Happy 710 to CAC's Cannabis Connoisseurs
You most likely know about 420 right? For decades cannabis enthusiasts have been celebrating 420 with a good long toke. The origin story of 420 is a little hazy, pun intended, but it centers around the act of smoking marijuana, but do you know about 710?
7/10 is a holiday celebrating the consumption of cannabis oils and if you flip 10 upside down it spells the word OIL! Since around 2012 cannabis enthusiasts have been celebrating 710 OIL Day, and many have called it International Dab Day!
Cannabis oils and concentrates come in all different forms; from shatter and rosin to tinctures and vape oil. Cannabis concentrates have gained so much popularity in the past 5-10 years because the legalization of marijuana in Colorado made it possible for dispensaries to start creating these oils/concentrates safely and efficiently. Extracting at home is illegal and very risky business. Highly combustible and flammable solvents, such as propane or butane, are used to make concentrates like wax, isolate, distillate, etc. In a dispensary, these concentrates are heavily regulated and quality assurance is a necessity. Dabbing and consuming oils has not only become normalized but very popular in legalized states.
Consuming Concentrates
Dabbing
Dabbing is a form of consumption that combusts oils that usually have a much higher concentration of THC. Dabs or concentrates are heated to a very high temperature with a torch and then inhaled through a water pipe called a dab rig. Dab rigs are just like bongs, but with attachments made specifically for concentrates. A nail is the dab equivalent to a bowl and they come in many shapes, sizes and can be made of titanium, quartz or ceramic (There are also electric or e-nails that cut out the need for a torch). You may also need a dab tool, which is a ceramic, glass or metal tool that helps apply the concentrate to the nail, a carb cap, which helps regulate airflow by directing smoke through the rig more efficiently. And a silicone dab mat so that concentrates don’t stick to any surfaces.
Steps to dabbing with a rig:
Turn on your torch and place the flame on the nail or tip of your dab straw. Once it starts getting red hot take the torch off the nail and let it cool for about 30-45 seconds.
Place the concentrate (start out with the tip of a grain of rice, dabs are extremely concentrated) directly onto the nail with your dab tool. Take it slow.
Cover the nail with your carb cap and continue inhaling. Continue to take it slow!
Dab straws are another form of consuming dabs and are heated at the tip with a torch and placed near the oil itself and inhaled through the straw. Straws are simple and take up much less space than a dab rig or bong. There are also many kinds of vaporizing devices now that make it very simple for anyone to dab without the hassle or anxiety of using a torch. For example, dab pens like the Yocan, G Pen or Pax are vaporizers that you can place a dab in a little oven and concentrate heat to the right range of temperatures.
Above are some examples of concentrates used to dab. This and other pictures/resources like it can found at leafly.com
Vapes have gotten a bad rap in the past year because there were people buying black market cartridges and passing away due to the inhalation of toxic chemicals and additives that were put in the oils, such as PEG and vitamin E oil. In Massachusetts, governor Charlie Baker ordered a temporary ban on all vaping products and e-cigarettes which took effect on Sept. 24, 2019 and lasted into December 2019. This was to stop the sale and test all products from retail stores yet none of the deaths actually occurred due to legally sold products (i.e. from a dispensary as well as vape and e-cig retailers).
Dispensaries are very regulated and get tested by a third party laboratory that has to approve of every component in our distillate oils that go into our cartridges. There are no studies that show the long term effects of consuming vape cartridges but you won’t find a safer, more organic, and highly regulated product than from a dispensary. We always encourage you to do research and make an informed decision on whether vaping may be something you are interested in.
That all being said… vaporizers are a discrete and valuable form of consumption. All you need is a pen and cartridge and usually is as simple as knowing how to turn it on and take a hit. They are portable, can be affordable and there is no inhalation of burnt plant matter (unlike smoking). We, at CAC, pre fill our cartridges with our distillate or you can even “One Fill” an empty, reusable cartridge with our refill applicators, which are on sale today!
Our 710 Promotion!!!
For 710 OIL Day at CAC, we are doing a sale on our Litt, Cold Press, and Spiked One Fills starting Friday 7/10 and going through the weekend. Buy 1 fill for 5% off, buy 2 fills for 10% off, buy 3 fills for 15% off, buy 4+ fills for 20% off!
Check out our website and Instagram for more pictures, product descriptions and so much more! Our budtenders and managers are also always happy and ready to answer any questions you may have, so give us a call, put in an order and pay us a visit! Just don’t forget your face mask ;) Again, Happy 710!
Cheers!
Sources:
https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/how-to-dab-cannabis-concentrates
https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/guide-to-710
https://dutch-passion.com/en/blog/7-10-international-dab-day-celebrating-cannabis-oil-and-cannabis-concentrates-n912
https://www.leafly.com/news/strains-products/what-are-pre-filled-cannabis-oil-vape-cartridges
https://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2019/11/27/vaping-ban-end-early-december/
Business Wire: TILT Holdings Comments on Ongoing Vaping Issues and Temporary Vape Ban in Massachusetts
September 26, 2019
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TILT Holdings Inc. (“TILT” or the “Company”) (CSE: TILT) (OTCQB: TLLTF), a foundational technology cannabis platform comprised of assets to support brands worldwide, released the following statement today from the Company’s interim CEO Mark Scatterday, regarding recent media coverage of vaping issues and a temporary vape ban in Massachusetts.
Pictured: Jupiter Research cartridges
Meet CAC Taunton's Inventory Manager, Andy!
Name: Andy
Hometown: Norton, MA
Years in Cannabis: 1+
Role at CAC: Inventory Manager
Nickname: Andy
What is your cannabis origin story?
I discovered cannabis about half a lifetime ago and while that was for fun, in recent years I have found the medicinal properties to be of great benefit as I get older, and have learned how to use those properties properly to achieve relief given the situation at hand.
What did you do before this and how did it prepare you for your role today?
I have spent the better part of the last decade managing inventory and overseeing international shipping for a car wash soap manufacturer/distributor in Connecticut.
What is your strain of choice?
I’m a big fan of our Candyland Animal Cookies cross at the moment, it really covers the Goldilocks checklist of effects for me personally.
What is your favorite edible?
Peanut Butter Cups all day long! I was also very pleasantly surprised by the Cake Pops we did last year.
Favorite delivery method? e.g. smoke, dab, vape, eat, topical
Fresh flower in glass, or a flavor packed cold start dab.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned about cannabis recently?
I’ve been learning about the cornucopia of things that can be done with topicals, from using balms and oils straight out of the box to making your own at home recipes with distillate.
How do you ensure first time visitors are comfortable with their first dispensary experience?
Our inventory team works hard alongside our cultivation and production teams to make sure that whoever comes in the dispensary door has a product there for them to meet their needs when they are greeted by one of our awesome PSA’s.
What do you do for fun?
I recently started playing some guitar again, I also spend a lot of time just learning about new and sometimes random subjects.
Do you have any hobbies or collections?
I have a solid hot sauce collection going at home. We also have a good rubber band ball going in the vault.
Where do you go to learn more about cannabis?
My peers - rarely if ever does a day go by where I don’t learn something new about cannabis. Our facility is staffed by extremely passionate, knowledgeable people and if you’ve got a question, you’re going to get a well educated answer.
What is the coolest new cannabis-related gadget you’ve seen recently?
I tried a Puffco Peak for the first time recently and it was the best torch free device I have used to date.
What’s your favorite CAC product right now?
Flower: LA Kush Cake
Concentrate: Platinum Alien Sugar
Edible: Peanut Butter Cups
Topical: Wonder Balm
And who could forget that monster 221g diamond in the lab!!
What do you like most about working at CAC?
My colleagues. Day in and day out I’m amazed at the level of professionalism, knowledge, and overall fantastical attitude everyone consistently brings to the workplace. Spending the day in a room quite literally surrounded by some of the best cannabis products in Massachusetts isn’t so bad either.
What is the most difficult part of your job?
The dispensary can’t dispense if the inventory isn’t in check. We live in the details, and being a highly scrutinized, and state regulated industry, we cannot afford to skimp on those details. There are a lot of moving parts in medicinal cannabis, and it’s up to us to make sure they all fit together. It is fast paced and challenging, but worth every bit of that effort when a patient walks out the door with a big smile on their face.
Meet CAC Taunton's Lead Lab Technician, Jordani
Name: Jordani
Hometown: Bridgewater, MA
Years in Cannabis: 15 years but 1 year professionally
Nickname: Jay/JJ The Jet plane
Interesting fact:
I can devour a large steak & cheese sub, half a pizza & wash that down with a large order of gold fever chicken tenders with Parmesan peppercorn dressing in under 10 minutes flat.
What did you do before this and how did it prepare you for your role today?
I was cooking at Bridgewater State University. Things were constantly changing there in terms of nutrition for dietary need students and that prepared me for the ever changing processes we do here in the lab. Dealing with unruly college kids prepared me by increasing the amount of patience I currently have.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned about cannabis recently?
Recreational dispensaries In Colorado outnumber Starbucks 3 to 1 while Starbucks outnumber Dunks 5 to 1 & as of last year, Colorado had 481 Starbucks locations.
When outsiders visit the lab for a tour, what are the things that stand out to them?
My lab directors huge THCA crystal, the different tier line of products we produce, our ability to adapt to the changing industry & some people are just baffled learning about the machinery we operate.
Where do you go to learn more about cannabis?
This might sound a bit redundant but I go to work where I can pick the brains of some incredibly intelligent people. However, Google, YouTube & GrassCity won’t hurt if you’re looking to expand your current level of cannabis related knowledge.
What is the coolest new cannabis-related gadget you’ve seen recently?
Cannabis cologne but it’s been on back-order for months
What’s your favorite Commonwealth Alternative Care product right now?
The whole line of Slate products & not because I formulate it but because it actually works. My parents are anti-cannabis yet don’t seem to mind it as much considering the fact that their pains are noticeably decreased when using the lotion.
What do you like most about working at Commonwealth Alternative Care?
The fact that we’re actually doing a job that can help people with body aches, anxiety or other situations the patient may have as opposed to just getting “elevated.”
In your opinion, what is the most exciting development in cannabis research in the past year?
That cancer patients report symptom relief by using cannabis & that being mentally elevated will intensify your orgasm .
What’s the best extraction method?
That’s impossible to answer since it all boils down to preference. What you’re looking for and your reasoning isn’t going to be the same for the people next to you nor myself. For instance, some people only use cold press oil because it never touches any solvents unlike RSO/BHO.
How will different extraction methods impact quality?
That’s a tough question to answer. That’s like asking Jeff Gordon how do different vehicles impact the way he can manipulate said vehicle. First & foremost, when it comes to quality, the quality of the product prior to extraction is what really matters. You can’t go to McDonald’s & expect it to taste like it was made from Gordon Ramsey or Wolfgang Puck.
Since you’ve been in the industry, what consumer trends have you seen in the demand for cannabis concentrates?
People love the CO2/vape oil because it’s discreet and some people aren’t as bold as I am in terms of smelling like I rolled out of bed with a pound of Headband. You can’t always spark one up depending on where you’re at but you can always take a few pulls from your pen.
Is there any part of the extraction process that is dangerous? What kinds of steps are taken to ensure safety in the lab?
Yes, most of the solvents used are extremely flammable/combustible. We constantly double check our equipment prior to our runs & we remain extremely vigilant. We’re constantly adapting and changing processes to ensure maximum safety without sacrificing yields or quality.
What steps do we take to ensure consistency and efficiency of our products?
We hone in on our SOP’s to ensure we are operating on a consistent as opposed to a complacent manner. We’re always update our processes and tend to experiment with different methods for extracting, harvesting & even tweak the most minute of details such as extracting flower as is versus being ground up.
What is your strain of choice?
I’m married to Sour Diesel & I love her like a fat kid loves cake but I don’t treat her how she should be treated. I have a mistress or two but don’t judge me. Kush, Haze & Cookies understand me in a different manner but don't tell wifey that.
What is your favorite edible?
300mg Wonka bars are where it’s at.
Favorite delivery method?
Fronto stuffed with GAS & if i’m feeling frisky, it’s a Packwood which is 2g stuffed in a backwood which is then rolled in wax/oil and covered in kief.
Meet CAC's Edibles Kitchen Supervisor
Name: Jennifer
Hometown: Westport, MA
Years in Cannabis: 7 months
What did you do before this and how did it prepare you for your role today?
I worked my way through college as a cake decorator which taught me how to be precise and creative. Previously, as a cake decorator I enjoyed making people happy with my creations. I'm thrilled that I'm still able to do that now with my work in the CAC kitchen.
Why did you decide to become a chef? What other back-of-the-house positions have you previously held?
I’ve always enjoyed baking and knew that I wanted to do something with my life that I loved, made me happy and enabled me to make others happy as well.
Where and how were you trained? Did you go to culinary school? What credentials did you earn through your culinary studies?
I received my degree in Food Service Entrepreneurship as well as Baking & Pastry Arts from Johnson & Wales University. Many of my studies were hands on labs such as french pastry, specialty cakes, chocolate & confections, specialty cakes and many more. I also took many business, leadership, and management classes which have helped me tremendously with being the kitchen lead. I am able to lead my staff so we can all work together efficiently and effectively as a team.
Is there a chef you admire the most? Who and why?
Out of all of the chefs I have worked with, Chef David Topian that I work with now here at Commonwealth, is one of the most well-rounded experienced chefs that I’ve met and had the pleasure of working with. I’m honored to be able to learn from him everyday.
What is your favorite cuisine to eat? What is your favorite cuisine to cook?
My favorite dessert to eat is creme brulee. My favorite desserts to make are cheesecakes and eclairs
What trends are you seeing in the marijuana infused products (MIPS) industry?
High dosed tasty edibles. Healthy alternatives, fair trade, organic and vegan products. Becoming more popular for individuals who don’t like to smoke. Wide variety of edibles, more options. Chocolate covered blueberries and espresso beans and fruit chews and even 2 oz drinks.
Have you ever cooked with cannabis at home?
I have made a few products in my own home like brownies, cupcakes, and rice krispies
What is your favorite edible produced by Commonwealth Alternative Care?
My favorite edible that we make is our new peanut butter cups. They are made with direct trade chocolate and are completely vegan
Favorite delivery method? e.g. smoke, dab, vape, eat, topical
I enjoy smoking flour and dabbing our concentrates. Our concentrates here at Commonwealth, in my opinion, are some of the best around.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned about cannabis recently?
There are so many different ways to use cannabis and depending on which method you choose is going to differ its effect. I’ve also been learning more about the different strains and the different effects they have on you as well.
Where do you go to learn more about cannabis? (please be specific)
Co-workers and Leafly
What is the coolest new cannabis-related gadget you’ve seen recently?
New cannabis related gadgets that i enjoy using are my dab pen, a puffco, and a pax 3
What do you like most about working at Commonwealth Alternative Care?
I love coming to work everyday because I enjoy making products that will help people. All my coworkers are very happy to be at work and it’s a great environment to be in. I have lots of room to grow with this company and I am very excited to see what my future holds here.