The Magic of CBD: Coping With PTSD
For those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) normal day-to-day activities can be a challenge.
The looming thought that something terrible is about to happen can make it hard to interact with people or get through simple tasks, such as going to the grocery store. The constant re-experience of the trauma that caused the PTSD can mean avoiding things that remind patients of the event. For example someone who was in a near death car accident may never drive again, or even want to be a passenger in a car. The current treatments for patients suffering from PTSD are, at the moment, psychotherapy, anti-depressant medications, or a combination of both. There is currently no specialized effective medication for PTSD. Fortunately, there is now more research going into medical marijuana giving patients another avenue to try to alleviate their symptoms with CBD. In this post we will discuss what PTSD is, who is affected by it and how new research is showing that CBD may be a natural and effective treatment for those who are suffering.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a reality for many people who have gone through traumatic life events that have involved things such as death, the threat of death or serious injury. These incidents can include things such as natural disasters, accidents, war or conflicts, and sexual violence. Recently there have been rising reports of domestic violence on women and children linked to causing PTSD, however the most common occurrence today is seen in our veterans. Those who suffer from PTSD report having vivid nightmares of the event, flashbacks or thoughts of the event that come from nowhere, finding themselves nervous and on edge at all times, and experiencing rapid changes in thoughts and moods. Because of these changes in behaviors and moods as well as the re-occurring thoughts of trauma, many PTSD victims are, unfortunately, a risk for self-harm. There is no sure reason for why PTSD occurs in some people and not in others, however there is a link in all patients suffering from PTSD that involves the endocanabanoid system.
The endocanabanoid system (ECS) is basically the therapeutic hotspot for the body. It is made up of two types of receptors, CB-1 and CB-2 and has recently been implicated in a growing number of physiological functions. The CB-1 receptors mediate biological functions such as emotional learning, stress adaptation and fear extinction. The ECS is the main molecular target of the natural anandamine, which some say is like the bodies “inner cannabis.” This is the substance found in the body that helps humans to “cope” with emotional turmoil. The anandamine relives the effects of any stressful situation by temporarily putting you in a state of bliss so that you can work out your situation more effectively. Recently it has been noted that anandamine tests much lower in patients who are suffering from PTSD and this endocanabanoid deficiency plays a part in the inability to cope with those stressful and anxious situations. Research has shown that cannabis has the ability to trigger the same receptors that are activated by anadamine and to give those who are suffering from PTSD the same blissful state to help them cope with their situation. From this research we can safely assume that the use of cannabis may be considered as a treatment for patients suffering from PTSD. But where does the CBD come into all of this?
Good question, CBD is the non-psychoactive part of the cannabis plant that also helps to aid in reducing paranoia and anxiety. Because CBD does not have any kind of psychoactive action it can be used as an anti-high approach to treating PTSD. As mentioned above, people suffering from PTSD already feel anxious and on edge, so to add in a substance such as THC (The High Causer) it could potentially make the symptoms worse. CBD has the ability to act as a key to help close the receptors that are being affected by a lack of anadamine and to help alleviate some of the symptoms that PTSD patients suffer from. Smoking strains that are high in CBD has been proven to calm the brain and help cope with the fear as well as help to aid in temporarily “forgetting” about the events that led to PTSD.
Recent studies have shown that the pharmaceuticals prescribed to PTSD patients can have an adverse effect, especially on those patients who have been to war. Veterans are amongst the highest number of people who suffer from PTSD and with no real effective medication they are left to try to cope with the constant reliving of traumatic events. Thankfully the cannabis community is working with a number of local Legions to aid some of their members in a more natural and effective way to alleviate many of the symptoms of PTSD. For those who would like to avoid smoking, there is also a variety of other CBD products that you can try to help you with your endocanabanoid deficiency and improve your mood while curbing some of the PTSD symptoms.
If you would like more information about how cannabis can help cope with PTSD feel free to send us an e-mail and we will do our very best to answer your questions!
Your Last Minute Hallo-weed Costumes
Did you forget it was Halloween? (Don’t worry, so did we. . .) Maybe you ran out of time for a great costume or maybe you’re not really a big Halloween person but your friends are pressuring you to dress up. We get it! Sometimes things happen and you run out of time or you wake up and all of a sudden it’s the end of October – how the hell did that happen!? We’ve put together a list of easy last minute stoner costumes for you to throw together and celebrate Hallo-weed.
King/Queen of Cannabis
Throw on green from head to toe (or just a green shirt if you don’t have green bottoms) and head to your local dollar store and pick up a crown. If you’re a dude, a button up shirt will take you from Canna-dude to Canna-King, and if you’re feeling in the spirit a little glitter goes a long way to glam yourself up. For those ladies out there a green dress, a green shirt, a green skirt, whatever you got, flaunt it! Finally all those years of having to pick up a last minute green item for St. Patrick’s day are paying off as you dig through your closet looking for the perfect green piece to complete this years last minute costume. Ladies – take your Canna-Queen to the next level with glittery makeup and even some rhinestones for added pizzazz.
Shaggy & Scooby
If you have a fluffy friend then you are one step closer to being one of the most iconic “stoner” duos. (Come on, we all know shaggy wasn’t just always hungry, kids show or not, he’s just another stoner solving mysteries) Grab a green shirt and some tan bottoms if you have them and carry around a box of cookies under your arm all night and there you have it, you are Shaggy and Scooby-Doo! Don’t have a furry friend or can’t take your furry friend with you? Not a problem! Grab a doggo stuffy and not only do you have your Scooby-Doo, but you have a buddy to hang out with all night.
Towelie
Calling all South Park fans, this one’s for you – and it’s super easy. Have a blue towel at home? If not head to your local Walmart and pick one up for under $10! While you’re at Walmart grab some felt (white, blue and black) and cut out a couple ovals for eyes, a black triangle for the mouth, eyelids to make your eyes look baked, and use a red felt to give those eyes that super high look and glue gun (or sew if you know how to) all the pieces onto your blue towel. Take a piece of string and tie an end through each top corner of your towel, throw it around your neck and what are you? Towlie.
Pot Head
Simple, straight forward, and not in anyway a lazy minute lazy costume… Head to your local dollar or garden store and pick up a plastic garden pot. Cut out the bottom and wear it like a hat. Now you’re a “pot head.” If you are feeling extra creative you could pick up some fake flowers or fake greenery and decorate your pot hat. Or you can just wear the pot, get super baked and proceed to forget that you have a plastic pot on your head as a Halloween costume all night.
The Ever Famous Cheech and Chong
It wouldn’t be a Halloween costume post without including the most famous stoner duo of all time. And we bet that you have almost everything you need for this costume already in your closet. Grab your buddy, play rock paper scissors for who’s who, and pick the Cheech to your Chong. Going as Cheech? Find yourself a pair of tan pants, a yellow beater, red suspenders and a red toque – done. If you already have a mustache awesome, otherwise you can pick up a fake one from your local Halloween shop or draw one on. Maybe you’re going to be the Chong, not a problem. This one is easiest for any Canadian, all you need is a Canadian tuxedo. That’s right, sport your favorite pair of light washed jeans and a denim button up with a red bandana and you are channeling your inner Tommy Chong. If you have the large framed glasses even better, although without them you will still be a recognizable stoner.
And there you have it, five very easy and cheap last minute stoner costumes for you to throw together for this Hallo-weed. Remember to be safe this weekend and have fun. And if you decide to dress up like one of our above mentioned costumes we want to see! Tag us with #LTCHalloweed for a chance to be featured.
Cannabis across Canada P.2
The other day we took a look at the west coast of Canada, but what about over on the east coast? What is there plan for legalization. Let’s look and see.
The province of Ontario is currently only selling cannabis through a government run online channel but plans to have retail stores open for April 1st 2019. The stores will be regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and will have a private retail model that the Ontario Cannabis Store will be the exclusive wholesaler to. You are legally allowed to purchase cannabis at the age of 19 but only allowed to smoke on private residences. Each household is allowed to grow up to 4 plants, however landlords and councils can ban both smoking and growing on their properties. Citizens of Ontario are allowed up to 30 grams on their person in public. You are allowed to smoke in quite a few places in Ontario such as your private residence, outdoor places that allow tobacco smoke, certain rooms in hotels and certain areas of hospices and retirement homes. You are not allowed to smoke in apartments, University dorms, schools or places children gather or outdoor areas that prohibit smoking of any kind. Municipalities in Ontario will have a one time window in which they are allowed to ban cannabis store-fronts from opening.
All cannabis sales will be through a subsidiary of the provincially run liquor board called the Société québécoise du cannabis, they will also control online sales. Unless authorized by the government, growing cannabis is prohibited for personal or commercial use. There are currently six companies providing the government with 62,000kg of cannabis for the first year for the province. At the age of 18 you are legally allowed to possess cannabis and you are allowed 30 grams on your person in public and 150 grams in your possession at home. You are prohibited from possessing cannabis on school grounds, University and College campuses and on the grounds of daycare and childcare. Smoking will be permitted anywhere that tobacco is allowed to be smoked with exceptions to college-level institutions and universities and health and social service institutions.
In New Brunswick the legal age of consumption and possession is 19 and each person is permitted to have up to 30 grams on their person. Consumers can buy their product at one of 20 stores that are a subsidiary of the provinces liquor commission or product can be purchased online. Once the product is at home it must be locked away. You are not allowed to consume cannabis in any public place. You are allowed to grow 4 plants in your private residence, provided they are not visible. Any plant that is growing outdoors must be behind an enclosed fence that is 1.52 meters high.
Legal age to possess cannabis in Prince Edward Island is 19 and it will be sold in stand alone outlets run separately by the liquor commission. Consumption of cannabis will be restricted to your private homes and some designated public areas. Online sales of cannabis will be done through the government or one of four current government run store fronts in Charlottetown, Summerside, Montague and West Prince. Residents are allowed to grow up to four plants in their home, however these plants must not be accessible to minors. Cannabis production and processing will be regulated through federal licensing.
Cannabis will be sold by the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation alongside alcohol in 9 provincial liquor stores as well as online and can be purchased by anyone 19 and over. You can smoke cannabis anywhere you can smoke cigarettes as well as your private residence, if you live in a rented space your landlord can restrict use. Adults are allowed to grow up to four plants per residence, however certain bylaws may restrict this. In Nova Scotia you are allowed to produce edibles at home for personal use, but they are still restricted by federal law. In your car cannabis must remain out of reach of anyone in the car and must be in a closed, sealed package.
Cannabis will be sold in private stores to anyone 19 years and over. The crown owned Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation will oversee the distribution of cannabis and smoking will be restricted to private residences. Not much information around laws is available.
And there we have it, a brief overview of how cannabis is being legalized and what the regulations are in each province. It’s a mixed bag of emotions for us, while there are certain regulations we agree with, there are more that we don’t. It will be an interesting year to see how this all plays out and how it changes. Some of these restrictions are crazy (mostly how many stores and producers are allowed) and will need to be taken back to the drawing board for sure. We promise to keep you up to date about what changes are happening and how to smoke safely in your province.
What about you? What are your thoughts on the regulations?
Cannabis across Canada – P.1
October 17th marked a day to be remembered for all Canadians. All across the nation cannabis lovers are now able to freely and openly enjoy a toke or two – without needing a medical license. That’s right folks, Canada has become the second nation in the world to legalize cannabis across the country for recreational use. Maybe we should change our slogan from “the great white north” the the “great high green.” With over 12 million cannabis smokers in Canada, it’s a no brainer that this country is going to be living on cloud nine for a little while, but just what does it mean province by province to have cannabis legalized? Why don’t we take a look and see.
Since there are so many provinces and territories we have broken this post into two!
Over here on the west coast, British Columbia has put in motion the Cannabis Control and Licensing act which indicates that the legal age to smoke or buy cannabis is 19, same as with alcohol. In a public place adults are allowed to have up to 30 grams on their person, but just like with tobacco smoke, smoking cannabis is prohibited in the same places as cigarettes. You are also not allowed to smoke on school property or in a vehicle. If you want to grow in your house you are allowed to have up to four plants, however those plants can not be visible from off the property and are not allowed in homes that double as day care. Landlords and condo councils are allowed to restrict the growth of plants on their property as well as put a ban on smoking on the property. The cannabis retail licensing regime is similar to the current liquor license regime and wholesale distribution and is controlled by the Liquor Distribution Branch, it will allow for public and private storefronts with a government run website.
In Alberta the Gaming and Liquor Commission is going to distribute cannabis products similar to how they currently distribute alcohol. The AGLC will issue private retailers licenses, however cannabis shops are to be physically separate from alcohol and tobacco shops and are not allowed to sell anything other than cannabis and cannabis related products. Just like alcohol, the age to legally consume cannabis has been set to 18. The government has announced that in the first year of legalization they will issue 250 licenses for retailers with the condition that the shops be at least 100 meters from any school or health care facility. The government has also said that anyone under the legal age is prohibited from entering a dispensary – even with adult supervision. Consuming cannabis is banned in vehicles, but you are allowed to smoke pot wherever tobacco is permitted with some restrictions such as playgrounds, skate parks, sports fields and outdoor pools. You are allowed to grow up to 4 plants per household however if you live in an apartment or condo you may be banned from doing so based on your rental agreement.
The legal age to possess and consume cannabis in Saskatchewan has been set to 19, however all consumption must be done on private property. There is no smoking in public, even in places where cigarettes are allowed. The sale of cannabis is being handled by the private sector and 60 permits are to be handed out to operators in 40 municipalities and First Nations communities. Within the first three years of legalization the number of permits will be restricted by the government. The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming authority will regulate the sale of cannabis, however municipalities can decide on their own whether or not they will allow any store fronts to open. If you want to grow plants in your own home you are allowed up to four plants, but they can not be visible from off your property.
While you may be able to purchase alcohol at 18 in Manitoba, you will have to wait until you are 19 until you can legally purchase and consume cannabis. The Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba will be regulating the sale of cannabis across the province, but each municipality can ban sales by referendum. Cannabis smoking is banned in most public places, it will follow the same rules as tobacco and alcohol. If you can not smoke a cigarette or drink in a specific location you can’t smoke pot there either. You are able to smoke in your residence, however if you live in a rented dwelling your landlord can ban smoking on the property. Recreational cultivation of cannabis is banned in private residences. Sales will be taking place through an online distributor or through privately run storefronts.
Sales of cannabis will be done through the Nunavut Liquor and Cannabis Commission both online and at privately run storefronts. Communities in Nunavut will be required to be consulted before any cannabis store can be opened, this applies to lounges as well. You will be allowed to cultivate cannabis for recreational use as according to the cannabis act.
In the North West Territories residents can purchase cannabis at the age of 19 and can legally carry up to 30 grams in public. Products will be sold in liquor stores and will be regulated by the Liquor Commission. You are not allowed to smoke in public places that are frequented by children, or that tobacco smoking would be prohibited. You are allowed to grow up to four plants in your home unless restricted by your landlord.
Cannabis can be legally purchased at the age of 19 from a Yukon Liquor Corporation licensed retailer as well as online. Consumers are allowed to possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis. Currently there is only one area zoned for retail cannabis stores and that is Marwell.
So far cannabis laws are looking pretty similar to those of alcohol and tobacco in most provinces. It’s definitely worth reading your specific provinces in depth cannabis act and knowing what you can and can not do. Knowing your laws is the half the battle in staying safe and enjoying recreational cannabis use with no hassle.
Coming soon, the Eastern provinces of Canada.
Our Position in the Pot Game
It’s no secret that when dealing with the Government of Canada headaches are a sure fire thing. The hours it takes waiting on the phone and going through the automated service until you are finally put on hold before getting through to a real person, the number of hands you get passed to, managers you talk to, departments you go through until you are told that the person you needed to talk to was actually Joe – the first guy you spoke to, and the cycle starts again, is a painful and hair pulling process we have all had to unfortunately endure. If you ask most Canadians they all agree that dealing with the government is the equivalent to being put in a maze that’s constantly changing; almost impossible and completely frustrating. So why we thought the process of going through legalization was going to be any different is a mystery.
Simply put: it’s a nightmare. But, we want to play in the game, so we are going to play by their rules.
Not so simply put, the process to legalization is convoluted, not even fully released and, in many cases, contradictory. Despite the lack of clarity, though, one thing is abundantly clear – as of October 17, 2018, we are required to “cease and desist all activities until such a time as our application is approved by the Federal Ministry of Health”. So, unfortunately, in order for LTC to participate in the new legal framework we need to stop production, put in our application, and then wait and prepare for Health Canada’s approval. Two steps forward, one step back…Oh joy!
So what exactly does that process look like for LTC? First things first is making sure that our warehouse is in an area that can be rezoned. (Check) Next we will have to meet with the city and provide them with the blueprints of our operation, as well as an outline of our security measures for our warehouse. This of course is going to cost a fee that has not yet been determined by the Government. ($) Once we send our blueprints off to the city, we will then have to get an inspection of our production facility done. Fire, building, electrical, you name it, we have to do it. And if the difference in costs for a cannabis business license and a regular business license is any indication (cannabis business licenses run higher than any other), you can safely assume those inspections will cost more for us than, say, a craft brewery that wanted to open. ($$) Once we’ve managed to jump through all these hoops we then have to apply for our security clearances. Yes, clearanceS — multiple. For every staff member. Because apparently this is some sort of Mission Impossible operation. They want to collect our fingerprints, file our marital statuses, get our home addresses, know what your mother’s maiden name is, your first pet, your favorite high school teacher, what you had for breakfast. Wonderful… And you can safely assume that these security clearances are going to come with a fee. ($$$) Once this is all complete then we can finally file our application and wait with our fingers crossed for approval. Did we mention that there is a fee to even just submit an application for legalization? We didn’t, well, there is that (yup) undetermined fee as well. ($$$$)
If the legalization process was a restaurant on Google it would be categorized as very fine dining and would include four dollar signs beside it – you know, to make sure you know just how expensive this is going to be.
The worst part of all of this isn’t even the number of hoops they are making us jump through, hell most of us have been dealing with the Canadian Government for over ten years now, we know the hoops are endless. But what really rattles us is that they haven’t even opened the doors to allow the process to begin. All they have said is that we have to close down production and that “sometime after the 17th” the application process can begin.
We hope you’ll wait patiently with us while we find our place in the game. We promise to keep you in the loop about where we are in the legalization stages.
Built From the Ashes
Like most of the strong beautiful forests growing on Vancouver island, birthed from a nursery of old deceased trees of a previous life, Lone Tree Concentrates grew from the remains of a company that once was. No one said running your own company would be easy, and soon enough this crew of island born misfits would realize just what it would take to build from the ground up.
With nothing left but each other, a combination of unusual skills and a sense of hope, the remaining crew members sat on a roof brainstorming their next move. Knowing that the cannabis community was not one they were willing to leave, they began to ponder what they wanted their customers to think about when they came to them, what they wanted their business to reflect. Of course being from BC was a major factor in building a new empire. How can you have a cannabis company without highlighting what the west coast is known for — BC Bud. More specifically when thinking about the company, the crew wanted people to think mountains, ocean, forests and beauty. And what better way to bring all that together than with the arbutus tree.
“The arbutus tree is native to the south coast of BC, it usually grows within 10km of the ocean and can be found on rocky bluffs overlooking the ocean. It’s bark is thin, smooth and reddish-brown and peels in thin flakes or strips to expose a younger, smoother, greenish to cinnamon-red bark underneath.”
Much like the arbutus tree, the crew all grew up within 10kms of the ocean and call the south of Vancouver island home. They too had to shed old layers in order to expose a new fresh and smooth group of individuals, as well as shedding the old layers of the company that was to become the company that is. Like the arbutus they are able to stand strong and grow together; even in some of the toughest, and hardest spots.
These remaining misfits decided that this was perfect to symbolize their new company. And even better than the general arbutus tree was one very specific tree that they had all grown up smoking underneath — the arbutus tree at the top of Lone Tree Hill. Standing tall atop the famous hike on the south side of the island, the Lone Tree crew thought this was the perfect picture of their company. Strong, stable, beautiful, and born from the West Coast.
Farewell 4/20
Where did it all begin? When did 4/20 become a protest and celebration of cannabis in Vancouver? It goes back to 1995 when two employees of cannabis activist Marc Emery asked him if they could have a daylong cannabis celebration at Victory Park on April 20th. When they told him their idea of just sitting around all day smoking pot and listening to music, he told them they couldn’t. Regardless of what the “Prince of Pot” had said, the two girls went ahead and held a celebration with 200 attendees. The next year over 500 people attended the smoke-fest, at which point the city decided that if this were to continue, the spot would have to change. Victory Park was just not big enough to hold the amount of cannabis enthusiasts that fled the streets, and so we took to the Art Gallery and the tradition of 4/20 on the steps of the VAG was born.
Year after year people of all ages would flock to the center of Vancouver and spend the day talking to vendors, trying different strains, eating a brownie (or ten) and celebrating the cannabis plant. For many, it was something they looked forward to annually. The one day were it no longer mattered if you were Wall Street or a starving artists, you would all come together for one reason: to get high and protest that a plant is illegal. It became a joke between friends that your boss would be able to tell who was a stoner based on who booked off 4/20. You would cross your fingers and pray you didn’t have to go in and close that night, and if you did you were raking your brain for an excuse as to why you couldn’t make it to work that night. Many of the real reasons – I can’t find my keys, I can’t find my door, I don’t remember how doors work – wouldn’t fly so well in the professional world, so you were left to trying to get your hazy brain to put together something more suited to tell management.
You would think with over 10,000 people smoking weed in one spot there would be a whole lot of arrest right? Not so much. The police had a tendency to turn a blind eye to this smoke-fest since it was nothing more than a peaceful protest. We have spent the last 23 years smoking side by side with the uniformed officers who, any other day of the week, would take our paraphernalia, probably issue us a ticket and send us on our way. And it has always been an amazing juxtaposition of the two worlds: cannabis and cop.
So what is going to happen next year when it’s no longer a peaceful protest but just a smoke-fest? You can probably bet that the juxtaposition of the two worlds won’t be so peaceful, and that cops and cannabis enthusiasts won’t be standing side by side. That’s right – the 2018 4/20 Vancouver was the last there will ever be. No more can we claim that we are protesting if cannabis is legal. No longer are we a unified community coming together to stand up for the rights of a plant. No, next year the city and the law will just see it as 10,000 people getting together to get high. And we don’t think they will turn such a blind eye to it.
Let’s get nostalgic here and look back and the last 4/20 that LTC was proud to be part of:
