Tips for creating a great website for your CBD product

Create a great CBD website

Which platform will you use to create your CBD website?

Creating your online store will be one of your top priorities. Choosing a platform will be a decision you will need to make early on.  Shopify or WordPress are considered to be the top content management systems for creating online stores.

However, when it comes to CBD products, this decision can in part be made by default. You can use Shopify only if you are selling a hemp derived product. Hemp is legal in the USA, and therefore, hemp derived products with low THC can be legally sold across all fifty states. 

Shopify states that:

‘Shopify only permits the sale of CBD products lawfully derived from “hemp” as defined in the 2018 Farm Bill and that meet the definition of “hemp” as a finished product. Merchants are not permitted to sell products containing CBD derived from marijuana. All sales of hemp and/or hemp-derived CBD products on Shopify must comply with all laws and regulations that apply in the jurisdiction where the merchant operates, as well as those in the jurisdiction of the merchant’s customers. Merchants should consult with an attorney before selling a product on Shopify.’

To read in full

 

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Using Shopify for your hemp derived CBD product

The pluses and minuses of Shopify

Pluses:

  • Shopify was created for e-commerce
  • Shopify is easy to set up and easy to use
  • You basically choose a template and then upload your images and write your text
  • You don’t need to know how to code
  • The templates are responsive-meaning they look good across all devices

Minuses:

  • Shopify apps – these are akin to plug-ins on WordPress and will need to be installed for your store to run optimally. You will need to pay for them, though some are initially free. 
  • The templates are pretty basic, even though you can customize them. 
  • You don’t own your site. Shopify owns it. That means Shopify can remove portions of your content or your entire website
  • SEO capability -This is the stuff that gets you found and it is not as developed as WordPress
  • It can get quite pricey, raging from Lite at $9 per month to Plus at $2000 per month

Remember -You still might want to hire an expert to put it together if you are not visually adept. You will certainly want a professional to write your product descriptions.  Keywords and long tailed keywords need to be researched thoroughly and incorporated into your content. Furthermore, there are certain words that appeal particularly to various demographics and trigger emotions which lead to conversions. Think of the way Realtors use words, like Home and not house, to get a feeling for this.

You will definitely need a professional photographer to shoot images of your product and of models using that product. At the very least,  you will need someone with a design background to pick the most evocative stock images that will appeal to your target audiences. 

Using WordPress to sell your CBD product

The Pluses and Minuses of using WordPress to sell your CBD product

  • Your product can be derived from the marijuana plant, given you own a medical or recreational dispensary
  • You own your website
  • It’s incredibly flexible and customizable. It can be built out have a unique look and function 
  • Its SEO capabilities are killer
  • A third of all websites on the Internet are powered by WordPress and Google favors it over any other content management system
  • Many plugins are free
  • It’s open source and won’t disappear as a platform, whereas companies like Wix, Shopify and Squarespace can. 
  • It has foreign language capabilities

Minuses

  • You’ll have to pay for a hosting plan, domain registration and a premium theme (there are free themes as well). Most reputable hosts include a security certificate
  • There’s a learning curve. However, contrary to popular belief you can use plugins and page builders ( in lieu of coding) which have enormous functionality and fabulous features
  • You’ll have to make sure the pages are responsive and look and function well across all devices since 50% of all searches start on smart phones
  • You will need to use a plugin like WooCommerce to make your store functional . 

Remember, you don’t need a costly bespoke website. There are thousands of WordPress themes that are amazing and can be built to look super unique. You do need to put your money into content and SEO. As search engines get smarter, your SEO isn’t limited to some technical stuff on the developer end or a bunch of stuffed keywords. It is derived from the actual writing and images that appear on your pages and solve the end user’s problem.

My advice, hire a pro.

How does WordPress work?

Design

Compare the fresh, clean look of the following with outdated, busy, brand skincare websites:

  • Skin Dope – bright, fresh, infused with a sunny palette of fresh yellows. oranges and greens. This site was built on Shopify. Notice how big the product images are. Nothing is crammed on to the site. All the images are perfectly integrated into the overall page design and the text on the Home page is minimal, while the font is super clean and easy to read. Each product image opens to its own page and contains a description of the product. This is great for SEO and much more user friendly than placing all relevant information on the home page.
  • Lord Jones was also built on Shopify.
  • The CBD Skincare Company was built on WordPress with Woocommerce. Again super clean with large product images that open to their own page.
  • Vertly–is built on WordPress. Green and clean.

You will be marketing your product to a certain segment of the population. To understand the needs of your demographic, please read our previous article on branding and marketing your product.

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What you will need to focus on

Regardless of the platform you choose for your CBD product, you will need to have the following in order to be competitive: 

  • Photographs of your product
  • Live action shots of models using your product
  • Content writing, especially product descriptions
  • Longtail keywords that make you competitive
  • Emotionally loaded keywords that appeal to your target audience

My CBD Website

Website checklist

 To satisfy your customers and search engines your e-commerce website will need to have / comply with the following criteria:

  • User friendly and easy to navigate
  • Responsive
  • Multiple payment options
  • Scalability
  • Newsletter sign up
  • Social media links
  • Product images
  • FAQ section/ shipping information/ return policy/ tracking information
  • Product reviews
  • Site map
  • Search features
  • Contact information
  • Product pages and related products 
  • Shopping cart and checkout
  • Blog

As well as all of the back end tools you will need to track information and run the site properly.

Your website is the foundation of your brand

If you are going to be an entrepreneur, you must invest in a website. It is the foundation of your brand and has to function as your online store.

Your off page activities, meaning everything you do to network and promote your product, is meant to drive traffic to your website to make conversions. 

Put your money into creating great content and a user friendly design.

Summary

To get a great e-commerce website:

  • If you don’t know anything about e-commerce, website design, product branding, marketing, or content creation, hire an expert who can help you
  • Choose the best platform for your purposes
  • Get your products photographed professionally
  • Find a content writer who will know how to describe your products for maximum appeal and SEO 
  • Make sure your website meets the above described criteria
  • Clean, contemporary, minimalist, bright, friendly and suggestive of health and well-being is the way to go. Busy, hot pink, purple, black and white, crammed with products, offers, discounts, information and with competing fonts is yesterday’s design. 

We create websites for Cannabis businesses. We'd love to help you with your project. Call or contact us using the form below.

How will I brand and market my CBD beauty product?

If you are reading this, chances are you are starting up with a small artisanal product. You have luck on your side because you are in a upwardly trending niche, CBD extracts. The global CBD cosmetics market is estimated to be valued at over $580 million and is set to surge upward. Therefore, a demand for your products already exists, and you won’t have to second guess the market.

Continue reading

Products made from hemp

What kinds of products can be made from hemp?

Many products can be made from hemp ranging from foods to clothing to paper to car bodies! Read on to find out more about this miraculous plant.

What is the difference between hemp and cannabis?

Hemp is commonly confused with marijuana.  Hemp and marijuana both belong to the cannabis genus of plants. Marijuana contains high amounts of THC, the chemical that is responsible for its psychoactive properties. 

There are different types of cannabis:

  • Sativa
  • Indica
  • Ruderalis

Industrial hemp is a variety of Sativa with trace amounts of THC. Unlike marijuana, hemp is easy to grow and does not require fertilizers or chemicals. Hemp has been used for centuries to make rope, sails, fabrics and industrial materials.

Why was hemp illegal?

Some blame the textile and paper processing lobbies and newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, who waged a campaign against hemp since it threatened his paper processing plants. In 2018 hemp was legalized. From the FDA:

‘In December of 2018, the 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law. It removed hemp, defined as cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) and derivatives of cannabis with extremely low concentrations of the psychoactive compound delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis), from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).’

Hemp is incredibly versatile, durable and sustainable. So what can be made from this amazing plant? 

What is CBD oil made of?

CBD Oil

The primary difference between hemp oil  and CBD oil is where the oil itself is derived from the hemp plant. Hemp Oil is derived from the seeds of the hemp plant only. CBD Oil is derived from the stalk, stems, leaves or flowers of industrial hemp plants.

Full spectrum oils contain more active bio-ingredients that may be more beneficial to the user depending on their ailment or problem.

You cannot get high from CBD oil. 

What can it do?

  • Relives pain
  • Might have a positive effect on anxiety or depression
  • Helps reduce nausea from chemotherapy
  • Helps reduce inflammation
  • Might be able to control acne breakouts
  • Reduces frequency of seizures
  • is being tested for numerous other health benefits, such as diabetes prevention and anti-tumor effects.

Hemp Milk & Seeds

Hemp Foods

Hemp seeds can be consumed or used to produce a variety of food products including:

  • hemp milk
  • hemp oil
  • hemp cheese
  • hemp-based protein powder

Hemp is a plant based source of Omega-3 fatty acids. It is also a great plant based source of protein containing all ten amino acids. It’s also a good source of vitamins and minerals, particularly magnesium.

Hemp Clothing

Clothes made of hemp

Hemp fabrics are stronger, more absorbent, more durable, and better insulating than cotton. Although hemp can be rough on the skin, it gets softer with consecutive washings. Hemp fibers can also be blended with cotton for softness and spandex for ease of movement. It can also be made into shoes!

  • Protects your skin by  filtering UV light.
  • Resists bacterial growth
  • Breathes
  • Prevents odors
  • 4 times stronger than cotton it won’t weaken with washing
  • Hemp uses only 1/20th the amount of water as cotton to grow and process
  • Hemp can be grown consecutively for over twenty years without depleting soil. Hemp plant roots aerate the soil, leaving it rich for future crops. Hemp will produce 1500 pounds of fiber per acre, whereas cotton will produce only 500 pounds per acre
  • Doesn’t require the amount of pesticides that cotton does to grow

Other hemp fabrics 

Its durability, strength and ability to hold color make it a perfect choice for upholstery materials

Hemp Paper

Hemp Paper

The main obstacle seems to be that processing plants are set up for wood production. However, hemp has a fast growth cycle and is much more durable and sustainable. Additionally, fewer chemicals are needed to process hemp than wood. Right now, it is expensive, since it was illegal for most of the 20th century and there is not enough of it being grown in the United States. 

Deforestation is one of the most serious problems we face on Earth today. It’s driving climate change and the extinction of species globally. The Ministry of Hemp writes:

Hemp vs Trees – and how hemp can help solve the deforestation crisis.

  • 1 acre of Hemp can produce as much paper as 4-10 acres of trees over a 20 year cycle.
  • Hemp stalks grow in 4 months, whereas trees take 20-80 years.
  • Hemp has higher concentration of cellulose than wood, the principal ingredient in paper.
  • Trees are made up of only 30% cellulose, requiring the use of toxic chemicals to remove the other 70%. Hemp, on the other hand, can have have up to 85% cellulose content.
  • Hemp has lower lignin content than wood. Hemp contains 5-24% lignin whereas wood has 20-35%. This is advantageous as lignin must be removed from the pulp before it can be processed as paper.
  • Hemp paper is more durable than trees. Hemp paper does not yellow, crack, or deteriorate like tree paper.
  • Wider use of hemp paper can help sustainability efforts to reduce deforestation.

 

Read more

Hempcrete

Hemp Houses

Houses can be made from hempcrete, which is comprised of  hemp hurds, water, and powdered limestone. The mixture will harden into a rock hard stone like material, that is both breathable and long lasting.

Hemp has the advantage of being extremely fast growing  ( it can be harvested in three months) and environmentally friendly. It is also:

  • Non-toxic
  • Mold resistant
  • No off-gassing
  • Fire and pest resistant
  • Durable

Please read our previous post for more details and videos pertaining to hempcrete and houses made from hemp. 

Hemp Houses

The Hemp Car!

In 1941, after twelve years of  research, Henry Ford debuted an incredible car that might have revolutionized the way we impact the environment. That car was made  from hemp ( aside from the steel frame) and could run on hemp fuel or vegetable oil. The body was said to be 10 times stronger than steel. Unfortunately the oil/ gasoline industry lobbied hard against it and at the same time the prohibition against hemp was instituted. 

Fuel and the hemp car resurrected!

 Hemp can be used to create two types of fuel:

  • Hemp biodiesel – made from the oil of the (pressed) hemp seed.
  • Hemp ethanol/methanol – made from the fermented stalk.

Hemp is certainly more friendly in terms of being a clean source of fuel which would potentially minimize global warming and  pollution. However, the deforestation necessary to planting enough hemp crops to create this fuel could create even more of a problem. Hemp farmers claim that  they would plant on “marginal” land. However, that land is home to both flora and fauna. 

In the meantime, hemp has already made a comeback in the European automotive industry and is used in fiberglass panels, doors, trim and interiors. Additionally, hemp is biodegradable. 

Take a look at the all new hemp car below. 

Summary

Hemp is a miracle plant that requires little effort to grow. It’s sustainable and eco-friendly . It can be used in the production of the following:

  • Vegan friendly foods
  • Industrial materials
  • Clothing and fabrics
  • Health giving CBD oils
  • Cars
  • Fuel
  • Paper products
  • Hempcrete for building construction

We create websites for Cannabis businesses. We'd love to help you with your project. Call or contact us using the form below.

Cannabis Tourism in Chicago

Cannabis Tourism in Chicago

Cannabis tourism in Chicago was set to boom prior to the outbreak of Covid -19. What can we look forward to into the future, once things open up again?

Cannabis Tourism and COVID19

As we are now in the midst of the Coronavirus epidemic, we are hopefully fortunate enough to be working from home, while socially distancing and trying to stay healthy and well. Hopefully unemployment insurance, small business loans and our savings will get us through the worst part of the the crisis.

To mitigate our stress levels, it is wise to practice mindfulness, deep breathing, meditation, yoga and the like.

Another way is to focus on pleasant thoughts. Since we can’t do any travelling now, we can fantasize about the trips we are going to take in the future and do some armchair travelling today.

This post will focus on cannabis tourism and ask the question – will this be a viable industry in Chicago once the threat of Covid19 is over? 

 

Cannabis in Chicagoland

Can we have cannabis tourism in Chicago?

We actually do have it already-at least we did prior to the outbreak of Covid19.

As you probably know Chicago receives fifty million visitors per year. Many of those visitors attend conventions, trade shows and other business related events.

Do we expect to see a rise in cannabis related tourism? We won’t really know until the ban on travel is lifted once the Coronavirus danger passes.

Lets take a look at some of the rules for recreational use.

  • Chicago cannabis laws allow Chicago residents aged 21 and over to purchase and possess up to one ounce of cannabis flower, up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrate, and up to 500 milligrams of THC in products such as edibles.
  • Non-Chicago residents may possess up to only half as much as residents
  • Chicago weed laws prohibit the use of cannabis in public spaces such as parks, schools, government buildings, hospitals, public housing, buses, or near someone under 21
  • Chicago lawmakers would have to offer proper incentives to cigar and hookah shop owners to feature cannabis on their menu. Having customers walk off the street with their own product makes no financial sense. 

So what do we have to offer so far ?

Chicago was geared up to go with cannabis tours. prior to the outbreak of Covid19.

  • LOOPR offer an experience  for clients to peruse dispensaries before visiting their fully stocked cannabis consumption lounge complete with glass bongs, dab rigs & e-nails, rolling trays, grinders, etc.
  • 420 Tours take you on a themed excursion around the city’s dispensaries. 
  • Herbal Notes is a social club that offers a dining experience, from their website: ‘Herbal Notes is a communal dinner experience centered around culinary exploration and genuine relationships, both new and old.
    Our mission is to cultivate awareness of the healing power that comes from combining community, food, music and cannabis.
    We create beautiful and educational experiences where all people can find common ground and engage in a shared, meaningful dialogue surrounding topics that affect the community – from cannabis reform and equality to urban gardening, food sustainability and agriculture.’
  • Chicago hotels have said no to pot smoking. But Aldrich Guest House, a Bed and Breakfast in Galena, has converted its potting shed to a cannabis friendly lounge.

How does cannabis tourism work in the rest of the USA?

The legalization of marijuana as a means to increase tax revenues, generate new jobs and income and decriminalize and expunge arrest records is a significant move forward. Marijuana has never been a gateway drug and is probably safer than tobacco and alcohol. 

Niche tourism can capitalize on the cannabis industry.

What have we seen the USA so far? 

CALIFORNIA

Weed tourism is becoming the new wine tourism as enthusiasts tour facilities and dispensaries. Though still in the early stages California has an association dedicated to cannabis tourism. From the CCTA website:

‘The CCTA is registered Non-Profit advancing safe and responsible Cannabis Tourism in the state of California. Committed to cultivating open communication, social equity and environmental sustainability, the CCTA was established to represent and support the diverse voices and perspectives of the emerging Cannabis Tourism industry. 

CCTA members and partners include major cannabis brands, tour operators, retailers, transportation companies, hotels, tourism boards, industry associations, media companies, and other organizations for whom cannabis tourism advocacy is important.’

COLORADO

Colorado offers:

  • multi course dining experiences where the plant is paired with food and wine
  • tours demonstrating the entire process from growing to extraction to packaging
  • tours of dispensaries
  • cannabis infused painting classes

Read more from Forbes

What precedent for cannabis tourism has been set in Amsterdam?

Cannabis tourism has been so successful in Amsterdam that the city is currently overwhelmed with tourists, who impede the quality of life for residents. 

Amsterdam is currently thinking of banning tourists from its cannabis friendly cafes. Canex reports that Mayor Femke Halsema is trying to roll out a plan to reduce the number of coffee shops in the city, in order to target mass tourism.

The Dutch mayor cites a report which estimates that tourism would see a significant decrease if the number of coffee shops was reduced. A newer report estimates that around a third of tourists would return less frequently to the city, should they be unable to enter coffee shops.

Would large American cities encounter the same problems while generating significant revenue? It is highly unlikely. 

 

What can happen in Chicagoland moving forward?

The stigma around cannabis consumption must be removed with proper education that extends to our law makers. 

There a a few impediments to creating cannabis tourism in Chicago, greater Chicagoland and Illinois. 

  • Until we have attractive and  comfortable places to smoke besides lounges attached to dispensaries, the tourism trade will be limited
  • B&B’s or hotels that offer designated facilities for smoking
  • Restaurants, like the Cannabis Cafe in California, that also have a weed menu 
  • Bars that serve infused drinks
  • Adults in the UK and Europe are allowed to bring alcoholic beverages to the beach and to parks, particularly when picnicking. We on the other hand, are treated like untrustworthy children. Perhaps, our lawmakers should consider creating a healthier outdoor culture by allowing for more comfort and enjoyment. Weed smokers, particularly tend to be mellow and non-violent.  

Summary

We could create a thriving cannabis tourism industry in Illinois beyond dispensary tours.

Education of the population and our lawmakers would be a critical step in re-branding and destigmatizing cannabis consumption. 

We love the thought of cannabis floral design, cannabis fueled painting classes, cannabis infused drinks, cannabis paired menus in restaurants, cannabis and meditation classes, cannabis yoga classes and so on. Thinking outside the box can create much needed economic opportunities for cannapreneurs, particularly in the wake of the Coronavirus. 

We create websites for Cannabis businesses. We'd love to help you with your project. Call or contact us using the form below.

How clean is my dispensary?

Is my dispensary taking precautions against Coronavirus?

Right now you are probably staying at home, practicing social distancing and washing your hands often. If you are like many cannabis users, you are ordering online and picking up curbside. 

But what is actually going on at your dispensary?  What sorts of precautions are being taken there?

Many dispensaries report that they insist their bud tenders wash their hands between every transaction and that surfaces are being wiped down regularly. 

After visiting the websites of many dispensaries in Chicago, I was surprised to discover that none of them had added content pertaining to the measures they were taking during the outbreak to keep facilities sanitary. 

 

Cleanliness and the cannabis industry

How long does Coronavirus live?

We know that COVID19 lives on copper for up to four hours, on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on plastic and steel for up to 72 hours. 

It’s unclear how long the virus can live on food. The general advice is to wash produce and cook every thing thoroughly.

Can it live on your pot? Well, the good news is that viruses degrade over time, so if you are immune compromised or terrified, wait 72 hours before imbibing. 

What can I do to take precautions?

  • Don’t share your stash
  • Don’t share your joints, vapes, pipes, blunts, or bongs either
  • Keep your piece clean 
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Stay at home if you can
  • If you have seasonal allergies, rethink smoking or vaping so that you won’t irritate your nasal and bronchial passages
  • Cover your mouth when you sneeze and dispose of your tissues 

Should I dose myself with CBD or THC preventatively?

CBD was thought to be an immuno-suppressant until recently, hence its efficacy in modulating auto-immune disorders. Currently, it is thought to be an immuno-regulator. That is, it delivers what you need to your immune system. Please see our previous article for detailed information. However, please don’t undertake any regime before consulting a physician who is familiar with medical cannabis. 

 

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How clean is my growing facility?

Cannabis sold in the state must be grown in the state. Marijuana growing facilities are scattered throughout Illinois.

The Chicago Tribune reports that sanitation standards are high:

“Grow facility workers are often required to wear scrubs or other protective gear. They must cover their shoes, hair and beards. Some facilities require everyone to walk through an anti-bacterial solution before entering the facility.

The goal is to make sure outside contaminants or pests don’t make it to the plants, and to avoid pesticides.’

 

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How clean are my edibles?

Shockingly, Food Safety News reported in 2018 that there are no regulatory standards for edibles. The article goes on to say:

“Because there’s no oversight or regulations, some of the edibles being sold in the U.S. aren’t manufactured from food-grade ingredients. A document from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment recently noted that some cannabis products being sold in the U.S. are coming from unregulated, unsafe and unsanitary manufacturing facilities. Further, some of these edibles contain unapproved ingredients, have been produced in unsafe conditions, and had unsubstantiated health claims on their labels.‘

Other articles report that plants in Denver had no facilities for employees to wash their hands.  

Please research your edibles, buy from reputable companies and sources, or consider making your own while you are confined at home. 

Read more

An introduction to making edibles

Keep your equipment clean

 A recent study found that the average public toilet seat is cleaner than the average bong. Compare this fact, the average gas station toilet seat was about 900 bacteria per square inch, whereas the average bong was 3,000 bacteria per square inch. The same study found that the average cannabis pipe has as much surface bacteria as 2  1/2 dirty gas station toilet seats or 25 dog food bowls. Regardless of Coronavirus, you might want to keep good hygiene practices going after the pandemic is over. 

Below is the way to clean without alcohol.

How to clean a bong if you don't have alcohol

How to clean your pipe

Summary

  • Practice social distancing
  • Don’t share your equipment
  • Clean your equipment
  • Practice good hygiene
  • Consume edibles from reputable manufacturers

Stay safe everyone!

We create websites for Cannabis businesses. We'd love to help you with your project. Call or contact us using the form below.

Can CBD boost my immune system?

What should I do to lessen my chances of contracting Coronavirus?

If you, like many people in the world, are worried about Corona virus, you may want to optimize your health and wellness regime as much as possible. Chances are you are already socially isolating, working from home, not taking public transportation and so on.

There is much advice and misinformation on the Internet today, so you  may want to do some research before succumbing to magical thinking.  The truth is there is no one thing that can shield you from contracting the virus.

However, you can practice good habits to boost your immune system. 

CBD and the immune system

Can CBD oil boost my immune system?

The short answer is that CBD oil has long been thought to be an immuno- suppressant. That is it works very well on inflammation and reducing the side effects of diseases of the immune system, or as they are commonly known, auto-immune disorders.  Those are diseases where the immune system is overactive and attacks processes in the body.

So the question is, should you be taking it to boost your immune system? The truth is that not enough studies have been conducted on full spectrum CBD oil and how it affects the human body. Some studies on HIV patients indicate that CBD and THC can actually increase the production of white blood cells. So what’s going on? 

How does my immune system work?

Our bodies are constantly being invaded by bacteria and viruses. Our white blood cells or leukocytes,  seek out and destroy these organisms. Leukocytes can be divided into two groups: 1) lymphocytes (B cells and T cells) that destroy antigens and help the body to remember previous attackers; and 2) phagocytes that absorb and neutralize these intruders. Optimal functioning of our immune system relies on communication between our white blood cells and our other tissues and organs.

The endocannaboid system is a part of that network and works to modulate those messages. Ingesting cannabis will have an effect on the endocannaboid system since cannabis can bind to those receptors, affecting feelings of well being, euphoria, relaxation and lessening pain and inflammation. It can also have negative effects in some people. 

Early studies showed that cannabis worked as an immunosuppressant. More recent studies show that cannabis may be an immuno-modulator. That is when suppression of an out of control immune system is called for, cannabis suppresses the immune system. When bolstering is called for, cannabis works to enhance immune system function. 

Read more

So should I dose myself with CBD or THC preventatively?

Before embarking on any regime, you should consult a physician. In this case, someone who has a thorough knowledge of how cannabis affects the human body. 

You might also ask yourself what you can do additionally to boost your immune system. 

Stress

Stress hormones can potentiate a wide array of diseases, such as:

  • depression
  • insomnia
  • weakened immune system
  • heart problems
  • diabetes
  • high blood pressure
  • muscle pain
  • lowered sex drive
  • hormonal disorders ranging from infertility to hypothyroidism

What can I do to mitigate stress?

  • Exercise in moderation. Concentrate on slow non-stressful exercise like yoga, walking, biking and swimming.  Over exercising or strenuous regimes will lower your immunity
  • Meditation. If you don’t know how to meditate or can’t still yourself long enough to begin, try guided meditation. There are many free guided meditation videos on YouTube for you to choose from
  • Get out into nature if you can. A nice stroll outdoors in fresh air and sunshine will make you feel great
  • Sleep 
  • Breathing exercises, again consult YouTube
  • Stop focusing on bad news, if it is stressing you. Read the news in the morning and then set aside social media and news the rest of the day
  • If you can, do little things that make you happy 
  • Think outside the box. Freelancers and small business people, you are going to have to change the way you do business and present your offerings. However, worry won’t help you think

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” ― Hippocrates

What else can I do to boost my immune system?

Food matters. The kind of food you choose to fuel your body with will affect its optimal functioning. Whole foods, such as fruits, meats, poultry, vegetables and even grains contribute vital nutrients that will help you remain in optimal condition. What should you be eating?

  • Citrus fruits, Vitamin C increases white blood cell production
  • Red Bell Peppers contain more Vitamin C than citrus fruits
  • Garlic. Its sulfuric compounds boost immunity
  • Broccoli, filled with vitamins 
  • Poultry, high in Vitamin B6
  • Shellfish, high in Zinc
  • Green tea
  • Turmeric
  • Ginger

Supplements:

  • Mushroom complex
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin C
  • Zinc
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin D
  • Prebiotics and Probiotics-gut microbiota that resides in the gastrointestinal tract provides essential health benefits, particularly by regulating immune homeostasis. Prebiotics are a form of fiber that will prep the gut for probiotics to take effect.

Summary

  • CBD has been found to suppress inflammation caused by an overactive immune system. A few recent studies suggest that CBD can act as an immuno-regulator.   
  • Consult a knowledgeable physician who works with cannabinoids before embarking on a regime. 
  • To keep healthy during the COVID19 outbreak you should follow the standard protocol of social distancing and clothes and hand washing
  • Clean your paraphernalia and don’t share
  • To boost your immunity you should practice stress management techniques such as meditation
  • Get good sleep
  • Get some moderate exercise
  • Eat nutritionally laden foods
  • Take supplements that are known to boost immunity

We create websites for Cannabis businesses. We'd love to help you with your project. Call or contact us using the form below.

Can Cannabis help my sex life?

Cannabis and Sex

Cannabis and sexual performance

Can Cannabis products actually help to improve my sex life?

There haven’t been enough formal studies to indicate that cannabis will improve your sex life.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that it can do the following: 

  • Cannabis can heighten your senses
  • Cannabis can lower your inhibitions
  • Being high can stimulate your creativity
  • CBD and cannabis can relieve pain
  • Cannabis can heighten sensitivity
  • Cannabis can affect your endorphins and make you feel great
  • Cannabis is said to improve orgasms

However, cannabis affects men and women differently. Additionally, various strains and methods of consumption will produce very different outcomes. Read on to find out more.

How Does Cannabis work in the body?

The human body has two endocannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2.  CB1 receptors are located in the brain and are responsible for mood, memory, and coordination. Cb2 receptors are attached to the body’s immune system and are thus responsible for pain and inflammation responses.

THC is psychoactive, meaning it gets you high. It binds to CB1 receptors in the body.  CBD can help pain and inflammation. CBD can be full spectrum, meaning that an oil or product contains all the cannabinoids that are found in the cannabis plant in nature. Or it can be an isolate. Both bind to CB2 receptors in the body. 

Various products will have different applications.

How can Cannabis help male sexual performance?

Unfortunately, most of the studies conducted to date have produced contradictory results. Some studies show that marijuana enhances libido while others indicate it lowers sperm production and contributes to erectile dysfunction.

Others claim that it increases sexual stamina and delays ejaculation.  However, anecdotal reports seem to indicate that low dosage increases performance while regular, heavy use decreases potency. 

It may be wise to remember that different strains of pot have different functions. Indica is a relaxant, while Sativa is a stimulant. Regardless, every human body is different and while one person may experience ecstasy, another may become paranoid or fall asleep. 

In any case, most studies to date  have relied on self reported evidence since there is no way of accurately measuring what is really going on in terms of perceived sexual pleasure. 

Male sexual performance and cannabis

 

 

How does cannabis affect female sexual arousal?

Studies seem to indicate that cannabis has a beneficial effect on female arousal and the quality and intensity of orgasm.

Two reasons may be contributing to those outcomes:

  • Pot helps women get outside of their heads. Women have been so inundated by advertising that centers around digitally enhanced images of tall, thin or surgically enhanced bodies. Women, particularly younger women, can often feel that they are not thin or attractive enough to their partners. Pot can lower those inhibitions and make women more receptive to pleasure. 
  • CBD products and cannabis stimulate blood flow to the genital area, which increases sensation and improves lubrication.  

Does Cannabis help seniors with their sex life?

Seniors, if you missed Woodstock, you now have a chance to make up for it legally. Here’s the good news:

  • The possibility exists that improved blood flow to the penis will improve your erection.
  • For women cannabis may improve the symptoms of menopause.

From Leefly:

‘Research also shows that women’s bodies have an unusually high concentration of cannabinoid receptors in the uterus and reproductive center. Cannabinoids such as CBD can help to increase the number of CB1 receptors and anandamide*, thus spurring interest in the medical community to investigate its potential as a therapeutic modality.’

*Anandamide (N-arachidonylethanolamine) is a brain lipid that binds to cannabinoid receptors with high affinity and mimics the psychoactive effects of  cannabis. It is sometimes called the ‘Bliss Molecule‘.

The important thing to remember is that cannabis can have a negative interaction with some prescription drugs, so please check before you imbibe. 

Sex and cannabis after 50

 

How can CBD and Cannabis products help my sex life?

  • They can relax you / relax muscles
  • Improve blood flow to reproductive organs
  • Ease stress and anxiety, particularly performance anxiety
  • Reduce pain during intercourse
  • Delay ejaculation, making male performance last longer
  • Lower inhibition
  • Increase desire and set the mood
  • Improve natural lubrication
  • Increase sensitivity and sensation

Which brands are safe?

You will definitely want to do some research beforehand. You should also be mindful of possible allergic reactions, particularly if you suffer from hay fever.

 

Where should I start?

Unless you are an experienced user, you should probably practice alone and see how various products affect you. Keep a notebook and see how each acts on your body. 

  • Edibles – you will have to sample beforehand to gain some knowledge about dosage and how it affects your body. It can take some time to take hold. 
  • Vapes – you can control the dose with vaping pens.
  • CBD oils – used in massages and foreplay, oils can relax the muscles and diminish pain. 
  • Joints – they come pre-rolled, so thatyou don’t haveto do it yourself.
  • Lubricants – used topically they can help blood flow to the genitals, and decrease pain and dryness. They are said to improve sensation and intensify orgasm. However, they are not always compatible with latex condoms.
  • Suppositories, anal and vaginal – they are said to be a safer way to relax those areas than chemical suppositories. Men and women can use them to treat hemorrhoids, anal fissures, post-operative pain, symptoms of Crohn’s Disease among other applications. Vaginal suppositories have been used to ease menstrual cramps, abdominal pain, endometriosis, pelvic discomfort, post-coital pain or inflammation, vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse
  • Sprays – administered sublingually, they bypass the odors associated with smoking. 

Read more about vaporizers vs joints:

Vaping vs Smoking

 

Listen as a cannabis sex educator speaks to the subject of improving your sex life with cannabis (warning: body parts are named in the vernacular)

Summary

Cannabis products may improve your sex life by making you more relaxed, easing pain, stimulating desire and increasing sensation and lubrication. If you are a newbie, try various products on your own to see how you will react to them.  Most of all, be careful, particularly if you have allergies to ragweed, chamomile, stevia, and echinacea. Cannabis is in the same family and you may have a negative reaction, rather than an enhanced sexual experience. 

 

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Cannabis floral arrangements

Flower arrangements with - Cannabis?

Ever wonder how flowers and floral arrangements became a part of our lives?

We give flowers to show love, express sympathy, decorate our homes, and our graves. We send them as get well gestures to ailing friends and loved ones. We decorate our weddings and our special parties with them. Sometimes we buy them for ourselves because they make us happy due to their beauty and scent.

Where did flower arranging begin and how did it evolve through the ages? Read on for a short history of flower arranging and to find out where we are today with cannabis inspired arrangements. 

Egypt

The history of floral arrangements begins in Egypt with highly stylized, simple, symmetrical styles that were applied in making garlands and decorating banquets. Flowers were also used in funeral processions and in burials.

Greece and Rome

Flowers were used profusely by Greeks and Romans to decorate hair, homes, banquets, and festivities. Lovers also exchanged gifts of flowers. Displays were lavish, particularly in Rome.

China and Japan

Simplicity, shape, and symbolism played  a part in creating soothing, spiritually oriented designs that impart a mood of tranquility and peacefulness upon the viewer. 

European Middle Ages

Flowers and herbs were revered for their medicinal and healing properties, while decorative flowers were placed in vases.  All in all, there was a spiritual component to design along with an attitude of utility towards flowers.

Renaissance and Baroque

We only need to look at the paintings of the two eras to see how the attitude from the Medieval period had shifted. Arrangements during these periods were lavish and lush and fruits and leaves were incorporated into arrangements.

Dutch/ Flemish Style

Still imitated and incredibly beautiful, Dutch arrangements featured tulips, fruits, insects and strewn petals. Often flowers were arranged in blue and white tulipieres. 

Victorian

Lush, messy, naturalistic, overdone and overblown,  Victorian excess  paved the way for more formality and standardized rules in flower arranging. 

20th Century to the Present

Creativity is key, as is use of empty space. Asymmetry abounds, materials are not restricted and tension between elements creates a significant impact.

Cannabis inspired arrangements

Do they look good? To my eye, they look amazing in profuse, naturalistic bouquets and asymmetrical arrangements that incorporate blowzy flowers and natural pods and berries. Do they smell good? Well, probably not unless you like weed, but the high point is that you can smoke the cannabis after the rest of the bouquet dies off.

SHOULD YOU SAY IT WITH A CANNABIS BOUQUET?

Folks, believe it or not, cannabis floral arrangements have become all the rage in Colorado and California.

The leaf has an interesting shape which lends itself to the sort of free form, naturalistic arrangements that have become popular in recent years. 

And of course, afterward, you can put the stems in a dry environment and smoke it after a couple of weeks. 

Take a look at the Flower Daddy’s Portfolio for some truly inspired designs.

The Flower Daddy 

Cannabis Wedding Expos

If you can imagine anything that is wedding related and decorated with cannabis from hair ornaments to bouquets, you will get a picture of what is on offer at these venues.

Weed weddings have become a big business. Everything is on the menu, from gifting guests with CBD infused products to carrying pot bouquets to hiring a bud tender.

Brides today want something totally different and the marriage of weed and weddings is looking promising – to the tune of billions of dollars in revenue.

Check out this gorgeous styled  shoot at OffBeat Bride for inspiration. 

Marijuana Wedding

Where else might you see cannabis bouquets?

Florist Bec Koop, based in Denver, took her floral business to new highs by incorporating weed. Other than weddings, she creates arrangements for bridal showers, yoga parties, and wine and food tasting events.

Koop’s struggles with banking and transportation have led her to think outside the box like many ganjapreneurs.

Read more here

Canna florist

So should you give your sweetie a pot bouquet?

Well, does he or she like to smoke weed? Would you like them to try it? If so feel free to spend a few extra bucks and get something special.

Don’t be put off by the notion that cannabis is something trashy. You can get gorgeous, ‘classy’ floral arrangements with white or pale flowers and other exotic greens or grey green elements in them.

Pot is legal in a number of states now, it has tons of health benefits and it will become more and more mainstream as time goes by.

 

Who buys pot bouquets?

Women are the fastest growing segment of the market. While men buy for their significant others, women tend to buy flowers for their friends, mothers, and sisters. They also order flowers for private dinners and special events. 

Cannabis can elevate a floral gift, particularly if the recipient is suffering from an illness and takes cannabis medicinally. 

Can we expect to see cannabis get well  arrangements soon? Well, why not? Cannabis can help with pain, nausea, seizures and a host of other conditions. Why not include it when giving flowers to our ailing loved ones?

Women and pot bouquets

Where will you get your weed arrangement? 

There are florists in California and Colorado who specialize in cannabis floral design. But where will you get it in Illinois? You might need to ask your local florist if they will make it for you,  although you will probably have to purchase the weed yourself and gift it to them to get around dispensary laws. 

We will update this post as soon as we discover any information on the subject.

Watch florist Maurice Harris make a beautiful and smoke-able weed crown

What should I do if I am a florist?

You should branch out and see if the canna flor business can add to your revenue stream. The great thing is that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

Precedents have been made in California and Colorado that you can follow. 

Read more at Leafly:

Cannabis Florists

Colorado Florists’ Opinions

The truth about Cannafloral Businesses

Wedding expos:

Cannabis Wedding Exp 2020

Are you starting a cannabiz? Do You need a website? We want to work with you! Contact us and tell us a bit about your business

Click on the images to see our dispensary designs and our cannabis store designs, ranging from cosmetics to clothing to edibles.

Can I build a house out of hemp?

You can build a house from hemp!

We have a new obsession. We’ve fallen in love with the YouTube channel, Living Big in a Tiny House. The episodes are presented by Bryce Langston, a New Zealand native, who is passionate about sustainable, downsized, eco-friendly living.

Bryce and his partner, Rasa, who does all the gorgeous camera work, travel the world in search of tiny houses and present them, along with their owners, weekly.

The houses range from a $9 hut in the woods to compact houses in the low hundred thousands. Most fall into the mid-range of $40,000 – 60,000 since many people use shared land and do their own labor.

The unique and wonderful element of the entire channel is how the amazing people who live in tiny houses have simplified their lives, focusing on relationships, their passions, and freedom from the rat race. 

Last night, I discovered this episode that focuses on a completely sustainable eco-friendly hemp house, built by an architect and his wife for their family. 

Please watch for a brilliant introduction to hemp as a viable, healthy, sustainable building material. 

And if you liked this video, please subscribe to Bryce and Rasa’s channel to see more amazing, tiny houses. 

What is hempcrete?

Hempcrete is a sustainable building material composed of hemp, water and lime. It has been used for millennia globally as a building material. 

Hemp is an incredibly eco-friendly material at every stage of the growth, production and build cycle. 

As a plant, it has the ability to pull CO2 from the air. Even when it is cut and used in buildings that property continues, making it super healthy for construction workers to be around and people to live in.

Moreover, as the lime and hemp calcify, the material becomes almost as hard as stone, making it last hundreds of years. 

The first hemp house in the USA

Is Hempcrete breathable?

Yes!  

Hempcrete is breathable. From Return to Now:

‘It’s breathable not in the sense that air gets through — it’s airtight — but it’s breathable for water.

“In a typical wall you have a cavity that you seal tightly and fill with insulation. No matter how hard you try to keep it out, water will get inside that cavity, because that’s what water does.

“So we want to create a wall that welcomes water, but doesn’t rot when it lets the water in. And that’s exactly what hempcrete does.

When it becomes humid out, it absorbs the extra humidity and holds it until the humidity drops and then it will let it back out, regulating and balancing the humidity inside the home.

In the meantime, because the high pH lime is wrapped around the cellulose, it won’t rot.’

Read the full article

How to work with hempcrete

 Anthony from Art du Chanvre, who has built over 45 houses using hempcrete as a natural and sustainable insulation material, shows you how to do it.

Follow Anthony on Instagram

FAQ

Does my house have to look like a hippie hut? 

No, your house can be sleek and modern, traditional, or any style you can imagine, including a hippie hut!

Is it expensive to build a hemp house?

It’s getting cheaper and cheaper as hemp becomes homegrown and not imported. Plus, you’ll save on energy costs in the long run.

Am I going to get high breathing in my house? 

No! Hemp isn’t psychoactive.

Can I use hempcrete in cold climates?

Yes, hemp is adaptable to any climate.

Hemp house in Canada

Can hempcrete be used as a foundation?

No, it will biodegrade if used as a foundation. 

Can I use Hempcrete as a structural material? 

No, it is a non-structural material. You will have to use some other form of framing. 

Structural questions pertaining to hemp

What about fire? Is hempcrete fire resistant? 

Yes, it is. It is also resistant to rot and insects.

Why should I use hemp to build my house?

 

Our consumption and lifestyles are ravaging nature, other species, and our planet. If we care at all about anything or anyone that comes after us, we will want to build a sustainable future. That means leaving a smaller footprint and living in harmony with nature. 

A slow, meaningful life full of adventure, free time, human connections, and family sounds a lot more appealing than working for the man in order to pay a mortgage on a huge house that we have no time to enjoy. 

Having time to grow our own healthy food, can, preserve, and savor  it with loved ones is so much more enjoyable than eating in noisy, expensive restaurants. 

Living in small communities where we know our neighbors, instead of crowded impersonal cities, replete with congestion and pollution is the way forward. 

We need to know that less is more and that as housing in major cities gets more unaffordable, we can create alternative lifestyles.

Hemp, whether it is used in housing, the production of clothing or foodstuffs can add value to a slower more sustainable lifestyle. 

 

If hemp is so great why has it been illegal all this time? 

Hemp was legal prior to 1937 and won a reprieve during WWII, since it was needed to create industrial materials necessary to the war effort. However, the problems began when it was lumped in with the psychoactive strains of cannabis due to the efforts of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst.  Hearst found hemp was a competitor for his interests in lumber and paper mills. He was aided by Harry Anslinger, who following the failure of Prohibition, wanted to build up his new department, the DEA. 

Together, they stirred up mass hysteria resulting in such nonsense as Reefer Madness and classifying marijuana as a schedule 1 drug, which lead to the criminalization of the substance.

To read  more:

Black History Month 2020 – Cannabis

 

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Do CBD oil beauty products work?

CBD BEAUTY

CBD OIL AND BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Does CBD oil work?

There haven’t been enough formal studies to indicate that CBD oil in cosmetic products actually does anything for the skin.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD oil can act as a pain relieving analgesic and as an anti-inflammatory agent.

That’s good news for those who are suffering from acne, rosacea, contact dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema.

How Does CBD oil work?

The human body has two endocannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2.  CB1 receptors are located in the brain and are responsible for mood, memory, and coordination. Cb2 receptors are attached to the body’s immune system and are thus responsible for pain and inflammation responses.

While THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana creates the feeling of being high, the properties in CBD work differently.

CBD doesn’t attach to a CB2 receptor. Instead it stimulates the body to make more of its own natural cannabinoids.  This is what reduces pain and inflammation. 

Is CBD oil legal?

CBD oil is federally legal unless it contains more than 0.3 % THC. If your CBD oil is derived from hemp, it is probably federally legal. 

Check your state laws

However, things can get a bit confusing sometimes due to the nature of the plant and state and  federal laws. Now that the DEA is no longer in charge of anything but illegal drug operations, the FDA has been mandated with setting guidelines for safety. However, CBD products are already inundating US markets. 

One major thing to remember is, though you can buy CBD products, it is illegal to sell your homemade products unless you have the correct state license. 

An in- depth look into CBD

What causes acne?

Acne occurs when pores are blocked by oil, dead skin  and bacteria.

What triggers acne:

  • stress
  • inflammation
  • hormones
  • diet

Which foods can cause flare -ups:

  • dairy and whey protein
  • foods you are allergic or sensitive to
  • refined grains 
  • sugar
  • chocolate

Read more about acne causing foods

How can CBD oil help acne?

From Medical News Today:

‘A 2014 study explored the effects of CBD on human sebocytes, which are the cells that create sebum. The researchers found that the CBD prevented these cells from creating too much of the oily sebum.

They also revealed that the CBD oil triggered an anti-inflammatory reaction in the cells and prevented inflammatory cytokines from activating. Cytokines may trigger acne, so reducing them may help prevent further breakouts.

A 2016 review of the cannabis plant highlighted its antibacterial and antifungal effects. These effects may help reduce infections from dirt and other pollutants on the skin.’

Read full article

 

What is full spectrum CBD?

Full spectrum means that you will be getting all the cannabidoids, terpines and other natural oils found in the plant rather than just the CBD. That does not mean that full spectrum is psychoactive. 

Terpines are what gives plants like  cannabis, lavender and pine their distinctive scents. Those plants have properties that can be used in aromatherapy and to help with problems such as insomnia.

Though full spectrum CBD may help with pain and conditions such as arthritis, is it more effective as an anti-oxidant to prevent wrinkle formation or to help acne sufferers? The research isn’t in yet. Its proponents claim it has an entourage effect that makes it more effective than CBD isolate. You may want to test products yourself and find what works best for you. 

Read more about full spectrum CBD

 

What about CBD oil facials?

CBD facials are the latest craze and are popping up in spas and medspas all over the country. Although they can leave your skin glowing and infused with anti-oxidants, there is one critical factor to be aware of: 

Allergies

There are such things as allergies to cannabis. If you have hay fever or a negative reaction to chamomile, echinacea, ragweed, or stevia, you might not fare so well with CBD oils, particularly full spectrum CBD oils.

From PremiumJane:

‘Skin irritations: Particularly when using topical CBD, some users may notice a rash or hives. This may well be a result of CBD. However, this could also be caused by one of the many other products in creams and balms, so be sure to look into it to find out what caused the reaction.

Dry, itchy, or red eyes: Weed is infamous for causing red eyes as a result of dryness. THC is the culprit here, not CBD. A minority of users may experience this after using CBD, though. If you experience excessive watering or bloodshot eyes, it might be an allergic reaction rather than a side effect.

Migraines: While some CBD users experience a slight headache for the first few uses, migraines are a sign of something more serious.

Respiratory problems: If you can’t breathe, seek medical attention immediately. With CBD products, breathing issues are likely to be the result of poor-quality products that contain contaminants from the hemp plant, such as pollen or mold.’

Please read more and test your skin before embarking on a facial.

Allergies and CBD

 

Where do I buy CBD beauty products?

You can find CBD beauty products online, upscale department stores, and at specialty beauty stores such as Ulta and Sephora. 

Which brands are safe?

You will definitely want to do some research beforehand. You should also be mindful of possible allergic reactions -see above. In the meantime, here are some recommendations from Forbes and Allure.

Forbes – Cannabeauty

Allure CBD skin care

 

Can I make CBD oil products for myself?

Yes, you can make CBD products at home. Just remember that in order to sell your products, you will need licenses, so don’t get into trouble. 

Licensing requirements vary from state to state. This is an excellent and comprehensive how to article from ShipBob.

How to sell CBD online

And one from TRUIC covering all the basics from incorporation to web presence.

Starting a cannabis beauty business

Below is an excellent video to get you started on your own venture.

 

 

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