tendcc

Jan 25 2017

Study Finds Fewer Traffic Fatalities in Medical Marijuana States

As patient access to regulated medical marijuana dispensaries continues to expand, new opportunities emerge to evaluate the public safety impact of these programs. Recent research highlights how one common concern – traffic safety – appears to be unfounded:

States with medical-marijuana laws have fewer traffic fatalities than those without, especially among younger drivers, a new study has found. You would think crash rates might be higher, supposing that more drivers are, too[…] But, no. Researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health found an 11 percent reduction in traffic fatalities on average when examining places that have enacted medical-marijuana laws — 23 states and the District of Columbia. The presence of medical-marijuana dispensaries also correlated with fewer traffic fatalities, the study found. [Washington Post]

This finding may strike some as counterintuitive, but to patients and providers experienced with medical marijuana use, the result may not be so surprising. Patients frequently report to us that they’ve chosen cannabis as a treatment specifically because they find it less intoxicating and incapacitating than other commonly-prescribed medications. Just as medical marijuana states are experiencing comparatively lower rates of overdose deaths from prescription drugs, it makes sense that the benefits of access to dispensaries could be impacting highway safety as well. The study’s author also speculates that the positive impact of dispensaries on traffic safety may result from reduced alcohol use in states where medical marijuana is legal and regulated. It’s an interesting hypothesis that could form the basis for further research. Ultimately, it seems likely that these encouraging outcomes result from multiple factors that converge when access to medical marijuana is carefully regulated and controlled. In our experience serving patients who rely on cannabis for health and wellness, they are consistenly motivated by a desire to treat their conditions and live their lives in a thoughtful and responsible manner. Access to well-run dispensaries contributes to that goal and we’re pleased to see empirical data continuing to support our belief that this work produces far-reaching and strongly positive public health outcomes. Read More: How Dispensaries Promote Responsible Marijuana Use

Jan 07 2017

How to Smoke Medical Cannabis Properly

Although many methods are available for consuming medical cannabis, smoking continues to rank among the most popular. In this article, we’ll cover why patients sometimes choose this method and discuss some tips and options to help you get the most out of your medicine. New to Smoking? Many of our patients were inexperienced with smoking when they first entered the dispensary. We understand that this may be new to you and we expect that you may have questions about how to use our products properly. Feel free to share your questions with our staff and we’ll be happy to assist you. We also have a number of non-smoking options available if you’d prefer to begin by trying a different method. Why Patients Smoke Medical Cannabis The popularity of smoking as a consumption method results from a few key factors. First, cannabis is fast acting when inhaled, providing an efficient path to the relief of severe symptoms. Secondly, smoking allows patients to carefully control their dose by taking multiple small inhalations until the desired level of symptom relief is achieved. Finally, smoking is a simple way of sampling a variety of medical cannabis strains in order to discover their unique effects. Smoking Products A wide variety of products and devices are available to assist medical cannabis patients. Many are available at the dispensary and our staff will be happy to provide guidance in how to use them properly. Here are a few of the most popular options. Pipes – Pipes for medical cannabis are available in countless styles, including many simple and affordable options. Most pipes are very easy to use with a lighter or matches and allow you to easily control how much cannabis you’re consuming. A few tips regarding pipes:

Glass pipes are generally considered safest for medical use and provide the best flavor.
Many pipes have a hole on the side called a “carb” or “shotgun,” which should be covered with your thumb when lighting the pipe. You can release the carb to moderate airflow once the pipe is lit.
Many patients don’t realize that screens are optional for most pipes. Try skipping screens for easier cleaning.

Water Pipes – This is a larger variety of pipe that offer the added feature of water filtration. When inhaled, smoke passes through a layer of water inside the pipe, which creates a cooling effect. Many styles are available, varying widely in cost and features. A few tips regarding water pipes:

This method produces a large volume of smoke, so caution should be exercised to avoid irritation and coughing.
The “carb” or “shotgun” should be used frequently to clear smoke from the chamber. Smoke left in the chamber is more irritating to the lungs.
Water should be replaced before each use and water pipes should be cleaned regularly.
Water pipes are easily knocked over and should never be left sitting out or placed in precarious places.

Pre-rolls – These are small cigarette-like cones that contain only medical cannabis. Pre-rolls can be purchased at the dispensary or prepared at home using rolling papers. Many tutorials are available online to help you master this skill. A few tips regarding pre-rolls:

This method is convenient and provides good flavor when quality flowers are used.
Keep in mind that a normal sized pre-roll may contain more than one dose, depending on your needs and tolerance.
Though popular, pre-rolls are not the most efficient way to consume cannabis, because some smoke is lost into the air.
Pre-rolls tend to produce a stronger cannabis aroma than other methods and should be avoided if you’re interested in minimizing odor.

Proper Preparation and Smoking Techniques Regardless of the smoking method you prefer, preparing your cannabis properly is critical. You’ll also want to make sure your cannabis is stored correctly at all times to ensure freshness prior to use. A few additional tips:

When lighting cannabis, inhale softly through your device until you see the flame being gently drawn into the cannabis itself.
When inhaling, draw the smoke fully into your lungs before exhaling. If you don’t see smoke when exhaling, this means your product isn’t properly lit or your smoking device may be clogged.
Always use the minimum amount of heat necessary to ignite the product. Excess heat will actually reduce the flavor and potency of your product.
When preparing a pipe or pre-roll, only include the amount of cannabis you wish to consume at that time. This will help moderate your dosage and ensure that any remaining product can be stored properly for future use.
Using a grinder will help your cannabis burn more evenly and expose cannabinoids to improve potency.

If you’re new to smoking cannabis, begin by taking only one or two inhalations and wait to feel their effects before consuming more. Be aware that patients new to cannabis sometimes don’t feel an effect the first time. Rather than consuming a large dose, try again at a later time. Conclusion We hope these tips have been helpful and we’re happy to answer any further questions at your next visit to the dispensary. Discovering the benefits of medical cannabis can be a very exciting experience and we’ll do our best to help you achieve your health goals. Stay tuned for additional discussion of the other consumption options available to patients.

Dec 28 2016

Featured MMJ Strain: Strawberry Cough

When it comes to modern cannabis genetics, few mysteries remain. Though some debate does exist surrounding the origins of a few popular strains, most are well-documented with verified parentage and history. One notable exception, however, is the sought-after sativa Strawberry Cough. Though the story of how this classic was created remains unknown, there is no question that Strawberry Cough ranks high among the most respected sativa strains ever discovered. Named for its trademark strawberry aroma and flavor, Strawberry Cough is believed to be the result of a cross between rare Dutch sativa genetics and an unknown indica parent. The resulting hybrid is thought to be around 80% sativa, producing small, thin-leafed flowers that require patience to ripen fully. For this reason, harvests of Strawberry Cough will often produce smaller yields than other popular strains and those growing it must be willing to prioritize quality over quantity. Cultivators willing to undertake the time and effort will be rewarded with bright green, red-haired flowers with a look and aroma true to their famous name. A hint of strawberry lingers on the tongue when exhaling, but contrary to its name, Strawberry Cough’s smoke is smooth and no more likely to cause coughing than other common strains. Patients can look forward to its pleasantly energizing effects, mood elevation and improved focus, perfectly suited to daytime use. We’re excited to feature this unique and tasty sativa as our January PSC Gram of the Month.

Dec 26 2016

Cannabis and Anxiety: Finding Answers

anxiety Arizona medical marijuana — Photo via nyphotographic.com License: Creative Commons 3

Anxiety disorders can be difficult to treat effectively, and for many patients, medical marijuana has provided a helpful solution. Still, the relationship between cannabis and anxiety can be complex. Finding the right product and dosage can achieve much needed symptom relief, while the wrong strain at the wrong time can make matters worse. We’ve helped many patients successfully navigate cannabis use for anxiety and we hope the following tips and strategies will provide the answers you need. Why Cannabis? The symptoms of an anxiety disorder can range in severity from general nervousness to crippling panic, depression, and physical responses. Commonly prescribed medications such as Benzodiazepines and SSRIs can be effective, but many patients report serious side effects. Difficulties with dependency, mood changes, and physical reactions have led many anxiety sufferers to consider medical cannabis as an alternative treatment. While many patients report immediate relief of anxiety symptoms when using cannabis, others have experienced mixed results. Patients using medical marijuana for other conditions sometimes report experiencing anxiety as a side effect of cannabis itself. Whether you’re seeking to treat anxiety directly with cannabis, or simply minimize anxiety-related side effects while using cannabis for other conditions, we’ve found that selecting the right product and dosage is the key to success. Controlling Dosage Although the mood-altering effects of medical marijuana can be pleasant for many patients, there’s no question that strong doses can produce an opposite effect. Patients seeking to avoid anxiety symptoms are encouraged to carefully control their dose to avoid becoming over-medicated. Small doses can be effective at elevating mood and relieving symptoms like stress and depression. One or two light inhalations of smoked or vaporized cannabis should be enough to feel a mild effect and assess your comfort level before consuming more. Cannabis is fast-acting when inhaled, allowing patients to carefully adjust their dosage to achieve the desired effect. Oral cannabis products such as edibles and tinctures should be approached with caution when treating anxiety symptoms, since these products are slower-acting. The full effect of an edible product may not set in for up to an hour, making it difficult to achieve a precise dose with anticipated effects. Patients treating anxiety are encouraged to begin with very small doses when trying a new edible product. Dispensary staff will be happy to assist you in understanding product dosage and potency. Some patients with severe anxiety symptoms choose to avoid edible products entirely, but they can be effective when dosage is carefully controlled. Strain Selection Choosing the right strain for your individual needs is as important as controlling your dose. While experiences with individual strains often vary from one patient to the next, there are a few guidelines to consider when choosing a strain for anxiety symptoms. As a general rule, indica strains produce a more physical effect that is less mentally stimulating. For this reason, indica selections are a good place to start, with numerous common varieties that are popular for reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Sativa strains are known for increasing energy and alertness and, though sometimes helpful, may be a riskier choice in this case. Popular sativa-dominant varieties such as Haze and Diesel strains are known for elevating mood, but some patients do report anxious reactions to certain sativas. Patients seeking a strain for daytime use will generally find sativas most helpful, but should consult with a sales associate at the dispensary to determine which sativa selections are best for anxiety. Finally, patients treating anxiety symptoms often report excellent results from strains with elevated levels of CBD. This increasingly available option is particularly popular for relieving stress because CBD is known to counteract some of the stimulating and intoxicated effects of THC. CBD-rich strains in either the indica or sativa category may be helpful and are quickly becoming a favorite in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Conclusion Finding relief from the debilitating effects of anxiety can be a difficult challenge, and we’re excited to see medical marijuana providing relief for many patients we serve. Though the role of cannabis in anxiety treatment can be nuanced, we continue to hear from patients who find success with the right strain in the right dose. Discovering the products that work best for you can make a world of difference and our team is eager to help you find what you’re looking for.

Dec 17 2016

Introducing Rosin: A Clean, Solventless Concentrate

rosin AZ medical marijuana — High-quality solventless concentrate that provides medical marijuana exceptional flavor and potency.

Medical marijuana patients in Arizona have become accustomed to a wide variety of cannabis concentrates. Extracts offer added flavor, potency, and convenience for many patients, but questions sometimes remain about how they are produced. Safety is a matter of profound importance to our patients, which is why we’re excited to offer a new line of clean, solventless concentrates known as rosin.

Any good concentrate owes its origins to the cannabinoid-rich oils found in quality cannabis flowers. This is where the flavor, aroma, and potency of the plant are most pronounced. Concentrates, as their name suggests, are derived exclusively from the plant’s most desirable components. This is accomplished through one of many common extraction methods, each of which offers its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

Among the numerous options available for cannabis extraction, rosin (pronounced rah-zin) stands out due to its staggering simplicity. To produce rosin, one needs only three things: heat, pressure, and cannabis flowers upon which to apply them. The rosin technique relies on the straightforward principle that, when heated and squeezed with calculated precision, cannabis flowers will release their essential oils. These oils, when collected, offer an exceptionally pure and completely solventless extract that is ready to use immediately.

The rosin method contrasts sharply with other popular techniques that require expensive, sometimes dangerous, equipment and may produce residual byproducts harmful to patients with compromised immune systems. Furthermore, the simplicity of the process ensures that properly extracted rosin leaves the plant’s terpenes intact, allowing a full flavor profile. Patients can expect rosin to taste much like the strain it was derived from, only better. Similarly, the effect will be familiar but intensified due to the enhanced potency of the extracted material.

Whether you’re new to concentrates or an experienced fan, our staff will be happy to answer your questions about our rosin selection. We also offer a variety of affordable vaporizer pens that are perfect for maximizing the convenience and efficiency of these high-end concentrates. It’s often said that quality extracts are the future of medical cannabis and after trying a product like a rosin, you might be tempted to agree.

Rosin is available now in three strains, Durban Poison (Sativa), Flo (Hybrid), and Critical Mass (Indica).

tendcc

Footer