cannabis
Vol.1 Issue.2
June/July 2010
c o n n o i s s e u r A Registry of the Finest Cannabis
Sativa Report
+ 1st Annual
Colorado Cup Best Bud of Boulder Indica vs. Sativa
Sweet island skunk winner of the first annual Colorado Cup
™
cannabis connoisseur
™
a registry of the finest cannabis Vol.1 Issue.2 June/July 2010 Published By
COW MOUNTAIN MEDIA Publisher & Editor ERIC SLIGH Co-Editor Alex Kardos Art Director Vanessa CHandler Contributing Writers John Deiker Tom Green Ol’ Swampy D. Bridges T.A. Sedlak K.Y. Shek Jessica P. Corry Eric Sligh Contributing Photographers Tom Green ERIC SLIGH Advertising Alex Kardos - 720-448-0393 Editorial Office - 888-707-4769 Email cannabisconnoisseur@gmail.com Subscriptions Call 1-800-999-9718 Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm pst
Cannabis Connoisseur Magazine assumes no responsibility for any claims or representations contained in this magazine or in any advertisement nor do they encourage the illegal use of any of the products advertised within. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Please address all correspondence to : Cannabis Connoisseur Magazine: 809 S. York St.
Denver, Colorado 80209
2010 © Cannabis Connoisseur Magazine COW MOUNTAIN MEDIA
Sta f f ERIC sligh publisher / editor / photographer
joh n deiker writer / Man aging editor
tom gree n pho to g r a p h e r / CULTI VATION REPORTER
va nessa cha ndler a rt d i r e c to r / l ay out
alex kardos CO - e d i to r / M a r k e t ing
tim degroot a d v e rt i s i ng
contents 12
cannabis connoisseur
34
colorado cup
42 boulder cup 44
first plant medicine expo
50 strain hunters 58
indica vs. sativa
60 vintage sounds 62
sativa report
66
420 denver
68 420 expo
8 • finestcannabis.com
cannabis connoisseur
™
Kushism .............................. Silver Lizard .............................. Park Hill .............................. Greenleaf .............................. The Giving Tree .............................. Urban Dispensary .............................. 420 Wellness .............................. Dr. Organics .............................. The Healthy Choice
12 • finestcannabis.com
Hollands Hope
contents
Colorado Cup
2527 Federal Blvd. Denver, CO 80211 303-477-0772
F#@king Bhudda
cannabis connoisseur
™
Blackberry X Masterkush Hash Oil
Amber Glass
Jack Herrer Earwax
Headband
Blue Suede Kush
Black Label Kush
w. 25th st.
w. 23rd st.
S. Federal Blvd.
w. 29th st.
2860 Welton Street Denver, CO 80205 303-626-0605
Black Domina
AK-47
cannabis connoisseur
™
White Widow
Skunk 1 Sour Diesel
Vancouver Mix
The Dank
28th st.
Glenarm Pl.
welton st.
california st.
stout st.
29th st.
any any any oz. ½oz. Ÿoz. $250* $130* $69* *1 per patient offer expires 8-1-2010.
*1 per patient offer expires 8-1-2010.
*1 per patient offer expires 8-1-2010.
4 gram 1/8ths for $50 8 gram 1/4s for $100
founder of the seven day med pack
Full Service MMJ Caregivers • High quality medical marijuana Large selection of known strains • Hash, Edibles, tinctures, clones
303-377-0821 Elm
colorado
4956 E. Colfax Ave.
colfax
Sour Diesel
Grandaddy Purple
Northern Lights
Purple Erkel
Sweet Tooth
Seven Day Med Pack
Recon
cannabis connoisseur
™
2280 S. Quebec St. Unit G Denver CO 80231 303-990-WEED (9333)
Granddaddy Purple
cannabis connoisseur
™
Frostbite
Maui Wowie
Hong Kong
OG Honeybud
e.yale ave.
S. Syracuse Way
S. Quebec st.
S. monaco st.
evans ave.
Free
edible for 1st time patients
Discounts for veterans, seniors and terminally ill patients
2707 West 38th Ave. Denver, CO 80211 303-477-8888
Kali Mist Sativa 85%
Parents are 2 sativa dominant hybrids (80/90)
Conrad Sativa Dominant (G13 Hybrid)
cannabis connoisseur
™
Legends Ultimate Indica
Power Plant
Skunk Haze
Sativa Dominant
Sativa Dominant
Indica Dominant
(80S/20I) South African parents
Cherry Lime Sativa Dominant
Cherry Bomb x Unknown Citrus Strain)
Bryant St.
clay st.
S. federal blvd.
West Coast Diesel Sativa Dominant
(Sour Diesel x OG Kush)
Sativa Dominant
(OG Kush x Sour Diesel x Master Kush)
Flo Sativa Dominant
(60S/40I) (Purple Thai x Afghani)
Free half gram of hash
w 41st st.
w. 38th st.
(Skunk 1 x Haze)
Headband
with purchase of an eighth New patients only. Coupons cannot be combined.
buy one edible get one free New patients only.
Coupons cannot be combined.
2675 West 38th Ave. Denver, CO 80211 (720) 389-9179
White Widow
cannabis connoisseur
™
Lime Green Skunk
Grape Ape
BC Big Bud
Trainwreck
Chocolate Chunk
w. 38th st.
Bryant St.
clay st.
S. federal blvd.
w 41st st.
Banana Kush
Lamb’s Breath
2960 S. Federal Blvd. Denver CO 80236 303-493-1787
Sledgehammer
Rainbow Cereal Bar Chocolate Striped Cereal Bar
Ganja Brownies
Cherry Cheesecake
cannabis connoisseur
™
Sacajawea
DDD Triple D
Herojuana
Peanut Butter Hash
Big Foot Sweet Tooth Hawaiian Punch s. federal blvd. w. yale ave.
w. hampden ave.
S. zuni st.
Free doctor evaluation *
for the first 1000 patients
call for details *Restrictions Apply
cannabis connoisseur
™
Purps
Canadian Purple
C-S
THC The Healthy Choice 3005 W. Gill Place Denver CO, 80219 303-922-4THC
Lumberjack Lemon Diesel Sourhead Juicy Fruit
Durban Poison
free gram* cannabis connoisseur
™
with a purchase of an 1/8 or more. *limit one per patient
Tangerine Kush
The
1st Annual
Colorado Cup Ol’ Swampy reporting
Mud Season at the Swamp It was one of those afternoons in the mountains where misty clouds pour thick down the hillsides, making ghosts of the pines. There was a feeling of mystery, like something stirring in the energy of Spring itself. But there was something else in the air… the anticipation of a truly great cannabis festival: The 1st Annual Colorado Cup. An event for caregivers and patients to celebrate the finest cannabis in the state. Access to fine strains, grow equipment, and horticultural knowledge are readily available these days. And yet, only a small percentage of finished cannabis is top quality. With the explosion of medical cannabis and the dispensary scene, we at the Colorado Cup want to keep our focus on the spirit of home growers who put their heart and soul into their gardens, who bond with their plants, and love their crops from start to finish. Most often it is these soulful, detail-oriented, smallbatch growers who produce the finest cannabis. The Mist Clears Just as the first judges began to arrive, clouds gave way to sun and blue skies. The other side of Spring had revealed itself… just in time. Our pleasant mountain canna-testing refuge was filled with smoking lounges, gorgeous live cannabis plants in full bloom, plenty of clean glass, and delicious food. And then there were the strains. Out of many fine entries only nine were selected to compete. Judges were given samples of three indicas, hybrids, and sativas to test back to back. Their goal, to select a top strain in each category, with the highest overall score earning one lucky grower the title of Grower of the Year. Big shout outs to Bear Peak Wellness for commissioning beautiful custom glass stash jars for our winners, and to High on the Hill in Boulder for their expert touch in crafting the jars along with a breathtaking glass chalice for the top prize, the Colorado Cup. After a brief opening ceremony at 4:20, eager judges set to their task. There was no easy way to tackle the judging, but everyone found their own method. A simple criteria would reveal the champions. Each strain was rated on a 1-5 scale on appearance, aroma, taste, and quality of the high. The samples were marked with code names and their category (indica, sativa, hybrid) so judges could score the strains’ potency accordingly. The strains were diverse, offering a wide range of distinct flavors and aromas; sour, sweet, hazey, citrus, chocolate, 38 • finestcannabis.com
mint, and earth tones invaded the senses. All entries were well grown and picturesque. Some soil grown, and some hydro grown. All exceptional and meticulously cared for. Judges were amazed at how well they were able to differentiate the aromas, flavors, and even the highs of each strain. Every judge had a blast testing the varieties, and enjoying the company of the Colorado Cup crowd. Stoney Sundown As sundown drew near and the misty clouds, once again, reclaimed the high mountain meadows around us, an unknown pair of visitors approached our smoky sanctuary. I was in the thick of testing, but my Ol’ Swampy senses were on guard. It turned out to be none other than the crew from Cannabis Connoisseur magazine. The boys from CC were blessed with a judges kit, introduced to the then well-blazed crowd, and given a stout challenge. Test and photograph all nine strains, enter a ballot, and do it all before the sundown deadline which was rapidly approaching. The CC staff came through with a huge effort and completed their canna-sprint to the finish line in true professional form. With the smoke clouds settling and ballot counting in progress, I noticed most of the judges kicking back, chatting, laughing, but not smoking… A room full of seasoned heads with amazing ganja all around, and little to no blazing going on. It was a strong testament to the potency of the Colorado Cup strains, and for the judges it was the feeling of satisfaction. The Goods And now the official entries of the 1st Annual Colorado Cup: Sativa: Durban Poison, Skunk #1, Island Sweet Skunk. Hybrid: OG Kush, Romulan x Cotton Candy, Sour Diesel. Indica: Blueberry, Holland’s Hope, Black Cherry Indica. The Sativa Cup goes to the sativa category’s runner up, a fantastic lime green, sweet cherry flavored Skunk #1 by Joza. The Hybrid Cup is taken by an entry with a strong penetrating high, and rich lemon hash flavors, the OG Kush by our sponsor Bear Peak Wellness. The Indica Cup winner is Blueberry by BC. A last minute entry, but a well grown Blueberry with rich namesake flavors and a crushing indica stone.
Island Sweet Skunk
Grower of the Year and winner of the 1st ever Colorado Cup is none other than yours truly, Ol’ Swampy, for Island Sweet Skunk. This sativa entry soared far and beyond the rest, and although it is often available in the dispensary scene, nobody else does it like this. Sugary sweetness melds with sour grapefruit and overripe mango flavors that hang on the palette and taste as good as they smell. The sativa high is pleasant and daydreamy, but potent enough to cut through the highs of every strain before it. Smoking this strain always gives me a sense of relaxation and simple enjoyment. Island Sweet Skunk is a delight to the senses, and it is an honor to have her reign as queen of the Colorado Cup this year. Thanks to Bear Peak Wellness caregiver services “Where the harvest hibernates,” www.bearpeakwellness.com, and to High on the Hill, Boulder www.HighOnTheHillGlass.com. A big thank you to Cannabis Connoisseur magazine. Thanks to all of our caregivers, judges, friends, family, and past and current cannabis activists for your efforts. We would not be where we are today without you. So, you think you can grow champions? Do you want to enter a strain in next year’s Colorado Cup? Would you like to participate as an official judge or sponsor? Or maybe you would like to track down some of the delectable strains from this years cup? Just drop a line to the Colorado Cup contact point at caregiver@bearpeakwellness.com. Till next year, I’ll keep some Island Sweet Skunk in the Colorado Cup chalice for you. Grow with your spirit. Partner with your plants. Ol’ Swampy out.
Blueberry
Skunk 1
OG Kush
Romulan X
Hollands Hope
Black Cherry
Cotton Candy
The 1st Annual Colorado Cup Flo
Durban Poison
Hawaiian
Sour Diesel
FIRST PLANT MEDICINE EXPO & HEALTH PROVIDER CONFERENCE
SEPTEMBER IN DENVER, COLORADO TGI Healthworks, a national leader in the formation and production of medical and pharmaceutical conferences, will host the first the Plant Medicine Expo & Healthcare Provider Conference in Denver, Colorado on September 24-26. The PME/HPC, which is designed to be the is the first and only truly educational conference to provide individuals suffering from chronic medical conditions with comprehensive, objective information about medical marijuana, is the brain-child of TGI co-founder, Seth Ginsberg. At 13, Ginsberg was diagnosed with spondylarthritis (also known as spondyloarthropathy) and as a result, quickly realized the importance of support, education, advice and upto-date information for people living with a chronic illness. With medical marijuana now legal in 14 states, Ginsberg saw an opportunity to create a medical conference and professional forum for people with legitimate medical needs to get thoughtful, objective information about medical marijuana and its appropriateness as a potential treatment for various medical conditions. “Like many people, I have suffered with chronic pain for many years, and the recent breakthroughs in medical marijuana legalization have created an opportunity for myself and others to explore it as a viable, legal pain management option,” said Ginsberg. “That said, there is a lot of misinformation out there and my work with TGI, and now with the PME/HPC, presented a perfect opportunity to provide people – physicians, patients and business owners – with the information needed to make 42 • finestcannabis.com
informed choices about their well being or the well being of their patients.” While many, perhaps most, medical marijuana conferences cater to those who are well informed on medical marijuana or are advocates for the legalization of recreational marijuana, the PME/HPC is targeted at the uninitiated, under-informed and reticent potential patients and physicians who may be aware that medical marijuana may be an option, but otherwise lack the understanding needed to make an educated determination on its appropriateness for their condition. To that end, the three day event will include numerous breakout sessions targeted at potential patients and physicians to discuss the pros and cons of medical marijuana. The conference will also give health care and medical marijuana providers an opportunity to exhibit and talk directly with attending patients and physicians. “We are very excited about the program we’re putting together for September,” added Ginsberg. “And, I think attendees, whether patient, physician or otherwise, will find it to be a comfortable, learning experience where they can get the information they need without feeling out of place or out of touch, even if they know nothing about medical marijuana coming into the event.” The PME/HPC will be held at the Denver Sheraton Hotel at 1550 Court Pl. Denver, CO 80202. For additional information on the event and the program, visit www.plantmedicineexpo. com. You can also track the event and get updates at www. facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001041707069&ref=ts.
One
Bud
to Rule Them All...
The Making of a Cannabis Competition by D. Bridges
In January of 2010, three people gathered together at a small coffee shop in the pot-friendly town of Boulder, Colorado, to talk about cannabis. The consensus was that Colorado had not been properly recognized for its contributions to cannabis culture over the years. For decades, hidden away in the Rocky Mountains from prying eyes, the talented growers of the Front Range had been producing some of the dankest green in the country, if not the entire world; however, their accomplishments had been overshadowed by larger scenes on the East and West Coasts, who had ready access to magazines, hip-hop stars and national websites that promoted their strains.
And that was fine. Most Colorado growers were happy to work in obscurity, producing small crops that paid the bills and delighted their friends. However, it was a well-known fact that marijuana connoisseurs had been coming to the Rockies for decades, often on ski vacations or fly-fishing ventures, and they would sometimes go home with a ChemDawg or Golden Goat the likes of which had never been seen before. But when it came time to give credit where credit was due, Colorado growers were usually left out of the loop. With the recent changes in the medicinal cannabis landscape in Colorado, we decided it was time to celebrate the best. In April of 2010, the first annual Best Bud of Boulder (or the B3, as it is affectionately known) competition was created. The goal was to find the very best growers in Colorado and place them, ahem, head-to-head against one another in a completely blind contest. The judging criteria was broken down into five, equally weighted categories. They were: Aroma, Visual Aesthetics, Flavor, Head/Medicinal Effect and Potency. We felt that each category played an equally important role in determining the best. Like a fine wine, a solid herb should score well across the board. The winner would be the strain that had the highest cumulative score and would be crowned “The Best Bud of Boulder.�
1) Sour Diesel by High Grade Alternatives
Results:
Best Visual Aesthetics Raspberry Kush by Altermeds ___________________________________________________
Best Flavor OG Kush Private Reserve by The Greenest Green ___________________________________________________
Best Aroma Jack Flash by Easy Living Alternatives ___________________________________________________
Best Head/Medicinal Effect Age by The Greenest Green ___________________________________________________
Best Potency Stone Mountain by Stone Mountain Wellness ___________________________________________________
The overall, “Best Bud of Boulder” was Sour Diesel by High Grade Alternatives We had heard about other competitions where the legitimacy of the results were questioned for one reason or another, and we didn’t want to fall into that trap. Therefore, we decided that our panel of expert judges would be kept completely in the dark. Not only would they not know the name of the grower, we refused to tell them the strain. In fact, so concerned were we about making the competition fair, we would not even tell the judges if they were smoking an indica or a sativa. All they had was a numbered sample and a corresponding grading sheet. Our judging panel consisted of expert growers, cannabis journalists, non-competing dispensary representatives and cannabis connoisseurs. We felt that the judges would make a well-rounded panel with their collective knowledge and backgrounds. By inviting various members from the cannabis community, our hope was to add legitimacy and transparency to the judging process as well. In addition, we contracted with a local testing lab and each entry was tested for THC, CBD and CBN levels.
We put the word out to the local growers, dispensary owners and aficionados, and what came back were thirty of the finest examples of locally grown cannabis in the state. The fifteen judges each received a kit containing the numbered strains and an instruction sheet advising them to be consistent and critical in their decision-making. They did not disappoint us. It was a small competition this year but it represents some of the very best our state has to offer, and it gives credit to the generations of Colorado growers who have contributed to the canon of American cannabis. If you are a Colorado grower or dispensary, consider entering the competition next year and help us celebrate the culture of this amazing plant. Entry deadline: March 1, 2011. To learn more, go to: www.bestbudofboulder.com or www.bouldercannabisfestival.com.
2)
Stone Mountain by Stone Mountain Wellness
4)
Jack Flash by Easy Living Alternatives LLC
5)
Chemdawg by Caregivers of Colorado
6)
Island Sweet Skunk by Caregivers of Colorado
7)
Durban Poison by Mountain Medicine Group
8)
Mendocino Purps by AlterMeds
9)
Ice by Mountain Medicine Group
10)
Raspberry Kush by AlterMeds
11)
Super Lemon Haze by 11:11
13)
Cannalope Haze by Caregivers of Colorado
Boulder Cannabis Cup
14)
Chem Dog/Diesel x OG Kush by Top Shelf Alternatives
15)
Tangerine Haze by Stone Mountain Wellness
16)
Sour Apple by Top Shelf Alternatives
Cabbage/Crystal x Chun 17) Colorado by Top Shelf Alternatives
18)
Crystal Clear by Independent
19)
Cheese by Top Shelf Alternatives
20)
Orange Bud by Top Shelf Alternatives
21)
Sour Bubble Bog (sour diesel + bogglegum) by The Med Shed
21)
Plane Wreck by Independent
22)
Sour Diesel by Mountain Man Medicinals
22)
Kali Mist by Top Shelf Alternatives
23)
Booba (Boo-Ba) by Mountain Man Medicinals
24)
Motafeso by The Village Green Society
25)
Maui Mango by AlterMeds
26)
Northern Lights by Mountain Man Medicinals
27)
Maui by Mountain Health Research LLC
Boulder Cannabis Cup Fish/G13 x Oregon Funk 30) Dog by Top Shelf Alternatives
2)
by alexander Kardos
Q &A 1. Briefly tell us about yourself, growing in Italy, and how you became involved with Strain Hunters, strain hunting. I grew up in Torino, a large industrial city in the North of Italy. I started smoking cannabis recreationally at 15, but soon I realized it had a medicinal effect on my hyperactivity, it helped me sleep better and made me feel more in tune with myself, my ideas and my studies. After finishing high school I traveled a bit (Jamaica & Europe) then came back to Italy in 1995, where I joined the Army as a paratrooper. After that I moved to the UK, and then to Holland, where I am still based now. In Holland I studied (Master degree in Hospitality Management), then joined the Green House coffee shops in 1999. From 2001 to 2004, I worked at SIMM, one of the licensed producers of medicinal cannabis for the Dutch government (pharmacies and hospitals use cannabis produced by government-licensed facilities in Holland, while the coffee shops get their cannabis from illegal growers). In 2004 I joined the Green House Seed Company, where I still work today. Strain Hunters is a project that started in 2007; the idea was to produce documentaries to show the world about our mission to preserve endangered cannabis landraces. Strain Hunting has been a constant activity for Arjan (the owner and founder of the Green House Coffeeshops and Green House Seed Company) for the past 25 years. I did it since the early 1990s as a hobby, then, slowly ,it became part of my work.
2. How is the cannabis in italy? are there growers there? if so, what are the strains like? Italy is one of the countries in Europe with the largest number of cannabis users. Cannabis is very diffused, and easily available. Most of the cannabis consumed in Italy is imported hashish from Morocco or Asia. The hashish is imported large-scale by organized crime, and distributed in every city. Over the last 10 years weed has become more popular, and nowadays there are plenty of growers. The climate is very good to grow cannabis in most of the Italian peninsula, so a 52 • finestcannabis.com
lot of people grow outdoors. In the big cities there are people growing indoors, mostly small operations for personal use. In south Italy there is a very famous landrace of cannabis called “Calabrese Rossa”, the only landrace in the country.
3. What was your first strain hunt? I went to Jamaica in 1994 to look for special seeds, after hearing amazing stories from friends who had been there. It was great!
4.Describe a strain-hunting trek in all of its stages. How do you prepare? What do you bring? Is it ever dangerous? Have you ever become sick or injured during one of your strain-hunts? How does it feel when you find an unknown strain? After selecting the destination (based on information, contacts and local situation) we organize one or two scouting trips, usually during the planting season. During these trips we find the areas where the landraces grow, we make contact with local growers, and we decide what are the areas and the fields worth filming. We prepare the filming trip in every detail. Then we go back with the film-crew after a few months, when the plants are close to the harvest, and we shoot the documentary. At the same time we collect the genetics we find, in seed form. It is an amazing feeling, to know we are preserving unique inbred landraces. These plants help create new strains of cannabis, and may help, one day, to create new medicines. The equipment we use depends very much on the type of terrain and the local climate, it is never the same. Strain hunting is not danger-free. But it is very rewarding.
5. Have you ever done any strain-hunting in the United States? No, not yet. First we want to locate landraces in remote areas, in areas where there has been no breeding, no intervention from other strains for a long time. In the USA there are thousands of strains, but no landrace...
6. What are some of the best strains you have found? The Malawi Gold is my favorite, for sure. It was very special to find it!
7. Is there anything strain hunters is doing in the future that you would like to share with our readers? The second documentary (India Expedition) is about to be released online and on DVD. We are busy filming the third documentary of the series, it will be ready at the end of 2010. But the location is still secret, of course....
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Indica vs. Sativa: The medicinal marijuana world can be divided into two categories: strains that are either Sativa, or Indica dominant. For the most part, all strains that you will encounter on the shelves will be sativa or indica, but you may also find hybrids (crossbreeds/combinations) which may also be befitting to your medicinal needs.
Doctors and patients often refer to Sativas and Indicas as the “ups” and as the “downs.” These generalizations, though true in many cases, are lazy and do not cater to each individual patient’s specific body chemistry, genetic make-up, medicinal ailment, and level of tolerance. The real breakdown between Sativas and Indicas is much more complicated than simply, “up,” or “down.”
Indica:
The effects a person typically experiences when smoking a sufficient amount of pure indica or mostly pure indica plant is more of a heavy “body high”. You may feel lethargic, tired, or unwilling to attend to tasks. Experienced users call this “Couch Lock”. Depending on your tolerance, you may find it very hard to stay awake as well, so this strain is excellent for acute insomnia. Indicas traditionally have the best medicative effect for easing pain and the other symptoms associated with aching joints, muscles and bones. A good Indica/Sativa cross can offer the best of both worlds-- a great head high coupled with a relaxing and definitely medically beneficial, strong body stone.
Medicinal Properties: Body pains associated with Bone disease and injuries, Spinal and Skeletal disorders, Arthritis, Insomnia, Loss of Appetite, Severe muscle pain, Migraines, Gastrointestinal problems, Nausea, Vomiting, Cancer, AIDS/HIV
Purple Urkl
Indica Dominant Strains: Landrace Kush Varieties-- Afghani, Pakistani, Master Kush, Bubba Kush Purples Northern Lights G13 Mk-Ultra Mr. Nice Guy God’s Gift Blueberry Hash Plant
grape Ape 58 • finestcannabis.com
northern lights
What’s the Difference? Sativa:
The effects a person experiences from pure Sativa, or Sativa-dominant strains are more cerebral and psychoactive. This type of high is most associated with enhanced humor, audio and visual senses, which means that sativas are usually more of a recreational, daytime high-- Strolling through the outdoors can become a whole new and exciting adventure.
Medicinal Properties: Mood disorders associated with stress, Depression, Anxiety, Attention deficit, Trouble eating, Mild pain relief, Glaucoma, in treating as a counter-agent towards other drug dependencies, Gastrointestinal problems, Cancer, AIDS, HIV.
Sativa Dominant Strains:
island skunk
diablo haze
Sour Diesel Chem Dawg Headband Trainwreck Sweet Island Skunk Cheese Haze Plants—Thai, Cambodian, African, Caribbean varieties Snowcap Jack Herer Durbon Poison
durban_poison finestcannabis.com • 59
vintage sounds
Classic Cuts from Forty Years Ago… John Lennon: Plastic Ono Band Out of all the Beatles, postbreakup, solo artistic output, possibly the most effective exercise of musical freedom outside the fab fours shadow was John Lennon’s 1970 classic: Plastic Ono Band. Bluesy, minimalist, angry, on his first solo the moody Beatle stripped the studio bare in order to create a gut-wrenching album that touched on nearly every topic that plagued Lennon’s personality: alienation, battles with god, love, war, Paul, and parents. It was personal, it was pissy, and it’s not always sonically pretty, but on balance, Plastic Ono Band might be the most powerful musical statement any of the Beatles ever made as individual artists.
Neil Young: After the Goldrush With “After the Goldrush,” Neil Young’s second solo record, the at-the-time, young Canadian songwriter solidified his position at the apex of 70’s-era critical darlings. Surface fans of Young will usually highlight the Best Buy favorite, 1974’s Harvest, as Young’s best album, but the diehard fans almost always go with After the Goldrush as pick of the litter. This is Neil Young pre-big band, pre-Nashville, preCrazy Horse, all by his lonesome with guitar, harmonica and a chip on his shoulder.
Jimi Hendrix: Band of Gypsys After the Jimi Hendrix Experience disbanded, and the 1960’s came to a sudden, salty end, Hendrix decided to form another three-piece band. But this time, instead of going with two, art-school affiliated Caucasian cats from England, the iconic guitarist chose two native 60 • finestcannabis.com
black musicians to groove with. The results were astounding: a tighter, bluesier, heavier Hendrix with more lean towards Memphis soul and shotgun snares than the psychedelic meanderings akin to his “Experience” era. This one studio album, along with live recordings from 1970—particularly the Gypsy’s stint at the Fillmore—serve as listenable proof that at the turn of the new decade, three years after he’d emerged on the scene in Monterrey, Hendrix was just beginning to reach his musical powers.
The Stooges: Funhouse Possibly the most hostile, loose and loud album ever released to a massmarket, Funhouse is rock n roll at its abrasivebest. Part punk, part jazz, part noise music, The Stooges second album is the definitive “fuck you” statement to both the ebbing flower power movement of the sixties and the emerging glam-wank rock of the seventies. Kurt Cobain, Henry Rollins, Jack White, this is just a small sample of those who have unanimously made the same claim: “Funhouse is the greatest rock n roll record of all time.”
Black Sabbath: Paranoid Long before he had become an incoherently babbling household name via the folks at MTV, Ozzy Osbourne was the front man of Black Sabbath, arguably the darkest, or at least heaviest, rock outfits ever formed across the pond. Along with The Stooges, MC5, the Velvet Underground, The Ramones and Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath became harbingers of the ultra-heavy classic rock sound that would epitomize the sonic structures of rock in a post-hippy, post-happy, 1970’s America. “Paranoid” represents Sabbath at the height of their collective powers. It certainly contains some of the band’s most certifiable output, having both of their best-selling singles: “Paranoid” and “Iron Man.”
George Harrison: All Things Pass The Beatles individual personality stereotypes breakdown like so: Paul is the cheesy, overly optimistic Beatle, John the dark, damaged, revolutionary Beatle, Ringo the dunce, and George Harrison the oddball-mystic Beatle. Always in the shadow of the galvanized songwriting duo that was Paul and John, very rarely were George’s powers as songwriter able to shine through. It wasn’t until the band disbanded, and Harrison was able to go solo, that the world realized he was far more than a mere guitar man. As it turned out, the weird Beatle had an impressive catalogue of songs he’d never turned into the band—two albums worth, actually. “All Things Pass,” Harrison’s first mammoth solo album, was a brilliant continuation of the higher-consciousness sort of music the Beatles were channeling in the late sixties on “Abbey Road”, “Revolver and the White Album.
Miles Davis: The Complete On the Corner Sessions He defined “the cool” of hard bop in the forties, then he turned the world mellow with 1951’s “Kind of Blue.” Throughout the sixties he perfected a new form of free-flowing improvisational jazz until the seventies came, when Miles took another new turn: he entered into his fusion period. Starting with “In a Silent Way,” blossoming on “Bitches Brew,” and fully erupting here, on, “The Complete On the Corner Sessions,” this massive collection of originals and outtakes from his 1970 studio recordings are the culmination of all Davis’s ambitions in fusion. The totality of Davis’s skill is evident as no other time, here, on this hypnotizing collection of funk, Latin, Indian, jazz and blues inspired tunes. Roll up a big one for this batch, then sit back and prepare to go on a Continental-Chronic-Cruise into the mind of a milestoned genius.
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What’s Good: Special Sativa Strain Report Sour Diesel:
Snowcap:
As with a countless number of other strains, there are many differing accounts about how exactly this strain came about. The pheno-story goes that Sour Diesel was born at a Grateful Dead show somewhere in the Midwest—Colorado, it is thought— when a variety of S1 Chem Dawg cuts were exchanged. After this fateful genetic barter, the Chem-cuts in question are said to have made their way to upstate New York. From upstate New York, it’s believed the Chem Dawg cuts were crossed with a (Mass. Super Skunk X Northern Lights #5) phenotype, therein producing… the Sour Diesel.
Perfectly bulbous, dark green nuggets interspersed with thick orange hairs, Snowcap is an extremely popular sativa strain with a beautiful structure and sweet smell which, once remembered by the nostrils, is never to be forgotten— very similar to Arcata Trainwreck in smell, flavor and effects. Snowcap is a high yielder available in clone and seed form.
Origin: Upstate New York - Sativa Dominant Lineage: Colorado Chem Dawg X (Mass. Super Skunk X Northern Lights #5) Taste: Sour, Pungent Buzz: Sour Diesel is a sativa dominant strain, which, though very potent has unique, strongly sativa oriented physiological effects that keep smokers giddy throughout their high. It is one of the most desired sativas in the world because of its pleasant cerebral effects, very conducive to studying, cleaning, or doing nearly any arduous task.
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Origin: California - Sativa Lineage: According to rl1cool from marijuana reviews. com, Snowcap is a sativa hybrid, percentage of which is unknown. Day/Night: Daytime Buzz: Snowcap is daytime, cerebral, “up” flower.
OG Kush: Southern California’s Queen Bee of the Cannabis community for over three years running, OG Kush is the result of crossing a Colorado Chem Dawg phenotype with a (Lemon Thai X Pakistani Kush) pheno. The emerging cross was a stellar mixture of new and old worlds: the American Chem Dog provides a strong sour and sativa backbone while the old world Lemon Thai/Pakistani Kush adds a lemony Kush, more indica-oriented side into the genetic pool. Origin: Most Likely, California - Sativa Dominant Hybrid Lineage: Colorado Chem Dawg X (Lemon Thai X Pakistani Kush) Taste: Sour, Smoky, Lemon, Pine, and Zing Buzz: A perfect balance between a potent, cerebral sativa high crossed with the mellow body oriented effects produced by landrace indica varieties
UK Cheese: Originally bred in the United Kingdom, today the Cheese is making big waves across the pond, particularly on the West Coast where she grows vigorously, and beautifully, indoor and outdoor. Anyone familiar with the Cheese can easily discern the stanky smell and physiological setbacks one may incur in the presence of this very strong sativa. The Cheese is a cross of two funky smelling, old school genetics—Skunk #1 crossed with an Afghani Male— thus explaining the absolutely rotten aroma their child emits, and powerful, Indica-tive physiological effects she induces. Origin: United Kingdom - Sativa Dominant Lineage: Skunk #1 X Landrace Afghani Kush Day/Night: Both Buzz: The cheese is sativa dominant in genetics but indicaheavy on the brain and body. An extremely potent plant reminiscent of 20th century dank, cerebrally stoney and physically relaxing, the Cheese covers all bud bases.
Strawberry Cough: Originally from the East Coast, the Cough is a big hitter within the Fruit family. The strain gained such popularity, that today it is hard to find legit Strawberry Cough-- if it is cheap and questionable then it’s not really the Cough. The real effect is strong, and though SC is often considered a sativa, the strain is so cerebral that foggy indica clouds are easily reachable. And the taste is, actually, strawberry... one of the few fruits out there, along with Grape and Blueberry, that completely embodies the taste and smell of the title they bare. Origin: Somewhere on the East Coast - Psychedelic Sativa Lineage: Strawberry Fields Indica Mother/ Pure Haze plant father Day/Night: Psychedelic sativas are good for the day, but don’t plan on going to work. Buzz: Heavy cerebral buzz; energetic spurts and intermittent brain-farts; a sunny day with heavy cranial cloud cover finestcannabis.com • 63
Sativa S Sativa Headband:
Originally cultivated on the East Coast and named Daywrecker, Headband is a psychedelic sativa in a category all her own. Whether you know her as Daywrecker or Headband, both names explain the same effect: You will get very, very stoned. This uncommonly potent plant is the result of a unique, multi-ingredient genetic ancestry. Headband’s genetics consist of a Sour Diesel mother crossed with a (Mass. Super Skunk X Northern Lights #5) male phenotype—which means, that the actual genetic makeup of Headband is: ((Chem Dawg X Mass. Super Skunk\Northern Lights #5) X (Mass. Super Skunk\Northern Lights #5)). Origin: New York - Sativa Dominant Hybrid Lineage: Sour Diesel X (Mass. Super Skunk\Northern Lights #5) Day/Night: Either, but novice smokers should opt for nighttime use first. Buzz: Contagious and irrational laughter, loss of coordination and motor skills, stimulation of appetite, suppression of anxiety.
Chem Dawg:
Many of the most common favorites of today would not exist if it was not for this very special, very sour plant. Chem Dawg is a cross-fertilizing father in almost all the topnotch sour strains: Sour Diesel, Headband, and O.G. Kush, just to name a few. Originally grown on the East coast, Chem Dawg has made her way to the West, where she has become a pivotal strain in shaping the marijuana cultivation currents common today.
Origin: Colorado - Psychedelic Sativa Lineage: Unknown Taste: Sour... very sour. Think Sour Diesel and Headband combined Day/Night: 24 hours a day Buzz: Energetic, creative, psychedelic-- sativa heaven 64 • finestcannabis.com
Neville’s Haze:
If you’ve had a taste of good Nevels before, it’s hard not to be biased. That said, Nevel’s Haze is one of my all time favorite sativas-- Perfect for creative outlets. The smell is piney and the buds, when done right, are frosty medium sized banana cylinders with white trichome covered nuggets dispersed studded throughout.
Origin: Greenhouse seeds - Pure Sativa Lineage: Old School Pure Haze Plant/Northern Lights (75/25.... just enough NL to even the stew) Day/Night: Daytime is good but nighttime is often a cathartic period for artists and other workers so the energetic buzz is really 24/7 patient OK. Buzz: Sedated but focused; heavy cerebral brain-bending
a Sativa a Jack Herer:
It’s only right that the man who dedicated his life to marijuana and hemp activism be given his own strain, and for Mr. Jack Herer, the bud-breeders at Sensi Seeds pulled all the stops for this special cross. The desire was to create a strain that was both upbeat and mellow. To do so, there was a Special Haze plant selected, and a Super Skunk plant was pulled from a larger batch to suffice the sativa end. But what about the relaxing offset? Here Sensi Seeds did the right thing: they went old school and picked Northern Lights #5, a historic indica. After inter-breeding those three plants a new strain was spawned more than righteous enough to represent the man himself. Origin: Amsterdam – Sativa Dominant Taste: Sweet, Tropical, Candy, and Pine; Menthol meets Tropical Punch Lineage: Haze/Skunk/Northern Lights #5 Day/Night: Both Buzz: Happy, upbeat, creative, cerebral. Jack is an excellent daytime, recreational sativa. Colors can be brighter, food can taste better, the air smell more vibrant, after medicating with Jack Herer.
White Widow:
The Widow dominated in Amsterdam circuits throughout the 90’s, taking many a first places at the annual Dutch Cannabis Cup. Today, however, real White Widow can be difficult to find; for a stretch, it was almost unheard of. Fortunately though, White Widow has been making a come back, finding her way back into our lives via clone and seed banks. There is a particularly impressive amount of White Widow to be found in the thriving new medicinal scene in Colorado. Origin: Amsterdam - Sativa Dominant Lineage: Indian/Brazilian Haze cross (60/40 sativa dominate) Day/Night: In Holland this is a favorite for daytime perambulations and naps on the village green Buzz: Pleasantly mellow, sedative but not overdone, mostly cerebral.
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Denver 420: Thousands filled the capitol plaza for a massive 420 celebration in Denver Colorado. It was an epic event and we encourage people from every state to try and make it next year. By far, it was the biggest 420 event in North America this year. There were hundreds of local dispensaries giving out loads of posters and t-shirts.
Colorado Cannabis Convention: The Colorado Cannabis Convention was expected to have 100,000 attendees, but only 30,000 bothered to show up. Regardless, it was a great show. There were alot of great people who were very excited about Medical Cannabis in Colorado. Our favorite vendor was the guy selling granny sweaters and a vintage poster of Sly Stallone.
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