Instead of thinking of cannabis and resolutions as oxymorons, why not pair the two?
A new year is upon us, and with it comes the opportunity for self-improvement through goal-setting. While the stereotypes around weed may have you thinking using more weed would negate those goals, some research actually shows weed can help you be more productive, as long as you figure out how to use it to your advantage.
RELATED: Which strain is best for productivity – Indica or Sativa?
The cannabis industry grew more than ever this year, with sales coming to nearly $40 billion in 2021. There are more ways to enjoy your favorite plant now than ever, and an increasing amount of research is being done on the product to reveal its many health benefits. If there was ever a time to try something new in the wide world of weed, now is it.
Fortunately, we’re one step ahead of you. We came up with 5 New Year’s resolutions for the modern cannabis enthusiast. Whether you use it only for medical purposes or have been smoking joints since high school, there’s a challenge here for you. And who knows? Trying something new might mean you discover something game-changing.
1. Accessorize
The first resolution on our list is to try a new accessory. If you’ve been thinking about improving the way you consume cannabis, changing up the accessories you use or adding accessories to your repertoire could be just what you need.
Whether it’s a bong, dab nail or pipe, the accessories you use to consume cannabis and their quality can greatly affect your high. Dabbing, for instance, is known to produce much stronger psychoactive effects than smoking, and using under-the-tongue droppers to consume cannabis rather than smoking it can be a great idea if you want to try microdosing.
RELATED: Dabs or flower: Which is healthier?
Using poor-quality accessories, especially vape pens or e-cigarettes, can not only affect your experience with cannabis but can also be dangerous, so if you think your accessories might need an upgrade, don’t hesitate to replace them.
You can usually purchase cannabis accessories at your local dispensary, or at a smoke shop. Research what consumption method sounds best for you, and treat yourself to the accessories built to make it happen.
2. New Year, New Me, New Strain
We’re sure you have one strain that’s your go-to, but why not mix it up? New strains are coming to the market every year, and the New Year provides a perfect opportunity to try something new.
RELATED: The complete cannabis-grower’s starter pack: What you need to grow your weed
If you’ve been using cannabis to treat specific ailments, you can take some time to discuss your options with your healthcare provider. Or, if you’re just using cannabis for fun, talk to the staff of your local dispensary and see what new strains they’re loving. There are strains designed to help with almost anything in the book, from anxiety to intimacy issues, so if one isn’t meeting your needs, you’ve got options.
3. Get Cooking
If you’ve chosen to start cooking more this new year, what better way is there to try out your culinary skills than to incorporate cannabis into your dishes?
Want to learn how to make your own edibles? Or perhaps you’re looking to delight your tastebuds with infused mac n’ cheese. No matter what you’re going to cook, adding some cannabis to the mix will take things to the next level (and impress your guests.)
4. Grow Your Own
Growing your cannabis will not only reduce the costs of having to visit a dispensary to purchase your weed. It will also give you a newfound love and appreciation for everything it takes to achieve a successful yield. What’s more, it’s more environmentally friendly than buying weed from a grow facility.
So, if your New Year’s resolution was to become more environmentally conscious, or to become a plant parent, growing your own cannabis might be a perfect challenge for you. And the best part? If you do it right, you’ll get free weed.
5. Pursue “High”-er Education
There’s so much new research coming out about cannabis these days that even the most die-hard cannabis enthusiast has something to learn. The good news? Cannabis has come to the world of academia. Now, you can actually get a degree in cannabis studies.
Whether you’ve always wanted to start your own cannabis business, are a doctor looking to incorporate medical marijuana into your practice, or want to be part of the research teams studying the cannabis plant, you can get a degree to boost your expertise and credibility in all these things and more. Take some time to research what cannabis degree might be right for you here.
Whether you want to start a new career path in the cannabis industry or just want to try a new strain, there’s a challenge for you on our list. Here’s wishing you a dank new year!