Culture & industry

The Best Shows to Watch While High

Published

2 years ago

June 18, 2023

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The scene is set: your weed is rolled or packed, cushions are fluffed, your plateful of snacks is piled high and ready to be indulged — all you need now is something to watch.

Do you spend a half hour or more cruising down multiple streaming service rabbit holes or do you opt for broadcast television? Do you spiral into your YouTube suggestions or finish the video podcast you started last week? Either way, it sounds like a lot of work before you get to relax into your sesh.

We’ve been there too, which is why we rounded up not only our own favorite shows to watch while high, but those of our respective stoner squads as well.

From deep-cut sitcoms to unproblematic classics, to newer, buzzier watches, there’s almost certainly something on this list for all y’all. Plus, we went the extra mile and rounded up some of our favorite deep-stone cultivars we love specifically for spacing out and binge watching.

Comedies

Party Down

For anyone with food service experience, this is the holy grail of job site sitcoms. An ensemble cast with obvious histories in catering and odd-jobs, Party Down nails it to the most niche detail.

Watchers can drop in on any episode without missing out on larger story arcs, and since there’s an LOL moment every few minutes, it’s a perfect choice for Hollywood and/or food industry insider types, as well as stoners and comedy aficionados with about 25 minutes to kill.

Strain suggestion: 33 Bananas

This cross of OG Kush and Bananas reportedly delivers a super-stoney high that’s lightly sedative in the body, mildly euphoric in the head, and powerfully munchie on the downswing. Expect a piney perfume and lemon exhale.

I Think You Should Leave

Tim Robinson is a former SNL writer whose rogue series on Netflix features many sketches deemed too wild for Saturday Night audiences. The episodes are a very bingable 15-ish minutes long and contain 3 or 4 sometimes raunchy, sometimes absurd, always ridiculous skits.

Bonus: guest stars like Bob Odenkirk, Patti Harrison, and Sam Richardson make timelessly viral appearances that are extremely re-watchable.

Strain suggestion: 9lb Hammer

These jokes hit especially well for the stoned to the absolute bone, and 9lb Hammer is a dependably tranquilizing cultivar that delivers a reportedly silly-sweet euphoric head high. Expect a funky nose and earthy exhale.

High Maintenance

This sleeper HBO series follows a fixed gear bike riding pot dealer as he makes deliveries to a wildly diverse client list in New York City. The series plays out in vignettes that typically focus on sordid-lives-style of NYC cannabis consumers, with the dealer acting as a ribbon that braids each of their stories together.

It’s an easy series to drop into, with most episodes being completely self contained. Tune in for the deep-cut, stoner-only laughs, stay for the superb writing and charismatic backdrop of a pre-rec, pre-pandemic New York City.

Strain suggestion: Acapulco Gold

This cultivar has a reputation for delivering happy, peppy highs, so consider it a watch-party smoke that’s sociable, giggly, and reportedly spacey enough to enhance your overall viewing experience. Expect a funky nose and a dank, botanical exhale.

The IT Crowd

For fans of low stakes workplace comedies, this fan favorite BBC series is a must watch. It’s made from mostly bottle episodes that take place in the IT department (ie basement) of a nebulous fortune 500 style mega-corp. And in case you need a couple of TV trivia points, this is the series that broke the careers of both Chris O’Dowd and Richard Ayoade.

Strain suggestion: Afghani

This landrace strain reportedly delivers complex, deeply stoney highs that are blissful in both the head and body. Expect a sweet, funky, earthy perfume and commensurate exhale.

Martin

In 2023, we’re still using the catch phrases that originated on this 90s-era sitcom. Developed by Martin Lawrence, Martin ran from 1992 to 1997, essentially preserving a prime slice of 90s culture.

Phrases like “Damn, Gina”, “You so crazy”, and “You go girl”, are etched into the American consciousness because of Martin; furthermore, he plays excellently in drag. Revisit this program next time you want to feel your peak-of-civilization 90s fantasy.

Strain suggestion: Zaza

This cross of Scott’s OG and Gas Station Bob is the heady relaxer we can imagine Martin and Gina smoking together, reportedly delivering a heartwarming euphoria in the head and a cashmere soft body buzz. Expect a sour, gassy aroma and a lemon-pine exhale.

The Golden Girls

If it’s been a while since you contemplated the enduring popularity of Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, and Estelle Getty, now might be the time to reconnect with the ladies on the lanai. Well, after blowing an enormous smoke cloud, of course.

For its time, The Golden Girls was cutting edge. It dealt with all manner of taboo topics, and well past its seven season run, remains the gold standard for ensemble comedies.

Strain suggestion: Velvet Glove

Bred from a cross of GMO and Nookies, Velvet Glove reportedly delivers a warm, comfortably sedative body high and an airy, mellow head high — perfect for chilling on the lanai. Expect a funky fruit nose and a sweet earthy exhale.

Doctor Who

Cannaisseurs with a penchant for sci-fi already know how committed one can become to The Doctor, but curious stoners dipping their toes into science fiction should be warned: you may quickly be sucked in. And before you know it, you’re a time lord traveling the cosmos in a British police box and comparing anything that belies a spacious interior to a TARDIS.

Even those who don’t self identify as sci-fi nerds can get onboard with this long running, mind bending series made all the more fantastic when viewed hella stoned.

Strain suggestion: Timewreck

Get ready to cheer for your favorite Doctor. Timewreck reportedly delivers an enthusiastic high for an energetic watch party. Expect a skunky, lemon perfume and a dank, woody exhale.

Think Pieces

You

For stoners who want a bit more of a puzzle than a carnival, Netflix’s You is a compelling soap opera centered around a unrelentingly romantic sociopathic murderer whose sometimes cornball narration is the stuff memes are made of. Content warning: this series is violent, with women often on the receiving end. Though, if you can stomach the horror, the main character’s comeuppance in season two is a payoff.

Essentially, this is a great hate watch for anyone who’s ever been on the receiving end of an entitled, inauthentic, human catastrophe’s attentions — or anyone else who enjoys getting wrapped up in psychological thrillers when extremely stoned

Strain suggestion: The Gift

This therapeutic cultivar is a low THC, high CBD phenotype of Ringo’s Gift excellent for low-tolerance smokers or the canna-curious. Consumers report uplifting, blissful head highs and effervescent body effects. Expect a sweet, minty aroma and exhale.

Lodge 49

This esoteric, slightly dramatic, mostly surreal comedy is a fever-dreamy “fable” about a sad sack stoner’s entanglement with his local fraternal lodge and the eerie secrets beyond Lodge 49‘s threshold. It’s equal parts goofy, bittersweet, and California beach-weird; which, if you’re not familiar, is a specific flavor of weird uniquely satisfying to cannabis consumers the world over. Plus, even the more complex story arcs are space-cadet friendly, so smoke away.

Strain suggestion: Sweet Tooth

This balanced cross of Afghani Indica and Hawaiian Sativa reportedly delivers a mellow, long lasting, creative high. Expect a botanical perfume and a candy-sweet exhale.

Reality Bites

The Great British Bake Off

If soothing vibes are your cuppa tea, there are few scenarios more satisfying and cozy than this amateur home baker’s amicable competition for a big crystal dish and bragging rights.

Without a gargantuan cash prize to galvanize the competitors, the energy stays super genial, supportive, and — lucky for us viewers — instructive. Case-and-point: once, during an epic dab/Netflix binge, a mid-season episode taught me both how to make choux pastry and how to calm a manic British Grandma (a deep breath and a cup of tea).

Strain suggestion: Royal Cookies

Too on the nose? This rare GSC phenotype’s reported effects include a deep body stone and a refreshing, blissful head high. Expect an herbal nose and a sweet, nutty exhale.

RuPauls Drag Race

Any TV viewer who appreciates top-tier art and performance — from comedy to acting to dancing to creating show-stopping runway looks — should be engaging with this technicolor, life affirming, gender-euphoric reality program. The show even introduced a cis, male, straight drag queen on one recent season, and a lesbian drag king on another, shaping the conversation on masculinity, femininity, and gender expression in ways never before seen on primetime TV. Honestly, Survivor could never.

Strain suggestion: Purple Panty Dropper

Also known as PPD, this three-way cross of Purple Haze, Oregon Grape, and Matanuskan Mist is allegedly damn sexy, so prepare for big aphrodisiac energy from both the Drag and the weed. Expect a funky fruit aroma and grassy, berry exhale.

Ink Master

Not unlike the the Drag Race universe, Ink Master is replete with a wide variety of amazing artists at the top of their game, and even viewers with nary a drop of subdermal ink can appreciate the skill, talent, and commitment of many of these artists.

And of course, the contestants produce thrilling behind the scenes drama, made all the more thrilling by the sheer number of neck, head, and face tattoos many of them sport.

Strain suggestion: Sour Tsunami

Often bred as a therapeutic strain, this gently euphoric cross of Sour and NY Diesel can frequently be found as a 1:1 THC:CBD hybrid with a 10% cannabinoid average. Expect a gassy perfume and a funky lemon exhale.

Wildcards

Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities

Stoners in the mood for some lightweight spookery might enjoy this anthology series produced, and in a few cases co-written, by genre master Guillermo Del Toro. Watchers can go in for a penny or a pound, with the episodes lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour. Prepare for jump scares lest you scatter your snacks, fumble your bong, or choke on your hit.

Strain suggestion: Kryptonite

Kryptonite is a hard hitting, long lasting, deeply relaxing cultivar that reportedly unfolds into a romantic, euphoric head high. Expect a pungent skunk in the nose and a sweet exhale.

Kiff

For twee smokers who’d rather get lost in a magical animated wonderland than deal with anything resembling realism, Kiff is an adorably easy-to-watch all-ages cartoon featuring Kiff the squirrel and Barry the bunny on chaotic adventures in their magical mountain town.

For fans of Adventure Time, this is an even breezier series that could be a great background watch for stoned crafting or sketchbooking.

Strain suggestion: Herijuana

Consumers report cushiony-soft body highs and blissed out head effects making for an altogether dreamy experience. Expect an earthy-sweet aroma and a grassy exhale.

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Culture & industry

Huckleberry Hill Farms and the history of the Whitethorn Rose cannabis strain

Published

9 months ago

March 12, 2024

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In the heart of southern Humboldt lies Huckleberry Hill Farms, a legacy outdoor cannabis grow started by John Casali. Unlike many of the regulated farms that sprouted up in the wake of Prop 64, Huckleberry Hill stood through the war on drugs era, and its story is steeped in passion, struggle, and resilience. It also led to the creation of the award-winning Whitethorn Rose cannabis strain.

In the late 1960s, Casali, a teenager then, was immersed in the art of cultivation, learning the process from his mother. “[She] was my guiding light. She taught me the tenderness required for plants to thrive,” he shared. But the harsh realities of the war on drugs cast a shadow over their beautiful farm life. “My parents decided to cease cultivation due to escalating law enforcement. They got afraid of the multiple helicopters in the air throughout the year, dropping guys down on wires and eradicating weed.”

“It was all I knew; it was all I wanted to do — cultivate and honor what my mom had taught me.” — John Casali

Casali remained rooted in his passion, but it would eventually lead to his arrest and 10-year prison sentence in 1996. “One morning, I woke up to 30 federal agents coming up my driveway. They held a nine-millimeter to my head, and for the next nine hours, they searched my place. A year and a half after that, they came back with an arrest warrant.”

Sungrown cannabis at Huckleberry Hill Farms — Sun-grown cannabis at Huckleberry Hill Farms

His arrest, considered one of the longest federal incarcerations for a non-violent cannabis offense, struck a harsh chord, especially for someone who’d never even received a speeding ticket before. And while serving time in prison, tragedy struck his family. His parents, who had been traveling and fishing for months aboard a commercial albacore boat, encountered a devastating accident, and Casali’s mother tragically passed away. He recalled this period as one of the most challenging phases of his incarceration. “Those years tested my spirit, but the community’s support kept me going.”

Casali was released in 2004, and he found himself in a changed landscape, one where attitudes toward cannabis had massively shifted — no more helicopters over properties. Still driven by his passion for cultivation, he resumed his cannabis journey and even received a symbolically powerful gift from a friend: a preserved plant cut that was used to breed the Whitethorn Rose strain, an honor and testament to him and his mother’s legacy.

Huckleberry Hill Farms outdoor grow — Whitethorn Rose is a cross of Paradise Punch and Lemon OG

This genetic preservation — maintaining a strain for a decade — embodies an emotional journey where friendship, loyalty, and love for the craft transcend the bounds of time and adversity. Casali created this unique strain by crossing Paradise Punch and Lemon OG.

Paradise Punch had been borne from his mother’s collaboration and was crafted for its early harvesting properties, allowing it to avoid possible mold due to October rains. The Lemon OG was a gift from a friend; combining the two was a convergence of heritage and camaraderie. With time, the strain gained the notoriety it so rightly deserved.

Whitethorn Rose, a strain forged during the war on drugs, now blossoms in a reformed era. It’s a symbol of endurance, community resilience, and triumph.

Moreover, testing by Columbia University in New York revealed the specific complexity of Whitethorn Rose. It boasts over 60 different terpenes and a staggering 444 cannabinoids. One such rare terpene found in this strain is selinadiene, which carries potential therapeutic properties.

Its emergence in the regulated folds of California’s cannabis market is due to its persistence and the unbreakable spirit that defines Huckleberry Hill Farms. Collaborations with Belle, Frenchy’s Cannoli apprentice from Heritage Mendocino, amplified its presence, leading to multiple Emerald Cup wins. This year, over 90% of the farm is devoted to cultivating Whitethorn Rose.

Butterfly atop a flower — Flowers grow beside cannabis plants at Huckleberry Hill Farms

The journey from cultivating alongside his mother in the late ’60s to overcoming incarceration and emerging stronger, determined to honor his roots, defines John Casali’s personality. Huckleberry Hill Farms is inspirational and deeply rooted in honesty, community, and an unquestionable passion for sun-grown cannabis.

Huckleberry Hills Farms is getting ready to hit California’s market, and you must try the amazing Whitethorn Rose strain. This cultivar has a remarkable history and a uniquely exotic floral flavor, making it a distinctive cultivar worth experiencing.

The post Huckleberry Hill Farms and the history of the Whitethorn Rose cannabis strain appeared first on Weedmaps News.

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Culture & industry

Terroir and tradition: growing craft cannabis and the art of dry farming at Sunboldt Grown

Published

10 months ago

March 3, 2024

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When cruising down the Avenue of the Giants in Humboldt County, one might not realize there’s a hidden gem for cannabis enthusiasts just around the bend. Nestled along the Eel River in the heart of the Emerald Triangle lies Holmes Flat, a picturesque locale surrounded by towering Redwoods. The scenery? Simply breathtaking, drawing visitors in with its lush, fertile ambiance.

There, you’ll find Sunboldt Grown and its founder, Sunshine Cereceda, a local legend with soil under her nails and a heart as expansive as the California sky.

Born in San Luis Obispo and raised in Humboldt since the age of seven, Cereceda grew up amidst the wilderness near Garberville in a community of activists and artists dedicated to preserving the region’s majestic trees. Tending to a garden since she was knee-high, she credits her mother’s green thumb for instilling in her a deep love for organic cannabis cultivation.

The challenges of craft cannabis in a commercial world

Her journey to becoming an Original Gardener is rooted in her upbringing within Humboldt’s activist community, where she formed deep connections to the land. She sold her first pound of weed at 14 years old in order to finance her education, which led to her developing her expertise through years of hard work and dedication. To this day, Cereceda’s OG status persists.

Organic sungrown cannabis at Sunboldt Grown — Sustainably grown organic cannabis at Sunboldt Grown

However, the shift from the underground market to the passing of Proposition 215 in 1996 and Proposition 64 in 2016 brought about major changes, turning her world upside down. What was once a dance with law enforcement became a tangled web of legalities and over-regulation. She grappled with the demands, yearning for authenticity amidst the new state of chaos. The transition from medical to adult use felt like a crash course in bureaucracy, leaving her fatigued and longing for the simplicity of yesteryears.

California’s legal landscape poses significant hurdles for craft farmers like Cereceda. Mandatory distribution and the absence of direct sales leave traditional farmers at the mercy of intermediaries, diluting the spirit of their craft.

“The beauty of craft does not sell itself,” she said, “We have a big disadvantage not being able to do direct [cannabis] sales … Compliance demands encroach upon precious time meant for nurturing our crops.” She dreams of a future where small farmers receive the support they need to thrive and where craft is cherished and celebrated in the marketplace.

Dry farming and the return to terroir

One of the characteristics that sets Cereceda apart from other growers is her cultivation techniques. She’s a farmer who doesn’t water her plants — a practice known as “dry farming.” It’s a centuries-old technique that involves cultivating crops without irrigation, relying solely on natural precipitation and soil moisture.

Sungrown cannabis — With dry farming, Cereceda’s cannabis plants thrive in the sun

“Dry farming is about embracing the land and its natural rhythms,” she explained, “It’s a minimalist approach that allows terroir to shine through, bringing forth the true essence of the plant.” By eschewing irrigation and adopting low-intervention methods, dry farming conserves water and fosters a deeper connection between the farmer, the land, and the final product. “It isn’t suitable everywhere, but in regions like Humboldt, it’s worth pursuing … We avoid water addiction and enable plants to adapt naturally, resulting in a more resilient crop.”

Along with composting and strategic planting, Cereceda has honed her dry farming skills, growing cannabis that embodies the unique characteristics of Humboldt’s soil and climate.

Flowers at Sunboldt Farm — The farm is filled with life — along with cannabis, it boasts gorgeous flowers and an abundance of pollinators

As the sun dipped below the horizon, it cast a warm glow over the rolling hills of Holmes Flat, where one thing was abundantly clear: Cereceda’s journey was far from over. From navigating the complexities of legalization to pioneering sustainable cultivation methods, she embodies the spirit of innovation and resilience that defines Humboldt’s cannabis culture.

Her focus on craftsmanship and terroir-driven cultivation is encapsulated in her products, growing craft cannabis that maintains the essence of Humboldt’s fertile soil and pristine climate.

The post Terroir and tradition: growing craft cannabis and the art of dry farming at Sunboldt Grown appeared first on Weedmaps News.

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Culture & industry

Organic farming and regenerative agriculture

Published

11 months ago

February 9, 2024

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In the vibrant yet challenging landscape of California’s cannabis community, Sun Roots Farm is a rare gem situated in Covelo, California. Driving up its winding entrance will lead to a picturesque landscape, unveiling the incredible experience of visiting the farm’s gorgeous gardens. There, you’ll be greeted by towering cannabis plants reaching 12+ feet high and weighing an impressive 10 – 20 pounds each.

Founded by Forrest Gauder and Patricia Vargas, Sun Roots Farm is a testament to the resilience and integrity within the cannabis community.

Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Owners Forrest Gauder and Patricia Vargas among Sun Roots Farm’s huge cannabis plants

By embracing a lifestyle around sustainability, they’ve created an enchanting, forest-like atmosphere with their approach, growing massive plants requiring a ladder for proper care. This landscape is common in Mendocino County, and due to dry weather, it makes for the perfect environment for growing colossal cannabis plants.

The founders’ vision of regeneration

Over the past 12 years, Gauder and Vargas have transformed Sun Roots Farm into their permanent residence. With its foundation rooted in regenerative agriculture, the couple not only cultivates cannabis plants but also tends to various vegetables, herbs, fruits, fungi, native medicinal plants, and perennial gardens.

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Fruits, herbs, and vegetables grow healthy on the farm

To nourish their garden, they rely on contributions from their animals, with coops full of chickens and fields of alpacas serving as an exemplary model of regenerative agricultural practices. The farm aims to increase biodiversity and introduce closed-loop farming, where farmers recycle all organic material back into the soil and the farm. This system fosters a harmonious coexistence between the land and its inhabitants.

Exclusive seeds and strains

The farm takes pride in its commitment to exclusive seed cultivation, a distinctive approach that sets them apart. Gauder described the process: “We grow all our plants from seed yearly. From the year before, we’ll select pollen and put it on certain plants to make new [strains] — we’ll then collect those seeds. By the middle of February, we’ll crack open the chosen varieties, starting them in a greenhouse … and propagating them until they reach five-gallon pots.”

Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

All Sun Roots Farm strains are grown from seed each year

The decision to grow exclusively from seed is rooted in the farm’s philosophy of embracing genetic variability and maximizing plant vigor. “The reason behind growing from seed … is the genetic variability,” said Vargas. “We grow exclusively from seed. Local breeding has played a pivotal role in shaping plants that are finely adapted to the valley’s conditions, showcasing positive characteristics such as mold resistance, pest resistance, frost resilience, and more.”

Sun Roots Farm’s staple strain is Velvet Purps, bred locally over ten years ago. This strain descends from the valley and is made from various crosses by Gauder’s family and colleagues. Its origin begins with Jah Goo, crossbred with its brother T2 and Magic Bus, giving rise to a cultivar with impressive purple characteristics.

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Sun Roots Farm’s outdoor grown Velvet Purps

“The plant produces anthocyanins to protect itself, but it’s also purple,” explained Gauder. “You can find anthocyanins and all sorts of fruits and vegetables, too. It’s the pigment, the color. This compound has beneficial aspects when consumed by humans, like antioxidants, and it protects the plant. We had a bad frost a few years ago that destroyed a lot of gardens around here, but all our purple plants were just fine.”

Packed with trichomes and a captivating blend of berry and pine aromas, Velvet Purps luxuriously unfolds on the palate. This unique strain, locally bred and cultivated by Sun Roots Farm and a select few friends only, expresses a distinctive charm. Beyond its sensory delights, it delivers a tranquil and relaxing buzz, making it an ideal choice for evening consumption.

In a market saturated with options, the exclusivity of strains like Velvet Purps emphasizes the farm’s commitment to offering something truly exceptional.

A farm dedicated to sustainable practices

The farm is also Dragonfly Earth Medicine (DEM) certified. “To be DEM is to achieve a certification beyond organic through third-party verification,” explained Vargas, “It’s a community committed to intentional growth and the creation of closed-loop systems.”

Sun Roots Farm maximizes what the land naturally provides, whether it’s blackberry vines for tea or alpaca manure from their animals. “It’s similar to a homesteading lifestyle,” Vargas continued, “incorporating the cultivation of cannabis with an element of integrity into the product.” From closed-loop systems and water conservation to wildlife sanctuaries and companion planting, the farm is a testament to sustainable living techniques.

Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Chickens contribute to the sustainable practices used at the farm

Vargas also emphasized the importance of observation and mindfulness in their approach, “Take a moment to observe before you go ahead and start harvesting or before you go ahead and start crunching all over the earth.” Gauder added, “As long as we keep stuff covered in the garden, magic always happens. So we’re feeding the bugs, which eat the material on the ground that feeds the plants. It’s a continual cycle of life, rebirth, death, life, rebirth, death.”

The farm extends its commitments beyond the cultivation season. After harvest, they break down plants, mulch with oak leaves, and cover them with hay, creating a winter blanket that transforms into a layer of beautiful topsoil come spring.

Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

Gauder lighting up a rose petal joint made from roses grown on their property

At Sun Roots Farm, a calming environment and sustainable living encourage a deeper connection to the products they make and the ones we consume. The farm is a reality where integrity, intention, and regenerative practices converge to create a sanctuary of sustainable cultivation in the heart of California.

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