As the author of Cannabis for Chronic Pain, Boulder-based Dr. Rav Ivker is among the country’s best-known and most respected advocates on behalf of medical marijuana. But he’s wary about weed consumption in a number of circumstances, warns that pot addiction is real, and is so against the consumption of powerful concentrates that he supports banning them.
The National Association of Cannabis Businesses’ draft guidelines to establish a country-wide advertising standard for the marijuana industry was the subject of a months-long comment period and is expected to be finalized this summer. Doug Fischer, chief legal officer for the NACB, believes such a criterion is needed as soon as possible, even though cannabis remains illegal on a federal level.
Although most of us think of marijuana as just a plant, it’s actually sold in many different varieties, including flower and extracted concentrates for smoking or vaping, edibles, drinks, lotions and a myriad of other infused products.
Summer in Denver is lovely — not too hot and not too humid — but we can still have bad days. An extended period of high temperatures with no rain or cloud coverage might force those of us with no air conditioning out of the house; fortunately, Denver is surrounded by beautiful parks and trails.
What a difference four years makes. In 2014, Oklahoma and Nebraska were suing Colorado in federal court for this state’s decision to legalize recreational marijuana, but now the Sooner State is starting to catch up to Colorado’s affinity for the plant — and in some cases, even surpass it.
The cannabis qualities that we’ve grown to love don’t always make a good first impression. The skunky smells and earthy flavors of Diesels and Kushes take time to understand, much less covet. And I have yet to appreciate one popular characteristic of “good” weed: sticky buds. Anyone who’s ever rolled a joint, let alone trimmed a harvest, knows how sticky pot can get (don’t even think about rubbing your hands around your eyes afterward), so a strain called Citrus Sap sounded like too much for my fingers to bear.
Using cannabis isn’t considered much of an environmental danger, but there are still ways we can improve consumption as legalization becomes more mainstream. As reports of illegal cannabis grows in national parks harming the environment and the legal industry’s thirst for renewable energy continue to surface, it’s becoming clear that both consumers and cannabis-industry reps will have to push together for better environmental stoner habits.
Dear Stoner: What kind of cannabis works best for sleeping — CBD or THC? Do edibles or oils work better than smoking? Trying to find a cheap route here.
Diane
Former NFL running back Reuben Droughns spent eight years avoiding tackles from some of the strongest, meanest men in sports. But on Saturday, June 25, hits were exactly what he was looking for. “We are here to win,” he said to his teammates before playing kickball at the 4/20 Games. “And after that, smoke a couple joints!”
Trail Blazers is a series of portraits by photographer Maria Levitov spotlighting cannabis consumers from all walks of life.