Blog Post

Jul 12 2018

How to Store Medical Marijuana Properly

cookies cream strain MA dispensary While strain preferences can vary considerably from one patient to the next, there is one thing every medical marijuana patient agrees on: they want their cannabis to stay fresh, flavorful, and potent. Proper storage technique is the key to getting the most of your dispensary purchases. Similarly, improper storage can quickly damage even the finest cannabis flowers. In this article, we’ll look at the key factors that affect the freshness of your flowers and discuss what you can do to keep your cannabis in top shelf form.

Air and Moisture

At the time of purchase, high-quality cannabis flowers have already undergone a lengthy curing process during which exposure to air and moisture is carefully controlled. This stage ensures that patients receive ready-to-use flowers that retain the terpene and cannabinoid content that their flavor and effects come from. Once purchased, you’ll want to ensure that your flowers retain their freshness by minimizing exposure to air and moisture.

The packaging we use at SWC provides some protection, but keep in mind that anytime the package is open, your flowers are more likely to be exposed to environmental conditions. Too much air exposure can quickly cause flowers to dry out, causing a loss of aroma and flavor, and eventually, potency as well. Similarly, in a humid environment, cannabis flowers can begin to retain moisture and run the risk of developing contamination with mold.

The best solution is an airtight container such as a glass jar that forms a firm seal around your flowers. It’s also best to use an appropriately sized container for the amount of cannabis you’re storing, since even air within the container itself can contribute to dryness over time.

Light Exposure

In our conversations with patients, we’ve found that light exposure is a commonly overlooked aspect of proper storage. The fact is that UV rays break down organic material over time, damaging cannabinoids and reducing the potency of your flowers. Cannabis should always be stored in a dark place like a drawer or cupboard to eliminate light exposure. Packing solutions that block light can also be helpful for maintaining freshness, but they are not necessary as long as you remember to put your flowers away when not in use.

Although it may take some time for light to badly damage your medicine, securing your flowers in a safe place is a good habit anyway. The last thing you want to do is leave a clear glass jar of quality flowers sitting under a desk lamp overnight. Hours of prolonged light could begin to erode trichomes and expose your flowers to our final remaining risk factor…

Temperature

Excessive heat is not your ally when it comes to keeping cannabis as fresh as possible. Temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s can promote the growth of mildew in moist environments. In dry climates, high temperatures may simply dry out your buds and damage terpenes and cannabinoids. Your best option is to store your flowers in a cool place, away from sources of both heat and light.

It’s also important to keep in mind that temperature fluctuations can damage the integrity of your flowers. For this reason, refrigerator storage is not recommended due to the temperature changes that occur when repeatedly taking the material in and out of a slightly colder environment (the refrigerator also poses a moisture risk). Finally, you will want to steer clear of the freezer as well, because extremely low temperatures can cause trichomes to separates from the flower. Ice water may be commonly used in the hash making process, but icy temperatures are not your friend when it comes to keeping your flowers intact.

Conclusion

With proper storage, cannabis flowers can stay fresh for a few months or longer, making it easier to keep a favorite strain on hand for special occasions. Many great storage products are also available to help you, and our staff is happy to show you what we have on hand and how to use it. Even if you don’t typically store flowers for long periods, you may find that good storage habits noticeably improve the flavor of your flowers and increase the value of your purchases at the dispensary.

Shop Medical Marijuana flower and other cannabis products online by looking at our menu or visiting our Tempe or Prescott locations.

Jul 09 2018

A Guide To Using Concentrates In A Vape Pen

Cannabis concentrates rank among the fastest-growing product lines at many dispensaries, as patients of all experience levels begin to appreciate the benefits of high-quality extracts. These effective, flavorful, and cannabinoid-rich creations provide all the properties of quality cannabis flowers in a purer form and smaller package. The easiest way to enjoy these products is with a concentrate vaporizer and the following tips will help you get started.

Why Use a Vaporizer?

When it comes to cannabis concentrates, a little goes a long way. Just a single gram of wax, shatter, or rosin contains several doses. No one wants to waste quality medicine, and vaporizing offers the level of control you need. Heating the material at a lower temperature will activate its cannabinoid content more efficiently while improving flavor. Better yet, modern pen-style vaporizers are affordable, pocket-sized, and convenient to use.

What is a Vape Pen?

Named for their thin, cylindrical shape that often resembles an ink pen, vape pens are small personal vaporizers designed for cannabis concentrates. Many units include these basic parts:

Battery: This is the longest section of the pen, which provides power to the unit.
Heating Chamber: This section attaches to the battery and applies heat to the concentrate, which is placed inside it.
Mouthpiece: Vapor is inhaled through this section, which attaches to the heating coil.
Charger: Separate from the pen itself, this recharges the battery.
Dab Tool: A small metal implement used to load concentrate into the heating chamber.

How Do You Use It?

The device itself is quite simple. The patient simply loads a small amount of concentrate into the unit, presses a button to heat the material and inhales vapor through the mouthpiece. Here are the important steps in more detail:

Charging the battery: Most units include a USB charger with a red light that indicates when it’s charging and a green light for when it’s ready to use.
Assembling the unit: Once charged, the battery should be screwed onto the heating chamber until tightly fastened. Note that many common vape pen batteries require you to tap the button 5 times in order to activate the unit.
Loading the chamber: Opposite the side that screws onto the battery, the heating chamber will have a cavity for housing your concentrate. You’ll typically see one or two small heating coils or a ceramic disk located at the bottom. Concentrate should be placed directly on the heating element. To prevent clogs, be careful not to overfill the chamber. A portion of concentrate about the size of a peppercorn is a good starting point. Using a dab tool to load the unit is recommended due to the stickiness of many concentrates.
Preparing to vape: Once the unit is loaded, you’ll need to screw the mouthpiece section onto the side of the heating chamber opposite the battery. The unit is now fully assembled and ready to use.
Inhalation: Press the button located on the battery and begin to inhale. You should see the button and/or battery tip light up to indicate that it is activated. As you inhale, you’ll feel vapor begin to enter your lungs. Release the button a few seconds before you’re done inhaling to clear any additional vapor in the chamber. When exhaling, you should be able to see and taste the vapor, which indicates that the unit is working properly. Hold the button down again each time you wish to inhale and remember to pace yourself to achieve the desired effect for your symptoms.

Prefilled Cartridges

The above description applies to self-loaded vape pens designed for loose concentrates. Another popular option is prefilled cartridges, which are a simple and convenient option if you’re new to concentrates. If you’ve purchased a prefilled vapor cartridge, you may simply attach it to a charged battery, hold down the button, and begin vaping.

Prefilled cartridges typically come in a standard 510 thread size, which means they’ll be compatible with most vape pen batteries. These can be purchased separately or you may use a battery from a vape pen kit as described above. Depending on the style of battery you’ve purchased, you may need to tap the button 5 times in order to activate the unit.

Conclusion

Cannabis concentrates offer a convenient and effective option for patients seeking fast symptom relief and vape pen technology makes the experience particularly appealing. If you’re new to concentrates and vaporization, our staff will be happy to discuss options with you and answer any questions you have. Many of our patients have enjoyed discovering this treatment option and we hope you’ll find it helpful as well.

Jun 21 2018

States Turn to Medical Marijuana in Fight Against Opioids

As policymakers continue to grapple with the opioid crisis, some are setting their sights on state medical marijuana programs as a potential option for reducing opioid consumption. Measures to expand medical marijuana access for current opioid users are now taking shape in multiple states, signaling an evolving role for medical marijuana in the effort to address opioid abuse.

In Pennsylvania, opioid use disorder has recently been added as a qualifying condition for the medical marijuana program:

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said this form of treatment won’t be the first and only option for people in recovery, but it could be an option for some.
…

“By adding opioid-use disorder as an approved medical condition under the program, we not only give physicians another tool for treatment of this devastating disease, but we allow for research to be conducted on medical marijuana’s effectiveness in treatment,” Dr. Levine said. “Only approved conditions under the law can be studied through our research program.” [Philly Voice]

Pennsylvania is indeed well positioned to produce important data due to the medical marijuana program’s research partnerships with academic institutions. This represents a unique opportunity to expand clinical knowledge of how cannabis treatment can impact opioid use disorder and the Pennsylvania Department of Health deserves credit for its leadership on this issue.

Health officials in New York State are also taking action, announcing this week that patients with a prescription for opioids will soon be eligible to participate in the medical marijuana program.

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 18, 2018) – The New York State Department of Health today announced it will develop a regulatory amendment to add opioid use as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana.

“The opioid epidemic in New York State is an unprecedented crisis, and it is critical to ensure that providers have as many options as possible to treat patients in the most effective way,” said New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. “As research indicates that marijuana can reduce the use of opioids, adding opioid use as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana has the potential to help save countless lives across the state.” [NY.Gov]

This approach seeks to establish medical marijuana access for any patient who might otherwise rely primarily on opioid prescriptions for pain relief. It’s a forward-thinking measure that recognizes emerging evidence of marijuana’s potential to reduce opioid-related health risks:

Marijuana can be an effective treatment for pain, greatly reduces the chances of dependence and eliminates the risk of fatal overdose compared to opioid-based medications. Studies of some states with medical marijuana programs have found notable associations of reductions in opioid deaths and opioid prescribing with the availability of cannabis products. States with medical cannabis programs have been found to have lower rates of opioid overdose deaths than other states, perhaps by as much as 25 percent. Studies on opioid prescribing in some states with medical marijuana laws have noted a 5.88 percent lower rate of opioid prescribing. Adding prescribed opioid use as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana will allow individuals who use opioids to instead use medical marijuana for pain relief. [NY.Gov]

Similar efforts are underway in Illinois as well:

A painkiller prescription could become a ticket for medical marijuana in Illinois. Lawmakers there passed a bill making anyone with a prescription for opioids eligible for its medical cannabis program.

With this move, Illinois joins a growing number of states turning to legal cannabis in the fight against painkiller addiction.

“As we see the horrible damage inflicted by opioid use and misuse, it seems like a very low-cost and low-risk alternative,” says state Sen. Don Harmon, a Democrat from Oak Park, Ill., and sponsor of the Senate version of the bill. [NPR]

Together, these developments mark an important milestone in the national discussion of how best to address opioid abuse. We’re now witnessing the first examples of state medical marijuana programs setting a specific goal of reducing opioid consumption through increased patient access. This process not only expands existing programs to better serve at-risk patient populations, it also establishes a regulatory model that can inform policymakers in other states.

We’re optimistic that medical marijuana will continue to demonstrate efficacy as a safer alternative to opioids and we’re proud to serve countless patients who are already reporting significant benefits. By working together, patients, providers, and policymakers have a remarkable opportunity to reduce harm and improve health outcomes for people in pain.

Mar 15 2018

SWC, The Leading Medical Marijuana Operator In Arizona, Relocates Tempe Facility

New Price Road location will improve patient access and accommodate demand

Tempe, AZ – MARCH 12, 2018 – SWC, Arizona’s leading medical marijuana operator in quality and care, announced today the relocation of its Tempe dispensary, SWC Tempe, to a newly designed, more accessible location at 520 S. Price Road in Tempe. The state-of-the-art dispensary encompasses a number of natural design elements and services, improving the patient experience while adding new, specialty products to complement the broadest assortment of medical marijuana products available in the state.

The new dispensary is over four times the size of the original location and will open on March 12, 2018. SWC has a sister location in Prescott, Arizona and is a subsidiary of Columbia Care LLC (“CC”), the nation’s leading medical marijuana company, licensed to operate in 9 other highly regulated states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

“We are thrilled to expand and enhance our commitment to the Tempe community by providing patients with a unique dispensary experience and improved customer service – all the while, reducing wait times and expanding our service and product offerings.” said Columbia Care CEO Nicholas Vita. “Our commitment to our patients and communities is to provide best-in-class products and services at all of our locations. As Tempe patients realized the benefits of this medicine and found the expert care they need and rely on at SWC, we outgrew the capacity of our previous location and are proud to create a new flagship dispensary. Rather than simply expanding into new space, we took the opportunity to create an aesthetically beautiful, welcoming environment for all of our patients to enjoy.”

Consistent with the Company’s national, medically-focused operating model, the Arizona dispensaries are designed to exceed our patient community’s expectation for comfort and access. Our facilities are staffed by a dedicated team of specially trained personnel to provide the utmost level of professionalism, compassion, confidentiality and respect for patients and their conditions. Safety and security is overseen and managed by professionals with law enforcement backgrounds, utilizing industry-leading security measures.

To access state-licensed facilities, patients must be deemed eligible by a certified physician and be registered with the State through the Department of Health Services. Patients are welcome to visit the new facility in Tempe from 9am to 8pm, Monday through Friday, 10am-8pm on Saturday and 12pm to 6pm on Sunday or online at www.swcarizona.com for home delivery.

About Columbia Care LLC

Columbia Care is the nation’s largest and most experienced manufacturers and providers of medical marijuana products and services. The Company is licensed in highly selective and regulated jurisdictions and has completed more than 600,000 successful patient interactions since its inception. Working in collaboration with some of the most renowned and innovative teaching hospitals and medical centers in the country, Columbia Care is a patient-centered healthcare company setting the standard for compassion, professionalism, quality, caring, and innovation for a rapidly expanding new industry.

For more information on Columbia Care, please visit www.col-care.com.

Feb 08 2018

Medical Marijuana Glossary & Dispensary Terms

Whether you’re new to medical marijuana or simply new to the experience of obtaining cannabis from a licensed dispensary, you may notice some unfamiliar terms being used by patients and staff at the facility. The following guide covers many of the terms we use frequently at the dispensary from day to day. Learning these terms may help you better understand the key components of the cannabis plant, as well as the types of products we offer and how they are used:

Read Our Marijuana Glossary Below:

Accessories: Items such as pipes, grinders, and jars that are used to administer, process, or store medical cannabis products.

Cannabinoids: Compounds containing within the cannabis plant, which activate receptors in the brain to produce medicinal effects.

Cannabis: This is the technical term for marijuana. Both words can be used interchangeably and refer to the same plant.

CBD (Cannabidiol): An important medicinal cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, with non-psychoactive effects.

Clone: A cutting from a cannabis plant, which is replanted to produce a new plant with identical genetics.

CO2: The chemical formula for carbon dioxide, which is commonly used to produce cannabis extracts.

Concentrate: This general term refers to a variety of potent cannabis products that are extracted from plant material and consumed through vaporization or smoking.

Curing: A slow, controlled drying process designed to maximize the quality of cannabis flowers.

Edible: A cannabis-infused food item, such as baked goods, chocolates, or lozenges.

Flowers: The blooming buds of the cannabis plant, where the largest concentration of medicinal components are contained.

Gram of the Month: Our featured strain, which is complimentary for PSC Platinum members.

Grinder: A tool used to grind cannabis in preparation for smoking, vaporizing, or cooking without damaging resin glands.

Hash: A form of concentrated cannabis made by extracting and filtering resin glands from the leaves of a harvested plant.

Haze: An influential and historic cannabis genetic used to create many popular strains. Several varieties of Haze are commonly seen on dispensary menus, usually in the sativa category.

Hybrid: A term for cannabis strains that combine sativa and indica to produce a balance between cerebral and physical effects.

Indica: A term for cannabis strains known for their relaxing physical effects.

Kief: A powdery concentrate made by sifting and collecting loose resin glands from harvested plants during processing.

Kush: A popular variety of cannabis named for the Hindu Kush Mountains in Afghanistan. Several varieties of Kush are commonly seen on dispensary menus, usually in the hybrid and indica categories.

One-hitter: A small, cigarette-shaped pipe that’s convenient and easy to use.

Pre-roll: These are simply small cigarette-like cones that contain only medical cannabis.

Sativa: A term for cannabis strains known for their energizing cerebral effects and mood-elevation.

Shake: A term for the small pieces of plant material that separate from cannabis during processing. Shake contains a high cannabinoid content, but is sold at a discount.

Shatter: A high-quality cannabis concentrate named for its hard surface and ability to break when bent.

Skunk: A historic strain of cannabis named for its strong aroma. Many varieties of Skunk are commonly found on dispensary menus.

Spoon: A popular style of glass pipe, used to smoke cannabis. Named for its spoon-like shape.

Strain: A specific variety of cannabis with it’s own name and unique attributes.

Terpenes: Aromatic oils contained in cannabis and other plants which influence the smell, flavor, and effects of individual strains.

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): The best-known cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, which is responsible for the majority of its medicinal effects.

Tincture: A liquid solution infused with cannabis which is administered by placing under the tongue or mixing into a beverage.

Topical: A non-psychoactive cannabis preparation such as a lotion or balm that is rubbed into the skin for localized symptom relief.

Trichomes: The sparkling resin glands appearing on the outside of cannabis flowers, where cannabinoid content is most concentrated. These are sometimes also referred to as crystals.

Trim: The leaves that surround cannabis flowers, which are often converted into concentrates such as hash and tincture.

Vape cartridge: A pre-filled product containing cannabis concentrate designed for vaporization.

Vaporizer: An electronic device that heats cannabis for inhalation without producing smoke.

Water-pipe: A popular style of pipe in which bubbles of smoke pass though a chamber of water prior to inhalation.

The above list should serve as a helpful introduction to some of the terms we use commonly at the dispensary. We’ll continue to update this page as new products become available and our staff is always available to answer any questions you have. You can always learn more from SWC Arizona in Tempe, AZ.