Marijuana concentrates don’t last forever, no matter the urban myths that may persist about them! However, with effective storage, it’s possible to safely consume most concentrates for a good six months. Though some are not fond of hydrocarbon extracted concentrates such as BHO-based shatter or wax, these have been shown to last longer than things like rosin.

How to Store Your Concentrates

The best way to store concentrates is in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. This should maintain the freshness and quality for a longer period. Though most don’t improve with age like wine (with the exception of some hash), it could pay to treat concentrates in a similar way — in a cool, dark basement away from the heat and sunlight of the day.

What Is Nucleation?

Nucleation is the main way concentrates degrade. During nucleation, the cannabinoids, terpenes, and contaminants start to break down. In particular, terpenes are quite volatile and will evaporate in open air. When looking at your concentrates, you'll notice this happening when they get a granular, almost sugary appearance. In the case of shatter, it can start looking like brown sugar on the surface, and wax, this can be a rougher texture. When this happens, THC begins degrading into CBN. CBN is a cannabinoid that causes a sedative sensation, not unlike CBD-rich indica buds are said to do. Next, lipid globules can form in the concentrate as the fats come together. This tends to only happen if a concentrate has been kept in the heat and/or light outside for a long period. If you can see these globules, it’s definitely time to ditch the stash, as it can be poisonous!

What Causes Nucleation?

Heat and light are two main factors that cause nucleation. Radiation can excite the molecules in your weed, causing them to be released. This is one of the reasons you should keep all cannabis products in an airtight container in a cool and dark place.

Effects of Degradation on Weed

Nucleation can be a nice thing to some extent. Many connoisseurs like the sugared texture, as it is said to give the concentrate a "terpene first" flavor, a burst of fruity zestiness with the flavor of the weed itself. Over time, there will be a loss of flavor and potency, as many of the other cannabinoids that give the entourage effect with THC degrade as well. With THC converting into CBN, even a sativa bud that gives an energetic high will eventually be full of CBN if left under the couch for a couple of months, giving the impression that it was more of an indica! The substance will form naturally over time regardless of how you keep the concentrate. The same will apply to THC in a concentrate.

How Long Can Cannabis Concentrates Last?

As a general rule, if concentrates are kept in an airtight jar out of heat and light, they will last at least six months. This means you shouldn't stock up on more than you'll use in that time period, though we recommend buying more frequently to avoid any deterioration. Of course, if you're living out of town and not able to make a dispensary without traveling too much, then feel free to buy six months of supplies at a time.

Use Up the Old Stash with the CARTA E-rig!

You can thoroughly enjoy getting rid of an older stash of concentrate by having a big session on your Focus V CARTA e-rig. With its fine controls and precise presets, you can experiment with different temperatures as you’re making space for the new stuff in your jar!

On January 1, 2021 it will be legal to use, possess, and cultivate marijuana in Montana. MT is a state of wide-open spaces, lakes, and huge mountains — and yes, Yellowstone National Park, too! Bring along your Focus V Carta E-Rig and Dab Nation concentrates, and let's check out what 420-friendly things are there to do there.

1. A Weekend Summer Break at Big Sky

Big Sky is one of the best winter ski resorts in the Lower 48 — but it doesn’t just go to sleep when the snow melts. In summer, there are lots of reasons to hang out up there — sometimes quite literally by zip lining across the Gallatin River! Though zip lining might be a little too much after a dab, there are other things you can enjoy, like a 6.6-mile hike around the Beehive Basin Trail, which many say is one of the most beautiful hikes in the world with its mountain and lake views. Every summer, Music in the Mountains comes to Big Sky. This is a free music festival with lots of established and up and coming acts you can listen to, perhaps having a blast or two on your Carta dab as you get into the music.

2. VIP Jeep Safari of Yellowstone National Park

You can’t avoid Yellowstone National Park if you want to see what MT is really about. Why not do it in style on a VIP Jeep Safari? This 8-10 hour trip starting from Gardiner will take you to see the best geysers and lakes in Yellowstone with lots of opportunities to take in the views and absorb this stunning natural wonder. You'll also see Artist Point with its jaw-dropping view of a waterfall, the Mud Volcano, and the world-famous Old Faithful geyser. The best thing about this trip is that someone does all the driving and will show you the best that Yellowstone has to offer while you just relax and take it all in. Just keep in mind: using cannabis is illegal in national parks since it's federal land, so make sure to dab before you enter the park.

3. Visit a Gold Rush Ghost Town

MT was first discovered during the Gold Rush of the 1800s and early 1900s. Towns formed out of nowhere as people descended on an area when gold was discovered. Garnet was one of those, appearing for just 17 years between 1895 and 1912 before being abandoned. Garnet is far out in the sticks — if you don’t have a 4WD vehicle, it can be tricky getting there. But, when you do, you will find an almost perfectly preserved Gold Rush town that will show you what life would have been like for the gold prospectors of yesteryear. The Bureau of Land Management maintains it so it hasn’t been "Disneyfied" and turned into a caricature of its old self — this is a genuine preservation of an old town. With your dabber, you can take it all in and ponder the past and present — both the town as it was and the adventure getting there today.

4. A Day Hike at the Rimrocks

The Rimrocks are an awesome sandstone formation that overlook Billings, Montana's largest city. You can hang out and enjoy the nightlife of the city and then head up into the Rimrocks to explore the wilderness nearby. There are several parks around the Rimrocks, but the best one is Four Dances because it's well maintained and doesn’t get overrun with crowds. This has got to be one of the most 420-friendly places to visit in MT as you can just sit back and watch the world from high in the mountains with stunning views. There are a number of hikes of different grades to do, but with your dabber in hand, you may just want to bring a cooler and just chill for the day!

5. A Day on the Beach at Whitefish

The state is famous for its geysers, forests, mountains, and lakes. That means on a 420-friendly trip to MT, you shouldn’t miss a day at the beach! Whitefish has one of the best lakeside beaches in the state, and with its great amenities and awesome views is definitely worth a chilled afternoon hanging out. As well as relaxing on the sandy City Beach and enjoying the refreshments, there are water sports to do — you can rent a paddleboard and get a different perspective on the world from a hundred yards or so out.

A Laid Back Way to Enjoy Montana The Mountain State is one of those places that should be on every nature lover’s bucket list. Starting in January, that can be enhanced with some 420-related chilling as you go. Don’t forget to pack your Focus V Carta e-rig before you go!

New Jersey has just voted to legalize marijuana use starting January 1, 2021, arguably making the state cooler than nearby New York! Whether you're a resident in the Big Apple or on holiday wanting to chill out, you will find lots to do in New Jersey. Here are five of the best laid back things we think you should try.

1. Hang Out in Cape May

Cape May is an old beach resort with a certain laid back style that will put a smile on almost everyone’s face! From the beautiful old buildings you can wander past to the pleasure piers on the beach, Cape May is one of those places where you can have good old fashioned fun. We suggest having a dab on your CARTA e-rig at sunset on the beach.

2. Whale Watching off Cape May

The Delaware River is a very popular feeding ground for a wide range of whale species, who love to munch on the plankton that emerge from the nutrient-rich river’s mouth. As such, whale watching is a must-do if you visit New Jersey almost any time of the year.

(credit: tripadvisor.com)

You will almost certainly see a range of dolphin species, but on a good day, you could well see the second biggest whales on the planet — the 80-ton fin whales that will make your boat feel very small indeed. Humpbacks with their graceful dives and play are another common whale found in the area. Bring your camera!

3. Catch the Vibes from the Atlantic City Boardwalk

Atlantic City is almost as fun as Las Vegas with its glitzy casinos and nightspots. Most of these are along or near the four-mile Atlantic City Boardwalk. Originally built in 1870, the boardwalk offers a range of fun things to do. You can enjoy gambling, partying, and playing games on the Steel Pier. Don't forget about the Entrance to the Stars, where celebrities like Frank Sinatra have left their handprints for posterity.

Spend the day and night wandering around and tasting the pleasures to be found —perhaps with your CARTA dabber in your backpack.

4. Take in Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park

The Delaware and Raritan State Park has over 70 miles of mixed-use paths where you can be at one with nature, exploring the rare beauty of this stunning state park. This is one of those places you can enjoy in all seasons, from the golds and reds of fall to the deep greens of the summer months to the icy embrace of winter. It's definitely a place where you can go to get away from it all, especially if you want to get away from the frenetic pace of the Big Apple.

5. A Bit of History?

History buffs are spoiled for choice. For those who want to see one of the U.S. Navy’s most famous battleships, pay a visit to the USS New Jersey that used to fire Volkswagen-Bug-sized shells at the enemy with huge 12-inch guns.

(credit: battleshipnewjersey.org)

Did you know that George Washington’s first major victory against the British was in the Battle of Princeton? You can pay a visit to the Princeton Battlefield State Park to take in this important moment of U.S. history. You may even want to try dabbing under the old oak that is said to have been around in 1777.

Don’t Forget Your CARTA Portable Dabber!

Whatever you get up to in NJ after it legalizes, don’t forget your Focus V CARTA electronic dabber. It lets you control your flavor profile for a hit that's all your own. While smoking marijuana in New Jersey will soon be legal, your CARTA will help you be more discreet on your travels, especially when it comes to smell. Take it wherever you go so you can rest a while and enjoy your favorite concentrates.

     There are a lot of good things to say about the Focus V CARTA e-rig. Perhaps the thing that blows the competition out of the water is the Bluetooth-connected app that allows you to fine-tune the CARTA to almost ridiculous levels. It can be a lot of fun! In this article, we'll look at the ways you can work with both the e-rig itself and the wider CARTA community — all with the help of the CARTA app.

1. Test Out Different Temps and Times

     One of the main reasons people love this app is the ability to super fine-tune its temperatures and time. Temps start at 320°F, and you can get the heat right up to a smoking 900°! There are 32 temperatures between 320° and 900°, so you can get the temps down to intervals of around 8°. If you want to get the best possible taste, you can play with the intervals to find your perfect flavor for rosin, shatter, or wax. As a tip, try somewhere between 500° to 600° as a first go on your concentrate. But just how perfect a hit can you get?

     Timing is important, too. The longer you're on this baby, the bigger hit you'll get!Though it can be fun lying on the couch whacked off your skull, sometimes you may want just a little boost to deal with your pain or relieve some anxiety. Using the app, you can get it down to five seconds for a quick blast or much longer if you're planning on watching TV for the next few hours. If you want to get silly, you can optimize the length and temp of a hit, though after a few goes on shatter, your mind might not exactly be that tuned in.

2. Track How Much You Use

     If you are a regular dabber, you may only know how much concentrate or bud you use by counting your visits to the dispensary to get some more. Not everyone will just use one method to consume their favorite way of chilling out — you may enjoy space cakes or a relaxing joint as well as having fun with the CARTA. That's why the dab counter is useful — you can count the hits you're getting from the e-rig. If you're a bit geeky, you can work out things like the most efficient use of the battery with times/hits per charge, but some just get competitive.

3. Get First Place on the Leaderboard

     Did you know that CARTA app users have an international leaderboard of dabbers?You can upload your dab counter numbers, and if you really love the CARTA, you could even become a world champion dabber. Your mom never thought you'd become an international competitor, though it might not be such a good idea to phone her up after a few dabs to tell her you're climbing the leaderboard.

4. See Who Smokes the Most

 You can also compete among your fellow CARTA-app-using friends, perhaps while in practice to become world class dabbers! The app allows you to monitor each other both for fun and as a means of staying in contact with how much everyone is using.

Have Some Fun With the CARTA App Today

     The Focus V CARTA app is one of those things that makes the CARTA e-rig the best portable electronic dabber on the market today. Whether you want the perfect clouds from your favored concentrate or because you've always wanted to become a world champion at something one day, you can play with these parameters to super-tweak your CARTA to perfection.