Cannabis Strains: Choosing the right strain for you.

Which one is for you?

Ok, its time we talk strains. Anyone who is somewhat familiar with our lady cannabis knows that she comes in some different varieties; no one plant is exactly like the other, but fortunately they tend to stay in a general family of strains.

There are three major strains: Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid. Each strain has typically different effects on the user upon consumption, whether it be smoked, vaped, eaten, or otherwise. 

Sativa strains are a generally more uplifting, energizing and active experience. Those who seek an energy boost, or perhaps a strain that doesn’t cloud the brain, tend to go for a sativa. Sativas, due to their typical clear-headed nature, are popular with those who seek an active and uplifting experience without the “stoney” feeling associated with many indica strains. Cleaning the house? Going for a hike? Maybe a sativa strain is for you.

Sativa’s are also a good choice for those who seek to treat depression, due to the uplifting nature of sativa strains. Sativas are also a good choice to help treat chronic fatigue, or ADD, due to the energizing and focusing effects of the strain. Sativas, as with most all strains of cannabis, can be an excellent appetite stimulant.

Indicas are on the opposite end of the spectrum, compared to sativas. Indica strains typically have a much more sedating effect when consumed and tend to cause a profound sense of relaxation to flow through the body, with a cerebral psychoactive effect as well. Indicas are also paraphrased as “Indica, In-da-couch”.

When it comes to killing pain, most people tend to go for indicas, as the sedating effect of the strain does wonders for those who seek to treat chronic pain. Indicas are also a great choice for those who are suffering from insomnia, since the sedating effects of the strain can calm and relax the user into a state of sleepiness, a welcome feeling for those who have had trouble getting rest. Indicas, too, are an excellent appetite stimulant.
 

Hybrids are a mix of both sativa and indica strains, bred with each other with the intent of making a strain that encompasses the best of both worlds. Hybrids can vary dramatically between users and the effects they feel. Some will have the cerebral effects of indica paired with the body energy of sativas, others will have the opposite; sedated body of the indica with a clear mind of the sativa. There are many variety of Hybrids in the cannabis world, be sure to talk to your budtender about which strain may be right for you.

Then there are the High CBD strains. What is CBD? Short for Cannabidiol, CBD is the non-psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis and is one of the major phytocannabinoids present in cannabis, second only to THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol).

So what does CBD do? Typically, CBD users experience little to no psychoactivity after consuming strains high in CBD. However, CBD has proven to be very beneficial as a pain reliever, anti-epileptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic (suppresses muscle spasms), anti-psychotic (tranquilizing/manage psychosis), and anxiolytic (relieves anxiety). With the wide range of medical benefits that CBD has been seen to provide, and with the lack of psychoactivity that is seen in THC, CBD has become very popular with those who seek just the medical benefits without getting “high”.

Now that we have a little more knowledge to help guide our decision on what strain is best for us, go and try some out! Every user reacts to cannabis differently, and the only way to truly know which strain is best for you is to experience the effects for yourself. Just remember, when trying a new strain for the first time, despite your tolerance level, take it slow and steady. Manage your dosing, don’t overdo it, and most of all, enjoy yourself.

Cheers!

Cooking with Cannabis

Cooking with Cannabis is nothing new, but some of the best culinary creations involve a certain amount of creativity. From pizza to ice cream, there is no limit as to what kind of food you can infuse with Mary Jane.

VICE's food program, Munchies, explores this ever growing world of cannabis confections and culinary cuisine. The "Bong Appetite" series explores the many different recipes for cannabis, and just how good it can be. Check out this episode where Bong Appetite travels to Portland, learning all about the best way to make cannabis infused pizza.

Of course, cannabis pizza isn't for everybody. There's something to be said about the classic baked goods. Who doesn't love a pot brownie, anyway? Take a look at yellowjuanacake.com, a great home cooking blog with a wide variety of classic edibles like brownies and cookies as well as more intricate dishes such as lasagna.  http://www.yellowjuanacake.com/

There you have it! The only limit to making edibles is your imagination. That, and how much canna-oil or cannabutter you have on hand. Don't know how to make cannabutter? No worries, this article should sort it out. http://herb.co/recipes/quick-easy-cannabutter/

Happy cooking!

420 Canna-Celebration!

We will be hosting an intro to Cannabis 101 from 5:00p -7:00p with an open Q&A.
1.25 Cent Joints while supplies last starting at 4:20!

Deals, Specials, Giveaways and GG swag all day!
*Munchies will be available!!*
Extended hours 9:00 am-9:00 pm.
More details to come!

Cannabis and Intimacy

Did you know that couples who smoke together have more orgasms?

This is due to a few reasons according to a recent article by EliteDaily.com :

It help females orgasm and  It intensifies Orgasms, “That CB1 receptor seems to be involved in improved tactile sensations and general euphoria.”

It can relieve sexual tension, “When regular smokers choose to light up before getting it on... it will usually lead to decreased sexual anxiety.”

It can strengthen the bond between lovers, Like with anything that two people can do together – getting high with one another can bring lovers together on a more passionate plane... “feelings of communion between weed-smoking partners can be more profound than mere sexual sensation.”

Read Elite's full article HERE.

Application is in!

Today was the first official day that the Oregon cannabis industry was able to start applying for licenses, and ours is in! #LEGALIZEDIT #HIGHINTHEHOOD

Sustainability-Driven Entrepreneurs

Right now “sustainability” still means pushing back against business as usual. As a young sustainability professional, I wanted to further explore the characteristics of successful sustainability-driven entrepreneurs.

1. Sustainable DNA

They make sure sustainability is baked into their business model. Over 1,300 companies have met B-Lab’s requirements and are officially recognized as a Certified B Corporation. According to B-Lab, “By voluntarily meeting higher standards of transparency, accountability, and performance, Certified B Corps are distinguishing themselves in a cluttered marketplace by offering a positive vision of a better way to do business.” There are also 1,200 companies have partnered with 1% for the Planet to donate one percent of their net annual sales to non-profit organizations working to tackle environmental challenges. Whether sustainability-driven entrepreneurs get official certifications and partner with big networks or just participate in similar practices without official recognitions, they always make sure they are having a positive impact on the economy, environment, and community.

2. Compassionate

Earlier this year, The Washington Post reported on a German study that found, “heightened sensitivity to the suffering of other people” is a major “emotional and personality-based driver of environmental attitudes.” Since systematically improving the way we treat communities is a major part of sustainability, it makes sense that the people who choose to work in the field also tend to be mindful of how they personally treat the individuals around them, which makes for great coworkers.

3. Highly Motivated

Sustainable entrepreneurship isn’t something people usually get into unless they are truly passionate about the issues. They believe in their vision for how much better the world could be and have an insatiable need to keep working towards it, even with the knowledge that they may not live to see it come to fruition. Because as anyone in the business of improving the world knows—it is an ongoing process, not a destination.

4. Resilient

Working towards sustainability is inherently emotional work, and because it requires going against the status quo it is filled with roadblocks and naysayers. Successful sustainability-driven entrepreneurs must have strong emotional awareness and they develop strategies to help them keep moving forward when the world tries to burn them out. In an interview with Net Impact Adam Hammes, sustainability professional and author, cited high emotional intelligence as the most important skill successful sustainability professionals possess. He said, “Without the soft skills of dealing with interpersonal struggles, the hard skills will never be put to use. You will get overwhelmed and burn out. Once you have developed emotional intelligence and soft skills, it is also helpful to then know your strategy – to save time and energy – and know your audience – to frame your approach in ways that make it well-received.“

5. Holistic Approach

Successful sustainability-driven entrepreneurs know the importance of approaching their work systematically. They make sure their actions truly match their philosophy and that they are making the intended impact on their surroundings. For example, a if a sustainability-driven restaurant owner uses compostable food packaging, then they make sure there is an appropriate and user-friendly disposal system in place.

*Source:  http://www.purelabels.com/

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Columbia Gorge Collective

Northernberry and Big Wreck from Columbia Gorge Collective are now in! Grown locally by one of our own Gorge Greenery Girls! Both are indicas, come down and grab some while supplies last!

Recreational Marijuana on Thursday!

Watch the news segment here!

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National Alzheimer's Day

Today is National Alzheimer’s Day, a day dedicated to the pursuit of medical research that could one day better the lives of millions of people who are affected by this disease. Here are the top 5 ways Cannabis helps these patients.

1. THC Slows Buildup of Neural Plaques

One of the characterizing pathological markers of Alzheimer’s is the buildup of amyloid plaques, a toxic aggregation of peptides in the neural tissue. This 2008 study published in Molecular Pharmaceutics found that THC slowed this amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) overgrowth, a discovery that was again observed in a 2014 study that appeared in Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. The earlier authors even found a low dose of THC to be “a considerably more effective inhibitor of AChE-induced Aβ deposition than the approved drugs for Alzheimer's disease treatment, donepezil and tacrine, which reduced Aβ aggregation by only 22% and 7%, respectively, at twice the concentration used in our studies.”

2. Cannabis Fights Inflammation

Another contributor to the development of Alzheimer’s is inflammation around these amyloid plaques. A 2006 report published in Neuroscience analyzed the role of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in Alzheimer’s, as activation of CB1 receptor sites had an anti-inflammatory effect. Other research cited in a 2012 review reiterated its importance; one study found that mice bred without CB1 receptors experienced faster cognitive degeneration. The connection between the ECS and neurodegenerative diseases has yet to be developed in human trials, but the premise of this preliminary research alone is encouraging.

3. CBD Could Prevent Cell Death

THC isn’t the only compound cannabis has to offer for Alzheimer’s research; the non-psychoactive cannabidiol – better known as CBD – has also hinted at its benefits in preventing cell death. In 2004, researchers noted CBD’s neuroprotective, anti-oxidative, and anti-apoptotic properties, thus reducing neurotoxicity caused by amyloid buildup. These phenomena were again reviewed in a 2009 report that explored promising avenues in cannabinoid therapy, including that which involves a combination of THC and CBD. Noting the synergistic potential of cannabis constituents like CBD and THC, the researchers concluded with cautious optimism:

“The great therapeutic value of CBD, either given alone or in association with THC, derives from the consideration that it represents a rare, if not unique, compound that is capable of affording neuroprotection by the combination of different types of properties (e.g., anti-glutamatergic effects, anti-inflammatory action, and antioxidant effects) that almost cover all spectra of neurotoxic mechanisms that operate in neurodegenerative disorders (excitotoxicity, inflammatory events, oxidative injury, etc.).”

4. Cannabinoids Stimulate Cell Growth

So in addition to cannabis’ antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective attributes, it would appear that cannabinoids may also play a role in the growth of neural tissue in the hippocampus – the area of the brain associated with memory. This mechanism known as “neurogenesis” was explored and discussed in a 2011 study, as well as in a 2007 report that observed cannabinoids “supporting the brain's intrinsic repair mechanisms.”

5. Staving Off Other Alzheimer’s Symptoms

One of the more compelling arguments for medical marijuana is its ability to alleviate other symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s, allowing patients to live happier and more functional lives. From appetite stimulation and weight control to motor functioning and agitation reduction, the improved quality of life that cannabis may offer these patients should be enough to warrant a rescheduling of these versatile cannabinoids.

Looking back at decades of research supporting cannabis’ therapeutic benefits in not only Alzheimer’s, but in cancer, pain, epilepsy, stress disorders, sleep disorders, MS, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorders, arthritis, anorexia, diabetes, spasticity, it’s utterly incomprehensible to see cannabis still ranked as a Schedule 1 substance among the likes of heroin.

Cheers to all of the scientists out there making this research happen despite political obstacles and pitfalls.