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CategoriesAnalysis/Opinion, Guides by

Why Hydroponic Systems Grow the Best Weed

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

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

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

Hydroponic Grow Systems For Beginners

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CategoriesGuides by

The best types of seeds for growing weed

Seed Types
Now that most of the world has come to grips with the idea that marijuana is not only worthy of being legal, but can even be good for you, many pot smokers are getting into growing their own marijuana plants.  Many marijuana growers are now growing the plants they need for their own use indoors or in their gardens. The seed types that will be examined are good for indoor growth and for growth in various areas.
To grow the best plants you have to understand the basics of growing marijuana. First you have to make sure that it is legal in your city, state, region or country to grow marijuana, and then you can start by learning what types of seeds there are. Just like there is not one type of marijuana strain or bud, there are different types of seeds. For growing purposes, there are 3 important and noteworthy types of seed to pay attention to. We will explore them now.

  • Autoflowering marijuana seeds: Autoflowering cannabis or marijuana seeds flower in short periods of time, often within a few weeks. For this reason, as they provide blooms fairly quickly, the THC content of these plants is not that great or concentrated. Still, they are popular and easy cannabis seeds to grow, especially for beginners. Popular autoflowering cannabis seeds include the AK 47 and the Low rider seed.
  • Feminized marijuana seeds: These types of seeds have been altered genetically in an effort to produce female pot plants. Female pot plants are the only marijuana plants that produce flowers and buds that have enough THC in them to get people high, so these seeds are altered to produce over 90% feminine plants that will grow marijuana that is worth smoking or ingesting. Popular feminized cannabis seed strains include Skunk and Haze strains.
  • Regular marijuana seeds: These are simply any old seeds of any old type, and they can be either male or female, so they can produce worthy marijuana or male plants that are only good for helping to inseminate and fertilize female plants. The problem is, when purchasing these seeds, you can never tell how many male or female seeds you get, and the females are needed to produce flowering marijuana plants with a decent amount of THC.

Best for Certain Climates
There is not a ton of difference between climates and the type of seeds you can grow, except that some types of seeds are more suited to shorter summers, therefore they need less sun and heat to grow as they grow in shorter periods of time. Therefore autoflowering cannabis or marijuana seeds are ideal for areas with short summers or short growing seasons. These seeds grow plants that flower and can be cultivated in as little as a few weeks, so they don’t need long growth periods. Autoflowering cannabis or marijuana seeds are perfect for short harvests and yields. All other types of seeds and plants, while they very in growth periods, require longer summers or more light and warmth. It is important to know this, because if you want to grow plants indoors, your light and heating system has to mimic that of a natural growth environment. The more summer and growth period that a type of seed or marijuana strain requires, the more heat and light they will require.
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While there are many growing tips and hormones and fertilizers and food and types of soil that can be used to grow the best marijuana plants, these are the basics when it comes to marijuana or cannabis seeds and how to best grow them. Once you choose your seed type, make sure your provide them with, cultivate or create a growing environment that will contribute to maximum yield and harvest. If you’re using times heat lamps to mimic the sun on feminized plants that require full summers , make sure that they get 8-12 hours of warmth and light a day, but also make sure that they get enough water to stay hydrated and not burn up. The last thing you want to do is ruin a good crop from growing it in the wrong environment or not giving it enough water.
Video Links:
Best Strains

Starting From Seeds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKfKXBTSEMY
Seed Starter Tips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ex3259oc6Yc
Featured image: growweedeasy

Best Types of Munchies
CategoriesGuides by

Best Types of Munchies

Why We Get The Munchies
The question as to why people get so hungry, and often crave the craziest of combinations of food, can be answered with one word: Cannabinoids! In your body, naturally, cannabinoids exist, but they are known as endocannabinoids. It is the endocannabinoids that help regulate your metabolism, and that tell your stomach and body whether or not it is full or empty. When you are under the influence of marijuana, your body is flooded with cannabinoids and THC, which confuses your stomach and makes you think that you are STARVING, often no matter how much you eat. THC totally confuses the endocannabinoids that regulate your feelings of hunger or fullness.
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While someone who is under the influence will eventually develop the feeling that they are full, it takes a lot of food to trigger that feeling. The endocannabinoids are dulled by the THC, so it’s as if they are asleep at the wheel. This allows people to digest large sums of food and still feel hungry, and also explains while someone who is high can eat such rich foods or have such weird cravings, cravings that might seem insane if the person were not under the influence of pot.
Favorite Types of Munchies
While everyone has different tastes and craves different foods, one thing is for certain; people often get and entertain strange cravings when under the influence of weed. It’s an old joke, certainly it has been in many movies and television shows, how people gorge themselves when they are high, and how they eat incredibly odd foods when smoking pot. These weird, strong cravings, and the desire for a LOT of food while you’re at it, are commonly referred to as the munchies.  When you are high and starving and want to dunk strawberry Pop Tarts into a vat of Nutella, you have the munchies.  The munchies are a common affliction, and part of what can make marijuana beneficial, especially for those who have eating disorders or people who can’t hold down food.
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Let’s take a look at some favorite munchies, or types of food that feed the hunger!

  • Fast Food: The number one munchie, the fast food grease bomb. Nothing hits the spot like French fries smothered in everything, chili, gravy, cheese, ketchup, you name it. Someone must have been high when they came up with the Canadian Poutine, or French fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds.
  • Peanut Butter and Anything: The famous peanut butter and chocolate combo is a munchie delight, but what about peanut butter and banana sandwiches, peanut butter and raisins, or peanut butter on a hamburger? These are all famous munchie stuffers.

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  • Ice Cream and Anything: Much like peanut butter, ice cream is an adaptive stoner’s delight that goes with most anything. Where do you think flavors like cotton candy and moose tracks were invented anyway? Ice cream is sweet and rich and smooth and fills the biggest of munchie cravings, no matter what it’s paired with.
  • Pizza: The fact of the matter is, pizza is good most anytime and with most anything. But certainly someone was high when they decided to try pineapple and ham on a pizza pie. And anchovies? You would have to be smoking marijuana to eat those things right? There are many fine gourmet pizzas as well that fit the bill, from all white pizza to cheeseburger pizzas to pizza deserts!
  • Dagwood Sandwiches:  Ah yes, the old everything on the mile high sandwich trick> All the cheeses and all kinds of condiments and all the dressings and veggies plus as much meat as you can get your hands on. After all, someone has to eat the liverwurst and braunschweiger sooner or later, right?
  • Candy: Last but not least, what person under the influence of marijuana doesn’t get a sweet tooth? A good high makes for great candy munchies, including anything from licorice to chocolate to marshmallow fluff straight from the jar. Certainly whoever invented the Fluffernutter  had a huge case of the munchies.

Video Links:
Weed Munchies:

420 Braising:

Amsterdam Munchies:

 

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CategoriesStrain Reviews by

Strain Review: Maui Wowie

As you can guess from its name, Maui Wowie is a tropical strain that’s sure to amaze and delight with stress relief like no other. Obviously born and bred in Hawaii, Maui Wowie is worldwide at this point, and a very popular strain for folks who like to be active and need a boost to help them get outside. For growers, this strain is best suited to tropical and warm temperatures, with plenty of sunlight.
The taste is understandably a sweet and sour pineapple, with notes of candy and lemon lime citrus. Pair it with Mango Kush for a scrumptious fruit salad that will take you to whole new levels of relaxation. Oddly enough, one user describes the affects as being “like being in kangaroo’s pouch while it’s jumping,” whatever that means. Other folks have felt great mental clarity, and that they’re capable of consuming Maui Wowie while working without losing any productivity. Great motivation!
I liked how in control I felt when trying this strain. Everyone was right about its delicious flavor and scent, and I was able to keep my train of thought while being able to let go of tensions and enjoy the feeling. I suggest having some Maui Wowie in the middle of the day, just after lunch so that you can avoid the typical afternoon energy crash. Head outside to soak up some sun, climb a mountain, or chill out by a river.
Medical patients typically use Maui Wowie for busting stress and depression, while others find escape from insomnia or exhaustion. Like with most weeds, you might experience dry mouth and eyes, so stay hydrated with some fruit juice or coconut water for a truly tropical, vacation-like experience. Legendary, multidimensional, “wowie”, are just a few ways people have described this wonderful strain.
image: medicaljane.com

golden Goat
CategoriesStrain Reviews by

Strain Review: Golden Goat

Golden Goat was a glorious accident birthed in Topeka, Kansas, when a female Island Sweet Skunk was pollinated by a male Hawaiian Romulan. Many would say it was the perfect happenstance, as Golden Goat is very strong, sweet, and effective. A hybrid for sure, some batches err on the side of the Hawaiian sativa to produce a great whole-body high without a mind haze or confusion.
Batches often appear light green and even pink in color, with a very fruit scent and taste. Others may find it sour and spicy, with hints of citrus or the good-ole taste of earth. Bud size tends to be thick and very hairy, with some coated in a fine, cheesy dust that is perfect for kief collectors. The beauty of this strain is it’s reasonably high CBD content, usually topping at 1.07%. With that, expect muscle relaxation and pain relief.
Some have recommended using this strain for when you want to relax without a huge energy boost, and others recommend staying at home (never, ever drive if you don’t feel capable of doing so!) and finding out the effects for yourself. Other highlights include a social uplift, great fruity taste, and positive creative moments. Try it for focused meditation or introspection, or if you’re having trouble getting out of a funk.
One user describes their experience with Golden Goat in three stages: a very energetic come up, with a boost in desire to be social or creative, with focus to complete tasks and projects; next, a’sudden realization’ of happiness and euphoria, like you’ve just remembered a great moment from earlier and that the feeling has been building for a while. Then, for this particular user, they experienced a heavy crash, but just in a way that made it easy to fall asleep. If you’re planning a full day, try a few puffs of Golden Goat to get you through and ensure a good, solid night’s sleep afterward.
Chemical makeup
THC: 12-23%
CBD: 0-0.06%
CBN: 0-0.1%
CBG: 0.3-1.0%
THCV: 0.04-0.2%
CBC: 0-0.01%
CBL: 0-0.02%
β-Linalool: 0-0.05%
β-Myrcene: 0-0.4%
a-Pinene: 0-0.5%
D-Limonene: 0-0.08%
β-Caryophyllene: 0-0.05%
image: Ry Prichard, The Cannabist

Lemon Haze
CategoriesStrain Reviews by

Strain Review: Lemon Haze

Just take a wild guess at how this strain might taste. Before it’s even ground up in the bowl, you’ll be able to both smell and taste the sweet, sharp notes of Lemon Haze, a popular sativa choice. Like ‘fresh peeled lemon slices’, pucker up and try a toke. It produces a very smooth, long-lasting high, with all the best qualities you get from any sativa strain. For some, they’ve found it to be a cure for depression, a lack of appetite, and for others, great relief from aches and pains.
With a respectable THC content ranging from 15-20%, this strain is also known for its fairly high CBD rate, at .38%. Understandably, this is where the pain relief comes from. Try starting off your day with Lemon Haze if you suffer from low energy or have trouble keeping positive moods up. The high lasts long, as said before, but it also comes on slow, and very gentle. You may experience a change in visual perception–that is, things could become clearer, brighter, and the euphoric sensation may bring on a cheer to last you the day.
Some folks find themselves to be very chatty or talkative after trying Lemon Haze. This strain might be the thing to take your next group hang out to a whole new level of fun and adventure (so long as you’re responsible, of course). Try it when you feel stress is too much to handle–it’ll be no match for the powers of Lemon Haze. Others find a tolerable balance of cerebral effects and a relaxing body high, so that they can focus on the task at hand without soaring into space.
The buds are sometimes small, dense little nuggets, but don’t be mistaken–they’re still quite powerful. Ranging from beautiful greens to bright yellows, the leaves are coated with orange or amber colored hairs that give off its distinct citrus scent. Overall, the stickiness, scent, and flavor remind me of Lemonheads.The taste packs a whopping punch of sourness, so try pairing it with a sweeter strain at the end of a night for a delicious bedtime “snack.”
image: medicaljane.com

Recreational Marijuana
CategoriesMarijuana Legalization, Marijuana News by

The Wave Of Recreational Marijuana Hits The East Coast

New Recreational Marijuana States

It wasn’t all bad news on election night, several new states now have access to legal marijuana. Voters in Maine, Massachusetts, California, and Nevada passed recreational marijuana laws. Legal weed is now available to about 20 percent of adults in the United States. Until recently, recreational marijuana has only been available on the west coast and Colorado. However, the wave of recreational marijuana has finally hit the East Coast with states like Maine and Massachusetts. Both states had medical marijuana laws in place prior to this year’s election.

Maine

The vote for recreational marijuana in Maine barely passed with 51% of the vote. 49% were in opposition, the numbers were so close that opponents are pushing for a recount.Opponents only need to collect 100 signatures for the Secretary of State’s office to consider taking another count. Some opponents claim that the vote passed by a fraction of a percentage.
“The margin is razor thin, there are more than 375,000 people in the state of Maine that voted against this,” Newell Auger of No on 1 told WCHS. “It demands a careful, accurate result, and the idea that we are going to push on through when the margin is .005 [percent] is foolhardy.”
However, the latest recount has the law passing 381,060 to 376,658.
“We are talking thousands of votes difference,” countered Yes on 1 campaign manager David Boyer. “I just don’t see them making up that ground. Those votes can flip our way. We are ready to move forward with implementation.”
If the recount doesn’t happen, Maine voters can expect the right to grow, sell, manufacture, and distribute marijuana and it’s products. The state will be implementing a 10 percent tax and local governments can opt to implement local rules on retail sales. Within the next 40 days, adults will be able to carry up to two and a half ounces of pot and grow up to six plants. Maine and Massachusetts are the first two states on the east coast to go the recreational marijuana route. Maine’s state motto is “I’ll lead.” Hopefully the rest of the East coast follows their lead.

Massachusetts

Despite having an anti-pot governor, Massachusetts voters decided to pass a measure called Question 4 which legalized recreational marijuana. Question 4 will tax the use and sale of marijuana similarly to alcohol. So, only adults ages 21 and up can purchase marijuana. Only an ounce is allowed in public but 10 can be possessed at your home.
Don’t get too excited though, retail sales aren’t scheduled to begin until 2018. When retail sales begin, out of staters will also be permitted to carry an ounce at a time. Tourism might rise in the Mile “High” City because few other places on the East Coast offer legal marijuana to visitors. Maine will be Massachusetts only competition in the East.
Local communities are looking forward to the expected boost in tax revenues and jobs created from the booming cannabis industry.
“A century-long mistake has been abolished!” Yes on 4 communications director Jim Borghesani told a crowd of supporters of the ballot question. “Voters chose fact over fear and rational arguments over hysteria.”

Pineapple Express
CategoriesStrain Reviews by

Strain Review: Pineapple Express

You definitely know of the movie Pineapple Express by this point, but you’ll be impressed and not disappointed to try out the strain the movie is named for. If you’ve tried Trainwreck, think of it as a precursor to what you’ll experience with a dose of PE– after all, Pineapple Express is a hybrid of Trainwreck and Hawaiian. It’s incredibly hard hitting and long lasting, so plan accordingly. An excellent blend of the energizing effects of sativa, with creativity and uplifted thoughts, and the pain relief of indica.
Obviously, this strain tastes of pineapple, but it’s also sweet, with hints of apple, mango, and even pine. The whiff is mouth-watering, and easy to see why it’s an instant classic. Enjoy a few crushed buds rolled up in a fruity blunt wrap, and it’s the best dessert you could imagine. The buds themselves are sticky, coated in trichomes, and often almost yellow in color. Very dense, resiny, and stinky, you might even be tempted to lick your fingers after you break them up. One user says, the darker the bud, the stickier the resin, so good luck getting it off your hands!
The smoke is very smooth, and my personal favorite is through a clean water bong, lit with a match or wick. That way, the only thing you taste is the deliciously sweet fruit and crisp pine and cedar. It’s a calm directly afterwards, but not a couch lock. I felt energized, and like I could get up and keep going with the day if I chose to. The euphoria is tolerable (you ever had it where some strains just get you too happy? It can really shake with reality.), and all that means is, life still feels real; you just feel more capable. Some feel extreme relaxation without time becoming a trip, and others find a boost in appetite or a case of the giggles.
The high might creep in, especially if you take the actual smoking slowly. Careful for hitting it hard–rather than rip 3 or 4 hits in a row expecting to fall right into the high, take one medium-sized pull, then see how it feels in a few minutes. One user recommends starting with a fast-moving sativa strain, then trying Pineapple Express to ‘stretch it out.’ With any luck, you’ll feel symptoms of anxiety and depression start to melt away, and aspects of your true, happy self will come forward. For some, it’s a very visual high, with colors brightening and textures popping. Try a fat bowl out in your favorite secluded area of a park, on a mountain, or by a lake, and let nature unfold its wonders.
image: Ry Prichard, The Cannabist

Beehive Recycler Water Pipe
CategoriesMarijuana Legalization by

These States Just Passed Medical Marijuana Initiatives

More Legal Weed For Those In Need

The one good thing to come out of this year’s election is all the legal weed. Four different states passed medical marijuana measures on election day. The voters of Arkansas, North Dakota, Florida, and Montana have spoken. They want medical marijuana for their suffering patients and they want to make it accessible. Seven states in total legalized some form of marijuana but we’ll focus on those who really need weed first. States like North Dakota are dipping their toes into the medical marijuana world for the first time. However, Florida, Arkansas and Montana have already had medical marijuana and are looking to improve their mmj laws.

Florida (Amendment 2)

Florida’s medical marijuana measure passed two years ago with 58% of the vote. The Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act allowed certain patients with debilitating conditions access to medical marijuana. However, the act required patients be provided with cannabis that is low in THC. The lack of the main psychoactive ingredient means Florida’s cannabis carried less medicinal effects than the cannabis in other states. On the bright side, patients in Florida will now be allowed to obtain full strength marijuana.
“This is a major tipping point,” said Tom Angell of Florida’s vote. “With Florida’s decision, a majority of states in the U.S. now have laws allowing patients to find relief with medical marijuana, and these protections and programs are no longer concentrated in certain regions of the country like the West and Northeast.”

Montana (I-182)

Montana has had medical marijuana laws for over a decade. In 2011, the laws changed making it more difficult for patients to find a dispensary. It also made it harder for dispensaries to remain open because they could only have 3 patients. Initiative 182 just passed granting Montana medical marijuana patients easier access to their medicine. There is no longer a 3 patient limit so dispensaries will be encouraged to open up and serve the thousands of MT patients in need medicine.

Arkansas (Issue 6)

Arkansas voters decided between two different initiatives. The Arkansas Medical Cannabis Act and the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment. The main difference between the two was in the number of dispensaries allowed. The amendment ended up passing with 53% of the vote and 46% voting against it. The AK Department of Health has been given 120 days to adopt the new rules from the amendment. There will be labeling and testing standards for marijuana distributed to patients. Once the new law is in place there will be 56 qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in AK.

North Dakota (Measure 5)

North Dakota’s medical marijuana measure passed with flying colors. The initiative had about 64% support from state voters. Patients suffering from AIDS/HIV, PTSD, epilepsy, glaucoma, and more will be able to register for medical marijuana in ND now. Possession of 3 ounces is allowed for patients and cultivation of 8 plants is allowed for those who over 40 miles away from a dispensary.
More than half of the United States have access to medical marijuana now. Prior to the election there were 25 states, there are now 28 with some type of medical marijuana law in place. There’s good news for those who don’t necessarily need weed too. A quarter of the nation now has access to recreational marijuana!