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Monthly Archives: April 2019

What is 4/20? How it started and how to celebrate it now.

Picture this: it’s 4:20 p.m., 1971, in San Rafael, California. A group of high school friends known as “The Waldos” just met up – it’s time for their daily ritual. They have their joints rolled and their treasure map ready. This is where it all began; this is the legend of 4/20.

 

The Legend of 4/20

 

No, we’re not kidding. This really is how 4/20 started. It’s said that The Waldos would meet every day to search for a patch of cannabis with a map they had been given by one of their brothers. He was a Coast Guard who was worried about getting caught for growing plants, and he told them that if they found the patch they could keep it. What started as a group of friends enjoying cannabis and searching for treasure on a hand-drawn map has turned into a holiday in the likes of St. Patrick’s Day and Mardi Gras.

 

Around the world, April 20 is a day to both celebrate legalization and advocate to destigmatize and decriminalize cannabis. Internationally, communities will celebrate in all kinds of ways. Canadians will be celebrating their first 4/20 with legalized adult-use on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Canada is the only G7 country and the second country in the world to legalize cannabis for adult-use. Here in California, we’ll be celebrating our second fully legal 4/20. It’s amazing to see people in our State finally benefit from access to cannabis for both recreational and medical needs. April 20th marks more than just a day to celebrate cannabis, it’s a day to advocate for things like federal legalization in the United States to give more people access to the many benefits provided by this amazing plant.

3Leaf micro-dosed Strawberry Fruit Jellies. Four fruit jellies placed in front of the 3Leaf package.
3Leaf micro-dosed Strawberry Fruit Jellies are the perfect party favor to share with friends this 4/20.

 

4/20: True or False

 

Whether you’re new to cannabis or have been partaking since bell-bottoms and feathered hair was the latest, the key to experiencing the day is sharing with friends. So, grab a pack of 3Leaf Fruit Jellies – four jellies per bag makes them perfect for sharing – and pick a few of your favorite people to play a little game of True or False: 4/20 Edition:

 

  1. There’s a highway in Ontario, Canada called Highway 420. Cannabis used to grow there freely in the 1960s.
  •   True
  1. 420 is a police radio dispatch code for cannabis.
  •   False.
  1. 4/20 is the day that Bob Marley died.
  •   False.
  1. California’s Medical Marijuana Program Act is also known as S.B. 420.
  •   True
  1. There are 420 known chemical compounds in cannabis.
  •   False.
  1. All the clocks in the film Pulp Fiction are set to 4:20.
  •   False – but nearly all of them are set to 4:20. A couple of serious movie-buffs found a few clocks that were off.
  1. William Shakespeare was a fan of cannabis.

 

What to Do on 4/20 in California

 

Come hang with the 3Leaf team! We’ll be hosting demos across California at some of the best licensed dispensaries around. You can ask us any anything about 3Leaf and how we make our products, and find out more about the effects of edibles and cannabis. We’ll also have delicious non-dosed 3Leaf samples! And, these stores are offering epic 4/20 deals. You should definitely stop by!

 

A 3Leaf team member hands out samples of edibles at an event.
The 3Leaf team is ready to hand out samples!

 

Strain Balboa Caregivers

  •   21627 Devonshire St., Los Angeles.
  •   9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  •   Buy any 3Leaf edible and get the second one for a penny!

The Guild

  •   2943 Daylight Way, San Jose.
  •   10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  •   20% off entire store and buy any 3Leaf edible, get the second for $1!

Blunts and Moore

  •   701 66th Ave., Oakland.
  •   12 – 2 p.m.
  •   Buy any 3Leaf edible and get the second for $1!

Apothekare

  •   3455 Camino del Rio S, San Diego.
  •   2 – 6 p.m.
  •   Buy any 3Leaf edible and get the second for free!

 

And at the end of the day, stop by NEWERA’s 420 Spring Blossom Soirée at Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco. This is going to be a beautifully curated event with a cherry blossom Zen garden and live performances from some of the Bay Area’s most talented artists. To perfectly elevate the evening, NEWERA is offering an exclusive product bundle just for the event. The 420 bundle is valued at 50% off its list price, and it includes premium edibles from 3Leaf and Kiva, an infused tea from Kikoko, and pre-rolls from Humboldt Legends. You can order it here starting Friday, April 19, at 4:20 p.m. You have until 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 20 to take advantage of this amazing offer!

 

 

 

One of the things we love most about cannabis is the fact that it brings people together. No matter how you choose to celebrate on 4/20, in a small gathering or with tens of thousands of people, please be safe and smart! Consume responsibly; remember, start with a low dose and increase gradually so that you can enjoy the whole day.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read our post. To keep up with exciting 3Leaf news, including new product launches, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

 

 

How long do marijuana edibles stay in your system?

Let’s get something straight here. How long cannabis stays in your system and how long you feel the effects are two completely different things. Just because the effects wear off doesn’t mean that cannabis has left your system. How you’ll feel depends on what type of cannabinoid you consume, how you consume, and how much you consume. But how long it stays in your system depends more on how often you consume.

 

How long cannabis stays in your system.

 

In less than 30 seconds Derek Riedle, Publisher of Civilized, clarifies how long cannabis generally stays in your system. Take a look:

 

 

Cannabis stays in your system longer if you consume regularly because it continuously builds up over time. Cannabis compounds are fat-soluble, so they build up in the body’s fat stores. Fat is difficult for our bodies to eliminate, which makes breaking down built-up cannabis compounds a greater challenge. A regular consumer is considered someone who partakes multiple times per week to daily. Studies show that occasional consumers, someone who partakes in cannabis two or three times a month, are able to eliminate cannabis from their system much faster.

 

Riedle brings up an interesting point at the end of the video: legalization’s implications on cannabis drug-testing policies. If you live in a U.S. State where adult- and/or medical-use is legal it does not necessarily mean that you are exempt from drug tests. While cannabis may be legal in your State, it remains illegal on a federal level. Even in a State like California, where both medical and adult-use are legal, employers in certain industries still have to implement drug-tests as per federal legislation. As more States step into legalization, so too are we seeing policies that protect employees, especially medical cannabis users, from drug-testing for cannabis. While this currently remains subjective to employers and is judged on a case-by-case basis if taken to court, it’s wise to be aware of your employer’s drug policy. If you’re in a situation where you need to quickly cleanse your system of cannabis, there isn’t really any easy fix. It’s recommended that you drink lots of water, abstain from consuming, and regular exercise to help flush it out of your system.

 

How long you’ll feel the effects of cannabis.

 

When it comes to cannabis, you have countless options. You can choose your cannabinoid, your strain, your consumption method, and how much to ingest. All of these choices may seem daunting, but really it just means that you can tailor your cannabis experience to meet your exact needs, whether they’re medical or recreational.

 

Now that we understand how long cannabis typically stays in your system, let’s take a look at a few of the factors that will affect how you feel after consuming cannabis.  

 

THC vs CBD.

 

Our bodies contain a miraculous system known as the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). In short, the ECS contains endocannabinoids, similar to the ones found in the cannabis plant, that work to maintain vital functions in the human body. When humans consume cannabis, the phytocannabinoids from the plant engage with receptors in our ECS to provide a multitude of healing and therapeutic effects.

 

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) provides a psychoactive experience. It is proven to relieve pain, alleviate anxiety and depression, stimulate appetite, help manage chemotherapy-induced nausea, and mitigate sleep deprivation. In addition to these impressive benefits, THC is also known for providing a sense of intoxicating euphoria, typically known as a high. The key to having an enjoyable THC experience is to start with a micro- or low-dose and consume slowly.

 

Cannabidiol (CBD) is non-intoxicating. It is known for its pain relieving, anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its ability to provide calming effects. It provides what many refer to as a body high. You won’t feel the same intoxicating effects as you would with THC, but you will enjoy a variety of relaxing and soothing effects.

 

A micro-dose of THC is considered 2.5mg, whereas a micro-dose of CBD is between 10mg and 20mg. The reason for the disparity between the two is because THC binds more effectively with the receptors in the ECS, so you need less to produce an effect. Moreover, THC actually elevates the effects of CBD because of its ability to bind more effectively with these receptors. And, because CBD provides milder and non-intoxicating effects, it helps to balance the elevating psychoactive effects of THC. If you want to experience the two look for ratio infused products, like 3Leaf’s Double Chocolate Cookie and Peanut Butter Cookie. They contain 5mg of THC and 5mg of CBD per cookie so that you can experience the relaxing sensations from THC and healing effects of CBD simultaneously – the best of both worlds.

 

If you want to learn more about what to expect from different doses of THC and CBD check out 3Leaf’s Ultimate Guide to Dosing Edibles.

 

3Leaf ratio-infused Double Chocolate Cookie. One cookie is placed in front of a 3Leaf package.
3Leaf’s ratio-infused Double Chocolate Cookie, now available in California.

 

Sativa vs Indica.

 

Sativa and Indica are strains of the cannabis plant. Anecdotally, Sativas tend to be uplifting and invigorating, whereas Indicas are known to be more relaxing and sedating. However, this evidence is rooted in culture, not science. There is little evidence to support the claims that one strain provides sedating effects while the other is energizing. So, it’s best to refer to cannabinoid profiles – look for dosage levels of THC and CBD – when you’re browsing cannabis products at a licensed dispensary.

 

A Note on Distillate

 

Distillate is another form of cannabis that provides a unique experience. It is a refined cannabis extract that does not have a strain profile, but rather a compound profile. Cannabis compounds, i.e. cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, can all be separated from the cannabis plant and isolated from one another. In a previous blog post, we take a deep dive into how distillate is refined to create one of the purest cannabis concentrates available. Because distillate can have such a high purity level, this means you can consume a disillate-infused edible with a lower dose and still reap a full range of benefits.

 

Edibles vs Smoking vs Topicals.

 

The onset of smoking or vaping cannabis takes effect within approximately 15 minutes of consuming. The effects peak within 30 to 60 minutes and tend to taper off within a few hours. When ingesting cannabis by way of smoking, the cannabinoids are quickly transported from your lungs to your bloodstream to your brain. The effects are pretty much immediate and last between two to four hours.

 

Cannabis infused topicals are a popular method for those who want to experience healing benefits with little-to-no psychoactive effects. A massage with a CBD topical is a fantastic way to help your muscles unwind after a strenuous workout, or alleviate pain and inflammation from arthritis. Topicals provide localized relief without the high. They allow the cannabinoids to absorb transdermally through the skin. The THC or CBD is then processed by way of CB2 receptors in the ECS rather than through the blood-stream, which lends itself to milder effects.  The effects tend to last a couple of hours, but this depends on how much you use and where you apply it.

 

Edibles are a discreet consumption method and provide a healthy alternative to smoking. The effects of edibles take longer compared to smoking – up to two hours – but the benefits last longer. The effects of edibles take longer to feel because the THC or CBD is metabolized through the liver and then processed through the blood-brain barrier. Because of this process, edibles are considered more effective than most methods. And since they last longer – up to eight hours – edibles are perfect for relieving pain, getting a good night’s sleep, and promoting general wellbeing for extended periods.

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read our post. To keep up with exciting 3Leaf news, including new product launches, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

How to Maximize the Shelf-Life of Your Infused Edible

You just left a licensed dispensary with some cannabis-infused edibles that your friends recommended. They told you about a few of the positive experiences they had, and you’re looking forward to trying them out. But first, you have to get through an afternoon of work and also get a workout in. Someone told you that taking an edible before exercise can be beneficial, but you decide to hold off since you’re still new to this. As you walk back to the office you wonder, “will these be okay in my bag until later tonight; how long do edibles keep for in general; when will they go bad?”

 

Any cannabis-infused edibles purchased in a licensed dispensary will have a “best-by” or “expiry” date on the label. Just like any food product, start by checking the date before making a purchase. Note that some edibles will have an expiry date as long as 12 months, while others can be intended for enjoyment sooner and have a best-by date of five or six months.

 

Now that you’re edibles are home, you have to figure out a way to store them. Storage plays a key role in preserving the shelf life of your infused edible. In general, to keep your edibles fresh and effective, it’s best to store them away from intense heat, light, and oxygen. Keep them in their sealed package and store in a cool, dark place to maintain freshness. While sunlight and heat shouldn’t impact the cannabis potency, the taste, texture, and overall experience can be adversely affected.

 

How a product is formulated and the ingredients it contains also affect the shelf-life of an infused edible. When it comes to edibles, it’s important to consider how long it will last as a food product more so than worrying about the degradation of potency. It takes a long time for edibles to lose their potency, especially if you store them properly.

 

It’s also important to note that not all infused edibles are created equal. Some brands will use preservatives and artificial ingredients to help extend the shelf-life of their edibles to around 12 months. Often, you’ll find more preservatives in cannabis-infused gummies and chocolate than you will in baked goods like cookies or brownies.

 

With 3Leaf, you’ll find that we took a different approach to edibles; we put the food first and deliver a trusted cannabis experience along with it.

 

3Leaf Coconut Oatmeal Cookie is placed on top of natural ingredients like rolled oats and chunks of coconut.
3Leaf’s all-natural Coconut Oatmeal Cookie.

 

Regardless of whether you choose one of our baked Double Chocolate Cookies, a Quinoa Granola Bite, or the Strawberry Fruit Jellies, our products are best enjoyed within the first six months. This is because we do not use any preservatives, artificial colors, or pre-processed ingredients in our recipes, and we never will! We formulated our products to be enjoyed shortly after they’re purchased so that you can get the most out of the high-quality ingredients in each recipe. We aim to craft edibles that you can enjoy with confidence, both as a food product and a cannabis-infused product.

 

A package of 3Leaf Strawberry Fruit Jellies with four jellies on a small tray in front of a houseplant.
3Leaf’s micro-dosed Strawberry Fruit Jellies. Absolutely delicious and a great addition to your home decor.

 

At 3Leaf, not only have we taken the time to consider the ingredients that go into our products, but we’ve also carefully thought through the packaging that they are contained in. As we mentioned, storage plays a key role in preserving your edible, which is why we designed a package that maintains quality and freshness. To get the most out of your 3Leaf edibles, we recommend that you keep them somewhere relatively cool and dark like a cupboard or drawer. Just don’t leave them out in the hot California sun for too long, just as you wouldn’t with any other foods you have at home. 3Leaf products are sold in a resealable, child-proof bag so that you can store these products in your home without having to worry.

 

3Leaf ratio-infused Peanut Butter Cookie. One peanut butter cookie with chocolate chips is placed in front of the 3Leaf package.3Leaf Vegan Quinoa Granola Bite. One bite placed in front of the 3Leaf package.

 

 

When all is said and done, the key to maintaining the quality, freshness, and potency of your edible lies in thinking of them as a food product first. Consider the ingredients in your edible, and whether or not it contains any preservatives. If a product doesn’t have a best before date on the package, you can ask your budtender for more information. Once you’ve made your purchase, Remember, most infused edibles should be to stored in a cool, dark place and kept tightly sealed. At 3Leaf, we do things a little bit different, but ultimately it’s because we want you to enjoy the food first and trust the cannabis experience that we promise.  

 

Thank you for taking the time to read our post. To keep up with exciting 3Leaf news, including new product launches, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.