Vaping may be one of the most popular alternatives to smoking bud, but it’s not always as safe as it might seem. With so much news coverage about vaping and the mysterious lung conditions that have been popping up, it’s important that you get your cartridges from weed shops in Denver rather than on the street. But what happens when you’re vaping at a friend’s house? How can you tell if the cartridge they have is safe or an illegal fake? Here’s what you need to know.

Find Out Info About the Brand
Street sellers are crafty and fake packaging and brand names have been popping up all over the country. Before you take a hit, get information on the brand. Do a quick internet search to see if the brand even exists and if it does, read up on the recent reviews. Remember, all legal cartridges are made by licensed companies that follow strict manufacturing protocols. If you can’t find the brand online or the website you do see looks unprofessional, just don’t use the cartridge. It’s better to play it safe. 

Check the Packaging
Fake brands aren’t the only thing popping up online—people are manufacturing counterfeits as well. These cartridges feature real logos, but the package design will likely be different from the ones you see in your local dispensary. The easiest tell-tale sign is to check for the THC warning label. These must be included on all legal cartridge packages by law and are a standard size and design on most products. If the package doesn’t have the label or the design looks different than you’re used to, don’t use the cartridge.

Pay Attention to the Ingredients
High-quality vape cartridges shouldn’t have any thickeners or strange ingredients you’re not already used to. Many counterfeits use low-grade thickeners including Vitamin E oil which could be a contributing factor to the increase in vaping lung disease. Since the exact cause of the lung disease has yet to be determined, steer clear of any ingredients you’re not comfortable with. Even if the cartridge isn’t a counterfeit, you should never have to worry about what you’re inhaling. 

Ask Where the Cartridge Came From
The best thing you can do is ask where your friend bought their cartridge. The right answer should be “at a dispensary.” If they tell you they bought it off a friend or picked it up on the street, don’t use it. There’s no way to verify whether the ingredients are safe or that you’re getting a cannabis cartridge in the first place. Dispensaries only carry brands they trust and have detailed information regarding their production process and the ingredients used. 

If you’re really worried about vaping, just don’t do it. There are tons of other products you can use that will help you relax and unwind, many of which don’t involve smoking or vaping at all. Ready to explore your options? Stop by your neighborhood dispensary in Denver today and pick up some high-quality bud, edibles, or tinctures.
 

Winter weather can take its toll on Coloradoans. Sure, we love to get out and enjoy the snow or hit the slopes, but it makes enjoying your favorite cannabis products from the best weed shops in Denver a challenge. After all, there are some times when you just have to light up your bong outside. But how can you keep warm enough to enjoy your weed? Here are a few tips to try once the temps start to drop:

Bundle Up
Sometimes, all you need to do is bundle up before you head outside. Grab a coat, hat, and scarf and head out the door. To make lighting up easier, consider picking up a pair of fingerless gloves. This will give you control over the lighter and whatever device you’re smoking out of. 
If you’re worried about keeping things discreet and not carrying the smell back into the house, dedicate a coat to smoking and nothing else. When you’re done, you can leave it outside to air out and won’t have to worry about the smell lingering on your clothes when you head to work the next day.

Look for a Sheltered Spot
The wind can get pretty bad along the Front Range. And the harder it blows, the colder it feels. Before you light up, scout out the yard for a sheltered spot where you can escape the worst of the wind. If you don’t have one, create one by hanging a waterproof tarp between a wall, tree, or patio supports where you’ll be smoking.

Invest in a Fire Pit
Winter is the perfect time to enjoy a roaring fire. Why not build one outside in a fire pit? You can even turn it into an event and share a joint or a few hits off the bong with your closest friends. Just make sure someone stays sober to tend the fire. The last thing anyone wants is to have a blaze get out of control and damage their home. If you don’t have space for a fire pit, don’t panic. Grab a few large pillar candles and set them on your outdoor table. They’ll still put off a bit of heat and can add to the ambiance while you smoke.

Sip On a Hot Beverage
Warm beverages are the perfect way to stay toasty outside without having to bundle up or drag a space heater outside to help warm the air around you. Make your favorite, whether it’s apple cider, tea, or hot cocoa and sip in between hits. You can also add some of your favorite cannabis tincture for an added buzz. A word of caution: don’t overdo it with the tincture. Edibles, including beverages will get you high. But it will take a while. Combining edibles with smoking 
Ready to get stocked up before winter is in full swing? Stop by one of our three Denver dispensary locations and refresh your stash. We’ve got everything you need to get the most out of your smoking experience, from high-quality strains to fantastic gear.
 

Marijuana has been legal for recreational use for years in Colorado. But did you know it was legal for medical use far earlier? Medical marijuana was legalized in 2000, 12 years before it became legal for recreational use. Though it’s legal to buy marijuana from your favorite weed shops in Denver if you’re over the age of 21, many people still prefer to get their medical card from the state. This helps you save money on taxes at the counter and gives you access to more products across the board. But how do you go about getting a med card? Here’s what you need to know.

You Need to See a Doctor
Med cards are given out for valid medical purposes. This means you’ll need to see a doctor to receive a diagnosis and documentation that marijuana is the best way to treat and manage your symptoms. Not all doctors are willing to do this, even if you have a qualifying medical condition. You may need to search for cannabis-friendly physicians in and around the greater Denver area.

You Also Have to Be a Resident
Sorry, out-of-state college kids…you won’t qualify for a medical card unless you’re a Colorado resident. Otherwise, you’ll just have to buy recreational marijuana. If you are a resident, you’ll need to have a valid Colorado ID to complete the application. Luckily, if you’re a Colorado resident, you’re eligible to apply for a medical card if you’re over 18. For applicants younger than 18, you need parental consent. 

Applications Are Done Online
Thankfully, the state makes it easy to fill everything out online. After you see your doctor and get the necessary certification, you’ll need to enter that information on your application along with your personal details. Once this is done, you’ll need to pay a $25 processing fee. Unfortunately, the fee is non-refundable, but you can pay with a credit or debit card—no need to send a personal check to the state.

What Your Med Card Gets You
When you buy cannabis at your favorite dispensary as a recreational user, you’re subject to higher costs. Strictly speaking, you’ll pay more for the same products and pay higher taxes on every purchase. With a medical card, you’re eligible for a lower tax rate and may get lower pricing at some dispensaries for the products you use most. Of course, every dispensary is different. If you have questions about the details, reach out and ask them.

Is It Worth It?
Ultimately, deciding to apply for a medical card is a personal choice. If you do, it will be on your state record and this could impact your ability to get life insurance in the future. But if you use cannabis to manage symptoms of a certain health condition, it may be worth the investment. Should you decide not to get your medical card, don’t worry—you’ll still be able to buy products as a recreational user. 

Stop byyou local Denver dispensary, Altitude, today and replenish your stash. We’ve got something for everyone, whether you’re a medical or recreational user. 
 

In Colorado, we love to hike. And many of us love to do it with a little cannabis in our systems. It makes nature that much more beautiful and helps you unwind and disconnect from the stresses of daily life more quickly. With more than 20 great trails close to Denver, it’s easy to get out whenever you have a free moment. But what should you do if you choose to bring your favorite cannabis products with you? Believe it or not, there are some general rules you can follow that will make the experience better for both you and the people you share the trail with.

Be Mindful of Others Using the Trail
Smoking cannabis is nothing to be ashamed of, but not everyone enjoys the experience. Put yourself in their shoes. Have you ever gone on a hike only to walk right into a cloud of second-hand cigarette smoke? You probably didn’t like it and the same holds true for other trail users and cannabis. Not everyone will be comfortable with you lighting up a joint on your hike. If you see others on the trail or notice that the trailhead is packed with cars, consider holding off on the joint.

Pack It Out
You’ve probably seen the signs at the trail head that specifically say “no littering” or “pack it out.” While most people assume this refers to food waste, cans, and water bottles, it refers to all types of litter. That’s right…even those hemp-based rolling papers that say they’re biodegradable. It means the leftover bud, lighters, cannabis candy wrappers, and anything else that you introduced into the woods. No matter what you bring, take it home with you and dispose of it properly.

Know the Law
It may be legal in Colorado to enjoy weed in the comfort of your own home. But that doesn’t mean it’s legal in the woods. Familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations in the county you’re hiking in before you decide to use cannabis while in nature. If a ranger finds you smoking or enjoying an edible, you could end up facing a hefty fine. Remember, it’s up to you to decide if the risk is worth it. If it’s not, wait until you get home to enjoy your cannabis products.

Know Where You’re Going
Before you light up, make sure you know which trail you’ll be on and the types of markers you need to look for to avoid getting lost. This is good practice for anyone hiking, but if you’re planning on getting high, it’s easy to lose track of what you were doing or the direction you’re supposed to head in. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the trail and if you feel like it might be too difficult, save the cannabis for a celebratory treat after you’re done working up a sweat.

At Altitude, your local Denver Dispensary,  we want you to stay safe and enjoy your cannabis products responsibly. Use common sense and be respectful of others on the trail and you should be fine. 
 

We Coloradoans love our legal cannabis. In fact, we spend more than $1 billion on it each year. But a lot of that pot ends up getting wasted, even for careful smokers. Any pot that gets wasted is like throwing away your money. Though it’s incredibly common, there are a few things you can do to help you waste less cannabis from your favorite dispensaries in Denver. 

Don’t Fill Your Bowl
Is there anything more pleasing to look at than a perfectly packed bowl? We don’t think so either. But packing your bowl to the brim is one of the easiest ways to waste your weed. When you light up, the weed continues to smolder even when you’re not actively inhaling. The more it smolders, the more pot you waste. Instead of packing your bowl, fill it enough to use it quickly. If you want another hit or two, repack the pipe. 

Store It Right
When you buy weed, it seems dry and, to an extent, it is. Undried plant won’t light and burn right. But that doesn’t mean it’s completely dry. We’re all about getting the maximum amount of burn time out of each bud. That’s why we encourage you to store it correctly. If you let the bud dry out completely, it will burn faster. The faster it burns, the harder it is to get the same number of hits out of the same amount.

Clean Your Gear
Resin happens, but letting it build up in your gear can create major issues. As resin builds up, it can interrupt the airflow in your gear. When you inhale, it can make it harder to pull a hit. This then exposes your weed to needless burning and gives you an inadequate high at best. Take the time to clean your gear at least every month. The less resin you let collect, the less weed waste you’ll have. 

Keep Joints Small
It’s tempting to roll a fat joint every time you bust out the papers. But that just wastes your precious stash. Remember, joints keep burning and unless you plan on passing it around a group until everything is gone, you’ll just end up wasting the bud you love and no one wants that. Keep your joints on the smaller side. You’ll still get a great high, but you’ll only burn what you’ll actually use. 

Smoke Slow
You know the feeling that comes with getting too high and if you’re not careful, it’s easy to overdo it. Between reloading your bowl, give your high time to set in. See if you really even want to smoke more and if you do, go for it. But if you’re already high enough and you’re enjoying how you feel, save your weed for another day. Smoking more than you need is both unpleasant and wastes your stash.

We want your stash to last, but when the time comes to pick up a few new strains, don’t hesitate to stop by our dispensary. And remember to check out our loyalty program to save you money every time you shop.