Cannabis Plant

6 Interesting Cannabis Facts

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With the legalization of cannabis in a number of states its getting more and more available to both medical and recreational users through licenced marijuana dispensaries. Researchers attempting to examine and understand this plant have also benefited from the legalization that makes it easier to conduct their research. Despite this, marijuana is still an object of controversy and mystery for many.

Despite its aura of mysteriousness, this amazing plant has been proven to be beneficial for both its medical and recreational users. Albeit more research is needed, this controversial plant may even be a good alternative to the current cancer medications. Moreover, even though we have been digging information about cannabis for decades now, we are still surprised to find that there’s still an almost unlimited, treasure trove of astonishing facts about it.

And although some basic facts are known to many there are still a plethora of interesting facts you may not know. Moreover, due to researchers’ concerted effort and endless studies they kept unearthing fascinating facts about it.

So now, keep reading as we present to you 6 interesting facts about cannabis.

Females have a higher tolerance than malesCannabis Roll

The various cannabis strains affect people differently. However, what people don’t know is that the cannabis impact depends on the gender of an individual. A study shows that women develop higher tolerance than men.

This is because the female’s body is sensitive to THC during ovulation, and so they adjust their dosage accordingly. This study was conducted on female rats as they have the same menstrual cycle and hormone level fluctuations as female humans.

Furthermore, even at the start, a low drug dose was given and continuously so for 10 days. It still turns out that female rats developed a higher tolerance for such drugs than male rats. In essence,  even the most cannabis-sensitive female can outdo the males in terms of drug tolerance.

Marijuana has been around since ancient times

Yes, you read it right. Marijuana is not a new hype. It has been around since ancient times. Historians even revealed that cannabis seeds date back thousands of years—roughly around 10,000 B.C.

So, it’s a myth to think that the 1960s hippies are the first to use it. The earliest recorded use of cannabis was in China, although they did not use it for smoking. Instead, they used hemp to produce rope and cannabis oil and its seeds as a source of food.

Shakespeare allegedly used marijuana

There was evidence gathered that Shakespeare was a marijuana lover. Forensic technology has revealed traces of cannabis in pipes found on Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon garden. Indeed, the famous playwright and poet was a fan of the cannabis plant.

And we can’t blame him, marijuana do sparks creativity. There’s an observed connection between cannabis consumption and creativity. It’s no wonder that this brilliant mind was able to write romantic sonnets and other literary pieces that are now considered masterpieces.

Burning hemp seed goes back to prehistoric humanity

The hemp plant, cannabis Sativa plant species, have been used in medicine and recreational enjoyment on ancient civilizations like China, Egypt, Rome, as well as in archaeological sites from Neolithic Europe.

The Greek historian named Herodotus notes that the Scythians strewed hemp seeds or lumps of resin on hot stones. And then they will pleasurably inhale the vapor.

Cannabis is closely related to beer

Beer and cannabis are closely related. The cannabis plant and Humulus plant are in the same genus. Humulus plants, with female flowers—named hops, are used to flavor and stabilize beers.

So yes, cannabis and beer are cousins.

Pigs in Bhutan are more stoned than youBhutan

There’s a big probability that the pigs in the Kingdom of Bhutan are more stoned than you. In Bhutan, the cannabis plant grows wild and free. You can find an abundant supply of marijuana anywhere from the wild, in the cities, and even on the sidewalks.

The truth is, marijuana is more common than grass in the Kingdom of Bhutan. Although, interestingly not many people smoke it. Instead, pigs are the main consumers here since the plant are used to feed them.

California marijuana Laws

Everything You Need to Know About Cannabis Laws in California

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The rise of cannabis consumption and the establishment of cannabis dispensaries has grown exponentially in various states in the United States. Especially, the State of California—which is the first state ever to legalize marijuana’s possession, consumption, and cultivation.

Since its legalization, California’s economy has improved through the collection of taxes and fees due to cannabis-related activities. However, federal law still treats cannabis as an illegal substance whether intended for medical and recreational use. On a federal level, it’s still classified as a Schedule 1 prohibited substance—determined to have a high potential for abuse.

This ban on cannabis-related activities has been challenged and argued on several occasions before the courts. But now, individuals acting under state law cannot be faulted in complying with it.

Incidentally, there are 10 things you need to know about cannabis laws in California:

Adult Use Laws (Recreational) of Cannabis in CaliAdult Use Laws (Recreational)

If you are at least 21 years of age or older; you are allowed to possess, use privately, and give away up to one ounce of cannabis and up to 8 grams of concentrated cannabis. You can cultivate at your residence not more than six plants so long as it is for personal use.

Likewise, you can purchase cannabis from licensed retail outlets only. However, it is illegal to sell cannabis if you don’t have a license to do so.

Patients Use Regulation (Medical)

Patients use allows you to possess and transport medical cannabis up to 8 ounces of medical cannabis and up to 6 mature plants. And this is regardless of your age, provided you have a current physician’s recommendation.

This also includes a medical marijuana identification card issued by your county. Additionally, there’s no limit for CBD purchase. If you want to buy, you must be at least 18 years old and with a physician’s recommendation.

Bringing cannabis beyond state lines is illegal. Also, giving cannabis to a minor, whose age is under 21 years old, and without a physician’s recommendation is prohibited.

Where Can I Consume Cannabis?

You can’t smoke, eat or vape cannabis in public places, except in your private property. Consuming or possessing cannabis on federal lands like national parks is not allowed, even though the parks are in California or legal under California Law. Property owners and landlords are authorized to ban the use or possession of cannabis on their premises.

In places where tobacco smoking is prohibited, likewise, bars you from smoking cannabis. You are also prohibited from smoking cannabis in areas near a school, recreational center, youth center, or a school bus where children are present.

Cannabis Laws in CaliforniaDriving and Passengers

Law enforcers have the authority to pull you over and conduct sobriety tests when you are caught operating a car, boat, or other means of transport under the influence of cannabis.

Consuming or possessing an “open container” of cannabis whether you are in the driver or passenger’s seat in any type of motor vehicle, plane or boat is illegal. Having cannabis in your vehicle should be in an approved and sealed package or container. Otherwise, it should be put in your vehicle’s trunk.

Exemptions:

Passengers are permitted to consume cannabis in commercial vehicles licensed for such purpose without children’s presence. Closed or resealed container may be possessed by patients with ID or physician’s recommendation.

Cultivating and Processing

Planting, cultivating harvest, drying, and processing up to 6 cannabis plants in private residence is allowed provided you are 21 years old or over. Your grown cannabis must not be visible to the public eye and should be in a locked space. The allowable cannabis to be planted should not be more than 6 at one residence, at one time.

Local governments have the power to impose reasonable restrictions on cultivation. On the contrary, they cannot outlaw resident owners to cultivate indoors or in an accessory structure, which is sealed and secure.

Marijuana Laws CAOther Marijuana Laws in California

Landlords and other private parties are not prohibited to restrict the use of cannabis on their privately owned property. And any government agencies can prohibit or restrict cannabis use in buildings they occupied.

Employers have the right to formulate their policies on marijuana use and other illegal substances. Additionally, employers are empowered to terminate employees who fail a drug screening for cannabis, regardless of state law. Employers are entitled to keep their workplace drug free or come up with policies prohibiting employees’ cannabis use.

Rule on Medical Use

For personal needs, patients and their designated caregivers are entitled to possess and cultivate cannabis coupled with physician’s approval and recommendations. There is no age requirement for medical use. Patients are exempt from sales tax on medical cannabis products as long they have a medical cannabis ID card.

However, parents and guardians are needed for minors below 18. While young adults 18 years old and above can go to a licensed state dispensary.

Tax Impositions

Local governments imposed additional taxes on cannabis businesses as high as 10-20 percent of total revenues. When a cannabis retailer sells cannabis or cannabis products at retail, he/she is required to collect the cannabis excise tax from his/her customer.

While a cannabis cultivator should be in-charge in the collection of cultivation tax on all harvested cannabis entering the commercial market. Your distributor or manufacturer are the ones to collect the cultivation tax from you according to the cannabis’ category and weight.

Cannabis laws in the state of CaliforniaCannabis Offenses

Juvenile offenders who are under 18 are exempt from fines and imprisonment. But they are sentenced to do community service, undergo drug counseling or education. On the other hand, adult offenders are charged with non-arrestable infractions violations or criminal misdemeanors.

You will be charged and convicted for a misdemeanor if found guilty of illegal cultivation, harvesting, drying, or processing of more than six plants. If you Illegally sell, furnish, administer, give away, transport for sale or import into the state—it is a misdemeanor. Also, possessing cannabis intended for illegal sale is considered a misdemeanor.

Regulatory Agencies

The Bureau of Cannabis Control is responsible for licensing and regulating retail sales, distribution, and testing. And the Department of Food and Agriculture is in control of the cultivation of cannabis. While the Department of Public Health is responsible for manufacturing products.

Local or county governments’ approval is required for all state-licensed facilities. Lastly, you may find further information on state regulations may be found at the California Cannabis Portal.

meditation and cannabis

What do Meditation, Yoga, and Marijuana Have in Common?

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As more states are legalizing marijuana for both medical and recreational use — the combination of yoga, meditation, and cannabis use is increasingly becoming a hot topic.

More and more yogis nowadays integrate marijuana use with yoga and mindfulness meditation practice. However, is this really a new trend, and what does science say about it? Also, what do meditation, yoga, and marijuana have in common?

The fact is, historically, the combination of meditation and yoga practice with cannabis use is an old tradition. So this isn’t a new hype. Researchers proved that marijuana was used for focused meditation, a common phenomenon in ancient yoga traditions.

If you’re curious if it works and if it’s beneficial for you, then keep reading! We will take a look at each—the known benefits of meditation, yoga, and marijuana. And we’ll further discuss the possible effects of combining them, as well as their commonalities.

marijuana for meditation

Meditation

The practice of meditation incorporates a set of techniques that encourages a heightened state of awareness and more focused attention. It practices conscious awareness—specifically, paying attention—in the present moment, without judging to achieve self-understanding and wisdom. Meditation practices our brain, mind, body, and even our behavior.

The immediate effects of meditation are to increase calmness and physical relaxation. It also improves the psychological balance, overall health, and well-being of the practitioner. Science supports meditation because recent research reveals that long-term meditators show positive changes in the brain, positive effects on empathy, and improved meta-cognitive skills and health.

Although no solid explanation has been provided as to why meditation produces beneficial effects, these said benefits correlate with the decreased activity in the human brain’s default mode network (aka DMN). Other research shows that meditation helps support balance and homeostasis in our bodies. Some known benefits of meditation are:

  • Reduces anxiety and depression
  • Helps with chronic pain
  • Reduces work, family, and emotional stress
  • Supports healing in cancer and chronic diseases
  • Reduces heart disease
  • Helps balance eating disturbances
  • Supports sleep and sleeplessness issues

cannabis and yoga

Yoga

A century-old practice, yoga has gathered a huge number of followers over the years. Practitioners of yoga, also known as yogis, glide into poses to sync with their inner self while engaging their muscles and simultaneously performing breathing exercises.

Many enjoyed practicing yoga due to its myriad of positive benefits. One of the most common benefits enjoyed by yogis is that it helps in letting go of any stressful thoughts, at the same time sending the body to total relaxation. Yoga increases flexibility, tones the muscles, helps in better blood circulation, and balances the body’s metabolism and cardiovascular health, making it a very good physical workout.

Yoga is effective in de-stressing the mind and body. It assists in achieving optimum mental health, enhances social well-being, as well as promotes inner peace. The American Psychological Association even promotes yoga as a powerful tool for psychotherapy.

Today, there are various types of yoga available—all of which aim to promote physical, mental, and emotional improvement. Cannabis-infused yoga, better known as ganja yoga or high yoga, is increasingly gaining global traction.

yoga meditation and marijuana

Marijuana

The healing properties of cannabis have been profoundly studied. Thus, it’s no wonder why people are so curious about learning ways to incorporate it into their daily lives. Marijuana was first pushed to be legalized for medicinal purposes, but now, more and more states have legalized it for both medical and recreational use. To buy cannabis products you need to visit the nearest marijuana dispensary to you.

Marijuana has been found to bring relief to people with ailments such as, among others:

  • Chronic pain
  • Cancer
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Anxiety
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Scientists discovered that cannabis has effects on the human endocannabinoid system. This is a system of receptors that are located throughout the body; from the brain, glands, connective tissues, muscles, and immune cells. The primary goal of the endocannabinoid system is homeostasis, meaning maintaining a stable internal environment.

When the body’s endocannabinoid system is out of balance, the body may be prone to suffer from many types of diseases. Scientists found that the natural cannabinoids found in marijuana—specifically THC and CBD cannabinoids—stimulate the cannabinoid receptors in the body, which then helps bring back balance to the system.

What’s in common?

As you noticed above — there’s a pattern, some common features of meditation, yoga, and marijuana. Now, let’s take a closer look at what they have in common.

marijuana, yoga and meditation

Improves mental health

Infusing mindful meditation and yoga practice with marijuana consumption may help improve mental health. Psychotherapists and even the British Psychological Society recognizes the potential of yoga and meditation, which usually incorporates deep-breathing, as a possible solution in reducing stress, anxiety, and nervous system imbalances stemming from stress.

Combining the three can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms. Yoga is a physical activity, so it reduces cortisol levels. Meditation heightens awareness and focuses on the body which helps aid with anxiety and depression. While marijuana helps you relax and be more focused on sensory experience.

It helps alleviate pain

Marijuana is known for its anti-inflammatory benefits. It also balances the nervous system thus preventing tumors. On the other hand, yoga and meditation increase blood circulation and nutrient supply.

The combination of meditation, yoga and cannabis is a powerful tool in relieving pain and treating diseases caused by chronic inflammation.

Strengthens the immune system

Mindfulness meditation, yoga, and marijuana all strengthen the immune system.

Yoga and meditation, in general, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase metabolism, and support the immune system. These practices help practitioners achieve better posture, relieve pain, and improve sleep. The ability of yoga and meditation to reduce stress help the immune system, because too much stress can weaken the body’s defense system.

Marijuana, on the other hand, has flavonoids and cannabinoids contents. These are anti-inflammatory phytonutrients and are effective antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. Marijuana also has omega-3 fatty acids which are excellent antioxidants.