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ITALY’S SUPREME COURT RULES HOME-GROWING CANNABIS IS NOT A CRIME

In a landmark decision, Italy’s Supreme Court of Cassation has ruled that growing a small number of cannabis plants at home does not constitute a crime.

The decision came in response to an appeal made by a man who had been accused of possession of drugs. The Naples Court of Appeal had previously partially revised the initial verdict and acquitted the accused of the crime.

The Supreme Court ruling, published on 24 February 2023, may set a precedent for future cases. The judges noted that the defendant was a regular consumer and that there was no evidence to suggest that the cannabis was intended for sale or distribution to third parties.

The Court acknowledged that cannabis found was intended only for personal use. Furthermore, cultivation was limited in scope and carried out using basic methods.

The decision recognizes a growing acceptance of personal cannabis use and the minimal risk posed by small-scale cultivation for personal use, writes João Xabregas in Cannareporter. The ruling has been welcomed by drug policy reform advocates, who see it as a step towards a more rational and evidence-based approach to drug laws.

In 2019, Italy’s Supreme Court ruled that small-scale domestic cultivation of can-

nabis was legal, in a decision triggering calls for further legalization from cannabis activists and anger from the country’s conservatives.

Called on to clarify previous conflicting interpretations of the law, the Court of Cassation decreed that the crime of growing narcotic drugs should exclude “small amounts grown domestically for the exclusive use of the grower”.The ruling fueled a simmering political debate over cannabis use in Italy.

In 2022 Italy's Constitutional Court rejected a request to hold a referendum

on legalizing the cultivation of cannabis, provoking the ire of cannabis activists. Lawmaker Riccardo Magi, one of the referendum's leading advocates, told Reuters the court's decision was "a terrible blow to democracy," after hundreds of thousands of people had signed up to the proposal.

The referendum proposal sought to legalize the growing of weed for personal use and ease sanctions on other cannabisrelated crimes, with offenders no longer risking prison sentences for selling small amounts of cannabis.

By Rich Hamilton

CZECH REPUBLIC CONFLICTED AND GERMANY DOWNSIZING ON REFORM PLANS

Less than a year ago, policymakers in the Czech Republic expressed a solid desire to legalise cannabis for adult use, building on the momentum occurring across the border in Germany as it leans towards adult-use legalisation,

However, the Czech Republic's Ministry of Agriculture recently announced that it would initiate new CBD product restrictions, leaving many international cannabis industry insiders confused.

"The State Agricultural and Food Inspection … is preparing general measures to prohibit the marketing of cannabidiol (CBD), other cannabinoids obtained from hemp, and products containing these substances.

Furthermore, according to the EU, food with CBD cannot be marketed in any EU country.

This is because their effects on human health have not been sufficiently scientifically investigated," a recent Ministry of Agriculture press release stated.

In October 2022, the Czech Republic's leading drug policy expert Jindřich Vobořil appeared hopeful about his country's chances of passing an adultuse legalisation measure soon and told press representatives.

"There is a political consensus for me to create this proposal for regulating cannabis, an illegal substance.

We want to regulate it with the help of the market. We believe this regulation will be more effective than the current ban".

Immediately after a legalisation presentation was given to Germany's federal cabinet by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach in October 2022, Vobořil

posted online that "Germany and the Czech Republic would go to a regulated market at the same time." Vobořil later posted online that he was excited about Germany's decision and what it meant for the Czech Republic, especially regarding the lucrative "cannabis club" model commonly seen in Barcelona, Spain.

"We are in live contact with our colleagues from Germany and have repeatedly confirmed that we want to coordinate ourselves, even practically, by consulting each other on our proposals. I also want their expert assessment of our proposals" - Czech drug policy expert Jindřich Vobořil.

In addition to Vobořil's comments made last year, Czech government officials indicated only weeks ago that they would be actively seeking an adultuse legalisation model involving a consumer registry.

At the same time, however, they have been seeking a CBD ban and recently punished a cannabis educator for "inciting and promoting toxicomania."

The continent of Europe is currently encountering a significant push to regulate cannabis instead of prohibiting it.

Germany is leading the current continental legalisation strategy with a straightforward approach acknowledging that adult cannabis consumption is. It will always occur, whether legal or not.

Germany recognises that it is better for public health that the products consumed are regulated instead of unregulated.

That logic applies not only to products derived from cannabis but also to hemp-derived products.

However, even Germany has scaled back on its enthusiastic original plans for adult use legalisation. In April, Germany revealed a watered-down approach to legalisation involving nonprofit cannabis clubs and regional trial programs only.

Draft rules leaked to 'Deutsche PresseAgentur', the German Press Agency, stated that 'not-for-profit' cannabis associations could be up and running by the end of this year.

The leaked draft foretells that Germany may limit cannabis distribution to association members only and limit it to a maximum of 50 grams per month per person. In addition, consumers aged 18 to 21 would face a lower monthly limit and a potency restriction.

For comparison, Canada currently limits sales to 30 grams of flower per person per purchase.

It has no lower limit for young people. (However, individual province regulations can vary.)

Other details which the news agency says could be up for more stringent controls following deliberations in the Bundestag include "neutral" packaging restrictions and a ban on "consumption incentives" for young people.

For example, labels can only display the package's weight, harvest date, best-by date, cultivar, and THC and CBD content.

On site consumption at the associations would also be banned.

It is safe to say that whilst it is a little confusing at present more about what is happening in the Czech Republic and where it stands in Europe's legalisation push, as well as Germany's finalised plans, will become more apparent in the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conference, being held in Berlin on June 29-30.

So for now we should focus on the positives and the fact that any move toward legalisation is a good thing for Europe.

By Stoney Tark

THE LEGACY OF MILO YUNG AKA BIG BUDDHA

Who was Milo Yung?

If you have spent any time in the Cannabis industry, then you will for sure have come across and met, or certainly heard about Milo Yung whose real name was Michael Walong Ng, who sadly passed away on Thursday 27th April.

A warm, welcoming and very friendly professional who started growing at the age of 15, and it was when he was 18 years old, when he started to take his understanding of the Cannabis plant and growing to the next level.

Living in the West-Midlands in the UK, the laws regarding indoor cultivation were very strict, and access to seed shops and clones was almost non-existent unless you had the right links. It was during this time when Milo began to get the attention of Cannabis magazine publications for his passion for the plant, and destiny would write that

Zorro, the editor of Red Eye Magazine and Milo would exchange a clone in 2002 which became the world-famous Exodus Cheese. Milo started Big Buddha Seeds where he would work with his own stable of genetics, producing Cheese hybrids.

It would not take long for Milo to become the face of Cheese genetics with a cup win at the High Times Cannabis Cup back in 2006, that launched the UK scene and Cheese strain into the stratosphere.

After deciding to move to Spain and settle in Ibiza, Milo was able to focus on his breeding work, and have much more freedom and polarity as far as the law about growing was concerned.

After 12 long years of Big Buddha Seeds, the Original Big Buddha Family Farms brand was created which focused on UK, Spain and USA based collaborations.

The history of the Original Cheese

Milo was able to obtain a clone of the Cheese that the editor Zorro from Red Eye Magazine kept in 2002, and from there was able to work on the line using an Afghan male pollinator. Using the male and the firstgeneration seeds, Milo was able to grow out and select phenotypes from the plants which had the most desirable Cheese traits such as extreme pungency, good yields and chunky dense buds.

It was 2006 when Milo entered the Cheese into the High Times Cup and swept up first place with his impressive booth and head - turning buds. After that and over the next

5 years, the UK scene became a Cheese frenzy, with every home grower and smoker wanting Cheese. Cheese became a strain that was so strong and aromatic, that triple vac pacs were now required. You would not believe how much these bright lime green buds could smell and when you were smoking a joint, people would know a mile away it was Cheese, and certainly after you had smoked it you, everyone knew what you had smoked!

Milo Yung AKA Big Buddha was a muchloved legend of the industry and leaves behind an incredible legacy!

Gone but never forgotten, so please smoke one in memory of a true gentleman.

THE ‘BLING BLING’ FOR YOUR PLANTS!

High quality cocktails especially designed for the root system and ripening phase

Highly concentrated products

Ensures an explosive growth of roots, fruits and flowers

Bloombastic, Rootbastic, Bi-Bloombastic, Rokzbastic

Suitable for growing on hydro, coco and soil

DEXSO NECTAR COLLECTOR VAPE PEN

Try it and join the future of dabbing.

Dexso launches the era of "E-Dabbing To-Go" with the Nectar Collector Vape Pen and ends the equipment struggle of dabbing. Dexso D.M.E. extracts have the greatest medicinal potential according to research published in Frontiers of Microbiology. However, until now - as with all cannabis extracts - consumption has always been quite cumbersome and involved a lot of equipment.

PROD UCT

Product Benefits of Nectar Collector Vape Pens:

• Most pleasant vaping experience: no scratchy throat and no coughing; But the fullest taste instead - thanks to an integrated cooling tube.

• Small and handy: Dabbing was until now always cumbersome and associated with expensive equipment. This is now finally a thing of the past.

• No solvent: The Dexso Nectar Collector works with pure extracts, without solvent.

• Porous extract tank with integrated heating coil: The extract tank heats up at the touch of a button and lasts for over 10 puffs per charge.

• Affordable price

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ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS TAKES OVER TIMES SQUARE FOR 4/20 CELEBRATION

SUNSET PARADISE

Sunset Paradise is Paradise Seeds own luxury scoop of the universally popular Gelato strain. It won The US strains category at the Highlife Cup shortly after its release and won first and second at the latest Copa del Sol in Colombia! So what makes Sunset Paradise stand out from other Gelato strains? Paradise have turned up the dial on the taste and engineered bigger buds and an increased resin count which Gelato fans will appreciate. Find out more at www.paradise-seeds.com

The leading European cannabis seed bank celebrated US expansion with a Times Square ad on last April 20th, marking the beginning of the company's mission to revolutionize cannabis cultivation in the US market.

Royal Queen Seeds (RQS) has made history in Times Square with its latest advertisement. The company had secured a prime spot in New York’s world-famous square.

The exclusive message commemorated the city’s first 4/20 as a legal market, a historic date in cannabis culture and recreational use.

This ad also marks the beginning of Royal Queen Seeds' overseas expansion into the United States. With headquarters in Barcelona, the company has set its sights on revolutionizing the world of cannabis cultivation and quickly becoming a market leader throughout the US.

The spectacular ad, with several colourful, moving frames wrapped around a powerful message, also included a countdown to 4:20 pm. Royal Queen

Seeds congratulated all New Yorkers on 4/20 with this striking image that is sure to capture the attention of residents and tourists around the world.

"Royal Queen Seeds has always been at the forefront of innovation and creativity, and this Times Square ad is just another example of our commitment to doing unique and exciting projects," said Shai Ramsahai, Royal Queen Seeds' Chief Operating Officer. Adding, "4/20 is a vital date for cannabis culture, and it was the perfect occasion to celebrate our arrival in the United States and our dedication to innovation in the cannabis industry."

Royal Queen Seeds' presence in Times Square marks an essential milestone in the company's history and a significant step in its mission to instil a passion for breeding, innovation, and premium cannabis genetics.

This advertisement is just the beginning of what Royal Queen Seeds has in store for the future, and alongside Cannabis Now Media, they can't wait to share this exciting moment with their customers and friends.

By Rich Hamilton

SPANNABIS 2023

With the cannabis industry in different states of turmoil or rejoicing worldwide, Spannabis 2023 was a refreshing chance to catch up with the rest of the community at this the busiest Spannabis I have ever seen. It had over 25,000 visitors from 50-plus countries over the 3-day event. With over 500 companies selling, promoting and pushing thousands of canna-related products, it was one not to miss.

Barcelona, aka BCN, is a magic city with a vibrant cannabis scene. With over 300 cannabis smoking clubs, each with its own identity hidden around the city makes for a perfect backdrop to this fantastic event. Hosted in Fira De Cornella, BCN and giving the local Spanish community an economic boost of around 8 million euros, Spannabis has become the one show nobody misses. It is also one of the most affordable, value-for-money shows there is. The show ran from Friday the 10th to Sunday the 12th of March 2023, with modest ticket prices being 30 Euros for the day and 50 Euros for the whole weekend.

Many exhibitors and out-of-town visitors either get there early or stay over for a few days to soak in what the beautiful, vibrant, historical city has to offer. Weather it is the beaches, the shopping, the museums, art galleries, churches, the cathedral, the street art, the skateboarders or the Gothic quarter Barcelona has something for everyone.

FIVE TOP TIPS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE NEXT SPANNABIS HASSLE-FREE.

1. Book your flights early. The earlier you book, the more you save. 99% of the industry attends Spannabis, so flight and hotel prices rise rapidly the closer to the show dates.

2. Barcelona has no Uber, so it's good to work out where your stopping before

you land. There are always taxis outside the airport to take you where your hotel. However, they can be expensive so if you are on a budget the train station is at the airport and can take you into the centre of the city in around half an hour (which is about the same time as a taxi takes). It should be at most 40/50 euros in a taxi, and depending on which train ticket you get, it can be as little as 5/6 euros on the metro.

3. If cannabis is your thing and you want to join a club but have no one to introduce you? No problem; most clubs have a website where you can find out how to get an invitation directly. Failing

that, social media is a great place to ask for an invite. All the clubs have a different feel, so look around and find one that fits you. With over 300 cannabis clubs in the city, I'm sure you find something perfect for your taste. But note thousands of cannabis goers will be arriving for the show, and the clubs do get full quickly.

Make sure you're signed up and a member before they fill up. The average price for a membership is between 20 and 40 Euros. Another great thing about the clubs is that on Spannabis week, you will find lots of industry professionals in the cannabis clubs enjoying themselves and talking shop, which can be a great business advantage. Many big business deals happen in the cannabis clubs away from the crowds.

4. The morning queues into the Spannabis show are notoriously busy, so get there early, get your wrist band and go and enjoy the fun. If you have a weekend pass, you can come and go as you please. The ticket office usually opens at 10 am while the gates open at 11 am.

5. Pace yourself. We all have different tolerances; I see people, new and old fall into the same old pitfalls and ruin their trip every year. Too many people go too hard too fast and end up spending 2/3 days hungover, missing 90% of the event. Have a good time, have a great time, but remember, moderation will make for a much better trip.

If you have even the slightest interest in weed, be it from a consumer or business perspective. Then attending the next Spannabis event is an absolute no-brainer. You will not regret it. Spannabis 2023 was a ripper of the

show with one of the best feelings of community I've felt from any cannabis show (and I have been to them all). Spannabis 2024 is already set to be even bigger and better than this year by increasing the floor plan size to accommodate more people. Spannabis 2024 will be the 20th year of the show, so a super special event which I couldn't recommend enough. Book your tickets as early as you can! Come early or stay late and enjoy the city and everything Barcelona offers; you will not regret it.

VIVA LA SPANNABIS!

Liberty Haze

FEELING FREE AND SOARING HIGH: A MENTAL ROCKET LAUNCH

packed buds gain a lot of weight and often pronounce their attractive red to purple colour potential. With up to 25% THC under its belt, Liberty Haze falls into the category of above-average, highly potent varieties. And of course much as it’s rich in THC, its tingly invigorating effect is intense and long lasting, bringing an initial surge of euphoria. The plant’s intriguing aroma is centred around a fresh lemon flavour. Smell-wise, earthy musky and skunky notes are mixed in, the taste has piney and herbal aspects brought into play then.

Powerful vegetative growth and much budding vigour in the early stage of flowering

The Doc, an ardent afficionado of classic cannabis genetics, didn’t have to think twice about testing Liberty Haze and set out to pop two feminised seeds. Just as all the Barney’s farm beans he had previously tested, they germinated perfectly well and

brought forth two healthy fast growing seedlings. They were repotted into 11 litre containers after 14 veg days. One week later, The Doc reported, “So far it’s a beautiful, vigorously growing strain with well-built lateral branches. Now that I’ve put them into flower, they’ve arrived at heights of 34 and 39 cm.”

28 days into flowering, he continued, “I’m already calling myself a fan of this strain! It has proven to be very stable up to now – the two plants are still looking pretty uniform and both blooming like hell after four weeks, with a multitude of burgeoning blossoms having bursted open now and released countless white pistils to form most promising young buds. Also, an early dense coating of tiny resin drops is shimmering on the young calyxes and sugar leaves, they’re are pretty sticky already!”

Granite-like solid tops with a sugary look and sweet lemony scent

Liberty, freedom – in the western world at least, we’re living in a time full of personal liberties: freedom of opinion and speech, of political, occupational and partner choice, of movement and travel (provided that there’s no virus pandemic going on…), and as for private consumption, free unlimited choice of goods worldwide available via the internet. On the one hand. On the other, there’s a lot in this world that is unfree or the freedom of which is heavily endangered: societies that are (as much as possible) free of racism, right-wing extremism, populism as well as autocratic and anti-democratic ambitions by their state leaders.

Not your usual Haze A herbal homage to liberty

Against this background, right now a lot of thoughts are crossing one’s mind in view of

a strain called “Liberty Haze”, both positive and, unfortunately, dismal ones. But the latter shall be optimistically blown away at the latest when inhaling the smoke or vapour of Liberty Haze as this euphoriant Barney’s Farm variety is a herbal homage to liberty –hope is green, freedom is green! Genetically, this strain is not your usual Haze, with a pedigree at its core that is completely different from the schoolbook of strains: Liberty Haze is a 60% sativa dominant amalgamation of G13 and ChemDawg 91, two legends in the word of cannabis strains. Plants are growing medium tall (indoors generally not more than well a metre) and with about 8-9 weeks fairly fast flowering. Barney’s rates its high indoor yields at up to 600g/m2. Given a finishing date of between week 1 and 2 of October under natural light, Liberty Haze is advertised as a very suitable outdoor plant, too. Its elongated densely

Flower formation continued to prosper as impressively as The Doc had expected. After timely 62 days of blooming and a strong height gain eventually leaving them at 95 and 110 cm, the two plants were fully ripe. That red/purple colour potential had manifested itself only on the stalks and leaf undersurfaces, but nevertheless made for quite a flashy presentation. Endowed with an enormously high calyx-to-leaf ratio, the buds had become fat, juicy and dense, with a granite-like solidness. The large-sized head buds were prominently protruding from the centre, with a circular plateau of very stately side tops below, marking the lower half of the plants. All of the buds were with richly covered in crystalline trichomes, it looked as if someone had generously dredged them with fine sugar grains. Said an enthusing Dockie, “this gorgeous appearance is gloriously complemented by a scent that is very lemony, indeed, and given its sugary look, it is only fitting that it’s glazed with a big scoop of sweetness. In the background, a pinch of musky spiciness adds subtle complexity to the mix.”

A formidable dry harvest and olfactory sophistication

Weighing the dried yield revealed that with a combined 195 grams, Liberty Haze had only narrowly scraped past the 100g per plant mark – “a formidable achievement, either way”, said The Doc, laudingly. “And the look of the dried flowers undoubtfully falls into the “picture book” category, these true showpieces I’d unhesitatingly enter into any contest.” That sweetish lemon scent now aired a bit of earthiness and brought a tinge of black pepper to the Doc’s nose – some serious olfactory sophistication!

The smoke test: Liberty Haze initiates a mental rocket launch

When he test-smoked the buds for the first time, with about 0.75 grams and a bit of tobacco wrapped into an elegant spliff, Liberty Haze just as described ignited a kick-

start effect, after two hits, a burst of prickling sativa energy washed over The Doc and gave him an euphoric lift, “one, two, three, whee! This effect knew only one direction: steeply upwards! My neck was the launching base and my head the rocket, and it took off with a big bang, emitting a huge column of smoke – through my mouth! I couldn’t sit still a second longer and driven by a strong zest for action started to finally fold a big pile of washed clothes and put it into the wardrobe. And this even with a cheerful whistle on my lips, that sort of actually most disliked housework suddenly was fun all the way! After that I spontaneously decided to type a long-postponed important private email and had a great writing flow in doing so, with ease I breezed through some difficult wordings that normally keep me busy for longer.

Some more tokes off that Liberty Haze spliff made sure this buoyant zing didn’t abate, and so I continued to finish other undone housework off. After about an hour I eventually got tired of that though and began to unwind, also because that freshness kick had melted down and given way to a clear-headed calmness, so I lay down on the couch and put my feet up, with a cozy indica trail to follow which went along with a feeling of deep satisfaction with all the things previously accomplished.” Also, Liberty Haze turned out to be as much tasty as it was pleasantly potent, with a sourly lemon zest refreshing The Doc’s taste buds, an initial sweetness pampering his palate and a prolonged earthy piney aftertaste lingering in his mouth.

“Another champion strain from Barney’s Farm that impressively delivered across the board”, The Doc summed up his experience. “And a strain that, for a change, isn’t based on so-called trend genetics but legendary old-school building blocks – which is something I’m always happily up for”, the grow veteran said with a smile.

Cultivation data:

Genetics Liberty Haze (G13 x ChemDawg 91)

Vegetative stage three weeks (after germination)

Flowering stage 62 days / 60-65 days in general

Medium Plagron Grow Mix soil, 11 litre pots

pH 6.2-6.6

EC 1.2–1.8 mS

Light up to 8 x SANlight Q6W = 1720 watts

Temperature 19-28°C

Air humidity 40-60%

Watering by hand

Fertilisation Organic Bloom Liquid from Green Buzz Liquids

Additives/stimulants Living Organics, More Roots, Humin Säure Plus, Big Fruits, Fast Buds and Clean Fruits from Green Buzz Liquids

Tools Plagron Grow Mix soil, 11 litre pots

Height 95 + 110 cm

Yield together, 195 g

By Stoney Tark

GROWING IN THAILAND

On June 9th 2022, Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalize Cannabis. Now there is a thriving and healthy scene which showcases street vendors, social clubs, smoking clubs with many European brands already getting their foot in the door. The way that Thailand has adapted to the legalization has been very impressive and welcoming, encouraging serious investment, and many have already travelled out to see what the hype is all about. In this article, we break down what you need to know when planting outdoors in Thailand, and what to do to get the best crop possible.

require between 12-15 weeks to fully mature in some cases.

Hazes and sativa strains that are often found growing wild in countries such as Mexico, Columbia, Thailand and Asia are genetically wired to grow in warm, high humidity environments with little air flow around the buds during bloom. If you are thinking of spending a year or two in Thailand, then working with these sativa dominant landrace or hybrids will be your best option.

• Thai landrace hybrids will work best as they are genetically equipped.

• Columbian, Mexican and Hawaiian strains will be good candidates.

The different seasons

When we think of Thailand we think of a warm tropical paradise with sand, sea and fresh food. In order for the best times to grow, it is important to know about the three seasons. These are the wet season which occurs from July to October, the cool season which occurs from November to February and the hot season which is March to June.

The rainy season / monsoon season

The rainy season or monsoon season is basically heavy rainfall and abundant amounts of rain.

During July to October, the temperatures will be between 25-30 degrees Celsius, with an average temperature of 29 degrees Celsius.

During this time, rainfall can last several hours or be a constant downpour with high humidity levels.

The cool season

This takes place between November to February, where temperatures will dip below 27 degrees and on average 16 degrees Celsius. In mountainous

regions, the temperatures are expected to be even higher.

The air during the cool season is much drier compared to the rainy season and offers comfortable sleeping conditions and the most optimum for growing outdoors.

The Summer season

The most attractive time for some tourists and when the weather can become hot with soaring temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius, with a night-time temperature of 28-30 degrees Celsius. During this season, the days are long, hot, very humid with very little breeze or cool air.

It is this time of year that the Southwest monsoon brings warm moist air from the Indian Ocean and especially over the mountain regions of Thailand.

Which strains work best outdoors in Thailand?

During the early days when growers would cross different landrace varieties together, Thai strains were traditionally in the mix and are responsible for making such well-known strains as DJ Shorts Blueberry. Thai landrace strains are long flowering sativa plants that can

• Sativas will produce airy, fluffy buds that are less susceptible to pathogens.

• Plants grown outdoors need to be genetically resilient to mold and heat stress.

• Skunk hybrids leaning more on the sativa side can perform well also.

What about fast flowering indicas?

It may sound good on paper but the reality is that due to the little amount of air flow and consistent breeze when growing outdoors in Thailand, dense and thick buds will suffer from mold and powdery mildew.

Indica Cannabis plants are normally found growing wild in places such as India, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan where the climates can be colder and harsher.

Unfortunately, you may find out the hard way that indica Cannabis plants are not the best option for hot and humid Thai weather.

• Indica Cannabis plants will mold unless grown in a controlled greenhouse. Little air flow can cause Cannabis buds to mold from

the inside outwards.

• Indica Cannabis plants prefer a low humidity level and lots of fresh air.

What about auto flowering plants?

Autos are much more practical to work with especially over the different seasons. The best time to plant autos outdoors will be during the November to February. During this time, the temperature will range between 16 degrees to 28 degrees with clear skies and plenty of sunshine.

This is often the peak time for tourists and the also the best time to grow Cannabis especially autos that are resilient enough to handle the climate. It is better to use auto flowering plants that have been crossed with sativas and hazes rather than indica dominant or indica dominant hybrids.

• Planting a large volume of autos outdoors can be very rewarding. Sativa dominant autos are the best candidates for growing outdoors in Thailand.

• Autos can be grown at any time of the year, however November to February is best.

Conclusion

Most smokers will prefer an indica regardless of if you are a tourist going on a smoking friendly trip, or a grower living in Thailand.

Fine tuning your indoor environment can be the best solution to the indica problem. Breeding outdoors is also the most beneficial way of creating seeds and progeny that are genetically better adapted to the tropical climate found in this beautiful part of the world.

The future certainly looks bright for the Thai people with more brands touching down every month…so good luck growing outdoors in Thailand!

By Rich Hamilton

GREEN GELATO

STRAIN

Green Gelato has successfully captured the best of the US scene, wearing its heritage proudly. The specific lineage of gelato fruity sweet flavours paired with the juggernaut offshoot of GSC is the perfect mix for the perfect hit.

Green Gelato is no joke, coming in at over 25% THC. So it is of little surprise that she has received industry recognition and consumer winning the Soft Secrets "Best New European Strain for 2019".

GENETICS

Another top-quality strain from Royal Queen Seeds, Green Gelato is a mix of two classic US heritage strains. Green Gelato's ancestry is based in California, where the cannabis scene is very active, with new quality hybrids being created regularly. Mint Cookies and Sunset Sherbet have been combined to make the most decadent, luscious dessert cannabis strain. The Thin Mint phenotype of Girl Scout Cookies is arguably the tastiest of the family. By blending the sweet, minty biscuit flavour with the punchy orange zesty twist delivered by Sunset Sherbet, the deliciously dank Green Gelato is concocted from a combo of fruity confection.

GROW INFO

Green Gelato is a slightly Indicadominant hybrid (55%/45%) that responds well to pruning and training. Plants grow medium-tall with a very high flower-to-leaf ratio. Topping, trimming, LST, mainlining, and the SCROG method are recommended for max yield. Cooler nighttime temperatures late in bloom will encourage the maturation of purple colours in the nugs. Green Gelato will be harvest-ready after 8–9 weeks of standard 12-12.

FLOWER

Purple hues enhance the dense, orangehaired buds' aesthetics. Growers love Green Gelato for its lush, fragrant flowers. They may be diminutive, but they come entirely caked in resin, making them great for concentrates. Flowers form in tight, small to medium-sized clusters instead of long-running colas. Novice growers can easily cultivate green Gelato; however, a little experience in

trimming and topping will get you a long way in aiding Green Gelato to make the most of her looks.

ODOUR

Green Gelato's terpene profile is creamy, combining notes of orange on a sweet Cookies background that will captivate you. Earthy, sweet, creamy, nutty and minty notes all influence the scent and flavour of Green Gelato. Expect a surprising layer of spicy tropical citrus on the exhale. With a bold yet seductive smell of Kush, baked desserts, and forest fruits, this dream combo will bring most stoners to the verge of sensory overload. That's before you've even experienced the effects.

CONSUMED

Smoked in none Tabaco blunt wraps throughout an evening in the garden with close friends. I love this weed, White Jesus has grown something special here. Genetics from Royal Queen Seeds.

TASTE

The nostalgic cookie flavour mixed almost intangibly with minty citrus undertones draws users to the strain even though its nuances are difficult to describe.

A potent taste of mint cookies and orange sherbet, two distinct, prominent flavours, hit the tip of your tongue first. But Green Gelato also pops with other flavours. Such flavours hit deeper on your palette as you smoke, coming primarily from the strain's ancestry, which includes a lot of dank kush.

STONE

The mind is charged with a pulse of energy and creativity. And your mood is unbelievably positive too, but the body plays jellyfish. Those who use Green Gelato want to be lifted and put down, away from the troubles of their stressful days. As you smoke, you'll drift into pure relaxation, pure physical softening.

Those suffering from chronic pain conditions, especially those that result in muscle spasms, cramps, or fatigue, will love Green Gelato. She'll carry you away from your pain while reducing mood swings and treating insomnia, lulling you gently to sleep.

GROW WITH STONEY TARK

By Stoney Tark

GROWING CANNABIS OUTDOORS IN EUROPE

Growing Cannabis outdoors in Europe can be like day and night, with such different climates that can be experienced. For those who live in the North / North West of Europe, will need to adapt to the challenging, wet, humid and harsh weather and shorter seasons. Whilst those in the South have much more flexibility, however, they need to be just as well-prepared for the brutal heat and dry conditions experienced there. In this article, we explain what you need to consider when growing Cannabis outdoors this year, and how to avoid the most common problems faced by outdoor growers.

can always try old school strains such as Northern Lights, Skunk, Afghan and any old hybrids as these will often produce great results in the worst of conditions.

Fast flowering autos: When growing auto flowering Cannabis plants, you will have a big advantage of growing during the peak Summer months and into the end of August / September. Autos do not need to wait for the seasons to shift to flower, meaning they can be grown outdoors over June, July and August and can produce incredible results.

Greenhouses / Poly tunnels: An excellent way to protect your Cannabis plants against the wind, rain and unpredictable grey skies. Greenhouses with the aid of a heater can produce the ideal environment for your plants to grow without worrying about cold roots and stunted growth due to the cold. They can also raise the temperature and keep humidity levels high during the vegetative stage.

Growing in Southern Europe

Southern Europe offers a much hotter, dry and consistent climate with long seasons. The countries found in this part of Europe are Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal and Spain. Typically associated with holidays in the sun, tropical fruits and heat waves, growing in this part of Europe can be tricky, so below is a list of what to consider beforehand.

Growing in Northern Europe

Northern Europe refers to Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, and Western Europe refers to Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. It is fair to say these countries are not well known for hot weather and all endure short seasons with rain, high humidity and cold temperatures.

Here is a list of what you should consider if living in the above countries.

Short flowering strains: There is nothing worse than watching a large sized plant unable to fully mature due to the lack of sunshine and short seasons. Working with fast flowering strains that will be ready to harvest within 50–56 days will be your best bet at securing a solid harvest. Short flowering strains will also lower the risk of mold.

Resilient Plants: It is very important to start with resilient and tough genetics that will adapt well to the inconsistent weather. If you are new to growing, you

Heat-resistant strains: One thing you must be prepared for when growing Cannabis outdoors in Southern Europe, is that temperature can get hot and stay that way for a long time. Sometimes rainfall comes once or twice a year and, in some cases, record-breaking heat waves can take their toll on the land. Working with heat-resistant strains will give you the advantage.

Shading nets: One easy and cheap way to combat heat stress is to build shading net frames and to cover the plants during the hottest parts of the day. It is much more beneficial for the plants

to receive shade during 12-4pm, and in the long run they will thank you for it. Sometimes direct sun can be stressful and even burn and dry plants out.

Watering times: Due to the constant pressure on the plants from the dry air and relentless heat, watering your Cannabis plants at the right time can make a big difference on how they perform and the amount of water you are using. It is better to water your plants at sun rise and then again at sun set. Avoid watering during the hottest parts of the day and wait for it to go cool.

All types of autos: When you live in a hot part of Europe and are growing autos, you are able to really see how advantageous these plants are. Autos can be grown almost yearlong in many of the countries listed, and can allow you to never be short of flowers. We recommend planting auto flowering as well as photoperiod plants if you have the luxury to do so.

Raising pots: If you are growing with traditional plastic pots or have opted for the more expensive root pruning felt pots, then raising your pots off the floor when growing outdoors is essential. Many of the tiled terraces can absorb heat and become too hot to walk on, so finding a way to raise your pots a few inches off the ground will stop the roots from getting too hot.

Conclusion

One of the most important things which will make or break your outdoor crop this year will be genetics.

Never underestimate how important starting with the right genetics can be, and learning which ones work best for you can be a learning curve. Always prepare in advance when growing outdoors and be prepared to make the effort with shading nets, greenhouses, poly tunnels, heaters and so on.

Good luck with your outdoor crop this year!

THE INTERNATIONAL CANNABIS BUSINESS CONFERENCE IS OCCURRING AT A PIVOTAL TIME IN GERMANY

Germany is already home to Europe’s largest legal medical cannabis market, and if members of the current governing coalition have their way, Germany will also soon become home to the largest legal adult-use cannabis market on the entire planet.

The nation’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach is currently lobbying the European Union to gain its approval for adult-use legalization to proceed in Germany. Minister Lauterbach informally presented a tentative plan back in October 2022 and has since pursued his lobbying effort at the EU-level. Minister Lauterbach recently made comments that he has received “very good feedback” from the EU and plans to formally introduce a measure soon.

Adult-use legalization is no longer a question of ‘if’ in Germany; it’s a question of when? Unless the United States, Japan, or China passes a national adult-use measure prior to Germany doing so, which seems very unlikely, then Germany will instantly become home to the largest legal adult-use market on earth once it legalizes. The economic benefits for Germany that will result will be enormous.

The benefits of legalization in Germany will extent well beyond the nation’s borders. Germany shares more borders with other nations than any other country in Europe –Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland. The chances for legalization in every one of those countries will instantly improve once Germany legalizes.

Even reform efforts in other countries on other continents will receive a boost due to the size and influence of Germany’s economy. Germany is an international economic and political powerhouse, and it’s quite likely that other countries will see legalization working within Germany’s borders and be inspired to follow suit. The potential

butterfly effect of German legalization cannot be overstated.

It’s a very exciting time in Germany for all things cannabis, and that is why the International Cannabis Business Conference is so timely.

International cannabis leaders from all backgrounds, including policymakers, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry service providers, will descend on Berlin in late June for the International Cannabis Business Conference’s flagship B2B event on June 29-30, 2023. In addition to the B2B event, which is the largest of its type in Europe, the International Cannabis Business Conference will also hold a Global Investment Forum in Berlin on June 27th.

The International Cannabis Business Conference is the leading cannabis B2B event series on the planet, with previous conferences occurring in several countries on multiple continents. The event series is owned

and operated by cannabis advocates that believe in celebrating cannabis culture, in addition to providing worldclass cannabis industry education and networking opportunities.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to gain an edge on the competition in the emerging international cannabis industry, and it’s vital for people to get their idea, product, or service in front of the right people at the right time. With executives, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and industry service providers converging from across the planet, the B2B trade show event in Berlin is the perfect place to put cannabis ideas on the global cannabis stage. A full list of speakers will be announced soon.

The B2B conference will be held at the Estrel Berlin Hotel. The event’s full schedule and curriculum will be announced soon. If you want to network with the best in the cannabis

space, the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin is a must-attend.

The Global Investment Forum in Berlin will feature hand-picked cannabis companies participating in a pitch session in front of top investors on the main stage. It is a tremendous opportunity for cannabis companies in the emerging cannabis industry to showcase their products/services in front of seasoned industry investors. The pitch session is also open to service providers looking for reliable and high-end clients.

Over 5,000 cannabis leaders from over 80 countries will be represented at the International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin. Attend the event to network with global cannabis industry leaders and take your industry pursuits to the next level. Secure your tickets now before the event is sold out!

Strawberry Banana Growing Test

This small-sized, stout Advanced Seeds plant has an indica growing habit and bears top quality highly compact buds with out-of-the-ordinary trichomes. It is also resistant to powdery mildew and attacks by insects such as thrips and red spider mites, among others.

This strain comes from a cross between Grandaddy Purple and Durban Poison, two plants that are widely used as parents when creating new genetics. It has good organoleptic properties and high THC and CBG content, i.e., between 21% and 25% for THC and above 1.5% for CBG, which together produce a very fast and powerful effect. This Strawberry Banana is ready for harvest in 55-65 days indoors and in mid-September outdoors.

Due to its Grandaddy Purple parental branch, the growth of this strain requires a great amount of micro and macronutrients. The fertilisation process is therefore much more demanding than in other strains. This proves to be an advantage as it helps keep the plant’s natural growing cycles unchanged with

no interruptions in the transmission and catalysis of elements within the plant. The flowers growing on Advanced Seeds’ Strawberry Banana are very special, due to its fruity and earthy tones, and are not very large compared to other genetics, which does not mean that it is a mediocre plant. Quite the reverse, these small flowers are loaded with a thin layer of very sticky and narcotic resin, perfect for solventless extract production.

The plant produces a very fast and intense cerebral high due to its Indica predominance and the synergic effect created by the large amount of THC and CBG it contains. For this reason, it helps alleviate various conditions, such as hyperactivity, stress, anxiety or insomnia, and provides physical relaxation

Strawberry Banana (second week of growth)

Strawberry Banana (fourth week of flowering).

while reducing brain stress caused by the daily routine of work.

GERMINATION

At first glance, the seeds of Strawberry Banana are very homogeneous in appearance, with a distinct round shape and a dark colour. In our growing test, we germinated 5 seeds out of the 10 that we found in the packet, as we always keep a reserve of seeds to make up for those that do not germinate or do not grow as they should for one reason or another.

Germination was done in an airtight environment, free of spores and pathogens that could interfere with the normal germination cycle of the plant. After 24 hours, we could see the opening of the perianth and, after the following 24 hours, we could see how the radicle appeared in search of light with great strength and growing at an amazing pace hour after hour. It was time to plant them in 7-litre pots. After 72 hours, seedlings made their way through the substrate, which in this case was a mixture of earthworm compost, coco, black peat and blond peat to ensure good drainage and oxygenation.

GROWTH

In the first week of watering, every three days, plants were given a solution of root stimulant dissolved in osmosis water in a proportion of 150 to 250 ml per pot.

We also used a 315W LEC lamp. We left more than 1m distance between the lamp and the substrate to avoid stressing the plants and allow them to grow normally and vigorously. After the first week of life, the cotyledons were about

4 centimetres long, due to their constant search for light, which is vital for the plant’s development. As for fertilisation, the initially used rooting agent was then replaced with an organic-based easierto-assimilate growth fertiliser as well as with the macro and microelements required for the plant’s development, while increasing the dose of water and fertiliser to 300 ml and lowering the lamp distance to about 75 cm in order to favour the development of leaves and strengthen the root system.

The third and fourth weeks of growth were very decisive and we had to change the light cycle from 18 hours to 12 hours of light. We also transplanted the plants to 11-litre pots and increased the fertiliser and water dose to 0.5 litres per pot. To finish the growth cycle, we left the lamps at 50cm from the plant so as to provide an intense and vigorous beam of light.

FLOWERING

After a couple of weeks of adaptation to the 12h light cycle for flowering, the signs of pre-flowering were already visible and we also noticed a profusion of very marked pistils. At the start of the third week of flowering, the first flowers appeared from the meristems together with a special, distinctive smell. In addition, in the middle of flowering, a very large amount of trichomes appeared; they were very white and shiny, despite being quite thin.

In the last two weeks of flowering, we washed the roots many times. This process is essential to get rid of salt crystals or accumulations of fertiliser and various

compounds that may remain in the substrate. When this was done, results were quite visible on the plant, as it helped cool down the temperature and, consequently, harden the flowers to give them the desired weight and density. In this last phase, we could see very large, compact and long flowers, with an extremely light green hue and very blond pistils. At the same time, the aroma had changed completely into hints of ripe banana, pepper, wet earth, cinnamon, cream…

HARVEST

This plant is ready to be harvested in nine weeks. In our case, flowers were very dense and full of trichomes as a result of our adding cold water during the last stages of the plant growth. During the first phase of drying the buds, we used a plastic mesh, where we hanged our flowers in an upright position. After two weeks hanging on the net, slight discolouration and reduction in their size was seen due to the evaporation of the water. Finally, once the flowers had reached an optimum point of drying, we put them in 500g jars with a hermetic seal for the buds to develop and retain all their organoleptic properties together with all their nuances of ripe banana, vanilla, pepper and sandalwood, among others.

Strawberry Banana (dried and cured flower).

Growing Dark Devil Auto® in Spring: Pure Colour and Flavour

of outdoor spring cultivation, without artificial light, is that some strains take longer to mature than others, or are particularly sensitive to light.

When photodependent strains are grown in tropical climates, it can be generally seen that at the end of May plants do not seem to be ready, as they do not mature quickly.

The reason for this probably is that the excess of hours of light causes plants to return to the vegetative stage. Outdoors, this only happens in spring, and one way to be able

ensure the continuity of the flowering cycle regardless of the hours of light.

For this reason, we decided to sow some Dark Devil Auto ® seeds for our spring crop exactly on the 23rd of February.

We used 18-litre fabric pots and sowed directly into the soil, without separate germination. We started with an approximate temperature of 18/20° C.

The seeds took their time to germinate, more than a week. When they sprouted, they started to grow

A red, exotic plant

This Sweet Seeds ® Red Family strain derives from selected genetics of disease-resistant plants and, in particular, a high-yielding line of Big Devil Auto ®. On the mother’s side, Dark Devil Auto ® derives from ancestors from the Kush area of Pakistan and from Afghanistan and develops purple hues.

Given its autoflowering origin, the plant starts flowering soon. It was reported that approximately 95% of individuals of this strain have a

purple appearance. In our crop, 100% developed purple hues on their leaves and buds.

Our spring crop

Our crop of Dark Devil Auto ® was grown in spring in a subtropical climate zone. Normally, spring cultivation starts in February in this type of climate. When this is done, very good results can be obtained, despite the reduced daylight hours, as the temperature is still quite favourable in general. One of the risks

to sow in February (even late in the month), and be sure that the plant will not re-veg when the hours of light increase later in the season, is by sowing autoflowering strains, as they

very quickly, despite only 11.5 hours of light. The hours of light gradually increased to 13 hours and 45 minutes at the end of May, which is when we harvested them.

Abundant foliage at the top of the plant at the beginning of the flowering stage.

The beautiful central bud of the red phenotype at mid-flowering stage.

A vigorous and surprising growth

This strain stood out for its vigorous growth and its strong, thick stem compared to other auto strains we planted at the same time. Indeed, our Dark Devil Auto ® specimens were the tallest in our greenhouse, growing over a metre tall, which was truly amazing for an auto plant exposed to only a few hours of light initially.

They continued to grow, albeit at a slower rate, even after the start of flowering.

Dark Devil Auto ® showed good foliage development in its growth phase and a fairly normal internodal distance, neither too stretched nor too tight. At the end of growth, foliage was particularly thick at the top, probably due to the increased hours of light.

The nutrients we used were Advanced Nutrients’ Ph Perfect, Sensi Grow and Sensi Bloom (A and B), along with other Advanced Nutrients’ supplements such as Rhino Skin, B52, Sensi Calmag and Bud Candy.

However, we used all of these in very small proportions. For the soil, we used Plagron Light Mix.

Flowering with two phenotypes

At the beginning of the flowering stage, shortly after one month, we could see that two different phenotypes were developing. One of them had bright green leaves and dark red buds. The other developed dark green and purple leaves and slightly more greenish buds with lilac hues. It was great to see them grow.

In early May, we had a heat wave, the temperature went up to 30° Celsius, which the plants loved and grew fat quickly. The rest of the growing period the temperature remained stable, rising from February to May, on average, to 18° C at night and 22 to 25° C during the day.

Humidity was higher at the beginning, 73%, and then decreased slightly to 60%. In April, we had haze caused by

suspended dust from the Sahara, which choked the leaves a bit, so we had to spray them with water a couple of times to clean them.

During the flowering stage, their sweet citrus aroma was intense and delicious. The central bud was a dense, resinous show. Side branches were short but strong and also had good buds. The final yield was exactly as stated in the official description, i.e., approximately 50g per plant, which was a good surprise, considering we did not use artificial light at any time.

A delicious candy

After drying and curing, the plants’ aroma became really more intense, sweet, citrusy and fruity in general, with a note of sourness. Our vaping experienced was fruity and sweet, the kind you want to swish your mouth and nose with so as to enjoy it to the fullest. The effect was balanced, slightly relaxing and quite psychoactive, due to its high THC content (up to 20%). It was definitely a sativa experience, with a certain

indica heaviness that gradually manifested itself after a few minutes.

Definitely a recommendable variety to plant in all kinds of spaces, resistant to diseases, with a good yield for an auto, and very easy to grow if you are a beginner. Since it needs a little amount of nutrients, it is important to be careful with watering and avoid excesses.

You will enjoy its amazing red flowers, loaded with resin and happiness. Dark Devil Auto® will give you great satisfaction from start to finish, watching it develop its beautiful colours and delicious aromas.

The green phenotype with lilac tones.

By Stoney Tark

TOPPING CANNABIS PLANTS AND THE BENEFITS ASSOCIATED

Cannabis plants are apical dominance, which means they will always grow one main crown shoot with shorter side branches. If you are working with a short indica or long and lanky sativa, unless you are able to disrupt the growth hormone responsible for apical dominance, controlling the height of your plants can be quite challenging. In this article we explain about topping, the benefits associated, which strains work best, our top tips and more.

recommend as a beginner grower, to wait until the third week, however many growers have successfully removed the crown shoot after the second set of leaves show.

You should really perform all training such as topping, super cropping and pruning when the lights are on 18/6. The easiest way to top plants is to use a small and sharp pair of scissors or a scalpel. Make sure that when you cut across, you get a clean cut and remove 100% of the foliage. The part that was cut will heal and within 3–5 days will become hard.

Top Tips for topping Cannabis plants

Topping sounds simple and should be easy to do, and some growers can even do it with their fingers, however there are still mistakes that can be made. Below is a list of tips to consider before getting hands on with your indoor crop, to make sure you do it perfectly and make no mistakes!

1. Use a clean pair of scissors

What does topping mean?

Topping refers to removing the head of the crown shoot so that the smaller auxiliary shoots on either side can now grow together as a pair. As the growth hormone auxin is temporarily stopped, the rest of the plant begins to grow in a bushy fashion, allowing the side branches and lower foliage to grow upwards.

Short and bushy plants

As a result of topping just once during the vegetative stage, the structure of the plants will begin to resemble a bushy Christmas tree, allowing more side branches to be tied down, or further topping to occur. One of the main benefits of topping Cannabis plants is that the final height of the plants, after the stretch, will be significantly lower than without topping.

Growers who are working with sativa dominant hybrids may find some plants can become excessively tall and even overwhelm a beginner. Topping tall sativa plants is an excellent way to reduce the final height, and using a screen can also help massively.

Which strains work best for topping?

he main advantage to topping is height reduction and in some cases an increase in yield. Those who are heavy into plant training and provide between 6–12 weeks of vegetative time combined with various other training techniques such as super cropping, L.S.T and pruning may be limited to plant count or simply space.

• Hybrids can be the best strains for topping, and will grow back the best.

• Some indicas when topped can become too bushy and actually block light.

• Sativas are great plants for topping, however should be several times.

• Plants can be topped up to 6–10 times over a long vegetative period.

When can I top my Cannabis plants?

It is best to wait until the plants are old and tough enough to be able to take a topping without inducing too much stress. We

It is essential that when you make the cut across the top, that you use a pair of clean and sharp scissors. Ideally, the scissors should be washed in alcohol beforehand and thoroughly cleaned. Our top tip here is to avoid using dirty scissors that have been used for trimming or are no longer sharp.

2. Wait until week 3-4 before topping

As a beginner grower, we recommend that

you wait until the plants are on the third or fourth week of growth before you top them. The reason is that the plants need to be tough enough to carry on growing and as a beginner, our top tip here is to wait until the end of week 3, as this can be a good rule of thumb.

3. Perform many times

You can perform topping on the same Cannabis plant numerous times, and you will ultimately end up with a very bushy plant, capable of high yields. Our top tip here is to perform this simple technique many times on the top shoots and side branches if you are reduced to a small plant count, however want large yielding bushy plants.

4. Combine with other training

One of the main reasons growers like to spend time topping is to get as many buds as possible come flowering time. Our top tip here is to add other training techniques such as heavy pruning and removing the lower foliage and growth, snapping the stems to make them grow stronger and tying down to allow more light to enter the canopy and improve air flow.

5. Top during 18/6 only

If you are going to top your indoor plants, then we always suggest doing so when the plants are in the vegetative stage. Avoid topping once the plants have started flowering, and our top tip here is to simply tie down the plants if they are too tall. Topping once the timers have changed can be stressful and can even stunt the plant in some cases.

A plant that has been topped several times.

Notice how there are many flowering sites on this plant.

By Rich Hamilton, Images by Peter Warren

IT'S NOT CANNABIS, BUT IT'S GOT CANNABINOIDS!

A plant unrelated to cannabis has been discovered to create large numbers of cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are the compounds responsible for the diverse range of effects cannabis has on our health. However, the plant also appears to produce dozens of unidentified cannabinoids, which may hold other unexplored medical properties.

The human body naturally contains many receptors, which cannabinoids found in cannabis bind to and induce various effects within the body. Cannabinoids are already used in generic medicine to treat many ailments, including pain, nausea and some forms of epilepsy.

The plant, known as "Woolly Umbrella", has a striking aesthetic of velvety, mustard-yellow flowers displayed in an umbrella-like canopy. The plant is of South African origin and belongs to a completely different family of plants from cannabis. With relatives, including sunflowers, daisies, and lettuce. "Helichrysum umbraculigerum", to use its formal classification moniker, has a distinctive curry-like smell. Historical sources indicate that it was used as an intoxicant in folk rituals hundreds of years ago, suggesting that it may contain chemicals that affect the brain.

A study completed decades ago stated that the plant may indeed contain cannabinoids. However, until now, researchers have never been able to pinpoint the structure of these compounds. After sequencing the plant's genome and analysing its chemical components, researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science have identified over 40 cannabinoids within the plant leaves.

As a result, researchers have referred to the plant as "a perennial, fast-growing, commercially viable plant source for bioactive cannabinoids."

However, the downside to this new information is that the compounds found in the Woolly Umbrella plant would have to be extracted through intensive cultivation techniques, which

would come at a high economic and environmental cost.

Whilst the plant doesn't appear to produce THC or CBD, it does create large amounts of CBG. This is a cannabinoid that has shown great potential as a possible remedy for symptoms of neurological disorders, colon cancer, and other medical conditions. For many patients, the psychoactive effects of THC are unwanted, which means that currently, the medically appropriate cannabinoids must be sequestered from cannabis extracts.

This makes the fact that the woolly umbrella doesn't produce THC a good thing, as it could allow for more uncomplicated access to CBG and other non-psychoactive cannabinoids.

The acid form of CBG is present in a moderately high concentration in the Woolly Umbrella. CBG is an essential precursor for creating all the known cannabis cannabinoids. This fact reinforces the concept that the woolly umbrella plant could evolve to be a precious source of plant-based medicinal cannabinoids.

"We have found a major new source of cannabinoids and developed tools for

their sustained production, which can help explore their enormous therapeutic potential" -study author Dr Paula Berman.

to define the effects of over 30 unique cannabinoids that have been discovered in the plant to see what medicinal uses they might have.

Scientists still don't fully comprehend why plants produce cannabinoids. However, evidence indicates they may help discourage predators and have other protective properties, such as acting as a natural sunblock and protecting plants from damaging UV rays.

"The fact that in the course of evolution, two genetically unrelated plants independently developed the ability to make cannabinoids suggests that these compounds perform important ecological functions.

However, more research is needed to determine these functions."- study author Professor Asaph Aharoni.

The study's findings may signal an exciting future where cannabinoids that don't exist in nature can be engineered.

Six cannabinoids pinpointed in Woolly Umbrella are also found in cannabis, whilst the rest are entirely new. The next logical step would, of course, be

developed to bind more effectively to the receptors in our bodies to achieve more specific therapeutic benefits.

Cannabinoids

that could be

BUILDING A PROFESSIONAL GROW ROOM AT HOME

There has been a lot of discussion recently about possible forms of cannabis regulation in a number of European countries. While there is no clear consensus on the existence of regulated market with licensed shops and cannabis social clubs, homegrowing seems to be acceptable for all stakeholders involved in legislation process. Yet, there are voices that domestic growers are not able to grow and harvest cannabis of sufficient quality with minimal environmental impact. Do you want to know how to build a highly professional grow-op on a small scale? Then read this article.

I must say I find the discussions about whether home growers are able to produce good quality cannabis quite funny. Yes, I've met some greenhorns with tragically failed harvests, no doubt about that, but I've witnessed similar failures in large, licensed grow-ops, too. Still, on the other hand, I have seen a greater number of beautiful and top quality buds grown by small as well as large commercial growers. I firmly believe that home growers are true cannabis connoisseurs, and I certainly don't think they automatically fall short in quality, especially the ones with some experience.

At the same time, I have to acknowledge that home growing has its limits and that a correctly and professionally designed and built commercial grow-op has more chances to produce cannabis efficiently. It is also better positioned to guarantee the safety of final product, i.e., that it does not contain mould spores or prohibited levels of harmful substances that can build up in cannabis plants if they are fertilized too much or when the grower does not know how to work with chosen growing medium.

Still, if you want to have a top-quality growing room at home, you can. It may be a little more expensive, but the harvests will be worth every penny. And what is more, it will be making you happy for many years.

THE BRAIN OF YOUR GROW ROOM

The majority of home growers use some sort of automation to make the growing easier. Most of the time, however, they just buy timer for switching the lights on and off and maybe some other timer to control irrigation and ventilation. The use of fans with thermostats and hygrostats to help achieve optimal climatic conditions is also very popular. There is a catch however – these systems usually operate separately.

Try to install more thermometers in your grow room. I bet they would show different readings. And it's the same story with hygrometers. The differences aren't mind blowing, but if you for instance operate an automatic humidifier set at 60% relative humidity and also a ventilator with hygrostat to make sure the humidity doesn't exceed 65%, you can easily end up with the two tools working against each other. The fan lowers the humidity based on the information from a different sensor than the humidifier, whose task is to increase the humidity. In the end, both gadgets are unnecessarily turned on at the same time.

You can choose from plenty of devices on the market that can control several devices at once. One relatively cheap control device with an incredibly wide range of options is the Smart Grow Controller (SGC). It's basically a computer with a simple interface where you can set up everything you need to control in the grow room, including CO2 levels. The price of the basic model with temperature and relative humidity sensors is around €500. You can also add the aforementioned CO2 sensor and perhaps a set of additional temperature and humidity sensors to see how the temperatures vary in different parts of your grow room. I've been working with SGC for a couple of years now. Sometimes it has connectivity issues with Wi-Fi, but otherwise I cannot complain about it.

If you are looking for something even cheaper, there are only the switchboards left for you, which always lack a little something. With the SGC, each output can be programmed individually, so you can easily plug in and program any device you want to add to your grow room. There are more and more systems available on the market to control and manage your growing equipment. I personally prefer to be able to check the status and operation of my grow room remotely, and I also require the system to be able to export the recorded values. If you want to be in full control of your grow-op, you definitely need such a helper.

CARBON DIOXIDE

Nowadays, the CO2 concentration in the air is around 450 ppm. However,

plants are able to make use of much higher concentrations. During my years of growing, I came to a conclusion that it is useful to keep the concentration levels between 800–1200 ppm. These levels have been proven to stimulate photosynthesis. But be careful, this works only if the plants are provided enough of the other elements necessary for photosynthesis. These are nutrients, water, light, oxygen and optimal temperature and humidity.

The impact of carbon dioxide is underestimated and neglected by many small-scale growers. One of the reasons is relatively higher price of the dosing system. CO2 itself is not very expensive anymore, but it is true that a pressure reducing valve, a pressure tank, a solenoid valve and a carbon dioxide sensor with switching could easily cost you between €600–800. In a small grow

A Smart Grow Controller could be the brain your grow room needs.

room, you probably won't recoup your investment in the first harvest, but in the long run I definitely recommend it. If you want to be a highly efficient grower, don’t hesitate.

HEATING, COOLING, HUMIDIFICATION AND DEHUMIDIFICATION

A huge contrast between most home growers and professional operations is in the area of climate control. Growing cannabis under artificial lighting is pain in the butt in this regard, if you pardon my French. While right from the start, when we need higher humidity, the plants are too small to transpire the necessary amount of water into the air. And, in the advanced flowering phase, when we need to reduce the humidity, they release litres of water into their surroundings each and every day. The optimal ratio of relative humidity and temperature is extremely important because it impacts the health of your plants and how fast they develop. Humidifying the air in the growth stage is thus just as necessary as dehumidifying it during ripening.

If you want to achieve the conditions of professional growers, you need to buy a high-quality and, most importantly, powerful dehumidifier. Dehumidifying with an ordinary fan is never good enough, and while you are at it, you are also cooling the grow room at the same time. Once the air temperature is reduced, air is not able to hold as much water and the relative humidity increases. Dehumidifying with a fan alone is often simply tilting at windmills. What is more, you need to bear in mind that in this case the relative humidity will drop only to a certain value that is in the space from where the new air flows inside the grow room. When growing in grow tents, people tend to run into one

major problem. It is simply to possible to fit a humidifier, dehumidifier, heater and air conditioner in. This can be partially solved by adjusting the air in the room from where you draw air into the grow room to the desired level. Then you will actually suffice with the exhaust fan turned on in the tent. The disadvantage of this solution is that you need to have everything adjusted for the space where the grow tent is located (not for the tent itself). Let’s say you have a grow tent with an air volume of two cubic meters that is in a 25 cubic meter room – then your air conditioner, heater, dehumidifier and humidifier should all be setup for that 25 cubic meter room.

EFFICIENCY AND ECOLOGY

The rumour has it that growing in large grow rooms is more efficient and more environmentally friendly than on a small scale. I do not know if there is truth in it, because in this case it is not possible to simply compare the production costs of one gram of dry herb. As far as ecology is concerned, it can vary case by case. Do you use electricity for your cultivation from your own solar power plant? If yes, I am sure you can better setup your own production during the whole year to make the best use of your own electricity, because you don’t need to grow all year round.

From ecological point of view, the cultivation system you choose is essential. For example, if you grow in soil, you will use less water than in a recirculating DWC system. But there is a vital question of how you deal with the wastewater. If you can use it for irrigation of other plants at home or filter it for further use. This way you can minimise the negative environmental impact of your grow room. A huge advantage of home growing is the possibility of

taking the fully organic route. Whereas for pharmaceutical, organic cannabis production is basically banned in most countries because it does not meet the strict rules of pharmaceutical production. Electricity consumption of your lights is another hot topic nowadays.

For small growers, I recommend choosing lighting systems with variable wattage. This can help significantly reduce consumption when you are growing photoperiod and photoperiodneutral varieties (better known as autoflowers), particularly in the first weeks of the growing cycle.

KEEP YOUR RECORDS STRAIGHT

As I said right at the start: It is possible to create highly professional conditions even on a small scale. Apart from trying to automate all processes and optimise energy and water consumption, it is totally advisable to keep records. In ideal case, get your hands on a system that can record not only the climatic conditions, but also fertiliser consumption, pH and EC levels of the nutrient solution or growing medium. Still, even simple recording of temperature and relative humidity levels can help you detect deficiencies in your growing endeavours and improve your gardening skills.

I wish you only success in your adventures.

You can use little bit cheaper switching board too.

Plants are doing quite well in proper conditions.

GROW WITH JORGE CERVANTES

Jorge Cervantes jorge@marijuanagrowing.com

MISDIAGNOSED GARDEN PROBLEMS, PART THREE (END)

Nutrient deficiencies and excesses are often caused by improper pH, raw water with a high EC, nutrient buildup in the substrate, soil temperature extremes and fluctuations, poor drainage, etc. Follow guidelines in this chapter to avoid nutrient problems. When problem arise, each one should be identified and solved individually. This methodology will usually solve nutrient issues.

Signs of toxic and excess nutrients include rapid lush supple growth, brittle foliage, burned leaf edges and tips, discolored leaves – bronze, yellow, dark – slow growth, spots, and mottled blotches on leaves and smaller leaves. But remember, that these symptoms are also shared with other problems listed in this chapter.

until the toxic levels are reached. At this point, foliage discolors, growth slows, and disease and pest attacks are more common. Other signs

Underfertilizing is relatively common. Even when cannabis has plenty of some nutrients it may be deficient in other nutrients. Often nutrients are locked up in the soil and unavailable for uptake by roots.

Wrong nutrient mix is more common than you might believe. Often the dilution charts for two- and threepart specialty cannabis fertilizers are misinterpreted when mixing. Most often a concentrate “base” formula is mixed for the week. The concentrated “base” mix is diluted to form the actual fertilizer applied to plants. If the base nutrient is too concentrated or too dilute, the error is magnified when mixing the final fertilizer.

Imbalanced nutrient mixes occur when one or a few nutrients are used at a more rapid rate than the balance of nutrients. Or when atmospheric temperatures rise, causing plants to use more water in

relation to nutrients. Or when toxic soil conditions exist that causes some nutrients to be locked out

SOIL/SUBSTRATE

The root zone environment is where nutrient uptake occurs. But you cannot see the roots. You must rely on pH, EC (PPM), and moisture meter readings to control the subterranean environment.

The optimum pH range for cannabis growth is 5.8-6.2. But cannabis plants will grow within a pH range of 5.56.5. Within this range, nutrients are chemically available in solution; above or below this range, several nutrients become less available. Different substrates – coco coir, rockwool, soilless mix, expanded clay pellets – all have specific air and moisture needs to ensure nutrients are available.

PH RANGE

Soil – pH 5.8-6.2 (tolerate pH 5-7) is optimum.

Hydroponics – pH 5.5-6.3 is optimum.

Rockwool – pH 5.5-6.5 is optimum. Coco Coco/perlite – pH 5.5-6.3 is optimum.

Soilless Mix – 5.5-6.5 is optimum. Expanded Clay Pellets – 5.5-6.0 is optimum.

In garden soils and potting soils, a pH below 6.5 may cause a deficiency in calcium, which causes root tips to burn and leaves become subject to fungal infections and dead spots on foliage. A pH above 7.0 could slow down the plant's iron intake and result in chlorotic leaves causing veins to yellow. Adding more calcium and iron will not solve the problems.

Disease and pest damage can also be confused with nutrient deficiencies and excesses. For example, Hemp Russet mites cause slow growth and small deformed flower growth on the plant above. Inexperienced growers may confuse this with a nutrient problem. Most often nutrient deficiencies and excesses are caused by improper pH, high EC raw water, nutrient buildup in substrate, soil temperature fluctuations, poor drainage, etc.

NOverfertilizing is fairly common in container cannabis gardens. Adding too much fertilizer will not make the plants grow faster. The excess fertilizer causes soil chemistry to change and lock out nutrients making them unavailable. Fertilizer salts will build to toxic levels within a few weeks of constant (liquid) fertilizer over-application. This condition is compounded by cool temperatures and poor substrate drainage.

The wrong soil can be the result of purchasing inexpensive potting soil with high levels of bark chips, sand, or other ingredients that do not promote cannabis growth. Look for potting soils that list the ingredients on the label and mixed for rapid annual plant growth. You can add 10-30 percent perlite to lighten the mix and improve drainage. Adequate drainage in container-grown crops will help avoid nutrients building up to toxic levels in the substrate.

times the volume of very mild nutrient solution. For example, apply 7-9 liters to leach a 3-liter container of soil to remove toxic nutrient salts.

Poor drainage can become a common problem with container-grown cannabis. Cannabis needs extra drainage when grown in containers so that nutrients applied in solution do not build up in the substrate. Always allow for adequate drainage holes on the bottom of containers.

Add perlite or another fast-draining amendment to improve drainage. You can add 10-30 percent perlite to most potting soils to improve drainage. Avoid using more than 30 percent in substrate mixes because it tends to blend poorly with other elements. I like working with perlite because it is inexpensive, lightweight and easy to mix.

Soil temperature, cannabis loves warm soil temperatures, 18-24 degrees C. But it will grow in cooler and warmer soil in a range of 13-30 degrees C. Planting outdoors in raised beds warms soil in the spring and fall. A thick layer of mulch keeps soil cool during hot weather.

Cold soil slows and stops growth. Growth slows as temperatures drop. Put containers up off the ground or on insulated mats to warm substrate indoors.

Outdoors, build raised beds at least 6 inches (15 cm) high to warm soil a month earlier in both spring and fall. Wait until soil warms in the spring to apply mulch.

Hot soil that is more than 32 degrees C will harm the roots. Often, outdoor soil that is used in the containers warms up to well over 38 degrees C.

Shield containers from direct sunlight to prevent soil temperatures from rising. Apply mulch to the soil to cool the surface and lower layers too.

Dry soil is often a problem outdoors. Bare soil sheds moisture from the top few centimeters of the surface, causing a hard crusty surface. Soil life is inhibited. A layer of straw mulch will shield soil from hot sunlight, retain moisture and bring life back to the top layer. Add a layer of alfalfa hay to increase the nitrogen levels and increase soil activity.

A soil test is inexpensive and saves outdoor gardeners time, labor, and money. Soil tests measure the amount of each nutrient and often the chemical compound containing the element. Many soil analyses provide recommendations on improving soil including fertilizer application rates.

Toxic nutrient buildup can be avoided with proper runoff of excess nutrient solution in container-grown cannabis crops. Letting 10 percent of the applied nutrient solution drain out the bottom of fast-draining soils and substrates helps ensure against toxic nutrient buildup in the root zone.

An added measure to actually leaches out nutrients so that they will not build to toxic levels. To leach soils and substrates in a container, apply 2-3

Wet soggy soil has little oxygen for roots. Soggy soil is the result of overwatering, cold temperatures, and poor drainage. Outdoors, soggy soil can often be overcome by building raised beds. I use a moisture meter to ensure the entire root zone receives water.

Most analysis include an easy-to-read color-coded graph. BCSR and SLAN (Index System in UK) soil tests are used by most universities, farmers, and big agribusinesses worldwide. The results of this type of test provide plant-available nutrient levels in a well-known range, ensuring neither a deficiency nor an excess.

This article was excerpted from the update of – Marijuana Horticulture “Bible” (6th Edition) by Jorge Cervantes. The new digital edition will be available as late, 2023. Jorge is very excited about the new digital edition that will help hundreds of thousands of growers grow more and better cannabis! © 2020, © 2021, © 2022. Download your FREE copy of the new FREE 100-page digital book, We Grow Cannabis! and ¡Cultivamos Cannabis! (Spanish) at www.Jorge-Cervantes.com. And access the Cannabis Encyclopedia FREE in English and Spanish and sign up for our mailing list at www.marijuanagrowing.com for updates on the new digital 6th Edition.

The pH range is slightly different for soil-grown and hydroponic cannabis crops.

Award-Winning cannabis cultivation author Jorge Cervantes teams up with Seedsman for a FREE, comprehensive digital book on home growing.

100-page digital book

270+ color images

Interactive – Searchable

Comprehensive guide to cannabis cultivation

Beginner and advanced growers

Easy-to-follow cultivation examples

8 chapters of cultivation wisdom

Dedicated to increasing cannabis yields

Discover the magic of cannabis!

www.marijuanagrowing.com/grow-cannabis-book

Co-Authors

Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Gary Yates

Stefan Meyer

Table of Contents

• Cannabis Botany

• Life Cycle of Cannabis

• Cannabis Seeds & Seedlings

• Plan Your Garden

• Grow Room Setup

• Twelve-week Garden

• Harvest, Manicuring, Drying, Curing & Storage

• Diseases, Pests & Problems

JORGE CERVANTES

Author Marijuana Horticulture.

Legendary Jorge Cervantes, published in eight languages sold over a million copies worldwide.

HIGH CUISINE WITH BETTY GREEN

By Betty Green

BETTY'S CHILLI CON CARNE

Chilli con carne, often shortened to Chilli, means "chilli with meat" and is a familiar spicy stew traditionally containing chilli peppers/powder, beef tomatoes, and pinto or kidney beans originating from northern Mexico or southern Texas.

The types of meat used, along with the other ingredients, can vary widely based on geographic and personal tastes. As a result, recipes provoke disputes among enthusiasts, some of whom insist that the word Chilli refers specifically to the basic dish without the addition of beans and tomatoes.

Chilli Con Carne is a classic homecooked favourite, not only because it's so delicious but also because it's easy and adaptable for all tastes. However, it is loved by many for its spice in particular!

Well, guess what? Scientific evidence exists that explains why some people love the kick. Capsaicin, the active component of Chilli, is the culprit of the burning sensation caused when eating spicy food. When this component comes in contact with your skin, It triggers the body into thinking it's in danger, releasing endorphins to fight the 'threat' of spice. That's the same hormone that promotes relaxation and pleasure, hence why some people love Chilli so much!

On that note, this makes Chilli an even better choice as an infused food as not only will you be getting an enhancement of relaxation and pleasure from the THC but also from the Chilli itself! A double whammy! Everyone is a winner with this dish.

Here is my recipe for a great, tasty chilli that you can pimp up yourself with more spice or anything else that appeals to you.

INGREDIENTS

Cannabutter/Canna cooking oil

300g extra-lean minced beef

One large onion, finely chopped

Two garlic cloves, finely chopped

400g chopped tomatoes

2 tablespoons tomato purée

Two teaspoons chilli powder (or more if you can take it)

One teaspoon of ground cumin

One red pepper, deseeded and chopped

Two handfuls of cup or button mushrooms, sliced

410g red kidney beans, drained

150ml reduced-salt vegetable or chicken stock

300g easy-cook white or brown rice

1 pinch ground black pepper

Guacamole- optional Tortillas- optional

METHOD

Heat a large saucepan and add 1-2 teaspoons of cannabutter or oil, dependent on the strength and desired effect.

Add the minced beef, breaking it up in the pan and cooking it until browned. Add your onion and garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

Substitute the minced beef with Quorn mince or similar to keep things vegetarian.

Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, spices, red pepper, mushrooms, kidney beans and stock. Stir well, boil, lower the heat and simmer gently for 15

to 20 minutes.

Once simmering, add 1-2 teaspoons of cannabutter or oil, dependent on the strength and desired effect.

Add cannabis-infused butter/oil when simmering only, as higher temperatures may burn off the active cannabinoids. Feel free to add more if you know the power of your butter and have a higher tolerance. However, if you are a novice or have a low tolerance, go low with your dosage.

Meanwhile, cook your rice according to pack instructions.

Season the Chilli with pepper; if it suits, serve with the rice, a generous dollop of guacamole and tortillas on the side.

You don't need me to tell you that you can add or take away from this recipe, depending on your tastes. Chilli Con Carne is one of those recipes that causes debate. Everyone has a special ingredient that makes it better than the next. So, please consider this recipe a foundation and build on it with your interpretations and flavour additions. The only thing I will remind you to go easy on is the THC, especially if other people enjoy the dish with you.

Chilli is suitable for freezing, making both a versatile filling, topping or side dish. Serve it with baked potatoes and a spoonful of sour cream and Salsa or low-fat plain yoghurt. Add it to a whole wheat wrap with cucumber, tomato or cheese for a delicious lunch. A versatile, filling, tasty comfort meal with an added spicy kick!

Betty's Chilli CAN Carne is the perfect infused meal to enjoy with friends.

By Rich Hamilton

THE LADIES CHAMPIONING WEED

Since its legalisation in many parts of the USA, more and more moms are incorporating cannabis into their selfcare and wellness routines. Many say it helps them relax, deal with multitasking, and be better parents.

Whilst it's socially acceptable for parents to say that they drink a few glasses of wine every night, cannabis is still a somewhat taboo "mom crutch" upon which to rely after a hard day.

However, after multiple scientific analyses have proven its effectiveness as a therapy for various mental health disorders and everyday stress, more and more moms are jumping on the weed wagon. Additionally, more celebrity moms are using their platforms for cannabis legalisation advocacy and as a way to normalise use. Some celeb moms are vocal and proud about their cannabis use.

And it's not!" When talking about her first encounter with her current beau, Machine Gun Kelly (MGK), she says, "I remember this tall, blond, ghostly creature, and I looked up, and I was like, 'You smell like weed.' He looked down at me and said, 'I am a weed.' Then, I swear he disappeared like a ninja in a smoke bomb." The three little words a stoner wants to hear when they meet the love of their life: I am a weed.

LAKE BELL

during a 2022 Cann x Jane panel on normalising cannabis, actress and director Lake Bell dispelled the myths about parenting and Weed, "I am straight up a better parent. I'm on their level. I'm just like, 'That is a f—ing crazy dinosaur!' Like, 'Let's get on the ground right now and be f—ing crazy dinosaurs."

for heavy smoking years ago, the star has been a proud supporter of the herb for many years.

However, like many female tokers, she has struggled to abstain during her pregnancy, telling Vogue Magazine, "I was bracing myself for something insane because I knew I wouldn't have my usual coping mechanism; I can't just go and smoke a joint right now."

Megan Fox is a mom of three kids and is not ashamed of her cannabis use. However, in an interview in 2009, she revealed, "It's all propaganda. I can't tell you how much bullshit I've been through because I will openly say that I smoke Weed… People look at it like this crazy, hippy, fucked-up thing to do.

RIHANNA

New mom Rihanna is probably one of the most famous female stoners. She is often photographed lighting up a joint. However, Rihanna has always been open and outspoken about her love for Weed. From her social media pages, where she's pictured confidently rolling and smoking blunts, to rumours that she was excluded from a Barbados hotel

CHARLIZE THERON

The actress and mom of two have lived with insomnia for much of her life. A self-proclaimed fan of the "wake-andbake, "Theron cut back on the Weed when she got into her 30s.

However, due to the reappearance of her insomnia, she has been testing out edibles courtesy of her mother.

"My mom showed up at my house and just left it on my kitchen table," "She was like, 'So I got some blueberry-covered chocolate ones, but if you want it fasteracting, you should go for the mints. Those you suck, and it works faster."

KATE HUDSON

Kate Hudson is a mother of 3 and a defiant-and-proud cannabis user; her cannabis-themed 40th birthday party proved that. She has previously shared her love for canna-infused beverages and has actively promoted the CBDinfused drink range CANN.

Hudson became the first A-lister to star as the face of a weed brand in a mainstream TV commercial in December 2021. She has also admitted to enjoying a smoke with her movie star icon mother, Goldie Hawn, in the past.

LISA BONET

Former Child Star Lisa Bonet has always oozed a bohemian, free-spirited vibe, so it should be no surprise that she uses cannabis.

Zoe Kravitz, Bonet's daughter with music Icon Lenny Kravitz star, had previously revealed that she first smoked marijuana when she was 14. Kravitz's mother, Lisa Bonet, busted her with Weed and confronted her on Christmas day. However, rather than punishing her daughter, Bonet pulled out a joint and shared the smoke with her.

MEGAN FOX

By Rich Hamilton

SOFT SECRETS MEDIA

HERE IS SOFT SECRETS RUN DOWN OF WHAT TO WATCH, CREATE AND READ THIS MONTH.

WATCHSUBTLE ART OF NOT GIVING A F*CK- ITUNES, AMAZON INSTANT VIDEO, GOOGLE PLAY, AND VUDU

If giving fewer fucks is your ultimate goal, you should watch The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. Adapted from the 2016 bestseller of the same name, It has sold over 15 million copies.

The source material is dedicated to showing you how to live a more contented and grounded life. It features the author Manson talking viewers through his brutally raw yet refreshing philosophy. With chapters named 'Don't Try', 'Happiness is a problem', 'You are not special' and 'And then you die'. The goal? It is to help you learn that it's wise to choose where to direct our fucks, what to give a crap about and what genuinely matters.

Whilst I recommend the book, this is the quickest way to soak in its contents. The film was shot in New Zealand during the pandemic and does a great job of exploring society's obsessions with the pursuit of happiness and features a character from the book called "Disappointment Panda" whose superpower is to tell people the harsh truth.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck explores the human journey. It shows

us that happiness comes not from a pill, a nice car, more money or being better looking. Instead, true joy, we are told, is found in the journey of life itself and achievement. So watch it and learn how not to give a f*ck about the stuff that doesn't matter and how to love the stuff that does.

READTHE SATSUMA COMPLEX- BOB MORTIMERPUBLISHER: GALLERY BOOKS

Gary Thorn is busy investigating a severe criminal case in London involving police corruption, domestic violence and murder when he stops to speak to a passing squirrel. He tells the squirrel his next move, and the furry friend, ventriloquised by Gary, tries to talk him out.

This is how fand of "Vic and Bob's Big Night Out" in the 90s would expect Bob Mortimer to write a crime novel. A squirrel interlude here, a recurring duck gag there and most importantly, a private eye with a penchant for novelty socks. The private eye is an acquaintance of Gary's who disappears following a night in the pub, only to end up dead under suspicious circumstances, but not before leaving behind a USB stick in the shape of a corncob.

Gary is not a real detective, however. Instead, he is a shy legal assistant at a solicitor's office who panics at the first sign of danger. He only persists with the case because of his attraction to a mysterious woman embroiled in the drama.

A woman with a button nose and severe fringe that he had flirted with over steak and chips before she mysteriously vanished on the same night as his Private Eye friend.

It's the little details of this book that set this book apart. Off the wall is an understatement.

What other fictional sleuth would give the names Zak Briefcase and Lengthy Parsnips to a pair of dogs he passes in the street?

Fans of Mortimer's surrealist humour won't be disappointed.

Nor will crime fiction devotees if they can get past the talking squirrels.

LISTENDRINK CHAMPS- VIA SPOTIFY, APPLE, AND WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS

"The most professional unprofessional podcast… PERIOD!" is the tagline for Drink Champs, delivered fresh every Friday. The podcast title speaks for itself as hosts, legendary Queens rapper N.O.R.E. and Miami hip-hop pioneer D.J. E.F.N. drink liquor and other beverages with different guests just conversing and choppin' it up. The conversations cover everything from the guest's personal lives, careers, and industry obstacles, to what's happening in the world.

"Drink Champs" is hugely successful, despite the episodes' 2-3 hr running time. Its success flows not only from its hosts but also from its A-list guests, drawn from hip-hop histories, such as The Game, D.M.X., Snoop, Lil Wayne and 50 Cent, In one episode, we hear Ghostface Killah sharing a story of transporting the seventies soul group, The Delfonics, to a studio session—and getting into a shootout on the way there. In another, singer T-Pain recalls the time he spilt Hennessy on Beyoncé. N.O.R.E., in disbelief, keeps repeating fragments back to him, stressing how wild it must have been.

Drink Champs is one of the best hip-hop culture podcasts of the moment and is

great for listening to whilst you are chilling out and blazing up. In this series with no filter, the conversation and drinks are flowing, and the jokes are rolling - take a seat at the table and Relax!

COLOFON

Soft Secrets is published by Discover Publisher BV Galvaniweg 11, 5482 TN Schijndel, Netherlands

Telephone: +31-(0)73-5498112

E-mail: info@softsecrets.nl

Web: www.softsecrets.com

Editor: Cliff Cremer

Contributors: Jorge Cervantes, Stoney Tark, Rich Hamilton, Mr. José, Green Born Identity (G.B.I.), Betty Green, TricomaTeam, Tommy L. Gomez, Fabrizio Dentini, Boisterix and others.

Photography: iStock

Editorial adress: readers@softsecrets.nl

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E-mail: info@softsecrets.nl

A word from the publisher: Soft Secrets is a bi-monthly free magazine which is published in The Netherlands (called Highlife), Germany, France, Italy, Spain, UK, Poland, Czech Republic and Chile.

World wide there is a process going on of relative liberalisation towards the use of cannabis, be it for medicinal or recreational purposes. Several countries legalised cannabis as a way of separating soft and hard drugs, as it has proven to

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do in Holland. Other countries legalised the use of medicinal cannabis, including the right to grow cannabis plants for one’s own use.

The publisher wants to highlight the process of normalisation of cannabis use. This assumes that the publisher does not necessarily agree with everything that appears in articles and advertisements. The publisher therefore distances himself explicitly from published statements or images that might give the impression that an endorsement is being made for the use and/or production of cannabis.

Nothing from this publication may be copied or reproduced in any format without prior permission from the publisher and other copyright holders. The publisher is not responsible for the content and/or point of view of advertisements. The editor takes no responsibility for unsollicited submissions.

The publisher has endeavored to reach all copyright holders of photos and/or images. Those who still believe they are entitled to these rights may contact the publisher.

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