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What Science says about Cannabis Trichomes

Trichomes are responsible for producing cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis.

In fact, almost all of the medical benefit of cannabis comes from trichomes. Compounds like THC and CBD are prescribed by doctors to treat maladies from cancer to headaches.
Trichomes (trichs) are at the heart of the cannabis consumers quest. They are the workhorses that produce the medical miracles that cannabis is known for.
That is because all of the chemicals doctors have discovered in cannabis that treat disease and pain are produced in tiny structures called trichomes. Without trichomes, cannabis wouldn’t be able to help people.
Need to cure some cancer? Cannabis can help because of trichomes. Looking to take the edge off with a quick toke? Better have THC rich trichomes loaded in that bowl or the effort is wasted.
 
Trichomes

So what are trichomes exactly?

 
Trichomes are basically tiny chemical factories that cannabis plants create during the flowering process. These factories produce a potent mix of chemicals known as cannabinoids and terpenes.
 
Most of the 85 cannabinoids found in cannabis are non-psychoactive, meaning they don’t get you high. Yet they do have significant scientific and medical applications that go way beyond getting stoned.
 
Cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system to produce a variety of positive effects. Research shows that THC and CBD act as neuroprotectants, increase neurogenesis, and can even relieve depression.
 
Terpenes on the other hand are the chemicals responsible for smells. Limonene is the terpene responsible for the smell of lemons while myrcene is what gives mangos their smell. Yet both terpenes along with a slew of others can be produced by trichomes.
 
So what does a trichome look like? It is a small hair-like structure produced in the flowers, leaves and stem of cannabis plants. Their main purpose is to protect the plant from dangers like insects or fungus.
 
Not to be confused with the pistils, trichs are small. Ranging from only 15-500 microns in size, individual trichomes are almost impossible to see with the naked eye. After all, a human hair is only 100 microns across.
 
Being small doesn’t stop them from creating the potent smell associated with cannabis though. Terpenes produced by trichs can be incredibly powerful, filling the air for miles around with the sweet smell of ganja.
 

 There are many interesting nuances about the science of trichomes. 

 
The chemicals that trichs produce have some amazing properties as well. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD act as neuroprotectants, increase neurogenesis, and relieve depression. Contrary to the fear-mongering of the last few decades, consuming cannabis can protect the body.
 
And don’t assume that people need to be blazed out of their minds in order to receive a benefit. Most of the 85 cannabinoids found in cannabis are non-psychoactive, meaning they don’t get you high.
In fact, even some forms of THC like THC-A and THC-V don’t get people high. The compounds simply can’t fit into the brains receptors responsible for the feeling of getting high.
Even though a person may not consciously feel the effects, cannabinoids and terpenes produced in trichs have a synergistic quality. The compounds work with each other to magnify the potency of the others.
Take Myrcene as an example. This terpene is found in and  responsible for the smell associated with mangos. Myrcene is also one of the most prevalent terpenes in cannabis.
Besides smelling nice, myrcene also helps THC bypass the blood-brain barrier. Basically letting people get high faster and with less cannabis. The effects of cannabis comes down to the ratio of terpenes and cannabinoids that the trichomes have in them at the time.
The specific ratio of cannabinoids and terpenes inside of trichs changes as the terpene develops. This makes timing the harvest a critical step of the process.

Trichome care — what to know about aging and handling of the plant.

 
So how do people know when a trichome is ready? They look for some of the signs of mature trichomes. These signs include a strong odor and a milky color.
 
As the cannabis plant enters the flowering process, it starts producing vast quantities of trichs.  Strong odors will develop as the initially clear trichomes begin their chemical foundries.
 
Immature trichomes often have high levels of CBD instead of THC. As a trichome matures, it will begin to cloud up and become milky. Once they have matured, THC becomes the most common cannabinoid.
 
Life for a trichomes doesn’t stop once it hits maturity though. They continue to develop as long as the plant sticks around. Trichomes that have lived past their prime also continue to change color.
 
As a trichome moves into old age, the color shifts from milky white to dark amber. The color reflects the chemical decomposition of THC. As the trichomes age, they break down THC into CBN.
 

How do people get the most value from trichomes?

 
Trichomes are produced during the flowering process of the cannabis plant. Once produced, trichomes develop over several months before being ready to harvest.
 
Harvesting before trichomes are fully developed will limit the potency of the final product. That makes the best time to harvest the plant at the final stages of the flowering stage.
 
Even though all plants are able to produce trichs, they don’t all do it evenly. The female plants produce the significantly more than the males, especially when unpollinated.
 
Pollinated cannabis plants divert a great deal of energy to producing seeds instead of trichs. This is why many growers remove male plants from their crop before moving into the flowering process.
 
Things like ensuring adequate nutrients, preventing pollination, high enough levels of light and preventing pests all contribute to heavy trichome yields. Genetics also play a major role in trichome development.
 
Sometimes strains can produce more trichomes than others. Strains like Durban Poison and Haze take a long time to grow and are known to produce less than strains like Critical Cure and Green Crack.

Other times, a plant needs a little extra push.

Adding  extra CO2 to a grow room can also increase the growth rate of cannabis which leads to additional trich production.
 
Many growers implement a CO2 burner in their rooms to ensure a constant abundance of gas for the plants to use in making more trichomes. This technique can add a significant amount of trichomes compared to other methods.
 
Growers can also extract the trichs from harvested plants in order to produce a stronger product. The extraction process can be simple or complex but the goal is the same: separate the trichomes from the rest of the plant.
 
Methods like ice baths, dry sifting and using chemical solvents have all been developed to try and isolate the trichomes. The isolated trichomes are essential for products like BHO, CO2 and PHO.
 
Truly, the trichome is the key player in the cannabis game. Without trichs and the chemicals they produce, cannabis would not be cultivated around the world.
 
Hopefully, legalization will continue to progress and more people will get to learn about how important the trichome really is. Thanks for reading.
 

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What Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is used for

Dozens of years of research indicate many restorative uses for THC.

Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, is often the most desired chemical found in cannabis. It is best known for bringing on the high that weed is known for. As one of the few compounds found in cannabis that is psychoactive, doctors and scientists have discovered many ways to utilize THC.
The extraction of pure Tetrahydrocannabinol was perfected by an Israeli physicist named Raphael Mechoulam. In 1964, Mechoulam separated and blended THC from Lebanese hashish, denoting the start of cannabis research that would prompt to the revelation of various different cannabinoids and how they interact with the body.
While the discoveries have been many and inspiring, they are not without their doubters. The federal government has classified cannabis as a schedule 1 drug meaning it has no medical benefit. This is in addition to the government obtaining patents for the neuro-protective capabilities of cannabis.
Be that as it may, while chemicals like cannabidiol (CBD) have begun to pick up support because of their absence of psychoactivity, many years of research have uncovered various health advantages one of a kind to THC. Here are a few of the most common uses.

Tetrahydrocannabinol relieves some types of pain.

A standout amongst the most common uses of therapeutic weed is for pain treatment. Upon closer examination, evidence has shown that Tetrahydrocannabinol interacts with the central nervous system to prevent the transmission of certain types of pain. Moreover, cannabis has been appeared to be particularly successful against neuropathic agony, or nerve-related pain.
The nerve signals that our brains sense as pain come from special cells with receptors on them. They become activated by temperature, touch, movement, or chemical changes in their environment. Pain signals arise and travel to the brain by one of three main pathways, each of which produces different pain sensations: somatic, visceral, and neuropathic.

There are three types of pain in general.

is the feeling most people recognize when they think about pain: a message sent by receptors located throughout the body whenever injury occurs. Somatic pain signals travel to the brain through nerves bundles and are typically experienced as a constant, dull ache. THC is able to reduce swelling and other contributing factors to somatic pain but in general is not very effective treatment.

 

occurs when skin or organs in the abdomen become stretched or otherwise disturbed from disease or injury. Pain signals issue from a special class of receptors present in the gut, producing feelings of pressure deep inside the body. Visceral pain can seem to be coming from different parts of the body than its actual source. THC is able to counteract feelings of nausea and many elements of chronic visceral pain.

 

occurs when the nerves are injured. It is often experienced as a burning sensation that can occur in response to even a gentle touch. Neuropathic pain usually doesn’t respond to narcotic painkillers making it stand out from the other types of pain. Antidepressant or anticonvulsant drugs, along with surgical procedures normally treat this type of pain but THC has also been found to be highly effective.

 
Cannabis is an excellent plant that has shown surprisingly positive results as a neuropathic treatment. The Tetrahydrocannabinol within that cannabis is able to work on a level that crosses many typical treatment boundaries. Pain treated by THC may be acute or chronic, blindingly intense or mind-numbingly dull. The pain can be momentary or have persisted for days to years.
However long it takes before a patient tries cannabis, it doesn’t take long for them to finally find relief. For acute pain, such as the discomfort that follows surgery, doctors typically prescribe opiates: narcotic drugs derived from, or chemically similar to, opium.

THC is better at dealing with some types of pain than opiates.

During the short-term treatment of intense pain, opiates offer significantly stronger relief for most patients. For chronic pain however, the tables turn in favor of Tetrahydrocannabinol. Treating chronic pain with opiates rarely brings relief.
Chemical dependence also becomes an issue with opiates as usage continues. Cannabinoids like THC have been proven to be non-addictive and highly effective for chronic pain. These differences combine to show that cannabinoids have significant promise in neuroscience and fundamental understandings of pain.
Peripheral nerves that detect pain sensations contain abundant receptors. Many of these receptors are tailor made for cannabinoids. According to research, cannabinoids appear to block peripheral nerve pain in experimental animals. Even more encouraging, some initial studies suggest that opiates and cannabinoids suppress pain differently.
If that is the case, marijuana-based medicines could combine with opiates to boost pain-relieving power while limiting the side effects. There are real hurdles to overcome if the initial Tetrahydrocannabinol research holds up. With the exponential expansion of scientific frontiers in recent decades and the recent deregulation of cannabis in over 26 states, we should have a significantly better understanding in the next decade.

Some people even use Tetrahydrocannabinol to treat PTSD.

Post traumatic stress disorder has only recently been classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) compared to other psychosomatic issues. PTSD is tied to traumatic memories and affects people from every walk of life. Soldiers, doctors, librarians and children can all have PTSD. Finding a safe treatment for so many different demographics is almost impossible.
Discovery of the endocannabinoid system by Dr. Mechoulam made safe treatment of PTSD, along with Parkinson’s and Cerebral Palsy a possibility. Since its discovery in the 1950’s, science has learned that Tetrahydrocannabinol is pharmacologically plastic. By manipulating the endocannabinoid system with THC and other cannabinoids, doctors are able to offer relief to patients that would otherwise have none.

We need more research to discover all that THC has to offer.

With the federal government classifying cannabis as a schedule 1 narcotic, it makes research in America almost impossible. There are some states like Oregon, Washington, California and many others that have taken steps to end Tetrahydrocannabinol prohibition but the fight is far from over.
Scientists can’t study cannabis if government continues to demonize it. As more states join the green revolution, it puts pressure on federal legislators to rethink their stance on legalization. If the community is able to enact declassification of cannabis it will remove the final argument against full legalization.
Once cannabis is removed from the scheduled substance list, we will finally put the whole scientific community to work, not just one Israeli scientist. No disrespect to Isreal, it’s just that cannabis is grown in other places to. We shouldn’t be stopping the Jamaican, American or Ukrainian scientific communities from contributing to THC research.
Thanks for reading.

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THC vs. CBD: What Do They Do?

Have you ever wondered what THC and CBD are?

For those who don’t know, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are potent chemical compounds produced in the trichomes on cannabis flowers. Trichomes are the small mushroom looking structures that sparkle like crystals in the light. Cannabis with a high concentration of THC or CBD is prized over just about anything else.
The states that allow cannabis sales require licensed retailers to prominently display the THC, CBD and possibly several other three letter words for everything with cannabis in it. People are always talking about how potent cannabis has become compared to times past and equating it with the THC and CBD content. This all points to THC and CBD being important, but why?
To start, cannabinoids are a group of compounds that our bodies and plants produce naturally. There are over 85 different cannabinoids identified so far with more just waiting to be catalogued. They are called cannabinoids because when Raphael Mechoulam  first identified them back in 1964, they were in the cannabis plants the Israeli doctor was studying.
Science has shown that our own bodies produce and process cannabinoids in immune and nerve cells. Humans are not unique in this ability to process cannabinoids either. The systems needed can be found in many mammals including dogs and cats.
Some animals simply can’t process THC and CBD. Insects like bees and ladybugs don’t have the right systems to be affected by the cannabinoids produced in cannabis. So even if insects or reptiles get covered in cannabinoids, it can’t get them high.
Science is discovering that the connection humans have to cannabis goes down to the molecular level. Continued research into the structure of THC and CBD has revealed that they are structural isomers. Essentially, they have the same basic parts but get arranged in a different way.

How do THC and CBD Work?

Cannabinoids like THC and CBD are able to bond with a special network or system of receptors in our cells. This system is present in most mammals, that is why cats and dogs will respond to cannabis in similar ways as you and I.
The specific receptors responsible for how weed makes us feel are called the CB1 and CB2 receptors. They were named after the different cannabinoids they are specialized to work with. I agree it’s not a very interesting name but being as simple as possible makes for easier science.
This system is called the endo-cannabinoid system. Endo for inside and cannabinoid for the type of chemical they work with. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD activate the receptors by mimicking the  neurotransmitters our bodies naturally produce called anandamides. Our bodies can’t tell the difference and accept the imposters without question. Yet each cannabinoid has a unique effect.

  • CB1 receptors respond to THC and are responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. They are present in most of the brain and play a role in vital functions like; memory, mood, sleep, appetite and pain sensation. Cancer, insomnia, PSTD, MS, and many more disorders respond positively to CB1 stimulation.
  • CB2 receptors respond to CBD and are responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis. They are found in immune cells and help reduce inflammation. Since inflammation is an immune response that is believed to be a factor in many diseases and conditions, controlling it can have life altering effects for people.

THC Ladybug

How are THC and CBD different?

THC is psychoactive, meaning it affects consciousness. Things like irritability, hunger and pain are all tied to brain function. THC reduces activity in the hippocampus, the part of the brain where memories are formed/stored). It also inhibits the amygdale, the part where the fight or flight instinct is stored/triggered.
If enough THC is added to the hippocampus, it can lead to a build-up of anxiety. Feelings of paranoia often accompany this negative reaction as the brain tries to deal with the elevated levels of cannabinoids. While no deaths have ever been recorded from weed alone, consuming cannabis does lead to reduced activity in certain parts of the brain.
While reducing brain activity is normally a bad thing, trauma and chemical imbalances can lead to hyperactivity in these brain areas. Conditions like PTSD and anxiety are examples where THC is one of the best treatments available. In fact, the VA recently made strides toward incorporating treatments into the framework of our military.
CBD is a totally different beast. It’s non-psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t affect consciousness directly. Yet it has been shown to have many beneficial properties. Things like swelling, decreased blood flow and seizures are all treatable by CBD.
Besides calming muscle spasms, CBD is able to counteract the psychoactive elements of THC. They have a balancing duality and because of their chemical similarities, it only takes a little acid to transition from THC to CBD and back again. Several companies have successfully synthesized cannabinoids already but it appears that the best effects come from natural plant sources.

How do we use THC and CBD?

Given that our bodies are hard-wired to benefit from cannabinoids, how do we get more? The oldest and most reliable way is to smoke some of the cannabinoid-rich trichomes that cover the cannabis flower. Vaporizing, eating and creating topical creams are also common ways to consume cannabinoids.
Modern extraction techniques exist that can produce almost 100% pure THC from raw plant matter. While this is the most potent/efficient way to consume THC, most commercial products range from 60-80%. Part of the reason lower percentage extracts are more common is the high cost of extremely pure THC or CBD comparatively.
Most people today consume cannabis in the form of food or concentrate to treat a malady or illness. Research has shown THC from smoking weed to be a neural-protector and helps slow/prevent Alzheimer’s. Cannabis can also provide relief to people suffering from neural conditions like Parkinson’s and Cerebral palsy. Patients often find more relief from their tremors, seizures and chronic pain than through other treatments.
Cannabinoids also play a part in the success of traditional cancer treatments like chemo therapy by stimulating appetite, relieving depression and reducing pain. While these benefits may seem minor, the increase in quality of life to these patients is measurable. Over time, the body will adapt to elevated cannabinoid levels so monitoring dosing is important.
Higher concentrations of THC and CBD are often needed for treatment of life threatening illness than can be found in raw cannabis. Over the centuries, this problem has been solved by refining the raw flower into concentrates. Products like BHO, PHO, RSO and CO2 extracts are excellent sources of concentrated THC to modern consumers.
Thanks for reading.

pot dealing

How To Deal With A Pot Dealer

Meeting up with a pot dealer can be a shady or outright annoying experience. If you’ve ever been handed your dub wrapped in a paper towel you know what we’re talking about. Outside of dispensaries you’re more likely to get skimped and lied to. Not everyone has the luxury of giving a 1 star rating and taking their business to the next dispensary. For the rest, here are some tips on how to better deal with a pot dealer.

BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag)

Bring your own bag. Smelly proof bags are good for containing the smell of dank so you can get your bud home without snitching on yourself on the way. If you get pulled over and the only thing containing the smell of your weed is a brown paper bag, you’re going to have a bad time. If you live with people who don’t approve of your habits, you will also have a bad time. So, bring a smell-proof bag or container when visiting your dealer.

Get A Scale

If you’re just buying for personal use a scale at your home is like a $20 lie detector test. It’s better to leave your scale at home so you don’t look like a dealer yourself. After picking up and bringing your bud home successfully, weigh it out. Make sure it’s equal to or greater than to the amount you paid for. If it’s any less you can confront your dealer via text. If they try to blame you or refuse to compensate you in anyway find a new guy. If they make it right, you can keep giving them your business but keep them in check.

Check The Product Out

Don’t just get tossed a bag and peel off. Unless you got it for a discount you’re going to want to check the quality. Most dealers claim they got the fire but if it’s a bag of brown nugs they’re obviously lying. Check for kief, make sure it’s not a bag of shake unless you agreed to buy shake. Frosty nugs and dank smells are good signs. If it doesn’t smell or it’s dry it shouldn’t be the price of top shelf. At this point you can tell them you’re not interested or that it’s not worth the premium price they were asking for.

Read The Signs

Dealers who won’t ever scale things out in front of you are a bit shady. If they won’t let you inspect it that is another red flag. If you ask them what it is and they never know they probably don’t care that much about weed. Pot dealers don’t attract too much drama, but if they’re dealing other drugs you should stay away.
Good signs include a dealer who always know their strain. They can tell you whether it’s a hybrid, sativa, or indica. These guys are a bit more committed to the plant than people just pushing whatever comes their way for the lowest number.

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5 Reasons You Should Be Using Hemp Wick

History Of Hemp Wick

Hemp has been used mankind since ancient times. It hasn’t outlived it’s usefulness yet. hemp is still used to create textiles and to assist stoners. That’s right, hemp wick is still heavily utilized by weed smokers and for good reasons.
Hemp wick is usually made with wax and hemp. The strands can be ignited and will burn slow. The lit hemp wick is often used in place of a butane lighter. If you’re not already on the hemp wick bandwagon here’s five reasons you should join.

1. Protect Your Fingers

One main reason people use hemp wick is to protect your hands. The angle it takes to light a bowl might burn unseasoned smokers fingers. Not to mention the striking wheel will leave your fingers torn up. Thats a nono for anyone trying to hide their smoking habit from a parent or loved one. Burned and cut up fingers make it obvious that youre a smoker. Lighting bowls properly can take some getting used to but hemp wick makes it easier.
You can also help a friend who doesn’t usually smoke by lighting their bowl for them with hemp wick. Trying to light a bowl for someone else with a lighter can get awkward. With hemp wick, you can reach the bowl from a distance and light it. Additionally, this can be useful when trying to light the bowl of a 3 foot or bigger bong. It’ll be hard to reach on your own but with some hemp wick you can light it yourself.

2. Better at cornering bowls

Hemp wick is useful for that one friend who never learned to corner a bowl. If you’re trying to light a bowl outdoors the wind might make you light the whole bowl on accident. With hemp wick, light the end, and let it burn for about 5 seconds. Then quickly twist the wick to put out the flame. Afterwards, you should have a bright red cherried wick which can be used to corner bowls to perfection. You won’t accidentally light more than you need if you’re using this method instead of an open flame.

3. Smoother than using a butane lighter

Try a bong rip with the method mentioned above, then try one with a butane lighter. Let us know, which is smoother, we already know the answer is the hemp wick. There’s no butane to irritate your throat and lungs so you’ll find bong rips with hemp wick to be much more enjoyable.

4. Safer than using a butane lighter

Inhaling butane can be harmful to the throat and lungs. Fortunately, in small amounts the worst it can do is irritate. On the other hand, too much butane inhalation can lead to sudden sniffing death syndrome. Even if it’s just to avoid constantly irritating your throat and lungs, you’re probably better off using hemp wick over a butane lighter.

5. Less wasteful than a butane lighter

By being able to corner bowls better, you’ll be wasting less weed than you need to be. Furthermore, you won’t be contributing as much to waste and pollution. When you’re finished with your hemp wick there isn’t plastic and metal to dispose of like a bic lighter. The product literally gets burned away and it’s less toxic for the environment than butane when burned.
image: theweedstreetjournal

weedreader

Marijuana Policy Under President Trump

President Trump. Those are two words I thought would never be uttered together. But much to my dismay, Donald Trump has won the election, and is now on his way to become President of the United States of America.
So what does this mean for the future of the legalization movement, and the War on Drugs?
It’s difficult to say what position Trump himself takes on the issue. He told reporters last year that, “In terms of marijuana and legalization, I think that should be a state issue.”
But how much of what this man says can we really believe? He has proven that he will say anything to please the electorate and/or generate media coverage. And his stance on legal pot has changed quite a bit through the years – at one point he was reportedly even in favor of legalizing all drugs – and he has repeatedly spoken out against recreational pot.
So on the issue of cannabis, like on so many others, Trump is basically a big, fat question mark. There is no telling what he really thinks, or what he will do when he takes office.
Perhaps the best way to determine how the Trump administration will approach drug policy is to take a look at his appointments. Who is he surrounding himself with? Who is he putting in positions of power?
And that’s where it starts to get really ugly.
Trump announced his pick for attorney general this week: senator Jeff Sessions. For those of you who don’t know who he is, the Republican senator from Alabama basically embodies every Hollywood stereotype of a white lawyer from the deep south… He makes racist jokes at work, and refers to black co-workers as “boy.” He called the NAACP a communist organization. He opposes the Voting Rights Act and supports mandatory minimum sentencing for drug offenders.
He admitted to making the following “joke” to his colleagues while serving as prosecutor in Alabama: “I was fine with the Klu Klux Klan until I found out they smoked pot.”
That one statement, I think, sums up who Jeff Sessions is, what he believes, and his attitude toward marijuana (among other things). And if you’re a pot smoker, a person of color, or anyone who cares about civil rights and criminal justice reform, the thought of Sessions assuming the position of America’s top prosecutor should send shivers down your spine.
Fortunately, his appointment does have to be confirmed by the Senate. Unfortunately, the Senate is still in Republican hands. We can only hope that there are enough senators of good conscience, on both sides of the isle, who will be willing to risk “the wrath of Trump” in order to oppose his appointment of a notorious racist to be next U.S. attorney general.
Whether Sessions gets confirmed or not, the fact that he was picked in the first place is troubling enough. It’s a clear sign of which direction the President-Elect plans to take this country during his term: backwards.
At a time when 60% of Americans support recreational marijuana, when 8 states plus D.C. have already voted for it, and no less than 28 states have medical marijuana programs in place, Trump taps a guy whose drug policy is reminiscent of Reagan and Anslinger. Despite the growing consensus that cannabis needs to removed from the list of Schedule 1 drugs, and decriminalized at the federal level, Trump is assembling a cabinet that will do anything but.
It looks like under President Trump, the War on Drugs is alive and well… for the next 4 years at least.
Photo: AP/EVAN VUCCI – APIMAGES

weed grow

Why Hydroponic Systems Grow the Best Weed

What is a Hydronic System?
Hydroponic grow systems are excellent for growing high quality marijuana, but these systems are active grow systems, means that they have working parts and require some effort from those who use hydro systems to grow marijuana.  There are turnkey systems that are a bit more expensive, but that are ready to plant and grow for novices who want to try growing with a hydroponic system.
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Technically speaking, any system that doesn’t use actual soil to grow the marijuana in is a hydroponic system. With advances in soilless grow mixes, most of which consist of peat and synthetics, most people who grow marijuana indoors don’t use soil. When most people refer to hydroponic grow systems, however, they are referring to weed growing systems where the pot is grown largely in liquids or water.
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Types of Hydroponic Grow Systems
There are a number of different types of hydroponic marijuana grow systems. Let’s examine a few of the more popular and more successful hydroponic weed growing systems in use today:

  • Deep Water Culture (DWC): This is a simple irrigation system that utilizes buckets or containers that are linked together. The marijuana plants are suspended in the containers and water and nutrient rich solutions are then pumped through and irrigated so that the plant gets nutrition and grows. These systems can be small or large, and simple to use or quite complex.
  • Ebb & Flow; Also Called Flood & Drain or Pump & Dump Systems: These are easy to use systems that are most popular with more novice growers as they take less time and care. These systems use tables with compartments called flood tables, and then large amounts of liquids and nutrients are pumped in and quickly drained. Think of the grocery section in a big grocery store when they shower the produce and then quickly drain it, or how landscapers turn a hose full blast on a transplanted plant when exposed to air. That is the principle, overwhelming liquid and nutrients followed by lots of oxygen.
  • Top Feeds: There are several different types of top feed systems, the drip, the spray emitter and the timed flow. As evidenced in the name, unlike most hydroponic systems the top feed feeds the marijuana plant from the top, not from the bottom. The difference is in how this process is accomplished. In the drip the plants are in individual containers and a constant drip is fed through a pump, then it is either drained or recycled. The timed slow is like the drip, the only difference being that the nutrients are delivered at timed intervals. The spray emitter, again like the grocery produce system, sprays at intervals from above, and is an extremely popular system as it delivers the nutrients to the marijuana more evenly, though if not careful over-saturation is a distinct possibility.
  • Nutrient Film Technique (NFT): This is the most complex system and really is only for expert or advanced indoor marijuana growers. In this system the pot plant is again suspended, but the roots must be identified so that they can grow down, usually through a net or mesh, where the pot plant can then be fed nutrients in a thin film in a reservoir. The NFT system can produce excellent weed plants and excellent weed yields, but it is not easy and takes serious care and a skilled and practiced hand.

What You Need to Know About Indoor Growing and Hydroponics
Nutrients matter, aeration matters, the equipment you use and the system you use, all of these things matter. If you skimp on equipment or pumps or aerators, you are likely to yield sub-par marijuana plants and they are likely to yield less weed of any quality.
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You can save time and money growing marijuana at home, and indoor hydroponic systems are likely the best way to go, but simply don’t cut corners. Like making a gourmet meal at home, you still need to use the best ingredients, time, care and effort to make the meal taste great. Make sure the plants have ample light, and that your grow lights emit heat, and pay attention to the plant, too much liquid or too much light can ruin a great crop as well. There can always be too much of a good thing, even with the right equipment and the right system!
Video Links:
Hydroponic Grow Guide

Hydroponic Grow Systems For Beginners

Most Common Medicinal Uses for Marijuana

Most Common Medicinal Uses for Marijuana

How Medicinal Marijuana Can Help
Almost have of the United States has already legalized the use of medical marijuana, with many more States and territories soon to join. Soon enough the majority of the country will allow medical marijuana use and for good reason. Marijuana has many health benefits that can help people cope with pain and stress associated with illnesses, chronic illnesses and certain injuries.  The medical industry has understood the benefits of weed for years, and now, slowly, the country is starting to allow people to self-medicate with it.
The fact is that weed can help people deal with many medical issues. But how can weed help the sick, ill or chronically ill? Weed contains CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), both of which contain pain relieving, stress relieving, and various other properties that have medicinal affects and uses. So this means that weed is good for pain relief, stress relief, and it is even good for helping people to eat and sleep if they are having trouble eating or sleeping.
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Ailments Weed Can Treat
Since we know that weed relieves pain and stress, basically any medical disorder that causes aches or pain or that makes one nervous or stressful can be treated with medicinal marijuana, but there are a number of disorders, maladies and diseases that medicinal marijuana is particularly helpful with. These include but are not limited to:

  • Glaucoma: Weed helps decrease pressure that builds up inside the eye, so it is helpful in the treatment of and even the prevention of glaucoma.
  • Lung disease: Unlike tobacco, which can destroy the lung’s capacity to hold air, studies have shown that pot usage can actually INCREASE lung capacity, as weed is actually good for the lungs.  Many people who smoked for years can actually benefit from smoking weed once they quit smoking tobacco products.
  • Cancer: While marijuana can’t directly treat existing cancer cells, many cancer patients benefit from the use of it in a number of ways. It can help keep cancer cells from spreading.  Also, weed does help alleviate associated pain. Then there’s the fact that people undergoing cancer treatment, especially radiation therapy, can fight nausea with it and even get their appetites back with the help of pot. Let’s not forget how stressful having cancer can be. Smoking weed can decrease stress levels as well.
  • Epileptic Seizures: Yes, as marijuana relaxes people and eases stress, pot can actually help prevent seizures.  Seizures occur under extreme stress and when the body and mind get quite wound up. Weed can help fight this process, staving off dangerous seizures in the process.
  • Anxiety Disorders:  This seems to be quite obvious, as THC decreases the effects of stress and anxiety first and foremost. Anyone who has ever smoked pot would recognize this right away. People who suffer from anxiety disorders, panic attacks and other stress and anxiety related disorders benefit greatly from smoking weed.

medicalmarijuana-painkillerabuse
 
Side Effects
Unfortunately nothing is perfect, not even nature’s greatest drug. Overuse of weed can lead to problems and there are some negative side effects as there are with every type of medication known to man. If pot is smoked too much people can get depressed, lose their drive and motivation, and definitely develop emotional disorders. Memory issues will arise with extensive pot use. Also, contrary to popular belief, marijuana does have some addictive characteristics and can cause users who abuse it to become dependent on the drug over time. But any drug can be abused. This doesn’t mean that marijuana, with controlled use, can’t do many wonderful things for human suffering and the human body because it absolutely can.
weed
 
Ultimately people have to be responsible for their use and potential abuse of any drug, but marijuana has many more positive, beneficial characteristics than it does negative characteristics.  There are many people suffering from many aches, pains and illnesses that are extremely happy to see marijuana usage, especially medicinal marijuana usage, being legalized. It is about time the U.S. caught up to the rest of the world and let people legally get the relief that they need to cope with their pain and suffering.
Video Links
Scientific Weed Documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHnJIWxrvr4&feature=youtu.be
Growing Medical Marijuana
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9nqSosrLeo&feature=youtu.be
 

20 More Great Songs to Smoke To

Everyone knows that good weed and good music go together like peanut butter and jelly, like cake and ice cream, like cookies and milk… like it was meant to be. In a previous post, 20 Great Songs to Smoke To, I listed many of my favorite songs to listen to when I’m high. The list has become a favorite here at Weed Reader, and I thought it was about time for another installment.
Because there’s a whole wide world of music out there, and 20 songs doesn’t even scratch the surface!
But before we dive into the tracks, a word about my criteria. First of all, these are NOT songs about weed, or getting high. Those are a dime a dozen, and generally not that great. Rather, this is a list of really good songs, that don’t necessarily have anything to do with weed, but which really come alive for you when you’re “under the influence.”
Other than being great songs, I have two rules for what gets included in this list. Rule #1: variety. I have tried to pull from different genres and cultures — from classic rock and jazz to modern hip hop and electronica — in order to create a rich and eclectic playlist. I have also chosen only one track from each artist, for the same reason.
Rule #2: depth. These are not simple tracks, that give up all their secrets at once. Each of these songs has layers upon layers, and you can listen to them over and over again and keep discovering new meanings, metaphors, and subtle movements that stir up new thoughts and feelings. Some are funky and soulful, others are more ambient and “trippy” — but all of them require your rapt attention in order to fully appreciate.
So with that said, let’s get to the good stuff. Here, in no particular order, are 20 more great songs smoke to. So put on your headphones and turn up the volume, relax, lay back, light up and enjoy 🙂
 
1. Anoushka Shankar — “Burn”

 
2. Hieroglyphics — “Let It Roll”

 
3. The Mahavishnu Orchestra — “Lotus On Irish Streams”

 
4. Robert DeLong — “Global Concepts”

 
5. Yes — “Heart of the Sunrise”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9yW-3vFxA0
 
6. Talib Kweli — “The Perfect Beat (ft. KRS One)”

 
7. Jefferson Airplane — “Wooden Ships”

 
8. David Bowie — “Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (Reprise)”

 
9. John Frusciante — “Unreachable”

 
10. Tool — “Lateralus”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDlC7oG_2W4
 
11. Shpongle — “Divine Moments of Truth”

 
12. D’Angelo — “How Does It Feel?”

 
13. Witchcraft — “An Alternative to Freedom”

 
14. Joanna Newsom — “Sawdust & Diamonds”

 
15. King Crimson — “Epitaph”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUaWhZXN08g
 
16. Led Zeppelin — “Since I’ve Been Loving You”

 
18. Ali Akbar Khan — “Lullaby”

 
19. A Tribe Called Red — “R.E.D. (ft. Yasiin Bey, Narcy and Black Bear)”

 
20. Weather Report — “Mysterious Traveller”

 
That’s all… until next time! I hope you enjoyed the music. What are some of your favorite songs to smoke to? Give me your suggestions and feedback in the comments below!
 
 

Recreational Marijuana might be hurting Medical Marijuana

Recreational Marijuana might be hurting Medical Marijuana

There are now multiple states with recreational and medical marijuana. How is recreational marijuana impacting the medical marijuana community? The number of recreational users is on the rise.  Meanwhile, in states with recreational marijuana, medical marijuana users are dropping. We look to a report by GreenWave Advisors for answers.
So far, the report shows medical marijuana patient numbers dropping in states with recreational marijuana. Some people think this is because people were falsely reporting medical conditions just to obtain weed. For example, someone could claim chronic pain and fake until the doctor recommends medical marijuana. It’s worth noting, chronic pain is the most common qualifying condition.
Furthermore, when retail marijuana becomes available it’s the number of chronic pain patients that declines the most. According to the analysts’ report, patient counts dropped in Oregon, Colorado, and Washington D.C. States like Washington don’t even count their patients so we don’t know if numbers dropped there.
Arizona has recreational marijuana on it’s November ballot. There’s already a decrease in the number of medical marijuana cardholder applications. The number dropped a whole 73% in May. GreenWave believes that it is “in anticipation of a favorable election outcome for recreational use.”
With laws that take away medical marijuana users right to bear arms, it’s no wonder people would rather wait on recreational marijuana. The pain of applying and paying fees to get pretty much the same weed you could get at a recreational location could have lowered the number of applicants as well.
GreenWave also believes that as long as cannabis remains a schedule 1 drug, doctors will be hesitant to recommend it to patients. This isn’t helping the already decreasing number of medical marijuana patients.
The report also predicted that states would begin to combine the regulation of the recreational and medical marijuana markets. The report explicitly states, “Redundancy in oversight and enforcement mechanisms will be recognized as costly and confusing.”
Fortunately, the report doesn’t believe this is the end for the medical marijuana market. If marijuana becomes rescheduled doctors will become more involved with the medical market. GreenWave believes this will lead to a revival of the medical market. In fact, many doctors in states where it is legal still refuse to recommend marijuana due to its federal status.
The way the markets work in states with both medicinal and recreational marijuana is raising questions. There is no substantial difference between recreational and medicinal marijuana. However, the two are being sold for different prices in different markets. In states like Arizona that have a 15% tax rate on recreational marijuana and a 6.6% tax rate on medicinal might not see as much of a decrease in their medical marijuana communities.
Similarly, Colorado hasn’t seen a huge decrease in medical marijuana sales. In CO medical marijuana is only taxed at 2.9 percent. While recreational marijuana is taxed at a whopping 27.9 percent. People in states like Colorado and Arizona might still have the incentive to fake chronic pain. It’s nice that patients who need marijuana don’t get taxed too hard but that might change if GreenWaves predictions come true. Then, the two markets would merge and everyone would be paying the same prices for the same product.
Photo: katherine_hitt/Flickr