What is a phenotype?

A plant is a plant is a plant right? Well, not quite. Each seed represents new genetic potential, and they are not all exactly the same. When growing from seed, each seed may express certain traits of the parents, just like in any other breeding process. In well defined seed lines, each seed should be very similar with relatively little variation. However many seed lines are not very stable and can vary widely from seed to seed, and even in ones that are there is still potential for differences, everything from terpene type and content, to THC and other cannabinoid levels.

When hunting through seed packs, you want to find the best expressions of what you’re looking for - typically some combination of taste, smell and high. Once you’ve picked your favorite(s), you can then clone that plant for exact copies - preserving the exact same genetic as long as you continue cloning it. Some plants have been clone-only since the early 90s!

If you want to check it out and get in on the process, check out the Sour Dawg Pheno Hunt packs - and there will be many more to come!

DC Advances Legalization Legislation

I’ve been quietly working behind the scenes with a coalition of like-minded small business owners and we’ve hired lawyers and lobbyists to try to make sure the eventual “correction” of the i-71 grey market is fair and equitable and us little guys don’t get run out by Big Money and their mids. Today, the mayor unveiled her proposed legislation, and I’m happy to see a number of our proposed changes, especially the micro licenses, have been included in the proposed bill. There’s still a bunch of stuff that could be tweaked and it’s another six months before it gets passed at the earliest, but hopefully soon I’ll be able to expand capacity and make it even easier to get top quality cannabis.

Check out the mayor’s press release and highlights of the bill here

Why You Think You Don't Like Indicas

“I like sativa, I don’t want to fall asleep” is something I often hear from people looking for the right strain to smoke. The general public perception of indica is one that gives you “couch lock” while sativa gives you energy. However, this is often not accurate. Some indica strains may make you feel energetic while some sativa strains may totally space you out. Why is this?

The effect of a strain has to do with the terpene and cannabinoid content, not whether the plant grows stringy, leafy branches or is short and compact. Because everything is very hybridized in the current market, many traits have been crossed back and forth.

The other important consideration is that traditionally, most bud you get around here is old. Most other vendors get last years “light deps” and even their best indoor is usually 6+ months old. As cannabis ages, THC breaks down to CBN. CBN a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for “couch lock” and heavy eyelid effects. Almost anything that is old is going have much more pronounced “indica” effects than the fresh buds.

This is why I try to more accurately describe each strains effects in the descriptions and on the boxes - you may find an “indica” that’s perfect for you, and visa versa.

Proper Vape Cartridge Etiquette

Vapes are a popular item these days, but we don't always think about the best practices for making sure they last long and work correctly. Here are some tips for making sure your cartridges work and last from Cloud9Hemp.com

7 TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF EACH MARIJUANA OIL CARTRIDGE

Does your weed oil cartridge seem to run out faster than it should? Are you annoyed by oil at the bottom of the cartridge that you can't seem to get to? 

In this article, we're solving these common issues and more. Read on to find our top oil cartridge tips. 

1. Storage Matters

Keep cartridges stored in an upright position with the mouthpiece facing down. 

Store them in a cool, dry place.

You wouldn't store your weed flower just anywhere, and you should treat your oil cartridges with the same respect. Leaving the cartridge in a hot car or on a windowsill, for example, will cause the oil to evaporate.

When possible, store your device in its manufacturer case. Many pens come with cool storage cases designed to keep your device and cartridge from breaking or otherwise getting damaged. 

These are perfect for storage at home, in a backpack, or purse. Some are even sleek enough to fit in your pocket. 

Keeping your vape pen in your pants pocket is a recipe for disaster. These devices aren't always known for their durability and could shatter if you sit on them.

Plus, it could drop out of your pocket on your way to the toilet. There's no coming back from that. 

Perhaps the best tip to extend the life of your oil cartridge: Unscrew the cartridge from the pen whenever it is not in use. This will help prevent the oil from being unnecessarily heated, plus limit leakage and breaking. 

2. Higher Isn't Always Better

Traveling to a higher altitude will affect your vape pen. This is due to the change in air pressure. 

The increased air pressure forces air into your device, which can inhibit performance and cause leaks. 

Higher quality tanks are better equipped to withstand altitude changes. If you live way above sea level or want to bring a vaporizer to a high altitude destination, purchase one that can handle these conditions. 

3. Use the Right Equipment

Different pens and oil cartridges have different features, designs, coils, threads, and power levels.

Always match your cartridge with an appropriate pen. Even if you find differently branded pens and cartridges that fit, it could be wasting your product.

For example, too much power could burn the oil, resulting in burnt product with an unpleasant taste. 

Is your vape not working at all? Often times, it's the fault of the device. The battery could have run out or the device could be broken. 

Charge your pen or try the oil cartridge on another pen made for the cartridge to see if that solves your problem. 

If you need a new pen, check out this list of 5 THC oil vape pens we recommend. 

4. Check for Leaks

Leaks will certainly cause your oil to go to waste. 

If you notice any leaks in your cartridge, contact the manufacturer or return it to your dispensary for a replacement. 

Keep in mind that a disposable cartridge that has been refilled or otherwise tampered with may not validate a replacement. 

Be sure to clean the pen that the leaky cartridge was used with. The oil could dry and damage the pen beyond repair if you wait too long. See number 7 for cleaning instructions. 

5. Light It Up

If your CBD or THC oil is too thick, it could be preventing a good hit. You can melt down the oil by gently running your lighter around the cartridge for a few seconds. 

Be careful not to heat up the cartridge so much that it melts or breaks, just an easy pass over will do. 

Running the cartridge under hot water for a few minutes will also work. 

6. Keep It Clean

If your pen isn't hitting, make sure that there is nothing obstructing the connection between your oil cartridge and your pen. 

To properly clean the pen, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and wipe it clean. This will help to remove any residue from the connection point as well as kill germs and bacteria on the pen and mouthpiece. 

This is particularly important if you're sharing your vape pen with friends. 

7. It's All About the Wick

If the oil is not covering the wick, you won't get any vaporized smoke. Turn the tip of the cartridge upside down to let the oil run over the wick, and you should be able to get better use of the last of your product. 

When ignited, always keep the tip of the cartridge pointed up. For best results, the pen should be smoked in a vertical position, rather than horizontal (like the way you would smoke a cigarette or joint). 

If there is extra liquid at the bottom of your cartridge, you can dab it, mix it with lotion and apply it topically, or top your next flower bowl with it. 

If you have a refillable device, we recommend completely emptying your cartridge before refilling it. Similar to a joint, the oil changes taste as it is heated and cooled back down. The oil at the end of your cartridge won't taste as good as a fresh refill. 

How to Choose the Right Strain

As mentioned in the last blog post, THC is but one measure of a strain of cannabis, and if it's the only one you're after, you may be missing on some of the best effects of the plant. After all, 190 proof grain alcohol will get you plastered the quickest, but it might not be the most enjoyable time. This chart shows another compound, terpenes, their effects, and prevalence in some popular strain (see GSC and BD for a couple of ours). These compounds, together with other cannibinoids in the plant combine in what's called the "entourage" effect, meaning the sum of the whole is greater than the parts. In this way, some strains may make you feel a certain effect of a high more than others - even if the THC content is lower!

By no means is this an exhaustive list of strains, so the best way to determine how a particular strain will affect you is of course to try it! 

Club des Hachichins

After Napoleon's invasion of Egypt in 1798, returning troops brought with them a newly found pleasure - hashish. As a result, cannabis was slowly started to popularize in France. Dr Jacques-Joseph Moreau, who also learned about the plant from his trips to Syria, discovered the effects of eating it led to euphoria, hallucinations, and a rapid flow of ideas. Together with philosopher Théophile Gautier he formed the secretive Club des Hachichins, or Hash Club, at the Hôtel de Lauzun in Paris. Luminaries like Dumas, Balzac, Flaubert, Nerval, Baudelaire, Delacroix and Daumier were known to frequent its events, often dressing in Arab garb, dining on jams and foods infused with cannabis, and of course smoking. As Baudelaire writes, describing a familiar feeling:

 "At first, a certain absurd, irresistible hilarity overcomes you. The most ordinary words, the simplest ideas assume a new and bizarre aspect. This mirth is intolerable to you; but it is useless to resist. The demon has invaded you..."

Though the club eventually broke up, it's scientific and social impact had been made. Dr. Moreau eventually would publish his major work on cannabis, De Hachish et de l'Alienation Mentale - Études Psychologiques (Hashish and Mental Illness - Psychological Studies) in 1846.

Voyagers Club Explorers

The logo above is from the Dutch East India Company, (Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) what might be known as the first international corporation. They held a virtual monopoly on the spice trade in the Far East for most of the 17th century, making it possibly the richest company of all time. Equipped with its own navy, standing army, the ability to declare war or make peace, they were responsible for making the world smaller, introducing Europeans in large scale to Asia, Africa, and Brazil. Opening Asia up to the West, Engelbert Kaempfer (1651-1716) physician with the Dutch East India Company, wrote about the medicinal use of cannabis as observed in Japan and India. Given the high mortality rate among sailors with the Company, it seems likely Kaempfer would have used all tools at his disposal to alleviate pain and suffering. While many atrocities were committed in the name of profit and colonization,  historians still consider the company to be the most important of all time. Its iconography still represents an unquenched desire for voyaging, trade, and discovery.