June 2017 - Page 3 of 5

Analysis/Opinion, ListJune 11, 2017 by Dante Jordan

10 Best Times To Get High

A wise man once said “Everything’s better when you’re high. If you don’t smoke, I don’t know why.” That wise man was Cameron Thomaz, otherwise known as the Wizard of House Khalifa, in his song Up, released in 2010. 7 years later, I’ve still yet to find an argument against that statement. I literally cannot think of 1 single activity that isn’t more enjoyable when stoned, which raises the question: when are the best times to get high? I mean, we all love to get high before running Saturday errands, or while kicking it with the homies, but when are the tried-and-true best times to get high? For answers, we check in with our expert, ya boy (me, I, Dante Jordan). In no particular order, here are 10 of the best times to get high:

1. Before the gym (weight-lifting)/after the gym (cardio)

This depends on the workout you’re doing. If it’s weightlifting, then smoking a little cannabis before can take your workout to new heights. My experience is that it can be used as a preworkout. For some reason when I get high, I can focus better on all tasks at hand. So if I smoke before the gym, by the time I get there, I’m more than ready to make Chest Day my bitch. I can just feel the THC activate like “Oh yeah, I’m about to get it the fuck in.” But on the flip side of things, if I smoke before cardio, my heart rate will be all over the place, which means I’m not lasting more than 9 minutes and 18 seconds on the Stairmaster. So for cardio, it’s best to smoke after.

2. Before a first date

Everyone gets nervous before a first date with a new prospect. You’re worried about making a great first impression; making sure you don’t say anything stupid; and simply not fucking up in any capacity. That can be extremely stressful, especially when dealing with one of those I Can’t Believe I Even Pulled type-prospects. Smoking beforehand is a good remedy for the pre-date jitters. But just make sure to not get too high, else you’ll be at dinner on some paranoid Oh My God, Am I Completely Blowing This weirdo shit, which will cause you to give off some strange vibes, ultimately guaranteeing that this first date is also the last.

3. First thing in the AM, with a cup of coffee

We all love a classic wake-n-bake, but have we acknowledged how much better it is when mixed with a little caffeine? My favorite time of the day to smoke is first thing in the morning because it’s the perfect time to reflect on your goals for the day. I sit on my back porch, blow an L, and think all the ways I can make the day my bitch. However, the potential of a mid-morning come-down crash tends to make wake-n-bakes a little dangerous. That’s when coffee comes running out of the bullpen like Mariano Rivera. That feeling of being too high and crashing around 10am is no match for a nice cup of Joseph. Adderrall could never.

4. After Sex

There’s no better stress reliever than getting a nut off. You just feel so much better about life. Absolutely nothing can bring you down, even if you’re truly living a dumpster fire. So when you have post-coitus smoke sesh, especially with your partner, it takes the feelings of relaxation and euphoria to totally different heights. You’re just laying there like “Yo…Life might be trash, but hey…had sex.”

5. During your lunch break

If your job is wack then your workdays are probably long and boring as a result. You get there at 8am and instantly feel like 5 o’clock might not arrive for the next 27 years. Even if the morning flies by, that post-lunch feeling of Dog, I Really Didn’t Want Come Back Here is inevitable. Smoking during your lunch break is a great way to break up the monotony of that. Time flies when you’re high, so if you need a temporary cure for the existential dread that comes from hating your job, maybe choose a smoke sesh instead of Jason’s Deli’s salad bar for lunch.

6. AFTER a big meal

Most people smoke before a meal because they think it intensifies taste, but I prefer to smoke AFTER a meal because it eases the feeling of being full. Boys be eating; boys be eating a lot. So when I get up from the dinner table feeling like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, I need a blunt ASAP to balance me out. You do too. Trust ya boy on this one.

7. Before a movie

If you don’t get high before movies then you aren’t really about this weed life. Literally nothing enhances the movie experience like 2 lungs full of smokey smoke. Movies are meant to distract you from reality, but when you’re high, that shit feels like an all-out vacation. Like there are times that I’ve been so high at the movies that I fucked around and thought I was IN the movie. Next time you’re bored (which is probably right now), twist something up, face it, then head to your local theater for a random movie. At some point during the viewing, I guarantee you’ll think to yourself “Wow, I’m fucking smacked. And I’m loving every minute of this.”

8. While listening to a new album

Much like movies, nothing enhances a music experience like a nice dose of THC. I don’t know why, but when I’m gone of the kushington, I can feel every little bit of music in my heart. Every note, every word, every element of the beat instantly becomes a part of my soul. That’s why getting high while listening to new music is such the perfect move. It turns a basic listening session into a full-on spiritual experience.

9. During a road trip

There are few better feelings than the feeling of freedom attributed to road trips. Just the thought of road trips forces you to envision a jeep with no roof, barreling down an empty highway, with the sun shining brighter than ever as your hair flows in the wind on some Living Your Best Life shit. Now picture yourself inside of that same scenario, but with a vape pen in hand, blowing the oils of Sour Diesel towards the heavens. Yeah, you like that idea, don’t you? Feels good, right? Make it happen, then.

10. After a funeral

I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t get dark on you out of nowhere. Funerals are sad as hell, that’s big facts. And when you’re sad as hell, is there any better distraction than getting high? The answer is no. It’s why as soon as we have a bad day of any capacity, the very first thought is “Man, I need to get high.” Hopefully you won’t attend any funerals in the near-future, but in the unfortunate case that you do, make sure you have something pre-rolled/pre-packed for the postgame occasion. Even if it’s only for a few minutes, those few minutes of feel-good high are enough to kick-start the healing process.

Marijuana Legalization, Marijuana NewsJune 10, 2017 by Alley Rhodes

Ohio Cannabis Legalized but Patients are Left in the Dark

Ohio Cannabis Legalized but Patients Still Waiting.

One year after medical marijuana became legalized, patients still can’t buy legal cannabis within the state of Ohio. No licenses are given to cultivators, processors, labs or dispensaries. Doctors cannot become certified to recommend it. Ohio officials say that dispensaries will open by Sept 8^th, 2018. That is a long time before anyone sees a single legal joint for sale in Ohio.
In the fall of next year, Ohio plans to license several cannabis facilities. This includes 24 growers, 40 manufacturers of cannabis oils, tinctures, patches and medibles, and 60 dispensaries. They are also going to grant licensing to testing labs but Ohio officials are not sure how many.

The application process will not be cheap in Ohio.

The application process will not be streamlined, and the state fees will not be cheap. Larger cultivators are expected to pay $20,000 for a non-refundable application fee. And another $180,000 license fee if they are approved. The application fee is renewable for $200,000 per year.

Not all Ohio cities are joining the bandwagon.

Ohio allows cities to say whether they want marijuana businesses in their neighborhoods. Over 50 municipalities said no, they don’t want medical dispensaries in their towns. Slowly but surely entrepreneurs are changing the minds of these cities. Normally by showing them the huge potential income they would be losing if they don’t participate in the medical dispensary movement.
In recent months, more than a dozen communities have lifted the ban or let their own bans expire. Cities like Youngstown, Columbus and Johnstown have agreed to allow marijuana businesses to begin cultivation.
Columbus was one of the first cities to allow cannabis cultivation. They soon ran out of qualified cultivation grow space because of the large number of people petitioning for a license. Many cultivators almost lost their grow space when they realized how big the bill was for local licensing. “Even if you’re welcoming, there are other communities who are welcoming now,” Johnstown Village Manager Jim Lenner said.

Too bad ailments can’t take a two-year hiatus.

Ohio lawmakers understand that medical patients can’t wait two years before receiving treatment. That is why they put a few safeguards to help protect them from being prosecuted for possession. If patients have some form of letter or paperwork certifying that they have a qualifying condition, this protects them from prosecution. However, the law doesn’t state where they can legally obtain their weed.
Because Ohio physicians aren’t certified yet, they are reluctant to sign off for potential medical marijuana patients. That hasn’t stopped everyone though. A small percentage (7%) of Ohio doctors are willing to take the risk and help medical cannabis patients with recommendations.

But is simply isn’t enough.

Many patients like Amanda Candow are refraining from purchasing marijuana. Candow has multiple sclerosis and has a doctor’s note. But because of the current state of Ohio laws she doesn’t trust the letter and therefore is too afraid to buy weed.
Candow and others who have debilitating conditions like terminal cancer want to stay on the right side of the law. Even though Ohio cannabis is legal, delays and outrageous fees in the licensing process stop progress.

Marijuana Legalization, Marijuana NewsJune 10, 2017 by Alley Rhodes

Nevada Officials Rush to Legalize Recreational Weed

Nevada officials are moving too fast.

The tourist season is just around the corner and many are wondering if Nevada officials are moving too fast. Nevada expects tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue from recreational sales. Rafael Lemaitre is the former member of the Obama administration’s Office of National Drug Policy. Lemaitre sees how sloppy implementation of recreation marijuana is going. He says Nevada is moving in a manner like a college student who skipped classes all term and is now cramming for finals.
Supporters are worried that the state won’t be ready to begin recreational sales on July 1^st. “We’re not certain we’re going to be able to hit the July 1^st date.” says Scot Rutledge. He ran the campaign to legalize cannabis is 2016.
Nevada officials are scrambling to meet the early July 1^st due date because the tourist season is just around the corner. Recently there was a hiccup about who could be allowed to distribute cannabis when marijuana dispensaries initially attempted to obtain a recreational distribution license. Carson City Judge James Wilson recently issued a temporary block to only allow the Nevada Alcohol Wholesale Distributors the ability to distribute cannabis products.
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval (R) spoke with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper (D) several times about his states experience with the marijuana movement. “We want to learn from the experience of other states,” says Sandoval.

Cannabis Clubs

The issue about where to legally smoke pot outside consumer’s homes is a big deal. Nevada officials worry that consumers will smoke on the Las Vegas strip and smoke pot to their hotel rooms. Causing law enforcement to be called several times a day, all summer. If vacationers want to smoke in public, Nevada officials want to provide a safe-space for them to do it. Police time and energy won’t be spent harassing the Las Vegas strip and hotels all summer long.
Nevada legislators argued over whether to allow pot clubs. According to Nevada attorneys, it doesn’t need to be a state issue on who gets to open cannabis clubs. These safe-spaces to smoke can be more of a local jurisdiction matter. The potential to attract tourists from around the world is too great to not allow cannabis clubs in places like Vegas.

Nevada’s Cannabis Tax Income

The state of Nevada expects to sell $700 million in weed products within the next two years. But they expect their projections to be on the low end of reality. They expect a gold rush scenario similar to what happened in Colorado, Washington and Oregon when they legalized and began selling recreational marijuana

Nevada is hoping to stop the black market for good.

When recreational sales become legalized, Nevada officials are optimistic that the black-market sales of cannabis will stop. And the money from cannabis sales will go pouring into the state instead. However, Nevada officials worry that rushing the process will give Jeff Sessions another excuse to enforce federal control. “The situation with federal enforcement is already tenable as it is. Rushing the process could also give Sessions another excuse to reassert federal control. Which should surprise no one given his track record this far,” Lemaitre said.
Featured Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast.

GuidesJune 9, 2017 by Doctor Frank

Will I Still Need a Medical Card When Cannabis is Legal?

In a word, “No”. You no longer need a medical marijuana card in order to possess cannabis, as long as you’re not breaking the law in terms of amounts you’re allowed to carry. On November 8, 2016, Proposition 64 – also known as the Adult Use of Marijuana Act – was voted through. Of course, as there are no recreational dispensaries open yet, recreational users don’t have a place they can buy marijuana from as of yet.
From then on, adults over the age of 21 can possess, process, purchase, transport, obtain or give away up to one ounce of dried cannabis bud or flower and up to eight grams of cannabis concentrate. Should you be over 21, you can also grow up to six live plants for your own personal use, as long as you’re in a private residence and keep the cannabis in a locked area out of public view.
Now, you may be asking, “Why do I need a medical marijuana card?” Well, here’s five good, simple reasons why:
1. Tax

Recreational marijuana will have a 15% excise tax – something that those with a valid medical marijuana card will not have to pay. This means lots of money saved.
2. Access to More Dispensaries and a Better Choice of Products
With a medical card, you can go to any dispensary of your choice. Do you prefer one that’s a bit more lively and full of activities, or perhaps somewhere a bit more sedate and relaxed, where polite conversation and board games are more the norm? With a valid MMJ card, you can have that.
Moreover, not only do you get access to medical dispensaries, you get access to all their great products. Lab-tested cannabis flowers, high-quality concentrates made using safe methods, transdermal patches, a better choice of edibles, topical creams, all sorts of oils and the like … The list is endless. Also, you are less likely to have arbitrary restrictions on the amount of cannabis or cannabis-infused products you can buy. Recreational users are very likely to have far more restrictions placed on what and how much they can buy. Having a MMJ card gives you better choice.
3. It Gets Cheaper Still …
Dispensaries often have special deals for medical marijuana patients. Happy hours, specials on holiday periods, giveaway packs, different daily promotions, cheaper wholesale prices (ounces are often cheaper for medical marijuana patients). This means you will likely save a lot more money than just the 15% tax.
4. You Can Grow Lots More
Recreational patients can grow a maximum of six plants. Medical marijuana patients can grow up to ninety-nine, although your doctor may recommend an amount to grow. Those using marijuana for medical purposes may need more than what six plants provide in terms of weight, or may need more than six different strains for different problems to do with their condition/s. Plus, being able to grow only six plants potentially means time and energy lost should one or more plants die.
5. Better Protection from the Law?
States with a medical marijuana programme have a lot more precedence in the law with regards to legal protection, e.g.The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act of 2008 and Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2008.
Frankly (pun semi-intended), I don’t see why people – especially sick people who may benefit from medical marijuana – don’t get a medical marijuana card, especially if it could potentially save them from much harsher, highly addictive prescribed medications. If that’s got you thinking get in touch with me today and apply for your MMJ card online.

VideosJune 9, 2017September 12, 2020 by WeedReader

20 Great Books To Read While High

Books can take you to another time and place, another world. They invite you inside the mind of another human being, to see the world from their perspective and experience their thoughts and ideas as your own. It’s like being a mind reader, only you can still read books even after the author has been dead for centuries.

Culture, ScienceJune 8, 2017 by Adam Rhodes

Deep Water Culture: Growing with the Flow

Who wants to grow Deep Water Culture cannabis?

From geriatrics treating depression or arthritis to college hippies in a dorm room, people everywhere want to try their hand at growing some dank herb. It can be tempting to grow your own when thinking about the cost of a dispensary or going through “my guy”. The hundreds to thousands of dollars spent on equipment is an investment in never having to pay for weed again. Except for the power… and the nutrients… and the lights…
With so many states voting to advance recreational regulations, there has been an explosion in the recreational farmer population. Many people come upon a seed in their flower while loading a bowl and keep it while others will scour the internet for weeks to find the perfect pairing of genetics. Since seeds remain viable for years under normal circumstances, it can be easy to amass a small collection of genetics.

Once the decision is made to germinate the seed, preparations must be made for the growing process. Growing in soil has been the standard for centuries but advances in technology and scientific understanding of plants has changed the growing landscape. Advances in lighting tech over the last few decades introduced LED lighting while chemists have been playing with different forms and formulations of nutrient substitutes that are like natural and synthetic steroids for cannabis.

What Is Deep Water Culture (DWC)?

Before we get down to the details, let’s get an overview of this style of system. In a DWC system, the roots of a plant are kept in a well-oxygenated solution made up of water and nutrients. A net pot or grow cup is attached to the center of a lid while the roots are allowed to cascade into a nutrient solution in a reservoir below. Air is pumped into the reservoir with an air pump and an air stone.
This setup keeps the water supplied with enough oxygen for the roots to breath. The grow pot or net cup is filled with a grow media such a gravel, clay pellets, lava rock etc. and suspended in the solution. Most DWC systems use timers to pump water automatically by flooding the baskets. This feeds the roots dangling into the buckets below.
One great aspect of any DWC system is that they are easy to customize, meaning they can adapt to almost any size grow space. It allows new growers to start out with smaller gardens with anywhere from one to six-plant sites, while larger format grows can add on an unlimited number of plant sites to their gardens.

There are three critical parts to Deep Water Culture.

Oxygen: Because the roots are in the water and not soil, the water needs to be well oxygenated so the plant doesn’t drown. This is usually done with an air pump and air stone.
Water: This system works as if you’re growing in soil but permanently watering your plants. Pumps, timers and monitors relieve a large amount of the work by automating the lighting, watering, aeration and even some feeding elements of the grow.
Nutrition: Quality soil contains all of the micro and macro nutrients that plants use to survive and thrive. Because DWC doesn’t use soil, supplementing the oxygen-rich water with nutrients allows the plants to grow properly.
Popping a seed forces the cultivator to commit to caring for the plant. For those more inclined to the DIY genre of living, Deep Water Culture (DWC) is ideal. It requires a bit of micromanaging but offers many advantages to traditional growing at an approachable level to novice growers and obnoxiously handy-people alike.

It is called Deep Water Culture for two reasons.

First, it typically uses a deep reservoir that can hold water. More water means more stability in your nutrient solution but systems as small as 5 gallons are doable. Small systems are more difficult to keep balanced as well because of the reduced margin of error buffer zone. Some automation is required to ensure stability in the system while the cultivator sleeps but that just means less monitoring and maintenance!
The second reason is because of how the root mass is continuously submerged in water. Other methods like ebb and flow systems expose the plant’s root zone to air and drench them in water periodically. In DWC, the plant’s root system is mostly submerged around the clock. This makes oxygenating the water a necessity.
Because of how sensitive this style of cultivation is to temperature and nutrient levels, many growers invest in chillers and reverse-osmosis machines to ensure the water remains in optimal condition for the plants. Once again, the automation of water coolers streamlines the process and can be considered mandatory for commercial applications.

It’s not all smelly flowers and happy hippies.

There are some issues with this type of system that can cause headaches down the road. These are mostly avoidable if regular maintenance is performed. Like mentioned earlier, in small systems, pH, water level, and nutrient concentration may fluctuate wildly. This makes the margin for error on these systems extremely small and requires constant monitoring.
An electricity outage or a pump failure can be a disaster. The plants use up the oxygen available in the water quickly when everything is going well. A plant can easily drown if the power is not restored. Even if the power is restored quickly, your roots may still “drown” in the low-oxygen nutrient solution if it timers get reset from the outage.
If a grower is willing to overcome the challenges involved in Deep Water Culture growing, the results are amazing. People report as much as 20% increases in overall yield and only needing half the flowering time that soil provides. Side by side tests by everyone from seed banks to home growers repeatedly show that the extra effort it takes to keep a DWC setup in the green more than makes up for it in the bottom line. Thanks for reading.

Analysis/Opinion, Culture, GuidesJune 8, 2017 by Adam Rhodes

Recreational Marijuana Grow: Starting Out

There are a few fundamental steps to starting a new business.

Whether you are starting an investing firm or a marijuana grow, there are a few key steps to making a dream into a business reality. Read any business startup book or ask any successful entrepreneur and you will more or less get the same list.
The list goes a bit like this: write a business plan, find a location, work out the business structure, get licensed, establish infrastructure, contract with partners, and finally promote the hell out of it. Fail in any part of that list and the consequences are dire. But some of the risks and challenges in the marijuana industry are unique to recreational growers and those are what I want to focus on.

Barriers to success in the recreational marijuana market are growing.

Oregon recently did away with all residency requirements related to ownership and investment in recreational pot. This means that people don’t have to live in Oregon to start their application process (unlike other states). Outside investors can channel money into operations based in Oregon and never have to physically be at the property.
There are also no formal capital requirements like there are for fast food franchising or insurance underwriting. In essence, if you can pass a background check, have a spot, and pay the annual fees (starts around $5000 a year) you can get licensed to grow weed in Oregon. This is a big change from the previous rules that had strict rules for who could even apply.
On the surface, these kinds of changes seem like they are great for small business and to some extent they are. Yet competition and rising prices are forcing many long time producers to rethink how they do business. Costs for laboratory testing have skyrocketed as lawmakers impose new restrictions and tests be performed. Less than a year ago, the average price for testing was between $300 and $500. Today that number is closer to $3500.

Cannabis is moving away from Mom and Pop.

The rising cost of testing is only one area where weed growers are feeling pinched. The incredible level of regulation and reporting that recreational growers are faced with is enough to make anyone pullout their hair. Add to that the delays caused by having thousands of producers and only a handful of laboratories and regulators to sign off on permits. Yet some states can handle the influx better.
While it can take up to 18 months to get through the licensing process in Washington (who has merged their recreational and medical programs), it might only take 10 months to get permitted in California. The long delay is enough to derail many individuals who simply don’t have the time or money to push things along or adjust to changing regulations.

Compliance is a big and constantly changing part of a marijuana grow.

Washington State’s cannabis regulations change on a monthly basis and the same can be said about Oregon. The Oregon legislature even added four new marijuana bills recently which caused the two governing bodies to scramble to write rules around them. For the first time in the 17 year history of the Oregon medical program, growers are required to report online. At the same time, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is changing concentration limits for edible products.
If the idea of; constantly redesigning packaging, testing costs growing by orders of magnitude, waiting for close to a year before getting to start making money, and the extreme amount of reporting required doesn’t excite you then you might want to rethink getting in. No matter which state you try to start a recreational grow, a marijuana grow will have to deal with these challenges in addition to finding a good spot.

Remember that location is key.

The old adage “Location location location” holds true here. In states like Washington and Colorado, there is no difference between a medical and recreational grow since they merged their markets. In states like Oregon though, there is a patchwork of friendly and unfriendly marijuana jurisdictions. Yet even in states where the systems are merged, finding a good spot for a marijuana grow is tough.
Even where weed is welcomed, zoning rules and time, place and manner restrictions prevent growing weed in certain areas or neighborhoods. It is also important to remember that growers must submit Land Use Compatibility Statements (LUCS) during the permitting process. New York entrepreneurs must demonstrate they’re in control or possession of the buildings, land or premises to cultivate, process and dispense marijuana,or they will have to put up a $2 million bond.
Even after finding a suitable location, growers must remain vigilant. Many operations worry about getting shut down after a school moves into an area after the grow was established. Most states view the marijuana establishment as ‘grandfathered in” but normally come to a conclusion on a case by case basis. Yet schools and zoning work to limit a marijuana grow.

Marijuana grows are transitioning to the recreational market.

In states like Washington they don’t have much choice as the markets have officially merged. States like Oregon decided to keep their medical programs unchanged. So only medical producers are still subject to two-year residency restrictions. Medical producers (unlike recreational) officially can’t make profit so are limited on how much they can earn.
The increased profitability for farmers producing recreational product presents a real incentive for growers to switch to recreational. This further compounds the issues of increased competition, increasing testing costs and the difficulty in finding a decent location. Yet these challenges don’t seem to be slowing down or going away any time soon.
Even in states where medical and recreational systems are both in place, legislators and business owners are preparing for the merging of the systems. The increased taxes generated by licensing and fees has to be paid whether a business succeeds wonderfully or fails horribly. Don’t forget to factor in states perpetually looking for ways to generate additional revenue.

The recreational market is growing but not evenly.

NerdWallet recently conducted a study. They found that if all 50 states legalized cannabis today, it would generate a collective $3 billion a year in taxes. With those kinds of figures running around post recession, it is easy to understand why states would actually be considering legalizing marijuana. It is also easy to see why a mom and pop marijuana grow is at such a disadvantage in the recreational market. Even though they are the lifeblood of the medical market.
Corporations like Pfizer, Monsanto and Phillip Morris all have a vested interest in controlling cannabis production. With a collective fortune that would rival most nations, these corporations have leveled their might at taking control of production.

The deck is stacked against a small marijuana grow.

Take a small business owner growing in a barn and can only produce one pound each harvest. It may take that farmer $900 to produce a pound of weed and another $400 for packaging and delivery. Add the $3500 for testing and that farmer has to charge $4800 per pound to break even. Additionally, that farmer doesn’t get tax cuts like most businesses do. But we can ignore that for now since neither will the corporation.
An international corporation like Nike or Apple can produce that same pound of cannabis (due to economies of scale) at close to $600. They could spend about $200 on packaging and delivery (because they own factories that already make packaging). The corporation has to pay the same $3500 for testing but can test close to 20,000 pounds at once. Which adds about 17 cents to the cost of each pound. This makes their pound cost $800.17.
There is no reason Apple can’t play hard ball either. They could start a sister marijuana grow company to put most small farmers out of business. Why not decide to take no profit and cut prices by 16% to stimulate demand for their product? A corporation can also file hundreds of lawsuits against small farmers like Monsanto is known to do. A company could also simply break the law and pay any fines they incurred in the process like BP does.

The game is designed for big players.

Now a dispensary can choose to pay $4800 or $800.17 per pound. If they choose the small farmer, they are limited on how much they can obtain. If they run out for any reason, there simply isn’t any more for the farmer to sell. The corporation on the other hand can produce more than a single dispensary can ever go through. They can simply send another pound if needed.
Dispensaries will choose the lower cost option or go out of business. Economic drivers and current US regulations work to force businesses to pursue the lowest cost option. If they don’t adjust (especially in a market that is overcrowded by competitors) they will go out of business.
It seems everyone is starting a marijuana grow. The low bar for entry and the extreme reporting requirements mixed with the challenges of a flooded market and international money make becoming a grower a risky business. Surely many will make millions of dollars before the large corporations squeeze out the little guys. Most will simply waste the little money they have trying to chase a dream that has been legislated and sold into oblivion.
Thanks for reading.

Apps, Culture, GuidesJune 7, 2017 by Adam Rhodes

Rolling Joints Made Simple for Beginners

Rolling a joint is a skill that anyone can develop.

Certain people make rolling a joint easy. But don’t let them fool you, it takes plenty of hand-eye coordination to do it well. But luckily for the average stoner, it only takes about 100 or so attempt before most people figure it out.
Even so, most of us will never develop the skill or technical expertise to roll artistic joints. No cross joints rolled with God Bud or AK-47’s out of AK-47. But that doesn’t mean our joints have to be crappy. In fact, the difference between a good joint and a crappy one is small.
Guide to a perfect joint:

Step 1: Grind weed and position paper.
Step 2: Add weed and filter. Form a cone shape by rolling weed with paper.
Step 3: Tuck the paper around and tighten the cone.
Step 4: Lick and seal the joint along the glue edge.
Step 5: Pack the joint tighter and add additional weed as desired.
Step 6: Fold paper over when done packing.
Step 7: Position crush-resistant filters and ensure a tight seal around paper.

Additional Steps:

Create Airway: Using a toothpick, create a hole that goes half way down the length of the joint. Make sure it is centered. This makes the joint smoke better and allows for tighter rolling.
Spit Bath: As gross as it sounds, you can use your spit to slow down the speed that the paper burns. Applying a THIN even coat of saliva can prevent uneven burning.

There are several important aspects to rolling a good joint.

Density, airflow and proportion are the key aspects of a joint. Fail to maintain any one of these and you’re going to have a bad time. Master them and people will throw weed at you to roll.
You don’t have to be an engineer to make amazing joints but being an artist may help you make incredible ones. Joint rolling artists can make an impressive living creating wild designs. There aren’t a lot of tools required but great artist can create masterpieces.
Like any skill, rolling a joint gets easier the longer you do it. But there is more to it than just technique. To get the best rolling done, you need to have the right kind of cannabis. We aren’t talking about strains here, we are talking about consistency.

You need to make sure that the joint is solid.

Nothing is as sad as a poorly rolled joint. Having large nugs or lots of stems will destroy any hope of getting a join burning nicely. The easiest way to ensure you have the right consistency is to grind the weed before rolling it.
You can tear nugs up with fingers but the result is less consistent than using a grinder. Hand shredding also tends to crush the product. Regardless how you grind the weed, a normal joint takes between .5 and 1 gram of cannabis to make. Using less is possible but using more often requires alternative or additional paper.
Packing the joint is also an important step that takes some practice to master. Pack the joint too tightly and it can be impossible to draw through. Pack it too loosely and the joint will burn up in moments instead of minutes.

You need the right amount of drag.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfP1IB62wBI
The reason grinders are so popular is that they create a uniform size of shredded bud. Not too big and not too small. If ground too finely, the weed effectively becomes a solid mass and no smoke gets through. Grind too course, and the air skips over the chunks of weed instead of through it.
You want to be able to suck through the joint and feel some resistance. If you get to the end of rolling and it’s too tight, you can gently roll the joint between your fingers to help loosen it. If it deforms in your hand while simply holding it, you can pack more weed into one end to help tighten it up.

It needs to have the right proportions.

Even with the variation to joint size and complexity that professional rollers deal with, proportions remain important. Cones need to taper evenly and tubes need to be straight. Having bends or uneven sections in a joint can negatively impact the joints performance.
Don’t get discouraged if yours aren’t coming out perfect yet. Having steady hands and practicing often will make getting the joint even a whole lot easier. But there are also devices to help those of us who just can’t seem to get it right.

Rolling Machines are great when starting out.

There are a lot of companies that offer rolling machines. These devices take a lot of the technique out of rolling a joint. They are perfect for new rollers who might not have the coordination to get everything going at once. But they do have some limits.
A rolling machine has strict limits on the size. If your roller is designed for standard papers, it won’t work with extra long ones. Extra wide papers pose less of a problem but may result in multiple layers of paper in the end product.
The machines also have limited capacities. You won’t be rolling any 7 gram blunts with one. Most machines produce joints similar to the size of a traditional cigarette. You can normally make then thinner, but rarely larger.

Culture, Guides, ListJune 6, 2017 by Adam Rhodes

Top 10 Best Weed Friendly Hotels of 2017

When was the last time you enjoyed a weed friendly hotel?

Everyone needs to get away sometime and the best places to stay are weed friendly ones. Most of my vacations are spent visiting family and friends both at home and abroad. I have several pieces in my glass collection that remind me of specific trips and family members.
Getting to visit family is cool and all, but not all family members are comfortable with cannabis on their property. If your family is anything like mine, showing up blazed will get comments but busting out a joint after dinner instead of a glass of wine is likely to start a riot.
Vacations should be enjoyable adventures, not pointless fights. Just because we have different points of view doesn’t mean I don’t love them or want to see them. So instead of causing a blow-up when they smell smoke coming from the bathroom, I stay at one of these weed friendly hotels. This list is in no specific order, it just depends on where you are.

1. La Quinta Inn & Suites in the Denver Gateway Park

4460 Peoria St

Denver, CO 80239

(303) 373-2525

These spacious apartment-style suites offers 420 friendly & pet friendly lodging only minutes away from the airport, downtown Denver & various marijuana dispensaries. There are even full packages available for those seeking classes, tours, cannabis-infused massages and 420 friendly transport. Every suite is vaporizer and dab rig friendly but doesn’t allow open flames, only e-nails.
Studio rooms and one-bedroom suites as well as two-bedroom suites for larger parties are available. There is a restaurant and bar on-site to provide stoners with concierge-level room service to any room. The best part is that some rooms come with private balconies that are smoking friendly.

2. 1431 nw 53rd B&B

1431 NW 53rd Dr
Portland, Oregon
(503) 228-1036
This secluded B&B is perfect for a romantic getaway or quiet retreat. There is a large common room, nice deck and lots of birds. This little gem is nestled in the Portland rain-forest such that it feels miles from anywhere but close to everywhere. Use outdoors is allowed, vaporizers will be considered inside.
There is also the 5000 acre Forest Park just outside the door. The endless trails are perfect for when you want to wander after some edibles. Public transit and shops are close by along with easy access to Portland’s night-life. Also, 10% of the profits support ongoing maintenance and protection of Forest Park.

3. Rose Creek Retreat

1297 Altoona-Pillar Rock Rd
Rosburg, Washington 98643
(360) 869-9821
Rose Creek Retreat is the Lower Columbia’s 420-friendliest outdoor destination. It’s located just across the river from Astoria, Oregon and is nestled between two ghost towns. The natural oasis is old logging land repurposed into a private eco-retreat. Rose Creek is a unique blend of boutique camping, wildlife sanctuary, and edible agro-forestry restoration project.
You can watch eagles hunt while ships float by, enveloped by the scents of heirloom roses, after picking berries in the afternoon sun. All while roasting bowls or sharing a joint with your best bud. The main cannabis restriction is solely for fire safety reasons; the woodland camps may be vaping only during the dry season.

4. Amber House B&B

1315 22nd St
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 444-8085
Amber House is over 30 years old and continues to provide elegance, comfort and hospitality. Located in the heart of vibrant Midtown, it encompasses two historic homes; a 1895 Colonial Revival and a stylish 1905 Craftsman. The weed friendly hotel is walking distance to the city’s finest restaurants, shops, galleries, and entertainment.
Cannabis Consumption is allowed outside this weed friendly B&B, but not indoors. They have two rooms with balconies, a front porch, and a garden where guests can step out and enjoy a smoke or a dab.

5. B-Love Guest House

1131 Center St
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 686-3351
B-Love’s Guest House is a cute and spacious flat on the street level of a victorian home. The property is centrally located in the Bay Area. It’s only minutes away from San Francisco, downtown Oakland, Emeryville and Berkeley.
The bedrooms are private while bathroom, kitchen, living room and garden are all shared spaces. There’s a beautiful backyard garden that has a stage for daring performers. This weed friendly hotel says outdoor consumption is permitted anywhere on the property.

6. The Jupiter Hotel

800 E. Burnside St.
Portland OR 97214
(503) 230-9200
This is a new boutique hotel in the heart of Portland. The hotel was stylish enough to earn a feature in Architectural Digest and is near dispensaries. Fitting right into the city’s bustling Central Eastside District, Jupiter Hotel provides 81 unique (and pet-friendly) guest rooms. The space doubles as a cultural center, with an on-site gallery space and underground music venue, the Doug Fir Lounge.
There are music acts seven days a week and art openings on the first Friday of every month, for guests to drink up and socialize with the area’s creative community. But that’s not all, some packages include a munchie kit, vape pen, swag, and coupons to the nearby dispensaries. No need to bring any along, there are tons of places to buy your own cannabis.

7. The Travel Joint (420 Condo)

109 Dunes Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 858-6916
As The Travel Joint’s signature hometown property, this condo offers escape from the craziness of the Strip in a one-bedroom, 33rd-floor oasis. It’s adjacent to the Palms Casino Resort and guests have access to its Drift Spa. They complete the package with 24-hour room service, concierge, pool, hot tub, and more.
The best part is that smoking inside the room is OK. To facilitate the party, the condo is also stocked with curated cannabis products to try. If the products on hand don’t fit your fancy, dispensaries are within walking distance.

8. The Bud and Breakfast

5Bd Chalet at Snowmass
Snowmass, CO 81615
720-460-1283
What better way to enjoy the Colorado high than at an expansive western style lodge? This five bedroom property can accommodate up to 11 guests and offers the ultimate in mountain fun. Equipped with double-height fireplace, soaring great room, hot tub, chef’s kitchen and so much more.
Cannabis and vaporizer are provided to clients so there is no need to bring any. But shops and dispensaries are nearby if the slopes aren’t too tempting. Not only does this property provide the product, but cannabis can be consumed indoors or out.

9. The Winston House

North Beacon Hill,
Seattle, WA
Located on the edge of a green belt with large wooded backyard, this is the perfect place to relax. Complete with private bathroom and entry, king sized bed and desk for getting that last little bit of work done or having an intimate dinner. This place feels like a home away from home.
Vaporizers are provided and allowed indoors. Dispensaries and shops are close by in case you get the desire to do some additional shopping. There is always something going on nearby and the host is top notch.

10. Las Vegas Suites at The Cosmopolitan

3708 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV, 89109
(866) 678-6350
This weed friendly hotel has large rooms filled with designer furnishings and access to everything that makes Las Vegas special. Shows, restaurants and performers of all styles hosted in-house makes this location stand out. Don’t forget the theater either.
Smoking and vaping is allowed on the private terraces but not in the rooms. Dispensaries are within walking distance. Perfect for getting lit before heading out for a night on the town. Just remember that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Guides, Marijuana NewsJune 6, 2017 by Alley Rhodes

Top 10 Cannabis Hiking Trails in California

Have you ever been on a hike, on weed?

California has a lot to offer to the average consumer. Whether it be climbing a mountain or hiking down a deep valley, there’s a cannabis hiking adventure for everyone. California offers a variety of scenic views and landscapes that will take your breath away.

1: Lassen Peak Trail

Have you ever wanted to get stoned and stand on top of an active volcano? Well, Lassen Peak Trail offers a moderate to hard hike that ends on top of a beautiful and safe volcano. The view is breathtaking and worth the 5-mile hike.

2: Eagle Lake

If a volcano hike seems too much, try an easier walk on Eagle Lake. Smoke-a-bowl and enjoy the beautiful waterfall views and magical woods. The 2-mile trail leads to a mirror-like lake within South Lake Tahoe.

3: Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout

The Sierra Butte Fire Lookout is another great place to get stoned at and enjoy the open fields filled with wildflowers. This trail is easy to moderate because travelers can continue their cannabis hiking through rocky terrain that leads to a 600-foot drop lookout.

4: Cataract Falls

This 2.7 mile trail is moderately difficult to hike, but the trail is filled with the sounds of bubbling streams. Smoke a joint and enjoy natures cooling streams and breathtaking waterfalls.

5: Fern Valley Trail

Looking for the Jurassic Park experience? Well you won’t find dino’s here, but it was the backdrop for Jurassic Park II. This easy to walk 1-mile park is filled with wildlife such as salamanders and centipedes.

6: Salt Point Trail

Salt Point Trail delivers a true Northern California coastal experience. There are wildflowers, colorful sandstone formations and the big beautiful deep blue ocean. Don’t get too blazed, the trail can be a little confusing so it’s best to bring an updated map.

7: Feather Falls

The best time to visit Feather Falls is during mid-spring to early summer. Just after the winter snow has melted the wildflowers are in full bloom. Get blazed and enjoy the shining waterfall and sparkling waters within the 8-mile long hike.

8: Mishe Mokwa Trail

In Malibu, California there are a variety of peaks, but Sandstone is the crown jewel of the area. You’ll also see vibrant green landscapes and a gorgeous ocean backdrop. This moderate difficulty, 6-mile long hike is perfect for couples who want to smoke-a-bowl and enjoy the views together.

9: Mt. Baldy (Mt. San Antonio)

A difficult path for sure, this 10-mile long path is not recommended for beginners. The views are filled with beautiful natural scenery. And for those who want to omit 4-miles from their hike, there is a ski lift available during the summer months.

10: Torrey Pines State Reserve

This amazing trail offers three different points: Red Butte, Yuca Point and Razor Point. These points on the hike provide an incredible view of colorful wildflowers, natural seaside wonders and a few rattlesnakes. Yes, rattlesnakes are also a part of the hike so be careful stoners and don’t pet the snakes.
Featured image: notez_rachapong / Instagram

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