There is not much in this world that I love more than weed.
12 years ago I adopted the most handsome black kitty. He’s the bossiest and sweetest little man. At the time he was just a year old. I fell in love instantly. Tiny -runt of the litter- with a massive personality. I named him Snoop, but really he is my smushed face monster. I mean that in the most loving way possible. There are a handful of nicknames he’ll answer to as well.
His interests include -but are not limited to- running around at lightning speeds while howling, playing with water in the sink, and stalking squirrels from the kitchen window.
He’s an older boy now so his priorities are mainly sunbathing and napping. I make sure that every day of his life is magical because he’s given me so much love throughout the years.
Things have gotten out of hand- in the best possible way. The quality and strength of cannabis available nowadays is unprecedented. Whether you use it recreationally or medicinally, high demand and legalization have pushed growers to reach new limits.
THC is the chemical in cannabis responsible for most of it’s pleasing effects. It attaches to, and activates, your cannabinoid receptors. Poof. You’re high. Let’s explore past and present THC potency so we can fully appreciate how far we’ve come.
1960 to 1970: Ranging from .2 to 1%
1980 to 1990: Ranging from 1 to 3.5%
2000 to 2010: Ranging from 5.4 to 10.96%
Fast forward to 2018 and cannabis is now legal for medicinal use in 30 states, and recreationally in 9 states. There is no better time as THC levels currently reach as high as 28% or more. The average potency level for flower available here in Oregon ranges from 18 to 28%. It’s an epic time to be a stoner. Remember at this potency, less is definitely more.
It has long been known that an unfortunate side effect to our lovely friend maryjane is paranoia. Paranoia is defined as an instinct or thought process believed to be heavily influenced by anxiety or fear, often to the point of delusion and irrationality. I would say that sums it up. While a lucky few may have brain chemistry that makes them impervious to this, the rest of us are wondering WHY it happens.
A region of the brain known as the amygdala is responsible for many of our emotions- including fear, anger, and pleasure. We have two; one in each hemisphere of our brains. A study by Vanderbilt University has located cannabinoid receptors in the amygdala. When THC attaches to those receptors it provides you with either mellow feel good vibes, or paranoia and fear. It can go either way.
The environment and dosage play an important role in your experience. You are much more likely to avoid anxiety by being somewhere comfortable and not overdoing it. I have personally been to some dark places after eating too much edibles. More recently was a magical trip to Disneyland high on just the right amount of edibles. It’s best to build your high so you can gauge how it affects you.
Stoners just want to be happy! Our brain chemistry certainly plays a role in how we respond to cannabis, but we ultimately control when and how much. Stay away from the dark side of edibles my friends. Let me know in comments if you’ve got any wild paranoid while high stories. Signing off with a trippy picture of Disneyland which just felt right.
Weed is magic and there are countless ways to enjoy it. Let’s take a look at how to roll specialty joints so you can take your game to the next level.
CROSS JOINT
Let the master (Seth Rogen) show us how to roll a cross joint. After watching Pineapple Express years ago, I became obsessed. You have to do it at least once. And it’s not nearly as difficult as it looks. Bring it to a party and enjoy being the most popular stoner there.
BRAIDED TWISTY JOINT
These are so clever and make me feel like Rihanna when I smoke them. I went through a lot of rolling papers learning how, but it’s sweet success when it finally comes together.
PIPE JOINT
Yes. It’s a joint shaped like a pipe. This would be an epic gift for a stoner friend. Then you can smoke it together. Win Win.
TULIP JOINT
These pretty joints aren’t just for girls. They hit hard and will be the life of the party.
KING SIZE JOINT
While the others are so unique, this is just a big ol’ fatty joint. Just as exciting and takes skill to roll.
Go get those rolling papers and start creating your own smokable art. Signing off with some mind blowing inspiration. Thanks for reading and be sure to let me know in comments if I’m missing any unique joints.
Fact: Stoners like to gather in circles and get high. Let’s explore ten classic rules that often go unspoken.
1. BYOF (BRING YOUR OWN FLOWER)
Contribute. Every time. It’s as easy as that if you want to be invited back.
2. PASS LEFT
Always pass left. Even when you are camping, hot-boxing a car, or at the top of a mountain. If it’s not possible to pass left, you need to invite more people to this party.
3. NO BULLYING
Some people can smoke copious amounts of weed and still function. Bless you Snoop Dogg! Others take two hits and they are contemplating an ER visit. It’s proper etiquette to let those who need to bow out do so gracefully.
4. RELOAD
Never pass ash. When the bong is empty, or you’re at the end of the joint, don’t pass it on. It’s your turn to re-load or re-roll.
5. DON’T PASS A BUG
If you are sick, smoke on your own and let people know. Nobody wants to get the flu from smoking a joint.
6. NO SPIT
Keep your saliva to yourself. Nothing ruins a perfectly rolled blunt faster than a wet end. Keep is classy. Keep it dry.
7. NO LIFE STORIES
Whether your smoking buddies are strangers or best friends, the smoke circle is not the time to tell your life story or pitch a business idea. Keep it light and don’t use up all the oxygen in the room.
8. NO PARKING
Don’t forget others are waiting for their turn. Take one hit and pass it. It is generally frowned upon to sit and smoke alone while everyone watches
9. LOSE THE PHONE
It’s hard to connect with people while staring at a screen. The whole experience is lost if you don’t engage. Ditch the electronics and enjoy yourself.
10. BE GRATEFUL
Be sure to thank the host, especially if you smoked all their weed and ate all their Oreos. Stoner friends thrive when their is proper balance. Always return the favor.
-Thanks for reading. Are there any smoke circle rules that I missed? Let me know in comments.
Stoners say yes to tasty treats. Let’s explore those extra special foods that can enhance your high, and make it last longer. You are one step closer to being the best stoner you can be.
DARK CHOCOLATE
It’s no accident that most edibles are chocolate based. Dark chocolate contains serotonin and tryptophan which promotes happiness naturally. For extreme bliss, make your next batch of edibles with cocoa of 70 – 85% for the most benefits.
MANGOES
Mangoes are downright delicious. As it turns out they can fast track your high, as well as extend it. Yes please! Because they contain a terpene called myrcene, they have something in common with cannabis. Try eating a mango (or smoothie) an hour before you get high. It will have prepared your cannabinoid receptors so you are ready for lift off.
NUTS
This already healthy snack is about to get more appealing. Nuts contain omega-3 fatty acid. This healthy fat binds to cannabinoids which help get them travel through your system faster. Go for walnuts as they pack the highest punch of omega-3.
BROCOLLI
If there was ever was a reason to eat your vegetables, this is it! Broccoli contains high levels of another terpene called beta-caryophyllene. It will bind to CB2 receptors in the same way cannabinoids do. This can reduce inflammation and relieve pain, allowing you to go fully mellow.
TEA
Green and black tea contain catechin, an antioxidant that binds to your CB1 and CB2 receptors. This can help you chill out and better enjoy your high. It could help you curb those munchies too.
COCONUT OIL
Coconut oil contains way more saturated fat than butter. This makes it the perfect base for your edibles. In the same amount of simmering time, the coconut oil will be more potent than butter. Not to mention that it’s got a bundle of health benefits and is versatile for cooking or baking.
-Thanks for reading. Let me know in comments if I missed any foods that pair with cannabis well.
I received the Pax 2 as a gift and wanted to share my experience for anyone interested in purchasing one. It’s a portable vaporizer for shredded herb. It’s small, lightweight, and easy to hold. You can easily conceal it in one hand. It comes with two mouthpieces; one that’s flush with the unit, the other raises up for your lips slightly. The box also includes the charger and a cleaning kit.
The ‘oven’ is in the bottom and the cover is super easy to remove. Overall it works best when you pack the oven tightly and to the brim. Shredding the herb as fine as possible provides the best hits.
Tapping the top powers it on and it takes about a minute to heat up. The light on the front indicates when it’s powered on and which heat setting you are at. There are four heat settings available. I prefer settings 2 to 3. It takes roughly three hours to charge, which gives at least 90 minutes of usage. If you take decent (medium) draws, you can expect about 15 hits from one packing. Cleaning it thoroughly every 10 sessions (or so) is going to keep it working at peak performance.
VERDICT: 5/5 – I’M IN LOVE! I’m just as excited about it now as I was when I first received it. It’s fun to use, whether I’m alone or with a friend. A bonus is that you can taste the herb just as you would with a joint, yet the smell is minimal. It’s perfect for outdoor concerts, movies, or a quick session on your lunch break. Treat yourself!
This game is super addicting. You advance through the levels while training your ninja. There are punching bags, trampolines, balloons, and watermelons involved. Not only are the characters ridiculously adorable, but it’s oddly satisfying to punch and kick things with miniature ninjas.
This app is my life. I discovered it over a year ago and haven’t gone a day without using it. You can edit photo’s, draw, color, and connect with other artists. If you want to post your creations, you can create your own gallery (page) and build a following. The community of artists and photographers are so inspiring and kind. It’s my favorite app to get lost in while on edibles.
Connect with all your fellow stoners on this social network app. This is your (privacy protected) haven for all things weedy and green. Promote your business, shop, meet like-minded people, and learn new things about your favorite plant and strains.
This app is a pleasure for all people, but I have to think stoners appreciate it the most. A typical scenario for us is getting blazed and being unable to drive. No longer is pizza delivery your only option. For a small fee you can satisfy that intense craving for Italian, Thai, or even donuts. Place the order, pay, and before you know it your food is at your front door. This app is sent straight from heaven and I would kiss the creator if I could.
This is a fun way to personalize your text messages. You can drop emoji’s, stickers, strain info, and weed graphics straight into a text box. No more settling for the hidden meanings in regular emoji’s. Be a proud stoner and spice things up!
-Thanks for reading and let me know if I am missing out on any other stoner friendly apps!