One of my favourite things about living in Cape Town is being able to truly submerge yourself like a lazy cat in all its splendour and glory of the Mother City. From mountains and oceans to wine farms and botanical gardens, there is a diverse range of experiences available that cater to everyone’s interests.
(more…)Tag: THC
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Moon Rocks – A Look At The Concentrated Cannabis Creations And How To Make Your Own Moon Rocks
Few things are better than smoking your favourite cannabis and feeling the magic of Mary Jane wash over your entire body. Calm befalls you as your body weighs heavier into the surroundings, your thoughts are ever slightly more amusing and your gluttonous gut is getting giddy. Moon rocks on the other hand are a whole nother experience! These potent pot preparations are made by rolling different cannabis products into a stoner supernova, delivering a hit uncomparable to any before!
Moon rocks are a hybrid product made with cannabis flowers, extract and concentrates. The high potency product is ideal for medical marijuana users as it is extremely slow-burning, delivering a huge amount of cannabinoids over an extended period. Do not toke these treats light-heartedly, many stoners have told tales of waking up half a day later wondering where they are or exactly how they got there. We take a look at what these dagga delicacies are and how to make your own DIY moon rocks. Apply for leave folks, we are planning a trip to the moon!
MOON DAY
On 20 July 1969 just after eight PM, onlookers the world over were watching a live TV broadcast in suspense as Apollo 11 touches down on the lunar surface. A few hours later Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon, describing the occasion as “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. Each year on July 20 the United States observes National Moon Day, commemorating the massive achievement that saw the Apollo 11 commander plant an American flag on the surface of the moon. Celebrate moon day the right way, by smoking DIY moon rocks and going on a lunar excursion of your own.
CANNABIS CAVIAR
Caviar has long been synonymous with opulence, the salty fish eggs have long been considered a delicacy reserved for the rich and famous. Cannabis Caviar is a luxury categorization of masterfully manufactured marijuana morsels like moon rocks. The category includes several other luxury cannabis products that have been expertly crafted to be enjoyed by high rollers.
MOON ROCKS
Marijuana moon rocks, a luxurious pot preparation of top quality cannabis and A-grade concentrates, pack a powerful punch. They are made by dipping or spraying cured cannabis flowers with hash oil, rolling them in an abundance of kief before leaving them to dry. With THC potencies ranging between 50 and 80%, these sumptuous stoner smokeables are seriously something special. The high comes on almost immediately and is known to linger for hours, to infinity and beyond!
Although nobody knows exactly how moon rocks came to be or who the marijuana masterminds are behind its conceptualization; rappers Kurupt and Dr Zodiac are praised for the part they played in the popularisation of the potent nugs. What started out in 2013 as a mixtape collaboration project between the musicians quickly developed into a cannabis trademark with a range of branded MoonRocks.
MoonRocks by Kurupt boasts a gravity-defying 51.20% THC firepower, these potent nugs are by far “the strongest bud in your galaxy”. Dr Zodiak compared taking a hit of a MoonRock loaded blunt to swigging shots of 151 Bacardi, you are going to feel it fast and furious, and “it’s going to put you on your ass.” Even seasoned stoned citizen; Snoop Dogg has warned; “you can’t just do it by itself, it can’t just be [a] MoonRock solo”. Uncle Snoop says when he does decide to par-toke, he only ever “seasons” his joints by blending some broken-apart MoonRocks with regular weed.
Consider yourself lucky if you find yourself in a country (or state) that has legalized medicinal or adult-use marijuana sales. Designer moon rocks are fairly easy to come by at Dutch coffeeshops, Spanish cannabis clubs or in the United States from a selection of high-end dispensaries. Purchasing these dagga delicacies could quickly become an expensive exercise, easily setting you back ~100 USD for a 3.5g moon rock.
DIY MOON ROCKS
Not only will making moon rocks at home save you money, but it is also a super simple process and has virtually endless pairing possibilities. Once you have mastered the process of making moon rocks and get the hang of working with the marijuana materials, the sky is literally the limit. Visualize the taste, smell and experience you want to create and make it happen like a Marijuana Moon Rock Miyagi.
The marijuana materials needed to make moon rocks are base buds, hash oil and kief. Choose a cannabis strain for the base bud, based on the effect and flavour profile you want the consumer to experience. The whole weed flowers used as the base bud when making moon rocks should be expertly dried, cured and manicured. When selecting a cannabis concentrate and kief, consider strains that compliment the effects and the flavour profile of the base bud. It bears mentioning, the potency of your moon rocks increases every time you add more marijuana material to the preparation.
STEP 1
Assemble the necessary equipment and cannabis consumables in a clean workspace.
STEP 2
Using a dropper, anoint the base bud with hash oil. You want the bud to be adequately covered but not oversaturated as it will prolong the drying time and have difficulty lighting up.
STEP 3
On a small tray, roll the sticky bud in kief until it is completely covered in trichomes.
STEP 4
Let your moon rocks set, giving the cannabis components time to fuse together and deliver potent moon rocks that are sticky with delicious dagga goodness.
STEP 5
Prepare for liftoff!
LIGHT IT UP
Your DIY moon rocks are ready and you must be excited about your interstellar voyage to the great unknown. Firstly, do not attempt to use a herb grinder to mull moon rocks, the gooey texture will leave you with a sticky mess to clean up and waste your marijuana masterpieces. Rather use your fingers or a pair of scissors to gently break apart the moon rock.
The best way to consume your cannabis creations is to blend the crushed moon rocks with some regular weed, to help keep the potent pot alight. This cocktail can be rolled into a joint or blunt, or packed into the bowl of a glass pipe, bong or bubbler. If you consider yourself a cannabinoid connoisseur with an iron lung and want to take full advantage of the potency; you could choose between dabbing and vaporizing the moon rock straight up. Delivering a concentrated hit, instantly supplying a head high that eventually works its way down to your toes; blasting you into the stratosphere.
SAFETY FIRST
The golden rule with cannabis is to start low and go slow! Regardless of how frequently you smoke or at what frequency you smoke, safety first! Do not smoke moon rocks like you would smoke regular weed. Take a hit and relax, the high will initially hit you right in the third eye before the effects slowly spread to the rest of your body. A potent pot product like moon rocks come with the regular stoner side effects: red eyes, cottonmouth, dehydration, munchies, increased heart rate, as well as anxiety, headaches, and paranoia.
Stay hydrated! H2O is your best friend here, it helps dilute the THC levels, increasing alertness and elevate the experience. It is a good idea to have something to eat before you par-toke in your moon rocks, as it helps prevent nausea caused by the “motion” sickness. Have stoner snacks like pizza popcorn, or anything covered in bacon, on hand for when the munchies kick in.
Moon rocks are a novelty item that is a great conversation starter and is a surefire way to inject some ganja goodness into your get together. Making DIY moon rocks is pretty simple, cost-effective and a great way to express your cannabis creativity. Have you smoked moon rocks before? Perhaps you will be motivated to plan your very own lunar excursion and try your hand at DIY moon rocks.
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PUREJUANA – America’s First Cannabis Spirit Company Shaking Up The Adult Beverage Category
New and exciting drinks trends are always popping up, from craft beer to low ABV drinks and now cannabis cocktails! Drinks doused with dagga is not exactly a new trend, but one cannabis company is doing things a little differently. purejuana is a single serving sachet of water-soluble powder with all the benefits of marijuana. It is vegan friendly, gluten-free and low in calories. Simply dissolve the powder in a beverage of your choice to make crafty cannabis cocktails for any occasion. Like the company says; Drink your cannabis!
Matt Cohen, the founder and CEO of Lively Spirits says: “Without question, the future of the adult beverage sector is cannabis, and the cocktail is a familiar and accessible format ripe for innovation”.
purejuana is an excellent alternative for making all-natural, good-for-you craft cocktails that skip the booze, the calories and the hangover! Most other cannabis beverages are made with THC distillates, a highly processed concentrate that does not contain naturally occurring terpenes and flavonoids.
THE COMPANY
Lively Spirits is a psychotropic spirit company that is disrupting and evolving the adult beverage category with purejuana, a water soluble powder with all the goodness of the cannabis plant and America’s first dry spirit brand. The California based company was co-founded in 2020 by Matt Cohen and Parker Steele.
“With purejuana, we are pioneering a rapidly dissolving dry spirit that delivers a true alcohol replacement, right down to the buzz, without diluting the distinct combination of flavors, aromas and psychoactive effects unique to each cannabis cultivar and the connoisseurs who appreciate them.” says Matt.
THE PRODUCT
purejuana is a liquid soluble powder that is used instead of alcohol to create crafty cannabis cocktails. The idea behind this pot product was conceived around other plant-derived spirits like mezcal. It is a stable powder that stays fresh without the need to add any additives, the result? The clean, unadulterated taste and aroma of cannabis flowers in your favourite beverage!
purejuana products are derived from fresh organic, sun-grown cannabis flowers that are sourced ethically and responsibly. Flash-freezing the cannabis preserves the integrity of the pot plant and the natural flavours, aromas and psychoactive effects of each strain. Then, with the help of some top-secret technology, the psychoactive essence is captured and preserved. Every sachet of purejuana contains more than a 100 cannabis compounds thriving in harmonay to deliver a full-spectrum experience.
The strains used to produce purejuana are chosen for their unique flavours and interesting effects. purejuana currently has five strains; Venom OG, Blue Dream, Super Lemon Haze, Purple Punch and XJ-13; with future plans to add to this lineup and release limited offerings.
purejuana comes in three colour-coded potency levels, the green label has 2.5mg THC per sachet. The yellow and red labels have 5mg and 10mg THC respectively. Each single shot sachet is the ideal serving for one drink, the duration and effect of purejuana is comparable to that of a single serving of liquor.
purejuana red label sachets are sold in boxes of ten, retailing at around $23, or a single sachet for ~$3. The green and yellow potency levels are only available in boxes of ten.
HOT IT FEELS
The measured dose means you can expect a sessionable and socially elevating experience. The rapid onset and elevation is an experience similar to that after a single serving of alcohol and lasts about as long.
You should feel social, spirited and slightly euphoric, however, each person has a unique endocannabinoid system, metabolism and tolerance to THC.
COCKTAIL RECIPES
purejuana has partnered with some of the best and most celebrated bartenders to develop non-alcoholic cocktail recipes to showcase the distinct flavours and aromas of various cannabis strains
The Jimi
*Coconut water simple syrup is made with a ratio of 1:1 of coconut water and demerara sugar. Simply heat the ingredients in a pot until the sugar has fully dissolved.
Chronic & Tonic
High Tea
**Make early grey tea syrup with a 1:1 ratio of water and granulated sugar. Add one scoop of loose early grey tea leaves for every 250ml liquid. Bring the water and sugar to a boil until dissolved, add the tea, allow to steep as it cools down.
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Why CBG, A New And Legal Cannabis Plant Product, Is All The Rage
Unfamiliar with CBG? So are we, yet it is suddenly everywhere like CBD, packaged in oils, tinctures, capsules, gum, and in whole-plant flower.
What is CBG and does the Cannabigerol live up to its expectations? That all depends on who you are asking. At first, stoned citizens who keen to experiment and explore the marijuana plant were told cannabis had one active ingredient, THC. Then came wellness influencers and celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow from GOOP, telling you all about the magic of CBD. Their message was clear: CBD is good and THC is bad. despite very little evidence of CBD’s power and THC’s demonstrated potential in pain relief and appetite stimulation.
Where does CBG fit in?
CBG is more untested. Unlike THC, which is banned by federal law and heavily regulated by states, and unlike CBD, which is increasingly policed by the Food and Drug Administration, there are no rules around CBG yet. Because of this, there is growing interest in the commercial use of this unregulated phytocannabinoid.
CBG isn’t new to science, but the new market hype underscores the scientific ignorance. Cannabigerol (CBG) is currently being marketed as a dietary supplement and many claims are being made about its benefits.
Harvested cannabis plants generally offer 1 % CBG content by weight, which begs questions as to how cannabis companies are harvesting enough of it or breeding plants differently to market products boasting of 20 % CBG.
The knowledge gap and scarcity haven’t stopped entrepreneurs from searching for the next economic market, and it appears CBG oil may prove to be that market, according to an expert in cannabinoids.
There is significant potential for very specific pathologies—and that’s how the cannabinoid will be marketed, regardless of concrete results.
Great potential, little actual knowledge, and immense hype: that’s the cannabis industry, and that’s the current bottom line with CBG.
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Find out what Cannabis Tinctures are and how to make your own Green Dragon Tincture at home
Green Dragon Cannabis Tincture was one of the most commonly used ways to ingest the humble Mary Jane before she was caught in the crossfire when the United States federal administration declared the War on Drugs.
What is a Tincture?
A simple definition; tinctures are extracts made by soaking the leaves, bark and roots of herbs in an alcohol solvent. The solvent draws out the active compounds in the plants, dissolves and concentrates them. Tinctures have been used as medicine for a variety of ailments for many years.
What is a Cannabis Tincture?
There are a few options when it comes to Cannabis Tinctures. The best solvent for extracting as many cannabinoids and terpenes as possible is PGA (pure grain alcohol). Enters the Green Dragon, an alcohol-based cannabis tincture. For a lower ABV cannabis tincture with a defined flavour profile, you could use your favourite vodka, brandy or whisk(e)y.
Alcohol-free
If you are avoiding alcohol for whatever reason, your tincture will have an alcohol percentage, you could replace the alcohol with an MCT oil. MCT is oil derived from coconuts, it is easily digested and can be taken sublingually just like a tincture.
Benefits of using Cannabis Tinctures
Cannabis tinctures are quick and easy to make at home. Consumption is effortless, fast-acting and discreet. Making your own cannabis tincture will save you money and homemade tinctures are customizable. You can add lavender and chamomile to make a tincture for anxiety and relaxation or try turmeric and ginger for an anti-inflammatory tincture to target pain relief.
Choosing your Bud
Shop around for the desired cannabinoid combination. You could choose a THC forward strain, or decide on a variety with a higher percentage of CBD or CBG cannabinoids. It all depends on what desired effects you are after. You can calculate the potency of your cannabis tincture by using a tincture edibles calculator.
How to make your own Green Dragon Cannabis Tincture
You will need a mason jar, high-proof and safe for consumption alcohol, strainer and your marijuana of choice.
Cold extraction
There are several sources that recommend placing the jar in the back of your freezer instead. This cold process is said to extract cannabinoids and terpenes more efficiently but leaves behind the Chlorophyll. Which is the part that makes the plant green and helps it create its own food through the process of photosynthesis. Some people prefer to avoid it altogether, as it is an acquired taste. But within at least seven days of keeping the tincture in the back of your freezer and giving it a shake-a-day, your tincture will be ready to be strained within seven to ten days.
Dosage
Go low, go slow! Stick to one or two drops under your tongue to start. Once you have tested the potency of your marijuana tincture paired with your own tolerance you will have a better understanding of what your dosage is. Keep it under your tongue for 20-30 seconds for the medication to absorb directly into your bloodstream, the tincture burns under the tongue at first, but this does not last very long.
It is pretty easy to make your own Green Dragon Cannabis Tincture at home. If you enjoy the benefits and effects of cannabis, this is the edibles solution for you! Taken sublingually it is fast-acting, the dosage is controllable and you will be saving money! Try it today!
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A look into the life of a pot plant parent
Growing your own reefer will not just save you money, you will be smoking organic flowers giving back all of the love that you poured into them. This article by no means covers nearly enough to guarantee success at any level of growth, it is purely meant to outline the process from seed to smoke. There are many different ways to grow, harvest, dry, trim and cure marijuana. This basic guide will give you a glimpse into the life of an outdoor pot plant parent.
Choosing the right seeds
Spliff seeds are endospermic, confirming the presence of an endosperm which acts in feeding the seed to speed up germination. In just a few days the plant emerges from the soil looking like a fully formed plant. There are a few variables to consider before choosing the right strain. There are three cannabis species; Sativa, Indica and Ruderalis; each with distinguishable differences. Sativa and Indica plants are photoperiod flowering and require strict control over most variables from start to finish. Ruderalis plants are easy to grow, auto-flowering and will be ready to consume quicker that the Sativa or Indica cousins. There are hundreds of thousands of ‘sub’ strains, made up of landraces and hybrid plants. Breeders are coming up with new hybrids all the time! The first step to becoming a pot plant parent is to acknowledge the commitment ahead in raising your pot plant!
Shop around online for seeds with your preferred THC and CBD breakdown. Investigate the reviews on the products and check the preferred growing conditions for each strain to ensure you can deliver the water, sunshine and nutrients to ensure a happy plant. Ensure the seeds you choose are feminized or auto-flowering to avoid male plants who will pollinate the female ones and turn your flowers to seeds. Intersex plants are self-pollinating and should be avoided as well. Seeds are fairly durable; they have been known to germinate up to five years later when kept in a cool dry environment, and as long as ten years if sealed and frozen.
Pot Plant Parent Calander Germination
(15 Jul – 30 Sep)
Pot plants love warmer climates, the temperature should never dip below 10 C, however, they grow ideally between 20 and 27 C. To germinate your seeds, place them in a glass jar with filtered water for 36 hours; then place the seeds on a paper towel and put it inside a ziplock bag, wet the paper towel and seal the bag creating a greenhouse effect. The bag should be soaking up as much sun as possible at this point. Keep an eye on the taproots, when they measure 2cm they are ready to be planted into prepared jiffy pellets.
Credit @GardeningKnowHow Potting
(15 Aug – 15 Nov)
The next step is to plant the jiffy pellets into your chosen soil. We recommend fabric pots because they are lightweight, allows the root system to breath, promotes rapid growth and prevents overwatering. The size of the pot will determine how much your plant will grow, an eight-litre pot will allow your plant to grow up to 90cm tall and yield 60 – 120g of smokable green. Pot plant parent goals!There are several growing mediums to choose from, we suggest using a formulated topsoil that is light with an airy texture like perlite or coco coir (coconut husk), is balanced in nutrients and has the bacteria and fungi needed for optimum plant growth. Avoid using synthetic additives and salt-based nutrients. Create a nutrient reservoir by filling the first quarter of the pot with super nutrient-rich soil and fill the rest of the pot with topsoil.
Here are four ways to look after and feed your soil while your plant baby is growing
- Feed the top layer of your soil with earthworm castings every few weeks, they are nutrient-dense and assist with drainage and water retention.
- Reinvigorate your soil and boost the carbohydrate nutrients, by mixing 5ml of organic molasses with one litre of water to rinse through the soil every six to eight weeks.
- Boost the living soil web and get micronutrients in the soil with a homemade compost tea worked into your watering routine, it should also be used as a foliar spray.
- Reduce unnecessary evaporation with a crop cover of crimson clover, which can help prevent nutrient imbalances.
Lighting
Lighting is important, by the time the seedling emerges it will need as much direct sunlight as possible. Natural sunlight produced a full flavoured flower that is aromatic with terpenes and has a high cannabinoid level. If it looks like your seedlings are stretching out it means they are looking for sunlight and you should position them to be exposed to more direct rays.
Watering
Water your plant babies every few days to once a week, increasing the frequency as the plant grows. Filtered or bottled water is best as the chlorine in the tapped variety could damage all the good bacteria and fungi in the soil. It is a good idea to flush your soil every couple of weeks to rinse out any fertilizer build-up.
What are Trichomes?
Trichomes are the cannabis flower’s natural defence against bugs and pests. If you do end up having unwanted visitors; neem oil and dishwashing soap, mixed at a 4:1 ratio can be sprayed on your plant to keep away bugs, mould and fungus.
Credit: @Ryan-Lange Pruning & Topping
Suggest period for Southern Hemisphere: 15 Nov – 30 Jan
Pruning essentially improves the quality and yield of your cannabis. By removing the lower branches as well as any yellow or dead leaves, your plant will redirect its energy and resources to the quality buds. It will also allow for better airflow around the remaining flowers to ensure your plant remains healthy and vibrant.
Topping is necessary to ensure your plant does not focus all its resources on the main stem, but rather redistribute the nutrient and energy resources to support lateral growth that will result in a bushy plant baby with lots of surface area to absorb all the natural rays. When there are around five nodes on the main stem, cut off the newest node at the top.
Flowering
Your plant baby will start flowering once the nights get longer and winter is around the corner. The flowering stage is activated when the plant is in uninterrupted darkness for between ten and twelve hours. The plant will undergo a growth spurt in anticipation of an abundant yield.
Credit: @GioBartlett Harvesting
(15 Mar – 30 Jun)
Your little bambino is almost ready, with two weeks to go it is time to flush all the salts and minerals from the soil. Do not administer any further supplements and water with a ph-balanced H2O. Using a magnifying glass check the trichomes daily, when a quarter of the trichomes turn amber or brown the flowers are ready to be harvested.Trimming, Drying & Curing
Trimming can be done before or after you have dried your bud. The small sugar leaves might be tricky to remove once they are dry, but there is no reason for removing these from your smokable flower; they are loaded with cannabinoids and terpenes! It is important that there is enough air circulation around the drying bud to ensure it is evenly dried. The drying process takes about two weeks, once the smaller branches snap when bent the bud is ready for curing!
Place the flowers in a sealable glass jar and leave it in a cool dark corner, burping the jar once a day for a week before leaving the jar unopened for another week. Your bud-die is now ready to be ground down and enjoyed! Sit back, relax and let your plant take care of you for a change!
Credit: @Panos_Sakalakis