So far, twenty-one states, plus the District of Columbia, have legalized recreational weed. That's nearly half the country. Moreover, sixteen states have legalized the use of medical marijuana for certain health conditions. However, any type of marijuana, whether medical or recreational, remains illegal in thirteen states.
If you live near the border of a state where recreational weed is legal, you could drive to the nearest dispensary in that state. For example, weed is not legal at all in Idaho, but it's a short drive from Twin Falls to a legal dispensary in Jackpot, Nevada. Likewise, if you live in the far southwest corner of Wy
oming, you could pay a visit to the weed dispensary in Julesburg, Colorado. But, what can you do if you live in a state where all weed is illegal, and you can't drive to a legal dispensary in another state?
The benefits of THC go well beyond getting high. THC can also help to relieve both physical and emotional pain, helping to improve a person's quality of life. The good news is, there are alternative cannabinoids that can relieve physical and emotional pain, and some can get you high. Best of all, some of these alternative cannabinoids might be legally available in your state.
These alternative cannabinoids not only occur in marijuana but also in hemp plants; both marijuana and hemp are varieties of cannabis. Now that growing industrial hemp is fully legal, an entire industry has sprung up to extract all sorts of cannabinoids. These range from healthy, non-intoxicating, and pain-relieving CBD, to THC-O, which is reputed to be three times as strong as the delta-9 THC found in marijuana.
However, even though these cannabinoids can be derived from hemp, they might not be legal in your state. Be sure to check for the legality of a cannabinoid before you try buying it online.
Let's examine some of the most popular cannabinoid extraction methods.
Butane Honey Oil Extraction
Using butane to extract cannabinoids has been extensively studied. The cannabis is sprayed with butane in a container, and the butane residue carries the cannabinoids into another container.
The butane mixture is then evaporated, and what is left behind is a high-potency oil that resembles honey. However, this method of extraction can be dangerous, due to the highly flammable nature of butane.
R134a Extraction Method
This is a newer extraction method that is gaining in popularity. R134a, also known as tetrafluoroethane, is a hydrofluorocarbon commonly used as a refrigerant. It is relatively safe and very good at preserving the cannabinoids and terpenes within the cannabis plant. Also, it produces a very clean, pure product.
CO2 Extraction
CO2 extraction is considered to be environmentally friendly and non-toxic. CO2 gas is heated and forced through dried hemp or marijuana flowers. This creates a liquid from which the cannabinoids and terpenes can be separated.
While this method is very safe, CO2 extraction needs high-tech, precision equipment, as well as expertise on the part of the operator.
Ethanol Extraction
More and more producers are using the ethanol extraction method. The FDA considers the ethanol extraction method to be “generally safe”.
First, the cannabis plants are soaked in ethanol, extracting the cannabinoids. Next, the raw extract is further refined. But, without proper refinement, the extract could be contaminated with ethanol residue.
However, other cannabis extracts, such as pain-relieving CBD, are readily available everywhere. Likewise, delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC are sometimes available in places where recreational weed is not. Both delta-8 and delta-10 THC are less potent compared to the delta-9 THC found in recreational weed. Also, although less potent, both delta-8 and delta-10 THC will show up as marijuana on a drug test.
Let's take a deeper look at the readily available and mostly legal alternative cannabinoids.
CBD is commonly available as an oil or tincture, which is held under the tongue for fast relief. You can also find CBD edibles and topicals, such as creams and even bath bombs. Topicals quickly absorb through the skin, providing fast, targeted relief of acute muscle and joint pain.
You can find CBD everywhere, from your local health food store to big box chain stores. But, searching for CBD online opens up a world of choice, including organic CBD products hand-crafted in small batches.
The legality of delta-8 THC varies from state to state. It's legally available in some states, such as Texas, where both recreational and medicinal marijuana is illegal. It's also recently been legalized in Alabama and Arkansas. However, in some states where recreational weed is legal, such as Alaska, Arizona, and Nevada, delta-8 THC products are illegal. Before you buy delta-8 THC online, check to make sure it can be shipped to your state.
Since delta-8 THC is only available as an extract, and not as dried buds, it must be made into either vape cartridges or edibles, such as nano delta-8 THC gummies. Vaping will give you an immediate high while consuming gummies will take longer. However, delta-8 gummies can give you a longer-lasting high.
Like delta-8 THC, delta-10 extracts must be added to products like vape cartridges and gummies. Also, like delta-8 THC, the legality of delta-10 varies from state to state. It's legal in Georgia and Kansas, where both recreational and medicinal weed remains illegal.
While it's hard to overdose on CBD, quality CBD products are not cheap. Using too much can get expensive. The best approach to using CBD for chronic pain relief is to combine it with other pain-relieving methods, such as deep relaxation and meditation.
Cannabis has sometimes been called humanity's companion plant; it naturally provides comfort, insight, and joy to its users. Until recreational marijuana is legalized nationwide, alternative cannabinoids, such as CBD, delta-8 THC, and delta-10 THC can fill the void.
If you live near the border of a state where recreational weed is legal, you could drive to the nearest dispensary in that state. For example, weed is not legal at all in Idaho, but it's a short drive from Twin Falls to a legal dispensary in Jackpot, Nevada. Likewise, if you live in the far southwest corner of Wy
oming, you could pay a visit to the weed dispensary in Julesburg, Colorado. But, what can you do if you live in a state where all weed is illegal, and you can't drive to a legal dispensary in another state?The benefits of THC go well beyond getting high. THC can also help to relieve both physical and emotional pain, helping to improve a person's quality of life. The good news is, there are alternative cannabinoids that can relieve physical and emotional pain, and some can get you high. Best of all, some of these alternative cannabinoids might be legally available in your state.
Alternative Cannabinoids
While delta-9 THC occurs naturally in marijuana and can be enjoyed by smoking the dried buds, alternative cannabinoids must be chemically extracted and concentrated. This is because these cannabinoids only occur naturally in very small amounts. But, once concentrated, these cannabinoids can have a profound effect on both the user's mind and body.These alternative cannabinoids not only occur in marijuana but also in hemp plants; both marijuana and hemp are varieties of cannabis. Now that growing industrial hemp is fully legal, an entire industry has sprung up to extract all sorts of cannabinoids. These range from healthy, non-intoxicating, and pain-relieving CBD, to THC-O, which is reputed to be three times as strong as the delta-9 THC found in marijuana.
However, even though these cannabinoids can be derived from hemp, they might not be legal in your state. Be sure to check for the legality of a cannabinoid before you try buying it online.
Common Cannabinoid Extraction Methods
There are quite a few ways to extract cannabinoids from both hemp and marijuana. But, not all extraction methods are created equal. Some are better than others, and some are more appropriate for different types of cannabinoids.Let's examine some of the most popular cannabinoid extraction methods.
Butane Honey Oil Extraction
Using butane to extract cannabinoids has been extensively studied. The cannabis is sprayed with butane in a container, and the butane residue carries the cannabinoids into another container.
The butane mixture is then evaporated, and what is left behind is a high-potency oil that resembles honey. However, this method of extraction can be dangerous, due to the highly flammable nature of butane.
R134a Extraction Method
This is a newer extraction method that is gaining in popularity. R134a, also known as tetrafluoroethane, is a hydrofluorocarbon commonly used as a refrigerant. It is relatively safe and very good at preserving the cannabinoids and terpenes within the cannabis plant. Also, it produces a very clean, pure product.
CO2 Extraction
CO2 extraction is considered to be environmentally friendly and non-toxic. CO2 gas is heated and forced through dried hemp or marijuana flowers. This creates a liquid from which the cannabinoids and terpenes can be separated.
While this method is very safe, CO2 extraction needs high-tech, precision equipment, as well as expertise on the part of the operator.
Ethanol Extraction
More and more producers are using the ethanol extraction method. The FDA considers the ethanol extraction method to be “generally safe”.
First, the cannabis plants are soaked in ethanol, extracting the cannabinoids. Next, the raw extract is further refined. But, without proper refinement, the extract could be contaminated with ethanol residue.
Readily Available Alternative Cannabinoid Extracts
While there are many different cannabinoids found within cannabis plants, not all of them are either commonly extracted, or, legal everywhere. For example, THC-O acetate is reputed to be three times stronger than the delta-9 THC found in marijuana. However, extracting THC-O is not only very difficult, but it's also dangerous. It requires using highly-flammable acetic anhydride for the extraction process. For this reason, THC-O is not readily available.However, other cannabis extracts, such as pain-relieving CBD, are readily available everywhere. Likewise, delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC are sometimes available in places where recreational weed is not. Both delta-8 and delta-10 THC are less potent compared to the delta-9 THC found in recreational weed. Also, although less potent, both delta-8 and delta-10 THC will show up as marijuana on a drug test.
Let's take a deeper look at the readily available and mostly legal alternative cannabinoids.
Healthful, Pain-Relieving CBD
CBD won't get you high, and because of this, it's a cannabinoid that is legal across the country. While marijuana has high levels of THC, hemp plants are rich in CBD, a cannabinoid famous for its pain-relieving benefits. Not only does CBD relieve muscle and joint aches and pains, but it can also relieve feelings of anxiety. Moreover, it can uplift a person's mood, for a more positive outlook.CBD is commonly available as an oil or tincture, which is held under the tongue for fast relief. You can also find CBD edibles and topicals, such as creams and even bath bombs. Topicals quickly absorb through the skin, providing fast, targeted relief of acute muscle and joint pain.
You can find CBD everywhere, from your local health food store to big box chain stores. But, searching for CBD online opens up a world of choice, including organic CBD products hand-crafted in small batches.
Uplifting Delta-8 THC
Of all of the cannabinoid extracts that can get you high, delta-8 THC is the most popular. While it's only half as strong as smoking marijuana, it also has fewer negative side effects. Vaping delta-8 is unlikely to cause feelings of paranoia. Rather, you'll feel very relaxed and happy.The legality of delta-8 THC varies from state to state. It's legally available in some states, such as Texas, where both recreational and medicinal marijuana is illegal. It's also recently been legalized in Alabama and Arkansas. However, in some states where recreational weed is legal, such as Alaska, Arizona, and Nevada, delta-8 THC products are illegal. Before you buy delta-8 THC online, check to make sure it can be shipped to your state.
Since delta-8 THC is only available as an extract, and not as dried buds, it must be made into either vape cartridges or edibles, such as nano delta-8 THC gummies. Vaping will give you an immediate high while consuming gummies will take longer. However, delta-8 gummies can give you a longer-lasting high.
Relaxing Delta-10 THC
Compared to delta-8 THC, the psychoactive effects of delta-10 are slightly less potent. Delta-10 THC is best described as relaxing rather than euphoric.Like delta-8 THC, delta-10 extracts must be added to products like vape cartridges and gummies. Also, like delta-8 THC, the legality of delta-10 varies from state to state. It's legal in Georgia and Kansas, where both recreational and medicinal weed remains illegal.
Use Alternative Cannabinoids Responsibly
While delta-8 THC and delta-10 are less potent compared to using marijuana, they must still be used responsibly. Make sure delta-10 and delta-8 gummies are safely stored away from children and pets. Also, it might be tempting to double-dose, since both of these cannabinoids are less potent than marijuana. But, it's smart to abide by the recommended doses, at least until you get a handle on how you react.While it's hard to overdose on CBD, quality CBD products are not cheap. Using too much can get expensive. The best approach to using CBD for chronic pain relief is to combine it with other pain-relieving methods, such as deep relaxation and meditation.
Cannabis has sometimes been called humanity's companion plant; it naturally provides comfort, insight, and joy to its users. Until recreational marijuana is legalized nationwide, alternative cannabinoids, such as CBD, delta-8 THC, and delta-10 THC can fill the void.
