Stoner Sex: Fast Finishes, Fantasies, Risks & Making Up

Hyapatia Lee answers all of your questions regarding cannabis and sexuality.

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How the NFL Enabled the 'Gas Mask' Fiasco

Two members of Japan’s junior national snowboarding team are alleged to have gotten stoned while visiting Colorado last December. You might have missed this story when it broke last week. Because it wasn’t much of a story at all.

The zany thing is what happened when the snowboarders got home. First, these amateur athletes had to submit to hair testing, which I am ashamed to admit I didn't know was a thing. The results gave away their partying, and last Wednesday they were suspended from the national team. The Snowboarding Association of Japan (SAJ) also announced that the athletes’ hopes for participating in the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, are now in jeopardy. Fumikazu Hagiwara, the head of SAJ snowboarding, resigned. Presumably in disgrace.

Learning of the Japanese suspensions turned me into one smug African-American. To paraphrase a colleague, if you send a team of snowboarders to Colorado, what do you think is going to happen? But sport allowed me just 48 hours to enjoy those feelings of superiority. After two days of condescending looks to The East, toward a nation whose reluctance to pair cannabis with reason felt almost embarrassing, the National Football League hit me up with some good old-fashioned American shame.

By now you’ve heard plenty about the gas mask bong kid. If you spent last week in the South Pacific, here’s the deal. University of Mississippi offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil had been projected as a top selection in the NFL draft—possibly as high as No. 3. On Thursday night, minutes before the former SEC standout was expected to be chosen, a 30-second video of him smoking weed out of a gas mask bong appeared on his Twitter account. Tunsil’s draft stock crashed. The news broke live on ESPN. The Chargers, who had the No. 3 pick, passed on Tunsil in favor of a defensive end from Ohio State. Pick No. 4 came and went. And No. 5. Tunsil remained untaken. Other digital shenanigans ensued, and Tunsil tumbled to the Miami Dolphins, who took him with the 13th overall pick.

How much did that hacked video cost Tunsil? Consider this. In 2015, the third overall pick walked away with a $38.8 million contract. The No. 13 pick got a package worth $18 million. So those 30 seconds may have cost Tunsil $20 million.

The Japanese come off as naïve. The NFL just seems downright mean.

At least Japan can fall back on the excuse of cultural ignorance. Ain’t no legal dispensaries on the entire continent of Asia. The overreaction is almost adorable. Almost.

What happened to Tunsil — a college freshman when the stoner video was taken — is a whole different level of transgression.

Over the weekend, news came out that the football player was the target of hangers-on aiming to drain him. Like so many of the young people who make up the NFL’s workforce, Tunsil came from a hardscrabble background. One of the people suspected of hacking Tunsil’s Twitter is an actual relative. The leading theory is that Tunsil was hacked in order to damage his market value. But that couldn’t have been done without the assistance of the NFL, a league whose misguided and yes, downright mean policies left Tunsil vulnerable to this attack.

The most powerful league on the planet has a habit of dealing harshly with cannabis users. See Josh Gordon, the best wide receiver you probably haven't actually seen. (Because he’s been on perpetual pot suspension for the past few seasons.) Some of you remember the great Ricky Williams, and the character assassination that accompanied his cannabis kinship. The street criminals who went after Tunsil, a rookie, could not have accomplished their $20 million heist without being enabled by the NFL’s outdated and draconian cannabis policy.  

The hypocrisy of pro football in America is almost too deep to dive into. How it uses colleges as unpaid minor leagues — leagues that happen to earn billions, but not for the players — in itself puts the NFL in a morally compromised position. For now, let’s skip the bodily harm and the brain damage. For a league to be doling out heavy pot punishments (fines, multi-game suspensions, and draft shunnings) when old pros have been dying from the pharmaceuticals all but poured down players’ throats, is beyond despicable. At this point the league isn’t just tone-deaf to the world’s changing attitude about cannabis. Commissioner Roger Goodell and the team owners are actively resisting all positive change.

It's my belief that the NFL comes down so hard on pot because of worries that an enlightened workforce — i.e., the players — would start to question the league’s longstanding and lucrative relationships with both military displays and shitty beer.

Maybe, as it once did, sport can lead to understanding and acceptance. Both of the amateur Japanese snowboarders are minors, so some, non-hysterical punishment ought to be meted out. Pro football is trickier, but it shouldn’t be impervious to change. NFL fans love nothing more than a winner. How ironic would it be if Laremy Tunsil proved to be the missing piece for the Miami Dolphins? What if he helped that team make a championship run? Why, fans might actually start yelling at their teams for not choosing the young prospect with a minor youthful indiscretion in his past. The NFL could play the part of accidental progressive.

As it stands now, the Laremy Tunsil saga is a minor tragedy. But it may well play out as the upset of the century.

Image Source: Thomas Graning for Ole Miss via Flickr Creative Commons

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https://www.leafly.com/news/headlines/how-the-nfl-enabled-the-gas-mask-fiasco

STRAIN OF THE DAY 05/02/2016: DAWG'S WALTZ (HYBRID)

CANNABIS STRAIN OF THE DAY 05/02/2016: DAWG'S WALTZ (HYBRID)

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https://www.potbox.com/database/hybrid/dawgs-waltz/

5 Fresh Reasons to Sneer at Cannabis Critics

This article is sponsored by Seed Supreme.

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The Top 10 Cannabis Strains in Massachusetts

Cannabis strains vary from region to region, but some fan favorites like Blue Dream, Gorilla Glue #4, and Girl Scout Cookies have permeated almost every state’s border. These ten strains – most of which might look familiar – are the most commonly searched varieties among Massachusetts residents according to Leafly data. Dispensaries, keep in mind that these are the strains your customers and patients are showing interest in!

 

  1. Blue Dream

Blue Dream’s market domination is no exception in Massachusetts. Cherished for its sweet berry flavor and mellow, blissful effects loved by newbies and veterans alike, we don’t expect Blue Dream to fall from its #1 spot anytime soon. Its gentle effects make this hybrid a top choice for anxiety disorders and depression.

 

  2. Headband

Known for its hugging cerebral “halo effect,” the complex hybrid Headband is known to promote a balance of relaxation, creativity, and mood enhancement. With a rich terpene (aromatic oils secreted in cannabis resin) profile dominated by myrcene, pinene, and limonene, this strain’s aroma is as much a draw as its effects.

 

  3. Gorilla Glue #4

Blowing up all over the U.S. is Gorilla Glue #4, the strain that makes its presence known with a pungently sweet aroma soured by funky fuel notes. This masterpiece from GG Strains lives up to its name as it produces copious amounts of resin so sticky, the buds seem to almost resist your fingers breaking them apart. Preferred by patients for stress, pain, insomnia and appetite loss, Gorilla Glue #4 is basically a condensed medicine cabinet as it relieves a spectrum of different symptoms.

 

  4. Green Crack

If you’re susceptible to fatigue and lethargy when using cannabis, consider Green Crack. It may not have the most therapeutic (or even tasteful) name, but this sativa is perfect for fighting depression and motivating activity and creativity with it stimulating and revitalizing effects.

 

  5. Cheese

The Cheese hybrid, first conceived in the 1980s, has survived the test of time for a reason. Announcing itself with sharp sour notes reminiscent of cheese, this strain delivers a tranquil high that can loosen anxiety’s grip as tension dissolves from muscles.

 

  6. White Widow

Obscured under a storm of snow-like crystal resin, White Widow is a classic Dutch strain long coveted for its potency. Offering an escape from pain and stress with a sweet and earthy flavor, this resin queen has secured her supremacy in markets worldwide.

 

  7. Blueberry

Another classic that can’t be budged off the top ten list in most markets, Blueberry offers one of the most flavorful indica experiences alongside heavy, full-body effects. Blueberry is perfect for relaxing in the sun or with a movie, or consider this indica for stressful days and sleepless nights.

 

  8. Girl Scout Cookies

From West Coast to East, Girl Scout Cookies has traveled far to make it into the hands of Massachusetts cannabis consumers. Typically used to nudge stubborn cases of depression, pain, appetite loss, and insomnia by patients, this sweet-tasting hybrid can be used to enhance creativity and introspection.

 

  9. Strawberry Cough

With pronounced flavors of strawberry and an expansive smoke that can leave one coughing the exhale, this sativa is the perfect companion for creatives, hikers, or anyone looking to lift their energy and mood. Strawberry Cough encourages you to get up and out, easing tension and pain so you can stay active longer.

 

  10. White Russian

White Russian is a hybrid strain that uses its commanding THC content to keep stress, pain, and nausea at bay. A cross between White Widow and AK-47, White Russian inherits famed genetics from all over the world including South America, Thailand, Afghanistan, Mexico, and India.

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STRAIN OF THE DAY 05/01/2016: GREEN DREAM (HYBRID)

CANNABIS STRAIN OF THE DAY 05/01/2016: GREEN DREAM (HYBRID)

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What is Decarboxylation, and Why Does Your Cannabis Need It?

Here's a scenario we have all seen in film before: Somebody consumes an entire bag of raw cannabis in order to avoid getting caught with it. Eyes pop wide open and gasps ensue. “You just ate that whole bag!” somebody shouts. However, the aftermath of this scene usually involves a very different representation of what actually happens when you consume raw cannabis. Spoiler alert: The effects will be lackluster at best. Why is this the case?

The answer to this mystery lies in a process called decarboxylation, one that is necessary for us to enjoy the psychoactive effects of the cannabinoids we consume.

 

Decarboxylation Explained

All cannabinoids contained within the trichomes of raw cannabis flowers have an extra carboxyl ring or group (COOH) attached to their chain. For example, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is synthesized in prevalence within the trichome heads of freshly harvested cannabis flowers. In most regulated markets, cannabis distributed in dispensaries contains labels detailing the product’s cannabinoid contents. THCA, in many cases, prevails as the highest cannabinoid present in items that have not been decarboxylated (e.g., cannabis flowers and concentrates).

THCA has a number of known benefits when consumed, including having anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective qualities. But THCA is not psychoactive, and must be converted into THC through decarboxylation before any effects can be felt.

 

What Causes Decarboxylation?

The two main catalysts for decarboxylation to occur are heat and time. Drying and curing cannabis over time will cause a partial decarboxylation to occur. This is why some cannabis flowers also test for a presence of small amounts of THC along with THCA. Smoking and vaporizing will instantaneously decarboxylate cannabinoids due to the extremely high temperatures present, making them instantly available for absorption through inhalation.

While decarboxylated cannabinoids in vapor form can be easily absorbed in our lungs, edibles require these cannabinoids present in what we consume in order for our bodies to absorb them throughout digestion. Heating cannabinoids at a lower temperature over time allows us to decarboxylate the cannabinoids while preserving the integrity of the material we use so that we may infuse it into what we consume.

 

At What Temperature Does Decarboxylation Occur?

The THCA in cannabis begins to decarboxylate at approximately 220 degrees Fahrenheit after around 30-45 minutes of exposure. Full decarboxylation may require more time to occur. Many people choose to decarboxylate their cannabis at slightly lower temperatures for a much longer period of time in attempts to preserve terpenes. Many mono and sesquiterpenes are volatile and will evaporate at higher temperatures, leaving potentially undesirable flavors and aromas behind. The integrity of both cannabinoids and terpenoids are compromised by using temperatures that exceed 300 degrees F, which is why temperatures in the 200’s are recommended.

Heat and time can also cause other forms of cannabinoid degradation to occur. For example, CBN (cannabinol) is formed through the degradation and oxidization of THC, a process that can occur alongside decarboxylation. CBN accounts for a much more sedative and less directly psychoactive experience.

 

How to Decarboxylate Cannabis at Home

In order to decarboxylate cannabis at home, all you need is some starting material, an oven set to 220-235 degrees F (depending on your location and oven model), some parchment paper, and a baking tray. Finely grind your cannabis until the material can be spread thin over parchment and placed on your baking sheet. Allow the cannabis to bake for 30-45 minutes, or longer if desired.

Cannabis can also be decarboxylated in a slow cooker by introducing solvents such as cooking oils or lecithin.These methods create infusions that can be used in a variety of cooking recipes, topicals, and even cannabis capsules. Since they contain decarboxylated cannabinoids, they will be effective any way you choose to consume them.

Now that you know how decarboxylation works, the next time you see somebody on television falling over onto the ground after eating an entire bag of shake, you’ll be able to laugh it off over a batch of your very own freshly baked and infused, fully decarboxylated cannabis cookies. Bon appetit!

Image Source: Patrick Bennett

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https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-is-decarboxylation