Thursday 30 November 2017
Wednesday 29 November 2017
Tuesday 28 November 2017
Monday 27 November 2017
Mexican cartel caught using massive bazooka to launch weed over the border
Remember back in September (I know, it’s been a long year), when Trump said the wall separating the US and Mexico should be ‘see through’ in case someone throws a humongous bag of drugs over it and bonks some unsuspecting rube on the head Fred Flintstone style? Well, it looks like one Mexican cartel is going out of their way to lend that fearsome credence.
In early November, the Mexican Ministry of National Defence and the CIA confiscated a van containing more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition, 800 kilograms of marijuana, and…a homemade weed bazooka used to fire stuff across the border. The smugglers had been shooting 45-kilogram parcels of narcotics from the border town of Agua Prieta, situated just next to Arizona. And they weren’t alone in their strategy.
Aseguran en #Sonora una bazuca para lanzar droga a Estados Unidos https://t.co/Bl5ivb5rlm http://pic.twitter.com/ibxZ5xe62R
— Noticieros Televisa (@NTelevisa_com) November 14, 2017
Cartels have been using all kinds of ACME cartoon logic to launch drugs across the border lately, from drones in Calexico to trebuchets in Arizona. Apparently, this is the second weed bazooka discovered in Agua Prieta. However, authorities aren’t certain if the clunkier 2016 cannon was being used by the same group. (Meaning there is either one cartel that’s all about weed cannons or we’re seeing the beginning of a very silly trend.)In 2013, Mexican police also discovered a similar, albeit much more rinky-dink air cannon, shooting marijuana into California.
As the Trump administration’s ramps up their rhetoric about building a wall that’s taller and, uh, solar powered, tensions from border town cartels just gets weirder. It seems the taller the wall gets, the bigger the weed bazookas become.
The post Mexican cartel caught using massive bazooka to launch weed over the border appeared first on HERB.
from HERB http://ift.tt/2BpM76h
via IFTTT
Sunday 26 November 2017
This is the difference between body highs and head highs
The legalization of cannabis in states like Washington, California, and Colorado means that marijuana enthusiasts are increasingly able to customize their highs. It’s a luxury for any serious cannabis fan who is unable to access product from a trusted source. And thanks to dispensaries, more and more people are becoming knowledgeable about cannabinoids and terpenes.
One of the first questions anyone new to cannabis will likely ask is: what is the difference between a body high, and a head high?
Body Highs
A body high is typically derived from an indica-dominant cannabis strain, like God’s Treat or Purple Kush. The easiest way to remember this is by thinking: indica = in-da-couch. This type of high generally refers to a light-buzzing sensation that consumers will experience throughout their bodies after consuming cannabis. The “in-da-couch” trick is handy because it describes the experience of indica-dominant marijuana strains, that typically leave consumers “couch locked,” or in other words, feeling lazy and sleepy.
This is why body highs, and the indica-dominant strains that produce them, are most commonly smoked during the evening hours, before watching a movie or drifting off to sleep.
The way you consume cannabis will also change the type of high you experience.
If you’re consuming cannabis through your lungs by smoking or vaporizing, you’re more likely to experience a head high. However, if you’re absorbing cannabis through your liver by eating an edible, you’re more likely to experience a body high.
If you’re a medical marijuana patient, indica-dominant cannabis strains that create body highs are useful for treating physical conditions like chronic pain, spasms, headaches and sore muscles. Since body highs typically leave marijuana consumers feeling sleepy, indica-dominant strains are also useful in treating sleeping problems like insomnia.
Head Highs
A head high is typically derived from a Sativa-dominant cannabis strain, like Jack Herer and Green Crack. This type of high generally refers to a more cerebral, psychoactive sensation that will give consumers an active imagination, and depending on dosage, might even slightly distort the look of the world around you.
Head highs are also less draining on one’s energy levels, which is why Sativa-dominant strains are more frequently used during the daytime. Some will use Sativa-dominant strains to achieve a head high that might boost creativity, and allow you to see from different perspectives.
Just as body highs can have downsides, such as creating a lazy, tired disposition, head highs can also have negative side effects. The potential downsides of head highs are typically paranoia and/or anxiety.
If you’re a medical marijuana patient, Sativa-dominant cannabis strains that create head highs are useful for treating mental illnesses, such as depression. Head highs can also be useful for those with ADD/ADHD, or for boosting energy levels, stimulating one’s imagination or increasing focus.
Which high is right for you?
Head highs and body highs each come with their own benefits and setbacks, and ultimately the choice will come down to preference, time of day, and medical conditions. Most people tend to prefer body highs during the evening and nighttime, and head highs during the day.
Those who are curious about the different types of highs are best to pick up both a Sativa-dominant and Indica-dominant strain at their local dispensary and spend a few days testing out each one. Just be aware that many strains contain both Sativaiva and Indica properties, and finding a pure Indica or Sativa strain can be difficult. If you find yourself in this situation, ask your budtender for a strain with the closest possible ratio.
The post This is the difference between body highs and head highs appeared first on HERB.
from HERB http://ift.tt/2BeUL6K
via IFTTT
Saturday 25 November 2017
We visited a glassblower to show you the artist behind your favorite bongs and pipes
For most people, a pipe or bong is a tool. But for glassblower Matt Phunk, these glass tools are ornate works of art that happen to get you really, really high.
“I started collecting glass,” Phunk explains in the office of his glassblowing workshop. It looks like any other industrial set up, a small office in the front, and a large working area in the back. “I think a lot of it started with the pipe movement,” he says.
The pipe movement refers to glass blowers realizing there was a growing market for people who wanted novel, artistic glassware. “Originally, people made pipes with maybe just one or two colors to try and sell them as quickly and cheaply as possible.”
But competition from Indian and Chinese glass manufacturers meant that North American glass blowers needed to pivot. Instead of blowing as many cheap, basic pipes as possible, glass blowers started to invest dozens or hundreds of hours on a single piece. “Around then we saw a pretty big shift in how people in the community started thinking about glass.”
Phunk started to blow glass in 2009 and spent the next several years bouncing around from friend’s garages and work sheds refining his craft.
After a stint in the Entrepreneurship program at Ryerson University, Phunk figured he had the knowledge and technical skills to fill the niche formerly occupied by Toronto Arts Glass. That’s when he started Toronto Flameworking Technologies LTD.
Toronto Flameworking Technologies has several workstations, where Phunk makes his own pieces and offers lessons to other people who want to take up the hobby. “We got a lot of people from every walk of life. They like to come in and get a few hours on the flame when they finish their day job,” he says.
It’s not uncommon to see Phunk, a big, burly man next to a skinny guy with dreadlocks. Across from him, a woman in her 60s quietly working away on decorative hummingbirds. “A lot of people come in here and don’t make pipes at all. They go for things like ornaments.”
Since Phunk started Toronto Flameworking Technologies, a few former students have graduated to full-fledged glass blowers themselves. One of these people is Michael Shulman. Shulman’s story tracks like many other creative artists. He followed parental pressure to an intense university program, then dropped out and pursued his passion.
Like Phunk, Shulman started off as a collector. “For me, it was bowls. They were cheap enough that you could actually build a decent little collection,” Shulman said. “It was so cool to be able to identify artists and compare with other people online.” Shulman had some experience before he came to Toronto Flameworking Technologies, but after some lessons and tinkering, he’s managed to make glass blowing his full-time job.
The actual process of glassblowing has modernized over the centuries. Viral videos of massive cauldrons filled with molten glass are popular, but those show a process that’s centuries old. Contemporary glassblowers use a different, stronger type of glass that can go right into the flame without damage.
“The modern glass we use really opens things up for collaboration. Three or four people can work on a piece with no problem,” says Phunk.
In place of a giant cauldron is a small torch that fires out a flame. The blower can control the intensity of the flame with their foot. Each piece starts with long cylinders of glass. Phunk shapes the end of a cylinder into a bulb, then blows into the end, expanding the glass.
Colour is filtered in later, again with long cylinders. But before the color can be melted into the actual piece, it needs to be made into whatever pattern the blower wants for the final piece. Then the glassblower can weld the color. Once that’s done, a small section of what will eventually be bong is complete. This only takes a few minutes, but depending on how complicated any given piece may be, it could have dozens of sections.
Shulman and Phunk acknowledge that it’s more exciting to be a glassblower now than ever, but they are nostalgic. “Pieces are way more expensive now,” Phunk says. Even though he benefits from the rising costs in the industry, he can’t help but acknowledge that it can “shut some people out.”
Along will the ballooning costs, Facebook obliterated all the old online community. “There’s still a tight-knit community, but it’s a little different than it was. New artists and old vets would share work the day after it was done,” says Phunk.
Even though things have changed over the years, the one constant in the glass blowing community has been a love and an appreciation of weed. “That’s definitely how I fell in love with the medium,” says Shulman. “The growth of the marijuana industry has been great for the glass blowers. It’s definitely an exciting future.”
The post We visited a glassblower to show you the artist behind your favorite bongs and pipes appeared first on HERB.
from HERB http://ift.tt/2A7axDQ
via IFTTT
Friday 24 November 2017
First interstellar asteroid ever discovered looks like a massive joint hurtling through space
Space has been wild lately. Just a month ago, scientists discovered two neutron stars colliding into each other. On top of looking nuts, it was illustrative evidence of gravity waves, one of Albert Einstein’s theories that were proven only a little while ago. Space, restless as ever, is throwing us another gift just in time for the holidays. Scientists in Hawaii spotted what they believe to be the first interstellar asteroid we’ve ever detected, an object from some other solar system passing through ours. It is of parts unknown. We may have never encountered the metals it is made out of. It is alien, glorious, divine.
Oh, and it totally looks like a big ol’ joint.
Long and slender, the stone’s natural cragginess resembling the pinches and dents of a joint’s paper. This gigantic spliff was about the size of a football field, though it rotated like a baton more than a football pass’ spiral. They believe it is dense and metallic, and it’s dark reddish irradiated color suggests it could be millions of years old and extremely dank. From shape to size, it is unlike anything else floating in our solar system.
The asteroid was named Oumuamua, a Hawaiian portmanteau. “‘Oumuamua loosely means “a messenger that reaches out from the distant past,” said the Gemini Observatory’s statement, “fitting the nature of the object’s interstellar origin. In Hawaiian ‘ou means “to reach out for,” while mua means “first” and is repeated for emphasis.”
“This thing is an oddball,” said Karen Meech, who led the team that discovered the asteroid. It’s far from the first interstellar object to hit our neck of the woods, they estimate there’s about one per year. But it was the first big enough for us to see. It came from the direction of the Lyra constellation, though that system may not have been in that spot when Oumuamua was. They believe this asteroid may have been a total lone wolf, floating in the Milky Way without a star system to call home. Poor guy.
If you are hoping to catch what appears to be God’s cosmic doob, don’t bother standing around with a catcher’s mitt. The object has already come and gone. It rocketed at 95,000 kilometers/hour into our solar system, arcing by, just weaving between the Earth and the Sun. The closest it got to us was 24 million kilometers from our planet, and me, the guy who’d like to smoke the space joint. By the time it was detected, it was already leaving, and astronomers around the world had to work swiftly to learn all that they could. Foreign objects like these can tell us about planets long beyond our reach.
“We had to act quickly,” said Olivier Hainaut, a German scientist who helped track the object “`Oumuamua had already passed its closest point to the Sun and was heading back into interstellar space.”
Fare thee well, space joint. Blazing across the universe, may you one day find the right place to roast.
The post First interstellar asteroid ever discovered looks like a massive joint hurtling through space appeared first on HERB.
from HERB http://ift.tt/2zzscEH
via IFTTT
Thursday 23 November 2017
LAPD accidentally film themselves planting drugs in a suspect’s wallet
The use of body-cameras on American officers has been on the rise in 2012. A gesture that aspired to make policing more transparent, parallel to a rise in high profile police misconduct cases throughout the country. The cameras, ideally, would either clear up details in SIU investigations or act as a tiny Sword of Damocles. Their use hasn’t made an impact on police brutality. The silver lining is that on occasion these devices intended to prove a police officer’s innocence will backfire spectacularly when an officer is, in fact, a total asshole.
Roland Shields, a 52-year-old black man in Los Angeles, was arrested last April for a keeping a firearm in his trunk, a hit-and-run and possession of cocaine. The last charge is now under scrutiny after collected footage from multiple body cameras suggest that one LAPD officer, identified as ‘Gaxiola’, planted evidence on Shields. It contradicts the police account. CBS managed to collect body camera 12 videos of the arrest. When CBS confronted the officer who participated in the arrest he offered no comment.
The police report said that the cocaine was found on Shields, it was in his pocket. Instead, in the video, Gaxiola raises a wallet from the ground to show to the other officers. Gaxiola then appears to drop the wallet back on the ground, bends over and this time picks up a small bag of cocaine, gesturing to officers behind Shields’ back as he places the bag into the wallet.
After planting the drugs, Gaxiola appears to turn on his body camera, unaware that the device is designed to save the previous 30 seconds of footage before activation. It’s unclear how coordinated this was. After turning on the camera Gaxiola rather brazenly boasts to three other officers that there was ‘a bag of narco’ discovered.
“It seems improbable that someone would tape themselves planting drugs,” said attorney Steve Levine. “It seems more reasonable that, when he turned on his cam, he felt he was recording at that point.”
Levine also believes that earlier in one recording, you can see the square-shaped baggie in Gaxiola’s hand before picking up the wallet. In a statement, the LAPD said they take “all allegations of misconduct seriously and, as in all cases, will conduct a thorough investigation.” LAPD body camera footage isn’t actually available to the public, after a 2015 change in policy, that critics have said make the entire program moot. An identical happened earlier this year in Baltimore. Twice. In one month.
The post LAPD accidentally film themselves planting drugs in a suspect’s wallet appeared first on HERB.
from HERB http://ift.tt/2jjobJt
via IFTTT
Wednesday 22 November 2017
The world’s most beloved vape brand Arizer is having their first Black Friday sale
Black Friday will be here soon. And you know what that means… sales, sales everywhere. If you, one of your buddies, or perhaps even a family member is asking for a new vape this year, then there’s no better time is to get the gift that keeps on giving.
Arizer is having their first-ever Black Friday sale.
From portable to desktop models, no matter the preference, you’re bound to score something sweet. Arizer is one of the most beloved Canadian vape brands for a reason. Not only do all of their devices deliver pleasant, flavorful vapor, but they also pack a lot of power. And Arizer refuses to settle. In fact, they’re always looking for new ways to improve their products to suit both the needs and wants of the consumer.
With Arizer, you are always guaranteed three things: reliability, quality, and pure excellence.
If there’s company you need to keep calm and get your vape on with, then it’s Arizer. Chances are you’ll find the hottest deals on not one, but all of Arizer’s vapes over at NamasteVapes, the most extensive international online vape retailer in the world, so be sure to stay tuned. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peek of Arizer’s first-ever Black Friday sale. You better act soon though, prices go back to normal Wednesday, November 29th.
The Arizer Solo II
Of all the powerful vaporizers that Arizer has come out with, the Solo 2 is by far the most mighty. It’s a dry herb vape, and not only does it produce massive amounts of cloudage, but it also has an outstanding battery life. You can quite literally puff on it for up to three hours, and sometimes even longer.
Typically, the Solo 2 goes for $249.95. But since Arizer is having their first-ever Black Friday sale this year, the company will be offering the world’s best portable vaporizer for $219.99.
The Arizer Solo
Before the Arizer II came the OG, the Solo. Between its smooth, tasty hits and the simplicity of its design, it quickly became one of the most popular devices in the world of dry herb vaping. In fact, a lot of folks still own one today.
Now that Arizer is having their first-ever Black Friday sale, you can hop on the Solo bandwagon and get one for yourself, or a friend, for a low price of $114.99. Usually, it’s $159.95, so yeah, talk about a steal.
The Arizer Air II
If one word could sum up the Air 2, then it would be convenience. In addition to being easy to use, Arizer’s Air 2 allows the consumer to customize their sesh settings to their liking. Not to mention, it’s pocket size so that you can carry it along on-the-go without any fuss.
Right now, the Air 2 is retailing for $229.99. However, Arizer is knocking the price down several notches for their first-ever Black Friday sale and is selling it for only $209.99.
The Arizer Air
From its durable and mega-compact design to its unsurpassed performance, the Arizer Air portable dry herb vape is built to last. You wouldn’t know that at first glance, it’s so small. But this bad boy has been known to outlive even desktop vaporizers. And despite its size, it sure does pack a mean, yet pleasing punch.
Currently, the Air costs $175.95. But again, this is Arizer’s first-ever Black Friday sale, which means you can get it for the low-low. By low- low, I mean $144.99.
The Arizer Extreme Q
The Extreme Q happens to be the world’s first remote-controlled dry herb desktop vaporizer. Not only does this feature allow you to control it from a distance, but it also makes it so that you can get shit done at the same time. And to make it that much more versatile, the Extreme Q also comes with a convenient Whip system. With its three-speed fan, you can either draw your vapor through the Whip. Or, you can fill up a detachable balloon and medicate while you’re on-the-move.
And how perfect that the Extreme Q is getting a price cut now that Arizer is having their first-ever Black Friday Sale. It’s not that expensive, to begin with, but hey, a deal is a deal. And for just $149.99, it can be yours. It usually runs for $198.95, so you can’t beat it.
The Arizer V-Tower
Finally, there’s the V-Tower, the cheapest, yet most efficient dry herb desktop vape Arizer has to offer. Although it looks intimidating, it’s super simple to control and will stand by your side for years to come. Equally important, it delivers some of the purest vapor hits you’ll ever have in your lifetime.
Of all the deals that Arizer is bringing to you for their first-ever Black Friday sale, this one is the hottest. The V-Tower sells for $149.995 any other day. But the day after America’s Turkey Day, it’ll be only $99.99.
The post The world’s most beloved vape brand Arizer is having their first Black Friday sale appeared first on HERB.
from HERB http://ift.tt/2A46up5
via IFTTT
Tuesday 21 November 2017
At the University of Denver, you can take a class in dealing weed
Despite the legalization of marijuana in over 25 U.S states, and soon, the entire country of Canada, those in the cannabis-industry are still fighting for legitimacy in the public imagination—a difficult task after generations of prohibition and bumbling “stoner” films.
Those who grow marijuana look forward to the day when the plant is regarded with the same respect as other crops, like soybeans or corn. Physicians who prescribe marijuana hope the stigma will soon dissipate and the plant will become a normalized form of medicine. And no matter how classy their suits, cannabis entrepreneurs just can’t seem to catch a break from the cheesy weed puns, and move forward with their business in peace.
Professor Paul Seaborn at the University of Denver, now offering a full economics course on “The Business of Marijuana,” hopes to change the PR problem of cannabis entrepreneurs who want to operate their businesses legitimately.
Combining lectures on marijuana with a room full of college students more accustom to epic 420 rallies than academic discourse on weed seems like it could have its challenges—that quiet row of seats in the back of the classroom you sit in while high doesn’t have enough room for an entire class, after all. More than the danger of an entire classroom of canna-bro’s, though, Seaborn is concerned with working out the kinks of the first-ever college course on the marijuana business. How, for example, do you offer an AACB-accredited business advice on a substance that’s still illegal in half the country?
“There were some doubts,” Seaborn told KDUN. “I think you know there are some skeptics within the school, skeptics in the community, people wondering what’s going on why are we having a course on marijuana.”
Despite the concerns, Seaborn’s course has gotten off to a spectacular start. Students are not simply showing up for the gimmick of a formal education in dealing weed—instead, most are relieved to have an academic, professional outlet for their entrepreneurial aspirations.
“I wasn’t at all interested. But when I got there, I was sold. I was just blown away by how mainstream and professional it all was.” Said New York City attorney Marc Ross to the Denver Post, whose trip to the University of Denver inspired him to push Hofstra University to open their own marijuana law course.
Seaborn’s course isn’t just a 101 on running a dispensary. It covers just about every business that’s tied to the cannabis industry—everything from cultivation to heat-lamp manufacturing. Seaborn hopes to use this course to explore the similarities and differences between the marijuana industry, and other related industries with a less contentious history. “Whether it’s alcohol or tobacco, even automotive or biotech. Lots of comparing and contrasting to see what makes it unique and what are the common issues these industries have experienced in these early stages.” Seaborn said in The Cannabist.
The University of Denver has been ahead of the curve for years now, having opened a course on cannabis journalism and cannabis law in 2015. As the marijuana industry marches steadily forward, courses like Seaborn’s will be critical in educating a new wave of entrepreneurs and cannabis connoisseurs. As the marijuana industry marches steadily forward, courses like Seaborn’s will be critical in educating a new wave of entrepreneurs and cannabis connoisseurs. Videos taken of the class show a group of students who are studiously committed to the rapidly expanding industry.
As institutions that cultivate progress, university and college campuses have always offered the first snapshots of the country’s future. With the help of those like Seaborn and the University of Denver, that future will likely see the trading of tie-dye shirts for suits and ties.
Sure, wine enthusiasts can enroll in any number of sommelier certification programs, but for weed experts, the process is a little more, should we say, academic.
The post At the University of Denver, you can take a class in dealing weed appeared first on HERB.
from HERB http://ift.tt/2AmbqZI
via IFTTT
The Hero We Need But Don’t Deserve Takes 100 Bong Hits In A Row
Every marijuana enthusiast has that one friend with a bottomless tolerance. No matter how much they smoke, the effects never seem to register. Their personality never changes. There’s never an inappropriate time to smoke. Their eyes don’t even get red. It’s like a superpower that’s only good for diminishing your bank account and impressing your buddies.
Even for many experienced smokers, three consecutive bong hits would be the maximum. For them, 100 hits of weed challenge is only good for self-induced nausea, anxiety and unrelenting confusion. But the curiosity alone seems worth the trouble: is there ever a point where one’s body will outright reject marijuana?
Marijuana Mermaid proves that you can’t O.D. on weed.
This is a pertinent question as another false story crops up about the world’s first marijuana overdose, which was immediately debunked. It’s inevitable that stories like these will continue to circulate as marijuana becomes increasingly legalized and de-stigmatized. Marijuana opponents are forever searching for that “I told you so” moment that could undermine the legitimacy of the seemingly panacean plant. For these marijuana-naysayers, a marijuana-related death would be a major rallying point.
Luckily, marijuana advocates like social media personality Marijuana Mermaid—who’s real name is Frances—are willing to be the cannabis community’s guinea pig, and prove on video that there is no pile of weed big enough to kill.
In the following video, Frances smokes 100 bowls of marijuana using different smoking mediums like a bong, bubbler and joint. At first, I thought that Frances might be taking advantage of high-CBD-low-THC strains like Charlotte’s Web, which, due to their lack of psychoactive properties, can be smoked with virtual infinitude. But this isn’t the case. The strains Frances smokes are Stardog, a hybrid strain with 17.50% THC and 0% CBD; and Blue City Diesel, another hybrid strain with 17.30% THC and 0.40% CBD.
Using a counter app on her phone to keep track, Frances proceeds to smoke 100 hits of weed, progressively getting more, and higher. But even by the end of the video, she still barely looks as high as many marijuana enthusiasts might be after just a few hits. “I took a fat dab before this video started,” she says at one point. (Remember that friend with a bottomless weed tolerance?)
“This is not good for your lungs. This is not good for your body probably.” She says after ten hits. Yet after successfully smoking 100 hits of marijuana, there is no discernible negative psychological or physical effect on Frances. She still speaks in full sentences. She has not collapsed on the floor. She didn’t die.
The only outcome from smoking 100 hits of weed? A case of the munchies: “Now we’re going to get donuts! I like donuts.” She says.
If donut cravings are the only outcome of smoking this inordinate amount of weed, it’s pretty reasonable to say that a marijuana overdose will remain a thing of the fear-mongering marijuana opposition’s imagination. For marijuana enthusiasts who wonder “is there anything marijuana can’t do?” Frances has at least one answer. And that is that, yes, there is something that marijuana can’t do: kill you.
Watch Marijuana Mermaid take 100 bong hits:
The post The Hero We Need But Don’t Deserve Takes 100 Bong Hits In A Row appeared first on HERB.
from HERB http://ift.tt/2z8MNv8
via IFTTT
Monday 20 November 2017
Sunday 19 November 2017
The 5 Best Strains For Treating Depression
Using marijuana to treat depression is tricky. It’s a drug that acts as both a stimulant and depressant, and one’s experience will largely vary based on one’s choice of strain, consumption method, and dosage.
Depression is also one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting more than 16 million American adults each year, according to Mental Health America. And antidepressants come with their own set of problems. For example, many antidepressants can take up to eight weeks to fully kick in, at which point patients may feel less depressed, more depressed, or emotionally neutral. This lengthy, cumbersome process is what turns many people towards a potentially more immediate treatment method: marijuana.
Marijuana isn’t for all patients with depression, but the good news is, you don’t have to wait eight weeks to find out if it works for you.
Here are five of the best strains for treating depression:
Harlequin
This is a great strain for patients with depression who aren’t regular marijuana users, or for those who are looking to ease into marijuana as a treatment method for depression. That’s because Harlequin has a 1:1 THC to CBD ratio. This means it has lower psychoactive properties (which result from high THC contents) and the higher CBD content will help to balance out the anxiety new users may experience from THC. This is another Sativa-dominant strain that is good for daytime use and will leave medical marijuana patients feeling focused, happy and stress-free. This strain’s CBD content is also great for dealing with pain.
Pineapple Express
Is it just me, or does “Electric Avenue” start playing in your head every time you think of this strain? As it turns out, Eddy Grant’s jovial 80’s tune is a good soundtrack for this strain, which will leave marijuana fans feeling, above all, happy. This Sativa-dominant strain will leave you feeling uplifted, energized and euphoric. For that reason, it’s a great option for treating depression, particularly during the middle of the day when you need a pick-me-up that won’t drain you of productivity. This strain is also a great stress reliever.
Cannatonic
Frequent marijuana users may notice that this strain doesn’t make you feel “high”. That’s because Cannatonic is another high CBD strain that is great for relaxing the body and mind without much of the psychoactive properties of THC. This is another great beginner strain for this reason. If your depression is hampering your social life, for example, this strain will leave you feeling uplifted but not debilitated or anxious. It’s also good for pain relief, so patients who are experiencing depression as a result of—or in conjunction with—a physical ailment can use this strain to treat both conditions. While this strain will relax the body, it won’t sap users of their energy, making it another great choice for daytime use and one of the best strains for treating depression.
Northern Lights
This is the only indica-dominant strain we’ve included in this list. Indica’s generally act more as a depressant than a mental stimulant, so they’re not always among the top choices for treating depression. However, Indica’s still have an important role to play, particularly as night-time strains. Among indica-dominant strains, Northern Lights is one of the most famous. Medical marijuana patients are recommended to consume this strain in the evening or night time. This strain will make users feel relaxed, happy and sleepy above all else. If insomnia or a general lack of sleep is contributing to your depression, Northern Lights is a great option for you. It’s also great for calming the minds of patients experiencing racing thoughts.
Blue Dream
This famous West Coast Sativa-dominant hybrid strain will offer marijuana fans the best of both worlds: the bodily relaxation more common to indica strains, and the uplifted euphoria of heavy Sativas. Blue Dream is a great choice for patients looking to reduce stress and boost their mood. It’s also been reported to enhance creativity. This is a high THC strain, so those new to cannabis are recommended to start off with a small dosage. If you’re a frequent cannabis user experiencing depression, however, Blue Dream is an excellent treatment strain.
The post The 5 Best Strains For Treating Depression appeared first on HERB.
from HERB http://ift.tt/2hFl6TL
via IFTTT
Grab your weed, grab your snacks, there’s going to be a “Lord Of The Rings” TV series
After making it through an epic-lengthed trilogy. After revisiting it with another three-parter, a prequel stretched out of the shortest volume. After tallying around 20 whopping hours of cinematic Middle Earth ass-numbing entertainment, Amazon Studios knew exactly what you were thinking: I definitely need to watch another adaptation of the Lord of the Rings.
After a week of speculation, Amazon Studios confirmed rumors that they have been developing a new series based on JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings saga. The show will debut on their Amazon Prime Video service. Given how extensively the series had been covered by Peter Jackson’s films, Amazon stated that their series would be original material, launching off the lore in a new direction. That new direction is a prequel. Yeah, I know, another prequel to something. Original doesn’t always mean ‘original.’
“The Lord of the Rings is a cultural phenomenon that has captured the imagination of generations of fans through literature and the big screen,” said Amazon Studios’ Sharon Tal Yguado in a statement. “We are honored to be working with the Tolkien Estate and Trust, HarperCollins and New Line on this exciting collaboration for television and are thrilled to be taking The Lord of the Rings fans on a new epic journey in Middle Earth.”
Amazon Studios and Amazon Prime Studios have had some minor successes. Primarily they are with programs with comedian Jill Soloway, like the Emmy Award-winning series Transparent and dark horse comedy I Love Dick. Amazon has also been feeling out programs adapted from geekier properties like The Man in The High Castle and another live action go at The Tick.
Competing with other streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, it seems with this deal that Amazon is looking for an edge against one of the most successful shows in prestige TV: HBO’s high fantasy Game of Thrones. Because Robert Jordan died before completing Wheel of Time and Sony screwed the pooch with their adaptation of Stephen King’s Dark Tower series (Sony you bums, you absolute bums), Amazon has decided to go right to the most obvious rival to Westeros. The source of all this dungeons and dragons tomfoolery back in Tolkien’s Middle Earth.
So far Amazon hasn’t announced much more about the show itself other than it being set before the events of the Fellowship of the Rings. How young and how hot Gandalf will be in this iteration, only time will tell. Until then, bust out that Hobbit pipe, pop in a blu-ray of the Ralph Bakshi movie and go on your own unexpected journey.
The post Grab your weed, grab your snacks, there’s going to be a “Lord Of The Rings” TV series appeared first on HERB.
from HERB http://ift.tt/2ziZKqg
via IFTTT
Saturday 18 November 2017
Friday 17 November 2017
Thursday 16 November 2017
Wednesday 15 November 2017
Weed Company Takes Shots At Big Pharma Ads In This Genius Parody Video
The late Marshall McLuhan, one of the great media theorists of all time, famously quipped “the medium is the message.” In other words, the medium on which you experience media—television, newspaper, magazines—affect the way you perceive the meaning. It’s why people buy depression medication, even if it includes the side effect of depression: If it’s on television, it’s got to be legitimate, right?
A marijuana delivery company from Oregon, Briteside, recently took this idea to heart. Maybe, thought the company, crushing the stigma around marijuana is as simple as creating a cheesy, over-the-top, cliche television commercial?
Borrowing from the typical pharmaceutical company commercial framework, Briteside recently released a genius television ad that intends to help normalize marijuana.
In order to create the video, the cannabis company joined forces with Sandwich Video, a full-service video agency. The commercial begins with a visibly stressed out mother, watching her child’s soccer game and looking through tax documents. “Sometimes you need to stop worrying, and take a deep breath.” The narrator says. “Sometimes, you need cannabis.”
A cannabis delivery man then comes to the door, much to the satisfaction of once-stressed mother. This is when the commercial starts to cross over into unfamiliar territory. “Choose the experience you want, and we’ll send you the dankest herb. The real sticky icky… If you like what we send you, keep the whole jar. We’ll even include some nugs for you to blaze.” Reads the narrator, as light-hearted music plays casually in the background.
Just like the pharmaceutical company commercials, you might be used to seeing on television, Briteside’s ad then lists out a number of marijuana’s “side effects,” increasing the narration speed, typically done to hide drug’s undesirable side effects. But in this case, the side effects are all positives. “side effects may include euphoria, increased appetite, uncontrollable giggles, elevated sensetivity to musical dopenesss, and reduced anxiety. Tetrahydrocannabinol may also include feelings of existential well-being and relentless optimism.” Reads the narrator.
The commercial is so funny, the narrator necessarily assures viewers at one point that “and yes, this is a real company.”
Cannabis delivery services are seen by many to be the future of marijuana. Even Budweiser beer’s former chief marketing officer, Chris Burggraeve, recently launched his own marijuana delivery company that’s supposed to emulate Amazon.
In an interview with High Times, Briteside’s CEO and co-founder, Justin Junda, says “Three of the biggest pain points for cannabis customers are knowing if their favorite products are actually in-stock at their preferred dispensary, waiting in long lines to make their purchases, and for some, especially those with health impediments, just getting to a dispensary can be a chore. Together with our partner dispensaries, we’re alleviating these all-too-common pains.”
For those still getting used to using dispensaries, who are more accustomed to acquiring their product from a smelly dude smoking bongs in his mom’s basement, the idea of making the purchasing of weed even more simple may seem superfluous. But like any good new thing, the novelty will soon wear off, and people will be looking for ways to streamline their experience.
Briteside’s commercial somehow manages to accomplish both: introducing a novel idea through a traditional format.
The post Weed Company Takes Shots At Big Pharma Ads In This Genius Parody Video appeared first on HERB.
from HERB http://ift.tt/2jtgFj2
via IFTTT
Tuesday 14 November 2017
We Interviewed Whoopi Goldberg About Getting Into The Weed Game
As the cannabis industry in the United States booms, it has continued to attract big-name investors experiencing rapid expansion. Whoopi Goldberg’s cannabis company Whoopi & Maya, based in California, announced plans to expand their products into Colorado in a new partnership with RMZ Colorado. This growth marks the first foray of the company into a multi-state operation.
Whoopi & Maya is a medical-marijuana company and collaboration between the comedian and award-winning edibles maker Maya Elisabeth specifically to provide treatment for menstrual cramps.
Whoopi Goldberg is emphatic about the benefits cannabis offers women suffering from menstrual pain.
“Every woman’s periods are different, and the effects can vary from month-to-month,” Goldberg told me. “We want to give women an alternative to over-the-counter one size fits all pain medication by offering something that is specifically designed to alleviate menstrual pain.”
The line includes tinctures, topical rubs, and edibles, among other products. RMZ Colorado, a cannabis-infused product manufacturer, added the Whoopi & Maya brand to their wellness-centric lineup that includes Verra Wellness and ioVia.
Don Novak, CEO of RMZ Colorado, is enthusiastic about introducing the line of products to the Colorado market. “We’re definitely a health and wellness brand; I couldn’t be more thrilled to have a product that’s targeted such an underserved part of cannabis.”
Although Forbes most recently valued the marijuana industry in the United States at 7.7 billion dollars, brands rarely expand beyond state lines because of inconsistencies with regulations. Because cannabis is still classified as a Schedule I drug federally (the same classification as heroin), the difficulties facing any company looking to do anything that would attract the attention of Attorney General and marijuana antagonist Jeff Sessions are vast. Consumers feel the effects of this—it’s why you can’t buy marijuana products with a credit card or can’t even ship cannabis between two states where its recreational use is legal.
Twenty-Nine states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana in one form or another, but each of those states has different levels of allowed usage and even more complicated regulatory policy. Even within states, regulations and licensing varies from county to county; across the 58 counties within California, there are four different kinds of regulations with some counties allowing or banning some combination of cultivation, manufacturing, and retail.
Past the complex policies, many of them are contradictory or provide no protection for the manufacturers and distributors of certain products. In California, distributing edibles is legal, but manufacturing edible products are not. California’s lack of packaging or edible regulatory policy has given birth to the wild west of edible production but provided obstacles for companies looking to expand into new markets.
In looking for a strategic partner to expand into Colorado, Maya Elisabeth, the mastermind baker and “formulater” behind the Whoopi & Maya products looked for a company that could handle all the bumps in the regulatory road. “They already had their sourcing figured out, and they were already operating under a standard of quality that was in line with ours, so it worked out,” she explained. When pressed on the specifics of regulatory policy, she referred to her colleagues’ expertise at RMZ.
Navigating this landscape was the most challenging part of making the partnership work, Don Novak told me. “Colorado has been in a regulated market for quite some time now, and California is just getting ready to head in that direction, so I mean really it’s just coming down to being able to follow the legal structure of what we’ve got going on here.”
The biggest challenge they faced was adapting the packaging to fit Colorado regulations without sacrificing the brand strategy that has given Whoopi & Maya the success necessary for an expansion move.
“Basically you’re looking at making it single serving because you can’t do more than 10 milligrams of THC per serving on any sort of edible products and you want everything to be child-safe,” Novak explained. “There are all the warnings, everything that needs to be on there—the testing requirements have to be on there, the cannabinoid contents, the homogeneity, we’ve got all the ingredients the non-organic ingredients that come all the way from the flower, that are used to grow the flower, that are used in processing that flower into oils … All that has to be on the packaging before it gets to the retail facilities. So when you’re talking about a thing that’s three inches by two inches it’s very challenging.”
Maya reiterated the challenges with adapting the packaging, looking to the future of regulation in California. “We’re definitely going to have to be using different forms of Child-resistant packaging in the future.” She also speculated about the need for other California based companies to begin producing individual serving sizes and edibles capped at a 10-milligram dose.
While the Whoopi & Maya product remains identical across state lines, RMZ Colorado did make some changes to the line. In compliance with Colorado serving size requirements, there will be single dose cacao packets available alongside new packaging. To maintain consistency across state lines, Maya worked closely with RMZ to set up their kitchen and make the product.
Novak said Whoopi & Maya had a “very apothecary approach” to creating cannabis with their heavy reliance on natural herbs and long saturation periods. This approach made it easier to adapt the recipe but highlighted the importance of collaboration in building out the manufacturing end because of how important stability and consistent temperatures are to processing the product.
Whoopi & Maya has navigated the fraught legal landscape to bring their products to women in Colorado and hope to expand beyond in the future.
Whoopi and Maya products will be available in 10 dispensaries throughout Colorado in addition to over 300 dispensaries across California.
Maya is enthusiastic about what the expansion means for women in Colorado, “I’m just grateful to be getting our products to more women and more people that can experience cannabis as a superfood and as a medicine.”
The post We Interviewed Whoopi Goldberg About Getting Into The Weed Game appeared first on HERB.
from HERB http://ift.tt/2mrxuM9
via IFTTT
Bill Nye “The Science Guy” Perfectly Explains Why Weed Should Be Legal Nationwide
Bill Nye doesn’t like the smell of marijuana. He hasn’t quite figured out the smoking part, either. But he certainly wouldn’t mind studying it.
Most people know Bill Nye as “The Science Guy,” a character designed to teach children the value of science, and perhaps more importantly, pry them away from the tedium of textbook-style learning.
Nye has a knack for making science fun and interesting, and while he’s dropped the “Science Guy” suffix, his contemporary work deserves the same impassioned chorus of “Bill! Bill! Bill!” he once evoked in public school classrooms everywhere.
Recently, Nye sat down with the video channel NowThis to discuss the ins-and-outs of medical marijuana research—or rather, the lack thereof.
“Whoever tells you they know what it does, they don’t. Marijuana’s effects have not been fully studied.” Nye tells NowThis.
The major roadblock, according to Nye, is a chicken-and-egg problem with marijuana’s Federal status as a Schedule I drug. Marijuana’s Schedule I status “means it’s presumed to be addictive and it’s presumed to have no medical value.” Nye says in the video. But we know that this isn’t true, so why don’t we study it? “Well, you’re not allowed to study it because it’s a Schedule I drug,” and presumed to have no medical value.
According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Schedule I drugs are “substances or chemicals that are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Some examples of Schedule I drugs are: heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), methaqualone, and peyote.” But we know that marijuana does not belong on the same list as heroin and ecstasy. And keeping marijuana on this list creates a whole list of bureaucratic roadblocks to studying it.
Researchers looking to obtain medical marijuana for research purposes can only do so from the University of Mississippi’s cannabis farm, which grows notoriously subpar weed. The enormous amount of paperwork necessary for studying marijuana is also a major deterrent.
For these reasons, the medicinal properties and benefits of marijuana—despite being widely used and legalized in some form in 29 states—lacks a solid body of research.
Nye also argues that legalization makes sense from an economic point of view. “Well, I lived in Washington State for a long time. And Washington state legalized it in 2012.” He tells NowThis. “We legalized marijuana. We tax it, we have a lot of tax revenue. It’s no longer criminalized, we don’t spend money on the police department. We spend money regulating the industry in the same way we regulate other substances.” As a result, the state collected $189 million in legal marijuana income and license fees last year, according to the Washington State Treasurer. So not only is marijuana lucrative but as Nye says, the world is still spinning.
In fact, the only observable downside to marijuana use, according to Nye, is that it makes for poor ultimate Frisbee players. A bummer for Frisbee aficionados like Bill, sure, but I think we can live with that.
The post Bill Nye “The Science Guy” Perfectly Explains Why Weed Should Be Legal Nationwide appeared first on HERB.
from HERB http://ift.tt/2zZs6WC
via IFTTT
Monday 13 November 2017
The Shatterizer Is The Greatest Portable Concentrate Vape To Hit The Market
Calling all concentrate lovers: If you’re looking for an affordable and portable vaporizer that brings out the flavor of your favorite form of cannabis, then behold the Shatterizer. From insane cloudage to outstanding battery life, this new to the market vape is about to shatter all your expectations.
The Canadian mastermind kept not only your needs as a consumer in mind while designing this one-of-a-kind device, but also your wants. And well, they’ve nailed every single one. No matter if you’re new to vaping or have been puffing on vapor for as long as you can remember, The Shatterizer is for you.
The Shatterizer offers fresh to death design, insane cloudage, and convenience all in one.
If there’s one thing that makes the Shatterizer stand out the most, it’s the sleek and fresh design. The Shatterizer features a nifty domed glass piece up top, which will give you an up close and personal view of all the vapor action going on inside. But don’t let its small size deceive you. Upon exhale, you’ll be blown away by how perfect and huge the clouds are.
It’s not just the thick and milky clouds that makes the Shatterizer impressive. There’s also the smooth and tasty flavor it delivers with every hit. That too is thanks to the borosilicate glass piece.
Just to be clear, the Shatterizer is for shatter only. But by shatter, the company means dabs, wax, crumble, and other cannabis concentrates.
This brings us to the next feature, the magnetic storage jar.
If you want a clever and sneaky way to hide your concentrates while you’re on-the-go, then the magnetic wax storage container will keep them safe and out of sight. Since the jar is lined with silicone, you’ll never have to worry about anything getting stuck. Not to mention, they’ll always be within reach right at the bottom of your vape.
For added convenience, the Shatterizer already comes assembled. The storage box also doubles as a travel box, and includes all of the following:
- Shatterizer Atomizer: resin cover mouthpiece, borosilicate glass and Quartz Dual Coil (QDC) and cap and one additional QDC coil
- Magnetic Silicone Lined Wax Storage Container
- Micro USB Cord with Pass-Thru technology
- Shatterizer Lithium-Ion battery: 3 Stage Variable Voltage
- Dab tool
The Shatterizer is long-lasting, versatile, and easy to use.
What makes the Shatterizer that much more awesome is its 3 Stage Variable Voltage lithium-ion battery with 1100 mAh, which offers over 40 hours of vaping. That’s about 70 hits per charge, even at the highest temperature. And to charge the device back up, it only takes roughly three hours. Even when you do need to plug it in, which isn’t often, the Pass-Thru Technology makes it so that you can vape and charge at the same time. As long as you’re around a USB Port, you can blow clouds anywhere and everywhere.
As for the temperature settings, there are three: RED (3.5 V, or 16 Watt), BLUE (3.8 V, or 19 Watt), and WHITE (4.2 V, or 23.5 Watt). So whether you’re a pro at vaping shatter or a rookie, you won’t have any trouble finding a temperature that suits your level of expertise. With only three clicks of the button, you can adjust the temperature settings just the way you like it.
The Shatterizer also comes equipped with 2 Quartz Dual Coils. However, if you prefer ceramic over quartz, you can opt for 5 CTECH Ceramic Coils, sold separately. Regardless of which you want to use, both will reach the desired temperature in a jiffy without interfering with the flavor of your concentrates.
Final Thoughts
While the Shatterizer isn’t the most discreet vape on the market, it does have a lot to offer at such a small price. For only $54.95, you get everything you could ever want from a vaporizer.
In addition to its unique design, the Shatterizer provides perfect clouds and plenty of them. Not to mention, the vapor flavor is exceptional and ridiculously smooth.
Whether you’re out in the world getting things done or kicked back at home with nothing to do, the Shatterizer makes for a wonderful vaping companion no matter where you are. And it conveniently stores your concentrates so that they are always within reach.
So, there you have it vapers, the latest and greatest concentrate vaporizer to hit the market, shattering expectations one puff at a time. To get yours today, head on over to the company’s website while it’s still up for grabs.
The post The Shatterizer Is The Greatest Portable Concentrate Vape To Hit The Market appeared first on HERB.
from HERB http://ift.tt/2hxh03B
via IFTTT