If you are like most consumers with an interest in cannabis, you have seen ‘CBD products’ popping up everywhere in recent years.

CBD, a non-psychoactive chemical in cannabis, seems to generate new studies every day claiming a new usage. It can be difficult for consumers to make sense of the products they find advertised online and at their local dispensary, and even more difficult to decide which is right for them.

With CBD suddenly being touted in food products and cosmetics, in the forms of different oils, crystals, e-liquids and teas, it’s no surprise many are confused by it all. To help make sense of so many options, we’ve created a guide to some of the most common CBD products available.

CBD-rich oil

How it’s made:

CBD-rich oil is a specific oil that contains CBD and doesn’t contain THC. CBD-rich oil is obtained via extraction made from cannabis flowers, most of the times from hemp strains rich in CBD. Then this extract can be mixed with hemp seed oil, olive oil or other types of oil to facilitate ingestion. These CBD-rich oil products are non-psychoactive.

NOTE: It is important to know the difference between CBD oil and Hemp seed oil.
Hemp seed oil is a hemp extract taken from the seeds of the plant. Industrial hemp is the only plant used for this type of hemp oil. The seeds of the hemp plant can be cold pressed, peeled or unpeeled (preferably cold), to create a delicious oil. There are no cannabinoids such as THC or CBD present in the oil since hemp seeds are not psychoactive. Hemp oil is legal in most countries and can be found in food markets, together with more common types of oil, like olive oil.

How you use it:

CBD-rich oil can be consumed many ways. Users looking for the strongest effect from the oil take it directly by placing a drop on or under the tongue so the oil is absorbed through the mouth and digestive tract. Others who want to enjoy the experience of consumption may choose to add a drop of oil to cooking or baked goods or dissolve a drop in their smoothie or tea.

Concerning Hemp seeds Oil, it can be found in food markets, together with more common types of oil, like olive oil. Hemp seeds oil is known for its great taste and for the high values of unsaturated fats, such as Omega 3 and Omega 6. It can be used in many different applications such as Lotions or soaps, a base for plastics, instead of petroleum and eco-friendly paints.

CBD Crystals

How it’s made:

After hemp oil is removed from the plant, it can be further refined to isolate only CBD. To isolate pure CBD crystals, extracted hemp oil is put through a ‘winterisation’ process- or slowly heated to remove fats and lipids. Then, a machine called a rotary evaporator is used to remove any remaining plant traces. The final product is decarboxylated through another meticulous heating process to activate the cannabinoids, making chemicals bioavailable for consumers.

How you use it:

CBD crystals give consumers more versatility than oil. Like hemp oil, they can be added to foods, dissolved in drinks or swallowed whole, but unlike oil, crystals can also be ‘dabbed’ like cannabis concentrates (a manual vaporisation method) made into an e-liquid, or sprinkled over a cigarette or joint.

Pros and cons:

Because crystals are more highly concentrated than other forms of CBD — up to 99.8% in some cases, they produce a more immediate effect than other methods of consuming it. On the downside, isolating only one cannabinoid removes a variety of terpenes from the final product.

CBD E-Liquids

How it’s made:

CBD e-liquids are a CBD product designed for use in e-cigarettes or vaporisers. Many manufacturers start with pure CBD crystals in order to precisely measure the CBD dosage, combining them with vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol. High-quality e-liquid producers (like Harmony!) add terpenes, or aromatic compounds from the cannabis plant back into the e-liquid at the end of the process to enhance flavour.

How you use it:

CBD e-liquids can be used in place of nicotine e-liquids in any standard e-cigarette or portable vaporiser. Simply add the e-liquid to the tank of your vape and follow the device’s instructions to inhale the vapour. Prepared e-liquid cartridges are also available for e-cigarette models that don’t allow for manual refills.

Pros and cons:

E-cigarettes have become a huge trend. They are convenient and discreet when travelling and allow users to ‘vape’ in places where they were previously not allowed to smoke, like inside public buildings or at the office. Dosages in this form can vary, producers often offer different strengths of CBD e-liquids for different user preferences. This is the most affordable, direct and convenient option for a majority of consumers.

CBD Tea

How it’s made:

CBD tea is made simply by drying the leaves and buds of CBD-rich hemp plants. Like other cannabinoids, CBD extracts from the plant and binds to fats during any heating process. To get the best effect the tea should be brewed for several minutes with some type of fat like milk, cream, or coconut oil. Without fat included in brewing, users will only get the benefits of antioxidants, fatty acids and the tea’s sweet, subtle flavour rather than active cannabinoids.

How to use it:

To get the full flavour of hemp tea, brew tea in hot water with milk, cream or coconut oil for 5 minutes or more. Dried hemp tea leaves can also be used as a replacement for loose rolling tobacco when making cigarettes or joints.

Pros and cons:

Because raw dried hemp leaves have not gone through processes to activate the chemicals they contain, the cannabinoids in hemp tea are less ‘bioavailable’, meaning the user will feel a much weaker overall effect compared to other methods.
CBD Tea

How it’s made:

CBD tea is made simply by drying the leaves and buds of CBD-rich hemp plants. Like other cannabinoids, CBD extracts from the plant and binds to fats during any heating process. To get the best effect the tea should be brewed for several minutes with some type of fat like milk, cream, or coconut oil. Without fat included in brewing, users will only get the benefits of antioxidants, fatty acids and the tea’s sweet, subtle flavour rather than active cannabinoids.

How to use it:

To get the full flavour of hemp tea, brew tea in hot water with milk, cream or coconut oil for 5 minutes or more. Dried hemp tea leaves can also be used as a replacement for loose rolling tobacco when making cigarettes or joints.

Pros and cons:

Because raw dried hemp leaves have not gone through processes to activate the chemicals they contain, the cannabinoids in hemp tea are less ‘bioavailable’, meaning the user will feel a much weaker overall effect compared to other methods.

Methods of ingestion are entirely up to the user’s preference. Different methods could have different effects on one person to another based on their personal taste.

For users looking for an easy use, we recommend our wide range of CBD e-liquids, which are available in different strengths to suit your needs. For consumers looking for the highest-impact product available, pure CBD crystals may be the best option. For those simply wanting to explore the use of CBD in their normal diet, hemp oil may have the best overall benefits. CBD tea is best suited for consumers who simply want a flavourful tea.

Does the name ArcView Group ring any bells? If you are involved in the cannabis industry, it should.

Founded in 2010, The Arcview Group is responsible for a number of groundbreaking ventures in the cannabis industry. Arcview Market Research is the first and most oft-cited publisher of market research on the cannabis industry. The Arcview Investor Network includes 600+ dues-paying accredited investors who have put more than $91 million behind 135 companies. The organisation is headed by influential figures in the American cannabis community. Troy Dayton, the organisation’s CEO, is a founding member of some of the US’s most influential activist groups. The President of ArcView is Steve DeAngelo; CEO of California’s most renowned dispensary Harbourside Health Center, founder of the first cannabis lab testing system, influential figure in Washington DC’s legalisation efforts, and star of the reality show Weed Wars. Both were named by Fortune magazine as being in the top 7 most powerful people in the US cannabis industry.

ArcView calls itself the cannabis industry’s best source for ‘deal flow’. The research branch of the organization carries out market research projects to gain statistics on the growing cannabis industry. The Cannabis Investor Network branch connects accredited investors with startups in the cannabis industry seeking venture capital.

Antonin Cohen — CEO & Founder at Harmony

ArcView’s First European Investor Pitch Forum just happened in Barcelona from the 6th to 9th of March as part of the lead-up to Spannabis 2017. This was an opportunity for startups in the European cannabis industry to connect with investors from around the world. The event began with keynote speeches from both the CEO and President of ArcView as well as other informational talks from experts on start-ups, investment, project management, cannabis production and marijuana activism. Two discussion panels were also held; an International Cannabis Policy Panel to hear from organizations responsible for drug policy reform in their respective legal systems, and a Cannabis Business and Technology Panel where tech-savvy professionals discussed current and future business trends.

After the keynote speeches had finished, four pre-selected cannabis startups were presenting their company. Harmony was proud to be part of this “startup contest”. We presented our vision, our plan to pioneer hemp and CBD products around the globe and our educational and community efforts here in Europe. Real investors judged us alongside other startups from all over the world on the efficacy of our business pitch, and guess what?

We won!

We are so honored that we were a part of this amazing event. We have solid plans to grow our unique company and it was great to have the vision confirmed by the best in the industry. So stick around — this is just the beginning.

Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the three main chemicals found in the trichomes of the cannabis plant, has gained a lot of attention in recent years as more studies show a variety of potential applications for it. You can find CBD in almost every type of cannabis plant including:

• cannabis plants containing THC, the psychoactive chemical that makes you feel ‘high’
• varieties of the cannabis plant specifically bred to be high-CBD/ low-THC
• industrial hemp plants that contain no THC and have no psychoactive effect

There are a number of ways of extracting CBD from any of these varieties of cannabis. If the plant you start with contains only CBD (like industrial hemp or a high-CBD cannabis strain); there are multiple extraction methods which are very simple and require little equipment.

The most common methods use some type of solvent. This can be a liquid solvent, CO2, or an oil solvent. If the plant material you start with contains THC as well as CBD (such as smokeable cannabis), the process to separate CBD from other cannabinoids is more complex and generally requires professional equipment. To avoid getting too technical, let’s look mainly at extraction methods for CBD-only plants.

Liquid Solvents

In this method, plant material like flowers and trim are put into a container. Liquid solvent (usually butane, isopropyl alcohol, hexane, or ethanol) is run through the plant matter to strip it of cannabinoids and flavours and transfer them into the liquid. Then, the liquid is evaporated away from this mixture to leave only concentrated chemicals and flavours in the form of an oil.

benefits of this method are many — it is the most simple, equipment-free, and inexpensive way to extract CBD, but not without some downsides. One concern is that solvents can leave traces of impurities in the finished CBD oil (meticulous processing methods and the right solvent can minimise this). Also, some liquid solvents remove chlorophyll from the plant along with cannabinoids and flavours, giving the finished oil a greener colour and more bitter taste. However, because these negative effects can usually be countered by adjusting specifics in process, this remains the most common method for CBD extraction.

C02 Extraction

Carbon Dioxide (C02) is a unique molecule that can function as any state of matter — solid, liquid, or gas — depending on the pressure and temperature it is kept under. Because variables like pressure and temperature have to be kept very specific in a C02 extraction, this extraction method is usually done with a piece of equipment called a ‘closed-loop extractor’.

This machine has three chambers: the first chamber holds solid, pressurised C02 (commonly known as ‘dry ice’), the second chamber contains dry plant material and the third chamber separates the finished product. When performing the extraction, the solid C02 from the first chamber is pumped into the second with the plant material. This second chamber is kept at a specific pressure and temperature which causes the C02 to behave more like a liquid (although it’s actually somewhere between a liquid and gas in this state, referred to as supercritical C02) so that it runs through the plant material and extracts chemicals and flavours, much like in the liquid solvent process. Then, the C02-cannabinoid mixture is pumped into a third chamber where it is kept at an even lower pressure and higher temperature, so that the C02 gas rises to the top of the chamber while the oils containing chemicals and flavours from the plant material fall to the bottom to be collected for consumption.

There are many benefits of this method. It doesn’t require a long evaporation process like a liquid-solvent extraction and there is minimal risk of contaminants in the finished product.
Because this method carefully controls temperature and pressure, it can also be used to separate CBD from cannabis also containing THC. CBD extracts from the plant at a lower temperature and pressure than THC, so careful adjustment of the pressure and temperature in the second chamber can isolate the specific cannabinoid you want to extract. Closed-loop extractor systems are very pricey, however, which is why this type of extraction is generally only used by professional CBD producers.

Oil Extraction

Using oils, especially olive oil, to extract cannabinoids from hemp and cannabis is a practice that dates back to biblical times or even earlier. Many home-producers who make their own CBD products for therapeutic use still employ this simple extraction method. First, raw plant material must be decarboxylated, or heated to a specific temperature for a certain length of time to activate the chemicals in the plant. Plant material is then added to olive oil and heated to 100°C for 1–2 hours to extract the cannabinoids. With this method, the olive oil cannot be evaporated away after the process, so users must consume much higher quantities of this type of extracted oil than the highly-concentrated oil produced by other methods. Infused olive oil is also highly perishable, and so must be stored in cold, dark place. This makes it inviable for commercial CBD producers, but a simple, safe, and inexpensive option for individual enthusiasts.

While these are currently the most common methods in which CBD is extracted from cannabis or hemp; technology in this exciting new field is constantly updating, so new methods will surely be seen in the coming years as the industry expands. Each extraction method is best suited to specific circumstances: whether you are a company or an individual, for what type of product you are extracting CBD, desired flavour, strength and consistency all play a part in which method should be chosen. Companies producing CBD often put extracted CBD through subsequent processes to make a variety of other CBD products, such as Harmony’s CBD e-liquids, CBD crystals, CBD cosmetics and much more.

Interested in CBD and related topics?

Keep an eye out for new educational articles from our online magazine, OR join us for our next MeetUp event in Barcelona where we have professionals from the cannabis, hemp and CBD industries give educational presentations every month!

Learn More: https://meetharmony.com/2017/03/07/how-is-cbd-extracted-from-hemp/

Barcelona is giving Amsterdam a run for its money these days when it comes to holding the title as the “cannabis capital of Europe.” Cannabis clubs seem to exist on almost every other corner in Barcelona now, where you can go to enjoy great conversation and chill with a spliff/joint/bong in your hand. The biggest cannabis friendly festival in Europe takes place here as well every year (yes I’m talking about Spannabis and it is just around the corner!). But often the beautiful and informative hemp museum, full of interesting information about cannabis, is sadly overlooked and is a can’t miss for all cannabis fans!

The Hash, Marijuana & Hemp Museum is based in the most beautiful neighborhood of Barcelona — the Barri Gotic. The walk to find the museum will be like a trip back in time through the labyrinth-like streets of the ancient part of the city, with much to be discovered. The first museum of this kind was opened in 1985 in Amsterdam, which makes it the oldest cannabis museum in the world. The Barcelona location was opened just a few years ago, in 2012. The staff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and the tour includes an audio guide, so you leave the museum equipped with everything there is to know about cannabis. The setting inside an old palace is nothing short of amazing, and the perfect place to house a museum. Huge cannabis leaves cover the carpet on the stairs directing you up the grand staircase to begin your educational journey. They also adorn the stained glassed windows, creating a unique finish that you will not find anywhere else!

The Hemp Museum

Firstly, you’ll learn a bit about the building and its history and then dive straight into information about cannabis. You will learn how important hemp was in world history, like for example, the fact that Christopher Columbus would probably not have reached America without hemp. Hemp was an essential resource for everyday life before it was prohibited, especially for ropes used on large ships! There is also a display of historical pipes, bongs and water pipes people in the past used to smoke cannabis or hash. It was funny for us to realize that the same equipment is still used today. Albeit, they were much more elegant and beautiful than what we have nowadays and we found ourselves green with envy. Next, there is a room with a TV playing music videos by well-known singers/rappers and bands that reminded us of just how influential cannabis is to many artists in the creative process and in the final steps of delivering a new musical masterpiece to the world.

Finally, throughout the last few rooms, we learned about the prohibition of cannabis — how and why it started and the wide ranging effects it has had. Since the effects of prohibition are sad and detrimental to business, people and the environment, we hope more people will educate themselves about the benefits of cannabis so it will be legal once again all around the world.

We recommend visiting The Hash Marijuana & Hemp Museum when you are in Barcelona or Amsterdam. You will have a lot of fun and learn something new as well!

The entire Cannabis industry has been waiting since last year’s successful Spannabis event, and now it is just around the corner!

After launching over 10 years ago, the fair is once again opening its doors in Barcelona to bring together cannabis growers, activists, users, businesses and associations. Welcome to the biggest European cannabis trade show!

What Is Spannabis?

Spannabis Hemp Fair — or Spannabis Feria del Cáñamo here in Spain — is the biggest cannabis event in Europe. This three-day event, organised annually, will be held the 10th, 11th and 12th of March 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. The Fira de Cornellà will be the home of this year’s Spannabis celebration, a venue chosen due to its easy accessibility for cannabis fans worldwide.

Spannabis attracts huge numbers, making it an amazing place to discover everything going on in the world of cannabis. In 2016 there were 200 stands where exhibitors promoted their latest strains, cannabis innovation and newest technologies. Most of the stands are typically about horticulture, cultivation, cannabis, hemp and marijuana. Last year, Spannabis visitors also got a peek at the wave of new vape technology as experts were happily demonstrating the latest advances.

Spannabis not only celebrates the industry but recognises the best of the best in the cannabis industry with 2 award ceremonies. “The Spannabis Champions Cup & Spannabis 2017 Awards Ceremony” take place during the trade show and awards will be given for:

the best stand, the best seeds bank, the best nutrient, the best paraphernalia, the best hemp product, the best growing tool, best cultivation equipment, best product, best concentrate, best hash, best indoor hydro, best indoor bio, and best outdoor strain.

Finally, it is important to remember that only adults over the age of 18 can enter the fair. Entry costs 17 euros per day or 39 for the full weekend.
Opening hours are Friday and Saturday from 11,00 to 20,30 — Sunday from 11,00 to 20,00

You can find more information here: http://www.spannabis.com/barcelona

Spannabis in Numbers

Last year the trade show drew more than 3,000 registered professionals, with 200 media outlets in attendance and 500 companies exhibiting. They were visited by thousands of participants from 18 different nationalities. A space of 17,000m2 is allocated for professionals and cannabis enthusiasts alike, guaranteeing that there is plenty of space and maximising the amount and variety of exhibitors.

Considering the accelerating rate of legalisation movements today, Spannabis is expected to grow rapidly over the coming decade. The first Spannabis conference was held in 2002 and has already expanded to Spannabis Madrid and Spannabis Malaga. This year 3,000 guests are predicted to visit Spannabis 2017 on its 14th birthday.

Spannabis: The First to host a “World Cannabis Conference”

One of the most anticipated moments this year will be the incorporation of the third edition of the World Cannabis Conference. Spannabis aimed over the years to provide a space to connect and share worldwide knowledge about cannabis and hemp, and were the first trade show to integrate a conference of this kind. Professionals from the fields of science and politics are great influencers in cannabis culture and will speak about four main areas of interest this year: the medicinal, the scientific, and the national and international cannabis scenes.

The conference seeks to educate all about cannabis and its evolution in society. These series of talks, a focal point of the trade show, will take place at the Auditorium of Fira de Cornellà, which can seat up to 800 people and will have simultaneous translation during the presentations. The audience will be able to take part in the debates and interact with the speakers.

The World Cannabis Conference will provide attendees with 20 different speakers on various subjects. The 2016 edition also introduced the platform for “The Gathering of Cannabis Women”. This event allowed women from the cannabis culture and sector in Spain to meet, with the aim of promoting female entrepreneurs and gender equality in the industry and in the drug policy sector.

There will also be a discussion about the “Responsible Regulation Initiative”, a group of citizens and social organisations that want the consumption, production and distribution of cannabis to be regulated.

Over the weekend, you will also be able to enjoy great musical performances, check out the program here.

FYI: Cannabis Legislation In Spain

Main points:

• Possession is illegal (decriminalised) in public areas and legal in private areas (cannabis clubs) only. Offenders receive an administrative fine. Ownership of more than 70/100g is considered as possession with the intention of trafficking.
• Selling is technically illegal, but cannabis can be acquired in private smoker/cannabis clubs. Selling it is punished with prison time even for first-time offenders.
• Transportation is illegal (decriminalised)
• Cultivation is legal (only for own consumption.) If the plants are located where they are visible from the street/public place, it’s an administrative offence.

Over the years, the country has progressively decriminalised to the point where Spain is now one of the most cannabis-friendly countries in Europe. Particularly in Barcelona, Catalunya, where Spannabis is hosted. Cannabis users can freely buy diverse flowers or concentrates in cannabis clubs. This type of system offers a safe environment to users and ensures safe, quality products.

Unfortunately, this year, the Spanish cannabis scene hasn’t been so green, either in Parliament or in the courts. Events like Spannabis can be so influential in the legal realm and play a huge part in forwarding the future of cannabis’ legal status in Spain, by gathering a broad forum of people interested in discovering the current status and how it can be improved.

Spannabis has succeeded over the years in becoming one of the can’t miss and most anticipated events in the industry, and as Spain’s cannabis scene continues to step up, it’s only set to get better. See you there!

After tragically losing his father from lung cancer, Hon Lik, a Chinese, who also smoked 2 packs a day, invented the first tobacco-free cigarette that eliminated the combustion problem and cleverly substituted it with vapour, over 50 years ago.

Nowadays, we live in the golden age of e-cigarettes where we find hundreds of different models and flavoured e-liquids on the market.

We want you to have the best vaping experience, so below we are introducing the 10 Commandments of the perfect vaper!

I / Your Device You Will Know

There are a few basic parts that all vaping devices have in common. Often they look different in appearance but perform the same basic functions. Let’s take a look at their different parts:

• A battery. This powers the device or Mod. Some devices use an integrated battery while others use replaceable cells.
• An atomizer or the part containing the heating element. It heats up the e-liquid which causes the liquid to vaporise and then to be inhaled.
• Coils are a replaceable section of wire that has been wound into a spring-like coil shape. The coils are then wicked with an absorbent material, like cotton, which absorbs the e-liquid. The wire coils are then heated to vaporise the e-liquid on the wicks.
• A tank or the part containing the e-liquid storage material.
• A tasteful e-liquid. A mixture of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavourings, and CBD

II / Richer You Will Be

A common question among people considering the changeover is if it is going to save them money in the short and long term. So let’s make the math!

At €10 a pack for seven days, cigarettes will cost you €70. The price of e-liquid varies greatly but €10 buys you a bottle that could last you (depending on how often you vape) anywhere from one day to a couple of weeks, allowing you to save about €60 per week or €250 per month (€3000 per year!!) by switching over to e-cigs vs. cigarettes!

Not convinced? See by yourself by making your own savings calculation here

Considering the short-term savings of switching over to e-cigs, you can easily imagine the long term implications of choosing e-smoking on your bank account. Being able to buy cartridges and e-liquids in multiples that will last longer for the same average prices means you will increase your savings and also means no rushing out in awful weather to get another pack.

It is clear that e-smoking is cheaper both in the long and short term for smokers.

III / Educated You Will Be

Without clear studies about how vaporisation could impact your health, the e-cigarette can at least limit the damage by replacing the 4000 known chemicals in cigarettes down to just the 4 main elements that make up e-liquids:

• Propylene Glycol — It carries flavour more effectively than VG.
• Vegetal Glycerin –VG is exclusively derived from plants (soybeans or palm). It is thicker than Propylene glycol. It produces better vapour than PG and is a great sweetener as well.
• Flavours — You can literally pick from thousands, there is something to suit everyone’s taste. Choosing is like standing in the middle of a candy store. E-juice usually contains 5–20 % flavour. E-liquid manufacturers will use either natural or artificial flavouring, Harmony e-liquids have their flavours extracted from the original cannabis strains.
• CBD or Nicotine depends on your preference. Unlike nicotine-based e-liquid, CBD concentration can vary massively in strength going from 25mg to 1000mg per bottle.

IV / Grateful Your Throat Will Be

If you select a zero nicotine e-liquid like Harmony, you will notice that the throat hit is nowhere near as strong as from a tobacco cigarette. A higher nicotine level seems to lead to a harsher vape and an increased likelihood of coughing.

Nevertheless, new e-cig users may experience a few minor side effects as they become accustomed to vaping. Here is what you should do to spare your throat:

• Check your nicotine level: It may be too high. If you are using a very strong nicotine strength, go down a level and see how it feels.
• Monitor your vaping style. If you are puffing deeper, longer or more frequently than you smoked traditional cigarettes, you could be irritating your throat.
• Drink water to help soothe your throat, and consider consuming beverages that can moisturise your throat, such as tea with honey and lemon.

V / Security You Won’t Forget

An e-cigarette is a hi-tech device that is heating up and working with combustion. Safety is a major concern you should have when switching to vaping.

It is very important that you read the instructions that come with your vape pen. You have to know how to use the batteries properly, especially when using sub ohm atomisers on mechanical and unregulated mods.

Forums are also a great way to ask questions about safety and learn through other people’s experiences.

VI/ Your Device You Will Understand

How Exactly does the electronic cigarette work? We couldn’t explain it better than our colleague from howtovap.com:

“The cartridge holds the liquid. When the cartridge is inserted into the e-cig, the cartridge filler (polyester soaked in e-liquid/juice) makes contact with the atomiser’s bridge. Using gravity and capillary action, the juice is absorbed via the atomiser bridge into the atomiser’s steel mesh reservoir where it sits. This is when user input is required. When the user inhales on the e-cig, this action “pulls” the liquid from the atomiser’s reservoir into the ceramic atomiser pot. This liquid is then absorbed by the aromatic polyimide wick (which is situated inside the ceramic pot). At the same time, the device is heating the coil around the wick and therefore heating the liquid until it becomes a vapour. This vapour is drawn up through the e-cig and out of the mouthpiece. “

Questions?

VII / Vaping You Will Learn

The first e-cigarette puff is often a surprise for new vapers. The technique for puffing on an electronic cigarette is much different than smoking a tobacco cigarette. Don’t worry, we are here to help you!

1. Before turning on your device, make sure it is legal if you are in a public place! Not all places will allow you to vape.
2. Hit the fire button (if there is one), put the mouthpiece to your mouth, and inhale; keep in mind that you’re not going to have to inhale as hard as you do with a traditional cigarette. Many smokers like to do a “primer puff” to warm up the atomiser of their device. To do so, the first puff you take will be quick to heat up the coil but without the intention of pulling everything.

WARNING:
When a normal cigarette has been fully smoked, the cherry reaches the butt and you know it is finished and throw it out. With e-cigs, the battery doesn’t shrink as you’re vaping. So how are you supposed to know when you have had enough?
Of course, you can go out with your smoker friends and initially use this as a guage to know when to stop. But what will you do the first time you smoke alone? The thing is, you’ll still get a nicotine rush, so you have to rely on your body to let you know when enough is enough. The general rule of thumb is that the higher nicotine concentrations should be vaped in shorter bursts than the lower ones.

VIII / A Vape Sucker You Won’t Be

A common mistake among new users is to flood the tank trying the suck the vape. E-liquid is drawn up through the tube and into your mouth.

With time, you will find your own rhythm and style but remember to draw the vaporisation in a slow and smooth way.

The draw you take should not be unlike a normal breath you would take while puckering your lips and inhaling. Remember the average vape is five seconds, not two seconds.

IX / The Taste You Will Love

Today, with the e-cigarette trend hitting the market, users have the choice between a great range of vape pens, e-liquids and tastes. You can choose from creme brulée flavour to coffee or even french fries. Harmony e-liquids, for example, allows you to taste original cannabis terpenes.

Your final choice will depend on your personal requirements, smoking habit and flavour preferences.

Remember that to optimise the taste of your e-liquid it is important to clean your device well or to switch to new equipment when you switch flavours.

X/ Quitting You Will Try

Despite our enthusiasm about vaping, it is important to note that vaping is neither safe nor healthy, but we believe it’s an alternative to traditional smoking. Vaping has been proven to be one of the most effective devices for getting off the “stickies”. Last year the Cochrane collaboration published a review of evidence looking at whether e-cigarettes can help someone stop smoking, and if they are safe to use for that purpose.

As more research is conducted, the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as an aid to quit smoking will become better understood.

Contrary to the belief that vaporisation is “new-in-town”, vaporiser technology has been explored since the 1960’s. Herbert A. Gilbert was the first to file a patent in 1963 after losing his dad to lung cancer. He created prototypes but failed to commercialise the product. It wasn’t until Hon Lik introduced his “cig-a-like” e-cigarette in 2003, that the vaping industry really took off!

What is Vaporisation?

“Vaping” can be defined as the act of inhaling vapour through a personal vaporiser. A heating mechanism extracts the active ingredients of a compound converting them to vapour which is then inhaled. The heat applied has to be high enough to extract the compounds, but low enough to avoid combustion.

This is an extremely effective way of ingesting the essential compounds, such as the cannabinoids and terpenes of a plant like hemp. For vaporising plants and extracts, you want to use a dry herb vaporiser, or alternatively there are CBD e-liquids for e-cigarettes.

Why vape CBD?

CBD can be taken orally as a cannabis-based concentrate or extract. When compared to vaporising, ingesting CBD orally poses a number of drawbacks including a delayed effect and inconsistent absorption.

To be sold legally in Europe, CBD is normally extracted from certified industrial hemp which is a variety of cannabis grown in a controlled environment, specifically for use in industry. It has to have less than 0.3% THC (the psychoactive compound in cannabis) to be certified.

Not all of the CBD you consume will directly affect your body; only a certain percentage will be able to enter your circulation to produce its active effects. This is called the “bioavailability” and is based on the way you introduce CBD into your system.

There are two main points here to understand. First, CBD is not very water soluble. Instead of staying in your bloodstream, it rapidly diffuses out of your blood and reduces the amount of bio-active CBD that can enter your circulation. Before entering the blood stream, CBD has to enter your gut. During this transition, the liver will actively break down bio-active compounds, which is referred to as the “first-pass effect”.

During vaporisation, CBD enters your lungs and diffuses directly into your bloodstream rather than passing through your gut and liver. This avoids “the first-pass effect” altogether, allowing nearly four times as much CBD to enter your circulation for a maximum bioavailability of roughly 50 to 60 percent. That means for every 100 milligrams of CBD that you vape, 50 to 60 milligrams will actually reach your bloodstream.(the oral bioavailability of CBD is roughly 15 percent). Basically, you can achieve the same beneficial effects with a much smaller amount of CBD.

What is CBD e-liquid?

CBD e-liquids are normally made up of four basic parts: VG, PG, CBD and flavouring. Unlike nicotine-based e-liquid, CBD concentration can vary massively in strength going from 25mg, to 1000mg per bottle.

VG is short for Vegetable Glycerine and is also commonly used in foods and is responsible for producing the vapour. The higher the VG content the thicker the clouds! PG stands for Propylene Glycol and is commonly used as a food preservative or sweetener. It provides the “throat it” and flavour.

Your final choice will depend on your personal requirements, smoking habit and flavour preferences.

How Does Vaporization work?

When it comes to choosing a dry herb vaporiser, there are only two types of heating mechanisms to consider; conduction and convection. These mechanisms will effect the quality of vapour and it’s good to know the differences before buying your own device.

Conductive Heating vs Convective Heating

Conductive Heating
This is the most direct way to heat the plant material. Vaporisers using conductive heating contain an electronically heated surface filled with the dried flowers or extract. The “hot plate” is then heated to an ideal vaporisation temperature, directing heat throughout the chamber and converting the cannabinoids and terpenes into vapour.

Conductive heating mechanisms tend to be found in the more basic devices. You can achieve very fast warm up times but there is also a higher risk of combustion.

Convective Heating
With convection heating, the air in the chamber is heated first. Once the air has reached the optimum temperature, it is moved either by a fan or through inhalation. This heats the flower or concentrate, converting the cannabinoids and terpenes into vapour without burning the substance. To avoid combustion, the herb should not come in contact with the heating element.

Convection allows for accurate temperature control, whilst heating more herb with a lower risk of combustion. Due to these advantages the cost for convection vaporisers is usually more expensive.

Despite these differences, most vaporisers use both convection and conduction to some degree. Convection is better at achieving superior taste thanks to the precise temperature control. However there are still some great conduction vaporisers on the market with reduced sizes, faster warm up and lower prices.

Remember vaping isn’t the only way of getting CBD into your body. There is a range of CBD products available to you, in different forms, via our online store, making CBD easy to take wherever and however you like.

Everyone will have different needs, wants, and expectations when looking for the best way to ingest CBD. So it’s important to figure out where you will be using it, how you will be using it, and what features matter most to you.

The Internet is full of scientific articles explaining how cannabinoids, such as CBD, work on our endocannabinoid system (ECS). With all the scientific jargon out there, are you sure you are understanding these terms correctly?

Cannabis: The genus of a flowering plant that includes different species. The cannabis plant has a history of use dating back thousands of years across many cultures.

Industrial Hemp: Variety of the Cannabis sativa plant containing less than 0.3% THC. Industrial hemp is grown for many different applications, which include making hemp seed oil, paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction, health food, and fuel. It is one of the fastest growing biomass plants, and one of the earliest domesticated crops known to humans.

Marijuana: Usually people will refer to “Marijuana” as any type of cannabis that contains THC, the psychoactive compound in the Cannabis sativa plant known for its recreational usage and euphoric effect.

Cannabinoids: The collective term for the various chemicals and active constituents of cannabis. There are 85 known cannabinoids, THC and CBD are just two of them. They are responsible for the effects of cannabis on the body.

Hemp grown for industrial purposes

THC: THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the principal psychoactive cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. It activates the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 found most commonly in the brain and immune system. When THC activates these receptors, it changes the way the body functions. It can be an amber/gold, glassy solid when cold, which becomes viscous and sticky if warmed. Most THC users enjoy the drug’s ability to induce a sense of euphoria and the feeling of being “high”.

CBD: CBD or cannabidiol, is one of the most prevalent cannabinoids found in the trichomes of the female cannabis plant and hemp. It is non-psychoactive, non-toxic and doesn’t have side effects. Growers have favored high-THC cannabis for the most part, but recently CBD-rich cannabis and hemp strains are being grown to satisfy an increasing demand. There are a wide range of companies using CBD to make a large range of products ranging from cosmetics to e-liquids.

CBN: A cannabinoid created from THC when cannabis is exposed to air through a process called oxidation. CBN on its own provides a mild psychoactive effect, but when combined with THC can make you feel drowsy and induce sleep.

CBG: A non-psychoactive cannabinoid which is also the biological building block for THC and CBD.

Endocannabinoid: Naturally occurring cannabinoids in the human body.

Endocannabinoid System (ECS): The endocannabinoid system is present in all humans and many animals as well. This system consists of a series of receptors configured only to accept cannabinoids. The ECS regulates all sorts of bodily processes.

Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency (CECD): Dr. Ethan Russo discovered CECD in 2004, to characterize symptoms found when the cannabinoid receptors do not process enough cannabinoids, resulting in reduced ECS signaling.

Terpenes: A large and diverse class of organic compounds, produced by a variety of plants in nature including cannabis. Terpenes are synthesised by the secretory cells inside the glandular trichomes. They are responsible for the different aromas found in plants and fruits.

Terpenes are organic compounds responsible for the different aromas found in plants

Entourage effect: It refers to the idea that biologically active compounds can be more efficient when administered in combination with other inactive compounds. The combination of multiple, or all cannabinoids, enhances the effect on the body, compared to one cannabinoid acting alone.

CB1: The CB1 receptors are responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. They are mainly in the brain (central nervous system or “CNS”). But also in the lungs, liver and kidneys.

CB2: The CB2 receptors are mainly in the peripheral nervous system (nerves outside the brain and spinal cord). When cannabinoids activate receptors CB1 and CB2, they change the way the body functions.

Cannabis oil: The oil is made by extracting the resin from the female cannabis plant using a solvent in most cases. After the resin dissolves in the solvent, it evaporates to leave the concentrated extract behind. What is left is an extract with concentrated cannabinoids like THC and CBD.

Hemp seed oil: Hemp seed oil is a hemp extract from the seeds of industrial hemp plants. There are no cannabinoids such as THC or CBD present in the oil. It is non-psycho-active.

Hemp Seed Oil

CBD oil: Also called CBD-rich oil, is a specific oil that contains high concentrations of CBD. It is obtained via extraction from the cannabis and hemp strains rich in CBD and low in THC, to create a non-psychoactive oil.

CBD e-liquid: E-liquid with CBD that is used in vaporisers or electronic cigarettes. Usually, they are made from hemp extract or pure CBD crystals mixed with a classic e-liquid base of PG and VG. The e-liquid goes into a cartridge or atomiser where it is heated and vaped.

http://meetharmony.com/2017/01/03/ultimate-cannabis-glossary/

On the one hand, some assert that cannabis is a dangerous, highly addictive drug which causes schizophrenia, and that any move to relax prohibition would be a disaster.
On the other hand, there are those who have used cannabis in therapeutic purposes for years, swearing it causes no trouble.
On Tuesday the debate will once again take off, following the publication of an All-Party

The APPG decision

Parliamentary Group (APPG) report recommending the legalization of pharmaceutically produced cannabis for specific use only. After looking at the global cannabis laws, the U.K. is ready to step into the twenty-first century and allow residents legal access to the product many are already getting illegally.

The MPs will set out an argument for enabling doctors to prescribe cannabis which has been produced in a strictly controlled setting, and recommend facilitating further research on its therapeutic properties.

Access to cannabis as a medicine is now allowed in Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, Israel, and over 20 states in the US. Germany and Switzerland allow it to be imported from the Netherlands.
Following suit with the many other developed nations, the U.K. is ready to provide residents with legal access to the medication, so they can stop risking arrest and prosecution every time they purchase cannabis from the black market

Response to the opposition

But there is still considerable opposition to any change in the law.The British Medical Association remains firmly opposed.

They have concerns about any pharmaceutical drug finding its way into the recreational market and also about the possible psychotic and addictive side effects.

“The U.K. is ready to provide residents with legal access to the product, so they can stop risking arrest and prosecution every time they purchase cannabis from the black market.”

But those advocating a change in the law maintain that there would be less risk of either with specially produced and controlled cannabis. The cannabis would be cultivated under strict observation of government officials and in a controlled pharmaceutical-type setting. After the program has begun, the AAPG suggests further testing and research be done to learn more about the cannabis plant.

As the legitimized cannabis business expands across U.S and U.E more and more companies are hiring employees in order to expand and succeed. Those interested in establishing successful careers in this rapidly growing industry are faced with a number of challenges.

There are a few important qualities that candidates can utilize when looking for employment in the legitimized cannabis world.

• Ask the right question

Working with cannabis involves being part of a movement that looks to change the mindsets of many people around the world. If the company’s mission is simply “to make money,” turn around and run in the other direction. There are plenty of industries where “pure financial gain” is a perfectly acceptable mission, but cannabis is not one of them. Find a goal and vision that you truly believe in, and are proud to stand for.

• Professional Versatility

Almost every job you can think of outside the marijuana industry can also be found inside the industry. There is a growing need for accountants, marketers, graphic designers, web developers, software engineers, and many other professional jobs that most people don’t associate with the marijuana industry.

With a balanced mix of cannabis grow culture and a sound business intellect, candidates will be a perfect fit for the legitimized corporate culture of cannabis.

In the end, the only thing that matters is if the candidate “speaks the languages” of both the underground culture of traditional cannabis growing, and the “real business world.” With a balanced mix of cannabis grow culture and a sound business intellect, candidates will be a perfect fit for the legitimized corporate culture of cannabis.

If a candidate wants to make himself or herself an asset, they should be prepared to learn as much as they can. More over, the unpredictable and moving legal nature of the cannabis industry requires both business owners and employees to be highly adaptable in order to stay afloat.

• Creativity

Finally, when attempting to find work within the cannabis industry, it takes a creative mind to adapt one’s skills set for the business. If you fancy the cannabis industry, you need to have the ability to translate underground experience on a resume. This notion is entwined with the idea of moving from a home-based, underground business, into the legitimate cannabis industry.

It is essential that candidates “think outside the box” when translating one’s previous skills into a brand new business model.

• Live the Dream

If you follow all the steps above, you’ll land an exciting career in the cannabis industry in no time!

If you are looking for a job in the cannabis industry, check our job offers here