Honoring All Moms This Mother’s Day

“Mother is a verb. It's something you do. Not just who you are.” 

While most people think of and show love to their mothers on Mother’s Day, we all know someone deserving of the term that may not have children in the traditional sense. Whether it’s someone who chose to adopt, foster, or forgo the endeavor all together to instead be a pet or plant mom - we want to honor them all!  

Devoting time, love, and resources to something outside of yourself is one of the more selfless acts that anyone can do, which is why it’s important to recognize these amazing efforts enacted by so many people. From mother cannabis plants to cannabis moms (moms that use cannabis) to rescuing animals, we are wanting to highlight moms of all kinds across America.  

Cultivators – Compassionate Plant Moms  

Did you know cultivators can be responsible for hundreds, even thousands of cannabis plants at once? Could you imagine having thousands of kids? Not me!  

There is a fine line that must be walked to ensure that cultivators are growing healthy plants while also producing cannabis that is going to supply dispensaries statewide and used to treat medical ailments ranging from adults with insomnia to kids with cancer, which is why mother plants can be such an important aspect of growing lots of plants all at once. If you are wondering what a mother plant is - we have you covered.  

What is a Mother Plant?   

Mother plants are cannabis plants that have been carefully selected by cultivators for various traits such as trichome production, weight of buds per plant, the plants' ability to fend off disease, and many other aspects. After being selected the mother plant is kept in its vegetative state, not allowing it to flower. Doing this allows cultivators to take cuts, also known as clones, off the mother plant. Using the clones, cultivators can produce more cannabis plants that are identical to the mother plant, ensuring a consistent way to replicate the therapeutic plant.  

Why Use Mother Plants?  

There are two primary ways to grow – from seed or from clone.  

From seed is a great way to explore genetics, as each seed from a cannabis plant will express slightly different characteristics. Modified Grapes #5 may be more green in color, while Modified Grapes #6 – from the same plant – may be more purple. These various seeds are known as phenotypes of the cultivar when grown, and often indicated numerically. 

If you’re seeking consistency in a cultivar, from clone is the way to go.  

Medicinal markets in particular favor cloning as the cannabis plant grown is nearly identical to that of the mother plant. This allows patients or consumers to purchase the strain and expect roughly the same effects each time they consume it.  

Mother plants are key to growing consistent cannabis, just as fur moms are the key to their fur babies’ happiness. 

The Moms of Fur Babies

From cute little puppies and kittens to slithering amphibians to exotic animals, pet moms abound, eager to share images of their fur babies to any who wish to see. Some of these pet moms chose their loved one at a local pet shop and others have rescued them from a shelter or even have helped them in a dire situation like being injured on the side of a highway. Pet moms often step up for these creatures and give them the love and care they deserve; be it daily snuggles or daily doses of CBD. 

Is CBD Good for Pets?

It may surprise you to learn that animals across the planet have endocannabinoid systems. Birds, reptiles, mammals, and even invertebrates like sea urchins and mussels all contain this balancing signaling system. While it’s not best for them to consume THC, many animals benefit from the use of CBD.  

In fact, pet parents across the country have touted CBD’s benefits for their fur babies, ranging from increased mobility, fewer seizures, and calmer demeanors. 

“CBD was life-changing for my dog Scooter,” said Danyal Swan, pet owner and Verano Digital Content Manager. “My husband and I adopted Scooter and his brother Pooter in Arizona where, thankfully, cannabis is legal. A week after bringing them home, Scooter had three seizures. The seizure itself was scary, but the only option the vet suggested was terrifying – anti-seizure medications that came with a slew of horrible side effects.  

“Instead, because we were both well-versed in the benefits of medical cannabis and the story of Charlotte Figi, my husband and I decided to try a CBD tincture mixed with Scooter’s food. In the three years we were lucky enough to have with him, Scooter never had a seizure again. His demeanor was calmer – we lived in an apartment and noticed slamming doors were having less of an effect, and so, too, did the torrential summer downpours. Scooter has since passed due to an aggressive tumor; I'm incredibly thankful to have had access to CBD, as I truly feel it helped to ease his pain and symptoms.” 

Research is beginning to support Scooter’s experience with CBD. A small-scale study conducted by Colorado State University and researcher Stephanie McGrath focused on dogs with epilepsy that did not respond to traditional medication. Researchers found that the addition of CBD led to a reduction in seizures for 89% of dogs in the study and noticed a correlation between the higher doses of CBD and a higher reduction in seizures. 

Is There a Difference Between CBD and Pet CBD?  

Yes, and no. One of the biggest differences between CBD and Pet CBD is the dose of CBD. Dosages for humans are meant to be much higher than what an animal may consume – unless you are dosing an elephant, of course! 

Another important aspect to consider is how much THC may be present in the product. THC can be harmful to several species of animals and, even when not harmful, can be too intensely disorienting for pets. It’s best to make sure you are purchasing products that have been highly tested, contain high quality CBD crafted with coconut oil instead of alcohol (be sure to avoid grape seed oil, too!), and contain less than 0.3% THC. Thankfully, large pet food stores are becoming wiser to the benefits, making them a great place to start your search for pet-friendly CBD. 

Moms Across America are Helping Break the Stigma of Cannabis 

One of the largest injustices inflicted on the American people is the criminalization and stigmatization of cannabis and its many uses – but if there is anyone that can influence and help change the minds of people, its moms.  

As a recreational consumer of cannabis, I initially had no idea all the medical benefits I could gain from cannabis use. It wasn’t until I started consuming cannabis more regularly that I noticed I got less migraines, it helped me sleep and elevated my mood. Which I truly believe led me to being a more patient, compassionate, and open parent by reducing my stress and anxiety.

Experiencing what cannabis can do for a person first-hand made me a believer in the medical properties of cannabis, so much so that I was willing to uproot my family and move to a state that allows medical cannabis. My passion grew to the point that I joined the cannabis industry hoping I could help families like mine.

Outside of cannabis moms, there are the caregiver moms. The mothers of children with debilitating illnesses who need the therapeutic benefits of cannabis. There are countless stores of these canna-moms who, in search of relief for their children, uprooted their family to move to a legal cannabis state - often to great success. While this is amazing to see and a testament to the love that moms have, there are reasons to make sure your kids and pets aren’t getting into their stash and yours without your knowledge.  

How Do You Use Cannabis in a Home with Kids?   

For most states with legal cannabis, it is best to know your specific state laws and what is legal. A good standard across the board is to make sure to never medicate in front of your children, especially smoking cannabis in close quarters. Being a controlled substance still, cannabis is highly regulated and still needs to be kept away from kids unless you are giving them their prescribed cannabis medications.  

Safely Storing Cannabis Away from Kids and Pets 

While using cannabis at home there are a few steps you can take to ensure the safety of your kids and pets well-being. Storing your and their supply out of reach and making sure everything is clearly labeled reduces the risk of medicating anyone with the wrong product or allowing them to medicate themselves. Keeping details of all the precautions you have implemented handy is super helpful at times when sitters may be watching them instead of you. The more precautions the better, especially in a time of misuse of the cannabis product so that you are better able to protect yourself and them in instances of legal or medical emergencies.  

To get a more in-depth idea of what to do with cannabis in a home with kids and pets' we have some useful tips in our recent blog, Tips for Using Medical Marijuana Responsibly in a Family Home.  

Happy Mother’s Day to All the Moms 

From all we have discussed you could say that mom is a synonym for love and care, and anyone who is nurturing in those ways embodies being a mom. No matter how you have come to embody the term, we want to recognize the love and care you have given so fully today and every day.