Today, many cannaconsumers take hemp and cannabis for granted due to the wonderful world we live that allows people easy access. Hemp has been adored whilst being vilified for millenniums. Its use as a durable and easy to use textile as well as its intoxicating effects have garnered human interest since they first laid eyes on it. Its versatility led to the globalization of its use, but it all started somewhere. Be prepared to be amazed at how long humans have been enjoying the plant. So, kick back in the cut, fire one up, and let’s learn about the world history of weed stuff.
Earliest Records of Use
The first recorded uses of hemp can be traced back to Asia between 8800-6500 BCE, a period known as the pre-Neolithic era. An archeology site in Japan found buds dating back to 8000 BCE (before common era) indicating a significant use of the plant. It started to become undeniably used by 5000 BCE in China, with carbon-dated hemp fibered pottery found in the country. The Chinese soon started using hemp for clothing, rope, and some of the earlier forms of paper.
It spread to India by 1000 BCE and became used in the Hindu religion. The plant continued to make its way west over the Hindu Kush mountains, where we termed the word for the Kush strains we all know and love today. When visiting Scythia sometime around 480 BCE, the Greek historian Herodotus stated, “The natives often inhale vapors of hemp-seed smoke for both ritual and recreational pleasure.” The recreational use of hemp would take a big leap over the next 2000 years.
When it Started to Spread Globally
By 1200 AD, the plant had found its way from the farthest reaches of Asia, through Persia, and found its way to the Arabian countries. This happened due to the invention of hashish. Hashish is made by separating the rosin from the plant. Different civilizations had different methods of extraction but the result was the same. A pressed concentrated form of THC. Hashish made the transportation of cannabis/hemp products much easier. It was concentrated, which meant less was needed to achieve the desired results. However, this wouldn’t be smoked until tobacco was introduced in the 1500s. Unti then, it was mainly consumed as an edible. By the 1600’s, hemp and cannabis had conquered Europe with King Henry VIII encouraging its cultivation to help build their growing navy. The hemp fabric provided much more durable sails that reduced costs or repairs allowing the country to continue to build.
When Europeans Met Native Americans
Early Florida Explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, a Spainard, described many tribes consuming the plant during his 1527-1537 expedition of the new word. He would say, “Throughout the country they get inebriated by using a certain smoke and will give everything they have in order to get it.” The English noticed the Native Americans cultivation of hemp and took note. They wrote back to England reporting that the hemp of the new world was better than any of that in England. By 1620, the colony of Virgina had passed an act that required plantation owners to grow both English and Native American hemp.
The Founding Fathers Love of Hemp
The founding fathers of The United States loved hemp for the versatility it offered and the convenience of its growth. They needed a sturdy textile to build their new country on and hemp made logical sense. Early American leaders such as George Washington, Ben Franklin, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and Henry Clay all harvested hemp. They had an army and a navy to build, and they’d need hemp to do so. Washington would say, “Make the most of the Indian hemp seed. Sow it everywhere.” Thomas Jefferson had this to say, “Hemp is the first necessity to wealth and protection of the country.” Without the founders’ confidence in hemp, The United States may have never been born. It was a mainstay cash crop until the villains of weed turned the nation and in part the world against it. Strangely, making the utilitarian uses of hemp illegal people would focus on making hemp stronger for recreational purposes creating the cannabis that would evolve into what we know today.
Holland Throws Down the Gauntlet
The Dutch government would be the first to approve the recreational sale of cannabis in 1976. They allowed for the sale in “coffee shops” which would be the predecessor to the modern dispensaries we know today. Around this time, the world started to notice the medicinal benefits of the plant when treating cancer and aids patients. The counterculture of the 1960s had already started to destigmatize the plant, and with its increasing use in the field of medicine, the world needed to take a second look at the legality of this amazing muti-use plant.
The United States of America has Joined the Chat
California would lead the way for medical cannabis in The United States by making it available for patients in 1996 when they decided to go against the aging archaic federal laws. Today over half the states in the country have medicinal marijuana programs. Some are still laughable though. Looking at you Iowa! The success of medicinal marijuana programs led to states forcing the legalization effort. Though the federal government still refuses to make cannabis legal nationwide, they have left it up to individual states to make their own decision and boy did they. Washington was the first state to legalize cannabis for recreational use on December 6, 2012. Colorado would follow suit just four days later. The weed revolution had begun!
That Brings Us to the Present
Here you are today! 24 states have recreational cannabis and most states have a thriving hemp market. Hemp helped expand the world, industrialization killed it leading to recreational cannabis, and recreational cannabis led to the revitalization of hemp. Now, hemp is nearly indistinguishable from cannabis. The country is almost halfway to complete legalization. It took over 10,000 years but the plant is finally getting some of the respect it deserves. THC products can now be purchased safely and consumed with little apprehension. We truly are living in an amazing age of information, understanding, and cannabis. If you want to stay up to date with all the articles and deals provided by RiverBluff Collective, SIGN UP for our email group today!
To get high many compounds play their part throughout the endocannabinoid system. Most people only think of THC and think of it as singular compound. However, THC is not a singular compound. There are many forms that are known and more than likely some yet to be discovered. RiverBluff Collective selects many forms of THC to use in their hemp-derived products and they want you to know the difference between some they use and one they can’t anymore. Time to dispel some myths, spread some knowledge, and remember an outcast. So, kick back in the cut, fire one up, and let’s learn about some specific THC stuff!
THC-A
THC-A is the most common form of THC. When smoking flower, THC-A is the compound getting you where you want to be. Once THC-A is heated it converts to Delta 9 THC, but we will get there in a second. The government’s misunderstanding of THC-A unknowingly reclassified the vast majority of cannabis grown in the US as hemp, including many strains found in a traditional dispensary. Their fault has led to a thriving Hemp market which they now threaten to take away.
Delta 9 THC
Delta 9 THC is what most people have the misconception as “just” THC. Delta 9 THC makes up very little of a bud’s THC. However, THC-A converts to Delta 9 THC when heated. It is possibly the most effective form of THC in edible form and most vapes as the extraction process converts THC-A to Delta 9 THC. Recently, science has managed to extract THC-A for vapes like those we carry. RiverBluff Collective currently doesnt sell their vapes online but check out these Ice Pop frozen treats.
Delta 8 THC
Delta 8 THC led to the rise of the hemp-derived THC industry. It is found in scant amounts in both hemp and cannabis. When the recreational cannabis markets started to open, some consumers were unhappy with the tax they were paying and found solace in Delta 8 THC. Delta 8 THC isn’t as effective as THC-A or Delta 9 THC, but it has its uses. If you are new to THC consumption Delta 8 THC is a good entry point. Look at these delicious Delta 8 THC chocolates.
THC-P
THC-P is the newest member of the THC family. It is believed to be the strongest form of THC found thus far hitting an estimated 33x the neuroreceptors in your endocannabinoid system. It is very difficult to extract, and most hemp-derived products use it sparingly. Our Knockout Blend gummies are a perfect example of this. They’re not on the website but feel free to stop in the store and ask to see them!
THC-O
THC-O is the outcast of the THC family. It is synthetically made and provides a much different experience for the consumer. It was attempted to be weaponized by the US military in the mid 1970’s for its effect on motor skills. It gave you a much more hallucinogenic feel than other forms of THC and affected equilibrium. Longterm use was linked to vertigo and THC-O was banned in the states in 2023.
Conclusion
Clearly there is no such thing as “just” THC. Only a handful of the THC family were covered here but the ones that were are worth remembering. If someone offers you a THC treat, ask what is in it, and if not to your liking don’t discourage others. Variety is the spice of life! THC-O may have been the first to be outlawed but it won’t be the last. Just appreciate you still can. SIGN UP for our email group to keep up to date with all things RiverBluff Collective.
Summertime has kicked into full gear, and RiverBluff Collective wants to help you make the most of your time in the warm weather while it lasts. What better way to smoke on the move than the good old fashioned joint or cannabis pre-roll, as they are now called? Pre-rolls are concealable, easily portable, single use and more eco-friendly than anything battery operated. The classics become classics for a reason! When you’re on the move and looking for a goodtime, RiverBluff Collective has all your cannabis needs (and even some stellar tips on where to enjoy them!) So, kick back in the cut, fire one up, and let’s learn about some fun things to do while high on weed.
Hiking
This one may be cliche but remember what was said about classics! The weather is nice outside so enjoy it while you can. You could take a walk around the block a few times and get roughly the same amount of exercise, but where is the adventurous spirit in that? A hike in the wild is good for reflection and a peaceful place to toke.
Separating from the urban and suburban settings many live in can help people disconnect, even if for just a few hours, and reminds us how many of our problems aren’t as big as we think. Feeling even some of your worries melt away is priceless! The Mines of Spain are beautiful this time of year and filled with enough trails to burn through more than one day. If you are looking for more of a quick hike, a march out to either of the points at Chestnut Mountain Resort provides some of the most breathtaking views of the Mississippi River you can find. RiverBluff suggests an Apple Tart pre-roll for your journey.
Camping
Camping is just extreme hiking! Disconnecting for a little bit can melt worries away but being disconnected for a long duration can do wonders for your confidence. Leaving the house knowing you will have to find a place to sleep & make food without modern luxuries, all while carrying everything you will need on your back, is a humbling experience. No better time to uplift the situation than by lighting up! Whether choosing a traditional campsite or just hiking and suddenly deciding you’ve found a good place to set up camp for the night, nothing beats looking up at the stars before falling asleep and wondering what else is out there. That’s right! You transition right from hiking into camping into thinking about aliens. A joint will be necessary. Most of the cool campgrounds are on the banks of the Mississippi so they can only be used when the water level is down. That puts them out of commission a lot, but if you get a weekend, they are open! Check out Miller Riverview Park & Campground,Frentress Marina and Resort, or choose one you like from this list. Luckily, most of us know someone with a yard and every yard can be a campground when motivated! It is extended hiking so bring multiple Apple Tart pre-rolls!
Float On a River or Lake
Hiking and camping both involve a lot of walking in extreme heat. Not everyone is down for that, so why not do the complete opposite? Outside to beat the heat on or in the water is the best place to be. Floating on water, stoned, relaxing in the sun, is a very freeing experience as the water pulls you along. This is the cheapest, lowest effort option available on RiverBluff’s list. Get an innertube, floaties, or any other inflatable object and find water. You’ll be floating and relaxing with a cannabis pre-roll in your mouth in no time at all. Remember, wear a lifejacket people! There are rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams everywhere including one of the largest rivers in the world right outside East Dubuque. If you don’t pack a Cereal Milk preroll, you might just be fruit loops.
Find A Weird Spot to Chill
Ditch your comfort zone and go people watching someplace weird! One of the best parts about this planet is no matter where you are there is someplace weird nearby. Most people go to the normal sites, so you see the same type of people you always see, and they are always crowded with normies. You’ll meet interesting people in weird places almost without fail. If you want to venture slightly out of state, The House on the Rock is absolutely amazing! A cavalcade of oddities and mysterious items, it served as one of the settings for Neil Gaiman’s bestselling novel, American Gods.If that doesn’t trip your fancy, just google strange places and take your pick. The Mathias Ham House isn’t as weird but it is creepy which is just as good. Not many places stranger than Hollywood, so you had best pack an LA Kush Cake pre-roll for your adventure.
Get Lost in a Museum
As the temperatures rise you may be in search of air conditioning! You know who has this? Museums! Do you want to take a good hike in a nice temperature-controlled room? The places are huge. Want to see the stars? A lot of them have a room for that specific purpose. You don’t need to get wet to stay cool when air conditioning exists! You want to see weird and strange things? That is exclusively what museums show off. Get lit and get lost in a museum. Burn some calories, stay cool without getting wet, and learn about something you wouldn’t have before. No better place in the area than National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium! If you’re spending the day inside to chill out, start it off with a Sundae Driver pre-roll.
If you enjoyed this piece and want to stay up to date with all of RiverBluff Collective’s latest deals and articles. Feel Free to SIGN UP for our email list.
Some people shy away from smoking flower simply because they don’t know how to roll a joint or blunt and can’t store utensils in their house. RiverBluff Collective is here to tell you there is no need to be shy. Rolling a joint or blunt may be an art form but it is a dying one like cursive writing. Saying you can’t smoke a joint because you can’t roll one is like saying you can’t type a letter because you don’t know how to put paper in a typewriter. We have computers now! Civilization has advanced beyond that stage. New methods exist to make your life easier. Unless you are an artisan smoker, there is no need to know how to roll anymore. So, kick back in the cut, fire on up, and let’s learn about getting some pre-rolled weed stuff.
Buy One
This one seems like cheating. RiverBluff Collective knows they aren’t teaching you anything new here. This is just a reminder. You don’t need to know how to roll if you just buy a pre-roll. You can try flower with little to no time or effort exerted. Just pop into your local dispensary, pick out a joint, and you’re on your way.
Pre-rolled Cones
This is the main reason you don’t need to know how to roll anymore. The joint comes pre-rolled with a filter. All that is required is it to be filled. Each cone comes with a ramrod to help make sure a tightly packed joint. Once you have it packet like a musket in the 1700’s, you only need to twist the top closed and spark it up! You can find cones by many great companies like Raw,Element,Zig Zag, and Blazy Susan.
Hollow Blunts
More of a blunt smoker than a joint smoker? Well, it wasn’t long after the introduction of the pre-rolled cone that the hollow blunt made its way onto shelves. These work the same way as a pre-rolled cone except they are a straight cylinder and generally larger. You won’t be packing a musket this time but more of a blunderbuss. No need to twist the top with these ones just fill it and rip. Many companies make hollow blunts but a RiverBluff Collective favorite has always been King Palm!
Rolling Machines
This is the least convenient way to get a pre-roll but it is an option. Most of the companies mentioned thus far make rollers that range in sizes. Pick your machine, pick your wraps, pick your strain, read the instructions, and off you go. You’ll be smoking in no time and will have rolled a joint without having to know how to.
Burn One Down
As you can see, there is no need to know how to roll in this day and age. Companies have invested a lot of time into making sure you can enjoy a pre-roll with little to no experience. Don’t be shy about trying flower just because you can’t roll, we are beyond that now! The cannabis revolution is here and there shall be pre-rolls for all of those of legal consumption age. To stay up to date with all things RiverBluff Collective, SIGN UP for our email group now!
RiverBluff Collective hates to see people stuck casting cannaconsumers in the same old stereotypes. Those who consume cannabis aren’t by default dumb, lazy, unmotivated, or unfit. Some of the most successful people ever have smoked weed, eaten THC-infused edibles, or enjoyed other THC products, and they managed to overcome those stereotypes to leave a lasting mark on history. This list could be filled will artists and musicians but those would have been easily guessed and that’s not the name of the article. So kick back in the cut, fire one up, and let’s learn about people you’d never guess were into weed stuff!
Barack Obama
Okay, so you may have guessed this one, but it is still fascinating. The most recent entry on the list, Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America, became the first presidential candidate to openly admit to having smoked cannabis. He didn’t dodge the question like Bill Clinton did. Clinton claimed he never inhaled; Obama said “Yes I inhaled that was kind of the point.”
Steve Jobs may be the most driven person to ever live. The former head of Apple took the personal computer out of the office and placed them in people’s homes. Without him, there is a decent chance smart phones wouldn’t be as advanced as they are now. Jobs wasn’t just a fan of cannabis – he also enjoyed LSD. Though he claimed to leave his cannabis consumption in the 70s, he left the world with unbelievable stories. Like the time he and Wozniak tried to get the Pope on the phone just for fun. If Steve were still around, he’d probably pop by the shop for a Apple Tart preroll.
Carl Sagan
Carl Sagan is on the short list of the smartest people to have ever lived. Sagan, a decorated astronomer, brought science into the mainstream during the 1970s with the TV show Cosmos, which he wrote and presented. When the government had questions about space, they called Carl Sagan. Sagan never shied away from his vocal love of cannabis and the need for cannabis law reform. Carl was always prepared to discuss the benefits of cannabis as he did in this article about why he liked smoking marijuana. If Carl were still around, he’d probably be trying blast off with RiverBluff’s Starman gummies.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
You’ve read about a charismatic pothead, a driven pothead, and a genius pothead but what about the physically fit pothead? How about one of the most physically fit people of all time? Arnold Schwarzenegger! That’s right. The man who was once a muscle mountain loved to hit the ganja after lifting. Several shots of him hitting the green can be seen in the documentary Pumping Iron. Arnold would go from bodybuilding, to acting to politics. Not too shabby for a stoner speaking their second language. Arnold would probably be into something strong like him such as RiverBluff’s Bluff Pops.
William Shakespeare
This one may be a bit farfetched. It is not like there are pictures, interviews, or references to Shakespeare smoking cannabis. However, that doesn’t mean there is no evidence that big Bill liked to toke a bit. Though experts refuse to agree, the clay pipes with drug residue found by archeologists at Shakespeare’s home cannot be denied. This one may have the least evidence to prove it but may be the most fascinating. The writer by which all writers are judged may have been just as high as the rest of us while he wrote! That’s pretty cool! RiverBluff thinks Billy would be show his affections with more than just word but with RiverBluff’s chocolate.
To stay up to date with all the latest deals and articles offered by RiverBluff Collective, feel free toSIGN UP for our email group!
Do you want your weed to last longer? Don’t want to scroll through the 100s of articles on the topic? Don’t worry, we combed through them all for you to separate the things that seemed a bit farfetched and zone in on the things almost everyone agrees on. We know flower deteriorates over time and loses its efficacy. The best way to increase the life span of your bud is proper storage. Kick back in the cut, fire one up, and let’s learn how to store some weed stuff.
Tip 1: Keep It Cool, but not too cool
This one should go without saying but keep your cannabis away from heat (unless you’re ready to blaze up 😉). Heat causes buds to fry out and burn poorly and can cause terpenes to evaporate changing the flavor profile and overall experience. When we say keep it cool, we don’t mean keep it cold. Cold can also have adverse effects on cannabis flower especially at freezing temperatures. Freezing temperatures can cause trichomes to pop and lower the potency as well, and nobody wants that!
Tip 2: Keep It Away from Sunlight
The Sun! Isn’t it strange how something civilization relies on to survive can be such a menace? It can burn your skin, it can give you cancer, and can destroy your cannabis flowers. Besides drying it, which we already covered, the sun’s UV rays can break down cannabinoids and terpenes the same way it makes colors fade. Keep your cannabis flower out of sunlight! Keep it out of the light for that matter. A drawer, cabinet, closet, or a super-secret hidden box all can protect your precious buds very well.
Tip 3: Keep it Dry
We don’t want you to have dry cannabis flower, but you should know moisture is not its friend. Moisture in jars causes more mold problems than anything else. So, unless you are brave and want to see if fire beats mold, it is best to just cut your losses and trash the bud. But like stated previously, keeping it too dry isn’t good either. It is best to keep your cannabis flower at 59-63% relative humidity for best results. You can help control this by adding humidity packs to your stash. Controlling humidity is also why you should avoid refrigerating your buds. The drastic changes in temperature will also lead to mold problems
Tip 4: Pick a Good Container
Always go glass! Storing cannabis long term in plastic, rubber, or metal containers can effect the taste of your herb. They work great for short-term use, but if you are looking to stow something away for a rainy day, you will want a glass container. Glass containers have far less effect on the taste of your weed. You can also get them in darker colors to help lessen UV light exposure even further. Many come with hermetic seals that also prevent moisture from getting in. Glass is the MVP of storing weed. Just make sure you get a proper size; you don’t want to have to smash it in there!
Tip 5: Keep The Container Clean
Think of your container as a clean room for your bud. It needs to be maintained or outside contaminants can get in and cause the dreaded mold. Mold sucks! It is the villain of storing weed. Sweat, dirt, random particulates can all get into your jar and bring mold right in there with them. If you notice your container has any gunk, grime, or wet on it, it is best to clean the container and dry it extensively before returning your stash. This probably is the last thing you think about when preparing to indulge but it will do your cannabis well.
One Last Thing
We know people smoke weed at different paces but buying in bulk will save you money in the long run. Even if an eighth will last you a while, buying a quarter, half or ounce will save you money and time so storing it properly is essential. Properly storing your flower can keep it fresh for 6 months to a year. Bulk buying will always save you time and a few bucks and, who couldn’t use extra money and time? If you enjoyed this article and want to stay up to date on all things RiverBluff Collective, please feel free to SIGN UP for our email group.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
