Strain Review Granddaddy Purple
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Strain Review: Granddaddy Purple

Granddaddy Purple or GDP has been in the game for 13 years now, originating in California. Purple Urkle and Big Bud are its parents, passing on the grape scent of P.U. and the large, dense bud structure you get from BB. True to its name, Grandaddy Purple blooms in varying shades of purple, with snow white crystal resin coating the leaves. Batches that are more on the green side are still potent, and shouldn’t deter you from trying GDP. However, breaking into a deep-purple nugget and smelling the delicious and candy-like grape terpenes, is incredibly satisfying.
GDP is a staple in many dispensaries and you’d often find it recommended for pain relief. Stress, insomnia, muscle spasms, and loss of appetite are other symptoms treatable with use of Granddaddy Purple. Relaxation is a guarantee in batches indica dominant as is a raised desire for sleep, so try it out when you next have trouble catching some z’s. This indoor strain is a sweet blend of CBD, which helps the muscle relaxant and pain relieving effect, and a high THC content to smooth it out and give a solid physical high. It has a short grow period, around 2 months, so consumers can look forward to seeing it often from commercial distributors.
Berry, sweet, and grape have all been attached to descriptions of Granddaddy Purple. The aroma, taste, and high are all mouth-watering–like with most cannabis flower, the worst you’ll feel is dry mouth. A body high like warm sunlight, fantastic taste, and lacking the cloudiness heavy indica breeds can bring on, GDP will still provide ample amount of freedom from stress, aches, and soreness. Named consistently to be potent and effective for psychoactivity, so try some GDB before your next solo activity, if you’re stuck creatively and need a fresh perspective, or if you and a friend are looking to plunk down and consider the universe.
Most people suggest it at bedtime, since a solid batch of GDP will knock you off your feet. Fast-acting and long lasting. Great for winding down at the end of a day, laying in bed and listening to music. During the day, try smoking some Granddaddy Purple and meditating outside. You might find it easier to settle in your body, relax, and focus your attention on whatever you’d like to.
Chemical makeup
THC: 17-23%
CBD: 0.1-0.1%
CBN: 0.01-0.05%
CBG: 0.16-0.8%
THCV: 0-0.4%
CBC: 0.05-0.3%
CBL: 0-0.2%
β-Linalool: 0.05-0.1%
β-Myrcene: 0.3-1.6%
a-Pinene: 0.04-0.5%
D-Limonene: 0-0.2%
β-Caryophyllene: 0-0.5%
image: thecannabist

Strain Review White Widow
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Strain Review: White Widow

White Widow is one of the first ever strains I can remember trying. A friend laid out a few nuggets that were bright green, densely coated in white crystals, and smelled thickly of dank earth and grass. The high afterward was so sweet and floaty, free from stress or any paranoia about being caught by someone’s parents (as I’m sure many smokers have been through). The same night I tried Blue Dream, and the two combined were an intense, and as you could probably imagine, hazy experience.
Another one of the world’s most popular and most-accessible strains, White Widow is a hybrid of Brazilian sativa and South Indian indica that bursts in with euphoric qualities and stimulating energy. You might be familiar with some of its genetic offsprings– White Russian, White Rhino, and Blue Widow. However, White Widow is the Netherlands-born classic found in just about every coffee shop and dispensary across the world.
Like I described before, the white crystals give a cheesy, resiny hit that coats the inside of your mouth and sets off the potent effects of the strain. High relaxation, creativity, happiness, and euphoria are all named benefits of using White Widow. Some batches lean more on the indica side, so you’d get high pain relief and relaxation with minor cerebral effects. Other times, the hybrid combination is in full force, and the high creeps slowly in until you are completely swamped in a state of euphoria. A solid dose of White Widow in an edible just might be the thing to knock a person off their feet! Try it out vaping or smoking before experimenting with any baking, since ingesting cannabis is an entirely different experience than it is with smoking.
Users say they like the body high for dancing, working out, or being outside, while others feel bubbly and more personable, cracking jokes and feeling little anxiety. Some feel relief from stomach pain and muscle cramps while others may feel a heavy sedative quality. Enjoy productivity, make tasks pleasurable and find new ways to look at the world or shift your perspective by trying some White Widow. Great for wake-and-bakes!
image: medicaljane

Meditation and Marijuana
CategoriesAnalysis/Opinion by

Marijuana has been used for meditation for thousands of years

Meditation and Marijuana

Meditation has a long history and reputation as a healthy and liberating practice for the mind, body, and soul. Recommended by health professionals and spiritual practitioners alike, it is effective in reducing stress and anxiety and in improving mental health. Many people know of meditation but fail to truly understand what it is or its purpose. The practice of meditation is to clear the restless mind and to bring it to a mode of consciousness that is aware and alert, yet still and free of thought. Cannabis, when consumed in an appropriate dosage, can also achieve similar effects in muscle and mental relaxation, and an altered state of consciousness. When the two are combined, the effects are amplified and have profound benefits.
Today yoga and meditation combined with marijuana is growing in popularity, especially in places with legalization like Colorado. However, this combination has been around for thousands of years in spiritual and healing rituals among many religious groups including Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, Sufism, Taoism, and many others.  Many ancient and spiritual texts included cannabis as an aide for meditation and spiritual practice. Even modern day Himalayan and Northern Indian Tantric Buddhists use marijuana in their practices to achieve deep meditation and awareness.
Meditation starts with focus on breath, paying attention to every inhale and exhale of air, and feeling your lungs and diaphragm fill itself with the life force. The purpose of this is to calm the restless mind and to clear thoughts to live in the present moment, before eventually slipping in to a heightened state of tranquility and awareness. For many, especially beginners, this isn’t easy. Not many spend time in the present; the human mind is cluttered with worries of the past and future. This is where marijuana comes in to help.
Anyone who’s ever consumed marijuana is familiar with its effects on short term memory and perception of time. THC disrupts short term memory, making it more difficult for short-term memory to develop in to long term memory, thus causing the consumer to not spend too long on a single thought. Marijuana frees the mind from the plaguing thoughts of the past and future, allowing you to live in the present moment. On top of that, cannabis skews the perception of time, while providing muscle relaxation. These effects of marijuana can help a beginner in meditation to easily relax, slip in to meditation and spend more time in the combined altered state of mind.
It is worth noting that those who are interested in combining meditation with marijuana should be aware of dosage, method of consumption, and strain choice. It is not recommended to get too high that one becomes too sleepy or dysfunctional for meditation. The method of consumption is also important, depending on when one plans to meditate. Eating an edible may not be ideal because it needs time to take effect. Lastly, strain is crucial when combining with meditation. Because sativas provide more euphoric head highs, it may not be helpful in clearing thoughts and achieving stillness. Indicas and hybrid strains however, are recommended. Indicas allow the user to relax effortlessly, and hybrids do the same while allowing the user to feel a mild euphoria.
A smart combination of marijuana and meditation can effectively activate the feelings of weightless relaxation, awareness on the present moment, and closeness to the soul. As stated in Rastafari philosophy, “the herb is the key to new understanding of the self, the universe, and God. It is the vehicle to cosmic consciousness.”
Sources:
http://www.sparcsf.org/learning-center/spiritual-use-canabis
http://herb.co/2015/07/18/marijuana-and-meditation/
Top image credit: Highlyzen

brain cells
CategoriesAnalysis/Opinion by

Does Cannabis Kill Brain Cells?

You may have heard in the past that smoking cannabis can kill your brain cells. Since Reagan, propaganda has tried to convince people that permanent brain damage was an inevitable result from marijuana usage. Government officials have no begun to admit that pot doesn’t kill brain cells.
Where did this rumor start?
This myth came from old experiments done on animals. Even in animals actual cell death did not occur after animals were exposed to high doses of marijuana, cell structures just changed. Dr. Robert G. Heath did a study on moneys which supposedly found that three monkeys had been brain damaged by cannabis. However, this work was never replicated making it unreliable in the scientific community. Furthermore, the monkeys were force-fed 30 joints worth of marijuana per day. The brain damage reported in the autopsies of the monkeys may have been caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain when being force fed smoke.
What are the facts?
The findings of the above study were challenged by Dr. William Slikker of the National Center for Toxicological Research and Charles Rebert of SRI international. Both Doctors attempted to replicate the notorious monkey study without success. Instead, they found no change in the brain structure of monkeys that were given daily doses of marijuana for a whole year.
Research on humans has concluded that brain damage is unlikely from daily use. Only users who started using marijuana before the age of 17 saw noticeable changes in brain matter volume. Overall, brain volumes remained the same in those studied.
A study on chronic marijuana users found that only 38 out of 1000 people saw a drop in IQ. In the few people who saw a decrease in IQ it was only about an 8 point drop from age 18 to 38. These people were also using more marijuana for a longer duration of time than the average user.
Contrastingly, there has been research showing that cannabinoids have the ability to protect brain cells from damage associated with Alzheimer’s disease. However, more research would need to be done to make any definitive claims.
A 2005 study found that a synthetic form of THC could increase the growth of new brain cells. More recent research on marijuana contradicts the findings of Dr. Robert G. Heath and others who have claimed that marijuana has a negative impact on brain health.
In Conclusion
The fear of the alleged harms of marijuana became widespread after the results of isolated studies were pushed onto the public. These results have failed to be replicated and there has been little evidence suggesting that the active ingredients in cannabis at appropriate doses can have neurotoxic effects. So as long as you’re not being force fed 30 joints a day your overall brain health should remain the same. More research needs to be done on marijuana’s effect on human brain cells. Hopefully, the DEA’s decision to lift barriers on marijuana research will lead to more information on the plants impact on the central nervous system.

2alk
CategoriesAnalysis/Opinion, List by

Most Legendary Functional Glass Artists

Functional glass artists attempt to work aesthetics into efficient smoking devices. The functional glass industry has been rising in popularity alongside the legalization of marijuana movement sweeping the nation. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most legendary functional glass artists in the glass blowing game.

  1. Banjo Glass
    Banjo has been blowing functional glass for the past 17 years. He became inspired by seeing the evolution of pipes. After seeing a dragon double bubbler he realized glass pipes were becoming an art form. He actually learned to blow glass from a 15 year old who was taught by the creator of the dragon double bubbler. He’s now one of the most renowned glass artists in the industry. When asked about his creative process he responded,
    “I typically start with an image that I have in mind and then try to imagine a way for air to travel through it, while keeping the volume of the vessels to an absolute minimum. Sometimes if it’s tricky, I’ll draw it out on paper so I can better visualize what in the piece needs to be hollow. For the most part, I prefer to construct everything out of solid components whenever possible, only involving hollow vessel work when absolutely necessary.”
    Banjo continues to blow glass and teach classes for aspiring glass artists.
  2. Joe P Glass
    Aged 32. Began by doing nonfunctional glass artwork until the market began to crash in 2008. After seeing the functional work of other glass artists like banjo, he decided to make the switch to creating functional art. Joe P has years of experience taking classes in Italy and learning to blow soft glass. He has said that he incorporates those experiences into his current work. Joe P has recently become popular in the world of hip hop after queens-based rapper Action Bronson purchased one of his pieces of functional art. Joe P has certainly entered legendary status and even a pendant made by him will cost you around $1,000. A solo piece will costs thousands of dollars and some of his collaborations sell for 5 figures. Many artists have an image they’re associated with, for Joe Peters it is his signature honey-drip design.
  3. Scott Deppe
    Scott Deppe is a part of the Mothership team, which is considered by many to be the most innovative and high-end water pipe company on the market. Scott Deppe has created some of the most expensive functional glass art pieces on the market. His collaborations have sold for more than $100,000.
  4. A Pipe Maker / AKM
    A Pike Maker also known as AKM is known for his skull design. His pendants and jammers are highly collectable. Shows featuring his work are often packed out. He was also awarded glass artist of the month by High Times magazine. In 2014, AKM won the People’s Choice award at the Champs Glass Games. He’s been blowing glass sine 1999 and now he’s becoming one of the legends in the glass blowing game.

    Other worthy mentions:
  5. Gray Glass / Scott Rosinski
    Mr. Gray Glass is known for his realistically scultped marijuana leaves. He recently collaborated with Scott Deppe to make a beautifully crafted oil rig hookah.
  1. Salt
    Salt is known for his unique and compelling creature designs. The majority of his pieces feature his signature realistic eyes and teeth. Salt has been a part of collaborations that are worth over $10,000 and even some of his solo work is priced that high. His latest solo pieces sell for well over $1000.
  1. Sagan Glass
    Sagan’s signature is to involve realistically sculpted moons. He once sent a glass pendant into space. He won up and coming artist of the year at a glass expo and also people’s choice at another glass art festival. A collaborative piece Sagan made with Mothership’s Scott Deppe sold for a little over $100,000 dollars. The glass game is getting serious!
  2. Elbo Glass
    Elbo is known for his functional dinosaur glass sculptures. His solo pieces sell for over $3000. He’s become even more popular after having a table of his work featured on rapper Action Bronson’s Ancient Aliens with friends show featured on VICELAND. The rapper can be seen on the dinosaur themed episode hitting several of Elbo’s pieces. The episode even kicks off with rapper Schoolboy Q ripping a collaborative piece between Elbo and the legendary Joe Peters.
  3. Ryno
    Known for his glass yellow ducky design, ryno tells stories with his sculptures. His sculptures are almost always duck themed but each one comes out different from the last. Some of his solo work has sold for around $10,000 and he’s gained a few awards over time. Ryno continues to grow in popularity and if you want any of his work you’d better get it before he gets even more popular.
  4. Coyle Condenser
    Coyle is known for his monkey and banana themed pieces of functional art. His solo pieces sell for thousands of dollars and his collaborations are closer to the $10,000 range.

image sources:
instagram.com/banjoglass/
instagram.com/joepglass

Strain Review Blue Dream
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Strain Review: Blue Dream

The strain that’s sweeping the nation, Blue Dream is the top-choice for many smokers. It’s so popular, in fact, that it’s begun being recognized/mentioned in current American TV shows. It got its start and popularity rise in California, and though it’s commonplace amongst dispensaries and the arsenals of weed smokers across the counter, Blue Dream is nothing to turn your nose up at. As a sativa-dominant hybrid, you’ll get fast acting pain relief with little sedation, comparable to popping an aspirin or two (but much better for you overall).
With parents of Blueberry and Haze, Blue Dream smells just how you’d think– like sweet, fruity berries. The body high is long lasting and settles nauseous stomaches, eases pain, and lifts depression and fatigue. Blue Dream tends to be a high THC strain perfect for medicinal users, who need day-to-day relief without a heavy punch or need for lazing around. Good for headaches but bad for dry mouth, just keep hydrated and you’ll get only the benefits of BD.
Nuggets of Blue Dream often look blue, with rich purple/green leaves the same blueberry color as its indica mother, Blueberry. Buds are compact, dense, sweet-smelling cones that break off like wads of cotton candy. The taste is both earthy and fruity. Many folks describe the effects as being cerebral, like a lucid dream, and that it’s both the first strain they’ve tried and it’s their favorite. Reliable, tried-and-true, it’s easy to see why Blue Dream is the go-to for so many cannabis users.
The high has been described as “energizing” and “enlightening”, a go-to for hyperactive people or for someone who desires both focus and the drive to carry their will out. Great for appetite control, relaxation, and the energy of a coffee boost without the caffeine crash. It seems to round out with the mellow indica parts, so try smoking Blue Dream later at night if you suffer from insomnia. Try a puff or two of BD instead of a sleeping pill next time you can’t get to bed! You might wake up less groggy, more refreshed, and without worry. Cannabis is non-habit forming, unlike many prescription meds. So relax, and let your head hit the pillow for a Blue Dream.
Chemical makeup
THC: 17-24%
CBD: 0.1-0.2%
CBN: 0-0.1%
CBG: 0.2-0.6%
THCV: 0.01-0.2%
CBC: 0.01-0.2%
CBL: 0-0%
β-Linalool: 0-0.1%
β-Myrcene: 0.3-1.1%
a-Pinene: 0-0.7%
D-Limonene: 0-0.2%
β-Caryophyllene: 0-0.2%
image credit: medicaljane

Strain Review Bubba Kush
CategoriesStrain Reviews by

Strain Review: Bubba Kush

The true origins of Bubba Kush are unknown, but most recognizable is its DNA in OG Kush. Bubba Kush is a hybrid with OG and supposedly Northern Lights, but its mother has not been determined for certain. BK, regardless, is a contender to be a favorite for people who like a heavy and powerful relaxation with their high. Described as the “poor man’s GDP [Granddaddy Purple]”, you can probably expect great and long lasting pain relief, and similar effects to GDP. (But let’s be real, most all cannabis is great cannabis.)
The flavors and physical structure of Bubba Kush buds are reminiscent of Afghani breeds, strongly hashish and subtly chocolate, roast coffee, and rich earth. It provides head to toe tingling and muscle relaxation like no other. Light up some BK on a day off, where you can wake up and ease into the morning without feeling groggy, or like you need that extra cup of coffee. Bubba Kush could be perfect for easing any stomach tension or helping to forget anxieties. Why not use it to make the biggest, best-tasting breakfast for yourself and getting all the benefit with none of the worries? It might even make doing the dishes afterward more bearable.
Nuggets of BK tend to be quite dense, dry, and bulky. It breaks apart in these little leafy pearls, with deep burnt-orange hairs, occasionally dark purple to light brown leaves, and a dusting of resiny crystal. The taste of the smoke inhaled is often sweet and hash like, very rich and clean, with the exhale giving hints of cocoa and spice. Pair together with your favorite morning beverage, or try Bubba Kush alongside a few pieces of chocolate or a cappuccino.
The THC content in most batches of Bubba Kush are on the lower side, ranging from 15% to 22%. Definitely look out for higher-range strains and batches of BK if you love the taste but want more of a psychoactive effect. Has a rich terpene profile high in limonene and pinene. Both are accounted for in the sweetness and tangy pine scent you sometimes get in batches of BK. Look for higher CBD content wherever you get your bud from, and you’ll be more likely to feel strong pain relief and ease from insomnia or nausea.
Chemical makeup
THC: 14-22%
CBD: 0.06-0.1%
CBN: 0-0.05%
CBG: 0.01-1.0%
THCV: 0-0.3%
CBC: 0-0.1%
CBL: 0-0.03%
β-Linalool: 0.01-0.2%
β-Myrcene: 0-0.2%
a-Pinene: 0-0.3%
D-Limonene: 0.07-0.4%
β-Caryophyllene: 0-0.4%
image: theweedblog

weedreader Recipe No Churn Avocado Lime Ice Cream
CategoriesMarijuana Recipes by

Recipe: No-Churn Avocado Lime Ice Cream

I cannot get over how simple and delicious this recipe is. Dairy-free, nut free, and soy-free, this ice cream is perfect for a bright, refreshing dessert that satisfies all allergen worries.

Recipe makes enough to evenly stone/serve 4 people. Goes fantastically with the Raw 4th of July Pie.

 

INGREDIENTS

3 medium or 2 large avocados
1 can sweetened condensed coconut milk
or the cream from 1 can full-fat coconut milk, boiled down with 1 1/2 cups sugar + canna butter

3 tbs cannabutter, softened
zest and juice from 4 limes
maple syrup
pinch of sea salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Remove pits from avocados and scoop meat into a mixing bowl. Juice and zest the limes, then add to the avocados. Add the canna butter. Begin mashing them together, gradually adding more juice/zest and salt to taste. (It will soon taste weird, like sweet guacamole, but trust me.)

2. If you can find sweetened condensed coconut milk, this recipe will shorten considerably. If you got it, open the can + dump it into the bowl. Beat together with a whisk or a hand-held blender.

2a. If you have just the coconut milk, flip it upside down and open it. Drain and save the separated water, then scoop out the cream into a pan. A double boiler would ensure it from burning while you cook. Either way, add sugar and canna butter to the cream. Keep on medium heat; do not allow the mixture to boil. Once liquid is reduced but thickened (when the oil cooks into the cream), remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Add to step 1’s mix of stuff and combine thoroughly.

3. Pour or scoop entire mixture into freezer-safe container.

————

Because the base is avocados, this ice cream will (or shouldn’t) freeze completely. A few minutes to soften and it’s the consistency of frozen yogurt, super creamy, and irresistibly sweet and tart. And bright lime-green!

Seriously, start freezing your produce and see what happens. Avocados and bananas, sliced, then frozen, then blended in a food processor, will create a texture remarkably similar to dairy ice cream–especially the bananas. Experiment with adding in different toppings, fruits, syrups, and create your very own flavors!
image credit: littlebigh.com