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Can Your Pets Get High From A Whiff of Weed?

All stoners are well aware of the fact that lighting up a spliff, whatever the time or occasion is, comes with secondhand cannabis smoke. Marijuana may produce pleasurable effects in people, but what about pets? Can your cat, rat, dog or bird get high from the smoke of a blunt and how does it affect their health?

Pot that makes humans high makes pets sick

For pets, the mind-altering substance can be dangerous and even lethal. In 2019, the American Veterinary Medical Association issued a concern to Vets that they are seeing pets come in with respiratory problems and serious illness, due to people smoking inside and pets inhaling the smoke.

Because humans are much bigger and heavier than household pets, an average-sized person will not be affected by a whiff of smoke. It’s a different story for pets, however. Their smaller size makes them a lot more sensitive to cannabis, making it possible for pets to get high if there’s a lot of secondhand smoke hanging around.

What’s more, THC – the chemical that gives marijuana its high – is toxic to pets. It can cause vomiting, mild incontinence, in-coordination, depression, sleepiness or excitation, low blood pressure, low body temperature and seizures.

Now you know that any marijuana product that contains THC is dangerous to your four-legged friends and should be kept well out of reach.

CBD is an option for all

Dabbing CBD oil on a Labrador’s tongue

On the other hand, one of the most powerful therapeutic substances ever to have come out of the marijuana plant is Cannabidiol, abbreviated as CBD. The list of benefits is ever-growing, but CBD isn’t only popular in the health and wellness industry. Many pet owners are turning to the magical herb to treat their furry friends, but is it safe and does it offer any health benefits?

Analysts now predict the CBD pet care market will reach $125 million by 2022, making it one of the fastest-growing segments of the CBD market. Even household names like Martha Stewart are riding the weed wave, with a line of CBD product for pets.

CBD pet care products come in the form of oils, edibles and topical creams or balms. Like the CBD products meant for humans, each of these CBD pet care product types appears to have a different effect on the body.

As for healthcare, a 2018 study found that CBD can help increase comfort and activity in pets suffering from osteoarthritis. Other studies claim CBD may help reduce the number of seizures experienced by epileptic dogs.

The various studies that have been conducted haven’t found anything super alarming about CBD for pets, but on the flip side, we still know very little about it. It’s therefore really important for pet parents to know this and use CBD with caution until there’s more information available.

September 16, 2020
How To Carve A Pipe From Everyday Fruits And Vegetables
Many stoned citizens have been stuck without rolling papers, a pipe or bong. What does one do now? Look no further than the fresh produce shelf! Once you have conquered carving crops for cannabis consumption you are sure to be a hero with your new party trick. It is a great conversation starter, tastes delicious and needs no cleaning – simply work it into your compost when you are done!

A few household items act as the only tools required to take on most fruits or vegetables and turn them into a work of smokeable art! There are a few options in terms of the type of smoking devices to chisel from your crop. You may choose to use a pipe screen, coiled paper clip or aluminium foil to line the bowl and keep residue at bay, remember to poke a few holes in the foil with a toothpick. It is worth mentioning the fumes of aluminium foil, heated with a direct flame, may contain harmful carcinogens and pose a serious health risk.

Here are four smoking devices you could carve from fresh fruits and veggies.

One-Hitter

A one-hitter is a small pocket-size pipe used to smoke a single hit of cannabis, it is discreet and a great way to get stoned when you are running low on bud. They are generally made from glass, metal or ceramic. Hitting it is simple; pack a small amount of ground cannabis flower in the one end, light and inhale from the other end.

Make a DIY one-hitter using a Jalapeno:

Jalapeno One-hitter by Stoned Citizen
1. Top and tail the pepper with a knife as indicated by the dashed-lines.
2. Check to see there is sufficient airflow when blowing on the open tail-end.
3. Load the top end with a small amount of ground cannabis, light it and inhale!
4. The Jalapeno will be good for half a dozen hits.
Pipe

Pipes are the most recognizable smoke devices, they are popular for consuming cannabis because they are easy to use, affordable and come in a huge variety of shapes, colours and styles. A pipe consists of a bowl, where the ground flower goes, and a stem with a mouthpiece. Some pipes do not have a Carb hole, but these are great for regulating airflow.

Produce a pipe with an apple, cucumber, orange, potato or an aubergine
- Apple Pipe by Stoned Citizen
- Cucumber Pipe by Stoned Citizen
- Orange Pipe by Stoned Citizen
- Potato Pipe by Stoned Citizen
- Aubergine Pipe by Stoned Citizen
Fruit & Vegetable Pipes
1. Cut the produce along the indicated dashed-line to make the bowl that will hold the weed.
2. Using a screwdriver or a metal drink straw make the airflow channels as indicated.
3. Pack with ground cannabis.
4. Use the end closer to the bowl as a carb, spark up and inhale.
Bong

Water pipes, known as Bongs, are filtration devices for smoking ganja. A bong can be made from any material that is fairly water- and air-tight; by adding a bowl attached to a down-stem and an optional mouth piece. Most bongs have a carb or choke, which allows for fresh air to flow through the bong and clear out any stale smoke left in the chamber from a previous hit.

The smoke will be dragged from the bowl, through the down-stem and percolate through the water. The water cools the smoke to deliver a smoother smoking experience, as well as remove carcinogens and other toxicants produced by burning bud. Although the exact origin of the water pipe is tricky to pinpoint, it is said the name is derived from the Thai word ‘baung’, which is the name for a bamboo tube bong.

Make your own bong using a melon, watermelon or a pineapple:
- Melon Bong by Stoned Citizen
- Watermelon Bong by Stoned Citizen
- Pineapple Bong by Stoned Citizen
Fruit Bongs
1. Cut the produce along the indicated dashed line to make the bowl that will hold the weed.
2. Hull out the flesh with a spoon as indicated by the dotted circle area, be careful of damaging the outer walls.
3. Using a screwdriver or a metal drink straw make the airflow channels as indicated.
4. Insert the bowl attached to a downstem and fill the vessel ⅓ with water.
5. if you are using mouthpiece now is a good time to put it in – make sure it is not submerged in the water inside the vessel.
6. Pin the top to the main vessel using two toothpicks.
7. Pack the bowl with ground ganja, light it up and inhale.
Chillum

A chillum is a straight conical pipe similar to a one-hitter but bigger. They are traditionally made from stone, wood or clay; and have been around since the 18th-century. Back in the day stones were inserted in clay pipes to stop the debris from getting into the smoker’s mouth. Chillums are cost-effective, reliable, portable and discreet.

Make your own Chillum with zucchini, carrot or a cucumber (fashioned slightly differently to the cucumber pipe above).
- Zucchini Chillum by Stoned Citizen
- Carrot Chillum by Stoned Citizen
Vegetable Chillums
1. Cut the produce along the indicated dashed-lines to make the bowl that will hold the weed.
2. Using a screwdriver or a metal drink straw make the airflow channels as indicated.
3. Pack with ground cannabis and light it up while inhaling.
September 14, 2020
Martha Stewart Develops CBD Products For Pets

Martha Stewart’s love for animals knows no boundaries. Like most pet parents, she takes the health and wellbeing of her furry friends very seriously. With their best interest at heart, the cook show host created a line of CDB products specially formulated for pets. Her involvement in the CBD pet industry breaks down barriers and encourages people to look at the plant differently.

The Queen of Craft has welcomed hundreds of pets into her home over the past 40 years. With a list that includes 20 cats, 25 pooches, 10 chinchillas, and 1 Snoop Dogg, to name a few, Martha’s Ark is a place where even humans wish to board.

With Snoopy leading the canine pack as Martha’s best friend, her move into cannabis is not entirely unexpected. The rapper is, after all, the one who introduced M’Diddy to the herb as their budding friendship blossomed at potluck dinner parties. In 2019, the Dogg pulled his homie another favour by hooking her up with Canopy Growth. Apart from being the largest cannabis company in the world by market value, the company is also behind the marketing of the Leafs by Snoop cannabis brand.

MARTHA and SNOOP’S POTLUCK DINNER PARTY Piotr Sikora for VH1

Goes to show it sure helps to have friends in high places!

Martha’s line of pet products aims to help pets deal with health issues without giving them pharmaceuticals. On her website, Martha highlights the benefits and risks of the use of CBD products on pets and why important to be educated before treating your pet with it.

Market research companies report the pet CBD category grew 946 percent in 2019. Martha Stewart is not the only celebrity jumping onto CDB products like CBD balm for cats and dogs. Reggae-rock band 311, which has a line of human CBD tinctures and capsules, added a bacon-flavoured CBD oil for dogs to their product list.

September 10, 2020
The Big Bhang Theory

What is the big bhang theory? No, we don’t mean the time Leonard, Howard and Raj felt the effects of the secret ingredient in the cookies they ate while waiting for the Leonid meteor shower! We are talking about the reefer refreshment; Bhang!

What is it, where is it from and how do you make your own?

Bhang is a paste made from the leaves and flowers of the female marijuana plant, it is made by steeping the plant matter in hot water and then grinding it to a paste. Bhang Thandai is the beverage made with bhang paste, milk, nuts and spices. Of course, there are many recipes and variations, our recipe below is a great introduction to bhang and is easily adjustable to suit your specific taste. Basically add more of what you like, and less of what you don’t.

Bhang originated around 2000 BC from the Indian subcontinent, it is said to have been gifted to humankind from Shiva, the Hindu god who consumed the beverage himself on a daily basis. The ‘Lord of Bhang’ ingested the beverage to harness his divine power for the good of the world.

The marijuana mush is sold as a ball, called Bhang goli, or as a ready-to-drink thandai. It still forms a vital part of the Hindu culture and overall well-being; in fact, its sale is government regulated and carries no social stigma.

Bhang is used for religious, medicinal and therapeutic purposes; it is also used as an aphrodisiac, to ready warriors for battle and is often given as a congenial gift too guests.

Devout Hindus believe it is considered holy to consume bhang to communicate with the divine but foolish and sinful to mindlessly gobble it down.

During the festival of Holi, the festival of lights celebrated in the Hindu culture and marks the coming of spring, celebrators express joy, playfulness and camaraderie by drinking bhang and throwing coloured powders and waters at one another.

Cannabis is listed in the Atharva Veda, sacred text, as one of five sacred plants and states that bhang is beneficial in freeing one from anxiety, brings on peaceful sleep and relieves a number of ailments including digestive issues, headaches, pain, rheumatism, fever, sunstroke, dysentery and malaria.

Make your own refreshing reefer beverage by using our Bhang Tandai recipe.

Bhang, bhang baby!

September 10, 2020
Celebrate Colonel Sanders with your own homemade Kush Fried Chicken

Stoners unite to celebrate for today in 1890 a true legend was born; Colonel Harland Sanders, founder and face of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Before he became the chicken colonel in his 60’s he did a whole range of other jobs including delivering babies, practising law and operating a steamboat ferry. Although Sanders falsified his date of birth to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1906, he only did a short stint in Cuba before being discharged. His honorary colonel status was awarded to him by the governor of Kentucky in 1935 and again in 1949, after which he started looking the part with his signature white suit, black string tie and bleached moustache and goatee to match his hair. The Colonel passed in December 1980 at the age of 90.

Colonel Sanders

Kentucky Fried Chicken has more than 24 000 stores in over 145 countries! The recipe, said to consist of eleven secrets herbs and spices, was perfected in 1939 at the Sanders Cafe, which was located right across the road from the original gas station where the Colonel started serving country ham and steak dinners in 1930. The very first KFC franchise was opened in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1952.

In 1955, Colonel Sanders filed for a copyright on the name Kentucky Fried Chicken as well as patented his special cooking method to serve up perfectly crispy and fall-off-the-bone chicken. The Colonel sold KFC corporate in 1964 for $2 million but decided to stay on as the official face of the company, which went public in 1966 and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1969. There have been a few changes of ownership, with the last being PepsiCo, Inc. who acquired KFC global at a staggering $ 840 million in 1986.

Kind for Cures, also also-known-as KFC, is a medical marijuana dispensary that took over a building that housed a Kentucky Fried Chicken previously. The owner, who opened the shop in 2009, decided to keep the front of house shop fittings that were left behind as well as fashioned decor items from scrap metal from the kitchen equipment. The roof was left red initially with the acronym KFC lambasted on the shopfront windows in green paint, which changed when the owner was threatened with a lawsuit for trademark infringement. The new chickenless KFC managed to drum up nationwide attention receiving an award by the LA Times in October 2009 for the Best Reappropriation of a fast-food restaurant. The following year, the creators of South Park brought the world; Medicinal Fried Chicken, an episode dedicated to the Kind for Cures’ story. Unfortunately, KFC closed its doors for good in 2015.

Make your own fried chicken inspired by both the original fried chicken recipe by Colonel Sanders and the medical marijuana turned KFC store in Los Angeles. The eleven herbs and spices in our recipe are from the what’s believed to be the original recipe! In August 2016, the Chicago Tribunal shared a handwritten version of the Colonel’s secret recipe. It was willingly surrendered by Sander’s nephew; Joe Ledington, during an interview with reporter Jay Jones.

September 9, 2020
Mike Tyson Has High Hopes For Cannabis Tourism, With Two Weed Retreats On The Cards

To make cannabis universally understood, even celebrities are tapping into the industry, with Mike Tyson being the front runner for Hollywood stoners to jump onto the slowboat trend.

The former boxing legend is believed to earn around £500,000-per-month through his dope empire Tyson Holistic Holdings, offering stoners premium marijuana strains, edibles and extracts.

To top that, a weed-themed holiday resort is being developed on 418 (read 420) acres of untouched California desert. With big dreams in the pipeline, the Tyson Range recently hosted the first-of-its-kind festival, featured dope acts like Miguel and A$AP Ferg.

What To Expect At Tyson Range

Stoners will be able to smoke weed pretty much anywhere at the Tyson Range. Well, almost. You won’t be able to puff in areas where liquor is for sale, cause that is the law.

Tyson won’t be selling or growing marijuana on the land itself. If “Iron Mike” decides to push some top-notch bud to visitors, the company will team-up with one of the big weed-retail companies.

A selection ‘Glamping’ tents and high-end suites in the hotel will accommodate those from far.

Then there’s the Tyson University that will teach growing techniques to would-be cannabis farmers. The retired boxer will also use the facility for research into growing and improving cannabis. The self-confessed addict’s main goal with the development is to help others facing similar struggles get away from opiate addiction, but first, he recognises that many people still see a stigma attached to marijuana and cannabis-derived products.

“Cannabis is the future and eventually everyone is going to have to give in,” he told GQ in a 2019 interview.

If the ambitious plans for the California location weren’t enough, the boxing champ is now eyeing his second Tyson Ranch — this time in Antigua, a small tropical island in the Caribbean’s West Indies.

The Cannabis Act 2018 opened the door for medical cannabis tourism, Tyson met with the country’s authorities to discuss opening a ‘wellness centre’ that will rely upon medicines made from hemp and other organic substances to cure deadly diseases.

The heavyweight boxer might have been known as “the baddest man on the planet”, but these days Mike Tyson is earning a reputation for being a legal marijuana dealer, promoting weed as the miracle drug of the future. Goes to show that the man is a real champ, inside and outside the ring!

Mike Tyson is not the only boxer to invest in the booming cannabis business. Lenox Lewis, who retired the ring in 2004, partnered with a Canadian company, dumping a large chunk of his fortune into the ever-growing industry.

September 9, 2020
Take Your Mornings To New Highs With A Bloody Mary Jane

Initially a two-ingredient cocktail, bartenders have come up with a variety of ways to spice up a Bloody Mary. Considered a drink to be enjoyed in the morning or to cure a hangover, this Bloody Mary Jane is for those who like to get baked before mid-day.

September 8, 2020
Marijuana Manners: a list of customary cannabis codes of conduct
Mind your marijuana manners and do not kill the vibe at a smoke sesh with this list of customary cannabis codes of polite behaviour for stoned citizens.

With the COVID pandemic still gleaming in the peripheral, remember when people zoll they put saliva on the paper. Be responsible and stay safe!

The effect of the legalization of cannabis has created a need to discuss stoner etiquette. Here are our top 15 tips for conducting your high self amongst fellow ganja aficionados at a baking session.

Photo by Grav on Unsplash
1. Be approved
  Do a courtesy check to make sure everyone is comfortable with you smoking spliff around them. Perhaps they don’t partake, maybe they don’t want to smell of burning bush or be exposed to second-hand smoke. Yes, contact-high is a real thing!
1. Abide by the house rules
  Respect the venue and treat the space as you want others to treat yours and be mindful of the rest of the attendees.
1. Don’t be pushy
  Respect and honour when someone declines the toke or decides they have had enough, nobody likes a bully. Besides, it means more of the good stuff for you!
1. Beware of the Munchies
  Also been sited as involuntary mouthslaughter or the classic puff-n-stuff. It is the phenomenon when the cannabinoid; THC, stimulates the olfactory bulb in the brain. Your sense of smell and taste is heightened and your stomach is tricked into thinking you are hungry, even when you are not.
1. Sharing is caring
  Proffer pot if you have to spare and receive the same when you are there.
1. Don’t be a hero
  If you know you absolutely can not roll a smokeable joint or operate a bong or rig, ask for help instead of wasting weed! Take the opportunity to learn a new skill if someone is willing to teach you.
1. Roller’s Right
  The roller of the joint or the packer of the bowl has the option to spark up their creation or bestow the honour upon their guest.
1. Herbage Habits
  When lighting up a bong, direct your flame to the rim of the bowl as not to burn the entire green surface, leaving some of the dank goodness for the next person.
1. Puff, Puff don’t Pass
  Feeling under the weather? Rather don’t share joints or smoking devices!
1. Check the smoke
  Be aware of those around you, exhale your smoke away from people and kill the roach properly to not annoy your neighbour with dwindling smoke.
1. It’s to the left, right?
  When sharing a joint or device stick to a directional rotation, that way nobody gets left out and you are not caught wondering who’s next.
1. Keep it moving
  Bogarting is seriously frowned upon. Have a drag or two and move it along to your anticipating neighbour. Be sure to ash that joint before you pass it on.
1. Salivating?
  Your canna-comrades will be greatly appreciative if you kept it to yourself! Nobody wants to put a soggy joint to their mouth.
1. Do not mess with the playlist
  The host is in charge of the music unless you have been tasked with taking care of adding tracks to the queue. Keep the tunes mellow and in line, big changes to the music can ruin the vibe!
1. Avoid being a buzzkill
  Keep the conversation light and joyous, the mood can quickly turn sombre with a morbid story. Enjoy the inebriated stated without constantly trying to tell folks how high you are or establishing just how high they are.
Photo by LexScope on Unsplash

These rules are a basic guideline to stoner etiquette, people are not the same, and rules are meant to be broken. Be sure the participants are comfortable and enjoy the moment to connect with dopeheads!
September 8, 2020
Coffee Pods To Keep You Baked All Day

Rise and shine with a caffeine hit spiced with a mellowed-out buzz! A dope company called Cannabiniers offer weed lovers who can’t cope without jitter juice a series of coffee pods that gets you stoned, one sip at a time.

BrewBudz comes in a range of strengths, each touting a different level of weed’s active ingredient THC. The brewing process is as simple as sinking a pod into your fancy-ass 2.0 brewer and enjoy a caffeine jolt that comes with a buzz.

The San Diego-based start-up wishes to offer ‘cannabis consumers a discrete lifestyle integrated option to enjoy their daily consumption with an added kick.’

What’s more, these pot pods are totally sustainable and recyclable, so you can feel good while you try to get up or kickback.

If you prefer to drink tea like the queen, there’s that and a cocoa option too.

But wait, of cause, there’s more! Potheads who prefer to crack a cold one can make a bong out of the de-alcoholized THC-infused craft beer like there’s no tomorrow!

September 8, 2020
Marijuana Use Hits An Old Time High Among Senior Citizens

Gone are the days where hippies from the sixties are frowned upon when they feel like lighting up a spliff! A recent study claims that more and more baby boomers are turning to the magical herb, finding it to be a miracle cure later on in life.

Published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, findings appear to reflect changing attitudes toward cannabis, especially among the elderly.

Interestingly enough, another survey found that marijuana use nearly doubled among men ages 65 to 69 between 2016 and 2018.

Some theories as to why seniors are using weed for health or recreational purposes are a greater willingness to admit to using because of lower stigma, easier access and availability of the drug, and lowered inhibitions against use.

One of the reasons why the researchers embarked on the study was a concern that the effects of cannabis in older adults might be different from what younger people experience. Young adults ages 18 to 25 remain the biggest users of the drug, with 38.7% reporting use in 2018, according to a government report.

September 7, 2020