If you’ve toyed around with the idea of buying marijuana for recreational use and it’s your first time doing so, not to worry. While Colorado’s marijuana laws will likely evolve over time along with legalization policies as a whole, at present it’s fairly straightforward—and legal—to purchase marijuana for recreational use in a Denver dispensary, such as Altitude the Dispensary. Just keep in mind the following tips and advice to maximize your experience:

• Remember your wallet – A gram of marijuana usually costs anywhere from $10-$25, however, prices can vary by dispensary and product. Dispensaries are happy to take your cash, and several dispensaries are now able to accept credit or debit cards.
• Feel free to sniff – One of the pleasures for marijuana lovers is how it smells, and as a novice buyer or user you may want to take part in the ritual. Most dispensaries will allow and even encourage you to smell the different products so you can really get a sense (no pun intended) of what they’re like.
• Ask for an opinion – Your budtender—a nifty play on “bartender,” which is the term for the experts behind the counter—can explain the differences between indica, sativa, and hybrid strains, and the benefits of topicals, edibles, and more. A reputable dispensary will have knowledgeable, enthusiastic budtenders who are more than willing to give you an education—and a recommendation—based on the experience you’d like to have.
• Use in your apartment, not on a park bench – Though marijuana is legal in Denver, it doesn’t mean you can use it in public, and that means parks, streets, and areas that are visible from public spaces, such as a hotel balcony or terrace. And you’re still not able to use marijuana in restaurants, venues, and bars, or in your car. The best place to enjoy your purchase? Definitely within the four walls of your home and/or squarely within the boundaries of your property.
• Inform your visitors – Do your out-of-state friends a favor and make sure they know the laws. First, they cannot take their legally purchased marijuana across Colorado state lines, nor can they carry it on the plane. In fact, Denver International Airport fines possession of marijuana as such: $150 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense, and $999 for a third offense or more. Secondly, anyone with an out-of-state license is only allowed to buy 7 grams (or about a quarter ounce). And no matter who is purchasing—you or your visiting friends—everyone must be 21 years of age and show a valid ID.

Like what you bought and think you’ll be back? Altitude the Dispensary also offers a newsletter with the latest deals and info for your next visit. And if you’d like a refresher course on what you learned, check out a summary of the different strains here

Golden Goat. Mango Tango. Underdawg. These are just some of the strains—and interesting names—you’ll find at Altitude the Dispensary, one of the best weed shops in Denver and Aurora. But just how did these strain names come to be? Johnny Green in The Weed Blog says: “I always think about how people that are new to the marijuana culture don’t realize the evolution in strain names.” He theorizes that many names are just another layer of descriptive slang for the already-established slang terms of high-grade marijuana. But if that’s too complicated to think about, generally speaking, strain names are picked by their growers and reflect the strain’s taste, color, smell, and/or geographic origins.
The following stories explain how some of Altitude the Dispensary’s strains got their names:

1. Lemon Skunk (Hybrid) – Formed by a cross between two skunks selected for their lemon characteristics, the lemon mother came from Las Vegas and the skunk father came from Holland. The result is a sweet citrus-tasting bud.
2. Blue Dream (Sativa) – Originating in northern California, Blue Dream is the result of crossing a Haze plant from the Santa Cruz area with DJ Short’s Blueberry. The bud is dense with blue and purple hues, which help lend to the name.
3. Green Krack (or Crack) (Indica) – Bred in Athens, Georgia, in the 1970s, this medium-green-colored strain was originally named Cush. It was only after a well-known rap and hip-hop artist became aware of its extreme potency that it was renamed.
4. Whitaker Blues (Indica) – An Oregon heritage cross, Whitaker Blues came from a West Coast mother called “Quimby” and a Blueberry father, also from the West Coast. Together, they produced a bud that has blue and violet hues at the end of the flowering cycle.
5. Girl Scout Cookies (Hybrid) – Developed by the elusive Cookie Family, the original strain of Girl Scout Cookies is hard to come by and carries with it a lot of lore. But this sweet, dessert-named strain may be making its rounds this way, according to a member of the Cookie Family: “We call these Fortune Cookies... It’s when people buy a bag of Girl Scout Cookies, open up a bud, and there’s a seed inside it. It’s an inside joke.”

Intrigued by a particular strain, whether indica, sativa, or hybrid? Check out Altitude the Dispensary’s broad selection, in stores or online. Their knowledgeable budtenders can guide you through each product, explain the differences and nuances between strains, and even regale you with some of their own naming stories.

Halloween is around the corner, but why should the kids have all the fun? You may be too old to go trick-or-treating, but you’re never too old to enjoy an edible. In a legal environment with your friends ages 21+, marijuana edibles can be a unique addition to a spooky night. Know the amount you can legally possess, ask your budtender about potency levels, and always start with a small serving size. And you already know to keep all edibles away from those youngsters who may be knocking on your door. With that said, here are a few ideas for a frighteningly edible Halloween:

• Edible candy – Candy edibles can be found in many varieties: lollipops, gummy bears, or sour, caramel, and mint-flavored chews, to name a few. If you have a sweet tooth, edible marijuana candy will do the trick.
• Edible chocolate – A little more sophisticated than its candy cousin, edible marijuana chocolate is a great sweet treat option. From fudge to dark chocolate, in everything from a bar to a bean to a mini-sized bite, you have a choice in feeding your inner chocoholic.
• Edible baked goods – For a more filling edible, why not try a cookie, bar, or brownie? Many recipes exist out there if you want to bake your own. Or if hanging out in the kitchen is not your idea of a good time, you can buy your edible marijuana baked goods already made.
• Edible granola bars – Feeling a little health-conscious? Don’t want the sugar shock from all that candy? An edible marijuana granola bar may still taste sweet, but at least you can get the benefits of nutrition and fiber on top of it.
• Edible drinks – That’s right, edibles come in liquid form, too. Instead of your usual gin and tonic (or Bloody Mary—since it is Halloween and all), go for a marijuana edible you can sip, especially if you’re sensitive to the smell or flavor of cannabis or are a first-time user and want to ease into the effects of THC.

Remember: individuals consuming edibles can have very different levels of tolerance. Also, due to the quality of the ingredients, not all edibles are the same. Learn more about edibles and drinks so that you can use them safely in any setting.

Visit Altitude Dispensary, your best dispensary in Denver, for a variety of edible products. Stop by before Halloween to see their selection. And be sure to sign up for their Loyalty Program to earn points toward merchandise.

Cannabinoid is often a term that comes up in discussions about medical benefits of cannabis consumption, but what are they and how do they benefit our health? Cannabinoids are chemical compounds produced by cannabis that bring a variety of medicinal effects such as relieving pain, nausea, and inflammation. Cannabinoids work with and imitate our own body’s compounds called endocannabinoids that help maintain our health. Simply put, cannabinoids bind to receptor sites throughout our brains and bodies. Depending what receptors they bind to, different cannabinoids have different effects. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the most well-known cannabinoid, binds to brain receptors while CBN (cannabinol), has an attraction for our body’s CB-2 receptors.

Did you know that cannabis contains at least 85 types of cannabinoids? Many of them have documented medical significance and strains and products are created to get a desired cannabinoid profile to treat specific symptoms. Here are some common symptoms and the cannabinoid that can help provide relief:

CBD (cannabidiol): CBD is probably the most abundant cannabinoid and contributes up to 40% of cannabis resin. It’s known for its anti-anxiety effects and can reduce the negative effects of THC on the brain.

• Reduces nausea and vomiting
• Suppresses seizure activity
• Combats psychosis disorders
• Combats inflammatory disorders
• Combats neurodegenerative disorders
• Combats tumor and cancer cells
• Combats anxiety and depressions disorders

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol): THC is the most commonly known cannabinoid and is most known for its psychoactive effects. However, it can be used for a multitude of symptoms as well.

• Relieves pain
• Relieves nausea
• Helps with sleep
• Helps with stress disorders
• Helps with appetite loss
• Reduces anxiety

 
THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin): Found typically in trace amounts in cannabis, the psychoactive effects of THCV are twice as strong as those THC provides, but lasts half as long.

• Pronounced energetic effects
• Counters anxiety and stress
• Reduces tumors associated with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurological disorders
• Diminished appetite
• Stimulates bone growth

 
CBG (Cannabigerol): Non-psychoactive cannabinoid and is found in trace amounts in cannabis

• Found to be approximately 10 times more effective than CBD in treating anxiety and stress
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-viral properties
• Stimulates bone growth

 
CBN (Cannabinol): Mildly to non-psychoactive (does not induce a euphoric high) and is found in trace amounts in cannabis. CBN is found in higher amounts in indica strains than sativa.

• Occurs as a results of THC degradation
• Of all the cannabinoids, it’s the most sedating
• Promise in treating insomnia, glaucoma, and chronic pain
• Anti-convulsive
• Appetite stimulant
• Anti-inflammatory

 
Research is still going on to find more cannabinoids present in cannabis and their medicinal effects. Altitude Dispensary will make sure you find the right strain for your symptoms for effective relief. Make sure to ask your Denver budtender what they recommend and experience the great products and customer service of Altitude Dispensary.
 

Announcing Altitude's Latest Location

Aurora Pre-Grand Opening Celebration Starts Tomorrow!

Come check out the deals at the best dispensary Denver has to offer - now in Aurora. We are offering low prices on quality edibles and strains, so stop in to see what we've got in store for you. 

At our Aurora location only - this Thursday through Sunday October 8 - 11:

• $4.20 strain specific JOINTS
• $7.99 any strain GRAMS
• $15.99 select strain EIGHTHS
• $129.99 select strain OUNCES
• BUY ONE, GET ONE on all EDIPURE

(tax not included)

Get the first look and take advantage of our pre-grand opening specials - sign up for our upcoming LOYALTY PROGRAM and start earning points toward future purchases - We look forward to seeing you in Aurora!