Christiansen Erik - Green

RESPONSIBLE USE: When enjoying marijuana, it is important to respect the rights of others, carefully consider our mindset and our setting, avoid stoned driving, and resist abuse. The information contained in this book is presented for educational purposes only. Please check with your local, state, and federal laws regarding possession, consumption, and cultivation of marijuana. If you seek to use marijuana to treat a medical condition, please consult with your physician or a licensed healthcare provider first. Text and illustrations copyright 2017
by Dan Michaels. Photography copyright 2017
by Erik Christiansen.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data is available. ISBN 978-1-4521-6611-7 (pb)
ISBN 978-1-4521-6642-1 (epub, mobi) Design by Eddie Opara and Brankica Harvey, Pentagram Design, New York Typesetting by Liam Flanagan Chronicle Books LLC
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There has never been a better time to get high than right now.
Cannabis is in full bloom, a pot paradise where new and unique strain varieties are being cultivated to produce remarkable flavors, groundbreaking medicinal applications, and off-the-charts potency. And the quality and diversity available today is astonishingthe spicy fragrance of a Kush strain, the sour tang of a Diesel strain, the energized high of an heirloom Sativa strain, the stoned relaxation of a landrace Indica strain, and everything in between. We no longer need to settle for any old weed. This dizzying array of choice can leave even the most experienced stoner dazed and confused.

But dont get paranoid; this pocket guide is here to help you navigate through the modern marijuana landscape like a true connoisseur. You dont need to be an expert cannabis grower to understand that traits such as appearance, smell, taste, and wide-ranging psychoactive effects all play an important role in the quality of the herb you choose. In order to truly appreciate cannabis, you just need to understand which appealing characteristics each different strain has to offer as you pick and choose exactly what you like and sometimes dont like. The choice is now in our own hands, to puff, puff, pass, and enjoy.

Marijuana is the budding flower of the female cannabis plantone of the oldest, most recognized, and most versatile plants on earth. It has been cultivated, consumed, and enjoyed by mankind since the beginning of our recorded history.

What makes marijuana so desirable is that it naturally produces a diverse group of chemical compounds called phytocannabinoids . When consumed, these cannabinoids work as a team to produce a variety of effects on the human mind and body by activating and stimulating our bodys own internal cannabinoid receptors. This complex cannabinoid system is the very reason why cannabis has been consumed for both recreational and medicinal purposes by ancient and modern societies the world over. The most well-known cannabinoid is delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the psychoactive chemical that produces the desirable high or stoned feeling. The other primary cannabinoid is cannabidiol (CBD).

THC and CBD, along with a multitude of other minor cannabinoids, work together to provide various therapeutic benefits and effective treatments for a wide range of health conditions. A cannabis strain is simply a particular variety of the cannabis flower. All strains fall into one of three main categories: (1) sativa, (2) indica, or (3) hybrid . Sativa strains are known as daytime strains, because they are prone to providing an uplifting and energetic head high. Indicas, on the other hand, are considered nighttime strains because they tend to get your body stoned, making you feel relaxed, mellow, or even sleepy.

The components of the cannabis plants essential oils, called terpenoids or terpenes (aka terps), work with cannabinoids to provide additional therapeutic effects. The components of the cannabis plants essential oils, called terpenoids or terpenes (aka terps), work with cannabinoids to provide additional therapeutic effects.

These terps also create the fragrances and flavors of any given cannabis strain (cannabinoids are odorless). More than 200 terpenes have been identified in cannabis (there are around 20,000 in all plant life), but only a handful appear in significant amounts that can be noticed through smell and taste alone. When combined, these terpenes provide a diverse range of aroma and flavor profiles, each depending on which terpenes predominate. For example, the terpene alpha-pinene is also found in pine needles, and the terpene limonene is found in lemons. Together, these terps give most Kush strains their signature lemony-pine smell and taste. GOOD TASTE The multitude of terpenes found in cannabis provide countless flavor and aroma combinations. GOOD TASTE The multitude of terpenes found in cannabis provide countless flavor and aroma combinations.

Each strain produces its own unique fusion of terps to provide its signature flavor palette. This graph breaks down the most common types you will be able to distinguish and recognize.

Cannabis flowers are the most popular and widespread choice when it comes to buying and consuming cannabis. Cannabis can also be processed into other potent products in the forms of concentrates and edibles. Buds The ripe flowers are harvested from the plant, precisely manicured, and then dry cured to produce wonderful buds ready to enjoy. Proper drying and curing are essential to lock in potency while enhancing the overall flavor and aroma of the bud.

Buds are ultimately enjoyed in a multitude of smoking and vaporizing options, and they are used as the basis for making concentrates, edibles, and other cannabis products. Concentrates

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