24k (Kosher Tangie)

Indica-Dominant Hybrid

22.8% THC

$15/g from The Source Las Vegas

I've been in a bit of a canna-rut lately.

I'm a daily medicinal smoker, and usually I try to pick strains that will give me the most "bang for my buck." I definitely shop sales, and buy bulk as much as I can. As a result, I've been re-upping with the same couple of strains for the last few months. They're awesome and definitely do their job, so I can't really complain, but I was craving something new.

I stopped in at The Source's Las Vegas location, which is close to basically everywhere I frequent, to check on their deals (as an aside, The Source has been running some amazing sales this month, so if you're ever looking for good weed at a decent price, hit 'em up.) They had a handful of strains on sale, and I scent-tested them all, but one stood out: 24k.

24k is a hybrid strain, a cross of Kosher Kush and Tangie, two strains I've tried before and love (actually, I have Kosher Kush in my grinder now). It's considered an indica-dominant hybrid, which is what I typically reach for when I'm feeling crappy, and is said to help with stress, insomnia, and pain (my three biggest medicinal complaints). The buds aren't huge or super fluffy like some of the strains I've reviewed before, but they are a gorgeous green and pretty terpy.

The biggest wow factor for me right off the bat was the smell. I mentioned this in my Agent Orange review earlier this year, but a nice-smelling bud can definitely make or break a purchase for me. Like AO, 24k has a very distinct citrus scent that automatically lifted my mood. Of course, I had to get it.

I don't usually recommend a strain I haven't smoked, but I had a good feeling about this strain, so I brought an eighth to a get-together with some friends and we shared a few bowls over our favourite card games.

We were all blown away by 24k's flavour profile, which matched the citrus/orange smell dead-on. Some of my friends have complained in the past about disliking the taste of weed (a concept I personally can't fathom), but no one complained at this bowl. It's just that good!

As far as effects go, I noticed this strain hit me right off the first exhale. It wasn't energizing like a true sativa, but I didn't have couch-lock either--instead, I felt a nice sort of middle ground, ready to interact and socialize but still mellow enough for the mood (8 p.m. on a weeknight). Some of the games we like to play can be difficult to follow sober, never mind stoned, but I didn't find that this strain affected my skills at all (I think I might have won a few rounds!) Instead, I felt cheerful and comfortable and social. I had a few glasses of wine (red blend) with this strain and found they paired really nicely together, both in terms of flavour and effect (I'm cautious when I drink and smoke at the same time, but I found that this combination didn't have me on my ass like some strains do). A few hours later, 24k helped me melt off to a really, really amazing night's sleep, and I woke up the next morning still motivated and uplifted.

I tried it again a few days later in the morning as a sort of wake and bake, just to see if the effects would differ during the daytime, and was pleasantly surprised to find this as a sort of "all day" strain. First thing in the morning, I felt the same motivation and positivity, and my morning bowl carried me through cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms (if you don't know me, you should know that I hate cleaning and will do anything to get out of it--that a strain kept me cheery and productive to finish three rooms is nothing short of a miracle!) After a good sesh I found the effects lasted for about 2 hours, but I didn't feel groggy or gross upon wearing off--I just wanted another bowl.

One word of warning, however: this strain is not for the faint of heart. At almost 23% THC, it is a pretty "heavy hitter" and as such I wouldn't recommend it for the new smoker (luckily, all of my friends have been smoking for ages, so nobody got overly medicated or uncomfortable.) Too much of this strain can cause a serious case of the dizzies, so if you're a new smoker--or new to the strain--make sure you medicate slowly.

After we finished the eighth I actually went back to the dispensary and picked up another eighth (almost unheard of for me, especially since it was no longer on sale and I had to pay full price). I can definitely see myself reaching for this strain again and again, especially on productive or social days. 24k definitely helped me break out of my canna-rut and inspired me to grab some other new strains, too...keep your eyes peeled for my next review! Until next time!

Come back every Saturday for Saturday Strains, where I'll be reviewing a new Vegas-bought strain every week! 

Cannabis tinctures have been used for centuries, but are probably best known for their role in 19th century medicine. In fact, canna-tinctures were a staple in the American family's medicine cabinet until the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 effectively banned the plant and any of its forms in the United States.

While many people picture a traditional tincture and think of those old-timey recipes that also included cocaine (yikes!) and other scary substances, a traditional cannabis tincture is essentially just cannabis and high-proof alcohol. My budtender recommended this product as its effects come on fairly fast and don't hang around nearly as long as an edible, making it a great choice for medicating when you just can't smoke.

This particular product, developed by Evergreen Organix, was listed as a "bubblegum tincture," and I asked whether this was because it tasted like bubblegum or it was derived from the hybrid Bubble Gum strain. My budtender wasn't certain what strain this was originated from, but one whiff confirmed its strong bubblegum flavour.

Tinctures are designed to be consumed orally, either under the tongue or mixed in with a drink. It does carry that weedy flavour that comes along with many edibles, so if you're sensitive to that taste, I would recommend to mix this in with a beverage (I think it would taste really good with a cup of sparkling water or Sprite). The dosage isn't very strong--it's 2 to 3 mg of THC per drop--but if you're sensitive to edible products it's always a good idea to start slow. The good news about this product is that it only take 10 minutes or so to kick in, so if you don't feel anything by that point you'll know to up your dosage.

I decided to take this tincture with me for my daily activities, to put it to the test. I got to my office around 8 and decided to take about three drops to start my morning. Mornings are always kind of rough for me, so when I can I like to take a few tokes to get me relaxed and focused for the day.

I waited until about 9:30 to take my second dosage, and didn't feel a thing throughout. This time I took nearly a full dropper, and waited until lunch (12:30) with little effect. I didn't feel bad, but I also didn't feel stoney at all. I wondered if I'd wasted my money on a product that wouldn't work for me.

After my disappointment, I took to the internet to research this product a little more. I learned I wasn't alone...a lot of people are intrigued by tinctures, but since smokeables have been at the forefront of medical marijuana, there isn't a lot known about medicating with this product.

Some posters recommended tinctures moreso for headaches and nausea, and advised that there wouldn't be a strong psychoactive effect. Another poster suggested that the effects of a tincture are enhanced while smoking cannabis as well. I decided to try both of these scenarios to see if I might have a better experience.

The next time I tried the tincture was in the middle of my monthly cycle. I am a medical patient first and foremost and I rely on cannabis heavily during my period to help ease my headaches, nausea, cramping and the general grossness that comes with reproductive dysfunction. I figured this would be an excellent product to try for that. 

I took about a half dropper when I was feeling especially shitty--in place of the Excedrin I'd usually take or the deep breaths I usually rely on to get past the pain--and sure enough, I started to feel better almost right away. I didn't feel high at all, which was nice (as I was at work at the time and had a full docket of work), but I definitely felt my pain sort of floating away. I kept my heating pad on as I always do but I didn't feel the constant dull ache I've grown accustomed to. 

After an hour or two I redosed because although my pain was gone I felt it starting to try and creep back. I finished off my day feeling pretty okay. 

When I got home I decided to smoke a bowl, since I had nothing else to do and felt like really relaxing from my pain, and decided to pair with another half dropper to see the effects. 

I may not have gotten high initially, but add in a bowl of cannabis--and you're feeling pretty nice! I won't lie, I got super stoney. I wouldn't feel comfortable dual medicating like that if I'd had anything else to do, but it complimented the strain I smoked (Flo) very nicely and got me nice and relaxed. I think I watched Game of Thrones and fell asleep after but to be truthful I can't remember. Sometimes those medication sessions are exactly what you need.

You can make your own tinctures at home, which is great for those who need a particular strain profile, but for its price--$30--this tincture is a great value. This isn't a product I'd necessarily keep around, since I prefer the experience and effects of smoking; however, this is a great product for those who don't want to or can't smoke, or who are looking for a way to medicate during the day. Evergreen Organix tinctures are available at Thrive Cannabis Marketplace, Inyo Fine Cannabis, Essence Vegas and probably your favourite dispensary, too! Check it out and let me know what you think--tinctures or nah?

A year ago I would have been terrified to talk about weed on a podcast, much less attach my name to it and share it on my personal Facebook page. The legal ramifications are a valid consideration but to me it went beyond that: I was scared what my loved ones would think. 

I grew up in a household and a community with a zero tolerance policy. Drugs were bad, point blank, period. They made you stupid and got you arrested and would lead you down the path to hell (not really, but if you did DARE you know I'm not far off.) When I got older and began to think for myself I realized this wasn't true at all and began medicating with cannabis, but kept it a secret from my family and most of my friends. I knew I was doing something right, but I knew that many of them still had negative feelings towards pot and I was worried to face their judgment. 

I "came out" to my mom a month or so before I was issued my med card. It wasn't totally intentional--I mentioned to her my interest (at the time) to work at a dispensary (I've since decided I'm better behind the scenes and glad for it!) and the conversation just kind of progressed from there. 

My mom and I had a really productive conversation that day, and while I know she still has reservations about some of what I do, I think we accomplished a lot that day. 

Coming out to the people you love is scary. Putting yourself on the line for rejection--for disappointment, for shame--can be really frightening. Today I'd like to share a few of my tips for making the best of that conversation and talking to your family about weed.

1. Determine your objective

What is it you want to accomplish in this conversation? Do you want your loved one to understand marijuana's medicinal benefits? Are you trying to come out about your own use? Maybe you're suggesting it as an option for someone who's got a negative impression of cannabis themselves. Weed is a vast topic and an emotional one, and the conversation can easily get steered off the rails if you don't know going in exactly what you want to do. It may turn out that your conversation ends much broader than you intended and if so that's great! But you'll want to start with a clear objective before you even start to chat. 

2. Keep your audience in mind

Talking to your mother about marijuana may be different than talking to your sister, or your grandmother, or your boss or anyone else. Think about whom you'll be talking to and keep their experiences in mind. If your loved one has had a negative experience with drug addiction, keep in mind that they may be wary of marijuana, lumping it into the same category. You will really want to tailor your argument to their experiences and perceived knowledge. You might use yourself as an example of positive and productive pot use. On the other hand, if you're talking about pot with a colleague or a professor, you may not want to mention your own use at all and may rely more on statistics than any sort of anecdotal evidence. 

On that note, be aware of the surroundings of your audience as well. It may not be a good time to bring it up if you're in an argument, or if they're feeling especially stressed. We can't always control the environment around us but by being mindful about when you begin this conversation, you can take a fair amount of anxiety and emotion out of the conversation. As an aside: it's ultimately up to you to choose the best platform to share your message, but if you're talking to a family member or a friend I would highly recommend to have this conversation in person. Text conversations can be misinterpreted and being together better ensures ending the conversation on a positive note.

3. Do your research

I can't stress this one enough. Research, research, research! If it's appropriate for the conversation it might not be a bad idea to bring along some printed materials. 

The good news about being a marijuana advocate is that all the research is on our side. There are studies abound to support marijuana's claims of medicinal value; to debunk the claim that it's a "gateway drug"; and even to suggest that prohibition wasn't only a breach of our civil liberties but a decision based in racism. Whatever you are trying to say, there is a resource to back you up. Research and hard facts often hold up better than emotional or anecdotal evidence, so it is always a good idea--no matter how personal your conversation will be--to have a few facts and resources available to support your case. 

There are SO many places to gather your facts that I can hardly list them here! Netflix and Hulu have a number of documentaries; stoner targeted media such as High Times or Leafly will have a few resources; and when in doubt, NORML is my go-to. Additionally, many of our dispensaries have leaflets that describe medical use and safety information, and your budtender may be able to point you in the right direction for specific information. In this case, Google is your friend! 

4. Listen 

Once you've said your peace, shut your mouth and listen. This is the hardest part but it is by far the most important. This is where breakthroughs happen. 

Depending on a variety of factors, your audience's response may vary from surprisingly accepting to angry, or scared, or confused. They are entitled to their own emotions and as difficult as it may be, you should try to respect their reaction. 

When I talked to my mom, after I told her what I was doing and why it worked, her biggest fear was my safety. She didn't want me to be arrested for trying to take care of myself, or potentially harming my body or putting myself in danger trying to get my medicine. 

Listen to those fears. Listen to the feedback your audience is providing and really take it in. If it's appropriate, counter their point or help ease their fears. 

Once I knew my mom was worried about my safety I was able to tailor my discussion even further to put her at ease. I explained the patient program and the protections I was afforded with my card (and reminded her that with the card, I could go into a well guarded, lit and secured dispensary to safely buy my medicine.) I shared statistics with her about how many people are hooked on pain meds--the same meds I would take regularly before I found cannabis--and by contrast how many people have found relief and have improved their lives with pot. Listening to her helped me form a better argument, sure, but it also strengthened our bond and gave that discussion that much more credibility. We walked away closer to being on the same page than we'd ever been before, and while I'm not sure my mom is TOTALLY on board, I know she accepts this part of me and that's all I could ask for. 

5. Dealing with opposition, or knowing when to back away

That said, there will be times that the conversation doesn't go the way you want. Maybe the person is hostile, or worried for you (see above) or maybe they feel threatened. 

Know that some people will not change their minds whatever you say. Some people profit off prohibition and it is more beneficial for them to oppose legalization. Other people may be too caught in their own experiences to truly open their hearts and their minds to you. 

If you do choose to counter address their points, do so with respect. Try to avoid emotional outbursts and angry statements. Don't put your audience down or degrade them or their views. Imagine how you might feel if the roles were reversed and you disagreed with them.

Most importantly, know when to walk away! This is a big one. Don't continue to fight to the point that your message is diluted and you're causing yourself stress. Excuse yourself from the conversation, thank them for their time, and if it's appropriate try to revisit it in the future. Remember that this is a LOT for some people to wrap their brains around and just as you have likely built your relationship with MJ over time, they will have to do the same.  

Now that I've shared my tips I'd love to hear from you. Have you "come out" to anyone in your life? How did the conversation go and what is your tip to someone trying to do the same?

Until next time! 

When my husband decided to stop smoking a few years ago, he bought a vape pen (or e-cig as he likes to call it) from a kiosk at the mall. They set him up with menthol flavoured juice (his choice) at the highest nicotine level (a Marine's nicotine tolerance is no joke!) He got an extra battery, spare atomizers and they even threw in a car charger so he could charge his pen on the go. 

I remember thinking at the time, this is the coolest damn thing I've ever seen! (This was when vape pens first started picking up, before everyone decided they were douchey) Alas, I only smoke weed--and an expensive setup to smoke nicotine free is kind of foolish--so for the most part, I had to watch from afar. 

Imagine my delight when I (embarrassingly recently) discovered the world of vape pens for cannabis. It blew my mind. They're available for waxes, oils and even flower itself (although I haven't had much luck with portable flower vapes). However, many of them were expensive--and the best ones were designed for concentrates--so for the longest time I avoided them. 

That is, until I saw Kandy Pens. 

I think I saw my first Kandy vape pen on Instagram, and I wanted one since. Kandy has a few different models--presumably the more expensive ones have longer battery lives or temp control or something--but I was attracted to this one. 

Normally $49.99, it was $10 off the day I happened upon their website, which felt like some kind of divine sign (as an important aside: Kandy Pens did NOT sponsor or endorse this post. I paid for it myself, as I have with every product shown herein. They don't even know I ordered their pen to review. I mention this to emphasize the gravity of my choice for this pen--it was my money and I wanted the best value!) There are 16 different colours to choose from, but if you know your Kween at all, you know I picked pink!

They had a few different shipping options--the cheapest, the one I picked, was around $10 and took about 3 business days to deliver. For $25 they would expedite my shipping, but I'm not sure how much faster it could have arrived and honestly it was fine as is! My order shipped the day after I bought it, which is always important if you're as impatient as me. 

I've been intrigued by this strain for a while. I first heard of Super Lemon Haze at my first dispensary visit and thought it sounded great (I'm a slut for any citrusy/limonene rich strains, which is why Agent Orange and Pineapple Express will always hold a special place in my heart). 

However, I had read at the time that this particular strain wasn't recommended for people with anxiety (and I am a walking ball of anxiety), so I passed it up. And again. And again. I slowly ran through every strain at some of my local shops but still didn't touch SLH because I was concerned it would just make me feel worse. 

This past week, though, I was showing a friend from out of town some of the great bud we've got here in Clark County, and once again SLH caught my attention. It was on sale, see, and your Kween can't pass up a good deal (if you're ever at Inyo on a Sunday special chances are you'll run into me!) So I bought a bit and figured what the hey, let's give it a try. 

Come back every other Saturday for Saturday Strains, where I'll be reviewing a new Vegas-bought strain! Stay high, friends!