So far, not much. That being said, it seems that cannabis reform is indeed on his long list of to-dos, if not one of his top priorities, as more and more Americans come out in support of its legalization. In fact, the American Trends Panel reports that an impressive 91% of Americans now believe that cannabis should be legal, if even just for medical use. That’s a major difference from years past.

Who knows what could be causing this change of tide in the hearts and minds of Americans everywhere, but what we do know is that it’s about damn time. As we head into four years of newfound optimism with Joe Biden at the helm of this nation, JARS is here to breakdown exactly where #46 stands and where the future of cannabis could be heading.

What exactly is Biden’s stance on weed?

No one is going to come out and say that Biden is weed’s biggest fan. Through most of his political career, Biden has shown a less than lukewarm welcome to Mary Jane—it’s more accurate to say that he was completely anti-marijuana. However, as Biden's policy positions are continually poked to the left by more liberal schools of thought, the latest developments seem a bit more promising.

In fact, Politico reported last February that Biden had “kinda, sorta, almost” endorsed marijuana legalization by saying, "I think it is at the point where it has to be, basically, legalized," and that he did not consider it "a gateway drug."

While that is an improvement from almost any of our past Presidents, his campaign promises were hardly as progressive as some of his fellow Democrats. He instead called for decriminalization in place of legalization, as well as removing marijuana from the Schedule I list, expunging a handful of drug-related criminal records, and blocking federal interference in states with legalized weed—again, an improvement, but not exactly full-blown legalization.

Decriminalization sounds pretty, but in reality, it doesn't prevent people from being stuck with hefty fines and it certainly does not stop the over-policing of Black and brown neighborhoods where folks are disproportionately targeted for minor drug offenses. So while federal marijuana decriminalization would have some benefits, like reduced sentencing, it still blocks many BIPOC from profiting off an industry where many, mostly white people, are able to thrive, even though they were locked up at radically disproportional rates for decades because of it.

For many, this is a serious oversight that Mr. President needs to consider very carefully.

So, will weed be legalized under President Biden?

The short answer is maybe.

As reported by the Atlantic last year, it seems that Joe (is it cool if we call you Joe?), is waiting for some cold-hard facts on weed before making any major moves on the subject. While we are all in support of some conclusive cannabis-centered research, instead of the promising-but-inconclusive results we have today, quality research takes time. Any conclusive results could be a long way off.

However, Biden is now also tied to a Democratic-majority Congress that seems to be open to changing federal law. In December, the House passed the MORE Act, a major marijuana decriminalization bill, which is now headed to a blue-majority Senate (shout out to Stacey Abrams and Georgia voters) for its final vote. If the MORE Act passes, Biden himself will have little to do with the process other than signing the bill into law.

What that means is that marijuana will almost certainly be decriminalized under Biden’s presidency with a Democratic-controlled Congress at his side. This is great news, but it still remains unclear just how far legislation will go to address social equity and make reparations to communities, like our beloved Detroit, beaten down by the decades-long War on Drugs. Only time will tell what this bill will entail to make sure that our past wrongs are righted.

Nonetheless, cannabis legalization forges on.

While the feds seem to be dragging their feet on making cannabis legal, the states are moving forward with their own regulated markets with or without them.

As of early 2021, 35 states plus the District of Columbia have voted to allow medical marijuana use—15 of which have made it legal for recreational use, too. In the last election alone, New Jersey, South Dakota, Montana, and Arizona all voted to go green in 2021. As a result, more and more states are beginning to drool over legalization themselves as they see legalized states rolling in some serious dough brought in by the cannabis cash cow.

Although the future of cannabis is still up in the air…

It’s clear the federal government is finally starting to mull over the idea of cannabis reform, if not full-on legalization across the board. President Joe Biden may or may not have influence over the final result, but his open-minded approach does seem to give the industry hope for what’s next. Keep your eyes peeled with us at JARS for all the latest updates.

Joe Biden is President Now: What does that mean for cannabis legalization?

Want to learn more and impress your smoke circle with your expansive cannabis knowledge? Keep reading to uncover everything you need to know about The Entourage Effect.

What Is The Entourage Effect?

To paint a clearer picture as to what this complex theory means, let’s look at a basketball team—and not just the team.

The guys who clean the sweat off the court, the concession stand workers, the coaches—everyone has an important role to play to make sure everything runs smoothly. The game would look and feel different without everyone working together, whether they’re behind the scenes or dribbling on the court. The same can be said about the cannabinoids and terpenes found in the cannabis plant.

Although THC and CBD are often the stars of the show, we now know that the plant functions best when other natural terpenes and cannabinoids are present to support them. This phenomenon is what we like to call The Entourage Effect. From terpenes to CBN, CBG, and other minor cannabinoids (we know of at least 100 different kinds), they all need to work together in order to produce the best results.

When they’re isolated from each other, like in a concentrate, for example, they may still have an effect but it will pale in comparison to what it’s like when the whole gang is there. It’s like Lebron James playing on the court by himself. It’s still cool because it’s Lebron freaking James, but without the team, it’s probably going to be a pretty boring game.

How Does The Entourage Effect Work?

You’re probably not even aware of it, but Inside each of us is a complex system known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This intricate system goes throughout our entire body and is partly responsible for keeping our bodies stable, otherwise known as a state of homeostasis. Research also shows that the ECS affects your:

• Sleep

• Mood

• Appetite

• Inflammatory System

Terpenes and cannabinoids are able to affect the ECS by binding with certain receptors throughout the body for targeted results. CBD and THC are able to bind with receptors on their own for a smaller scope of results, as compared to when whole plant medicine is applied.

For instance: when CBD is paired with the citrus-forward terpene limonene, it has the potential to relieve anxiety. When combined with the spicy caryophyllene, the two together may be beneficial in the treatment of addiction, as detailed in “Taming THC” by Dr. Ethan Russo. Separate CBD from its full cannabinoid profile, and it may have similar effects but the results could be far less potent than you had hoped.

Starting to get the picture? Good. Let’s keep digging in.

Benefits of The Entourage Effect

As we briefly mentioned, CBD and THC get a lot of attention. While they are important, cannabis is made up of so much more than one or two simple molecules. It has dozens of other cannabinoids that we are only just beginning to understand. In order to harness the full potential of the cannabis plant, other natural terpenes and cannabinoids have got to be in attendance.

In fact, a 2011 review of studies in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that taking terpenes and phytocannabinoids together may be beneficial for:

• Pain

• Anxiety

• Epilepsy

• Cancer

• Fungal Infections

We need more research like this fully prove The Entourage Effect, but the initial findings are indeed positive.

What Does This Mean For You?

When you use the whole flower in whatever method of consumption suits you best, you’re already taking advantage of The Entourage Effect and don’t have much to worry about. It’s when you start looking at cannabis-infused products, like beverages, edibles, tinctures, and topicals, that you need to have your wits about you.

Depending on the brand, these types of products will typically use either one of three different types of cannabis extractions.

• An Isolate: This is the most limited kind of extract. To deliver targeted results, this extraction process isolates one singular cannabinoid, like THC or CBD.

• A Broad-spectrum Extract: Often found in CBD products, this type of extract usually maintains the cannabis plant’s full cannabinoid and terpene profile, without THC. It’s great for anyone that wants to consume zero THC.

• Or A Full-spectrum Extract: You’ve probably guessed but its name, but this type of extract is the full monty. It’s got everything still intact, including the THC, and is the closest thing to whole plant medicine.

While each of these extractions have their own individual uses, if you want to experience The Entourage Effect, ask our budtenders or look for anything infused with either a broad-spectrum or full-spectrum cannabis extraction.

Conclusion

Unlock the treasure trove that is cannabis when you harness The Entourage Effect. To find products infused with naturally-derived terpenes or just some well-balanced flower, you know where to come—our budtenders are always here to help!

In the past couple of years, dabbing has exploded in popularity over traditional cannabis due to its tasty terpene profile, rich aroma, and straight-to-the-moon potency, making it a quick path to the effects that users seek—but beginners beware. When we say straight-to-the-moon, we’re not kidding.

So maybe you’ve heard the word “dab” floating around, maybe it’s brand new to you, or perhaps you may have even seen your friends blow massive plumes of smoke after hitting their dab rig and you want to learn more about this new technique. Well, you’ve come to the right place my friend—we’re here to break down the basics of dabbing and show you step by step how to dab like a pro.

What is a dab?

Generally speaking, a dab describes a tiny bit of cannabis concentrate, like shatter, live resin, wax, budder, or butane hash oil (BHO). These concentrates are extracted straight from the cannabis plant (through various chemical and physical extraction processes) in order to isolate the THC. You are left with a sky-high level of THC (we’re talking 50%+ THC compared to the 10-30% found in most flower) and not so much of the other boring plant matter. In other words, concentrates are designed to get you high AF.

While dabbing, on the other hand, describes the act of smoking a dab. Unlike flower, you don’t light it on fire and inhale—this process is a little more precarious. To smoke a dab, you need to place just a tiny bit of concentrate on what’s called a “dab rig” (which can take several different forms, so we’ll get into that) and heat the surface. Once it’s hot enough, the dab will begin to turn into a vapor that you can then inhale.

For anyone wondering if dabbing is legal, the short answer is yes. Anywhere cannabis is legal (like Michigan and Arizona), dabbing should fall under that same umbrella. Be sure to check your local laws and regulations before taking the dab plunge.

Now that you have an understanding of the basics, let’s get more into the specifics of dabbing.

What dab tools are needed?

If you think dabbing might be right for you, you will need to invest in a few dab specific tools to get you started on your way.

• Dab Rig: As dabbing becomes more popular, a dab rig can take many different forms. It can be a water pipe designed specifically for concentrates, you can grab the right dab nail (or banger) for your current water pipe, or if you’re feeling fancy, get a new piece of technology, like a Puff Co, that does all the hard work for you.

• Dab Nail: Sometimes called a banger, this is similar to a bowl that you place cannabis flower in, only it’s made for dabs. The usual go-to for today’s standards is a quartz banger, which is marked by its bucket shape, but there are also ceramic and titanium options and even e-nails are becoming more commonplace. Just be mindful to get the correct joint size (where the nail slides into the dab rig so that everything fits snug) and the correct gender—you need a male nail for a female rig, and vice versa.

• Dabber: Concentrates can often be sticky or hard to handle so you need a dabber to apply your shatter, wax, or resin onto the dab nail. They can be metal, glass, or ceramic, and have many shapes so pick a shape that will work best with the texture and consistency of your dab of choice.

• Carb Cap: While this piece is not entirely necessary, we highly suggest one of these to help regulate airflow keep all your precious concentrate safe and sound.

• Torch: Traditional lighters don’t get hot enough to heat the nail so you’ll need a torch to do the job right. Usually used in kitchens for desserts like creme brulees, you can easily find a mini torch to heat your nail if needed. If you opt for an e-nail that heats itself, you won’t need one of these.

• Cannabis Extract: Last but not least, head on over to JARS and get some cannabis concentrate. Our budtenders will be happy to point you in the right direction.

And that’s pretty much it! If you want to avoid the safety risks of open flame, you may want to consider a dab pen or an electronic dab rig, which uses metal or ceramic coils to heat wax enclosed in a sealed metal or glass cap. Whatever you decide, you’re bound to get lit.

How do you dose cannabis oils and extracts?

Due to its out-of-this-world potency, dabbing may not the best way to kick off your cannabis journey. That being said, giving yourself the right size dose will help ensure that you get exactly the kind of high you’re looking for.

As with edibles and many other cannabis consumption methods, start low and go slow. Different extracts can contain different amounts of THC, so it is important to know how potent it is before you start. As the saying goes, “a little dab will do ya”—or something like that. What we’re trying to say here is, you may think a teeny-tiny scoop of cannabis concentrate may not be enough to get you high, but trust us, a little goes a long way. Besides, you can always take another dab if your first was too small for your liking.

Now for the fun part: let’s smoke!

How to Dab Like a Pro

Always remember, safety comes first. Make sure you are not around anything flammable since dab nails can get as hot as 900℉ and you may be using a torch. Once you have a handle on your surroundings, let’s get started.

1. Check your nail. Is it correctly fastened to the rig? Make sure it’s super secure with no wobble as you don’t want to have to adjust mid-dab and risk a burn.

2. Heat the nail. Use a torch to heat the nail from underneath, making sure to apply some heat to the sides too. If you are using an e-nail, make sure you have given it plenty of time to warm up. It can take anywhere from 30 seconds to one minute of continuous flame to get the nail red hot.

3. Wait. Let the nail cool down for about twice as long as you heated it so that the heat has enough time to disperse throughout the nail. Do not check the temperature with your finger which can result in painful third-degree burns. It might be tempting to take a rip from an extra hot nail, but this can actually cause more harm than good. While hotter dabs do result in more smoke, it’s not worth risking permanent lung damage. Cooler dabs also offer a smoother smoking experience where you can actually taste the terpenes.

4. Use your dabber tool to place the concentrate on the nail. Tilt the dabber so all of the cannabis oil reaches the nail. If it’s heated properly, you’ll see the concentrate bubble and evaporate quickly.

5. Cover with a carb cap, if using, twisting, and turning as you go to regulate the airflow.

6. Inhale slowly, being careful to not irritate your throat and lungs. If you find yourself coughing more than you’d like, it is possible that the temperature might have been too high when you applied the dab to the nail. Wait for the dab nail to cool off a bit before hitting again—if you’re not already high as a kite. Expect the effects to kick in fairly quickly, so just enjoy the ride.

How to Clean Your Dab Nail

Cleaning is an important step towards becoming a cannabis dab professional. Buildup can cause a change in taste (and is just plain gross), so you will want to clean the nail frequently after dabbing.

For a super quick clean, apply a little heat from the torch as if you were going to dab, then use a pair of tongs to dip it into room-temp water. This can help remove stubborn white oxidation from the nail. You can also clean residual concentrate with a Q-tip soaked in 91% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) in a well-ventilated area—so take your chores outside and get some sunshine while you’re at it.

If the gunk on your nail is super stubborn, soak the nail in isopropyl alcohol for about 5-10 minutes, maybe adding some salt to the mix. Be sure to rinse the nail thoroughly afterward, as you do not want to smoke alcohol residue later. Isopropyl alcohol can help clean an e-nail too: Just heat the nail to 200 degrees and rub alcohol in with a Q-tip. Simple as that.

Conclusion

Whether you’re taking your first steps on the dab path or are a long-time concentrate consumer, hopefully, this article has helped deepen your knowledge of the wide world of cannabis concentrates.

Just remember to start with a teeny tiny dab and graduate to larger hits as you get accustomed to the dab life. If you take too much and are having a more intense experience than you wanted, just try to relax and remember that this too shall pass—stay hydrated, take some CBD, and rest until you feel more comfortable.

Just make sure you come into JARS for all of your dab needs. We’re always happy to help!

If you rolled the blunt, packed the bowl, or loaded the dab rig, you have the right to take the first hit, no questions asked.

Do not “Bogart” the joint.

Or blunt or bong or anything else for that matter. Bogarting is a term that derived from the way that old school Hollywood star Humphrey Bogart would let a cigarette hang from his mouth for an entire film, without ever taking a puff. This is your friendly reminder that to simply pass the weed.

Do “puff puff pass”

With origins going back to Rastafarianism, this rule is common knowledge for anyone who loves to share a smoke session with friends. This well-known phrase simply instructs you to take two puffs before passing it on to the next person. Any more than two, and you’re bogarting the weed.

Do not come empty-handed.

Of course, there are people in your life that always down to smoke you out, but if you’re heading to a dinner party or other social gathering, we suggest showing up with some shareable weed, munchie-approved snacks, or something sippable to drink. Think of it as a housewarming gift or a sign of goodwill amongst your fellow stoners. The karma will always come back around to thank you when your well runs dry/

Do pass the green to the left.

No matter what you’re smoking, pass it to the left. Keeping a proper rotation is important (especially when high) so simply passing the weed to the left keeps things simple. You never have to wonder who is next in the rotation.

Don’t pressure people.

Everyone has a personal relationship with weed so be sure to respect our differences. If someone does not want to smoke, don’t make a big deal out of it. Like we learned in school, peer pressure just isn’t cool.

Do respect the space.

Whether you’re at a house party or an Airbnb, do your best to play by the rules. When you aren’t considerate, it not only looks bad on you but it also gives the rest of your fellow stoners a bad name. Treat any space as if it was your own, or better.

Do not come to the circle if you’re sick.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but seriously. If you care about your smoking buddies either grab a rain check or, at the very least, smoke a solo joint.

Do relax and enjoy the ride.

At the end of the day, cannabis in its many forms is supposed to be fun. So kick back and just enjoy the ride.

While each smoke circle has its own individual nuances, we hope this guide gave you some insight on proper cannabis etiquette—or as proper as weed can be. When all is said and done, make sure to relax, have fun and get your green from JARS. Now that’s a recipe for success.