Is Cannabis really a “Gateway Drug”?

Cannabis is now easily accessible in many states across the country. And ever since cannabis has been legalized in California, a lot of people are curiously trying their hands-on recreational as well as medical marijuana in Bakersfield, CA. With so many benefits in the bucket, marijuana is slowly becoming a part of people’s daily lives.

But where there is yin, there is yan. And even after offering so much to its users, the plant isn’t safe from the countless outcries against it. Among so many arguments against cannabis, the most consistent and loudest is the “gateway drug theory”. Even though marijuana is considered the least harmful drug, the conservative generation is still stuck with the ancient myth that cannabis use leads to intense drug abuse over time. 

But is the truth really this simple? Well, not exactly. While there are many people favoring this argument, many still argue against it. But then what exactly is the truth? 

Let’s find out.

Gateway Theory Explained

To make things simple, the gateway theory is the idea that continuous usage of one drug may lead to you wanting more and thus ending up using harder and more dangerous drugs than the previous one.

Arguments in Favor of Marijuana being a Gateway Drug

When we talk about marijuana, there are a lot of arguments defining it as a gateway to the other drugs. A major point is how marijuana reacts with the reward system of the brain. For instance, if you start using marijuana in your early 20s, you may want your dopamine level to spike more and more. This can make other drugs seem more tempting and appealing to you. And you may start using them. 

Also, as a marijuana user, you probably get to know people who use some other drugs too. And statistically speaking, if you know other heavy drug users, you yourself may end up using them.

Arguments against Marijuana being a Gateway Drug

Many people argue that instead of driving people to new heavy drugs, marijuana, in fact, does just the opposite. A study conducted by some Canadian researchers suggested that marijuana is actually a protection against the introduction of other drugs in people’s lives.

Furthermore, many argue that it is actually cannabis’s illegal status that is responsible for making it a gateway drug in the first place. Since people have to buy it from dealers and consume it at specific places, it becomes very easy for them to come in contact with other drugs too.

Contextual Factors to Consider

The instances may vary from case to case. For instance, a person having an addictive personality will be more inclined to try out new drugs after marijuana. But that is actually due to the formation of dependency rather than marijuana reaction.

Similarly, a person who grew up in an environment filled with illicit drugs is more likely to try out different drugs. In this scenario too, marijuana isn’t responsible.

Also, the amount of weed a person consumes may also tell us about his future addictions. If he takes a few hits on certain days only, he probably won’t be interested in any other drug. 

Final Words

As the research till now is showing us both the possibilities, it’s nearly impossible to reach a solid conclusion. And that being said, the only thing we can do is to wait for some more conclusive research to come up. Only when we have a solid study we can decide if marijuana really is a gateway drug or not

Top Recreational Dispensaries You Can Find in California

There are a lot of strains you can find in California. From 420 Bakersfield CA to Los Angeles, you can find all sorts of dispensaries that offer different kinds of cannabis products. So, here is a list of the best recreational dispensaries you can visit in California.

1. One Log Tree House

The best place to find high-quality cannabis crops is the Emerald Triangle. This place has a Mediterranean climate and the rich soil that is perfect for the growth of high potency cannabis. And there’s no better dispensary than One Log tree House to buy the best quality recreational strain. It is located in Garberville.

2. RCP Sacramento

Sacramento offers a lot if you are looking for munchies options. The RCP Sacramento offers a lot of options in cannabis products. The staff will guide you through all the products and you can find products like Kiva Chocolates and Raw garden waxes. And if you are looking for a dab rig, this is the place you need to visit.

3. Barbary Coast

Located in San Francisco, the Barbary Coast carries the rich stoner traditions that came during the counterculture era. SF is the hottest market to get pots in the U.S. Visit Barbary Coast and get a position for a thirty-minute smoke session. Try something special from their menu and enjoy it.

4. The Apothecarium

Again in San Francisco, this dispensary has locations in SOMA, the Marina, and the Castro. The branch in Castro won the Architectural Digest’s award for offering the best marijuana place in the country. You will be amused by the service provided and the prices are also very reasonable. If you are a first-timer, this is the place you need to visit.

5. Urban Pharm

This dispensary has an over-the-top interior design but it also offers some of the best greens from Krush Kings, Fig Farms, and Alien Labs. You can also smoke in the dispensary to try the greens. It is located in San Francisco.

6. Magnolia Wellness

Located in Oakland in the Bay Area, Magnolia Wellness offers top=shelf flower from the DEvil’s Lettuce, Connected, and Lithouse. You can also find cartridges from Heavy Hitters and Kingpen. Magnolia is also the only vapor lounge and dab bar in the East Bay. Here, you can enjoy the complimentary Volcano vaporizers.

7. Coachella Valley Church

Located in San Jose, this dispensary believes that cannabis can accelerate and deepen an individual’s spiritual trip. Enter the dispensary and grab the hash-influenced pre-rolls near the entrance and enjoy.

8. City Compassionate Caregivers

While you are in Los Angeles and walking around the graffitied Arts District, you must visit this place. This is nothing less than an adventure. City Compassionate Caregivers offers Caviar Gold and Dime Bag pre-rolls. You can also find concentrates, topicals, drinks, tinctures, and gear. 

Conclusion:

You can find recreational dispensaries in many places in California. 420 has fans everywhere. Whether it is 420 Bakersfield CA or San Jose. You can enjoy your recreational marijuana anywhere, just be sure you are familiar with the laws. You would not want to get into any trouble.

Video Games To Play When You are High

BeerPong is for the beery occasions; Strip Poker is for the drunk situation, Zenga is for dirty, drunken bunch too. But what are the games for stoners? What do people who get high play? Video games are the answer to my Nigro amigo. Let me tell you, even though everything is excellent once you are high. You do not want to play something like; I don’t know, chess. It took my friends and me 3 hours to get over it. It was a stalemate. So that similar thing won’t happen to you, here are some of the fantastic stoner video games for you. 

GTA V

Getting high alone? Well, you do not have to be alone, when a whole universe can be with you. GTA V of the Grand Theft Auto series is the best game of the last four-five years. Three characters? Guns, cars, sex, strip clubs, helicopters, planes, trains, and one psycho villain named Trevor Phillips. If this is not your definition of fun, then maybe you need to change your dictionary. I mean, I spend most of my time shifting characters when I am ‘high-playing’ it just to check what they do when I am not controlling them, or you can collect the UFO’s parts, it is fun too. 

Bioshock; Infinite

If you are not afraid, once you are high or super paranoid when you are high, then I will not recommend this game. On the other hand, if you enjoy your nirvana, then Bioshock, Infinite is a blessing for you. The perfect mixture of past and future, this game is we suppose developed by a stoner himself. At one point, you are in the past, and in the other machines are after your butt, shooting lasers and whatnot. An ultimate adventure and shooter game. It is a delight. 

Pokemon Go!

If you haven’t already tried it, Pokemon go, you were incredibly right when you searched for a list to help you. The most surprising game to reignite your childhood and its memories, Pokemon, go an excellent stoner game. It will get you off the couch. You can be as weird as you want, and thanks to this technology, no one will judge you at all. I used to hate all the issues this game has, which are a lot. But the bugs are not an issue now that I play it while I am on the seventh cloud. 

Tetris

What about another nostalgic hit? No one, I guess, can say no to a quick game of Tetris. We all have been playing it since we were little kids, and now that we are adults with our heads stuck in heaven, trust me, it is way more fun. It is super fun to see those gigantic bricks fall into pieces. Something feels right when you play this hell of a game. I know it because I have been playing it for a long, long time.

Ending With a Bending 

These are some of the hottest games one would like to play when one is high. Also, if you can handle it, (saying this because I cannot) try playing Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag with your virtual reality goggles on. If you have a home theater, then it is even more amazing. We are in the world of reefers these days, where we are enjoying marijuana freedom. We have weed legal in California; we can buy it openly, hell we can even grow our own. Why not enhance our experience then? As we are on the subject, did you know you can save up to 15% on taxes if you have a medical marijuana card Bakersfield? And there are a hell lot more options in medical marijuana than recreational weed in the dispensaries on medieval rates too?