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Weed Tips + Gift Guides + Travel/Style

Whether you're new to the world of weed or a seasoned smoker, our goal is to empower women with the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their cannabis use. So, join us as we explore the world of cannabis and discover all the ways it can enhance your life.

High Herstory creates space for women & femmes who love weed while bringing to life meaningful, stigma-changing content at the intersection of cannabis and culture.

Guides Guides

Mother's Day Gift Guide For Mom’s Who Enjoy Cannabis or Who Want to Try it For the First Time

Honor your mama always, but especially on Mother’s Day! Whether you’re holding space for a cherished soul with some extra self-care on this day, or if you’re lucky enough to be meeting up with your mom to spoil her in person, we’ve rounded up our favorite gifts for the canna-curious lady in your life. Happy Mother’s Day!

 

Honor your Mama always, but especially on Mother’s Day! Whether you’re holding space for a cherished soul with some extra self-care on this day, or if you’re lucky enough to be meeting up with your mom to spoil her in person, we’ve rounded up our favorite gifts for the canna-curious lady in your life. Long gone are the days where we have to hide our cannabis consumption from Mom, so maybe this is the year you get your Mother to try some of Mother Nature’s Herb.

This guide will help you find the perfect Mother’s Day gift for Cannabis Moms who are experienced with the plant or for those Moms who may want to try it for the first time. From our family at High Herstory, we wish all the moms out there Happy Mother’s Day! 

Full disclosure, some of the links in this article may be affiliate links for which we receive a commission, but rest assured we truly love every product we promote on our website. We got you.

 

We know many of your moms may be canna-curious or even may be “canna-experienced”, but are still looking for a weed experience that doesn’t overwhelm them. Perfect Herbal Blends has come up with one perfect solution. They have just released a proprietary infused cannabis blend in a formula called ‘Sexpot,’ and it comes in a Blended Flower Jar with Micropipe and a Mini Pre-Roll 3-Pack. This latest addition to their lineup is Perfect's first to be formulated with a blend of rare cannabis flowers and CBD buffers that tame the THC effect – encouraging the ability to have a welcome experience, while enabling clarity and control.

We happen to love Perfect because they design blended formulations using 100% cannabis and cannabis oil, combined with breakthrough terpene preservation methods resulting in extended shelf life and product consistency. Rated #1 on Proper, Perfect blends terpene-rich cannabis varieties to do what no single plant or strain can do. A consistently quality product and experience is something you want for your mom’s first cannabis experience.

 

2. This Gorgeous Session Goods Bong or Pipe with Silicone Holder

If your Mom loves to smoke cannabis and she likes to do it in style, she might love a piece from Session Goods limited edition Designer Series featuring their iconic Bong and Pipe in the always timeless shades of black and white. From the clean, sleek lines and soft rounded edges to the pipes' tapered shape and smooth silicone base - every piece in the Designer Series has a flair of edgy sophistication and drips of cool that'll never go out of style. This is one of the easiest bongs to clean and we know that is something every cannabis user can appreciate. They also have the best stash jars, cleaning solution and ashtrays if you want to complete Mom’s arsenal of smoking tools.

 

The gift of Herve is just as luxurious as it is indulgent. Their French edibles, particularly their high-end macarons, contain 10 mgs of THC per cookie and 30 mgs total per gift box. They’ve also developed a discreet dosing “stick” of sorts called Le Mirage, which looks as simple as a tube of lipstick, but with child-proof packaging. Take off pre-dosed bites of infused, sour candy, then retract the candy, close the tube, and toss it back in your purse or diaper bag for quiet, on-the-go dosing at any time. They are also gluten-free, which is perfect for any gluten adverse Mommas out there.

 

Chill Steel Pipes make the coolest bongs on Earth. Literally? Yes. Literally. Their patented double-wall vacuum insulated bongs prevent heat from entering the smoke chamber, keeping your bong water and ice nice and chilly for hours on end. We love the marble one, and think it would look so stunning in your Mom’s home. The Chill Steel Pipe also comes apart in three places making so easy to clean! Plus, you can mix and match your base and neck piece for a fully custom gifting experience. Use link chill.store/highherstory to get $20 off your first Chill order.

 

Elegance has a name, and it is “Doug”! This small and beautiful carrying case holds a one-hitter pipe and has a chamber for your mom’s ground-up weed. We love that dugouts are convenient, all-in-one kits but we are so over the wooden design. That’s why PRETTYHIGH® came up with this gorgeous, designer-worthy version! PRETTYHIGH® is a luxury cannabis and fashion brand that have exactly what every fancy stoner wants. We know your cannabis loving Mom would be thrilled to receive the compact black lucite “Doug”, crafted for the coolest and chicest stoner you know.

 

Ardent makes the world’s most efficient all-in-one portable cannabis kitchen. Both their Nova ($260) and FX ($350) devices give you between 97-100% activation of THC, CBD, and CBG cannabinoids inside an air-tight, discreet appliance. But how is it that different than the old-fashioned oven? Or other kitchen appliances? Well, those are much less precise, costing you about 40% loss in cannabinoids present in your starting material. Imagine literally throwing away bud? After de-carb, you can infuse right inside the device, and even bake tasty edibles right inside the unit too. How’s that for easy bake? Check out Ardent’s latest deals on their website, and use code HERSTORY at checkout for $30 off any full-priced de-carboxylators.

 

Vertly’s CBD Bath Salts is the perfect way to relax after doing all the things a Mom has to do. We love these bath salts after a long day of running around on set and we bet your mom will too. The salts are also the winner of Glamour Beauty A
Awards Best Bath Product. We also recommend their Lip Butter which makes lips feel so soft and hydrated and well, like butter! It comes in sheer and a sheer red, we can’t decide which one we love more. Their Glowing Face Serum is also a great way to help mom engage in some well deserved self care time. The feel of their serum is lightweight and the smell is to die for. Mom will be so grateful you thought about her pampering needs!

 

In unique flavors like Blackberry Rose, Elderflower Grapefruit, Lemon Lavender, and Plum Cardamom, Molly J Confections makes possibly *the* most giftable CBD gumdrops in the game. If you’re in the process of de-stigmatizing cannabinoids, or making them more desirable to the canna-curious mom in your life, they also offer gift cards and mini sampler kits, so you don’t have to overwhelm your recipient with too many options or something that isn’t a perfect fit. They taste as beautiful as they look too!

 

1906’s mission is to create a new category of premium edibles, marrying the benefits of cacao, cannabis, and ethnobotanical ingredients and designed to appeal to responsible, informed, health conscious adults. Products that deliver absolutely safe, consistent and predictable experiences, helping you reconnect with your senses and addressing five different experiences with five truly exceptional tastes. Perfect for Mom’s who want to experience cannabis the way they would a glass of wine.

 

This is for the artistically-inclined mother who has always taken a pro-stance on pot. Each bong is a handcrafted art piece and stands out in a room but never screams “bong!”. Artist Doreen Sullivan transforms stunning one of a kind vases into discreet smoking devices perfect for the sophisticated smoker. She’ll love all the little details including the flower poker that can clean her bowl or disguise her vase! There are tons of styles to choose from but it may be hard not to get one for Mom and one one for yourself.

Grabbing any of these brands to spoil the mother figure in your life? Tag us on Instagram for the chance to be featured on our page!

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Cannabis-Infused Cocktails: How to Make a healthy THC Pina Colada…that doesn’t taste like weed.

Whether you are Cali Sober Curious or just want another option, cannabis-infused cocktails are a great way to enjoy your drink while still being responsible. They are a way to consume THC without the harmful effects of alcohol and they're delicious.

Enjoying cocktails with your pals is seriously so much fun. But between hangovers, headaches, and the dehydrating effects of alcohol, it sometimes just doesn’t feel worth it.

We love to raise a glass in celebration but hate feeling bad the next day. That’s why we’ve been experimenting with cannabis cocktails! Whether you are Cali Sober Curious or just want another option, cannabis-infused cocktails are a great way to enjoy your drink while still being responsible. They are a way to consume THC without the harmful effects of alcohol and they're delicious.

There are many different cannabis-infused cocktails out there, but this article will focus on one in particular - the THC Pina Colada. This is a great mocktail for those who want to have their cocktail and drink it too.

One of our favorite brands to try for cannabis mixology is Proof Wellness. They make excellent cannabis oil tinctures that are great for cocktails!

Proof is owned and operated by women, so of course, they get it. All Proof products are vegan, sugar-free, gluten-free, and cruelty-free, made by hand in their small facility in Northern California.

What is a Cannabis Cocktail?

A cannabis cocktail is a drink that contains THC instead of alcohol. THC is the psychoactive component in marijuana, which makes you high. The cannabis industry is a booming one. With more states legalizing recreational and medical marijuana, it’s no surprise that people are looking for new ways to consume that help minimize their alcohol consumption. One of the latest trends is infusing drinks with THC or CBD.

How To Make Weed-Infused Cocktails

The easiest way to make a weed drink is by adding cannabis oil from a tincture to your favorite cocktail recipe. You can buy cannabis oil or even make your own oil! Just pay attention to the amount of weed you put into your cocktail. Keep reading to learn the best way to dose your weed.

How to Dose Your Cannabis Cocktail

The first thing to consider when dosing cannabis is how experienced you are with it. Do you have a high or low tolerance when you smoke weed? Have you had a lot of experience ingesting weed or have you never tried it before? Do you have a memory of getting really high on an edible and feeling like the room was spinning? Or are you the type to take a 10mg edible and head to the beach on the regular?

The best advice for anyone interested in trying more cannabis consumption methods is to go low and slow. Some might call it micro-doing and it’s the best way to test your system without overexerting it.

Try using the tincture a little at a time, so you still get the calming, focusing, energizing, or restoring effects of weed but its intoxicating effects are minimized. Many of Proof’s customers (from high-performing executives to seriously ill patients) use Proof on a near-constant basis but at low levels. This can take some experimentation to learn the best potency for your tolerance and application. Try the 20:1 tincture. It has .5 mg THC and 10 mg CBD. It’s the lowest potency tincture.

If you have a high tolerance level, you’ll want to try Proof’s 1:1 which has 10 mg THC and 10 mg CBD. We love using this one for cannabis cocktails. This is a great ratio for multi-course dinners for consumers with higher tolerance levels.

You just put 1/2 a dropper or less (depending on how much THC you want) of THC tincture on top of each drink!

 

THC Pina Colada Recipe

3 cups frozen or fresh pineapple chunks

1 can of light coconut milk (15oz)

1/2 cup pineapple juice

Proof THC rich tincture*

Pineapple wedge for garnish

Add the pineapple chunks, coconut milk and pineapple juice to a blender. Blend until smooth and thick.

Pour into serving glasses and put 1/2 a dropper or less (depending on how much THC you want) of Proof THC rich tincture on top of each drink. Add garnish and serve! Or better yet, let your guests dose themselves according to their preference!

*Dosage: we recommend starting at a low level relative to your normal consumption. You can always add more. Proof makes it easy to understand dosing and choose the product that’s right for you.

We hope you enjoy this recipe and start experimenting with more cannabis cocktails!

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Black Women Herbalists: 7 Women Making History in Herbalism

Herbalism is a field with a long and storied history. Black women herbalists have always been a part of herbalism, but they are in the spotlight now more than ever. Read about some of our favorites.

Herbalism is a field with a long and storied history. In the U.S., herbalism has been practiced by many groups, including Native Americans, enslaved Africans, and early European immigrants, who brought their love of plant-centered medicine with them. Black women herbalists have always been a part of herbalism, but they are in the spotlight now more than ever as herbalism has gained popularity in the U.S.

Below are black women herbalists to follow on social media for a look inside both ancient and modern techniques to create a personalized, balanced regimen to maintain health.

 
  1. Alexis Nikole Nelson (she/her) @blackforager 

“Foraging for wild food was an integral part of the black experience, whether free or enslaved, for our first 250 years on this land” -Alexis Nelson 

Alexis is from Columbus Ohio and says that for as long as she can remember she was eating foraged food. Foraging can feel very intimidating and does take practice, experience, and great teachers like Alexis to build your confidence. Alexis has been using Social Media to educate and connect to her regional community of herbalists and foragers for awhile now, but last year when the pandemic hit, her following began to grow and grow! When you watch her educational & funny videos it’s easy to see why! 

 

2. Sade Musa (she/her) @rootsofresistance

A folk herbalist, wellness educator, and activist, Sade Musa founded Roots of Resistance, a project aiming to reconnect people with their ancestral healing practices, and address health injustices impacting marginalized communities. A powerful storyteller, Sade uses her platform to help reframe for us all how subtle and overt racism exists within herbalism texts and resources. Like so many other topics, appropriation of black herbal wisdom is rampant throughout Herbalism.   I think this quote from her sums up the root of her work beautifully.

“Bodily autonomy is really key for anti-colonialism resistance, but particularly Black resistance. Whether we’re talking about emancipation from slavery or incarceration or medical apartheid, we’re talking about bodily autonomy. When we give people the skills to heal themselves as much as possible and connect that to how our ancestors would heal themselves as an act of resistance and self-determination, they gain the confidence to push back against the running narrative.” – Sade Musa

 

3. Jamesa Hawthorne (they/them) @jam_haw 

Founder of Jam Haw Herbals, Jamesa Hawthorn is a black, femme, queer Herbalist who speaks to the importance of the representation of marginalized people in the wellness community.  On their Website , Jamesa offers a beautiful range of blended tinctures to help support your immunity as well as your emotional and mental wellness.  

Raised in the Pacific Northwest (the unceded lands of the Clackamas, Cowlitz and Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde), Jamesa began their love affair with nature as a child & their herbal medicine studies nearly a decade ago. They practice as a community & creative herbalist, participating in herbal mutual aid, markets, events, & teaching workshops.

Studying herbalism in different parts of the country has informed their perspective on bioregional & seasonal herbalism. While they appreciate & weave clinical & scientific ways of knowing into their craft, New Orleans (traditionally known as Bulbancha ) nurtures the bulk of their herbal studies & community building, bringing them closer to ancestral & folk practices.

Jamesa is a triple earth sign (taurus rising, taurus sun, & capricorn moon) who cultivates a Venusian intimacy with the earth element whether in their garden or in their potion studio. Outside (& inside) of being an herbalist, they are also an artist of life, dancer, writer, pleasure activist, & dog parent.

 

4. Karen M. Rose (she/her) @empresskarenmrose @sacredvibesapothocary

Karen Rose is trained both in eastern and western Herbal Medicine and owns three apothecaries around Brooklyn. As a child in her native home of Guyana, she was first inspired by the power of plant medicine. Karen experienced how African, Caribbean, and Latin American traditions deeply influence plant medicine as well as community healing.  She has developed an incredible amount of educational materials and you can sign up for her apprenticeship and mentor programs through her website.  Shop her powerful medicinal herbal blends as well.

 
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5. Leah Penniman (Li*/Ya/She/He) @LeahPenniman @soulfirefarms     

Leah is a food sovereignty activist and soil steward.  She founded Soul Fire Farms in 2010 with the intention to “reclaim our inherent right to belong to the earth and have agency in the food system as Black and Brown people.”  We cannot recommend her book Farming While Black enough!  It is her love song to the earth as well as her people. The Food Sovereignty Programs she has created reach over 10,000 people a year.  Head over to the Soul Fire Farms website, to learn about Leah and her team’s work in the areas of farmer training for Black and Brown growers, reparations and land return initiatives for northeast farmers, food justice workshops for urban youth, home gardens for city-dwellers living under food apartheid, doorstep harvest delivery for food insecure households, and systems and policy education for public decision-makers.

 
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6. Amanda David (she/her) @rootworkherbals

Amanda David is a community herbalist and founder of Root Work Herbals. The various projects they take on are all centered around building mutually beneficial relationships between people, plants, and the planet. Under the guidance of Amanda, The Rootwork Herbals community has grown to offer  a herbal product line available at Bramble, herbal health consultations, and a  BIPOC free clinic. She focuses her educational offerings at the People’s Medicine School and Woke Without the Work, and a BIPOC community garden.  With deep love and a sense of play Amanda works to ensure that BIPOC folks have equal access to opportunities to reclaim healing through herbalism.

 

7. Nikki Minor (she/they) @chicoryzine 

Nikki Minor is an Herbalist and founder of Chicory Botanicals, a self-published zine and line of small-batch herbal goods handmade in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Nikki’s Zine works as a mini primer, with simple affordable recipes, it makes herbalism accessible throughout marginalized communities. Their passion lies in demystifying Herbalism and using plants as tools for liberation.

 

We’ve also made a list of herb supply shops to get your started on your herbalism journey. We may receive a small commission from some of the following links, but don’t worry we only recommend products and places we truly love. If you’d like more herbalist content send us an email at hello@highherstory.com and tell us what you’d us to cover next!

Herbalist Shops We Love:

Mountain Rose Herbs

At Mountain Rose Herbs, they work from the fundamental belief that it is an honor and responsibility to strive for excellence as human beings and as a company: to live by ethical principles and to set ourselves always on a path of growth and learning in our ever-changing world. They also believe in the profoundly healing beauty of nature and the natural gifts of the botanical world.

Starwest Botanicals

Starwest Botanicals started as a small retail herb shop in 1975 in Sacramento, California. Today, Starwest is one of the largest suppliers of organic herbs in the United States, with over 150,000 sq. ft. of modern warehouse and production space and over one million pounds of herbs and spices in stock. They have many loyal customers who have been returning to Starwest for their botanical needs for decades.

Nine Stars Botanicals

Nine Stars offers healing solutions and cultivations for people seeking new alignments and balance in themselves. Their products are informed by the wisdom of Chinese herbal medicine and philosophy. The solutions are poised to work for your health and wellbeing-inside and out.

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Does Cannabis Help with Cramps? 6 Products to Try

We’ve all heard the hype around CBD and cannabis products being used for period cramps and endometriosis pain. As with any cannabis products, we know that not everything will work for everybody, but we’ve rounded up a few of our faves to share with you. There’s plenty out there to try if you’re looking for relief from period or endometriosis pain.

We’ve all heard the hype around CBD and cannabis products being used for period cramps and endometriosis pain. While there is still research being done on the topic, we have anecdotally heard from many women that some CBD and cannabis products have been found to give them relief during that oh so fun time of the month. Endometriosis affects roughly ten percent of reproductive aged women and yet there is little offered in terms of pain relief. Many women these days are turning to plant medicine as an alternative to pain pills and finding relief with an array of topicals, oils, creams and tinctures containing CBD and/or cannabis.

As with any cannabis products, we know that not everything will work for everybody, but we’ve rounded up a few of our faves to share with you. There’s plenty out there to try if you’re looking for relief from period or endometriosis pain. We have personally tried the products mentioned in this article and would love to hear from you if you have too! DM us on IG if there is healing herb story you’d like to share. To be real with you, we may receive a commission on items purchased in this article, but rest assured we only shout out products we truly love.

 

Mad Ritual CBD Recovery Balm

This award winning balm is our number one fave to soothe those body aches and pains. Mad Ritual uses the highest quality broad-spectrum oil in these balms. We love that their CBD balms are organic, vegan and basically “TLC in a tin”. We recently were gifted their Rest + Relief Balm Set and we cannot stress how impressed we were! I first tried it for a pulled back muscle that has been chronic and found instant relief from their Eucalyptus +Peppermint balm. My favorite thing about the balm is that it did not feel greasy and absorbed into the skin almost instantly. A little of the balm really goes a long way and it doesn’t feel chemical like lidocaine creams. I noticed that the pain I was feeling subsided instantly. I feel like it really energized me and had me ready for writing emails at my makeshift standing desk.

I then used it for my PMS cramps which have gotten worse during this pandemic, can anyone relate? Anyway, my recommendation for relief from cramps and general nighttime use is their Lavender + Chill Balm. It was the perfect antidote for the stomach cramps I experience monthly and the scent of the balm seemed to really help me relax and get some much-needed rest and recovery. This balm is not going to be leaving my nightstand anytime soon, it is a must-have if you struggle with sleep during your period like I do.

There are hundreds of positive third-party reviews on their site if you want more than just my word for it! They also carry a line of CBD bath bombs that would make an excellent gift.

You can use code HighHerstory for 20% off at Mad Ritual.

 

TONIC Zone CBD Vape Pens

One of the symptoms of endometriosis is nausea and stomach issues and a puff of a good CBD vape pen has helped us deal with these issues. I have the great luck of suffering from tummy troubles during my period including decreased appetite and nausea. I use CBD vapes as a way to combat that feeling in my stomach and to help me eat when I am feeling nauseous. I am a big fan of the TONIC Zone CBD Vape, it looks as classy as I feel and is so portable. CBD is non intoxicating and helps me get through my day without the “high” feeling while still reaping the benefits of plant medicine. This clean, high quality CBD vaporizer, infused with limonene and pinene terpenes to get you in the zone when you have a lot going on and can’t be bogged down by period pain.

 
 

Farnsworth Body Oil

Luxury has a name and it’s Farnsworth. I was lucky enough to get my hands on some of the most expensive smelling THC Body Oil made by Farnsworth. With a 1:1 of THC to CBD and notes of lavender, this body oil is like the holy grail of cannabis oils. It absorbs and gets to work so quickly, it is like instant muscle and joint relief. I use it when my body or back feels inflamed and it brings me such quick soothing relief I often wonder how. I also would recommend putting this oil all over your body or adding a few drops to your favorite lotion as cannabis can be seen by many as an anti-aging ingredient. Honestly, my skin feels so supple after using this oil that it makes it hard to share this product with the world. Move over olive oil, we’re betting money that cannabis oil becomes the next big thing for the stars to start incorporating into their beauty routines.

 

Her HighnessNYC “Sleeping Beauty” Tincture

I mentioned earlier that I can have trouble sleeping which means I am super dubious of anything claiming to help with sleep. When Her HighnessNYC sent me some of their Sleeping Beauty Tincture, I was excited to try but I didn’t get my hopes up. Well, I should have because this has quickly become my go to tincture when the mean reds make it difficult to sleep. The combination CBD and CBN in their Sleeping Beauty tincture is my personal sleep saver. It has helped me combat my insomnia while also seeming to help my body relax. I put about a quarter to half filled dropper under my tongue and hold it for 30 seconds before swallowing. I personally love the spearmint taste and it usually puts me to sleep in 30 minutes or less. A miracle in a bottle for this insomniac.

 

Foria CBD Suppositories

These all-natural CBD suppositories, which deliver 50mg of organic broad-spectrum CBD, give you relief where you really need it if you are experience endometriosis pain you know where. Sometimes, a gal just needs a little relief up there, you know what I’m saying? These suppositories are multi-purpose, but many women who suffer with vaginal pain or tightness agree, they provide relaxation of the vaginal muscles when you need it most. They can also be used as a lubricant for sex, and many women who feel pain during the deed have reported that Foria suppositories make the act much more enjoyable, especially for those who are pre and post menopausal.

 

LadyKind’s Tough Love Pain Relieving Cream

Meticulously formulated to put a pause in your pain, the hemp-derived Broad Spectrum CBD cannabinoids in this LadyKind’s formula are combined with soothing cramp bark and anti-inflammatory turmeric to help calm your cramps and ease your aches.

Don’t take our word for it, the reviews are in! “I absolutely LOVE the Tough Love Pain Relieving Cream from LadyKind! I work long hours where I stand the entire time. My back and feet are a mess at the end of the day and this pain relieving cream with CBD knocked my pain out so quickly! I have used pain relieving products in the past and they work for a short time but never last very long but this stuff works!!!”

 

We hope this round up of our favorite CBD and cannabis products to try for period pain and endometriosis was helpful. If you’ve tried any of these products and want to share with us feel free to DM us on our IG! We’d love to hear from you!

 

 
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Your Complete Guide to Delta 8 THC, featuring BudzBurn

Delta-8-THC seemed to pop up out of nowhere and quickly become a popular recreational choice for people looking for a light cannabis high. We took a deep dive into the world of Delta 8, what it does and how to incorporate it into your life safely.

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Delta-8-THC seemed to pop up out of no where and quickly become a popular recreational choice for people looking for a light cannabis high. We took a deep dive into the world of Delta 8 after being reached out to by the company Budzburn, a CBD company that provides worldwide wellness through high quality CBD Hemp Flower. We were lucky enough to get our hands on some of their products and we will give our review of some of them later in this article. But first, let’s discuss more in depth what Delta-8 THC and what it does and how to incorporate it into your life safely.

What is Delta-8?

Delta 8; formally known as Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, is an isomer and cannabis compound found in very small amounts in cannabis and hemp plants. Delta-8 has a chemical structure that’s similar to the Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Or as it is better known, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis that gets you “high”. When people mention THC, they usually mean Delta-9 which is highly concentrated in some cannabis plants. Delta-8 is derived from hemp but scientifically it is reffered to as Deltha-8-THC.

How will Delta-8 make me feel?

Many people have described delta-8 as “light cannabis” or “diet weed”. It is said to have a milder effect than most cannabis strains with milder side effects too. Users note that is less likely to cause paranoia, anxiety or drowsiness when ingested. But if you are wondering what Delta-8 makes you feel like, we can really only speak to our own experience with it because everyone’s body and their body chemistry is different.

Budzburn CBD was kind of enough to send us some of their products so we could sample delta-8 in it’s various forms. We will be reviewing the products below but overall we can describe how their edibles made us feel. It is said to have a milder high experience and for me that was true. I felt silly and giddy after having a quarter of a gummy (about 20 mgs) and I was in a good mood for most of the night without feeling drowsy or tired the way that that does of THC edible would probably make me feel. I started with a low dose because I feel that is the best practice with gummies and edibles so I would encourage you do to the same if you plan on giving delta-8 a try.

Will Delta-8 make me high?

For me, Delta-8 gave me a lifted feeling similar to consuming cannabis but less intense. It wasn’t as prominent as what I am used to but I have a high tolerance for cannabis products. I felt creative and calm but in a very subtle way. It’s important to remember that everyone experiences things differently, so again I would stress starting with a low dose and giving it plenty of time to kick in before jumping to inhale the next bite. That’s always the difficult part with edibles, but finding the proper dose for your body will help you feel confident in your experience.

Is Delta-8 federally legal?

Delta-8 is currently legal in most states thanks to ambiguous wording in the 2018 Farm Bill that brought about the legalization of hemp products. Delta-8 is a new product so it lives in a legal grey area because many state laws don’t yet exist to address or regulate it. Delta-8 is derived from CBD extracted from hemp but it scientifically is referred to as delta-8-THC. In states like Colorado and Oregon, delta-8 THC is banned from being sold there. The law varies state to state so be sure to check if delta-8 is legal where you are before trying it.

Is Delta-8 CBD?

This is where stuff gets a little confusing, so please bear with us as we lowly bloggers try to explain science. Delta-8 is created from CBD derived hemp, but technically it is categorized as delta-8-THC because of it’s genetic makeup. Hemp and cannabis are closely related plants in the cannabis family. delta-8 is an isomer of delta-9-THC and is manufactured from CBD derived from the hemp plant because delta-8 occurs in small amounts in the hemp plant. The main difference is delta-8 and CBD are both cannabinoids, but delta-8 has more in common with delta-9 THC than CBD. Unlike CBD, delta-8 produces psychoactive effects.

Not all Delta-8 companies are created equal

You’ve probably heard about Refinery 29’s recent article, I Took A Delta-8 Gummy Before Going On A Run. Things Got Weird — Really Weird. Among a very strange telephone interaction with the founder of a Delta-8 company, author Molly Longman describes the importance of reading a COA, or Certificate of Analysis, and you should absolutely make sure you increase your literacy when it comes to reading lab reports. You definitely should learn how to read a COA before you buy Delta-8.

We took it a step further and actually called the lab to verify BudzBurn’s COA. We personally confirmed that their results were accurate and had not been falsified.

What is THC-O acetate?

It’s especially important to check lab results because a lot of companies are promoting THC-O acetate as Delta-8. What is THC-O acetate?

According to cannabis and endocannabinoid researcher Dr. Ethan Russo, M.D. in this interview with Hemp Grower Magzine:

“It starts with tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC. That's the natural product that is the main psychoactive component of cannabis. THC-O acetate is what's called a semi-synthetic derivative, or analogue. Through a chemical process using a very toxic chemical called acetic anhydride, you can turn some of the delta-9 THC into THC-O acetate.
Why would someone do this? Well, one reason would be that—reportedly—this is twice or maybe three times more potent than THC. Is that helpful? I'm going to say no, and the reason is that THC is what's known as a weak partial agonist at the CB1 receptor. Now, let's break that down: Weak is easy to understand. Partial means that its binding isn't super tight. Agonist means it stimulates the CB1 receptor, which is the mechanism of action that produces the high of THC, as well as many of its therapeutic properties, including pain reduction, et cetera.

Potent sounds good. But this is a system in the body—the endogenous cannabinoid system—that works with a great deal of subtlety. In other words, what is needed when you're using a drug to stimulate the system is a gentle nudge, not a violent push that comes from something that is a lot stronger than THC itself. So, potent is not necessarily better.

If something is less potent, you can overcome that by using a higher dose. But for many medical purposes, doses of THC that are quite low are what are needed and what is desirable rather than higher doses, which are going to be more associated with side effects than benefits.”

Another reason to be extra careful when you’re buying cannabis products and purchase from companies you can trust.

BudzBurn — How Do You Burn?

In addition to verifying their lab results, we also got excited about BudzBurn’s products because they work closely with the Director of Cannabis at the Florida Department of Agriculture to make sure the products meet legal standards. That, and Tommy Chong is also a fan of Budzburn! We tried their products and here’s what we think.

Delta 8 Product Reviews

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Delta 8 THC Gummies

These Delta 8 gummies come in a two-pack and are perfect for on the go. The suggested serving size is one gummy which contains 50 mg of Delta 8 THC each. These are extra-strength gummies. We definitely recommend splitting up one gummy into four parts and starting slowly with these. I shared half of one with a friend who doesn’t have my tolerance and he forgot the code to his building…let’s just say these are pro gummies.

They are also delicious. I had the Strawberry Cream flavor but these also come in Blue Razz, Lemon Drop, Raspberry Dream, and Key Lime.

 
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MoonRocks

Budzburn’s Delta-8 THC Moonrocks start with a nug of Premium OG Legendary hemp flower that is soaked with Delta-8 THC Distillate and lastly coated with pure CBG Kief.

If you high a high tolerance and are looking for something strong, I think you’d be really into these moon rocks. They smell amazing and the high was immediate and really perfect for my at-home yoga session. I felt really blissed out in the stretches and the moonrocks just intensified the experience of self-love.

I tried the Watermelon Zkittles Indica Strain. It has a fruity watermelon flavor that was really uplifting. I really love that BudzBurn never treats their hemp buds with pesticides and everything is grown and packaged in the USA.

TIP: Do not use your grinder when preparing your Moon Rocks as you may lose a lot of kief in the process.  For the best smoke and taste, tear the moon rock into small pieces and smoke it in a pipe or bong!

 
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Fruity Krunch Cereal Bar

So, please keep in mind this is an extra-strength 200mg bar and the typical serving size is 1/4 of the cereal bar which contains 50 mg of Delta 8 THC, making the total Delta 8 200mg. We always recommend starting low and slow with any edible, especially if you’ve never tried Delta 8 before. I started out with just a bite but ended up eating the entire 1/4 serving. It was a fun, creative, silly high that made my walk around the neighborhead extra fun.

As for the taste, I am a HUGE fan of breakfast cereal baked goods so I knew I had to try this. It’s perfectly crispy and the right amount of sweet. 10/10 recommend and you get a lot of bang for your buck here!

 
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Pre-Rolls

Pre-rolls are my jam right now because they are so convenient and I LOVE smoking joints, so I was excited to try these. I chose Bubba Kush, its an indica with a smell and flavor that's both fruity and earthy, with a little of an expresso bean after taste. It also has Super Sour Diesel terpenes: Beta caryophellene, Limonene and Humulene, that give it an earthy, spicy sweetness.

After a couple of puffs I felt euphoric and relaxed. I really appreciate that BudzBurn rolls their pre-rolls with Raw papers which is a company I also know and trust. To be honest, I was having a bit of a stressful day when I tried the pre-roll and I definitely felt my mood improve afterward. I had some more work to do so I capped it at four deep pulls, put out the pre-roll and saved the rest for later. I got into the flow with some organization I had to do and the time flew by. After I had accomplished a couple hours of work, I smoked the rest of the pre-roll and sat down on my couch to watch a movie. Highly recommend for anyone wanting the immediate effects of relaxation, pain relief and mood-boosting.

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BudzBurn has offered a special 40% discount code for our readers with code: HighHerstory40

Our editors pride ourselves on finding the best products and companies out there, this post is sponsored but rest assured we only promote products we genuinely have tried and believe in.

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Canna Culture: High Herstory Series Premiere

Quality free streaming TV just got so much better. High Herstory Season One is now available in over 150 million homes across 15+ networks with distribution including AppleTV, Roku, Android TV, Amazon Fire and more through Social Club TV.

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Quality free streaming TV just got so much better. High Herstory Season One is now available in over 150 million homes across 15+ networks with distribution including AppleTV, Roku, Android TV, Amazon Fire, Samsung+. Playstation, Pluto TV, Plex, and more through Social Club TV, a content distribution network dedicated to weed. 

The original series also streams in thousands of cannabis dispensaries via Enlighten TV, an in-dispensary TV network that makes billions of impressions at the point of sale. 

High Herstory is a comedy series featuring cannabis-consuming women telling under-told, groundbreaking stories of historical women, reenacted using actors and stylized animation. As fun as drunk history, but way less frat bro, and with much more purpose. The show normalizes cannabis consumption and showcases the best brands out there to an audience that is hungry for representation. Women, much like cannabis, have been largely misrepresented by history. Season one of High Herstory tells the diverse, inspirational, and highly entertaining stories of nine incredible women. 

The show’s cast includes Roberta Colindrez, most recently seen in Starz “Vida”, Hulu’s “Mrs. America” and “Mosterland” Fun fact – Annette, Jenny, and Kendall all met Roberta as theater students together at Texas State in San Marcos Texas. Don’t miss Celia Au of Netflix’s “Wu Assassins”, Monique Moses of Netflix’s “Astronomy Club”, Iman Richardson of Comedy Central’s “Jack & Triumph Show”, IFC’s “Frank and Lamar” and Pooya Mohseni of Amazon’s “Big Dogs” and CBS’s “Madam Secretary”.

High Herstory also partnered up with the Youth Empowerment Program in New Orleans to hire post-production assistance for the show, giving graduates of the program – which focuses on providing opportunity to underserved communities – their first gigs in film and the hard-to-break-into cannabis industry. 

Each episode features an original score by different musicians, including two episodes composed by Julian Gosin of iconic New Orleans band The Soul Rebels.

The High Herstory theme song was composed by Harlee Case (co-founder of cannabis brand house Ladies of Paradise and pre-roll company Lady Jays) and Josh Smith’s band New Constellations. The band also created an original score for episode five about Texas governor Ann Richards.

The series hopes to inspire audiences to dive deeper into women’s history stories that feel more timely now than over. One episode features public health expert Dr. Sarah Josephine Baker, who in turn of the century New York, contributed to our modern day understanding of disease and captured super spreader Typhoid Mary. According to historian Bettany Hughes, only .5% of recorded history includes the contributions of women. High Herstory may strike a silly tone but it’s mission is clearly important – share the stories from women’s history and speak to female cannabis consumers. Women make up ⅓ of cannabis consumers. They are growing at a 9% higher rate than male consumers, meaning that by 2022 women will make up 50% of cannabis consumers. If cannabis brands are not marketing directly to women, they’re losing out.

You can download the SCTV app on your phone, smart tv, or tablet and don’t miss out on this important Her-storical moment!! 

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Guides, How To Guides, How To

Herbalist How To: 7 Benefits of Elecampane

Elecampane, Inula helenium, of the Asteraceae family is a favorite herb of mine. When I stand next to Inula helenium, dwarfed by her golden heights and broad green foliage, it's hard not to feel as though she asks you to look up, smile and hit a power pose. Here are 7 reasons to love this herb!

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Elecampane, Inula helenium, of the Asteraceae family is a favorite herb of mine. When I stand next to Inula helenium, dwarfed by her golden heights and broad green foliage, it's hard not to feel as though she asks you to look up, smile and hit a power pose! Below are 7 reasons to love this herb! Elecampane has gone by many names on its spread from Asia to Southern and Eastern Europe, and is now naturalized in North America and many parts of the world. When I see a plant stand so tall and bright, I know there are some powerful roots creating strength. Read on to learn how to make an herbal decoction with elecampane root, as it is the roots of this generous plant that offer us so much nutrition and support. Herbal decoctions are potent simmered teas. Let's explore the benefits of an Elecampane herbal decoction

1. Expectorant. Phlegm-y coughs, stuck mucus in the chest, bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough, or respiratory infection. Inula helenium works deeply with the lungs as an expectorant to release old and infected mucus. Our bodies are always communicating. Be informed by your mucus. Thick, green, mucus is saying “Honey, love you, but you are sick.” Do not take it if you are suffering from a dry cough. 

2. Bacteride. With strong antiseptic qualities that work to turn inflamed green mucus into white, clear, soothed mucus.

3. Toning. Elecampane tones the membranes of the GI, respiratory, and urinary tracts. 

4. Stimulate digestive function. The flavor is quite strong, spicy, bitter, and warming. Forty-five percent of the roots weight is Inulin, which is low in calories, high in fiber and works as a prebiotic. Inulin feeds the good gut flora in our intestines, which helps to fight off unwanted pathogens, support the immune system, and prevent unwanted infection and yeast overgrowth.

5.Calcium absorption. For anyone out there looking to prevent osteoporosis, research shows that Inulin can help with the absorption of calcium. 

6. High in Inulin. Inulin is being studied for its potential benefit to those with prediabetes. Inulin slows digestion, thus helping our body absorb more nutrients from our food. This allows sugars to be released more slowly keeping blood sugar levels from spiking. 

7. Emotions of the chest and lungs. Elecampane is known to help those struggling with sadness and grief that settles in our lungs. Many of the plants that bloom with bright yellow flowers, like St. John's Wort and elecampane, help to lift our spirits out of despair and grief.

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Tinctures, syrups, teas and decoctions are the simplest way to bring herbal medicine into your life. If you want to make it yourself or get started by trying professionally-made formulas, I always recommend hitting up your local herb shop/herbalists for products or consultations. Head over to Mountain Rose Herbs for a multitude of organic herbal offerings shipped right to your door. 

DECOCTION RECIPE 

My favorite way to bring root medicine into my day to day life is with a simple decoction. Decoctions are simmered teas ideal for extracting the properties of hard roots, dried berries, barks, and seeds. They will be much stronger in flavor than herbal infusions and more concentrated. 

HOW TO MAKE A DECOCTION 

  • Place 3 tablespoons of dried herbs into a small saucepan or pot. Cover the herbs with a quart of cold water.

  • Slowly heat the water to a simmer and cover. You do not want a big bubbly boil. 

  • Gently simmer for 20 to 45 minutes.

  • Strain into a glass jar.

  • Once the decoction has finished simmering, I love to infuse more delicate flowers or leafy herbs into the hot water that cannot stand up to the lengthy simmer time, straining the mixture again after another 10 to 15 minutes. 


How do I preserve my herbal decoction?

Most herbal infusions and decoctions will last 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Add a bit of raw local honey or some fruit juice to taste. Have fun with your flavors and enjoy!

Contraindications

Inula helenium is a strong herb and best taken in moderation. If you take too much, you will know because it will quickly cause some gastric upset. Elecampane is not recommended to take during breastfeeding. The sesquiterpene lactones will pass into the milk and upset the baby's stomach. Although it is unlikely to be of any direct danger, it is still recommended to avoid it during pregnancy. This is truly a tonic herb, the longer you take it the better it works. If you are purchasing a tincture or tea, follow the dosing on the package. Always talk to your doctor if you are on any medications before adding in herbal support.

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Interview: Cannabis Influencer, Lunita

If you’ve looked up cannabis content anywhere on Instagram, chances are you’ve stumbled upon Lunita’s page. She’s not only a content creator, but an activist and overall legend, in our eyes. Learn about Lunita and her commitment to destigmatizing mental health and cannabis by reading our interview with her.

If you’ve looked up cannabis content anywhere on Instagram, chances are you’ve stumbled upon Lunita’s page. She’s not only a content creator, but an activist and overall legend, in our eyes. Learn about Lunita and her commitment to destigmatizing mental health and cannabis by reading our interview with her.

High Herstory: When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you see any of your dreams adapt and manifest into your current life?

Lunita: What did I want to be when I grow up? That’s a tough one because growing never really stops when you think about it.

I feel like this question is one that gets asked of us so many times when we’re children, then we squeeze our great, big, creative imaginations into boxes and use our best ability to think of what societal or sensible role we fit in – the honest answer is that I just wanted to be my little queer self. I never had dreams of being a scientist, astronaut or even a content creator, but I wanted to grow up and simply gain what I feel everyone deserves – a loyal community and ultimately, a family of my own.

As I reflect on who I am now, I do believe I put the work into my own version of a vision and made it come true. I found a way to curate an entire community of individuals who see me – raw – and support my eclectic interests. My platform is so much more than a career, it’s manifested into my calling. I’ve proudly grown into becoming a healing-holistic healer, mental health advocate, wisdom seeker, style curator, and strategic content creator who has specialized in my industry for over a decade now. I’m deeply passionate about how I get to organically engage and collaborate with people and brand partners in digital and physical spaces – especially those seeking lifestyle guidance or herbal methods to assist them through mental health issues and everyday stresses, understanding themselves and their world, and healing the mind, body, and spirit.

High Herstory: Tell us a bit about your daily rituals with cannabis.

Lunita: I’m a student of the plant, so I typically start and end my days with cannabis in some way, shape or form. Whenever it comes to holistic healing, I also have to stress how important it is to be researched and intentional about what/how you consume – even at leisure.

Waking up in the mornings can be a struggle for me on some days so when I’m feeling groggy but need to get stuff done, I’ll lean into medicating with some CBD flower or tincture, or a sativa-based strain like Strawberry Tangie that won’t slow down my productivity. Fresh tonic drinks are great ways to get by as well. Afternoons are when I take business calls, respond to emails and might even end up on an IG-live or two, so I’ll find myself rolling up a mellow hybrid-strain to keep me cruising. If you catch me in one of my IG live sessions, you’ll usually see me sample some of my favorite strains, pass the virtual blunt, soundtrack a vibe, and introduce cool new canna-friendly devices while diving into real-world topics. When I want to treat myself as I wind down into the evening, I may enjoy a warm ritual bath with a CBD balm or massage with infused-oils from OM. Then, to battle my insomnia in bed, I love having one of my G-Pen products loaded with an indica-dominat strain on stand-by to help me drift off into the night.

High Herstory: Do you feel a connection between cannabis and spirituality?

Lunita: I definitely feel a connection between cannabis and spirituality – but rightfully so, since the most ancient intentions for the plant were rooted in Black + Brown + Indegenous spiritual practice. I was originally immersed into the world of holistic healing and herbal remedies by my great-grandparents who always taught me about the universal relationship between everything. When I medicate with purpose, I can shift the mood of my spirit, better understand something that once confused me, or even come up with a divine idea. In the same way that certain mixtures can heal ailments, cannabis – when intentionally used – can be a gateway to calm, clarity and consciousness.

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High Herstory: How do you see cannabis bringing meaningful change to our most at-risk communities?

Lunita: I can see cannabis bringing meaningful future change to at-risk communities in the forms of affordable healthcare, mental health aid and positive prevention. While we’re still fighting to decriminalize the plant and overturn countless wrongful jail convictions, I genuinely believe that widespread legalization could offer an abundance of beneficial opportunities. There’s currently a gaping hole in the healthcare system where millions of Black + Brown + Indegenous families fall into the uninsured void, but access to cannabis has proven to aid in circumstances like pre-existing conditions, cancer, endometriosis, childhood leukemia, PTSD, anxiety, depression, therapeutic relief plus more.

High Herstory: You recently partnered with Airgraft to offer Black, Brown, and Indigenous folx with over 200 free therapy memberships to Ethel’s Club. Tell us a bit about that incredible partnership!

Yes! My Airgraft x Ethel’s Club collaboration was a majorly heart-felt project, and it was activated in honor of my dear friend – J.C. – who was like a younger brother and had recently passed away. He struggled with some mental health issues, like many of us do, and I wanted this initiative to pay homage to his life’s legacy. As I mentioned before, I deeply believe cannabis can support the spirit, mind and body so this partnership ultimately was for him – and an example of my demonstrating cannabis’ community healing power in-action.

Why did I do it? Because herbs heal. It’s really that simple when I think or talk about it. I had the pleasure of meeting Mary Jane when I was in my younger years, and she’s helped me overcome some of life’s most difficult times without causing added harm since. However, 2020 in general presented a huge hurdle for me. As a Black + Brown queer femme who was transparently facing life losses with mental health battles intertwined, I joined Ethel’s Club as a sponsored member during the COVID-19 pandemic and it was transformative. The club itself, is the first Black-owned social and wellness community designed to celebrate people of color online and in real life. Offering engaging virtual sessions, mental health tips, online marketplaces and an expanding global digital platform, Ethel’s Club is made to heal, spark inspiration, hold space and create connections. I was grateful to be part of something and thought, how could I share this feeling with others in a way that’s still true to me? How do I extend this feeling of there being a safe space amongst so much trauma in the world?

When I was asked to lead Airgraft’s #TokeTalk campaign coupled with making a $1K charitable donation of my choice, the timing was tied to the peak of the #BlackLivesMatter movement and I wanted to benefit my collective Black + Brown + Indigenous community more than helping just one single corporation. It was then that I decided to pay my experience forward by positively impacting other folxs who were in dire need of mental health and financial mutual-aid with (1) month sponsored Ethel’s Club access. I thought of the trauma we were all carrying, the heaviness, and immediately thought of J.C. and wished he had an outlet or a space where he felt like he could resort to, so I dedicated my Summer working to help impact as many Black + Brown + Indigenous minds as possible. Upon launching, we saw millions of impressions, countless shares, thousands engage and hundreds of lives be positively impacted. I was most proud to have several members of the community reach out and asked to donate to this initiative, which officially helped us to sponsor 200 more memberships – 140 more than originally anticipated!

High Herstory: Feel free to plug anything else you’re working on and tell our audience how to best support you right now!

Lunita: Of course! Best ways to show me love are by following me on Instagram @_lunita, turning my post notifications on, sharing my content, engaging in comments, keeping up with my lives, asking questions, purchasing my partner products and coming with good energy!

I’m the coupon queen with a brand for everything, so I’m always down to refer someone somewhere. I’ve got a few new cannabis projects up my sleeve with Herb and Ardent, and my latest mental health partner is with BetterHelp so stay tuned for what’s coming. If you’d like to collaborate or financially support any of my future creative endeavors, please reach out for more information via email or feel free to bless either my Cashapp or Venmo: blamethemoon.

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