It seems perfectly pertinent on this St. Patrick’s day – as millions of Americans are already in the process of shirking all adult responsibility and becoming intolerably drunk – to point out the significant differences in today’s choice of recreationally available substances. More than 135 million (52.1%) of American’s over age 12 reported that they drink alcohol. Now don’t get me wrong, I love a good Craft Lager or Double Chocolate Stout as much as the next full blooded Irishman. However I have, in my short time on earth, seen friends with serious drinking... Read More

For regular cannabis users, there’s nothing worse than building up a tolerance to cannabis, and specifically tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Tolerance means smoking or vaping more to enjoy the same level of high, which inevitably leads to higher costs. While it would be a step too far to call it a waste of weed, there are certainly more efficient ways to make use of your bud. Some choose to make edibles, as tolerances to inhaling and eating cannabis differ. Others decide to go cold turkey to bring their tolerance down – but for those who smoke daily, this can seem easier than it is.   However,... Read More

(Photo: a field of wild hemp) For the second part of this series about cannabis and sustainability, I think it is important to take a look at the value of hemp in the realm of industrial materials. Everyone has perhaps seen a ball of hemp rope made into a macramé necklace, but more and more frequently we are seeing hemp clothing, paper products, and even shelled hemp seeds at health food stores. The health benefits of cannabis and hemp have been known for thousands of years, despite a long period of misconception and cultural suppression. But even more than the health nut stuff, the textile value... Read More

The question I hear most at my job is something along the lines of, “I mean, do you really like your job?” And, it usually comes from a woman between 60 and 80 years old who is wearing bedazzled jeans and refuses to even smell the flower we have on display. After I was asked this several times, I took a moment to really think about my truthful answer. I work over 40 hours a week, with little to no breaks throughout my day. I deal with complaints about ridiculous things and at least once a weeks someone calls me a b*%$# for not accepting their drivers license with void punched into it.... Read More

Do you want to be a better budtender? Then go to Amsterdam (the the world reopens and they welcome Americans again). Working in the industry in America with knowledge of the old world is priceless and it can be a good way to reconnect with cannabis if you are a long-time budtender. After a time, so much weed goes through your hands that it can start to become just another commodity. It is easy to get in a rut, and it is easy to forget how much you love this plant when you find yourself cranking it out daily at work. Visiting the city can provide a memorable and immersive learning experience that... Read More

The art of being a budtender is making customers feel comfortable and excited about purchasing cannabis. There are many elements that dispensaries provide to make these emotions happen: flowering house plants, relaxing music, local artwork, a shop dog, and much more. The one element that is out of the dispensary’s hands is how customers interact with their staff and the other patrons. With emotions flying, I can understand how you can get carried away or find yourself in your own world. Whether it’s your first time or you are a veteran shopper, consider the following elements that you bring... Read More

Everyone knows April 20th as the stoner holiday. 4/20 will probably always be known in America as the day that marijuana die-hards skip work or class and conglomerate to roast as much herb as humanly possible. Sure, it’s great to get out and support a cause that has been revolutionizing not only our state but also the nation. It’s wonderful to get together with friends and tons of new people you may have never met, united by giant joints and new fangled smoking contraptions the world has yet to see. But amidst the general sense of revelry that looms on the near horizon, I would love to tell... Read More

I, like all other people, have my opinions on political and social arguments. Same sex marriage, a woman’s right to choose, fracking. Most of these things, I chose to vote on when the time comes, leaving my personal opinion out of conversations at work, The Pearl Street Pub, and the dinner table. However, the one topic I will speak for, anytime, anywhere, at any dinner table is the importance of growing and producing organic food. Purple Peppers,  Gala Apples, and Palisade Peaches. Pesticide free and grown with love. These are all things we hunt for at the farmers market every year, waiting... Read More

It can be hard to keep up with all the changes in cannabis, and the complexity of the plant sometimes makes it difficult to understand – there’s a lot more to cannabis than we first thought when it emerged into popular culture back in the 1960s. Indeed, while the world has always had knowledge of the medicinal properties of cannabis going back thousands of years, it’s only in recent decades that we’ve become aware of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), and how these and other cannabinoids work within the body to produce the effects they do. In this post, we’ll look at... Read More

High five to you, Colorado! So many wonderful things have happened in our first year of recreational cannabis sales. By the time April 20th, 2014 rolled up, our state had collected over $10,000,000 in taxes from recreational cannabis sales. Crime rates have gone down and there is a whole new job market which has exceeded the number of law enforcement officers–statewide. Sorry, Nebraska and Oklahoma, I think we’re here to stay. I’m sure you’re all familiar with the dusty town of Lyons. With their 25 mile per hour speed zones and classically cow painted dairy bar, how could... Read More

This post I’d like to take some time to highlight a few products currently available on the recreational market that I personally endorse and use. With the amount of products ready for purchase out in this relatively new market, often it is hard to distinguish which products are worth the asking price, particularly when it comes to things like vaporizers and hash oil pens. In this blog I will do my best to provide a relatively unbiased account of products that I both love and despise, and the reasons why. So lets dive right in. (Photo: Volcano non-portable Vape) 1) Vaporizers Non-portable Being... Read More

If you’re looking for a product that is pure and full of flavour, it’s hard to do any better than rosin. With no use of solvents, rosin is clean and versatile and offers plenty of versatility for dabbing. Rosin is one of the hottest new ways to enjoy a richer experience, but it can take a little more work to get the pure product. Skimp on any of the steps and you won’t end up with the depth of flavour and strength that rosin is renowned for. This is where a rosin press comes in, helping to process the raw product and producing rosin which can be used. Here’s a closer look at the rosin... Read More

While recreational marijuana has been legal in several states for a few years already, the traffic laws regarding the usage limit while driving are still somewhat blurry. The main problem is that it is still currently unknown what level of THC in the system significantly interferes with one’s ability to drive. There are ways to detect the presence of marijuana in the driver’s system such as sobriety tests that are also used to detect alcohol presence, but without clear guidelines on determining impairment, the decision is left solely to the officer’s judgment. Unlike drunk driving, driving... Read More

The Indo Expo is returning to Denver next weekend, where the cannabis industry’s premier trade show first started almost six years ago. Since then, they’ve expanded their show presentation to include San Francisco, California and Portland, Oregon; but Denver, Colorado is where it all began. This year, there will be 350+ exhibitors, showcasing hundreds of companies, brands, and product lines representing all areas of the cannabis industry. With an expectation of 10,000 attendees and a full lineup of educational seminars, workshops, and demonstrations, it can be a lot to navigate. This is why... Read More

People, this has been a rough couple of months. It was bitter, it was convoluted, it was stressful, and it certainly did not end on a great note. In light of that, let’s take a moment to look at some things that actually DID go well last Tuesday: You can smoke weed in a lot more states now. Recreational marijuana is now legal in California, Nevada, and Massachusetts. Medical marijuana is also now legal in Florida, Arkansas, and North Dakota. The passage of these ballot measures means it’s legal to purchase, possess, and consume that Mary Jane, but this privilege is accompanied by establishing... Read More

(A picture of BHO “shatter”) In the constantly changing cannabis market, often it is difficult to keep up with new trends and changes in how the plant can be consumed. One cannabis niche that has existed for many years yet does not receive a lot of positive attention is concentrates. Most people think of Butane Hash Oil and how every few weeks we see a news story about some young people blowing up their rental home trying to make this stuff. But the reality is, when the proper scientific techniques and equipment are used, there is very little potential for the dangerous explosions the... Read More

One little known fact about hemp and cannabis is that the absolute best medicinal aspects come from derivatives of the raw plant. Much like the wheat-grass trend that swept America in the 90’s, juicing and drinking raw cannabis or hemp can provide a long list of vitamins and important cannabinoids to support immune system function. It’s no scientific secret that plants and seeds of all varieties support life and the overall functioning of healthy cells.   The problem with the American diet is the absolutely vast number of chemicals and synthetics used to make our food look, smell or taste... Read More

Photo Credit: Pharmaceuticals.wonderhowto.com Now I realize in advance that this post may shake the tree of those firmly nested in their political views, but this is a topic that is gaining increasing attention and rightfully so. Having grown up for 24 years in one of the most heavily military influenced states in the US, I feel like I have a decent insight into the issues affecting not only soldiers, but also the places they call home. Some of the best strains I have ever smoked supposedly came back from overseas smuggled as seeds in the pockets of Navy seals, though no one would ever admit... Read More

So the big joke is, everyone might be getting a refund check because of the high excise tax on Marijuana in Colorado this past fiscal year. Whether or not we’ll ever see this money remains to be seen. One thing we can see, is that the old picture of weed, guns, and tons of cash is slowly being replaced by a picture of weed, W2’s, and still tons of cash.                                                                                   But before we get to the good stuff, I’d like to introduce myself and let you know why I’m a trustworthy... Read More

As each new year arrives, I try not to hold my resolutions to high standards. Let’s face it, a “New Year’s resolution” rarely lasts more than 10 days. So, as 2015 rolled in, my goal for the following 365 days would be to show more gratitude for the things that I have access to each day. A warm bed. Being able to feed Snacks and Meatball, my two cats. Clean water. And, lastly, legal cannabis. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job in the cannabis industry. However, I can’t tell you how often I hear deep sighs of disappointment and patrons complaining. I mean, come... Read More