Hey all! Happy December, the month we all loosen our belts and enjoy all sorts of home cooked delights, watching snow finally start falling and kick in the start of winter. One by one, the boxes of tea and hot chocolate again emerge to the honorable front row spots of their respective shelf. Now more than ever, our bodies crave sugar to offset all that extra energy exerted in our more careful and adventurous daily commute through the cold and snow this whitest of seasons brings. So why not add a little THC into the sweet things in which we'll be indulging this oh so festive of months.

Along the lines of that freshly-baked and delicious home-made taste, my absolute favorite ganja butter edible in Colorado right now is Sweet Grass Kitchen. The muffins, brownies, and cookies this kitchen creates are so tasty, potent, consistent, and are only $5 each! The ganja butter, is meticulously produced, with a hybrid blend of sweet leaf. It's a laborious three day process of slow simmering and triple straining!

So next time I plan on serving medicated dessert, no way will I try and bake my own ever again. I'll thankfully leave that in the able hands of Julie and baking staff at Sweet Grass! Damn good cookies, brownies, and muffins cause the Sweet Grass focuses on perfecting only a small handful of baked products... but look for new creations coming soon that are even strain-specific!!


Here's the moist and chewy chocolaty Brownie. Absolutely perfect with quality vanilla ice cream, this decadent treat packs a whopping 68mg of activated cannabinoids.


A close up reveals the texture and moistness. Everytime I look at this photo, I want to take a bite out of the laptop monitor!



Here is the Banana Bomb, packing a pleasing and relaxing 47mg of activated cannabinoids.



A closer shot of the Banana Bomb



Due to its insane potency, this large version of the Banana Bomb is soon to fall of the Sweet Grass menu, which is fine by me cause it's exactly the same potency (93mg), size, and price of two of the small banana bomb muffins, which are more suitable for a single strong dose.



And finally, here's the amazing Chocolate Chip Cookie, which packs in 42mg, the least potent of Sweet Grass Kitchen's edibles, is delicious and provide very pleasant effects throughout most of a long morning.

Happy Happy Thanksgiving everyone! As we reflect on all things for which to be thankful, certainly many of us would add excellent quality and well-grown marijuana flower clusters to their list. In that department, I'm thankful for Southwest Alternative Care and their primo medicinal genetic arsenal by Scott Reach of Rare Dankness Seeds (also previously ran Stone Mountain Wellness Center a long two years back). This holiday season I'm lucky enough to be spending quality time with 11 of Scott's strains from Southwest Alternative Care.

The shop itself is a hidden gem in the middle of an industrial area, proudly displaying wonderful expert-grown and bred wellness. Always in search of Sativa-dominant hybrid genetics, I was wholly rewarded at this center with a sampling of many favorite strains fused together in what must've been one glorious breeding adventure I'm sure!

Like in some kind of great herb museum, displayed were different Neville's Haze and Trainwreck sativa's bred together with all kinds of Indica-dominant OG Kush varieties like Abusive, Ghost, and Scott's sweet tasting Face-Off OG, to name a few. One of many true gifts Scott Reach has given us in his masterful breeding work is the taming of THE GREAT Neville's Haze! Most people wouldn't touch it with a 20 foot watering can, which you may just need if growing it outdoors; along with its sometimes 120 day flowering cycle. But the added OG Kush genes not only remove a large part of this old-time favorite haze's flowering time, but also shorten the insanely long internodal lengths and bulken the smaller calyxes and bud clusters for which Neville's and Trainwreck are notorious.

I was also impressed to see many of the same genetics used in Rare Dankness seed breeding projects right there on Southwest's shelves in mature bud form! I like this latest trend of seeing flowers and their seeds side by side at the centers! Sure enough several of the displayed Rare Dankness buds also have their seeds for sale on site!

So let's see what some of this amazing Sweet Home Colorado-grown medical marijuana looks like, shall we?


One of my favorites is this Ghost Train Haze, a work of genetic art to produce one of the greatest Indica-Sativa hybrids I've had the pleasure of enjoying! This Ghost OG Kush, Trainwreck, and Neville's Haze combo scored in the upper 20's in THC percentage on a recent Full Spectrum Labs test. Not surprising given how white-looking this flower is and how long its effects last.


Another Ghost Train Haze, a little closer...



Here is The FaceWreck Haze, Scott's famous FaceOff OG Kush crossed with a(Neville's Haze X Trainwreck) male he uses in many of Rare Dankness Seeds breeding projects.


Another hazy Sativa, The Neville's Wreck #2 is another Neville's Haze X Trainwreck.


Another Neville's Wreck #2


Here's a Trainwreck Haze, also a Trainwreck and Neville's Haze genetic mix perfect in the daytime, yet very potent.



And one of my favorite sativa strains ever: the Tangerine Haze, and of course, an excellent representation of it. Smells like Tangerine-citrus candy!


A close-up of the Tangerine Haze



Here is the absolute BEST Blueberry strains I've seen in this world: Scott's Blue! I don't know about you, but when someone sticks a Blueberry bud under my nose, I actually expect it to smell like blueberries. So few Blueberry Marijuana strains really do anymore, but this one is unreal! Very tasty and surprisingly super potent!


Here's another Scott's Blue. Ain't she beautiful!!


An interesting Sativa, the Sin City Haze is a Diesel Skunk Haze strain with an interesting smell reminiscent of onion stew, but wonderfully uplifting daytime high!



This Amnesia Haze is great for all those fans of Jack Flash and Jack Herer strains who's genetics are proudly displayed in this beauty of a nug!


Another Amnesia Haze



This is a DHK Purple Haze with just a bit of purpling in the leaves.



And here is a well-known Colorado-only strain called the Fort Collins Cough. Although she doesn't have an amazing aroma or taste, this girl turned out to be one of my favorite of Scott's samples at Southwest Alternative Care. Absolutely glistening with trichomes, she packs an instantaneous heavy potent Hybrid buzz I can enjoy every evening!


Another Fort Collins Cough



And who can call themselves a true breeder these days without some Sour Diesel/OG Kush genetics in the mix?! Here is Scott's Sour Kush. Very potent and long-lasting and perfect in the day or evening.

Another Sour Kush



Last, but not least, is this Tahoe OG Kush, a more sweet version of OG Kush, this flower smells wonderful and tastes the same. Definitely a big hit Southwest Alternative Care can be proud of displaying on their shelf.



Southwest Alternative Care
1940 West Mississippi Avenue
Denver, CO 80223-2978
(303) 593-2931

Helloooooooooo friends! This week I had a chance to visit The Greenest Green at their new location at 673 30th Street in Boulder and it's as upbeat and patient-friendly as their old digs on Pearl St. I know a few years is almost an eternity in the ever-changing world of Colorado Medical Marijuana, but to this day, never have I had as much fun than at The Greenest Green! Where else did anyone have a try-before-you-buy policy?! Back in the "good ole days" before the State's incessant, yet inevitable regulations, patients could request a Volcano Vaporizer bag full of a particular strain and see if it's medically fitting, before buying. Of course that's IF you needed any further medication after the automatic skillet bong-hit of house hash oil we patients eagerly received upon stepping to the MMJ bar.

So before I get all nolstalgic about the good-ole wild west days of Colorado's fledgling green industry  back in ought-9, let's get down to what's been constant: these guys' absolute mastery of OG Kush-based genetics and strains. They won the Best Bud of Boulder's Cup in the "Best Tasting" category for their OG Kush, and we judges remember that entry very well: Best Bud of Boulder! Always on the cutting edge of new medical marijuana flavors and strains, as well as having a stable of tried and true champions (their kick-ass Tangerine Haze comes to mind), Brad and Lauren just opened up another Greenest Green center in Denver. Not only am I happy for their success, but for Denver in general cause that town's about to get an influx of great medicine indeed. By the way Denver friends, their new location is where BioCare used to be: 2899 N. Speer Blvd. Denver, CO.

So let's get to it and see what's gracing the Greest Green's top shelf these days...

This here is something special folks, it's the Lemon G13 Oil that took 3rd in Denver's recent Medical Cannabis Cup. Upon opening the container, a high-pitched, screaming Lemon Pledge Cleaner aroma hits me right in the nose. Taste is an immaculately smooth tangy lemon peel zest, covering the top layer of a Lemonhead candy; while the affects are upbeat, social, and ultra positive. The accompanying body buzz is not surprising given a friend's recent story of how this very Lemon G13 oil was so effective, it got her out of a wheel chair during a pain flare-up. This is some medicine!




So if you're wondering how to consume the sticky honey-like goo in the photo above, pick up one of these inexpensive and nifty oil kits that comes with a hand-blown glass oil smoking spoon, a quality torch, a glass dabber, and an air-tight GG glass container all enclosed in a snug case. The glass spoon is a really good way to taste hash oil, but that's a double-edged sword if you happen upon a nasty nasty extraction.




This Flo is beautiful and packs a nice punch, but this isn't a surprise since The Greenest Green has always perfected the lavender-tinged DJ Short version of this strain.




This next one is the Headband, a chem'y mix of Sour Diesel and OG Kush, but heavier on the Kush side.




Another Chem Family member, one of The Greenest Green's staple strains, the sincerely potent Skywalker OG Kush.




Here's something interesting, a Ghost OG Kush X OG Kush Moonshine. If you like it, they sell her seeds!




Another variety whose seeds you can purchase at the center, is this Sour OF Kush X OG Kush Moonshine.




I did say The Greenest Green has a lot of OG Kush varieties, here is an Ewok OG Kush, which was a pheno from a bean found on the Chewie OG Kush, and so begins the lore. To me this flower had the aroma of an Ewok's armpit, so that was an interesting surprise.




And of course there have to be excellent edibles at a wellness center. Among others, The Greenest Green proudly stocks Sweet Grass Edibles. These delicious Banana Bomb Chocolate Chip Muffins pack a whalloping 93mg of concentrated cannabis, so please do not eat the whole thing if inexperienced with medicated food. I enjoyed this muffin so much I can eat one every morning for eternity.




The Greenest Green
673 30th Street
Boulder CO, 80303
Phone: (303) 953-2852

Hello friends! It's about time I shared with you one of Boulder's best centers, High Grade Alternatives. Now, I've been to shops who's owners spent hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears making their centers aesthetically beautiful. Yet here's this place... a world away from the posh downtown Boulder shops and crowds, east on Arapahoe in a small roadside strip mall, with a no-frills yet comfy magazine-laden waiting area and then a spartan yet functional dual-countered med room. Nothing special, right?

But what the hell are we here for anyway??!! The buds, the concentrates, and the edibles! And that's exactly why this ascetic space happens to be one of the very top grossing and popular dispensaries in town! If I had a bud for every shop owner who knows and tells me this fact... and if I had another bud for each one of those that doesn't understand why...

It's simple, really: CONSISTENT GREAT QUALITY MEDS priced fairly and always available. After all, these guys did win the Best Bud of Boulder with their Sour Diesel and after a year and a half, High Grade still has my favorite version of this glorious strain. Aside from the Sour D, these guys will surely have a few strains on everyone's absolute must-try lists. Wanna see what I mean?


Here she is: my favorite Sour Diesel anywhere. Just lasts and lasts for hours with an unforgettable, deep deep flavor.





And just when I thought it wasn't gonna get any better than the Sour D, Adam, one of the truly good-guy dispensary owners in the MMJ industry, throws this Chemdawg at my head. I shit you people not, I rarely tell anybody to go right the hell n.o.w. and get a nug, but yes, it's that good. Classic deep, rich sour fuel taste lingers and lingers on the palette for a minute or two leading to an immediate and explosively potent Chemdawg experience.



Another Chemdawg, but a little bit closer





High Grade's Jilly Bean is the best example of this TGA Subcool's Sativa pheno around. I haven't yet met a Subcool strain that really packs on the potency and duration like some of the chem's/diesels out there, but this one had impressive strength for a Jilly Bean. The Sativa pheno is really where it's at with this strain and those who enjoy the taste/aroma signature of the Tange or Tangerine Haze will abosulte love this one.





Here's a Triple Diesel that is very potent and beautiful.





One of the prettiest and aromatic marijuana strains I've seen in a while, the Space Devil is a perfect late evening couch lock Indica with an aroma reminiscent of Grape Fruit Punch with a sweet smooth taste.





This one is the Pineapple Wreck, a perfect hybrid which has the right balance of energetic Sativa creativity with an Indica droopy eye'd body buzz.





Many a Flo has crossed my camera lens and it seems like each one is a different strain. In fact, I've never seen the same Flo twice, but of the nicer ones that can be found on the dispensary scene is this one.



Another of High Grade's Flo





And finally we have the Biesel, supposedly a New York City Diesel crossed with a Great White Shark, she's a mild Sativa perfect for the morning's first of the day.




High Grade Alternatives
3370 Arapahoe Avenue
Boulder, CO 80303
(303) 449-1905Hours: Sun Closed; Mon-Fri 11am–7pm; Sat 1–5pm

Hello Friends! As I ease back into the Colorado Medical Marijuana scene, it's clear so much in Colorado Medical Marijuana is different now than last we "spoke". Yet the one constant that always shines through is our collective love for our great plant. Helping this along is a vast network of growers and breeding craftsmen, some better known than others. The key that made Verde Wellness interesting to me was the fact that it's owned and operated by Chuck, otherwise known as "The Lemon Man", who not only won several Cannabis Cups during a long stint in Amsterdam, but also responsible for creating the great Lemon Skunk! I figured (correctly) a patient can't go wrong at his shop. So lets get to some photos, it's been too long...

I've seen many different Jack Herer samples in my time, and sadly some would'nt've made their namesake proud. Verde's, though, is the best tribute to our beloved activist I've seen! Bursting in trichomes, Verde's Jack is dense and beautiful with an aroma reminding me of sweet buttery cantaloupe candy with citral hints. As expected, inhale was smooth and sweet, and I advise small to medium puffs to not only savor her bold flavors, but also to handle that rare lung-expansiveness of her smoke! Of course the ash was almost snow white given the tasty exhale reminiscent of buttery popcorn. Affects come on immediately and soar to a high plateau, ideally suitable for relaxation or music.















Verde Wellness Center
5101 East Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80220-1301
(303) 474-4489
copyright http://www.thestrainman.com/

Here is one of the all-time greatest Durban Poison specimens. Grown by a patient friend, I'll always call this the 'Aaron Durban'. Notice the Sativa growth pattern as the calyxes, instead of clustering on top of one another as Indicas do, revolve singularly around the stem. I never thought that much about the numerous Durbans that come my way.. always just pretty good. This one made me see the Durban light.



Aside from it's amazing and quite intense sweet, anise aroma (resembling Cream Soda to its grower), is a monumentally happy and joyful experience that accompanies moderate pain ease. This is one of those strains that would instantly make it to the top shelf of any dispensary, but unfortunately for most of us patients, it's also one of those strains that shall only always be passed around inner friend circles. Colorado marijuana is to be never judged only on what we see at the dispensaries, because friends, there is a lot of grow talent and amazing genetics here done by folks who work for nobody but their own pleasures.

Helloooooo! Tonight I bring you 14er Holistics, not only boasting an upbeat and fun wellness center space, but this IS THE ONLY SHOP IN TOWN WITH $12 TOP SHELF IN-HOUSE STRAINS!!! There are also some excellent 'visiting' herbs for $14 a gram (like the fabled and excellent Nederland-Ward Tangerine Haze cut), but their various house strains are just as good for a few bucks cheaper.

Also felt very comfortable at 14er from the start. The staff is real nice, friendly, and there to answer any questions. Leslie, who is well-studied in the subject, showed me the various wellness (non-cannabis) herbs patients can also purchase. And Evan is rightfully proud of the unique bud genetics he's able to produce for Boulder's Medical Marijuana community.

This place has it going on!!! People are catching on to it and arriving by the half-dozen, setting up this shop to be one of a tiny handful of 'The Best of Boulder'. It just shows that the magic formula for a successful medical center works! 1. acquire good genetics. 2. be completely self-contained grow-wise. 3. take the long-term approach and aim for return customers by keeping prices low.

When ya have excellent Cannabis strains, a $12 gram price will pack the place and allow you to care for more patients than ever imagined. Shopkeepers-it's time to grow ALL of your own meds because the $10 top shelf gram is right around the corner; while relying on vendors and pushing the extra middleman cost on to the patient is quickly going by the wayside.

Here are some of their in-house strains...

An on-yer-arse knock-out of a strain called Purple Voodoo. Perfect for couch-lock lovers out there who need to jump back into conversation here and there. Very strong yet enjoyable. This Purp Voodoo just has that aroma about it that screams "I'm Potent, watch out!"




This is Somango, an upbeat, mood enhancer of a strain which would be ideal in the daytime. Classic SOMA signature to the flower form, too.




One of the shining stars at 14er, is this Lemon Skunk, which is perfection in a flower. Lemony citral aroma and taste lead to a special magic carpet ride of a high. A serene and wonderful experience, and like a warm blanket on a cold night when it comes to dulling/blurring aches and pains as well as headaches.




This next one is the second distinct pheno of Island Sweet Skunk. Also known elsewhere as ISS-Blowfish Pheno, this almost pure Sativa can be used throughout the entire day while getting work done or even hiking in the Rocky Mountains! Uplifting medicine that will kick start your morning in ways that will have you postpone that first cup of coffee until after the effects wear off. Aroma is citrus with hints of black pepper.




Here is the Great Northern. Another very good strain reminding me of a cross between Island Sweet Skunk's dominant pheno and a tough Diesel. Outstanding high goes along with general pain relief here, folks.




Another big stand-out is the BooBerry. Looking like someone sprinkled powdered sugar all over the nugs, this variety produces a deep relaxing and almost meditative state leading to appetite and deep sleep.




Finally, for all of you classic genetics fans, here is the Banana Kush. A very tasty specimen that stops headaches in their tracks, this strain reminded me of what happens after adding Blueberry, Northern Lights, and AK-47 to the genetic blender. In any case, wonderful fruity-pine'y aroma and very well done.




14er Holistics
2897 Mapleton Ave. Ste 800
Boulder, CO 80301
Phone: 303.539.6525
http://www.14erholistics.com/

Good evening friends! Some dispensary reviews seem like they just write themselves and this one I couldn't wait to get to! I was just over at Boulder Medical Marijuana Center (BMMC) on the SE corner of 22nd and Pearl and am impressed by the number of potent, unique strains on the shelf. Each jar master grower and proprietor Ryan displayed for me off their top shelf demo'd fine Colorado genetics and immense grow skillz. Yes Yes Yes!!! Most every bud sample sported a thick white-to-amber blanket of crystallization pushing each of their dozen top shelf strains well into the 'elite' category. A few even redefined the term 'one-hit wonder' for me!

At $12-$16 (tax-included) a gram for such quality nugs, this shop is a great example of a trend patients are happily coming to enjoy in the recent market: lower prices for A-quality medicinal herb. Not necessarily the type of shop that carries the absolute most popular strains at the moment, but whoa Nelly! there is major potency and aesthetics (bag-appeal) in these various connoisseur-level strains I haven't yet seen in the State.

Aside from the top-notch quality of BMMC's 100% organic dried flowers, the full-melt hash is absolutely unreal in potency and flavor. Their Mother's Finest hash (photo down below) scored the absolute highest THC percentage that Boulder's RM3 Labs has ever tested!

Below is a small sample of what Boulder Medical Marijuana Center's medicines are all about. Luckily Ryan provided us with quite thorough lineage and history of his strains (in quotes below), and I hope you enjoy the info as much as I do...


Here is an unbelievably trich-encrusted creeper, Dutch Treat Haze. An extremely potent one-hit-wonder 20% Indica/80% Haze magic, dare I say this IS the most crystally strain I have ever seen. According to legend, "Little is known about this strain except that two clones were brought from Maui, Hawaii in the underwear of a person with such large cojones that the bulge was unnoticed by the authorities. He said that it was bred from a cross of the Dutch Treat and Haze."




An energizing elixir of a strain, this is the Super Silver Lights. A "Super Silver Haze taken by Sensi Seeds NL#5 in 2003", this 50/50 Hybrid is a good balance of effects. And when these folks call something 'Silver', they really mean it.




This is the NOFF, a very unique and interesting specimen for sure. Affects come on strong, hard, and fast to an almost psychedelic perma-grin plateau for a good hour and a half. A hearty appetite quickly ensues. Lineage is "The Legendary Fort Collins Cough taken by a truly excellent Sensi Northern Lights #5"




This next one here is the 'Skank', a "JFK (Juicy Fruit X AK-47) mothered by Marilyn Monroe." I found her well-flushed and tasty with hints of tropical fruit.




This next beauty is JFK, "Juicy Fruit X AK47. Excellent examples of each strain bred together, this pheno was chosen from 100 seeds grown out from the mating."




another long-flowering Sativa, this is the Dominion Haze, which I found pleasantly daydream'y and space'y - two of a handful of Haze qualities that draw a patient's mind away from mild pains. "This strain was bred from the amazingly potent Dominion found in fort collins in 2002-2003 which was taken by a very special Super Silver Haze."




and here it is everyone.... At over 64% THC content per RM Labs, this deliciously hashy medicine was the 1-minute headache cure for me.




Boulder Medical Marijuana Center (BMMC)
Open Everyday 11am-7pm
303-449-2888
2206 Pearl St, Boulder CO

Here is a nice new strain called Coup D'Etat developed by Dr. Blaze of A20labs. The progeny of the now infamous Coup D'Grace (one of the greatest Colorado strains I've ever seen) and a stellar White Widow. This girl is potent, smooth,and very well flushed. I found the aroma leaning towards a mix of berries and classic AK-47, with a subtle nutty taste and duration that's above average.





Available to the general public at JP Wellness in Colorado Springs, this is a very good strain for easing stress, relaxation, and general mood enhancement.

Hello folks, today I bring you a dispensary in Boulder that places health and well-ness above all else. Root Organic Healing brings you a gorgeous, clean, upbeat, and bright space boasting an all-out unbelievable spa on the upper floor which is run by a woman who makes it her life. On the lower level, the lads (all Yoga instructors, as well) who run the medical marijuana dispensary, serve up decent quality herb and hash to heal anything the upstairs spa doesn't reach. Ladies, you'll wanna check this place out!

At least 90% of their product is organic from a well set-up and clean grow. Root's years of experience is 'rooted' in warehouse grows with plenty of skills producing. $45/$50/$60 eights and daily specials that focus on top shelf meds in abundance that day. There are also many crafty specials combining spa services with meds purchases. Other standouts for me are the pre-rolled cigarette joints for perfect stealth, Maui honey bud soaked in Chemdawg hash oil (All oil is CO2 extractions, not butane), and excellent strain-specific hash. Overall a good shop that prides themselves on being very friendly and helpful to all 'guests' who enter.

So lets see what they have....


A very beautiful and heady strain goin by the name 3D, which is Apollo 13 x Jack the Ripper.




Here's Root's prettiest purple they call the Killa Royale, a Killa Watt x Connie Chung. It packs a real punch in the body-buzz and pain management arena.




Another Killa Royale




One of my favorite euphoric strains at Root is this TGA Seeds Dairy Queen. A very uplifting effect indeed.




One of Root's most potent offerings, and perfect for my pain relief, is this Hawaiian




A good Durban Poison




I was floored by the quality of their hash. This one, a perfect full-melt Jack Flash Hash




Something that Root takes pride in is their perfectly rolled Joints stealthily made to look exactly like a cigarette! Containing no tobacco whatsoever, this jay contains half a gram of Island Sweet Skunk marijuana, as well as .2 grams of Island Sweet Skunk hash sprinkled throughout to even out a uniform, slow burn.




Root Organic Healing
Open 10 am to 8 pm Daily.
5420 Arapahoe Ave Unit D
Boulder, Co 80303
303-443-0240

Good evening friends! I finally had the fine pleasure of checking out AlterMeds in Louisville. Rarely do I visit a place where there are more than 2-4 super A+ strains on the top shelf; and this place had more! Sure every shop wants you, the patient, to believe they're the best in town; and sadly many actually *think* they are, but meds talk and bullshit walks as soon as the patient walks through the wellness center door.

And when I walked through this door, the flower jars were speaking volumes. These folks pride themselves in medicinal quality, niceness, and true care for the overall quality of life of their patients. After all, AlterMeds is locally owned and operated by a wonderful lady my ma's age. There to assist with ANY questions regarding the meds, the talented and experienced staff are patient and glad to help.

In addition, if I may also remind you, AlterMeds won the 2010 Boulder Cannabis Cup for the Most Beautiful Strain category with their Raspberry Kush!!! They should have won an additional Most Beautiful Strain cup for their amazing Mendocino Purps contestant, too. Here we are 4 months later and their nugs are still gorgeous!

Still on the shelf once in a while for the lucky few who spot it and buy it up, let's start tonight with the aforementioned Mendocino Purps. A very unique mainly indica specimen with that classic southern California sour genetics infusion. A true 'Mendo Purp'



another Mendocino Purps




A true blue Pre-98 Bubba Kush. Nice aroma and taste, but the effects are really where it's at with this strain.




Here is the absolute best example of Romulan I have ever encountered. Amazing aroma and taste, a very relaxing indica.




One of the more potent flowers in the AlterMeds cabinet is this Sour Kush, a Sour Diesel crossed with a mystery Kush. It reminds them of the primo California HeadBand cuts.




And last in the flower list is this very special bulky 'East Coast Cut' of Sour Diesel. Tested at a whopping 22.48% THC, this is some very very strong and ridiculously gorgeous herb. You gotta try it for anything that ails ya!




Finally, their pressed hash of the above Sour Diesel. Need not say more, as one can just imagine...




AlterMeds
1156 W. Dillon Rd #3
Colony Square II Shopping Center at Dillon Rd. and McCaslin
Louisville, CO
720-389-6313

Here's a Tangerine Haze, a very sought-after strain these last few months. It seems like everyone is looking for a clone of the 'tange haze'. One of the most distinct aromas and tastes out there. Take one whiff and you'll never forget.



another Tangerine Haze




Here's a Sweet Kush, a very dense and rock-hard strain grown well. The ample ambering of the trichomes shows a later harvest; and it was very well worth it here!



another Sweet Kush. So dense and hard, put it in a slingshot and you have yourself a weapon!




The Greenest Green
2034 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO
(303) 953-2852

This is a Purple Skywalker, which is Skywalker (a nice OG Kush derivative from the Arcata, CA region) crossed with Purple Urkle. Smells pine'y and minty, tasty smooth, and is a mood enhancer more so than a pain reliever.



another Purple Skywalker


The Greenest Green
2034 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO
(303) 953-2852

Hey folks, I was over at Summit Wellness in Denver and found some nice meds along with good folks and a sweet, sweet pad. A kick-ass micro-video scope projects crisp 200X macro images of their dried flowers on a large flat-screen LCD at the medicine counter for patients to insure not a single mite (or worse) snuck in. Luckily that would be rare to never since Jason and company also thoroughly inspect all the medicine on their shelves with said scope. I respect that immensely. Also, an RN on staff who, among many other things, makes sure each of her edibles are perfectly crafted for different needs. On a last note, those who enjoy tobacco will find the large pre-rolled blunts very appealing. Professionally wrapped in excellent quality tobacco leaves, these strain-specific beasts are unique to Summit Wellness and are flyin off the shelves! ... and now on to the buds...


Here's an ultra sweet Wonder Woman, a Indica 60 / Sativa 40, and lineage having a Nirvana Ice mom and Nirvana Top44 dad, I thought this would be great for headaches and the hypothesis was spot on. Reminds me of lots of tropical sweet things with an immediate soaring effect to a high ceiling plateau.




My favorite of Summit's offerings is this Vortex (TGA Seeds) which is perfect anytime. A perfect balance of potency and effect and taste leading to a very uplifting, care-free experience. Anyone who suffers from mood issues may just fall in love with this gal.




A not-so-distant relative of the Vortex above, this Space Queen (also by TGA Seeds) is more potent, less cerebral, yet geared more towards pain relief.




My first time coming across this Jorge's Diamonds (Dutch Passion Seeds), this indica-dominant strain is high in THCV, CBD and CBN, in addition to being super potent and providing a soaring full-body effect.




Loved this Northern Lights X Blueberry - an excellent throw-back to the good-ole days and so well done. I could actually pick out the pleasant bouquets of both parents in this gem. Loved the taste and aroma and aesthetics. A+




Check this blunt! A cigar-loving patient friend enjoyed this here piece stuffed full of excellent Vortex. He said the tobacco leaves used were very smooth and nice.





Summit Wellness Denver
2117 Larimer Street
Denver, CO 80205-2002
(720) 407-8112
Tram: 18th & Stout Station

My Spring dispensary tour of Nederland continues and brings me to the brand new dispensary Tree of Life (Tree) right next to Neapolitan's Italian Restaurant. This no-frills walk-up shop is architected for allowing patients to get in and out with quickness and ease; although they just purchased the place next door to turn it into a wellness center with massage, yoga, and ya know... all things wellness.

These days if you're gonna open a dispensary in Nederland, Colorado, you better bring the best of the best. Colorado's Emerald Triangle is the mountainous region surrounding and including a mighty Cannabis triumvirate of towns Ward, Rollinsville, and Nederland(Ned); and for decades this area has been a haven for Canna-gurus who's ganja-growing expertise keeps the several local medical marijuana dispensaries' shelves stocked with freshly-cured effective marijuana flowers.

So I was a bit skeptical stepping into a new shop in a town with several existing good ones. I left pleasantly surprised and impressed.

Shop owners Jeff, Wyatt, and Drew hold a simple philosophy to running a dispensary: give the patients excellent meds at good prices. Prices are cheaper than average since Tree includes tax at $12-$15 per gram, $200-$325 an ounce (great deal for some of their top shelf), several wondrous strains are brand new not just to Ned, but to every shop in Colorado I've visited. One of these, Death Star, was featured with a story in High Times recently. (I don't care much for High Times since the late 80's and very early 90's but it's interesting to try new strains with a story)

Not only does Tree bring an influx of new and recently-developed genetics onto the scene, THIS is the place to get your Haze shopping done! They are the first I've seen anywhere in Colorado to carry Neville's Haze, one of my all-time favorite strains. Since Hazes are difficult plants to grow, have lower yields, and take between 12 and 16 weeks to fully ripen, I am impressed to find such dedication in a shop carrying a handful of Hazes, but also their very own and groovy Haze cross called Rocky Mountain Haze.

I was instantly impressed with aromas and aesthetics of their top shelf, finding a handful of interesting and uniquely fine dried flowers in their jars.

Also MENTION THIS REVIEW AND RECEIVE A FREE GRAM!!!! (with purchase) from the nice folks at Tree.

Check it out... first the Hazes:

The Neville's Haze is one of my favorite strains for mood elevation, creativity, music enjoyment, and IDEAS!!!



This stuff will help you ignore pain and want to scale a mountain... or sit next to a babbling brook and write a poem. Best taken in the morning to mid-afternoon when almost-pure sativas present their true natures. After a few hours, I was left in a state of confident alertness.


Next, a Super Lemon Haze, winner of last year's Cannabis Cup sold out very quickly, but will be back in July so I hear. Nice and hazey.




A good looking in-house Rocky Mountain Haze caries a signature spicy pine'y citrus aroma classic to many hazes.




And here is the fabled Death Star.



From its creator's, Team Death Star: "Death Star is a cross between a True Chemdog east coast sour diesel and paradise seeds sensi star. very nice yields, smell is pungent musky kinda smell u know when its around, the high is one of the strongest medically we have ever encountered! It is CLONE ONLY and no clubs in CALI have it YET!!!! It will be and entree in the 23rd Cannabis Cup Amsterdam November 21-25 2010! Soon after the cup Team Death Star will be made available to everyone in the medical community we thank everyone for there support and come November we need all the help YOU can give in Amsterdam!! -Thanks TDS" ... I do whole heartedly believe Tree has the real deal folks. Try it before it's all gone.


A very special strain not yet seen in these parts, the Capn' Crunchberry is an ABSOLUTE must-try! Exotic sweet and nutty and sour aroma frame trich-covered and dense nuggets with excellent taste. Very effective for a variety of ailments from nausea to headaches/migraines to muscle/joint pain.




Here's a New York City Diesel that has a sour aroma, yet tastes like fancy perfume on the exhale.



The potent effects begin to escalate quickly, making this strain (in my humble opinion) perfect for any type of muscle/joint pain or headaches/migraines. It quickly removed a nagging headache when first sampled.


The Matanuska ThunderF#ck has a wonderful sage'y blackberry/blueberry aroma.




Finally the long awaited Bushy Old Grower's (BOG) genetics have made it up to Ned. Here is a strong haze hybrid strain called Blue Moon Rocks




a close-up of Blue Moon Rocks




A very good Sour Diesel. Highly recommended for fans of the 'sour'




The first purple LA Confidential encountered, but man was this a tasty treat.




A sweet and pleasing Blueberry from the DJ Short lines




Another proprietory strain called SNEZ(sneeze)




A smokey citrus Durban Poison




An excellent Hawaiian with great flavor, aesthetics, and aroma.




Last but not least is an Oregon Grape. Tis the second time I've come across this strain in Colorado and both times it smells like buttered popcorn with hints of grape.



Don't forget to MENTION THIS REVIEW AND RECEIVE A FREE GRAM!!!! (with purchase) from the nice folks at Tree.


Tree of Life (Tree) 1 WEST FIRST STREET IN NEDERLAND, CO 80466
PHONE NUMBER IS 303-258-8733

There are still some very decent White Widow genetics out there, specifically Shantibaba's (Mr. Nice Seed Company in the Netherlands) 'Black Widow' strain. With all the different and un-stable White Widow genetics spread across many seed banks, the original ORIGINAL WHITE White Widow has all but disappeared yet Shantibaba breeds the version from the early 90's and slaps on the name 'Black Widow'. Once in a while it surfaces in a special nugget gift from a friend.





Notice this good example of clear vs. cloudy trichomes. I enjoy this upbeat and vivacious ratio of clear and cloudy trichs because more cloudy or amber-colored trichs takes away from the day-time energy patients sometimes look for in a strain.

Today I'd like to review a jewel of a dispensary called Nedicate in Nederland, Colorado. Since I've been spending so much time with the mountain community lately, it's been fun exploring the nooks and crannies of the local shops and grows. Lots of strain and marijuana history here my friends and some of it surely finds its way to this particular shop.

A walk-up counter-type dispensary housed within a brand new building, Nedicate takes pride in its kind knowledgeable staff, cleanliness, locally-grown dried flower/edibles variety, and security. This is not the kind of place where I had to step over younger patients playing XBOX, but instead got a cheerful Sushi restaurant-like 'hello and welcome' just before my eyes caught the very well-organized and neat medicine counter.

As soon as the doors opened, I sensed diggity dank aromas intertwined with the freshness of Spring mountain air. Seems like the staff knows every one's name and says 'hello, so-an-so' whenever a patient enters. Owned and run a by a long-time friendly local, Tracy, this is surely a place I'd feel very comfortable sending my wife or mom. Cannabis is respected as true medicine here, so bud samples are displayed to patient perusal in small jars, but once a selection is made, your meds come out of a clean (and nose hair-free) larger jar handled only by the staff.

Speaking of which, I think their meds are excellent, too! You've already seen some of their wares here over the last few months, but ya just have ta see some more since a few new entries have made the menu recently. Not only does Nedicate sometimes stock the very best Bubblegum nugs I've ever tasted, their Durban Poison or Cherry Lime Haze or Afghani Kush or Maui (among many others) is sure to make you fall in love with this place, too. Their beautiful and graceful Purple Maui dons the cover of Colorado Patient's Guide magazine!

As a special treat for all you chocolate lovers out there: MENTION THE STRAIN MAN AND RECEIVE A FREE MEDICATED CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE (with purchase). These are some amazing truffles, folks... they taste as if made by a fine professional Swiss confectionist!!! Well medicated for a serene evening, my favorite was the one with tiny purple Lavender flowers sprinkled over the top. Medibles are evolving, folks.

And without further ado, here are some photos of Nedicate's fantastic nugs:

This Hawaiian Mist has got to be the absolutely most crystal-covered marijuana I've seen in a while. A seemingly great 50/50 Sativa/Indica hybrid, a good way to get instant relief as this bud begins soaring immediately.



Here is the Cherry Lime Haze, one of my top-5 absolute favorite strains. Yes, these buds actually do smell limey with cherry undertones; and the high is not only strong and trippy, but perfectly uplifting, social, and full of energy. I keep wanting to sing every time I smoke this. Ahhh life is good!



And check out this HoneyBud! The first time I've seen hash-oil dipped marijuana in Nederland and WOW does it deliver!!! I can't get much higher than this, and a tiny bit goes a loooong way. Will be stashing it away for the next migraine which won't stand a chance to the medicinal qualities of these THC-rich buds.



A very heavy and narcotic Sour Diesel. Excellent for quiet evening reflection/meditation.



This is a pleasant and potent Afghani Kush perfect in the evening.



One of my absolute favorite Durban Poison. Just an instant great high that takes over when needed. This is what I use for headaches these days!



A perfect AK-47. Anyone who wants to skip all the new strain names out there and get something that always delivers a potent great high, stick with the AK, baby. Many strains these days have AK-47 in their bloodlines and Nedicate's is a very good sample.



One of Nedicate's regulars, this indica-leaning Maui bud is perfect for joint and muscle pain, and is also a great headache-eraser.



A very well trimmed Mr. Nice. Along with the AK-47, Mr. Nice is another one of those classic hybrid strains that will never disappoint.



I already told ya's about the incredible chocolate truffles (mention this review and get one free) but you can now see them here in the middle of a remarkable display of other medibles offered. The new marijuana-infused soda's are a dream come true; while the tasty cookies pack a large 1.1 gram dose. Nederland, Colorado is becoming well known for her strong edibles and Nedicate has a large variety to try.





Nedicate, LLC 150 North Jefferson Street Unit B3
303-258-7141

FINALLY!!! a head shop in Nederland!!! This town's been needing one for decades and thankfully it now has a beauty of a shop!



No more running down the canyon to the University Hill to replace broken bong stems and hitters for us. Aptly named 'Fire On The Mountain', Katie and Tym are here to help save us all the gas money by offering up a wonderful selection of fine locally-crafted glassware, vaporizers, screens, T-Shirts, and on and on and on. Get this folks... they even carry BUBBLE BAGS!!!! This is the only store I've visited that carries these bubble-hash-producing miracle bags. Prices are good, owners are very kind, and the vibe is REEEEAAAAAL nice. Next time you're up visiting the plethora of dispensaries in this lovely mountain town, definitely check out Fire On The Mountain and see the gorgeous and artistic glass pipes the mountain people are famous for.

75 E. Second Street Nederland, CO 80466 303-258-7788 Open Everyday 11 AM - 8 PM

Howdy folks! Finally a place for non-primary patients to get the cheapest and prettiest ounces anywhere. The Harvest House in Nederland recently opened and due to its proprietor, Stacy's unbelievable GREEN thumb, anyone can purchase large colas for $250-$275 per ounce!!! Just take a look at the types of buds that make up said ounces:

The Meltdown from The Harvest House in Nederland


And here is what this very pleasant medical marijuana looks like close-up:


Apparantly, Stacy is like the King Midas of growing marijuana: any strain he touches turns to gold! He will fare well in the wake of HB 1284 since the Harvest House grows all of its own medicine. Check out the size of these colas!!! Pictured garden contains Meltdown, Wheelie, Cherry Lime, and Blue Dream.


Here is another beautiful cola from the garden:


I am so pleased there's finally a place for patients to stock up on excellent buds affordably! And from a source who is legendary on the mountain scene!!!

The Harvest House Medicinals 211 Peak to Peak Hwy (Across the street from The Black Forest Restaurant) Nederland, CO, 80466 (303)258-7005

Another excellent example of one of my favorite tasting and smelling strains: Sour Diesel. This one is from the Greenest Green in Boulder and their growers have it down. I've never seen Sour Diesel nugs this large before.



The Greenest Green 2034 Pearl Street Boulder, CO (303) 953-2852

Here's a very nice Strawberry Cough from Nedicate in Nederland.



And here's a beautiful Purple Maui that made the cover of last month's Patient's Guide Colorado magazine!



I keep coming back to this joint for the warm hospitality, amazingly tasty medibles (wow, try the lavender chocolate truffle or the wonderfully potent extra large cookie), and excellent local mountain-grown medical marijuana. Just in: Cherry Lime Haze, one of my all-time favorite mountain varieties out here. pure energy!

Nedicate, LLC 150 North Jefferson Street Unit B3 303-258-7141

After the 2 week marathon of judging 30 strains, and all scorecard paperwork has been submitted, we're all eagerly awaiting the winner. Each strain was chemically tested at Rm3 Labs in Boulder!!! I haven't heard of another competition that covers this many medicinal angles and facets of our beloved marijuana flower! Here are all 30 entries for the Best Bud of Boulder Competition

Strain 1: Sour Bubble Bog (Sour Diesel X Bogglegum)
11.8% THC, 0.13% CBD, Indica/Sativa 50/50


Strain 2: Mendocino Purps
14.4% THC, 0.00% CBD, Indica/Sativa 60/40


Strain 3: Crystal Clear
18.6% THC, 4.70% CBD, Sativa/Indica


Strain 4: Sour Diesel
15.4% THC, 0.80% CBD, Sativa/Indica


Strain 5: Chemdawg
19.0% THC, 2.70% CBD, Sativa/Indica


Strain 6: Cheese
15.6% THC, 0.80% CBD, Sativa/Indica


Strain 7: Cannalope Haze
17.3% THC, 4.10% CBD


Strain 8: Colorado Cabbage (Crystal x Chunk)
12.5% THC, 0.80% CBD, Sativa/Indica


Strain 9: S.A.G.E.
16.3% THC, 2.70% CBD, Indica


Strain 10: Jack Flash
15.2% THC, 1.90% CBD, Sativa


Strain 11: Chem Dog (Diesel X OG Kush)
15.7% THC, 1.10% CBD, Indica


Strain 12: Maui
12.1% THC, 0.00% CBD, Indica/Sativa


Strain 13: Northern Lights
15.4% THC, 0.00% CBD, Indica


Strain 14: Stone Mountain (Bubba Kush X Hash Plant X Purple Thai)
15.3% THC, 1.50% CBD, Indica/Sativa


Strain 15: Dog Fish (G13 X Orange Funk)
13.9% THC, 0.00% CBD, Sativa


Strain 16: Super Lemon Haze
11.3% THC, 0.90% CBD, Sativa


Strain 17: Durban Poison
14.1% THC, 2.80% CBD, Sativa


Strain 18: Maui Mango
15.3% THC, 0.20% CBD, Sativa/Indica 80/20


Strain 19: Kali Mist
15.1% THC, 0.00% CBD, Sativa


Strain 20: Plane Wreck (Afghani X Train Wreck)
13.2% THC, 1.80% CBD, Indica/Sativa


Strain 21: Tangerine Haze
12.7% THC, 1.10% CBD, Sativa


Strain 22: Motafeso
15.1% THC, 2.40% CBD, Sativa/Indica 60/40


Strain 23: OG Kush
14.5% THC, 0.80% CBD, Indica


Strain 24: Orange Bud
9.1% THC, 1.10% CBD, Sativa


Strain 25: Raspberry Kush
13.0% THC, 0.50% CBD, Indica/Sativa 70/30


Strain 26: Sour Diesel
12.8% THC, 0.90% CBD, Sativa/Indica


Strain 27: Booba (AK-47 X Northern Lights X Skunk)
11.7% THC, 0.00% CBD, Indica


Strain 28: Sour Apple
13.8% THC, 1.00% CBD, Sativa


Strain 29: Ice
14.2% THC, 1.80% CBD, Indica/Sativa


Strain 30: Island Sweet Skunk
16.1% THC, 0.60% CBD, Sativa/Indica

Check out this beauty, friends! An almost pure Sativa called Satori from The Greenest Green in Boulder. Never have I seen this shade of purple covering so much of the flower. In fact, what a pretty houseplant she would make!



Have you guys been to The Greenest Green? It's the ONLY dispensary I know that lets you sample meds (Volcano bag) before you buy!!! They have a nice comfy bar to check out some of the dankest nuggets anywhere. Jar after jar was opened and a kaleidoscope of aromas would instantly fill the room.

I can spend weeks taking photos of the herb at just this one shop, which seems like the 'Whole Foods' of Dispensaries - a few bucks more, but they let you sample and guarantee the best of the best. Comfy couches, kind sweet pooches, super friendly knowledgeable staff, and skillet hits! I can't recommend this place enough!

The Greenest Green 2034 Pearl Street Boulder, CO (303) 953-2852

A very nice Island Sweet Skunk (ISS) hit the Boulder Medical Marijuana Scene the other day. A very good representative ISS (and VERY Sativa-dominant) version, too! This strain is just pure hazy bliss with classic Sativa cerebral qualities.



Island Sweet Skunk is one of a few Sativa's known as a 'godsend' by those unfortunate souls suffering with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).


Crossroads Wellness 1750 30th St. #14 (Behind Best Buy on 30th Street) Boulder, CO (720)379-6046

Hey Everyone, happy holidays! I wanted to let you all know that judgment for the 2010 Best Bud of Boulder Competition has begun!! My oh my what a MAGNIFICENT collection of competitors we have assembled here before the camera lenses! It's obvious every nug entered is the pride and joy of her caregiver or dispensary and they came to win. The vast majority of the buds entered are certainly among the best I've seen on the Colorado medical marijuana caregiver scene. The baker's dozen (pun intended!) or so Judges received their sample kits containing 30 three-quarter-of-a-gram contestants. Some were in the form of one solid nugget, while other entries had 2-3 smaller 'pop corns'.



Judging these strains over the past few days has been one of the most fun and exciting events; as I'm photographing each entry, too! The competition's winner, the "One Bud to Rule Them All," will be announced at the Boulder Cannabis Festival's Cannaball

Also, don't miss out on the Bud Cruise and have a chance to vote for the best dispensary on the tour. The Boulder shops will be pulling out all stops to dazzle us.

I like this White Widow so much, I had to post another photo and show a close-up.



In my haste, I chose a bud that got banged up a bit against her container, hence the missing trichome heads on the left. The trich's on the bottom and right are intact, so you all can see how much of a difference proper packaging and storage can make. Broken or burst trichomes quickly oxidize leading to a more catatonic, 'stoned' effect.

Southwest Alternative Care 1940 W. Mississippi Ave. Denver CO 80223 (303) 593-2931

Here's a local Colorado-only Medical Marijuana beauty called Niwot's Revenge grown by Boulder Vital Herbs (clones available of it, too!).



The legend of Arapaho Chief Niwot regarding Boulder, CO goes like this... People seeing the beauty of this valley will want to stay, and their staying will be the undoing of the beauty. And as with Chief Niwot's curse, maybe telling you folks about this herb leads to a rush for it and there's none left for me, but such is the fate of The Strain Man. I accept it proudly; so on to the nugs.

As you can see this schtuff is fine fine fine! She carries a tropical fruity apple aroma throughout her pretty brown-haired and trich'y buds. I hear insomnia patients love this herb, and agreed: its good sedative effects are overwhelming when smoked late at night. Daytime sampling leads to heavy daydreaming and music listening, so not the best strain on which to do unpleasant labor, but when the weekend comes... this local gem is sure to make the work week's hassles melt away.

Boulder Vital Herbs 2527 North Broadway Street Boulder, CO (303) 440-0234

This is 'Monkey Bite' from The Greenest Green. Crazy strong Sativa loaded with crystals and flavor.



The Greenest Green 2034 Pearl Street, Boulder, CO (303)953-2852

Happy happy happy Spring, my friends! This is the 'Catpiss' from Harvest House Medicinals and she is WHITE with trichomes. Like an Allman Brothers tune, these buds begin with a bang then keep on rockin harder -n- harder for minutes on. And when I think this strain's effects have found their ceiling, I look up and bang, I keep flyin higher.



Am stashing this one away for when the next migraine hits. The way the Catpiss comes on and climbs could counteract the migraine creep, and hopefully ease the visual 'aura' that comes with. Also catching some slight hints of the kitty litter box when I cut into this highly medicinal marijuana, with an aroma leaning toward a Colorado Pine'y sweet funk. Taste is smooth and reminiscent of sativa spice and fuel; and the flowers burn evenly to a perfect white ash - a sign the Harvest House growers respectfully gave the plants a proper flush.

Harvest House Medicinals 211 Peak to Peak Hwy Nederland, CO, 80466 (303)258-7005

This is the Hawaiian from Green Meadow Wellness, but don't be fooled by her amazing tropically-sweet guava punch aroma. This 70% Sativa / 30% Indica one-hit wonder can knock you into tomorrow if you inhale too much!



Well cured and flushed, these fluffy nugs taste sweet and smooth. The very next minute, a soaring high takes full charge and can lead to endless staring at empty space, hoping someone would please turn the tunes on. Personally I wouldn't want to be doing any work with this stuff around, but once the day's duties are done, a bong of the Hawaiian in a hot tub would relieve all kinds of pressures and stress. Starting out hard and heavy to eventually level off to a very up high for a few hours, and then the effects gently wane into a pleasantly-thoughtful mellowness.

Green Meadow Wellness 1701 Kipling Street Lakewood, CO 80215-2848 (720) 435-3830

This 'White Widow' from Southwest Alternative Care smells like a candy store, Although her sweet taste could have benefited by a slightly longer flush, that was a minor nit for this gorgeously covered in trichomes (almost white), relaxing and flowing deep stoney girl. Anecdotaly recommended for liveliness, mood balance, social anxiety, and even for treating mild depression, this Widow is almost 3 hours of strong, 'feel-good' medicine.



I just can't put it down! Tastes like sweet Cap'n Crunch Crunchberries, and delivers the kind of affect that's always welcome in my world. Creativity is heightened so any art project or musical encounter is enhanced and all-involving. Time melts away along with any Blue Meanies or unpleasantness from time prior; leaving one recharged, relaxed, and recreated. I love these buds! More please?

Southwest Alternative Care 1940 W. Mississippi Ave. Denver CO 80223 (303) 593-2931

Check out this gorgeous Grape Ape from Urban Dispensary Denver. That classic syrupy grape waffle bouquet emanating from this bud's open container along with dense, rock-hard, crystal-coated nuggets prove we have the real deal Ape.



Otherwise known as Granddaddy Purple, as well as Purple Urkle in some circles, I think the Grape Ape is coming out as it's own unique strain due to the classic dense, rock-looking clusters of buds growing along purple-ish stems. The effects arrive instantly, soaring to a medium-potent stony, narcotic indica buzz which provides a mellow and relaxing experience for a good hour and a half. The high CBD's/low THC levels in this particular specimen provide a full-body tingly sensation that begs for the couch. In my opinion, this bud would make excellent muscle relaxant or mild pain relief medicine.

Urban Dispensary 2675 West 38th Ave, Denver 720-389-9179

Nedicate, LLC 150 North Jefferson Street Unit B3 303-258-7141

High everyone. There's a Cannabis Festival coming to Boulder next month!



Finally! It's taking place at the Fox Theater on April 17th (the Saturday just before Boulder's famous 4/20 celebration; and they couldn't have picked a better day or location. Nestled within the marijuana-liberal 'University Hill' area of Boulder and open to all ages, the Boulder Cannabis Festival promises to have something for everyone.

You need not be an MMJ patient to come hang for the Cannaball festivities. Looks like some fun music and info booths celebrating and educating about our favorite and important green plant. This is an opportunity to change the public perception of cannabis and hopefully grow this thing to be an annual 3-day weekend fest. I can only imagine and drool over the potential of something like that!

For the Colorado medical marijuana patient (present company included), I can't wait for the Bud Cruise!. There will be a series of 'fun buses' giving medical marijuana patients a tour of 10 local dispensaries who signed up to dazzle us with all sorts of goodies and discounts. Competition has been fierce lately between the 84 or so Boulder shops for our patronage so it'll be interesting to see who'll go the extra mile to show us what makes them stand out. I bet they're putting aside some of their very best meds for this oh joyous day! Oh.... and something tells me those bus rides will be quite memorable, too.





Last, but most certainly not least, what is a self-respecting cannabis festival without a Bud Competition! The Best Bud of Boulder, or 'B3' as they call it will crown the winning nug with a Boulder cannabis cup and no doubt extravagantly boost patient awareness to the winning care-giving service or dispensary.



Am pleased to announce that along with 14 others, I will be judging and photographing submitted competition entries. This panel of judges is well balanced with members from medical marijuana journalism, industry experts, a coupl'a dispensary reps, as well as a few very fortunate patient citizen cannabis connoisseurs. The organizer's goal was to create a fair group that, as a whole, has no bias or conflicts of interest. I was not part of this decision making and judge-picking process, and feel honored and fortunate myself to report on this competition to my readers.

All entries shall be anonymous to the judges with only an entry number and we'll be voting on visual aesthetics (I call this 'bag appeal'), fragrance, flavor, potency, and "head". Unlike Amsterdam's Cannabis Cup, B3's actual judging will take place over a few weeks in order to assess the true natures and medicinal characteristics of each contestant. Ultimately it'll be very tough to pick a winner, but as the poster says: ONE BUD TO RULE THEM ALL!

Here's some tasty Bubba Kush


And here is the absolute best Bubblegum I've seen


Nedicate, LLC 150 North Jefferson Street Unit B3 303-258-7141

Good Energy Candies (719)659-3142 GoodEnergyCandies@gmail.com

Nature's Cure 4283 West Florida Avenue Denver, CO 80219-3735 (303) 934-9503

Highland Health
2727 Bryant Street Denver, CO 80211-4151 (303) 455-0810

Delta9 Labs
2262 South Broadway Denver, CO 80210-4419 (720) 570-2127

High Grade Alternatives 3370 Arapahoe Road Boulder, CO 80303 (303)449-1905

Since different marijuana strains cause vastly different physiological, emotional, and psychological effects, it becomes imperative to seek out the 'right' medical strains for one's particular needs. Certainly, many folks converge and agree specific types of our friendly green herb alleviate different medical conditions and discomforts; but if one strain doesn't help, by all means try another.

On a MMJ journey like this in our wonderful sweet-home Colorado, one finds oneself inundated with hundreds upon hundreds of strain names having words like cheese, skunk, strawberry, diesel, lime, berry, orange, lemon, etc. etc. etc. Today, I invite you to please check out a few excellent strains as we try to make sense of at least one of these olfactory groups.

So without further ado, I bring you this month's strain theme: Citrus! Many different Marijuana strains exist today that exude aromas of lemon, lime, orange, and even the subtleties of tangerines. These Sativa-dominant plants most likely originate from Haze lines long ago and produce some of the most pleasant-smelling nugs around. Here are three that can be found in my medicine cabinet...

This Northern Lights #5 X Sensi Star is a perfect Sativa/Indica hybrid strain brought to us by Bryan at Colorado Care Facility in Denver:



A 40/60 Indica-Sativa mix, the Indica's potency and body buzz blend nicely with alert thoughtfulness and aphrodisiac qualities from her dominant Sativa genetics. This bud and a make for a wonderfully refreshing afternoon! Medicinal effects and high come on immediately. After two medium tokes, I quickly forgot I was still holding the glass hitter until a few minutes had past!! You know what I'm talkin' about folks. It was quite enjoyable.

The inhale is smooth and clean, a sure sign her growers paid us patients the respect of a proper flush before harvest. The herb's aroma reminds me of sour lime soda; while taste is an earthy citrus, with hints of honey on the exhale. An 'earthy' taste is a good indicator the plant was grown in soil; and Colorado Care Facility confirmed. All in all, great medicine with a soaring thought-full high to boot. The two-hour experience will be welcomed by folks with a high tolerance.

And here is a lemony Super Silver Haze (SSH) from Brandon at Evolution Medicine Services in North Boulder:



I'd be willing to bet chocolate donuts that these genetics are from the highly-acclaimed Mr. Nice seeds in Amsterdam. Hints of Shantibaba's famous 'cat-piss' phenotype are present right after cutting it up for the pipe. A fantastic energetic and strong high, this SSH also works wonders for my headaches.

This particular phenotype is almost a pure Sativa, with thin 'dreads' or 'fox tail'-shaped colas shooting out in every direction. The heavy crystal coating delivers a serious one-two punch against many physical discomforts and the ultra-strong high takes over most any other bud I just smoked if it didn't do the trick medicinally or otherwise. Taste is a peppery lemon sensation and it creeps up to 10 minutes before hitting a very high ceiling.

Here is a gem from Aran and company at The High Country in Rollinsville:



This simply amazing Tangerine Haze not only helps take minds away from pain, the 'trippy' and 'cerebral' high lasts for hours. An instant favorite as I found myself turning the music down to better focus on the fun thoughts racing through the ole noggin. Those who enjoy occasional emotional uplifting should definitely give this cute redhead a try. Upon opening the little jar where she rests, the dank tangerine-lime Pledge cleaner aroma immediately hits you square in the forehead. Taste is a milder version of that, and she quickly sweeps me away on her special magic carpet ride.