710 and CBD: Fun Flick Picks

710 is coming and you’re wondering how you’ll celebrate this July 10th observance. In case you didn’t know, 710 is the “code” number associated with cannabis oils and extracts. Just flip the number upside down and it spells O-I-L.

Who cares if you’re a CBD user and this celebration is aimed mostly at marijuana-users. You want to lay claim too. After all, CBD is extracted from hemp, which is in the same plant family as marijuana. It’s just missing the psychoactive ingredient THC, which is plentiful in pot. So why NOT “party like it’s 1999” and celebrate what you love on a special day dedicated to feeling good?

According to Leafly.com, the 710 phenomenon is a recent practice with uncertain origins that may be partially linked to the legalization of cannabis in Colorado and Washington. Legalization “helped normalize the use of cannabis extracts and increase the availability of oils and dabs on the cannabis market.” Leafly.com also notes that since Colorado legalized cannabis, the state has outlawed the practice of using dangerous and flammable solvents such as butane when making concentrates, improving the safety and quality of the products produced.

So how to celebrate? Keeping it simple keeps it fun. Why not choose a classic “cannabis-friendly” flick and host a watch party with friends while de-stressing with your favorite CBD oil? As your aches and pains begin to fade, your smile is bound to brighten the room. (It’s been noted that CBD can produce a relaxing feeling, almost like what you might feel when you take a hot bath!)

IS MARIJUANA DIFFERENT FROM HEMP?

Before we get to our movies, let’s be clear about the difference marijuana and CBD products derived from hemp: Plain and simple, marijuana gets you high and hemp doesn’t. Marijuana is defined as the dried flowers and leaves of the Cannabis indica plant, which contain the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the active ingredient that gets users “high.” You may also know marijuana as pot, weed, or dope.

Hemp comes from the Cannabis sativa plant and contains lower concentrations of THC and higher amounts of CBD, which decrease or eliminate any psychoactive effects. CBD oil from industrial hemp has 0.3 percent or less THC in it, which is too small of an amount to give you that “high” feeling.

CBD oil is used to make a wide variety of oils, balms, capsules, and other products and became legal in all 50 states when the Farm Bill was passed in December 2018. Strains that contain a high CBD:THC ratio are only legal in states with regulated cannabis markets. Marijuana use is stricter: Only 11 states have legalized both medical and recreational marijuana for those over age 21. Thirty-three states have legalized medical marijuana.

The usual CBD formulation is oil, but it’s also sold as a tincture, a vaporized liquid, and an oil-based capsule. Among the many CBD-infused products available online are food, drinks, and beauty products.

WHAT IS CBD OIL USED FOR?

These days, CBD oil is being used both by people and pets as a holistic alternative to  western medications that have nasty side effects.

CBD has been frequently studied for its use in relieving effects of anxiety and insomnia. Studies suggest that CBD may help with both falling asleep and staying asleep. A study from the European Journal of Pain showed, using an animal model, CBD could help lower pain and inflammation due to arthritis. Another study showed promise in the areas of neuropathic and inflammatory pain. A survey of 5,000 people by the Brightfield Group, which compiles data on CBD and cannabis, found that more than 60 percent of CBD users have taken it to help with anxiety symptoms. Other popular uses are CBD oil for pain and CBD oil for arthritis.

One of the strongest lures of CBD oil for anxiety is an escape from the long lists of unpleasant and sometimes dangerous drug-related side effects to medications commonly-prescribed for anxiety. With the introduction of CBD, new and innovative options for anxiety sufferers are now possibilities. And although research is still limited, numerous studies have indicated that CBD has a positive effect on those suffering from anxiety with few or extremely mild side effects, like fatigue and irritability.

Did you know that CBD might offer help if you suffer from allergies? Itchy eyes, runny nose, throat irritation? It can be annoying. Whether your allergies are seasonal reactions to environmental factors like pollen and mold or are affected by climate and humidity, animal hair or even food, CBD may offer the help you need in a way you never dreamed.

This alternative treatment option can help reduce allergic reactions and overall inflammation. In some instances, CBD has been shown to help prevent the closing of airways, a common allergic symptom. It is considered a lower-risk treatment option than antihistamines, which are often associated with nausea, drowsiness, confusion, and blurred vision.

Not all CBD products are created equal and it’s important to do your research and purchase the products from a reputable company. Organic products should be free of pesticides, fungicides, and solvents. Also, make sure to look for the manufacturer’s certificate that states how much CBD is in the product. Verify that there is little or no THC in the product. It’s also sometimes preferred to purchase CBD as a liquid because liquids are easier for adjusting dosages.

710 CELEBRATED MOVIE LIST

Are you ready to be entertained? Now that you understand the difference between hemp and marijuana, and why some consumers prefer the benefits of CBD over the psychoactive traits of marijuana, it’s time to pick a flick. Here’s some that should make you smile!

• Up in Smoke (1978) – Cheech & Chong made one of the first movies in which marijuana drove the plot. The pair smoke pot, drive around and generally get into mischief. Their mannerisms while “high,” their crazy lingo and the general absurdity of their activities is a huge draw among the cannabis crowd.
• Reefer Madness – (1936) This nutty black and white “documentary” warns marijuana users of unlikely consequences such as mania, suicide, manslaughter, attempted rape, and a car accident. The movie, meant to be a documentary, warns of “soul-destroying reefer” that brings on “debauchery, violence, murder and suicide.” The film depicts “dopesters luring children to destruction” by plying them with a weed that has “its roots in hell.” The movie attained a cult-like following and was shown on college campuses for years where it was viewed as an unintentional piece of comedy.
• Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) – Although this movie doesn’t include much pot use, its main character, Jeff Spiccoli, is considered one of the most well-known movie stoners of all time. His character greatly influenced the slacker surfer types that appeared in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Wayne’s World.
• Dazed and Confused (1993) – This coming-of-age comedy includes a cast of highschoolers who spend their days partying in a fog of marijuana, to the rock n’ roll songs of the day.
• Half-Baked (1998) — The film featuring comedian Dave Chappelle opens with someone lighting up a joint with a red butane light. The movie focuses on a trio of potheads who get arrested after they accidentally kill a police horse by feeding it junk food. They raise bail by selling marijuana stolen from a lab.
• How High (2001) – Starring rappers Method Man and RedMan, How High focuses on a pair of friends smoking marijuana that was grown with their dead friend’s ashes. Their friend’s ghost shows up to help them pass their college entrance exams.
• Pineapple Express (2008) – You don’t want to miss this one, featuring actor Seth Rogen, whose enjoyment of a rare strain of marijuana nearly proves fatal when he drops his roach in a panic after witnessing a murder. Because the pricey weed can be traced back to him, Rogen and his friend flee with a dangerous drug lord and a crooked cop in pursuit.
• The Big Lebowski (1988) – Jeff `The Dude’ Lebowski is mistaken for Jeffrey Lebowski, who is The Big Lebowski. After being roughed up, he goes in search of his namesake, who offers him a job finding his kidnapped wife. In addition to lots of people toking on joints, The Dude emulates the relaxed, slow-paced lure of the marijuana lifestyle.
• Easy Rider (1969) – This cult classic focuses on two bikers who ride through the South and Southwest carrying the proceeds from a cocaine deal. The film is laced with drug use, both marijuana and other substances.
• Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) – A pair drive a red convertible across the Mojave desert to Las Vegas with a suitcase full of drugs to cover a motorcycle race in a wild drug-fueled binge.
• Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) – Two high school pals about to fail school get help from a time traveler. They traveled to various times in history to help them complete their final history exam.
• Wayne’s World (1992) – This movie focuses on two metalheads who host a public cable network TV show from the basement of one of the friend’s home and the misadventures that ensue when a TV executive decides he wants the show on his network.

WHY CHOOSE CBD INSTEAD OF MARIJUANA?

While the benefits of CBD continue to be explored, this also opens up an unregulated market within the CBD industry, which offers a variety of products containing CBD for a variety of uses.

The CBD market is expanding and developing quickly, as research continues to reveal new ways that CBD is proving to have therapeutic qualities that make life better by addressing conditions like anxiety, that have historically been treated with traditional medications with numerous side effects. Soothe yourself. CBD has been proven effective. Celebrate 710 your own way!

Disclaimer: The FDA does not regulate the safety and purity of CBD, and not all states require manufacturers to properly label their products. Reading labels on CBD products is important so you have a clear understanding of how much CBD the product contains. A 2017 study that reviewed the labels of CBD products found that nearly 70 percent of the CBD products they analyzed contained less CBD than labeled. Forty-percent of the 84 products examined were “under-labeled,” meaning they contained more CBD than their label indicated. In addition, approximately 25 percent were “over-labeled,” meaning they contained less than the label stated, potentially negating any therapeutic effect. That’s why it is especially important to use reliable CBD brands known for their quality control. Look for brands that offer CBD (not simply hemp oil or hemp extracts) and have their certificate of analysis readily available to you on their website.