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Vic Mensa – 93 BOYZ

Chicago rapper, actor, and activist Vic Mensa has unveiled his new brand 93 Boyz, an equity-focused cannabis company which is the first Black owned and led in the state of Illinois. One of his first community initiatives involved heading back to his hometown – the Southside of Chicago. Vic rolled up to the BP Gas Station on 47th & Woodlawn around the corner from his mother’s house and with the help of 93 Boyz Vic was able to surprise 200 cars with $10,000 in free gas. The story was first picked up by TMZ which shared a heartfelt video of an elderly woman explaining how she originally only had $5 to put in her tank and was taken aback by the generosity. The gas giveaway was caught on tape and became a 60 second clip full of showing love and black humor. Vic says, “To celebrate the launch of 93BOYZ, the first black cannabis brand in Chicago, we went to the gas station on the block where I grew up and gave away $10,000 of free gas. At a time when many people are struggling to fill their tank, it felt good to be able to help the community in a real way.”

As Chicago’s first Black-owned cannabis brand, at the core of 93 Boyz’ mission is a reinvestment in the communities and individuals that have been historically and disproportionately affected by outdated laws, prejudices, and assumptions regarding cannabis consumption, elevating the underserved while also lifting spirits via the headiest product available in the state. Among the community-based initiatives that the brand will be undertaking is a partnership with Books Before Bars, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing books to underserved Illinois prison libraries, providing inmates with potentially transformative resources.

Speaking on the development and launch of 93 Boyz, Vic Mensa says: “Selling weed was my first hustle. It taught me work ethic, entrepreneurship, and funded all of my first music projects. As someone with a lifelong experience of anxiety and depression, it’s amazing to be able to help people facing those and other issues while working with something I love. The war on drugs has had a devastating impact on my community, and yet our representation in the cannabis industry is less than 2%. 93BOYZ is changing that narrative while combining high quality, tastemaker weed with socially conscious initiatives.”

In its pursuit to become a company focused on holistic good, 93 Boyz has joined forces with aeriz, the largest aeroponic cannabis cultivator in the world, to provide sustainable and environmentally friendly products from plant to person (aeroponics is a cultivation method to grow product without the use of soil or an aggregate medium). The product line includes premium flower eighths, premium preroll, and strain-specific vape cartridges, encompassing a range of different options from sativa to indica to custom hybrid blends.

Founded in collaboration with SaveMoneySaveLife, Mensa’s long running nonprofit organization that uplifts and empowers BIPOC individuals through facilitated experiences that integrate contemporary cultural art, traditional knowledge, and community service, 93 Boyz turns its focus specifically to initiatives aimed at prison reform and equity in the cannabis space.

For more information on 93 Boyz initiatives and products, visit HERE.

The Differences between CBD and THC

It is no longer news that cannabis and marijuana are becoming more and more legalized across countries and all over the world. This is especially due to the discovery of their numerous medical uses and health benefits.

Two of the main natural ingredients in marijuana are CBD, cannabidiol, and THC, or Tetrahydrocannabinol. The two compounds, although similar, have many differences.

Cannabis Vs. Hemp

Cannabis or Marijuana refers to the dried seeds, flowers, leaves, and stems derived from the Cannabis Sativa plant. Hemp is technically different from Marijuana, although they are both plants belonging to the same family.

The defining difference between both is the amount of THC present in each one. Marijuana typically contains more THC than Hemp, while Hemp contains more CBD. Usually, any cannabis sativa plant with about >0.3% THC will be referred to as Marijuana, and those with <0.3% THC are considered Hemp.

Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana refers to using the marijuana plant or the chemical substances in it to manage certain illnesses or conditions. Marijuana contains over a hundred different chemicals called cannabinoids. Each one has its own effect on the body.

CBD and THC are the main components of marijuana employed in medicine and are the two most widely studied by researchers. The most prominent difference between them is that THC is the psychoactive substance in marijuana that produces the “high” people feel when they take marijuana recreationally. It generally has more side effects.

On the other hand, CBD is a safer ingredient isolated from cannabis without any of the intoxicating effects of THC and has more tolerable side effects. It is also the dominant substance used in medical marijuana, while THC is only used minimally.

THC

Tetrahydrocannabinol is one of the many compounds isolated from marijuana. It is the major chemical responsible for the psychoactive effects of marijuana and acts much like other cannabinoids by binding to receptors in the brain. It produces its euphoric effects or what is known as “high” by stimulating the cells of the brain to release dopamine.

Some of the adverse side effects of THC include memory loss, loss of coordination, reddened eyes, and sometimes an increase in heart rate.

Based on chemical structure, THC can also be present in different forms; we have delta 8 THC and delta 9 THC. Delta 8 THC is said to produce milder psychoactive effects, unlike its Delta 9 counterpart.

Delta 8 THC is used to manufacture products that have medicinal use like; relief from pain and insomnia to reduce anxiety, and manage inflammation.

It should be noted that delta 8 THC products have not been approved for safe use, but some of these products, which come in the form of gummies, flowers, tinctures, and vapes, are on the market for their proposed benefits by several companies. These products may be explored by a simple online search like delta 8 gummies near me.

It is advised that to use THC-infused products, you should have a doctor’s prescription. This is especially important if you are already on some other medications, as they can have some counteracting effects.

CBD

Cannabidiol is one of the phytocannabinoids isolated from cannabis sativa plants. Unlike THC, CBD has no psychoactive effects like hallucinations or delusions.

It is largely considered safe to use and has been used in the formulation of many beneficial products like oils, pills, or lotions. Also, it has been suggested to have benefits varying from treating anxiety and epilepsy to managing diabetes and some neurological disorders.

CBD has been approved for developing a pharmaceutical product known as Epidolex used in managing seizures.

CBD has some mild side effects, usually due to interaction with other medications the user may be on. Examples of these include dry mouth, reduced appetite, low blood pressure, and drowsiness, but these are rare and usually well tolerated by the body when they occur.

CBD was first isolated from cannabis sativa in 1940 by Roger Adams. Later on, a series of tests were performed by scientists on test animals, and in the 1970s, a cannabis tincture was allowed for medicinal purposes. Since then, more research has been conducted, discovering several uses of CBD and other cannabinoids obtained from cannabis.

Although CBD and THC are different, they largely have the same chemical composition; two oxygen atoms, twenty-one carbon atoms, and thirty hydrogen atoms. However, the main difference in structure lies in each individual atom’s spatial arrangement. CBD is also known to contain trace amounts of THC

CBD also binds to receptors in the endocannabinoid system; these receptors are abundant in the brain and are capable of modulating body activities such as sleep, wakefulness, memory, mood, metabolism, pleasure, perception of time, thinking etc.

As CBD and THC products continue to increase in popularity for their benefits, it is important to learn about these two substances before usage.

CBG vs CBD

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There is no doubt about the fact that CBD is indeed the trendiest and commonly used compound of the cannabis plant. However, are you well aware of the differences between the two most popular cannabis plant extracts: CBD and CBG? Primarily, CBG is a precursor of CBD that contains the same compounds but performs different functions. Today, a lot of individuals have begun to show a keen interest in CBG products due to its vast health benefits.

In the beginning, researchers assumed that both compounds have the same characteristics. However, with time, they observed significant differences between them and hence it is important to understand what these are before you decide to choose either one for consumption.

Here’s a general description of CBG vs CBD for your convenience:

What is CBG?

Cannabigerol (CBG) is one of the cannabinoids present in the hemp and flower of the cannabis plant. It is initially seen to be present as a chemical precursor called CBG acid (CBGA) that breaks down into CBDA and THCA. These two compounds then convert into CBD and THC. CBG is present in the hemp of the plant during the blooming phase of the growth.

Moreover, the analgesic properties of CBG overlap the THC analgesic properties without any negative impact. In addition, it works with CB1 and CB2 to cope with inflammation, anxiety, pain, and heat sensitivity. Also, CBG has strong stress and pain-relieving properties which make it more preferable than the other compounds.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most common, and the earliest compound found in higher concentrations in the hemp and flower of the cannabis plant. It is known to cause positive mental, and non-psychoactive impact on the human body. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, anti-nausea, and pain-relieving properties which also makes it a great choice for treating epilepsy in children.

According to research, it is safer than the other weeds. As a matter of fact, its medicinal properties work in curing and treating multiple diseases and health concerns. Furthermore, combining CBD with THC results in boosting the medicinal effects of the weed. Nevertheless, CBD mainly acts on the endocannabidiol system through several pathways.

Major Differences between CBG and CBD

As mentioned above, multiple dissimilarities exist between CBG and CBD. Let’s discuss the top three differences below:

Molecular Structure

The molecular structure of both CBG and CBD is completely different from each other. The number and arrangement of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms vary in both compounds, thus, constituting different receptors to bind with. This in turn also impacts the bioavailability of cannabinoids and solubility in water of both compounds accordingly.

Pharmacology

CBG acts as an antagonist on the 5-HT1A receptor, causing the anti-emetic effects of CBD. However, CBD serves as an agonist to work against nausea through its affinity for the 5-HT1A receptor. Hence, this shows that both compounds perform the same function but in different ways.

Hunger Simulation

The presence of CBG in the human body stimulates a person to consume more food than normal. Whereas, CBD causes no change in the appetite of anyone who consumes it. In fact, in some cases, the food intake is reduced in the users.

Benefits of CBG and CBD

All in all, the therapeutic benefits of CBD vs CBG are summed up as per below as below:

Both compounds contain a non-psychoactive effect on the user. Be sure to check the legal vaping age in your country.
CBD is used for treating chronic pain conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune conditions, and other psychiatric disorders.
CBG is used for providing antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties to the user.

What to Know Before Traveling with CBD

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By Ed Donnelly, founder of AmourCBD

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is the oil found in the stem of hemp plants, which has the THC extracted to reach levels below 0.3%. CBD products have become essential, and as travel begins to pick up, many people are unsure if they can bring their favorite CBD products with them. Here are a few things to keep in mind when bringing your CBD products along.

Consider state laws

Hemp’s classification changed under the 2018 Farm Bill from being considered a Schedule I drug, meaning it is no longer considered a controlled substance, thus making consumption, production, and transportation across state lines legal. In order to even be considered hemp, products have to meet very strict requirements. For one, the THC percentage in the product cannot be higher than 0.3% otherwise it can be considered marijuana which is yet to be legalized on a federal level. Thankfully, AmourCBD products have a 0.00% THC guarantee and are produced in an FDA regulated facility so travelers need not worry. When transporting hemp, the product has to be produced lawfully under the 2018 Farm Bill, and the USDA has to have issued approved regulations and procedures within that specific state. Each production plan was submitted individually by states—additional information pertaining to that can be found here.

TSA Compliant

While transporting marijuana across state lines is not allowed since it has not been legalized on a federal level, travelers can still bring most cannabis infused products with them, like CBD, as long as they contain under 0.3% THC. Like most hygienic products such as makeup and lotions, the TSA requires that any products brought in carry-on luggage do not exceed 3.4 oz and are stored in a resealable, clear 1 qt bag. Anything greater than 3.4 oz has to be stowed away in checked luggage. All AmourCBD products are less than 3.4 oz and can be brought safely on the plane. Additionally, CBD products do not need to be declared at the airport during domestic travel as they are federally legal in the United States.

Benefits of CBD for travel jitters

Why would travelers want to bring CBD along? Various studies have shown that CBD can be used to help alleviate symptoms associated with insomnia, anxiety, and some muscle pains. Whatever your fear may be, whether a fear of heights, flying in general, or uneasiness during turbulence, consuming products like AmourCBD’s 10mg Gummies can help significantly when conquering your flight. Not enough legroom or stiff muscles? AmourCBD’s Pain Relief Cream, which is the very first FDA-registered CBD cream on the market, has an active ingredient of lidocaine which helps soothe discomfort quickly, and without residual smells. If you want to combat jet lag or simply want to rest on a long flight, travelers can also use CBD in place of products like melatonin.

International Travel Guidelines

When traveling internationally, CBD regulations can become a bit less straightforward. While it is legal to travel with CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC domestically in the United States, other countries have different laws regarding CBD use. Before bringing CBD products along for international travel, check on the regulations of the country you are traveling to in order to ensure you are abiding by that country’s laws. If you are unsure, professionals suggest leaving CBD products at home since many countries have stricter CBD-related drug laws than the United States.

Check for THC in CBD Products

Be sure to double check the ingredients of your CBD products before travel. As previously stated, CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC are federally legal, but CBD products containing higher doses of THC can vary in legality by state. Especially when traveling to or from a state where marijuana is legal, make sure to check your CBD products for their THC levels. Luckily, AmourCBD products contain 0.00% THC guaranteed, ensuring safe domestic travel.

Keeping rules and regulations in mind when traveling with your CBD must-haves can help ensure a smooth and relaxing trip, especially during a time we need it most.