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Single Stoner’s Guide to Valentine’s Day

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Being single on one the most romantic holidays of the year, Valentine’s Day, can be a real drag
or some of us still hanging out in the singles pool. And while it may seem easy to get down in
the dumps around this time, here are some tips for making sure to take good care of yourself on
this day of love. If you find yourself single this Valentine’s Day, fear not, because it’s not all
about the romance.

If you’ve got the afternoon free, beat the rush, and treat yourself to a fancy lunch somewhere, or
meet up with a friend if you’re not the only single folk you know. If outdoors are more your
speed, spend a little time meditating in a park, and envisioning all the great things you love
about you. And then treat yourself to a picnic of some of your favorite foods, and maybe even a
few tokes while you take in the beauty of nature.

Spark up, and head to a movie. Buy tickets ahead of time so you can bypass the teller at most
theaters, and I like to eat a low dose edible to maintain my buzz while watching a flick. Then you
can pig out on all the popcorn and munchies you want, and you’ll be too enthralled in the feature
to worry about much. Oh, and if you get paranoid in public about people knowing you’re high, in
my experience they only know if they’re a little high too, so embrace the theater experience,
and drift off into cinematic bliss.

Pamper yourself with an infused spa treatment at home. Light some candles, slather on this
easy hemp avocado face mask, roll a heady joint, and spend the evening in an infused bubble
bath, taking in some tokes, and letting the world go. Make sure the ambiance is right with some
low key tunes, and light some incense or add a few drops of essential oil to your bath to
enhance your aromatherapy experience. Check out this CBD bath soak made with lavender
from Ambary Gardens for a heightened level of relaxation.

https://www.thecrunchychronicles.com/avocado-hemp- oil-face- mask/

https://ambarygardens.com/shop/soothing-salts- cbd-bath- crystals/

Plan a smoke sesh with some other single friends. Have everyone bring snacks or something to
sip on, and plan a few board games, or pick out some anti-Valentine’s Day cinema like some of
these classics. You can Netflix and chill in a more literal, friends only sense, and make it comfy,
casual, and more fun than sitting in an overcrowded restaurant eating a prix fixe meal with some
date you recently swiped right on in last minute desperation.

https://metro.co.uk/2016/02/13/11-of- the-best- anti-love- films-to- watch-this- valentines-day-

5679078/

Make sure to buy yourself plenty of flowers, like the weed kind, and maybe a beautiful bouquet
of your favorite buds too. Save some moolah by checking out the floral section at your local
grocer, and get creative with what’s leftover. You might find a love for your new hobby of floral
arrangements, or you might just get a pretty bunch of flowers to enjoy. I like to smoke a joint of
something uplifting and more sativa dominant to help the creative juices flow; I usually smoke
heavy citrus and tangie strains to get an out of-the- box focus for new projects.

Hopefully, these spark some ideas about how to enjoy this couple-y holiday in a more fun, plant-
enhanced way. If the single Valentine’s Day blues do start to get to you, watch this video and
teach yourself how to make a homemade gravity bong, and make sure you have plenty of girl
scout cookies stocked up because it’s that time of year. Above all this Valentine’s Day, just
remember that you are loved. Loving yourself, and taking care of the one person who’s always
going to be there, you, is one of the most evocative things you can do.

The Top 5 Cannabis Careers of 2016

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Looking for a new line of work? Try a career in the cannabis industry.

It’s said the cannabis industry is growing so rapidly that working in it for just one year is equivalent to three years working in any other industry. Currently, 25 states plus Washington D.C. have enacted laws to legalize medical marijuana. Four of these states have legalized cannabis completely, while five more intend to vote recreational cannabis use into existence in November. This means half the United States is now home to a burgeoning cannabis industry replete with jobs and opportunity, while nearly one-sixth of the country is experiencing an all-out cannabis “Green Rush.” These five careers are currently leading the charge.

Topical Makers

Cannabis edible production is based on formal culinary practices like baking, chocolate and candy making and other compounding techniques like infusions, extracts and emulsions. As the industry grows and regulations loosen, chefs and apothecaries alike are creating edible cannabis products in functional and exciting new ways. From the hottest new candies, topical oils and edible ointments, to private chefs and elite supper club parties hosted by five-star chefs, skilled culinary artisans the world over are bridging the gap between a plant once known as “Weed” and the discerning gourmand.

Budtenders

As cannabis farming practices and subsequent branding and marketing efforts toil to line dispensary shelves with everything from vape-pen cartridges filled with strain-specific terpene oils, cannabis flower grown organically and biodynamically, and edibles of premium cannabis paired with some of the world’s finest chocolate, the demand for knowledgeable and sophisticated budtenders staffing the dispensary frontlines is on the rise. In previous years, basic marijuana knowledge would suffice. Now, budtenders learn tasting notes, pairing knowledge, and historical perspective, to ensure products are properly represented and successfully suggested to demanding consumers, from farm-to-table.

Extraction Technicians

There’s a bit of a war being waged over which cannabis extraction techniques are the best, purest and hardest hitting of them all. A clean, high yielding, consistent extraction is paramount to creating successful cannabis products and extraction technicians are becoming rock-stars of the cannabis industry by innovating proprietary extraction methods all their own. Extraction labs are often tightly regulated and require a deep understanding of chemistry, physics and mathematics from their technicians. In-demand lab technicians often net respectable salaries plus benefits and sometimes company equity, especially if the technician brings to the table highly innovative and marketable methods of extracting sought after terpenes and cannabinoids.

Grow Masters

Like fine wine, cannabis is becoming a connoisseur commodity. Master cultivators know how to produce cannabis with all the aesthetics of a masterpiece: fragrant bouquet, well defined calyxes, and glistening trichomes. They are paying close attention to elevated terpene profiles, looking for whether the smoke or vapor satisfies discerning customers, and providing CBD strains that calm the most upended patients. Even more so, master growers know how to produce these results consistently…and to scale, all the while producing a product free of molds, pesticides and fungus that simultaneously appeals to the sight, smell, touch, and taste senses of a demanding consumer base. It’s incredibly difficult. Pests threaten. State and local regulations dictate energy and water consumption. Master growers are both agile and determined…and quickly becoming captains of the cannabis industry. Rightfully so.

Harvesters & Trimmers

A harvest can be tossed into bulk trimming machines, but it’ll immediately lose shelf appeal…plus a countless number of beautiful pistils and gleaming trichomes. Professional trimmers hand pick each flower, carefully cutting away excess leaf, shaping the plant into curvaceous frosty buds while preserving trichomes and allowing pistils to maintain their lightning-like extend into the air. These aesthetics help premium cannabis sell-through and a certain trim style is often the hallmark of a master grower. Trimmers typically work in harvest cycles and earn bonuses for completing their work quickly, without sacrificing quality. Working on trim teams is also a great way to learn the ins and outs of large scale cultivation and cannabis processing.

Patrulla de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de los Estados Unidos

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Nuestro mejor consejo al tratar con la Patrulla de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de los Estados Unidos

En años recientes, Colorado se ha vuelto la nueva frontera y líder en la Marihuana de recreacional legal y con ello también se ha vuelto un destino crecientemente más atractivo no solo para entusiastas del Cannabis, sino también para viajeros que simplemente buscan experimentar una cultura  emergente que es única en nuestro mundo. Mientras que la mayoría de nuestros huéspedes son ciudadanos estadounidenses, hemos visto un aumento en extranjeros de todo el mundo. Tenemos algunos consejos para nuestros clientes internacionales para que mantengan su entrada y salida de los buenos viejos Estados Unidos de América tan libre de problemas como sea posible.

Entrando a los Estados Unidos

Una vez en suelo estadounidense, tendrá que pasar por Aduanas de Estados Unidos, donde se le harán preguntas acerca de la finalidad y la duración de su estancia aquí, y también declarar los artículos que haya traído con usted. El propósito de estas preguntas es para determinar si usted es o no admisible en los Estados Unidos. Mientras que el cannabis es legal para la compra y el uso recreativo aquí en Colorado, por el gobierno federal aun es previsto como una sustancia controlada de la Lista 1.

Al admitir a un funcionario de aduanas cualquier uso anterior de la marihuana es motivo para ser considerado inadmisible en los Estados Unidos. Así que el decirles que el propósito de su viaje es consumir el cannabis no es recomendable.

Otra cosa a considerar es que es posible que tenga que presentar prueba de alojamiento durante su estancia. Al reservar sus vacaciones 420, infórmele a uno de nuestros agentes de viajes que usted necesita una prueba de alojamiento que no tenga marca de nosotros. Estaremos encantados de proporcionarle documentos que no mencionan el cannabis, 420 servicios amigables y alojamiento.

Es legal que un agente de aduanas revise su teléfono y ordenador sin una orden judicial. Elimine sus imágenes y bloquee el teléfono con una contraseña. También asegúrese de que usted no tenga mensajes de medios sociales visible para el público.

Mientras que está aquí.

Mantenga su pasaporte con usted en todo momento. Para entrar en un dispensario y realizar una compra, se requiere un documento de identidad válido. Si usted no es un ciudadano de Estados Unidos, se recomienda que usted lleve su pasaporte con usted en todo momento. No se preocupe, los dispensarios no registran ni almacenan su información, simplemente comprobaran su identificación para asegurarse de que es legal venderle a usted y el MED (Marijuana Enforcement Division / División de la Implementación de la Marihuana) requiere sólo que acepten ciertas formas de identificación válidas emitidas por el gobierno. Para los visitantes de fuera del país, este requisito pasa a ser su pasaporte.

¿No es la honestidad es la mejor política?

No. Bueno, depende. En este caso, probablemente no. Los agentes de aduanas están autorizados a usar su discreción, pero si usted es considerado inadmisible el proceso para obtener una exoneración es largo, difícil y costoso. Permanezca tranquilo, educado y casual, y no ofrezca información. Responda con cuidado sólo a lo que se le pide, y no admita el haber usado o de tener cualquier implicación con el Cannabis, bajo ninguna circunstancia.

Ya sea que se consume legalmente o no, esta contradicción en el estado frente a la ley federal significa que una admisión por un extranjero de haber consumido cannabis se considera una admisión de haber cometido un delito de sustancias controladas en los ojos de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de los Estados Unidos.

Resumen

La política actual está siendo desafiada, pero la ley de inmigración es notoriamente lenta y difícil de cambiar.

Canadá está presionando a Estados Unidos a revisar la política actual de impedir la entrada a los Estados Unidos, ya que es probable que vayan a permitir la marihuana recreativa en todo el país. Mientras que nuestras leyes están tratando de ponerse en marcha, lo mejor es evitar problemas en primer lugar.

Dealing With US Customs and Border Patrol

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In recent years, Colorado has become the new frontier and leader in legal recreational Marijuana and with that has also become an increasingly more attractive a destination not only for Cannabis enthusiasts, but also for travelers that are simply seeking to experience an emerging culture that is unique to our world. While most of our guests are US citizens, we have seen an increase in foreign nationals from around the world. We have some advice for our international guests on dealing with US Customs and Border Patrol in order to keep your entry and exit from the good ol’ US of A as hassle free as possible.

Entering the US

Once on US soil, you’ll need to go through US Customs, where you will be asked questions about the purpose and length of your stay here, and also to declare any items you may have brought with you. The purpose of these questions is to determine whether or not you are admissible to the United States. While Cannabis is legal for recreational purchase and use here in Colorado, federally it’s still scheduled as a schedule 1 controlled substance.

Admitting to a customs officer any prior use of marijuana is grounds to be deemed inadmissible to the US. So telling them that the purpose of your trip is to consume cannabis is not recommended.

Another thing to consider is that you may also need to present proof of lodging during your stay. When booking your 420 vacation, let one of our travel agents know that you need non-branded proof of accommodation from us. We will be happy to provide you with documents that do not mention cannabis, 420-friendly services and lodging.

It is legal for a customs agent to search your phone and computer without a warrant. Delete your pictures and lock your phone with a passcode. Also make sure that you do not make social media posts viewable to the public.

While you’re here

To enter a dispensary and make a purchase, a valid ID is required. If you are not a US citizen, it is recommended for you to carry your passport with you at all times. Don’t worry, dispensaries do not record or store your information, they simply check your ID to make sure it is legal to sell to you and the MED (Marijuana Enforcement Division) requires them to only accept certain government issued forms of valid ID. For visitors from outside the country, this requirement just so happens to be your passport.

Isn’t honesty the best policy?

No. Well, it depends. In this instance, probably not.  Customs agents are allowed to use their discretion, but if you are deemed inadmissible the process to get a waiver is lengthy, difficult and expensive. Stay quiet, polite and casual, and do not volunteer information. Carefully respond only to what you are being asked, and do not admit to ever using or having any involvement in Cannabis, under any circumstances.

Whether it was consumed legally or not, this contradiction in state vs federal law means that an admission by a citizen or foreigner of having consumed cannabis is considered an admission to committing a controlled substance offense in the eyes of United States Customs and Border Patrol.

Summary

The current policy is being challenged, but immigration law is notoriously slow and difficult to change.

Canada is pressing US to review current the policy to bar entry to the US, because they are likely going to allow recreational pot nationwide. While our laws are playing catch-up, it’s best to avoid trouble in the first place.

 

Can I Use My Credit Card to Buy Weed?

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The short answer is, No. Since credit card companies like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover et. al., primarily offer their cards through partnerships with federally regulated national banks, credit card transactions involving the sale of cannabis fall under the US Controlled Substances Act. Under this act, cannabis has been listed as a Schedule I drug, prohibiting both its prescription and sale, alongside many illegal narcotics since 1970. This classification was intended to be provisional until research could prove cannabis does not cause “severe psychological or physical dependence.” Despite decades of repeated petitions to reschedule cannabis, including a 1972 report by the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse favoring decriminalization of the plant, today cannabis remains classified a federally prohibited drug.

While practices involving the sale of cannabis remain illegal at the federal level, the Obama administration recently loosened federal enforcement; largely allowing the current 25 US states which have medical marijuana laws–including 4 states and the nation’s capital which have legalized cannabis use for anyone over age 21–to govern themselves with regards to the growth, processing and sale of cannabis products.

You may find dispensaries accepting credit cards. These dispensaries–and oftentimes the merchant service providers that process their transactions–are operating using one of several loopholes, all federally illegal. These loopholes typically include falsifying critical banking information not sanctioned by major credit card providers or national banks. Using the loopholes can result in the blacklisting of retailers. Blacklisted businesses could lose access to banking and merchant services indefinitely, and can remain blacklisted long-after future regulations loosen cannabis banking restrictions.

In legal recreational states–Colorado, Oregon, Alaska and Washington–state level cannabis banking laws are a hot topic. Currently, cannabis businesses in these states pay state sales taxes upwards of 25% of their gross revenue. In most instances, cannabis businesses are forced to transport these payment in cash, either directly to their state department of revenue or to vulnerable banks and credit unions where cash is deposited in exchange for checking and savings accounts. Operating in a legal grey-area, these banks and credit unions often mandate excessive maintenance fees to mitigate risk.

This year, Oregon passed House Bill 4094 which removes criminal liability for banks and credit unions located within the state who wish to maintain cannabis business accounts. While the state voted to support cannabis banking, most banks and credit unions remain federally regulated – so the bill is mostly symbolic. Yet, Oregon lawmakers see it as a step in the right direction: as states signal their support of the cannabis industry, federal lawmakers could soon follow suit.

Will It Ever Change?

As long as cannabis remains Schedule I, federal banking laws pertaining to cannabis remain difficult to amend. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), administer drug scheduling under the Controlled Substances Act, deciding on the classification, addition and removal of drugs from the schedule list as they see fit. Just this August, in a widely anticipated DEA review of cannabis’s schedule status, the DEA rejected calls to reschedule, delaying the possibility of loosening federal cannabis banking regulations.

With less bureaucracy, states are generally more nimble than the federal government…and states are acting swiftly on cannabis law-making. Four additional states will vote this November on legalizing recreational cannabis. But the fact remains: until either the DEA reschedules cannabis or the federal government enacts new laws regulating the sale and production of the cannabis plant, federal regulations limit the cannabis banking industry, including the use of credit cards. For now, plan on using cash to purchase cannabis from dispensaries.

Marijuana Edibles, A Guide

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Your Guide to Marijuana Edibles

Marijuana edibles are an easy starting point for a lot of newcomers to the cannabis game. You don’t have to roll it, you don’t have to carb it and you don’t have to dab it. But you should know a little about cannabis and edibles before you start chomping down on every magic muffin or special brownie.

Before we begin the history lesson, a disclaimer: We do not promote the use of cannabis by those under the age of 21+ without a medical card. If you consume cannabis outside of a state or district where it is legal, you are doing something illegal. Your call, not ours.

Historical Mention and Today

In his article for The Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, the relied upon publication of psychiatry in Brazil, Dr. Antonio Zuardi details the ancient use of cannabis by Indian and Chinese cultures most notably. Accepted and used for its psychoactive properties, its medicinal properties and for its strength as a textile, cannabis was a part of life. It was even freely used to aid to meditation by Buddhists.

Today, cannabis is more widely accepted than it has been since prohibition of the plant began in the 30’s, but it is a far cry from being widely accepted. And it is certainly not recognized as a legitimate medical treatment by the nation’s governing bodies. It is accepted by many medical professionals however, including Cheif Medical Correspondent for CNN, Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Gupta most recently wrote a piece for CNN entitled, “DEA’s missed opportunity on medical marijuana” in which he notes,

“The road to medical marijuana research is paved with surprises and hypocrisy nearly everywhere you look. While the DEA continues to dig in on Schedule I status, deeming no medical benefit, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services simultaneously holds a patent on cannabinoids for a wide range of medicinal purposes.”

At this point, cannabis is fully legal for use by adults 21+ in three states, Colorado, Washington and Oregon, as well as in the District of Columbia. Cannabis has been voted as legally medically viable, in 43 of the 50 states according to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). 16 of those 43 are CBD specific only, but one could argue that is a step in the right direction.

How Does Cannabis Become Infused With Food?

There are several ways to incorporate cannabis into foodstuffs. Some people use sticks and stems for budget friendly cooking material, some use only the finest herb for some high quality confections and others use straight concentrates in order to more accurately dose portions.

So how does THC dissolve into butter or oil? I’m not scientist and I’m not going to pretend to be one today. Instead, I turned to TheNug.Com for a little science lesson,

“Coconut oil has the highest saturated fat content of all oils, and most scientists agree that THC binds to saturated fats…Some swear by using olive oil in edibles, it is highest in unsaturated fat and has the second-lowest content of saturated fat (vegetable oil has the lowest).

THC is non-polar, so it binds best with non-polar solvents. Some scientists say that the effectiveness of the solvent isn’t determined by the molecule’s saturation, but instead by the size of the fatty acid chain. By this logic, olive oil would be the best choice because of its large Oleic Acid chain.”

Did you get that? Basically, a large fatty acid chain is ideal when considered what substance you’re going to infuse with cannabis. I like fatty acid chains and I can not lie.

How Is It Absorbed Into My Body And What Are The Effects?

When cannabis is smoked or vaporized it is inhaled into and absorbed by the lungs. Your lungs are lined with these little guys called “alveoli” that help in this process. It only takes only seconds for your lungs to do their job, absorbing the cannabis smoke (or vapor) and passing it along to the bloodstream and then to the brain. Seconds.

However, edibles are different because they go through your stomach and liver to be processed. The stomach does not not absorb the THC in cannabis nearly as quickly as the lungs do and because of this, the time it takes an edible to actually set in can often be a gamble. The effects vary from person to person, with some even reporting no discernable effect whatsoever. Remember to “Start Low and Go Slow.” Begin with a 5-10 milligram serving and give yourself a good 2 hours before deciding whether or not to take more.

Don’t forget, the effects of cannabis tend to last longer when consuming an edible versus smoking a joint or using a vaporizer.

The Legal Stuff

Of course the only legal edible is one made and consumed in a state where it is legal for either an adults 21 and older or by a licensed medical patient. If you buy an edible in Colorado and take it out of Colorado – you now are in possession of an illegal edible. Good chance you could get arrested for this if you’re caught, depending on where you are caught.

Much of the reason people are uptight about cannabis infused desserts and food items in general boils down to the age old credo, “What About The Children?”

Colorado edibles makers are finding out just what this October as new laws regarding their products spring into action. On October 1, 2016, all edibles being produced in Colorado must be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a required “THC” symbol. But is this a necessary precaution that will keep infused products out of the hands and mouths of kids under 21 or is it a case of overregulation of the cannabis industry?

Closing and Further Reading – Cookbooks, Websites, Videos

For more information on making your own cannabutter or cannaoil we recommend this video on the Westword and this video on The Cannabist. Also check out this brownie recipe for a quick way to use your cannabis infused butter or oil. Finally, take a peek at The Cannabis Kitchen Cookbook by Robyn Griggs Lawrence if you’re able. It is filled with easy to difficult recipes for the home chef to learn to incorporate marijuana into your diet. Bon Apetit!

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