News

For most vaping beginners, the first device they will use will be a vape pen. These devices are usually budget-friendly, easy-to-use, and easy to maintain devices, but that doesn't mean there aren’t some basic things you should learn about vaping before jumping in.  This article will talk about what a vape pen is, the essential components of what makes a vape pen work, and the best way to maintain the device for long-term use. We'll also discuss various substances you can enjoy with a vape pen and how to choose the best substance and device for your lifestyle.  What is a Vape Pen? A vape pen is a small, cylindrical device that often looks very similar to a traditional ball-point pen. Most vape pens have an internal battery and are designed to attach to various oil cartridges. The result is a device that quickly and easily produces vapor (not smoke) from your choice of vape juice, CBD, or THC oil.  Parts of a Vape Pen While the parts of a vape pen can vary depending on the specific model you have, most have core components that are the same across devices.  Vape Battery The vape battery is what makes the entire vaping process possible. It's the heaviest part of the vape pen and usually has a 510 threaded connection to attach to different e-juice or oil cartridges. Some batteries will have a button that allows the user to turn the device on and off or adjust heat settings, while others have no additional features.  Vape Cartridge The vape cartridge is what connects to the vape battery. Inside of the cartridge, you'll find your chosen vaping substance, as well as an atomizer that will heat the oil to create vapor. Most vape cartridges will have a connected mouthpiece where you can take hits of vapor.  SHOP NOW How to Use a Vape Pen Vape pens work in a very straightforward way. First, you will power on the device, usually by clicking the power button five times. Most vape pens will light up, letting you know that they have successfully powered on.  Then, you will press and hold the power button. This will send a stream of power to the atomizer, which will create vapor. It makes vapor instantly, so as soon as you press and hold the power button, you'll be able to take a hit right away. Depending on the viscosity of what you vape, it may take a few moments to get thick, strong hits of vapor. Once you have vaped your fill, you will press the power button five times to turn the device off. If you have a draw-fire vape, you will skip any steps that involve a button. Instead, you'll take a draw, and the device will create vapor. When you're done, stop taking puffs! The device will turn off on its own.  Keep It Charged and Stored Properly The last thing you want to do is be ready for a relaxing vape session and have the battery be dead. Make sure your vape pen has a full charge, especially after an extended vaping session. It would help if you also stored the vape pen at average room temperature to protect the battery. That means you should NOT leave it in your car for any reason! Try Disposable Vape Pens When Traveling Suppose you want to avoid the hassle of keeping track of a vape pen and cartridges while on the go, consider a disposable vape pen. Disposables are ready to vape right out of the box. They will have an ultimately charged battery and a full tank of vape juice or oil. The Firefly Mini is a fantastic choice for a high-end, oil disposable pen while you travel. What Is THC? THC is the compound responsible for creating the feeling of being "high" commonly associated with consuming marijuana products. THC is short for tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the active cannabinoid in marijuana. Too much THC can cause paranoia and other symptoms of psychosis, but it is impossible to overdose on THC.  Aside from being responsible for the classic psychoactive properties of marijuana, THC is also used to treat various pain. Research suggests it can be used to treat nerve pain effectively, primarily when used together with CBD. THC is also commonly used to treat nausea and other adverse side effects from treatments like chemotherapy.  How to Use a Vape Pen for THC The process of vaping THC oil won't vary from vaping any other oil, but you need to pay attention to how much you vape. Many vapers are used to creating large vape clouds from nicotine-infused e-liquids, but you shouldn't have similar expectations from vaping THC oils.  Instead, it would be best if you vaped THC by taking one or two hits at a time and waiting about 15 minutes in between each hit. If the high you feel is strong enough, put the pen aside and relax! If you need more, take one or two more puffs and wait again.  Vaping too much THC won't cause any severe health problems, but it can trigger bouts of paranoia and general discomfort. Continuously vape THC slowly and patiently, so you don't end up uncomfortably high. What is CBD? CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is another cannabinoid commonly found in cannabis. CBD is the prominent cannabinoid in hemp, though there are strains of marijuana with significant levels of CBD. In recent years, CBD has exploded in popularity, both because of its availability and promising medicinal effects.  Unlike THC, CBD does not create any psychoactive effects, meaning it won't get you high. However, research suggests that it can be used as an effective pain-management tool, especially when controlling and eliminating inflammation. It may also be effective in helping to manage anxiety and depression.  How to Use a Vape Pen for CBD Cartridges Much like when vaping THC, you want to take it slow when you vape CBD cartridges. Vaping too much isn't going to cause health problems (just like THC), but it can cause discomfort or gastric distress. We recommend taking one or two hits and waiting 15 minutes to see how you feel.  If you are using CBD to manage anxiety or depression, you'll need to keep track of how much you vape and how often you vape. This will make it easy to see if you need to increase or decrease your dosage or if you need to take puffs more frequently throughout the day.  How to Choose a Vape Pen   As soon as you learn how to use a vape pen, it’s time to go shopping for one! So, how can you choose the right vape pen for you and your unique preferences and routines? Here are a few traits to consider:  Size Most cannabis vape pens are handheld in size, making it convenient for users to carry them in their pockets or purses. They are easy to handle because they are portable and can be used on the go.  In general, the handheld size works for most consumers. In fact, there are now mini models that increase discretion and portability for tight spaces or concealment. Other vape pens might be larger in size for higher battery capability, or because they’re older models. If discretion is important for you, or if you travel a lot, going for a mini model is a good idea. Vape Material After learning how to use a vape pen, an essential thing to consider before buying one is the type of material you’ll be consuming. Some vaporizers are equipped to handle vaporizing oil, concentrates and flower, while some can only handle one of them.  Depending on your unique preferences, you’ll want to ensure you get a vape pen that is known to be good at handling the type of material you plan on consuming the most.  Vape Coil  Last but not the least, as a first-time buyer you need to keep in mind that the type of vape coil your vape pen should be equipped with will determine the longevity, durability, taste, and smoothness. The three most common types of coil are wicks, quartz, and ceramic.  If you’re a flavor connoisseur, we would recommend you try ceramic due to its ability to enhance taste. If you’re the type of consumer who requires quick hits over elevated flavor, then you should definitely go for quartz coils because they heat up faster.  It helps if your vape pen offers a wide range of temperature controls so you can choose the heating level that’s best for the material you most often consume.  How to Store a Vape Pen It is important for those just introduced to vaping to learn how to properly store a vape pen. Vape pens should be stored in an upright position in a room-temperature environment. The upright position will prevent accidental oil leaks from the cartridge, which will create a giant, sticky mess. It will also stop oil from traveling into the vapor path, which could obstruct the vapor flow when you're ready to vape next.  Excessively high or low temperatures can damage your vape battery. As we said earlier, storing your vape pen in a car is a huge mistake. The extreme heat can damage your battery, and in some instances, can cause your battery to leak and catch fire. As with any electronic device, your vape pen should have a permanent home in a climate-controlled environment.  Find the Right Vape Pen for You Vape pens are a standard product, and you can find them in a variety of retailers. This includes brick-and-mortar vape shops, dispensaries, and online retailers.  Disposable vaping is a smart way to learn what you do and don't like about vaping oils. If you are new to vaping, take a look at the Firefly Mini. It is a high-end, easy-to-use disposable vape that serves as a fantastic introduction into the world of vaping.  If you're interested in branching out from vape oils and vaping dry herbs, check out our flagship device, the Firefly 2+. It provides an outstanding vaping experience, and many of our customers have converted from vaping oils to dry herbs specifically for this device. Reach out to us if you have any questions about vaping or how our specific products could meet your vaping needs!    SHOP NOW

Marijuana can be a fantastic way to manage pain, treat certain mental disorders, and relax. While enjoying weed definitely has fewer drawbacks than drinking too much alcohol, getting too high too quickly can create a miserable experience. This is common with those new to marijuana or seasoned users trying a stronger form of weed (like dabs) for the first time.  Luckily, there are ways that you can counteract getting too high. In this article, we'll talk about what it really means to be "too high," how to sober up from being too stoned, and steps you can take to avoid getting too high in the future.  How Long Does THC Stay in Your System? How long you stay high once you've ingested THC will depend on what method you used to consume it and how much of it you consumed. If you vaped or smoked, you'll typically start to feel the effects within 10-15 minutes, with those effects lasting several hours (usually capping between three and four hours).  Dabs Smoking or vaping a dab will give you a more intense and often longer high. Dabs (usually in the form of wax) have concentrated amounts of THC (much higher than marijuana flower). That means the high can hit within a few minutes and will last 1-3 hours. While the high will be much more intense, its duration will last close to the same as other inhalation methods.  Depending on how concentrated your dab is, it's possible that the high could last longer (especially if you take several hits). Regardless, we do not recommend that beginners start with dabs, as it will be very easy to get too high too quickly.  Edibles  Unlike dabs and bud, the THC from edibles is absorbed through your digestive system (not your lungs). Since the THC has to work its way through your stomach and your liver, it takes much longer to actually feel high. It usually takes 30-60 minutes to feel the effects of an edible (and sometimes longer).  However, edibles make up for their delay in how potent they are. When THC is processed in the liver, it is changed to 11-Hydroxy metabolite, which is much more potent than THC. Even if you take an edible with a small amount of THC in it, you can still get extremely high from it. This means it's easy for beginners to get too high on edibles, since it's slow to hit and hits much harder than typical vaping or smoking.  How Long Can You Detect THC in Your System?  While the effects of THC can be noticeable for several hours, you can actually test positive for THC use for weeks, even months after you've taken a hit or popped an edible. This does not mean you'll be high this long, but since THC binds to lipids (like your body fat), it can remain detectable for weeks or months.  You should keep in mind the more you use THC products, the more THC builds up in your body fat. If you're a heavy user and stop, it can easily be months before all of the THC has cleared from your body. How Will I Know If I'm Too High? As the former US Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart famously said on how to tell the difference between art and porn, you'll "know it when you see it." There's no particular threshold of being high that should trigger alarms since it's practically impossible to overdose on THC. Instead, "being too high" means you are stoned enough to feel physically or mentally uncomfortable. More extreme symptoms of being too high include: Pronounced paranoia and anxiety Panic attacks Motor-function impairment  Hallucinations  Irrational thoughts Nausea  If you feel any of these symptoms strongly, you're likely too high. While you shouldn’t be at physical risk for consuming too much marijuana, it's still not comfortable to be afraid, anxious, or delusional. These symptoms can run counter to the typical effects of feeling high, which are often the exact opposite of these symptoms.  More importantly, if you experience psychotic thoughts or hallucinations, you may end up putting yourself in danger (even if the THC itself isn't a health risk).  Can I Overdose on THC?   No. While a hypothetical lethal dose of THC exists, it's essentially impossible to overdose on THC. If you were smoking or vaping, you'd pass out (often called greening out) before you got anywhere close to a lethal dose. If you were taking edible, you'd risk a toxic dose of salt or sugar from the candy before you'd be in danger of THC.   That being said, you shouldn't take an enormous dose of THC you aren't ready for. If it triggers a psychotic episode, you may put yourself at a safety risk or make irrational decisions (like attempting to drive). Even if you can't overdose, you should try not to get too high, and you should keep the following steps in mind on how to sober up!  How Can I Prevent Getting Too High?  Once you're too high, it can be difficult to sober up without waiting it out. The best way to avoid the experience is to have a firm plan in place to not get too high in the first place. That can be easier said than done (especially for newbies), but there are easy strategies you can follow to avoid getting too high. Vape or Smoke Slowly  If vaping or smoking for the first time, go slow! Take one or two hits and then wait 15-20 minutes for the effects to kick in. From there, if you feel like you need more, take one or two more hits and wait again. Vaping in an incremental way makes it extremely difficult to get too high.  Start with Low-Dose Edibles  Edibles can provide a very strong high, much stronger than vaping or smoking. This is why it's important to start with low-dose edibles for your first few times (usually around 5mg). It can take 30 minutes to an hour for edibles to kick in, so it may take you a few tries to find an ideal dose that gets you pleasantly high (but not too high).  You should take extra precautions when using edibles since the high can not only be stronger, but it can last much, much longer. Start with low doses and work your way up to something comfortable! What Are the Typical Results of Getting High? Negative side-effects of marijuana are not the typical experience of consuming weed. In fact, when you control your dosage and are in a comfortable environment to get high, the results of THC intoxication can be very enjoyable. Some of the more positive effects of getting high include: General euphoria (or just feeling physically and mentally good) Possible pain reduction Calmness and relaxation Warped perceptions of time (it may feel like time moves very slowly or that time moves very quickly) Increased appetite (often called "the munchies") Increased creative energy These positive effects are why vaping or consuming THC has grown in popularity. Weed is often used to help sleep disorders, certain mental disorders, and chronic pain. It's also often used recreationally because who doesn't enjoy feeling relaxed and happy?  You'll quickly learn that, while the typical effects of getting high are good, it's important to not get too high. Otherwise, you'll risk those nasty side effects we mentioned earlier.  How to Sober Up From Weed  There's not a way to magically become "un high" if you feel you've become too stoned. If you are starting to experience uncomfortable symptoms of being too high, there are steps you can take to alleviate the uncomfortable experience and get back to the good parts of being high! Take a look at how to sober up from weed fast. Stay Hydrated and Eat a Snack When you get too high, it's easy to get "stuck" in your head and get disconnected from the outside world. These are common symptoms of a panic attack, and one of the best ways to fight against a panic attack is to "reconnect" or "ground" yourself back to reality. One of the best ways to do that is through taste, so if you're too high, take a nibble of a tasty snack! Drinking water and staying hydrated is always a good idea. Consuming THC can cause dry mouth, but it doesn't actually cause dehydration as alcohol intake does. Regardless, getting a cool drink of water (or your choice of non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverage) is another great way to ground your mind if you feel yourself panicking because you're too high.  Chew on Peppercorns or Lemon Slices  You may think we recommend chewing on peppercorns or lemons because they have strong flavors. While that helps, there is actually interesting science at work when you take a nibble of a lemon rind or a peppercorn. They both have terpenes, which promote different moods and mindsets. In marijuana, terpenes can affect the "kind" of high you have and how it hits.  When you nibble on black pepper, you'll be ingesting pinene, and caryophyllene terpenes, which research indicates can help counteract the high of THC. Lemons have limonene, which is now to have relaxing and anti-stress properties, which is perfect for when you are spiraling because you've had too much weed.  It can be hard to get these items if you're way too stoned. If you're concerned about getting too high, grab some lemon rinds and peppercorns before you start vaping! Take a Deep Breath and Get Comfortable  The most important thing you can do to stop spiraling when you're too high is to mentally take control again. Take a long, deep breath to ground yourself and calm your thoughts. Get into a physically comfortable position, which will help you relax. You may even end up falling asleep! When you are taking deep, controlled breaths, remind yourself that you are not in physical danger, you are not experiencing a medical emergency, and that the uncomfortable parts of being too high will eventually pass.  Take a Shower or a Bath  Taking a hot shower or bath will help sober you up in several different ways. First, a warm shower will help you relax if you're struggling with panic or anxiety. Next, contact with the hot water will help ground you (similarly to how tasting a potent flavor would).  Some claim that a hot shower actually dampens a THC high, though there isn't much research or science behind the claim. Regardless, a warm bath or shower can help relax and calm you during a difficult high! Find a Distraction  It's easy to get trapped in your head and experience looping thoughts if you're too high. An excellent way to get out of your own head is to find a distraction to keep your thoughts occupied. This could be a TV show that is a go-to comfort series, a video game, a fidget (like a fidget-spinner or a silicone pop mat).  Regardless of what you use, a distraction can help you take the focus off being too high and onto an external distraction.  Use a Safety Plan After you've been high (or too high) a few times, you'll start to get a good idea of what problems you might face. If you've been uncomfortably high a couple of times, be sure to note: What caused you to get too high? (edibles, dabs, or just vaping too much?) What part of being high did you not enjoy? What helped you calm down? What made your anxiety or panic worse? Having a plan in place makes it easy to take steps to calm yourself down if you find yourself uncomfortably high. This will be useful if you plan on getting high in an unfamiliar place (like a friend's house or while camping) since you can pack items that will help soothe you.  Take CBD   CBD, which is another cannabinoid found in cannabis, may be able to help sober you up from a THC high. Research suggests that CBD can counteract THC's psychoactive properties, which means CBD might help sober you up or prevent getting too high, to begin with.  The science on how CBD and THC interact is still new, and scientists are still studying how they both interact with the human body. Even if CBD doesn't directly interfere with your body absorbing THC, it still can provide calming, anti-anxiety properties that can still help you when you're too high. How to Use CBD  There are a lot of different ways you can use CBD. However, if you plan on having it handy if you get too high on THC, there are a few methods that will work best. They include: Oil tinctures Dry herb vaping (specifically hemp) CBD edibles These methods will get CBD into your bloodstream quickly, so you could start feeling the effects in 20 minutes. If you use a tincture or edibles, it could take up to an hour for the CBD to start taking effect.  The Bottom Line  Weed is a useful (and fun) tool, but it's important to create positive experiences if you plan on vaping or consuming weed on a regular basis. Remember, there are easy ways to enjoy being high without having to worry about getting too high: Be mindful of your dosage (and if you aren't sure how much to take, start low and go slow) Enjoy THC in a safe, comfortable space (especially if it will be your first time) Have plenty of snacks and non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages handy Stock up on lemon rinds, peppercorns, and CBD products to counteract a strong high Make sure you are around friends that you trust and will help if you get too high The more you enjoy weed, the easier it will be to avoid getting too high. Just be sure to enjoy responsibly and safely!     SHOP NOW

The cannabis industry continues to explode in popularity across the United States and, as a result, we’re seeing trends emerge in how cannabinoids are being used. We've put together a list of Top 5 Cannabinoids Trending in 2021.

Terpenes are largely responsible for everything from the type of high you feel to any therapeutic effects cannabis provides. They are generally known, however, for their distinct aromas. Learn more unsung heroes of cannabis.

As natural compounds in plants and plant-derived products, terpenes are responsible for the flavor and smell of every plant on earth. Learn why they could be important to you and the affect they have on your cannabis experience.

There are hundreds of compounds in the cannabis plant, with THC and CBD being the most well-known. But terpenes are what give cannabis its unique fragrances, flavors and effects.

Time: 7 minute read In this article you'll learn: Vaporizing cannabis vs. other forms of ingestion How long does it take to feel edibles vs. inhaling? Are there any benefits to vaporizing over edibles? Does vaped cannabis feel different than edibles? What are cannabis tinctures? Is vaping better than smoking? Is vaporizing expensive? Is smoking cheaper? Are some vaporizers better than others? Vaporizing Cannabis vs. Other Forms of Ingestion  Cannabis is filled with chemical compounds called cannabinoids, some of which have psychotropic or physiological effects when they bind with cannabinoid receptors in the brain. While the brain and central nervous system have the largest concentration of cannabinoid receptors, they are everywhere in the body (even our skin). How cannabinoids enter the body, and how the body processes them, determines which receptors are activated and for how long. Hence, how cannabis is ingested greatly influences cannabis’ effects and their scale.  For centuries, cannabis has been enjoyed in a variety of ways, and modern technology has expanded these options. Cannabis users can choose from traditional smoking to bongs to vaporizing to cannabis infused foods & beverages to tinctures and pills. Understanding the differences between all these methods will help an individual choose the best way (or ways) for themselves, their goals and intentions.  How long does it take to feel edibles vs. inhaling? If inhaling cannabis, effects are likely felt straight away, generally within 30 to 90 seconds. Three main ways of inhaling cannabis are smoking it with tobacco, using a bong, or vaping/vaporizing. The effects are immediate because inhaled cannabinoids are absorbed directly into the blood flow to the brain.  In contrast, it takes much longer to experience noticeable effects when eating cannabis, usually at least 30 minutes and sometimes as long as an hour. This is because the cannabinoids have to be broken down and absorbed through the digestive system. While eating cannabis may take longer to begin to feel, the effects are far more lasting since the substance stays in the system much longer than inhalation.  Are there any benefits to vaporizing over edibles? Since edibles’ effects are delayed an indeterminate amount of time, it’s most common to overconsume cannabis through eating. While it won’t cause any lasting harm, overconsumption can bring some rather unpleasant side effects, such as paranoia, nervousness, and nausea. For this reason, beginners often try vaporizing first since inhalation’s immediate effects and dose control make it easier to experiment without overconsuming.  Does vaped cannabis feel different than edibles? Timing is not the only difference. As noted earlier, how the different cannabinoid receptors are activated influences the effects. For example, eaten cannabis is reported to bring the greatest and longest-lasting relief for body pain and inflammation while inhaled cannabis is reported to deliver stronger mental effects. What are cannabis tinctures? Tinctures are a form of liquid cannabis where glycerol or another compound to draw out the active ingredients, but the effects are much the same as any other edible.  Is vaping better than smoking? Smoking, whether cannabis, tobacco or a combination, has irrefutable negative health effects. Smoke of any kind is filled with cancer-causing chemicals. In contrast, the relative health benefits of vaping over smoking are huge, potentially up to 95 percent better. Vaporizing cannabis allows users to enjoy the benefits of inhaled cannabis without the dangerous side-effects of smoking.  Besides the health benefits, vaporizing delivers a better experience. Clean vapor is both pleasant and discreet. Additionally, vaporizing can preserve and activate more terpenes that contribute to the herb’s effectiveness and flavor.  Is vaporizing expensive? Is smoking cheaper? While a quality vaporizer may take an initial investment, vaporizing is a far more efficient method and will actually save money. Smoking burns away some of the plant before it can be consumed, while the high heat reduces the cannabinoid and terpene contents in what is consumed. Since vaporizing solves these problems, vape users report buying 50% less cannabis after switching. The efficient technology of the Firefly 2+ reportedly allows users to reduce cost by 75% or more, all while delivering a more enjoyable experience.  Are some vaporizers better than others? To fully enjoy the benefits of vaporizing, it’s important to understand the difference between the two most common vaporizing technologies: convection and conduction. Put simply, conduction vaporizers can burn the herb or concentrate. While still better than traditional smoking, conduction vaping reduces the amount of cannabinoid and terpenes, which means a less efficient and less enjoyable session.  Convection, on the other hand, does not burn. Instead, in-direct heat activates the compounds while maximizing effects and flavors. The Firefly 2+ uses an advanced form of this heating technology, Dynamic Convection, which captures the most terpenes and cannabinoids possible for a flavorful and rich cannabis experience. For more in-depth information on, read our article Convection vs. Conduction - What Makes the Best Vaporizer?. Interested in getting started with vaping? Click here to read everything you need to know in our article Intro to Vaping. SHOP NOW

The type and amount of heat you apply to your cannabis flower can affect the purity of what you inhale, whether harmful smoke or ash is involved, and how and whether beneficial terpenes or specific cannabinoids are activated. Heat is a crucial factor of customizing your cannabis experience.

A comprehensive guide to terpenes--what are they? What do they do? How do they work with cannabis?  Terpenes both enhance a sensory experience and functionally contribute to it, and we explore this dual purpose throughout this article.