2013 01 UK by SoftSecrets

FREE 18+ For adults only. Soft Secrets is published six times a year by Discover Publisher BV Netherlands

Issue 1 - 2013

SHOCK VERDICT BY MPS AFTER YEAR-LONG INQUIRY INTO DRUGS

Make dope legal! AMSTERDAM

A DRAMATIC call for Ministers to urgently consider legalising cannabis was made by senior MPs. CU PWIN N ER

AMS

TERD

They say the present approach to the UK’s massive drug problem is not working — and even decriminalising harder substances such as heroin should be looked at.

WWW.PARADISE-SEEDS.COM

Atomical Haze ®

The shock verdict comes in a groundbreaking report from Westminster’s influential Home Affairs Committee. It follows a year-long Parliamentary inquiry which heard evidence from witnesses including comic and former heroin addict Russell Brand — who called for drugs possession to be no longer a crime.

In this issue:

the taxpayer billions of pounds each year.

Cannabis babe Sarah Jaine ›› 18 pH! WTF? pH must be one of the most widely discussed subjects amongst growers and also one of the most often blamed factors when a grow starts to go bad. But what does pH actually measure? Why is it important? Is there a way to grow that gets you around having to adjust pH of your nutrient solution? SSUK explains. ››

Grow vertical! ›› 45

The committee urges PM David Cameron to set up a Royal Commission to look at ALL OPTIONS and report back before the next election. And it says the Government should fund detailed research into “the overall costs and benefits of cannabis legalisation” — and how such a move has worked abroad. The MPs were impressed by the system in Portugal, where possessing small amounts of drugs — including HEROIN — has been decriminalised. But the committee calls for the prosecution of senior bank officials responsible for laundering the profits of drugs gangs and for better drugs education in schools.

“This is a critical, now-or-never moment for serious reform. “If we do not act now, future generations will be crippled by the social and financial burden.” A report ten years ago by a previous Home Affairs Committee calling for a liberalisation of the drugs laws was never acted upon. Ironically, Mr Cameron was on that committee — although he has changed his views since then.

It also wants more done to tackle drugtaking in prison.

Russell Brand told the MPs in April: “Penalising people for possession of drugs is expensive. The costs would be better spent, I think, on education and treatment.

Chairman Keith Vaz said the scale of the problem meant it was vital that Ministers do not “kick the issue into the long grass”. He said: “Drugs cost thousands of lives and

“Making it illegal isn’t working anyway. Being arrested isn’t a lesson, it’s an administrative blip.” Experts were split on the issue.

Sun GP Dr Carol Cooper said: “It’s clear the current drugs policy isn’t working. But it is a worry that many drugs are linked with mental health problems.” Danny Kushlick, of drugs legalisation group Transform, said: “Prohibition has created a vast market for organised crime, has failed to protect our children and is bringing misery to deprived communities.” But Marjorie Wallace, of mental health charity Sane, warned it was vital to “take account of the specific damage that cannabis can do to the developing brain”. Colonel Richard Kemp, former Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, said it was “nonsense” to argue that legalising drugs would badly hit Taliban income. He said: “Any impact would be marginal at very best. Poppy farmers, drug dealers and narcotics traffickers are one source of Taliban funds but far from the greatest.” Source: The Sun.co.uk

Possessing small amount of drugs ‘should not be crime’ The penalties for drug misuse should be relaxed so that possession of small amounts would no longer be a criminal offence, the government has been urged.

ernment policy - including major drug seizures - have little or no impact, and some programmes in schools could even have increased the use of drugs.

The recommendation comes in a report from the UK Drug Policy Commission, which undertook six years of research.

It says there is “little evidence” that a recent increase in prison sentence lengths for drug production and supply has deterred dealers or affected availability.

Think Different is the real surprise package in the Dutch Passion AutoFem collection. She has quickly established a great reputation for stunning yields and very strong weed. Even first time growers have achieved over 100g/plant and experienced growers can achieve 200g-300g+. She can grow over 1m tall in experienced hands and is a good alternative to traditional varieties, offering bumper harvests of strong cannabis just 10-11 weeks after seed germination. The genetics come from a special AK47 hybrid known as AK420. Indoors she has the potential to yield up to 500g/m² especially in SCROG systems with powerful lights. Genetics: AK420 x Ruderalis/ Indica 20% – Sativa 60% - Ruderalis 20% Height: 60 - 70 cm. Yield: 50/250 gr per plant THC: 16 – 18% Breeder: Dutch Passion

Think Different

Its detailed report concludes the UK is wasting much of the £3bn it spends each year on tackling illicit drugs. The Home Office says drug use is falling and it does not plan to alter its approach. The report, called A Fresh Approach to Drugs, says the annual estimated cost to England and Wales of class A drug use is £15bn. It says that while drug use and drug problems have declined in the UK in recent years, there are still about 2,000 drug-related deaths each year and 380,000 problem drug users.

Classification credibility Some 42,000 people in England and Wales are sentenced annually for drug possession offences and about 160,000 given cannabis warnings, it says, which “amounts to a lot of time and money for police, prosecution and courts”. The commission says giving people cautions and criminal records for having small quantities is not “proportionate” and suggests imposing civil penalties, such as fines, or drug treatment orders instead. It also recommends individuals who grow a small number of cannabis plants should be treated leniently, to undermine organised crime networks that produce stronger types of cannabis. However, it does not call for the decriminalisation or legalisation of most drugs. “We do not believe that there is sufficient evidence at the moment to support the case for removing criminal penalties for the major production or supply offences of most drugs,” it said. It calls for a review of the Misuse of Drugs Act and drugs classification, which it says has “lost credibility” for many people.

It recommends that the main political parties should establish a cross-party forum to agree on how drug problems can be addressed “in a cost-effective and evidence-based way”.

114 new drugs Dame Ruth Runciman, the charity’s chairman, said: “Over the last three decades, UK governments have done much to reduce the damage caused by drug problems. “Needle exchanges have reduced HIV among injecting drug users to one of the lowest rates in the world. The investment in treatment for people addicted to drugs has also helped many to rebuild their lives. “Those programmes are supported by evidence, but much of the rest of drug policy does not have an adequate evidence base. “We spend billions of pounds every year without being sure of what difference much of it makes.” The commission also said a new approach was needed because the rapid creation of new drugs was changing the market too quickly for the traditional methods used to control it. It says that, between 2009 and 2011, 114 new psychoactive drugs were identified in the European Union. A Home Office spokeswoman said: “While the government welcomes the UKDPC’s contribution to the drugs debate, we remain confident that our ambitious approach to tackling drugs - outlined in our drugs strategy - is the right one. “Drug usage is at it lowest level since records began. Drug treatment completions are increasing and individuals are now significantly better placed to achieve recovery and live their lives free from drugs.

It suggests technical decisions about the classification of individual drugs should be taken by an independent body, with parliamentary oversight.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the UKDPC for its work in this area over the past six years.”

The report says some key planks of gov-

Source: bbc.co.uk

higher yields are possible.

pass it on!

Check out our website www.plagron.com for tips&tricks

5 Hi Soft Secrets, Here is my first small auto grow! Containing Sweet Cheese and Critical Mass! Also got lucky with 2 plants out of one seed! I’m loving the speed on the growth of these babies and its easier to manage! Hope auto’s are the way forward, love it! SIR SMOKESALOT

Attention Readers! Fancy a FREE packet of FEMINISED seeds from ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS? Then send us a picture of your grow room or best cannabis plant, including a visible copy of Soft Secrets, and we’ll send you 3 seeds. Should your photo happen to feature your beautiful wife or girlfriend wearing a sexy microbikini or super hot lingerie, you will receive 6 seeds. Photo of the Month will even receive 9 prime quality feminised seeds. With compliments of Soft Secrets and Royal Queen Seeds! E-mail your entries to SSUK@softsecrets.nl. NOTE: All entries are handled with the utmost discretion. We don’t publish out of focus pics, and we don’t like photos of plants in veg stage. It’s fat buds & sweet babes we want to see!

E-mail: SSUK@softsecrets.nl

HI guys your amazing magazine got me to try auto plants for the first time and I grew them outdoors in the UK, the strains I tried were Auto Blueberry from Dutch Passion, Auto AK from Grassomatic and Cream Caramel auto from Sweet Seeds. All started under a 150w CFL for a week then moved to a small greenhouse outside for a week until the weather warmed up, I then grew them alongside my vegetables fed on Canna organic nutes. As you can see from the pictures they grew well and flowered with a great yield! the Auto Blueberry was my favourite as it turned blue/purple and red near harvest due to cool UK weather an tasted amazing the others performed well too giving me a yield the same as a small indoor grow would. I will be doing an indoor crop next until UK weather turns warm then I’ll try some new autos outdoors and send in pictures to keep you guys updated, thx for all the help. PEACE OUT FROM SCOUSE RINCEWIND Grown under that great big grow light in the sky! Nothing better than getting some tasty smoke grown the natural way. Glad to hear we inspired you Rincewind!

Buy one get one free! Sounds like a good deal to us! Great to see a proper DIY set-up pulling some nice ounces too. Those plants look very healthy and green. Little bit of advice mate, trim off any foliage that is under the main canopy. It won’t be receiving any light, so if you chop it off the plant can put more energy into top end production.

Come on guys 10/10 for effort ANON A fine effort indeed matey! As you’ve just found out, plants grown in NFT systems get big, FAST! Use a net over the tank next time, it’ll help support your girls and you can thin out the growth under the canopy, this’ll help produce bigger main colas and avoid smaller ‘popcorn’ buds.

Great White shark and my great girlfriend JAMES This one left us pretty much speechless James! What a picture! Firstly, congratulations on a great looking crop. The IWS system does the business... again. Fantastic work mate. More importantly, your missus is an absolute stunner – a well deserved photo of the month!

Hi Soft Secrets, As requested pics of my latest crop. Royal Queen Seeds Blue Mystic courtesy of your selves. Im sold on the auto’s pop’d the 3 pack into my new oxypots and they took off. Pictures are of the best of the three, an absolute beast, just under 10oz. As you can see one of them turned a wicked looking black shade. 22oz in total from 3 plants under 2x 600 watt hps using the full Canna range and extra doses of epsom salts and silicon. Im happy to keep sending you pics if your happy to keep sending seeds. Have nothing but good things to say about Royal Queen Seeds, currently growing their Fruit Spirit. Peace LADY L The Lady strikes again! We can always rely on you for some excellent bud porn... and you’re looking pretty damn fine too! The root ball on that plant is incredible, you’ve obviously got those oxypots dialled in nicely. There seems a good following for Deep Water Culture in the UK and we can see why; fast results and big yields. Look forward to the next batch of pics.

® www.sweetseeds.es

Best Seeds Bank Expocannabis 2007

Best Seeds Bank Spannabis 2008

e Rhino : 90%-10% Indica/SativaMaple Leaf Indica x Whit Blue Black x

: 70%-30% Indica/Sativa dients Secret ingre

[

Also availab

3S - 22,50€ 5S - 37,50€ 10S - 75,00€

3S - 24,00€ 5S - 40,00€ 10S - 80,00€

: 50%-50% Indica/Sativa dients Secret ingre

: 90%-10% Indica/Sativa Self-Pollination Black Domina

[

3S - 18,50€ 5S - 30,50€ 10S - 61,00€

3S - 24,90€ 5S - 40,90€ 10S - 81,80€

: 50%-50% Indica/Sativa x Jack Herer Black Domina

: 25%-75% Indica/SativaAK 47 Jack Herer x

Also availab

[

3S - 33,00€ 5S - 55,00€ 10S - 110,00€

3S - 19,50€ 5S - 32,50€ 10S - 65,00€

Also availab

Autoflowerin

g 100% Autoflowerin

Autoflowerin

g 100% Autoflowerin

3S - 25,00€ 5S - 42,00€ 10S - 84,00€

3S - 26,50€ 5S - 43,90€ 10S - 87,80€

3S - 23,90€ 5S - 39,50€ 10S - 78,80€

3S - 20,90€ 5S - 34,50€ 10S - 68,70€

g 100%

ges

g 100% Autoflowerin

g Autoflowerin

Collector packa

eled (2 seeds

rly lab 6 seeds prope

for variety)

Autoflowering

inised

Femin 38,00€ ,60€ 52 r to ec ll Co llector Pack #1 licia to Co ze Au l ia 47 ec ck Sp Ja Large Si · to n Au icode ack Jack · Ps · Green Poiso Big Devil XL S.A.D. S1 · Bl 40,00€ #2 € ck 00 , Pa 53 l Collector ia Auto ec 47 Jack Collector Sp ck eet Tai Ja · Sw to · Au S1

· Black Jack l 64,00€ Big Devil Specia #2 · Big Devil XL · Dark Devil vil De g Big Devil · Bi Fastest 42,50€ Autoflowering + #2 · Speed Devil #2 st Bud + Speed · Fa nd tion 41,50€ Big Devil XL

3S - 19,90€ 5S - 32,80€ 10S - 65,80€

3S - 14,90€ 5S - 24,50€ 10S - 48,70€

Also availab

[

le Also availab

Genera Autofloweringac2 k Jack Auto

· Bl S.A.D. Auto el Auto m Cream Cara

Autoflowering #1

d Devil

· S.A.D.

r Pack #3 41,00€ ble White

Special Collecto Mohan Ram

mel · Dou

· Cream Cara

r Pack #4 50,00€

Special Collecto

Poison Rose · Green Jack 47 · Wild 00€

r Pack #5 35,

Special Collecto se Sweet Chee

35,00€

st Bud · Spee

Big Devil · Fa

mel Cream Cara

Cream 47

· Snow Fruit

· Black Jack

49,90€

een Poison · Big Foot · Gr

C/ Dr. Nicasio Benlloch, 36-38 · 46015 · Valencia · España · +34 963 890 403 · +34 963 473 730 / +34 963 404 289 (Wholesalers) · Fax: +34 961 939 618 Sale prohibited to people under 18 years old. Seed for coleccionist use exclusively. It´s ilegal to make them germinate. They´re not for agriculture purposes. Consult laws about cannabis aplied in your place of residence. Sweet Seeds will not be acountable for ilegal use of this seeds done by third parties.

FILM REVIEW

“A $2.5 trillion war... 44 million (44.000.000) Americans arrested... a $320 billion black market” – these are the crushing figures that greet viewers of the latest documentary about the War on Drugs, Breaking the Taboo. Produced by Sam Branson’s Sundog and Brazilian Spray Filmes, the documentary presents a polished yet urgent portrayal of the devastating cost of the global battle against drugs, and narration by Morgan Freeman adds its usual gravitas. This film thrusts the truths about the toll of the international drug war into the mainSativa Diva stream and onto the people – all people, everywhere. While the pursuit of the drug industry by law enforcement seems ages-old, the film reminds us that it was President Richard Nixon who started the whole mess back in 1971. That era of American pot prohibition was to be a defining one: the president was dealing with the Vietnam War, as well as the civil rights movement at home. Peaceful protests

land, rendering it useless to already struggling families and robbing them of their industry. To make matters worse, the cartels, smugglers and dealers exploded with creative approaches to their illegal activities in an attempt to evade authorities from any country who might imprison them. Prices increased exponentially with the prison population, in some cases, and the violent crime and murder now associated with the drug war began to grip the countries to the south.

Most Cannabis offenders in America are arrested for simple possession and overcrowd prisons with a harmless, hassle-free work force. Prisoners are also exposed to far more drugs and criminality while locked up than when out on the street, preparing them for even more criminality (if they so choose) upon release. In Breaking the Taboo, former prisoner and author Anthony Papa asks, “If you can’t control drug use in a maximum-security prison, how could you control drugs in a free society?”

Even Asian nations reconciled their policies with American opinion; it is no secret that the prohibition of opium poppies in Nepal, another brainchild of

Arrest, incarceration, familial separation, corruption, poverty, kidnappings, asset seizure, violence and death are all common fallout of the drug war. Such atroci-

lines the convoluted history between the United States, international governments and the farmers, producers, traffickers and users of the drugs. The United Nations Conventions on Drugs delineated the pressure to which the United States government was subjecting other ruling powers. All possesThe global destruction caused by the War on Drugs is detailed in Breaking the Taboo Nixon’s, created generations of future heroin, morphine and opium addicts. Afghanistan has become the world’s largest producer of heroin since the war began in 2001, leading to crisislevel addiction in Russia. Again, the financial cost also increases, as countries struggle to deal with new drug epidemics and fund rehabilitation and treatment options on a national scale.

Former President Bill Clinton adds his take to the narrative were rife with pot-smoking hippies, and heroin-addicted veterans were returning to American soil. Nixon responded with a harsh crackdown, the effects of which are still felt today. In the 1970s, the American appetite for drugs fuelled trafficking efforts between Central- and South America and the northern continent. From Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and others northward through Mexico, the States and Canada, smuggling lanes were being estab-

sion, transporting, selling or production of illicit drugs was outlawed – on a global scale – due to American moral objection and persuasion. The government decided to wage the war, and recruited United Nations members to help them enforce it. These policies crystallized the ‘zero tolerance’ approach that has caused so many social problems around the world. Once the DEA became involved the fight spilled across borders, draining

The numbers are horrifying: Pablo Escobar’s cocaine reign over Colombia – and the ensuing battle between the drug lord’s “a bribe or a bullet” edict and the local and American authorities – resulted in “over 52,000 violent deaths in two years.” America’s intervention into Mexico’s violent trafficking struggles, the Mérida Initiative, cost former President Felipe Calderón over a billion dollars since 2008. Military and federal police enforcement have utilized over 50,000 troops against the cartels, yet drug-related murders have surpassed 47,000 since 2006, when Calderón first waged Mexico’s War on Drugs. Jorge Castañeda, Mexico’s

CROP SPRAYING IS DEFOLIATING AND POISONING THE LAND, RENDERING IT USELESS TO ALREADY STRUGGLING FAMILIES AND ROBBING THEM OF THEIR INDUSTRY. lished or even more heavily-travelled. As techniques became more involved, quantities increased and the street supply of certain drugs began to terrify the authorities. Breaking the Taboo out-

law enforcement, military and legal resources in other countries and creating generations of habitual prison offenders and drug addicts. Crop spraying is defoliating and poisoning the

Secretary of Foreign Affairs (2000 – 2003), suggests that military force has exacerbated the situation: “The war has created the situation – the situation did not create the war.”

ties are the unfortunate ties that bind us all together – regardless of your occupation, view towards Cannabis, religious affiliation, etc. This documentary forces the plight of drug war victims into the public consciousness, as the human toll alone could classify the War on Drugs as having reached epidemic proportions. In addition, if the government’s battle against illicit substances is draining our resources and overcrowding our prisons, why do we still have national issues with drugs? What about the heroin crowds in the 1970s? Or the crack and cocaine epidemics of the 1980s? Designer drugs, chemical cocktails of questionable origin, plagued the 1990s and meth has been rotting suburbs in America for decades. As stated in the film, we have fewer Marines than prison guards, and more incarcerated citizens than China does. Until America is no longer the world’s largest consumer of illegal drugs, with the highest incarceration rate, perhaps we are in no position to lead from the front lines of the global drug war. Breaking the Taboo Watch for free at: www.breakingthetaboo.info. Directed by: Cosmo Feilding Mellen and Fernando Grostein Andrade Produced by: Sundog Pictures / Spray Filmes Duration: 58:09 Release date: USA – December, 2012 (Brazil, 2011)

PRODUCT FLASH

SUGAR ROYAL FROM PLAGRON

Additive / stimulator Stimulates the production of resin / crystals

In the beginning of 2012 Plagron introduced a new product called Sugar Royal. This product has proven to be a valuable additive as we concluded from many test-results and feedback of well respected growers. Test it yourself and experience the benefits of Sugar Royal!

What is Sugar Royal? Sugar Royal is a very powerful organic stimulator based on amino-acids. It enhances the production of chlorophyll increasing the making of resin / crystals. This results in a strong end-product with the best smell and taste. Some of the amino-acids in Sugar Royal evoke a reaction from the plant. The plant feels like it is going to dry out and will protect itself in the best possible way by maximizing the production of resin / crystals and speeding up the overall ripening process. Sugar Royal creates a drought stress effect without the risks of a real drought. For a good strain of healthy plants that have the possibility to develop in optimal conditions the total time from seedling to harvest could be reduced by one week using Sugar Royal. Plagron advice to combine Sugar Royal with Green Sensation for maximum results. In addition to Sugar Royal, Green Sensation contains a flowering stimulator,

Coco-Brick for ± 10 litres of professional coconut substrate This block of compressed coconut results into 10 litres of ready-to-use coconut substrate after adding 4-5 litres of water to it. Furthermore its volume will increase approximately tenfold. As a result of its initial size the substrate is fairly easy to transport.

enzymes and the extra dose of organic phosphorus and potassium for optimal flowering.

Advantages of Sugar Royal: * best smell and taste * improved activity * more weight

Instruction Shake well before use. Add a maximum of 2 ml of Sugar Royal per 1 litre of water (1:500). Administer this nutrient solution once a week with the plant. If the growth phase takes longer than two weeks, starting from the third week of the growth phase until one week before the end of the flowering phase. If there is no growth phase start directly until one week before the end of the flowering phase.

Content 100 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml and 1 litre. Do you have any questions? Please contact the service desk via servicedesk@plagron.com For additional information about Sugar Royal and other products, www.plagron.com

it is a light product: 85 kg/m3 (peat substrate weighs 125 kg/m3) coconut has a good and swift water absorption coco substrate can be re-used the use of coconut often leads to a higher yield compared to other substrates

This substrate is thoroughly washed out and treated for diseases, vermin and weeds. Moreover, it contains special additives in order to assure a TOP result. INSTRUCTIONS: 1 Fill a bucket or tank with 4-5 litres of water 2 Let one block of Coco Brick swell up in the water 3 Stir the mixture thoroughly after about 30 minutes and you will have approximately 10 litres of ready-to-use substrate.

Compared to regular peat substrate (potting soil) coco substrate has a great number of benefits, which are: - it is easy to use - it has the low EC value of < 0.8 mS/cm - it has the ideal pH value of 5.8 - it stimulates a perfect root development - the coco substrate is not compact which makes it easy to drain

www.bionova.nl

FIVE NEW STRAINS FROM FREEDOM SEEDS

and having worked with some of the top breeders in Europe, Freedom Seeds are releasing five premium feminised strains: Big Easy (Auto), Smokey Bear (Auto), Section 6, White Witch and Freedom Cheese.

From the most potent crosses to third generation autos, Freedom Seeds brings you the very best in affordable connoisseur genetics. Freedom Seeds are dedicated to providing you with the world’s finest cannabis strains. With access to a selection of the world’s best varieties of cannabis,

The Coco Bricks are packed per 6 pieces in a carrier bag or per 24 pieces in a box. Use the special Coco Nova fertilization scheme during the growth in order to properly administer nutrients and minerals.

With years of experience Freedom Seeds know exactly what you are looking for; reliability, quality, simplicity – and all at a great price. Whether you’re a complete novice or the most experienced seed collector, Freedom Seeds are confident that you’ll be delighted at what they have to offer. Visit freedomseeds.com for more info. Don’t delay; check the website now for your 10% introductory discount on all Freedom Seeds strains!

From just plain simple to highly sophisticated, all Bio Nova ways are incredibly effective.

You decide which way to grow!

Would you like to grow things, but lack a green thumb? No problem! Use The Basic Way and be overwhelmed by the success of your effortless input! Are you a passionate grower who wants high quality? Use The Dedicated Way of growing, it will blow your mind! Or are you that perfectionist, who knows exactly what he is doing and why? The Professional Way will be your path to ultimate satisfaction!

www.bionova.nl | Distributors United Kingdom: Mariner Packaging Company Ltd. - Progrow Scotland

Your green companion in every way!

GENETICS It is estimated that the project cost around $200,000 in total, a cost that Kevin evidently does not seek to recoup through licensing use of the data, as it has been released for public use through Amazon’s EC2 cloud computing service. However, future funding is unlikely to be an issue as the interest in this project – and its results – has been phenomenal; the number of potential applications for various sectors is countless, and much more work must be done to interpret the raw data into a precise genomic structure. Having made such an initial impact, this energetic young company is sure to be making genomic headlines again in the future.

Mapping the Cannabis Genome On August 18th 2011, the Massachusetts-based company Medicinal Genomics released the raw sequence of the newly mapped Cannabis sativa genome, and is set to release the C. indica genome in a matter of weeks. This historic event is set to have far-reaching implications for the field of medicinal Cannabis research, as well as opening up the possibility of far more accurate quality control testing – and giving breeders a huge advantage in the drive to create new strains. by Kali Mist and Buddy Kush The study of genetics is a complex business in itself, and at first glance

ogy class, but would be hard-pressed to provide a decent explanation. SSUSA

why its impact on Cannabis research will be so great. Kevin McKernan, CEO of Medicinal Genomics, has a strong background in the development and implementation of sequencing technology. He was involved with the Human Genome Project and was responsible for the design of a new bench-top SOLiD sequencing instrument during his time at Life Technologies, a highly regarded biotechnology company. With Medicinal Genomics, he was able to combine his own expertise and

THE DATA HAS BEEN RELEASED FOR PUBLIC USE THROUGH AMAZON’S EC2 CLOUD COMPUTING SERVICE. appears incomprehensible for most. The majority of people vaguely remember the basics from high-school biol-

brings you up to speed, while going into a little more detail about the Cannabis genome project itself and

the unique opportunity presented by the emerging medical Cannabis market to begin his own concern.

It might be pertinent at this point to provide a short introduction to genomics. Put as succinctly as possible: genomics is the field of genome research, and is a highly specialized branch of genetic studies. The genome is the complete genetic code of which an individual is comprised, and is contained within the DNA. In most species, DNA forms chromosomes containing both genes and non-coding DNA. A gene is a stretch of DNA that controls a hereditary trait in a species; an allele is the expression or variation of that gene in individuals of the species. Non-coding DNA may represent a large proportion of the genome, but is not encoded as genes and not all of its functions are fully understood. The number of chromosomes in the genome differs between species: humans have forty-six, Cannabis just twenty; the number of genes within the chromosome also varies. DNA itself is a biological polymer or repeating macromolecule, made up of millions of sections called nucleotides. These sections are comprised of a simple sugar, a group of phosphates, and a nitrogenous base (nucleobase). This base may be one of four different compounds – adenine, guanine, thymine and cytosine. Through billions of permutations of these four bases, every living species has evolved its own unique genome.

15 Bringing you up to speed on genomic research! Sexually reproducing species, such as humans and C. sativa, usually have sets of chromosome pairs: one set inherited from the mother’s ovum (or ovule, in the case of flowering plants) and a corresponding set from the father’s sperm (angiosperm, or pollen). These sets are randomly recombined in the process of reproduction to form genetically distinct offspring. A human embryo will usually contain twenty-two pairs of non-sexual chromosomes (autosomes) and one pair of sexual chromosomes (allosomes).

in Nature Reviews, CEO Kevin McKernan soon recognized the potential for investment. Not only is the market for medical Cannabis growing at a rate of up to 50% per year in the US, but the wide range of syndromes that can be successfully treated by Cannabis and derivative preparations could well be unrivaled in nature.

Kevin McKernan, CEO of Medicinal Genomics (c. Medicinal Genomics) exact order of the four nucleobases along the polymer. The mitochondrial DNA that is contained within the chloroplast must also be mapped, as it differs from chromosomal DNA and has its own specific functions according to species.

phorosis (where dispersed particles in a fluid are forced to migrate by an electrical charge). The dyed nucleobases travel one by one through the gel, and pass through

In addition, its importance as a food crop is unquestioned, and will also increase as the market begins to expand. Furthermore, its potential as a biodiesel crop – in times when the US and other developed countries are expanding their bio-ethanol production at an unprecedented rate – may cement its role in future global trade. Hemp varieties are genetically quite different and will require separate sequencing – although this is unlikely to be too

THE MARKET FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS GROWING AT A RATE OF UP TO 50% PER YEAR IN THE USA. C. sativa usually has ten autosome pairs and one allosome pair. To map the complete genome of a sexually reproducing species the full set of chromosomes, including both the male and the female version of the allosome, must be sequenced, or tested to determine the

the company’s Amsterdam facility, and the sequencing itself was performed, using the latest high-throughput technology, by various research institutions

far away given the rapidly growing global interest in the crop. The ability to create new varieties that are ever more suited to purpose would be highly advantageous, and knowledge of the genomic structure of the strains involved could provide the basis for selection of parents as more accurate predictions can be made about the nutrient and cannabinoid profile of the offspring. Depending on the complexity of the genome and the extent of possible variation between individuals and varieties of the species in question, several techniques may be employed to sequence genomic data. The researchers at Medicinal Genomics started out using short-read technology, which analyzes short segments of DNA (around 200 base pairs) and collates the results to provide a complete picture. However, this method proved ineffectual at highlighting the true complexity of the genetic code, and longer reads were needed. The technology used to obtain the eventual results, the GS-FLX+ platform, is a Next Generation Sequencing technol-

Very few whole genomes of higher plant species have so far been mapped and published, and C. sativa is unique in being the first dioecious plant sequenced primarily for its medicinal value – other genomes mapped have either been of model plants or of oil and food crops. The medicinal plant Artemisia annua was previously sequenced to better understand the enzyme pathways that make the anti-malaria drug Arteminisin; however, Clonal amplification of DNA fragments plant growth cycle was much longer than Cannabis and it only had one medicinal (c. Medicinal Genomics) compound of interest. Cannabis has 85 cannabinoids and potentially hundreds ogy that reads the DNA in fragments up of terpenes of therapeutic interest, mak- to 750 base pairs (bp) long. They pering it a potentially far more valuable formed 49.5 million sequences, each indimedicinal plant. vidual sequence approximately 630bp in length. As little as three micrograms (μg) Medicinal Genomics intends to map the of genomic DNA, derived from any type genomes of many beneficial plants in the of organism, is sufficient to perform a future – but why was Cannabis the first sequencing. choice for them? Initially introduced to the subject through a 2003 publication The DNA purification was performed at

An L.A. Confidential triple back-cross is the first Cannabis genome to have been published (Photo by Pistils)

– including Roche’s 454 Life Sciences sequencing laboratory. The varieties used were acquired through collaboration with DNA Genetics, the Amsterdam seed company, and required special breeding programs to develop. For the indica genome sequence, triple back-crossed L.A. Confidential was used. A back-crossed specimen is the offspring of a plant and the plant’s parent, and is usually created to cement a characteristic within a strain, or possibly to breed out unwanted consequences of a previous cross. Double- or triple back-crossing misses generations to cross a specimen with its grandparent or great-grandparent. By triple back-crossing the L.A. strain, the breeders were able to create a phenotype that had great genetic similarity to its pure indica ancestors. For the sativa genome, the sativa hybrid Chemdawg was used. It is a highly regarded medical strain which, although having some indica ancestry, has a very cerebral effect and many sativa characteristics. Medicinal Genomics also worked with the Greenhouse Seed Company to investigate high CBD landraces and ruderalis varieties. Sanger Sequencing is the method used for the Human Genome Project. To purify the DNA and remove the remaining organic material, the sample is broken down mechanically, and the chromosomes are then separated into their component strands through a process known as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Polymerase refers to various enzymes that assist the replication and repair of DNA, catalyzing the linking of nucleotides in a specific order, and using a single short strand of DNA (or primer) as a template. The PCR combines polymerase with an artificial primer to create multiple instances of the same strand, each segment identical – but for one nucleotide’s difference in length. The final base of each fragment is then fluorescently dyed for identification purposes, and the bases are separated and arranged through a process of gel electro-

a laser beam, which is transformed into a different wavelength of light according to the type of base. The beam is then focused onto a spectrograph by lenses and read by a CCD camera system, and the order in which the different colors are recorded determines the original order of the nucleobases along the DNA polymer. The chromosomes are thus reconstructed into their original form, and the genome is said to be assembled. Two different Next Generation Sequencing methods, known as Sequencing by

Images from a Next Generation sequencer: billions of these DNA clusters are imaged on a glass slide. Colors indicate A,T,C,G Synthesis, were employed in the mapping of the C. sativa genome. PyroSequencing from Roche/454 uses PCR (like Sanger Sequencing above), but a massively parallel version called water-in-oil Emulsion PCR. The genome is fragmented into 700-1000 base fragments, which are modified to have the same DNA sequence on the ends, and whipped into an emulsion with other particles that contain sequences of the primer sequences. The salad dressing-like emulsion isolates one DNA molecule into a PCR-enabled water droplet surrounded by oil. This single molecule per droplet is achieved by simple dilution: most droplets are in fact empty, and a very rare few have a single DNA molecule in them. Billions of droplets will each have a distinct DNA molecule and particles present

16 endocannabinoid system, that is the most fundamental. The publication of the genomic data will inevitably lead to ethical issues being raised. Genetic modification of crops remains a controversial issue – despite widespread implementation, there are still unanswered questions regarding their effect on the ecosystem to which they are introduced. For crops grown indoors, this is less of an issue, but for large-scale outdoor cultivation the impact on biodiversity is thought to be detrimental in some cases. When dealing with a subject as complex as organic chemistry, it is very difficult to predict the effect a single modification will have on normal interactions between different elements within an ecosystem.

A close-up of L.A. trichomes (Photo by Pistils) in them. ‘Xerox’ copying the DNA molecules in these emulsion droplets effectively amplifies the signal one is looking at

The result was a sequence of 131 billion bases – far higher than the 157

contain specific genes must be located and the relevant biological information attached to the electronically-stored data. Genome annotation continues to this day for the human genome, as the total number of different expressions of the thousands of genes contained in it is staggeringly high and requires expert human input to describe. In order to assess the impact of a specific gene, genes can be deleted or disrupted in the genome and the effect observed in the resulting phenotype. This process has helped researchers identify several key genetic functions in humans, shedding light on various disorders and their causes. Once the genome is annotated, the data can be used in many ways – to determine the extent of similarity or to identify the genes responsible for similar functions

The question of whether it is better to selectively breed or genetically modify

THE GENOMIC VARIATION BETWEEN THE CANNABIS SAMPLES TESTED WAS TEN TIMES HIGHER THAN THAT SEEN IN HUMANS. in the sequencing process. Once the DNA attaches to the particles, they can be put in a plate with millions of wells in them attached to a CCD camera. Luciferase (a firefly enzyme) is used to produce light that the camera can measure every time one of the four letters in solution runs across the chip. As we flow adenosine across the chip, any droplet that has T as the next letter on the strand of DNA will create light that the camera can measure. The chip is washed and the process is repeated with the other three bases. The strands of DNA are grown with polymerase and bases sequentially added. This process is repeated 500 times for each of the four bases to reach over 700 bases of sequence, and takes approximately 24 hours to complete.

L.A. Confidential in full bloom (Photo by DNA Genetics) The Illumina Sequencing by Synthesis is fundamentally very different and uses Bridge PCR, which results in fewer DNA molecules and hence shorter DNA Read length. It also requires different detection mechanisms, requiring lasers and fluorescent dyes, but offers better sequencing accuracy – especially in sequence stretches known as homopolymers (long runs of the same letter) like AAAAAAATTTGGG.

million or so found in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, a species of flowering plant, although the data requires further interpretation to define the true size and scope of the entire genome. It is to be expected that C. sativa would show more genetic complexity than A. thaliana: the latter is from a genus of relatively simple plants; Cannabis on the other hand has highly developed systems in place, most obviously the system of cannabinoid production.

for a desired trait is difficult to answer. Breeding projects can generate quicker results via careful selection of specific phenotypes; developing strains by monitoring their genetic pathways may take longer, but should lead to a more controlled end result. However, the implications of the newly released genomic data are more widereaching than simply assisting genetic

The genomic variation between the different samples tested was over 1%, which is ten times higher than that seen in humans – this ability to express hugely different genotypes while retaining the ability to interbreed is a large part of why Cannabis Trichome-covered seeds in the L.A. is such an adaptable species, and why (Photo by DNA Genetics) it appears in so many different forms. Although much interpretive research remains to be done, the sequencing of the modification programs, and the preceentire genome, which will enable study dent set by the Medicinal Genomics team of the plant with no need for physical of making their data open-source will specimens, should throw a great deal of hopefully provide the incentive for othlight on questions that have remained ers to do the same. Without doubt, the incompletely answered thus far: the exact involvement of many will be needed to nature and function of the cannabinoid complete the next stage of this project, system, the genetic differences between and if the team releases their planned varieties and subspecies such as indica iPhone app, which will allow users to add and sativa, and the complexities of sexual genomic annotations to the sequenced reproduction, to name just a few. data, they will be providing huge support to the scientific community. For example, using the genomic data to determine the exact location and func- Functional genomics is the branch that tion of the genes that control eventual uses genome project results to assess gender within the sex chromosomes the interactions between specific genes could be determined, and the capa- and proteins and their expression in the bility for self-expression (for example phenotype. This is generally the part of when the females are left several weeks the research that takes the longest – the beyond normal harvest, and produce raw genomic data for the Human Genome genetically identical seeds in an effort Project was first released in 2001 but it to sustain the genotype) could be pin- was not until 2003 that it was declared pointed. Conversely, programs to entire- ‘complete’ (all chromosomes mapped ly breed out hermaphroditic tendencies and every gene within the chromosomes would be highly desirable for many tra- identified and located, without errors). ditional growers. But perhaps it is the question of the cannabinoid function, After assembly, the genome has to be and how exactly it relates to our own annotated – that is, the regions that

Genetically engineered Cannabis? Only simple breeding for this Swiss ‘Fraise’ (Photo by David Dee) (and how they differ) between species or varieties; to study the evolution of a species, its ancestry and developmental path, and how it fits into the taxonomic system; and ultimately to provide another piece to the unimaginably vast puzzle that is the evolutionary tree, whose roots are the protozoa of Earth’s early days and whose branches number millions. Comparative genomics specifically deals with the variation between different genomes, and is important in understanding how and in response to what pressures mutation occurs, and divergence established. It can also be used to study the adverse mutations that can arise, which for humans is already providing much information regarding the nature of cancers and why they occur. While advances in genetic research as a whole have provided much insight into the nature and importance of the Cannabis plant, the release of the C. sativa genome and the ongoing research it has engendered are set to sharply propel us into a much higher level of overall understanding. Not only this, but a clear message has been sent to the public: that Cannabis is a medicinal plant worthy of serious consideration, and that the academic community recognizes it as such. Eventually, reluctant governments across the world will be forced to follow suit. Support from credible and respected sources, such as Kevin McKernan and his team, is vital to the success of the movement, and they well deserve the plaudits they are receiving for their outstanding work. Special thanks to Kevin McKernan for his input

Atomical Haze

AMSTERDAM

Medical Cannabiis Cup Canada 2012 ategory) (Sativa Ca

CU PWIN N ER

U K R E TA I L D I S T R I B U TO R I N F O @ P U R E S AT I VA . C O M

020 8964 1717

“Like uss” on

facebook

and receive a 20% discount promo code! www.facebook.com/paradiseeseedsofﬁcial

Pandora

CU PWIN N ER

Highlife Cannabis Cup 2012 (Autoﬂowering category)

AMS

TERD

Paradise Seeds Shop: 020 7371599 Paradise Seeds Ofﬁce: 020 6795422

Fax: +31 342461027 info@paradise-seeds.com www.paradise-seeds.com Postbus 377 - 1000 AJ Amsterdam- Holland

OPEN EVERY DAY 10.00 AM - 8.0 00 PM GRAVENSTRAAT 12 IN AMSTERDAM, JUST BEHIND DAM SQUARE.

CANNABIS BABES Like you wouldn’t have done this if you got high. If you were high, you would have thought...For instance, I’d never got into a traffic accident if I were high. Only when I was sober. (laughs) Just saying. For the record, I don’t smoke and drive, of course.

Sarah Jaine

What’s your favorite strain? I’d have to say Jack Frost is one of my favorite strains. I also like Blue Berry or Northern Lights. Banana Kush is delicious. Y’know what, I have to say that every strain matters upon grower. It’s kind of like a fine wine with cannabis, if you really think about it. There are certain growers that have a certain strain that they do really, really well. They know this strain inside out and it’s, well, orgasmic. And it’s like their signature of the house. The thing they do best. So I’d have to say that a favorite strain depends on a grower. Maybe we need to stop looking at it as so much of a strain, and focus more on how it’s grown, and been taken care of. That’s quality, too. How it’s grown, how it’s taken care of – that really needs to be a focus. Not some hip designer name. I don’t fucking care. I care about quality, not some fucking name. And the worst is when we name it after some stupid fucking celebrity. When Charlie Sheen was in the news, we had Charlie Sheen Kush. I mean it’s nice to have a strain – but the only person that really deserves to have a strain named after him would be the fucking grower. They’re the ones putting the time and effort into it. If there’s gonna be a new strain after years of work, combining genetics, it’s gonna be through a fucking grower, not some celebrity. Let’s quit the childish games and get old. To change subject, how do you like it here in Amsterdam? Your favorite places to go? I like it, everyone is so friendly. The Greenhouse is definitely my favorite coffeeshop – I actually worked for them. Barney’s is nice, too. Amnesia is also nice. The smoke is all right here, even though I miss my California weed.

Sarah is all that and more in one gorgeous person. Soft Secrets had a great pleasure and a rare opportunity to welcome Sarah in our Amsterdam’s office during her short stay in Europe. This interview proves that beauty and intelligence combine well, at least in this one special blonde girl: she definitely has strong opinions, and Interview: Sebastian Daniel knows how to voice them! Please introduce yourself. My name is Sarah Jain, I’m 29 years old, and I travel the world smoking weed. I got started in the cannabis scene when I was... Well, I was born into it, honestly. My mom told me that my dad spent all the money that they had when they were married on hash. He could be given

a thousand dollars and he’d spend it all on hash. So is it any wonder that I came out the way I did? My earliest childhood memory is that red tray that we had, and we had birds, and we had seeds on this red tray, and my dad would say: “These are the special seeds we give to the birds. They really like these.”

On diet of hemp seeds, birds sing more... Yeah. When I first started smoking, it was one of the most familiar smells. It smelled like my childhood. Every time in my life that I would try to cut back on smoking, or stop smoking, there would be some really bad life lessons.

What kind of music are you into? Well, everybody hates my music – I’m a metal-head. I was in “Curl of the Burl”- Mastodon’s Grammy Nominated music video. I killed people with my laser boobies – they will burn you! (at this point in time, Sarah goes topless which leaves the interviewer in awe and speechless for a while) Have you ever heard of the FEMEN group from Ukraine – female activists getting naked in public for political reasons, often getting arrested afterwards? Recently they supported the Russian band Pussy Riot, for example. No, not really. But I like them already. Boobies bring attention. This is what we need right now – more tits. Make love, not war. There’s a strong link between sex and aggression. I wish hundreds of

19 millions of not-so-free women around the world could follow your example

mythological figure was guardian of the garden and a symbol of vitality and

tits. Not to death, obviously. Not like in Mastodon’s video.

THE ONLY PERSON THAT REALLY DESERVES TO HAVE A STRAIN NAMED AFTER HIM IS THE FUCKING GROWER, NOT SOME STUPID CELEBRITY. and go topless, even without a cause. It’s a sin that their religion won’t allow it, in most cases. Before biblical religions and the patriarchal period, there was this Slavic European goddess called Konopielka, which literally means “Hemp Lady”. This

fertility. She would punish those sinners who showed disrespect towards her or that which she cared for – and tickle them to death with her breasts.

Thank you. Big love to all the “Soft Secrets Magazine” readers! www.sarahjain.com

Just like my “laser boobies”! When my boyfriend is bad, I totally go up to him and whack him in the face with my

Photos courtesy of http://dazedvixens.com/

TRAVEL

Rastaman Live Up! Wah Gwaan? E’reyting irie? Welcome to the land of Bolt and Marley. Jamaica must be the most romanticised ganja holiday destination in the world they got the ‘erb, the Rastaman vibrations, the scenic beauty of the Caribbean, the weather of the tropics, loads of rum, and

go and look for some smoke if you want it. In the rest of the country it comes to find you. Ganja smokers can have a great time in this city though; it’s home to the Bob Marley museum, Tuff Gong record studios, Trench Town and it’s Culture Yard, and the sound system street parties happening every night of the week. Then there’s all

forty quid an ounce but you can pick up an oz of bush weed for as little as three pound fifty, and even that’s good shit. A typical street score comes in a fifty dollar bag (about 40p). For that you get around three joints worth, which makes it literally cheaper than cigarettes. It’s everywhere as well; so many Jamaicans smoke ganja that it has become completely entrenched in the country’s culture, despite it’s illegality. And herein lies the problem that affects so many people in this country... Under laws created in 1987, possession of ganja, even if it’s just one joint, will land you in court facing a minimum fine of fifty Jamaican dollars. Remember that’s only about forty pence English, less than the taxi fare to get to court, but

a uniquely spicy blend of passion, energy, humour, and religion. SSUK’s roaming reporter has just been out to mix it up on the tough streets of this beautiful island with some of the local smokers, dealers and growers; to check out their famous weed and to hear their stories about the cops, the courts, and how this Babylon shitstem’s still keeping them down after fifty years of so-called independence... “It don’ mek no sense mon, no sense a’ all to a brudda like me.” Kingston, the capital, is most peoples first experience of Jamaica. The ganja scene here is a little bit different to the rest of the country – in Kingston you actually have to

By The Professor

but they need to eat and survive so they deal a bit of weed, it’s just a food hustle man, no one in Jamaica gets rich from selling ganja on the street. Anyway, they get caught with a bit by the cops, go to court, get a record and then they know at maybe seventeen or eighteen years old that their hope of escaping to somewhere where they can get a good education or make some money is completely fucked - they’re stuck here forever. The real bitch of the system is the fucking bumbaclaat government uses reggae music and the image of the most famous ganja smoker in the world to promote tourism in this country! It’s like they tell the world ‘Come to Jamaica, listen to reggae, and chill out on a beautiful beach with a glass of rum and a big fat spliff’ and then they fuck the people for living like they way what they promote.”

“it means you get a criminal record, which means you can never get a work visa or a student visa to go to the US or the UK. The education system here is shit as well, and

Another Kingston local told us “It’s da fuckin shitstem man! People ain got no jobs, dey ain got no schoolin so all d’ere is lef fa

there’s no jobs around, unemployment is really bad – a lot of kids leave school with no qualifications and they can’t get a job,

peeps t’do is smoke ganj an ‘ustle. Then the government tell em they ain’ got no jobs cos dey lazy and dem smoke too much ganja

the dancehall and Hip Hop clubs dotted around, and hundreds of little local bars spinning the old school roots. The atmosphere of the whole city is proper lively too – Jamaicans love to talk, they love to joke, and they like to do it loud! It can be a bit intimidating at first but if you’re a stand-up geezer you’ll get along fine, “but you can’t be fuckin pussy mon, if you pussy in this country it gonna tear you da fuck up!” Or so says Martin anyway, that’s the sort of advice you get from the Trench Town hardcore. In Kingston the quality and prices vary accordingly – some sticky, icky ‘igh grade’s gonna set you back anywhere up to about

22 and it’s da ganja wha make em lazy, bu dey only smokin ganja cos d’ere ain no fuckin else t’ing to do no ‘ow!” The amount of time that the police spend pulling over cars on the streets is really starting to piss people off as well: “Why

was pissed! That’s why he was so loud and aggressive – a bloody drunk traffic cop pulling peeps over and checking them out for ganja! He didn’t search me so I could laugh afterwards, but it’s no wonder the cops out here aren’t too popular.

THE SYSTEM KEEPS US DOWN, IT’S THE SYSTEM THAT MAKES THIS COUNTRY THE WAY IT IS. dem live on the street’s pullin over cars lookin fe ganj all da time? Man, this country got some serious problems, violence, sexual nastiness and serious poverty mon, and

If worst comes to worst and you do get caught on the street with a bit of puff in your pocket you’ll be able to pay most cops off with a J$4000 kick back, but be

d’ere some crazy muthafuckas here but da police dem a’bustin small people all da time when da big gangsta man go free.”

subtle about it eh! Don’t ask how much they want to let you go, ask them if there’s anyway that you could possibly sort this situation out here and now – that way you won’t go landing yourself with an attempted bribery charge – that’ll cost quite a bit more to wriggle out of!

This is no exaggeration either, in my three weeks in the country I was in cars that got pulled over on four or five occasions. Most of the time they were just happy to hassle the driver for his documents, but not always... We were getting a lift back from Trench Town late one night after a few biffs and a couple of Red Stripes when a big baldheaded cop stopped our cab in the dark ghetto streets: “E’rey one, get out.” He demanded documents from the driver but something didn’t seem right, the cop was loud and aggressive, he looked like he wanted a fight. He took the driver away from the taxi and they talked for a few minutes. Then the cop came over to me where I wasl standing by the cab, still under the watchful eye of his partner. He towered over me, looking down at me through his glasses... “You smoke ganja bwoy?” He was right in my face and he shouted the question at me. “Nah man” I smiled a wide eyed smile and shook my head. He looked me up and down for a few seconds, then he turned away but he stumbled, a proper drunken stumble! He

As a tourist you’ll be relatively safe from the police though, but for locals it’s no joke: “If you get known as a smoker then the police will keep targeting you until they catch you with something, they’ll stop you when you walking in the streets, when you driving your car, and if they see you in someone else’s car then they stop that as well. I don’t know why they do it, maybe fifty or sixty per cent of the court time here is used for petty ganja offences – it costs the country so much money and the punishments keep us down as well, if more of us could leave to get a good education then we could really help this country... Maybe the police do it to justify their jobs but a lot of people think it’s because of the US and international politics – this country needs help with loans but if we make ganja legal then maybe they gonna make us their enemy instead of their friend, then we’re really fucked!” If there was ever a country in the world that desperately needed to revolutionise it’s cannabis laws it’s Jamaica; not only has the plant become part of the national character and identity, but legalisation would turn a costly criminal and social issue into a taxable and controllable product...

“Dem peeps wha say legalisation gawn be a bad ting don fuckin know nuttin mon, right now we got ikkle gals, eight fuckin bumbaclaat years ol mon, and dey burnin up d’erb on’a corners n talkin like dey fuckin rudebwoy gangsta. Kids still gawn smoke when it’s legal b’at leas dem’a won av ta stan on’a street like fuckin gangsta when dem’a wanna burn it up!

Fe real, da wah God gawn say in’a Bible! Jah, Ras Tafari!” Ricky Chaplin takes things a little deeper:

So many a da yout roun ere got big fuckin problems man, they got nuttin in life to look forward to – dey depressed, despondent and don give a fuck about nuttin no more, it’s different t’ow it used to be, specially in da ghe’o – tings ere was always ard but people was friendly and used ta

“Ras mean da ‘ead, man cannot create nuttin wi’out de ‘ead! Tafari mean da powa o da ‘Oly Trinity – so Ras Tafari is de ‘ead creator o da ‘Oly Trinity... Ras Tafari is not just for one nation, is not only for the black, it is not a religion. Ras Tafari is love, unity, equal rights and justice to one and all, to da Eart’, to da Moon, to da stars, da rivers, water, Mudda of All Creation... Ras Tafari is one ‘art, one mind, one destiny – a current da run t’ru all ‘uman bein. Ras Tafari is just one word, L O V E love, and love is Jah, and Jah is Ras Tafari.

smile a lot, now dem a younguns be tough mon, dey ain’t got no ope fe a betta life an da draags dis country down mon –

If you want to know a true Rasta don’ look fe see a man av locks pon is ‘ead, some men av dem locks fah style, an udda men who live

DIS WEED GON GIVE A MAN ABILITIES T’UNASTAN WAH DA WORL’ BE TELLIN ‘IM Jamaican people got some serious fuckin talent bwoy, if we could use da talent fe good tings den dese peeps could av a positive contribution t’dis society ‘stead o runnin roun like pretty bumbaclaat fuckin fools mon.”

da Rasta way may no’a av no locks pon dey ‘ead, but I could still see dem as Rasta. If you wahn know a man be true Rasta jus observe his attitude, da way im’a deal wi ‘uman, wi da Eart’, sea and Universe. Look ow e share love wi one annuda, ow e speak, cos da’s da way you gonna know da real Ras Tafari.”

This is the big issue in the lives of so many Jamaican’s, and their friends and families, that “you gotta write about this, please write about it, let people know what’s happening – Jamaican people have a crazy reputation in the world but the system keeps us down, it’s the system that makes this country the way it is.”

What about the Rasta scene though? What and who are these laws actually supposed to be fighting? What happens when a culture takes ganja in to it’s heart? What sort of philosophies do they come up with? What exactly is Ras Tafari? “We use da Wisdom Weed cos dis weed gon give a man abilities t’unastan wah da worl’ be tellin ‘im - when a man rea da Bible he gawn fhyn da Jah cause da grass to grow fo da cattle, an all de ‘erbs wah be on’a face o dis eart’ be fah da service o man! Yeah mon!

And so go the teachings of the ‘erb – peace, love, and unity. One heart, one soul, one mind, one love. Ain’t no reason to be scared of ganja, Jamaicans or the Rasta’s, only thing we got to be scared of is the nutters in suits who use their oppressive laws to coerce us into participating in their shitstem, and to marginalise the people that have the balls and imagination to live outside of it. Jah! Ras Tafari.

OUTDOOR GROWING, WITH DUTCH PASSION

The Great Outdoors 2013 This is the time of year when many growers start to fantasise about how they can grow their best-ever outdoor ‘guerrilla’ crop. Growing indoors is not possible for

many smaller plants and weeds have died back. This allows a unique view of the countryside and may allow you to spot a suitable growing location.

facing plots with the minimum amount of shade. Especially for growers in Northern Europe, where summers are already short, the cannabis plants need a sheltered and

25 By Tony, Dutch Passion

spots with online maps there is no substitute for visiting the spot yourself. The first question to ask yourself is whether it is safe and private enough to grow without anyone noticing it. Sometimes the ideal grow spot takes many hours to find and is very remote. At other times the grower will find the perfect grow spot which is nearby yet stealthy. If you don’t yet have a pair of walking boots then it is worth investing in some. Many outdoor growers find that guerrilla growing gives them a good excuse to spend more time outdoors. Get to know the local public footpaths in the areas that you are considering for growing, you will find these ‘rights of way’ online or on printed maps. Ideally you do not want to be growing on anyone else’s land. You do not want to be questioned by farmers who have found you walking on their land with a back-pack of cannabis seedlings or freshly cropped aromatic herbs.

everyone, so where the climate allows it ‘outdoor’ growing is becoming more and more popular. At Dutch Passion we get to speak with lots of successful outdoor growers, here is a collection of their best tips which will give you a good chance of outdoor success in 2013. Just a few mature female cannabis plants can be enough to provide a grower with a year’s supply of recreational or medical stash. So even if you have never grown outdoors before, with a little bit of planning and a pack of decent seeds you may be able to become self sufficient in your cannabis supply and never need to buy weed again. Even in the growing number of countries where growing is legal/de-criminalised, the grower often has to find a safe grow location where the cannabis plants will be safe from thieves. Winter is a great time of year to go walking to look for future plots. The leaves have fallen from the tree’s and

The dedicated outdoor grower often has several grow locations, so even if some plants are lost there are still enough backup plants. The best plots are often used for many years and can be developed and improved by the grower. The earth can be dug over during winter/spring,

sunny spot where they have the best possible chance of success. Always look for spots that can’t be easily found by other people, farmers or dog-walkers. Often the determined grower will create his own private plot by crawling into the undergrowth, perhaps in the centre of

Some people do grow in urban areas but these are not as easy to find and keep hidden. If you are really lucky you will be able to grow safely in your own garden, but even those growers that have a back garden often prefer not to grow there.

RATHER THAN PLANT SEEDS OUTDOORS, YOU WILL HAVE MORE SUCCESS BY PLANTING OUT SMALL SEEDLINGS THAT ARE A FEW WEEKS OLD. fertilizers can be added, and the quality of the soil can be steadily improved. Weeds and undesired plants can be removed. Sometimes the grower will deliberately add extra plants such as brambles nearby to deter people and animals from getting too close. The hardest part of outdoor growing is finding and preparing the plot. Online mapping programs such as Bing and Google maps are a good way for outdoor growers to look for potential growing locations. The best places are south

brambles, and hacking down a suitably sized area. Then comes the hard job of digging in manure, fertilizers and nutrients. Always leave enough foliage around the outside of your plot to keep the centre hidden. Keeping the plot entrance hidden is just as important as keeping the crop hidden. For this reason many growers create a ‘tunnel’ that must be crawled through. Often the entrance to this tunnel is next to a tree or riverbank to minimise the chances of accidental discovery. Although it is helpful to look for suitable

Even when growing cannabis in the middle of a hidden bramble plot it is important to protect the cannabis plants with wire-mesh or plastic-mesh to stop rabbits or other animals from feeding on your plants. You can use tent pegs to keep a wire-mesh tube in place around a plant. You will also need to guard against slugs and may want to use either slug pellets or slug-repelling copper wire around the base of your plants. If you are able to visit your plants periodically then it may be neces-

26 ises this final visit well. Often the visit is planned carefully at a time which will give the most privacy. The plant is trimmed and the buds put into an air-tight container such as sealable plastic kitchen containers. Any remaining plant waste at the plot is dug into the soil so no evidence remains. The wire-mesh tubes used to protect the small seedlings should also be removed to keep the site clean for the following year. Any other items, plastic bags, shovels etc should also be removed to make sure the site looks natural when you have left it.

sary to re-apply slug pellets around the base of the plants. Rather than plant seeds outdoors, you will have more success by planting out small seedlings that are a few weeks old. Often

Many growers will only visit the plants 2 or 3 times before they harvest them. No-one wants to leave tracks through the countryside which lead directly to your crop. The most professional of outdoor growers will only visit a couple of times,

ONE KEY PIECE OF ADVICE IS TO USE A PROVEN OUTDOOR VARIETY FROM A SEEDBANK THAT YOU TRUST. growers will start their plants indoors and will try to ‘harden’ their plants to outdoor conditions by putting them outdoors for a few hours each day. When the weather is good enough it is time to transport your plants to your grow-location and plant them. Usually the seedlings are placed in a protective box and put in a ruck-sack. The grower can approach the spot, ensure it is safe, and enter it with the plants. The ground should already have been fully prepared before the planting. Often the visit to plant the seedlings is a fairly quick

job, the preparatory work should have already been done. Some growers protect plants against deers by surrounding the grow area with a perimeter fence of fishing line. This doesn’t harm deer but it often persuades them to graze elsewhere. Some outdoor growers use boats, or waders (waterproof trousers) to access very remote locations for growing.

perhaps to add water and nutrients. But in very hot countries, such as Spain, more

frequent visits may be required simply to provide enough water to the plants. But the best advice is to avoid the temptation to keep visiting your plants. In Northern Europe the plants should be able to lay down a deep root system during the wet spring weather. They won’t need watering unless they get an unusually dry summer or persistent drought. The most nerve-wracking time for outdoor growers is the final visit to harvest the crop and transport it back home for drying. The smart outdoor grower organ-

One key piece of advice is to use a proven outdoor variety from a seedbank that you trust. These days there are many seedbanks that only offer cannabis seeds for indoor growing. Growing varieties that were bred for indoor growing is rarely a recipe for success unless you are growing in a good climate, better to choose a proven outdoor variety. Dutch Passion have a number of outdoor varieties such as Frisian Dew, Durban Poison, Passion #1, Holland’s Hope and others that were bred selectively over many years with offspring chosen for their robustness outdoors. Choose good outdoor genetics and prepare your plot well and you should have a very good chance of success. Some outdoor varieties will reach 2-3 metres in height and yield several hundred grams of good quality cannabis from each plant if they can be given plenty of sun and a well prepared plot with good quality soil. So if you have never considered growing outdoors before perhaps you will want to give it a go in 2013. Once you have found a good plot and grown some outdoor weed you will find you have a new hobby which you will enjoy for many years. Good luck!

STRAINS

New amazing and mindblowing strains Paradise Seeds has introduced 6 great new varieties last year. 2 Feminised varieties are dating back to the late nineties (classics ) And 4 Autoflowering varieties are selected from famous ancestors for their superb genetics .

In warmer climates multiple harvests outdoors per year are possible. In tropical are as you can grow these the whole year round. In all Paradise Seeds autoflowering varieties there is a small part of

Ruderalis which is responsible for the autoflowering effect. The art of breeding is to select plants that have the autoflowering gene without the lesser quality of the Ruderalis plants. This can only be achieved over several generations of breeding.

The brand new releases by Paradise Seeds are , Original White Widow (IBL) and Original Cheese (IBL) Yes the names are familiar, but they are different ... these are the original classics! They come straight from the source, true breeds given to us by the original breeders years ago, and only now released to the world. They are excellent breeding material and are far superior to most varieties with these names,. Paradise also releases four new Autoflowering varieties of the finest quality. The time that autoflowering plants are tasting similar to hay or Ruderalis is over, at least for Paradise Seeds varieties. Auto Atomical Haze Acid, Auto Jack, Auto Wappa and Auto White Berry are all potent and tasty.

Auto Wappa

Auto Jack

These plants become strong and yield copious amounts of resinous buds. Due to the great genetics that Paradise Seeds has used in the breeding program they are guaranteed to satisfy. Autoflowering varieties start flowering regardless the amount of hours (sun) light per day. Therefore autoflowering plants can finish early outdoors, within 2,5 months after germination. It is ideal for colder regions to harvest in summer, end of July, beginning of August, when the sunlight is still strong. Even in the month of June it is possible to start germinating seeds to be able to harvest on Auto Acid time, before it gets to cold or humid!

Auto Whiteberry

GROW WITH LITTLE LEBOWSKI

pH! WTF? pH must be one of the most widely discussed subjects amongst growers and also one of the most often blamed factors when a grow starts to go bad. But what does PH actually measure? Why is it important? Is there a way to grow that gets you around having to adjust pH of your By Little Lebowski nutrient solution? So, WTF is it? Put simply, the pH scale is used to measure how acid or alkali a solution is compared to pure water. When you measure pH, you are actually measuring the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution compared to distilled water (pure water). The term pH stands for ‘Potential Hydrogen’. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with a reading of 7 being neutral. So, pure water is classed as 7 (neutral) and when you test the pH of a solution you are comparing the amount of hydrogen ions present compared to this neutral point. All readings below 7 are considered acidic and all readings above 7 are considered alkali (although, the technical term

for a grower. If you thought it was a pain in the arse to keep your pH within a scale of between 5.8 and 6.8 just remember that the fluctuation of 1 point equates to 10x the acidity or alkalinity. You should be able to handle that, right?

So, why is it important for growing? Quick and simple answer is that plants can only absorb the full spectrum of nutrients that they require if they are delivered within a certain pH range. When the pH drops too low the availability of phosphorus decreases significantly, followed by (in no particular order);

PLANTS CAN ONLY ABSORB THE FULL SPECTRUM OF NUTRIENTS THAT THEY REQUIRE IF THEY ARE DELIVERED WITHIN A CERTAIN PH RANGE is that the solution is ‘basic’ if it has a pH of over 7, but don’t worry about that!). Every reading (or number) on the scale represents an increase or decrease in concentration to a multiple of 10. This means that a solution with a pH of 6 is 10 times more acidic than a solution with a pH of 7. A solution with a pH of 4 is a 1000 times more acidic than a solution with a pH of 7. This is called an exponential logarithmic scale... but, again, don’t worry too much about that! Having an understanding of the differences between numbers is important

nitrogen, magnesium, calcium, potassium and sulphur. When the pH rises too high the availability of iron decreases. The optimum pH range differs depending on your growing method. When growing in soil the ideal range is just below neutral, between 6 and 7, when growing in hydro or coco the ideal range is slightly lower, between 5.5 and 6. Unlike in soil, the pH in a hydroponic solution can fluctuate quickly. This is because soil contains microbial life which helps to stabilise pH, whereas Invest in a digital pH meter for there will be fewer - if any - microbial easy and accurate readings life present in a hydroponic solution.

How to test pH This is fairly straightforward, you use a pH tester from your local grow shop! In all seriousness, it’s better to use an accurate tester from your hydro store than a cheap kit. First off, forget litmus paper from when you were in school, that was fine for trying to find the difference between lemon juice and baking soda, but it won’t cut it for fine tuning the pH levels for your beloved plants.

DON’T FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR PH BANG ON A CERTAIN NUMBER - IN RECIRCULATING SYSTEMS THIS WILL BE PRETTY MUCH IMPOSSIBLE Reagent tests are cheap and very accurate. These involve taking a small sample of the nutrient solution in a test tube and adding a couple of drops of reagent to it. The colour of the sample will then change and you can match it against a colour chart. Quick, simple and cheap - the reagent kits are just few quid from the grow shop and will last you a full grow. Digital pH meters are your second, more expensive (upwards of £35-£40), but ultimately more accurate option. They involve placing a measuring probe into the nutrient solution; the meter then measures the pH and displays it as a reading on a digital display. Nice and simple. The meters do require some maintenance to keep them operating smoothly - regular cleaning of the probe and calibrating the meter to a set pH point (usually 7) a few times throughout the grow will need to be done. But it’s worth the effort.

Changing pH Should you need to change the pH of your solution there are some fairly

30 inexpensive options available from your grow shop. pH down is usually supplied in the form of phosphoric acid - this will also add an extra dose of

Let it ride! Don’t feel like you have to keep your pH bang on a certain number - in recirculating systems this will be pretty

TEMPERATURE AFFECTS THE PH OF A SOLUTION. IT RISES IN COLDER TEMPS AND LOWERS IN WARMER TEMPS phosphor to your solution. Some of the more advanced pH down’s available are a blend of several acids, for example nitric, sulphuric and phosphoric, these prevent too much of an imbalance of one element from occurring. pH up can be given as potassium hydroxide which will increase the potassium levels in a solution as well as increasing pH. Another good option is potassium silicate, which increases pH as well as giving a nice dose of silicon to the plants.

much impossible. It’s certainly acceptable to allow the nutrient solution to ride between 5.8 and 6.8, in fact it is fairly common for pH to drift up and down as the plants uptake and deposit certain elements into and out of the solution. Constantly using pH up and down to ‘fix’ your pH at 6, will do more harm than good as you are unbalancing your nutrient solution every time you adjust pH.

pH pointers - Check the pH of your tap water before

adding your nutrients to reveal your ‘background’ pH. - The majority of nutrients and additives on the market will affect pH. Add them to your water and mix well before checking pH and feeding your plants. Most base nutrients will bring your pH down, so don’t worry if your background pH seems high. It’s important to check it after you’ve added the nutrients.

your plants with availability of all the elements they need. Happy growing!

- Temperature affects the pH of a solution. It rises in colder temps and lowers in warmer temps. ALWAYS try to take your pH readings at a similar time in the day; otherwise the fluctuations could just be down to the temperature of the solution. For example, pure water has a pH of 7 at 25 degrees Celsius, a pH of 6.5 at 50 degrees and a pH of 7.5 at 0 degrees. - Let it ride! Allowing the pH to fluctuate across the useful range will provide

Potassium silicate is a great pH up

So what would be the problem with legalised cannabis? It currently appears as if every day, almost, there are signs that we may well be creeping ever closer to a fairly major change in the laws and sanctions around cannabis. Once upon a time it was only retired-police chiefs, retired-politicians and so on who would put their heads above the parapet and say “the drug laws are wrong” (I should say that with this kind of thing I’m a cynic and regard such people as emboldened by the knowledge that what they say is largely risk-free and therefore their pension funds are safe. Ahem...), it is now serving policemen and politicos who are ringing the changes. Okay, they’re largely in countries other than the UK, but let’s not split hairs. Prediction: if anything happens – and it surely must – it will begin with cannabis. So many people use cannabis that it would fly in the face of logic not to start with it. But, and here is the cynic coming out to play again, would legalisation necessarily be a good thing? I’m not going to talk about how it would be distributed, sold, taxed and the rest of it. I’d like to talk about one of those not talked about things. As far as the chemicals involved in hydroponic growing of weed, the jury appears to be out regarding the longer term effects on health. However, I personally don’t see there being any big health advantages to ingesting something that’s basically been created in a bath of chemicals. I’ve written about this before over the years, in these pages and elsewhere, so won’t dwell on it any further. Of greater concern is the potential environmental impact. I’ve started wondering about getting rid of

said chemicals. At present, even with fairly major growers, it’s unlikely we’re talking about anything particularly catastrophic (although it’s not actually known as nobody appears to have looked at this issue seriously). However, put big business (along ng with their insatiable drive to create new w markets and expand at all costs) into nto the equation, we’re potentially looking king at vastly more chemicals looking for a place to go. Consider also the amount of elec-tricity required for heating and d lighting; this would undermine the he whole issue of reducing our carbon rbon footprints. Increase the greenhouse ouse effect so more people can get stoned and put more profit into shareholders pockets?

Dr Dee

ous parties of my acquaintance, it would be a full on free market way of doing. Essentially, the model would be the same one as used in alcohol manufacture, which is to say industrial/ factory scale produc production; that’s worrying from an environmental environmen point of view. On the other hand, I’m also acquainted with a number of organic grownum ers, who believe they are w doing a good thing from the point of view of what they produce and how p they the produce it. And as far as it goes, I’m with them on this: growing th outdoors using animal o shit seems a far better way of doing it (see almost anything by Jack Herer for mo more about this) than under artificial light in bucke buckets of chemicals. Build a little greenhouse! Build a little polytunnel! Grow a couple G l off plants l iin your window!

To my mind at least, the prospect ct of a big business takeover of the “industry” (and let’s t’s make no mistake here: that’s exactly what it is) concerning. At present the weed industry doesn’t really seem to work within one particular model. There are the small cottage industries, some of whom produce organic product, but many of whom are chemical-dependent (in the growing sense). Then there are the bigger set-ups, most of which are money/profit driven and therefore almost entirely chemical-dependent.

Supposedly, we’re already heading for an environmental “tipping point”. I don’t know whether that’s true or not, but can’t see any point in adding to what’s a pretty bleak situation. Weed causing environmental damage? Does anyone else see the irony in that?

The way it’s being talked about in America by vari-

dimethyltryptamine777@hotmail.com

® www.sweetseeds.es

Best Seeds Bank Expocannabis 2007

Best Seeds Bank Spannabis 2008

During flowering, around 80% of the plants acquire purple or reddish tones in the buds and some of them even develop purple leaves too. After harvested and dried the buds gain a very dark purple tone, almost black.

3S - 21,90€ 5S - 36,50€ 10S - 73,00€

3S - 24,90€ 5S - 41,50€ 10S - 83,00€

3S - 22,50€ 5S - 37,50€ 10S - 75,00€

s lt of the cros mel ra is is the resu genetics. Th - the original Cream Caending g rin we flo rs, desc 100% Auto r most awarded strain purple flowe between ou autoflowering strain of al distance, big od and an exoticni Kush ancestors. rn da short inte from pakistaoks like an Indica, with a stem, compact buds an This plant lo all branches in the mainproducer. numerous smis strain is a great resin d fruity, featuring a our Cream main cola. Th’s aroma is very sweet an herited from Black Creamof some earthy tones in background Caramel.

n e hybridizatioBig e result of th ain. This is th autoflowering genetics rs, str g rin we flo ed we 100% Auto of our most appreciat g strain with purple flo between oned an exotic autoflowerin ddha Seeds. The purpleancestor. kistani Kush bringing Devil XL - an th the collaboration of Bu d from its pa developed wi of this strain is inherite faster flowering period, a tic r ris fo te e ac ut vil XL. char to our Big De netics contrib ants The purple geomas and purple coloursour since germination. Pl ng main ar t vig ee id with a stro hybr new sw ids ng ro br st hy a a s ow Sativ cola Dark Devil she appearance of Indica- ishing with a big main tion is produc grow with thmerous side branches, fin anches. Resin s. Sweet and br e nu sid d e an th on leave stem smaller buds surrounding and multiplethe flowers and in their delightful citrus tones. abundant in th hints of incense and wi fruity aroma

e most een one of thexotic an idization betw strain. Hybrlog - Green Poison - and pakistani g rin we flo from 100% Auto strains from our cata rs, descending appreciated g strain with purple flowe iva hybrid. at -S ca autoflowerinors. di . The ce of an In Kush ancest ows with the appearanthe first stages of growthches. Red Poison great hybrid vigour from d long flexible side branresin. It shows a gr p a strong main stem an covered with aromaticand plants develooduces thick dense budsnt and intense. Sweet This strain proma are both very pleasa Taste and ar ft Skunk background. so fruity with a

wering 100% Autoflooor Harvest: Indoor/Outd germination er 8 weeks aft 10 cm Height: 60-1

wering 100% Autoflooor Harvest: Indoor/Outd er germination aft s ek 8½ we 30 cm Height: 80-1

wering 100% Autoflooor Harvest: Indoor/Outd germination 8 weeks after20 cm Height: 60-1

¡¡Red version of

Cream Caramel!!

wering d non-autoflo Feminized an Sweet Special r version of ou ing ultra-fast ur Auto now feat strain is an F1 is flowering. Th from the cross ng hybrid resulti ized hybrid bil between a sta ruit and a ef ap Gr tion of Hog x of 3rd genera selected strain g. rin we flo to ial au of Sweet Spec This version sired sweet tic and de ris te ac a ar s, ch lie trait preserves the ent of candies or fruit jel efruit. sc ap aroma, remini its ancestors Hog and Gr ain is m rsions this str st inherited fro her F1 Fast Ve d fa Just like our ot its great hybrid vigor an th aromatic by distinguished ucing big buds covered wi od pr flowering, few weeks. resin in just a

: 60%/40% Indica/Sativaing: 7 weeks Indoor Boom est: Mid September Outdoor harv

3S - 23,90€ · 5S

wering d non-autoflo Feminized an Green Poison now r version of ou -fast flowering. This featuring ultra brid resulting hy strain is an F1 between an s from the cros r appreciated ou elite clone of d a selected 3rd an Green Poison flowering strain. to generation au ady to harvest with re This strain is vered of abundant co thick buds all the flowering er aft only 6 weeks aromatic resin gins. -Sativa be photoperiod the appearance of Indica owth, a ve gr The plants ha exceptionally vigorous of flowers. an hybrids, with ring and large production ense hint int very fast flowe and aroma with a sweet Exquisite taste outdoor nt to mold in of fruit. arkably resista fast flowering m re is ain str its to This ring that due rvest to the grows, conside ds in anticipating its ha ee the plant succ botrytis usually attacks. ich period in wh : 70%/30% Indica/Sativaing: 6 weeks Indoor Boom est: Early September rv ha Outdoor

,00€ - 39,80€ · 10S - 79

3S - 22,50€ · 5S Also available:

Also available:

,00€ - 37,50€ · 10S - 75

een Green Poison · Gr

to Sweet Special Au

New packages tion!! for your collec Distributors in UK

our

Poison Auto

to Cram Caramel Au Cram Caramel l· F1 · Black Cream 58,00 € me ra Ca m Crea

Version ¡¡Big Devil Rowsed!! grows Big Devil family

wering d non-autoflo Feminized anmost awarded strain e version. Th eet Seeds catalog from the Swmel - now featuring Cream Cara wering. This strain is ultra-fast flo which is the result an F1 hybridbetween an elite of the cross Cream Caramel and a clone of our in of 3rd generation selected stra to the Indica side. autos leaningof Cream Caramel This version rning into plants r, tu hybrid vigou structure. Shows great ng ro st a s ca show l mainly Indi ring. fsp with the usua of caramel, with y in all the homogeneit very sweet resembling the Blue m is a fro om ed ar rit al The and hues inhe of the origin earthy tones intervenes in the cross genetics that of s ite vour mel. Cream Cara strains are usually the fa with high THC This kind of abis users. Chemotypesrelaxing and a nn e ca l id prov medica ough CBD to levels and en t effect. antidepressan : 90%/10% Indica/Sativaing: 7 weeks Indoor Boom est: Mid September rv Outdoor ha

3S - 21,90€ · 5S Also available:

in Red version!

d nonFeminized an version of our g autoflowerin now featuring se Sweet Chee ring. This strain is we ultra-fast flo sulting from the re an F1 hybrid a selected Sweet n cross betwee ne and a selected clo te Cheese eli ring n autoflowe 3rd generatio . in stra eese of Sweet Ch This version old spicy and desired s. It l na tio di tra e preserves th from the Cheese genetic dense ite a cheese arom thick buds, which are qu and ng lo es aromatic ry produc ve th wi d vere ings more and totally co omes. The F1 cross br fspring. ch of crystalline tri and hybrid vigor to the tics shortens y homogeneit the autoflowering gene strain in th is wi th s e of tim The cros ity ur at g and m the flowerin s. several week : 40%/60% Indica/Sativaing: 8 weeks Indoor Boom est: late September Outdoor harv

,00 36,50€ · 10S - 73

€

m Caramel Auto

· Crea Cream Caramel

een Poison Auto Green Poisonn ·F1Gr· Red Poison 59,00 € Green Poiso

¡¡Green Poison!

3S - 15,90€ · 5S Also available:

,00€ 26,50€ · 10S - 53

eet Cheese Sweet Cheese · Sw

Devil #2 Big Devil · Bi·gDa rk Devil 64,00 € Big Devil XL

Auto

eet Cheese Au Sweet Cheese ·F1Sw se ee Ch t Swee

29,90 €

Collector packages contain 2 seeds from each variety properly labeled

Gifts Attitude Seedbank * Dr. Chronic’s Seeds * Basil Bush Ltd. * Tangy * The www.tangygifts.co.uk www.cannabis-seeds.co.uk www.drchronic.com www.basilbush.co.uk

Distributors in Ireland

Wholesalers * Ireland www.irishseedbank.com

BIG BUDS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS! ED ROSENTHAL’S BIG BUDS APP IS HERE! THE MOBILE VERSION OF THE BIG BOOK OF BUDS AVAILABLE NOW FOR IPHONE, IPOD TOUCH AND IPAD. t Instant access to variety information—updated weekly. t Sort by breeder and view high quality photos. t Rate and track favorites.

GET IT NOW!

GROW WITH THE BEST MARIJUANA GROWER’S HANDBOOK Increase quality and learn the newest equipment and cultivation techniques. GUARANTEED TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU GROW FOREVER.

MARIJUANA: LET’S GROW A POUND EASY INDOOR GARDENING Grow .5 Kilo using a 1000-watt HPS light

PROTECT YOUR PLANTS NEW FROM ED ROSENTHAL! MARIJUANA PEST & DISEASE CONTROL Save your garden from pests and diseases with solutions that are safe for you and the environment. Full color, over 100 photos.

MARIJUANA GARDEN SAVER ;YV\ISLZOVV[ WYVISLTZ X\PJRS`

visit Ed online—www.edrosenthal.com FREEDOM BOOKS., freedombooks.co.uk, Call: 02392 780 600 Avalon Wholesale Ltd., (wholesale) avalonwholesale.co.uk, Call: 02392 832 383 Turnaround (wholesale), turnaround-uk.com, Call: 020 8829 3002

ED ROSENTHAL EXCLUSIVE

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW - PART II As the summer takes hold in northern California, the climate becomes quite dry and forest fires erupt frequently. It has been an especially bad year here, as the winter rains were far below normal. By late July, fires were happening frequently. Combined teams and task forces form into battalions of firefighters. Generally they are marijuana-adverse, but whenever they come across marijuana they report it to a combined eradication team. The two gardens I was following were legal. The local authorities were aware of them and had made no threatening gestures. When a fire broke out several ridges from their location, air traffic became intense. Helicopters were used to move the firefighters and flying water tanks were bombing the areas still untouched to try to prevent them from catching fire. The firefighters reported on a large suspicious farm they had sighted. A few days later a militarized unit was sent to eradicate the surreptitious grow and noticed another garden along their flight pathway. It was one of the gardens I had been following. The garden was legal and was known to the sheriffs department. However, the uniforms decided to drop in. They landed the helicopter, cut the immature crop, piled it up, and rather than light it—which would be foolhardy under the circumstances, they dowsed it with water from the irrigation system. In a few hours the only value the immature vegetation had was as compost. The second garden weathered the first round of fires and raids. It was the larger, more mature garden, and was only two to three weeks from ripening when a joint task force descended on it. In a flash, the immature plants were cut, loaded onto a net, and flown off. The caretakers, who were on alert from earlier flights in the area, were well-prepared and fled into the woods to a platform they built in a sturdy tree. From this lookout they watched as their efforts of the entire summer were systematically destroyed. The eradication team left one living plant in the middle of the field.

“Emerald Triangle” is that it is remote and difficult to traverse, and land was cheap when it was first re-colonized in the 1970’s. The garden in the little hobby greenhouse was more successful. All the plants were harvested along with the two plants that were grown outdoors. Some problems with powdery mold and botrytis were encountered, but halfway through flowering the CO2 and air-conditioner units were finally installed and running. This helped lower the risk of disease, and the grower’s weekly spray of Ed Rosenthal’s Herbal Fungicide combined with Serenade virtually eliminated it. The plants were harvested over a period of about twenty days. The first cut of the Kandy Kush was taken on August 27. The top buds were ready but the buds 15 cm from the top of the canopy were still slightly immature, so they were left to ripen. The top buds of the other plants—Hash Bubble, Shark Shock, and a Sativa-Indica hybrid (variety unknown), took their first cut between September 5 and 7. Everything was finished or just cut on September 14, including the two outdoor plants.

light from above and from the south. Light deprivation was easy because only one side and the top needed to be covered. The curtains are shown here in the open position, hung on adjustable curtain rods attached to the greenhouse’s wooden frame. The open door has a glass window that sports its own pull-down shade. Blocking light through the roof was achieved through two light-blocking window shades that were pulled shut and released using long ropes attached to them.

Looking into the greenhouse. Only half of the space was used to grow medicine. The rest was used to grow other plants. A total of six cannabis plants were grown, four in hydroponic containers and two in planting mix (but using House and Garden Hydroponic Fertilizers).

The bud. It is sweet and tangy and forms a dense hard bud. The feeling it evokes is pleasantly mildly up and energetic— good both for socializing and getting some work done.

Light deprivation was begun on July 1. For the roof, custom white/black light blocking window shades were mounted on top. The greenhouse is about 376 cm wide so two 83 cm wide x 305 cm long shades were used. A strip of opaque white/black polyethylene was mounted in the middle to keep the cover the space that was not covered by the shades. White/black opaque curtains on curtain rods were used outside to keep light from getting through the south wall. The door to the greenhouse on the south wall was fitted with its own shade cloth. The curtains and shades were drawn each evening anytime after dusk. They were opened each morning around 9:15 but the timing need not be exact. The reason was that the natural light was supplemented with two Inda-Gro 420-watt Induction Fluorescents that were on a timer to go on at 9:15 AM and off at 7:00 PM. Whether or not the curtains were opened promptly only affected the photosynthesis and growth rates, but did not affect the shortday regulation of flowering.

Hash Bubble. These were grown in General Hydro Mega-Pots that use hydro-pebbles medium. There is a reservoir below and an air pump that percolates the water to an irrigation ring. The system was modified by replacing the air pump with a small submersible water pump, which produced a steady flow of water nutrient solution over the pebbles.

Hash Bubble close-up

The destruction of the two Mendocino gardens was a severe disappointment for the dispensary management. They were looking forward to lowering prices of their medicine. Now they will be forced to rely mostly on market forces. These gardens were located up in mountainous Mendocino County. The terrain is more forestland than farmland. The main reason this county became part of the

A view of the greenhouse from outside. Three sides (east, west, and north) are building walls. The greenhouse gets natural

One of the two Kandy Kush plants. They were early ripening and were very vigorous. This one was in an 30-litre container.

Kandy Kush second cutting Sept 7.

Kandy Kush close-up

Atomic NL grown in a Current Culture Single. Harvested Sept 20. This system was extremely easy to use and induced vigorous growth.

Purple Kush grown outdoors. It was ready Sept 14. Its leaves developed deep purple coloring as it headed towards ripening. It also had dense flowers. The aluminum foil on the container side was used as reflective material. The container stayed cool under intense summer sun.

Cola of Atomic NL. It had relatively sparse leaves and tight buds.

35 ON THE FARM

A line of Strawberry Cough plants. They were 4.6+ meters tall and stretched out to a diameter of about 1.8 meters. They are typical sativas with long spaces between the branches (internodes) and leaves with long thin fingers that are lighter colored than indicas. One of the two fields on the farm. It is 26 Hectares of flat land open to the sun throughout the day.

The other field: it is about 3 hectares and is part of the parcel of sunny flat land.

White Smurf. This variety is pale green and grows into large branches from a short central stem. Each branch develops into a cola.

Cricital. A ripe bud from the top of the plant. This is a mid-season variety that has a lemon background. Very uplifting.

Strawberry Cough tops basking in the sun. The plant won’t be ripe for another 5 or 6 weeks, in early November. Luckily, this part of California remains warm and sunny through mid November. Even then, the mild climate allows greenhouse growing with little or no heating and moderate supplemental lighting.

GROW WITH JORGE CERVANTES

Soil and Soil Analysis

Many soils and soilless mixes used by cannabis gardeners is peat based and mixed with other elements. Soils are different, very different from one another. The average organic mineral soil is made up of 45% mineral particles, 5% living and dead organisms – bacteria, protozoa, microbes, fungi, earthworms, etc. – and 50% percent air and water. Three basic factors contribute to cannabis root’s ability to grow in a soil: texture, pH, and organic and mineral nutrient content. There are two basic ways most gardeners look at soil. The first is to see it as a living organic substance that must be nurtured so that cannabis roots can extract the necessary nutrients quickly efficiently and in maximum amounts. Soil outdoors and in large containers in greenhouses and indoors there are large volumes of soil and we can apply complete organic principles. The other way to look at soil is a growing medium that holds chemical elements, salt-based fertilizers (nutrients), air and water. Indoors and often in greenhouses this is the way many gardeners approach growing.

Dirt, Soil and Soilless Mix Dirt is found under your finger nails. Soil is mineral-based and best employed to grow cannabis in fields, planting beds, and very large containers. Soilless mixes are best to grow cannabis in small containers – indoors, outdoors and in greenhouses. The

dynamics of small containers are not the same as in large containers, planting beds or Mother Earth.

Rocky clayey soil is packed with nutrients, but the texture restricts air and moisture content.

Soil texture is governed by the size and physical makeup of the mineral particles. Proper soil texture is required for

38 adequate root penetration, water, and oxygen retention and drainage as well as many other complex chemical processes.

worth of fertilizer is washed into the soil and ground water. The gardener could easily save €2,700 by investing €20-200 in soil tests and following recommendations. Two basic types of soil analysis include BCSR and SLAN.

Heavy clay soil is easy to spot. It clumps up readily, is difficult to work and drains poorly. The texture, a tool used to express the mineral particle sizes and grains in sediment, are divided into three main groups, clay, loam and sand. Most soils are a mix of three basic soils particle sizes, sand, silt, and clay; all described below. Soil pH is a measure of the acid to alkaline balance. Soil life and mineral (nutrient) availability and uptake by roots are affected by soil pH levels. Every full point change in the 0-14 pH scale denotes a tenfold increase or decrease. Nutrient uptake is best within a pH range of 6.0-6.5. Keeping the soil and water pH balanced and within the proper range is essential to a strong healthy cannabis crop. Soil varies from location to location on the earth and often varies from one place to another in your own backyard.

Soil Analysis Soil tests are remarkably inexpensive (€20200) and save medical cannabis gardeners much time and money wasted on fertilizers. Such tests also save the environment from excessive fertilizer pollution, including nitrates and phosphates, accumulation in the soil and runoff in the watershed. The excess fertilizer salts wash out into the water system where they cause countless environmental and health problems. For example, home gardeners use at least 10 times more fertilizer per square yard (m2) than big agribusiness farms. For every €10 spent of fertilizer by home gardeners, €9.00 is wasted! I recently spoke to an outdoor medical cannabis gardener who spends €3,000 on fertilizer annually. By applying the above information we see that 10 percent (€300) worth of fertilizer is actually used and 90 percent (€2,700)

BCSR (base cation saturation ratio) is commonly used by organic farmers and market gardeners in many countries. The results of this type of test provide the actual amount of nutrients in soil. The goal of BCSR testing is to achieve a balanced ratio of nutrients. The methodology uses Mehlich 3 extraction. The BCSR soil test method is supported by the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA). Standard BCSR soil tests provide some of all of the following: 1. Calcium 2. Magnesium 3. Potassium 4. Sodium 5. Phosphorus 6. Sulfur 7. Chlorine 8. Minor elements 9. Trace elements

4. NH4-N (ppm) 5. PO4-P (ppm) 6. Potassium (ppm) 7. Magnesium (ppm) 8. Calcium (ppm) 9. Sodium (ppm) 10. SO4-S (ppm) 11. Zinc (ppm) 12. Manganese (ppm) 13. Iron (ppm) 14. Copper (ppm) 15. Boron (ppm) An optimum range for each reading and amendment and fertilizer recommendations are also included in many soil tests. For a little more money many labs include an easy-to-read graph.

medicinal cannabis can send their tests into local labs and request recommendations for cannabis. Medical gardeners who do not live in such a state can send their soil samples to any soil test lab, but are advised to not mention the target crop.

Excellent sites to learn more about soil include:

SLAN (sufficiency level of available nutrient) AKA Index (UK) system, is used by the majority of universities, farmers and big agribusiness worldwide. The results of this type of test provide plant-available nutrient levels in a well-known range, ensuring neither a deficiency nor an excess. The methodology uses ammonium acetate extraction.

Logan Labs, LLC: http://www.loganlabs.com* – Least expensive soil tests I have found – Basic test €20 A & L Western Laboratories, Inc. http://www.al-labs-west.com* – excellent service at a reasonable price Spectrum Analytic, Inc. http://www.spectrumanalytic.com* this

Standard SLAN soil tests provide some or all of all of the following and many include recommendations to improve soil nutrient content. 1. pH 2. ECe (dS/m) 3. NO3-N (ppm)

lab does everything and also shows a sample soil test

http://soilandhealth.org, provides free e-books, mainly about holistic agriculture, holistic health and self-sufficient homestead living. http://www.soilminerals.com, Complete information on garden soil minerals, nutrients, trace minerals, fertilizers and amendments for all gardens, farms, lawns, orchards and greenhouses. www.google.com, search William A. Albrecht, Ph. D. He was the foremost authority on the relation of soil fertility to human health. http://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/~ bmahler/s44603.pdf, a short course in soil and plant diagnostics. http://www.acresusa.com, Acres U.S.A. is North America’s oldest, largest magazine covering commercial-scale organic and sustainable farming www.attra.ncat.org, National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA) manages projects that promote selfreliance and sustainable lifestyles that include sustainable and renewable energy, energy conservation, resourceefficient housing, sustainable community development, and sustainable agriculture. www.marijuanagrowing.com, check our site including a forum for more updates and current discussion!

Regardless of the type of test you choose, BCSR or SLAN, follow soil collection and submission guidelines to the letter. Gardeners living in a state or country that sanctions

*To find a soil test lab near you or in your country go to www.google.com and search for “soil analysis labs Europe” or “soil analysis labs (your country name)”

SLAN Soil Test Labs

***

AMSTERDAM

***

*** Guaranteed Quality ***

FLOWERING

New York Power Diesel

BLACKJACK

RASPBERRY COUGH

STERLING HAZE

URBAN POISON

ALL STRAINS IN NATURALLY OCCURING AND 100% FEMINISED SEEDS!!

www.nirvana.nl

Now Available! New Strains

NEW

Check out our new Feminized and our new Feminized Autoflowering strains now!

STRAINS

NEW