The legal status of cannabis seeds can be confusing. Under the Drugs Misuse Act 1971 the cultivating of cannabis seeds is illegal. However, as the seeds do not contain significant levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, it is legal to buy, sell and possess seeds that have not germinated. A private member’s bill proposing the banning of cannabis seeds did get a reading in the House of Commons in 2008, but it failed to gain traction before it ran out of parliamentary time. Successive governments have been reluctant to criminalise cannabis seeds so their legal status seems unlikely to be changed for the foreseeable future. It can appear inconsistent that owning the seeds is acceptable yet growing them is not. However, it should be noted that large scale cannabis growers use cuttings, not seeds, and the seeds actually have a range of legitimate uses.
For example cannabis seeds have traditionally been used as bait by anglers. Boiled before use, they are a particularly effective lure for enticing carp. Birds, both wild and domestic, are also very fond of the seeds. For many years bird feed companies were among the few exempted from the total prohibition of hemp in the United States.
However, cannabis seeds are also fit for human consumption. They are extremely nutritious being a quarter protein and high in vitamins and essential fats such as Omega-3 and Omega-6. When dried and pressed they can also produce oil that is very low in saturated fats. This cannabis seed oil does not fry very well as it has a low smoking temperature, but it makes an excellent dressing. It has a nutty flavour, which is perhaps unsurprising considering that cannabis seeds are technically nuts. Cannabis seed oil has also been widely used in cosmetics as it moisturises the skin well without being greasy.
Today’s herbal highs can be traced back from our former wide usage of various traditional medicines. Most of our herbal medicines and their by-products, even drugs which are not available today or have been forbidden by law, were popular in the past. These herbal by-products and drugs are banned because they produce proven, harmful effects on the human body and incline their user to get physically and psychologically addicted to them.
Though some of these herbal highs have the capacity to addict an individual, some are safe enough to use without any harmful side effects incurred by the user. But, this does not necessarily mean that prolonged usage of a certain drug will not, over a prolonged period of time, disturb or terribly affect an individual’s physical or psychological well-being.
On the other hand, most of the herbal highs today only provide a slight to moderate stimulating effect, which is of great benefit to those who only want to experience a subtle alteration of their prevailing psychological and physical state. These herbal highs are now readily available in various shops and online stores in the form of capsules, teabags, pills and cigarettes, and even the raw, dried and extracted herb itself. A list of these herbal highs can also be found in an orderly manner in various archives on the Internet, These include aphrodisiacs, hallucinogenics, sedatives and stimulants. Before taking any of these drugs, it is advised that one know precisely in advance the drug’s effect on the body.
Vaporizers work by applying mild heat rather than flame to let you inhale the active ingredients of your chosen herbal mixture. When smoking mixtures are heated to the temperature range of 180-200 degrees Celsius (356 – 392 degrees Fahrenheit), it will release the most potent parts of the plant without burning it; burning the herb is more damaging on your lungs because of harmful carcinogens. This vapour comes out as a thin mist and is ready to be inhaled. This mist tastes better and much safer than smoke.
The operation of a vaporizer hinges on the type of vaporiser being used. The BC Vaporizer, a classic vaporizer, has a ceramic tray inside a glass bulb. You loosen the glass top, place some mixture in the tray, tighten the top back on and turn it on. Wait until the mixture changes colour slightly, and then merely inhale the clean vapours.
The Volcano Digit, a digital vaporizer, is capable of heating your herbal mixture instantly. You won’t have to wait the normal 5 minutes before using. A digital vaporiser has a digital readout, as well, that you can view to make sure you are vaporising at the right temperature.
The Vapir One is a balloon style vaporizer. It works by pumping the vaporised mist into a special balloon and detaching it from the vaporizer and inhaling anytime you want. This special balloon can hold more vapour compared to the other styles stated above.
Hydroponics blog here we come…here’s where I’ll attempt to share my enthusiasm and knowledge (such as it is) for growing indoors using Hydroponic methods!