Did you realize there is a difference between recreational and medical marijuana in Denver? There are key differences that change how you purchase cannabis. Each can be used for differing purposes, with key distinctions you as a user need to know. Learn the ins and outs of recreational and medical marijuana, how to obtain your medical marijuana card, and working with your local dispensary for purchasing both.

What’s the difference between medical and recreational use?

All Colorado residents over the age of 21 can purchase cannabis legally, up to one ounce per
transaction. However, if you are using marijuana for medical purposes, or under the recommendation of your physician, prices and purchasing amounts are different.

For medical marijuana, local sales taxes range from three to 10 percent, with a 2.9 percent state sales tax. For recreational purposes, state sales tax remains the same, but local taxes are higher. On average, those purchasing cannabis for recreational use will pay 10 to 15 percent.

If you have a medical marijuana card and are buying under the guidance of your doctor, you will be able to purchase up to two ounces of marijuana at a time.

Steps for obtaining a medical marijuana card

In order to be able to purchase medical marijuana, you must have a medical marijuana card, sometimes known as a “red card.” Your first step will be to talk to your physician. They will give you an evaluation to see if marijuana will help any of your ailments. You will also need a valid ID and social security number. Minors are also able to undergo an evaluation and apply, upon having a guardian. Caregivers are also able to assist with the application process too, upon providing specific information.

As you prepare to apply, make sure you have all of the medical marijuana registry required application information readily available. There will be a fee associated with your application. Upon mailing in your application, it can take roughly a month.

Working with your local dispensary

Upon receiving your medical marijuana card, your local dispensary can help you find the cannabis you need for relief. Keep in mind, while you can possess more marijuana than recreational users, all other rules apply. You are not allowed to smoke in public places, behind the wheel, and all other rules. If you break any of these laws, your medical marijuana card can be revoked for up to one year. When working with your nearby medical dispensary, they will assist you with finding the cannabis you need for the relief. Need more help? Learn how to become a medical cannabis patient in Colorado.

For all of your recreational and medical marijuana needs, Altitude the Dispensary will help you every step of the way. We have three Altitude Dispensary locations in Denver and Aurora, and a variety of specials, allowing you to save on your purchase. Stop by any of our locations daily from 8 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. for recreational marijuana or stop by our East Denver shop for medical marijuana.

With the legalization of marijuana, more and more people are heading to dispensaries in Denver to pick up their first bud. And that’s fantastic! After all, weed is wonderful and there’s a reason so many people incorporate it into their daily or weekly relaxation routine. However, if you’ve never smoked before (or even if It’s been a few decades) there are a few things you need to keep in mind before taking your first hit. Here are a few tips from some experienced users to help  you get the most out of the experience.

Smoke Where You’re Comfortable

The last thing any first-time smoker should do is indulge in a place where they’re not comfortable. Start out smoking at home or with a good friend. This way, you’ll get to experience the relaxing aspects of the high rather than getting stuck in a paranoia cycle that lasts until the weed wears off. As a general rule, avoid smoking in public—it’s still against the law and you can get a ticket.

Take It Slow

Even relatively light strains pack a punch when you haven’t built up a tolerance. When you’re first starting out, start with small doses. Take a single hit and let it sit for a few minutes. If you feel nothing, take another. Just be careful not to overdo it. Like alcohol, you’ll want to know your limit and as you smoke more frequently, your tolerance will increase, letting you enjoy more of your chosen strain at a time.

Try Different Products

If you’re a creature of habit and want to stick with a single product or smoking method, that’s fine. However, many smokers love to try new things. Weed has flavor and different strains produce different flavor notes. The more you try, the better you’ll understand your preferences and the more informed you’ll be when picking the perfect strain. If you’re not sure what to try, ask for help at the dispensary. Every person behind the counter wants to help you enjoy your high and will happily explain the different characteristics of each strain, wax, edible, and tincture.

Understand the Indica and Sativa Difference

Believe it or not, there’s more than one type of high with marijuana. Indica-heavy strains like the popular Blueberry offer highs that are more relaxing, helping to relieve stress and help bolster pain relief efforts. Indica highs are great for a night in where your big plans involve pizza and a movie. Sativa-heavy strains, on the other hand, produce a more active high. This means smokers often feel energized and more creative after smoking. Most people alternate between sativa and indica strains, but ultimately, the choice is yours.

Drink Tons of Water

Hydration is important, but when you’re smoking and living in the Mile-High City, drinking plenty of water is absolutely necessary. When you’re settling in for a smoke sesh, drink a few glasses of water while you’re grinding the bud or loading your bong. Once you’re ready to light up, make sure you have a bottle of water handy. If water isn't your thing, flavor it with lemon or lime juice—just stay away from soda. The high sugar content will leave you more dehydrated than you were before you took a sip.

Looking for a new strain or need help finding the right product for your first high? Head over Altitude Dispensary. Our friendly staff will help you find the best bud for your tastes. Check out our dispensary specials and stop by one of our three locations today.  

Whether you are looking for new ways to consume marijuana, or are completely new to partaking, dabbing is increasingly becoming a popular way of experiencing the effects of marijuana. Not to be confused with the dance move, dabbing is a way to consume marijuana different than other popular ways out there. Learn what this new method is, how to do it, and its benefits from local weed shops in Denver.

What is Dabbing?

Dabbing is a form of consuming concentrated oil from marijuana. You drop a small piece of cannabis extract on hot surface, which we will explain more about in a minute, which then turns into a more potent mixture to inhale. During the process of heating it up, you are ingesting a concentrated material which has extracted the active components of marijuana. Some other terminology used for these concentrates include wax, resin, hash, or keef. The end result is a pure mixture, with a THC content up to 90 percent. It is important to be cognizant that you will be ingesting marijuana with a higher potency rate. When getting started, it is important to know how to measure a dose of concentrates and oils for dabbing.

How to Dab

To get started, you will need to purchase a dab rig. While it looks like a bong, it is different than one. A dab rig has a nail in it that when heated up using a hand torch or lighter, immediately increases the temperature. You will also need to purchase marijuana concentrate or wax. From there, oil or wax that you purchase will go onto what is called the “nail,” which is normally made of titanium or quartz. When you place the marijuana concentrate on the nail, then heat it up, it will become vaporized. Once this has happened, you inhale it. You can work with your local marijuana shop to ensure you have all of the tools you need to dab. It is important to do the process right, which you can learn more in everything you wanted to know about dabbing.

Benefits of Dabbing

Many love to dab as it does not have the same amount of smoke as a traditional joint or pipe. This can reduce any negative impacts that the smoke can have on your lungs. It also provides a high feeling much quicker than any other method because of its high potency rate. You also don’t need as much as you might for other forms of smoking or consuming THC. It also does not always have the same smell that occurs after smoking in traditional ways. It is commonly used among people treating chronic pain or other ailments.

If you are ready to explore the world of dabbing, Altitude the Dispensary can help. From helping you with amounts, to the right tools you will need, we have you covered. We have locations in Aurora, East Denver and West Denver, allowing you to drop by a location nearest to you. You are also welcome to Altitude shopping online for a variety of your smoking needs. We look forward to helping you!

Whether you’re new to using marijuana or have been a long-time bong user, you’ve likely wondered if vaping is really all that great. After all, it’s really no different than smoking, right? Though both smoking and vaping let you to inhale your favorite strains purchased at your preferred Denver dispensary, many users find they prefer one method over the other. So, how do you decide? While you’ll still want to try both methods, here’s a brief guide to help you decide which one to choose first.  

Consider Where You’ll Be Imbibing

In the state of Colorado, marijuana is only supposed to be enjoyed in private residences, but there are occasions where lighting up a joint or pipe may not be the best option. Remember, smoking marijuana leaves a trail of smoke and a strong smell that lingers on clothing and hair unless the area is well ventilated. Vaping, on the other hand, produces a fine water vapor mist that is quick to dissipate. Though there will still be a slight smell, it’s far less noticeable than the standard one-hitter. For this reason alone, vaping is ideal for those looking to be more discreet—like when the family’s in town.

How Involved Do You Want to Be?

Rolling a joint or packing a bong takes time—even with years of practice. While some people enjoy the hands-on aspect of smoking, others prefer to be more hands-off. Vaping, especially with a portable vaporizer, can be as simple as loading a cartridge and taking a hit. Both smoking and vaping have their place, but for smokers looking for the ultimate in convenience, opt for a vaporizer. That said, the vaporizer still needs to be cleaned and properly calibrated to provide a good high.

Taste Matters

Combustion, which makes smoking possible, alters the taste of marijuana however slightly. Most smokers note that the pure flavor of weed often gets lost, overpowered by the slightly burnt aftertaste caused by the combustion process. Since vaporizers don’t actually ignite the weed and instead heat a pure marijuana concentrate, the flavor of the strain is allowed to shine. Marijuana purists rejoice—vaping will give you the cleanest taste.

Health Impacts

While there are no long-term studies about the health implications of vaping, many users experience less lung aggravation and upper respiratory issues than smokers. When smoke is inhaled, it deposits more than the THC into the lungs. It also carries some carcinogens and other toxins that are a byproduct of the burning bud. Keep in mind, pot smoke is typically considered less dangerous than tobacco smoke. However, if you’re looking to minimize lung irritation, incorporate vaping into your routine. In a recent study, vaporizers were found to produce fewer toxins and carcinogens without decreasing the amount of THC ingested.

The Highs May Be Different

Long-term smokers know just how much it takes to get a comfortable high when smoking. Even with a different bong or pipe, the experience will be relatively consistent. With vaporizers, there’s a bigger margin of error. If the temperature control is even slightly off, the concentrate may not get you as high as you’d like. While this is less of a problem with high-end vaporizers, it can be an issue with portable pen-style models.

If you’re looking to purchase a new vaporizer or want to try a new strain, visit our budtenders at Altitude Dispensary. We carry only the highest quality strains and products available and will help you find your new favorite. Check out our current dispensary specials online and contact us today for more information on our current specials.

If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer, it is important that you know there is hope. Yesterday’s advancements have paved the way for recoveries and comfortable treatment options today. In fact, medical marijuana is known to help those combating the disease. As you plan to treat and beat cancer, it is helpful to learn as much as you can. Start by knowing key questions to ask your doctor, ways to manage pain, and how your Denver dispensary can help you along the way.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

Upon receiving your diagnosis, here are top questions to ask your doctor to help you be more informed:

• What is my type of cancer? Each diagnosis is different. You may combat yours differently than someone else. Cancer occurs due to an abnormal growth of cells within the body. Talk to your doctor about the type of cancer you have, how it may have started, where it is traveling, and all other details.
• What changes should I make during treatment? Your daily routine will change as you fight the cancer cells in your body. It’s important to care for yourself to ensure the best recovery possible. From your eating habits and exercise routine, to sleeping and working, ask about the changes you will need to make.
• What symptoms will I have? It is helpful to know what it normal to expect along the way. This will help you recognize signs that you might need to mention to your doctor down the road.
• Is this genetic? It is helpful to know if your cancer is genetic. This way, you can inform family members so they can at least be prepared and have routine screenings.

Ways to Manage Pain

There are many ways to manage your pain associated with cancer treatment as you go. When experiencing pain, it is important to consult with your doctor about pain management options. Everyone is different and often times will prefer one method over another. If you find one method isn’t helping, talk to your doctor and try something else.

Keep trying until you find something that works. Your doctor may have you take anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling in mild cases, or opioids for more serious pain. If there is swelling, they may prescribe steroids. For non-medical assistance, you can work with a local physical therapist. Be sure you learn more about managing cancer pain at home.

Using Marijuana to Cope

For years, marijuana has been a way those with cancer manage their pain. It helps reduce pain and inflammation in the body, as well as nausea. This makes it especially helpful for those undergoing chemotherapy. Last, marijuana will also help reduce anxiety—enabling you to focus on treatment and your goal to make a full recovery. For quick relief, cannabis can be smoked or inhaled using a vaporizer, and allows for the active ingredient, THC, to enter the bloodstream quickly. You can also consume edibles for a longer lasting effect, but the relieving qualities take thirty to forty minutes to fully kick-in.

If you have been recently diagnosed with cancer, learn how medical cannabis helps cancer patients from your Denver dispensary, Altitude the Dispensary. Our team of experts can help you find the right strain that best fits your needs. Stop by one of our Altitude Dispensary locations today to see how we can help.