Medical and recreational marijuana have been legal—and their use normalized—for a while now in many areas, but there is still a bit of a stigma associated with this industry. As a result, many people have formed their own opinions of the industry, but in some cases, they are completely wrong. So your favorite Denver Weed Shop, Altitude, is here to dispel some of the more common myths that are associated with this industry.

It’s an Unrestricted Industry

This is actually the furthest from the truth since the cannabis industry is very tightly regulated. There is so much control, in fact, that in some states, sellers have to use special software to track every cannabis product from the time it is a seed up to when it is sold to consumers. There are few, if any, other industries with these types of regulations.

Players in the Industry Cannot Get Banking

When pot shops started opening up across Denver, it is true that there were issues with banking and payment processing. Cash-only sales meant there was a lot of green on hand—and not the kind you can smoke—which lead to shops getting robbed. But now there are financial institutions that cater to weed shops specifically, so it is much easier for companies to get depository services. This article by Forbes offers further clarification on banking in the cannabis industry: Dispelling Banking Myths in the Cannabis Industry.

Prices Are Destined to Come Down

Some people think there is a bubble in the price of cannabis, which means those prices are destined to come down at some point. But the truth is that the cannabis industry is steadily growing and oversupply isn’t a big issue. Prices in the industry are expected to stabilize—particularly as recreational pot becomes legal in more and more states.

There Is No Room for Any More Players in the Industry

We saw it with the dot com players at the turn of this century—many coming out strong only to sink into oblivion soon after soaring to the top—and the weed business is no different. Those who are not afraid to innovate and improve to satisfy customers will likely stay on top. Others will fail. Those who stay focused, move slowly, and build a strong business will probably enjoy long-term success.
Whether you’re an investor in the cannabis industry, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a member of the general public living in a state where marijuana is legal, you should stay current on the latest in the industry so you can make an informed opinion.

Visit a Denver Weed Shop

We welcome you to come to any one of our three locations (Aurora, West Denver, and East Denver) to purchase marijuana and marijuana-related products. If you have questions, our friendly budtenders will be happy to answer them. Be sure to visit our specials page before coming in so you can take advantage of discounted items. Specials change regularly, so be sure to stop back often. Come visit one of our shops today!

Last year, 4/20 looked a bit different and all through 2020, finding ways to celebrate your passion for cannabis presented new challenges. Though we’re not through the craziness just yet, you can still find fun ways to celebrate 4/20 this year. You just need to think outside the box. Here are a few tips from the top weed shops in Denver to help you enjoy the holiday safely and comfortably.

Stock up Early

Most years, dispensaries in Denver tend to offer 4/20 sales, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t stock up ahead of time and still enjoy some serious savings. Even better, you’ll be able to take advantage of a larger selection of items without worrying about combating crowds only to discover that your favorite product or strain is out of stock. The best way to make the most of those savings is to sign up for loyalty rewards with Altitude the Dispensary. You’ll earn rewards with every purchase and may even get discounts on certain services. 

Host a Virtual Watch Party

Gathering with friends to have a more traditional cannabis-themed movie night in person isn’t the smartest idea right now. But that doesn’t mean you have to forego the tradition. You just need to find new ways to get together, smoke, and watch your favorite films. The easiest way to do that is to host a virtual watch party. Most streaming services offer in-app watch party platforms that you can use to chat with friends. But if you’re not a huge fan of their interfaces, there are add-ons, like Teleparty, that you can download to get the job done. If you prefer to video chat while smoking and watching your favorite stoner films, you can always pull up Skype or Zoom and chat away.

Bake Goodies for Friends and Swap

Nothing shows your loved ones and fellow stoners that you appreciate them better than fresh baked goods. Save for maybe baked goods that can get you buzzed. Ask your friends and those you’d normally gather with on 4/20 to have a bake swap. Whip up your favorite cannabis-infused treats and share with friends. Exchange them in a socially distanced way (dropping bundles off at front doors is a great choice) and indulge when you’re home. If you’re not comfortable creating infused goodies, you can always pass out some great treats that will satisfy your friends’ munchies when they hit. Don’t worry—store-bought items are just fine. 

Celebrate 4/20 This Year

Celebrating 4/20 this year might look a bit different than previous years. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. Try these great tips with your friends and fellow cannabis enthusiasts and you’ll be able to celebrate the holiday safely without sacrificing a thing. Just make sure to stock up on your favorite weed ahead of time. Stop by your closest location of Altitude the Dispensary today. Our budtenders are on hand to help you find the perfect strains and goodies to ring in 4/20/2021 with style and pizzazz. 
 

The stereotypical pot smoker is someone who is walking around with puffy, bloodshot eyes. The funny thing about stereotypes is that they are usually based on some element of the truth. So what is it about smoking pot that makes your eyes red? Can you do anything about it? Is it harmful for your eyes?

Let’s take a look at the reasons your eyes get red from pot in the first place.

Why Your Eyes Are Red After Imbibing

While bloodshot eyes are a common side effect of marijuana use for many, there are reasons using weed results in red eyes. And it might be surprising to some that it isn’t the smoke itself that causes your eyes to turn red.
Many pot smokers wonder if they can switch to edibles to keep their eyes from getting red. But it’s the cannabis itself that causes the redness, not the way you consume the pot. Regardless of how you get the TCH in your system, it will impact your entire body, so you’ll still get red eyes.

One of the main reasons this happens is also the reason why marijuana provides such an effective treatment to those who are suffering from the eye disease glaucoma: The THC in pot lowers blood pressure, and this causes blood vessels and capillaries to dilate. Some of these capillaries are the ones in your eyes. These are known as ocular capillaries. As THC goes through your system, your ocular capillaries dilate, which increases the flow of blood—so your eyes look red. 

Another less common reason for red eyes resulting from using marijuana is the possibility of an allergy. Some people might find that their eyes are irritated from the smoke, but the smoke itself isn’t a direct cause of the red-eye. 
The good news is that getting red eyes from cannabis use is harmless, but many people don’t want to walk around broadcasting the fact that they are stoned. 

What You Can Do About Red-Eye

Here are some tips you might try to reduce the red-eye:

• Try a lower or non-THC strain of weed. Strains high in CBD and CBN are best if you want to avoid red-eye completely.
• Use eye drops. Many brands are available that specifically address red eyes. The brand Rohto is the most popular among marijuana users.
• Drink a lot of water. Staying hydrated can help with red-eye.
• Wait it out. Over time, the redness will dissipate. 

Remember, there is no harm to your eyes when they turn red after using weed. If you are really self-conscious about it, just plan your weed sessions at a time where others won’t be around so no one will notice the red-eye.

If you’re looking for a great strain of weed, stop by one of Altitude Dispensary’s three locations today and talk to one of our friendly, experienced budtenders. We’ve got everything you need to experience a great high, whether you’re looking for a new pipe or if you want to grab a few edibles for the weekend.

It’s rare that you’ll meet a selfish cannabis user. Most actively want to share their favorite strains and cannabis-infused products with the people that matter most to them in their lives. Unfortunately, the pandemic has made sharing joints, bowls, and bongs unsafe. So, how can you share the weed from your favorite weed shops in Denver with those nearest and dearest to your heart? You just need to get a bit creative. Here are a few easy and fun ways to get high with others without putting your health at risk.

Embrace the Video Chat

Video chats are making staying socially distant much easier than it would’ve been in previous years. As long as you have a good internet or data connection, you can schedule a video smoke session with your friends and feel like you’re all in the same room. Just make sure you’re in a quiet room where others aren’t trying to chat with their friends at the same time. This way, you’ll spare yourself the background noise that can make video chats seem overly confusing, especially when you’re stoned.

Share Your Favorite Edibles

Everyone likes receiving fresh-baked or fresh-cooked goodies throughout the week. Why not exchange your favorite edibles with your friends and enjoy them at home? If you’re handy in the kitchen, you can easily whip up some delicious cannabis cookies and share them with your friends. If you’re not comfortable baking, pick up your favorite edibles from your local dispensary and gift them to your friends. Just make sure that you mask up and stay socially distanced when you exchange goodies.

Smoke the Same Strain at the Same Time

Sometimes, sharing your high with your friends can be as simple as smoking the same strain at the same time. Make an event of it and encourage your favorite people to buy the same new strain and set a time to light up at your respective homes. After you have a chance to feel your high, hop on the phone or open up a video chat and discuss your experience safely.

Share a Socially Distant Smoke Sesh

If you and your friends have been cautious about COVID, worn masks, and minimized exposure, you may be willing to consider hosting a socially distant smoke session in your backyard. Get everyone to bring the same strain or smoke your tried-and-true favorites. Anything goes here. Set up comfortable seating options in your backyard, making sure the seats are spaced ideally 12 feet apart. The further apart they are, the better. Then, light up and enjoy with those you love. Encourage guests to wear masks when they’re not smoking and you absolutely should! Regular mask wearing is key in preventing the spread of the virus so you can get back to life as normal faster.

Stock up on Your Favorites and Share with Those You Love

The pandemic has changed a lot about daily life, but it doesn’t have to keep you from enjoying smoke sessions with your friends. Try these methods for yourself and stop by your nearest dispensary to pick up some new products for your upcoming socially distant events.

Since recreational marijuana has become legal in Colorado, more and more people are trying it. Many people enjoy smoking weed; others like to try marijuana in edible format via candy, cookies, and brownies. The way you consume marijuana has a significant influence on your cannabis experience. 

Here’s how it works.

Smoking

Smoking marijuana has been enjoyed for many years. It works like this: When you inhale pot smoke, the active compounds of marijuana are immediately absorbed into the bloodstream, headed toward the brain. Once the THC hits the brain, the euphoria associated with getting high is produced. The onset between smoking and feeling the high is almost instantaneous. But the high has a shorter duration than you will get with edibles. Usually, smoking weed will keep you high for an hour or two.

Because the high is almost instant from the time you smoke to the time you feel high, users can gauge their consumption and not overdo it.

Edibles

You can get just as high—or get even more of a high—by ingesting edibles. When you eat an edible, it has to pass through the digestive tract before the stomach absorbs it. The liver metabolizes the active compounds, and the THC is converted into a more potent compound known as 11-hydroxy-THC. Because this process takes longer, getting high from an edible takes longer. But the high you get is stronger and longer-lasting. Your high can last from four to six hours—or even longer.

Because it takes longer to get high with edibles, many people run into trouble with overconsumption. When people ingest a gummy or pot brownie, it can take the body up to three hours to feel the effects of the THC. This often makes them think the pot isn’t working, so they have

another gummy or brownie. This will increase the intensity of their high, which isn’t always a good thing.
It’s a good idea to start slow with edibles and wait a full 24 hours so you can determine the edible’s effects. After that, you can try increasing the dose in tiny increments every 24 hours until you get the experience you were seeking. 

Choose the Consumption Method That Suits You Best

There’s no right or wrong approach to consuming cannabis; you should do what suits you best. But keep in mind that different consumption methods, whether smoking or eating an edible, will give you a different kind of experience. 

The best way to use pot depends on what you are looking for. It can also come down to a simple personal preference; some people, for example, don’t enjoy the smoking experience.

Visit Your Favorite Denver Weed Shop

If you aren’t sure which product or form of cannabis to try, ask a budtender at one of Altitude the Dispensary’s three locations. For more information on consuming edibles or smoking marijuana, just stop by, and our knowledgeable and friendly budtenders can help you find the product to suit your needs. We have all the smoking products you need and plenty of edibles for you to try. Contact Altitude Dispensary for more information today!