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Cannabis & Yoga: a Collective of the Mind, Body & Soul

Natural Wellness Foundation logo

 

From the moment I connected with Christian, owner of the Natural Wellness Foundation (whose cannabis menu can be found on Nugg’s website here), I knew there was much more to his business than being a reputable delivery service with quality cannabis products. I sensed a revolutionary mission statement behind his business plan and was eager to learn more.

 

THE NATURAL WELLNESS FOUNDATION IS A COMMUNITY CENTERED AROUND CANNABIS RESEARCH, EDUCATION, EFFECTIVE HEALING PRACTICES (THAT ARE SCIENTIFICALLY SUPPORTED), AND A DESIRE TO CREATE A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY FOR ITS PATIENTS TO HEAL WITH AND SOCIALIZE WITHIN.

 

Christian: “Aside from having a selection of exceptional medicinal grade cannabis, I believe that we set the standard for a personalized and effective cannabis profile for our patients.

 

The Focus Groups we hold really help us define gaps in the cannabis community. Through our patients’ participation in our discussions, we’ve gathered meaningful data and feedback. Having come from a healthcare background professionally, I felt a certain responsibility to do what we can to help close those gaps and fill a need within the community.

 

Yoga events, 420 socials, educational forums. They were all requested by our patients. So we obliged.”

 

We spent the afternoon discussing cannabis in our communities and brainstorming ways to revolutionize those relationships. I eagerly joined the council and planned to attend their next event, the Ganja Yoga event. As a yogi and medical marijuana patient, I was pretty stoked to see what this was all about.

 

Yoga & Cannabis: A Sensational Healing Experience 

 

I’ve always been one to combine my healing practices because I find them to be synergetic in effect. Medicating with cannabis before yoga allows me to push myself further and dive deeper into my practice. I find myself opening up more, which helps my mind, body, and soul grow in highly beneficial ways.

 

COMBINING YOGA, SOUND HEALING AND MEDICAL CANNABIS, WITH EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY, THE NATURAL WELLNESS FOUNDATION CREATED AN EVENT CENTERED AROUND COLLECTIVE HEALING. THE ENTIRE CLASS WAS CHOREOGRAPHED TO CREATE A PROFOUND HEALING EXPERIENCE. EVERY POSE, STRAIN, SOUND, AND WORD HAD A PURPOSE.

 

The event was held at a private location with an intimate group of patients. It was a sunny Saturday morning and the garden patio where we were lounging prior to class was warm and inviting. Fresh coffee, water, and extra mats were all provided and awaited our use by a lush garden.

 

Jane's Brew Cannabis Infused Tea

 

Once all 5 students arrived for class, Christian offered us cups of Jane’s Brew cannabis infused chamomile tea.

 

Jasmine: “Why did you choose this brew to start the event?”

 

Christian: “I’ve found the Jane’s Brew line of products to be a fantastic way to medicate first thing in the morning. It’s a very potent but relaxing high. Ideal for loosening up.”

 

And he was absolutely correct. The tea set the perfect tone to start the experience. It was very comforting. I felt light and more relaxed – and with the way my body carries stress, I really needed that. 

 

We then made our way into the studio space where our mats were lined up with complementary bottles of smart water. At the front of the room was a collection of instruments – a guitar, drums, a dijurido, chimes and Tibetan song bowls – all to be performed impromptu by an incredible musician named Jim Maloney. He’s from Mana Vibrations and was going to be taking us through an amazing sound healing experience during our extended yoga class.

 

Ashley DeMarco, a talented yoga teacher from SoCal Yoga Retreats, worked with Christian to put together a flow that would compliment the strains we were given during our practice. With that model in mind, she felt out where our class was energetically and free flowed a sequence based off what felt right for us in the moment. It was awesome!

 

She led us through a very gentle opening sequence. We spent a lot of time slowly opening up the body, taking our time to really ease into each pose.

 

We broke for water often and had two medication sessions within our sequence.

 

Super Silver Haze joint

 

The first strain we smoked was “True Blue.”

 

Christian: “This decision was made a month prior to the event. So I had to make sure the store was fully stocked and that our supply was well cared for. This particular strain is like smoking pure inspiration. You can’t help but become hyper receptive to your surroundings, your body, and your thoughts if you smoke this alone. Also, music sounds incredible while enjoying it. However, if you smoke this with others, all the receptiveness is heightened. It becomes empathy towards those around you.”

 

At this point in the class we were still opening up the body, so the True Blue did a great job of heightening sensations and expanding awareness.

 

Yoga alone is a practice that allows you to go deep into your own healing. It’s an individual practice that takes on a different form when practiced as a group. It’s all added energy that joins the playing field. The result is an empowering reminder that we’re all essentially in this together.

 

Christian: “As you felt during the session, everyone was perfectly in tuned with each other. This was the intended effect.”

 

As the sequence carries on and we go deeper into our practice, I’m either focused on settling into – or not falling out of – a pose, or off getting lost in the vibration of live music melodies coursing through my veins. The aromatherapy and essential oils also added such an entrancing touch to the experience that I completely lost track of time.

 

When it came time for our peak pose, we were passed joints of Super Silver Haze.

 

Super Silver Haze

 

Christian: “Super Silver Haze is a sativa dominant hybrid. It’s great for circulation and bumping up your energy level. We decided to smoke this strain just before our peak pose (humble warrior) for that little extra help in getting through the workout.”

 

After powering through those poses, it was time to cool down the body. We took our time getting to the ground, really sipping every last ounce of love from our practice.

 

Before we laid down for shavasana, we spontaneously opened up to a brief discussion. This was one lady’s first experience with yoga – ever! She was loving it all so much that she had to share her newfound admiration with the group. Then it became really clear that we were all pretty stoked – for her, that moment, life, everything. 

 

IT WAS AWESOME TO SEE THE WHOLE GROUP TRULY ENJOY THEMSELVES AND BE TOTALLY OPEN TO THIS WHOLE EXPERIENCE. WE ALL FELT AMAZING AND WERE SO GRATEFUL TO BE TAKEN ON WHAT SEEMED TO BE LIKE THE MOST REJUVENATING MINI VACATION EVER.

 

But no yoga session is complete without shavasana and meditation! Christian then gave us CBD infused watermelon juice to prep us for our final pose.

 

Christian: “I wanted to quite the mind towards the end of the workout so I decided to put the THC aside and stick with CBDs. The tincture we use is handcrafted locally by KBPureEssentials.com. They use a high CBD strain of cannabis called AC/DC. I’ve found it works very well for bringing one back to homeostasis. It’s a great balancer.”

 

The watermelon juice was DELICIOUS. And according to Ashley it has 4 times the electrolytes as coconut water! YEW!

 

After settling down and dimming the lights, Ashley took us through a short guided meditation. Her voice then faded into the Tibetan sound bowl vibrating brilliant frequencies around the room.

 

I felt healing energy in every form, soaking into my being. The CDBs had definitely taken effect because I could feel my body chilling out on a cellular level.

 

We stayed in shavasana long enough to really absorb all the sweet nectar oozing from our practice before coming together in añjali mudra to seal class together.

 

AT THIS POINT I WAS ON CLOUD NINE. MY BODY FELT AMAZING. MY MIND WAS NOT TRYING TO BE MY ENEMY. AND I GENUINELY FELT REALLY GOOD ABOUT EVERYTHING HAPPENING AROUND ME. I WAS LIVING IN THE MOMENT. I WAS CONNECTED TO MYSELF, EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING AROUND ME. AND I WAS HAPPY.

 

The only thing that made this experience better was wondering back out to the patio to find a nutritious breakfast provided alongside a bunch of complementary joints and gift bags. 

 

This led way to open up the floor to an excellent discussion around educated cannabis use.

 

There were are about 10 of us total including the educators, ages from 26 to mid 60s, I believe. I was the youngest. The group shared personal experiences and everyone had something profound and inspiring to say.

 

Jasmine: “Why did you structure the course the way you did?”

 

Christian: “The Natural Wellness Foundation believes in healing a person with a 3 pronged approach.

 

1. Stimulating the mind through education

2. Healing the body through quality meds and healthy practices

3. Fulfilling the spirit through community

 

It was important to me that the event have an educational module that required active group participation. That’s why Dr. Nick was invited to lead a discussion on cannabis as an aphrodisiac.”

 

Dr. Nick Karras shared some insightful findings on how cannabis is an aphrodisiac that allows couples to truly open up, break down walls, and connect to their lovers in ways previously unreachable. His findings support cannabis as a wondrous addition to living a sexually healthy lifestyle – and just healthier lifestyles all around!

 

Then story after story poured out from the group about how cannabis has been a beautiful part of their lives too. I listened to how it helped heal injuries, ease pain, and kill cancer. I learned how it fought emotional distresses and helped bring a family back together.

 

I FELT AN OVERWHELMING SENSE OF GRATITUDE FOR OUR DISCUSSION. IT WAS EMPATHETIC, ENLIGHTENING AND EMPOWERING.

 

The positivity, love, and inspiration floating around that space that really struck me.

 

The Natural Wellness Foundation is really setting the standard in the Cannabis community. They’re taking quality meds, professional and compassionate care, and education, and combining that with a mission to “normalize weed.” They’re creating a movement in support of conscious cannabis consumption.

 

Cristian: “I want to grow in to a fully self-sustaining community surrounding cannabis. A grouping of like-minded individuals who understand the value that cannabis can add to our lives on an personal level, community level, and as a nation.”

 

LEARN MORE ABOUT NWF

 

People want to heal themselves and they should feel free to do so – openly, responsibly and in accordance with your own personal journey.

 

Cannabis has played a key role in my self healing and continues to do so. It helps me balance my mind, restore my body, and enliven my spirit. And when paired with yoga and sound healing, the effects are synergetic. They’re magical.

 

True Blue & Super Silver Haze joints

 

The Yoga Ganja event was much more than your average yoga class. It was a revitalizing experience iwth soothing sensory stimulation and collective healing. It was a journey to harmony and I highly recommend it to every cannabis consumer looking to take their healing high to the next level.

 

I could only find a few cannabis-focused yoga events (I’ve listed them below) in other cities, but I’m sure asking around at your local dispensaries will lead you to one.

 

California Yoga & Cannabis Activities 

 

Ganja Yoga San Francisco

 

Ganja Yoga, SF:    

A San Francisco meetup group — led by Dee, a certified hatha yoga teacher with twenty years of practice — dives into Ganja Yoga, a “high-quality instruction, based on mindfulness and good alignment for injury-prevention, designed for any body.” Dee is also a sexuality coach and tantra teacher, and works with individuals, couples, and groups of friends in private sessions.

 

You can read about Neal Pollack’s (author at the Cannabist) three-day experience with Ganja Yoga in San Francisco. 

 

420 Yoga, LA:

Previously located in Atwater village, but relocating to Oakland, CA this fall, is another yoga destination with cannabis-infused sessions, but . Read about it in a review from Vice.

 

Canna Camp

 

And last but not least, there’s Canna Camp, a new rare experience held in a secluded Colorado mountain resort that offers guests the opportunity to learn about and experience the outdoors and cannabis in a safe, comfortable, and social environment. Cannabis activities include things like cooking, educational classes, yoga, painting, massage-therapy, and glass-blowing (demonstrations).

 

So, what are your experiences with cannabis and yoga? Have you done anything like this before? Share your stories in the comments below!

Happy days,

J

  • Top Ten Strains For Boosting Creativity

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    There’s an endless amount of speculation (and some research) on the topic of creativity and cannabis.  Many studies reveal marijuana’s ability to improve creative thinking.

     

    However, not every strain will give you the creative boost you’re looking for. It’s often the cannabis sativas, or sativa-dominant hybrids that are capable of truly activating your imagination beyond its normal capabilities. For that reason, we’ve compiled a list of great strains for tapping into your creative potential…

     

  • What you'll learn in this post:

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    Blue Dream

     

    Blue Dream, a sativa-dominant hybrid originating in California, has achieved legendary status among West Coast strains. Crossing a Blueberry indica with the sativa Haze, Blue Dream balances full-body relaxation with gentle cerebral invigoration.

     

    Novice and veteran consumers alike enjoy its level effects, which ease you gently into a calm euphoria. Some Blue Dream phenotypes express a more indica-like look and feel, but the sativa-leaning variety remains most prevalent.

     

    With a sweet berry aroma redolent of its Blueberry parent, Blue Dream delivers swift symptom relief without heavy sedative effects. This makes Blue Dream a popular daytime medicine for patients treating pain, depression, nausea, and other ailments requiring a high THC strain.

     

    creative strains

     

    Sour Diesel 

     

    Sour Diesel, sometimes called Sour D, is an invigorating sativa named after its pungent, diesel-like aroma. This fast-acting strain delivers energizing, dreamy cerebral effects that have pushed Sour Diesel to its legendary status.

     

    Stress, pain, and depression fade away in long-lasting relief that makes Sour Diesel a top choice among medical patients. This strain took root in the early 90’s with cannabis breeder Chem Dog, and it is believed to have descended from Chemdawg, Northern Lights, and a Skunk phenotype.

     

    creative strain

     

    Green Crack  

     

    Don’t let the name fool you: this is pure cannabis. Few strains compare to Green Crack’s sharp energy and focus as it induces an invigorating mental buzz that keeps you going throughout the day. With a tangy, fruity flavor redolent of mango, Green Crack is the perfect daytime medication for patients treating fatigue, stress, and depression.

     

    Green Crack has branched into two genetic lineages, the most common of which is its sativa line descended from Skunk #1. The 75% indica variety of Green Crack is said to have come from an Afghani strain and is marked by a tighter bud structure. Because its name perpetuates a negative image of cannabis, some people have taken to calling this strain Cush (with a ‘C’) or Green Cush instead.

     

    creative strains

     

    Girl Scout Cookies

     

    Girl Scout Cookies, or GSC, is an OG Kush and Durban Poison hybrid cross whose reputation grew too large to stay within the borders of its California homeland. With a sweet and earthy aroma, Girl Scout Cookies launches you to euphoria’s top floor where full-body relaxation meets a time-bending cerebral space.

     

    A little goes a long way with this hybrid, whose THC heights have won Girl Scout Cookies numerous Cannabis Cup awards. Patients needing a strong dose of relief, however, may look to GSC for severe pain, nausea, and appetite loss.

     

    There are several different phenotypes of the Girl Scout Cookies strain including Thin Mint and Platinum Cookies, which exhibit some variation in appearance and effect. Typically, however, Girl Scout Cookies expresses its beauty in twisting green calyxes wrapped in purple leaves and fiery orange hairs. Patients and consumers looking to cultivate this cannabis staple themselves should wait for nine to 10 weeks for their indoor plants to finish flowering.

     

    creative strains

     

    White Widow

     

    Among the most famous strains worldwide is White Widow, a balanced hybrid first bred in the Netherlands by Green House Seeds. A cross between a Brazilian sativa landrace and a resin-heavy South Indian indica, White Widow has blessed every Dutch coffee shop menu since its birth in the 1990s.

     

    Its buds are white with crystal resin, warning you of the potent effects to come. A powerful burst of euphoria and energy breaks through immediately, stimulating both conversation and creativity. White Widow’s genetics have given rise to many other legends like White Russian, White Rhino, and Blue Widow. Still, many growers prefer cultivation of the original White Widow, which flowers in about 60 days indoors.

     

    creative strains

     

    Jack Herer 

     

    Jack Herer is a sativa-dominant cannabis strain that has gained as much renown as its namesake, the marijuana activist and author of The Emperor Wears No Clothes. Combining a Haze hybrid with a Northern Lights #5 and Shiva Skunk cross, Sensi Seeds created Jack Herer hoping to capture both the cerebral elevation associated with sativas and the heavy resin production of indicas.

     

    Its rich genetic background gives rise to several different variations of Jack Herer, each phenotype bearing its own unique features and effects. However, consumers typically describe this 55% sativa hybrid as blissful, clear-headed, and creative.

     

    Jack Herer was created in the Netherlands in the mid-1990s where it was later distributed by Dutch pharmacies as a recognized medical-grade strain. Since then, the spicy, pine-scented sativa has taken home numerous awards for its quality and potency. Many breeders have attempted to cultivate this staple strain themselves in sunny or Mediterranean climates, and indoor growers should wait 50 to 70 days for Jack Herer to flower.

     

    creative strains

     

    Durban Poison

     

    This pure sativa originates from the South African port city of Durban. It has gained notoriety worldwide for its sweet smell and energetic, uplifting effects. Durban Poison is the perfect strain to help you stay productive through a busy day, when exploring the outdoors, or to lend a spark of creativity.

     

    Growers and concentrate enthusiasts will both enjoy the over-sized resin glands which make this strain a quality choice for concentrate extraction. The buds are round and chunky, and leave a thick coating of trichomes on almost all areas of the plant.

     

    creative strains

     

    Chocolope 

     

    DNA Genetics developed Chocolope by crossing Chocolate Thai with Cannalope Haze to create their homage to the Chocolate strains of the 1980s. The hefty sativa buds give earthy, sweet coffee flavors that provide a dreamy, cerebral effect. Consumers report a strong,euphoric mental shift that is great when coping with depression or stress.

     

    creative strains

     

    Chemdawg 

     

    Chemdawg has developed quite the name for itself over the years. Between its mysterious origin, ambiguous genetics, and the plethora of successful crosses the strain has produced, Chemdawg has practically secured itself a permanent place in the cannabis hall of fame.

     

    The original source of powerhouse strains like Sour Diesel and OG Kush, Chemdawg is known for its distinct, diesel-like aroma. Pungent and sharp, you’ll be able to smell this hybrid from a mile away.

     

    Cannabis newbies be warned: Chemdawg tends to be very potent. Depending on grow conditions, this strain tends to have THC levels of 15-20%. Consumers can expect to have a very cerebral experience, coupled with a strong heavy-bodied feeling.

     

    creative strains

     

    Trainwreck

     

    Trainwreck is a mind-bending hybrid with potent sativa effects that hit like a freight train. Mexican and Thai sativas were bred with Afghani indicas to produce this Northern California staple, passing on a sweet lemon and spicy pine aroma.

     

    Trainwreck begins its speedy hurtle through the mind with a surge of euphoria, awakening creativity and happiness. Migraines, pain, and arthritis are mowed down by Trainwreck’s high THC content, and many patients also use it for relief of anxiety, ADD/ADHD, and PTSD. Trainwreck flowers finish up in early October outdoors, while indoor gardens are ready for harvest 8 weeks into flowering.

     

    creative strains

     

    If you have questions about a particular strain or need suggestions from an expert, try chatting with Nugg’s Cannabis Concierge. Our team of cannabis experts offers free, instant advice when you need it.

     

    All cannabis strain descriptions provided courtesy of Leafly

  • Cannabis, a Gateway to Love as Seen by Artist Alex Grey

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    Visionary artist Alex Grey is renowned for his enlightening perspectives on life. He’s a prominent activist in psychedelic awareness and an inspiring leader of creative consciousness.

     

    Artist communities and cultural ambassadors everywhere honor Grey as one of the most important figures in our green generation. Integrating sacred sciences and modern mindfulness, his work paints pathways of interconnected ganja love through images, painting, poetry and words of wisdom.

     

    Alex Grey 1995 Cannabis Cup Photo

     

    “In my painting for the High Times 1995 Cannabis Cup I’ve shown the cannabis Goddess, Cannabia, surrounded by an aura of flames emitting smoke. Her hair is lush female sinsemilla buds, and her body is covered with the plant stalks, stems and green leaves. Her two mundane eyes are closed, the third “divine” eye on her forehead is open, revealing a world of fantastic and spiritual vision. To kiss her is to become intoxicated with her and turned on to one’s own fertile imagination. She holds a flaming marijuana leaf as the heart offering of the earth mother, a gift of sensuous pleasure and mystical insight.”

     

    Cannabis is an ancient plant used for ritual, medicinal and recreational ceremonies and Grey’s work is heavily influenced by its sacred use as medicine.

     

    In the interview below, Alex Grey discusses why he thinks cannabis is the most important psychedelic. Touching upon it’s nonexistent toxic dose, highly functional multiple uses, and how our founding fathers used the herb as inspiration for our founding documents, he and his wife Alison Grey praise cannabis for being an aphrodisiac, visionary and a revolutionary tool to consciously wake up to connect to what matter’s most in life: love.

     

    Watch Alex Grey Psychedelic Spirituality and History Of Cannabis

     

    Check out some of Alex’s other art pieces below, and visit Jasmine’s (author) awesome blog, the High Vibe Tribe.

     

    Alex Grey Cannabis Woman

     

    Alex Grey Cannabacchus

     

    Alex Grey Fiery Woman

  • 6 Cannabis Candy Edibles to Tickle Your Sweet Tooth

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    There’s something exciting in the air, and by air, I mean your mouth. That’s because the days of “classic” cannabis edibles — those fat-filled, calorie-laden chocolate pot brownies and cookies — are officially gone.

     

    Sure, you can still find the traditional marijuana desert edibles, but they’re quickly being replaced by more exciting, exotic, even healthy cannabis treats. This post won’t cover the new-age healthy options (you can check out our post on vegan marijuana edibles for that), but rather how “desert-edibles” are getting a makeover.

     

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    Edipure Watermelon Tarts 

     

     

    Edipure products are potent (for their size) and taste great. The company prides itself on successfully eliminating the taste of cannabis in all their products. They think cannabis candy should taste more like candy and less like cannabis, and we agree! (On that note, the strength of cannabis-taste in an edible can be a fine indicator of the potency of that product, so having no taste at all can be misleading, so beware!)

     

    Edipure candy products usually come in small 10mg pieces, so it’s easy to control your dosing. If you’re going to give these little guys a shot, we recommend the “Watermelon Tart” flavor! Just make sure you place these goodies out of reach of children, since they directly resemble sugary sweets like Sour Patch Kids.

     

    If you want to find EdiPure products near you, you can use their product locator, or you can just search for “Edipure” in the search bar of the Nugg app!

     

    Wizzle Sticks

     

    medical marijuana

     

    Remember the powdered candy craze from the 90’s? Well it’s back with a vengeance in medicated marijuana form. Wizzie Stix are basically Pixy Sticks, but each stick contains 50mg of THC! That’s potent enough for even the stoniest of stoners to feel, so be extremely careful if you’re a new cannabis user. In fact, we recommend starting with just 1/4 of one straw, then working your way up to a full straw if you feel comfortable.

     

    In my personal opinion, these straight-sugar edible straws represent one of the most convenient and fun ways to consume cannabis — just pour some sugar down your throat, get medicated and simultaneously enjoy a rush of nostalgia from your days as a young lad!

     

    Cannabis Cotton Candy 

     

    marijuana candy

     

    Kandy Care’s medicated cotton candy doesn’t need much explanation. It’s another straight-sugar product, delightfully infused with THC and lab-tested for quality and potency. The only downside to this product is its geo-location lock, which seals the packaging shut until it recognizes you’re either at a monster-truck rally, a baseball game, or the county fairgrounds — the only three places one would ever eat cotton candy.

     

    Kushy Punch 

     

    kushy punch

     

    Many cannabis-users dismiss cannabis candy products due to their traditionally low potency (many come in 10mg increments). Well, now there’s a cannabis candy for those with a higher tolerance. Whether you prefer sativa, indica, hybrid, or even pure CBD; Kushy Punch has a bite-sized product to provide maximum relief.

     

    The company hasn’t been around for long (and they produce everything in California) but I’ve seen their products flying off dispensary shelves. And it might not just be their tasty products… the company also donates 10% of their profits to local charities! That’s something we haven’t seen many cannabis brands do, but is something we whole-heartedly endorse. Go Kushy!

     

    Cheeba Chews 

     

    cheeba chews

     

    Do you have a plethora of food allergies? Never fear! Cheeba Chews are here! Cheeba Chew products are both gluten and peanut free and the best thing about them is that there are so many different types. There’s a huge selection of doses, strains, and flavors available. They even have some containing only CBD for those of you trying to stay clear headed while still treating your symptoms.

     

    Also, you don’t have to look too hard for these. Cheeba Chews tend to be everywhere. In fact, chances are you’ve already heard of this Cannabis Cup winner, these guys are veterans in the world of all things cannabis! They also tend to be on the cheaper side, so if you’re trying to save some dough, this might be the best choice. Plus, check out the artsy video below to see how they’re made!

     

     

    Incredibles

     

    incredibles

     

    Are you sick of commonplace, tart & sour cannabis candy? Or maybe you’re a cannabis candy connoisseur? Incredibles has created a name for themselves in the vast world of cannabis candy by inventing a variety of exotic flavors. Most cannabis candies are usually just medicated versions of everyday candy, but Incredibles has created something truly unique.

     

    By combining contrasting flavors like raspberry and habanero, the company has set out to create unimaginable taste sensations, fueled by a cannabis-infused high. You could consider this product the fine wine of cannabis candy, so try a bite!

     

    Well there you have it folks, six sweet marijuana edibles that will do your sweet tooth some good.

  • Top 10 Cannabis Sativa Strains for Overcoming Writer’s Block

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    Cannabis cures a variety of ailments, and while writer’s block isn’t on the list of medical ailments to get you a medical card in any state, recreational marijuana can still assist in artistic endeavors. If you’re looking to spark up something creative, try one of these tasty sativa strains, favored by writers for their brain-stimulating properties.

     

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    Strawberry Cough

     

    Strawberry Cough Best Writer Sativa Versability

     

    Leafly Rating: 4.1

    Strawberry Cough combines the Strawberry Fields strain with Haze genetics to create a potent sativa blend. The skunky, berry flavors will capture your senses while the cerebral, uplifting effects provide an aura of euphoria that is sure to leave a smile on your face. Strawberry Cough has been a popular strain since medical and recreational decriminalization began, so it’s easy to find in dispensaries. This will quickly become your go-to strain to overcome creative obstacles.

     

    Chocolope

     

    Chocolope Best Writers Sativa Versability

     

    Leafly Rating: 4.2

    DNA Genetics developed Chocolope by crossing Chocolate Thai with Cannalope. The hefty sativa buds give earthy, sweet coffee flavors that provide a dreamy, cerebral effect. Chocolope is your morning or dessert coffee and smoke rolled into one mocha-flavored blunt. It’s also a great strain to blend with tobacco for a quick spliff.

     

    Moby Dick

     

    Moby Dick Best Writer Sativas Versability

     

    Leafly Rating: 4.0

    Moby Dick is a cross between indica-dominant hybrid White Widow and sativa Haze, creating a mostly sativa plant that delivers a charged buzz. The aroma is a sweet citrus from the Haze, which dominates the palate with vanilla and eucalyptus tones. Named for the literary whale, Moby Dick isn’t a myth you have to hunt – it’s the motorized, GPS-enabled submarine you’re hunting it in.

     

    Maui Waui 

     

    Maui Waui Best Writer Sativas Versability

     

    Leafly Rating: 4.1

    Maui Waui (or Maui Wowie) is a classic sativa straight from the shores of Hawaii. Lightweight sativa effects allow your mind to drift away to creative escapes, while Maui Waui’s motivating, active effects may be all you need to get outside and enjoy the sun. The first marijuana strain I ever smoked, Maui Waui is the perfect meditative bud to get you focused on creating a space in the world around you.

     

    Lamb’s Bread

     

    Lambs Bread Best Writers Sativa Versability

     

    Leafly Rating: 4.3

    Also called “Lamb’s Breath,” Lamb’s Bread is a bright green and sticky sativa strain. The effects have been known to give mass amounts of energy and positive introspection. Even Bob Marley encountered this wonderful slice of cannabis genealogy while exploring his philosophical and political ideologies. Lamb’s Bread is one of my favorite fast-thinking smokes to get the mind revved up and thinking.

     

    Sour Diesel

     

    Sour Diesel Best Writer Sativa Strains Versability

     

    Leafly Rating: 4.2

    Sour Diesel, or Sour D, is an invigorating sativa named after its pungent, diesel-like aroma. This fast-acting strain delivers energizing, dreamy cerebral effects that have pushed Sour Diesel to legendary status. Many writers, musicians, and artists use Sour D to push beyond the walls of creative blocks, and it can have the same effect on you, if you’re over 21 and living in the right place.

     

    Laughing Buddha

     

    Laughing Buddha Best Writers Sativa Versability

     

    Leafly Rating: 4.3

    Laughing Buddha is an earthy cross between Thai and Jamaican strains with a sweet, fruity smell broken up by hints of spice. It provides a rich, pungent smoke. As the name implies, the strain will leave you feeling giggly, so humor writers will enjoy smoking Laughing Buddha most while writing. Writers in other genres, however, will likely only need it for brainstorming.

     

    Willie Nelson

     

    willie nelson best writers sativa versability

     

    Leafly Rating: 4.1

    Willie Nelson is a mostly sativa cannabis strain lauded for its euphoric, creative effects. This strain leaves you clear-headed, allowing you to perform artistically the way you want. There’s nothing worse than hitting that mental wall you can’t overcome. A walk will clear your head, as will a quick meditation and yoga break, but to prepare for all of it, you need Willie Nelson.

     

    Mexican Sativa

     

    mexican_sativa Best Writers Sativa Versability

     

    Leafly Rating: 3.0

    Mexican Sativa is a 70/30 sativa-dominant hybrid that offers an uplifting, clear-headed buzz alongside a fresh sandalwood aroma. Being raised on the Mexico/Arizona border, Mexican dirt weed was all we had to smoke back in the day. Though filled with stems and seeds, and not nearly as potent as today’s strains, Mexican Sativa inspired nearly everything creative I wrote from my late teens to mid-20’s.

     

    Green Crack

     

    Green_Crack_Extreme Best Writers Sativa Versability

     

    Leafly Rating: 4.1

    Few strains compare to Green Crack’s sharp energy and focus as it induces an invigorating mental buzz that keeps you going throughout the day. With a tangy, fruity flavor redolent of mango, Green Crack is the perfect daytime smoke for writers looking for a creative boost. This strain will get your brain going, but don’t worry about the name – there’s no cocaine or baking soda anywhere near it, and there is no spoon.

     

    If you need a long-term creative boost, you’re not going to find it in drugs. Working in the creative arts requires you to be a little unhinged, but if you’re fueled by substances, you’ll end up on the wrong path. For short-term help with creative projects, there’s no better natural and organic substance than cannabis. So head to your nearest dispensary, caregiver, or street dealer to find out if they have any of these strains in stock.

     

    Brian Penny Versability Anonymous iPhone SelfieBrian Penny is a former Business Analyst and Operations Manager at Bank of America turned whistleblower, freelance writer, and troll. Penny has been featured on Huffington Post, Lifehack, The Street, Cannabis Now, and Hardcore Games.

  • South Dakota Tribe to Open Nation’s 1st Marijuana Resort

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    The Santee Sioux tribe has already proven its business acumen, running a successful casino, a 120-room hotel and a 240-head buffalo ranch on the plains of South Dakota.

     

    But those enterprises have not been immune to competition and the lingering effects of the Great Recession, so the small tribe of 400 is undertaking a new venture — opening the nation’s first marijuana resort on its reservation. The experiment could offer a new moneymaking model for tribes nationwide seeking economic opportunities beyond casinos.

     

    Santee Sioux leaders plan to grow pot and sell it in a smoking lounge that includes a nightclub, arcade games, bar and food service and, eventually, slot machines and an outdoor music venue.

     

    “We want it to be an adult playground,” tribal President Anthony Reider said. “There’s nowhere else in America that has something like this.”

     

    The project, according to the tribe, could generate up to $2 million a month in profit, and work is underway on the growing facility. The first joints are expected to go on sale Dec. 31 at a New Year’s Eve party.

     

    The legalization of marijuana on the Santee Sioux land came in June, months after the Justice Department outlined a new policy that allows Indian tribes to grow and sell marijuana under the same conditions as some states.

     

    Many tribes are hesitant to jump into the pot business. And not everyone in Flandreau, about 45 miles north of Sioux Falls, believes in the project. But the profit potential has attracted the interest of many other tribes, just as the debut of slot machines and table games did almost 27 years ago.

     

    “The vast majority of tribes have little to no economic opportunity,” said Blake Trueblood, business development director at the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. For those tribes, “this is something that you might look at and say, ‘We’ve got to do something.’ “

     

    Flandreau’s indoor marijuana farm is set against a backdrop of soybean fields. If not for a security booth outside, the building could pass as an industrial warehouse.

     

    Inside, men are working to grow more than 30 strains of the finicky plant, including those with names like “Gorilla Glue,” ”Shot Glass” and “Big Blue Cheese.”

     

    Pot is prone to mildew and mold, picky about temperature and pH level and intolerant to tap water. So the Santee Sioux have hired Denver-based consulting firm Monarch America to teach them the basics.

     

    Tribal leaders from across the country and South Dakota legislators will tour the Flandreau facility in mid-October.

     

    “This is not a fly-by-night operation,” said Jonathan Hunt, Monarch’s vice president and chief grower. Tribal leaders “want to show the state how clean, how efficient, how proficient, safe and secure this is as an operation. We are not looking to do anything shady.”

     

    Elsewhere, crews have begun transforming a bowling alley into the resort.

     

    A marijuana resort open to the public has never been tried in the U.S. Even in states such as Colorado and Washington, where pot is fully legal, consumption in public places is generally forbidden, although pro-pot activists are seeking to loosen those restrictions. Colorado tolerates a handful of private marijuana clubs.

     

    Unlike the vast reservations in western South Dakota, where poverty is widespread, the little-known Flandreau Santee Sioux Reservation is on 5,000 acres of gently rolling land along the Big Sioux River. Trailer homes are scarce and houses have well-trimmed lawns.

     

    The Santee Sioux hope to use pot in the same way that many tribes rely on casinos — to make money for community services and to provide a monthly income to tribal members. The existing enterprises support family homes, a senior living community, a clinic and a community center offering after-school programs.

     

    Reider hopes marijuana profits can fund more housing, an addiction treatment center and an overhaul of the clinic. Some members want a 24/7 day care center for casino workers.

     

    The prosperity that marijuana could bring to Indian Country comes with huge caveats. The drug remains illegal under federal law, and only Congress can change its status. The administration that moves into the White House in 2017 could overturn the Justice Department’s decision that made marijuana cultivation possible on tribal lands.

     

    Meanwhile, tribes must follow strict security measures or risk the entire operation.

     

    The marijuana cannot leave the reservation, and every plant in Flandreau’s growing facility will have a bar code. After being harvested and processed, it will be sold in sealed 1-gram packages for $12.50 to $15 — about the same price as the illegal market in Sioux Falls, according to law enforcement. Consumers will be allowed to buy only 1 gram — enough for two to four joints — at a time.

     

    Want another gram? The bar-coded package of the first gram must be returned at the counter.

     

    Since the Santee Sioux announced their plans, the Passamaquoddy Tribe in Maine signed a letter of intent with Monarch to build a cultivation facility for industrial hemp. The Suquamish Tribe and Washington state officials signed a 10-year agreement that will govern the production, processing and sale of pot on the tribe’s land.

     

    In the long run, Reider is certain that the benefits will outweigh the risks of tribal marijuana enterprises.

     

    The tribe, he said, must “look at these opportunities because in order to preserve the past we do have to advance in the present.”

     

    Tribune wire reports     Contact Reporter

     Associated Press

    Copyright © 2015, Chicago Tribune

  • SC Senate Subcommittee Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

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    A state Senate subcommittee passed a bill Thursday to allow the use of medical marijuana in South Carolina. The bill will now go to the full Senate Medical Affair Committee, but the subcommittee will meet again first to get input from opponents on how to make the bill better.

     

    The bill would allow the use of medical marijuana only for patients suffering from a list of ailments and with a doctor’s prescription. The bill also sets up a seed-to-sale tracking system and would have the state Department of Health and Environmental Control license marijuana growers, processors, and dispensaries.

     

    The subcommittee heard from opponents of the bill Thursday, including State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel. He said other states with medical marijuana laws have seen increases in overall marijuana use, traffic accidents caused by drivers high on marijuana, and emergency room visits caused by marijuana when children ingest edible forms. He said in those states some doctors become “pill mills,” writing prescriptions for a fee for medical marijuana for just about anyone with any kind of ache or pain. And there’s nothing stopping people with marijuana prescription cards from getting the drug and giving it or selling it to others, including minors.

     

    “I don’t know of any other proposed legislation that I’ve been aware of, and certainly not since I was director of the Department of Public Safety and more involved with the legislature or since I’ve been the chief of SLED, that I think has the opportunity to negatively impact the state that we live in than this piece of legislation,” Chief Keel told senators.

     

    But senators sponsoring the bill say there’s a long list of illnesses and conditions for which marijuana provides relief, and lawmakers shouldn’t block a doctor from being able to prescribe something that will help a patient.

     

    Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, one of the sponsors of the bill, said, “If a doctor, with all his or her training, believes something can be of therapeutic benefit, why in the world would we as politicians, for reasons that are non-medical, step in and say no?”

     

    Co-sponsor Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg, said, “It should not be illegal in South Carolina for a doctor to prescribe medicine to a patient that’s going to help that patient.”

     

    By

  • Men’s Wearhouse Founder Comes Out in Favor of Pot Legalization

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    John Mackey, co-CEO of Whole Foods Market; Richard Branson of the Virgin Group; billionaire financier George Soros; and Peter Lewis of Progressive Insurance (who was a longtime advocate before passing away in 2013).

     

    Now, there’s a fifth CEO–George Zimmer, founder of Men’s Wearhouse, a company that fired him two years ago. He divulged to CNBC that he’s a cannabis aficionado of sorts.

     

    “I’ve been smoking marijuana on a regular basis for about 50 years,” Zimmer said to CNBC, before joking, “As you can see, it’s really impacted me in a negative way.”

     

    check out the video here!

     

    Zimmer gave the keynote speech Friday at the Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo in Los Angeles, pushing for legalization. “Everybody in the country knows what the truth here is, except the 535 people we elect to make these decisions in Washington, D.C.,” he told attendees. “It’s astounding.”

     

    He’s throwing his support behind an initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in California next year, just as he supported the proposition that failed in 2010. No matter what form legalization might take, Zimmer said, “I think it’s important that we protect limited home cultivation without any government licensing, so whether it’s one plant or 10 plants, I don’t know, but I think that’s very important.”

     

    Inside the Los Angeles Convention Center, he was surrounded by a variety of start-ups hoping to cash in on the legal pot craze. Zimmer said he looked into investing in one such company a year ago but decided not to—not least of which had to do with the Internal Revenue Service.

     

    “There are still a lot of questions that are raised in terms of dispensaries, and the way the IRS does not allow normal business deductions.” He’s hoping that could change, and that at the very least, the federal government will remove marijuana from the list of Schedule I drugs.

     

    “It’s treated like it was heroin,” he said. “Everybody’s who is in high school hears that and goes, ‘What are they talking about?'” He said it’s as if “The emperor’s not wearing any clothes. This is the biggest con that has been perpetrated on this country in the last century.”

     

    Meantime, Zimmer is also back in the men’s apparel business. He just launched an online suit and tuxedo rental site called Generation Tux.With the website, a groom or best man can submit measurements and rent formalwear for as little as $95.

     

    “Our business model involves having the tuxedo arrive a week ahead of your event, and you to try it on. If there’s a mistake, we will FedEx another out to you, and if it’s still not right, we will dispatch a tailor to make it right,” he said. Zimmer has also started a tailoring company called zTailors, and he said both companies cost $50 million to start.

     

    Generation Tux has a distribution center in Louisville, Kentucky, with 30,000 suits and tuxedos, and the company hopes to break even in 2017. If it takes off, Zimmer said they will need to raise more money. So would he ever consider going public again? “I wouldn’t go public if it [was] my call, but I’m not going to stand in the way if other people want to do that,” he said.

     

    It’s understandable. His ouster from Men’s Wearhouse was not pretty. Zimmer recalls having dinner with his family the night he was forced out. “It was a sort of uncomfortable quietness at the table,” he said.

     

    “I said to my children, who were probably 10 and 12, I said, ‘Hey, look, Dad got fired,” he said. “It’s not going to mean anything to our lives, but I want you to understand that in life you’re going to have these adversities, and you have to overcome them, you have to learn to overcome all adversity in fact.”

     

    Zimmer also said being fired was “probably the greatest thing that ever happened to me.” It forced him to learn about the latest technological developments in retail, which led to his new businesses.

     

    “My best advice is, ‘You only lose if you don’t get back up off the ground. Every time you get back up, you win,” he said.