Medical Marijuana Blog

  • Raphael Mechoulam: Pioneer Cannabis Researcher

    • August 27, 2019
    • Posted by: Admin
    • Category: Marijuana in the News
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    Cannabis Researcher

    As far back as the 1800s,scientistsrealized that there arevaluable effects incannabis. Extensive research in the United States and England on cannabis in the 1930s came to a halt with the beginning of World War II and did not pick up again afterwards due to the various laws and regulations that classified the plant as a drug.Legal issuescontinued to inhibit serious study until half a century ago, when Prof. Raphael Mechoulam (b. 1930) of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem isolated and synthesized the main psychoactive compound in cannabis: THC.

    Back then, accessing cannabis for research purposes was not necessarily simple. Prof. Mechoulam contacted a friend who worked for the police, who provided him with seized hashish (which also originates from marijuana) for Mechoulam’s medical research.

    In the early 60s, Mechoulam and his research partners had full knowledge of the structure of CBD(cannabidiol), an important cannabis ingredient. In the next few years they managed to isolate THC, establish its structure and synthesize it.Further years of collaborative research demonstrated that THC is the main ingredient which triggers specific receptors in the brain in the similar way to chemicals in the human body. Together with the cell’s receptors, these compounds work to protect against many conditions as well as syndromes.

    The important discoveries made by Prof. Mechoulam and his team not only changed Prof. Mechoulam’s life path, but also the lives of millions of patients around the world – the ability to isolate the active substance in cannabis formed the foundation for an entire industry basedsolely on a single plant and the variations within its’ strains. Thecannabis plant is now being studied at an unprecedented pace.

    The long list of medical conditions which medical cannabis helps to alleviate is all thanks to the revolutionary discoveries made by Prof. Mechoulam and his team in the early 60s. Based on such revelations, programs such as the one established byIsraeli Ministry of Health are able to provide eligible patients with the necessary permits to legally purchase medical cannabis.

    Signs of Prof. Mechoulam’s sensational discovery are evident to this day – Israel is seen as a major player in the field of medical cannabis and has been at the forefront of the study of the plant’s virtues. More clinical trials in cannabis are currently being conducted in this tiny countrythan in any other country across the globe. The conclusions of these studies have benefited the lives of countless patients around the world – from oncology patients, through children with autism, epilepsy, post-traumatic patients, to elderly people with Parkinson’s.

    Now in his 80s and still very much active I his field of research, Prof. Mechoulam will give a keynote lecture on his current findings and outlook on the cannabinoid system and where we stand todayon September 9during CannX Tel Aviv, an annual conference series focusing to the most relevant developments, innovations and opportunities in this medical field. To learn more about CannX, click here.

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  • Hangover CBD Shot

    • August 15, 2019
    • Posted by: Admin
    • Category: CBD
    1 Comment
    hangover

    If you are looking to cure a hangover, have you thought about CBD shots?  One of the brands that I have sampled in the CBD space is Thought Cloud, you can read a Thought Cloud review by following that link.  In particular, today I’ll speak about their new CBD Hangover Shot, and let you know if it worked after a long night drinking on the town.

    Do CBD Hangover Shots Work?

    Let me provide you with a back story.  It was a Friday night, and one of my co-workers suggested happy hour.  We hit the bar immediately after work, and in my mind I only wanted to be there a couple hours.  Basically long enough to have four or five drinks and call it a night.  Well, the hours compounded into four hours, (thanks to a great extended happy hour) and from there, we ended up getting dinner. Red wine was flowing.  If you’ve ever mixed beer with red wine, you know that the hangover can be quite painful.  Unfortunately CBD pain relievers don’t really work in this situation, otherwise I’d be rubbing the cream all over my forehead any time a headache started to blossom.

    best hangover drink with cbdWell, wouldn’t you know it, but the next morning when I woke up for my son’s soccer game (at 7 AM, of course) my head was absolutely POUNDING. I rushed to the refrigerator to find something cold to put on my head, knowing that anything I did would only provide short term relief.  I started chugging water like it was my job, but that didn’t help much.  Finally, I remembered that the care package provided by ThoughtCloud had indeed included a CBD hangover drink.  I had been storing it for a few weeks, not really remembering that I had this magical shot, but today was my lucky day, as there was a potential cure waiting for me right there.

    The best part, is this is only $14.99!  Click Here to Order

    I slugged the magical shot, somewhat skeptical thinking there was no way it would work.  However, the 15 ML bottle full of vitamins didn’t let me down.  Within 30 minutes I was headache-free, and if you read the page on their site that talks about this product, I credit it to it being able to restore your electrolyte levels thanks to Vitamin B.  The CBD helps your mind’s clarity, meaning you won’t be confused and groggy for very long the day after getting blasted on tequila.  (Or whatever your booze of choice may be.)

    Of course, this hangover remedy with CBD is NOT psychoactive, meaning you won’t get high or anything from it.

    No chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides were used in this product, and it’s legal in 50 states.

    Each batch is lab tested for purity.

    How to Use the CBD Hangover Cure

    Simply shake the bottle, remove the cap, and drink half of the bottle.  This will work on headaches and upset stomachs.  Any product you do not use, just put back in the refrigeration and finish within two days of opening. For full disclosure, I wasn’t planning on drinking again any time soon after my episode, so I ended up slamming the whole bottle.  But that’s just me, you should follow the directions that they provide.

    What’s Inside the CBD Hangover Cure?

    The flavoring is organic, and it’s made form plant extract.  The full ingredient list is below. Lots of good stuff there that you’ll find in healthy smoothies and shots you’d see at juice spa / bar.

    25mg of Nano CBD, Ginger Juice, Lemon Juice, Turmeric Juice, Milk Thistle Oil, Wheatgrass Powder, Chlorella Powder, White Willow Bark Powder, Vitamin C, Vitamin E Oil, Vitamin B Complex (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12), Glycerin, Gum Arabic (Acacia Powder)

    Make Your Order Online and get it in 2-3 days!  – – – > Order Here.

    If anyone is a fan of organic raw juice, you know the power of ginger, lemon, turmeric, and wheatgrass.  There is of course, milk thistle, which a lot of people know is great for your kidney and liver function, so that makes sense as well.  The vitamins make obvious sense being included because well, the best way to be healthy is to not have a vitamin deficiency!

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  • Medical Cannabis Prescriptions in Canada

    • August 15, 2019
    • Posted by: Admin
    • Category: Marijuana in the News
    1 Comment
    marijuana

    As medical marijuana continues to blaze its path all throughout Canada and the rest of North America, demand for its products and accessories continue to grow. Recent waves of legalization have opened up new opportunities for patients who have long been suffering from various illnesses and disorders of all types. CBD hemp treatments have shown great promise and effectiveness in helping people with a broad range of issues.

    Not only has this form of therapy become a popular agent for physical problems such as chronic pain, insomnia, and fibromyalgia, as well as the side effects from cancer treatments, it has also been effective in treating neurological conditions including Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy. And that’s not all; psychological disorders such as Anorexia, ADHD, and bulimia, have been shown to respond well to medical cannabis prescriptions, as have even some emotional conditions like depression and anxiety.

    The first step to beginning this course of therapy is to apply for and receive approval for a medical marijuana prescription. The process is not a difficult one, but it needs to be done correctly all the way from filling out the paperwork accurately and sending it to the proper agencies which handle the applications, to having the medical professional’s recommendation for this type of treatment for your condition.

    Obtaining a Prescription

    The first thing that is needed before you have your initial consultation regarding medicinal cannabis therapy and whether or not it is the right choice for you, is a copy of your medical file and treatment history. This can be acquired by a simple request to your current personal or family physician. Often times patients may be hesitant or nervous about asking for such a document for fear of having to answer a bunch of questions or justify their request. There is no need to feel this way.

    Canada PhotoThese are your records concerning your body. You have a legal right to access them at any time without providing any reason or further information regarding why you need them. The worst case scenario is that your doctor might require a written, formal request for the purposes of record keeping. Other than that, you should face no further issues. While this is not necessary if your primary physician is the one you will be consulting with regard to the possibility of medical cannabis treatments, for people seeking other opinions these files will be necessary.

    Working with Specialty Clinics and Doctors

    It can be advantageous to partner up with health facilities that specialize in this form of therapy as their superior knowledge in the field, and access to larger varieties of specific strains can be much more helpful when deciding which particular medication would be best for your condition(s). For medical practitioners who offer CBD products as only one of many options, their lack of expertise can often times result in an inefficient treatment program.

    Filling Your Prescription

    As previously mentioned, this is another advantage of working with one of the specialized health and wellness centres whose doctors and staff focus solely on medical cannabis. In addition to the fact that many of them have years of experience studying various medical conditions and how different individual strains work to treat and manage each symptom, they also have access to Licensed Providers which offer a higher quality grade of medicines than are available in retail outlets and dispensaries.

    In addition to the fact that these clinics take the guesswork out of which strands to purchase for the patient, they also continue to work with them all throughout the course of the treatment, monitoring their progress and making any changes or adjustments that may be necessary, such as trying different prescriptions or adjusting the dosage based on the individual’s evolving needs.

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  • Illinois Becomes 11th State to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

    • June 25, 2019
    • Posted by: Admin
    • Category: Legalization
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    Medical Marijuana

    Gov. J.B. Pritzker inked a bill that allows residents to buy and possess up to an ounce of cannabis and non-residents can have up to 15 grams.  Illinois became the 11th state to approve legal marijuana in the U.S. when the bill was signed.  This was promised in Pritzker’s campaign, and it’s also going to provide a statewide cannabis marketplace.  Additionally, over 800,000 people who have a criminal record for buying or possessing 30 grams of weed or less will have their record entirely expunged.

    Illinois Legalizes Recreational Marijuana Sales

     

     

    If you are an adult 21 years of age or older, you can buy at approved dispensaries once they are established with proper licenses, which could start as soon as January 1, 2020.  Until then, it will be a crime to possess marijuana.

    I’m totally on board with the next part of the report I read on Fox, where it talked about how this campaign capitalized on the sentiment that law enforcement simply had better things to do other than round up pot smokers and that the state could benefit from the taxation just like it does with tobacco and alcohol.

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  • Smoking Accessories

    • June 17, 2019
    • Posted by: Admin
    • Category: Marijuana Buying Guide
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    marijuana

    With marijuana becoming increasingly legal across the United States, more and more people have started smoking it, helping them to feel both the medical and recreational benefits of the plant. With many of these people being relatively new to using it, however, few might know what accessories they should have to feel the maximum number of benefits. While the majority of people will know to purchase rolling papers, filter tips, and a few of the other basics, there are still a variety of things that they may not know about.

    Many of these smoking accessories having a considerable impact on how much you enjoy it, which can make them a necessity when smoking. This shouldn’t be something that affects you for long, as there are a few different things pot smokers should have regardless of whether they’re smoking a joint or using a bong. However, there are a few accessories that are more mandatory than others, so they’re products that you should buy when you first start smoking.

    List of Marijuana Accessories You Should Know

    You can buy all of these accessories and much more on this site:  https://www.hemper.co/collections/smoking-accessories

    Grinder

    A grinder should be one of the first things that you buy alongside your marijuana, as it’s a necessity for breaking up your weed. While this can often be done by hand, it can often be a sticky and somewhat messy experience, and you mightn’t be able to make the marijuana as fine as you might need for the likes of a bong or a pipe. The majority of us will want to make this as easy as possible while still making sure that the weed is well-broken up, which provides a better smoking experience.

    This is why a grinder can be vital, especially considering how it saves a significant amount of time. When you’re buying one, you should also consider getting one that has a kief catcher, which means that it will save much of the weed from being wasted when you’re grinding it. While this might mean paying a little bit extra for the grinder, it can typically mean that you get a better experience when you’re smoking.

    Bong

    A bong might be one of the more obvious accessories, although the number of people that overlook this can be surprising. This can often be called a water pipe, as it includes water that helps to cool and filter the vapor when you’re smoking it, which can remove any toxins that might be in the marijuana, making it much healthier. There can be a variety of bongs to choose from, which range from the simple to relatively complex, with many manufacturers creating unique designs that can catch almost anybody’s interested. With a little bit of time and effort, you’ll be able to find a bong that suits your interest.

    Vaporizer

    While many people might be interested in smoking the plant, some may not want to deal with the potential health ramifications of the smoke that’s emitted during the process. This is something that can be avoided with a vaporizer, which does what you might expect from the name; vaporizing the marijuana and allowing you to inhale it. The health benefits of this can be seen by the fact that it’s 95% carcinogenic-free, and it also increases the number of terpenoids that’s emitted.

    These can act as an anti-inflammatory while reducing the lung irritation that many people might see when they’re smoking marijuana. The benefits of a vaporizer aren’t just seen when it comes to health, however, as it can also help bring out the taste of the weed, which can be a significant advantage for many marijuana connoisseurs.

    Rolling Machine

    When you first start smoking joints, it can often be difficult to properly roll them, which can mean that you may not be able to enjoy the weed properly. This is where a rolling machine comes into play, as it makes the process much easier because it automates almost all of the process. All you’ll need to do is to put the joint together, place it into the rolling machine, and then let it work its magic. While newcomers to the area look the gain the most out of this, any weed enthusiasts will be able to reap the rewards, as it takes the majority of effort out of the process.

    This can also mean that it will take much less time to roll the joint, while also making sure that it’s as well put-together as possible. With that it mind, it means that you’ll have the best smoking experience possible with a minimal amount of effort.

    Blunt Wrap

    The majority of people know what a joint and a bong are, although they might not realize that these aren’t the only ways that you can enjoy the weed, as we illustrated above with the vaporizer. However, you’ll also be able to make cigar-like blunts that can offer a much more satisfying experience when you’re smoking it, although you’ll need a blunt wrap to do so. In many cases, these will be made out of tobacco leaves, and you can often choose which kinds of wraps to use when you’re making it.

    This means that you’ll be able to find different tastes and aromas, giving you somewhat more leeway when it comes to the overall experience. With that in mind, you’ll be able to experiment with a variety of different blunt wraps to figure out which ones you prefer. In most cases, this blunt wrap will be made out of a single tobacco leaf, although it can sometimes be made up of several of them.

    Dugout

    A dugout is a box, typically made of wood, that’s broken up into two pieces, with one part holding a one-hitter pipe and the other holding the marijuana. In the majority of cases, the dugout is relatively small and can be carried around discreetly, which will let you hide the pipe and weed whenever you need to. This discreetness also applies to the smell of the cannabis before and after you smoke it, which can be a significant advantage if you don’t want it affecting your overall home or anywhere else that you smoke.

    These can vary significantly in price, depending on how sophisticated the design is, as well as a few other factors. While a dugout is more commonly made out of wood, it’s become increasingly popular for it to be made from ceramic and stone, which can also be a factor in its price.

    Naturally, you’ll also need to have the likes of an ashtray, rolling tray, and a few other smoking accessories to ensure that you don’t make a mess when you’re smoking. It’s also been noted that a few spare lighters are one of the major things pot smokers should have, as it means that you’re less likely to run out of them when you’re in the middle of a smoking session. You might also want a few high-quality cleaners and brushes, especially if you’re using a bong or a pipe, as keeping the both of these clean can be vital when it comes to enjoying the marijuana.

    You should ensure that both of these are of a high-quality, as some of the lower quality ones might contain toxins or chemicals that you wouldn’t want to inhale in your next smoking session. Combined with each of the above, you’ll be able to have an enjoyable experience without having to worry about running out of anything. Naturally, there are quite a significant number of smoking accessories to chose from; by ensuring that you have most of the above, however, you’ll be able to make sure that you’re set for a great smoking experience.

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  • Colorado Hits Billion Dollars in Cannabis Revenue

    • June 13, 2019
    • Posted by: Admin
    • Category: Marijuana in the News
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    Colorado

    I remember a ski trip five years back to Colorado, and being able to legally get marijuana from dispensaries. It was my first experience with this rather “new” legal model to obtain marijuana, and it took some getting used to.  Thanks to some time spent in Nevada, it was far from my last experience in dealing with legal recreational marijuana!  Today it was reported that Colorado has officially crossed the one billion dollar mark in revenues, and the State continues to lead the way in being the best place for investment, innovation, and development in this growing sector.

    Colorado Continues to Pave the Way in Marijuana Sector

    cannabis in colorado
    Colorado has passed the billion dollar mark in revenues from marijuana in under five years.

    Is it the large head start Colorado had on everyone else that allows them to be so far ahead of the game?  I don’t think so. While Colorado does attract a great deal of tourism to it’s national parks, ski resorts, and lovely scenery, they just have solid people who know the industry of cannabis, as well as farming, coupled with good work ethics and strong morals. I believe this is a huge factor when you compare it to places like Florida, where it seems every sector out there is highlighted with people trying to cut corners, cheat the system, and get ahead to be the person who makes the most money in any way possible. That’s just me, having experience in both places, and it may sound like a slight, but it is what it is. It’s my observation. Watch or read the news, Florida is a place ripe with fraud, especially in pain clinics and other places in that regard.

    The former Governor of Colorado, named John Hickenlooper, who happens to be a 2020 presidential candidate, once mentioned the state’s earnings from legal marijuana as “a drop in the bucket.”

    Whoa.  Just a billion dollar drop, like on the Grand Prize Game in the Bozo the Clown Show?  Must be nice.

    Current Governor Jared Polis was the one who detailed in a press release how the state has earned over one billion in revenues from legal marijuana sales, and he had this to say about the current state of Colorado marijuana sales:

    “This industry is helping grow our economy by creating jobs and generating valuable revenue that is going towards preventing youth consumption, protecting public health and safety and investing in public school construction.”

    With licensed cannabis retailers having over $6.56 billion worth of products since 2014, over $1.02 billion has been raised via taxes and fees for the state of Colorado.

    Certainly, other states will follow their lead and realize what a cash cow this really is, not to mention marijuana is a serious help to people who need it for medicinal purposes.

    It’s also worth mentioning that many of the CBD Oil companies we review get a lot of their organic hemp from Colorado-based farms.  Colorado is certainly a place that is taking charge in this evolving space, and it doesn’t seem like anyone is close to getting on their level in terms of innovation and dedication to putting out quality products.

    Colorado Based CBD Companies

    Here are a few of the companies with ties to Colorado as well as links to pages with more information about them.

    –> Mary’s Nutrition is based in Loveland, Colorado.

    –> CBD Pure Gets Organic Hemp Grown in Colorado.

    –> 4 Corners CBD is based in Colorado.

    –> Thought Cloud sources products from there.

    –> CBD Distillery is based there.

     

     

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  • How Far Should LED Grow Lights Be From Plants?

    • June 11, 2019
    • Posted by: Admin
    • Category: Uncategorized
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    How Far Should LED Grow Lights Be From Plants?

    If you’re trying to figure out the perfect distance between your plants and the LED lights nourishing them, you’re already ahead of the game. Too many growers overlook light placement or decide to wing it. At worst, the result is a struggling, unhealthy crop. At best, they don’t get the full benefits of choosing LED lights to begin with.

    The most technologically advanced LED lights have completely revolutionized indoor and greenhouse growing. Lights like the SolarSystem®series from California Lightworks are helping growers achieve their highest and most potent yields yet. Between the high-intensity output and variable spectrum control, these lights are the best option for mimicking sunlight and manipulating your product. Plus—as you’ve undoubtedly heard by now—LED lights to accomplish all this while using limited energy and emitting very little heat.

    However, in order to use all these benefits to their fullest potential, you must determine the optimum placement in relation to your canopy. Unfortunately, there is no set standard. All LED lights are a little different, which is why the absolute best advice we can offer is to consult with the manufacturer of your specific light.

    Beyond that, here are a few insights and tips that can help you make the wisest choices for your plants.

    LED Grow Light Placement

    If you do not have reflective walls, the inverse square law is very important, and you should never raise the lights higher than the manufacturer’s recommendations. Moving the lights too high in this case greatly reduces light intensity and yield.

    REFLECTIVE WALLS

    While the inverse square law applies to any light – these changes drastically when you use reflective walls. Reflective walls bounce the light back to your plants and greatly reduce the light loss from moving the lights higher. So, when using reflective walls in a grow room or grow tent, it is possible to place the lights much higher without losing a large percentage of the light.

    If you have efficient reflective walls – going higher is normally better than lower regardless of which LEDs you are using. With reflective walls, the light bounces from many different angles into the plant and you will get move even yields and deeper penetration into the canopy.

    The distance between your LED lights and your plants is, in fact, an exact science. Seemingly minor adjustments make a huge difference when it comes to giving your plants the kind of light intensity that makes them flourish, without giving them so much that they burn and wither.

    OVERLAPPING LIGHTS

    In larger grows where there are many lights in the same room along with reflective walls, it is often more effective to puts the lights higher so that the is overlap between many lights. This means that each plant will get light from many angles and this will promote much better penetration into the canopy and better overall yield.

    For professional installations, California Lightworks can prepare a computerized light plan which can present the best light orientation in any environment.

    Understanding this, the inevitable question is: What is that exact right placement?

    How Far To Place LED Lights From Plants In Each Stage Of Growth

    Once again, it is important to understand that there is no universal rule for how far to place LED lights from plants in each phase of growth. Different manufacturers construct their LED lights in different ways. There are multiple details to take into consideration, such as the power and angle of individual LED diodes within a fixture and the use of lenses to reflect light downwards. The best way to get that perfect distance between the light and your canopy is to consult with the manufacturer.

    The second thing to keep in mind is that the correct LED light placement changes for each stage of growth. If your LED is dimmable, you can use dimming to adjust the intensity of the light on the plant surface. If your LED is not dimmable, your only option is to change the hanging height. These examples aren’t hard-and-fast rules, so don’t follow them without the blessing of your light’s manufacturer. But just to give you a ballpark sense of what LED light placement generally looks like throughout the growth cycle:

    LED Light Placement For Seedling Stage

    Seedlings need the least intensity and most distance between the canopy and the lights. You may have the instinct to blast these little guys with high-intensity light to promote fast growth. The truth is, they’re young, vulnerable, and likelier to thrive with a gentler approach.

    Vegetative Stage

    In the vegetative stage, you want to get your LED lights closer to your plants. In general, plants in veg only need about half the light that they need in bloom. It follows that you could have up to twice the hanging height that you use in bloom.

    Flowering Stage

    It’s in the flowering stage that you really need the highest intensity. It is important to build in a “hardening off” phase as you move from veg to bloom. Slowly increase the intensity or lower the hanging height until you reach the manufacturers recommended height in bloom.

    Again, these are general guidelines. Discuss the ideal distances with your manufacturer and keep an eye on your plants for signs that you’re overloading them. If your plants are getting too much light intensity, they’ll let you know. Here’s how:

    How to Recognize Light Burn On Your Plants

    Because LED lights give off so little heat, you don’t run much risk of causing heat damage by placing your fixture too close to the canopy. What you do risk is light burn. Unfortunately, the light burn is easily mistaken for nitrogen deficiency, and many growers wind up misdiagnosing their grow and addressing the wrong problem.

    If your plants have light damage, you’ll see symptoms such as:

    • Leaves point upwards.
    • Bleaching, which takes the form of white or yellow discoloration, typically on the leaves closest to the light.
    • Veins remain green even as the rest of the leaves turn yellow.

    A nitrogen deficiency has similar characteristics, but there are a few notable differences.

    • A plant with a nitrogen deficiency also develops yellow patches, but the damage starts from the bottom of the plant and works its way up, while light burn begins at the top, closest to the lights.
    • In the case of a nitrogen deficiency, leaves wilt. In the case of a light burn, leaves turn upward and sometimes even become brittle.
    • The leaves of a nitrogen deficient plant fall off on their own. This does not happen to plants suffering from a light burn.

    If it sounds like your plant has a light burn, it’s time to reevaluate the placement of your LED lights.

    Specific Suggestions for California Lightworks LED Grow Lights

    SolarSystem® Series

    The SolarSystem series features narrow light angles and higher power so these lights are designed to hang higher than other LEDs. A digital spectrum controller is available which allows you to dim the lights rather than raising or lowering them. This is the best option and avoids constant raising and lowering of the lights.

    If you do not use the controller, you can adjust the intensity by raising and lowering the lights:

    Propagation – spouts and clones – up to 48 inches

    Early Veg – 36 to 48 inches

    Veg – 36 inches

    Pre-flower – 24 – 36 inches – lower the lights gradually

    Flower – 24 – 36 inches depending on the canopy – maximum intensity evenly spread over the canopy

    SolarXtreme® Series

    The SolarXtreme series features wide angle COB LEDs. These can be hung much closer to the plants and are especially well suited to tent grows where there are highly reflective walls close to the plants.

    Propagation – sprouts and clones – 24 to 36 inches

    Early Veg – 24 – 36 inches

    Veg – 24 – 36 inches

    Pre-flower – 24 inches

    Flower – 18 to 24 inches

    *In all cases, adjust the light intensity to best suit your plants – they will let you know when they are happy!

    The Bottom Line

    The intensity or distance between your plants and LED lights is crucial to the health of your grow. Run the lights too high power or place the lights too close, and you can damage the plant. Underpower or hang them too high, and you miss out on the highest possible yields and potency.

    Your best bet for getting the exact perfect height is to consult with the manufacturer of your specific LED light. If you’re still on the hunt for an LED light, include customer service as a consideration when weighing your options. Choose an LED light manufacturer that offers easy access to expert insight.

    At California Lightworks, we have U.S. based customer support and a great reputation for helping growers set up their best-ever grow operation with cutting-edge spectrum variable LED lights. If we can do the same for you, drop us a line. We’re always here to answer your questions and help you create the best light system for your plants.

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  • Does Amazon Drug Test?

    • June 6, 2019
    • Posted by: Admin
    • Category: Drug Testing
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    Amazon

    Amazon, the world’s leader in electronic commerce (e-commerce), is using the state of the art in artificial intelligence (AI), digital television streaming, and cloud computing. Being one of the best multi-national technology firms around, they must adhere as strictly as possible to standard hiring practices, including drug test administration. Much of Amazon’s business is performed by warehouse associates, delivery truck drivers, technology analysts and software engineers. That being the case, Amazon foots the bill to drug test employees in-house to ensure that they are working at their most mentally fit.

    New Employee Drug Testing at Amazon

    The majority of positions at Amazon are applied for and filled in a 3-step process.

    • When Amazon direct hires, their hiring managers will review applications and inform those who will move on to the next stage when their prospective orientation and starting dates will be.

    • During the hiring process, background checks for prospective employees will be initiated. Around this time, a more thorough review and assessment of the applicants’ work and educational histories. Personal or professional references may be contacted around this time to corroborate the applicant’s personal-life or work-related claims.

    • One of the final steps in Amazon’s 3-step hiring process is its drug test administration procedures. The outcome of the drug test is typically the final criterion on whether the applicant lands the job as a warehouse associate, driver, or in the tech field with Amazon or not. This final step may be supplemented with an additional interview or follow-up questions on a case-by-case basis.

    Amazon and Initial Interview Drug Testing

    While Amazon does administer drug tests for new employees and regularly retests current employees, they generally do not test on the initial interview. It costs money, resources and time to conduct each drug test. Amazon wants to ensure that the applicants taking the drug tests have finished all of the other stages in the hiring process and really want to perform the job that they applied for. This is why the drug test administration does not occur on the initial interview.

    What Drugs are Employees Tested For?

    For some applicants, the issue may not be the timing of the drug test. Instead, the issue may be whether or not the applicant can pass the drug test whenever it’s scheduled. Applicants should bear in mind that Amazon tests for a wide variety of drugs and follow federal guidelines concerning drug classification and legality. This means that there are drugs such as marijuana that are legal in some states but are still considered illegal under federal law. Besides cannabis, Amazon also tests for Valium, methadone, amphetamines, barbiturates, morphine, meth and cocaine. Amazon uses a pricey but effective drug test administration process to detect trace amounts of any of these drugs in its prospective and regular employees. Amazon employees are also randomly selected for required Annual Medical Exams that every employee on payroll must complete.

    Of course, should you be looking for options to pass any drug test, make sure to check out our recommended supplier of kits designed to pass drug tests.

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  • Does Lowes Drug Test?

    • June 4, 2019
    • Posted by: Admin
    • Category: Drug Testing
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    Lowe's Drug Testing

    Do Lowes Employers Drug Test Their Employees?

    Lowe’s is a chain of retail stores revolving around home improvement. Employees are likely to have to engage customers at their homes, so you can imagine how seriously they take drug use. They do perform drug tests for employees of all ranks and stations. Furthermore, training at Lowe’s typically includes implementing procedures such as training to acknowledge, record, and immediately confront on-site drug use.

    The chain makes sure to conform to local, state, and federal law as well as possible and has discretion to test employees if suspicions are reasonably aroused.

    The company does not always immediately terminate relations with employees who have tested positive for drugs. If such an employee is willing to submit to treatment, then further drug testing is mandated; if these further tests show no continued drug use, then there may be options available for employees to continue working for Lowe’s. A large amount of the attention the company pays to drug use among active employees lies among the portion of workers operating heavy machinery and potentially dangerous tools. Those who drive forklifts or use saws, for example, are highly at risk to cause untoward damage to themselves, others, or company property.

    Pre-Employment Drug Screening at Lowe’s

    Before the hiring process is complete, applicants will most likely be drug tested. Exactly how likely this is to happen depends on the laws and statutes in a given state, so some research might be called for. If a job is offered on condition, there is usually a copy of the pertinent policies provided for potential employees so that they can have a better understanding of what they’ll have to look forward to. Once a job is conditionally offered, one of two options can be expected: either a drug test will be issued in the next two days, or it will be issued after a second interview.

    The most common type of drug test used tests the saliva – in most cases, saliva retains traces of drugs consumed within the last two or three days. If test results prove inconclusive, other options include urine, which can indicate drug usage within the last several weeks or the last couple of months, blood, which is useful for a shorter period than saliva, or hair, which can display traces of drugs consumed within a period of several months. Lowe’s employs servers online where employees and potential employees can discuss, among other topics, the of their experiences with drug testing for the company.

    Other companies you can apply for that appear on this site with their drug testing policies outlined include Home Depot as well as Starbuck’s Coffee.

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  • Legal Cannabis is Approved in Illinois

    • June 3, 2019
    • Posted by: Admin
    • Category: Legalization
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    Chicago, Illinois

    Last Friday a major move went down in the State of Illinois as recreational marijuana was approved for adult use by legislature.  The move is the first time this has happened versus a voting referendum.  Earlier this year, we saw New Jersey and New York lose out on recreational pot bills, but in this case, Governor J.B. Priztker promised his signature and a few Chicago-based cannabis companies are ready to go when the sales are expected to kick off in January of 2020.

    Illinois Gets Weed!

    At the same time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration met to talk about the regulations of CBD, which has been a hot topic both in the news and on our website.  It was decriminalized in December and many companies are pressing to get CBD foods and other products in stores without irking the FDA and their rules.  Online sales of CBD oils are hot as gold, as are CBD gummies, tinctures, and creams that relieve pain.  The CBD niche is massive, and it’ll be interesting to see how quickly they move into the mainstream in retail stores.

    Each license in Illinois will double the quantity of stores that each license is permitted to operate, moving the needle from five to 10, and anyone already with a dispensary license is already at the front of the line which gives them a solid 6-12 month head start over anyone just getting into the application phase.

    Aaron Gray, of Alliance Global Partners, predicted that in just five years, the recreational sales combined with the medical cannabis sales will help the state generate about $2.9 billion for cannabis producers.  This will also put other largely populated states on alert, being that Illinois is the 11th state to go the route of recreational.

    However, at the end of the article the reality was discussed that this could take years to get approved with some formalities.  I saw this exact same thing unfold in the electronic cigarette space, and I do believe that it will take some time.  Although, it’s an exciting time right now with hemp products being mainstream and CBD being in society!
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