2017 - Page 2 of 19 - Weed Reader

Growing, Guides, Research, ScienceNovember 10, 2017 by Adam Rhodes

3 Nutrients Every Grower Needs To Know

Growers need to understand their plants.

There is a lot to know when it comes to nutrients. It can take decades to learn how to properly prevent, identify, and treat pests and problems. And as technology continues to advance at breakneck speeds, constant learning is required for even the most knowledgeable cultivator.

But a PhD in biochemistry isn’t necessary to grow marijuana. Generations of humans have utilized soil, water, and sun to grow their plants. But nature is fickle and never gives up her bounty willingly. Fluctuations in weather and climate make keeping the correct balance difficult.

So modern farmers utilize greenhouses and indoor gardens to help stabilize the mix of elements. This leads to a more consistent and bountiful crop but also increases the knowledge required to keep the system in balance. Failure to fulfill or adapt to the plants changing needs results in dead plants.

It takes certain levels of specific nutrients to grow healthy plants.

Just like human bodies, plants need specific nutrients at specific times. The basic building blocks of any plant are Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Potash (commonly abbreviated as NPK). Once dissolved into water, these chemicals provide the structure and propel the chemistry plants depend on to live.

Plants use NPK to develop strong stalks, transport chemicals and especially to produce new growth. This means that growers must feed a steady supply to the plant throughout the growing process. But care must be taken to avoid providing too much at once as well.

If the levels of any nutrient rise to high, the plants essentially lock-out that chemical and generally suffer. When growing cannabis, this can lead to stunted plant growth and low harvest weights. Because of that, most growers rely on a nutrient system.

The right mix changes over time.

Cannabis goes through three main stages of growth: Clone/seedling, vegetative and flower. In the clone or seedling stage, plants need mostly water since the initial nutrients for life are contained in the seed. Clones have the added need of a rooting solution like honey or Atomic Root Powder to stimulate root growth.

But the plant quickly develops into the vegetative (veg) stage. During this stage, the plant uses the most nitrogen but little phosphorus and potash. This is when you get the most growth and this stage lasts until the plant enters flower.

Once the flowering stage begins, the amount of nitrogen the plant needs drops dramatically. But building big, beautiful buds requires a lot of phosphorus and especially potassium. The standard rule of thumb is to have twice as much potassium as nitrogen in the growing media at this time.

Not all nutrients are the same.

Because science is a thing, people have developed multiple nutrient systems. Companies like Advanced Nutrients, Vegamatrix and Dakine 420 all produce their own lines of nutrients. Each company also offers a slight variation to the ratios and concentration of the mix. Just be sure to pH balance after adding your nutrients.

Advanced Nutrients provides a liquid three-part system. They also offer a massive index of individual micronutrients that the curious can use to tweak their plants growth. This is like the equipment designed for astronauts; high tech and with more buttons than people know what to do with.

Vegamatrix uses a three-part system of liquid nutrients. They also offer additional micronutrient solutions with a focus on non-GMO sources. This system is akin to shopping at a farmers market where processed elements are completely absent.

Dakine 420 goes with a four-part system of powder nutrients. This system includes all of the micronutrients needed for vibrant growth but the company also provides rooting powder as part of the base system. It’s like an Olympic athletes diet that has been fine-tuned over generations.

Powders offer a big advantages.

There is a long-standing debate over the efficacy of liquid versus powder nutrients. But long-term studies show that both forms are used by plants equally. This means that farmers are free to choose the system that fits their needs best instead of which form is more effective.

The initial reason to choose powdered nutrients is the weight savings during shipping and subsequent storage. Liquid nutrients are concentrated but still contain large amounts of water. Many micronutrient solutions can have almost 90% water. But powders ship only the active ingredients, saving massive amounts of money on shipping and storage, especially for large commercial operations.

Powders are also significantly more stable. Fluid nutrients can ‘go bad’ after a few months. Liquids can dry out, settle and separate while powders remain stable over time. There is a chance for clumping with powders but usually only if water or other liquid is introduced to the mix.

Just don’t forget the order of operations.

Most indoor cannabis cultivators are growing hydroponically. Because of this, the vast majority of nutrients are designed for these systems. Most liquid nutrients come in two parts because they contain elements that can precipitate out.

Mixing chemicals in the wrong order or concentration can cause the them to bind with other nutrients. When this happens, the plants are no longer able to absorb them freely. For this reason, it is incredibly important to mix nutrients in the order the manufacturer suggests. But don’t follow the instructions blindly and overfeed.

Overfeeding is a rookie mistake that can lead to plant damage or even death. Because of this, most experienced growers suggest starting any new nutrient line at about 25%-50% of the potency the manufacturer recommends. Then only increase the potency if the plant appears to be struggling.

There are so many things to keep in mind while growing. What tricks have you learned to ensure the perfect mix? Do you prefer liquid or powder nutrients and why? let us know in the comments below.

Strain ReviewsNovember 6, 2017 by Adam Rhodes

The Weekly Strain Breakdown: AK-47

AK-47 is a sativa-dominant hybrid that was created in 1992 by Serious Seeds. This strain has a strong lineage. It is a mix between South American, Mexican, Thai and Afghani strains. This strain is 65% sativa and 35% indica.
Its beginnings may have started way back since the 1970’s. That was the time of the post-war era. And during that time this strain was a simple cross between Thai and Afghani strains. It was reinvented in 1992 by Serious Seeds. And in 1999, it was super crossed to produce uniform seeds.
In lab tests, THC contents scores are generally high. Its highest THC test contents was at 20%. The CBD contents are generally around 1.5%. Winner of several world-wide cannabis awards for its strong and long-lasting THC effects.

How AK-47 Grows

AK-47 seeds can be moderately difficult to grow because of how much TLC this strain requires. Expect this strain to grow huge and develop buds that are just as big. It has great bag appeal. The fluffy buds are dark, yellow and green with red hairs that are covered in heavy amounts of crystals.
This phenotype can grow indoors and outdoors. However, most cultivators prefer to grow this strain indoors in soil or hydro. It likes the sea of green method, and create an even canopy by cutting the tops and trellising them. The large buds are prone to bud rot so they need to be constantly check up on. AK requires lots of feeding at first and then a complete flush right before harvest.
An air filtration system is recommended because the scent this plant gives off is incredibly pungent. It’ll do best in temperatures of 75 degrees. Indoors, expect to be ready to flower in eight to nine weeks. Outdoors, expect to harvest by the middle of October. After some TLC, expect to harvest yields between 350 and 500 grams.

Don’t Judge this Strain by its Name

A relaxing and mellow weed, this strain creates a cerebral buzz with a heavy-couch locking sensation. The head high keeps people feeling creative and mentally engaged. It would be easy to accomplish tasks except that the couch-lock tends to stop people in their tracks.
Many people extremely happy after a few tokes of this strain. They also report feeling relaxed, uplifted, euphoric and energetic. Not only does this strain provide wonderful feelings of joy and relaxation, but it also has some great medical benefits as well.
Medical patients use this strain to help combat stress, depression, pain, fatigue and lack of appetite. It also helps alleviate more serious symptoms. Such as ADD/ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder and PMS.

A Few Negatives

There are a few negatives associated with this strain. But it’s nothing that can’t be avoided or cured. One complaint that is most common is dry mouth.
Dry mouth is easy to fix. Before starting a smoke session, grab a nice cold glass of water. Basically, any refreshing beverage should do the trick. If a tasty beverage is not available, chewing on a piece of bubble gum keeps a mouth moist.
Other complaints that are not so common are dry eyes, dizziness, headaches and paranoia. When it comes to dry eyes, eye drops will fix that issue. Other symptoms are easily preventable by keeping a careful eye on these dosages. Take a few puffs then put it down and wait a few minutes.

The Pungent Weapon

AK-47 is a pungent strain. Many will agree that it has a strong, earthy sweet scent. Hiding this smell will be almost impossible. Opening a bag or jar that contains this strain will completely fill up a room. A garden will carry this strain smell for miles. And smoking this strain will permeate though walls.
The taste is just as potent as the smell. It’ll have a sweet and sour taste on inhale. Expect a floral taste on exhale.

Have you tried AK-47? What was your experience like? Was it easy to grow this strain? Or does it require too much TLC to deal with? Let us know in the comments down below.

Analysis/OpinionNovember 5, 2017 by Adam Rhodes

Dabbing May Pose Dangerous Health Issues

Dabbing is really popular.

The process of vaporizing cannabis concentrates or ‘dabbing’ started gaining popularity in the last few years. Before that, the standard way to consume weed was by smoking the flower. Dabbing offers cannabis consumers a faster and more compact way to consume cannabis.
Boasting THC concentrations between 50-90%, a single dab is enough to get just about anyone high. Since concentrates only contain the active ingredients of cannabis, it is often seen as healthier as well. Instead of smoking an ounce of flower, a chronic user might only vaporize a gram of concentrates.
But recent research by Portland State University (PSU) published in the journal ACS Omega indicates that dabbing isn’t perfect. The main risk is that excessive heat from the ‘dab rig’ can degrade the terpenes into harmful versions of themselves.

Unlike cannabis flower, concentrates need a powerful heat source.

Cannabis smokers often carry bic lighters. These lighters are perfect for igniting cannabis flower but can’t provide enough heat to vaporize cannabinoids efficiently. So most dabbers use a propane or butane torch to heat a pad (commonly called a nail) to vaporize concentrates on.
The nail can be anything from glass to ceramic or even titanium but the most common is quartz crystal. The problem comes when those materials are heated to glowing, sometimes reaching temperatures over 950°F. At that temp, the chemical bonds holding the cannabinoids and terpenes together begin to fracture.
As the chemical bonds break, new compounds are formed. The terpene known as myrcene breaks down into methacrolein at around 500°F. Since methacrolein is a carcinogen, consuming cannabis high in myrcene (by the way, all cannabis has myrcene) heated above 500°F is not good for you.

Can dabbing hurt you?

According to principal study investigator Dr. Robert M. Strongin, “The higher temperatures go, the more risk that (users) will be inhaling things that could be harmful,” he came to that conclusion after some serious testing. The team used advanced testing methods like nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.
Researchers used pure terpene extracts as their base for the study. They reported findings based on myrcene alone because it is the most abundant terpene. Myrcene also produced the lowest amount of harmful chemicals and was far easier to obtain than THC.
“The results of these studies clearly indicate that dabbing, although considered a form of vaporization, may, in fact, deliver significant amounts of toxins,” researchers wrote. “The difficulty users find in controlling the nail temperature puts users at risk of exposing themselves to not only methacrolein but also benzene.” But not all is doom and gloom for dabbing.

Temperature control is the key.

Researchers found that keeping the temp below 500°F can drastically reduce the amount of degradation that occurs. Less degradation equates to a safer product. This means that e-nails may be the safest way to consume cannabis.

Growing, Guides, Medical, Strain ReviewsNovember 1, 2017 by Adam Rhodes

The Weekly Strain Breakdown: Blueberry

The Mysterious History of Blueberry

Blueberry is an indica dominant strain that was created by American cannabis breeder, DJ Short, in the early 70’s. The exact lineage has been lost to time but several prominent producers have tried to resurrect it. Rumor has it that DJ Short was experimenting with various exotic landrace strains that created Blueberry. Over the years different breeders who worked and traded with DJ Short cultivated their own versions of Blueberry.
Some say that that Blueberry could be a combination of Purple Thai and Afghan. Others say that Blueberry is a combination of Afghani, Thai and Purple Thai. No matter which parents were used to cultivate the phenotype, breeders love this strain of cannabis because of its relaxing effects and long-lasting euphoric sensations.
Blueberry is an award-winning strain. It won the High Times Cannabis Cup in the year 2000 for Best Indica. This strain can be found in several dispensaries along the west coast as it has become a dispensary staple.

Anyone Can Grow Blueberry

Blueberry is an easy to grow strain. It doesn’t take up too much space but it does tend to stretch a bit toward the end of the growing cycle. It’ll flower in 7 to 9 weeks and it produces high yields. This strain prefers the outdoors.
It is recommended that breeders start growing this strain in a greenhouse, and after the first frost plant outdoors. Put in high quality nutrients, worm castings and bat guano into your soil and top plants to a bush shape. The bush shape and soil ingredients helps increase the yields.
Powdery mildew is an issue when growing this strain. But there is a simple way to prevent it from building up. Just keep pruning the inside of the plants to prevent the powdery mildew problem. Even though this phenotype likes to grow outside, it also likes temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and under sunlight. It can handle cooler temperatures at night just fine.

A Blueberry to Remember

Medical and recreational consumers absolutely rave about this Berry. Even though it is a staple in the West Coast, it is growing in popularity across the U.S. After a few puffs, smokers feel relaxed, happy, euphoric, sleepy and uplifted.
Blueberry is not just a feel-good strain. It helps people feel at ease because it provides other wonderful benefits. The medicinal benefits people feel are relief from stress, pain, depression, insomnia and lack of appetite.
Medical patients hunt for this strain because it provides relief from serious medical conditions. Some of these serious medical conditions include ADD/ADHD, bipolar disorder, migraines and nausea. Blueberry is a strain that makes people feel hazy but euphoric after minutes have passed from the last toke. It is a creeper weed.

Blueberry is to Be Respected

There are a few negative effects associated with Blueberry. But these issues are easily treatable and avoidable. With a little preparation, smoking Blueberry can be a relaxing and positively memorable experience.
The most common complaint associated with Blueberry is dry mouth. The cure for this is simple. Before toking, grab a nice cool glass of water or your favorite refreshing beverage and have it nearby. The next most common complaint is dry eyes. The cure for that is to have Clear Eyes for the pie eyed ready and accessible.
Other complaints associated with Blueberry are dizziness, paranoia and anxiety. What new and senior smokers need to remember is that Blueberry is a strong indica dominant strain that creeps up on people. These last effects are avoidable by taking a few puffs and then putting the pipe down. Wait a few minutes to see if the desired effects have been achieved. After a few minutes take a few tokes then put the pipe down again.

These Shnozberries tastes like Shnozberries

Ever enjoy a warm piece of blueberry pie? Remember the sweet smell it releases as you slice a bit size portion with your fork? When smoking this potent indica, people tend to think about eating a slice of pie. The smell Blueberry creates when a person cracks open a bud is fresh and invigorating.
It has great bag appeal. This phenotype also has beautiful colors and high THC content. The best time to enjoy this strain is in the evening because it helps people relax and sleep. Expect to wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day.
This strain puts people into a state of couch-lock, that is why it is better to smoke this strain in the evenings. When all important chores and tasks are done for the day. Have a cup of milk, a slice of pie and a toke for an enjoyable evening.

Have you smoked Blueberry? What was your experience like after a few puffs of this tasty strain? Did it taste like a pie? For those of you who grew this amazing strain, what was the experience like? Let us know in the comments down below.

Growing, Guides, Medical, Research, Science, Strain ReviewsOctober 30, 2017 by Adam Rhodes

The Weekly Strain Breakdown: Diablo OG

The Devils Lettuce

Diablo OG (also known as Diablo Kush and Diablo OG Kush) is a sativa dominant hybrid. It originates from the Canadian seed company, Next Generation. They crossed Blueberry, Grapefruit and a South African landrace strain to create the little devil, Diablo OG.
Rumor has it that Diablo OG is a phenotype of OG Kush-descended Ghost OG. But Diablo OG’s effects are generally cerebral than the couch-lock that is usually a characteristic of Ghost and other OG’s. Another company that takes credit for creating Diablo OG is Reseda Discount Caregivers. They are located in L.A. and are known for creating popular OG strains such as Herijuana OG.
The THC levels usually tests between 15% and 20% THC. But don’t let the numbers fool you, this strain becomes more potent as dosages are increased. Next Generations Diablo OG’s parent (OG Kush) is an award-winning strain. It won the British Columbia Harvest Cup in 2002.

How to Conjure the Devil

Diablo OG is difficult to grow. But if you want to take on the challenge, here are a few things you might want to know. It can grow indoors and outdoors and prefers warmer climates. It’ll grow just fine using soil or hydro methods.
It can grow up to 100 cm but it tends to stretch. Garden canes may be helpful to support this strain which will flower in 7-8 weeks. It produces low yields of about 300 mg^2.
Another phenotype of Diablo OG is a cross between OG Kush and a South African Sativa strain. This type generally tests between 16% to 28%. The nugs are dense dark green buds with bright orange hairs. They are also completely covered in white trichomes and resin.

The Helpful Devil

A creepy weed. Lazy, couch-locking strain, leaves people sedated, provides pain relief from head to toe. Doesn’t make people sleepy, but people do tend to melt into their seat and are in a sedative state.
Medical and recreational smokers enjoy smoking some of this devils lettuce because it makes them feel wonderful. The most common moods are euphoric, calm, increases appetite, numb, creative and provides pain relief. “This is a great strain, up there taste-wise with Ghost OG and 3 Kings.” Says Rastasaurus, a Diablo OG enthusiast.
Medical patients have their own reasons for specifically smoking this strain. Diablo OG helps relieve stronger medical symptoms such as anxiety, loss of appetite, nausea and stress. Basically, this strain helps calm people down while helping them regain a sense of happiness and appetite.

The Naughty Devil

Unlike several popular strains, Diablo OG doesn’t have many negative effects. Almost everyone complains that most strains cause dry eyes, headaches and paranoia. But that is not the case with this strain. The most common complaints about this deceptive devil is that it causes dry mouth and anxiety.
Combating dry mouth is a cinch. Before smoking, make yourself a tasty beverage or grab a nice cold glass of water. This will make smoking a delightful experience.
To combat anxiety, it is quite simple. Just remember that Diablo OG is a little devil because it is a creeper weed. Novice and experienced smokers should take a few puffs then put it down and wait a few minutes. If after a few minutes, you’re not getting the sativa effects you were hoping for then go ahead and take a few more puffs. But the last thing you want to do is toke and toke until you start feeling the effects because it will be more than you can handle.

A Tasty Surprise

When smoking Diablo OG, expect the air to be filled with a wonderful mix of aromas. Its sweet and sour, earthy and piney. Some say that it smells like lemons and limes. While others say that there is a dank diesel smell in the air.
The after taste is smooth. On inhale, it tastes like lemons and limes. On the exhale, it tends to have a piney, spicy and peppery aftertaste.
Diablo OG is a great baking ingredient too. “This is another of those hybrid that when you smoke it please don’t drive… I feel kind of floating somewhere in hyperspace when I smoke it. I made some cookies with it, but I like it better when I smoke it.” Says Diablo OG enthusiast, Goderick1.

Have you tried Diablo OG? What was your experience like? Was growing Devil OG easy or not worth the efforts? Let us know in the comments down below.

Marijuana Quotes and SayingsOctober 23, 2017September 12, 2020 by WeedReader

Huge List of Marijuana Quotes

WeedReader’s list of some of the best marijuana quotes of all time. If we have missed something, please leave a comment.

“Herb is the healing of a nation, alcohol is the destruction.”
― Bob Marley

“When you smoke the herb, it reveals you to yourself.”
― Bob Marley

“The illegality of cannabis is outrageous, an impediment to full utilization of a drug which helps produce the serenity and insight, sensitivity and fellowship so desperately needed in this increasingly mad and dangerous world.”
― Carl Sagan

[Marijuana prohibition] is just the stupidest law possible.. Just legalize it and tax it like we do liquor. Morgan Freeman

Never give up the ganja. Morgan Freeman

“Marijuana enhances our mind in a way that enables us to take a different perspective from ‘high up’, to see and evaluate our own lives and the lives of others in a privileged way. Maybe this euphoric and elevating feeling of the ability to step outside the box and to look at life’s patterns from this high perspective is the inspiration behind the slang term “high” itself.”
― Sebastian Marincolo

It really puzzles me to see marijuana connected with narcotics… dope and all that crap. It’s a thousand times better than whiskey – it’s an assistant – a friend. —Louis Armstrong

It would be wryly interesting if in human history the cultivation of marijuana led generally to the invention of agriculture, and thereby to civilization.

Smoke the marijuana and get high. Stay above the wicked and fly. Snoop Dogg

“The legalization of marijuana is not a dangerous experiment – the prohibition is the experiment, and it has failed dramatically, with millions of victims all around the world.”
― Sebastian Marincolo

“Struggle is the enemy, but weed is the remedy.”
― Kid Cudi

“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”
― Anonymous

“A friend with weed is a friend indeed…”
― Pops O’Donnell

“Scientists have invented a new strain of cannabis without the high. They celebrated with non-alcoholic beer and furious dry-humping.”
― Stephen Colbert

“The movie Koyaanisqatsi shows non-commented time-lapse footage and focuses our attention on the very rhythm of our civilized modern life and nature. A marijuana high can do something for a user similar to what this time-lapse footage does. The enhancement of episodic memory and the acceleration of associative streams of memories can alter and enhance our recognition of patterns in our lives in various ways. If we are presented with quick associative chains of past experiences, we can see a pattern in a body of information that is usually not at once presented to our “inner eye” as such.”
― Sebastian Marincolo

“There was no time to weigh chances. There was no such thing as chances anyway, in the distorted perspective of the weed fumes.”
― Cornell Woolrich, Marihuana

“Cannabis sativa and its derivatives are strictly prohibited in Turkey, and the natural correlative of this proscription is that alcohol, far from being frowned upon as it is in other Moslem lands, is freely drunk; being a government monopoly it can be bought at any cigarette counter. This fact is no mere detail; it is of primary social importance, since the psychological effects of the two substances are diametrically opposed to each other. Alcohol blurs the personality by loosening inhibitions. The drinker feels, temporarily at least, a sense of participation. Kif abolishes no inhibitions; on the contrary it reinforces them, pushes the individual further back into the recesses of his own isolated personality, pledging him to contemplation and inaction. It is to be expected that there should be a close relationsip between the culture of a given society and the means used by its members to achieve release and euphoria. For Judaism and Christianity the means has always been alcohol; for Islam it has been hashish. The first is dynamic in its effects, the other static. If a nation wishes, however mistakenly, to Westernize itself, first let it give up hashish. The rest will follow, more or less as a manner of course. Conversely, in a Western country, if a whole segment of the population desires, for reasons of protest (as has happened in the United States), to isolate itself in a radical fashion from the society around it, the quickest and surest way is for it to replace alcohol by cannabis.”
― Paul Bowles, Their Heads are Green and Their Hands are Blue: Scenes from the Non-Christian World

“No other drug can compete with cannabis for its ability to satisfy the innate yearnings for Archaic boundary dissolution and yet leave intact the structures of ordinary society. If every alcoholic were a pothead, if every crack user were a pothead, if every smoker smoked only cannabis, the social consequences of the ‘drug problem’ would be transformed. Yet, as a society we are not ready to discuss the possibility of self-managed addictions and the possibility of intelligently choosing the plants we ally ourselves to. In time, and perhaps out of desperation, this will come.”
― Terence McKenna

“A marijuana high can enhance core human mental abilities. It can help you to focus, to remember, to see new patterns, to imagine, to be creative, to introspect, to empathically understand others, and to come to deep insights. If you don’t find this amazing you have lost your sense of wonder. Which, by the way, is something a high can bring back, too.”
― Sebastian Marincolo

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Marijuana RecipesOctober 19, 2017September 12, 2020 by Adam Rhodes

The Dankest Cannabis Tea Recipes

There are many different methods of absorbing cannabis.

You can smoke it, vape it, eat it, lotion up, or drink it. Smoking weed is not an option that is available for everyone. Sometimes, it is a personal choice to not smoke. Sometimes smell becomes an issue making smoking less than ideal.
There are plenty of people on a strict diet. And most cannabis infused medibles come in the form of candies and sweet treats. But the cannabis market is adjusting, and there are new products coming out tailored to specialized consumers.
There are THC and CBD infused lotions and creams available to help alleviate muscle pain and spasms. But it doesn’t get people very high, unless you stack micro doses. And then there’s cannabis tea. People have been making some form of cannabis tea for as long as we have records.

How to Make Bhang Tea

It is relatively simple to make cannabis tea. This technique is known as bhang, and has been utilized for thousands of years in India. Anyone can make a nice cup of warm relaxing cannabis tea. Follow these steps, and you too can extract the sweetness and high from cannabis.

A few ingredients you will need are:

1. 3 cups of water
2. 2 tablespoons of butter (regular or cannabis butter)
3. 1 – 3 grams of cannabis (per serving)
4. A strainer and mug
5. Optional: 1 tea bag of your favorite tea (Chai, Peppermint, Chamomile, etc.)
6. Optional: Milk, sugar or honey for taste.
Please keep in mind that marijuana tea takes up to 45 minutes – 1 hour for the full effects to kick in. When taking cannabis edibles (medibles), the high sets in slowly. And cannabis tea reacts in the same slow manner as medibles. But the high stays in the body for a lot longer than smoking a bowl.

Step-By-Step Instructions for Creating Cannabis Tea

1. First, figure out how much tea to make. About 1 – 3 grams of cannabis is per serving. If you are using low grade weed, you may need to grind up more than 3 grams. The type of marijuana you use depends on the effects you’re after. But no matter which strain you choose, keep in mind that sativas are best for daytime use, and indicas are best for evening and nighttime use.
2. Grind the weed. It is easier to extract THC from cannabis buds once the material is finely broken up. You can leave in stems, leaves and shake. After all, you’ll be straining all of the plant material in the end. What you’re after is the juice.
3. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a small pan. Keep your stovetop temperature on 8 out of 10. A medium high boiling temperature.
4. While the water is boiling, add 2 tablespoons of butter or cannabutter. The THC in marijuana is only fat soluble. The reason you need to use butter at this point is to bind with the THC. Don’t worry, the butter taste is not in the final product. Using cannabutter instead of regular butter makes your product more potent. But don’t add more than 2 tablespoons per serving of whatever butter because the tea will affect the flavor.
5. Stir in ground cannabis. Keep your temperature on medium high. Stir frequently to keep the material from clumping, burning and/or boiling over. It is ok to add more water if too much evaporates.
6. Boil for at least 45 minutes. Some people boil their cannabis for 5 minutes. Others boil their cannabis for an hour. But the sweet spot seems to be at 45 minutes for maximum THC extraction. Remember, keep stirring to prevent clumping, burning and boiling over. Don’t set it and forget it.

7. After 45 minutes, strain the marijuana chunks out.

Use your strainer to separate your cannabis tea into a mug. If you were making enough for multiple servings, then of course use multiple mugs. Be careful, the water is extremely hot.

Optional: Add other tea packets

Adding tea packets like chamomile or peppermint tea are a great way to improve the overall flavor. Let it steep with your cannabis tea for a few minutes. Follow the directions from your tea packet to get the best results. And of course, use your freshly made cannabis tea instead of regular water. You can also add honey or milk with your tea to bring out a sweeter taste.
Chai Tea is another tasty variant for cannabis tea. Any off the shelf Chai Tea brand should mix well with Cannabis tea. Just let it steep for a few minutes, or follow the directions on the box. Others have recommended honey; it adds a sweet and spicy kick.

Ready-Made Cannabis Tea

Now-a-days, you can buy already made tea from many dispensaries. One type of ready-made tea is called Subtle Tea. This tea comes in tea bags and it tastes like any other green tea. But they have 40 mg of THC in each serving. You will feel buzzed after drinking a single serving.
Another brand of ready-made cannabis tea is, Sarah’s Medicated Teas. This tea can only be bought online and their contact information can be found on their Facebook page. Sarah’s Medicated Tea’s come in a variety of flavors and dosages. Their different teas alleviate symptoms like joint pain, migraines, nausea, etc.
I saved the best for last, Pot-O-Coffee. This company sells cannabis infused coffee, coco and tea. They use the freshest cannabis buds along with a solvent free extraction process to create ultra-clean THC concentrates. When it comes to their CBD infused products, Pot-O-Coffee uses 99%+ pure Isodiol CBD crystals. Their CBD products are THC free and made with non-GMO ingredients.

Do you know any cannabis tea recipes? Do you buy pre-made THC tea? Or do you think it’s a waste? Let us know in the comments below.

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Marijuana Legalization, Marijuana NewsOctober 18, 2017 by Adam Rhodes

MMJ Patients Banned from Owning Gun

Marijuana Patients Can’t Own a Gun

Christopher Morales is a California Criminal Defense Attorney well versed in gun law. He believes that the Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibits anyone who uses cannabis medically from owning a gun. Unfortunately for the cannabis consuming public, some state courts agree.
The exact wording on the federal law is vague and misleading because it says “unlawful user or anyone using a federally restricted substance”. Cannabis is a federally restricted substance but many states consider medical use as lawful. But gun ownership is federally protected but considered a state controlled matter. So courts had to decide if following state laws protected patients from the federal clause preventing ownership of firearms.

The Gun Control Act

The Gun Control act is also full of outdated language. There is ample evidence of outdated language contained within the 1968 document. Evidence including the claim that marijuana is addictive. Modern research has proven that cannabis creates no chemical addiction or dependency. This discrepancy and others like it have caused issues in more than one state.
A Nevada medical marijuana patient named S. Rowan Wilson filed a lawsuit in 2011 challenging the federal statute against gun ownership. Wilson attempted to purchase a gun and was denied because she has a medical card. Unwilling to give up her 2nd amendment right without a fight, she lawyered up.
Wilson’s case went all the way up to the 9^th US Circuit Court of Appeals. Eventually, she lost her fight. Chief District Judge Gloria Navarro was the one who made the final ruling against Wilson. Judge Gloria says that denying the sale of guns to a marijuana patient does not violate the Second Amendment.

States Decide Gun Laws

When it comes to gun purchases, every state is different. Some states require background checks. While other states call in to check a criminal record. If Wilson went to the state of Georgia, she could have easily purchased a gun at a flea market. But that’s not the point. Wilson wanted to buy a gun in her own hometown regardless of her legal marijuana status.
It is strange how unevenly rules are applied across populations. Patients using prescription opioids are allowed to own a gun when opioids are on the list of federally controlled substances. Yet medical marijuana patients are unable to obtain personal protection. And this poses a special threat to patients who also own or operate dispensaries.
People employed in the cannabis field already can’t use banking systems to store money. Having all that cash on hand makes them a target for a whole list of nefarious people. Add to that the knowledge that they can’t legally defend themselves and trouble is almost guaranteed to ensue.

The Gun Show Loophole

According to federal law, all licensed firearm dealers must perform background checks on those seeking a purchase of a gun. But there is an escape clause called the Gun Show Loophole. At gun shows there are unlicensed firearms dealers, and they are not required to perform background checks. About 22% of all firearm sales are done by these unlicensed sellers.
Federally, the government is uninterested in closing the loophole. Federal agents routinely use it to funnel arms and ammunition to drug cartels and kinpins. After the documents regarding the federal Fast and Furious program became public, their reluctance began to make sense to the broader public. Luckily, several states have moved to stop such practices.
11 states have closed the loophole and require background checks at the point of sale. The 11 states are: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhodes Island and Washington. Eight other states require a background check and a permit for private purchasers. Those eight states are: Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey and North Carolina.
None of the listed states ban ownership by medical marijuana patients or recreational users. But, possessing a firearm will likely only add fuel to the fire if charged with large-scale cultivation. Especially if the government is looking to make an example of you.

The Bottom Line

When filling out the Firearms Transaction Record during the purchase of a gun, there is a question. A Ninth Circuit Court ruling amended the question about cannabis use. The new language puts patients into a catch-22.
Originally, the text read “Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?” The new version includes a nifty little addition to clarify that they mean medical patients. It reads; “Warning: The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless of whether it has been legalized or decriminalized for medicinal or recreational purposes in the state where you reside.”
What this says is that medical users are not allowed to own a gun because they are using a substance that is under the federal control substance list. Marijuana is federally illegal and therefore gun ownership while using it is federally illegal. Alcohol is not federally illegal, just restricted. That is why people shoot themselves every year while drinking and handling guns.

I Want My Attorney

When it comes to buying a gun, it is up to the seller to perform their due diligence by asking whether or not the purchaser is a cannabis user and to perform a background check. If the medical marijuana user says ‘yes’ then technically they must be denied the purchase of a gun. If they say ‘no’ and get caught for lying, they can face felony charges.
When it comes to cooperating with law enforcement, it becomes a tricky situation. According to Morales, a medical marijuana user should never disclose to police if they have drugs or guns in the vehicle. He maintains that they are under no obligation to disclose that information. When confronted with these questions, patients need to say the four magic words ‘I want my attorney’.
Recent evidence of police brutality and blatant corruption in the penal system can make asking for a lawyer scary. Police are not required to be direct, honest or limit their force. they can invade your home, kill your animals, confiscate your property and shoot you dead if they feel threatened. Don’t resist, don’t lie and don’t answer any questions without YOUR lawyer.

Do you have feedback about owning a medical marijuana card and gun ownership? Do you think MMJ patients should own guns? Why or why not? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

How Spain Influenced the America Cannabis

Analysis/Opinion, Culture, OffbeatOctober 10, 2017 by Adam Rhodes

How Spain Influenced the America’s with Cannabis

How Did Cannabis Make its Way to the America’s?

Its National Hispanic Heritage Month. The time where we recognize Americans with ancestry in Spanish-speaking nations. To help bring awareness of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we explore Spain’s role in bringing marijuana to the America’s. How hemp made its way to California and how cannabis spread across the U.S. We also explore how a famous Mexican folk song referencing marijuana came to be.

The Cannabis Journey

Cannabis plants first started in Central Asia, in the regions of Mongolia and southern Siberia in 2737 BC. From China, coastal farmers brought the plant to South Korea. Then it reached India, where it was used to relieve anxiety.
Between 2000 BC and 1400 BC, cannabis made its way to Russia and the Ukraine. Germanic tribes eventually got their hand on cannabis and introduced it to central Europe. From there it made its way into Britain during the 5^th century with the Anglo-Saxon invasions.
Cannabis migrated to various regions across the world over the following centuries. It traveled through Africa and reached South America before turning northwards. Cannabis arrived in North America with the Spanish and Portuguese during their bloody conquests.

Mayans, Aztecs and Hallucinogens Before Cannabis

‘Entheogen’ is used to describe plants and substances used for traditional sacred rituals. In the early history of Mesoamerica, entheogens were widely used to achieve transcendence. They included all kinds of inebriants from tobacco and marijuana to alcohol and opium in their religious practices. These psychedelic substances played an important role in the spiritual practices of American cultures for millennia before western settlers arrived.
The Mayans flourished in Central America for nearly 2000 years. Yet their last major city fell to the Spanish in 1697 as did their religion. The Mayan’s religious practices included communication between the real world and the spiritual world. They used herbs such as mushrooms and other hallucinogens to help ‘bridge the gap’ between the two worlds.
The Aztecs had similar practices as the Mayans. During the 14^th-16^th centuries, they used entheogenic plants and animals within their societies. The Aztecs used several types of hallucinogenic plants and used animals as sacrifices to the Gods.

Spain and the Spread of Hemp Production

Before the English and French were planning trips to the new world, Spain was promoting hemp production in its colonies throughout South America. In 1545, hemp seeds were sown in the Quillota Valley in Chile.
Hemp was mostly used to make rope for the army stationed in Chile. The rest of the hemp was used to repair and replace worn-out rigging on ships docked in Santiago, Chile. Surpluses were shipped to north Peru.
Hemp was eventually brought to Mexico by Pedro Cuadrado. He was a conquistador in Corte’s army. Cuadrado and a friend raised a successful hemp production business in Mexico. In 1550, the Spanish governor forced the business to limit production because the natives were using the plants for something other than rope.

Hemp Travels to California

In 1801, the Spanish chose the area around San Jose as an experimental farm area to raise hemp. From 1807 to 1810, California increased annual hemp production to over 22,000 pounds. During the Mexican revolution of 1810, California became detached from the main seat of government. Subsidies that stimulated hemp production ended, and the commercial production of hemp was shut down.

Mexican Mary and Jane

Toward the end of the 19^th century, cannabis was in Mexico. It was found growing wild and peasants grew it to smoke in pipes. They also ate it with sugar cane, milk and chiles. Witchdoctors also used cannabis to help the locals cure their illnesses. Within the first few decades, cannabis cigarettes became common, and the contents were called “marijuana”.
Now-a-days, marijuana means cannabis. But no one is sure why cannabis cigarettes were called marijuana. Today we know marijuana cigarettes as joints, jays, doobies or blunts. One possible root of the word seems to come from the Mexican military slang “Maria y Juana” which means Mary and Jane. As in a prostitute or brothel where marijuana cigarettes were bought and sold.
The word marijuana could have also derived from the Spanish word “mallihuan” which means prisoner. And the word mallihuan could have been altered later to sound like marijuana. And don’t forget how Larry Anslinger popularized the term in an attempt to demonize the plant. However the word marijuana came to be, it became widespread in Mexico and eventually made its way to America.

Welcome to the US Cannabis

Cannabis eventually ‘arrived’ to the U.S. at the beginning of the 20^th century. During that time, immigrants fled to the U.S. during the Mexican Revolution of 1910-1911 and brought weed with them. The revolution overthrew General Porfiro Diaz in 1910, which increased the Mexican migration and the use of marijuana in the US.
Eventually, the migrant workforce pushed deeper into the US. The towns where they migrated to first were in Texas and New Mexico. But they camped in shanty towns and there was an influx of people trying to find work as unskilled laborers. In order to find a better place to live and seek better opportunities, migrants moved further north.
During most of the 20^th century, newspapers disseminated racist propaganda and stereotypes. They did this partly to prevent a perceived invasion and partly because they could. Mexicans had an association with Cannabis that most Americans didn’t. This made targeting cannabis users easier to justify socially than targeting people with Mexican heritage.
Targeting marijuana has continued to the modern day. It remains a stand-in for racial prejudices as the current American President regularly shows. Social appropriation has tied American’s to cannabis like never before. What once was a method to persecute minorities is beginning to backfire on privileged majorities as legalization spreads.

The Famous ‘Roach’

General Diaz was overthrown by Francisco Madero. One of the men in Madero’s forces was Doroteo Arango, who we know today as Pancho Villa. Pancho Villa and his loyal men turned on their commanding officer General Victoriano. Villa was eventually arrested and condemned to death. But he escaped prison and joined up with his troops called the Division del Norte and fled to the US.
Soon, the Mexican’s created a popular folksong, “La Cucaracha”, which became the anthem of Villa’s army. It was a derogatory song against Villa. Villa was always seen smoking marijuana. And his army wouldn’t move without toking before battles.
In the clean version of the song, Villa is the roach who couldn’t walk without his back leg (aka couldn’t walk without his weed). In the original version, it straight up says he couldn’t walk without his weed. It is a song so popular that many outside the Hispanic culture know it to this day. But many people only know of the short clean version. Maybe we can update the song to work for today’s ‘roaches’.

GrowingOctober 9, 2017 by Adam Rhodes

Male Plants Need Love Too

Cannabis is an unusual plant.

It provides feeds, heals, clothes, powers and heals humanity. In addition to being the most useful plant known to man, cannabis is also reproduces in a rare way. Due to the special way it procreates, cultivators value the female plants far above the male.
Unlike most plants, marijuana produces sexually. Female plants produce the large, resinous flowers (called buds or colas) while the males produce the pollen. Once the female plant is pollinated, it switches from producing resin to seeds.
Once the plants begin producing seeds, they stop producing THC so farmers with pollinated crops cannot make as much money. It is because of this change that most cannabis farmers remove the male plants from their gardens. If a grower wants to continue a line of plants after harvest, they can clone the female plants.

Cloned plants are genetic copies of their parents.

Cannabis is amazing on so many levels. If you cut the tip of a plant off and place the clipping in a sugary liquid, it can sprout roots and grow into a new plant. This process is called cloning and it bypasses the plants normal reproductive cycle.
The clone is always a genetic copy of the parent. In addition to producing a copy of the parent ( i.e. guaranteed female plants), clones grow faster than starting from seed. But there are still some issues with cloning.

Cloning isn’t perfect.

Over generations of time, clones build up genetic mistakes. Like our own bodies, plant genes are copied and replicated over and over. Small mistakes in the copying process often lead to drastic variations in the end result. The most common result of cloning multiple generations is reduced potency and vitality.
After about four or five generations of cloning, the original genetic code begins showing signs of decay. This normally takes the form of reduced THC production, increased sensitivity to pests and diseases along with unpredictable changes to the overall shape/growth characteristics of adult clones.
Growers mitigate this issue by cycling their clones. Basically, every couple of generations the grower will start a new line from seed. This resets the genetic drift and reestablishes a base point. While cloning ensures that a specific arrangement of genes remains essentially intact, there are still random mutations in the cloning process.

Male plants are pretty useful.

Breeding a male and female plant bypasses the degrading effects of cloning. When pollinating females, male plants also provide half of the genetics inherited by the seed. Their shape, rate of growth, pest and mold resistance, and climate resilience effect the resulting seeds.
Breeders use this to their advantage. They can mix and match elements to create new variations. Female plants that produce heavy yields but have poor mold resistance are bred with males that resist mold well. It can take a few tries to get the right mix of features but eventually a viable, stable seed is produced.

Hemp producers love male plants.

When it comes to hemp fiber, there is a difference in male and female plants. The male cannabis plant produces a softer material while female plants create a coarser, stronger fiber. The soft fiber from the male plants are more desirable for products like clothing, tablecloths, and household items. The strong fiber of the females is better for cording or rope.
Male plants can also produce concentrates. Yes, females produce more cannabinoids than males but that doesn’t mean the males are worthless in this area. While significantly lower in cannabinoids than female plants, male plants can be extracted into hash or other oils just as easily.

Male plants also help in other gardens.

Cannabis plants offer more benefits to a garden than simple bud production. Both male and female cannabis plants produce aromatic oils called terpenes. Terpenes are aromatic chemicals produced by many plants that help in pest and disease control.
Additionally, cannabis plants have deep roots with long taproots. Taproots dive deep into the ground and break apart low-quality soil. This allows moisture and nutrients to infiltrate and improve the soil quality. They also hold the soil in place, preventing nutrient runoff and loss of soil during heavy rains.

Don’t forget the males.

If you intend to play around with male plants, just remember that they are REALLY good at finding females. A single male plant left to its own devices can pollinate females miles away. If you aren’t specifically breeding cannabis, having males can cause issues for neighbors and anyone without a hermetically sealed grow tent.
Humans generally destroy male cannabis plants when found. And for most people, this protects their crops. But it’s important to acknowledge and cherish male cannabis plants. Females may produce the buds we love, but by removing the males, we could be losing out on future benefits.
There is a lot we still don’t know about cannabis. There could be a whole host of compounds we still haven’t discovered yet. Specific males could play a significant role in how females develop, or how cannabis is developed in the future. But until more research is done, remember that male plants need love too.

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