Tag Archives: California cannabis laws

What to Know Before You Travel With Cannabis

Road-trip season is upon us and we could not be happier about it. There’s nothing like that feeling, you know the one, when you make it out of the city to the freedom of the open road. As the traffic thins out you feel yourself start to relax and breath a little easier. You could take a day-trip, or embark on an adventure with multiple stops along the way. The point is to get away and experience something new. It’s amazing what new experiences can do for bringing a bit of ease and clarity back into your life.

Cannabis elevates the ease and relaxation that comes from being on vacation. It makes us feel more connected to ourselves and our surroundings. It’s one of the main reasons why people have consumed cannabis for centuries. The key to having an enjoyable experience with cannabis is a low dose. What’s considered a low dose will vary somewhat from person-to-person. For example, our friend Cameron over at Just Another Jay is a long-time cannabis consumer who considers a low dose for himself to be around 15mg of THC. He has a higher tolerance level and he has spent time figuring out the dose and consumption method that works best for him.

For new consumers, who typically have a lower tolerance and less experience experimenting with cannabis, we recommend starting with an edible with 2.5mg of THC. Edibles offer a discreet way to enjoy cannabis. Added bonus, you don’t have to worry about the side-effects of smoking. 3Leaf’s Strawberry Fruit Jellies contain 2.5mg of THC per piece and have four jellies per package. They’re meticulously dosed to ensure that you have a consistent experience. And with four jellies per package you can easily build on your dose to meet your needs. You’re likely to find that 2.5mg of THC will mildly elevate the sensation of the sun on your skin and the colors of the trees when you spend the day at the lake; or, you’ll see how the taste of your favorite ice cream is that much more delicious and refreshing. But, like we said, cannabis offers a personal experience for each individual, so you’ll have to find out for yourself.

Our healthy snacks also make an excellent addition to your summer adventures. You could be like Jamie Evans, The Herb Somm, and bring 3Leaf on a hike:

“One of my favorite hiking snacks is 3Leaf’s Quinoa Granola Bite. Infused with 10 milligrams of THC, each bite is packed with protein from nutritious flax and quinoa, making these delicious treats a perfect low-dose solution for the health conscious.”

After a full day of hiking and exploring or whatever else your road trip brings, a ratio-infused edible will help you relax into a restful sleep so that you can be ready to go again the next day. Ratio-infused products contain a blend of THC and CBD. THC provides psychoactive effects that, when consumed in a low dose, range from therapeutic and relaxing to elevating and energizing. CBD on the other hand is non-intoxicating. CBD allows you to experience the healing benefits of cannabis without the high.

Ratio-infused edibles offer the best of both THC and CBD. The combination of the two creates a balanced experience. THC elevates the effects of CBD, and CBD mellows the psychoactive effects of THC. A ratio-infused edible, like 3Leaf’s Double Chocolate Cookie or Peanut Butter Cookie, makes a great alternative to a glass of wine at the end of the day. These products provide a relaxing experience from a deliciously tasty treat. Moreover, cannabis doesn’t give you a hangover. So you can comfortably unwind after a full day of activities with one of these edibles and still be clear-headed and energized the following day.

Now that you have an idea of how cannabis can add to your adventures, it’s time to make some plans for your road-trip! Below you’ll find how to safely travel with cannabis. But first and foremost and above-all-else, never drive while intoxicated. Remember that the effects of edibles can last for up to eight hours, so plan accordingly.

If You’re Staying in California

If you’re in California, like us, take advantage of the beautiful coastal highways. We love the views near Big Sur.

Not only does California offer beautiful scenery, we also have some of the best cannabis products in the world. California has been at the forefront of cannabis culture for decades. The Bay Area’s counterculture movement in the 1960’s paved the way for the legal cannabis market that we know today. Now, both adult-use and medical-use are legal in California. And although cannabis is more accessible and accepted here there are still rules to be aware of:

You must be 21 or older to purchase, consume, or grow cannabis.
As of January 1, 2018, you do not need a medical marijuana card or physician recommendation to purchase cannabis products in California.
Only buy products from licensed California dispensaries to ensure that you are consuming safe and compliant products.
When shopping at a licensed dispensary, make sure to bring two pieces of government issued ID and cash.
You may possess 28.5 grams (one ounce) of cannabis flower and 8 grams of concentrated cannabis.
You can consume cannabis on private property but you cannot consume, smoke, eat, or vape cannabis in public places. Property owners and landlords may ban the use and possession of cannabis on their properties.
Even though it is legal under California law, you cannot consume or possess cannabis on federal lands like national parks, even if the park is in California.

3Leaf products are available in licensed retailers across California. Click here to find a store near you.

If You’re Traveling to Other Parts of the U.S.

Although cannabis is legal in other parts of the United States, you are not permitted to cross State lines with cannabis whatsoever. So, if you plan on taking 3Leaf on your road trip, plan for exploring within California state-lines.

That being said, the Transportation Security Administration recently updated their medical marijuana policy, and you are now allowed to fly anywhere in the U.S. with hemp-derived CBD products or any cannabis products approved by the FDA.

If You’re Traveling Outside the U.S.

Adult-use is legal in 11 States plus D.C., and medical-use is legal in 33 States plus D.C. Cannabis is not yet legal on a federal level in the U.S. In fact, it is still classified as a Schedule 1 restricted substance.

To our north, Canada has set an example for full cannabis legalization. On October 16, 2018 adult-use and medical-use became legal across the country. At the end of this year, edibles, topicals, and extracts will be added to the array of legal products available for purchase from licensed Canadian retailers.

If you plan on travelling beyond the U.S. to Canada or any other place where cannabis is legal, do not cross any borders with cannabis products, and do not attempt to travel home with cannabis products even if they were purchased from a licensed seller in a legal country. Enjoy what these places have to offer while you’re there, from products to scenery, and come home feeling relaxed with tons of great memories.

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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.

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