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Madame Munchie

 

Macarons

• 20mg THC per artisanal macaron
• Single box or variety 5 box (100mg)
• Available in 5 gourmet flavors: Citrus à l’amande Macaron (housemade almond butter and orange zest), Green Gold Macaron (pistachio butter and honey), Hazelnut Mocha Macaron (chocolate ganache, espresso and housemade hazelnut butter), PB&J Macaron (housemade peanut butter and organic grape jelly), and Tropical Jungle Macaron (chocolate ganache with fresh banana puree
• $6-$8 (single) & $23-$30 (variety)

 

La Vida Verde

 

Chocolate Chip Medi-Roons

• Indica and Sativa
• 30mg THC each
• 120mg THC (4 per bag) & 240mg THC (8 per bag)
• Vegan
• Gluten-free
• Organic
• Non-GMO
• $12-$15 (120mg) & $26-$30 (240mg)

 

Brownie Medi-Roons

• Indica and Sativa
• 30mg THC each
• “120mg THC (4 per bag) & 240mg THC (8 per bag)
• Vegan
• Gluten-free
• Organic
• Non-GMO
• $12-$15 (120mg) & $26-$30 (240mg)

 

Lemon Pie Medi-Roons

• Indica and Sativa
• 30mg THC each
• 120mg THC (4 per bag) & 240mg THC (8 per bag)
• Vegan
• Gluten-free
• Organic
• Non-GMO
• $12-$15 (120mg) & $26-$30 (240mg)\

 

CBD Brownie Medi-Roon

• 30mg THC & 30mg CBD (1:1 ratio)
• 3 per bag (10mg THC & 10mg CBD each)
• Vegan
• Gluten-free
• Organic
• Non-GMO
• $12-$22

 

CBD Lemon Pie Medi-Roon

• 30mg THC & 30mg CBD (1:1 ratio)
• 3 per bag (10mg THC & 10mg CBD each)
• Vegan
• Gluten-free
• Organic
• Non-GMO
• $12-$22

 

Medi-Roon Singles

      

• 100mg THC
• Indica or sativa
• Available in Brownie, Lemon Pie, and Raspberry Vanilla
• Organic
• Gluten-free
• No refined sugars
• $10-$12

 

Utopia Farms

 

THC Macaroons

• 200mg THC
• 4 per pack (50mg each)
• Available in Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Raspberry, and Vanilla
• Vegan
• Kosher
• Paleo
• Non-GMO
• Gluten-free
• $20-$25

 

CBD Macaroons

• 60mg CBD & 60mg THC (1:1 ratio)
• 4 per pack (15mg CBD & 15mg THC each)
• Available in Chocolate and Vanilla
• Vegan
• Kosher
• Paleo
• Non-GMO
• Gluten-free
• $18-$22

 

Cannabis Gyms & Athletic Events

 

Power Plant Fitness

The world’s first cannabis-friendly gym is opening soon, right in San Francisco’s Mission District. Power Plant Fitness will allow gym members to consume cannabis before and during workouts. But their mission in the Mission District goes far beyond cannabis, hoping to enlighten athletes to the benefits of combining health, wellness, and fitness.

 

Power Plant Fitness is co-owned by Jim McAlpine and NFL running back/Heisman winner Ricky Williams, an outspoken advocate for cannabis who was repeatedly suspended from the NFL for failing drug tests due to cannabis use.

 

Cannabis Yoga

Regularly practicing yoga provides some pretty great health benefits, including increased flexibility, toned muscles, and improved cardiovascular health. It’s an ideal way to exercise when you need a good stretch or meditation.

 

Yoga’s quiet, relaxed feel makes it a perfect match for cannabis, which is why cannabis yoga classes are becoming so popular. From ganja yoga meet up groups in the Bay Area to classes such as Higher Self Yoga in the Los Angeles area, there are more of these opportunities popping up by the day. 

 

The 420 Games

Jim McAlpine, co-owner of Power Plant Fitness, also created The 420 Games as a way of showing the world that all cannabis users aren’t lazy and unmotivated, but quite the opposite.

 

The games combine athletic events like 4.20-mile fun runs and yoga with family-friendly music, educational talks, stand up comedy, and cannabis industry exhibitors. These events happen throughout the year in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Denver, and Portland. Check out their site for more details.

 

 

Best Strains for Athletes

 

Harlequin

Harlequin is a 75% sativa-dominant hybrid that’ll give a very mellow high. Even though it’s more of a sativa, Harley’s high CBD content counteracts much of the psychoactivity that comes with THC. Harlequin is known for its subtle relaxation, allowing you to stay active but not anxious. Perfect to try before hitting the weights; you’ll more easily relax, focus on form, and continue rep after rep without much.

 

Bruce Banner

This sativa dominant strain has a high THC content that hits hard on the front end; you’ll feel its heady and energizing effects almost immediately. But this nuanced strain packs a second punch.

 

After the initial high hits, you’ll move into a more focused, mellow high. This makes Bruce Banner a perfect pre-workout strain. Get a gust of energetic high to get you started, then end your workout with a focused high that’ll keep you pain-free. Bonus tip: this is also a great strain to get you in the creative spirit.

 

Lemon Haze

Just the right amount of Lemon Haze is like a caffeine boost without the terrible jitters, making this sativa dominant flower such a popular daytime option. Its cerebral high focus you in on your work out, but be aware: this strain is potent. If you’re mixing Lemon Haze and athletics for the first time, be sure to go slow.

 

ACDC

Another sativa dominant hybrid, ACDC contains high CBD and low THC, so it’s very popular with medical marijuana patients. Because of its nearly 19% CBD content and 20:1 CBD to THC ratio, the strain produces little to no psychoactive effects, ideal for treating chronic pain, anxiety, inflammation, and more. A great option for unwinding after a tough, aching workout. Smoke or vape (recommended) a little in or after an Epsom salt bath for a more relaxing recovery.

 

Cannabis Fitness Products

 

House of Jane Energy Capsules

     

This Cali cannabis company recently released a line of hemp-derived CBD energy supplements, including capsules, drinks and powders. Hemp CBD (great for pain management and lowering anxiety), eight amino acids, and B12 are combined to provide all-day energy without the jitters or crash.

 

Use their capsules before a workout to provide a boost of energy, focus, and performance. Try their CBD/B-12 Energy blend in capsule or powder form, ranging from $5.95 for a single powder pack to $39 for a 30-day capsule supply. Also available in Arizona, Nevada, and Washington state.

 

Golden Leaf Sports Rub

Say goodbye to Icy Hot patches and hello to Golden Leaf Sports Rub! The $15 rub is a great post-workout pain reliever, perfect for dissolving tension and inflammation. It’s made from a combo of cannabis, helichrysum, peppermint, clove, wintergreen, white camphor, cocoa butter, shea butter, frankincense, and myrrh—all natural coolers and soothers. Simply apply this therapeutic ointment on the affected area(s) then rub in circular motions.

 

CannAthlete Activation Spray

This incognito mint mouth spray is the perfect pre-workout option as it makes microdosing just enough (1mg of THC per spray) easy and accurate. The creators of this spray encourage just one dose before exercising to keep your mood elevated without feeling high, so a single $20 bottle will last 150 doses—a great bargain!

 

Dixie Elixir Cinnamon & Vanilla Synergy Dew Drops

These tinctures are great during or after a workout. Dixie’s Dew Drops have a 1:1 THC and CBD ratio, resulting in a mild high while effectively treating anxiety, pain, inflammation. Put one dose under your tongue for a focused and relaxed work out with a flavorful kick. A 100mg bottle typically costs around $35. 

 

Hmbldt Relief Dose Pen

This vape pen has a 2:1 THC-to-CBD ratio, perfect for a mellow high. Plus every puff is precise and consistent, so you won’t have to worry about getting too high before a workout. Their CBD-rich formula makes it a great pain relieving and anti-inflammatory option. The only downside to these pens is the price point, with a 200 dose pen (500mg) costing around $100.

 

While there’s still a lot of science to uncover about cannabis and athletic performance, many athletes have expressed their success in using cannabis as both a pain management medicine and performance enhancer.

 

If you’ve ever wanted to try mixing cannabis into your workout routine, these events and products are a great place to start! Questions about a product? Chat live with Nugg’s Cannabis Concierge who can listen to your needs and help you decide which cannabis products are best for you! 

 

Kaneh Co.

Caramel Cheesecake Bar

• Blondie batter and graham cracker swirled with cheesecake, topped with caramel cream cheese frosting
• Available in 100mg & 250mg THC
• $8-$10 (100mg) & $12-$15 (250mg)

 

Lemon Bar

• Sugar cookie crust and lemon filling, topped with vanilla icing and lemon zest
• Available in 100mg & 250mg THC
• $8-$10 (100mg) & $12-$15 (250mg)

 

Cinnamon Bun Blondie

• Baked with cinnamon and walnuts, topped cinnamon cream cheese frosting and walnut chunks
• Available in 100mg & 250mg THC
• $8-$10 (100mg) & $12-$15 (250mg)

 

PB&J Blondie

• Baked with peanut butter and raspberry jam, topped with peanut butter frosting and chips
• Available in 100mg & 250mg THC
• $8-$10 (100mg) & $12-$15 (250mg)

 

Salted Toffee Blondie

• Mixed with toffee chips and sea salt, topped with dark chocolate ganache and toffee sprinkles
• Available in 100mg & 250mg THC
• $8-$10 (100mg) & $12-$15 (250mg)

 

Korova

 

Salted Caramel Blondie

• Vanilla, sea salt, and caramel with crumbled pretzels
• Hybrid cannabis
• 500mg THC & 6mg CBD
• 10 doses (50mg each)
• $25-$30

 

Sloth Bars

 

Lemon Bar

• Lemon, vanilla, topped with a lemon glaze and powdered sugar
• Available in 100mg & 200mg THC
• 2 servings
• Made with solvent-free 96% THC oil
• $12-$15 (100mg) & $16-$20 (200mg)

 

Sloth Bar

• Toffee, caramel and brown sugar, topped with pecans and a chocolate glaze
• Available in 200mg & 420mg THC
• 2 servings
• Made with solvent-free 96% THC oil
• $16-$20 (200mg) & $30-$36 (420mg)

 

Business & Investing

 

CannaInsider Podcast

Matthew Kind shares his business consulting experience hosting the CannaInsider Podcast. His webcast features interviews with cannabis industry leaders and entrepreneurs to keep up with the latest technology and trends.

 

Based in Colorado, Matthew releases an episode every Sunday, so you can remain inspired by these disruptors making waves in cannabis. Subscribe on iTunes, Google Play, and Stitcher to listen to their show, which runs anywhere from half an hour to an hour.

 

Cannabis Economy

Hosted by Seth Adler, the Cannabis Economy covers the history of legal cannabis by talking to the people who  have helped pushed the industry forward.

 

He has 20 years of experience as an event moderator for international events and shows, but now podcasting. Every Monday and Friday (no specific time), special guests discuss how they’ve managed to turn their startup cannabusiness into a success amidst all of  the legal hurdles surrounding cannabis manufacturing.

 

Seth brings together the greatest business minds and legal activists who’ll inspire you to pursue your dream to become a part of the ever-evolving weed industry. Subscribe on iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon MP3 to stay up-to-date with his thirty minute to hour-long episodes.

 

Cannabis Business Minds

Business strategy expert Simone Cimiluca-Radzins and executive management guru Kristen Yoder distill complex industry information into easily digestible topics on Cannabis Business Minds.

 

Simone runs Kalogia, an online community that connects cannabis professionals and has experience providing public accounting services for Fortune 500 companies. Kristen is the founder of Cannabis Industry Adviser Group that helps cannabis businesses get into the industry.

 

This interview-based podcast gives insight into how marijuana professionals think. Cannabis Business Minds releases new podcasts every week or so; subscribe on iTunes to get their half hour to hour long podcasts straight to your phone. If you’re looking to develop a strong, strategic, and successful business team, this podcast will give you insight into raising capital, retail strategies, and how to scale your business.

 

Investing in Cannabis

Hosted by Brandon David, this podcast gives you a rare glimpse into the lives of the leading cannabis investors driving the industry forward. Brandon has a background in mentoring companies in a business accelerator program. He wanted to apply his business acumen to the exciting and expanding cannabis industry.

 

From from five minute interviews to over hour-long discussions with marijuana money people, Investing in Cannabis provides invaluable business information every other Tuesday. Head on over to iTunes to subscribe and get your fresh perspective on the business.

 

Health & Wellness

 

If you use cannabis for health reasons, Cannabis Health Radio has got you covered in the latest happenings of the science and medical community. Hosted by radio talk show veteran Ian Jessop and cannabis oil-proponent Corrie Yelland, you’ll get half hour interviews every couple of days on iTunes with people who’ve directly benefited from treating their illnesses with cannabis products.

 

Whether you have cancer, seizures, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, inflammation, chronic migraines, or any ailment, Cannabis Health Radio can guide you through the often confusing world of medicinal marijuana and help you properly use it to improve your life.

 

Medical Marijuana Radio

Former New Mexico dispensary owner and cannabis advocate L.S. Love hosts the weekly Medical Marijuana Radio Show Saturday nights at 7 pm (MST).

 

Although you can’t listen to audio versions in your car, you can stream through Ustream to hear Love talk about the news, interviews, and everything that’s going on in the world of medical marijuana. Love doesn’t restrict himself to the medical aspect of cannabis and branches of into business, news, and lifestyle topics, as well.

 

High on Healthy

Audrey Kreger is a health coach and owner of a nutrition and wellness center in Phoenix, Arizona who loves to inform patients on how to optimize their health. Let her be your personal guru on the cannabis’ beneficial medicinal aspects by listening to her podcast, High on Healthy.

 

Audrey talks to patients that have used cannabis to treat their symptoms so you can learn how to treat your Alzheimer’s, autism, chronic pain, or whatever ails you. Subscribe on iTunes and catch an episode every week or more while on your way to work. Episode run-times stays within the thirty minute mark.

 

Concierge for Better Living with Doctor Rob

Dr. Rob Streisfeld knows how cannabis affects the body. He’s an expert at optimizing health and lifestyle habits to remove those aches, pains, and worries that lower our quality of life.

 

The doc also doubles as a chef, so he understands how food and cannabis effect your body; he takes a holistic approach to talking about illnesses and the people who’re improving patients’ mmj use. Download and subscribe to Concierge For Better Living on iTunes or Stitcher to get his half hour podcasts on your phone every week or so.

 

Culture & Lifestyle

 

The Weed Show

The Weed Show, hosted by comedian, actor, and overall renaissance man, Chris Iacono, is a weekly podcast that delivers hilarious news commentary, expert interviews, comedy sketches, strain reviews, and giveaways.

 

With an extensive background hosting comedy radio shows and doing stand-up, Chris Iacono caters humorous musing to the cannabis community. Subscribe on iTunes to get his latest episodes that run between 20 and 30 minutes.

 

Getting Doug With High

Your favorite stoner comedian, Doug Benson, hosts Getting High With Doug, a side-splitting video and audio podcast every week or two at exactly 4:20. Subscribe on Youtube to be notified about when the live show air. If you don’t mind missing it live, download it on iTunes.

 

Doug Benson, of “Super High Me” fame, delivers recurring funny, informative, and intriguing pot-centric segments such as “High History,” “Pot Topics,” and “Pot Quiz Hop Shot,” along with celebrities, comedians, athletes, and anyone willing to get super high from an assortment of cannabis products. Give yourself about 45 minutes to an hour to sit back, light up a joint, and listen to comedy gold.

 

GrowCast

Jordan River, a cannabis cultivating enthusiast, covers everything surrounding marijuana cultivation, growing techniques, and the culture beyond being a grower in GrowCast. This cannabis talk show releases new content about twice a month so make sure you subscribe on iTunes to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes (run-time: between 30 and 45 minutes); or listen anytime via Soundcloud.

 

Hempresent

Activist, musician, and cannabis podcaster, Vivian McPeak, hosts Hempresent. Vivian interviews 420-friendly guests about the latest in marijuana developments. Hempresent is a vibrant mix of news, interview, and lifestyle themes that’s often funny, passionate, and informative. Subscribe on iTunes and get alerted to new thirty minute shows that come out every week or two.

 

News & Politics

 

The Marijuana Agenda

Host Russ Belville has a great deal of podcasting experience hosting NORML’s Daily Audio Stash and plenty of cannabis publication bylines.

 

With a larger-than-life personality and a undying passion to make a change in the marijuana industry, Russ brings you The Marijuana Agenda, daily 30-minute podcasts full of news, analysis, statistics, interviews, and so much more. With more than 3,000 podcasts hours under his belt, he’s a master and leading the conversation into insightful territory and keeping you up-to-date with marijuana news.

 

The Cannabist Show

The Cannabist Show hosts Jake Browne and Janae Burris take listeners on a guided tour of the cannabis industry with interviews with marijuana experts, industry movers and shakers, and people who’ve improved their lives with cannabis. Browne is a comedian, writer, “pot critic,” and co-founder of The Grow-Off and HempBox; Janae Burris is another Denver comedian and writer.

 

Shows are released every Friday and range from thirty minutes to an hour, making this a binge-worthy podcast for the cannabis lover who needs to be up-to-date with the latest happenings in the scene. Subscribe on iTunes, Pocket Cast, Stitcher, and anywhere else you can find podcasts.

 

Marijuana Today

Host Kris Lotlikar (entrepreneur, former lawmaker, and activist) shares his wisdom and covers the latest in the cannabis biz on Marijuana Today. Every week you’ll get an hour dose of experts weighing in on the marijuana industry, legislation, and how marijuana entrepreneurs are operating their businesses in this current uncertain climate.

 

There’s also a daily podcast (via their website) offering headline news hosted by Shea Gunther, a environmental writer and media entrepreneur.

 

Dopefiend

Pitched as “the web’s favourite cannabis podcast,” the Dopefiend brings you new episodes every first Monday of the month. Based in the U.K., host the Dopefiend dives right into news topics and any cutting-edge technology in the marijuana community, domestic and abroad.

 

Get your fix of interviews, product reviews, and comedy bits to make news just a bit more interesting. Give yourself an hour to listen to these podcasts episodes all the way through.

 

Of course, there are plenty more cannabis podcasts that cater to every cannabis user, grower, health care practitioner, lawmaker, activist, and everyone in between. Give these podcasts a chance; support the fight to remove the stigma from marijuana and hear how it helps improve your life and those of others.

 

Mirth Provisions Drift Spray

 

 

Ever wish you could get the effects of a vape pen without having to puff on one? That’s exactly what Mirth Provisions set out to do with their product, Drift, which looks like your everyday Binaca breath spray.

 

Keep it in your pocket or purse and use it throughout the day without anyone thinking twice about the contents. The spray nozzle was expertly crafted to dose precise and repeatable sprays of 1.6mg THC every time, so you never have to worry about getting too stoned.

 

Drift comes in four different flavors: sativa Wind River Mint, hybrid Cinnamon Springs, indica Lost Creek Lemon, and CBD North Coast Cranberry. A 100mg bottle costs about $45.

 

Mondo Cannabis Powder

 

 

This is one of my favorite new products. Mondo is a low-calorie, fast-acting cannabis health powder made with the workplace in mind. Just dissolve one dose (a scoop) in your beverage (water, milk, smoothie) for a functional, upbeat high.

 

Derived from Blue Dream, known for its euphoric creativity and productivity, the strain is grown by a single source organic farmer, pesticides and chemical free.

 

What else is in this miracle product? Nothing but all-natural goodness including organic coconut oil, organic cacao butter, and non-GMO Maltodextrin. Get a 200mg THC jar for around $40.

 

Prana Capsules

 

 

Prana is focused on legitimizing medical cannabis, creating products for those looking to try cannabis to treat their medical condition(s), but, like more these days, don’t want to smoke or vape.

 

These bio nutrient capsules are perfect for those who prefer their cannabis in pill form.

 

Prana makes four distinct capsules, each formulated to target a specific group of ailments by regulating your body’s endocannabinoid system: THC:THCa, 3:1 CBD, 1:1 CBD, CBD:CBN, and CBD:CBDa. They cover a wide range of medical issues including pain, arthritis, seizures, inflammation, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and insomnia.

 

Most of their capsules come in activated or non-activated THC (great for the workday if you’re more sensitive to THC’s psychoactive effects). One package of Prana capsules will cost you a hefty $80-$100, but worth it if these help you lead a productive day.

 

Beboe Cannabis Pastilles

 

 

These tasty little pastilles will keep you feeling good all day long. Beboe prides itself on being a high end cannabis brand; with that, comes some pretty amazing packaging.

 

Your officemates will never suspect that this beautifully designed candy tin is actually edible mmj unless they really looked closely. Each pastille is made with 5mg of sativa blend THC, 3mg of CBD, and a natural accelerant for fast absorption (an hour or less). The small dose of cold water hash cannabis will give you a perfect high to get you through the day.

 

A 25-piece tin of Beboe Cannabis Pastilles will cost about $25. Just $1 per dose is a great bargain for this high end product.

 

Scents-O-Mia Salves

 

 

Do you suffer from aching muscle or joints? Your back and shoulders hurt after confined to sitting at your desk for hours? This salve is perfect for relief during the work day.

 

Available in classic “Comfort” and “Cocoa,” Scent-O-Mia is a herbal and cannabis infused topical made with a blend of lemongrass-infused salve, coconut oil, beeswax, olive oil, cannabis oil, vitamin E, arnica, calendula, comfrey, eucalyptus, lavender, and camphor oils. These ingredients make it smell amazing and give the same soothing effect as non-cannabis menthol rubs.

 

As soon as your fingers cramp or your back starts aching, rub a bit of this fast-acting salve directly to the affected area. You can get both versions for $30.

 

Kin Slips

 

 

Kin Slips are an incredibly innovative and discreet sublingual cannabis product that looks a little like Listerine breath strips; just slip a strip under your tongue and wait 10-15 minutes for it to take hold. According to the company, sublinguals are superior to edibles because their onset takes less time and their effects aren’t distorted by stomach acids.

 

Kin Slips come in three different flavors, along with artfully detailed packaging, each formulated for a different high.

 

Nice Dream is an indica formula that provides intense relaxation with a watermelon-basil flavor. If you’re looking for a CBD-based option, try the mango-tumeric flavored Park Life. Made from terpenes found in CBD strains, this is ideal for a mellow high with little to no psychoactive effects. Want a more upbeat, refreshing high to sub out for your afternoon coffee? Try Cloud Buster, made with sativa strains and flavored with a hint of tarragon and citrus.

 

Choose between a variety of dosages including microdose (20 per pack with 5mg THC per slip), standard (10  per pack with 10mg THC per slip), or extra strength (10 slips per pack with 20mg per slip). A pack of Kin Slips run between $20-$35, depending on the dose.

 

Pure Ratios Topicals Patches

 

 

This is the most discreet product on the list. Pure Ratio’s 40mg topical patches dose cannabis right into the bloodstream, with a quick onset. There are no chemicals or additives, setting them apart from other cannabis transdermal patches on the market, to ensure you don’t only absorb the proper medication.

 

Choose the formula best suited for you from a wide variety of options, including 1:1, 4:1, and 18:1 CBD:THC ratios; as well as a pure CBD hemp oil option. Pure Ratios claim their patches can last up to 96 hours, making $20 per patch very reasonable.

 

Unfortunately, your medical ailments go to work with you. But there’s good news–with these incognito cannabis products, so can your medicine.  

 

Citywide Pot Bans Are Highly Restrictive

 

 

Almost immediately after California voters approved Proposition 64’s recreational cannabis use, many city councils passed moratoriums on the sale of recreational cannabis.

 

One SoCal city with a strict anti-pot history is Poway. This small, rural town in unincorporated San Diego County recently banned all cannabis dispensaries by a unanimous vote, citing safety concerns.

 

Like many others, this specific ban prohibits all marijuana storefront dispensaries, collectives, cooperatives, cultivation, delivery, manufacturing, and storage of any type of cannabis. Even worse, outdoor growing is banned. Luckily, this ordinance does not prevent citizens from using medical cannabis at home. So Poway mmj patients will still be able to grow up to six plants per person in their homes.

 

But other cities aren’t as forgiving. Those that attempt to restrict cannabis production are seeing a backlash, as in the case of the City of Fontana in San Bernardino County against the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

 

The ACLU filed a suit against Fontana which, “adopted an ordinance designed to make it virtually impossible for Fontana residents to enjoy the rights conferred on them by [Proposition 64].” Fontana enacted these purposefully restricting regulations to keep their residents safe, according to mayor Acquanetta Warren.

 

The city currently bans all cannabis dispensaries, making it extremely hard for qualified residents to get the medication they need. If you want to start growing cannabis in Fontana, you’ll need to apply for a $400 permit. If that wasn’t bad enough, the city also requires growers to pay for a warrantless search of their homes and prohibits people with criminal records from growing. 

 

Essentially, Fontana became the poster town for prohibitionist-type laws clearly designed to make it hard for people to grow cannabis and get well.

 

The High Cost of Cannabis Restrictions

 

 

By denying marijuana businesses from establishing themselves, city council members prevent the people who need it the most from obtaining their medicine in the name of protecting the town.

 

Not only are local elected officials making it extremely difficult for medicinal patients to obtain their mmj products, but they’re also sabotaging their local economy’s growth.

 

Thriving economies in other pot hot spots should’ve at least piqued the interest of elected officials, but financial incentive wasn’t enough to dispel their misguided fear of creating an impractical framework for cannabis business to thrive in their town—with resulting consequences.

 

Black Market

When storefronts are banned, there’s no competition for black market operations. The cannabis demand is so high that there’ll always be a distributor wherever needed for the right price. Black market dispensaries may provide residents with cannabis, but who knows if their products are even quality, clean, or even real cannabis.

 

Sickness

Without regulation, mmj products run the risk of being mislabeled or not labeled at all, preventing users from determining an accurate, consistent dosage for their illness. Inaccurate or lack of product info and lab testing also make it easier for first-timers to take too much and swear off cannabis altogether.

Without local testing facilities, growing sites and proper regulations, mmj patients may ironically resort to risking their health by buying from dispensaries that don’t test their products. When these places aren’t testing for pesticides or mold, the city dumps the burden of quality control on the patients buying from these black market operations.

 

Home Growing

It’s well-known that inhaling pesticides and mold can cause respiratory damage or worse. Often mmj patients aren’t sure how to identify mold because cannabis education isn’t as mainstream or prevalent as it should be. Banning pot and casting it to the shadows only prevents us from truly understanding it and using it wisely.

 

Another problem when you restrict mmj users to growing their own weed? They aren’t aren’t naturally adept at growing organic cannabis, nor do they have the resources to do so. Growing indoors requires time, specialized knowledge and equipment that can be quite costly.

 

Inaccurate & Twisted Information

When city council members like those in Poway cite driving accidents and overall crime rises in legal mmj states, they’re willfully cherry-picking points to support their argument. 

 

Multiple studies cite that cannabis has negligible effects when it comes to accidents on the road. Yet there’s no significant link between cannabis use in mmj states and increase accidents. The fear of increased accidents and the city going to hell is simply alarmist rhetoric that does more harm than good when protecting elected officials’ constituency.

 

The demand for cannabis is too high, making it a haven for pot producers, legal and not. This large request for cannabis makes it nearly impossible to enforce without proper regulations.

 

Law enforcement won’t be able to close shops as quickly as they want; in the time it takes to close one illegal dispensary, another, or the same one, pops up elsewhere. This waste of tax dollars continues in the name of protecting its residents, when in actuality these laws do a disservice to residents, not just mmj patients, who’d benefit from legalization.

 

What If You Live in an Anti-Pot City?

 

 

With all these restrictive laws, you can still easily receive a medical marijuana recommendation from a licensed physician. An online telemedicine service like NuggMD makes it very easy to obtain your cannabis rec and/or card by answering a few simple questions about your health history.

 

Then with your rec you can order products via Nugg’s cannabis delivery. California’s mmj laws allow a less than an ounce of cannabis in a closed container for personal use to travel freely on public roads. Essentially, delivery services bypass these strict dispensary laws, bringing cannabis to patients in cities that have enacted dispensary bans.

 

Last Note

 

City-wide medical marijuana bans are nothing to fear. Even if you’re unable to visit a local dispensary due to restrictive local laws, delivery services in surrounding communities or within your own community are a discreet and safe way to get your medical cannabis products delivered right to you without city officials knocking at your door.

 

Live in a banned city like Poway or Fontana? Let your voice be heard; contact your local officials, telling them your history and how cannabis, medical or recreational, has improved your life. 

 

What’s Vaping?

 

Vaping is the process of heating marijuana flower or extracts to a temperature hot enough to cause it to vaporize but, and this is important, without burning it. Water vaporizes at 212 °F, so most agree that vaping between 350 and 400°F  is best for cannabis.

 

Why Prefer Vaping?

 

Health benefits, numerous choices, and convenience make vaping much more appealing than smoking; and with both tabletop and portable solutions like disposable pens, they can be enjoyed from anywhere.

 

Smoke of any kind, including marijuana, contains harmful toxins. This study looks at the toxins in marijuana smoke and compares them to that of cigarettes. Though it’s never caused a fatality, the study found marijuana smoke had nearly 20 times higher levels of ammonia than tobacco.

 

Vaping avoids these unwanted toxins entirely, resulting in increased respiratory function among former smokers, according to a study by the Harm Reduction Journal in 2007.

 

What Are Vape Pens?

 

 

Vape pens are cannabis devices designed much like e-cigarettes, making them generally small, thin and discreet. They can cost as little as $15 or as much as $200 and require maintenance like recharging the battery and refilling the cartridge.

 

As is the case with all vape pens, there’s a light that indicates when a dosage is complete. Many have a button that must be pushed while inhaling in order to activate the heat source.

 

Most of the pens that require maintenance are also interchangeable. There are five main parts to a vape pen; in order from bottom to top: battery, button, tank/cartridge, atomizer (heat source), and mouthpiece.  The majority of pens made now follow an industry standard known as 510 threading, which allows you to interchange almost any cartridge onto any battery.

 

If you’re thinking of experimenting with vaping before you buy a potentially expensive pen that you’re unsure how to maintain, let alone if you’ll like it or not, consider disposable vape pens. These pre-loaded devices require no maintenance, cost less, and can be thrown away when empty.

 

Disposable Vape Pens

 

Disposable vapes are to vape pens what training wheels are to bicycles. They’re available at most dispensaries and cost around $15-20. Coming in a variety of brands and strain specific flavors, disposable vape pens don’t have rechargeable batteries so you don’t have to worry about a dead battery unless all of the extract is also gone—in which case, you’d just throw it away.

 

With disposable vape pens, there’s often no button required to activate the heat source. Just inhale and wait for the light to indicate a complete dose. So rather than being the dumb friend who tries to inhale without the button, you’ll be the dumb friend who doesn’t inhale at all because you can’t find the button in the first place. It’s okay, we’ve all been there.

 

Factors to Look for When Buying Disposable Vape Pens

 

While there are several brands and flavors to choose from, finding the right one(s) can be overwhelming; so we’ve made it easier. Here are a few simple things you can do to optimize your vaping experience.

 

• Ask how many hits a new pen gets. Each pen should get you no less than 100 hits, upwards of 200. Depending on whether it’s filled with wax or oil, the measurement can vary so make sure to ask how many doses the amount equates to.

 

• Test the pen before you leave the shop. Even if you have to unpack it and it takes an extra minute of your day, you don’t want to leave the shop with a bad pen. Dispensary refund policies are rare.

 

• Choose a brand that has your favorite strain(s). Several companies make specific pens derived from popular strains. If Sour Diesel is what you’d normally smoke, you won’t have trouble finding a disposable with SD.

 

• Do your research. Spend some time on message boards, do google searches, and ask friends and/or family which disposable vape pens they like most.

 

Brands to Check Out

 

There are seemingly countless brands making disposable vape pens and there’ll be plenty more to come. It’s really a matter of which brands your dispensary carries and how specific your tastes are. Most vape pens behave as expected, but occasionally some have issues getting a full dose from a weak battery, faulty heat source or damaged cartridge.

 

We encourage you to try all the brands until you find the one (if any) that’s right for you; but to speed up that process, here are a few reputable ones.

 

FlavRx

Sleek, smooth and silver with the signature logo, the FlavRx pen is a great one to start with because it comes in several of the most popular strains and the pull is smooth. Plus, it’s so discreet it can fit right in the palm of your hand. This pen’s good for about 150 hits and every hit tastes just as good as the first. Flavored to taste like the flower strain, FlavRx makes for a great transition for the marijuana purists wary of artificially flavored vapes. Get one for $20-$25.

 

Evoxe

If you’re looking for a CBD product, Evoxe is a good place to start. Moderately priced at $40-$50, Evoxe uses oils made of cannabis as well as other natural herbs to include aromatherapy in crafting your vaping experience. With a small selection of products designed to both calm you down and amp you up, Evoxe is a great value for those interested in testing out vaping. Each type comes in a different color and is about the size of two stacked Chapsticks.

 

Spliffin

If you’re like me and you prefer sativas, Spliffin Quattro may be a good place to begin. This particular pen only offers six strains (three indicas and three sativas), though the sativas are the more popular: Super Lemon Haze, Tangie and Jack Herrer. Spliffin vape pens hold less in the tank than other brands but, between that and the limited strains, it’s reflected in the price—costing around $15. All their pens look the same, regardless of the flavor: skinny, pearl gold, and just over palm-sized with logo printed along the bottom.

 

hmbldt

Costing closer to $100, the innovative hmbldt vape pen was voted a “Top 25 Invention of 2016” by Time Magazine. Rather than dividing their product by strain, hmbldt pens are designed to stimulate different areas of the mind and body to improve sleep, increase blissfulness, provide pain relief, and even activate arousal. A cool feature? Rather than a light to indicate a full dose, there’s a gentle vibration. These pens are shaped like the old-school, five-in-one colored pens: small, white with a colored band around it changes between pastel colors based on the flavor.

 

Wildflower

Marked by its logo, a squared-off marijuana leaf that looks like a modified asterisks, Wildflower pens are top notch. Offering both CBD and THC options, both promising 150 doses, these disposables are a solid value at $55 for CBD and $60 for THC. Wildflower pens come in one of six flavors: four CBD and two THC. With a smooth hit, color variation between flavors and a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee, Wildflower is definitely a great way to get the toes wet before diving into the deep end of vaping.  

 

Whereas our ancestors smoked out of pipes, our children will vape. It’s cleaner for the body and the environment, involves less preparation than packing a bowl or grinding down flower, and typically no larger than an ink pen.

 

There’s still an underground feel to vape pen usage as the technology behind it hasn’t yet gained common sense status. We highly recommend that you explore this space and find the vape pen, disposable or refillable, that’s right for you.