Gorge Greenery: The sustainable dispensary

In the era of climate change, more people are striving to help build a better Earth. Over-consumption and needless waste have long been burdens on our society, leading to a stronger push for a more sustainable life. With this in mind, Gorge Greenery has taken steps to be a sustainability leader in the cannabis industry. After being in business since late 2015, we can happily say that our practices are working.

The first step to sustainability is reducing waste. The easiest way to cut out waste from your life is to identify any “single-use” items used in day-to-day living. The word “single-use” is practically synonymous with plastics. Easy to make and cheap, plastics have been used widely as means to a packaging end, and the same goes for the cannabis industry. Many dispensaries sell cannabis in plastic medicine bottles, and all too often these bottles end up in landfills. Oregonians consumed 340,000lbs of cannabis last year, and most flower is sold from a gram to an ounce at a time. That’s a lot of single-use plastic bottles and bags. Plastics take hundreds of years to decompose and are toxic to the environment. This is both harmful to the environment and not sustainable.

Glass jars are returnable, which can be washed, sanitized, and reused.

In order to combat this, Gorge Greenery uses glass containers when packaging cannabis. Glass is far more versatile, recyclable and can be re-used many times without hindering the quality of the cannabis. Gorge Greenery also has a sustainability return program for our glass jars to reduce the consumption of packaging.  Our returnable glass container policy has been a notable success! More and more customers return their jars as a part of our return-rewards program. These jars are cleaned, sanitized, and re-used. This is a very sustainable practice and reduces consumption of single use packaging.  As a result of the program, Gorge Greenery receives about 85% of our packaging in returns to cycle though for another use.

Another factor of sustainability and eco-consciousness is to account for your carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is defined by the total emissions caused by an individual, event, organization, or product. For example, if you order an item off the web that needs to be shipped from across the country, your footprint is measured by the emissions generated delivering the package to your doorstep. Frequent purchasing from online stores or sourcing goods internationally generates the largest carbon footprint. In order to keep our footprint small, we source materials as locally as possible. We also receive out of state goods and cannabis packaging by freight which decreases our carbon footprint and the waste that is generated by standard shipping methods. Not only is this environmentally conscious, it also supports local business.

Reducing your carbon footprint is an important step in living sustainably, yet it is still very difficult to exist in today’s society and live a zero-footprint lifestyle. Due to this reality, we all need to take steps to help reduce our own personal footprint wherever we can.

Sustainability takes time and effort, but it is less daunting of a task than you think. Do your part in little ways and apply it to everyday life. Cut out single use plastics, say no to straws, become an avid recycler and support sustainability. Our mission at Gorge Greenery is to be a leader in sustainable business practices and lifestyle choices.

Strain Highlight: Durban Poison

A sofresh farms favorite
Durban Poison has long been a favorite in the Pacific Northwest and not surprisingly, is sofresh farms' most popular strain. Durban Poison suits itself well with the active NW crowd yet also appeals to those with a creative side. With its unique terpene profile, nothing smells or tastes quite like it. Open a jar of Durban Poison and the room fills with the scent of spicy anise mixed with pine trees and citrus. Everyone immediately knows when Durban’s in the house.

Land race genetics
Durban Poison is a land-race strain with pure African genetics. It comes from an area in South Africa near the port of Durban. The area has a humid, subtropical climate with hot summers and warm, dry winters. Since Durban, Africa, is physically far from many other well-known cannabis growing areas the plant has evolved into a unique strain all its own. Durban Poison is unlike the hash plants of Afghanistan, Sativas of South American or the Asian strains we all know so well. This exclusive breeding has led to an increase in rare beneficial cannabinoids such as THCV.

What is THCV?
Most cannabis consumers are familiar with the effects of THC and CBD cannabinoids. Durban Poison has been known to test high in THC but it also contains a unique cannabinoid called THCV. As the name suggests, it’s much like THC but with other pronounced effects. What are the benefits of THCV?

• THCV is known to be an appetite suppressant – That’s right, instead of giving you the “munchies” Durban Poison has been shown to reduce your appetite. This is great if you’re on a diet.
• THCV may help reduce anxiety attacks – People experiencing panic attacks or PTSD may find relief in the effects of THCV without reducing normal emotions.
• THCV has been shown to help diabetes – THCV may help the bodies ability to reduce insulin resistance and regulate blood sugar levels.
• THCV may help with Alzheimer’s disease -  Brain lesions, motor control and tremors appear to improve.
• THCV may increase bone growth – THCV has been shown to promote growth of new bone cells.

Terpenes
Terpenes are a group of essential oils that gives each cannabis strain their unique characteristics and aroma. Durban Poison has always tested high for terpenes and its unique profile is like no other. What are the main terpenes that makes Durban Poison so special? Glad you asked!

Terpinolene – Think piney, herbal, floral with a hint of citrus. It’s used in many of the lotions, perfumes and soaps you find on your local grocery shelf. Terpinolene can be found in pine trees, lilacs, apples and cumin.

Potential medical benefits include: anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, sedative, antifungal

Myrcene – Found in many fruits and other fragrant plants such as hops, basil, bay tree, parsley, mango lemongrass and thyme. It’s thought to help produce a sedative, relaxed effect on the user.

Potential medical benefits include: anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, sedative, pain-relief (Analgesic)

Ocimene – known for its sweet fruity, herbal and woodsy scent. Ocimene is used in perfumes and occurs in other plants like pepper, mangoes, orchids and mint.

Potential medical benefits include: antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, decongestant

Pinene –  As you can imagine, pinene smells a lot like a pine trees. You can also find it in basil, parsley, rosemary and even orange peels.

Potential medical benefits include: Pinene has been known to improve lung function (Bronchodilator), short-term memory loss, anti-inflammatory and alertness.

Limonene – This is the primary terpene found in citrus fruit. Everyone is familiar with the intense citrus smell of lemons, limes and grapefruits.

Potential medical benefits include: stress relief, antifungal, antibacterial, heartburn and mood enhancement. When you’ve had a hard day and need to relax, look for the strains that smell like lemon/lime.

Caryophyllene –  Think spicy! Most of our favorite spices are filled with this terpene. Pepper, cinnamon, basil, oregano, rosemary and cloves are just a few.

Potential medical benefits include: anti-inflammatory, pain-relief (Analgesic), anti-depressant, anti-cancer and anti-anxiety.

There is only one Durban Poison! If you find yourself searching for a great “day smoke” you must give Durban Poison a try. Nothing is better for a hike in the woods or hanging out with that special someone. sofresh farms grows only the best cut, using 100% organic methods, for the best tasting Durban Poison on the market. Clean Green certified guarantees you’re making a safe choice and Phylos Galaxy certification assures you’re getting what you paid for. Next time you visit your local dispensary be sure to ask for sofresh farms Durban Poison!

Guest blog written by Fred Gunnerson, sofresh farms member.

Ideas for a green Valentines

It’s that time of the year again. Love is in the air. Romances, old and new, are beginning to blossom like flowers in the coming spring.

Valentine’s day is all too often associated with doing something romantic with your partner. The holiday often evokes images of surprising your significant other with bouquet of roses or a giant teddy bear with an accompanying heart-shaped box filled with chocolates. Perhaps it’s when one finally summons the courage to ask their crush out to a date. We want to help you add something new and green to your valentine’s day.

Cannabis can be applied in many different ways to have a more romantic effect. It all comes down to what you and your partner want to do, or how you choose to surprise them with something special. This can be as simple or complex as you choose to make it. Here are a few ideas that we recommend to make this the most exciting Valentine’s day yet!

Take a hike with a joint

Lets say you just asked your crush out to a date. Fantastic! Firstly, well done for asking. Now, what do you do? Just get to know each other. A great way to do this is to go out and enjoy one of the many tails, paths, and hikes the Columbia River Gorge has to offer. You can enhance the adventure, and the date, if you bring along a mellow sativa or hybrid pre-roll for the two of you to share. It won’t put you to sleep and you will both have the opportunity to experience the space, giggle and bond. It’s all about enjoying each other’s company, however you decide to do it.

The perfect gift

If you and your partner are familiar with cannabis use, then you are both probably familiar with the munchies. It’s a common side effect that we’ve all heard of. Marijuana is known to increase the appetite of most of its users, so why not make a munchie basket for your special someone? Flowers and chocolates are overrated. Putting together a spread of gourmet cannabis treats is a very thoughtful and romantic gesture. You could include marshmallow bonbons, a mint hibiscus or peanut butter and jelly chocolate bar or even infused cheese crisps for the savory partner out there. Specializing this selection to both your tastes will be treating yourselves and your munchie urge on this special day.

Dinner for three: you, your love, and Mary Jane

Then there is, of course, the classic dinner date. The dinner date applies to both blossoming romances and long term loves, but cannabis can make this meal just a little bit more special. Now, if you’re going to pair cannabis with dinner, chances are you’ll have to cook at home. You could try infusing the meal itself (see our thanksgiving blog on meal infusion here).

The Grand Finale

Ending the evening at its finest. Everyone has their own rituals of love, but if there’s one constant among humans, it’s that we enjoy a good back rub. Try using cannabis topicals as a lotion while you massage your partner. Cannabis infused topicals are popular for localized pain relief and can help with muscle tension. Cannabis infused sensual oils and lubes are also a great add in for your special holiday. Apothecanna’s Sexy Time lube is formulated specifically to enhance sexual pleasure for both partners.

Treat yourself anyway (on your own)

If you are on your own this Valentines Day, then today is for you. Never forget to love yourself, and Valentines is all about love. Treat yourself to your favorite meal. Spend time participating in your favorite activity, whatever it may be: hiking, biking, kiting, boarding, rafting, kayaking, watching movies, writing, drawing, or just enjoying “me” time. Draw yourself a hot bath and relax with a fine indica pre-roll at the end of the day. There are even bath bombs that are cannabis infused, so you won’t miss out on the benefits of a topical treatment!

We hope some of our ideas of how to incorporate cannabis into your Valentine’s day helps bring a little more love into your life. Marijuana has been known as a plant associated with peace and love, something we all could use a little bit more of in this world. May your Valentines Day be filled with just that. 

Happy Danksgiving! How to make your Thanksgiving green.

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays. There is an impressive amount of food cooked. Several courses for several people are prepped. Friends come together, laugh, eat, drink, and think about all the things that they are thankful for. This breeds a wonderful environment of friendliness, compassion, and culinary delight. This makes Thanksgiving ideal for pairing with cannabis.

For those who are curious about turning their Thanksgiving into a Danksgiving, we have some tips that can help make the experience one of your favorite cannabis-infused events.

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

Easily the biggest draw about a cannabis friendly Thanksgiving is infusing the meal itself. This is a great idea and there are bounties of edible recipes to find online, but we will make a very strong recommendation on this topic: Don’t infuse everything! Don’t make the mistake of assuming that every one of your guests would be ok with your “special” mashed potatoes.  Provide a normal dish for everyone to enjoy and keep the infused dishes separate. But make them organic and delicious.

First step to edibles is to make your cannabis butter or oil. You can use either, but we suggest butter as it can be used for a more diverse selection of meals versus using oil. Important note: make your canna-butter before Thanksgiving day. The process will take 24 hours and require the use of the oven.

First and foremost: decarboxylate (decarb) your cannabis. Decarbing involves baking your cannabis at low temperatures. In layman’s terms, this activates the psychoactive properties of THC found in cannabis, thus making it ready for infusion. If you or a friend have leftover trimmings from a home grow, this plant matter can be decarbed as well for the same effect.

To decarboxylate cannabis:

• Heat your oven to 220-235 degrees Fahrenheit
• Spread parchment paper over a baking pan, then spread your cannabis across the paper
• Bake for 30-45 minutes.

 For Thanksgiving, you’ll want a half-ounce to an ounce of high-quality, organic cannabis. Learn more about cannabis decarboxylation.

After you decarboxylate your cannabis, it’s time to infuse it into canna-butter. It’s remarkably easy to make your own canna-butter, but here’s a basic breakdown.

You will need:

• 1lb unsalted butter
• 1 cup water
• Cheese cloth or a fine mesh strainer

Directions

1.     Add one cup of water and 1 lb of butter into a stock pot or sauce pan; let the butter melt and begin to simmer on low. Adding water helps to regulate the temperature and prevents the butter from scorching.

2.    As butter begins to melt, add in your ground, decarboxylated cannabis.

3.    Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Keep the heat low. Do not allow the mixture to boil. The longer the mix simmers, the more potent it will become.

4.    After simmering, pour the hot mixture into a glass, refrigerator-safe container, using the cheese cloth or fine mesh strainer to strain out all plant matter from the mix. Try to get as much liquid off the plant material as possible. Discard leftover plant material after straining.

5.    Cover and refrigerate the liquid canna-butter overnight or until the butter is fully hardened. Once hardened, the butter will separate from the water. Lift the now infused canna-butter from the water and discard the remaining water.

6.    Let the canna-butter sit at room temperature to soften for use. Do not use a microwave to soften the butter.

You can learn more about canna-butter and oil infusions from Leafly here.

Now that you have your homemade canna-butter, the sky is virtually the limit on what you choose to infuse with it. Canna-butter can be applied to multiple recipes, and many traditional Thanksgiving dishes already use butter as an ingredient.

Here’s some suggestions on what to use your canna-butter with:

• Mashed potatoes
• Green bean casserole
• Creamed spinach
• Cornbread
• Pie crust (for any pie you intend to make)

All the sides listed above have butter for an ingredient that can be easily be substituted with your canna-butter. However, our top suggestion on food infusion is gravy. Gravy is very easy to make, it’s tasty, and it can be added to nearly anything you put on your plate. This versatility makes gravy a great candidate for infusion, and it also puts you in control of how much cannabis you are eating. Overconsumption is a common concern when it comes to homemade edibles. Only going for a gentle THC effect? Just put on a small splash of canna-gravy and always consume responsibly.

As for the more classic form of cannabis use, smoking or vaping, strain choice is key. For daytime use, choose a high-quality strain that is known to have uplifting, energizing, or creativity-sparking qualities (Electric Lemon, Blue Dream, or Betty Hayes would be a good choice.) Looking for a pleasant after-meal toke? Maybe chose a strain that would pair well with sitting on the couch and digesting. Indica or CBD strains such as the Clean Green Certified Obama Kush or Blue Dragon Desert Frost could make for a fine evening delight. You could even put a scoop of Drip Ice Cream on to your pie for desert.

Thanksgiving is about being thankful for what you have in life. Thankful for good friends. Thankful for where you live. Thankful for the food on your plate. And now, in Oregon, Thankful for the cannabis that is legally available to you. Be sure to enjoy all of the good things this holiday. You know we will.

From all of us here at Gorge Greenery,

Happy Thanksgiving

Gorge Greenery Reviews: Pineapple Diem from EVOLVD

It’s no secret: We’re big fans of the high-quality extract produced by EVOLVD Organics. EVOLVD’s cartridges are the best you can find in the Northwest, and we support this kind of quality in this industry.

It is quite commonplace in the cannabis industry to see innovation. This can be innovation in how you grow the plant. It can be innovation in how you cook or craft an edible. In EVOLVD’s case, there is innovation in how you vape.

At the Greenery, we just got in the new line of EVOLVD Capsl500 cartridges. Each cartridge contains a half gram of EVOLVD’s renowned and award winning extract. Their extraction methods are utterly unmatched. No other cartridge has such a diverse profile of cannabinoids and terpenes that are found in the end product. For our review, we decided to take the Pineapple Diem out for a spin.

Pineapple Diem is a cross of Golden Pineapple and Mystery Haze, both strains grown by the revered cultivator Green Bodhi. If you remember Green Bodhi’s Golden Pineapple, that should be enough incentive for you to stop reading this review and go grab this cartridge right away. One of the most memorable traits of Green Bodhi’s flower is just how impressive it’s flavor and effect is, both of which are very apparent in Pineapple Diem.

This is where the Capsl500 variable airflow mechanism shines. The cap on the cartridge can be rotated. Rotating the cartridge opens up a small port on the top of the mouthpiece. Think of it as a carb for your vape pen. Opening the port allows more airflow for a smoother draw, diffusing much of the vaporized extract. Closing the port, makes for thicker, cloudier vapes, often accompanied by an immediate and strong effect. Be responsible, friends. A little bit goes a long way.

There is a truly organic and fresh taste to Pineapple Diem. After just one draw, we’re delightfully overwhelmed with is floral yet fruity taste. The effect is almost immediate. This is quite an upbeat strain! After enjoying a reasonable amount of the cartridge, which for some people is just one draw, we took a sunset stroll down to the Hood River sandbar. The Diem was definitely conducive to enjoying our walk. The colors of the sunset were inviting, the sand was soft, and the air was crisp with the cool fall air.  The evening, paired with Pineapple Diem, brought out the joys of all our days spent on the sandbar this summers past. However, we’re glad to feel the fall air as we watched the sun set on turning leaves. You could see them all the way down The Gorge.

Grower Highlight: Trailhead Farms

Gorge Greenery now stocks flower from the local, small-batch farm Trailhead Farms. Located just on the edge of Hood River city limits, the Greenery was given a tour of Trailhead Farms. We got the inside look on how this Clean Green Certified farm is operated.

Dave, one of the founders of Trailhead, checks us in at the farm and gives us a lay of the land. Trailhead Farms has three greenhouses, with room to build one more for next season’s grow. "We're an organic grow." Dave says, as he points out that Trailhead is neighbors with other farmers. Their neighbors are multi-generational fruit farmers sticking to organic growing practices that resist spraying pesticides and fertilizers. They care about their crop, and so does Trailhead Farms.

Trailhead Farms is a Clean Green Certified grower, meaning that they have either met or exceeded a multitude of guidelines that ensures that the farm has a low impact on the environment. Now more than ever, we need more farms to adopt sustainable growing practices. Trailhead has solar panels mounted on their south-facing roofs with plans to install more. Their greenhouses act as water collectors. Any rainfall on the greenhouses drains into gutters and is saved in storage tanks onsite to be used for watering later. Simple solutions like these make a big difference in maintaining a sustainable grow.

Most of Trailhead's grow for the summer season has already been harvested, so the greenhouses sit nearly empty. That, however, doesn’t mean that their work is over.

"The soil is alive,” Dave says, "And we work hard to take care of it. It's what keeps the plant happy and healthy." Dave scoops up a handful of soil to show us, and it immediately becomes clear that “Alive” is the right word of choice. The dirt is soft, dark, and even has some worms here and there. It’s filled with plant and animal life, and that’s a good thing. Dave describes the cycles of nutrients that the farm will use to help nourish the soil and, in turn, the plant. Whole malted barley, kelp, and fish bone meal are just a few of the all-natural ingredients Trailhead utilizes to nourish the soil.

One thing that was clear to us on our tour of Trailhead Farms was their attention to detail. When you run a smaller operation, you spend more time focusing on every aspect of what it takes to grow quality, clean cannabis. Their hard work has paid off.

Electric Lemon, Kimbo Kush X Cookies and Cream, Double Tangie Banana, and Tiger Beat names only just a few of their strains grown this season. When you run a small grow operation, the quality of the flowers you grow is very noticeable. The flavors are more rich and diverse, the high is cleaner and more enjoyable, and the plant has a higher variety of cannabinoids.

Kimbo Kush X Cookies & Cream

Choosing your cannabis isn't just about how high the THC percentage is. It’s about how the plant is grown. We are proud to carry Trailhead Farms cannabis. They are a sustainable Hood River farm. They produce a quality crop that was grown with passion and care. We are huge fans of what they do. Locally grown with care, Trailhead Farms embodies what craft cannabis cultivation is all about.

Terpenes of Cannabis: Linalool and Beta-Caryophyllene

Everybody who’s tried marijuana before is familiar with the fact that it is one of the more pungent plants out there. So what causes this anyway? Why does cannabis smell the way it does, and why is there such a variety to these smells? The answer: Terpenes.

Terpenes are essential oils, found throughout nature in just about everything worth a smell. From sage and lavender to oranges, mangos, and hops, terpenes are found in just about everything with odor, including Cannabis.

Terpenes are more than just smell, however. Independent studies have revealed that there may be some therapeutic value to the molecules when either ingested or inhaled. Think about this: how do you feel when you take a smell of fresh lavender? Generally, the pleasant smell leaves you feeling very relaxed, an excellent de-stressor. Another example: What happens when you bite into a lemon? Odds are the sour taste and smell will leave you awakened and invigorated. Well, there are terpenes associated with these feelings: Linalool in Lavender and Limonene in Lemons. And both of these terpenes, along with many others, are found in cannabis.

 This week we are going to dive in to two lesser known yet ever-present terpenes: Linalool and Beta-Caryophyllene.

Linalool

One of the minor terpenes found in cannabis, Linalool conveys a soothing floral aroma, similar to that of Lavender. In fact, Linalool is found in lavender, along with more than 200 species of plants, including a variety of mints and herbs, such as the Indian Bay Leaf and Basil.

And while this terpene may not be as dominant as others, like Myrcene and Limonene, this doesn’t negate the medicinal properties associated with it. Linalool has a number of therapeutic traits.

It has natural analgesic properties, which can be helpful for such conditions as multiple sclerosis, dystonia, arthritis, post-operative pain and chronic pain. Linalool is also known to have Anti-Consultant properties, which can be very desirable for those who suffer from epilepsy, nerve damage, or another convulsing condition.

Linalool can also be an effective sleep aid. The terpene possesses natural sedative qualities, so those looking for a good night’s sleep may wish to find a strain of cannabis that has higher levels of Linalool. Remember to follow your nose! Smelling multiple strains of cannabis is key to detecting a strain that may aid in your sleep.

Beta-Caryophyllene

Chances are, you’ve already been exposed to large amounts of Beta-Caryophyllene in your lifetime without even realizing it. Beta-Caryophyllene, or BCP, is found in many spices, such as oregano, cloves, hops, rosemary, and common household black pepper.

One trait that sets BCP apart from other terpenes is how it reacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system. BCP is often categorized as a cannabinoid because of how it binds to CB2 cannabinoid receptors, which causes no alteration in perception or motor skills. The body’s CB2 receptors control immune-regulatory proteins that are linked to inflammation and immune function throughout the body, giving BCP anti-inflammatory properties.

Like many of the other terpenes, such as Limonene and Pinene, BCP has been known to reduce anxiety and fight depression. This may yet be another feature of what is known as the “entourage effect”. One of the troubles with isolating the medicinal properties of cannabis is that there are so many medicinal traits associated with several different parts of the plant on several different levels of the plants biology. The prevailing theory is that all of the properties work best when taken together at once, rather than isolating a certain terpene or cannabinoid, since each terpene has their own special molecular trait that sets them apart from the rest. When working together, the medicinal value only increases, and Beta-Caryophyllene is very much a part of this entourage.

There it is! Knowledge of two more terpenes for you to keep under your cap next time you go cannabis shopping. Remember, higher-quality, responsibly and organically grown marijuana will have the highest yield on terpenes and cannabinoids, so keep this in mind next time you look for a natural remedy to whatever it is that ails you.

Next edition of Terpenes of Cannabis we dive into two very unique terpenes: Pinene and Humulene.

Sources:

https://www.whaxy.com/learn/linalool-cannabis-terpene?utm_source=mantis&utm_medium=recommend&utm_campaign=mantis&muuid=2cce4636XXX0b9cXXX45beXXX9e4fXXXa70bbfafc9c1

https://www.whaxy.com/learn/beta-caryophyllene?utm_source=mantis&utm_medium=recommend&utm_campaign=mantis&muuid=2cce4636XXX0b9cXXX45beXXX9e4fXXXa70bbfafc9c1

Women in Weed

The Cannabis industry is thriving. Thousands of small businesses, from farms to storefronts, have popped up all over the states of Colorado, Washington, and our very own Oregon.

But there is one thing that is standing out in this budding industry setting it apart from the rest of the corporate world: Women hold 36% of executive-level positions. Breaking down that average, 63% of executive women are found in testing labs whereas 28% of women hold executive positions in investment firms.

Now why are these figures important? When compared to all U.S. businesses, the cannabis industry stands above the national average of executive-level positions held by women, which sits at 22%. This is big news for women who have long since faced the struggle of competing in a business world that is almost entirely dominated by men. Legal marijuana could be the first billion-dollar industry not dominated by men.

With the cannabis industry in full growth, a unique opportunity is presented to women who find themselves in a state with legalized cannabis. This industry is new and it changes every month. Who knows what the future may hold, but there is an immense amount of opportunity in this new sector that has yet to be conquered by men. Finally, we may see an authentic emergence of equal opportunity in the workplace through the cannabis industry. The glass ceiling is cracking.

Listen to our very own Kirsten Cook talk with Justin McDonald about women in weed here:

https://soundcloud.com/cannacast420/cannacast420-episode-9-kirsten-cook-gorge-greenery

Also be sure to check out the Weediquette episode “Mary Janes” as Krishna Andavolu explores the world of women in weed.

Source articles:

http://mjbizdaily.com/chart-of-the-week-women-holding-more-seats-in-the-executive-suite-at-cannabis-companies/

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/06/women-turn-to-the-marijuana-industry-to-escape-stubborn-glass-ceilings/489008/

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!

Why there's no such thing as a stoner girl...

Reading marijuana-devoted websites can be both educational and frustrating. The frustrating part begins when people who are in charge of attracting more visitors make up silly meaningless listicles, like this one that claims to provide 17 reasons to date a girl who smokes weed. Of course every girl who smokes weed will click on this. And some of them will also forward the link to their boyfriends, so it works. 

I need to say that I highly respect the High Times magazine. It is probably the most important media outlet for drug culture of the 20th century. They still do quality journalism, although they have some competition now. But can’t they do better than trying to imitate Buzzfeed? 

Really, this GIF idea is not even working for them: number 17 has a Chris Brown Smokes Up Rihanna GIF. And look what the caption reads: “The couple that smokes together, stays together.” The troubled story of Rihanna and Brown’s relationship was covered by tabloids, so anyone who is interested is free to read up some TMZ archives. 

Besides that, Buzzed is not a model cannabis-covering media. They have been harshly criticized for promoting a lazy unfocused stoner stereotype. 

But the real problem is in the message. We criticize mainstream media for cultivating the aforementioned pothead stereotype. We know that anyone can be a stoner, and, frankly, we prefer to call it ’a cannabis enthusiast’ or something like that. So why do we support creating a stereotype of ‘a woman who smokes weed’? There is no such thing. There are women who smoke weed, and not all of them are relaxed chicks who are open to threesome experience (as number 11 implies) and have cool friends (or any friends.) 

Some of them are stay at home mothers who relax by getting high when the kids are asleep. Some of them are career women who use marijuana to deal with daily stress. Some are students who use daytime strains to feel energized at their part-time jobs. Some are creative professionals who have mastered the art of high brainstorming and stoned planning. Each of them is unique. 

Another issue is over-sexualizing marijuana smoking. There are whole websites dedicated to erotic photos of women who smoke weed. And this piece of infotainment also implies that sexy stoner chicks wear stockings (you can keep joints in them!), are good with their hands and tongue, and love to try new things. It is not a secret that in stoner humor women are often shown as sexually attractive ladies who like weed, but don’t know where to buy or how to smoke it. 

Meet my friend Helen. She’s a photographer and a digital media professional, she’s in her mid 20s, and she smokes weed several times a week. She is definitely a high-maintenance young woman; her jewelry is perfectly organized, her looks are very thought-through. She will not laugh at your jokes if they are not funny. Helen prefers smoking through a bowl. 

And this is my friend Maria. She is in her late 30s, but if I asked you to define her age basing on her looks, you would probably say 31-32. Maria knows how to roll a spliff and how to run a company. She is happily married and she has a teenage son. Before the recent recession in Russia, her career had been thriving; she’s now a freelance translator, and a successful one. 

Diana works as a waitress in a cafe that belongs to a famous designer. Sofia is a researcher at a biotech lab. Jessica is a radio host and TV producer. They are all normal woman, not some mythical relaxed sexy chicks. The society would have done a very good job if it stopped treating women who smoke weed differently than other women. Cannabis consumption does not define us.

Article written by: By Maya Novikov from www.MonroeBlvd.com