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Caliva, San Jose’s premier medical marijuana dispensary and cultivation facility opened in July of 2015 and in September of 2016 was ranked #1 dispensary in the nation by Business Insider.
 
Our facility is one of the most advanced pharmaceutical-grade cannabis cultivating, manufacturing, and dispensing facilities in the country and a model for energy efficiency, safe access, and compliance.
 
We started Caliva because we believe strongly in the medicinal and wellness applications of cannabis. From inception, our goal has been to establish a regulated, safe and consistent source of cannabis for our patients. We believe strongly in a medical cannabis industry that is well-regulated, highly professional, and rigorously secure. 

Each one of our strains is selected for its genetics and superior medicinal effects and then tested to ensure that the quality we offer is only the best. Our attitude is easy, but our focus is to provide the highest level of service in the industry; our educated and passionate team provide a comfortable, safe and easy buying experience.

Our delivery service recently launched and is available from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. every day. Visit https://caliva.com/ for more information.

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Legalized Psychedelics and Collective Well-Being

How individual entheogenic therapy could alter society’s perspective on mental health

As the American mental health crisis reaches epidemic status, the California Senate has embraced a once taboo solution. The May 2023 passage of California Senate Bill (SB 58) marks a pointed shift in the state’s approach to  psychedelic drugs, legalizing their possession and facilitated use to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, and end-of-life care. But how will this new therapy for the individual affect an unwell collective? 

Mental health professionals have cited a growing need for holistic approaches to mental health as we exit a harrowing few years of Covid, job insecurity, political turmoil, and climate crisis. It’s a decision that could change the way we process grief, cope with anxiety, and mediate mental health as a whole. 

Access to Western medicine is still a struggle for many and the U.S. healthcare system continues to fail 8 out 10 Americans. Affordability remains a major factor, especially for mental health services. The “wellness” boom appears to be a trend born out of distrust of the existing healthcare system, yet Americans still find themselves in the midst of a mental health emergency. 

Whether you take your health advice from your doctor or less conventional means, it all hinges on the contingency that poor health and depression is a “you” problem. Are you drinking enough water? Are you exercising? Are you meditating? Are you on the right meds? Current methods continue to ignore the common denominator. There may be no amount of self-help, devotion to self-care, or perfect cocktail of meds to heal what is truly making us sick: society, itself. 

This idea isn’t a conspiracy theory. In 1949 Albert Einstein warned, “the economic anarchy of capitalist society as it exists today is, in my opinion, the real source of evil,” and called it “the essence of the crisis in our time.” A peer-reviewed scientific journal on depression postulates that consumerism is “a likely cause why ‘selfish capitalist’ countries like the UK and the US now have mental illness rates above 20%, twice as high as in 1980, and also twice as high as those observed today in less selfish economies…” Yet the nature of an individualistic society deems these mental health issues a weakness on the part of the sufferer. 

Psychedelics, used therapeutically for millennia before Western industrialization, may have the unintended side effect of awakening patients to the root of the problem: the futility of capitalism and the exploitation of labor, just to name a few. Trend reports are already citing a rise in this ideology noting, “we could possibly be nearing the peak of capitalism once the youngsters of today will start making their mark on the world.” Legalized use of psychedelics may only prove to bolster this awakening.

In the meantime, these newly legalized substances–psilocybin, psilocyn, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline–are a godsend for those dealing with terminal illness, debilitating depression, and PTSD. Entheogenic therapies remain unlike any other, in that it is not the medicine that heals, but the alteration of perception they elicit. Michael Pollan, author of the seminal How to Change Your Mind, said in an interview, “...it is the nature of the experience you have that’s curing you, not anything pharmacological.” What that means for the future of pharmaceuticals has yet to be seen. 

Studies show that entheogenic therapies are safe, well-tolerated, and have beneficial effects as an antidepressant, emotional regulator, anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), and anti-addictive agent, and these effects are reported to be fast-acting and long-lasting. We know this now thanks to researchers pushing through obstacles of societal taboo and lack of funding for the last six decades. Today, every major research institution is studying the myriad ways psychedelic therapy can transcend modern medical healing. 

Even the realm of philosophy has entered the chat, finally dismissing centuries of perceived illegitimacy. Perception, as it stands, is the crux of the entire conversation. And while Californians who may never have tripped pre-legalization begin turning on, tuning in, and dropping out, the ontology of hallucinogens will become all the more necessary. For anyone who has experience with psychedelics knows, the “everything” of it all, guided or not, can be as confusing as it is eye-opening without a framework to contextualize it. Fortunately, the passage of SB 58 allows for a large-scale observational study and hopefully, in turn, a foundation for entheogenic therapies to come.

It is a strange twist of fate that the natural world we have been slowly destroying is giving us yet another chance at a worthwhile survival. Dr. Andrew Weil stated in his 1972 exploration of psychedelics, The Natural Mind, "Drugs cannot give us the experiences that they seem to promise because they do not create anything new in the mind. They only allow us access to parts of the mind that we ordinarily do not use." The healing we seek has been here all along, within and without us. 

We got right into it with Daniel Torres, CEO and founder of Mari y Juana, the cannabis beverage brand infused with flavors rich with the history and traditions of Mexico. From the reclamation of the word “marijuana”, historically used to stigmatize cannabis by racially “othering” it, to its first place win at High Times’ Cannabis Cup: People’s Choice in 2022 in the beverages category, Mari y Juana is shaking things up. And you know what happens when you shake up a soda (a guava soda, at that). Learn why these drinks are exploding into the edibles market and turning cannabis consumption into a culinary experience like no other. Torres breaks down how the brand began, why he believes cannabis beverages deserve more attention, and reminds us that, although cannabis is for everyone, the industry can still be a challenge. 

How did you enter the cannabis space and how has your perspective on it changed over the years?

I have been working in cannabis since the age of 16–this was in 1998. I started smoking at 14, then got hip to the fact that if I sold some weed I could make enough for my head smoke and some spending money. That turned into a career for me. My perspective over the years has changed quite a bit. It started with seedless weed in a dime bag to what we have now which is branded cannabis and branded retail stores.

How did you arrive at the name Mari y Juana?

I was really high one night and it came to me like an epiphany! I took the word "marijuana" and wanted to make it something fun for everyone. So far we've managed to do just that. 

What values does the brand hold that you hope are felt by the everyday consumer? 

The quality of the product, down to the labels and branding aesthetics. We want our customers to know that we stand on quality in all aspects. 

I heard that Mari was initially going to be an edibles brand. What made you shift to beverages?

We started Mari y Juana Foods Co. with the idea that we would do Mexican candy and other exotic flavored edibles. My friend and business partner, Matt McGinn, who founded Uncle Arnie's, convinced me to start a subsidiary with the focus being on beverages. With his help, we managed to come out swinging and have made quite the impact in the cannabis-beverages space over the last year and some months. 

We still have the Foods Co. division and will pick that up as well soon. 

These beverage flavors aren’t really seen anywhere else in the cannabis world–how did you choose the flavor range?

We decided to mimic the popular Jarritos brand. They have been very successful with their market share focusing on these types of flavors. We wanted to carry that example over to the cannabis space. 

What would you say to someone who has never tried a cannabis beverage before? What can they expect and why is it different from other ways of consuming cannabis?

I would encourage them to give cannabis beverages a chance. They will be pleasantly surprised at the flavors and taste of beverages in the space. They can expect a different type of feeling versus smoked flower or concentrates. Cannabis edibles hit different. That's why we have 10mg THC offerings for less experienced users and higher doses in 50mg and 100mg for the more experienced users. 

What is your favorite Mari y Juana product at the moment and why?

My favorite Mari y Juana product is our iMota Mix! which is our cannabis-infused chili powdered michelada cup. I love it because of the cross-fade I experience when I mix it with an ice cold Modelo. 

Are there any new products or flavors you’re excited about?

We have been working on our Perico Verde­™ cannabis-infused energy drink. It is formulated with 100mg of plant-derived caffeine and 10mg and 50mg THC versions. This should be a game changer in the cannabis-infused beverages industry. 

If you could give advice to anyone entering the cannabis industry right now, what would you say?

Anyone entering the cannabis space right now, best of luck. It's a tough time to say the least. I'm not trying to be discouraging to anyone but I want to be fully transparent that it is not an easy time to enter the cannabis industry currently in California. 

This interview has been revised and condensed for clarity.

Carlos and Stella Santana have teamed up on Mirayo, Carlos’ cannabis brand, specifically bringing the new edibles line to life. Most edibles on the legal cannabis market are made with distillate, or highly concentrated THC extract, and produce a heady high.

Making Music and Edibles with the Santanas

Few things are as powerful as a father-daughter duo.

Few things are as powerful as a father-daughter duo, especially in business. We know this because many successful dads and daughters have influenced our culture: Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus, Lionel and Nicole Richie, Lenny and Zoe Kravitz, Will and Willow Smith, Bill and Chelsea Clinton, and Paul and Stella McCartney — to name a few! There’s another father-daughter duo equally influencing culture, but instead of doing so through entertainment or politics, they’re using cannabis. 

Carlos and Stella Santana have teamed up on Mirayo, Carlos’ cannabis brand, specifically bringing the new edibles line to life. Most edibles on the legal cannabis market are made with distillate, or highly concentrated THC extract, and produce a heady high. Mirayo instead uses hash in their edibles, giving the gummies a more nuanced, full-body high. It makes sense that they’ve become Stella’s main mode of consumption.

“Smoking cannabis feels a lot different now than consuming edibles,” said Stella, who used to be a daily consumer. “Flower feels slightly more clunky, [the Mirayo] gummies just feel so smooth and subtle. They don’t generally make me lose energy or become lethargic or, like, make me become my furniture. These edibles are really all I do now.”

Stella stopped consuming cannabis altogether when she got pregnant with her son. Prior to that, smoking flower was an integral part of her lifestyle in New York, where she reveled in the limitlessness of the city and started writing her album.

“It was nice to smoke in New York and navigate that hyper-crazy energy because cannabis helps you be the center of your own stillness, even in a kookoo-crazy place,” she said. “I learned how to do that with cannabis in New York, but I think cannabis can also help because it makes you think more, and if you’re watching your thinking rather than always identifying with it, you can have little epiphanies that no one needs to know about.”

After having her son and settling into motherhood, she had the opportunity to help guide the creative direction of Mirayo. Carlos, who doesn’t smoke cannabis anymore, initially wanted to make butterscotch edibles, but over the past year, the team decided to bring more tropical-leaning flavors to market.  

“Everyone working on Mirayo wants to make something cool and great, and it feels like that,” Stella said. “You need to have good synergy to make something really good.”

The process of choosing flavors, Stella explains, was the best part of bringing these products to life. “I had 5 or 6 gummies of each flavor sent to me to try, and I would give them to my friends,” she said. “I was always like, ‘Try this one!’ and I’d keep track of who liked which flavors on my refrigerator.”

Stella explained that most people she introduces edibles to are scared of them. They still think edible experiences are how they used to be prior to legalization: Someone would bake a batch of THC-infused brownies without a clue of how much is in them, and people would inevitably consume WAY too much THC. “Now it’s down to a science in terms of the dosage,” she said. “In the past with edibles, everyone would eat them and start crying or throwing up or something and be high for, like, three days. And then they’d be like ‘I’m never doing an edible again!’ But now it’s not like that, you never get to that place.”

The goal of the Mirayo gummies, Stella said, is to produce something real through cannabis. It’s difficult to do that in an industry stymied by overly stringent regulations, but the relationship Stella and Carlos have with the plant allows for a level of authenticity that many brands, especially celebrity brands, don’t execute well. The best products in the industry are crafted by people who consume cannabis and know what makes a stellar product.

“The things that do the best are the things that are real because you can’t poke holes in it,” Stella said. “Things that are authentic are just as they seem. It sounds simple, but it’s not at all. My dad does that in a  musical space, but it’s cool to do something like that in the cannabis space.”

My family is massively into Santana. My mom has repeatedly told me (an anti-drug) story about when she was 22 years old and saw a person in the crowd at a Santana show snort tequila and act like nothing happened — as if it were any other Tuesday night. My dad saw Santana four times in the ‘70s. Both sides of my family are Latino and love the representation in rock and roll. I was introduced to Abraxis and Moonflower early on in my life. I say all of this because I understand the sonic soundscape Carlos creates with his music. I’ve also been consuming cannabis regularly since 19-years-old — I’m now 33. There are parallels between the environment you step into after smoking weed and the sound globe Carlos locks you into with his music.

“Of course, cannabis is a product, but something happens to you when you consume it. It’s not like alcohol — no one is having a beautiful vision on alcohol. Nobody is actually getting inspired from alcohol,” Stella said. “On cannabis it’s different. It’s another avenue to get you into that space my dad tries to get people into with his music. Cannabis gives you that, it takes you there.”

Thanks to Stella and Carlos, there’s now a cannabis product on the market that’s crafted from the same creative realm the Santanas source their musical magic from.

I sat down with Kevin Martin, songwriter and guitarist for Brainstory, in Long Beach, CA the night before he leaves for a show in New York. He’s procrastinating on packing, but it’s a trip he’s become accustomed to and, turns out, procrastination is a powerful player in his creative process.

Getting in the Onion with Brainstory

Stoned

I sat down with Kevin Martin, songwriter and guitarist for Brainstory, in Long Beach, CA the night before he leaves for a show in New York. He’s procrastinating on packing, but it’s a trip he’s become accustomed to and, turns out, procrastination is a powerful player in his creative process. This once-small band from Rialto, California is growing quickly, but the tight knit trio, including bass player Tony Martin (Kevin’s brother) and drummer Eric Hagstrom, are only getting better. We talk about the pressures of growing success, the music that influences their jazz-tinged, retro-soul sound, and how cannabis can alter more than just the mind.

The Chronical: So you're going to New York to start recording? 

Kevin Martin: We were supposed to be in New York recording, but now we're just going there to play a show. 

TC: You guys are working on something new? 

KM: Yeah, yeah. We have a new album in the works. I'd say it’s like 70% done. We just need the last chunk, you know, last couple songs to get done. But yeah, we usually record in New York, but we're gonna just have to finish it here in Long Beach.Then we'll just kind of send it back and forth through email and stuff like that.

TC: What should we know about the new record? 

KM: It's produced by Leon Michels, El Michel's Affair, who's our tremendous friend and mentor. And he also co-owns the label that we're on, which is Big Crown Records. And yeah, I mean, it's been fun so far, making it. Compared to our first record that we made with Leon, we never really set foot in a real studio before–or an analog studio with, you know, old junk. Yeah, not junk, but old tape machines and preamps, vintage preamps and all that kind of crazy gear stuff. 

TC: What was the first one that you did with him? 

KM: Buck. We didn't know anything about even playing in a studio. I think for the most part we've been a live performance-based kind of band. Over the years we've gotten a little bit more time in the studio and getting better at that. When you first go into a studio, I always felt really nervous and I didn’t really know what was going on other than I have to not fuck it up. 

TC: Yeah, well, especially if it's analog. Isn't everything more expensive when it's analog? 

KM: Yeah, I guess, yeah. The pressure's on. “Wait, am I gonna mess up?” But that's what it feels like, yeah. “Okay, rolling the tape. Okay, let's do it.” But it's also kinda cool because for us as the band, we're from a jazz background so we wanna do too much all the time. But learning how to record and make it sound good helped us tremendously to narrow it down and make better compositional choices. 

TC: He [Leon] kind of reigns you guys in. 

KM: Yeah, he kind of was like, “I'm gonna just simplify everything that you do. So don't be offended by that.” And we respect his work and we really like his work a lot. 

TC: Do you feel like this album is going to sound different from the previous ones? Because Buck was really jazzy and soulful. And the last one, RIPE, felt hip-hop influenced.

“RIPE was one we recorded here in Long Beach in the pandemic. So when we went to New York and did Buck, we were like, minds blown–I can't believe our music can sound like this.”

KM: Definitely yeah, but instrumental music and still kind of jazz. That jazzier one, RIPE was one we recorded here in Long Beach in the pandemic. So when we went to New York and did Buck, we were like, minds blown–I can't believe our music can sound like this. And it really hit our drummer, Eric, a lot. He got obsessed with gear and learning how to record. For all of us in those sessions for Buck, it was mind-blowing how good it sounded. I think for the new record we're just more comfortable in that situation. 

TC: What are the musical influences of the new one? 

KM: That's always hard to pinpoint. More ‘70s jazz references. More funk soul jazz stuff. Like 1970 to 1974 stuff going on. I got really heavily into the Sylvers. They were an LA family band compared to the Jacksons. 

TC: I know that song “Misdemeanor.” 

KM: Yes, Foster Sylvers. That's one of the kids in the family, but I got really into their first two albums. 

KM: Oh! Some kind of Dylan stuff happening. Not so much Americana, but acoustic. I guess I would say some acoustic. I don't think anybody's heard that side of Brainstory. What I like to do is just make a whole plethora of things for an album, because I don't just listen to just one thing.

TC: It all subconsciously finds its way in. 

KM: Yeah, all of it does. That's why it kind of becomes a mixed bag of things. But I think that's what it’s about these days. When you look at what an album's life is like. It used to be, “It's a vinyl,” you know? And the experience of the album is side A, oh shit, flip it, side B. You know what I mean? Now we just stream it, and what that's done is change how people consume an album. They might just find the one song and never go listen to the album. I think it's easy for an album to get lost in the sauce. 

TC: Do you mind that? Do you prefer that people listen to it all the way through?

KM: No, no, I don't think there's any one way to listen to anything. But the way I've experienced albums like, CD era and tape era, it made it this continuous thing.

KM: You don't have the choice. So, formatted and easy-to-listen-to music on your phone makes it a little bit different for people to dive into a whole record. But my point is I'd like to try to put different things out there for different types of people so they all gravitate to it. I think that's ideal. 

“[Cannabis] just kind of focuses me, I think. I’m able to calculate without thinking. I tap in a little bit more to intuitive things when I'm playing. I can dissect the feeling that I'm after.” 

TC: Okay, I have to ask, how does cannabis inform your creative process?

KM: I actually haven't been smoking as much as I used to. I’ve been going through a lot of different changes and I realized it wasn't serving me in most situations, or not all situations, like it used to. So, I kind of took a step back from it for a little bit and now it's mostly when I want to create I'll get stoned. Because for me–it just kind of focuses me, I think. I’m able to calculate without thinking. I tap in a little bit more to intuitive things when I'm playing. I can dissect the feeling that I'm after. If I drink too much coffee and try to make a song, it's like I'm bouncing around too hard and I don't get into the onion of the idea. If that makes any sense. I don't know what that means.

KM: Yeah, it helps me do that. I also enjoy some of the effects it has on my voice. I like the way it gives me a deeper voice sometimes and I'm not a tall person so I can't get that naturally.

TC: I was thinking your voice sounds kind of like Smokey Robinson. Do you hear that? 

KM: Yeah, I love Smokey Robinson. And I was really listening to a lot of Smokey Robinson. I think I like doing impressions. I like hearing sounds and trying to replicate them with my voice. I've always liked that. I'll watch something and I'll hear someone say something a certain way and, if I'm by myself, I'll say it back. 

I like trying different things with my voice. Leon knows a couple of my different voices. We have them noted. He's like, “You got this Michael McDonald thing that you can do. You got this like, Sly Stone thing you could do. You got the Smokey thing you could do.” So sometimes on this new record, he was like, “Uh, do Smokey, okay,” and then I'll do it. I also like to try to sound like a woman. It never really works out very good. 

TC: What about the songwriting, the lyrics? 

KM: Sometimes I'm prepared, sometimes I'm not. Like this last session I had two songs written, but I wasn't really confident nor did I really like it so I had to rewrite them on the spot and I found that to be pretty helpful for me. But I've been kind of in a weird rut not knowing what to say. Feeling pressure I think, since our band is getting more and more…I feel a little…it's just kind of scary. 

TC: Yeah, like, Oh people are gonna actually listen to it.

KM: Yes. So it's kind of scary. And that's been kind of psyching me out a bit. But writing with Leon it’s been cool because I've realized that oh, it's okay if I procrastinate because I can [write] on the spot pretty good. It kind of increases your presence in the moment.

“…Part of what I try to do with the music is maybe give it a little bit of purpose and practicality. But also think that I just need to hear that. When I’m in spiritual cheerleading song mode, it's usually just for me.” 

TC: I feel like lyrically, Braintory has reminded me a bit of George Harrison. A lot of songs that are like spiritual cheerleading as opposed to “I was walking down the street”...

KM: Yeah, I mean I loved All Things Must Pass. That was like a big deal for me. And all his songs in The Beatles. I guess that's like, kind of a part of what I try to do with the music is maybe give it a little bit of purpose and practicality. But also think that I just need to hear that. When I’m in spiritual cheerleading song mode, it's usually just for me. 

TC: You're writing the song that you need to hear. 

KM: Yeah. And I hope it never comes off as self-righteous. But it's just like, I'm not a perfect person. Nobody is. But sometimes you just need someone to tell you like, ‘Hey... I'm not a perfect person.’ 

TC: Sings, “I’m not a perfect person…” - Hoobastank’s “The Reason”

KM: Yeah. Hoobastank's a really big influence on this new album.

Long gone are the days of convincing anyone your acrylic smokeshop bong is actually a vase. Now, in some gorgeously ironic twist of fate, you can have smokeware so beautiful you’ll want it to hold flowers. These boutique, handmade pieces by independent artists deserve the best flower of all.

One-of-a-Kind Bongs and Pipes for the Creative Toker

Long gone are the days of convincing anyone your acrylic smokeshop bong is actually a vase. Now, in some gorgeously ironic twist of fate, you can have smokeware so beautiful you’ll want it to hold flowers. These boutique, handmade pieces by independent artists deserve the best flower of all. Bring one of these to a summer picnic, display them on your coffee table, gift them to your friends, but most importantly, take one straight to the dome–for art’s sake.

John Quick designed these Daisy Pipes as a “ritual piece.” Wheel thrown, air brushed in a range of colors, and glazed inside out to make your daily ritual that much more special.

Mark and Liv are a father daughter duo who collaborate handmaking ceramic smokeware.

Wheel-thrown, food safe, water tight, and uniquely ornate.

Michigan-based ceramicist Debbie Carlos grew up in California and The Philippines. Travel seems to be innate in this large, minimalist, hand-built knotted pipe as each breath sets off a revolution of smoke.

San Francisco ceramicists Mariana and Mareiwa handmake one-of-a-kind pipes that spark your imagination before you even spark the bowl. You’ll have to DM the artists on Instagram directly so hurry before you end up on a waitlist.

Take a bite of pure nostalgia with Sarah Duyer’s handmade, slab built sculptures, smokeable works of art made-to-order.

Pocket-sized, handmade stoneware pipes that look good enough to eat.

Any ceramic smokeware list would be remiss without Summerland’s ultra-hip “Stonerware”. Handcrafted in Northern California in small batches so each piece has its own unique touch, it’s a ceramic lover’s essential.

Now that you’ve got the coolest smokeware, you’ll need the coolest bud. Here are some crowd-pleasers worthy of your new bong or pipe. 

This 5-star review says it all: “Man this strain hits! Love how strong it is, it’s worth the price.” A deliciously invigorating sativa (and beautifully packaged, might we add).

Say no to boring conversations and get the party started with this cerebral sour sativa.

Maven Genetics Flower - Honey Lemon Hibiscus

This golden art deco packaging is a sign of quality within. Maven really knew what they were doing when they cultivated this refreshingly zesty hybrid.

Excessive cannabis use can result in a high weed tolerance, meaning you won’t feel the effects of it. T-Breaks can help you avoid a high tolerance.

How to Lower a High Weed Tolerance

Like turning 21 or learning how to drive, discovering your weed tolerance is much higher than it used to be is a rite of passage. This may be a badge of honor to some, but if you came to this article in search of advice on “how to lower your cannabis tolerance,” chances are your feelings are… mixed. 

Don’t worry. It is in fact possible to get back the effects that a high tolerance for THC may have blunted (pun intended). Moreover, it is entirely possible to avoid!

The most obvious culprit behind your heightened cannabis tolerance is (surprise!) none other than increased cannabis use. Because high-dose weed use can result in a high weed tolerance, which in turn weakens its potency, you may need even more THC to sustain that feeling. While most people know this cycle to be anecdotally true, there is also a considerable body of scientific research to back it up. 

You see, toking up activates cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors on a cellular level in your brain to make you feel stoned. But if you repeatedly expose the brain to THC over a couple days or weeks, the increase in CB1 receptor activity can throw off normal CB1 activation patterns. In order to preserve these patterns, the brain temporarily reduces the number of CB1 receptors that are active. 

In the long term, continued activation of CB1 can lead to the removal of CB1 receptors from the brain cell’s surface—potentially altering their genetic expression. Consuming high amounts of THC will have no stronger effect on the brain’s functioning since by that point, there are even fewer receptors for it to act on. 

Your method of delivery and preferred strain may not change, but your body’s response to them inevitably does. 

So in order to sustain cannabis’ effects, you need to lower your cannabis tolerance—and the surest path to doing so is to take what people on the internet refer to as a “T-Break,” otherwise known as a tolerance break. Tolerance measures the capacity at which your body is able to feel the effects of cannabis. As a consequence, cannabis tolerance depends as much on the individual’s age and weight as it does on the method of delivery and THC dosage. 

While capacity may be relative, here is a universal guide to lowering weed tolerance that applies to just about any case of excessively high weed tolerance.  


A T-Break should last for at least 21 days. (If your T- Break is only for 2 weeks, it will likely not be enough time.) This may feel like an eternity, but compared to other recreational drugs, the speed at which the brain “recovers” from prolonged cannabis use following a period of abstinence is actually rather short.  

Since THC bonds to fat and fat is stored in the body longer, it takes approximately 3 weeks for cannabinoids to leave your system. Studies have shown that cannabinoid receptors return to normal within 4 weeks for most people. 

If you are a regular cannabis user and are taking a T-Break, expect withdrawal symptoms. Some people make the transition to weed abstinence with great aplomb—but, let’s be honest. It’s more likely you will experience restlessness, difficulty sleeping, and mood swings that will make you cringe weeks later. 

If you manage to stave off the 2 am Del Taco craving by opting for healthier alternatives and staying hydrated, you can mitigate some of the annoying side effects of taking a T-Break. (Depending on your circumstances, your loved ones may appreciate the heads up!)

If you made it through four weeks of weed abstinence, reward yourself. Go ahead and rekindle the flame you once had with weed, but take it slow to make those past 3 weeks worth it. As much as we value our high-powered THC, there's also a dazzling array of intentionally lower-dosed THC products with a passionate fanbase. 

You'll likely notice that with your newly lowered tolerance, a whole new world of cannabis has opened up -- one where you'll be able to consistently feel the effects and steer the experience as you want. 

Here are some of our favorite lower-dosed products that just might hit different this time: 

With each Turkish delight-styled cube clocking in at 5mg THC, there's nothing stopping you from savoring each of these exquisite chef-crafted, single-strain live rosin edibles. Rose is about quality, not quantity, and the difference in vibe is palpable. After one delight, we guarantee you won't look back. 

Cann - 6 Pack Social Tonic - Lemon Lavender

Sicilian lemons, real lavender, agave nectar, and a 2mg THC / 4mg CBD balance to impress any guest. Cann is redefining what the fizzy beverage world can offer, one low-dose pick-me-up at a time. 

Karlina Guerra is a writer who lives in Los Angeles with her temperamental chihuahua. You can reach her by e-mail at guerraguerraguerra@proton.me

After a long winter without adequate vitamin D, we’re more desperate than ever for a real summer. We want the old summer back–the kind of summer that was full of possibility and adventure. We must admit, our childlike wonder has waned over the years and, if we’re not careful, summers can just come and go like a fly buzzing around as we bury our heads in the hustle.

Smoking Mindfully for the Summer Solstice

After a long winter without adequate vitamin D, we’re more desperate than ever for a real summer. We want the old summer back–the kind of summer that was full of possibility and adventure. We must admit, our childlike wonder has waned over the years and, if we’re not careful, summers can just come and go like a fly buzzing around as we bury our heads in the hustle. This June 21, let’s remember that it’s not just the first day of summer or just the longest day of the year. It’s an actual celebration historically recognized by just about every ancient civilization. Explore some Summer Solstice traditions and the best strains to pair them with so we can smoke with more intention and welcome in the new season with some panache.  

One of the most famous examples of ancient Summer Solstice observatories is Stonehenge, located in England. Believed to have been built around 2500 BCE, the rising sun aligns with the stones and shines directly into the center of the monument. This ancient wonder has inspired folklore and theories, but no one is certain why (or how) it was built. Its mysterious origin and meaning has led us to a strain that can turn anxieties into an appreciation for the transitory nature of things. 

Embrace the mystery with Grandaddy Purple

Well known for its relaxing and stress-busting effects, Grandaddy Purple is a safe space to ponder the unknown and welcome in the mystifying. This indica will take the tension out of your mind and body so you can face change without expectation.

Almost every recorded history of the summer solstice was done in community. The ancient Mayans, who had a deep understanding of astronomy and celestial events, gathered at ceremonial centers with precise structures to worship the sun. The ancient Egyptians marked this solstice as the beginning of their agricultural year when the Nile River flooded and celebrated with music and dancing. Even modern celebrations are done with family and friends at the beach, in nature, hiking, or with yoga. While there are many strains great for socializing, only one grounds you this joyfully while surrounded by the ones you love.

This shareable sativa is popular for a reason. It vibes well with most everyone–beginners and connoisseurs alike. It boosts energy, causes giggle fits, and sets in with a glittery euphoria. Plus, the sweet berry taste and aroma will draw in new friends like a cartoon pie on a window sill.

STIIIZY 40’s INFUSED PREROLL: BLUE DREAM 5PK

In Scandinavian countries, Midsummer feasts are a significant part of celebrating the solstice. Eating is such an everyday occurrence; feasting, on the other hand, is something to savor. Check out some festivities taking place near you with outdoor music and food pop-ups or pack your own feast for a picnic or barbeque to make mindful eating a pleasure. The best strain for the occasion sounds as delicious as it makes your food taste.

This powerhouse of a strain really packs a punch. Mmm, punch. It’ll also stimulate your appetite. Super relaxing and euphoric, this indica-hybrid will elevate whatever you eat into a true culinary experience.

The solstice can serve as a moment for personal reflection, setting intentions, and embracing positive changes. Some take this time to review their goals, aspirations, and personal growth, using the energy of the solstice to manifest new beginnings and transformation. With the growing concern for the environment, the summer solstice is also a time for raising awareness about ecological issues. Educational events, nature conservation initiatives, and sustainability-focused activities are organized to promote environmental consciousness and stewardship. Set goals for the summer and spend some time in nature with a strain that centers you in the present moment.

Named for the bucket-list natural event, this indica strain is thought to be one of the best for meditation and self-reflection. Give your mind some peace and quiet and welcome in the new season with positivity and an awakened mindfulness. 

HEAVY HITTERS DISPOSABLE VAPE: NORTHERN LIGHTS

Melt away those June gloom blues. From 6/21 - 6/25 you can get

$30 off online orders or $100 or more with code SOLSTICE23 

In 1865, a community of enslaved individuals in Galveston, Texas, received the long-awaited news of their emancipation from the grips of slavery–a staggering two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. It marked one of the most pivotal moments of liberation for Black Lives in America, commemorated widely today as Juneteenth.

Commemorating Juneteenth with Cannabis Pioneers

"Juneteenth symbolizes the power of emancipation and the triumph of resilience for me as an African American business owner. It represents the unyielding spirit of my ancestors who overcame unimaginable hardships and fought for freedom, laying the foundation for the opportunities I have today" - Peakz founder, Jessie Grundy

In 1865, a community of enslaved individuals in Galveston, Texas, received the long-awaited news of their emancipation from the grips of slavery–a staggering two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. It marked one of the most pivotal moments of liberation for Black Lives in America, commemorated widely today as Juneteenth. While this day embodies a celebration of freedom, it also serves as a stark reminder of the tragic delay in emancipation for those held enslaved in the deepest corners of the Confederacy. 158 years later, the echoes of that historic holdup reverberates as the fight for racial justice and equality continues. It’s why honoring Juneteenth by reflecting on the struggles and achievements of the Black community and supporting Black-owned businesses is so important.

"Juneteenth to me is an extension of our ancestors' dreamer spirit; that same spirit lives in us Black people today. Juneteenth also opens the door for us to reflect on the sacrifices that our ancestors made and to remind myself of the progress that's been made since,” said CRONJA co-founder, Bryant Bowens. “This monumental date reaffirms my worth as a Black person. The battle for ownership and freedom is still being fought tirelessly to this day, but the dreamer spirit is what gives us Black kings and queens a fighting chance."

The Parent Company’s Social Equity Ventures “Brand Success Program” was created in support of that dreamer spirit. By giving social equity brands like CRONJA, a Los Angeles-based, black and veteran-owned cannabis lifestyle company, the tools and support they need to thrive and help minority-owned brands to grow their business, reach more people, and increase sales, this program hopes to bridge a representation and opportunity gap. The 12-week program is designed to make a difference, providing personalized mentorship and support for sales, marketing, and operations at The Parent Company (TPCo) and its retailers across the country. The initiative has already seen the impact and success of launching innovative brands like CRONJA, and hopes to continue building on this opportunity to support this community in a long-term and meaningful way.

“We know that the status quo is not going to create an even playing field for us Black people. But as the government starts to make strong efforts to end outdated laws that have socially and economically plagued our communities for decades, I see a tremendous opportunity for minority-owned cannabis brands to come together to uplift those communities whose voices and presence were not valued or appreciated before," says Bowens. TPCo encourages you to find and appreciate these brands’ presence here.

Los Angeles-based, black and veteran-owned cannabis lifestyle company and social equity brand known for its connoisseur-focused strain selection and hand-crafted cannabis accessories. 

This Oakland-based company is known for its curated strains, distinctive in-house designs and top-shelf luxury flower.

A celebration of Black and LGBTQ+ culture, Disco Jays is cultivating premium, diamond-infused, THCA-encrusted cannabis to its most potent potential.

In honor of Juneteenth, the Brand Success Program is launching three more new and exciting brands: G Putt, BeMore, and Mari y Juana. On June 30th, TPCo is proud to introduce these premium cannabis trailblazers and welcome the opportunity to support BIPOC-owned businesses by empowering the community economically. 

G Putt and Edition X with Mochi Brands

G-Putt has been working in the cannabis space for over 20 years, connecting cannabis, street culture, and conscious consumerism. “It’s not about being relevant,” says G-Putt, “It’s about being real.” That realness reverberates through everything G does, from design to high fashion and now, cannabis. This collaboration with Mochi Brands brings us a rotating curation of flower for the true connoisseur. 

Everyday Dabs and Shaman Extracts by BeMore

BeMore is more than just a cannabis brand; it’s a movement. They mean it when they say, “When it comes to showing up, making an impact, or speaking one’s truth, we all have it in us to BeMore.” They’re leading by example and participating in social equity programs and hiring formerly incarcerated employees. That integrity is a part of everything they make and do, ensuring Higher THC levels and, always, the most potent, premium flower.

Mari y Juana is taking cannabis beverages to a new level. Their mouth-watering flavors like Tamarindo, Pina, and Guava (not to mention a Michelada-esque Mota Mix) are winning the most esteemed edible awards. While they reinvent culinary cannabis, they still maintain everyday drinkability. With 10mg of THC per bottle, real cane sugar, natural flavors, and rapid onset absorption, these beverages are an easy choice for any summer event.

Caliva's guide to 2023 with horoscopes for every astrological sign, and the products that will make sure they're ready for the new year.

Take 2023 Higher with this Astrological Forecast for Every Sign

Astrologers who monitor the cosmos for clues about the course of world events are likely to see astrology’s surge in popularity over the last decade in correlation with expanded access to cannabis as no mere coincidence. Could there be any clearer prelude to 2020’s Great Conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius?

Yet astrology's fixation on the distant cosmos has long been estranged from the earthly concerns of cannabis culture—at least, until recently. In the spirit of Pluto’s upcoming ingress into Aquarius, here is the 2023 astrological forecast for stoners of each sign.  

To see what may lie in store for you in 2023, read according to your rising sign first, then your sun sign and lastly, your moon sign. General readings like this paint a broad strike vision of the future, but how things play out, of course, depends on your personal placements, 

Legalized Psychedelics and Collective Well-Being

In the Weeds

Making Music and Edibles with the Santanas

Getting in the Onion with Brainstory

One-of-a-Kind Bongs and Pipes for the Creative Toker

How to Lower a High Weed Tolerance

Smoking Mindfully for the Summer Solstice

Commemorating Juneteenth with Cannabis Pioneers

Take 2023 Higher with this Astrological Forecast for Every Sign

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