The #RdRcannabis blog
“Size doesn’t matter. It’s the quality!” (2/2)
Second part of the text in which six key aspects related to the quality of cannabis are discussed. This part deals with the microbiological quality, the identification of heavy metals and the residual pesticide content.
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“Size doesn’t matter. It’s the quality!” (1/2)
The term cannabis connoisseur applies to someone who has accumulated a considerable body of knowledge about this consumer product. Becoming a connoisseur requires sensitivity, training, education and experience. Being able to identify the qualities of a cannabis sample means paying attention to aspects that usually go unnoticed by the general public.
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Anatomy of synthetic cannabinoids (1/2)
Synthetic cannabinoids are a group of chemicals that mimic the effects of THC. In the last 50 years, hundreds of these compounds have been developed, all of them with a similar molecular structure. These substances are manufactured and prepared clandestinely, although it is common for them to be sold as “legal highs”. At present, there is no method available for accurately determining the concentration of each batch because there are no quality control standards, which means that there can be high risks associated with their consumption. The media has approached this phenomenon with sensationalism and alarm, adding further confusion to a field that is in itself uncertain and changing.
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Cannabis and terpenes: what are they and their effects
Cannabis is a rich, complex plant that has a broad diversity of psychoactive compounds. But not all of its psychoactive compounds have psychotropic effects; to put it another way, not all of them make you “high”. This is something that people are starting to understand with the popularisation of CBD (cannabidiol). THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), among other things, makes you “high”; CBD doesn’t. This is also the case with terpenes. These are psychoactive compounds that do not make you “high”, but they do interfere with what does make you “high”. How much do terpenes interfere with the effect of cannabis? Can it be said that if the terpenes in cannabis were known, its effects could be predicted?
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Cannabidiol and reducing tobacco consumption
Cannabidiol (CBD) was discovered 25 years before tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which was identified in 1964. However, CBD was not fully characterised until 1963 by Dr Mechoulam, using Lebanese hashish. Recently, we have heard accounts by people who say that they have cut down or even stopped smoking altogether after using CBD-based products. This post discusses different aspects of this phenomenon, which is just starting to gain traction.
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An updated cannabis catalogue: types of extraction and main trends (2/2)
In the previous entry, we discussed the best-known marijuana extractions in Catalonia that don’t need solvents for their preparation. In this post we will learn about the riskier extractions requiring more complex techniques when handling the raw material, that is, the plant buds. By this, we are referring to the world of dabbing and budder, shatter, and wax, and the butane that binds them all!
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An updated cannabis catalogue: types of extraction and main trends (1/2)
The internet is full of posts, reels, unboxings and reviews of new strains, growing methods, consumption trends or cannabis-based products. When browsing through this abundance, we also find influencers, specialised YouTube channels and multiple organisations whose purpose is to educate and provide information. The presentations of cannabis products have evolved continuously during the last decade. With improvements in the cannabinoid and terpene extraction processes, the range of possibilities has expanded, and each product has its particular features. In this post, we will examine some of the more popular presentations in Catalonia.
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Smoking without a filter increases the risks; therefore, the filter increases the benefits (2/2)
In a previous post we examined the origin of cigarette filters in the 1950s. We also described some of the options used to reduce risks associated with cannabis combustion and concluded with some of the main features of five of the most popular filters in Catalonia. We now propose looking in greater depth at the health damage related with smoke and, in particular, with cannabis smoke, and reviewing different ways of reducing the risks associated with combustion through the use of six other types of filter that have recently gained popularity.
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Smoking without a filter increases the risks; therefore, the filter increases the benefits (1/2)
People insert a filter when rolling a joint for many different reasons. Some think it looks less messy or saves money; others do it for health reasons; and there are also those who want the best flavour with every drag, or a combination of all of the above.
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Risk reduction and cannabis social clubs (CSCs) (2/2)
To a point, one could launch the thesis that Spain is the site for a large-scale sociosanitary experiment on cannabis use. The fact that there are over 1.200 Cannabis Social Clubs (CSC) all over the country dispensing cannabis and derivatives to hundreds of thousands of people vouches for it. Because of the lack of specific regulation of CSCs’ activity, one of the weaknesses of this big social experiment is that there is almost no data to monitor and improve the follow-up of what is really happening. Next you will find a review of some of the surveys and publications dealing with CSCs as regards risk reduction.