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. 

Terrific Tune Tuesday: Ben Harper – Burn One Down

One of the most rewarding things a person can do after a long, hard, stress filled day is to partake in a bit of ganja.  It slowly lifts you up and makes everything better, as it melts away anxieties, and transitions a frantic mind into a calmer state.  Making marijuana the perfect Yin to almost any Yang.

Ben Harper skillfully captures this transition in his classic song Burn One Down on his incredible ‘Fight For Your Mind’ album.  It begins with the sober, soft echo of hand drums steadily  building a beat until Harper’s guitar rings in notes reminiscent of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song.  The instruments stay there for a moment, setting a familiar worn out tone, which gives a low rise of anticipation for Harper’s conflicted voice. 

The quiet, restrained passion held captive in his vocals is one of the most magnetizing qualities the artist holds.  They smoothly float over, seeping into the listener, confiding in them a depth of emotion similar to being plunged into an icy ocean.  (The cold is too shocking to feel entirely while warmth is an animalistic instinct thrashing wildly, and hope floats dubiously in the illusion of either reality, or dreams.)  And this is exactly how he greets you in the first lines of Burn One Down, gently hitting high notes that are too soft to shock, but which captivate with an invitation to light one up and possibly make things better.

The song trudges on in this jaded manner until coming to the chorus for the first time, where Harper sings, “If you don’t like my fire / Then don’t come around / ‘Cause I’m gonna burn one down.”  A full drum set then swings into play, along with a back-up guitar that transforms the song from tired to elated with the lyrical rallying cry of individuality.  His lyrics only grow more meaningful in the first lines following the chorus, “My choice is what I choose to do / And if I’m causing no harm / It shouldn’t bother you.”  They express (what should be) a golden rule of life.  An interesting theory that heavily conflicts with modern religious and cultural values. 

Burn One Down continues to progress in a mellow, positive manner which harmoniously embodies the essence of cannabis culture, until slowly fading out to the soft strumming of guitar and padding of drums.  But before it does, the listener is privileged to one last bit of marijuana acumen when we’re told, “Herb the gift from the Earth / And what’s from the Earth / Is of the greatest worth.”  A warning that tells us to appreciate and recognize mother nature’s offerings as the source of positive energy they are.  An insurmountable task, still, for many. 

After nearly 25 years, the relevance of his lyrics stands testament to the timelessness of the song.  Showcasing it as an instant classic that epitomizes the cultural shift of the 60s, of love, of acceptance, and of peace.  That calms and soothes the listener.  This is why it was chosen as the first Terrific Tune Tuesday.  It’s a song to lay back and share a spliff with a friend.

High Thoughts on Trump

Smoke Session 1

Sometimes when we partake in a little bit of marijuana, ganja, hash, or whatever you wanna call it – our brain gets stimulated.  When this happens, we tend to think creatively about issues weighing on our mind.  Take it as you like, or leave it all in the trash, but these are my thoughts. 

We all know the fantastic things that President Trump has said about women.  In his speeches he tells the world that he loves them, that he treats them with the utmost respect, and that no one is as big a supporter of their rights as he.  Apparently, the verisimilitude of these remarks have convinced many to support him.

Unfortunately, the instant ability to express one’s emotion through Twitter has shown us a different side, as can be seen in his disparaging comments towards Ariana Huffington (to name just one).  It’s too bad that the enormity of his remarks culminates in leaked footage of him explicitly stating, “Grab them by the pussy.”  A statement that was said in the context of his ability to have his way with any women he chooses, as it hints at a more sinister character. 

To make any sort of douchey comment is to display childish and immature behavior.  To say it at the caliber that Donald Trump has sat in most of his life, is irrefutably despicable.  It paints a portent picture of the character beneath the suit, tie, and Mar-a-Lago fiefdom.  One that dreams of control over others and of anything within desire.   

A lot of people I’ve spoken with have agreed that, “Trump is brainwashing the American people,”  (or something like that).  And its funny, because when you look at his comments objectively, and emotionally removed, there is either a certain ambiguity readily apparent behind all of his remarks.  Or, it’s one of two point blank statements – an accusation, or a guarantee.

Recently, Trump has accused the Obama administration of wire tapping his phones, saying, “How low has President Obama gone to tapp my phones during the very sacred election process,” (misspellings included).  But unlike the supported claims made agains the Trump administration, this one again, holds no factual evidence. 

To me, this is hilarious.  It’s as if Trump believes that Americans will trust anything he says regarding his accusations of scandal, (because he obviously thinks everyone relies on House of Cards for political facts).  Of course, there’s no way that the hit Netflix show factually depicts the daily dealings of our government.  However, it’s still undeniable that shady political affairs occur that the majority of Americans never learn of.  With that said, it seems highly unlikely that President Trump would be the most victimized candidate to ever chance a go at the White House.  Especially when considering Barack Obama, and how he was the first African-American to run for the oval office. 

For Trump to make another unfounded claim right after evidence has surfaced against his administration (Sessions), is for him to point the finger back like a child in defense.  Except that the only thing behind his finger, are a bunch of tears and a whiney ass voice. 

Are Seeds In Weed Bad?

As Snoop Dog famously said in the old-school Dr. Dre banger Still D.R.E., “No seeds, no stems, no sticks.  Some of that real sticky icky icky.”  In doing so, he created the mantra for all burgeoning stoners across the world.  No stems.  No seeds.  Just sticky icky flower.

Why is that?  Why don’t we want sticks and seeds in our weed bag?

It’s easy – seeds and stems don’t retain high levels of THC.  The ultimate goal of the female marijuana plant is to flower (produce buds).  After a certain stage of growing (in the plant’s life cycle), the plants place all of their energy into producing big, succulent, sticky buds that become laden with THC.  This is because when they enter into their final cycle of production, the rest of the plant’s leaves and stems are used to fuel the flowers growth.  This drains the leaves and stalks of Marijuana’s essence, and places it completely within the flowers.

During the early stages of flower development, female plants become at risk of pollination by male plants.  If they become pollinated, the female plants cease flower production as the numero uno priority, while simultaneously placing emphasis on seed production.  This means the plant no longer ‘cares’ for producing delicious, potent, juicy flowers; because it now only cares about making children (seeds).  This pretty much stops the production of THC within the plants flower, making it significantly less potent and enjoyable.    

Bringing us to the ultimate reason why we don’t want seeds and stems in our pot.

It makes the weed weak.  Weak weed = weak high.  Weak high = weak medicine.  Weak medicine = more pot required.  So please, do us a favor and keep the seeds in the soil.