Now that football season has ended, more people will be heading out of Denver and up to the slopes in pursuit of those powder days, and if you’re one of them, you just might smell that familiar smell emanating from the woods. Skiing has long had an “unofficial” relationship, with Colorado's top products, even way before marijuana was legalized in Colorado. And although Winter Park Resort has a famous mountain called Mary Jane, it’s not actually named after marijuana (although it may as well be). So before you stock up at your favorite Denver dispensary, learn how you can partake while skiing or boarding—without getting into trouble with the law or otherwise:

Be Discreet
Many ski runs are on federal land where marijuana is still illegal, so take care in following any and all rules outlined in whichever area you are spending time. If you are caught skiing under the influence, the fine can be steep; the Colorado Pot Guide says up to $1,000. Additionally, if you’re caught openly using on the slopes, you could lose your ski pass. While getting caught may be rare, no one wants to be made an example of. So be smart about it and heed all regulations in the areas.

Be Nice
On that note, it’s important to understand that ski patrol is not out to get you nor is it their job to enforce the federal law. They’re there to keep you safe and to educate you. So if ski patrol stops you because they suspect you might be using marijuana on the slopes, cooperate with them and be respectful. They want to ensure the safety of everyone, and that includes following the rules and mandates of the area.

Stay Hydrated
The last thing many of you are probably thinking about after you’ve smoked some pot is to stay hydrated. But this advice isn’t just for the out-of-towners who have flown in from sea level. Even Colorado natives can have trouble with the altitude when physical activity and recreational marijuana are involved. Don’t get set adrift in your own bliss for too long before you drink some water. You’ll be better for it and your bluebird day will be more enjoyable—and blue.

Take a Tour
If you’re making a long weekend out of it and want to take a day off from skiing, some of Colorado’s mountain towns and ski resorts have started to offer cannabis tours where you can check out local dispensaries, either on your own or with a group. Telluride Green Tours in Telluride, Cultivating Spirits and Summit Lifestyle Tours in the Summit County area, and Durango Artisanal Tours in Durango are just a few outside of the plethora in Denver that cater to mountain-goers.

Check out these additional marijuana tips for your ski trip, especially if you have guests coming in from out of state.
Altitude the Dispensary is your go-to dispensary in Denver and Aurora. Stop by one of our locations today to see our wide selection of quality strains, edibles, topicals, and more. Contact us for more information or for more tips and advice, like how to best keep your cannabis fresh and potent.

Before cannabis was prohibited in 1937, tinctures were the primary type of cannabis medicine.  Tinctures are usually alcohol or ethanol extractions of the whole cannabis plant and contain all 80 of the essential cannabinoids. The extraction secures cannabinoids while leaving out as many of the terpenes and chlorophylls as possible.  Depending on the tincture, the CBD or cannabidiol content can actually decrease the psychoactive effects of THC. The dosage is controlled by a measured dropper that is typically administered under the tongue.  

Stronger Effects
Many patients and parents use tinctures as alternatives to smoking; however, when consuming cannabis this way, it is absorbed differently and has a different effect.  When smoking, cannabinoids are absorbed in the lungs within seconds and circulate through the blood stream.  Tinctures are designed to address the problems of rapid medicine delivery and consistent dosing.  Absorption by the arterial blood supply under the tongue is completed in seconds and effects are felt within 15 minutes.  If patients want the medicine to be absorbed into the GI tract, they can add it to tea or juice for easy delivery without the strong taste of the particular solvent; absorption is slower with this method, often requiring one up to two hours, to feel the effects.   When adding tinctures to your food or drink, the effects are very similar to ingesting cannabis edibles. 

When tinctures are ingested, the effects are different than when smoking cannabis. When the active cannabinoid Delta-9-THC is ingested and processed in the liver, it is converted to 11-hydroxy-THC.  11-Hydroxy-THC is more potent as it passes through the blood-brain barrier quickly and it has a psychedelic effect. Although it may take longer for the effects to be felt when ingesting cannabis, the effects last longer, on average around 7 hours. When cannabis is smoked or vaped, it is only processed by the liver on the second pass as the THC was first absorbed through the lungs and circulates into the blood stream from there.

Not all tinctures have a high THC content; the potency of tinctures depends on the strain used.  Tinctures can be made using strains high in CBDs and low in THC.  As THC contains psychoactive chemicals, high CBD tinctures are perfect for younger children or individuals that require certain cannabinoids but do not want the cerebral effects of THC.  
 
Understanding Dosing
Dose control is very easy with tinctures as they come with medical droppers for dispensing. The recommended dose for tinctures vary in regards to one’s sensitivity, body weight and chemistry, and medical condition.  Everyone needs to discover what dosage works best for them; first time users should start with a small amount, and if not much is felt, increase the dosage slightly the next time your scheduled dose is.  It’s best to keep increasing your dose over one week and be sure to keep notes on how each level of dosing affected you.  It’s important to keep your tinctures closed tightly as most tinctures are alcohol-based, the alcohol evaporates if exposed to the air.  The CBD concentration will increase as the alcohol evaporates, which will make you titrate your dosage again to the higher CBD level. 

The Pros of Tinctures:

• As the THC and cannabinoids are ingested and not inhaled, the chances of having lung and throat irritation greatly diminishes.
• If added to food or drink, the effects will last longer than when inhaled, and less frequency of dosages are needed. 
• Tinctures may be added directly to your tongue for effects within 15 minutes, ideal for those wanting quick relief.
• Does not contain toxic chemicals, unlike waxes, oils, or shatter extracted with butane or hexane.

The Cons of Tinctures:

• If using an unflavored tincture, the taste may be displeasing when administered directly on the tongue. 
• If the tincture is alcohol-based, the alcohol can evaporate if the tincture is not securely closed.  This makes the concentration of THC rise, which will greatly affect your dosing.

You have the liberty to select which method of ingestion is right for you and here at Altitude the Dispensary, we have a wide variety of products available for both recreational and medical use.  The amazing benefits of cannabis are beginning to emerge as the popularity of recreational and medical cannabis continues to grow.  We have a wide variety of highly-potent oil of varying consistencies that allows our uses to choose their preferred method of medicating.   For more information about cannabis, contact the Dispensary Denver trusts.  

“I find your lack of faith in Jedi Kush…disturbing.” This is something we have never had to say to a single recreational or medical marijuana user at the best dispensary in Denver, Altitude Dispensary. We haven’t had to say this because we usually receive nothing but the highest praise from here to Naboo for this one-of-a-kind, amazing Indica strain. A combination of four super-strains, the name is befitting and will make you feel, at times, otherworldly. Be prepared to experience a high awakening of both mind and body, and bring balance to your own force.
 
The Genetics – Jedi Kush is a mix of two of the best Indicas in the Western Hemisphere. Kicking things off is the already legendary, Death Star, which is itself a cross of the popular Sensi Star and Sour Diesel strains. The Kush side of this breed comes from the anagram-crazy, SFV OG Kush, which is a stellar combination of the original SFV OG and Afghani Kush. These two main strains, which are made from four other dominant Indica and Hybrid strains, is quite deserving of the title Jedi.

The Appearance – Diamond shaped buds about the size of a fun size candy bar, the appearance of Jedi Kush is just as pleasing aesthetically as the high is supreme. Olives and forest greens are intermingled throughout, just as much as the crystalline and amber trichomes surround the outside. The pistils come out of full maturation with a deep crimson hue, giving the flower a sense of constant motion.

The Aroma – The smell of Jedi Kush is very surprising if you aren’t prepared for it. Just like a true Jedi, there are all kinds of surprises. Because of the various strains used to make up this exquisite bud, there are smells of blueberry, lemon, and a strong skunky smell mixed with a light sense of ammonia. Trying to pin down all of the exact aromas would be a continual challenge for olfactory aficionados.

The High – This is a heavy, heady high and will bring you out the Rishi Maze and back again without so much as a blip on the Imperial Radar. You might even break the record for the Kessel Run if you don’t have anything to do on a Saturday afternoon and Pod Racing Season has just ended. A relaxed, euphoric, and happy high awaits you at end of your first bowl, bong, or joint.

Medicinal Effects – Jedi Kush is prescribed mainly for those with high levels of chronic pain and stress, along with those experiencing regular muscle spasms and insomnia. Being such a dominant Indica, prepare for a little bit more dry eyes and cotton mouth than you’re used to. Having a glass of water near by would be a wise choice before taking part.

Jedi Kush is worth of the highest honors of the Jedi Council, and deserving of immortality in their Hall of Records. If you’d like to check out one of the hottest rising strains of 2016, contact Altitude Dispensary today to check our quality products, and don't forget to join our Frequent Flyer Miles Loyalty Program!  With three locations across Denver and Aurora, you can find a location near you.

You will find Blue Dream listed as a Sativa strain on most dispensary menus and weed shops in Denver, and Altitude Dispensary isn’t different. Blue Dream is actually a 50/50 hybrid of both the best Indica and Sativa strains known around the country today, but the end result is just a little closer to the Sativa side of things, so it enjoys being categorized as such. Balancing full-body relaxation of an Indica with the head clearing high of a Sativa, Blue Dream eases you into a calm euphoria without knocking you completely unconscious.
 

• The Genetics – On the Indica side of the 50/50 hybrid mark is the legendary Blueberry. The famous Blueberry strain made its indelible mark back in 2000 when it won High Time’s Cannabis Cup for best Indica. On the Sativa end of the Blue Dream is a strain dating all the way back to the 60s, and also the heart of countless hybrids across the spectrum – Super Silver Haze.
• The Appearance – Depending on the grow, the appearance is most often a blue to purple hue with the beautiful frosty sparkles making it look like it’s covered in a fine coating of sugar dust. The high crystal content is just plain delightful to look at and is just as sticky to the fingers as your eyes lead you to believe it is.
• The Aroma – This is when there is no mistaking the Blueberry lineage of Blue Dream. If you cannot smell the strong blueberry, fruity overtones then you don’t have Blue Dream. You’ll get the smell of the haze after burning it, along with a surprising and very welcome aroma of vanilla in the smoke. With a really good bud of Blue Dream, after you smoke it your room should have the faintest hint of a freshly baked blueberry pie. Who wouldn’t want that?
• The High – Instant contentment after smoking is quickly followed by a fantastic daytime high, one this suitable for getting chores around the house done. At the same time, if your mindset is one for going to bed soon, then Blue Dream can afford you the exact high you need to wind down after a long day of stress or chronic pain.
• Medicinal Effects –Blue Dream comes very highly recommended for stress relief and depression. It has excellent results with chronic pain and even has uses for insomnia and headaches. The only negatives reported with Blue Dream is a slight case of dry mouth, with paranoia ranking very low on the list of possible side effects.

Blue Dream is one of the go-to strains for anyone seeking kicked-back, mindful, and stress-releasing highs. A hybrid of two of the best strains to ever be smoked, Altitude Dispensary is one of the best dispensaries in Denver, and is proud to carry Blue Dream (for as long as we can keep it on our shelves, that is). Contact us today to check our stock and don't forget to join our Frequent Flyer Miles Loyalty Program!

Vaporizers have been around for a while, but have become increasingly popular with the wide variety of concentrates offered to users. However, many cannabis consumers are bombarded with so many options and varieties of vaporizer pens, it can be hard to know which one is the best to buy. Here are some frequently asked questions Altitude Dispensary has answered to help you make an educated choice:

What exactly is a vaporizer?

A vaporizer pen is a device that uses vapor to deliver cannabis concentrates or herb with less harmful effects and toxins than smoking. Basically, they work just like an electronic cigarette. The vapor results from a central heating component that heats up the contents between 350 – 400 degrees. Normal smoking devices often rise in temperatures over 1000 degrees which can burn the product and toxins and residue may be inhaled.

What is “shatter”?

Shatter is a clear and smooth substance used in a vaporizer that is the most potent of cannabis concentrates.  The extraction process removes waxes, fats, and lipids which means it can be over 80 percent concentrated THC. However, this purifying process also means that the health benefits from terpenes are lost.

What is “wax”?

Wax is non-transparent, which means that the THCA and other solids have separated from liquid components such as terpenes. Once the butane is separated from the extract and the oil is agitated, it turns into a wax. Agitation of the oil is done a couple different ways: The temperature under vacuum can be raised or the substance is whipped and then put back under the vacuum. Wax appears more crumbly and dry and is sometimes referred to as honeycomb because of its resemblance. Wax is “purged” for longer at higher temperatures which is what gives it the drier appearance. It is also called “BHO” or butane hash oil because of the extraction process.
Why is using a vaporizer better than smoking?

• It doesn’t stain your nails or fingers
• No odor left on clothing
• You aren’t breathing in smoke
• If you invest in a vaporizer, it can save you money with its burning efficiency
• Vaporizers are small, discreet, and portable

How do I use a vaporizer?

• Power it up by pressing the power button a couple times until you see the coils light up.
• Place your chosen concentrate on the head of the atomizer which should be just above the coils. Make sure to start with a smaller portion, first!
• Replace the glass attachment and mouth piece
• Turn it on and inhale!

How do I know what vape pen is best for me?

Not all vaporizers are created equal. There are a number of different factors that go into choosing you perfect vaporizer. Some are designed to work with wax, shatter, and herbs, and some work exclusively with concentrates. It helps to make your decision based on what you like to buy from your local Denver Dispensary. If you prefer herb, take a look at Atmos’s list of the Best Dry Herb Vaporizers that Altitude Dispensary sells.
How much vaporizers cost?

Vaporizer pens can cost from as little as $30 to $300. It’s important to consider what you’re willing to invest and to look at reviews before buying. If you still prefer classic methods of enjoying your Denver recreational marijuana, Altitude Dispensary also has a great assortment of bongs, joints, and pipes.

As always, Altitude Dispensary is here to help you decide what vaporizer is right for you. We also have a large selection of different types of concentrates and herbs to compliment your choice. Come in Altitude Dispensary today for the great selection at the best prices!