4/20 The Weed Day: Happy Holiday

It’s the holiday folks, that time of the year where a thick haze of marijuana sits heavy in rooms all over the world. A day when everyone says (regardless of their daily usage), lets “burn one down, and get stoned,” because its the day of cannabis. The day the world wakes up and immediately begins smoking pot. Or rather, that’s what would happen in a fictionalized dream land where war doesn’t exist and the goal of society, is not the seeking of money, but the focus of enlightenment. Sadly, that world doesn’t exist. 

Instead, there are millions of people who live to take advantage of others for their own selfish desires. They don’t care about favors, or displacing themselves for another.  They care only about what they can get. And if it’s not about being cynical, then its about enforcing ones belief down another’s throat. As if one person has the right to demand how another thinks and feels.

Unfortunately, this day is synonymous with one of the most famous monsters in history. A man who decimated a population and started a world war based on hate —We will not dignify him with a name.

But on the other-side, the obscure side. There exists a holiday, a celebration of peace takers and enlightened individuals across the globe. Within the counter-culture, exists 4/20.  The day of doobies and blunts, bongs and bowls, rigs and dabs. Its a peaceful day, where peeps hang out in a relaxed environment, listening to good music, and laugh at stupid things while filling a never-ending stomach.

But its not just that, its also known as bicycle day. The day when Albert Hofmann purposefully ingested LSD for the first time. And in doing so, he discovered a doorway unto another reality that was previously only ritualized by tribes. At the time, he produced the strongest concentrated hallucinogenic known to man. In doing so, he freed millions of minds everywhere. 

It’s curious to me that a day which holds so much evil within mainstream society exists in a happy realm within the counter-culture.  You ask, “what do I mean by the counter-culture?” I reference the side of society that exists with an open mind and a free heart. A side that questions the propagated beliefs that seem to stand standardized. A side that listens to music elevated from the radio, who ignores the ignorance of reality television, and pursues a deeper life connection than a white picket fence in suburbia. 

It’s curious because it seems the world wants to ignore the reality of life. A reality in which people exist to spread love, not evil. A place where people displace their own convenience in order to help, not just a friend, but any living being. Not because they’ll be rewarded or recognized for what they’ve done. But because it’s the right thing. This is the real spirit of 4/20, not to just get high. But to pay tribute to the lifestyle that demands an elevated way of life. So please, as you toke it up today, think of the ways you can make a difference. 

Does the Strain Matter?

The short answer is, yes. 

Naming marijuana strains originated because people began to notice minute differences between certain types of plants.  These differences ranged from height and appearance, all the way to taste and smell.  Some plants were a lighter shade of green, others smelled like petrol, and some even tasted fruity.  This of course, created a necessity for distinction. 

Enter the name game. 

In addition to these physical cues, recent discoveries in cannabis have given us even more data on why the strain is important.  The most significant of which, is that certain strains are genetically predisposed to create higher levels of cannabinoids e.g., THC, CBD, CBG etc.  This means that select strains of marijuana are stronger and more potent than others.   

Example:  Plant A has a max THC content of 23% (meaning that out of 100% of cannabinoids in the plant, 23% of them is the compound delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol).  In comparison, Plant B has a max THC content of only 16.9%. 

This is why knowing the strain matters.  (So that as a consumer or distributer), you are able to make a knowledgeable and accurate decision regarding your product. 

Does this mean that certain strains are always better than others? 

No.  Marijuana is still a plant, and like all plants, it is subject to the sporadic uncertainties of nature.  Just as how certain renowned vineyards may have a bad year and produce inferior wine.  So too, may certain strains also have a bad season and not develop as completely.  But usually, this is readily apparent upon look and touch.  Leaving us two choices for finding out the best out of two that are visually similar -knowing the strain name, or by partaking.  If you can’t partake, go for the best strain.  Because not all weed is the same. 

What is Hash? Weed Break Down 101

I hardly partake in weed anymore.  It smells loud, is harsh on the lungs, and tastes bad.  But I dab.  When ready, I refer aloud to it as hash.  This has time and again led me to conversations with others where I’m referring to dabs as hash, and they’re thinking a specific type of hash i.e., bubble hash.  When I correct their misconception, they try to turn it around, saying something like, “Nooo, that’s BHO.”  They’re wrong.  It’s hash. 

Granted (when I was younger), I didn’t quite understand the difference between hash and marijuana, either.  And the simple fact  is, there’s not.  Hash is just a concentrated dosage of essential cannabis oils.  The same way that a grapefruit is filled with delicious, succulent juice, marijuana flowers too are filled with their own special type of juice (oil).  Hash is a broad, general name given to extracted marijuana oils. 

So why does traditional (bubble) hash look different from dabs, you ask? 

The differences in hash lie in the method of extraction used to concentrate the flower’s oil.  The traditional method of making hash is not as concise as newer, modern methods.  This resulted in a product that contained higher levels of THC than its original form, but which still retained plant matter from the flowers, which is why its bulkier and slightly powdery.  (More on how to make Bubble Hash in another post.) 

The continuing advancements of cannabis culture throughout the years has lead to more refined hash production.  One such advancement has been the advent of BHO (Butane Hash Oil), which refers to extracting cannabis oils through butane gas to create dabs.  Another method, is to simply extract the oils by heat and pressure, known as Rosin.

Still, one thing remains consistent.  Each product (from traditional Bubble hash all the way to Rosin), contains a concentrated dosage of oils from Marijuana flowers.  This means they’re all hash, with the only difference being appearance and quality.  An even newer term is Concentrates, which has spawned in conjunction with the advancements of hash and is just as acceptable to use.  Still, at the end of the day, it’s all in reference to partaking, and each person has their own way of saying they’re ready for a dosage of some THC.