Adams Media - Weedopedia: An A to Z Guide to All Things Marijuana

MARIJUANA Biological genus category Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis, marijuana is a medically relevant, recreationally useful, naturally grown intoxicant of the safest and most benign kind. A historically misunderstood, yet massively popular drug, marijuana is sometimes incorrectly considered the gateway drug into other deviant behavior. Its also a great way to spend a Friday night (or any night, really; we wont judge).

Time to set aside those boring, incorrect, and downright annoying misconceptionshere are the real answers to all your cannabis-related questions. Whether youre looking to expand your own knowledge, learn some fun trivia, or share some essential basics with nonbelievers and newbies, youll find what youre looking for here. Were covering all the important stuff, like:

• Is weed actually legal in AMSTERDAM ? (Surprisingly not. Its only decriminalized. Not to worry: Cannabis cafs are still legal, and the weed is just as strong as youd hoped.)
• How do you make an APPLE PIPE ? (Its quick and simpleand makes an easy snack when the munchies hit!)
• What year did D.A.R.E. start teaching kids to say no to drugs? (That would be 1983also the year a group of University of Vermont kids started a little jam band called PHISH .)
• Does the G-13 strain actually exist? (Lets just say if youve ever claimed to smoke it, youre probably lyingor really, really gullible.)
• And so much more.

Just like a regular encyclopedia, these entries cover the entire spectrum of cannabis culture: different strains, influential smokers, munchie options, slang, paraphernalia, pot etiquette, even a few on how to quit smoking (not that one would ever want to). But unlike a regular encyclopedia, this one doesnt suck. A bit like pot smokers themselves, Weedopedia is lighthearted, nonthreatening, self-deprecating, and genuinely fun to have around.

So sit back, break out the snacks, and learn everything one could possibly want to know about marijuana. Best if served with an open mind and, of course, a burning joint.

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY A trippy 1968 Stanley Kubrick film whose legend has taken on epic proportions as time and marijuana-influenced viewings have boosted its status to among the greatest films ever made. The movie begins with about five minutes of black, and then shows pre-Homo erectus creatures as they fight and hunt, before a monolith is inexplicably dropped in their small community. The film then follows future man (when the movie was released, the year was 2001) and a space mission to Jupiter featuring the supercomputer HAL, who attempts to ambush the mission after the human astronauts discuss possibly disconnecting him. This culminates in a man-versus-machine showdown that is likely a prelude of the coming war. The movie can really only be appreciated after smoking a jointshocking, we know.

4 WAY A strand of marijuana that is a crossbreed of four potent strains. 4 Way is frequently advertised on marijuana seedselling websites as a supergroup of marijuana product, taking only the best from four different strands and putting them all together in a new strand. Not surprisingly, 4 Way weed is typically about as enjoyable as a supergroupgood, but not as good as the originals.

40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN, THE A comedy film directed by Judd Apatow. The film stars Steve Carell as the titular character and includes many familiar faces from Apatow films, including Seth Rogen. Unsurprisingly, the plot tells the story of Andys (Carell) quest to finally lose his virginity. Its also a great opportunity to see an apple pipe in action. See also

The answer to life, the universe, everything, as defined in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. While the answer is known, unfortunately the question remains a mystery, especially for weed aficionados. Their possible theories include: How many stoners does it take to screw in a light bulb? What is 420 divided by ten? How many hits are too many?

A term used to declare oneself a part of the pot-smoking culture by saying one is 420 friendly or, more bluntly, Lets smoke some 420. It is perhaps one of the most misunderstood marijuana terms, as several urban legends exist to explain its origin. Some claim it derives from the penal code section in California for marijuana use. It doesnt. Others claim it is the number of chemical compounds in marijuana. Its not. Some mistakenly believe its the date Jim Morrison died or the room the Grateful Dead always stayed in on tour. Nope. In fact, the term derives from a group of pothead high schoolers at San Rafael High School in California who used it as a reminder for the time they planned to toke up. Really. Yeah, kind of disappointing. See also

420 CELEBRATIONS An annual weed-friendly holiday falling on April 20 meant to celebrate the rich culture of marijuana smoking. In actuality, its just another excuse to get high. Some 420 events have political overtones in supporting decriminalization efforts, but the rest of the world never takes it seriously. See also

420 MAGAZINE A marijuana-focused magazine whose stated mission is to repeal cannabis prohibition by promoting international cannabis awareness to the masses. Founded in 1993, the magazine serves its ends by posting decriminalization-related news, promoting the benefits of smoking reefer, reviewing cannabis strains, providing instructions on how to grow marijuana, and listing doctors who will prescribe medical marijuana. See also

50-YARD LINE A long white strip that separates one half of a football field from the other. In one of the final scenes of the film Dazed and Confused, several of the main characters share a joint on this portion of the field, which has resulted in millions of smokers replicating this experience at high schools around the world. In theory it is a terrible place to smoke: Its out in the open, theres usually only one exit, and its near a school so the penalty if one is caught is often more severe. However, there is a certain sense of satisfaction to giving a metaphorical middle finger to ones local high school and sparking up a fatty right in plain sight. See also

99 CENT STORE The greatest store ever to someone whos high. If it is a true dollar store, everything is only ninety-nine cents. Invisible ink, plastic handcuffs, sassy bumper stickers, toy soldiers, fake mustaches, goggly-eye glasses, paper plates, sudoku books, whoopee cushions, tennis balls, and every off-brand candy and snack one could dream of. Its easy to spend an entire evening walking up and down the aisles, leave with bags full of munchies and novelty items, and still have enough money to buy an eighth. And they often do just that. See also

ABDUL-JABBAR, KAREEM (BORN APRIL 16, 1947) The all-time NBA leader in points scored (38,387) and goggles-wearing, skyhook-shooting,