Hemp foods and hemp snacks come with the benefits of cannabis without the high. Find out which hemp snacks taste the best, sober and stoned.

The post The best hemp snacks: sober vs. stoned appeared first on Leafly.

How To Stay Safe While Using Public Transportation Amid The Pandemic

Public transportation is very convenient, even if it’s become a complex issue due to the pandemic. Here’s how you can stay as safe as possible when using public transportation.

The post How To Stay Safe While Using Public Transportation Amid The Pandemic appeared first on The Fresh Toast.

The industry is thriving and jobs are out there. Here’s what you need to know before applying.

The post College students taking a COVID gap semester are turning to cannabis jobs appeared first on Leafly.

Even though Missouri’s medical marijuana program has yet to sell even one ounce of medical pot, the state has already managed to direct over $2 million in tax revenue to health programs for military veterans.

Last Friday, the state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) announced that it had transferred $2,135,510 in medical marijuana revenue to the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC). The MVC will use this cash to fund health services for veterans who have served time in the military. This is the first time that a US state has used legal weed revenue to fund a state veterans program. 

This funding is a key component of Missouri’s medical marijuana law, which was enacted by voters in 2018. This law requires the state to route all revenue from medical marijuana taxes and licensing fees to the state veterans commission, minus any expenses necessary to keep the program running. Medical cannabis businesses are not yet ready to serve the public, but the state expects that they will be able to open their doors by the end of the month.

“Facilities are getting up and running now, and the first testing laboratory is on track to be operational very soon,” said Lyndall Fraker, director of DHSS’s medical marijuana regulation division, in a statement. “We are confident that medical marijuana will become available for patients this month, and I am grateful for all the hard work by so many that got us to this point.”

As impressive as this initial $2 million in funding is, it is actually only a small fraction of the revenue that the state has already collected. By last December, the DHSS had already collected $19 million in licensing and applications fees, but the first priority of this revenue is to fund the administrative and regulatory costs necessary to keep the medical pot program running. By the end of last year, the state had already tallied over $3 million in administrative fees, and these costs have continued into 2020.

Legal fees have also eaten up a considerable chunk of change that would have otherwise gone to veterans. Missouri has had to spend nearly $1.3 million, or 7 percent of the total revenue they collected last year, defending themselves against lawsuits from medical cannabis applicants whose applications were denied. A total of 853 legal challenges were filed against the state, and 785 of these still remain unresolved.

State Rep. Peter Merideth (D) told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Missouri’s “arbitrary cap” on business licenses inspired many applicants who were denied licenses to sue the state. “There are businesses across our state ready to get off the ground, and government’s getting in the way and stopping them from doing it,” Merideth explained. “And instead of raising money for veterans, from this whole business development in our state, we’re spending that money to pay lawyers and fight to keep businesses from opening.”

But once stores finally do open their doors this fall, taxes will start streaming in. The state will take a 4 percent cut of all sales, and a portion of this revenue will be able to make its way to the veterans’ program.

Although dozens of research studies have found that medical cannabis can effectively treat PTSD, chronic pain, and other issues that many veterans suffer from, the federal government continues to block veterans’ access to medical pot. Missouri’s medical marijuana program may be slow to get off the ground, but the state has found a new way to use cannabis to help veterans.

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The longtime stance of Texas officials to keep a tight rein on weed appears to be evolving toward liberation. 

Last week, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller visited Compassionate Cultivation in Austin, one of the state’s three licensed cultivators of low-TCH cannabis for medicinal purposes. The Republican official then came out praising pot’s potential as a tool for healing.

“My purpose of coming today is to learn all I can about hemp, about THC, about medical marijuana,” Miller said. “I want to see what they’re doing out here, and how they’re able to help so many people.”

While at the facility, Miller met with a group of parents whose children use cannabis to treat autism and other medical conditions. That conversation apparently fired up the commissioner’s passion even further.

“I would certainly expand medical marijuana,” Miller said. “If it’ll help somebody, I’m for it. Whatever it is. I mean, a toothache, I don’t care. If it’s a cure, if it [alleviates] pain, we should be able to use that.”

Clarifying his stance, Miller added, “I’m not a recreational marijuana [advocate], but if someone has a condition that this chemical will help, they should be able to use it.”

Indeed, possessing and/or puffing pot for pleasure remains foolishly illegal in the home state of Willie Nelson, the Butthole Surfers, and Wiz Khalifa’s weed-themed restaurant, Hotbox by Wiz.

Texas’s “medical marijuana program” (if you can even call it that) remains one of the nation’s most stringent in terms of qualification requirements and product potency, with THC capped at no more than 0.5 percent.

Still, as noted, cracks are forming in the Lone Star State’s hardline stance on weed as of late.

After the USDA legalized growing and processing hemp in 2018, Texas followed suit the following year and issued its first cultivation licenses in 2020. During his facility tour, Miller announced that, to date, more than 5,000 acres of hemp have been planted in Texas by more than 1,000 licensed farmers.

State data released last week also reported that weed arrests in Texas have declined by 30 percent between 2018 and 2019. Prosecutions have even dropped by more than half in the wake of hemp’s approval, mostly because cops can’t visually tell the difference between weed and hemp.

Texas’ medical marijuana regulations have similarly lightened up. At first, doctors could only prescribe cannabis to patients with epilepsy. Last year, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill that expanded allowable conditions to include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, autism, multiple sclerosis, spasticity, and terminal cancer.

In 2019, the Texas House of Representatives voted 98-43 in favor of a proposal that would reduce the penalty for possession of an ounce or less to a $500 maximum fine and no jail time. Unfortunately, the measure has since been stalled in the Senate by Republicans who apparently refuse to abide by democracy.

Allowing Texans access to the weed they want has been a long time coming. A poll conducted back in 2017 found 83 percent of state residents supported cannabis policy reform, with 53 percent coming out for full legalization.

Here’s to hoping all Texas politicians follow and expand upon Commissioner Miller’s lead and, before voting on marijuana issues, they ask themselves: “What would Willie do?”

Like hot cheetos, Nintendo 64 and acrylic bongs, the Volcano vaporizer constitutes a highly nostalgic piece of our collective stoner history. With its distinct triangular base, plastic party bag of weed vapor, and (at the time) hefty price tag for a stoner gadget, the Volcano pioneered the desktop vaporizer throughout the 2000s. 

As a teen in the mid-late 2000s, many of my hazy memories involved giant Volcano bags of weed vapor being blown around the garage, TV room, or den of whoevers parents happened to be gone at the time. 

However fond, these memories were of an era that seemed bound to remain lost in the past, belonging to a much younger, and even more stoned version of myself. That is, until the 20th anniversary Gold Volcano Classic came waltzing into my life, reflating latent memories like the balloon I’m puffing on while writing this review. 

What is the Volcano vaporizer?

The Volcano Classic Gold Edition is a 20th anniversary reissue of the Volcano Classic, the most popular and iconic vaporizer of all time. 

The Volcano vaporizer is a flower vaporizing system. It has a volcano-shaped base that uses convection heat to fill a large plastic balloon bag with vapor. Just before the device is ready to hit, the set-up simulates a plume of smoke that spouts from a volcano before an eruption — hence the name. It was wildly popular in the early-mid 2000s, defining a transitional period in stoner culture just before the prospects of legality blew the lid off the gadget industry, burying the Volcano with high-tech competitors.  

In honor of the Volcano Classic’s 20th anniversary, Storz & Bickel, the Euro overlords behind the German-engineered device, are dusting off the cobwebs and reissuing the Volcano in a 24k gold finish. Conceptually, it feels like an exciting spin on a classic, a kind of trophy or award in its own image that highlights the Volcano’s legendary status in cannabis culture. 

This specific model will set you back $600, and is available for one year only, while supplies last. The Volcano Classic is available year round.  

What can you vape with the Volcano vaporizer?

The Volcano Classic is compatible with finely ground flower, and also contains a drip pad for use with concentrates.  

How do you use the Volcano vaporizer?

Now that you’re familiar with the Volcano vaporizer, how does it work?

Parts

• Volcano base (Hot air generator)
• Drip pad
• Normal screen set
• Valve balloon with mouthpiece 
• Filling chamber with cap 

Assembly 

1. Plug in the Volcano base. Make sure you put the Volcano on a sturdy, level surface near an outlet.
2. Choose temperature. Start with the dial somewhere between 5 and 6 (around 350°F). See “Changing Temperatures” for more info below.
3. Remove the filling chamber cap. Unscrew the top from the bottom.
4. Grind flower. Make sure the flower is ground completely so the hot air has as little surface area to vaporize when the air moves through as possible. 
5. Fill the chamber with ground flower, then screw on the filing chamber cap. Do not fill too tightly, it should be loose enough for air to pass through easily, not completely packed.

Operation

1. Preheat the flower if the control lamp is off.

• Flick on the red HEAT button, which will turn on the orange CONTROL light. 
• Attach the filling chamber to the top of the Volcano.
• Wait until the orange CONTROL light turns off, signaling it’s ready to go. 

2. Before putting the balloon on the filling chamber, pull it tight and straight, so air can easily flow in and fill the balloon. 
3. Remove mouthpiece from balloon, attach to top of base. 
4. Flip the green AIR switch. Bag will begin to fill. 
5. Stay conscious of vapor density in the balloon.

• It’s important that the balloon does not become too full of vapor, if it’s getting taught to the touch it’s time to stop filling.

6. Remove the full balloon unit. Never leave the filing chamber on the Volcano — beware, as this is a very hot surface. 
7. Attach mouthpiece to the valve on the balloon.
8. Inhale and pass.
9. Empty the balloon completely after use by pulling it tight and rolling to store.

Temperature control

The Volcano’s temperature control is operated by an easy valve that has 9 heat settings. It should be noted that heat temperatures for each setting varies by 10°F due to the convection air moving through the device. 

• 1 — 266°F
• 2 — 288°F
• 3 — 309°F
• 4 — 331°F 
• 5 — 352°F
• 6 — 374°F
• 7 — 396°F
• 8 — 417°F
• 9 — 439°F

The ideal temperature to vaporize ground flower is around 350°F, so begin by setting your dial to somewhere around 5 (352°F). For more terpene flavor and less vapor, turn the dial down. For more vapor — and a more intense high — turn it up (though this can scorch the flower). 

What’s the appeal?

The Gold reissue of the Volcano Classic reminds us why these flamboyant vaporizers were so popular in the first place. Aside from being extremely well made and effective in delivering one of the cleanest methods of cannabis intake, they are fun to use, and always a crowd-pleaser.  

Something about the presence of a Volcano is deeply comforting, stoking a nostalgic little flame in the depths of our unconscious. The performative aspect of the vaping process with one of these elevates a simple session to a kind of ritual, albeit a silly one. 

Though $600 is a bit of a monetary setback for some, other’s wouldn’t bat an eyelash at dropping a few hundred on a piece of stoner history. Like a fine bottle of wine or fancy champagne, the Gold Volcano Classic is something that you break out in a celebratory setting, or if you simply want to make an everyday hang feel festive. With this chic yet retro twist on a classic, you can’t go wrong. 

For more on the Volcano Classic Vaporizer Gold Edition, go to Vapor.com.

The post Everything you need to know about the Volcano Vaporizer Gold Edition appeared first on Weedmaps News.

6 Ways Cannabis Can Improve The Life Of Seniors

Cannabis has shown promise for relieving Alzheimer’s Disease, chronic pain, poor appetites, and other issues that affect seniors.

The post 6 Ways Cannabis Can Improve The Life Of Seniors appeared first on The Fresh Toast.

Is Enduring Justice For Medical Marijuana Coming Soon?

The cannabis industry has never been a favored industry by U.S. Attorney General William Barr.

The post Is Enduring Justice For Medical Marijuana Coming Soon? appeared first on The Fresh Toast.

Kendall Jenner Claims She’s A Stoner: ‘No One Knows That’

Kendall Jenner admitted to her marijuana habit after her sister Kourtney shared her secret on a recent podcast.

The post Kendall Jenner Claims She’s A Stoner: ‘No One Knows That’ appeared first on The Fresh Toast.

Study Says Long Term Cannabis Use Doesn’t Increase Pain Sensitivity

Medical marijuana has long been used for pain relief. A new study says that, unlike opioids, marijuana doesn’t increase patients’ pain sensitivity.

The post Study Says Long Term Cannabis Use Doesn’t Increase Pain Sensitivity appeared first on The Fresh Toast.