THE CANNABIS THREAD 101!!

[roots69]

What is Northern Lights?

Northern Lights stands among the most famous strains of all time, a pure indica cherished for its resinous buds, fast flowering, and resilience during growth. Itself a descendant of indigenous Afghani and Thai landrace strains, Northern Lights has given rise to famous hybrids like Shiva Skunk and Super Silver Haze. Rumor has it that Northern Lights first sprouted near Seattle, Washington, but was propagated out of Holland after 1985 at what is now Sensi Seeds.

Pungently sweet, spicy aromas radiate from the crystal-coated buds, which sometimes reveal themselves in hues of purple. Northern Lights’ psychoactive effects settle in firmly throughout the body, relaxing muscles and pacifying the mind in dreamy euphoria. Comfortable laziness allows patients to relieve pain and sleeplessness, while its mellow contentment roots out depression and stress. Several different Northern Lights phenotypes circulate the market, but Sensi Seeds recommends a general indoor flowering time of 45 to 50 days.


Tips for Growing Northern Lights Cannabis

Ever wanted to grow your favorite strain? Leafly and General Hydroponics are teaming up on a series of grow guides that will equip you with all the tips and tricks you need to grow different strains successfully.

Strain Overview: Northern Lights is a classic indica strain bred from Afghani and Thai landrace genetics. It has been used countless times in breeding projects to create many famous strains on the market today. Offering a profound and heavy high, Northern Lights is enjoyed for its effects as well as its sweet, earthy flavor profile. Thought to be from the Pacific Northwest region originally, it has since been propagated by Sensi Seeds in Amsterdam.

Grow Techniques: Grow indoors and get multiple cycles each year with this fast growing and flowering strain. Northern Lights is well suited for the SOG (sea of green) method, and as a hydroponic or soil based strain. Keep steady airflow through the garden to prevent humidity buildup in the dense canopy.

Flowering Time: 6-7 weeks

Yield: High

Grow Difficulty: Easy

Climate: Prefers long summer seasons and warm, sunny climates between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Indoor/Outdoor: Northern Lights is a great choice for indoor growers.

Feeding: Northern Lights grows well with high levels of nitrogen as it develops and can continue to take heavy feedings through its flowering cycle.

 

[roots69]

What is Swazi Gold?









Swazi Gold is a sativa landrace strain from Africa known for its sweet, citrus flavor and fast-acting effects. Designed to withstand the harsh conditions of its mountainous homeland, Swazi Gold grows with ease and resilience, although growers will have to wait anywhere from 55 to 85 days for plants to finish flowering.



Swazi Gold Effects and Attributes

Swazi Gold Flavors

• 1. Earthy
• 2. Citrus
• 3. Pungent

 

[roots69]

What is White Widow?


Among the most famous strains worldwide is White Widow, a balanced hybrid first bred in the Netherlands by Green House Seeds. A cross between a Brazilian sativa landrace and a resin-heavy South Indian indica, White Widow has blessed every Dutch coffee shop menu since its birth in the 1990s. Its buds are white with crystal resin, warning you of the potent effects to come. A powerful burst of euphoria and energybreaks through immediately, stimulating both conversation and creativity. White Widow’s genetics have given rise to many other legends like White Russian, White Rhino, and Blue Widow. Still, many growers prefer cultivation of the original White Widow, which flowers in about 60 days indoors.

Tips for Growing White Widow Cannabis

Ever wanted to grow your favorite strain? Leafly and Botanicare are teaming up on a series of grow guides that will equip you with all the tips and tricks you need to grow different strains successfully.

Strain Overview: White Widow is a classic Netherlands hybrid first produced by Green House Seeds in the 1990s. It’s a cross between a Braziliansativa landrace strain and a South Indian indica. One of the original high potency strains, White Widow is covered in resin-tipped trichomes and offers an incredibly well-balanced high to relax both mind and body.

Grow Techniques: Green House Seeds recommends using the SCROG(screen of green) method with White Widow. Fill an indoor grow space with plenty of starts and begin developing a healthy canopy. Prune beneath the screen to remove any unnecessary vegetation into the first week or two of flowering, but make sure to stop there to prevent stress on the plants. White Widow does well in either a soil or hydroponic setup.

Flowering Time: 8-9 weeks

Yield: Moderate to low

Grow Difficulty: Easy

Climate: Mild, temperate environments with temperatures falling between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Indoor/Outdoor: White Widow is picky about its climate and feeding. By keeping White Widow indoors, you’ll have a better chance at keeping it healthy and happy so that it can produce the famous trichomes that gave it its name.

Feeding: Keep the plant growing strong in the vegetative state with a healthy supply of nitrogen. As the plant begins to flower, flush the soils and prepare the plant for nutrient formulas with higher phosphorus levels.

 

[roots69]

What is AK-47?


Don't let its intense name fool you: AK-47 will leave you relaxed and mellow. This sativa-dominant hybrid delivers a steady and long-lasting cerebral buzz that keeps you mentally alert and engaged in creative or social activities. AK-47 mixes Colombian, Mexican, Thai, and Afghani varieties, bringing together a complex blend of flavors and effects. While AK-47’s scent is sour and earthy, its sweet floral notes can only be fully realized in the taste.

Created in 1992 by Serious Seeds, AK-47 has won numerous Cannabis Cup awards around the world for its soaring THC content. For those hoping to fill their gardens with this resinous, skunky hybrid, growers recommend an indoor environment with either soil or hydroponic setups. AK-47 is easy to grow and has a short indoor flowering time of just 53 to 63 days, while outdoor plants typically finish toward the end of October.

Tips for Growing AK-47 Cannabis

Strain Overview: Created in 1992 by Serious Seeds, AK-47 is a hybrid strain that delivers a powerful high. It has won several awards and has been used by breeders for the development of many other popular strains. It flowers quickly and offers high yields that radiate with sweet, pungent aromas.

Grow Techniques: Grow indoors in either hydroponic or soil mediums to get the best results. A great strain for SOG (sea of green), create an even canopy by topping and pruning your plants while training them through trellising. Be aware that AK-47 is known to be especially pungent, so make sure your air filtration system is running properly and effectively.

Flowering Time: 7 to 8 weeks

Yield: High

Grow Difficulty: Moderate

Climate: Mild and dry climate between 68 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Indoor/Outdoor: AK-47 does best indoors where humidity can be regulated. Its large dense buds are prone to bud rot, making outdoor gardens a challenging environment.

Feeding: Big buds mean lots of feeding during flowering. Keep phosphoruslevels up and pay attention to bud development so you have time to flush your plants completely before harvest.

AK-47 Flavors

• 1. Earthy
• 2. Woody
• 3. Skunk

 

[Mello Mello]

Anything in this thread about investing in Cannabis or how to start cannabis business on your own? If so can you point me to the page number? Thanks in advance.

I use to grow when I lived back in Cali looking to get back into this on another end.

 

[baboss2212]

Nice!

 

[roots69]

For those who havent smoked wax, shatter or concentrates.. This is pretty interesting.. If you havent dabbed before, make sure you have someone who has dabbed before show you the ins and outs of dabbin!!

 

[roots69]

 

[roots69]

 

[roots69]

Anything in this thread about investing in Cannabis or how to start cannabis business on your own? If so can you point me to the page number? Thanks in advance.

I use to grow when I lived back in Cali looking to get back into this on another end.

Im not sure if Ive put anything up on the business side of cannabis yet.. Ill put sum business and investing information, give me a day or so!!

 

[Mello Mello]

Im not sure if Ive put anything up on the business side of cannabis yet.. Ill put sum business and investing information, give me a day or so!!

Right on Roots.

 

[roots69]

How to open a marijuana dispensary in Colorado



Most banks will not allow marijuana-related businesses to open an account, as it is still illegal at the federal level.
NUMBERS OF MARIJUANA LICENSES IN COLORADO

BY TYPE, AS OF MARCH 1, 2016



Number of Licensed Medical Marijuana Businesses:

Centers: 514

Cultivations: 753

Infused Product Manufacturers: 206



Number of Licensed Retail Marijuana Businesses:

Stores: 424

Cultivations: 503

Product Manufacturers: 173

Testing Facilities: 15



SOURCE: Marijuana Enforcement Division

Starting a new business may be difficult, but that goes double for dispensaries. Obtaining a medical or retail marijuana license can be time consuming and costly and, in some cities, prohibited.

As towns vote to continue moratoriums limiting the number of licenses allowed, business owners may find themselves in a pinch, such as the case of a Breckenridge man, Gabe Franklin, who obtained a medical marijuana center license through a transfer of ownership in 2015. The catch — he didn't have the cultivation license required by Colorado law, as medical dispensary owners must produce a minimum of 70 percent of their on-hand inventory.

"It's a pickle of a position to be in," Assistant Town Manager Shannon Haynes said. "He dropped the cultivation license and only has the medical license, so he can't sell. … The hindrance here is we have a moratorium in place that doesn't allow for a new license to be issued."

The town currently has four dispensaries open on Airport Road, compared with two in the neighboring town of Frisco, one in Silverthorne and three in Dillon. Statewide, Colorado reported 514 licensed medical marijuana centers and 424 retail centers as of March 1, 2016. The state also reported 753 medical cultivations and 503 retail cultivations. Colorado offers a total of seven different licenses related to the sale, cultivation, testing and infusion of cannabis.


Lynn Granger, communications director for the Colorado Department of Revenue's Enforcement Division, noted the state would not issue a license to applicants for locations that are capped under local law.

"The Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) checks to see what the caps are, and they don't issue the license," Granger said of Franklin's case. "With medical, however, they issue the license and it's done on the back end with the counties. They end up having a license but they can't really use it."


While he could turn his license in, Granger added, "I don't know if they would want to do that, wait and see, or move."

While Breckenridge's town council discussed the possibility of allowing Franklin to obtain a cultivation license, they ultimately decided to wait for the moratorium to expire in July 2016.

"We need time to think about all of the ramifications of this," said Wendy Wolfe, who served on Breckenridge's town council through March 22, 2016. "One applicant has brought this glitch to our attention. We were trying to help somebody out. But if they turn around and sell this license, we've got a different thing on our hands."

Currently, the cost of a medical marijuana center application ranges from $7,000 to $15,000, depending on the number of patients the center serves. Initial license fees alone range from $5,200 to $13,200, and renewals cost slightly more.

The process for a retail establishment is significantly cheaper, with application fees set at $5,000 and initial license fees at $3,000. Each employee is also required to get an occupational license, or "badge," which come in at $250 per person.

In total, the cost of opening exceeds $1 million, according to special counsel Jean Gonnell of Denver-based business firm Hoban & Feola, LLC.

"I don't think you can even start a marijuana business in Colorado with less than a million dollars," Gonnell said. "If you wanted to start one in Denver, I don't think you could start one for less than $2 million."



THE OTHER KIND OF GREEN

While the cannabis industry might be attractive to some investors, Colorado law currently restricts out-of-state lenders from obtaining a profit share. Under the current law, only business owners may have a profit share, and the owner of a medical or retail marijuana business must be a two-year resident of the state prior to applying for a license.

"There's a lot of doubt. A lot of people think marijuana should be treated differently than other businesses," Gonnell said. "There's a lot of red tape as to where the funds can come from, how you can pay investors and security investments for facilities."

A bill was introduced to the Colorado Senate in January that, if passed, would allow license applicants to be either a Colorado resident or U.S. citizen for applications submitted starting January 2017. The bill would prohibit owners from being a publicly traded company, and require a controlling interest of licensees to be Colorado residents.

Currently, the only ways to invest are to loan money with a high interest rate, or invest in a cannabis-related business that does not require a license, such as security or containers.

"You can have an unsecured promissory note with a high interest rate. But for some out-of-state lenders, that's not enough," Gonnell said. "It's been that way since the beginning. It's really just coming down to (the state) wanting to make sure cartels and bad actors are not benefitting from Colorado's marijuana industry."

To add to the difficulty, most banks will not allow marijuana-related businesses to open an account, as it is still illegal at the federal level. The few smaller, local branches that do often charge high fees. To remit sales tax to the state, Granger noted many businesses just use cash.

"It's a total hassle. So much that the MED has a cash-counting machine there," Gonnell added. "A lot of people don't work in cash so they have to go get money orders."

Currently, Colorado collects a 2.9 percent sales tax on all sales, and a 10 percent sales tax on retail sales. A 15 percent excise tax also figures into the listed price of retail products.

On top of that, local sales taxes are applied. In Frisco, Silverthorne and Breckenridge, a five percent excise tax is collected.

"It's a tougher industry because you have both state rules and local rules you have to abide by," Gonnell said. "So, you have to know both."

Despite these drawbacks, those who have made a foray into the industry have been able to reap the rewards. High County Healing customer relations director Joe Lindsey stood by the counter, giving customers high fives and smiles as they walked through the door. Since opening as a medical dispensary, High County Healing expanded to retail, as many businesses have done since Amendment 64 passed.

"It's a very dynamic industry," Lindsey said. "That's why I love it."

 

[roots69]

What cannabis businesses can you start in Colorado?
Currently there are two sides of Colorado cannabis businesses, medical and retail, and the state allows the below businesses to operate legally within the state:
Cannabis Grower/Cultivator: this license is for entities that wish to grow medical marijuana plants from seed or clone, to flower and finish. Growers wishing to provide clones, but who do not intend to flower or finish plants, may apply for a specialty nursery license.

How to start cannabis growing legally in Colorado

1. Determine your potential location and the way of cultivation: outdoor, indoor or greenhouses, and also premises sizes.
2. Develop financial model or a business plan to estimate the start-up expenses and potential profitability.
3. Establish the company according to the law requirements before licensing process.
4. Site design and equipping according with the regulations.
5. Acquire the necessary licenses to be completely legal.
6. Recruiting process is very important for the growing business.
7. Contract to provide your own cannabis product line to dispensaries and cannabis products manufacturers.

Cannabis Processor: this license allows business entities to process raw medical marijuana plant matter into a variety of medicinal products.

How to start cannabis extraction business legally in Colorado

1. Determine your potential location and main product lines.
2. Develop financial model or a business plan to estimate the start-up expenses and potential profitability.
3. Choose the equipment or the processing line.
4. Premises preparation and equipping according with the regulations.
5. Acquire the necessary licenses to be completely legal.
6. Contract to provide your own cannabis product lines to dispensaries.

Cannabis Dispensary: businesses that intend to retail medical cannabis to qualifying patients will require a dispensing license

How to open medical cannabis or recreational dispensary legally in Colorado

1. Determine your potential location and premises sizes.
2. Develop financial model or a business plan to estimate the start-up expenses and potential profitability.
3. Acquire the necessary licenses to be completely legal.
4. Renovation, design and equipping according with the regulations.
5. PR company and promotion.
6. Contract with cultivators and cannabis products manufacturers.

Additional license types currently in the law include:

Cannabis Tester: laboratories intending to test medical marijuana products for quality and potency will be required to apply for a tester license

Cannabis Distributor: It is required that – while business agreements can be made directly between any licensed entities—a third-party distributor be responsible for overseeing and officially conducting any business transaction that occurs. Distributors are required track all products received, and to have them tested for quality.

From the legislative perspective, the inclusion of the “distributor” model was a necessary compromise to address the trust deficit with people who do not believe the cannabis industry is effectively and consistently self-regulating.

Cannabis Transporter: business intending to transport medical marijuana from one licensed facility to another.

We create medical and recreational cannabis business plans for different types of cannabis business:

• Cultivation
  
  
• Extraction/Concentrates
  
  
• Dispensary
  
  
• Delivery
  
  
• Cannabis Directory/Advertising
  

 

[roots69]

Cannabis Extraction Business
Cannabis concentrates have grown in popularity because of the wide variety of uses they have. Legally produced concentrates are sold for direct consumption in small containers and are odorless when sealed. The market is booming more so, however, because cannabis concentrates are used to make edibles, topical ointments, capsules and other packaged products that require a more professional extraction.

When concentrates are purchased for direct consumption, they are named for the different consistencies created by the extraction. These waxes, oils and shatters are formulated for use in portable vaporizers and elaborate vaporizing rigs.

According to cannabis strain database Leafly, some extract concentrates have tested as high as 80 percent in THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis. That is significantly higher than the THC content found in flower form of the strongest strains, which typically tests in the mid to high 20s.

Ryan Long, the head of business development for California-based Absolute Extracts, figures that there are probably “hundreds” of concentrate producers across the country.

That estimate includes companies focused specifically on making concentrates, dispensaries that produce and sell their own concentrates, and small one- to two-man operations in places where concentrates are still either illegal or only partly legal, such as in Michigan.

Many of today’s larger concentrates companies started as tiny operations, but a good number have quickly moved out of basements and into industrial warehouses featuring high-tech equipment that costs tens of thousands of dollars.

From a business perspective, the profit margins can be huge, in some cases up to 60%. And demand is growing rapidly as the availability of concentrates increases.

Customers are also willing to shell out top-dollar for these products. Nationally, patients and consumers who favor concentrates spend an average of $4,800 each year, more than double the average amount spent by cannabis users in general, according to What Cannabis Patients and Consumer Want, a marketing research report published by Marijuana Business Daily.

Nearly 70% of edibles manufacturers produce other products such as concentrates and topicals. Sixty percent of concentrates manufacturers also offer a diverse product mix. Despite the dominance of edibles and concentrates, less than a quarter of infused businesses produce these types of products solely.

Edibles 68%
Concentrates 63%
Topicals 45%
Trend:

Companies are going to be constantly on the lookout for ways to improve their processes and maximize their returns on the cannabis plants they use.

Cannabis Concentrates Market Size and Growth
One of the key hurdles that concentrates must face has to do with a negative public perception of the extraction process. However, as innovation and technology becomes a more integral part of the industry, producers of concentrates are developing cleaner, safer, and more efficient tools and processes to overcome this stereotype.

Demand for cannabis concentrates and edibles is exploding, offering a window into trends that will likely play out in the larger cannabis industry over time.

In 2014 when adult-use just launched in Colorado, over 70% of sales came from dried flower; in 2016, that was down to 55%. In contrast, concentrate sales were $20 million in 2014, or 13% of sales. By the end of 2016 they had jumped to $85 million and 25% of sales. Edibles (including candy, beverages, tinctures, and all food) more than tripled during the same period, from $17 million to $53 million, moving from 11% to 14% of sales. Vape pens and vape products, candy, and other portable and convenient methods of consumption are especially popular with Colorado consumers.

Similar trends occurred in Washington State. By the end of 2016, 23% of Washington cannabis sales were concentrates, 9% were edibles, and 10% were pre-rolled cannabis cigarettes, with dried flower accounting for only 57%. In Oregon where concentrates and edibles were only allowed for the first time in the adult-use channel in July 2016, concentrates quickly picked up 19% of the market, while edibles 7%.

Colorado, Washington and Oregon cannabis market was about half the U.S. cannabis market in 2016. These three markets showed the main trend with concentrate sales reached about quarter cannabis sales.

 

[roots69]

U.S. Hemp/CBD Business, Legalization and Opportunities
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the numerous compounds found in the cannabis plant. CBD oil can be obtained from two different species of cannabinoids: marijuana and hemp, which come from the same plant species called Cannabis sativa. Hemp-based CBD oil products have a lower delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration, while marijuana-derived CBD oil products have a relatively high concentration of THC. Therefor, marijuana-based CBD products can be used only when they are prescribed by doctors while hemp-based CBD oils do not normally require a prescription.

CBD oil products have several benefits. They are known to cure various ailments in the human body. Over the years, the demand for CBD oil has increased in different parts of the world because of the growing awareness about the health benefits of CBD oil.

Global Hemp/CBD Market
These days, at least 47 countries cultivate hemp for commercial or research purposes. The largest producers of hemp are currently Canada, China, Chile and France whereas the USA is the largest importer of hemp products, receiving most of its seed and fiber from Canada and China, respectively.

Hemp acreage in North America and the European Union countries reached record levels in 2017, nearly 180,000 acres and about 90,000 acres respectively, which could put global acreage at more than 330,000 acres. The global hemp industry is projected to reach $5.7 billion in 2020 with the U.S. hemp market representing 32%.

The North American market also dominated the global CBD oil market in 2017, followed by EMEA and APAC. Technavio’s market analysts estimate that the global CBD oil market will grow to almost $2.7 billion by 2022 with an estimated CAGR of more than 31 % (2018-2022).

The latest trend in the market is growing influence of online retailing for both business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) operations. The increasing popularity of e-commerce businesses worldwide has granted vendors with an opportunity to enhance their profit margins and revenues. E-commerce reported for nearly 15% of the global retail sales in 2017.

U.S. Hemp/CBD Legalization
Hemp
America was the world’s leading importer of hemp, partly because federal law prohibited U.S. farmers from growing it. In June 2018, the U.S. Senate passed its 2018 Farm Bill, including provisions to make hemp legal for the first time since the 1930s. In December 2018, President Trump signed the bill into law. The bill removes hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, effectively legalizing the plant federally and allowing it to be grown, processed, and sold as an agricultural commodity. Individual states are authorized to draft their own regulations governing hemp cultivation.

CBD
In all, 32 U.S. states allow licensed sale of medical marijuana, which includes the use of CBD oil. Ten states permit both legal and recreational marijuana sales and consumption. In some U.S. states, CBD is treated as its own substance. There are four states that completely outlaw CBD: Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

In September, 2018, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announced that certain drug products that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and which contain cannabidiol (CBD) will be considered Schedule V drugs. Specifically, this order places FDA-approved drugs that contain CBD derived from cannabis and no more than 0.1 percent tetrahydrocannabinols in schedule V.

The farm bill completely removes from the drug schedule all hemp plants and derivatives with much higher THC levels, 0.3 percent.

U.S. Hemp Industry
The Hemp Industries Association (HIA) reported total U.S. retail sales of hemp products of nearly $700 million in 2016. HIA claims that U.S. hemp retail sales have increased by about 10% to more than 20% annually since 2011. Much of this growth is attributable to sales of hemp-based body products, supplements, and foods. Combined, these categories accounted for more than two-thirds of the value of U.S. retail sales in 2016.

Hemp Business Journal has also reviewed sales of clothing, auto parts, building materials and various other products, and estimates the total retail value of hemp products sold in the U.S. in 2017 to be at least $820 million, including hemp foods (17%); personal care products (22%); textiles (13%); supplements (5%); hemp derived cannabidiol or CBD products (23%), consumer textiles (13%); industrial applications (18%); and other consumer products such as paper and building materials accounted for the remaining 2% of the market.

Hemp imports to the United States – consisting of hemp seeds and fibers often used as inputs for use in further manufacturing – totaled $67.3 million in 2017. Although hemp imports have declined from a record high of $78.1 million in 2015, U.S. hemp imports have steadily increased since 2005 when hemp imports totaled $5.7 million.

From 2016 to 2017, the number of acres licensed for hemp cultivation in the top 10 hemp-growing states (Colorado, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont) grew by 140% – while the number of hemp producers doubled over the same one-year period.

The number of hemp producers in Oregon, Tennessee, and Vermont more than tripled in 2017, while Minnesota, New York and North Dakota saw growth of 533%, 425% and 600%, respectively.

Of the top 10 hemp-growing states, Kentucky and Colorado accounted for 81% of total acres registered for hemp production in 2016. Though both significantly expanded their hemp programs in 2017, they now account for only 64% of total acres registered for hemp production.

Excluding Colorado and Kentucky, the average number of acres licensed for hemp production was 374 in 2016; in 2017, average hemp production acres stood at 1,787 – a 377% increase.

U.S. CBD Market
The U.S. market for the product hit $291 million in 2017 – including both hemp and marijuana-derived sources – while the hemp CBD market has reached an estimated retail value of $145 million. With hemp legalization, new methods for producing CBD oil and a realization of the benefits of CBD oil, it’s easy to understand why CBD oil will be a significant part of the cannabis industry boom. With a rising number of various CBD products available in mainstream markets, consumers are spending more on CBD products than ever before.

Analysts predicted a 55% compound annual growth rate over the next five years with the market to crack the billion-dollar mark, however, after hemp legalization, legal market for CBD is forecasted to be worth more than $20 billion by 2022, according to research firm Brightfield Group.

U.S. hemp-derived CBD sales forecast, $ billion

• after hemp legalization
• before hemp legalization

We offer Hemp Cultivation Business Plan Template, Hemp Nursery Business Plan Template, CBD Products Manufacturing Business Plan Template and Hemp Cultivation + CBD Products Manufacturing Business Plan Template, which include a fully-functioning financial model for Excel and other spreadsheet programs and “70% ready to go” Word business plan template. The model uses a mix of assumptions to estimate production, all revenue and cost line-items monthly over a flexible seven year period, and then sums the monthly results into years for an easy view into the various time periods.

 

[roots69]

Licenses
California began issuing licenses for "commercial cannabis activity" on January 1, 2018.
In 2017, California's legislature passed the Medical and Adult Use Regulation and Safety Act, which combined the state's medicinal and adult use cannabis laws into a single system. The MAUCRSA provides a comprehensive regulatory framework for licensing commercial cannabis in California.

• Where do I apply for a license?
• What license types were created?
• What are the fees for licenses?
• Will there be limits on the number of licenses issued?
• Can I vertically integrate?

Where do I apply for a license?

The following agencies issue licenses for commercial cannabis activities:

• Department of Food and Agriculture: Cultivation.
• Department of Public Health: Manufacturing.
• Bureau of Cannabis Control: Distribution, Testing, Retail, and Cannabis Events.

What license types were created?

Cultivation licenses:

• Type 1 = Cultivation; Specialty outdoor;
• Type 1A = Cultivation; Specialty indoor;
• Type 1B = Cultivation; Specialty mixed-light;
• Type 1C = Cultivation; Specialty cottage; (AB 2516, 2016)
• Type 2 = Cultivation; Outdoor; Small.
• Type 2A = Cultivation; Indoor; Small.
• Type 2B = Cultivation; Mixed-light; Small.
• Type 3 = Cultivation; Outdoor; Medium.
• Type 3A = Cultivation; Indoor; Medium.
• Type 3B = Cultivation; Mixed-light; Medium.
• Type 4 = Cultivation; Nursery.
• Type 5 = Cultivation; Unlimited; (Prop. 64, 2016. Not available until 2023)

Other licenses:

• Type 6 = Manufacturer 1.
• Type 7 = Manufacturer 2.
• Type 8 = Testing.
• Type 9 = Non-Storefront Dispensary (delivery).
• Type 10 = Storefront Dispensary.
• Type 11 = Distribution.
• Type 12 = Microbusiness.
• Type 13 = Distribution Transport-Only.
• Type 14 = Cannabis Event Organizer.

What are the fees for licenses?

Current licensing fees are set by the emergency regulations released in June 2018, but may change when new regulations are released. Licensing fees are scaled by size and vary by type of activity.

Cultivation Licensing Fees

License Type Application Fee Annual License Fee
Specialty Cottage Outdoor $135 $1,205
Specialty Cottage Indoor $205 $1,830
Specialty Cottage Mixed-Light Tier 1 $340 $3,035
Specialty Cottage Mixed-Light Tier 2 $580 $5,200
Specialty Outdoor $270 $2,410
Specialty Indoor $2,170 $19,540
Specialty Mixed-Light Tier 1 $655 $5,900
Specialty Mixed-Light Tier 2 $1,125 $10,120
Small Outdoor $535 $4,820
Small Indoor $3,935 $25,410
Small Mixed-Light Tier 1 $1,310 $11,800
Small Mixed-Light Tier 2 $2,250 $20,235
Medium Outdoor $1,555 $13,990
Medium Indoor $8,655 $77,905
Medium Mixed-Light Tier 1 $2,885 $25,970
Medium Mixed-Light Tier 2 $4,945 $44,517
Nursery $520 $4,685
Processor $1,040 $9,370
Distribution, Retail, Testing, Microbusiness, and Event License Fees

Fees for these license types are tiered by the total value of product tested, distributed, transported, or retailed.

License Type Application Fee Annual License Fee
Distributor: <$3,000,000 $1,000 $1,200
Distributor: $3,000,000-$12,000,000 $1,000 $10,000
Distributor: $12,000,000-$60,000,000 $1,000 $50,000
Distributor: $60,000,000-$120,000,000 $1,000 $100,000
Distributor: >$120,000,000 $1,000 $200,000
Distribution Transport-Only: Self-Distribution: <$3,000,000 $1,000 $500
Distribution Transport-Only: Self-Distribution: $3,000,000-$12,000,000 $1,000 $1,500
Distribution Transport-Only: Self-Distribution: >$12,000,000 $1,000 $4,000
Distribution Transport-Only: <$3,000,000 $1,000 $800
Distribution Transport-Only: $3,000,000-$12,000,000 $1,000 $2,500
Distribution Transport-Only: >$12,000,000 $1,000 $6,000
Retailer: <$750,000 $1,000 $4,000
Retailer: $750,000-$2,500,000 $1,000 $20,000
Retailer: $2,500,000-$7,500,000 $1,000 $64,000
Retailer: >$7,500,000 $1,000 $120,000
Microbusiness: <$750,000 $1,000 $10,000
Microbusiness: $750,000-$2,500,000 $1,000 $30,000
Microbusiness: $2,500,000-$7,500,000 $1,000 $100,000
Microbusiness: >$7,500,000 $1,000 $180,000
Testing laboratory: <$50,000,000 $1,000 $12,500
Testing laboratory: $50,000,000-$400,000,000 $1,000 $45,000
Testing laboratory: >$400,000,000 $1,000 $90,000
Cannabis Event Organizer: 1-10 events annually $1,000 $5,000
Cannabis Event Organizer: >10 events annually $1,000 $10,000
Temporary Cannabis Event $1,000 N/A
Manufacturing License Fees

Fees for these license types are tiered by annual gross revenue.

License Type Application Fee Annual License Fee
Annual Gross Revenue <$100,000 $1,000 $2,000
Annual Gross Revenue $100,001-$500,000 $1,000 $7,500
Annual Gross Revenue $500,001-$1,500,000 $1,000 $15,000
Annual Gross Revenue $1,500,001-$3,000,000 $1,000 $25,000
Annual Gross Revenue $3,000,001-$5,000,000 $1,000 $35,000
Annual Gross Revenue $5,000,001-$10,000,000 $1,000 $50,000
Annual Gross Revenue >$10,000,000 $1,000 $75,000

Will there be limits on the number of licenses issued?

CDFA has capped Type 3 (medium cultivation) licenses at one per person, but there are currently no other limits on the number of licenses that can be issued.




Can I vertically integrate?

For the most part, yes. Under the MCRSA, medicinal cannabis legislation passed in 2015, the legislature took a decidedly cautious approach on vertical integration. However, most of these limits were removed in 2016 after the passage of Proposition 64. Vertical integration is now allowed, with the exception of testing laboratories, which are prohibited from holding ownership interest in any other license type.

 

[roots69]

Marijuana Grower Salaries: On the Up and Up

The history of marijuana cultivation has been surrounded by mystique for as long as the plant has been grown and sold under the black market. Stories of cultivators buying old houses in California’s bay area, or acres of land in California’s Humboldt county and turning them into grow operations for cannabis have intrigued novice growers and experienced horticulturists from around the country to pursue marijuana growing jobs. Marijuana grower salaries have always been sort of difficult to pin down, especially since compensation is not only awarded based on hourly wage or salary, but in bonuses as well.

For as many big fish stories of growers raking in millions by selling their crop, there are just as may real accounts of dedicated growers working their fingers to the bone to bolster their plants from seed to successful crop for a fraction of the earnings.



MARIJUANA GROWER SALARIES
Marijuana Job Avg. Base Salary Salary Range Common Bonuses
Master Grower $90,000 $75,000 - $120,000 Share of profits
Dispensary Store Manager $75,000 $60,000 - $150,000 Bonus based on store's sales
Extraction Technician $100,000

$70,000 - $110,000 None
Bud Trimmer $27,000

$25,000 - $30,000 Per-pound bonuses
Marijuana Edibles Chef $65,000

$50,000 - $85,000 None
Budtender $36,000 $31,000 - $42,000 Tips (depending on store rules)
Having trouble viewing the table on mobile? Turn your phone sideways!


USEFUL TERMINOLOGY
Before breaking down marijuana grower salaries for grow masters, assistant growers and trimmers, it’s necessary to establish some basic vocabulary concerning cannabis cultivation.

Cannabis Strains: Indica, Sativa, Hybrid
One thing that all serious cultivators looking to make high marijuana grower salaries know are the differences between cannabis strains. Strains can be broken down into three major categories and then further specialized into many individual strains. Each strain produces different effects that greatly influence the kind of high or medical treatment customers and patients experience.

Indicas are upheld as couch-lock inducing strains mostly used for sedation and relaxation. In terms of plant appearance and genetics, indicas are bushier and shorter than most sativas and hybrids. On the contrary, sativas produce cerebral, energetic and uplifting highs that are used to treat depression and spur creativity. These plants have pointier leaves and grow taller than indicas. Not surprisingly, hybrids appear along the spectrum between the two former strains as they are created from genetic and geographical mixing by growers.

Hybrids are beneficial as they provide dual effects from both strains in different proportions, and are great for recreational smokers looking to experience a unique high. While also used by medical patients, these individuals still value the hard lined differences between sativas and indicas, as they allow for more specific, accurate courses of treatment.

Hydroponic Growing
Whereas traditional outdoor cannabis cultivation is carried out using soil, hydroponic growing is soilless and involves transferring nutrients directly into a plant’s root system. This process is frequently used by present day cultivators looking to grow a consistent, significant crop, without the climate, nutrition and increased pest-related risks associated with outdoor growing.

Classically, hydroponic growing simply involves suspending a plant’s roots into water and creating a nutrition plan to introduce into the solution that allows the crop to grow forcefully and healthily. As the cultivation process has advanced and factionalized over time, different hydroponic growing practices have arisen that individual companies and cultivators swear by.

Cloning
When starting a grow operation from seed, growers are given the opportunity to influence the vegetative and mature growth of cannabis, before making clones. Simply put, cloning is the relatively easy processing of cutting off parts of a cannabis plant and allowing these cuttings to form roots of their own and grow into an exact genetic copy of the parent plant.

Many clones can be taken from one healthy plant, though the resulting female crop will be one, unanimous strain. Cloning can be done simply by using a sharp pair of scissors, starter cubes and growing jell.

Transplanting
In order to make significant marijuana grower salaries, cultivators must be confident in their ability to effectively transplant young cannabis plants from smaller containers into larger containers and other environments that allow them to grow vigorously and successfully meet maturity.

Transplanting is a key process in producing a viable crop and can truly make or break a grow operation’s success. If the transplant goes well, the crop will have the nutrition and room it needs to bolster its own growth. If done improperly, the plant will go into shock, which greatly reduces its chance of bearing usable flower or surviving at all.

Harvesting
Once a crop has reached maturity and has produced many flowering buds, it’s high time to consider harvesting. It can be tricky to tell when the best time is to clip the ripe smelling colas from the rest of the plant; but never fear, the answer lies in the trichomes.

The goal when harvesting is to avoid doing it too early, or too late. Plenty of growers have different ideas about what flowers should look like and smell like to reach optimal compound concentration. Naturally, growers want to maximize the levels of THC, CBD and terpenes present in each flower before the plant is exposed to too many factors like light and oxygen and compound levels become less effective. A good product makes happy customers and brings in higher marijuana grower salaries.

Trichomes are small resin saturated hairs that change from white to a darker reddish amber color. Once it has reached this stage, you know it is time to harvest. Letting it go any longer will produce more indica-like effects, including lethargy and anti-anxiety.

Trimming
After a crop has been harvested, cultivators must decide how they want to carry out the trimming process. Depending on the financial resources, staffing needs, and set up of the operation, growers engage either in wet or dry trimming.

As the names suggest, wet trimming is when excess plant matter is removed from trichome-filled flowers before it is cured; dry trimming is done after the curing process is finished and is much more difficult for human hands to do alone.

For operations using wet trimming methods, it’s likely they have hired real people to snip away all the fan leaves, sugar leaves and other unnecessary plant matter to produce the most highly concentrated, aesthetically pleasing final product possible.

Dry trimming is chosen when operations can afford to purchase a machine trimmer, which is more adept at the job than real people, who would likely have to spend more time fumbling around with the dry leaves. Even in situations where cultivators can afford machine trimmers, some choose to keep with standard protocol in order to create jobs for workers. While trimming may not offer one of the highest marijuana grower salaries, it’s a great place to start. See our Marijuana Bud Trimmer Salaries article for more specific information on cannabis trimming pay.

MARIJUANA GROWER JOB DESCRIPTION
Depending on what you’re heard (or who you’ve heard it from), growing marijuanacan seem like both a simple or elaborate task. Frankly, it can be both at the same time. One the one hand, cannabis flowers actively want to grow and will grow vigorously in the right conditions. Conversely, in order to achieve the perfect mature cannabis flowers, a lot of detail must go into creating and maintaining very specific protocol for feeding, watering, heat, sun, humidity and more.

Marijuana grower salaries are awarded based on the hierarchy of cultivators employed in the operation. Grow masters are ultimately responsible for managing and caring for the entire grow operation and leading a group of assistant growers in maintaining the plants.

When it comes to major grow operations, master cultivator responsibilities are diverse and many. In contrast to home growers cultivating a few plants, master growers can taste the difference between a well cultivated crop and a very well cultivated crop. They understand how these seemingly minute differences between the two can vastly impact the success or failure of the product once it is processed and distributed.

Master growers are constantly having to test their products and determine the efficacy of their growing program in producing an effective product. Under the newly legal cultivation sector, growers send out their products to third parties for quality assurance and to make sure they are abiding perfectly with regulatory compliance measures.

This is perhaps the greatest difference between black market operations of yore and legal ones. Cannabis regulations are no joke and any grower who fails to follow protocol perfectly could be personally fined or jailed, as well as contributing to an entire grow operation being shut down.

Large scale and smaller legal grow ops undergo inspections by regulatory boards armed with a long checklist of compliance measures that each require individual attention. In all honesty, legal growers are pushed to their limits by the somewhat suffocating nature of the legislature. Since the industry is still new and is regulated on a state level, there is a lot of room for continued development in ensuring safe growing practices and fair marijuana grower salaries, without overloading well-intentioned cultivators.

To give a better idea of just how numerous the responsibilities of a grower are, grow masters are expected to have significant prior experience as a master or assistant growers at commercial grow operations. Additionally, more and more growers are expected to hold degrees in horticulture, agriculture or an associated program of study. This requirement is not just for show; growers must prove their confidence in problem solving, should any issues with the plants arise.

There is very little room for error in commercial grow operations, so companies don’t want to waste their time with novices or intermediate level employees when seeking a grow leader.

On top of direct cultivation and management responsibilities, grow masters are charged with accurately recording and organizing data across platforms like Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet and word processing software.

MARIJUANA GROWER SALARIES: SIX FIGURE JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Becoming a paid, legal marijuana grower is a highly sought after position in the legal cannabusiness and comes with high levels of responsibility and equally impressive compensation. While assistant growers often make marijuana grower salaries in the middle to high five figures, grow masters can make as much as $120,000 or more depending on bonuses and state in the grow operation. Of course, being a grow master is not a relaxed job.

The marijuana grower salaries awarded to grow-op leaders are well deserved as the job is all encompassing, stressful and requires both personal and professional time commitments.

WORKING YOUR WAY UP IN THE GREEN RUSH: THE FUTURE OF LEGAL CULTIVATION
It might seem like an improbable task to acquire a job as a master grower, but in reality it’s all about dedication, education and making connections. While it’s true that some growers have the financial privilege to attend college or university, many top-level cultivators moved their way up the ranks, starting with marijuana trimming jobs or working as grow assistants before gradually obtaining leadership positions.

The individuals most likely to garner significant marijuana grower salaries are the passionate, curious cannabis lovers and advocates who truly believe in their business. This is not an industry to get involved in solely for the prospective financial reward. Especially since so much time is spent researching and interacting with cannabis, it is essential to have respect and fascination for the plant and its medical and recreational uses.

Furthermore, as the legislation and regulations for cannabis cultivation changes country and statewide, growers must keep on their toes to make sure they continue to keep their heads above water in following any and all compliance measures. The future may be uncertain, but cultivation opportunities are growing as more Americans are won over by this miracle plant.

 

[roots69]

Its just a matter of time!!



Legalization Hits a Tipping Point in Congress This Year

The President stands ready to sign the STATES Act if Congress can pass it this year. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)
Legalization has hit a historic tipping point in Congress this year, says Neal Levine, a longtime political operative and head of the Cannabis Trade Federation, which is deploying a record number of lobbyists on Capitol Hill for the issue in 2019.


Levine’s been in the legalization game since 2002, and he said voter support can end prohibition this year through the STATES Act, which exempts legalization states from the 1972 Controlled Substances Act. While it’s cliché to say legalization is “always 10 years away,” Levine says it’s here. In the below Q&A with Leafly, Levine points to some key factors:

• 10 adult-use legalization states, plus Washington, DC
• 33 medical legalization states
• hundreds of thousands of American jobs on the line
• billions and billions of dollars in domestic economic impact
• polling at 61% for legalization, 75% for federal noninterference, 90% for medical

“We got an issue here that people are starting to care passionately about that can swing elections,” he tells Leafly.

Strap in. You’re riding with veteran activist and policy wonk turned industry lobbying powerhouse Levine, before his Friday appearance at the International Cannabis Business Conference in San Francisco. The ICBC is sponsored in part by Leafly.

Leafly: I’ll play devil’s advocate. It took 33 states to enact marijuana prohibition before the federal government followed in the ’30s. What makes you think we he have enough states to stop prohibition this year? There’s only nine legalization states.

Neal Levine: First off, prohibition ended in 10 states, plus the District as of today. But fortuitously it’s 33 states plus the District that have opted out in some form. And so prohibition has become untenable.

We have Canada up and roaring. We have Mexico about to set up legal markets. We got countries in South America, Europe, the Middle East, and now Asia all starting to opt out of prohibition. We are ceding what should be an American industry to international competition, and there’s no reason for it, outside of bad policy.

The states are now moving at lighting speed to opt out on their own. We have now reached that point and Congress must act. That’s why we’re focused on the federal level, and that’s why we’re so optimistic we can get this done.

Talk with Neal Levine at the International Cannabis Business Conference Friday, Feb. 8 — sponsored by Leafly
And the reason we’re so optimistic, and we have bipartisan support, and the president said he’d sign [the STATES Act] into law—is because the polling is so over the top in favor. [Federal noninterference] is polling 10 points higher than legalization, and that’s the STATES Act — it’s polling in the mid ’70s, and that’s why I think we can get this done.

It is no coincidence that every single Democrat in the US Senate who is running for president or talking about running for president is putting their name on a cannabis bill.


Yes, but there are like a half-dozen bills in Congress, why is the STATES Act the one to back?

So Rep. Earl Bluemenaur (D-OR) has a whole suite of bills. … But the STATES Act is a bipartisan bill that the president said he would sign into law if it hits his desk. Based on that, that’s why we’re focused on the STATES Act.

Our intel is that the STATES Act is the one game-changing piece of legislation that we can pass into law in the next Congress.

Look the STATES Act is not the entire loaf—but it’s 60% to 70%. It fundamentally ends the conflict between federal and state law and it opens the door to have the conversation move from “Should we do this?” to “How should we do this?” The “How should we do this?” piece is full social equity.

There’s been a lot of talk about equity lately. That’s not in the STATES Act.

If you look at what’s going on in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California—all the social equity pieces are happening locally. Denver is doing expungement. The state of Colorado is talking about stuff. So a lot of that stuff is happening at the state level, because that’s where the laws are. The STATES Act will speed up the pace of legalization in the states exponentially.


Can the STATES Act help with banking, or tax reform? The current banking situation redlines out anyone who can’t raise a million dollars from an angel investor, friend, or relative.

It immediately fixes [IRS tax penalty] 280E for every licensed legal state business. It doesn’t open up all banking, but it’s going to open up a lot commercial banking services from FDIC-insured banks.

Will Wells Fargo and B of A jump in? Probably not. But will community banks start offering real commercial banking services? Yes.

And it ends the threat of the DOJ coming in and kicking in our doors and seizing our assets for the crime of running a state-legal business.

That being said, what we’re trying to do here is end federal prohibition. The end goal is expungement for everybody with old crimes that would not have violated new law.

But it’s much harder to pass that initial, fundamental, game-changing piece of legislation than it is to amend the law later.

An example is the first law I quarterbacked while I was at Marijuana Policy Project was medical marijuana in Vermont in 2004. Vermont became the ninth MMJ state in 2004. That initial law was three plants, one mature, no industry, grow your own, three qualifying conditions: cancer, AIDS and MS. Vermont then became the first state legislature to end adult-use prohibition, and it was also, ironically, the ninth state to [end prohibition].

So you don’t always get the whole loaf at first.

How do Leafly readers make the most impact with their time and energy here? A lot of people feel powerless, or that this might be above their head.

They should call their members of Congress, call their senators, and they should tell them they support this. They should contact their local officials, their mayor, their county commissioners, their governors, and the state’s attorney general, and tell them, “I support this legislation. You should support this.”

And then folks can jump on our website, cannabistradefederation.com, and sign up for our list. We’ll be sending updates on ways they can help and be involved, and not just us. Sign up with our partners, the MPP, Drug Policy Alliance, any number of these groups we work in coalition with. They will get a steady stream of things that [they] can do to help us pass this.

What exactly is the six-month-old Cannabis Trade Federation? Your 20-member board includes Pax, Cannacraft, Dixie, Reef Dispensaries, and Tilt?

The Cannabis Trade Federation has the largest-staffed lobbying team the industry has ever seen. If you would have looked at all the other resources that are brought to the table up to this point combined—it’s not as large as what we’re bringing. This is a huge boulder we’re pushing up a steep hill in a short amount of time. We think it’s doable, but we have no illusions about how difficult this is going to be.

Right now we have about 50 companies, and every company has made a minimum financial commitment of a five-figure amount, and board members have made six-figure commitments.

What makes you the guy to lead this macro-group of lobbying groups?

I got into this from a social justice and social equity point of view 15, 16 years ago. So I’ve been here a minute.

When I started working on this issue, there was no real industry. You had California and what was going on there, but all the early medical marijuana laws were grown-your-own laws. The first one we did at the ballot was Arizona that was actually creating industry.

On top of the seven laws I helped to quarterback for MPP, there’s another half-dozen that I played assist role on.

And I led the team that did the decrim initiative in Massachusetts in 2008, and we got 65% of vote for that. At the same time, we did medical marijuana in Michigan and we got 62% of the vote for that. We did both of those at the same time, and that decrim initiative in 2008 is probably to date the purest social equity initiative that we’ve run as a movement, ever.

You went into the industry in 2009 in Colorado and ran communications, government affairs and philanthropy for LiveWell. What brought you back into the fray?

How this all started was the prohibitionists went and tried to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot here in Colorado that would have capped THC in products at 16%, which would have made 86% of everything on the shelf illegal overnight.

We formed a coalition to beat that back. Up until that point, the industry just slit each other’s throats, as opposed to work together. And there was a lot of skepticism … whether or not we could work together.

It worked really well. We were able to do a public education campaign and prevent them from gathering enough signatures to get it on the ballot. Sometimes the best way to win a fight is to avoid it. So that worked. We quickly raised a half-million dollars, we knocked it off the ballot, and we refunded half the money, and everyone was like, “That worked splendidly.”

But then at that point, the prohibitionists had qualified a local ballot initiative down in Pueblo County which would have banned the industry, including 1,200 jobs, and scholarship money, and a bunch of stuff. So the coalition expanded and helped defeat that on Election Day down in Pueblo.

But you didn’t stop there?

Now it’s Election Day 2016 and the Republicans have taken over the entire federal government. I went to DC, and what became very apparent to us is we needed some sort of entity from the industry or movement to be able to talk to the right in their language. Because they were talking about tax reform and we saw an opportunity for 280E.

And then obviously we had Sessions as the AG and we saw a great threat. We knew we needed to engage, and we needed to engage in a way where we were talking to the folks who were in power. So that was the formation of the New Federalism Fund, and this Colorado coalition expanded and became more of a national coalition.


We didn’t get a 280E fix into tax reform, then Sessions pulled the Cole memo, Sen. Gardner put a hold on all DOJ appointments, and that turned in to the STATES Act for the release of these DOJ appointments.

And here we are saying, “We need something that’s both sides of the aisle.” And a lot of our folks didn’t feel well served by their options and were talking about pulling together an actual association, and so that led to the natural evolution of what the Cannabis Trade Federation is.

And instead of forming an association, we’re forming a [tax-exempt] federation so we can share some of these resources that we are bringing and spread it around to all of the other entities, so all boats can hopefully rise.

So the Cannabis Trade Federation is much larger than any individual entity. It’s right in our logo what our DNA is about: professionalize, unify, diversify.

 

[roots69]

10 Fast-Growing Cannabis Flowers for Impatient Gardeners

Growing cannabis can be an arduous process. Beyond the space, materials, and nutrients needed, time and light are the most essential ingredients in the cannabis cultivation equation. But what if you’re impatient or short on time? Is there a way to speed up the growing process?


Historically, black market growers would seek out or hybridize strains to harness attributes that catered to their surreptitious needs. These plants would usually be short and stalky with larger-than-average yields, and in some instances they would be autoflowering (such as a ruderalis hybrid). They were designed to be fast-flowering for both a quick turnover and so they could be easily relocated from time to time.


The fast-flowering cannabis strains listed below are now emerging for professional and hobby growers to utilize. They’re perfect for novice growers as well as set-it-and-forget-it growers who want to squeeze out a harvest with little time to spare. The list includes a mixture of both photoperiod and autoflowering varieties so you can find the perfect plants for your setup.

Wondering if you can legally grow in your state? Check our state-by-state guide to home cultivation laws to find out.


Photoperiod Strains That Grow Quickly (7-9 Weeks)
Lowryder
Lowryder is a hybrid strain that was inbred for nine generations by Joint Doctor Seeds to give it a dwarfed size. Growing no more than 16 inches tall, it’s the cannabis equivalent of a bonsai for the discrete grower’s windowsill or balcony. Lowryder’s small size comes from a species of cannabis ruderalis crossed with Northern Lights #2 and then William’s Wonder. Consumers, be patient with this strain: its medicinal and cerebrally stimulating effects have a slow but powerful onset. A mild earthy aroma radiates from the small, conic buds which autoflower in a short 40 to 45 days. Lowryder is a stalwart plant that can survive in harsh, colder climates, making it a popular strain in northern regions like Finland and Canada.

Critical Kush
Critical Kush from Barney’s Farm is a mostly indica strain that blends together two famed cannabis staples, Critical Mass and OG Kush. Aromatic notes of earthiness and spice usher in a calming sensation that relaxes the mind and body. Critical Kush pairs a staggeringly high THC content with a moderate dose of CBD, making this strain a perfect nighttime medication for pain, stress, insomnia, and muscle spasms. Growers cultivating this strain indoors will wait 50 to 60 days for Critical Kush to complete its flowering cycle.


Early Girl
Early Girl is the wallflower of cannabis strains since its introduction in the 1980s. Lovingly preserved by the breeders at Sensi Seeds, this strain is lazy and relaxed, nothing over the top. A 75/25 indica-dominant hybrid, Early Girl is a good one for those new to cannabis who would like relief from stress. Also a great strain for novice growers, it’s compact, resilient, and has a particularly short flowering time of 7 to 8 weeks. Early Girl grows especially well outdoors, but won’t put up a fuss if she’s stuck inside.

OG Kush
OG Kush makes up the genetic backbone of West Coast cannabis varieties, but in spite of its ubiquity, its genetic origins remain a mystery. Popular myth maintains that Chemdawg and Hindu Kush parented OG Kush, passing on the distinct “kush” bud structure we see in many strains today. However, we can’t be sure because OG Kush first came from bag seed in the early 90s. The earliest propagators (now known as Imperial Genetics) are said to have brought the seeds out of Florida to Colorado and southern California, where it now flourishes. There are many different phenotypes of OG Kush, some of which include Tahoe OG, SFV OG, and Alpha OG.

OG Kush is cherished for its ability to crush stress under the weight of its heavy euphoria. It carries an earthy pine and sour lemon scent with woody undertones, an aroma that has become the signature of OG Kush varieties and descendants. With OG Kush, patients most commonly cite improvements in migraines, ADD/ADHD, and stress disorders.


Superglue
Superglue is a hybrid strain bred by Seedism Seeds. A cross between Afghani and Northern Lights, Superglue inherits indica growth patterns along with a sweet caramel and pine aroma. Superglue brings calming relaxation to the mind and body, but leaves you functional and energetic enough for social activities or a productive afternoon.

Autoflowering Strains That Grow Quickly (7-12 Weeks)
Red Dwarf
Red Dwarf is a rarer strain of cannabis that is an autoflowering plant. This trait comes from its cannabis ruderalis genetics, which is a third variety of the plant that’s usually not bred due to its lower THC content. The wonders of selective breeding from Buddha Seeds have resulted in seeds that grow to adulthood in an incredibly short six weeks. This strain’s squat, small plants are easy to grow in smaller spaces, making it a popular choice for growers who want something simple and fast. Indica-dominant, Red Dwarf will eventually make you sleepy, but not without some relaxed euphoria first.

Hobbit
Hobbit by Kannabia Seeds is a resilient autoflowering variety with sweetness and strong elemental resistance. This strain has a sweet aroma that has been described as “strawberry candy” and an equally sweet smoke with latent earthy notes. Hobbit deftly combines stimulating Haze elements with a pervasive body buzz that is lightly weighted while remaining pleasant and functional. Many growers covet this autoflowering wonder for its quick 65-day flowering time and above-average yield.


White Ryder
White Ryder is Riot Seeds’ attempt to create a ruderalis version of White Widow by crossing Buddha Seeds’ White Dwarf against Lowryder. By blending two stout, autoflowering plants, Riot Seeds created a potent indica-dominant hybrid that finishes in under 80 days and can easily be hidden from view. Enjoy this flower for anti-anxiety and sleep-inducing effects.

Purple Cheese
Purple Cheese is an indica-dominant autoflowering hybrid that combines Purple #1, Blue Cheese, and Lowryder. Bred by Auto Seeds, Purple Cheese was designed to have a sweeter, less cheesy flavor than its Blue Cheese parent. It does, however, inherit a tight bud structure and a high CBD profile. With a palatable fruit aroma, Purple Cheese delivers powerful full-body effects best suited for night owls or patients treating pain. Colder climates will bring out this hybrid’s purple hues, and for best results, growers should keep this autoflowering variety between 50-80 cm in height.


Royal Haze
Royal Haze (or Royale Haze) by Dinafem Seeds is a mostly sativa strain bred from Skunk, Haze, and Northern Lights genetics. Taking after her Haze parent, this sativa inherits a spicy citrus flavor and buzzing, energetic effects that keep you alert and productive throughout the day. Outdoor growers will appreciate her flexibility and resilience even when the temperature drops, although her 10-11 week flowering cycle demands a bit of patience.

An autoflowering rendition of Royal Haze was bred by Royal Queen Seeds, who mixed Amnesia Haze, Skunk, and a ruderalis strain. Its effects are similarly energizing and cerebral.

 

[roots69]

 

[roots69]

Medical Cannabis Strain Guide..

Afghani #1
Lineage: Landrace
Breeder: Sensi Seeds
Flowering period: 45 days
Yield: Average to good
Afghani #1 is a classic. Compact, easy to grow, and potent, it is exactly what you’d expect out of a landrace Afghani. Lots of resin production and a hashy, earthy taste and its couchlock indica high are great, though they don’t often measure up to today’s fancy hybrids.
Recommended for: chronic pain, muscle spasms, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

AK-47
Lineage: Colombian, Mexican, Thai and Afghani
Breeder: Serious Seeds
Flowering period: 53 - 63 days
Yield: Good to great
Strong smell, compact buds, great yield, and easy to grow. Compact stature. Look for the cherry smelling pheno. High is cerebral but not overpowering.
Recommended for: chronic pain

Apollo 11
Lineage: C'99 x Genius (Jack Herer) / [shivaskunk x JH f2] x shivaskunk
Breeder: Brothers Grimm
Flowering period: 45-55 days
Yield: Average to good
This is a great sativa for those who don’t have the time for a plant like Haze. It tends to be very branchy, but it’s very forgiving to grow, and has a remarkably short flowering period for such a sativa plant. It has an up, creative high and a lemony taste.
Recommended for: epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other seizure-related illnesses

Big Bud
Lineage: Skunk #1 x Afghani
Breeder: Sensi Seeds
Flowering period: 50-65 days
Yield: Outrageous
If you’re looking to get the highest yield per plant possible, Big Bud is where it’s at. Unfortunately, its other characteristics don’t match its yield. It has a skunky but not powerful smell, and the high is typically indica. Between its low potency and the low ceiling of the high, it doesn’t make the best medical marijuana. Mr. Nice’s Critical Mass is a rebreed of Big Bud that fixes some of the potency issues. Big Bud is also very susceptible to bud rot and other kinds of mold.
Recommended for: anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Blueberry
Lineage: Juicy Fruit(highland) Thai x Afghani male x Chocolate Thai x Highland Oaxacan Gold
Breeder: DJ Short
Flowering period: 45-55 days
Yield: Average
Blueberry is very unique marijuana. It tends to turn from partially purple to full on blue, and if grown properly smells and tastes like blueberry muffins. The high is euphoric, uplifting, and comfortable. Blueberry can be difficult to grow, and is very sensitive to nutrients. Be sure not to overfeed.
Recommended for: chronic pain, muscle spasms, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Blue Cheese
Lineage: Blueberry x Cheese (male) X original UK Cheese (female)
Breeder: Big Buddha
Flowering period: 56-70 days
Yield: Average
Blue Cheese is one of the better Blueberry hybrids available. It has a strong sweet, fruity, tart smell and taste with undertones of the Cheese's funky musk. The high is euphoric and functional, but still definitely of the indica variety. The plant is short and indica-like in stature, making it a good choice for indoor grows with low ceilings.
Recommended for: MS, chronic pain, muscle spasms, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Bubblegum
Lineage: Big Skunk with some Northern Lights
Breeder: Serious Seeds
Flowering period: 56-63 days
Yield: Good to great
Bubblegum tastes and smells exactly like what the name suggests. It has a powerful, euphoric, narcotic, indica stone and is very easy to grow. It is of medium to tall stature, and generally not very branchy.
Recommended for: muscle spasms, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

California Orange
Lineage: Thai x [Afghani x Acapulco Gold]
Breeder: Nirvana Seeds
Flowering Period: 56-70 days
Yield: Good
California orange, when grown well, has a sweet orange taste, but the potency is definitely lacking. The high is fairly typically indica, though not overwhelmingly so. It’s a pretty forgiving plant to grow, but it fails to excel in any one aspect.

Chronic
Lineage: NL x Afghan x NL / NL x Big Bud x Afghan
Breeder: Serious Seeds
Flowering Period: 53-63 days
Yield: Good to great
Chronic was bred to be a good commercial variety. It isn’t a branchy plant, and it doesn’t respond well to topping, but it grows giant buds, which makes it well suited for SOG. Its mild, sweet smell and typical indica stone are nothing special but pleasant nonetheless.
Recommended for: muscle spasms, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Cinderella 99
Lineage: ShivaSkunk x [sensi Jack Herer x Jack Herer]
Breeder: Brothers Grimm, several knockoffs
Flowering period: 60 days
Yield: Good
If you want a sativa high but don’t have the room or the time to do it, C99 is for you. The high is all sativa—heady and racy. But it flowers very quickly, and though it’s stretchy, it’s nothing like growing a full sativa. The taste and smell are a combination of citrus and floral, very refreshing.
Recommended for: epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other seizure-related illnesses

F-13
Lineage: Juicy Fruit(highland) Thai x Afghani male x Chocolate Thai x Highland Oaxacan Gold
Breeder: DJ Short
Flowering period: 49-63 days
Yield: Average to good
The most outstanding characteristic of F-13 is its amazing, powerful, and clear high. The second is that the plant turns purple, sometimes fully so but usually only partially. It grows like a stretchy sativa, but it’s nowhere near as bad as a landrace and its short flower time keep its stature in check. The smell and taste are a combination of earthy and vanilla-y.
Recommended for: epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other seizure-related illnesses

Haze
Lineage: Thai x Columbian x Mexican x Vietnamese
Breeder: The Flying Dutchman
Flowering Period: 12-16 weeks
Yield: Low to Average
Haze is an interesting plant in that it actually makes a better breeder than it does a grower. It passes on its best characteristics, but alone, it's hard to grow and not worth the trouble. It has a sweet, sandalwood, spicy taste, and a very up, sativa, energetic high. It takes forever to flower, needs a ton of headroom, and is very sensitive to nutrients, so it’s not recommended for beginners.
Recommended for: Crohn’s Disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other seizure-related illnesses

Hindu Kush
Lineage: Landrace
Breeder: Sensi Seeds
Flowering Period: 45-50 days
Yield: Average to Good
Hindu Kush is a short, single-cola dominant indica that produces fat, sweet buds with a heavy stone. It is remarkably easy to grow, and has a very short flowering period. Pefect for SOG.
Recommended for: chronic pain, muscle spasms, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

HOG
Lineage: Kush x Afghani
Breeder: T.H. Seeds
Flowering Period: 56-63 days
Yield: Good
Strong, skunky smell and a knockout indica high combined with being easy to grow and a good yielder make this both a grower’s and a smoker’s favorite. Its short stature and big, fat, greasy colas make it perfectly suited to a SOG.
Recommended for: chronic pain, muscle spasms, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Jack Herer
Lineage: Skunk #1 x Northern Lights #5 x Haze
Breeder: Sensi Seeds
Flowering Period: 50-70 days
Yield: Average to Great
Jack Herer’s sativa phenotypes are average-yielding and Haze-dominant, while the indica dominant phenos look more like NL#5 and yield excellently. Both phenos have an up, energetic, sativa high, and are completely covered in trichomes. Jack Herer tends to be a stretchy plant, so be sure you have enough headroom, especially if you have the sativa phenotype.
Recommended for (sativa phenos): epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other seizure-related illnesses
Recommended for (indica phenos): chronic pain, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Kali Mist
Lineage: Haze x Skunk hybrid / Cambodian sativa x Silver Haze
Breeder: Serious Seeds
Flowering Period: 70-90 days
Yield: Average to good
Kali Mist is a nearly pure sativa with a potent, up, energetic high and a hazy, pine taste. It stretches dramatically, so make sure you have room to grow it. It’s very mold resistant. Great headstash but not for beginners.
Recommended for: Crohn’s Disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other seizure-related illnesses

Lavender
Lineage: Super Skunk x Big Skunk Korean x Afghani-Hawaiian
Breeder: SOMA Seeds
Flowering Period: 56-63 days
Yield: Average to good
Lavender turns a very pretty purple color, and has a sweet, herbal, spicy candy taste. It has a classic, heavy indica stone—not daytime medicine. It’s fairly easy to grow, and can be a very good yielder if given the right care.
Recommended for: chronic pain, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Legends Ultimate Indica
Lineage: Ortega x Sweet Tooth #2
Breeder: Legends Seed Co.
Flowering Period: 49-63 days
Yield: Great
LUI is a great indoor plant—potent, good yielding, and easy to grow. It tastes like candy, and certain specimens can even change colors. Tight, compact buds and a heavy indica stone, as the name suggests. Short, compact stature.
Recommended for: chronic pain, muscle spasms, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Mazar
Lineage: Afghani x Skunk #1
Breeder: Dutch Passion
Flowering Period: 56-63 days
Yield: Good
Mazar has a nicely balanced indica/sativa high and is an exceptionally easy, forgiving plant to grow. It is compact in stature and there is little phenotypic variation.
Recommended for: anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Maple Leaf Indica
Lineage: Afghani
Breeder: Sensi Seeds
Flowering Period: 45-50 days
Yield: Good
Maple Leaf Indica is a knockout indica from Sensi’s vintage Afghanica stock. Abundant resin production makes it great for hash making. The taste is syrupy sweet with some citrus. Expect little stretch and dense nuggets.
Recommended for: chronic pain, muscle spasms, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Mr. Nice
Lineage: G-13 x Hash Plant
Breeder: Sensi Seeds
Flowering Period: 60 days
Yield: Good
Mr. Nice is a knock-down, drag-out indica to rival any. It has a hashy, earthy taste, and its resin production is out of this world—great for making hash or other extracts. Its high is extremely munchie-inducing and put-you-to-bed potent, and it’s fairly forgiving to grow.
Recommended for: chronic pain, muscle spasms, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Neville's Haze
Lineage: Thai x Colombian with a 1/4 NL#5
Breeder: Greenhouse Seed Co, Mr. Nice
Flowering Period: 12-14 weeks
Yield: Good
Neville’s Haze is an almost pure haze with some Northern Lights bred into it to tame it somewhat for indoor growing. However, it is still not a plant for the novice or impatient. It will wrap itself around the lights very quickly, and it takes forever to flower. But if you’re looking for the classic haze high and taste, look no further.
Recommended for: Crohn’s Disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other seizure-related illnesses

New York City Diesel
Lineage: Sour Diesel x (Afghani x Hawaiian)
Breeder: SOMA Seeds
Flowering Period: 70 days
Yield: Good
NYC Diesel is best known for its citrus-grapefruit-lemon-fuel stench. It’s not quite as potent as Sour Diesel, but it packs quite a punch. The high is powerful and sometimes overwhelming, with both sativa and indica effects. Be sure you have enough odor control when growing this.
Recommended for: anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Northern Lights #5
Lineage: Afghani x Skunk #1 x Haze
Breeder: Varied
Flowering Period: 45-55 days
Yield: Great
One of the first successful hybrids of sativa and indica, Northern Lights changed the world of indoor growing. It combined a short flower period, a very high yield, good potency, a short, bushy profile, and ease of growing—a perfect indoor plant. The high is a classic indica couchlock, and the taste is hashy and earthy. It’s more of a grower’s plant than a smoker’s plant, but it’s always a safe bet.
Recommended for: chronic pain, muscle spasms, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Original Misty
Lineage: White Widow x (?)
Breeder: Homegrown Fantaseeds
Flowering Period: 49-63 dats
Yield: Very Good
Short, bushy plant yielding a high THC content.
Original Misty is a robust plant with large, indica dominant leaves through vegetative stage. It is easy to clone and responds well to manipulation of leading branches. In flower, it produces thick stalks and even thicker buds. Sweet taste. For a more narcotic effect, wait until the 9th week of flower to increase CBN/CBD to THC ratios.
Recommend for: epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other seizure-related illnesses

Romulan
Lineage: California X [White Rhino X White Rhino]
Breeder: Federation Seed Co
Flowering Period: 55-60 days
Yield: Average
Romulan is a very strong mostly indica that tastes and smells like rotten fruit and black pepper. It is a striking dark green mottled with dark purple. Short plants and dense buds make this a good choice for a SOG setup.
Recommended for: chronic pain, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Sadhu
Lineage: Landraces from Kashmir, North India
Breeder: Mandala Seeds
Flowering Period: 60-65 days
Yield: Good
Sadhu is a short, stocky indica with a spicy-sweet bouquet, a hashy-earthy taste, and a mild, non-overpowering indica high. Beware of mold, as this plant does tend to produce dense buds, and keep the humidity low during the last two weeks before harvest.
Recommended for: chronic pain, muscle spasms, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Shiva Skunk
Lineage: NL #5 x Skunk #1 [male]
Breeder: Sensi Seeds
Flowering Period: 45-55 days
Yield: Good
Shiva Skunk has a musky, skunky smell and a heavy smoke with mixed sativa and indica effects. It grows with indica dominant traits, and is remarkably hardy.

Silver Haze
Lineage: NL x Haze
Breeder: Sensi Seeds
Flowering Period: 65-75 days
Yield: Average to good
Though the haze is brought under control somewhat by the NL influence, this is still very much a sativa dominant plant. It stretches dramatically, the buds are airy and elongated, and the high is pure psychedelic sativa. Outrageous resin production makes this great for making kief or hash.
Recommended for: epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other seizure-related illnesses

Skunk #1
Lineage: 25% afghani, 25% Acapulco Gold, 50% Colombian Gold
Breeder: Sensi Seeds
Flowering Period: 45-50 days
Yield: Good
Skunk #1 is the classic from back in the ‘90s. Remember the stuff that made you think you’d just hit a skunk when you opened the bag? This is it. Easy to grow with consistently good yields, but if you smoke too much the high can get uncomfortably racy.
Recommended for: appetite stimulant

Sour Diesel
Lineage: [(SensiNL X MassSuperSkunk) X Dawg/Chem] X DNL
Breeder: Reservoir Seeds
Flowering Period: 75 days
Yield: Good
Sour Diesel has a stench like no other: citrus sour with ammonia, diesel fuel and skunk. It punches you in the face with an extremely powerful high and doesn’t let go. Sour Diesel is very sensitive to light leaks, but if treated well it will give you some of the best smoke you’ve ever tasted. Expect significant stretch.
Recommended for: chronic pain, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Strawberry Cough
Lineage: Strawberry Fields x Haze
Breeder: Dutch Passion
Flowering Period: 63 days
Yield: Average
A sweet, strawberry smell and taste and a comfortable, dreamy, euphoric high make this a nice smoke, but it is a relatively low yielder and produces leafy, airy buds that are hard to trim. Don’t expect every example to smell like strawberries, either—it may take a little imagination with some.
Recommended for: Recommended for: anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Strawberry Diesel
Lineage: Kyle Kushman's Strawberry Cough x Sour Diesel
Breeder: Reservoir Seeds
Flowering Period: 65-75 days
Yield: Average
A combination of the sweetness of Strawberry Cough and the strength (of both smell and effect) of Sour Diesel. Not particularly easy to grow, but if well done, it is some of the highest quality medicine available. It is somewhat sativa leaning in its growth pattern, but the effect definitely has some indica attributes.
Recommended for: chronic pain, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Super Silver Haze
Lineage: [NL x Nevilles Haze] x [Skunk x Nevilles Haze]
Breeder: Mr. Nice
Flowering Period: 56-70 days
Yield: Average to great
Super Silver Haze is one of the most revered strains in cannabis lore. It won the 1997, 1998 and 1999 Cannabis Cups in a row, and for good reason—its soaring, euphoric high and floral, sweet taste and smell are truly unique. The more indica phenotypes have the potential to be monster yielders, but the sativa phenotypes are generally more potent.
Recommended for (sativa phenos): epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other seizure-related illnesses
Recommended for (indica phenos): chronic pain, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Super Skunk
Lineage: Afghani x Skunk #1
Breeder: Sensi Seeds
Flowering Period: 45-50 days
Yield: Good
Super Skunk is a great first plant to grow. It’s hearty and hard to kill, it yields well, and its smell harkens back to the skunky, pungent stench that pot smelled like before all of the berry and diesel strains took over. Though its sativa parentage means it stretches more than your average indica, it makes a great indoor plant that will reward hard work with giant colas.

Sweet Tooth #3
Lineage: Sweetpink Grapefruit x Blueberry x Grapefruit f1
Breeder: Spice of Life
Flowering Period: 56 days
Yield: Great
Sweet Tooth is a favorite of commercial growers in Canada. Hearty, easy to grow and a great yielder combine with a heavy, sedative stone and an almost cloyingly sweet taste to make this a prizewinner several times over.
Recommended for: chronic pain, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

Trainwreck
Lineage: Afghani x [Lowland Thai x Mexican/columbian]
Breeder: Clone only, Greenhouse Seed Co has a ripoff
Flowering Period: 60-70 days
Yield: Average
Trainwreck is a mostly sativa plant from Humboldt County, California that is famous for its pepper/lemon/catpiss smell and its powerful, up high.

Ultimate Afghan Kush
Lineage: (Pure Afghani x Unknown Kush, F4) x Legends Ultimate Indica
Breeder: Private
Flowering Period: 55-60 days, some variation
Yield: Good
Expect big, fat colas with a pungent pine-lemon-sweet aroma. Hearty plants with good mold resistance make this a good choice for beginners. Some stretch, but minimal. The high is on the psychedelic side of indica, but less so in the phenotypes that lean toward LUI.
Recommended for: chronic pain, muscle spasms, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

White Berry
Lineage: White Widow x Blueberry
Breeder: Paradise Seeds
Flowering Period: 50 days
Yield: Good
White Berry is a single cola dominant plant of medium height, great for a Sea of Green (SOG) grow. The high is a not-too-overpowering mix of indica and sativa, and the smell and taste is of berries.
Recommended for: anti-nausea

White Rhino
Lineage: White widow x Afghani
Breeder: Greenhouse, Nirvana
Flowering Period: 56-63 days
Yield: Good
A spicy strong smell, killer resin production, and a knockout high combine to make this super-potent indica a famous one. The high can actually be too intense for some, so beware. White Rhino’s particularly forgiving to grow, though it can be susceptible to mold.
Recommended for: chronic pain, anti-nausea, anti-emetic, and appetite stimulant

White Russian
Lineage: AK-47 x White Widow
Breeder: Serious Seeds
Flowering Period: 53-63 days
Yield: Good
This is an F1 cross that results in stable, medium height plants with dense, resin-covered tops. The potency is in line with what you would expect from a cross between two legends such as these.

White Widow
Lineage: Brazilian x Indian
Breeder: Sensi Seeds
Flowering Period: 50-65 days
Yield: Average
White Widow can be too potent of a smoke for some, but those who can handle the intensity of the high get to enjoy one of the most legendary plants of the 1990s. A combination of high resin production and a pale shade of green makes the buds appear “white”, hence the name.
Recommended for: epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other seizure-related illnesses

 

[roots69]

Medical Cannabis Strain Guide..


Quick List

(AFGHANICA) Nausea, Pain

(AFGHANIE+ HAZE) PMS, Lower Body Pain.

(AK-47)or (AK-48) Pain, Nausea, Depression, Insomnia, Headache

(ALIEN TRAIN WRECK) Asthma

(APOLLO 13) Back Pain

(AUNTIE EM) Crohn’s Disease, MS

(AURORA B) Nausea, Joint Pain, Arthritis

(BERRY-BOLT) Insomnia, Joint Pain

(BIG BANG) Severe Anxiety, Stress, Etc.. Cannabis Cup Winner

(BIG KAHUNA) Herniated Disc Pain, Arthritis

(BLACK ON BLUE WIDOW) HIV, Back Pain

(BLACK VIETNAMESE) Nausea, Muscle Spasms, Pain

(BLUE FRUIT) Chron’s Disease, Muscle Spasms

(BLUE MOONSHINE) Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia

(BLUE SATELLITE+ JACK HERER) Depression, Nausea

(BLUE SATELLITE) Pain, Nausea, Insomnia, Anxiety, Muscle Tension

(BLUEBERRY) Nausea, Insomnia, Pain

(BOG SOUR BUBBLE) Pain, Anxiety

(BONZO BUD) Body Pain, Migraine

(BUDACOLUMBIA) Nausea

(BURMABERRY) Migraine, Depression

(BURMESE KUSH) Anxiety, Depression

(C99+ GREAT WHITE SHARK) Anxiety

(CALI-O) Nausea

(CATALYST) PMS

(CINDERELLA 99) Nausea

(CIT) Pain, Nausea, Insomnia

(CITRAL) Insomnia

(CRIPPLE CREEk) Hepatitis C, IBS, Degenerative Disc Disease,

(DEEP CHUNK) Joint Pain, Insomnia

(DYNAMITE) Asthma, Crohn’s Disease, Hepatitis C

(NYC SOUR DIESEL) Edema, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Radiculopathy

(EL NINO) Nausea, Insomnia

(FIELDALE HAZE) Anxiety, Back Pain

(FIG WIDOW) Back Pain, Psychosis

(FIRECRACKER) Anxiety, Depression, Nausea

(G13+HP) Nausea, Joint Pain, Insomnia

(G-13) Depression, Pain, ADD, ADHD

(GRAPEFRUIT) Arthritis, Hepatitis C, Pain, Nausea

(GREEN QUEEN) Epilepsy, Neck/Spine Pain

(GREEN SPIRIT+TIMEWARP+HERIJUANA) RLS, Insomnia, migraine, Joint Pain

(GREEN SPIRIT) Nausea, Headache, Body Pain

(HERIJUANA+TRAINWRECK) Diabetic Neuropathy, Joint Pain, Insomnia, MS

(HERIJUANA) Pain, Nausea, Insomnia

(ICE PRINCESS+BUBBLEGUM) Migraine

(JACK HERER) Anxiety, Fibromyalgia

(JUICY FRUIT) Insomnia, Joint Pain, Anxiety

(KALI MIST) Nausea, Depression

(KAL-X) Body Pain

(KILLER QUEEN) Depression, Back Pain

(KRINKLE+KUSH+FREEZELAND) MS Muscle Spasms

(LEDA UNO) Insomnia

(LEGENDS ULTIMATE INDICA + HERIJUANA) Muscle Spasms, Pain

(LEGENDS ULTIMATE INDICA) Insomnia, IBS

(LEMON CHEMO) Insomnia, Back Pain, Migraine

(LEMON HAZE) RLS, Chronic Fatigue

(LIFESAVER) Nausea, Headache, Pain, Insomnia

(LOLLIPOP) General Seizures, Glaucoma, MS, General Pain, Cachexia

(LOWRYDER) Nausea, Pain, Headache

(LSD) Nausea, Anxiety, Depression, Headache

(M-39) Depression

(MAGIC CRYSTAL) Migraine, PMS, depression, SADS, Mania, Nausea.

(MANGO x NORTHERN LIGHTS #5) Pain, Nausea, Insomnia, Anxiety.

(MASTER KUSH) Nausea, Pain.

(MEDICINE WOMAN) Diabetic Neuropathy, General Pain, General Seizures, Glaucoma, Hepatitis C, Muscle Spasms, Nausea, Radiculopathy.

(MISTY) Hepatitis C, Back Pain, Insomnia, Nausea.

(MOTAREBEL OGUANA KUSH) Nerve Pain, Muscle Spasms, Back Pain, Headache, Insomnia.

(MOUNTAINBERRY) Insomnia, Migraine, Pain.

(NORTHERN LIGHTS #1) Arthritis.

(NORTHERN LIGHTS #2) Nausea, Insomnia.

(NORTHERN LIGHTS x JAMAICAN) Arthritis.

(NORTHERN LIGHTS x CINDERELLA 99) Depression.

(NORTHERN LIGHTS x SHIVA) Body pain, Back Pain, Toothache.

(NORTHERN LIGHTS) Anxiety, Radiculopathy, Insomnia.

(NORTHERNBERRY) All around Pain.

(OREGON 90) Insomnia, Joint Pain, RLS, Pain, Nausea.

(ORIGINAL MYSTIC) Epilepsy.

(OG KUSH PURPLE) Leg Pain, Knee, Butt Pain.

(PHAGHT BETTY) Cachexia, Degenerative Bone/Disc Disease, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

(QUEEN BEE) Neck/Spine Pain.

(SENSI STAR) Migraine, PMS, Back Pain.

(SHISKABERRY x DUTCH TREAT) Migraine, Anxiety, Insomnia, Nausea.

(SHISKABERRY x HASH PLANT) Anxiety, Nausea..

(SKUNK #1) Nausea, Food Issues.

(SNOW WHITE) PMS, Head akes.

(SOUR CREAM) Insomnia, Joint Pain, Nausea.

(STARDUST 13) Pain, Nausea, Insomnia.

(STRAWBERRY COUGH) Back Pain, Depression.

(SUPER IMPACT x AK-47) Pain, Insomnia, mood swings.

(SUPER IMPACT) Nausea, Insomnia, Muscle Pain, Depression, Anxiety, SADS, Mania.

(SUPER SILVER HAZE) Nausea, Depression, one of my top 10 favs.

(SUPER THAI) Depression.

(SWEET BLU) Degenerative Bone/Disc Disease, Diabetic Neuropathy, Edema, Fibromyalgia, Muscle Spasms, Nausea, Neck/Spine Pain.

(SWEET TOOTH #3) Depression, mood swings

(TRAINWRECK x HERIJUANA) Nausea,

(TRAINWRECK) Anxiety, Arthritis, Diabetic Neuropathy, Depression.

(TW x LUI) Arthritis, Nausea.

(TX) Arthritis, Asthma, General Pain, General Seizures, Glaucoma, MS.

(ULTRA GREEN) Insomnia.

(WAKEFORD) Anxiety, Nausea, Insomnia.

(WHITE RHINO) Body Pain, Back Pain, Joint Pain, Insomnia.

(WHITE RUSSIAN) Pain, Nausea.

(WHITE WIDOW x BIG BUD) Depression.

(WHITE WIDOW) Cachexia, Hepatitis C, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

 

[roots69]

You might be a grower IF....

1) You stress about the quality of nutrients you give your plants but live on a diet of fast food, potato chips, coffee & soda

2) Every plastic container looks like a potential hydro system

3) Your electric bill is more than your mortgage payment

4) Your neighbors are always asking why you never let you pet skunk out of the house to play

5) When someone refers to a "hottie with 36-24-36 measurements" you think they're referring to the N-P-K ratio on some super brand of nutes

6) Someone asks you about your girls and you forget all about your daughters and tell them about your plants.

7) You're in the process of curing, but you're not a doctor and nobody is sick

8) A "light leak" has nothing to do with slowly dripping water

9) A fully packed tent makes you feel better than a fully packed bowl

10) You include

in your list of the top teachers of all time!

 

[roots69]

Da Best, nothing else too say!!

 

[roots69]

You might be a grower if, when you get out of bed in the morning, you go straight to the grow room instead of the bathroom.

You might be a grower if you miss your favorite TV show, because it's time to feed the "ladies".

You might be a grower if you do not have a phone extension in your grow room, so you won't be interrupted.

You might be a grower if you used all your spare sheets and blankets for "tarps" over wire shelving units, because you could not afford the tents.

You might be a grower if you grew your first two grows under 23 Watt CFL's, and know the difference between Daylight and Soft white, and for which phase to use them in.

You might be a grower if you put off restocking your groceries, so you could afford an order of LED panels.

You might be a grower if the family comes to Grandma's house for Goodies, and they are not candy.

You might be a grower if you have the nicest looking yard in the neighborhood, because the family members do your yard for you in exchange for pot.

You might be a grower if the only houseplant you have is an Aloe plant, because its gel helps clones take root.

You might be a grower if you get lonely because your 420 friends have not visited your journal today.

You might be a grower if you have enough spare equipment to set up a friend with a grow of his own.

You might be a Northern grower if you keep your soil and additives in the house so it wont freeze or get bugs.

 

[roots69]

Sensi Northern Lights x GG#4

Strain Name - Sensi NL x GG#4

From - local trade

When - Today

Type - Indica dominant hybrid

Appearance - small dense buds with a purple hue. Densely coated in trichomes

Sensi NL x GG#4

Sensi NL x GG#4

Smell - sweet like mildly fermented berries
Taste - like dark berries and black pepper
Type of Buzz - very relaxing for an all day smoke, if being confused is okay many times during the day. Lol
Length of Buzz - 2 hours, hard to judge because of my copious consumption of cannabis. I smoke about every two hours, some cultivars wear down before that mark, this one is perfect.
Best Medicinal Use - anti anxiety, seems good for my bad joint pain, and depression.
Overall - I could smoke this stuff all day. The buds burn to a clean ash in my wife's large glass bowl. Haven't vaped it yet but smokes smooth as silk.

 

[roots69]

Strain Name - Seedsman Blueberry
From - Free Seed from Seedsman.
When - Jan 2018
Price - $14.38 pack of 5, USD
Type - Indica
Appearance - The color is a medium green with a lot of orange pistils
Smell - Very faint smell of berries.
Taste - Very faint taste of berries. No expansion or coughing. Just smooth!
Type of Buzz - It starts out as waves rocking through your body. Then it turns to a slight head high and on the backend it's a watch some sports, find a killer movie with kettlecorn fresh from the wok kinda high. I'd say you could clean your house, in slow motion kinda high. I think ya know where I'm comin' from.
Length of Buzz - A Couple Hours
Best Medicinal Use - Insomnia, pain relief, anti-anxiety. kinda numbing feeling

Overall - This one came down to weird smell hardly any taste on one side and great effects I need sometimes. I think the effects are the end result of why we grow our own. I like this effect, just strong enough without going overboard (too the extreme). It's a no worries have a nice day, go hang with your friends smoke. No munches to speak of. This could be an all day smoke. I like it and will grow more.

A Keeper! ES

Seedsman Blueberry Nugs

 

[roots69]

Strain Name - Pure Raspberry Kush
From - CannaVenture Farms
When - cloned in November,flipped to flower Vallentines day Harvested 0420
Type - Indica. 22-24%
Appearance - Medium dark green. Medium density. Orange hairs everywhere.
Smell - Skunky, black pepper, fruity in jar once busted....Skunky with a hint of Raspberry
Taste - Unique taste, little peppery, skunk. On exhale, a nice pinch at the back of your young happens like your eating a raspberry then after the exhale a Delicious Raspberry flavor takes over!
Buzz - As you are picking through the unique changes of flavors, you may look at the dubie and think, hey yea that's it there's a nice relaxing Kush! Then as you smoke the rest you start to lose track of time. After about 20-30 min this creeps up and depending on how much consumed, you may start testing your blood sugar or blood pressure thinking something's wrong with your health, then realize....your just f ripped. So careful on dosing this strain.
Length of Buzz - first buzz 20min, second buzz 3hr
Best Medicinal Use - Insomnia if you take a small dose, it is a super relaxing sleep enhancing relief. In bigger doses, it's uplifting and motivating medication. Pain relief is really good with this strain. Especially headaches for me. I use it mainly for depression, after dosing, I'm just happy, not that I stumble around smiling (maybe sumtimes) but I just don't get upset at things and nothing bothers me....to me that's happiness haha.
Overall - this strain doesn't make you hungry, well at huge doses it will but all in all...no munchies! I really enjoy this strain for its medical help. The length of stone is top notch. Long burning joints. It makes wonderful shatter. The shatter buzz is so uplifting and awakening, do not take if you ready for sleep! Or do 9 back to back that knocks me out! Super enjoyed the flower time day 1 of week 8 it was ready! Very fast. I had a really hard time cloning this.

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[roots69]

 

[roots69]

More Kush Marijuana Big Nugs Cultivation Tips
Are you growing Kush marijuana and want to make it easier to get the largest, phattest, most resinous yields possible? Of course the answer to that is YES!!!

In our previous articles on Kush, we talked about its origins, its market value ($375-500 USD per ounce) and its blockbuster Indica high.

We interviewed King of Kush Bret Bogue, who gave us insight into where Kush came from, what it is, and how it relates to hydroponics marijuana strains like ChemDawg.

We also mentioned the only strain-specific bloom booster, Kushie Kush, that came from Kush-specific research.

In this article, we look at more ways for you to get your biggest Kush harvests ever:

• Kush loves DWC, NFT, and aeroponics systems. Why? My feeling is that it’s because Kush can suck in a ton of nutrients, way more than Sativa strains, without overloading. In aeroponics and similar systems, roots can develop without having to push through solid media like soil or rockwool, and I think they like it better.
• What do I mean by a ton of nutrients? Using a cautious, incremental approach, try feeding 650-1100 ppm of quality grow phase base nutrients starting a week after your Kush clones or seedlings have well-established roots. Of course watch for signs of overfeeding.
• Especially if you’re using reverse osmosis water or rainwater, add in 90-160 ppm of Sensi Cal Grow to every new batch of nutrients water in grow phase.
• Keep your nutrients water around 66°-67°F, and make sure it’s well-aerated.
• Kush loves C02 during lights-on in grow and bloom. Top your ambient C02 at 1550.
• Kush loves light. Give them good spacing and consider Chameleon Plasma or Baddass Bulbs to provide specific light wavelengths that marijuana loves.
• Make your bloom phase lights-off temperatures at least six degrees Fahrenheit cooler than your day temperatures, and keep your day temps around 74°F. This makes your nugs harder and denser.
• Use supercropping and training to create dense, bushy plants with many budding heads on them. The less plants you have, and the more yield per plant, the safer and easier your garden is.
• Do a flush with pure water during your lights-on cycle the day before you transition from grow to bloom phase.
• Kush seems to be sensitive to phosphorus early in bloom phase. Some varieties of Kush (probably the hybrids that have more Sativa influence) are sensitive to high doses of base nutrients and bloom boosters in bloom phase, so watch for over-fertilization. On the other hand, the phatter-leaved more pure Indica versions of Kush will eat vast amounts of bloom base nutrients, Sensi Cal Bloom and potassium-rich bloom boosters…and reward you with bigger, stickier, harder nugs.
• Use Overdrive during final two weeks before flushing to pack on weight and THC.
• Flush before harvest.
• Be patient when deciding when to harvest. Watch your trichomes. Some varieties of Kush are ready in 52-63 days. Other Kush marijuana strains go longer and can add lots of weight and THC in the last few days before flushing so you should harvest at 63-75 days. Let the trichomes guide you.
• Beware of over-watering and high humidity. Both can cause gray mold.

Please help your hydroponics Kush community by using our comments column to share your advice about Kush strains and growing techniques. I am embedding this rather Kush controversial video (the guy definitely needed to use a spell-checker) for you to critique as well.

The bottom line is that Kush marijuana is here to say, whether it’s OG Kush, Purple Kush or any of the other Kush we love to grow and inhale. Let’s all grow the heaviest, hardest, most THC sparkling Kush nugs we can grow right now!

 

[roots69]

Marijuana Growing Big-Money Jobs: Be An Electrician
by John Foster | Published: April 18, 2014

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One of the biggest hassles I’ve experienced as a marijuana grower is I’ve needed to convert houses, apartments, rooms, barns, and garages into marijuana grow ops…but I lack the skills to do the conversions myself.

It’s a security risk to employ outsiders to help you with the important skilled constructions trades work that has to be done if you want a safe, productive marijuana grow room.

I don’t want outsiders to know I grow marijuana. Not even those guys who advertise as a “handyman” at the medical marijuana dispensaries or in marijuana forums.

Some marijuana growers trust family or friends who have skills in the trades, but as we’ve pointed out repeatedly, the less people who know you grow marijuana, the better.

My dad didn’t teach me any handyman skills or skilled trades when I was a kid, and so I’ve started to learn them now that I’m an adult…because I have to build marijuana grow rooms.

It’s hard for me to learn, but I need the independence and empowerment self-reliance of being able to do things myself instead of hiring so-called professionals.

I can tell you one thing for sure, if you learn to be an electrician, it helps you as a serious indoor hydroponics marijuana grower.

Electrical problems are lurking in almost every home, old or new. Panel boxes, circuit breakers, attic and wall wiring, and outlets are not designed to handle the unique loads and start-up spikes you get in an indoor hydroponics marijuana garden.

If you call an outsider electrician, you risk security breaches. Many electricians are familiar with the kinds of electrical problems marijuana growers have, so even if you’ve shut down your grow room while they’re around, they may easily suspect why you need the electrical work you’re asking them about.

When you ask an electrician to wire 30-amp circuits upstairs, install a new 200-amp/30-circuit panel, or even do minor marijuana growing electrical upgrades, the electrician might suspect you’re running a marijuana grow op.

Why should you worry if the electrician figures out you’re a marijuana grower? Here’s why:

The electrician is a businessperson. As with many businesspeople these days, he or she might not do a great job for you, or there might be money disputes about billing and services.

One of the main reasons I’ve started learning construction trades is that about half the time when I’ve employed contractors I’m not satisfied with their work, work habits, or integrity.

If you’re not a marijuana grower and an electrician rips you off, you can take him to court, sue him, report him to the Better Business Bureau, etc. You don’t have to worry about what the electrician knows about you.

All the electrician can do is attempt to justify the quality of his work, or make things right with you, or run away with your money never to be heard from again.

But if the electrician suspects you’re a hydroponics marijuana grower, regardless of whether you’re in a medical marijuana state or a legalized marijuana state like Washington or Colorado, he can do a lot more than just show up in small claims court arguing that he wired your house properly.

He can threaten to nark your marijuana grow op, or actually nark you.

Or come back to your dwelling and rip you off, or he can send thugs to beat you or shoot you.

I know harmless, good-karma marijuana growers who’ve had terrible things happen to them because they had business disputes with home services contractors.

It’s an underground, black market world when you grow marijuana, and you open yourself up to the dark side of life by growing cannabis in a world of potential narks.


The simple fact is that most dwellings have unsafe electrical infrastructure for anyone running a marijuana grow op, even a marijuana garden as small as a 1000-watt HID and a few other electrical loads.

Running a 1000-watt HID lamp, a digital ballast, a couple of fans, and climate control off the outlets/circuit in one room is almost certain to put an overload onto your wiring, circuit breakers and panel box.

The risk of fire is very real and if you have a grow room fire it can be very bad for you.

For example, if you have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance and you have a grow room fire or electrical meltdown, the insurance company can refuse to cover your losses.

If the fire department comes to put out a fire at your place, and discovers a marijuana grow op, they’re obligated to call in the police.

And even if you’re in a legal marijuana jurisdiction, if you’ve had a grow op-related electrical fire, you can count on being busted for endangerment, code violations, and other infractions.

The safest thing to do if you want to run an indoor grow room is to learn to be an electrician. Learn as if your life depends on it.

Then replace your panel box, pull out all your old wiring and install new, modern wiring and outlets.

Carefully plan your grow op electrical loads ahead of time, and retrofit your entire dwelling and grow space electrical infrastructure ahead of time…and you get maximum peace of mind.

Electricity is crucial for an indoor marijuana grow op, but getting it from the municipal electrical supply isn’t absolutely necessary in some cases. You can use generators, solar panels, and wind turbines in an attempt to generate your own electricity.

These alternative sources of electricity don’t negate the need for you to install a professional panel box, new wiring, circuit breakers, load managers, flip boxes, outlets and other electrical infrastructure.

But they do lower your energy-use profile so electricity companies and cops can’t as easily look at your fast-spinning electricity meter and figure out that you’re running a hydroponics cannabis grow op.

Learning to be an electrician can be fun, or it might just be hard but necessary learning.

I’ve only nearly electrocuted myself once! It’s easy to find vocational schools, online courses, book courses, or electrician apprentice programs you can get into.

Sure, it requires effort and investment to learn how to be an electrician, but it’s worth it for a marijuana grower to do so.

I’ve only nearly electrocuted myself once! It’s easy to find vocational schools, online courses, book courses, or electrician apprentice programs you can get into.

You also need to familiarize yourself with any applicable government codes relating to equipment, installation, wiring, and other electrical work.

Your work must comply with those codes, which in most cases are meant to ensure safety.

Sure, it requires effort and investment to learn how to be an electrician, but it’s worth it for a marijuana grower to do so.

Please note that nothing in this article in any way advised you to bypass regulated North American electrical standards.

Obviously electrical wiring MUST be performed to code and any deviance from electrical code is unacceptable and illegal.

In fact, that’s one of many reasons that I’ve advised you to become an electrician yourself.

When you hire an outside electrical contractor, not only do you open yourself to the risk that they will suspect you have a grow room, you also are trusting that they will do the work properly, in compliance with electrical code and best practices.

I’ve personally experienced situations where I hired a licensed electrical contractor, paid for a county code inspector to verify code compliance, and discovered later on that the work had been done wrong.

If you properly train yourself, and comply with all electrical code, you can be sure the work is done right and per your specs, and avoid potential trouble with outsiders doing work for you.

When you know you’ve got the skills to troubleshoot, design, repair, and retrofit your electrical system to make your hydroponics marijuana grow room 100% safe without having to call in an electrical contractor, you’ll feel proud, empowered, and more at ease.

As an added benefit, now that marijuana legalization has created a booming new marijuana industry in places like Colorado, electricians who know how to wire grow rooms are in big demand.

 

[roots69]

Do These 3 Things Before You Start Your New Marijuana Growing Season
If you’ve ever taken time off from growing marijuana, you know that a re-start of your cannabis garden can involve serious analysis, planning and maybe even spending money to upgrade your grow room.

Many marijuana growers take time off from growing during summer, for family vacations, and other reasons.

The data in this article is for any cannabis grower who has taken a break from growing, but it’s also applicable if you’ve been growing all along without any interruption. Here are some tips…

• Do a playback of your last grow op.

It’s easier if you keep a grow diary so you have a record of the details of every crop.

When you think back on cannabis strains you grew, how your hydroponics equipment and nutrients worked, whether there were any problems with pests and/or diseases, you’ll recognize things you want to do differently in your next grow season.

• Road test all your marijuana growing equipment and supplies.

This means you turn on your grow lights, ballasts, pumps, timers, monitors, fans, chillers, C02 generator, light movers and any other infrastructure that could be defective or failing.

Also take a look at your hydroponics nutrients, root zone media, fertilizers, reverse osmosis filters, and other materials and structures that influence your root zone and how you feed your cannabis plants.

• Clean your grow space. A thorough cleaning of your marijuana grow space always benefit your garden, but don’t do it when your plants are in your grow space.

It’s especially important to clean your irrigation/feed systems whether they’re deep water culture, aeroponics, ebb and flow, or drip irrigation.

If you grow in soil or you hand water, clean your pots.

The best cleaner is Physan 20, which is a virucide, bactericide, and fungicide.

Let’s take a look at how this start-up checklist works to assist marijuana growers…

My friend Jay has a four light set-up and uses deep water culture.

He took the summer off from growing cannabis because he wanted to save money on electricity and also wanted to travel.

When he followed the marijuana grow room start-up checklist, he recalled that at the end of last season one of his bulbs had started to flicker.

He fired up that bulb and it was still flickering, so he replaced it

When the new bulb had the same problem, he replaced the digital ballast that was driving it. The problem disappeared.

He ran his hydroponics HID lights for a full 24-hour period and discovered that one of his timers was malfunctioning, so he replaced it.

As he tested his deep water culture system, he found a couple of minor leaks and fixed them.

His pH/ppm meter was defective so he replaced it.

Also, he discovered that his General Hydroponics FloraGrow (part of a three-part hydroponics base nutrients formula) had gone bad, with precipitates visible.

He threw out his old three-part hydroponics nutrients and got Sensi Grow and Sensi Bloom base nutrients.

By examining his grow op ahead of his new crop, and fixing problems, he prevented grow room disasters and increased the productivity and health of his marijuana plants.

Whether you’ve taken a break from growing marijuana and are doing a re-start of your grow op, or you’ve been growing all along without interruption, you always have more peace of mind and grow room efficiency when you take a close look at all the systems, equipment, and cleanliness factors in your marijuana grow space.

 

[roots69]

What’s the Best Way to Germinate Marijuana Seeds?

When you want to germinate marijuana seeds, what’s the best way to do it?

Before you germinate marijuana seeds, you have to get good seeds.

If the marijuana seeds are shiny, gray, green, extremely black or brown, or cracked, they’re not much good.

They may be immature, or old, or have been poorly handled and stored.

Read this article to learn more about reputable seed companies.

You really do have to be very alert when you buy cannabis seeds these days.

Other than always reliable seed breeders like TGA Genetics, many marijuana seed breeders are producing crappy seeds, and some cannabis seeds re-sellers aren’t helping to ensure quality control either.

I routinely hear stories from professional and serious amateur growers who bought ten seeds but only a few sprouted.

That can be because of faulty seeds or they tried to germinate marijuana seeds the wrong way.

I germinate marijuana seeds in the media that I intend for the seeds to grow in, whether it’s coco, soil, or rockwool.

When I’m growing marijuana in soil, I just plant the seeds about half an inch under the surface in a Jiffy Cup or even in the larger containers my cannabis plants will end up growing in.

Cannabis seeds like temperatures between 74-78 degrees Fahrenheit.

When you germinate marijuana seeds, you want moist conditions, not sopping wet conditions.

You don’t germinate marijuana seeds in a heavily nutrient-enriched soil like Fox Farm Ocean Forest.

The heavy nutrients dose can harm seedling roots.



You especially don’t want to germinate marijuana seeds in a soil layer with too much nitrogen, because that tends to burn the roots and create too much vertical growth.

Hydroponics growers who intend to grow in rockwool or coco may germinate directly in those media, or they may germinate the marijuana seed out of the media and then transplant it once the seed has protruded its “radicle root.”

The radicle root is the embryonic root: the first root to emerge during marijuana seed germination.

Some marijuana growers use the water germination or wet paper towel methods.

Take a look at the helpful videos embedded in this article and you’ll get several different opinions about marijuana seed germination methods.

For the wet paper towel marijuana seeds germination technique, you thoroughly wet a paper towel with reverse osmosis water, and fold the seeds inside.

Place the wet paper towel in a 74-78°F (on a horticultural heat mat or the top of a refrigerator if need be).

Check a couple of times a day to make sure the paper towel continues to stay moist, but not soggy.

Use reverse osmosis water.

If the seeds are fresh and strong, within 48 hours you should see the cannabis seed case split and then the emergence of the white radicle root.

At this stage, the seedling is extremely fragile and should be handled with immense care.

Which is why I don’t use the paper towel method.

I don’t think it’s good to handle sprouted seeds.

Why germinate marijuana seeds in such a way that you have to handle a naked, sprouted seed?

Using the paper towel method, when the marijuana seeds have sprouted their radicle roots, it’s time to transplant them.

First, you make a small hole in moist but not soggy medium about a half of an inch deep.

Using sterilized tweezers, gently place the germinated seed in the medium with the radicle root downward.

Cover the seedling carefully with more medium and water with a small amount of room temperature water.

If you’re in hydroponics using a pump-driven irrigation system, it’s best to hand water for a few days until your seedlings have established roots.

Seedlings in the first two weeks of growth can easily be killed by overfertilization in soil and in in hydroponics.

I suggest you use little if any added nutrients until your marijuana seedlings have at least two sets of true (serrated) leaves.

I use Roots Excelurator and B-52 after seedlings are more than two inches tall.

The best lighting for seedlings is LED or T-5 fluorescent set for a 18 hour per day cycle.

After you germinate marijuana seeds and your seedlings have at least two sets of true leaves, if you’re growing in hydroponics, start using a hydroponics base nutrients formula such as Sensi pH Perfect.

You go for 100 ppm to start with, and then work your way up to the manufacturer’s recommended dosage.

One “advanced” tip: if you have old seeds, seeds that aren’t richly brown and striped, or marijuana seeds from a batch that you’ve tried to germinate from and didn’t get 100% germination, try “scuffing” the seeds.

That means you take a little sandpaper or a nail file and LIGHTLY scuff the surface. This allegedly assists germination.

 

[roots69]

3 Ways to Know You’re a Professional Marijuana Grower

We often talk about “professional” marijuana growers, and some people ask what we mean by that.

Are we talking only about people who make a lot of money growing marijuana, or something else?

So here are three ways to know you’re a professional marijuana grower…

* You can be sure of a successful cannabis harvest EVERY TIME you start clones or seeds.

One sure sign of a professional marijuana grower is that they’ve got growing dialed in so nothing that happens is enough to wreck their harvest.

This means they’ve got a marijuana grow op that conforms to ideal cannabis growing conditions.

They know everything about growing the strains they grow so they know how to feed, water, and protect those strains.

Because their grow op is protected from human, pest, and disease attackers, they don’t have crop epidemics like powdery mildew or gray mold.

Unless the police, rippers, a hurricane, earthquake, tornado or other major disaster hits, professional marijuana growers have the experience, genetics, and equipment to get a heavy harvest every time.

* A professional marijuana grower pays constant attention to his or her cannabis plants.

Professionals are dedicated, alert, and detail-oriented. They look at their marijuana plants every day, maybe even several times a day.

If thrips, mites, poor grow room conditions, or other problems are starting or even hinted at, a professional marijuana grower catches those problems early and stops them cold.

If they aren’t able to personally inspect their grow room every day, they have someone else who’s skilled enough to do it for them.

* Mo’ Money is always waiting to happen for you when you’re a pro marijuana grower.

Sure, you could be a professional cannabis grower without selling marijuana, but pro growers know that when you grow marijuana, you’re growing cash.

Premium marijuana sells for $200-500 per ounce, depending on where you live and who you know.

If you have even one 1000-watt HID light and are using the right hydroponics nutrients and cannabis strains, you can yield a couple of pounds every 3-4 months, or more often if you’re on a perpetual harvest program.

If you sell wholesale to a medical marijuana dispensary or a recreational marijuana store, you’ll get about $4200 for that weight.

If you sell direct retail, you can earn close to $10K in profits!

In practice, here’s how you know you’re a pro grower:

It’s when you have accurate intuition ahead of time, just from temperature, humidity, strains you’re growing, and time of year, that you have to adjust your grow room climate control to prevent mold or mildew.

It’s when you see the slightest amount of yellowing on your leaf tips and know exactly what to do to make your hydroponics marijuana feed program and root zone pH better so the yellowing disappears.

It’s when you know to the day when your cannabis strains will be ready for flushing and harvesting.

It’s when you’re passionate about learning all there is to know about cultivating marijuana, so you adopt new techniques such as using base nutrients like pH Perfect that automatically set ideal pH and create maximized nutrients absorption that you know you’re a professional marijuana grower.

Being a professional grower reduces your marijuana crop problems, makes your life easier, and gives you a sense of pride, confidence, and achievement.

And when you go pro, your bank account and your marijuana plants will thank you!

 

[roots69]

The options are limitless!!!

Cannabis Capsule Making With Subcool

It’s probably not a big secret to my readers that I smoke a lot of cannabis.

I’ve been a toker for over 30 years and after all those bong hits, my lungs are not what they used to be. In fact, I have COPD, which is a bad disease that’s messing up my lungs.

Cannabis is an amazing medicine, but unfortunately for many of us who’ve developed lung problems, many of its benefits can only be taken advantage of by ingesting cannabis via food, or extracts.

Many of the important chemicals inside cannabis are simply burned off in a joint and not transferred into the body where it can do some good.

There are many ways to consume cannabis without smoking it. You can make canna-butter and make baked goods with it, or you can create a tincture using glycerin, but this process can take up to 2 months to complete.

I take my meds at night in the form of cannabis cookies, but my beautiful wife MzJill has very sensitive taste buds and cannot stand the taste of edible marijuana.

Even in chocolate, the taste of marijuana almost makes her sick, so just eating one cookie takes her 30 minutes.

I love the high from eating cannabis. It is an all-over body buzz that completely makes my knee pain go away, allowing me to sleep a full six hours while my knee rests up and gets better each night.

So while I get to enjoy a great canna buzz each night, MzJill is stuck smoking late at night. That’s just not good for your lungs and make her cough more during the night.

My solution was to make cannacaps so that she can simply take two when she has pain and not bother with eating cookies.

My other concern is, while I am not overweight at 180 pounds, eating two cookies every night is added calories everyone could probably do without.

Plus, how cool would it be to simply take cannacaps when medication is needed in a public place without having to light up, attracting attention just to get some pain relief?

I have read a good bit about the preparation of cannabis capsules, and I wanted to add my guru touch and pass on the info. We will be making two types today, one dry consisting of mainly kief and high quality shake in a dry filled capsule. The second method will be actually cooking ground bud and kief in coco butter and adding the oil to the capsules allowing the oil to solidify.

Lets get started…

DRY CAPSULES

All cannabis has a different profile (or buzz) and for the capsules we are going to use two strains that are very good for treating joint and muscle pain.

I have found that generally Indicas are better for pain and Sativas for treating nausea, but this is not set in stone and through lots of experimenting we have found certain strains that are much more effective than others.

My favorites for pain are Jack the Ripper for its analgesic properties and ability to numb pain at the source, and Vortex as it has a slight motivating buzz, some pain relief and a lot of anti-nausea effect. When I mix the two in cannabis consumables it makes great medicine.

The first thing we want to do is grind the cannabis and remove all sticks and larger hard pieces. Using a screen, I slowly work my hands across the weed until the finest dust falls though. I then use a kief box to collect some resin heads.

I mix about three grams of ground cannabis and two grams of kief to a ½ gram of red pepper and ½ a gram ginger.

There is a product on the market that includes other additives that help the absorption called Canebrex, but I am pretty much a hands on kinda guy and I wanted to see what kind of results I could get myself.

I am sure there system has more science behind it, so it wouldn’t hurt to give a product like there’s a try if you have the extra cash.

Once all this is done, I placed both piles in a pan lined with foil. The mixture is baked at 225° for 20 minutes. This activates the medicine as well as removing CO2.

It’s important not to overheat the weed or heat it for to long. The goal here is just to activate the THC and other cannabinoids present in the oils inside the cannabis.

I purchased a capsule making kit from a health food store and some 00 size gel caps to fill with the mixture.

Once the pan is dry, I place the capsule filling kit in a glass pie pan to catch the over spill and use a plastic card to work the mix into all the capsules.

Seal the capsules using the instructions on the capsule filling kit and voilà, your dry cannacaps are ready for consumption.

COCO CAPSULES

This next method is more work, so unless they knock us out, this is the only time we will use this method.

Not to mention, I used a pile of dry dank JTR and Apollo-13 top shelf unseeded buds! I wanted to make sure these are as potent as possible in case the dry capsules are a failure, so I even added some of the kief.

Again, be careful not to over heat the mix as the THC will degrade at temps over 220° and you can ruin your medicine if you rush it.

I sautéed the oil/weed/kief mix for about 10 minutes, then removed it from the heat and poured through a tea strainer. I then used a eye dropper to suck up the warm coco oil and fill each cap.

Now, I have to warn you that the coco butter melted and I started stirring and warm the mix it produced a simply horrid smell.

You’d think it would smell nice, but the warmer the oil got the worse it became and I had to open a window fast—so be prepared for this if you try this method.

I was worried the oil would melt the gelatin capsules, but there was no problem. I popped the capsules out into a dish and placed it in the refrigerator to cool off and congeal back to coco butter.

Coco butter stays solid up to about 75° degrees, so they’re pretty easy to transport and, of course, the dry caps can be carried in a pill bottle anywhere.

Epilogue:

Jill and I both had two dry caps last night after dinner. The effects came on very fast and hard but seemed to back off after just a few hours, so we each took one more just before bedtime.

I slept like a baby and had a slight hangover. The buzz was all body and as far as pain relief, I can’t imagine a better delivery method.

I normally take my meds every other night to let my tolerance go down, but I was anxious to try the coco caps and the very next night we made some hot chocolate and took two caps each.

I don’t think I have ever had the throb in my knee go away so fast, even though I don’t think I ever felt high from just two pills.

I am positive it reduced my pain level while allowing me to function normally.

Jill also noted a good deal of relief from her hip pain.

The next day, I noticed she had a harder time waking up. MzJill can out smoke any person I have ever met (other than me), so if she had a weed hangover, these things are potent as hell.

Give these extraction methods a shot if you have some left over shake around, or if you have old stoner lungs like me or if you need to medicate without firing up!

Warning:

I need to insert a warning here though about consuming baked goods for medicating.

One of the best medicinal properties of smoked cannabis is the ability to titrate the dose, meaning take the exact amount of medication (puffs) to elevate the pain without getting wasted.

When you consume cannabis orally, it takes much longer for the drug to reach the blood stream. It can take as long as 30-45 minutes before the effects come on. With potent edibles, it can come on quite strong and most first timers eat to much and get sick and never try it again.

It takes your body time to get used to consuming cannabis, so start with very small doses and wait a full hour before increasing the dose. This will prevent any unpleasant episodes of being so high you can’t even talk.

It may sound fun, but trust me, it is not!

If you eat too much marijuana medibles, the high can actually make you slur your words like being drunk, so watch it!