The Dark Underworld

Forest in Oregon

Growing up in a small logging town in Oregon in the 70's, I grew up with an appreciation for nature and an understanding of a dark underworld. With rivers, lakes, trails and mountains at my footsteps, I also was continually made aware of danger of going off trail or not trespassing on property.

Logging was the biggest cash crop on the books for our region, but everyone knew cannabis far outdid logging as a cash crop off the books. The citizens that lived outside the city tightly held onto their constitutional rights on property rights, right to bear arms and simply being left alone. A simple pull into the driveway to turn around often was met with the owner and a rifle watching your every move. My father who worked in the national forests in our area left with a pistol on those trips, he told us it was in case he came upon a surprise farm with booby traps.

Oregon is anticipating legalizing marijuana by 2016 and bringing the cultivation out of the black market and into a full legal industry. Colorado that went legal this year has shown to still have illegal marijuana plantations hidden the the forests, grown for an illegal distribution in neighboring states. Brian Vincente, co founder of the campaign to legalize marijuana in Colorado stated “I think the black market is already on its way out,” says Vicente. “This is all a process and until our country legalizes marijuana there is always going to be some incentive for people to bring marijuana from Colorado to, say, Nebraska. There were bootleggers after prohibition ended, for a little while, but not for long.”

This is from an anonymous writer contributing to OUTCO who grew up witnessing the black market of marijuana in Oregon in the 1970's.

Source for continuing black market in Colorado: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/23/colorado-unregulated-marijuana-green-rush

Indica and Sativa, what about Ruderalis?

Cannabis Species

Their are 3 predominant species of cannabis, Indica and Sativa that have been breed over generations to have a high THC content and predictable growing patterns, and Ruderalis, named after the German named “ruderal” meaning weeds by the roadside. Many in the cannabis growing community disregard the Ruderalis species, however it's high content of CBD as well as it's extremely fast growing time may come to be beneficial in the medical marijuana industry.

Ruderalis is thought to come from Sativa, having thin leaves much like the Sativa, but in contrast only growing a foot in height, while the Sativa is the tallest of the cannabis species. The origins are thought to be from Russian cannabis growers where the flowers that escaped outside the plantation seeded and started growing as volunteers. They adapted attributes to survive in the climate such as shorter in length and quicker growing time, losing the attributes that weren't helpful to survival such as high THC content. The ability for the ruderalis to flower without photo-activation makes it unique and necessary for the long days without sunlight in far north climates.

There are reasons to integrate the ruderalis species into the medical marijuana industry:

• Faster Growing time

• Humidity Resistant

• Auto Flowering (light not needed to flower)

• Intense light yields many trichomes leading to high amount of CBD

• Mold Resistant

• Drought Tolerant

Some Popular Cannabis strains have already utilized the Ruderalis species. Neville Schoenmaker, founder of Sensei Seeds, created Ruderalis Indica, Ruderalis Skunk and Four-Way, hybrids that were created in hopes of autoflowering. Sensei Seeds comments that the auto-flowering was not completely successful. Canadian Growers in British Columbia have cultivated the strain Mighty Mite for it's auto-flowering and quick growing, a popular ruderalis hybrid. A hybrid of Mighty Mite but more potent is Guerilla Gold which has a semi auto-flowering uniqueness. FIN-314, also known as Finola, is used for hemp cultivation and has a very low government acceptable THC amount and high in Cannabinoids.

A well known grower named the Joint Doctor took a Mexican Rudy known for it's auto-flowering and mixed it with a Northern Lights and a Williams Wonder to create the Lowryder strain. This popular Lowryder is used by many to create an auto-flowering strain that produces high THC. The auto-flowering is a recessive trait and therefore a consistent behavior of auto-flowering has yet to be achieved.

OUTCO is San Diego's only legally licensed medical marijuana dispensary offering FREE Delivery and Accepting Debit Cards.

Source: http://www.seedsman.com/en/cannabis-ruderalis

The Differences Between Indica and Sativa Cannabis Strains

Differences Between Indica and Sativa

There are many choices to consider when selecting a strain of cannabis, and at OUTCO in San Diego, we have bud specialists to help find a strain for your treatment. One main category for cannabis is separating them into Indica or Sativa, and then hybrids that have the genetics of both. Indica and Sativa have some general differences that are accepted by cannabis connoisseurs:

Indica

• Originated in Higher altitudes

• Higher Yield per plant with shorter growing time

• Shorter and Fuller plants with broad leaves

• Fruity to Skunk Flavors

• Stronger Sedating

Treatment:

• Pain Relief

• Sleep Problems

• Migraines and Headaches

• Stress and Anxiety

Sativa

• Originated close to the equator.

• Less of a Yield and longer growing time

• Grow taller with narrow leaves.

• From Fruity to Cat Piss Flavor

• More uplifting

Treatment:

• Depression

• Increases focus and creativity

• Stimulates and Energizes

• Uplifting and euphoric thoughts

A New Way of Categorizing Cannabis

Jeffrey Taber, who has a Ph.D in Chemistry, was the first to test terepenes in cannabis in 2011. He theorizes that the differences in cannabis are less in whether they are indica or sativa, but more in the different terepenes within the strain of cannabis. Terepenes are like the fingerprint to the plant, rather than the CBD, THC content or name given to the plant that may be found to have been miscategorized. Terepenes are the flavor and taste, but also introduce the multitudes of benefits and effects that vary from one strain to another.

Within each strain their will be different amounts of CBD or THC and also vary on taste and aroma from the different growing conditions. Each strain effects the patient differently depending on body chemistry. The way in which the strain is given to the patient as well will vary the effects, such as vape pen, bong, joint, edible etc.

OUTCO is San Diego's only legally licensed medical marijuana dispensary offering store, free delivery and accepting credit cards.

source: http://www.leafly.com/news/medical/indica-vs-sativa-myth-or-fact

http://www.hightimes.com/read/5-differences-between-sativa-and-indica

http://www.theweedblog.com/the-difference-between-indica-and-sativa-marijuana-plants/

Yoda OG Strain at Outco

Now at OUTCO with Free Delivery over $40 and accepting credit cards.

Yoda OG


Type – Indica dominant


Taste – Citrus aroma


Appearance – Pale with orange hairs


Effects and Treatment – Heavy relaxation of mind and body to help with anxiety, insomnia and appetite. Mostly for nightime for its sedative effects, can cause dry mouth.


Origins – A derivative of the famous OG Kush

http://www.leafly.com/indica/yoda-og

OUTCO is San Diego's only legally licensed medical marijuana dispensary offering FREE Delivery and Accepting Debit Cards. 

Restless Leg Syndrome ( RLS ) and Treatment with Cannabis

Restless Leg Syndrome effects 10% of the population and is described as an urge to move the legs due to a feeling of itching, creepy crawly sensation and “pins and needles”. The cause of RLS is a disorder from the nervous system or lack of iron in the brain and effects most sufferers mostly in the evening and when at rest, leading for it to be a sleep disorder. (WebMD ) The majority of sufferers are 50 or over and a slow progressing RLS tends to be genetic, where as an abrupt onset tends to not be genetic.

Dr. Ewa Kozela has done research to show that marijuana from the study interleukin 17 (IL-17) helps to minimize inflammation within the nervous system. The Washington University has conducted a study that the theory behind a lack of iron leads to inflammation in the nervous system. (source)

High Times recommends White Berry as a good strain to treat Restless Leg Syndrome, known for its peaceful and soothing qualities. Medical Marijuana Strains mentions GrandDaddy Purple as a good strain for it's heavy relaxation that gives your eyes a heavy feeling.

Here are some links to patients that have seen promising results to marijuana for RLS: http://www.rlshelp.org/rlscomp32.htm#Marijuanahttp://www.weedist.com/2013/10/cannabis-cure-restless-leg-syndrome/
http://www.420magazine.com/forums/medical-marijuana-lounge/92322-rls-restless-leg-syndrome.html 

OUTCO is San Diego's only legally licensed medical marijuana dispensary offering FREE Delivery and Accepting Debit Cards.
Source: http://www.hightimes.com/read/strain-solution-muscle-spasms-restless-leg-syndrome http://www.webmd.com/brain/restless-legs-syndrome/restless-leg-syndrome
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/rls/causes.html http://www.progressivehealth.com/3-steps-reversing-rls.htm

Marijuana Antioxidant Benefits

Antioxidants are compounds naturally made by your body and acquired through diet to stop or slow the oxidation degeneration of cells in the body. An example would be a browning apple, the oxidation decomposes the cells. Many typically know that adding lemon juice to the apple as an antioxidant slows down the browning process. Cannabis has been shown to have powerful antioxidant properties.

The science behind the oxidation occurs with free radical damage in which paired electrons are unpaired making an atom or molecule unstable. The unstable molecule creates other molecules around it to become unstable as well, leading to a chain reaction of mutations and decomposition.

DNA as a result to the free radical damage gets broken apart and the body will repair the DNA successfully, or unsuccessful with a resulting mutation.

Antioxidants work in many ways to stop the chain reaction of damage, making it important to consume it in many forms and ways. Some antioxidants stop the damage before happening, while others stop the damage that is occurring. Cannabidiol (CBD) in Cannabis has been found to be 30-50% more effective than the antioxidants Vitamin C or E.

Cannabis, especially in the form of cannabidiol (CBD) is a powerful antioxidant that is an anti-inflammatory agent, and goes beyond to suppress the chemical that creates inflammation. Cannabidiol has been shown in tests to reduce tumor cells while not harming normal healthy cells. It has also been shown to have neuro-protective properties in which it stops damage in nerve cells. This protective barrier has results in reducing seizures in patients. Studies have shown that for brain injuries, cannabidiol repairs the nerve cells within the brain. Applied topically it has been found to stop the very contagious MRSA virus that has been very resistant to normal antibiotics.

OUTCO is San Diego's only legally licensed medical marijuana dispensary offering FREE Delivery and Accepting Debit Cards.

Source: http://www.truthonpot.com/2012/11/01/cannabis-a-powerful-antioxidant/

The Big Job of Closing Down Illegal Pot Shops in San Diego

San Diego City Hall

David Garrick from the Union Tribune in San Diego wrote an article about the difficulties faced with shutting down the over 100 illegal marijuana shops in San Diego in  New Tactic in Pot Shop Fight.

Garrick sites the resigned Mayer Bob Filner as adding to the over abundance of illegal pot shops when he relaxed zoning laws in 2003.  Councilman Ed Harris is demanding a review and action plan on shutting the dispensaries down.  With the illegal dispensaries running, it makes the ones that are taking the steps to be legal have a bigger battle.  Legal dispensaries will collect tax on product, adhere to zoning laws and other restrictions and be closely monitored to ensure safety and quality of medicine.  The illegal dispensaries not adhering to any law can cut costs to the consumer, allowing them to not pay tax.

OUTCO is San Diego's only legally licensed medical marijuana dispensary offering FREE Delivery and Accepting Debit Cards.