Children and Cannabis

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Children and cannabis don’t seem like an ideal pairing for many folks. I appreciate why. When individuals under the age of 25 consume cannabis it can affect memory and brain development, so just the very topic of children and cannabis can be a conflict. As a mother and cannabis entrepreneur, I have been transparent with my children about the industry I am in, the medicine I work with, and how consumption of that medicine before their developing brains are ready can affect their health. Cannabis has about as much excitement in our house as Benadryl. 

Last week my daughters asked if they could attend the monthly Las Vegas Medical Marijuana Association’s Market Trends in Marijuana panel. We were serving Unicorn Poop (a dessert ice cream truck) and they wanted the opportunity to see their mother leading from the podium. So, they came with nanny in tow- just in case things got out of hand. They enjoyed the Unicorn Poop ice cream, but what surprised even their own mother was just how interested they were in the conversation. Later that evening, as I tucked them into bed, they asked questions about branding and brand development, but were mostly moved by the stories of cancer patients using cannabis to conquer cancer. 

As a parent it can be uncomfortable to have conversations about topics that make you uncomfortable. However, it is important to have those uncomfortable conversations in the safety of your own home. No matter how you feel about cannabis, communicating with your children about what cannabis is will help them to grow into adults who can make their own decisions about cannabis. Access resources like NORML and Leafly to have constructive conversations that educate your children. 

VaporSlide Product Review

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As a human, I came ready-made with a whole host of physical ailments – including anxiety and IBS. Because of this, I have turned to medicinal cannabis to manage my symptoms, rather than a host of prescription drugs that have unwanted side effects and can interact negatively with each other. I have always been a hardcore cannabis flower fangirl. If given the choice, I would always prefer to use my waterpipe than almost any edible, vape, or transdermal product out there. So when I challenged myself to use only my VaporSlide for an entire week, I was admittedly a little nervous that I’d miss out on all my favorite aspects of smoking flower. Instead, I had an awesome experience! 
 
For the last week, I’ve used my VaporSlide as my primary vape pen on the go, and with my bong when at home. I discovered some definite upsides to choosing the vapelife over flower.
 

1. My bong was never dirty! 

 
I don’t know about you, but I hate cleaning my bong. I hate the smell of isopropyl alcohol, I hate how the little bits of flower get stuck in the down stem, I hate the whole thing. Because I bought a bong thats a massive pain in the ass to clean, the whole production takes about half an hour and I end up smelling like a noxious combination of old flower and cleaning products (sexy 😘). With the VaporSlide, you’re vaping concentrates through your water pipe, so the whole thing stays gleaming and clean and odor-free. This aspect alone makes using the VaporSlide an awesome addition to your cannabis repertoire. 
 

2. It’s super convenient 

 
I didn’t reload my bong with flower once this whole week. I didn’t have to go to my stash and grind up herb every time I wanted to light up. Because I have anxiety, sometimes that process is harder for me than it sounds, and can be overwhelming when you’re fending off a panic attack. Whenever I needed to medicate, I just grabbed the VaporSlide either by itself or with my bong, and relief was close at hand! If I had to leave the house, I just grabbed the pen out of the waterpipe and hit the road. It was so easy to go from dabbing to vaping, and the adjustable heat settings on the battery ensured a perfect cloud every time. 
 

3. You can choose your own adventure in terms of oil 

 
Often times, I find that the taste or quality of preloaded vape pens can be lacking. I also prefer to spend some time with my bud tender discussing the THC and CBD content of each oil, along with any added or natural terpenes contained. I’m relatively picky when it comes to my vape experience, and the VaporSlide comes with an empty cartridge so you can load it with any oil that suits your fancy. I prefer cannabis distillates, and have even dabbled with pure CBD oils for all the aches and pains associated with my IBS. It was surprisingly stress free to be able to choose exactly the syringe oil that I wanted to use, and the process of loading the VaporSlide takes way less time than loading and cleaning my bong. 
 
 
 
I’m still a flower fangirl, and will always appreciate cannabis in it’s natural form. That being said, the benefits of using the VaporSlide were not lost on me, and I’ll definitely be adding it to my cannabis regiment for convenient, discrete, and easy medication. This experience shifted my perspective on vaping, and I’ve found a product that lets me utilize the convenience of vaping with my favorite piece. I’d definitely recommend including the VaporSlide in your daily life. 
 

5 Ways Cannabis Changed My Life

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5 Ways Cannabis Changed My Life 

1. Cannabis improved my grades.

It was never my intention to get high before doing homework. But one day I forgot to do a discussion post and had already indulged in my nightly toke, so I had to write it high since it was due that hour. It was the first discussion post that scored 100%! I thought this could not be a coincidence. Cannabis got me an A! I realized it was not hard to do my homework high, it was actually easier! It killed my writing anxiety and replaced it with curiosity and enjoyment. I stopped procrastinating. If I was high, I was working on something. Cannabis inspired me to figure out what I could achieve. 

2. Cannabis made me more creative in school and at home.

I became interested in classes I never thought I would like before. Philosophy class was truly inspiring. I never liked English, but somehow I enjoyed reading and writing about the often lame required subject. I found that I wanted to express myself with art, something I had not liked since elementary school. Cannabis enabled me to fill my room with hand painted canvases.  

3. Cannabis helps me connect with myself and others.

I’ve never wanted to spend more time with myself than when I started smoking cannabis. When I started spending more time with myself, I found it easier to be around others as well. I have more patience and more understanding for people. Cannabis helps me honor my time with myself and with others. It slows time down and makes me appreciate the time we have here.

4. Cannabis makes boring life chores fun.

No one likes washing the dishes or doing laundry, but I smoke and enjoy myself while doing all my chores. It makes me curious like a kid again. Cannabis keeps me present and helps me focus. I am more productive at home and cannabis gives me the desire to live life more efficiently. 

5. Cannabis gave me a career.

I studied psychology and social work in college so I knew I always wanted to help people. Cannabis became a passion of mine throughout college, but I never thought I would make a career of it. After I graduated University and I found out a lot of jobs drug test their potential employees. I would never pass a drug test and I refused to give up my cannabis. Soon I was exclusively applying to jobs in the cannabis industry. Getting involved in the industry has inspired me tremendously, I never thought I would love working so much. I work with cannabis brands and talk about cannabis all day. It is a dream come true that I get to help connect people with cannabis daily. 

I believe everyone is a patient of the earth and this is our medicine. Cannabis changed my life, has it changed yours?  

A Medical Patient’s Experience in a Recreational Cannabis Market

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When the State of Nevada announced it’s plans to implement recreational cannabis sales on July 1st of this year, I was elated. Cannabis has not only been proven to have medicinal benefits for a wide variety of health issues, but it can also induce relaxation, creativity, an elevated mindset, and even can help you lose weight! Plus, the war on drugs has been an overt failure, and making a substance that is less dangerous than alcohol or cigarettes illegal is asinine. But, I digress.

 

After my initial excitement about what recreational cannabis could mean for the progress of the cannabis industry in Nevada, I started thinking about the number of individuals that consume cannabis. I also started thinking about the number of tourists from all over America and the world that visit Vegas per year. Then I started to get nervous. I’m a medical patient, and I use cannabis to treat a variety of symptoms from depression, anxiety, and IBS. I rely on access to cannabis to feel better. I started wondering, amidst distribution disputes, if getting medical cannabis would be more difficult. (After about a month of recreational sales, we have heard these fears were unfounded). I went to a few different dispensaries to see for myself.

 

Luckily, my experience overall was pleasant. There were a TON of people lined up to buy cannabis, at all hours of the day, but most dispensaries have implemented separate lines for medical patients so that your wait time is shorter. I timed myself, and I spent under 30 minutes in most dispensaries, from check in to cash out. I was also worried about pricing. We’ve all heard rumors that 8ths were going to jump from $25 to $80! In reality, the price hike was modest – about a $10 – $15 increase across the board. But what about a cannabis shortage?! I will admit, dispensaries were running out of my favorite strains a bit quicker than usual, but there was still a wide selection to choose from, and some dispensaries have even reserved particular strains for medical patients only!

 

After all was said and done, I found that my anxiety over the issue was largely unnecessary. I ended up with concentrates, flower, edibles, and even a transdermal patch, paid a moderate amount, and spent way less time that I was anticipating waiting in line. The cannabis industry in Nevada is stepping up to meet the demand of both recreational and medical patients. As distribution licenses are awarded and dispensaries fine-tune their processes, I think the entire experience will remain positive for everyone.

RETAIL MARIJUANA IN LAS VEGAS: Reality Check Over Fairy Tales

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If you’re watching the evening news across the nation about Las Vegas’ retail marijuana industry, you may find yourself convinced of some pretty inaccurate information. As someone who has lived here for 18 years and been involved in the industry since early days, it is my pleasure to provide a reality check. Here are some fairy tales you may be hearing:

*Las Vegas is running out of weed! Reality Check: Nevada has 87 licensed producers and cultivators, who are all actively growing and producing incredible product. With the controversy surrounding liquor distributors in Nevada, most dispensaries did the wise thing and stocked up before July 1st. The reality is that they may certainly be low or sold out of your favorite product, but no dispensary is completely sold out of marijuana and the regulators in Nevada are working overtime to ensure emergency measures are put into place to allow for retail deliveries. This speed bump should be resolved by the end of the coming week. There’s plenty of marijuana for retail consumers to purchase. This is NOT weedpocalypse.

*Eighths of marijuana are selling for $80. Reality Check: Where?! No, really, because I’ve been into every dispensary from July 1-9 and I can’t find an $80 eighth. I was trying because I saw it on the CBS nightly news, so I had to see it with my own eyes. The increased retail taxes have increased the average price of an eighth, but it has been 15-20% to account for the tax increase. You can still find eighths of quality cannabis flower at dispensaries in the $30-40 range. If you find that $80 eighth can you share it with me? I want to know what is in it and who was clueless enough to pay that much!

*You can smoke on the Las Vegas strip! Reality Check: Please don’t. No, really. It’s illegal to consume in public places and you’ll get an expensive fine for doing so. Plus, you make the rest of us law abiding cannabis consumers look like jerks. Help the cause of normalization and follow the law by only consuming out of public view in private places. Nevada is the most regulated cannabis ecosystem in the world today, so help us lead the way by following our laws.

*Lines are around the block. Reality Check: So true! From open to close, seven days a week we are seeing lines around the block at most locations. The dispensary teams are working tirelessly to ensure that every retail and medical consumer receives a positive experience. The average high in Las Vegas is over 100 degrees, so the wait is long and hot, but I heard so many people say that they’ve been waiting for retail marijuana sales for years and they’re happy to continue waiting. Most dispensaries have a medical only line for patients and the wait for those patients has been eliminated.

The retail marijuana industry in Las Vegas is thriving. We experienced an estimated $5 million in retail sales in the first 3 days, which will help our public education system. Las Vegas has the worst public education system in all 50 states- literally rock bottom. As a mother of two girls who are in school this is a cause I care deeply about. Our children deserve better and cannabis consumers deserve to enjoy the normalization of consumption that all of us advocates have lobbied in favor of.

Get your Vegas Weekend Box to experience the best that the Las Vegas cannabis industry has to offer. Order yours NOW! 

Advice From a Baby Unicorn

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Almost everyone I know has a Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. It’s not uncommon to utilize these platforms for personal use every day, multiple times a day. In fact, social media has become such a huge part of our lives that it’s changing the ways in which companies are connecting with their consumers. But what do you do when it’s your job to do the connecting? 
 
Most of us have utilized social media for personal use, but very few of us have actual experience managing a professional company’s social media page. I’ve been doing this for a long, long time now (a week), and I’ve learned a few lessons that could help you if you’re just getting started in the social media biz. 
 
  1. Get to know your brands 
When you’re handed a few different companies and asked to start producing content for their social media pages, it can feel a little like getting chucked in the deep end without your floaties. “Where to begin,” I asked my cat. She didn’t know. 
So I started by doing a little digging. I scrolled back as far as I could through their Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. I googled the company, and read news articles or watched reviews on the product. A sense of continuity is important, and you want to stay as true to your brand’s “voice” as possible. What kind of articles did they share before? What’s the culture like? Who looks at their posts? Answering these questions is the first step toward becoming a social media posting pro.
 
  1. Ask as many questions as you can think of 
Your team members are there for a reason – use them! If you’re unsure if something will be received in the right way, or if it’s a good fit for the audience you’re trying to reach, ASK SOMEONE. Send it to your supervisor or a friend and see what they think. Getting a fresh perspective is so helpful. If it’s possible, hop on a phone call with the representatives from the company and ask them your questions. Get a feel for what they’re looking for, and keep the lines of communication open. The only stupid question is one that goes unasked, so be honest about the things you’re unsure about. It’s the only way to learn! 
 
  1. Don’t be afraid to get creative 
Posting the same standby pics of the products packaging or logo can get boring, for you and for users viewing the page. Don’t be afraid to veer off the beaten track and post a funny video or meme, as long as it’s in keeping with the image the brand is trying to convey. If you think a picture or a video might be too weird to post, refer to #2 on this list. Same with captions – don’t be afraid to use an alluring alliteration or quippy pun to get your point across. Social media is about engaging with the real live people on the other end of the screen, so make it conversational. Make it funny. Make it personal. Whatever the situation calls for, a little creativity goes a long way. 
 
  1. Don’t take anything personally 
It’s hard not to get that pit in your stomach when you’re told something you’ve done needs to be changed, or even taken down completely. Just remember – it’s not personal. You’re representing a brand, and you want to make sure that you represent them accurately. Take the  criticism as constructive feedback, and use it to realign yourself with your brand’s goals and vision. Again, refer to #2. Ask as many questions about what went wrong with the post as you can think of so that you can be sure to not repeat the same mistakes in the future. Thankfully, no one expects you to become a social media master in 7 days, so learn as much as you can and your team will be patient with you. 
 
  1. Have fun! 
Seriously, your job is to post on social media. There’s a lot that goes into it, but the first thing should be a sense of enjoyment. If you’re stressed or uninterested in what you’re doing, it will come across in your posts. Get your creative juices flowing and approach everything with a smile. Chances are, if something you’re creating makes you laugh, smile, snort, chuckle, etc then it’ll be engaging to the consumer viewing the post as well. Social media is fun! Fun to use personally, and fun to use for business once you’ve started to get the hang of it. 
 
 
If you’re just starting out in the social media space, like me, then these five tips can go a long way in helping you get your footing. I’m lucky enough to have a pack of magical unicorns around me, guiding me in the right direction. With some help from your team, and a little ingenuity on your part, you’ll be a pro in no time – that’s what I keep telling myself anyways! 

Becoming a Unicorn

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The first month of a new career always brings fear and excitement.

I’m glad to say that here at Social Media Unicorn it has been a lot more excitement than fear. Everyone is great! Not only is my entire team fun to work with, they all have an in-depth knowledge of the cannabis culture and the wants and needs of the community we serve. With that being said, I am starting a weekly blog to inform and educate about the new innovative products, services, and happenings within our community. Stay tuned each week to see what this Unicorn is getting into 😉

Just recently, we had the pleasure of hosting a patient appreciation day for Tahoe Hydro Company with the lovely people over at Medizin. They operate one of the premier dispensaries that cater to Las Vegas and the surrounding areas. Medizin, unlike many other dispensaries, is also involved in cultivation. They have some award winning flowers like Chloe, one of the most medically beneficial strains that is offered in Las Vegas. We had a great time representing Tahoe Hydro Company while we were there. THC is a boutique cultivator out of Carson City, NV, that is sure to fit the needs and wants of any consumer out there. They have award winning strains: Blackjack (S), Gelato 45 (H), Tahoe Hydro OG (I), all winning their respective categories at the 2016 Jack Herer Cup. THC also just entered the preroll game with the introduction of their STIX line, currently offering Tahoe Hydro OG. Needless to say, they know what they are doing over there at Tahoe Hydro Company. We passed out tons of Tahoe swag and educated patients on our products and specials. It was great meeting and creating future Tahoe fans! I loved hearing all the positive feedback regarding our products. Huge thank you to Tanya and the whole crew at Medizin for making my first patient appreciation day a success!  

All in all, these first few weeks have been an adventure and a blessing. I’m so lucky to be surrounded by people who are so passionate about cannabis. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me as a Unicorn. Be sure to tune in next week for my next post and mark your calendars for our upcoming events!

Las Vegas Social Media Day – Fri. 6/30

Follow Tahoe Hydro Company on IG @tahoehydroponics

Get updates from Medizin at http://medizinlv.com 

The Endocannabinoid System

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The Endocannabinoid System

An appropriately titled 2013 survey, “Ignorance Is Not Bliss,” revealed that only 13 percent of U.S. medical schools teach the endocannabinoid system to future doctors. With more and more patients are turning to it for relief, there’s certainly a need to be familiar with the endocannabinoid system.

The human endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a naturally-occurring network of receptors that is spread throughout the entire body. This system controls some of our most vital life functions, including our immune system, memory, appetite, sleep pattern, mood, and pain sensation.

The three main components of the endocannabinoid system are as follows:

  • Cannabinoid Receptors – found on the surface of cells
  • Endocannabinoids – small molecules that activate cannabinoid receptors
  • Metabolic Enzymes – break down endocannabinoids after they are used

There are currently two known major cannabinoid receptors; CB1 and CB2. Though they’re certainly not the only cannabinoid receptors, they were the first discovered and therefore remain the most-studied.

Unlike THC, endocannabinoids are naturally produced by cells within the human body. Like the plant cannabinoid THC, they are molecules that bind to and activate cannabinoid receptors.

The final piece of the endocannabinoid puzzle is comprised of the metabolic enzymes that quickly destroy endocannabinoids as soon as they are used. The enzymes responsible for this rapid breakdown are FAAH and MAGL. Their work ensures that endocannabinoids are used efficiently. This differentiates endocannabinoids from other molecular signals (such as hormones or classical neurotransmitters) which can persist for several seconds or minutes, or be stored for later use.

Of course, this is only a high-level overview of the human endocannabinoid system. Unfortunately, cannabis research is extremely limited – due to its federally illegal status – which prohibits government institutions (like the FDA) from conducting clinical studies. However, cannabis research is growing like a weed (pun intended) and each year, studies reveal even more about this intricate network within our bodies.

Priceless, Teamwork

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This is a story about teamwork. I just finished working on an oil project in northern Alberta. In the last week of work I moved 10 million dollars in equipment.  Now the equipment wasn’t big, It wasn’t heavy, but the internals in it were so delicate that every move was preplanned. Every member of the crew had their place throughout the job of moving and installing this equipment, from calling the lift with the crane operator, to holding the tagline so the equipment is controlled and doesn’t slam into anything.  We did critical lift meetings prior to moving the equipment each day, even if all we were doing was moving it from the shipping crate to a holding area for the team from Norway to make sure everything was working properly.  The job was completed without a hitch.  The team came together, no one was hurt, the equipment was installed and we all walked away knowing we did a job well done.
 
Fast forward to today and I may not be moving millions of dollars of equipment, however I am doing something just as important. Working with the Social Media Unicorn team, we need to plan, we need to work together and we need to have our own “Critical Lift” meetings.  Every client that we cater to expects exceptional work to be delivered.  We want to shine.  How do we do that? By working together. By treating every client and every task like you are moving a million dollars, which if it slips it could get damaged. When working as a team, no task is too menial. Every member of Social Media Unicorn has their tasks to perform and by working together and helping one another we can succeed and deliver the premier experience that is expected from our clients.  
 
The most important thing that I can teach is to take each day as a fresh start.  Go through that meeting, talk to whoever you need to on the team. Each team member is unique. Find out who will be the best asset each day to help you achieve your goals. Find out if anyone could use help in achieving their goals. Only with teamwork will we be able to succeed and thrive.

3 Lessons Learned as a New Unicorn

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3 Lessons Learned as a New Unicorn

A new job always comes with a learning curve, and being a Unicorn is no exception. Within my first month, I’ve learned three very important lessons that will always stay with me.

 

Find What Works For You

Over the years, the adult-skill that I have struggled with the most has been time management. Having ADD can make managing my time particularly difficult, but since I joined the Unicorns right before 4/20, it was crucial that I had my schedule under control. I’ve combed the internet for any and every “hack” involving time management – and what I learned from it is something we all already know, that everyone is different.

For me, it’s lists – I’ve found that I respond best to visual reminders and cues. “Out of sight, out of mind” is practically my accidental life motto. How do I use this to my advantage? Write. Down. Everything. If it’s something I need to do, I write it down. It doesn’t matter if I need to do it immediately, or in a few weeks – if I don’t write it down I’ll forget it. Every morning, I write (and prioritize!) a new list of tasks that need to be completed. When something inevitably comes up, I add it to the end, and reprioritize if needed. While this might seem like a lot of unnecessary and repetitive work to some people, it allows me to function ten times more efficiently, ultimately making me better at what I do.

Be Honest With Yourself

New people and new environments can be truly intimidating – pair that with a need to prove yourself, and before you know it you’re enthusiastically saying “yes!” to everything that is asked of you. This is when you need to be honest with yourself, in order to be honest with your co-workers. The amount of work that you initially agree to will set the precedent for the workload that you are able to handle – but I’m not saying that’s a bad thing!

Being honest with yourself also means challenging yourself. Just because you’re not particularly excited about the new project doesn’t mean that you can’t absolutely crush it. And on the opposite end of the spectrum, don’t turn down projects simply because you’re afraid to fail either. Failure is simply an opportunity to learn and grow.

Never Settle

Super cliché, I know, but hear me out. Now, before you go out and quit your stable office job in order to pursue your dream of being a nomadic juggler, that’s not quite what I’m suggesting. “Following your dream” sounds great in theory, but the reality is that “following your dream” doesn’t always pay the bills.

What I *am* saying is don’t lose sight of your end goal. Figure out what you’re best at – what you undeniably excel at doing – and pair that with your biggest passion. That is your end goal. It’ll probably take time, hard work, and patience to get there, but persevere. Being content isn’t good enough. You deserve to be truly happy.