As many of us enter our third or fourth week of self-quarantine, we might be feeling restless, irritable or alone. This is perfectly normal; many of us at BPG are feeling the same. 

Some of us feel it’s important to stay “productive” during self-quarantine, some of us don’t, and that’s ok.

We’re here to remind you that your mental health matters, and to be kind to yourself during these tough times.

Thanks to modern technology and global connectivity, there are a wide variety of free resources to keep our body and mind active and nourished.

From classes to coloring books, we have a few ideas on how to uplift your mental health during self-isolation. Of course, cannabis complements all of them 🙂

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As various news outlets have reported, a growing number of reports surrounding an unidentified vaping related illness has created a serious public health concern with more questions than answers.

Berkeley Patients Group (BPG) has been dedicated to providing safe, clean, quality-controlled cannabis for 20 years. We have always prioritized responsible sourcing and have established long-term partnerships with providers that exceed mandated quality standards. It is why we pioneered the development of cannabis testing standards over ten years ago.

To date, we are not aware of any respiratory-related illness caused by a product sold at BPG or any other licensed California dispensary. While there are many unknowns at this time, BPG is using every resource at our disposal to promote consumer safety and to provide timely information.

ACTIONS WE ARE TAKING:

· Contacting every vape cartridge vendor to verify problematic, questionable additives or parts are not in any products we sell

· Staying up-to-date with the latest information and research on this issue. BPG will issue periodic updates as information is released from authorities

· Sourcing products tested according to state guidelines

· Verifying testing certificates as genuine and battery devices are not inhalation-activated

WHAT WE KNOW:

· An increasing number of vaping-related illnesses, approximately 800 cases, including thirteen deaths have been reported across 33 states to date, including California.

· All of the California-related illnesses were caused by products purchased in the unlicensed market.

· No single device, ingredient or additive has been identified as the sole cause of this mysterious epidemic.

· Many of the associated products contain THC, some contain nicotine, and some include both.

· Symptoms: Patients are coming into hospitals with cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue and vomiting.

· Colorado Green Lab recently conducted a vape pen study and posted key findings associated with inhalation-activated vape battery devices

EMERGING INFORMATION:

· Doctors suspect the cause may be chemical exposure related to additives or ingredients, such as Vitamin E acetate.

Our hearts go out to the victims and the loved ones of those who are currently suffering or have succumbed to this devastating illness.

This crisis further shows the immediate need for federal reform that will enable proper research, regulations, and guaranteed product safety and efficacy for patients. Eliminating illicit operators and the entities providing a public platform to them should be the number one priority for the State of California and the nation.

We are encouraging any BPG customers who experience any problems or have additional questions regarding vape products sold by BPG, to email us at info@mybpg.com.

Further information is available from NORML online here, here, and here. California NORML’s fact-sheet, “Cannabis Vaping: What’s Safe and What’s Not,” is online here. An advisory by Leafly.com, entitled “Vape Pen Lung Disease: Here’s What You Need to Know,” is online here. An advisory from the City of Berkeley is online here.

 Your Buds at BPG

With a 76% increase in new openings in 2019, cannabis has one of the fastest-growing rates of job creation in any industry. Indeed and ZipRecruiter list as many as 200,000 to 300,000 new jobs in the cannabis market nationwide.

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A Historic 4/20 Celebration

As the nation’s longest-running dispensary, we’ve been celebrating the 4/20 holiday for quite some time. This year is extremely special to us, as it’s our 20th anniversary — 4/20 for TWENTY YEARS! We hope you will join us for this year’s community event.

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For most of us, achieving better health is a New Year’s resolution in 2019 (and, let’s be honest, has been almost every year).

Wellness is a journey that requires balancing the physical, emotional, and spiritual facets of your life. It can be challenging, but we believe in you, and we’re here to help!

Making small changes to your daily regimen allows you to work towards your goals, one step at a time, without feeling overwhelmed.

Each week, introduce one new adjustment and focus on accomplishing it every day. If it’s a task, assign a time when you will complete it. Ultimately, you will transform each task into a habit.

If you miss a day or make a mistake, don’t worry. Change takes time, and wellness is not rigid, it’s fluid. Thank yourself for making the commitment to your health and make a promise that you will do better tomorrow.

Meditating in the morning, joining a group fitness class, adding more vegetables to your diet, or drinking eight cups of water per day are a just few adjustments you can make towards a more balanced lifestyle.

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