Vaping has been getting a lot of attention in the last few weeks, all for concerns over its safety. Six people have died due to lung disease that’s been linked to vaping. For many pot smokers looking for products at different weed shops in Denver, this raises a new concern: is it safe to continue vaping? Here’s what you need to know.

The Cause of the Disease Is Undetermined
Doctors and scientists haven’t determined the exact cause of the lung disease that’s responsible for the six deaths. But they do know a few things: the disease seems to impact people who vape rather than smoke. And it’s impacting people who vape both nicotine cartridges and THC cartridges. 

They’re still trying to narrow down the components in those cartridges that are causing lung disease. As of right now, they believe the condition is caused by certain additives and thickeners in the vape liquids. 

The Cartridges Were Likely Tampered With
In the vast majority of cases, patients experiencing lung issues after vaping bought cartridges off the street. This is illegal, but it’s also incredibly risky. You have no idea if what’s actually in the cartridge is what the person selling it claims it is. 

There could very well be cannabis concentrate inside. But there’s also a good chance that the concentrate was stretched with chemical thickeners or has other additives to make the cartridge appear fuller than it otherwise would. After all, you wouldn’t want to buy a half-empty cartridge, would you? 

Since there’s no control over the ingredients in these street cartridges, you have no idea what you’re getting. And that means you’re putting your health and your wellbeing at risk. 

If You Choose to Vape, Buy from Your Dispensary
If you’re going to vape, the best thing you can do is buy cartridges from your local Denver dispensary. These are produced by companies who adhere to strict quality control guidelines and take great pains to make sure their cartridges are as safe as they can be. You should also be able to read the ingredients on the packages of those cartridges before you make your purchase. This way, you’ll be able to avoid buying anything with unwanted additives or ingredients you’re allergic to.

Not Comfortable Vaping? No Problem
If you’ve been vaping for a while, but feel scared by the latest news, don’t worry. You can always switch to a different cannabis product. Plain bud is just what it sounds like—dried and cured marijuana. There are no additives and you can smoke it however you choose.

But if you vape because you don’t like the idea of burning weed, that’s okay too. You can always try an edible, a tincture, or a topical salve. There are dozens of options to choose from at your favorite dispensary. Pick up something new and give it a try. 

At Altitude, we strive to provide you with only the highest quality cannabis and CBD products on the market. Stop by your nearest location today and pick up a new favorite.
 

Cannabis-infused beverages are a great way to get high without having to light up or vape. But like all edibles, there are some things you need to know to get the most out of your experience. And using beverages is distinctly different than most infused products. Before you take a sip of that weed-infused elixir you bought at your favorite Denver dispensary, read up on these tips.

Check the Dosage
Some beverages break dosages down by ounce while others let you enjoy the entire bottle in one go. Before you take your first sip, check the dosage. If the recommended serving is the entire bottle, enjoy at will. But if the bottle suggests pouring a 2 ounce serving and letting it sit, follow those instructions. The last thing you want to do is waste your drink by consuming more than you need to get high. 

Let It Mellow
As with all edibles, resist the urge to use more if you don’t feel the high kick in immediately. Edibles of all varieties take time to kick in. And that means you’ll want to let your beverage work its way into your system before using more cannabis. Remember, edibles can take a few hours to kick in fully. Give your body time to digest what you gave it. If you still don’t feel high enough after an hour or two, go ahead and use more.

Pick Your Flavors
Don’t just take the first cannabis beverage you find. Get picky! Look at the flavors and types available at your favorite dispensary. Things have come a long way since beverages first hit the market and there’s a flavor and type for everyone. If you like carbonated beverages, try a cannabis-infused soda. If you want something super potent, try a cannabis-infused punch. Just remember to take your flavor preferences into consideration. No amount of cannabis will cover up a flavor you don’t like.  

Mix It Up
If you’re new to edibles, even heavily flavored beverages can have a strong cannabis taste. And that can be overpowering. Instead of jumping straight in and drinking the beverage neat, mix it up. Use soda water for added fizz or add it to fruit juice. Just avoid adding it to alcohol. Mixing cannabis of any kind with booze should only be done with caution. You need to know your limit as cannabis can enhance the effects of alcohol and catch you off-guard. When in doubt, just don’t do it. Let the beverage and the pot speak for themselves. 

Cannabis beverages are a great way to try something new and they’re ideal for people who aren’t quite comfortable with the idea of lighting up a pipe, bong, or joint. But you do need to be careful when you start using them initially. These tips should help you get the most from your beverage and help you enjoy your high until it wears off. If you’re ready to pick up a beverage or two, stop by one of our three Denver-area dispensary locations today. 
 

Legal marijuana use is becoming more and more popular. In 2017 alone, more than 37 million Americans used some type of cannabis for either medicinal or recreational purposes. No matter what the reason for using is, one thing is for sure: people use tons of different products to get high. Though smoking bud is still the most common option, edibles offer users a great smoke-free way to get high. And we’re not just talking “special” brownies…we’re talking gummies. These fruity tasty cannabis-infused delicacies are a great alternative to other edibles. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits.

Easy Dosages
When you light up a bong, open a cannabis-infused cookie, or start working with shatter, determining dosage can be incredibly tough. It’s not always clear how much pot you’re getting in each use and, if you’re relatively new to the cannabis world, it’s easy to overdo it. With cannabis gummies, dosage is easy. Most manufacturers consider one gummy as one dose. Of course, you’re free to cut them in half to create smaller doses as needed.

They’re Tasty
Gummies come in all sorts of fruit flavors and most of those flavors are strong enough to hide the taste of the cannabis itself. If you’re the type of person who isn’t wild about the taste of pot, they’re a great choice. You’ll be able to enjoy your high without having to force yourself to deal with the taste of something you really could do without. Even better, they come in tons of flavors from watermelon to berry, so you’re sure to find something you love. 

No Smoking
Let’s face it…not everyone enjoys smoking. And some flat-out can’t smoke due to upper respiratory issues. Any edible will let you get high without having to inhale smoke or vapor, preserving the health of your lungs. And gummies are no exception. If you suffer from asthma or simply don’t like the idea of inhaling burnt weed, they’re the best option possible. 

You Can Use Them Discreetly
Even a vape pen will create a visible cloud of mist. This makes it hard to use your cannabis without drawing attention to your actions. Some people may even be able to smell the cannabis as you vape it. Gummies are more likely to smell like fruit than cannabis. And because you can pop them in your mouth quickly, they’re easy to use discreetly. 

You’ll Waste Less
No matter how careful you are, smoking pot will waste a bit of your precious bud. It keeps burning even when you’re not inhaling. Gummies, however, let you reduce the waste. There’s no residue left behind and everything is contained into each single gummy. Best of all, you won’t have to worry about cleaning out your pipe, bong, or vaporizer. Instead, you can just enjoy your high and move on with your day.

Looking for great tasting high-quality gummies to expand your cannabis repertoire? Stop by you favorite Denver dispensary, Altitude, today. We’ve got everything you need to get a great high without having to light up. 
 

Anyone who has ever suffered from insomnia, the inability to fall asleep, knows just how frustrating and painful the condition can be. A significant lack of sleep and sleep disorders can affect your mental and physical health, as well as increase the risk of long-term medical problems. Many people across Denver, Littleton, Aurora and surrounds are now turning to marijuana as a potential cure to their insomnia problems with tremendous success. Read on to see how marijuana may positively affect your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. 

Conventional sleeping pills suppress the body’s natural sleep cycle, making you feel more tired during the day. Marijuana, however, impacts all five stages of sleep more naturally, promoting muscle relaxation, providing pain and stress relief, and producing a sedative effect. In fact, a 2013 study confirmed that it takes less time for marijuana users to fall asleep that those who had utilized conventional sleeping aids. The participants in the study also had more daytime sleep the next day.

Stages three and four of the human sleep cycles, often seen as one connected cycle, are commonly referred to as ‘deep sleep’. This “slow-wave” or “delta sleep” stage is essential for repairing tissue and muscles, boosting our immune system and aiding in growth. A quality delta sleep cycle is also what helps us feel refreshed the following day. The consumption of marijuana can lengthen the time our brain spends in deep sleep so that we can make the most of these positive qualities.

Cannabis has also been shown in several early studies as potentially as a potentially effective tool against sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterized by periods of shallow breathing or cessation of breathing during sleep. Marijuana can potentially stabilize and calm breathing in patients with sleep apnea, induce peaceful and continuous sleep during the night, and, therefore, restore restful, productive sleep cycles.

When it comes to directly treating insomnia, notably the quality and quantity of sleep, tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC, has proven to be more helpful than its sister CBD. That’s because when taken in small doses, THC tends to provide a relaxing, sedative feel, which can help you fall asleep and stay asleep longer.

Questions about how THC can be utilized as an effective tool in treating insomnia? Stop by one of the Denver area’s four Altitude Dispensaries to talk with one of our trained professionals about how THC can help you improve the quality of your sleep. 

The market for cannabidiol, or CBD, is set to explode thanks in large part to the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. The bill explicitly allows the transfer of hemp-derived products across state lines for commercial or other purposes. Early studies on the effects of CBD state that the substance can offer users incredible benefits when it come to pain relief, relief of depression and anxiety, reducing acne, and alleviating the pain caused my many cancer treatments. The potential health benefits of CBD is ongoing, so it’s expected that new therapeutic uses for this popular natural remedy are sure to be discovered as new medical research takes place. 

As of February, 2018, the market for CBD products is a bit frantic, with numerous vendors both online and in brick and mortar storefronts offering a wide variety of products with no significant regulation. The first thing to consider when purchasing CBD oil or CBD-related products to insure that you’re buying from a reputable source. The most highly-regulated and trustworthy CBD vendors tend to be state-certified marijuana dispensaries in states where marijuana is legal for medical use. The second thing to consider when planning to experiment with the benefits of CBD is how to consume it. CBD can be consumed in food or drink.. It’s important to consider that the effects CBD can alter in terms of both how strong the effects are felt and how quickly depending on the route of use you choose. 

CBD Edibles
One of the most popular ways to consume CBD oil is by eating or drinking it. CBD oils can be prepared in a butter and used in baked goods like cookies, chocolates and cakes. Tinctures infused with CBD can be added to an array of beverages, and there are even emerging brands of beverages available for purchase with CBD as an ingredient. Eating or drinking CBD oil is presently one of the most popular means of consumption, and for a variety of reasons. Firstly, unlike vaping CBD, the dosage of CBD consumed is more easily discerned when preparing it food or drink, or when purchasing CBD-infused products. Secondly, unlike vaping CBD, eating CBD allows users to consume the substance without irritating the lungs. Lastly, ingesting CBD via food or drink is discrete and odorless, allowing users to consume it as part of their daily routine.

Questions about CBD edibles? Contact Altitude, Denver’s most-trusted dispensary.