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darnold1975

National CBD Month

“It’s CBD. It helps with the healing process and inflammation, stuff like that…it’s make your life a better place.”

-Nate & Nick Diaz, MMA fighters

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy, go away. Today is National CBD Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public about cannabidiol (CBD).

By now, millions of Americans have learned about the benefits of CBD. However, there are still individuals who choose pharmaceuticals over this natural aid. That is why it’s imperative to clearly state the advantages of using CBD, so others around the world can gain access to it.

CBD has helped many people with both physical and mental health needs, yet it continues to carry a stigma. The main reason for this is the long-standing legal ban on cannabis, since cannabis and CBD are derived from the same plant. When the 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized all hemp products, it clarified that hemp is a part of the cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% THC. With CBD, individuals can experience the benefits of the plant without getting high.

In 2019, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that CBD ranked fourth in the U.S. for wellness-related Google searches. This demonstrates CBD’s growing popularity and the public’s desire to learn more. Despite this, 35% of Americans were still unfamiliar with it at the time. In 2020, CBDMD founded National CBD Month to celebrate the availability of CBD products and to expand access to them. Their mission has helped highlight why CBD is sometimes prescribed to cancer patients when traditional medications fall short (https://nationaltoday.com/national-cbd-month/?utm_source=chatgpt.com).

Unfortunately, as if recent legislation hadn’t caused enough harm, a clause has been introduced that would ban these products starting in November 2026. While it’s true that some companies produced dangerously unregulated hemp products that were sold to minors and some consumers became sick, the response should have been regulation, not an outright ban. Instead of protecting consumers through oversight and safety standards, lawmakers chose to eliminate access altogether, which is one of many questionable decisions they’ve made.

My hope is that lawmakers will reconvene and recognize that banning this substance entirely will do more harm than good. Proper regulation would protect consumers while allowing people to make healthier choices for their medical and mental health needs.

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for updates on this issue.

Affirmation: I choose informed, mindful wellness that supports my body and nervous system.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife

darnold1975

The Girls And Their New Year’s “Revolutions”

“Every day is Caturday.”

-Unknown

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to tell you about what the girls have decided that their new year’s resolutions will be. 

Copeland asked me one day, “Momma what are Coco, Tink and Piper’s new year’s revolutions?” Not really paying attention I asked, “What did you say?” He repeated, “What are Tink, Coco, and Piper’s New Year’s “Revolutions?” I start giggling. He said, “Why are you laughing?” I told him, “Baby boy, that’s New Year’s Resolutions not Revolutions.” To which he replied, “Can you please find out?” So, this story is my quest for answers.

Me: “Girls! Come here, please!”

Piper: “Coming momma!”

Coco: “Me too!”

Tink: “Me three!”

The sound of the jingling of the bell on their collars is always anticipated

  Me: “Thank you, girls. So, brother Copeland wants me to ask you a question. He wants to know what your New Year’s “Revolutions” are?

Piper: “What’s that?”

Coco: “Momma, my revolutions are around the snack cart only?”

Tink:  “You’re a dork. Momma, could you explain to me what that is?”

Me: “Well, it’s what you want to challenge yourself to do for the New Year.”

Coco: “That’s easy. I want to seize control over the world’s supply of catnip.”

Tink: “I want to learn how to fly and be a bird.”

Coco: “Omg! Was that a serious answer?”

Tink: “Hush it grumpy.”

Me: “Ok, Piper it’s your turn. Piper get still and be serious!”

Piper: “But momma, I’m just playing with the leftover bows and wrapping paper.”

Me: “You can do that in a minute. Your little brother wanted me to ask you about what you want to change for the new year. It’s called a New Year’s Resolution.”

Piper: “I want to enter an American Ninja Warrior competition.”

Me: “Piper, you’re too young.”

Piper: “Ummmm, ok. Well, how about taking more selfies?”

Me: “Let’s just say that maybe working on manners. And why do you want to take more selfies?”

Piper: “Because people think I’m cute!”

Me: “Fair enough little girl. Coco, do you have another resolution?”

Coco: “More catnip.”

Me: “Really? Like you couldn’t come up with another one?”

Coco: “I just do not want to be bothered and have my own personal supply of cookies, catnip, and lizards. You know I’m pretty much a professional at catching lizards.”

Me: “Yes. But only if you’re the only one in the room.”

Piper: “Yea, Coco. You need to share your lizards.”

Tink: “Momma, what are your New Year’s Resolutions?”

Me: “Probably, just authoring more stories about you all. I would also like to spend more time with your brothers. And I have a big surprise for this year.”

Coco, Tink and Piper: “Oh we like surprises. What is it?”

Me: “Well, it’s a surprise.”

Coco: “Momma, you can’t tell us that you have a surprise and then not tell us. It’s against the rules.”

Me: “Rules of what?”

Coco: “Well, I do live in the United States of Coco. And in the cat bible of instructions it’s specifically states, “You are not allowed to speak of surprises and not instantly tell us what it is. And that is found in 1 Coco 24:7.”

Me: “Big problem. I’m not a cat.”

Coco: “That’s right. I feel sorry for you. Because cats are the highest beings on earth.”

Me: “Have you ever seen me on 420? Because I would put that statement to the test. Ok. Does anyone have something else they need to say in this family meeting?”

Tink: “Well, momma, I would like to bite the big orange turd in the White House directly in his swollen cankles.”

Me: “I think most people in our country could agree on that. For right now though, let’s just work on becoming an even happier family.”

Piper: “But what about my brothers?”

Me:  “Baby, your brothers will always be a part of our family.”

Affirmation: There is no one else in the world I would rather be.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife

darnold1975

Budtender Moment: The Bridge Strain Review

“I think people need to be educated to the fact that marijuana is not a drug. Marijuana is a flower. God put it here.”

-Willie Nelson

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to tell you about a beautiful strain called The Bridge by Apotha.

I couldn’t find a lot of information about this strain. However, I’m going to give you what I did find. The Bridge is a 50/50 hybrid cross between Street Guru x 1987. Now let’s dive a little deeper. Street Guru is a cross between Gushmintz x Oooze. And 1987 is across between (Fort Collins Cough x Super Silver Sour Diesel) x ( Kali Mist x Super Silver Sour Diesel). Good gracious that’s a lot of genetic material! The flavors include sweet, fruity berry flavors with a little bit of hazy and a dash of spicy notes. The assortment of flavors resembles a party in your mouth.

The top terpenes include B-Caryophyllene, Limonene, and Terpinolene (good as an antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial). The medical benefits in this strain includes relief from chronic stress, chronic fatigue, depression, mood swings, ADD or ADHD, headaches, and migraines. Let me just say that this balanced hybrid is an experience that you will never forget. And I promise that it’s one that would be perfect for amateur and experienced smokers. You can smoke it throughout the day and not worry about the hard core “couch lock.” Thanks for reading! Keep blazin.’

Affirmation: I love being a stoner.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife

darnold1975

Budtender Moment: Apple Banana Bread Strain Review

“If weed puns are a sin, then I’ll see you inhale.”

-Unknown

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to talk to you about the strain known as Apple Banana Bread. And this time of the year a freshly baked bread sounds pretty good.

Apple Banana Bread is an indica-dominant strain. The genetics include Platinum Cookies x Grandaddy Purple x Blue Power x Gelatti. And this might be one of my new favorite strains. Let’s look at the diverse genetic line a little closer. Platinum Cookies is a cross between OG Kush x Durban Poison. Grandaddy Purple is a cross between Mendo Purps x Skunk x Afghanistan. Blue Power is a 4-way cross between Sour Double x Master Kush x The White x Blue Moonshine. Gelatti is a cross between Gelato x OG Biscotti. What a truly beautiful genetic line. No wonder I love this strain.

On inhale the first taste is something very sweet and somewhat floral. The dominant terpenes in this strain are Pinene, Caryophyllene and Myrcene. The medical benefits include relief from stress, anxiety, pain, mood, appetite, and sleep. This strain has some truly hard-core munchies that hit with gusto. It’s not so strong that it will give you “couch lock.” It feels a lot like blue dream with more indica. 

I highly suggest this strain as an everyday use. It can be used on a lunch break if used in moderation. And for nighttime use, it works good enough to send you gently into dreamland. The only thing that would be better would be a concentrate in this strain. And I am headed out to look for it. Thanks for reading! Keep blazin.’

Affirmation: I make health choices when it comes to weed.

***Don’t forget to watch the video***

#Thispuzzledlife

darnold1975

Top Cannabis Strains Of 2025

“When in doubt, smoke it out.”

-Unknown

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to give you a list of the stop cannabis strains of 2025. I know. I have smoked acres of weed this year. And I always enjoy seeing the top weed strains of the year. 

It’s that time of year where we find out top strains from across the country. I manage my healthcare by researching strains that work best on my symptoms. And then, I look to see if any of the strains are found locally. See if you recognize any of these strains.

1.        Blue Dream: a hybrid that gives you that nice balanced high. This strain works very well for PTSD.

2.        Gelato 41: A balanced hybrid known for sweet flavoring.

3.        Cocolato: A daytime use with chocolate and coconut flavoring.

4.        Sour Diesel: This is a classic sativa-dominant hybrid strain used to help with anxiety and fatigue.

5.        Lemon Cherry Gelato: An uplifting hybrid popular for citrus and berry flavors.

6.        White Runtz: A good strain to help with both relaxation and mental clarity.

7.        Pink Certz: Uplifting hybrid that I tried recently that is very impressive with its balanced effects.

8.        Godfather OG: A potent indica-dominant strain that has the potential to grant you a “couch lock” session.

9.        Ice Cream Cake: I love this strain! It works well on pain, stress, anxiety, and insomnia. And it will make sure you drift off into a nice little cannabis coma.

10.   OG Kush: Another classic blend of indica-dominance. This is just a good all-around strain.

11.   Permanent Marker: I tried this indica-dominant strain this year. It definitely has the potency and stink that aims to please.

12.   South Diesel: Classic sativa-dominant hybrid that is sure to give you some “get-up-and-go” effects while putting a the sour and stink flavors in one luscious bud.

13.   Biscotti: This is an indica-dominant hybrid  that is known as a “dessert strain” flavoring.

14.   Super Boof: This is a stain that is sativa-dominant that didn’t push my anxiety into a panic attack. But use sparingly if you’re really sensitive to sativa strains. Just a “WOW” strain in my opinion.

15.   Cereal Milk: This strain is known for its sweet and creamy taste profile. It’s said to be sativa leaning. However, it feels like a balanced hybrid. A must try for anyone!

16.   Blueberry: A classic indica dominant strain that is known as a suppressor for many conditions and rich berry flavoring. This strain is often crossbred to many different strains. And a big genetic factor for strains that work is known to work well on PTSD.

I can say with certainty that these are not the only strains that have been spotlighted for 2025. But it is a list that maybe you have tried and can attest to the power of their medicine. Thanks for reading! Keep blazin.”

Affirmation: Love flows to me, through me, and around me.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife

darnold1975

Merry Christmas From Piper, Coco, And Tink

“You had me at meow.”

-Unknown

Piper: “When’s our next holiday?”

Me: “Funny you should ask. It is called Christmas.”

Piper: “And what happens then?”

Me: “Well, it’s another holiday where we spend time together as a family. Except this time, we leave catnip and treats out for Kitty Claus.”

Piper: “What does Kitty Claus do?”

Me: “He brings toys and snacks to all the cats all over the world.”

Piper: “Whoa! How does he do all of that?”

Me: “Well, Kitty Claus has a sleigh that’s magically powered by catnip. And then while all the cats are sleeping, he comes to where they are and leaves out gifts. And then he goes to the next area. And we leave out snacks with some tuna juice out to make sure he doesn’t get too hungry.”

Piper: “Oh, momma. What a great idea! I just love Kitty Claus.”

Me: “But have you been good this year?”

Piper: “Momma, I have been the best. Coco hasn’t because she’s grouchy and has been smacking me ever since I had my surgery.”

Me:  “Weren’t you around a lot of other animals?”

Piper: “Yes ma’am.”

Me: “When you come home and you smell funny, sometimes it scares other cats. Plus, you were definitely “bobbing and weaving.” And the smell of other animals stays in your fur for a while. And when you come home and start swatting  things in the air that aren’t there it is kind of understandable. Don’t you think? 

Piper: “You mean to tell me that I smell like a dog too?”

Me: “Ummmm….Yes you do!”

Coco: “Hello. I do have my own voice. Let me explain something little feline. I smelled the residue of a thermometer and those horrible dogs on you. Do you want to smell like those things?”

Piper: “Oh. I never want to smell like them. They are definitely the lesser of the animal species. And by the way, I was smelling colors and playing with butterflies.”

Tink: “Yea the ones that were not visible to the rest of us. But it’s ok. We did the same thing after our surgeries. It’s ok, kiddo. Coco is the oldest and, by far, the grouchiest.”

Piper: “I love you two. Ya’ll are the best! You teach me so many things. How are my manners?”

Coco: “There is always room for improvement.”

Tink: “Coming from the one who walks across momma in the mornings always putting her internal organs are risk? And the one who breaks into the tub where the cookies stay, and helps herself to a buffet?”

Me: “Ok girls. That’s enough. Everyone makes mistakes and Piper is still learning. But Coco, that does hurt when you walk across me in the mornings.”

Coco: “When I’m starving, my vision starts to become blurry. So, I need to be able to wake you up to feed me so that it doesn’t become permanent.”

Me: “Coco, you are not losing vision from being hungry. And I do not do things based on your inability to be patient.”

Tink: “Piper, you are doing better.”

Piper: “Thank you, Big Sissy. Momma, can we put out the yummies?”

Me: “Yes we can. And then ya’ll need to go to sleep so that Kitty Claus will bring your gifts.”

Coco: “Fine. But I need more cookies.”

Me: “Ok everyone needs to use the litter box and decide where they want to sleep.”

Tink: “I’m sleeping in front of the heater.”

Coco: “Oh me too.”

Piper: “Oh, I want to sleep in front of the heater too. Momma, come help me. I want to hurry and get into bed so that Kitty Clause brings my toys and snacks. Will you hold me while I go to sleep?”

Me: “The problem with that is that you will never get still. And then you just start chewing on my fingers.”

Piper: “That’s because they’re my binky.”

Me: “Well, don’t use my fingers as your binky. Go use the litter box.”

A few moments later

Piper: “Ok, momma. Wow! It looks great!”

Me: “Ok baby. Let’s go get in the recliner and I’ll hold you for a few minutes.”

Piper: “Yippee! Night big sissies!”

Coco and Tink: “Good night Piper.”

Piper took several minutes to gently lick and then chew my fingers while also being squirmy. I put her on her bed. All of the girls began taking their final baths for the day. And I watched videos on my phone. After several minutes, I looked up to find them all sound asleep. My family finally felt complete. Things get loud and crazy with the boys and the cats. But I smiled and realized, at that very moment, what Christmas was all about. It’s not about how much catnip and treats that you own. It’s about the type of unconditional love that can only come from some humans and all animals. And despite what the world might think, Coco, Tink, and Piper, love me no matter what.

Affirmation: I am worth treats and adoration.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife

darnold1975

Budtender Moment: Blueberry Muffins Strain Review

“I’m just a little “high” maintenance.”

-Unknown

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to tell you about a strain that reminds me of cold mornings when I was a kid. The strain is called Blueberry Muffins.

Blueberry Muffins is an 80/20 indica-dominant hybrid that many stoners love. It is a cross between Purple Panty Dropper x Blueberry. Purple Panty Dropper is a cross between Purple Haze x Oregon Grape x Matanuskan Mist. Blueberry is a cross between Purple Thai x Afghan. This strain is just loaded with great genetics. And it’s one that I really enjoy.

The major terpenes in this strain are Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene, Humulene, and Bisabolol. Patients report relief from conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, stress, nausea, headaches, and migraines. This strain is just an all-around good strain. It’s good for both day and nighttime. It’s still a very indica strain that is what I need with overstimulation. If you are used to smoking heavy indicas, this one is not that potent. Beware of the dreaded “couch lock” if not used in moderation though. But it is still strong enough to use at night. This is a very popular strain in the area in which I live. And I would highly recommend this strain for potency and that wonderful berry flavoring. Thanks for reading! Keep blazin’.

Affirmation: I am a natural stoner

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife

darnold1975

Budtender Moment: Jelly Breath Strain Review

“A marijuana high can enhance core human mental abilities.”

-Sebastian Marincolo

 Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negativity energy, go away. Today, I want to talk to you about a strain called Jelly Breath. And thinking about warm toast with butter and jelly goes perfectly with this one.

The strain Jelly Breath is an indica-dominant hybrid. The genetics are a cross between Mendo Breath x Do-si-do. Now let’s break this down and talk about this strains heritage. Mendo Breath is an indica strain made by crossing OGKB x Mendo Montage. Sounds like dankness to me. And Do-si-do is a cross between  OGKB (OG Kush Breath is a Girl Scout Cookies phenotype) x Face Off OG. I don’t know about you, but if a strain has GSC in the lineage, it’s bound to be good.

There is a lot of indica in this strain. Medical benefits provide relief from insomnia, depression,  and muscle spasms. And I will agree 100%! The taste is earthy, fruity, and sweet. The major terpenes in this strain are trans-Caryophyllene, Limonene and Linalool. This is considered a top in hybrids for me. Because it gives you just enough “get-up-and-go” to satisfy any smoker without the worry about an anxiety provoking sativa overload. Thanks for reading! And keep blazin.’

Affirmation: Being a stoner has taught me that I can problem solve, build new things and give old things new life.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife

darnold1975

Piper’s Spay Day

“A happy arrangement: many people prefer cats to other people and many cats prefer people to other cats.”

 -Mason Cooley

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to tell you about a situation that occurred. And, well, it was concerning the specific moment when I had to tell Piper that she was going to get spayed.

Me: “Piper!”

Piper: “Coming momma!”

Me: “What were you three doing?”

Piper: “I had just jumped on Tink’s back and was biting her head. And she was getting mad at me.”

Me: “Well, I need to talk to you about something?”

Coco: “Me and Tink are on the way, momma.”

Me: “Well, it might be good to have you here for support.”

Tink: “Uh-oh. Is everything ok?”

Piper: “What’s the matter momma?”

Me: “Well, when you get to be a certain age you need to have a surgery.”

Tink: “Oh yes! Snip, snip little girl.”

Coco: “Snip! Snip! And it’s going to hurt really bad.”

Me: “Tink! Coco! Ya’ll stop. You’re going to scare her.”

(Piper begins sobbing)

Piper: “Momma, why do you want to make me hurt?”

Me: “Coco and Tink, why did you say that?”

Piper: “Momma, I’m scared!”

Me: “Look, calm down a second. When you get to be a certain age, you must have a surgery to remove your kitten maker.”

Coco: “Snip! Snip!”

Me: “Coco, stop it! Piper, they give you some medicine to make you go to sleep so that you don’t even know that it’s going on.”

Piper: “But momma. What if I wanted to be a momma one day?”

Me: “Piper let me explain something to you. Momma cats don’t just have one kitten. If they had just one, you could have a kitten, and it could live with us. Momma cats have anywhere from 8-12 babies at a time. And we wouldn’t able to keep them. It would be harder on you if I took your babies away from you after you had already bonded with them.”

Piper: “So you’re not doing this to be mean to me?”

Me: “No baby. Tink and Coco did the same thing. And it helps keep you healthier the older you get. If you had a lot of babies and we couldn’t find homes for them all, we would have to take them to the shelter. And there are already too many puppies and kittens who have to do that. I’m just trying to make it easier on you and all of us by doing this. Think about it. If you had 8 kittens. Coco had 8 kittens. And Tink had 8 kittens. What would we have?”

Piper: “A crowd?”

Me: “Yes. And I wouldn’t be able to care for that many.”

Piper: “Ok. Well, I don’t want to be a momma cat to that many babies. But I’m still scared.”

Me: “I know you are. But I will go with you.”

Piper: “You promise?”

Me: “Unless, of course, you know how to drive a vehicle.”

Piper: “No way.”

Me: “I promise you might be a little scared. But you will be fine. And I will go get you whenever they say that you’re safe to come back home. And then we can cuddle, ok?”

Piper: “Ok. Please don’t forget about me.”

Me: “Don’t worry. Me and your sisters would never forget about you.”

Tink: “Piper, we were just messing with you. You will be fine. If you get scared, just ask “tha Jesus” to make you not scared.”

Coco: “Yea, kid. We were just playing with you. I was a little sleepy and sore afterwards. But the doctors will give you some medicine to make you not hurt but just a little bit.”

Piper: “Will you and Tink go with me?”

Coco: “Heck no!”

Piper: “Why not?”

Tink: “Because they take your temperature.”

Piper: “What does that mean?”

Me: “They just want to make sure that you don’t have a fever which would mean that you were sick.”

Piper: “Ok. Well, that doesn’t seem bad.”

(Coco now mumbling)

Coco: “That’s what you think.”

Piper: “What?”

 Me: “Coco hush up. Piper, you will be fine.”

Piper: “Ok. Thank ya’ll for explaining things. I feel better. I love you big sissies.”

Coco and Tink: “We love you too, Piper.”

I’m writing this the day after Piper’s surgery. She did fine. And when I picked her up from the vet, except for the fact that she was still a little bit woozy and moving around like she had eaten an entire container of cannabis edibles, she did extremely well. Piper and Tink hissed at her for the next four hours because she and her carrier smelled like Noah’s ark from being around so many other animals, I am currently writing with two of them in my lap. Remember to always spay and neuter your animals. Thanks for reading!

Affirmation: I know when to curl up for a good nap

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife

darnold1975

Quit Buying Your Kids Fake Vape Carts!!!

“Real happiness is cheap enough, yet how dearly we pay for its counterfeit.”

-Hosea Ballou

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to talk to you about the dangers of fake cannabis vape carts. Most people do not know how to spot the differences. Many parents give their kids money or go personally and buy these vapes. This can be a very costly and even deadly mistake. Even though it is widely accepted for vaping, not all vapes are regulated for safety.

What are fake vapes? They are unregulated, counterfeit products that pose very serious health risks due to unknown and harmful ingredients. They lack safety testing and can contain dangerous chemicals, heavy metals, or inaccurately labeled substances. There is very little, if any, quality control, and safety taken when creating these products (https://southbeachsmoke.com, 2025).

Here are just some of the chemicals and other cutting agents that are used to produce versus legitimate and controlled vapes.

·        Vitamin E acetate: A thickening agent found in illicit THC cartridges strongly linked to  2019 EVALI outbreak which caused lung injuries associated with vaping. Thousands were hospitalized and dozens died.

·        Pesticides: Lab tests on black market vapes have revealed pesticide levels of a thousand times higher than legal limits.

·        Synthetic cannabinoids: Fake THC vapes contain unpredictable synthetic cannabinoids (like K2 or Spice) which have been linked to anxiety, paranoia, seizures, and psychosis.

·        Fentanyl and other drugs: Vapes purchased from illicit sources have sometimes been found laced with lethal opioids like fentanyl which can lead to overdose and death.

·        Formaldehyde: Some fake vapes have be found to contain levels of carcinogenic chemicals like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde which are found in cigarette smoke.

·        Industrial solvents: Other harmful cutting agents like medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil and propylene glycol, can become toxic when inhaled.

·        Toxic leaching: heating elements and coils of these devices can leach heavy metal like lead, nickel, and antimony into the vape liquid.

·        Severe health effects: Inhaling heavy metals can cause neurological damage, respiratory issues, organ failure, and increase cancer risk (https://springboardcenter.org, 2025).

·        Lack of Regulation: Fake vapes bypass regulatory checks (https://www.haypp.com, 2025).

How to spot a fake vape

·        Poor packaging: Examine the box for blurry printing, misspelled words, inconsistent logos, or a lack of safety seals.

·        Missing authentication: Check for a QR code, batch number, or serial number on the package. Reputable brands offer a way to verify product’s authenticity.

·        “Too good to be true” price: If a vape is priced significantly cheaper than retailers, it’s likely a counterfeit.

·        Unlicensed seller: Only buy from trusted, licensed dispensaries or reputable retailers. Avoid street vendors “plugs” or unverified online sources.

·        Odd performance or smell: If the vapor tastes burnt, metallic, or chemically unusual, stop using immediately.

·        Suspicious liquid: High-quality vape is typically thick and golden or amber. If the liquid is thin, runny, or unnaturally colored, it could be fake (https://vaping360.com, 2024).

These are products that have been widely accepted among teens and adults. Whenever possible, please by your products from a reputable dispensary versus a smoke or vape shop which are only in the business for money rather than safety. Too many people have been seriously injured or died from fake vapes. Thanks for reading and please make educated decisions about these products.

Affirmation: I prioritize my health and safety  by choosing products from reputable sources.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife