Category: Holidays and Events

Categories
Holidays and Events

The History of 420

The History of 420

For cannabis enthusiasts around the world, “420” holds a special significance as a symbol of camaraderie, celebration, and counterculture. It has become nearly synonymous with cannabis usable and cannabis culture and is the inspiration for industry’s largest holiday.

However, some may be unaware of the history of 420 and its place in the culture. So, in honor of our highest holiday, here is a brief history of 420.

Origins of 420

There are many stories and theories about where the term 420 came from. Some people claim that it’s a reference to a Bob Dylan song “Rainy Day Women No. 12 & 35”, with 12 times 35 equaling 420. Others say that it refers to an old police code for marijuana possession

However, one of the most enduring origin stories of 420 and the one that is most accepted as truth, traces back to a group of high school students in San Rafael, California, who called themselves the “Waldos.”

The story goes that in the early 1970s, the Waldos would meet at 4:20 pm after school to search for a supposedly abandoned cannabis crop that was rumored to be hidden in the nearby Point Reyes Peninsula. They used “420” as a code word to refer to their plans to meet and search for the elusive stash. 

Some version of the story say that was not search for a secret farm and that 4:20 pm was just the time that they could all get together and smoke

Regardless of the specifics of their meeting, the term “420” stuck among the Waldos and their friends, eventually spreading throughout the cannabis community.

The Spread of 420

As the phrase spread amongst the community at the Waldos school, it also began to spread to the cannabis community at large, in part because of the Grateful Dead. 

In an interview with TIME, one of the Waldos, Dave Reddix, talked about how his older brother got him a gig as a roadie with the Grateful Dead and so they began hanging out with the band and their groupies. Allegedly, that phrase began to catch on within Deadheads circles and eventually spread to other parts of the community.

The Grateful Dead have long been associated with cannabis and cannabis culture so it’s no surprise that this term spread through their circles to the larger cannabis community.

420 as we know it now

Over time, 420 evolved from a local code word into a global phenomenon celebrated by cannabis enthusiasts around the world. April 20th has become more than just a day to smoke a lot of weed, it’s become a day of cannabis activism, advocacy, and celebration, with events, festivals, and gatherings held in cities worldwide. 

From peaceful protests for cannabis legalization to music concerts and cannabis-themed parties, 420 has become a day to honor and appreciate cannabis in all its forms.

Beyond its association with cannabis, 420 has also become a symbol of unity and solidarity within the cannabis community. For many, 420 is not just a date on the calendar but a cultural movement that transcends borders and brings people together in the spirit of cannabis appreciation.

The history and culture of 420 are deeply intertwined with the rich tapestry of cannabis lore and legend. From its humble origins as a code among high school friends to its status as a global celebration of cannabis culture, 420 has left an indelible mark on the cannabis community. 

We at NatureMed are excited to be celebrating 420 right along with you. We have great deals, vendor visits, giveaways and a whole lot more. You can even get the chance to win free weed for a year! Check out our site for more details on all of our 420 celebrations.

See our online menu to see everything we have to offer and check our specials page to see all the ways you can save.

Categories
Holidays and Events

Infused Beverages for St. Patricks Day

#image_title

Infused Beverages for St. Patricks Day

St. Patricks Day is one of those holidays that is often associated with drinking and parties. It’s a great excuse to let loose and have a little fun. However, the morning after is usually less fun, especially if the holiday falls in the middle of the week and you need to go to work the next day.

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day without the hangover, then you might want to consider adding infused beverages to your plans. 

We’ve pulled together a couple infused beverages to elevate your celebration or ways that they can be added to what you’re already planning.

Infused Seltzers

If you’re looking for something easy, then you might want to consider an infused seltzer. They’re similar to a White Claw or a Truly in that they’re light and easy to drink. 

They usually come in a couple of different flavors so you have a variety of options to choose from. Here at NatureMed, we’re a big fan of High Tide. 

These 30mg 1:1:1 seltzers are a delicious edition to any party or celebration. (If you’re looking to stay on theme for St. Patrick’s Day, then might we suggest the Prickly Pear Lime).

Infused Mocktails

If you don’t mind putting in a couple more minutes of work, you can make yourself some really tasty mocktails. If you have a favorite mocktail recipe then you can easily add a couple of drops of cannabis tincture or replace one of the ingredients with an already infused juice or seltzer.

If you’re in the market for a new drink then we’ve got you covered

Cannabis-Infused Lemon and Lime Mocktail

Dissolvables

Dissolvables are another great option if you really want to be able to customize your drink. If you’re unfamiliar, dissolvables are packages of powder that you can mix into almost anything to give it a little cannabis kick.

Cannabis-Infused Mimosa Mocktail

This is great if you have a cocktail/mocktail recipe you really love but can’t find the right infused drink to mix it with. It also gives you a little bit more control over how strong you want your drinks to be.

For St. Patrick’s day, a great option could be some lime jell-o shots. The dissolvables will combine really well with the jell-o mix and give you the perfect addition to your party or a great way to pregame your night out.

However you want to celebrate this St. Paddy’s Day, NatureMed has your back for all of your cannabis needs.

Check out our online menu to see everything we have to offer and see our drink menu for all of our infused beverages. Check our specials page to see all the ways you can save.

Categories
Holidays and Events

Women and Their Contributions to the Cannabis Industry

Women and Their Contributions to the Cannabis Industry

The Cannabis industry in recent history has been dominated by and is often associated with men, but women have been involved in cannabis for as long as people have been cultivating and using it.

In fact, they are important to the industry right down to the plant itself. The cannabis plants that produce the flowers that are then harvested for consumption, are the female plants! Female plants also tend to produce more THC than male plants.

It is difficult to talk about the history of cannabis without talking about all of the women who have been involved in the industry since the start, from cultivation and distribution, to the fight for legalization. Women have been and will continue to be integral parts of the cannabis industry.

Why is it important to talk about Women in Cannabis

It’s important to continue to talk about women in the cannabis space because for a long time it has been a space that has catered mostly to men. 

Much of the research done on the effects of cannabis on the body has not included women. This means that there can be a larger disparity between the reported effects of a product and the actual effects that women feel when they use it. 

Additionally, there is an obvious gender gap when it comes to people in positions of power within the cannabis industry. Many brands, cultivations and dispensaries are owned by men which can make it harder for women to break into the industry. 

Similarly, as more states are legalizing cannabis, larger companies, some with outdated business practices, are moving into the industry and bringing those practices with them. This is causing even more of a gender gap within the industry.

Important Women in the Cannabis industry

Throughout the history of cannabis, there have been a lot of important female figures. These women helped to move us along that path to where we are now. 

Historical Figures

There have been a number of powerful female leaders and thinkers who have used or spoken about the positive effects of cannabis. One of the few documented female Pharaohs in Egypt, Pharaoh Hatshepsut, used hemp to help manage menstrual pain. 

In fact it was common enough to use hemp to help with menstrual pain as well as childbirth that there are medical texts from that time that detail those usages for the plant. 

Another ruler that reportedly used cannabis for a similar purpose was Queen Victoria of England. She not only used it to help ease menstrual cramps but also apparently used it to help combat morning sickness.

Margaret Mead

Bringing things up closer to modern times, Margaret Mead was an anthropologist and in 1969, she testified before Congress that marijuana should be legalized. She is quoted as saying “marijuana is not harmful unless it is taken in enormous and excessive amounts”. 

She also spoke about how she believed that outlawing cannabis would do more harm than good in America and how in other countries, it was very common to consume cannabis, both medicinally and recreationally. 

She faced a lot of backlash for her opinions but ultimately she helped to bring awareness to the cultural significance of cannabis and introduced the wider public to the idea that it was not inherently good or bad.

Mary Jane Rathburn

Also known as “Brownie Mary”, Mary Jane Rathburn was a strong advocate for medical marijuana in the 1960s. 

During the AIDS epidemic in the 1980’s, she would volunteer at San Francisco General Hospital and illegally offer AIDS patients cannabis brownies to help with their pain. This led to her being arrested multiple times.

She eventually would go on to help pass legislation in California allowing for the use of medical marijuana. She also helped to open the very first legal dispensary in the United States 

Because of all of the work that she did, she was often referred to as “Florence Nightingale of the medical marijuana movement”.

Allyn Howlett

Working as a biochemical neuropharmacologist in the late 1980’s, Allyn Howlett contributed to the discovery of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor in the endocannabinoid system. This discovery helped us to understand how cannabinoids interact with the receptors in our brain. 

It also brought a wider understanding to the public on how cannabis works and it reignited the conversation around medical marijuana, eventually leading to its legalization in California in 1996.

Women-Owned Brands

If you’re looking to support women in the Cannabis industry, a good way is to support women own-brands. We at NatureMed wanted to highlight two amazing woman-owned brands that we carry in store.

Kiva Confections

Back in 2010 Kristi Palmer along with her husband Scott began Kiva Confections out of the kitchen in their home. Over the past decade Kiva has grown into one of the largest and most successful edibles brands in the country. 

Image from Kiva Confections

They believe in making a quality product, stating “We believe that the principles of consistency, efficacy, and food safety are fundamental to creating a high-quality edible that you can always feel confident sharing with friends and family.”

Ladylike

The goal for the Ladylike team is to create a high quality product that’s made by women, for women. Leaning into traditionally feminine colors, packaging, and product names, Ladylike is carving a unique space for themselves in a traditionally male dominated industry.

Image from Ladylike

“We’re here to give women a safe space to learn, heal, and enjoy plant-based products. We’re also here to say goodbye to the stigma, shame, and fear around hemp derived product use for women.”

 

We at NatureMed are excited to be celebrating Women’s History Month along with all of the amazing women who have worked and continue to work to make the cannabis industry better every day!

Check out our online menu to see all that we have to offer as well as our specials page to see all the ways you can save!

Categories
Holidays and Events

A Spotlight on Black-Owned Brands

A Spotlight on Black-Owned Brands

As part of our celebration of Black History Month we not only want to talk about the black community’s contribution to the cannabis industry but we also want to highlight some of the Black Owned Brands that we carry here at NatureMed.

Learn More: The Intersection of Cannabis and Black History

Not only was black culture instrumental in shaping the framework of the cannabis industry but members of the Black Community have been involved with and working with Cannabis since it came to America.

From the first cultivation of cannabis in this country, to it’s popularization during the jazz era, to the more recent legacy cultivation and market – as the industry and the culture changed and evolved, members of the Black Community were right there on the forefront.

Therefore it’s no surprise that some of our favorite brands are Black-owned.

We would like to showcase those brands for you and give you a little insight into their products, their processes and their goals.

Tree Junkee

The first brand that we want to highlight is Tree Junkee! Tree Junkee specializes in flower and has their own cultivation facility right here in Arizona. 

Tree Junkee prides themselves on their unique, hand-picked strains and their ability to produce a high-quality product through “giving care and compassion to the product throughout its growing process”

And with great flower and strains like Strawnana and Koala Cookies you’re bound to find something that you like over at Tree Junkee.

Hello! Live Resin

The next brand we would like to showcase is Hello! Live Resin! They specialize in high quality live resin disposables. Hello! Live Resin works hard to ensure that they are only cultivating premium cannabis and genetics to create their products.

After harvesting their cannabis plants are flash frozen, preserving the terpenes and cannabinoids. This allows them to create their high quality products. 

Hello! Live Resin “strives to provide cannabis enthusiasts with products that offer a superior entourage effect [and] are committed to delivering a holistic and elevated cannabis experience.” 

 

Here at NatureMed we are proud to carry these amazing black-owned brands. If you’re looking for some black owned businesses to support this month then we hope that you take some of our suggestions!

You can check out the rest of our menu to see what else we have to offer and if you’re looking to save, check out our specials page.

Categories
Holidays and Events

A Valentine Guide for the Cannabis Lover

A Valentine Guide for the Cannabis Lover

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and if you’re looking for ideas on how to show the weed lover in your life that you care, then you’ve come to the right place! We have collected some gift/date ideas that can help you incorporate cannabis into your special day.

Accessories 

If you’re looking for something to gift your partner then you may want to consider getting them some new smoking accessories. 

Take a look at what they have now, is there something that needs to be replaced? Are there pieces that could use an upgrade? Is there something they use a lot? Consider making that a part of their gift. It’ll show that you’re paying attention and are attuned to their needs. 

You can go with something bigger like a new bong, rolling tray, etc. or something smaller to add to a gift, like a new lighter or grinder. 

If you have the time and the means, you can even take the opportunity to get some of their new accessories customized for your partner just to give it that little extra personal touch.

Infused Mocktail

Making you and your partner specialty drinks is a Valentine’s Day staple and you can pretty easily add cannabis to your favorite recipe to give that little something extra. 

Making an Infused Mocktail is actually pretty simple and doesn’t require a lot of mixology skills. Simply find a mocktail recipe you like and after it’s all mixed together add a little bit of THC or CBD tincture. If you don’t want to use tinctures you can instead get an already infused beverage like a seltzer and add that to your mocktail recipe.

Cocktails

Please remember to be mindful of the dosages on the cannabis products that you’re using. Tincture in particular can have a high THC content so just be aware of how much you’re using in drink.

Infused Dinner 

You can take the idea of an infused mocktail and take it a step further and do a whole infused dinner. This will likely end up taking significantly more prep than the drinks but if you have the time and the ability, it will definitely be worth it. 

There are a number of ways that you can cook with cannabis and you can use any or all of them in your cooking. You can make or purchase products like cannabutter or cannabis oil to add to whatever dish you’re making. 

You can also add things like tinctures or dissolvables to your ingredients if you want a little more flexibility with your recipe.

Additionally, if you don’t want to do that cooking yourself, you can go out to an infused dinner, a quick google search can show you what events are happening in your area. 

There are even companies that you can hire that will send a chef to your house and cook an infused meal for you. Those can be on the pricier side but the cost might be worth it for a special occasion.

Bath Products

There is nothing more relaxing and romantic to some than a nice, long bubble bath. Whether it’s a solo bath to give your partner some alone time or it’s something for you to enjoy together, you can always add a cannabis element to it. 

You can find things like bath bombs and bath salts that are infused with CBD that will make a great addition to any Valentine’s Day bath. While it won’t get you high in the way that THC products will, it can be very relaxing and the perfect addition to a bath.

Bath Products

Learn More: A Starter Guide to Topicals, Bath Products

Chocolate or Candy

Your partner’s favorite chocolate or candy has long been a staple in any Valentine’s Day celebration so why not give them something with a little something extra in it. 

Cannabis infused chocolate and candy have become much more popular in the last few years and they make the perfect gift for your sweetheart.

You want to do a little something extra, you can melt the chocolate down and make chocolate covered strawberries, pretzels, or really anything else you would like. You can also take that melted chocolate and put it into a shaped mold to give the treat a little extra personal touch.

Flower(s)

You can’t go wrong with flowers on Valentine’s Day but no one said what kind of flowers you had to get. In our opinion, a jar or bag of flower is just as good as a bouquet, maybe even better. 

Valentine’s Day is the day to really go all out. Try that one strain you’ve been hearing about but haven’t had the chance to smoke. Get that high end brand that you only save for special occasions. Make sure that your Valentine’s High is the best that you can get!

Bouquet of Flower

No matter what you’re planning on doing this February 14th, if it’s cannabis related then NatureMed’s got you covered. Stop by soon and pick up everything you’re going to need for the big day.

check out our online menu to see everything we have to offer and check our specials page to see the ways you can save.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us here at NatureMed.

Categories
Holidays and Events

The Intersection of Cannabis and Black History

The Intersection of Cannabis and Black History

Black History Month is recognized every year as a way to acknowledge the struggle that black Americans have had to endure and to celebrate their vibrant and diverse culture. Cannabis and the cannabis industry in America has long been intertwined with black culture and black history. 

So in honor of Black History Month we want to recognize the vital contributions that the black community has made to the cannabis industry and all of the ways that black culture has influenced cannabis culture.

Cannabis’ Journey to America

It’s thought that cannabis cultivation originated in eastern Asia, but through travel and trade it began to spread to other parts of the world as well.

By the 1600’s, when we were starting to see the rise of European colonialism, cannabis cultivation was happening in various cultures across the globe, one of which being India. 

We see it travel from India to the Caribbean as Europeans brought indentured servants from there to Jamaica. Cannabis was then integrated into culture there before it finally ended up on American shores by way of Caribbean workers and immigrants coming to the US in the early 1800’s.

Cannabis and Jazz Music

We not only see the Caribbean influence in the black community’s adoption of cannabis but we also have it to thank for the birth of one of America’s first homegrown art forms, jazz music. Therefore it’s no surprise that the usage of cannabis and jazz are historically intertwined. 

Many famous jazz musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, and Ella Fitzgerald created music that featured cannabis and likely used it themselves. In fact, the use of cannabis was very popular in the prohibition-era jazz clubs

This connection between cannabis and jazz, a historically black dominated genre, helped to cement marijuana as part of black culture. 

Reefer Madness and the Criminalization of Cannabis

Up until the early 1900’s, there were no restrictions on the cultivation and usage of cannabis. However, in 1930 the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) was created and began using propaganda based in racism, to demonize marijuana and its users. 

With its connections to the predominantly black jazz scene, as well as, the growing Mexican immigrant community in America, the FBN was able to cast cannabis as a dangerous drug that made people violent and unstable. 

The final nail in the coffin was the release of the propaganda film “Reefer Madness” in 1936 that depicted the use of cannabis as causing violent and “immoral” behavior. About a year later the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 was passed, which effectively outlawed the possession or sale of cannabis.

This all set the stage perfectly for Nixon’s War on Drugs and the Controlled Substances Act which further demonized cannabis users and outlawed cannabis entirely, classifying cannabis as a Schedule I substance (meaning it’s highly addictive, with no medical uses). 

The War on Drugs disproportionately affected people of color, with black communities seeing a significant portion of the damage that it caused. 

It was later confirmed in a 1994 interview with a member of the Nixon administration, that the criminalization of cannabis was a tactic used to target the black community, which they considered to be a political adversary. 

However, by that point, the damage had been done. The demonization of cannabis was inextricably linked to the black community and policies like mandatory sentencing made sure that they were disproportionately punished.

Legalization Efforts and the Fight for Equity

Despite the rather imposing opposition, there are people both within the cannabis community and outside of it that are fighting to legalize marijuana, as well as, repair a broken system that is built on racism and bigotry.

There are a number of organizations that are advocating that the legalization of cannabis include measures to remove things like mandatory sentencing and and even reduce the sentences of drug possession for non-violent offenders. 

As we work toward a better system and more just laws, it’s important to remember that many of these efforts have been led by members of the black community and to erase their involvement is to erase most of the history and culture of cannabis in the United States.

 

We at NatureMed are proud and excited to be celebrating and commemorating Black History Month! If you’re looking to support some Black-Owned Cannabis brands, might we suggest Tree Junkee or Hello! Live Resin. 

If you’re looking to get involved in legalization or criminal justice reform efforts, you may want to check out organizations like NORML or the Last Prisoner Project which have information on how you can help both locally and nationally!

Categories
Holidays and Events

The Cannabis Gift Guide

A Gift Guide for the Cannabis Connoisseur

The holidays are right around the corner and it’s officially go-time on gift buying. If you’re still scratching your head, trying to figure out what to get the Cannabis aficionado in your life, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a little list to help get you started! 

Smoking Accessories

This one may seem obvious but you can get pretty creative with it if you want. Items like bongs, pipes, rolling trays, dab rigs and more are all things that your stoner friend probably already has but this holiday is your opportunity to upgrade them. 

Maybe their tray is getting old and worn, you can get them a new custom designed one. Or perhaps they’re looking to replace an old bong or pipe, check out some local glass artists and see if any one’s willing to do a custom piece for you. 

Getting your friend some nice looking accessories is not only giving them a functional gift but a decorative one as well, as a lot of these pieces can be displayed as art.

Necessities

Speaking of functional gifts, there are a lot of small things that a regular cannabis user is going to need that either run out or wear down quickly. We’re talking about items like rolling papers, lighters/matches and even grinders. 

These types of things make good stocking stuffers or you can grab a bag and put together a “weed essentials kit” with a little bit of everything in it. Just grabbing a couple of these items will make sure your friends are stocked up and smoking through the holidays and into the new year.

Novelty Gifts

Everybody loves a fun or funny gift, especially around the holidays and if you’re going with a cannabis theme, then you have no shortage of options. There are so many novelty items that are weed themed that you should be able to find something that fits your giftee’s tastes.

The most versatile option is some kind of apparel. Whether it’s more obvious like a t-shirt or sweatshirt of their favorite brands or dispensaries (psst…NatureMed has some pretty cool stuff if you’re looking) or something with a more subtle design, you’ll be able to find something for everyone.

You can also go with decor or homegoods. Maybe they would like some weed themed lights or signs for their living room? How about a cannabis friendly welcome mat for the front door? And you can’t go wrong with some weed themed kitchenware, like plates or glasses to use for their next get together.

Snacks

This may not seem like a big gift that “wow” at the holiday party or on Christmas morning but they’ll be thankful the next time they get a major case of the munchies before they’ve gone shopping this week.

In all seriousness, this is a simple, easy gift to give someone if you’re out of other ideas. You can put together your own gift basket with all of their favorite snacks or you can find a snack subscription box and gift that.

Subscription boxes are great because they are the gift that keeps on giving and you are making sure that your giftee is taken care of all year long.

Cannabis Cookbook

If you’re shopping for someone who’s a little more hands on trying picking them up a Cannabis Cookbook. This is a great gift for someone who wants to experiment a little with their cannabis consumption and try something new

Depending on the book, there are recipes for anything from snacks to entrees to baked goods and more. Your giftee will definitely have something in there that they want to try.

Product

This is one of the most obvious gift options, almost to the point where we don’t even have to say it, but we will anyway…get them weed!!

You can be as creative as you want or find all of the coolest accessories or apparel but at the end of the day nothing is going to beat just straight up cannabis.

Find out what your friends favorite products are or maybe find something new that they have been wanting to try, wrap it up with a nice bow and you have your gift. In our opinion, the perfect gift is pairing some kind of cannabis product with another choice from this list so you have the perfect, well-rounded gift for your stoner friend. 

And if you’re looking to save a little bit of dough on said products, you might want to consider dropping by NatureMed December 11-23 to take advantage of our Winter Bowlstice deals.

 

No matter what you are celebrating this season, we here at NatureMed are wishing you Happy Holidaze, as well as a Happy Winter Bowlstice! 

If you want to check out what we have to offer, here’s a link to our online menu and our specials page to see the ways you can save.

Categories
Holidays and Events

4 Ways to Incorporate Cannabis into your Thanksgiving

4 Ways to Incorporate Cannabis into your Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is almost upon us and with it comes a lot of different traditions. Everyone has different ways of celebrating as well as a whole host of different feelings about the holiday. 

 

However, regardless of your traditions or thoughts about Thanksgiving, if you’re here, you’re probably looking for ways that you can incorporate cannabis into your holiday celebration. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. 

 

Danksgiving Friendsgiving

Sometimes, your Thanksgiving host isn’t going to be super keen on you bringing any party favors to dinner. Totally cool, everyone’s got their own way of celebrating. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have your own Danksgiving celebration. 

 

In recent years, we’ve seen the rise of “Friendsgiving”, which is a Thanksgiving meal, usually before the actual day, that’s focused on friends instead of family. You can take this concept and adapt it. Grab some friends and maybe a couple of your smoke buddies and throw your own cannabis friendly Friendsgiving. 

 

This allows you to incorporate cannabis into the holiday, while still respecting the wishes of your hosts or guests.

Bring a medicated addition to the meal

Lets say your Thanksgiving crowd is cool with a little weed, you can incorporate cannabis into almost any dish or hostess gift you bring. 

 

If you’re cooking something, you can go ahead and add a little bit of cannabis infused oil or butter to the dish. Or if you’re baking, you can never go wrong with a little bit of medicated chocolate.

Are you on drink duty? Bring some infused seltzer or juice or maybe some cannabis non-alcoholic wine, if you’re feeling fancy. 

 

Maybe you’re not the cooking type and don’t have time to run out and grab anything, there’s nothing wrong with bringing a pre-roll (or a few) to pass a round. It will definitely be appreciated.

 

Bring your own stash 

Maybe your Thanksgiving party isn’t a huge fan of cannabis and probably won’t be smoking with you, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have a little fun on your own. 

 

Thanksgiving can be a pretty long and involved affair, this means that you’ll probably have time to sneak away for a little bit of fun. 

 

Most people are probably familiar with the “taking a walk with you cousins/siblings” or the “let’s go walk the dog” excuses. They get you out of the house and away from prying eyes so you can take a little time to decompress. 

A vape or even some edibles are good options for this scenario because they travel well and are pretty discrete.

Just make sure that you are careful where and when you consume. Make sure that you’re not on the property of anyone who might object. 

Also try and give yourself a few extra minutes before going back in just to air out and not raise suspicion. 

Start out early

If you’re worried about bringing cannabis to Thanksgiving dinner, you can also just get started a little earlier. 

Partaking beforehand makes sure that you’re still going to get that high without the risk of someone finding your stash. It also gives time for any smell to dissipate so people aren’t asking uncomfortable questions. 

Now, you can and should consume how you want but in this case, you might want to consider trying out some edibles. Edibles that you are absorbed sublingually, like hard candies or tinctures will often have a longer lasting effect and allow you to keep that high going all dinner long.

 

No matter how you decide to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, there’s always going to be a way to slip a little cannabis into the holiday.

We here at NatureMed are thankful for you and want you to know that we’re here for all you cannabis related needs. Check out our online menu  to see what we have to offer and check out our specials page to see the ways you can save

Happy Danksgiving!

Categories
Holidays and Events

5 Cannabis Benefits for Veterans

5 Cannabis Benefits for Veterans

For as long as people can remember cannabis has been used for so many different things and has helped so many so many different kinds of people. One group of people who have reported seeing benefits from the use of cannabis has been Veterans.

Veterans have made so many sacrifices and have honorably served their country but some experience chronic medical conditions as a result of that service. 

There have been many veterans who have reported that marijuana has helped to ease the symptoms of some of their conditions and we would like to share just some of the ways they have been able to do that. 

Quick note before we get started! Cannabis, both medical and recreational, has not been legalized federally, therefore the Veterans Association (VA) is not permitted to recommend marijuana to patients. Additionally, they “may not complete paperwork/forms required for Veteran patients to participate in state-approved marijuana programs”.

However, according to the VA, Veterans will not be denied benefits because of cannabis usage.

With that taken care of, let’s get into it! Here are five ways that cannabis could help benefit veterans. 

1. Treatment for PTSD

One of the most common and more documented uses of cannabis for veterans is as a treatment for PTSD. While there has not been an official trial recognized by the VA there have been credible, FDA-regulated studies that show a link between cannabis usage and the improvement of PTSD symptoms. 

Additionally, there have been quite a few personal accounts from veterans who have used cannabis as a way to manage the symptoms of PTSD. 

2. Treat symptoms of anxiety and depression

According to the National Library of Medicine 14% to 16% of service members have reported being affected by depression. Additionally, about 20% of veterans report that they experience some form of anxiety 

Certain strains of cannabis have been used to help lessen the symptoms of depression and anxiety. There isn’t one particular stain or type of cannabis that will work best and given that everyone’s body reacts to cannabis differently we recommend talking to your budtender about what could help best for your specific symptoms.

3. Treat Chronic Pain

Many veterans report experiencing some kind of chronic pain, oftentimes stemming from their service. This kind of pain can range from mildly uncomfortable to debilitating and can affect every aspect of a person’s life.

Cannabis, in many different forms, has long been used for help with all different types of pain. Marijuana has been known to treat all types of pain, from migraines to joint pain and even pain associated with nerve damage.

4. Help with Loss of Appetite

An increase in appetite while using cannabis is very common and is often referred to as “getting the munchies”. This is usually considered a harmless side effect of smoking, however, those who are experiencing a chronic loss of appetite will sometimes use cannabis as an appetite stimulant to help treat the problem.

A loss of appetite can stem from a number of things, but for veterans in particular it can be a result of depression and even PTSD. 

5. Help with Insomnia

Another common use for cannabis is as a sleep aid. Certain strains are known to be extremely relaxing and there are even specific products that are designed with sleep in mind.

Insomnia, fitful rest and even nightmares are commonly reported issues in veterans. Cannabis can be a more natural way to treat those symptoms. Keep in mind that different strains have different effects so it may be a good idea to speak to your budtender for recommendations for sleep aids.

Bonus! An alternative to opioids 

With the recent opioid epidemic, there have been a number of people, veterans included, looking for alternatives to opioids and some have used cannabis as that alternative.  

There have been a few studies done showing that the use of cannabis can decrease the need for opioid painkillers. One study showed “64% reduction in opioid use amongst chronic pain patients who used medical marijuana.”

Just as a reminder: these are simply alternative treatments for people to consider. At the end of the day, patients should listen to their doctors and medical professionals when it comes to medical conditions and always be truthful when disclosing any alternative treatments they may be using.

Everyone here at Nature Med salutes our veterans and is appreciative everyday for the sacrifices that they made. We hope that all veterans know that they are more than welcome here and we will do everything in our power to take care of them! 

If you’re interested in checking out what we have to offer, here’s a link to our online menu and our specials page to see the ways you can save. Please stop by NatureMed on Veterans Day to take advantage of all of our Veterans Day discounts.

 
Categories
Holidays and Events

How To Have a Cannabis Influenced Halloween

How to Have a Cannabis Influenced Halloween

Halloween is a holiday that is celebrated and loved by so many people. For some it’s a day of costumes and candy, for others it’s a night of parties. If you’re here, it probably means that you’re looking to add a little cannabis into the mix, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Just as a reminder, with all of the food and candy around on Halloween, make sure that any and all medicated products are kept separate and in a place that they can’t be accidentally consumed. While Halloween is very popular for children, everything that we are talking about here is most definitely NOT for kids and should only be tried by those who are over 21.

Try a cannabis themed costume

A super easy way to bring cannabis into your halloween celebrations is to find yourself a weed-themed costume. Just a quick search will yield you dozens of ideas. From the girl scout parody “Brownie Scout” to the punny plant headed, “Pot Head” costume, there are so many options for you to choose from. 

You can take it literally, and dress as a marijuana leaf or a joint or you can get a little more creative and dress as your favorite cannabis related pun.

The great part about this is you can put in as much work as you want. You can buy a premade costume, take inspiration from what you find online or come up with something entirely on your own. 

It’s also a good way to incorporate cannabis into a Halloween event where others are maybe not as keen on medicating as you are.

Kick back with some spooky strains

Get into the spirit by trying out some Halloween themed strains. There are a number of strains that have some spooky names that can help you get into the spirit. 

Bringing along some strains like Frankenberry, Ghost Train Haze and Voodoo are sure to add the right atmosphere to your party (NatureMed has a particularly good Ghost OG if you’re looking). 

Add some medicated treats to the snack table

If you find yourself at an adults-only Halloween party you can spice up the snack table with some medicated goodies. 

With a little bit of extra work you can give any treats you buy a spooky makeover and customize them to fit the Halloween theme. Try adding some orange and black frosting to a medicated brownie or melting some infused dark chocolate over a batch of cookies. You can also mix up some cannabis cocktails using some infused beverages.

As always, check with your host before bringing anything medicated and make sure that any snacks or drinks containing cannabis are clearly labeled to avoid confusion.

Light up, before going out

There are some Fall and Halloween staples that are fan favorites every year. Haunted Houses, Corn Mazes, and more are fun activities that you can do with friends and family to get into the holiday spirit. 

These events and experiences can be enhanced by medicating beforehand. Having one of your favorite types of edible or a couple of puffs off your go-to vape can take any experience up a notch and may even enhance the Halloween vibes of whatever you’re doing.

Another quick reminder, make sure to check on the rules for experiences you’re planning on attending. Be sure that you are abiding by any rules pertaining to smoking or controlled substances.

However you decide to celebrate, all of us over here at NatureMed are wishing you a fun and  safe Halloween! And if you’re looking to add a little something extra to your celebrations, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Check out our online menu and our specials page to see the ways you can save.