obtained in steps. To obtain a medical marijuana card you must be a Colorado resident, visit a doctor, fill out the paperwork with the Colorado Department of Public Health, and wait for your approval. You will then receive approval in your email which you can print. 

Then you only need your card and your cash and you are on your way to finding the best-priced weed this side of the Mississippi River. 

Cannasaver has a page dedicated to this privileged segment of customers.

The Difference Between Buying Medical and Recreational Marijuana

The difference between recreational and medical marijuana is not the buds or concentrates. It is largely a difference based on price and quantities. 

Colorado taxes medical marijuana at a lower rate of just the standard state tax of 2.9% while recreational marijuana is taxed at 15% in addition to the standard state tax. 

The other big difference between medical and recreational marijuana legalities is the amount you can possess. A medical card carrier can possess up to 2 ounces of buds and someone who shops recreationally is only allowed up to 1 ounce. 

Cannasaver has a page dedicated to helping you find the best ounce deals. You can expect to pay a low of $39 for shake and up to $200 for top-shelf nuggets. Concentrates are also available to both medical and recreational customers. The same rules apply as with buds, medical cardholders can buy and possess more concentrates legally. 

The Amount of Weed You Can Buy in Colorado

Dispensaries are heavily regulated and will let you know what your max carrying and purchase limits are for the day. Once you reach your limit for the day you cannot buy from the same place until the next day. Additionally, many places will only allow one visit per day even if you don’t max out your legal allotment. Plan wisely to avoid disappointment. 

Edibles, concentrates, and flower buds are all factored into the maximum purchase per day at any certain dispensary. You could max out on one of these products or select a combination of products. Your budtender during your visit will give you the best advice.

Carrying Weed in Colorado 

Another legality regards the way in which you carry your goods. The law requires “sealed” packages while traveling in public with your weed. Some dispensaries will charge you a few bucks for special bags designed with fancy “childproof” locks. Other dispensaries will simply staple your bag shut and the requirement is met. It may be tempting to rip open your bag before driving home but be aware that this could invalidate the “seal”. In the event you are examined by law enforcement there could be the question about if the seal is broken. 

Beware of traveling with open packages and be aware of heavy, “skunky” odors that could attract unwanted attention. In the state of Colorado, drug dogs are no longer used to detect marijuana and the smell of marijuana is not an automatic cause for the search of an automobile. Be sure that you are discrete when transporting from dispensaries to your private property to preserve your freedoms.

Weed in Public in Colorado

Consuming and driving is against the law. There are charges such as DUI for marijuana use when operating an automobile. If it is edibles or vapes or good old fashioned buds it is a requirement of the law that you do it on private property. 

Although it might seem fun to get high while skiing or hiking be careful as this could be a violation of state and federal laws as many of our favorite outdoor places are considered public lands. 

Carrying Weed Outside of Colorado

Unfortunately, federal law does not allow one to cross state lines with marijuana products. This also applies to flying through Denver International Airport. It is illegal, although due to the decriminalization in Colorado and the city limits of Denver extending to the airport, it is rare for arrests to occur based on possession of Marijuana. Depending on where you are going, if caught with cannabis, the local authority will determine what charges, if any, should be brought. 

Reselling Weed

Another issue to be aware of is resale of marijuana is also against the law. Any sale of marijuana must be authorized by the state at a sanctioned dispensary. Not to worry about gifting your favorite stoner some buds though, as adults can still “gift” each other up to an ounce legally.

Be Responsible With Weed in Colorado

The moral of the story is that responsibility is required when dealing with the laws surrounding marijuana. Be careful, know your limits, and be responsible. There are numerous resources to explore to ensure you are aware of boundaries and laws such as CDOT’s website around drugged driving. 

Another great resource to consider is the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environments resources on getting a medical card.

Some activist events that cannabis lovers should consider attending to further the cause of access and decriminalization is the annual 4/20 rally in Denver civic center park. Also, consider writing your senator and house representatives to remove marijuana from the DEA schedule one drug list. 

End the war on cannabis and happy highs!

Best Sativa Strains of All Time

Posted by CANNASaver on Wednesday, 16 December 2020 in Canna Blog

Do you ever find yourself working your butt off at work or cramming for a test the night before realizing how badly you need a delightful weed break? You want to take a few quick rips from the bowl in your pocket but you think I don’t really want to get too stoned, lose focus, and relax too much. It is easy for cannabis enthusiasts to fall into stereotypes of the lazy/too chill smoker from your favorite stoner film. Alas, the answer becomes clear – you just need an awesome, dare you say, best sativa strain of all time. A sativa strain to get you socializing, energized, and uplifted in no time. 

The Sativa

Sativa dominant strains of cannabis offer a lot of terms of being a functional stoner. The sativa effect works to boost energy, increase focus, and raise creativity levels. Sativas have an added benefit of increasing serotonin helping to treat medical conditions such as depression, chronic pain, and anxiety.

As anxiety crosses your mind, you remember someone once saying, “Sativas freak me out”. Sativa strains are more prone to cause paranoia in less experienced users. But, breathe in with a sigh of relief as we find you the best sativa strains of all time based on levels of energy and for those with anxiety issues.

Best Sativa Strains for Dealing with Anxiety

Best to start here as later sativas in this list might not be for you.

Blue Dream

As the name entails, Blue Dream enters with a full body calm and gentle cerebral invigoration. BD packs a powerful buzz without rendering yourself too high. The strain offers swift relief without a feeling of being sedated.

Maui Wowie

Ah yes, a true classic. Mauie Wowie swipes the senses with tropical flavors and mellow island vibes. The strain dispels stress with a high energy euphoria. Maui Wowie sends you straight to absolute paradise, keeping you surfing for hours.

Chocolope

Sweet, sweet Chocolope, every bit as delicious as the name implies. Being a cross of Chocolate Thai and Cannalope haze, Chocolope gives a sweet coffee taste with sweet after tones. This delightful strain offers dreamy euphoric cerebral shifts and will leave you grinning all day long.

Strawberry Cough

Before we leave the candy shop, Strawberry Cough is another mild sativa offering a lot in terms of taste and smell. Exceptionally delicious, SC is surrounded by fragrant berry scents and berry flavors. Strawberry Cough will leave you happy-go-lucky as you sweeten your day.

Best Sativa Strains for Creativity

Now for those without the worry of anxiety/paranoia, let’s look at heavier hitting sativa strains for those seeking creativity.

Sour Diesel

Incredibly popular, Sour Diesel is a 90% sativa dominant strain. Sour Diesel is full of citrus flavor and gassy smells. This fast-acting sativa is great for an all-day bake of creativity. Sour diesel is a long-lasting strain that will leave you stress-free and relieve pain.

Purple Haze

A well-known favorite of musician Jimi Hendrix, Purple Haze is absolutely legendary. The strain is covered in vibrant, purple hairs with sweet hints of berry and spice. Disorienting and psychedelic, Purple Haze offers creative inspiration with an enjoyable sensory experience all in your brain.

Alaskan Thunder Fuck

Excuse our language but Alaskan Thunder Fuck is an absolute legend. Though tracking it down is decently tricky. ATF is absolutely gorgeous with extremely large buds and a glistening, frosty exterior. This sativa strain will leave you with a great heady, creative buzz.

Golden Goat

With the "Midas touch," Golden Goat gleams with a beauty you’d swear was actually gold. The GG scent is known to be sweet, spicy, and sour. The flavor is enchantingly tropical. The high is strong and able to be felt from head to toe. Golden Goat is clear-headed and creative.

Best Sativa Strains for Energy

Last but certainly not least, for those who need a nice jolt, we will thoroughly examine the best sativa strains of all time, for energy specifically.

Jack Herer

Jack Herer is named after the well known Emperor of Cannabis. Jack Herer is a cross between Skunk, Northern Lights, and Haze. The strain is extremely potent usually being between 15-24% THC. With a spicy aroma, JH has an enhancing ability with no massive comedown.

Pineapple Express

Pineapple Express will, simply put, make your day better. The satisfying sativa has an astonishingly thrilling smell, comparable to an apple or mango. The taste is as close to pineapple, pine, and cedar as you can get. Pineapple Express has a long-lasting, energetic high while heightening the sense to the fullest.

Durban Poison

Forget your morning coffee? Durban Poison covers the gap like a shot of espresso. The sativa strain hits hard and remains powerful from start to finish. Side effects may include: being productive, the need to explore, energy, and uplifting thoughts/feelings for hours.

Moby Dick

Thar she blows! Like Captain Ahab’s obsession, Moby Dick is an absolute sight to be seen. The sativa strain is a cross between Haze and White Widow, with THC levels often reaching up to 27%. The smell is an intoxicating citrus one and the flavor is one of sweetness with hints of vanilla. Moby Dick is euphoric, body numbing, and sometimes even trippy. Moby Dick will provide focus and energy as you hunt your white whale all voyage long. Great for adventures.

Green Crack

Don’t let the name fool you, this sativa is 100% energizing marijuana. Green Crack is the definition of pure energy and focus. The strain has mango flavors and smells potent enough to fill a room. Green Crack has a super surge of cerebral effects and sharpened focus. Green Crack is a great daytime strain helping fight fatigue and stress.

Hopefully, by now, you will have found the perfect sativa for your needs. Allowing you to feel sufficiently able to plow right through your day. By looking at the best sativa strains of all time, you will know which sativa strain feels right for you.

Colorado Weed Delivery

Posted by CANNASaver on Wednesday, 16 December 2020 in Canna Blog - Latest News

As COVID continues to spread across the nation, Colorado lawmakers try to make Colorado weed delivery legal statewide. With dispensaries continuing to thrive, the spread of the virus becomes a bigger problem with each customer helped at the facilities. With the question of how do we lessen social contact in the air, the answer seems pretty clear, allowing weed delivery in the state of Colorado. But what exactly is the status of Colorado weed delivery?

Colorado Weed Delivery Law Passed in 2019

In late 2019, a bill was passed allowing for marijuana delivery, starting with medical marijuana delivery. This bill began a two-year process to provide dispensaries with proper licensing that will allow them to make weed deliveries to medical customers and to later follow with recreational customers. Gov. Jared Polis described marijuana delivery in Colorado as a tactic to reduce impaired driving. The process began on January 2nd, 2020.

Other States Delivering Weed 

Each state regulates the marijuana delivery services closely and collects taxes accordingly.

California, Oregon, Maine, Nevada, Massachusetts, and Michigan all currently allow for the delivery of marijuana to recreational customers.

Every state will tackle the delivery service situation differently with some form of licensing being required to do so. 

California is the forerunner for acquiring the correct licensing, with hundreds of dispensaries currently licensed to deliver cannabis legally. For marijuana businesses to acquire legal cannabis delivery licenses, they must meet strict state safety and quality standards to move forward. As a consumer, you can rest assured that you will receive quality and safe products.

But where is weed delivery in Colorado?

Is Recreational Marijuana Delivery Legal in Colorado?

According to the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division, delivery of recreational weed in Colorado is absolutely not legal (yet).

Right now, Colorado weed delivery is limited to only medical marijuana dispensaries delivering to medical patients. Current recreational delivery services offered are illegal and are most likely trying to scam you. Unregulated weed deliveries have many physical risks involved with purchasing such as potential robberies involved with criminals making fraudulent delivery services and quality of the product not being as good as dispensary-grade products.

Also, not knowing where the product was grown, dried out correctly, etc. adds to the dangerousness of buying this way. Many Colorado cities simply haven’t brought marijuana delivery into a local law spotlight. Currently, the only two dispensaries offering legally permitted marijuana delivery are Native Roots and Helping Hands but the services are for medical patients only.

Laws Being Made for Colorado Weed Delivery Services

The real reason it seems that marijuana delivery is not legal yet in Colorado is simply that there are no laws for marijuana delivery. Lawmakers are currently working out the intricate details for the law. Marijuana laws are so new to Colorado that every regulatory decision sets a precedent for other states following marijuana legalization. With this, Colorado has been incredibly slow in the state’s approach to extending new allowances in the cannabis field. With agencies such as Cannabis against COVID, people are working to spread marijuana to people all around while drastically reducing the spread of coronavirus.

The initial goal as described by the campaign was to petition the State of Colorado to legalize home deliveries for recreational marijuana and add a temporary $20 surcharge to each delivery, which would go directly to COVID relief agencies. The group also pointed to the economic hardships imposed by the pandemic, noting that cannabis sales in Colorado suffered a significant dip in sales due to the lockdown measures. COVID-19 has done a lot to turn the spotlight on how important it is to make cannabis items accessible to those who are homebound, many of which need cannabis for all sorts of medical reasons.

The Timeline for Colorado Weed Delivery

As of right now, recreational marijuana delivery in Colorado is slated to debut in 2021.

This also depends on each Colorado county opting into the law. Being the case, there will be a slow political process in the state deciding whether or not marijuana delivery is appropriate for each locality. With COVID continuing to be present, this alone might be enough of a reason for the Colorado legislature to stop dragging their feet when considering the delivery laws. Though not intended to be a response to the COVID-19 outbreak in late 2019, Colorado cannabis delivery services may well be helping to stop the spread of the highly infectious coronavirus.

The Light in Sight for Marijuana Delivery

The Aurora City Council is advancing a proposal to legalize cannabis delivery for individuals who are of legal cannabis consumption age. On December 7, 2020, the Aurora City Council voted 8-2 to allow for licensed marijuana retailers to deliver recreational marijuana in Aurora. Under the proposal, weed delivery would be allowed from 8 am to 8 pm.

No more than one ounce of marijuana can be delivered to a customer in one day. The proposal will see a final vote later this month.

If passed, Aurora would be one of the first Colorado cities to permit weed delivery.

Should the Aurora city council pass the proposal later this month, marijuana delivery could begin in the community as early as January 2021.

The Colorado weed delivery bill gives discretion to local governments in the state to decide whether or not to opt into marijuana delivery. The realities imposed by the coronavirus pandemic may increase pressure on more Colorado cities to hop on board the bill. 

As of right now, marijuana delivery services are tentatively scheduled for some time in 2021.

How Much Are Edibles

Posted by CANNASaver on Monday, 07 December 2020 in Canna Blog - Latest News

Cannabis is not all about smoke and fire, there are ways to make your next high smoke-free. Edibles come in many different flavors, shapes, and sizes and are a great, non-discrete way of consuming cannabis. But are they cost-effective? How much are edibles compared to other marijuana products?

A Guide to THC Edibles

Edibles are a widely available solution to engage with cannabis in a vaporless form. Taste the wide-ranging culinary creations infused with cannabis and get a sense of the flavors you enjoy in everyday foods and snacks, that pair well with cannabinoids. 

Types of Edibles

There are plenty of savory snacks to choose from, like: 

• Cookies

• Brownies

• Tinctures

• Dissolvable packets

• Gummies

• Hard candies

• Chocolates

• Teas

• Sodas, and more.

How Much THC Are In Edibles?

Colorado State Regulations mandate that (recreational) edibles come packaged in no larger than 100 milligrams of THC doses with identifiable portions. The most common measurement is 10 mg in a bite. Most products will be portioned out or have a clear dosing schedule on the label. 

The exception is for tinctures and syrups which can run up to 1000 milligrams of THC in a bottle. These infused liquids will also have a measuring syringe so you can achieve the precise dosing you desire. Most single-serve drinks such as soda pops or lemonades are dosed at 10 milligrams of THC in a bottle.

What does it all mean though? What is the best bang for your buck? 

The Most Cost-Effective Type of Edibles

Tinctures and syrups are the most potent and cost-effective way to ingest THC.

By volume, strength, and price, syrup, or tincture will be the strongest type of edible you can get! These are liquids infused with THC and CBD and have the highest concentrations. The flavors are pretty good and usually resemble a sweet concoction to help this medicine go down smoothly. The activation times range from 10 minutes to 30 minutes and the doses are measured by syringe or capful. 

You can find up to 1000 mg containers from between $45 to $70 dollars. A 100 mg syrup can be found for as low as $15!

Drinks contain the least THC with about 10 mg in a bottle but are convenient and great for lighter social flights. 

Typical Prices for Other Edibles

For the pan-baked experience, there is a plethora of brownies, cookies, bars, chocolates, and stroopwafels which are doled out in 100 mg containers are the tastiest and most versatile option. These baked goods go from $6 for a bar of single-serving chocolate to an average price of $22 for a full 100 mg package of multiple cookies or chocolates. These offerings have a sufficient amount of THC in the whole package to remind you of your aunt’s space cake, but ultimately you can decide how many bites until your preferred high. 

This article starts off with the lightest infusions and saves the heaviest hitters for last.

Your taste buds will dance when a Cannabis-Infused Cola splashes over your tongue. There are many flavors to choose from such as classic, orange kush, root beer, blue razz, and purple passion. These drinks are at the higher end of the scale as far as milligrams per dollar but are great for first-timers and social buzzes. These drinks cost around $8-$10. Drinks are usually portioned at 10 mg of THC content, which is the lower end of the spectrum. You can also find bagged teas infused with cannabis. There are also strictly CBD drinks with no psychoactive effect. Those are a little cheaper. Thursdays are a good day to quench your thirst and coupons range from 10% to 25% off. You can score some coupons from cannasaver.com at these links.

Best Denver Dispensary Prices and Deals on Edibles

Pure Dispensary

Pure Dispensary is currently offering 25% OFF Thursday edibles, drinks, and more.

Green Heart Dispensary

Green Heart Dispensary is offering 10% OFF Thirsty Thursday Drinks. The most diverse range of offerings comes in the baked goods section. These products are portioned out by state law at 100 mg per container. The pricing ranges from $15 to gourmet delectables at $25. Due to the way some people metabolize THC, your body might be more affected by fat-containing cookies, the perfect amount of vegan chocolate, or you have a sweet tooth and enjoy gummies. Experiment and find out what works with your physiology in terms of activating your senses and quelling your hunger. The portions per morsel, piece, or bite are always listed on the container and usually are about 10 milligrams per piece.

The Lodge Dispensary

The Lodge has a great BOGO (Buy One Get One 50%) deal on edibles, this nets 25% off of two items. This is a great way to pick up a couple of different snacks. The 100 mg caramel stroopwafels are super tasty and potent! The lodge also has infused “forbidden fruits." These are dehydrated or freeze-dried fruit pieces infused with cannabis. That is nothing short of amazing and a fun snack for your next hike to the peak. The perfect way to stimulate your sense and make your own day or bring a smile to your significant other's face is CHOCOLATE! Make your day (and theirs) and pick up your favorite cacao-based treat. You can find almost any flavor of chocolates and truffles. From dark chocolate, with 68% cacao to milk chocolate or cookies and cream mixes all bases are covered. There are non-chocolate bars too such as key lime pie, banana pudding, apple pie, and more. These bars run about $20-$24 and their inspired flavors are remarkable and will have you craving for more! 

The Stone Dispensary

The Stone on the west side of Denver has $15 100 mg syrups. This is a phenomenal price per milligram.

Mary Jane's House Dispensary

Mary Jane's House has a BOGO (Buy One Get One for a Penny) deal on 100mg THC tinctures. This special rendition of rice crispy bars, aptly named Chaos Crispies, will fill your cravings and give you tidal waves of nostalgia, all while elevating you to the next level. With one of the best milligrams per dollar value, you can score a 100 mg pack for $13 at Mary Jane’s House, too.

AMCH Denver

If you have your medical card, you can find one of the best deals on 1000 mg Drip syrups for $45 at AMCH Denver. 

No matter your craving, CANNASAVER.COM will help you find the tastiest snacks, drinks, and “tincs” at the best prices.  Satiate your cravings and save your dollars with these coupons towards edibles and such.

Distillate Syringe

Posted by CANNASaver on Monday, 07 December 2020 in Canna Blog

Often available in an oral syringe, cannabis distillate is a highly potent cannabis product that has more ways to use it than almost any other form of cannabis. In part, this is because the cannabis oil in a distillate syringe is already activated and ready to produce an effect - medical or psychotropic. The other? Imagination is the limit. 

The distillate syringe allows medical marijuana patients and recreational consumers to easily measure the dose of THC or CBD they are consuming while also keeping the sticky oil contained in an easy-to-dispense package. 

Unlike many other cannabis concentrates which form into wax and butter textures or shatter like glass, marijuana distillate is more runny and sticky. This renders the jars and packages that cannabis wax or shatter come packed in less viable. Putting distillate in a syringe allows cannabis consumers to push the viscous resin out without fear of dropping the entirety of it on the carpet or on a work shirt - and this is just a small benefit of the peculiar packaging.

All About Cannabis Distillate

There are more types of cannabis concentrate than there are fingers on a human. You read that right – there are more than 10 varieties of weed concentrate, and more seem to show up each year. Each type of extract is produced using its own style and is often named for the finished texture or the method it is produced.

Cannabis distillate falls into the bucket of being named for its production method, which is distillation. 

What is Distillation?

Distillation is a widely-used technique and has been for hundreds if not thousands of years. Distillation is used to clarify, separate, or refine various products, foods, and drinks, often using heat and oxygen. The water we drink can be distilled, as is the gasoline that fills a car and the alcohol that you, I, or the Romans drank. Distillation is largely associated with the science of chemistry - where scientists use the process to separate substances for the purpose of refining, concentrating, mixing, or creating a specific chemical or substance. 

How is Cannabis Distillate Made? 

Marijuana producers refine cannabis into distillate by starting with a Co2 or hydrocarbon (butane, propane, etc…) cannabis oil extraction, which contains many of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids found in the plant. 

Co2 hash oil is extremely common in hash oil pen cartridges while hydrocarbon-based concentrates are found more commonly in sugar, wax, and shatter. 

Once the raw flower has been concentrated, distillation uses temperature and molecular weight to separate the molecules that give cannabis its flavors and effects from one another. This process uses the boiling points of the various natural compounds found in the cannabis plant to accurately pull one from the other. This leaves THC separate from CBD, separate from CBN, separate from CBG, and across all terpenes and flavonoids. It also makes for a nearly odorless, mostly flavorless (but sticky) product. And it’s because of this molecular distillation that cannabis distillate is 90+ percent THC on average. Since the cannabinoids like THC have higher melting points than the terpenes, the terpenes must first get separated to produce cannabis distillate. This makes it really easy for producers to reintroduce terpenes and flavors and dial them to create complementing flavor and effect combos.

But enough about how awesome distillate is – let’s get into the best ways to use distillate syringes. 

Four Ways to Consume Cannabis from Distillate Syringes

Distillate Syringes for Smoking

Using a distillate syringe can add to the potency of your favorite flower. Top your bowls or infuse your joints with the sticky oil. Cannabis distillate is often sold with terpenes reintroduced so that us consumers can have some excellent flavor and an excellent experience. By mixing your favorite cannabis strain with distillate, you have infinite opportunities to explore more potent flavor and effect combinations. The syringe allows you to easily coat the joint paper or dispense a dollop atop a bong bowl. 

Using Cannabis Distillate for Dabbing

Dabbing is a bit different than smoking. In principle, both require heat and for the consumer to inhale. The difference is dabbing is not burning, but vaporizing the cannabis. Distillate syringes are ideal for dabbing because you can easily dispense a dollop on your dab tool. 

Distillate Syringes for Edibles

Distillate syringes are made to make it easier to dispense the resinous cannabis extract. The distillate, itself, is made to be consumable. It is activated and able to produce an effect out of the package. It should come as no surprise that this makes it an absolute winner when it comes to making edibles or adding cannabis to foods and beverages. With traditional concentrates, you’d have to decarboxylate the extract before it could pass into the brain. And while THC-a has some appreciable medicinal effects, it is THC that produces the lionshare of effects which cannabis is known to produce. Distillate syringes make it easy to add to anything. 

Pro tip: Add to smoothies and salad dressings. 

Eating Distillate from the Syringe

Initially setup to enable medical patients to be able to treat symptoms without having to smoke or inhale anything, distillate syringes allow the activated oil to be placed under the tongue, on the gums, or to be swallowed. 

Cannabis Distillate Deals 

1136 Yuma Way (Denver)

REC:

• $19 500mg distillate cartridges 

Kind Meds (Denver)

MED:

• $20 gram distillate syringe

• $420 ounce of distillate syringes

Pure Marijuana Dispensary (Denver)

REC:

• $19 gram distillate syringe

The Stone Dispensary (Denver)

REC:

• $20 OTD gram distillate syringe

Save Money as a Stoner

Posted by CANNASaver on Monday, 07 December 2020 in Canna Blog

Colorado's recreational and medical marijuana is beneficial to our lives. It helps to enhance adventures, help relieve ailments, and get restless eyes peacefully to sleep. Just wonderful, greeny goodness. However, as marijuana is ever so delightful, it never seems to last as long as one might prefer. It seems as though you make dispensary run after dispensary run until there doesn’t seem to be much money left in your bank account. With rent, utilities, and other monthly bills consistently piling, it might be a smart idea to think economically, as one enjoys the beauty of cannabis. Here are a few ways you can save money as a stoner.

Buy in Bulk

It might seem obvious, but simply buying more at once can save lots of money (think CostCo and Sam's Club). Think about it – if you are someone going to the dispensary every day and are only grabbing a gram or two at a time that’s about $20 a run. If you were to only spend about $5 more, you could have gotten an eighth and received 1.5 grams more, having that much more to save aside.

Price breaks increase considerably as weight increases. Save up a little more money and you will get much more marijuana for less money! Dispensaries love giving discounts for bulk purchases as they help dispensaries move products faster allowing for fresher merchandise. We have plenty of ounce-related deals for you to save on cannabis.

One-Hitters/Dugouts

One-hitters and dugouts are small in size, which only allows for one hit at a time before needing to reload. Dugouts, in addition, have their own storage area, but only a small one. The small storage helps keep the amount you carry to the bare minimum and having to repack every time keeps you from smoking more and more. This helps to space out your smoking sessions.

For $20 or under, these devices are a cheap investment for minimizing your tolerance needs and providing years of savings. You can find one-hitters and dugouts at just about any of our featured dispensaries.

Grinders

The grinder is a stoner’s best friend. Throwing whole nugs or hand-broken nugs into a pipe often won’t burn very well and is essentially wasting your cannabis. This brings uneven burning on your poor ol' cannabis. Instead, use a grinder! By grinding your cannabis, you are increasing the surface area of your stash. The increased surface area allows for more bowls gained out of your buds and will burn very evenly.

You also have the added bonus of the wonderful trichomes (kief) accumulating at the bottom of your grinder. The kief is a great rainy day treat or a perfect topper to any ground-up bowl you have loaded. Another secret to getting more kief is to add a nickel or dime into the ground section of your grinder. It will help separate the trichomes from the buds and give you more kief.

Concentrates

Concentrates such as wax, shatter, and live resin were made for a modern stoner wanting to save money. Cannabis concentrates often hit between 60-80% in THC potently. The higher potency maintains a longer high. It also helps that concentrates are cheaper by weight for the amount of THC contained. We include quite a variety of deals on tasty concentrates.

Edibles

Edibles are the longest-lasting way to enjoy cannabis. These tasty treats can last anywhere from 4-6 hours with smoking lasting a much shorter time period. It does not take much of an edible to get a desired high. Edibles are also a health-conscious way to get high, protecting your lungs from toxins and carcinogens found in smoke.  If you're really trying to count pennies, try cutting up your edibles into smaller pieces and consume each piece at a time. You'll find that less is more most of the time when it comes to edibles, so this is a great way to save money as a stoner.

Mangoes

Eating a mango before consuming your cannabis will strengthen and prolong the high. Mangoes are filled with the terpene, Myrcene. Myrcene, also found in strains of cannabis, affects the blood/brain barrier allowing THC to pass into the brain easier. This allows for the effects to hit sooner and make the high much longer. It's also a great, healthy snack for when you get those "munchies."

Share

Perhaps you've heard one of the most popular (and in our opinion, best) smoking anthems by Rebelution, called, "So High." The lyrics start off by asking, "Who's got the herb when I'm dry?" and that's the culture we are trying to promote. This may sound like something you never thought you would hear but share! Sharing is caring.

We have seen a lot of lists saying just to be simply stingier with your stash. We disagree big time because remember – what goes around comes around. It’s just the cool thing to do in general. But also, if you share now, people are more likely to feel for you when times are rough for you, too, or simply when you're "dry."

To save money as a stoner might seem like an impossible task sometimes but these ideas should help you maintain your high AND your savings account. By changing things up, you will also discover a broader world of cannabis. There are plenty of dispensaries in the Denver area that have great prices on not only bud, but edibles, concentrates, and so many other products. Becoming a member at your regular dispensary will also help you save money as you accrue rewards points over time.
 

Colorado Weed Prices

Posted by CANNASaver on Thursday, 03 December 2020 in Canna Blog - Latest News

Your Guide to 2021 Colorado Weed Prices  

As of 2020, Colorado is closer to a decade of recreational marijuana being legal than a modern preschooler is to third grade. While it’s been a ride, the laws governing cannabis sales in the state evolve every year. One of the factors that influence these legal changes? The average price of weed in Colorado. 

Colorado weed prices affect how much tax is collected. Legal weed prices also aid in reducing black market activity around cannabis, so long as they are low enough to prevent those selling it from being able to reliably turn a profit. 

That’s why we created this guide – to describe how much weed in Colorado is, how much it differs across the state and why. Let’s dive in.

Creating A Consumer Methodology for Determining The Price Of Weed in Colorado

According to the Colorado Department of Revenue, in October 2020 the average price per pound of flower for growers to dispensaries was ~$1300. 

Put another way, growers on average charge dispensaries the following:

• $81.25 per ounce

• $10.15 per ⅛ ounce

• $2.88 per gram

Once dispensaries have received the flower, the price doubles or triples before reaching the buyer. This is the result of paying employees, renting property, buying equipment, and other business operation expenses. 

In order to create a methodology that captures the consumer-end price, we’ve added 200-300 percent to the AMR price the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division uses for taxation. 

The Result?

Average Price Per Ounce in Colorado for Recreational Consumers: ~ $160 - $240 

Average Price Per 1/8 Ounce in Colorado for Recreational Consumers: ~ $20 - $30

Average Price Per Gram in Colorado for Recreational Consumers: ~ $5.76 - $8.64

We will use these as benchmarks in the analysis below. 

Determining Colorado Weed Prices

Prices of cannabis in Colorado vary based on brand, region, current specials, and dozens of other factors.

Built within this is a feedback loop for the state and cannabis producers and dispensaries. 

Once every three months, the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division, known as Colorado MED, uses data from grower to manufacturer (like an edible producer) or seller (such as a dispensary) to determine an Average Market Rate (AMR). The AMR is the basis for taxes and is reviewed based on weight. 

In the chart below, available on the Colorado Department of Revenue website, you can see that growers of marijuana in Colorado, on average, charge ~$1,300 per pound in October 2020. This is up 30 percent from ~$1,000 in October 2019. This is important for later.

(Pulled from CO DOR 11/25/2020)

Why The Average Market Rate Matters

Roughly speaking, by the time cannabis gets to the consumer the price per pound is double or more than the AMR (average market rate). This is in part because manufacturers and dispensaries have to pay staff, labor, as well as equipment, and licensing. 

The other part? 

Colorado marijuana laws place limits on both recreational consumers and medical marijuana patients.

Consumers can’t easily go out and buy a pound since the law limits recreational to an ounce, or 1/16th of a pound.

In the decades where cannabis was illegal entirely when a police raid created headlines like “$1 Million in Marijuana Confiscated”, it was an average market rate that allowed this headline to make sense. Police would use average street prices to evaluate the worth of a quantity. This applies equally to legal markets. 

How Much Is Weed In Colorado? 

As of October 2020, Colorado MED pulls together purchase information from a total of 466 cultivators, 216 product manufacturers, and 416 medical or recreational stores as part of creating the AMR. When retail mark-up is added, our methodology will give us a standard price. 

To remind you, we are using the following as baseline pricing:

• Average Price Per Ounce for Recreational Consumers: ~ $160 - $240 

• Average Price Per 1/8 Ounce for Recreational Consumers: ~ $20 - $30

• Average Price Per Gram for Recreational Consumers: ~ $5.76 - $8.64

Now let’s test these price estimates on some cannabis dispensaries in Colorado: 

Botanico (Denver)

Strain: Crystal Gelato

Prices: $20 per 1/8th, $160 per ounce

Strain: Bazookies

Price: $140 per ounce

Check Out Botanico Cannabis Deals Here: 

• Botanico

• Botanico 2

Medicine Man (Longmont)

Strain: Cookies N’ Cream

Prices: $19 per 1/8th, $114 per ounce

Strain: G6 #3

Prices: $19 per 1/8th, $114 per ounce

Check Out Medicine Man Deals Here:

• Medicine Man Denver

• Medicine Man Longmont

• Medicine Man Aurora

• Medicine Man Thorton

Organix (Breckenridge)

Strain: GG #4

Price: $15 per gram, $32 per 1/8th, $155 per ounce

Check Out Organix Deals Here:

• Organix Breckenridge

The Lodge (RiNo Denver)

Strain: Sour Chunk

Price: $13 per gram, $32 per 1/8th, $150 per ounce

Check Out The Lodge Deals Here:

• The Lodge - Federal BLVD

• The Lodge - High Street

What Is The Average Price Per Gram In Colorado? 

The above pricing samples and our baseline costs tell us a few things about weed prices in Colorado. We estimated the average cost per gram, based on Colorado DOR data, to be between ~$6 to $9. However, from our sample, we can see that the average cost per gram is much more.

The average cost per gram of weed in Colorado is between $10-$15. 

This is likely because, as with most things, weed is cheaper when bought in bulk. 

What Is The Average Price Of An 1/8th In Colorado? 

We estimated based on available data from the state of Colorado the average price per 1/8th would be between $20 and $30 dollars. Botanico was on the lower end of our estimated range at $20 per 1/8th. Medicine Man was $19 per 1/8th or $1 less than the estimated low.

Both Organix and The Lodge dispensaries show up at the higher end of our estimated price range, but only by a little. Both have an average price per 1/8th of $32, or $2 more than our $30 high estimate. 

What Is The Average Price Of An Ounce In Colorado? 

The methodology for estimating Colorado weed prices we established actually overestimated the price per ounce on nearly every count. Our methodology puts the average price per ounce at between $160 and $240. 

Every dispensary fell at or below our benchmark of $160. Again, buying in bulk will always lower the price – with anything from soap to marijuana.