Soft Secrets U.S.A.- 02-2011

In this issue:

BLACK TUNA DIARIESRobert Platshorn, a.k.a. Bobby Tuna, was

released from prison in 2008 after almost

three decades of Federal incarceration. His

book, Black Tuna Diaries, has recently been

re-published in its original, unedited form.

Read all about his rise from small stage

actor to one of the largest US smugglers of

Colombian weed in the 1970s. This heart-

pounding tale will capture your imagination,

and perhaps scare you out of ever smuggling

anything, anywhere. ›› 7

THE KIND DOCTORSoft Secrets USA interviews Dr. Frankel, master

of medical Cannabis tinctures. Find out why this

is the safest way to medicate and why people

all over the country are exploring this therapy.

Dr. Frankel was even kind enough to reveal how

his famous tinctures are made. ›› 5

THE ORIGINAL CANNABIS NEWSPAPER FOR GROWERS AND SMOKERS, SINCE 1985 ISSUE 2 2011

The Scoop on Soil

›› 21

A look at innova-

tions in the industry

today ›› 26

So, here we are with our second issue

of Soft Secrets USA, shaking off the win-

ter sleep and enjoying our new US

readership. We hope you had a chance

to catch our first American issue; if

not, our entire international archive is

available at http://www.softsecrets.nl

(to all readers above 18, of course). You

can download all our issues for free, in

nine languages. Find out what growers,

smokers and the medical community

are experiencing around the world.

In issue two of SSUSA, we will help you

to mix fresh soil properly, give you tips

on making organic fertilizers and intro-

duce you to many new strains and seed

companies.

Medical marijuana users should make

sure to check out our interview with

Dr. Frankel, a master of marijuana tinc-

tures. Find out why dosing with thera-

peutic Cannabis is so difficult, and how

you can figure out what dosage works

best for you.

We also take a trip around the world

with Bobby Tuna, the alleged leader of

the Black Tuna Gang. Recently released

after almost 29 years of Federal incarcera-

Spring has Sprung!The days are getting longer, the temperature is finally rising (for those of us not lucky enough to enjoy California’s climate) and the seeds are germinating. After such a long and harsh winter for so many, it’s great to see the ver-dant green of new life springing up everywhere. Get your garden-ing gloves ready!

tion, the Baron of Barranquilla himself has

penned an exciting tale about his adven-

tures as a 1970s smuggler of some of

Colombia’s finest dope.

So, while you’re waiting for your spring

crop to germinate, sit back, relax and

enjoy issue two of SSUSA.

18+ For adults only. Soft Secrets is published six times a year by Discover Publishers USA, Inc.

3FROM THE EDITOR

Mag

ic B

ud

Spring Has Sprung! 1 FROM THE EDITOR

Girl 3 STRAIN REPORT

The Kind Doctor 5 MEDICINAL

Black Tuna Diaries 7 BOOK REVIEW/SMUGGLING

Spring Planting 9 ORGANIC CULTIVATION

Strain Awards 10 STRAIN REPORT

Organic Tea 12 ORGANIC CULTIVATION

Germination 101 13 ORGANIC CULTIVATION

A Dutch Shift 14 MADE IN HOLLAND

Amster-rant 15 OPINION

Slider Smoke Reduction System 17 MEDICINAL

Cannabis and Pregnancy 20 MEDICINAL

The Scoop on Soil 21 ORGANIC CULTIVATION

Green Prisoners: Ken Unger 22 MEDICINAL/LEGAL

LED Lights 24 SERIOUS GARDENING

What’s Happening with Hemp? 26 HEMP INNOVATIONS

Sweet Seeds 29 INTERVIEW

Dear Soft Secrets 32 FROM OUR READERS

Morocco Bound 33 SMUGGLING

The Green Door 34 DISPENSARY

Mountain High 36 MADE IN HOLLAND

Sexism in Pot Culture 39 OPINION

The Attitude Seedbank 41 GENETICS/BREEDING

A Stoned Selection 44 MUSIC

Grubbycup’s Simple Hydroponics 45 BOOK REVIEW

Devil Weed 45 COMIC

IN THIS ISSUE:

Co

Magic Bud is a fine blend of Indica and Sativa.

This plant produces beautiful resin coated nugs

in a relatively short time, approximately 56 days

indoors. Her appealing velvet looks during flower-

ing are a pleasure for the eye, and you have to be

careful that you (or your friends) do not give into

the urge to cut of a branch before she is fully rip-

ened! Your patience will be royally rewarded with

very tasty aromatic buds.

When dried and cured the Magic smokes smooth

with a pleasant floral aromatic taste. The body

relaxing effect combined with a strong potent

high is magical, you will feel at ease with every-

thing you do.

Type: Indica/ Sativa

Flowering time: Approx 56 days indoors. Outdoors

Middle of October (n.L.)

Yield: 400 grams per m2 indoors. Outdoors

approx. 500 grams per plant

Suitable environments: Indoors. Outdoors between

50º n.L. and 50º s.L.

Effects/Buzz: Pleasant Sativa-Indica high

Smell/Taste: Floral -aromatic

THC: 12-15%

Photo: Paradise Seeds

Calling all Females!Hey, ladies – want to be famous? Ever

dreamed about being a lingerie model?

Here's your chance: Soft Secrets USA is look-

ing to print some steamy photos of you,

dear readers, in and among our favorite

plants. We want to see beautiful babes and

beautiful buds, and lots of them.

Those of you gents familiar with our UK

edition have likely already drooled over

the sexy European version of 'Dear Soft

Secrets' – now is your chance to start an

American sensation!

Girls, perhaps you'd like to show off your

curves in some sexy clothes while tending

to your outdoor garden? Or guys, maybe

you've got some semi-naughty pics of

your lady friend(s) in your grow room?

HPS lights are so romantic...

Send us your photos (high-res only; no

scans of 35mm!) of your in- or outdoor

grow, plus a lovely lady or two in the lat-

est boudoir fashions, and we will print

the best ones. If you can find a copy

of Soft Secrets to throw into the photo,

we'd love to see it!

Those whose submissions are printed will

receive one of a selection of the latest and

most informative grow books around.

Remember: keep it classy! Think lingerie

runway model or beauty queen, not red

light district!

Submissions may be emailed to:

[email protected]

DEARSOFTSECRETS

55

Although a child of the sixties, Frankel

didn’t try pot until his mid-forties, and

it was not until eight years ago, when a

vicious virus in his chest attacked his heart,

that he began smoking on a regular basis.

“For years at UCLA I worked with chemo

and oncology patients,” he recalls. “They

were in so much agony that I would wheel

them out into the garden and give them a

joint. And every single one of them would

feel better. I never saw it as a moral issue

but a human issue.”

So after suffering a similar fate as his for-

mer patients and being told he had less

than a year to live, Frankel began smoking

heavily and, well, here he is.

“Look, I can’t say definitively that the med-

ical Cannabis saved my life, but…” he trails

off and smiles.

According to Frankel, the lion’s share of

Cannabis doctors are not smokers and

don’t understand the medicine: “A lot of

these doctors are using edibles but since

those are absorbed through the stomach

and must go through hepatic metabo-

lism – which turns the Cannabis mol-

ecules into a much longer lasting and very

stoney medicine – it is almost impossible

to quantify dosage, and too much can

cause psychotic reactions.” He continues:

“Smoking has some of the same issues,

plus the possible harmful effects on the

lungs; vaporizers definitely have less tar

but, again, it’s very hard to define dosage.”

The solution? Tinctures. Tinctures are

liquid THC that is dispensed through a

small spray bottle by squirting the medi-

cine under the tongue. The medicine

is absorbed through the sub-lingual

veins which, unlike edibles, are a reli-

able and consistent delivery conduit. In

addition, when a patient uses a tincture

in their mouth, they can enable some

lung absorption by taking deep breaths

in through their mouth and out through

their nose. While not widely used yet –

most doctors are recommending vapor-

izers – Frankel is a tincture pioneer.

SSUSA: how did you first come across

tinctures?

Dr. Frankel: When I first began my Cannabis

medical practice, it became clear that any

broadly effective medicine must be able

to be dosed during the daytime. You can

imagine that most patients would not be

entirely forthright and generally told me

they used a puff or two a few times week-

ly. I never believed it and soon helped

patients become more open and honest,

but still there was this issue of how are we

really dealing with pain, anxiety, nausea,

etc. during the day? People rarely can

smoke or even vaporize during the day.

Furthermore, even IF they could smoke/

vape, how do you know what dose to

use? How many ‘puffs’? Are all puffs equal;

absolutely not. Every puff is different in

probably 20 different ways. This is true

whether using a pipe, joint or vaporizer.

So, the question of my first year of

Cannabis medicine was, how do patients

medicate in a predictable manner, without

smoke or vaping? Edibles did not turn out

to be the answer, as they were and remain

way too variable and dependent upon

hepatic metabolism. So, I began reading

about the Golden Era of Cannabis, which

was from the late-1800’s through 1940.

During these years, all US-based ‘pharma’

companies were creating Cannabis tinc-

tures. Different strains were used for dif-

ferent formulations. Physicians and the

AMA at that time were very supportive of

Cannabis, in part due to its safety and effi-

cacy; and in part because not much else

was around. Aspirin didn’t come on the

scene until 1899. In reading the physician

notes of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s,

I learned about tinctures and soon was

bringing them into my practice.

SSUSA: what are tinctures, exactly?

DF: Tinctures are liquids into which the

essence of the plant, flower or vegetable is

extracted. Tinctures are thousands of years

old and each one of us has seen many of

the brown or blue tincture bottles on the

shelves of various homeopathic pharma-

copeias. Cannabis tinctures themselves

were first introduced to the planet 3,500

years ago. I presume there was some

bucket of alcohol into which some early

teen dumped some Cannabis plant mate-

rial. Finally, when forced to throw it away,

some of this first tincture splashed into

the teen’s mouth and Cannabis tinctures

were born. Most professional tinctures are

made in several steps:

1. Bud, trim or whole plant material is

ground up.

2. It is then placed into a complex

machine, a Super Cooled CO2 Extractor.

3. A pound of Cannabis is turned into

approximately one oz. of a thick and

very potent goo.

4. The goo is diluted into various tinctures

depending upon the chemical makeup

of the extracted tincture.

When a tincture is made properly, the can-

nabinoid content (THC/CBD/CBN) is criti-

cal to know because various new tinctures

now have very different effects, depend-

ing upon the cannabinoid content as well

as other chemicals in the plant (such as

the terpenes). The created tincture is used

sublingually in the patient’s mouth and is

absorbed directly into the bloodstream.

The dose is predictable – as well as the

effects – and this is the only known meth-

od that allows such dosing.

SSUSA: have you been involved in tinc-

ture or cannabinoid research?

DF: I am currently and have been

involved in cannabinoid research for

several years. I would love to be involved

with clinical trials; but other than very

few, they are still illegal. Even when pos-

sible, the Cannabis used comes from the

University of Mississippi, and is of very

limited strain availability. Tincture and

cannabinoid research are really entire-

ly intertwined. We need to learn what

combinations and ratios of cannabi-

noids will make what types of tinctures.

In addition, much more research into

the plant’s terpenes is critical. Terpenes

probably account for a lot of the psy-

choactive effects of Cannabis and most

tinctures remove the terpenes, as they

are within the plant waxes.

The Kind DoctorTwo blocks east of Barrington Avenue, in the heart of the San Vicente corridor, sits the 80's glass and stylistic Jon Douglas Medical Center, housing psychologists' offices, top-notch dental hygienists, and some of the most expensive dermatologists in Los Angeles. And they all have a new tenant: Greenbridge Medical, the Cannabis practice owned by the pioneering Dr. Allan Frankel, a.k.a. 'The Kind Doctor'.

With its fresh roses, mustard yellow walls adorned with Buddhist art, and pretty secretary, the office feels much like an acupuncture-herb clinic. Greeting me at the door is the smiling and amiable doctor him-self: wearing jeans, an Izod polo and tennis shoes, the sixty-something Frankel looks every bit as Dr. – minus the whites – because, well, he has been a board-certified internist for over 27 years, with big chunks of that time practicing at UCLA Medical Center. By Robert Michael

TINCTURES ARE LIQUID THC THAT IS DISPENSED THROUGH A SMALL SPRAY BOTTLE BY SQUIRTING THE

MEDICINE UNDER THE TONGUE

DR. ALLAN FRANKEL

66

So, what else are we losing? What

causes the paranoia associated with

some Cannabis use? When is it really

best to harvest a plant? These and

hundreds of other questions can only

be answered by careful study of the

plant’s genetics, and control of its

growing environment. Various stresses

can affect the expression of various

genes and change how the genetics

is morphologically expressed. I could

on for days. We have many more ques-

tions than answers. There are some

questions we know HOW to answer and

many questions where we don’t even

know where/how to start. My view of

Cannabis research would be to have

non-investment money be donated to

a research organization that will begin

obtaining these answers. I would love

to be involved with that team.

SSUSA: how do you determine dosage?

DF: To begin with, let me clearly state that I

am just referring to dosing using Cannabis

tinctures. With puffs of smoke, puffs from

a vaporizer and certainly with edibles,

dosing is very difficult and needs to be

started very slowly; I mean very slowly

and adjusted. For those of you interested

in dosing with edibles please be well

hydrated and try _ of a dose, and wait a

full two hours to assess the effect. Drink

some more fluids and try another _ and

again wait a full two hours. You will get a

reasonable dose in this manner.

With a good tincture, the amount of

THC/CBD and terpenes is generally

known. The dosing should begin with

_ of a dropper of the tincture placed

under the tongue. The fluid should be

brushed throughout your mouth with

your tongue. Before swallowing the

tincture, one needs to take ten deep

breaths. Slowly, in through your mouth,

and then slowly exhale through your

nose. I would suggest waiting 30 min-

utes to see the peak effect from this

initial dose. I would then add another _

dropper full and repeat. Most patients

require between _ and a full dropper

full. Soon, however, as every tincture

has a stated 5 mg THC or CBD dose, we

will have very exact dosing by mg.

SSUSA: how many doctors are using

this method?

DF: I think very, very few doctors are

educating patients on this method. To

a large extent it is simply that not many

physicians even know about tinctures.

Additionally, most tinctures are made very

poorly, not tested and are inconsistent.

I try educating patients and physicians

about the use of tinctures as much as pos-

sible. I also believe some physicians are

scared that it is illegal to discuss this with

patients. That is just not the case.

SSUSA: why are tinctures better than

edibles?

DF: Edibles require eating a lot of wasted

calories and dosing in edibles is very poor.

The patient’s liver metabolizes the edible

as it goes from the stomach into the

bloodstream. This change moves the OH

group and entirely changes the nature of

the medication; it is much longer-acting

and much more ‘narcotizing’. Tinctures are

dose-able and predictable.

SSUSA: better than smoking?

DF: Smoking can certainly be used to treat

a patient’s symptoms but there is lung

irritation (not cancer or COPD). The little

hairs or cilia in our airways are partially,

but reversibly, paralyzed by Cannabis and

hence the chronic cough. However, cough

and irritation aside, the primary advan-

tage of tinctures over smoking is that

with smoking, dosing is impossible and

the effect on symptoms becomes a wild

up- and down curve; with tinctures it is

much smoother.

SSUSA: what are the best ailments to

use tinctures for? Why?

DF: Tinctures are just one form of

Cannabis delivery to the patient. Any

illness where Cannabis is effective, it is

effective. In my opinion, using the tinc-

ture for pretty much any ailment where

Cannabis is helpful is still the best way to

medicate the patient. Tinctures are com-

monly used for pain, anxiety, insomnia

and nausea. Rich-CBD tinctures will be

effective in many areas of cancer treat-

ment and most likely it will be in tincture

form. So, if Cannabis works, the tinctures

will work as well, if not better.

SSUSA: who are the best candidates for

tinctures?

DF: Any patient who wishes to benefit

from Cannabis will benefit from tinc-

tures. The primary group of patients

who tend not be satisfied by tinctures

are often patients who wish to get more

‘stoned’, or ‘narcotized’. Even many of

these patients will be satisfied using

tinctures, as we get better at re-instill-

ing the terpenes after extraction.

SSUSA: what percentage of your

patients is using tinctures?

DF: I would estimate that 30 – 40 %

of patients will use them from time to

time, and perhaps 20% use the tinc-

tures exclusively.

SSUSA: who is currently making the

tinctures?

DF: A large number of small manufactur-

ers, in their kitchens. This must change.

SSUSA: where do you see the tincture

application going in the near future/

long-term future?

DF: I believe it will be the next aspirin,

Tylenol and cold medicines wrapped

together while also being used for anxie-

ty, mood disorders, insomnia, etc. In other

words, I believe that Cannabis tinctures

are the largest new medical market to

come along. It will be both supported by

‘pharma’ as well as the medical Cannabis

world, or ‘non-pharma’.

SSUSA: what else is on the horizon?

Anything new?

DF: The most exciting new development

on the horizon is out of UCSF under an

NIH grant. We are seeing incredible anti-

breast cancer effects from CBD. This is

something to stay tuned for.

7SMUGGLER’S STORIES

Caught and Released: Black Tuna Diaries

BOBBY TUNA'S TALE OF SMUGGLING AND CAPTIVITY

Get ready for a long, strange trip. The unedited, limited edition of Black Tuna Diaries is now available, and what a read it is! From South St. in Philly to South America, Robert Platshorn weaves an almost unbeliev-able tale of his rise from a skinny five-year-old stealing caps for the 'South St. Gang' to the alleged captain of the Black Tuna Gang, the so-called leaders of the US pot smuggling game in the 1970s. The Sativa Diva

The DEA accused the Black Tuna Gang of

smuggling – or attempting to – between

one- and three-million tons of primo

Colombian ganja into the US in just a few

years, supposedly earning them more

than three hundred million dollars. 1970s

dollars, that is! After Nixon left office,

many Americans truly believed that the

time for Cannabis legalization had come.

Gone were the archaic views towards the

plant; the party was supposed to have

started. Before the cocaine craze of the

1980s, high-quality imported pot was the

drug of choice for many, whether smok-

ers or smugglers.

If you think about it, clearly the Tunas

were not aiming for celebrity status.

They liked to smoke dope, fish and fly

planes, and their customers were more

than happy to reimburse them for their

extra cargo upon their return to the

US. Many people in this era loved to

smoke (not just the hippies); however,

few were willing to assume the risk of

importing such a stinky, pungent cargo

all the way from steamy South America.

Likely one of the most-covered smugglers

with regards to the media, Platshorn and

his cohorts represent the severity and

often ridiculous nature of Cannabis sen-

tences in the US. The Black Tuna Gang, a

moniker applied erroneously by the DEA,

could be viewed as the very first casualties

of the emerging War on Drugs.

Platshorn and his childhood friend Robert

Meinster (another member of the South

St. Gang, naturally) were sentenced to

more than 108 years between them.

Originally, 64 of those years were meant

for Platshorn. After serving nearly 29 years

in various levels of the Federal correc-

tion system, Robert was finally freed on

April 1st, 2008. Perhaps the most famous

first-time, non-violent Cannabis offender

in the history of the War on Drugs, the

alleged ringleader was released to a half-

way house with no money, no job and

very little surviving family or friends.

Platshorn, a.k.a. Bobby Tuna, a.k.a.

Barranquilla Bob, does not represent the

typical smuggling story. Rather than a

bid for freedom from a life of poverty, as

prompts many into the smuggling and

dealing game, the Baron of Barranquilla

hails from a comfortable childhood in

Philadelphia, the son of two hard-working

Jewish parents. Raised on the famous

South St. of the 1950s, where his father

worked in a shoe store and his mother

owned a children's clothing boutique,

young Robert was left to learn the rules

of the street, all the while under the aus-

pices of dozens of 'aunts' and 'uncles',

the babysitters of that time period. Kids

worked small jobs and hustled coins,

although the smallest crimes would result

in a nasty encounter with one's folks.

The heightened attention paid to kids by

those other than their parents worked

both for and against them.

It was perhaps the very hard-working

people around him that shaped Robert's

early work ideals. He would graduate from

an arts high school in Cherry Hill, NJ,

where he enjoyed some success as an

actor and dancer. Platshorn then moved

on to college at both Temple University

(Philadelphia) and the University of

Miami. Communications and journalism

were studied but not completed, and he

would later study law.

Then came the barking at state fairs,

boardwalks and showrooms. No big

event of the time was complete without

one. Shouting and roaring and making

the ladies swoon, Platshorn seems to

have had a natural talent for sales. A true

showman, crowds of several hundred

people would gather to hear him pitch

the latest blender or no-run hosiery. It

was at the 1976 Wisconsin State Fair

where his initial connection with the

smuggling game surfaced.

While contemplating a return to the

University of Miami to pursue a law

degree, Platshorn met a fellow barker

called Cool Hand Luke. Luke knew that

Platshorn owned the Ice Cream Factory

on South St., where he also housed

his ice cream pushcarts for the tourist

season. Luke ran a concessions business

and needed a place to store his trail-

ers and off-season merchandise. Thus, a

partnership was struck.

Cool Hand was using his concessions

trailers to deliver shipments for smug-

glers and thought it would be the perfect

spot to unload. This would promote him,

and Platshorn, to dealers in their own

right. Tired of being a simple delivery boy,

Luke convinced Robert that this was their

chance to enter the game. Unfortunately,

Luke would later turn informant.

This small initial load of dope was handled

by Luke and Robby, while Platshorn was

setting up shop in Florida – relying on his

two friends to slide him his cut.

Eventually, Platshorn would run a

small empire from a suite in the luxu-

ry Fontainebleau in Florida. With luxury

yachts docked in front of the hotel, he

operated the South Florida Auto Auction,

among other businesses. It was the auto

auction that provided a perfect excuse

for traveling to Latin America, especially

when one is friends with people who are

able to produce a variety of planes and

boats with which to smuggle prime-grade

Colombian pot.

In '77 Platshorn was living in the Spring

Gardens area of Miami and restoring an

old 40 ft. Elco Sportsfisherman, which

would later come in handy. His pal

Captain Crunch knew someone with

1,500 lb. loads of Colombian weed

that were being smuggled into Florida

through the Everglades. Robert and

Robby were to become partners with

the supplier and find customers to

whom they could offload each ship-

ment. Posh canal houses presented the

perfect unloading spots, with their pri-

vate house-adjacent docks for yachts

and semi-discrete settings among the

wealthy and disinterested.

THE AUTHOR AT THE OFFICES OF

THE DYNAMIC READING INSTITUTE,

LONDON, 1968

POSING AFTER HIS BULL FIGHTING

DEBUT IN 1970

THE DEA ACCUSED THE BLACK TUNA GANG OF SMUGGLING BETWEEN ONE- AND THREE-MILLION TONS OF PRIMO

COLOMBIAN GANJA INTO THE US

88

Platshorn and crew were known pub-

licly as the 'Fishing Fools', a title earned

as a result of their highly competitive

– and highly successful – jaunts at

local fishing competitions. Of the many

ridiculous claims asserted by the DEA,

one was that the smugglers' radio code

for loads of ganja was 'Black Tuna, Black

Tuna'. No such code ever existed.

Besides, as Platshorn points out, anyone

who has ever fished knows that Blue

Fin Tuna are much bigger – 'giant' even

– than their black-finned cousins, and

the Fools' legendary fishing success in

Bimini competitions became so largely

due to the sheer size of their usual

catch. In fact, they were even awarded

special medals for winning a Grand

Slam fishing contest. Photos of the gold

medals would find their way onto the

DEA website, where it was claimed that

the medallions were used to identify

members of the Black Tuna Gang.

In fact, the Fools did their best to maintain

normal profiles while on missions, includ-

ing radio silence, and even had someone

monitoring all radio traffic from inside a

surveillance van: marine-, air-, state- and

local police, DEA, Bahamian customs, etc.

After the second load was delivered,

Robert and Robby were invited by their

partner to join him in Colombia. From

Bogotá to Barranquilla, the pair were

sent on a wild goose chase. Intent on

finding a silver lining, they stayed in

Colombia to see what sort of business

would arise. It was on this trip that

Platshorn met 'Johnny with the Camaro',

who would become his solid connec-

tion and provide him with enough con-

tacts, and dope, to fill several ships

each time he visited Colombia.

Buying 2,000 lb. loads of pot at $60 per

pound sounds pretty cheap, by today's

standards. However, you must remember

that this was the mid- to late '70s, when

pressed ditch weed cost about $12 per

pound. When part of one batch was stolen

by the police, the remaining 850 lbs. was

pre-sold to their customers at $240 per

pound. The stuff the Tunas were hauling

was like gold to pot smokers. Their profit

margin was unbeatable.

All went well, for a while. At one point,

Platshorn was held 'hostage' in Puerto

Atlántico while the weed supplier wait-

ed for his partners to pay up. Unlike

many hostage situations, he was invited

to stay with his captor's family, fed well

and entertained.

In 1977, their 5,000 lb. load of Santa Marta

Gold was hijacked by the Colombian

Army. The boys were loaded into a moldy

step van and driven through the sweaty

jungle to be coerced into paying a 'land-

ing fee' or be shot by firing squad, as

an example to others. These problems,

however, were to pale in comparison

to the Federal charges levied by the US

government against the Black Tunas.

Among their smuggling fleet were two

44 ft. Striker yachts, one 54 ft. Striker, a

53 ft. Hatteras yacht, a 43 ft. Rybovich

yacht and a 110 ft. Elco. Planes included

several trips on a Lear jet, their own DC-3,

Cessnas, Pipers, a Beechcraft D-18, an Aero

Commander, Constellations and more. The

alleged haul of over three hundred million

dollars, the planes and the boats were all

nowhere to be found when it was time for

the DEA to present their evidence.

Whether you're an airplane buff, boat

connoisseur or fishing fiend, there's

something interesting and appealing for

readers of all types on every page of

Black Tuna Diaries. The text is important;

not necessarily because it outlines the

perils and triumphs of pot smuggling –

and it does – but because it shows how

desperate the War on Drugs has been

since its inception. The groovy, party-

laden view that many have of the 1970s

is belied by the '20-to-life' statute of the

decade for pot possession or dealing.

Busting the Fishing Fools – sorry, the

'Black Tuna Gang' – was a notch in the

belt of the DEA, who were burdened with

the now highly-publicized task of polic-

ing the infamous and heavily-trafficked

smuggling routes of the day.

With the 'Just Say No' campaign right

around the corner, the Tuna take-down

signaled that even more drastic and

depressing changes were about to befall

American Cannabis users, dealers and

smugglers. Rather than legalize, the States

entered the dark period that only now

seems to be lightening. As stated by many

social observers, the War on Drugs created

the need for sophisticated drug cartels; it

wasn't ever the case that so many smug-

glers were clogging the water- and air-

ways with their stinky contraband.

Whatever the case, when Bobby Tuna

was busted in September of 1978 (after

attempting an elusive maneuver that

will make the reader break out in a cold

sweat), a golden era ended. The relation-

ship between US smokers in the '70s

and the legendary Santa Marta Gold had

encountered an unfortunate hurdle. No

longer would this particular 'gang' supply

them with the sacred cargo.

Few other smugglers at the time risked

transporting such large loads; some

THE FABULOUS FISHING FOOLS: BOBBY TUNA AND RANDY

ON DOCK; BARRY AND MARTY ON NATURE'S WAY

did, but were also apprehended. Others

were successful, but the Tunas' bust

certainly served as a warning to any

would-be entrepreneurs. Ultimately,

by removing the Tunas from their posi-

tion as trans-continental runners, the

DEA/Feds only served to prompt a

renaissance in smuggling techniques.

Not only that, but the dawn of the

cocaine-fueled 1980s was approach-

ing, and in terms of discretion, it was

much less smelly – and far more profit-

able – to switch products. A new smug-

gling trend was born.

Bobby Tuna would never have entered

that game, even if he hadn't been nabbed

by the authorities. He had far more respect

for himself, and for Cannabis, and had no

desire to associate with 'cocaine cowboys'.

Now a medical Cannabis user – but still

occasionally hocking non-stick cooking

pans or one of Ron Popeil's inventions –

he was released just over three years ago,

on April 1st, 2008. Perhaps the day should

be renamed 'Fishing Fools' Day'. The first

thing a newly-free Bobby Tuna did? He

went fishing, of course.

To order your limited-edition copy, or

make a donation to Robert Platshorn, visit

» www.blacktunadiaries.com

EVENTUALLY, PLATSHORN WOULD RUN A SMALL EMPIRE FROM A SUITE IN THE LUXURY FONTAINEBLEAU IN FLORIDA

BY REMOVING THE TUNAS FROM THEIR POSITION AS TRANS-CONTINENTAL RUNNERS, THE DEA/

FEDS ONLY SERVED TO PROMPT A RENAISSANCE IN SMUGGLING TECHNIQUES

AUTHOR SPEAKING ON STAGE AT THE HEMPSTALK

9

Spring PlantingIt may still be a bit chilly, but spring will soon be here. For indoor gar-dens the change in seasons isn’t all that dramatic. Spring, summer, fall and winter are just different settings on the lighting and temperature controls. For outdoor gardens, however, there is a pre-spring moment that is very special, when the ground has been cleared and the only seeds in the garden are ones of hope and anticipation. Outdoor gar-dens are a cheap and natural way to grow smoke. However, they can also attract drama like a magnet if discovered by some idiot, so even legal weed should be grown with discretion. The biggest threat to outdoor Cannabis walks on two legs. by Grubbycup

Marijuana grows well in containers or

directly in the ground. It is a very simple

spice to grow (to be correct, it’s a spice –

not an her – since the flower clusters are

the part of the plant that is harvested). In

my opinion, it is easier to grow a nice crop

of marijuana than a nice crop of tomatoes

or peppers. If you’ve had a successful veg-

etable or flower garden, you already have

most of the needed skills.

Depending on the 'gardening zone' of

your area, spring may be just right

around the corner. In most of the US,

Cannabis is planted outdoors in April

through May in anticipation of a fall

harvest. Check with your local garden

zone guide; but as a general rule, plant

no earlier than a week after the last frost

date. Plant near the spring equinox and

harvest around the fall equinox.

You can put them outside later in the

season, even up to midsummer, but the

more time the plants spend growing,

the larger they can grow, and the larger

the harvest should be. Once you know

when you want to move the plants out-

side, count back the weeks to figure out

when to start them.

Outdoor plants can be started indoors

by cloning or seed. Start clones indoor

by taking cuttings from a known female

– at least three weeks in advance, to

have them ready to move outside. Take

cuttings that include a growing tip,

and at least below the next node. Dip

in rooting hormones if desired, and

bury the node into the growing media

with the tip above the surface. Keep

the media moist, but not soggy. Roots

should be formed in two to three weeks.

Start seeds indoors at least two weeks

in advance to have them ready to

move outside. When starting from

seed, germinate at least twice the

number of seeds as plants desired for

harvest, as a little under half tend to

be male. To avoid investing too much

time and energy into male plants, once

established, clones taken from the

outdoor plant can be sexed indoors to

learn gender. An alternative is to start

with feminized seeds, which will all be

female. Sprouts should be kept moist,

but not too wet.

One drawback to starting indoors is

that the plants need to be 'hardened'

before they can be left outside perma-

nently. To harden a plant, it is placed

outside in a mild location for a longer

period each day for anywhere from

a few days to about a week. It will

ease the transition from the protected

indoor environment to the harsher out-

doors. Plastic domes can help protect

young plants. Depending on condi-

tions, plants not hardened may die if

the change in environment is too great.

If starting from seed outside, you can wait

until your planting date to start. The same

gender concerns as when starting seeds

indoors apply here.

'Companion planting' is a method

often used to help prevent outdoor

plants from attracting certain types of

pests. Nearby, indeterminate, tomato

plants bring natural defenses against

some types of insects. A brief glance

at green foliage with tomatoes on it

can appear to be a tomato plant, and

the marijuana can help provide some

support for the tomato plant. Besides,

home grown produce is a worthwhile

harvest of its own.

Tying open branches allows a more even

distribution of sunlight, and training tall

plants to bend over with twine can limit

height concerns.

Fertilize with more nitrogen before the

summer solstice, and gradually reduce the

amount afterward. Do the opposite with

phosphorous and potassium: start with a

small amount, and gradually increase use

after the summer solstice.

Marijuana is a very tolerant plant, which

can do well under a wide variety of condi-

tions, both indoors and out. An outdoor

temperate grow can be spectacular, pro-

ductive and save kilowatts of electricity

over an indoor grow.

If you are blessed with a circumstance that

will allow outdoor gardening, be thankful.

It is a wonderful way to grow, as long as

you can do it in peace.

Peace, love and puka shells,

Grubbycup

THIS 11-DAY-OLD SPROUT WILL

SOON BE READY TO START THE

HARDENING PROCESS

ALTHOUGH NOT ABLE TO STAND UP

TO EXAMINATION, THIS TOMATO COM-

PANION AFFORDS SOME COVER

GROWING VEGETABLES ALONGSIDE MARI-

JUANA CAN PROVIDE NUTRITIOUS TREATS

AT 13 DAYS, THE SPROUTED SEED

(LEFT) SHOWS MORE PROGRESS THAN

THE SPROUTED 13-DAY-OLD CLONE

(RIGHT). CLONES SHOULD BE GIVEN

AN ADDITIONAL WEEK TO DEVELOP.

10 STRAIN AWARDS

A SELECTION OF CURRENT CHAMPIONS

Have You Tried These?Best Pain Relieving Strain Award

(High THC)

Two-Way Tie!This issue brings us a two-way tie between

Humboldt County Housewives' Skywalker

OG and Oklevueha's Blue Dream Haze.

The Skywalker OG has the highest total

cannabinoid content; while the Blue

Dream Haze has slightly more THC. With

both strains scoring high at nearly 25%

THC, these indicas are sure to take your

pain away and probably your sensibili-

ties too. Beginners beware! Too much of

a toke from these beauties and you'll

find yourself in couch lock paranoia. Even

the cartoons you're watching on the tel-

evision set will know how high you are.

Connoisseurs: rejoice, relax and enjoy.

Humboldt County Housewives'

Skywalker OG – http://budgeni.us/2LR

24.47% THC

1.02% CBD

0.26% CBN

HIGH RATING: 10

SLEEP AID: 8

PAIN RELIEF: 10

NAUSEA RELIEF: 1

ANXIETY RELIEF: 1

APPETITE STIMULATION: 10

Oklevueha's Blue Dream Haze –

http://budgeni.us/2LQ

24.99% THC

< 0.05% CBD

0.38% CBN

HIGH RATING: 10

SLEEP AID: 8

PAIN RELIEF: 10

NAUSEA RELIEF: 1

ANXIETY RELIEF: 1


Best Anxiety Relief Award (High CBD)While we see many great rating THC

strains every day, the rarest of the rare

are high CBD (Cannabidiol) strains.

These are an interesting breed that,

strangely enough, are known for their

properties in not getting you too high.

They maintain many pain relief quali-

ties, but are best known for their excep-

tional anxiety relief. It's a completely

different experience that we highly

recommend. So if you need to pass

that calculus test, but need to take the

edge off, pick up some ATF from M-Pire.

Remember though: not all strains are

created equal! We've seen several ATF

strains with no CBD content at all. So

hats off to these master growers for

cultivating this rare gem.

M-Pire's ATF – http://budgeni.us/2LS

7.65% THC

8.63% CBD

0.10% CBN

HIGH RATING: 1

SLEEP AID: 9

PAIN RELIEF: 3

NAUSEA RELIEF: 10

ANXIETY RELIEF: 10


Sexiest Strain AwardHumboldt County Housewives return

with another winner this month, with

their picturesque White Widow. Behold

the greenest of greens! It's as if you could

see nature's essence flowing through

this beauty. She boasts a gorgeous glow,

with well-placed hairs and bright alive

trichomes throughout. This mild sativa is

great for an energy boost around lunch

time. Feeling lonely? Wrap your lips

around nature's most fertile White Widow.

Humboldt County Housewives' PMS

White Widow – http://budgeni.us/2LT

10.75% THC

< 0.05% CBD

< 0.05% CBN

HIGH RATING: 4

SLEEP AID: 1

PAIN RELIEF: 4

NAUSEA RELIEF: 4

ANXIETY RELIEF: 4


Pretty in Purple AwardWe can't help ourselves. We're always

blown away by the purps. They leap off

the camera lens begging "Look at me,

dahling!". It's a difficult choice to choose

the best; however, the Black Kush from

Whittier Hope Collective is a clear winner.

She's a dark burgundy, reminiscent of

a plum-colored Cabernet. Her trichomes

are lined up in perfect single file for your

viewing pleasure.

Whittier Hope Collective's Black Kush –

http://budgeni.us/2LU

9.73% THC

< 0.05% CBD

< 0.05% CBN

HIGH RATING: 4

SLEEP AID: 4

PAIN RELIEF: 4

NAUSEA RELIEF: 3

ANXIETY RELIEF: 3


Uncle Harry's Mistress AwardHarry likes 'em hairy, and the Red

Warrior doesn't disappoint. At 12.70%

THC she's not the strongest weapon

on the battlefield, but she'll visually

enchant anyone who sets their on eyes

upon her. This red-headed stepchild

is bursting with supermodel appeal.

Beneath that amazing head of thick

sunset hairs are glowing white bulbs

just begging for your vaporizer.

Oklevueha's Red Warrior –

http://budgeni.us/2LV

12.70% THC

< 0.05% CBD

< 0.05% CBN

HIGH RATING: 5

SLEEP AID: 5

PAIN RELIEF: 5

NAUSEA RELIEF: 4

ANXIETY RELIEF: 4


HUMBOLDT COUNTY HOUSEWIVES'

SKYWALKER OG

OKLEVUEHA’S BLUE DREAM HAZE

M-PIRE’S ATF

HUMBOLDT COUNTY HOUSEWIVES’

PMS WHITE WIDOW

WHITTIER HOPE COLLECTIVE’S

BLACK KUSH

OKLEVUEHA’S RED WARRIOR

12

In this issue of Soft Secrets USA, we shall

take an alternative look at producing

organic fertilizers (or ‘teas’) using natural

ingredients. The aim of any organic tea

is to produce a well-balanced base of

nutrients which, when applied to soil sub-

strates, is made freely available to plants.

Organic cultivation is, therefore, the pro-

cess of feeding the soil beneath – not

the plant itself – with all the nutritional

requirements needed to further sustain

plant growth.

Cultivating Healthy BacteriaThe basic principle behind any organic tea

recipe is that EVERYTHING on earth (unless

sterile) is surrounded by bacteria. As things

decay, the more these bacteria start to

work. Some of these bacteria are more

beneficial to soil and plant life than oth-

ers. In making organic tea in water, we are

therefore aiming to cultivate a small ‘micro-

herd’ of beneficial bacteria. This is achieved

by using natural ingredients already cov-

ered in micro-bacteria and by enhancing

the environment surrounding the bacteria

so that they can rapidly multiply.

The bacteria we are dealing with here are

‘aerobic’, meaning they need oxygen to

survive. This is provided by an air stone in

a bucket or by hand-stirring the bucket of

water twice daily. The bacteria also require

a source of carbohydrate to feed on. This is

provided by a basic source of sugar, such

as honey, molasses or cane sugar. Once

situated in a warm environment the con-

tents of the bucket of water then slowly

start to ferment.

Store Bought ‘Organic’ TeaToday most DIY depots, garden nurser-

ies and specialist stores cater to the

organic home-grower. Many stores offer

what at first seems like a vast array of

ingredients, including guano, seaweed

extract, worm casts and even ready-

made ‘organic’ solutions.

Guano is usually the first ingredient many

tea makers will discover. Guano is the dried

or fossilized remains of bat or sea bird

manure. Rich in essential nutrients, each

guano comes with its own NPK reading to

indicate the strength of the nitrogen, phos-

phorus and potassium level. For example,

a guano labeled 10-2-2 is suitable for the

vegetative stages of growth; while, in con-

trast, a guano labeled 0-3-7 is more suited

to the later stages of flowering.

Organic Guano TeaThe following recipe has been tried and

tested over many years in various gardens.

The guano used is usually quite strong, so

only a small teaspoon of sea bird guano

and a large tablespoon of Kenyan or

Peruvian bat guano is added to each gal-

lon bucket of warm water. Depending on

season and visible signs in the plants’ well-

being, then the quantities may change.

Next, a small splash (5ml) of seaweed

extract and a tablespoon of honey, maple

syrup or sugar is added to the bucket as a

carbohydrate. This aids fermentation. The

bucket is stirred twice daily and kept at a

temperature of 70°F (20°C). This helps the

natural bacteria generate at an even rate.

The tea is ready within 7-14 days. To add

some extra depth to organic tea during

vegetative stages of growth, a large table-

spoon of wood ash is added to promote

root growth. This is something still being

experimented with, since guano is known

to react differently in combination with

different compounds.

Likewise a small cup (250ml) of urine adds

extra nitrogen to the tea (if required).

Urine is sterile when produced; although

it acts as an accelerator when it comes in

contact with foreign bacteria. This further

aids the fermentation process.

The resulting tea is applied liberally to

the base of plants when still young. Note:

urine containing contraceptives and ster-

oids should never be used in organic tea,

since they contain hormones that may

affect plant growth and the health of

the consumer. This is especially important

when crops are consumed as ‘medibles’!

Wild Organic TeaWild organic tea is the cheapest and most

natural way to produce a reliable source

of organic fertilizer. Nature is full of use-

ful wild plants and minerals just waiting

to be brewed. Nettles, for example, are a

great source of nitrogen (N) and iron (Fe)

and make perfect teas for the vegetative

stages of growth.

Burdock is a reliable source of trace ele-

ments including calcium (Ca) and mag-

nesium (Mg). Added to a bucket of warm

water, the leaves of both wild plants fer-

ment into a thick soup in only a few

days. The soup can then be sieved and

sprayed onto the leaves of plants to pro-

mote healthy growth, or applied directly

as a base-feed.

Another natural substance that can be

added to organic teas to increase the

levels of phosphorous (P) and potassium

(K) during the flowering stages of growth

include charcoal and wood ash. Likewise,

worm castings and mole-hill soil are also

excellent sources of free organic minerals.

Both can be added to any organic tea at

any time of year, without any fear of over-

fertilization. When fresh, both are mineral

rich in trace elements and contain a pleth-

ora of additional natural bacteria that are

known to donate beneficial properties to

soil life and, in turn, plant life.

There is plenty of debate surrounding chemical vs. organic methods of cultivation. Many organic gardeners argue that plants cultivated using naturally-sourced ingredients make for healthier plants that display a more extensive arrangement of essential oils at harvest. Others argue that organic methods of cultivation are simply less stressful on the planet. by lazystrain

Advantages and DisadvantagesOne of the main advantages of using

organic tea as a source of fertilizer in the

garden is visible in healthier, more robust

plants. Growers using chemical applica-

tions often require additional chemical

supplements to provide their plants with

just the correct sources of micro-nutrients.

A well-balanced organic tea, on the other

hand, provides all the nutritional require-

ments needed for healthy growth.

One of the main disadvantages of organic

tea is that the preparation time requires

more input than simply pouring nutrients

out of a plastic bottle into a watering

can. Another disadvantage is the space

required to ferment organic tea, in a buck-

et of water, with an air stone. Plus, of

course, the often unpleasant smell that

some teas generate as the most beneficial

bacteria become active.

Enjoy!

NETTLE TEA

WOOD ASH AND GUANO

NETTLES MAKE A NUTRITIOUS

ORGANIC FERTILIZER

13

Since the US is such a large country with

stark climate and elevation changes, it is

essential that you choose the best strain

for your outdoor environment. Medical

patients should be especially stringent

with their standards, as the correct vari-

ety can be the perfect therapy for their

ailment; however, the wrong strain may

worsen their medical condition.

Once you have decided which variety to

grow, there are a few different methods

that you can use to successfully germi-

nate the seeds. Those of you with regular

gardening experience (tomatoes, herbs,

etc.) will find that some of the gardening

techniques that you already know will be

sufficient.

Before you place the seeds into the germi-

nating medium, make sure you first soak

them in a glass of water for around 24

hours. When the seeds sink to the bottom

of the glass, they should be placed in your

chosen medium.

Damp Paper TowelsThis is a common method often used

by basic gardeners. The soaked seeds

are placed between moistened layers of

paper towels or cotton pads, and checked

at least once daily for sprouts. The paper

should be kept damp at all times, while

avoiding pooling or uneven distribution

of water (which could lead to mold).

Rockwool CubesRockwool cubes are found more readily

within the hydroponic growing commu-

nity, as it is a preferred substrate for some

hydro systems. One benefit of these cubes

is that they protect the delicate seedlings

as they emerge, sometimes allowing for

a better success rate. Downsides include

the fact that rockwool doesn’t really bio-

degrade (think: fiberglass made out of

molten rock), nor does the plastic in which

many of the cubes are wrapped.

Peat PotsPeat pots are a more natural alternative

to rockwool, as they are often made of

organic materials. Moisture holds rela-

tively well and the peat pots may be filled

with your choice of seedling soil. Trays of

peat pots are handy for organized germi-

nation, after which each seedling is cut

apart from the rest when it is transplanted

for the first time.

Seed PelletsPellets are bullet-shaped vessels into

which your soaked seeds are inserted.

These may be purchased dry or already

soaked, occasionally with a nutrient or

hormone solution. Some growers report

that these alter their pH- and EC levels

and have even burned their seedlings;

you must obtain specific product details

at your local garden center or grow shop.

Small Plant PotsIf you are already have a flower or vegetable

garden, you may re-use your small (3” x 3”)

pots if they are washed and rinsed thor-

oughly (to prevent disease and infestation).

Seedling soil is available at most garden cent-

ers and is specifically used to prevent nutri-

ent burn on the tender new shoots. Normal

growing soil often has too much food for the

seedlings, which can not only burn them

but also occasionally spoils young plants

by deterring them from spreading copious

roots in search of nutrition.

For more information, ask questions at your

local grow shop or plant nursery. Plenty

of Cannabis grow books are also available

online. Experiment to find out which meth-

od best suits your gardening needs.

Germination 101 The Sativa Diva / Photos: Cannabis College Amsterdam

Now that the weather has gotten warmer, lots of folks are starting up their outdoor gardens. Many people do this by germinatingtheir seeds indoors first, and allowing the seedlings to grow into small plants before their transition to an outdoor climate.

PLASTIC-WRAPPED ROCKWOOL CUBES HELP TO KEEP

YOUNG ROOTS SUPPLIED WITH MOISTURE

PELLETS ARE AN EASY WAY TO KEEP

TRACK OF SEEDLINGS AND PROTECT NEW ROOTS

IF YOUR ROOT SYSTEM IS HEALTHY, IT WILL LOOK SOMETHING LIKE THIS

A STRONG SEEDLING LEADS

TO A HEALTHY ADULT PLANT

14THE EVOLUTION OF THE LEGAL STATUS OF CANNABIS IN THE NETHERLANDS

A Dutch Shift… for the Worse?It’s a sunny, cold and crisp January day in Amsterdam. Groups of tourists wander about – staring in disbelief for some, fascination for others – through the streets of the Red Light district. Farther along the street, the smell of growing Cannabis comes wafting through the ventilation system of the Cannabis College. Inside it, a group of tour-ists listens attentively to one of the volunteers while he explains the way the Dutch system works with regards to Cannabis, the changes the industry is undergoing and the effect this is having on one of the Netherlands’ main attractions: coffeeshops. Buddy Kush

To a large percentage of the people

visiting the Netherlands, the prospect

of freely accessing a coffeeshop is the

equivalent of visiting a candy shop as

a kid: a mouth-watering experience to

say the least. This does lead to some

misunderstandings, however: “You guys

are so lucky, with Cannabis being legal

and all...” states a tourist.

The fact is that Cannabis has never been

legalized in the Netherlands. The reason

behind the open sales of Cannabis lies

in the Dutch government's decision to

tolerate the sale of weed and hash in small

quantities, to adults, via licensed estab-

lishments: coffeeshops.

Taking a tolerant stance has been quite a

successful move if you look at the results:

safer distribution, less crime, one of the

lowest consumption rates per head in

Europe. (Around 22.6% of Dutch residents

between 15 and 64 years of age have tried

Cannabis, versus 40.6% in the USA.) To top

it all off, a comfortable amount of money

goes straight into the government's pock-

et, thanks to the 52% income tax applied

to coffeeshops – more than double that of

traditional businesses.

Things have been changing over the

last couple years, however. In 2010,

the government decided to close any

coffeeshop located within 250 m. (273

yd.) of a school. A highly ineffective

decision as explained by Amsterdam's

former mayor, Job Cohen: “Students

that wish to go to a coffeeshop will not

be put off by a couple meters more....

Added to this is the fact that youth can-

not enter a coffeeshop and that this is

strictly applied. New research has con-

firmed what we already knew: students

obtain soft drugs via-via and therefore

do not go to coffeeshops.”

All in all, past decisions put in place by the

government have led the amount of cof-

feeshops in Amsterdam to drop from 452

in 1994 to around 230 today.

But that's not all; 2010 also brought with

it a shift in politics. The previously cen-

trist government became more conserva-

tive/right wing with the VVD (Party for

Freedom and Democracy), PVV (Party

for Freedom) and the CDA (Christian

Democrats) leading the government.

This does not bode well for the future of

Holland's Cannabis culture as the Dutch

government is backtracking – slowly turn-

ing its back on the progress it has led by

example over the last 40 years. And the

worst thing is the lack of rational or coher-

ent argument behind this move.

In an attempt to diminish the so-called

'misery' caused by the actual tolerant

stance, the government has been work-

ing on a proposal to establish a pass sys-

tem to restrict non-Dutch residents from

accessing coffeeshops. As a whole this is

not entirely surprising, as it sticks to the

essence of the tolerant stance put forward

in the 1970s, providing initial access to

coffeeshops to the Dutch.

Marc Michel Josemans, owner of the Easy

Going Coffeeshop in Maastricht, contest-

ed this decision in 2010 but his arguments

were rejected by the European Court. The

Court stated that this was not the case,

given the Cannabis plant’s illegal status

outside of the Netherlands.

A sad conclusion for us all, but the ques-

tion now is how the Dutch government

could possibly apply this, given the fol-

lowing:

coffeeshops, according to the Dutch

Office of Tourism.

distribute the pass.

such discriminatory practices.

trade, violence and less control over the

quality of Cannabis available.

-

sumers' ill health.

Given these facts, most cities (Amsterdam

included) have stated they would not

implement this system, bringing the

entire debate to a standstill. For some,

however, the weed pass is a halfway meas-

ure; meaning that if it fails, certain political

parties will put all their energy behind the

closure of coffeeshops, as stated by Alex

Meij, VVD representative in Maastricht:

“The VVD believes that this policy and the

Cannabis pass should be put into applica-

tion. If these measures do not help with

the present situation… then the closure

of coffeeshops is unavoidable.”

This would prove an absolutely disas-

trous decision, pushing the Cannabis

industry farther underground, to the

great benefit of the criminal organiza-

tions these same people claim to be

fighting, and to the detriment of just

about everyone else – including the

tax payers. There are, however, those

who realize that such repressive actions

would only make the situation worse,

preferring to have an open dialogue as

to how to better regulate the production

and distribution of Cannabis. This would

ensure a safe environment, reduced

criminal activity and better product

quality. An overall win-win situation!

AN ORGANIC STRAIN IN FLOWER

IN THE CANNABIS COLLEGE

THE EASY GOING COFFEESHOP

IN MAASTRICHT

The Cannabis College

Oudezijds Achterburgwal 124

1012DT Amsterdam

The Netherlands

T: +31 (0) 204234420

E: [email protected]

» www.Cannabiscollege.com

So this is where the situation lies at

present. An uncertain time with three

possible outcomes: in one, coffeeshop

access is restricted to Dutch nation-

als. In the second, the Cannabis pass

system fails and the minority cabinet

lobbies to eradicate coffeeshops from

Holland altogether. The third – and

for us the only rational option – is for

the government to push for further

decriminalization and regulation of

the Cannabis industry.

An interesting time indeed…

Any comments/questions?

Feel free to get in touch with us at the

Cannabis College in Amsterdam:

AMSTERRANT 15

Amsterdam is a small city with a big name. The epicenter of the Cannabis world, it is a place we all want to visit at least once in our lives. In the hearts of the American tokers it holds a special place. In darker times, when the plant was demonized in the U.S; Amsterdam shone like a beacon of freedom and hope of how things might be.

Up until now the city has always displayed a tolerant policy toward the plant. There was a time when the hash and weed prices were given out over Dutch radio each morning. Dealers would gather in a cafe behind Dam Square to test each other's samples and listen to the prices of the day. Just like the stock market around the corner, it had its own gold standard called 'NPL': a variety of black Pakistani border hash that never varied in quality or supply. Against this, the value of everything else was measured. By O’Riodon

The city had every kind of Cannabis

you could imagine. From the odd kilo

of exotic hash smuggled in by travelers

to multi-ton loads that were eventu-

ally exported across Europe, it all passed

through Amsterdam. This business

generated lots of money for the Dutch

economy. The coffee shops flourished,

creating a unique form of tourism that

brought in even more money. People

came in droves from all over the world

to enjoy the Dutch 'Cannabis experi-

ence'. Getting a light for your joint from a

policeman in the Vondel Park was a tour-

ist ritual. Legalization would have been

the next logical step, celebrating it as a

gift, but then from across the Atlantic

came a hail of criticism. The Dutch gov-

ernment at the time was forced to back-

track and begin the slow dismantling of

our free alternative lifestyle.

So when you come to visit Holland these

days for your Cannabis experience; the

liberal freedom you’re experiencing is

purely superficial, a ghost of what it once

was. Sure we still have coffee shops and

they’ll sell you some of the best weed

in the world, but where does it come

from? Criminals! That’s what the govern-

ment terms the growers. On one hand

they allow the sale of Cannabis, benefiting

from the business and taxes it generates;

and on the other, authorities hunt and

persecute the people who produce it. It

is becoming so dangerous to grow that

eventually only real criminals will do it.

The latest maneuver is to close the grow

shops. It smacks of hypocrisy to me.

Previous governments aren’t entirely to

blame for the situation. Continuous pres-

sure from the US over the years has

prevented the Dutch authorities from

acting positively at a time when it would

have made a difference. Instead they

did nothing, allowing the production

and distribution to fall into the hands of

organized criminals who use their profits

to finance weapons and people smug-

gling. In the eyes of the law it is with

these people that the honest growers of

Holland are associated. It’s true we are

'legally' allowed to grow five plants, but

you can’t use lights and it rains a lot in

Holland; you also can’t legally feed, clip

or give them any kind of attention. If they

do flower and are visible from the street,

there’s still a chance that the police will

show up and confiscate them.

So, it is with a sense of irony that we look

to the US and see growers over there

producing crops without the constant

threat of arrest and confiscation. Getting

busted here is a life-changing experience;

it's financially devastating and leaves you

with a criminal record. So there are lots of

nice people you’ll never ever get to meet,

because they’re banned from America.

Most here in NL grow to supplement a low

income: single mothers, the unemployed

and people with chronic illness unable to

afford coffeeshop prices. I started growing

when I became sick and had to undergo

chemotherapy. Medicinal weed was $16

a gram, good coffee shop $10, so I decid-

ed to grow my own. Over the following

years the plant supported and eventu-

ally helped to heal me. Tending garden

brought me peace in a difficult time and I

dream of doing it again, but without fear

of arrest. Most growers would love to pay

tax; it would be a small price for doing

something we love.

Amsterdam has unique living libraries

containing hundreds of varieties of the

Cannabis plant that one day could benefit

mankind. Should they be discovered by

the police they’d be destroyed and that

would be a crime against nature.

Now, I may sound like disgruntled aging

hippie, but I’ve done my time, unjustly

spending years in a shithole prison for

love of a plant. Remember, when the

US government was busy persecuting its

Cannabis growers, the Dutch held firm,

giving refuge to those fleeing its unjust

prison terms. Now the growers of Holland

and all the people here who care for the

plant need a little support. We want to

enjoy the same freedoms that seem to

be opening up for you. It’s so ironic that

our roles have been reversed and now we

have become the persecuted.

Amsterdam through the Looking GlassAmsterdam through the Looking Glass

If you hadn’t noticed, the present Dutch

government has some very extreme

views, especially concerning Cannabis.

The Minister of Justice, Dhr. Opstelten,

would like to close down the whole

Cannabis scene, imagining we’ll all sud-

denly stop smoking weed. In reality

this will simply push everything under-

ground and into the hands of criminals

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE HASH AND WEED PRICES WERE GIVEN OUT OVER DUTCH RADIO EACH MORNING

COFFEE SHOPS COULD DISAPPEAR

SMALL-TIME GROWERS SUFFER

IVO OPSTELTEN, THE J. E.

HOOVER OF HOLLAND

who are willing to sell you anything.

Until now the Dutch had such a good

reputation for getting it right with the

drug scene. What happened?

I have been a Cannabis user for over forty

years, run a business, traveled the world

and still don’t have a brain that looks like

a fried egg.

Send the Dutch government an email and

tell them how it should be or you’re not

coming to visit! The Minister of Justice

would be a good start.

Email: [email protected]

17

Paper-less blunts and cigarettes have

been on the market for decades but

they never really caught on; that is, until

Fred of Home Blown Glass decided to

put countless hours into comparing

old designs and brainstorming ways to

improve upon them. Eventually he deliv-

ered the perfect alternative to paper-

rolled joints for even those who perhaps

aren't usually into glass. Easy to use and

even easier to clean, the Slider is one of

those cool gadgets that every smoker

should have. Fred shared his story, and

that of the genesis of my now-favorite

piece of glass, with Soft Secrets USA.

The Cannabis world rarely experiences

revolutionary products. When they do

arrive, it's usually to some fanfare, consid-

ering how information spreads in under-

ground communities. With the Slider,

however, success has come with less of a

bang and more of a, well, puff of smoke.

Fred, founder of Home Blown Glass and

the creative mind behind the Slider, has

had a long personal history with Cannabis

and its beneficial effects. “After going to

school for holistic health and working

with patients who had written off allo-

pathic [traditional, Western] medicine,

I became aware of how well Cannabis

helped people gain relief from a variety of

conditions. I met Jack Herer in 1989 and

he blew me away with The Emperor Wears

No Clothes, as it was validation for what I

had seen and believed.

“Shortly after our meeting a friend intro-

duced me to Neville's original strains,

which I faithfully grew and passed on

to as many people as I could. By 1997

I was caretaker for over 50 people with

every thing from AIDS, cancer, chronic

pain, MS, depression, alcoholism, glau-

coma, etc. Considering the destitute

state in which many of these people

were, prices [ranged] from free to half

the black market value.”

However, the dream of helping peo-

ple with affordable, natural medicine

turned into a nightmare when Fred was

busted for cultivation. He recalls, “Even

though I obtained a Cannabis dealer's

license from [my home] state, I was

unable to use it in my defense after a

commercial supplier turned me in to

stay out of jail. I [had been sitting] on

my couch reading a book on contem-

porary glassblowing when the officers...

broke through my front door, nearly

shooting my dogs in the process.”

You think you've seen it before, but you haven't. The Slider System series of 'paper-less cigarette' hand-blown glass tubes presents by far the most modern and functional re-design of a known smoking prod-uct. Placing Second for Best Glass at the 2010 High Times Medical Cannabis Cup in San Francisco, each piece is individually crafted by the artists at the Home Blown Glass company, suiting all tastes and levels of consumption. Gone are the days of hacking and choking over a bowl of well-grown ganja, as the Slider delivers a smooth, efficient and effective hit with each and every toke. The Sativa Diva

Luckily, the strong survive, and a combina-

tion of Fred's passion for both glassblow-

ing and helping patients led to the crea-

tion of his company. “Within two months

I had turned my hobby into Home Blown

Glass. We were lucky in our state that

'paraphernalia' is [considered] multi-use

items and not... illegal unless used with

illegal substances.”

Freedom was not wasted on Fred, as he

went straight to work researching the

glass market and ]trying to figure out

exactly what was missing. “After several

years [of] manufacturing bowls and tra-

ditional pipes, the inexpensive foreign

“AFTER SEVERAL YEARS [OF] MANUFACTURING BOWLS AND TRADITIONAL PIPES, THE INEXPENSIVE FOREIGN PRODUCTS BEGAN FLOODING THE MARKET.... THIS WORRY WAS A CATALYST IN US RETHINKING A 1970'S DESIGN.”

18

products began flooding the market,” he

remembers. Cheap imports lower the

overall quality of the market, are often

easily broken and sometimes even rely

upon sweatshops or child labor for pro-

duction. The benefits of supporting local

glassblowers extend, therefore, beyond

simple differences in quality or being able

to choose your favorite color.

“This worry was a catalyst in us rethink-

ing a 1970's design, marketed under

several names over a few decades,

[including] the Paperless Cigarette, EZ

Slide and Slider. This product had seen

a resurgence on the market as a Glass

Blunt, but fundamentally there was lit-

tle difference with its design in over 30

years. So, with the insistence and con-

stant badgering of my friend Glaucoma

Jim, we redesigned this old product.”

So what is it exactly that upgrades

users from the duplicate products of

the past? Fred elaborates: “We elimi-

nated the vinyl sleeve, shrink wrap,

rubber grommet, the plastic piece used

to hold the tubes together – that makes

you choke when you get to the juicy

bits. We replaced it with a stainless

steel clip that acts as a spring, screen

and carb. This change is revolutionary

as now you can back-load your herbs

and never have to put fresh [product

through] ash, allowing you to use a

natural filter by keeping it loaded and

not burning it down into your clip –

keeping ash out of your mouthpiece.”

The Slider family consists of three

main types: Sliders, Blunt Sliders and

Magnum Sliders. All are hand-blown,

with three fused marbles for easier han-

dling. The marbles aren't just functional

– the aesthetic details of each piece

are complemented by a wide range of

available colors, from fumed to color-

less to amethyst or emerald, as well as

carefully-crafted critters ranging from

penguins to frogs to dinosaurs. Pieces

may even be special ordered to per-

fectly match your personality.

Sliders can be purchased online (con-

tact Chuck at Slidershop.com) or even

from various retailers in Amsterdam, if

you're looking for gifts and souvenirs

while on vacation. Due to their com-

pact size (2.5˝ or 3.5˝), ease of use and

portability, the Slider family appeals

to all consumers from light medical

users to heavy recreational smokers.

However, the Cannabis community

isn't the only one to enjoy and benefit

from this little glass tube.

These days many people are research-

ing tobacco alternatives, or even ways

to stop using tobacco altogether by

means of smoking or vaporizing a com-

bination of herbs. Fred is highly enthu-

siastic about the positive implications

of the Slider with regards to lung- and

upper airway health, whether for medi-

cal patients or simply long-term smok-

ers and tokers who want to cut back.

“[I]t's concentrate friendly for a mix of

solids, pollens and oils,” he points out.

“My favorite video, 'Slider Layer

Cake,' shows 60 herbs used by Native

Americans to treat physical and mental

THE AESTHETIC DETAILS OF EACH PIECE ARE COMPLEMENTED BY A WIDE RANGE OF AVAILABLE COLORS, FROM FUMED TO COLORLESS TO AMETHYST OR EMERALD, AS WELL AS CAREFULLY-CRAFTED CRITTERS RANGING FROM PENGUINS TO FROGS TO DINOSAURS

problems. The Slider is a multifunc-

tional smoking tool. People tell me

how they smoke coltsfoot to treat their

asthma and how they kicked cigarettes

with a lobelia ['asthma weed'] and mul-

lein mix. Doctors in California have told

me, if you are going to smoke there is

not a better tool to use, because of the

natural filter. There is even a large fol-

lowing of people who enjoy vaporizing

with a Slider.”

The Slider appeals to the full range of

smoking customers. Rarely can a glass

product cross so comfortably through

most, if not all of the subcultures of

the Cannabis community. Joint smok-

ers, glass purists; even those trying

to quit long-standing tobacco hab-

its will all enjoy its compact size,

sleek design and modern improve-

ment upon an old idea. Besides, it's

easier to carry, and conceal, than your

favorite three-foot party bong.

» www.slidersystem.com

Photo : Sweet Seeds

Bla

ck J

ack

Au

to

20 FEMININE PERSPECTIVE

ARE YOU HARMING OR HELPING YOUR UNBORN CHILD?

Cannabis and PregnancyThe existing research into the effects of Cannabis on the developing child is inconclusive at best and confusing at worst. I feel great sym-pathy for any pot user who finds herself pregnant as a huge decision awaits, with little evidence either way to support the final choice of whether or not to continue use. It is my intention to clarify these muddy waters, where possible. by Kali Mist

Cannabis use is most prevalent in the

18-25 year age range – also the demo-

graphic that is most likely to reproduce.

In the USA, around 15% of the population

are regular users, and of these, 3% are

pregnant. With medical Cannabis being

used long-term for many chronic condi-

tions, the issue of its safety for expectant

mothers demands attention.

It is easy to assume the worst about

Cannabis use during pregnancy, as with

all unfamiliar medications. However, while

there may well be women out there who

– consciously or otherwise – put their

unborn children at risk from continued

exposure to known harmful substances,

we can't assume this is a brush with which

to tar weed users. Most women can't com-

fortably continue their use of a medica-

tion through pregnancy while uncertain

of its safety. It is proving to be a tough

choice to make for many.

Existing studies may be inherently

flawed as they assess use through

smoking only. While research concludes

that the effects of smoking Cannabis

and tobacco are disparate (recent news

suggests that Cannabis smoke may in

fact exert a 'protective' action on the

lungs), it is irresponsible to suggest

that smoking any substance is entirely

beneficial to health. Studies should

differentiate between the effects of

smoking Cannabis while pregnant, and

those of alternative techniques such as

vaporizing or ingesting orally.

Arguments against consuming

Cannabis during pregnancy include

results of research conducted last

year by the Erasmus University of

Rotterdam, which states that babies

born to Cannabis-using mothers tend

to have below-average cranial cir-

cumference and birth weight. It was

discovered that Cannabis, when used

only in early pregnancy, slowed fetal

growth by around 0.39 oz. per week. If

use continued throughout pregnancy,

reduction in growth rate averaged out

at around 0.49 oz. per week. Tobacco,

on the other hand, slowed growth by

approximately 0.14 oz. per week.

As deprivation of oxygen to the devel-

oping fetus's brain is considered to be

a major factor for low birth weight,

perhaps the difference here could even

be explained simply: Cannabis users

tend to inhale more deeply, and for

longer, therefore depriving the brain

of oxygen for longer than a cigarette

smoker. Levels of carboxyhemoglobin

(formed when carbon monoxide reacts

with hemoglobin in the blood) are five

times higher after smoking Cannabis

than after smoking tobacco.

This study concludes that the effects

of smoking marijuana are indeed det-

rimental to the developing baby – but

the question of whether cannabinoids

themselves play a part in these findings

remains unanswered. Other factors must

also be taken into consideration, such

as socioeconomic status of the mother,

her level of general health and stress

and prevalent cultural attitudes towards

Cannabis in the location of study. In

a country where Cannabis is illegal or

frowned upon, users are often more likely

to be of lower social status and subject to

stress-inducing economic disadvantages.

CANNABIS-USING WOMEN WHO

BECOME PREGNANT FACE A TOUGH

CHOICE, WITH LITTLE TO GUIDE THEMThe available Cannabis itself may be

of poor quality or grown with poten-

tially harmful chemicals. Even in the

Netherlands, where retail sales of

Cannabis are tolerated but wholesale

distribution and cultivation is not, these

factors must be considered.

In a locality where Cannabis use is tra-

ditional, users are generally from across

the social spectrum so economic disad-

vantages will have less effect on sub-

jects and, therefore, results. This argu-

ment may be borne out by Dr. Melanie

Dreher's work in Jamaica during the

1990s on Cannabis-using mothers and

their children. Long-term studies con-

ducted on development of children

exposed to Cannabis in utero found no

evidence of inferiority to the children

of non-Cannabis using mothers; in fact,

the former group showed fewer signs

of stress-related anxiety, and better

organizational skills. Significantly, her

research does not solely concentrate on

smokers but also users of Cannabis 'tea'.

Her research also highlights the

importance of Cannabis to expectant

mothers as a remedy for nausea, not

uniquely: there are many references in

medical literature to this application.

Mothers reported increased appetite

and mood stability. Cannabis was also

considered helpful in treatment of

post-natal depression. That Cannabis

may assist the mother's ability to pro-

vide a high level of care suggests a

positive overall effect on the long-term

health of her children.

Studies that concentrate solely on the

effects during pregnancy of Cannabis

use through methods other than smok-

ing are apparently non-existent, and

much needed. There is a shocking

scarcity of research from recent years.

The increasing prevalence of Cannabis

being prescribed by doctors as a uni-

versal panacea for all manner of ail-

ments cannot continue without con-

firmation of its safety. From an ethical

perspective, conducting incomplete

clinical trials on any new medicine

would imply full responsibility on the

part of the medical profession if anoth-

er scandal of Thalidomide proportions

then occurred. Even if all future tri-

als proved its benevolence, Cannabis

requires further scrutiny.

At this stage, there is little definite con-

clusion that can be drawn, save that

smoking Cannabis is likely the most

unsafe way to medicate; and that while

Cannabis use may bring many benefits

to the mother, the harm that it could

do the developing fetus may outweigh

them. With patients for whom medi-

cation is a necessity, there is no clear

way to decide on whether to continue

their Cannabis use or to switch to an

alternative pharmaceutical. For many

the initial clincher will remain: that

Cannabis is a non-invasive drug with

far fewer side effects than many. For

these women, to simply use as little

of it as possible (ideally in tea form, or

vaporized) would surely be the advis-

able way to avoid the potential for

adverse effects occurring.

SMOKING CANNABIS THROUGHOUT PREGNANCY LEADS TO A

LOWER AVERAGE BIRTH WEIGHT, STUDIES HAVE SUGGESTED

MOST WOMEN CAN'T COMFORTABLY CONTINUE THEIR USE OF A MEDICATION THROUGH PREGNANCY WHILE UNCERTAIN OF ITS SAFETY

EXISTING STUDIES MAY BE INHERENTLY FLAWED AS THEY ASSESS CANNABIS USE THROUGH SMOKING ONLY

THE EFFECTS OF CANNABIS TEA,

WHILE NOT YET STUDIED SEPARATELY,

ARE BELIEVED TO BE FAR MORE BEN-

EFICIAL THAN THOSE OF SMOKING

The Scoop on Soil

ORGANIC CULTIVATION 21

What you grow in is as important as the quality of the strain you grow with. As an herb farmer you need to make an intelligent choice as to what kind of soil you want to grow in. It is often very easy to distinguish the fla-vor of an organic or naturally grown product over a synthetically fertilized one. That in itself ought to help you understand how important natural soil is. There are a few other reasons to stay away from commercial ferti-lizers. These inorganic fertilizers are primarily produced from natural gas. This is ultimately unsustainable as they pollute our waters with excessive nitrogen, and destroy both micro fauna and the beneficial effects humus creates in the soil. While the last 60 years has been a boon for agri-busi-ness, I'm not sure that as individuals or as a society we benefit that much. Fortunately, we can make an informed choice and we have thousands of years in cumulative knowledge on how to make good soil. F.Red

Before we get our hands in the dirt we

ought to know what's in it.

A healthy soil is a dynamic system of life.

The living components are bacteria, fungi,

protozoa, algae, small insects and animals.

An acre of land could have two tons of this

life in it. A bottle cap of this precious earth

may contain upwards of 100,000 proto-

zoa, 30 million fungi and 2 billion bacteria.

When these organisms die, enzymes from

fungi and bacterial action break down

the organic matter and free nutrients into

the soil for plant growth. This process

creates humus, a complex polymer that

acts like a sponge helping to hold water

and minerals. Humus tends to have a

negative charge, attracting minerals to it.

In this way, it acts as a catalyst in the ion

exchange of nutrients through bacteria,

aiding absorption into plant roots.

Nutrients are necessary for plant life.

Some of the following you may remem-

ber from chemistry class. The macro-

nutrients are the largest quantities of

nutrients plants use. They are nitro-

gen, phosphorus and potassium. The

secondary macronutrients are calcium,

sulfur and magnesium. Some of the

micronutrients, also known as trace

minerals, are boron, iron and zinc.

These are all important for the process

of growing, flowering and fruiting. If

the individual or groups of these nutri-

ents are missing in your soil, plants

will respond in their growth, leaf and

stem colors, giving clues as to what is

missing. As a plant grows through its

life cycle some of these nutrients are

needed more than others.

For a plant in its vegetative state nitrogen

is important. Nitrogen aids in growth and

chlorophyll production. Be careful; more

is not always better. Plants with excessive

nitrogen in the soil or hydro solutions

after harvest will not burn as well and

flavors are destroyed by an ashy taste.

Nitrogen is less important as the plant

begins to flower and more phosphorus

and potassium are consumed.

Aggregate is the bulk of what makes up

soil. It is what gives soil texture and deter-

mines how well water drains through.

In nature it can be found in multiple

combinations from the microscopic clay

particles to the visible silt, fine- and coarse

sand, pebbles and rocks. Soil with poor

drainage can suffocate your root systems

and cause your plants to rot. Proper drain-

age is essential in any mix of soils.

All these different mixes of soil give various

pH readings – the measure of soil acidity or

alkalinity. The pH of your soil can affect the

ability of your plants to absorb nutrients.

Dolomite or limestone is a great addition

to help soil maintain a neutral pH. While

planting mixes sold at your local store

generally have a neutral pH, the ground

where you live can vary from highly acidic

to alkaline. Test kits and strips are available A FARMER'S BEST FRIEND

FRESH DIRT GREAT SOIL PACKED WITH ORGANIC NUTRIENTS

at many garden centers. Garden centers

are also a valuable resource for knowledge

on the conditions in your area.

Now that you are familiar with some of

what is in the soil (yes!) it is time to get

your hands in the dirt and learn some

more ways to improve your growth and

flowering. Physical appearance of soil

is misleading as a gravelly soil can be

very productive, which is very evident in

hydroponic systems where lava rock or

clay pellets are used with nutrients in solu-

tion. Soil color can also be misleading and

does not equate fertility. A red soil can be

as productive as a brown one.

Compost is a great way to add life into

your soil. It can be as easy as stirring up

kitchen scraps into a pile of dirt. Add

worms and you have vermicompost.

Worms are natural soil builders with dirt

castings coming out 10 times richer than

going in. These wiggly worms turn brown

dirt and decaying matter into black gold.

There are also a great number of natural

fertilizers and soil conditioners on the

market to improve the quality of your soil.

Guanos are excellent sources of natural

fertilizers. I have used cricket-, bat- and

fish emulsion with great success. Many of

these guano fertilizers are good on their

own. Some farmers like to boost flower-

ing with phosphorus from bone meal

and potassium from green sand in their

mix. With a good blend of these in either

indoor or outdoor containers a plant can

go through its whole cycle without the

need for supplemental fertilizer. If you find

you that your soil is depleting faster than

anticipated – for instance, if your shade

leaves yellow during vegetative growth –

you can add a small amount of the guanos

into water for additional nutrition.

If you have no budget for these or other

store-bought items, your local community

will be a wealth of resources for compost-

ing and making your own fertilizers. Many

businesses dispose of excellent materi-

als. Cast-offs from salons, grocery stores,

restaurants, breweries and even your

neighbor's lawn clippings can be used to

produce excellent soil.

There is no excuse not to get started.

Soil is everywhere to be found. Do it

right, the natural way. Stay organic for

awesome flavor. Recycle your dirt, com-

post your kitchen and yard waste. Make

your future grow.

22 GREEN PRISONERS22PRISONER OF (THE) WAR (ON DRUGS)

Ken UngerWith around two dozen states in the US currently allowing medi-cal- or recreational Cannabis to some degree, it's easy for people to conveniently forget there are still plenty of victims of harshly punitive state- and Federal legislation. Ken Unger is the perfect example of one of America's drug war prisoners – a severely injured US Navy veteran (with no prior record) charged with 'felony possession with the intent to distribute' the Cannabis he so desperately needed for his own therapy. The Sativa Diva

Location: Granada. Year: 1983.

Serviceman Ken Unger receives a blow

to the head from a 50-ton crane hook.

The resulting injuries include pain, two

herniated discs in his back, muscle

spasms, weakness and numbness in

his legs. Six coronary stents hold open

the arteries in his heart and he received

an arterial bypass in one leg. As is to

be expected, depression has presented

itself as an extension of his symptoms,

and the ensuing weakness from the

injuries and subsequent treatments

have lead to diabetes.

After serving his country in the Navy, at

the price of his health, Ken Unger was

ultimately deemed unemployable by the

VA (United States Department of Veterans

Affairs) in St. Louis, MO.

Unlike many other states these days –

perhaps most notably CA, CO, AZ, NJ and

RI – Missouri holds true to the archaic anti-

Cannabis laws that still clog our prison sys-

tems with first-time, non-violent offend-

ers. Not only are patients not allowed

access to Cannabis as a natural alternative

to prescription drugs, but Unger was pre-

scribed morphine to ease the symptoms

of his injuries. He had three heart attacks

as a result. This ultimately lead to the deci-

sion to try medical marijuana.

Ken grew a small amount of Cannabis to

alleviate his pain and depression. Only

five dried grams of weed and two plants

were being grown. He had no prior local-,

state- or Federal convictions. The penal-

ties would have been a misdemeanor if

he had only been busted for possession.

Instead, sale and cultivation landed Ken in

the 'felony' range of punishment.

O'Fallon police raided Unger's home and

the tiny stash was discovered, although

the distribution charge appears to be the

product of assumption on the part of

Officer Justin Hill. On his warrant appli-

cation he stated, “Furthermore your affi-

ant knows that person [sic] who cultivate

marijuana will distribute marijuana they

produce for others for profit.”

Unger never sold any of his medicine.

This is one aspect of the medi-weed

industry that Cannabis foes don't seem

to understand: people are sick and

dying. The last thing an ailing medical

patient will likely do is to give away or

sell the only thing that works for them.

Ken Unger was no exception.

Under Missouri law, Ken is prohibited

from claiming medical use in order to

help his court case. Not only will no

sympathy for the ill and injured be lev-

ied, but since it is illegal in Missouri to

cultivate Cannabis (for any reason), the

medical defense will not hold water.

If Unger were to take a plea he would be

subject to five years' probation, includ-

ing drug testing. This means that he

would be forced to revert back to the

legally-prescribed morphine and would

be unable to access even the smallest

therapeutic amount of Cannabis. If he

is convicted, he faces between five and

fifteen years in state prison.

Although Ken only had five grams

of product and two plants in his St.

Charles, MO home, the penalties start

high and the cultivation charge really

tipped the scales against him.

The cultivation of five grams or less in

Missouri is a felony punishable by a

seven-year prison term and $5,000 in

fines. Between five grams and thirty

kilos pushes the prison time up to five

to fifteen years and a tariff of $5,000 to

$20,000. Growing 30 to 100kg. results

in those fines plus prison stints of ten

years to life. If you're caught in MO

growing 100 kilos or more, that's life in

prison without the possibility of parole

or probation. Selling to a minor tacks

on an additional five to fifteen years,

and if you sell any amount of weed

within 2,000 ft. of a public school or

1,000 ft. of public housing, the sen-

tence is also ten years to life with no

hope of probation or parole.

On March 18th of this year, a closed

grand jury set Ken's pre-trial date for

April 27th, 2011. Despite multiple pleas

from Green Aid and other groups, plus

countless individual protests, he still

faces five to fifteen years in prison for

opting to treat his physical and emo-

tional suffering with a natural, safe and

proven herbal medicine.

If you would like to donate and support

Ken Unger with his legal battle, find

out more about his case or discover the

stories of other victims of the US war

on drugs, please contact Green Aid or

check out their site at www.Green-Aid.

com. Add a Green Aid banner to your

website to help spread the word about

America's 'green prisoners'.

Ken says, “The thing I find hardest to

believe is the state is OK with me being

a morphine addict, but a small grow of

medical marijuana is out of the question.

So seeking relief is illegal?”

[email protected]

GREEN AID

484 Lake Park Ave. #172

Oakland, CA 94610

1-888-271-7674

Green Aid, the Medical Marijuana Legal

Defense and Education Fund, Inc.

In 2002, Ed Rosenthal was facing a

20 year sentence for mass-cultivating

Cannabis. The jury convicted him, as

they were forbidden from hearing that

Ed was hired by the City of Oakland, CA

to handle the cultivation and manage-

ment thereof for local dispensaries.

According to Angela Bacca, the other

half of Green Aid, Rosenthal was sen-

tenced to “a day in jail with credit for

time served. Ed appealed it anyway

because he doesn't believe he is a felon.”

Since then, Ed and Angela have been

hand-selecting cases to support through

legal action and fundraisers.

She adds, “Ed's trial is responsible for

the New York Times taking the quotes

off of 'medical marijuana' in print.”

DESPITE MULTIPLE PLEAS FROM GREEN AID AND OTHER GROUPS, PLUS COUNTLESS INDIVIDUAL PROTESTS, HE STILL FACES FIVE TO FIFTEEN YEARS IN PRISON

KEN UNGER AS A YOUNG NAVAL SERVICEMAN

24 ADVANCED INDOOR GROWING

Let’s Talk about LED Grow LightsIn this article, we will try to shed some light on this subject: do LED grow lights work? Are they useful for blooming? Is changing over to them at this time worthwhile? Here are my impressions after a year and a half of growing with LEDs Mr. X

Some 'pioneers' already began talking

about and introducing this new type

of lights – including their functionality

regarding our valuable crops – a few years

ago. LED grow lights are nothing new to

the industry; the only reason their arrival

on the Cannabis scene has been delayed

until now is that they have never pro-

duced a sufficient yield so far. The amount

of light obtained with the available watts

was always significantly less than that

achieved with sodium lights. But LED effi-

ciency at this time is competitive and will

no doubt keep increasing.

Do LED grow lights work?The best way to discover how something

works is to try it yourself, which is why I

purchased a few LED screens a year and

a half ago and began experimenting. For

me, the easiest way to ascertain their

effectiveness was a comparison with the

SOG (sea of green) I have used multiple

times in the past. Thus, in the same way

as I've described before in Soft Secrets

Spain – but modifying the 600 watts of an

electrical ballast with two LED units of 120

watts each that include a range of flower-

ing – I created my first SOP (sea of purple)

– which is the name I have taken the

liberty of baptizing this type of cultivation

with. But let’s start from the beginning…

When you turn on an LED lamp, the first

surprise is the large amount of visible light

it gives out, (not to mention how quickly it

starts working) as it immediately reaches

full power. One advantage is that the

entire system is integrated and doesn’t

require external ballasts or complex oper-

ations. It is a practical system, heats up

more than enough and its initial duration

without losses is excellent, allowing us

to avoid the frequent light bulb changes

necessary with incandescent lighting.

The first of my five experiments took

place in the summer. This trial already

demonstrated an unheard-of, almost uto-

pian possibility for indoor growing; that

is, cultivating during the summer season

(although with a lower yield) as room tem-

perature near the lamp's glass rises by just

one degree. This can also be considered,

at least in part, its Achilles heel.

The fact that this type of lighting doesn’t

need reflectors – as its opening angle over

120 degrees is very small – represents yet

again both an advantage and an incon-

venience. On one hand, this allows an

important savings in light and wall reflect-

ing materials; on the other, if we only use

a single unit, it needs to be turned up in

order to illuminate everything, and this

is where problems arise. Turning the LED

lights up too high means losing their main

advantages: the ability to move them

close to the plants, and the fact that they

give off a large amount of light without

burning their leaves.

The farther these lights are kept from

the plants, the more their effective-

ness is drastically reduced. The solution,

however, is simple: it is much more

effective to use several low-wattage

units, well-distributed and placed close

to the plants, rather than a single huge,

high-wattage unit six feet away. This is

extremely important advice.

Among the various differences result-

ing from growing with LED lights, the

most noticeable is that the plants usu-

ally do not show deficiencies or spots.

Their perfect green shade is aided, dur-

ing the entire flowering period, by mov-

ing the light closer without needing to

raise the temperature.

They defend themselves very well dur-

ing the vegetative phase, giving excellent

results as regards taking root and main-

taining mother plants with very few watts.

This is a lifesaver during the summer or

for growers who don’t have much space

available for mothers. We will speak of this

factor in more detail in future issues.

As far as fertilizing goes, standards of

care vary slightly. In the case of low tem-

peratures plants need to be watered less

frequently; therefore, watering them less,

we must make sure to adjust the slightly

higher EC parameters in order to be able

to provide the same amount of nour-

ishment (although we water them less

frequently).

Are they useful for blooming?The plants begin blooming correctly, with

an internodal distance that I wouldn’t

hesitate to describe as better than the

one achieved with HPS. This shows us

that the plant doesn’t go to seed needing

more light, nor does it grow more slowly

in a different photo period – in fact, things

develop just as usual (except your light

bill will be more reasonable). As the days

go by, the plants form open and resinous

flowers whose qualities are already well-

developed. The absence of heat seems to

better maintain the flowers’ organoleptic

properties. Thus, LEDs can be considered

a successful form of lighting during the

summer, also for mini- and mother plants.

Problems begin when using them during

the winter. After years of being accus-

tomed to using incandescent lighting

as heaters, we no longer have those

necessary degrees. Low temperatures

affect the plants’ weaker parts: their

roots, which tend to atrophy and the

pots are impossible to dry for weeks.

This fact cannot be ignored, because if it

becomes necessary to use extra heating

equipment (such as a radiator, air condi-

tioning or anything that consumes a lot

of energy) it will have all been in vain,

since paying for the electricity required

by the air conditioning will cancel out

what we otherwise save. For those whose

crop isn’t much bigger than a few cubic

feet, the ideal solution is to combine

both types of lighting. This way you will

enjoy a much more efficient synergy

that achieves both the temperature of

sodium lights and the yield of LEDs.HEALTHY AND REGULAR CLONES

INITIAL BLOOMING (AFTER TWO WEEKS)

CORRECT BUD FORMATION

25When I did this during the winter, when-

ever the plants aligned between the two

types of lights were able to choose which

way to bend their leaves, it was invariably

towards the LEDs. I think this fact is signifi-

cant enough on its own.

What sort of yield can we hope for? I was very pleasantly surprised; my first

SOP allowed me to exceed the gram/

watt ratio, which rarely happens with

HPS, especially without CO2. My aver-

age was about 440 grams per three

square feet, using twenty-five select-

ed clones and 240 watts; afterward I

expanded to three units and, with bet-

ter light distribution, have managed

to slightly improve my ratio. Therefore

the efficiency of LED grow lights is

extremely interesting, provided that

cultivation is performed properly.

Should I change over to LEDs?This subject has already created much

controversy on the web and in the

sector’s press, with many critics who

keep mentioning that 'they’ve been

told' that LED grow lights don’t work

for the flowering period. This is unde-

niable, but there is an explanation.

When the first models were being pub-

licized, they came with false data, in

excess of actual performance. Some

people even declared a 90-watt lamp

to be superior to a 600-watt lamp (no

comment). These high expectations

inevitably worked against LEDs; people

who bought these expensive models –

which also lacked a sufficient spectrum

to work correctly – found themselves

with very poor results. Thus, the first

generation of ground breakers suffered

quite a disappointment; but now these

lamps are much more complete, com-

bining the spectrum with more effi-

cient LEDs. Also, and most importantly,

we now know what to expect and what

not to expect. Prices have come down

and will continue to do so.

The more creative growers can learn to

build their own lights; there are many

excellent online tutorials that show how

to assemble them with the desired dis-

tribution and wattage. Currently, many

observations give reliable, non-manipu-

lated results – and growers who obtain

good results with sodium lamps actu-

ally work more efficiently with LEDs. Those

who have already begun to or usually

have problems harvesting their crop cor-

rectly, on the other hand, find their mis-

takes magnified. Carelessness makes it

easy to stunt a plant’s growth.

Nowadays, several companies offer

LED grow lights, especially online. New

models and combinations become

available every day, so I won’t recom-

mend any particular brands – what’s

useful today might be ancient history

tomorrow. What I can say, however, is

that most lights sold on eBay are very

low quality, and are not even useful

for cutting; in fact, they are of hardly

any use at all. But a widespread and

general ignorance ensures their con-

tinued popularity on the market, which

is a pity because – given the tendency

to generalize – this contributes to the

poor reputation of LEDs.

We need to try and find out where to

obtain tried and tested (and guaranteed)

models. And to stop expecting to earn

without investing.

In the coming issues, we will continue

investigating this fascinating subject,

focusing on some of the current avail-

able models. ‘Til next time, and happy

smokes, X.

LED grow lights: pros and cons

Summarizing this introduction to LED

grow lights, we can definitely state

that they work – not as efficiently

as they were advertized when they

first came on the market, but they

are definitely between 30% and 60%

more effective than incandescent

lighting. They are still fairly expensive,

but prices are steadily going down

while quality increases. If you have

the luxury of waiting, wait a while for

a change that will guarantee satisfac-

tion. If you think decreasing wattage

in a medium- to large crop by combin-

ing with HPS is a good idea, you can

reduce consumption by around 30%

without losing any grams in product.

LEDs are also a luxury for summer

growing or those growing in limited

spaces. They are already a useful real-

ity for many growers.

Pros

- Low consumption

- Durability without losses

- Heat up instantly

- Very effective

- Possibility of growing in the summer

and in limited spaces

Cons

- High price

- Necessity of raising temperatures dur-

ing the winter

- Hard to know which brands are more

efficient

- Several units needed for correct distri-

bution

MATURING BUD

SOP – 'SEA OF PURPLE' CLONE HARVESTED UNDER LED GROW LIGHTS

26 HEMP TECH

A LOOK AT INNOVATIONS IN THE INDUSTRY TODAY

What's Happening with Hemp?

Today, cultivation of industrial hemp is legal in every industrial-ized nation in the world except the USA, where misinformation disseminated by the anti-drugs lobby continues to hinder many farmers' valid desire to be part of this vital and growing market. Misconceptions regarding the cultivation of hemp must be put right once and for all if there is to be any hope of future legislation being approved. The differences between the hemp and marijuana industries must be re-emphasized, and the argument that per-mission for hemp farming will lead to an increase in cultivation of drug Cannabis must be deconstructed. Hemp farmers must be recognized as respectable producers of an important industrial commodity rather than would-be criminals. by Kali Mist

Most Cannabis users are aware of its ver-

satile nature and numerous applications

in medicine. However, few people could

accurately describe, when questioned,

the differences between marijuana and

hemp. They are fundamental. Cannabis

sativa can be selectively bred for vari-

ous qualities, and has been for millennia.

Varieties that produce no cannabinoids

but abundant seed or fibrous, woody

stalks are categorized as hemp, or sepa-

rately as oilseed or fiber Cannabis (the

latter is also occasionally referred to as

Cannabis oglalas in scientific literature).

Those containing poor fiber quality but

high THC-rich resin content are termed

'marijuana' or 'drug Cannabis'. The devel-

opment of the former qualities is usu-

ally a hindrance to development of the

latter, and vice-versa. The farming prac-

tices utilized are also hugely different; for

instance, fiber hemp is usually harvested

before flowering commences, as beyond

this point little energy is used for vegeta-

tive growth. This renders the harvest com-

pletely useless for drug purposes.

Let's take a look at how a modern hemp

farmer operates. We will take, as an exam-

ple, a small organization based in the

Dutch town of Groningen, some two

hours' journey north-east of Amsterdam.

Established in 1993 by Ben Dronkers of the

Sensi Seed Bank, HempFlax was the first

to reintroduce a crop that – prior to the

20th century – had long been produced in

the Netherlands. HempFlax, among other

companies, has been instrumental in aid-

ing the emergence of hemp products into

the mainstream consciousness as viable

alternatives to current practices.

From initial establishment of a small 140-

acre plot in 1994, HempFlax currently pro-

duces 5,900 acres of fiber hemp every

year, its harvest now being used for a

wide range of products. The company has

continually pushed for innovation and

development in farming practices. These

developments are vital – bringing down

the production costs of the hemp industry

is imperative to increase its competitive-

ness in the marketplace.

As hemp had been neglected in many

countries after the anti-marijuana

campaigns of the 1930s, research and

development in the industry stagnated

throughout a period of rapid moderni-

zation for most other farming methods.

When developed nations began to renew

their interest, hemp production had some

rapid catching up to do to achieve com-

petitiveness with rival crops. Hemp itself

has some highly specific requirements,

and much adaptation to existing farm

machinery had to occur before equip-

ment was capable of processing its tough,

fibrous stalks. HempFlax has designed and

produced specialized hemp harvesters to

meet this need, thereby enabling mod-

ernization of the entire industry. Once

harvested, the woody part of the stalk

must be separated from the fibrous inner

'bast' used for rope and fabric production.

This was a process traditionally done by

hand, and no specific machinery existed

to do the work efficiently. HempFlax cre-

ated one, a device known as a 'decortica-

tion line', which also separates the seeds,

leaves and remaining by-products.

With hemp, not a single part of the plant

is useless. The main bulk of the fiber and

wood goes to various industries, where it

will undergo further processing accord-

ing to requirements. Pressed hemp-board

is a highly durable and flame-retardant

substitute for wood, and can be used in

construction, or molded into dashboards

and panels by the automobile industry.

Fibers are woven into fabric and rope,

pulped and pressed into paper, and used

as insulation in construction. HempFlax

turns by-products into animal bedding,

fodder and items for horticulture, such

as protective felt disks that shield tree

roots from climatic extremes. From the

seeds, HempFlax produces oils primarily

destined for the equestrian sector. Their

products contain trace amounts of THC

at most, and have no psychoactive effect.

HempFlax has recently funded an initia-

tive to plant 120 square yards of hemp

for every purchase of special packs of

5,000 hemp seeds, and consistently

attempts to increase public aware-

ness of hemp through participation in

political discourse, and events such as

annual hemp fairs and Cannabis aware-

ness demonstrations. It is important to

stress the significance of the ongoing

policy of openness and transparency in

the hemp industry, which over the years

has led to a general perception in the

Netherlands and throughout Europe of

hemp products as safe, ecologically-

sound and indeed fashionable.

HempFlax's creation of a political presence

with consistent visibility at events and

demonstrations has, along with the efforts

of other hemp activists, assisted in render-

ing the industry credible. In the future,

the company aims to expand the level of

integration throughout the industry, from

supplier to consumer, creating a transpar-

ent and cooperative system that is wholly

ethical. Sustainability is key: HempFlax's

mission is to “serve humankind and the

environment by providing affordable,

modern, natural hemp products for a sus-

tainable future”. Further development of

their highly-rated existing products – par-

ticularly building materials – is also on

the agenda, and there are plans for future

production of whole-plant biomass.

HempFlax and numerous other hemp pro-

ducers, operating without hindrance not

only in the Netherlands but in most devel-

oped countries, are exemplary: proof that

hemp growers can be professional, cred-

ible and open, and truly not much differ-

ent to any other agriculturalist. Now in its

18th year, HempFlax has decisively proven

its sustainability as a business model. As

awareness of hemp products and their

advantages continues to grow, the value

of the industry as a whole is set to go on

increasing for many years to come.

Innovations in the hemp industry are con-

tinual: improvements to building materials

and procedures has allowed for construc-

tion of sustainable houses at remarkably

low costs – equivalent and possibly in

fact cheaper than current low-cost con-

struction methods. In November 2010, the

USA's first 'hemp house' was completed

in Asheville, NC, using Hemcrete® 'hemp

concrete', but currently the high cost of

A MATURING OILSEED CANNABIS PLANT

THIS PHOTO CLEARLY SHOWS THE TIGHTLY-PACKED STEMS WITH NO

LATERAL BRANCHING THAT IS CHARACTERISTIC OF FIBER CROPS.

HEMP FARMERS MUST BE RECOGNIZED AS RESPECTABLE PRODUCERS OF AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRIAL

COMMODITY RATHER THAN WOULD-BE CRIMINALS

27importing hemp into the country makes it

nonviable as a construction industry norm.

However, the publication by the

University of Connecticut in October

2010 of research into hemp as a poten-

tial bio-fuel source has caused great

excitement in the pro-hemp lobby.

Dependence on fossil fuels is one of our

biggest issues in this current economic

climate, and any new developments in

this area cannot be ignored. This factor

may well prove decisive in any forth-

coming debate over this issue.

By now, the USA is one of the few remain-

ing countries worldwide not to have legis-

lated in favor of hemp. Since the infamous

media campaign perpetrated by Hearst

and DuPont and supported by Harry J.

Anslinger in the 1930s, the US government

has chosen to perpetuate the deliberate

ambiguity regarding the two very sepa-

rate industries, relying on dangerously

flawed reasoning. For example, the oft-

cited argument that hemp fields would

provide natural camouflage for drug crops

is easily debunked: hemp fields are grown

with no discrimination between male and

female plants, unlike drug crops, where to

ensure seedless flowers the males must be

pulled. Not only would the females pro-

duce seed, instantly reducing the crop's

value, but the seed itself would produce

flowers far lower in THC than the mother.

Therefore to ban the production of hemp

on the basis of perceived similarity to mari-

juana is and always has been fundamen-

tally contradictory.

The potential of hemp as a sustainable

and ecologically sound solution to many

global problems has long been cited by

its supporters, who have in turn long

been described as merely disguised pro-

marijuana lobbyists. But with nine US

States so far having passed legislation

allowing licensed hemp production, it

is purely the reluctance of the federal

government to recognize the viability of

hemp that is stopping farmers – and the

nation – benefiting from its great poten-

tial to generate 'green' profits. Although

it is legal to import hemp for the man-

ufacture and distribution of products

domestically, it has been illegal to grow

hemp in the US since 1937. The DEA has

had authority to issue licenses for hemp

cultivation since its establishment in

1973; however, this is a power it has cho-

sen never to exercise, allegedly prefer-

ring to ignore applications that farmers

must pay thousands of dollars to make.

In Montana, the state approved legisla-

tion for commercial production of hemp

in 2001. Vermont and North Dakota have

both passed laws permitting licensed

hemp cultivation, and are awaiting DEA

approval. North Dakota attorneys are

appealing to the courts on behalf of

client farmers in an attempt to force

a decision. Oregon licensed industrial

hemp production in August of 2009.

Maine, Maryland, Kentucky, Hawaii and

Virginia have all legislated in favor: but,

due to DEA opposition, none of them

has so far been able to issue a single

license for hemp production.

The level of support for legalization is

informed and widespread, despite the

government's repeated attempts to mis-

construe this. After the North Dakota

appeals, in a perfect example of the ongo-

ing policy to place marijuana and hemp

into one blanket category, Tom Riley of

the White House Office on National Drug

Policy is quoted as saying:

"Let's not be naive... the pro-dope people

have been pushing hemp for 20 years

because they know that if they can have

hemp fields, then they can have mari-

juana fields. It's... stoner logic."

But the pro-hemp sentiment extends far

beyond the ranks of the unfairly-depicted,

but nonetheless powerful pro-marijua-

na 'stoner' lobby. The farming lobby is

increasingly vocal, as are environmental

groups such as the Resource Conservative

Alliance, the Body Shop and Rainforest

Action Network, in slowly aiding pub-

lic recognition of hemp in its own right.

Given our current economic instability,

rapidly dwindling fossil fuel reserves and

increasing food insecurity, it is seriously

questionable that our government will

not at least consider legalization of a crop

that could demonstrably assist in alleviat-

ing all three problems.

The fact that Detroit car-makers buy

huge amounts of hemp products from

Canadian farmers 20 miles north of the

border is financially nonsensical when

farmers themselves in neighboring states

are eager to grow it. Farmers state that

hemp is an “ideal crop to rotate annually

with wheat and barley;” any added bio-

diversity that deviates from the damag-

ing trend for monoculture pervading the

farming industry is sure to be positive.

There is a huge, and growing, difference

between the respective causes of hemp

and marijuana. Those who wish for legali-

zation of one may not wish for legaliza-

tion of the other. Legalization of hemp is

perhaps more of a priority for a sustainable

national farming industry and healthy eco-

system (eradication of hemp/wild ditch-

weed is badly damaging certain bird and

animal habitats, for example) than legaliza-

tion of marijuana. It is important to make

the distinction. Many of the reasons for

legalizing marijuana simply do not apply

to hemp. Both are important medically,

and for their own reasons; but hemp is an

important part of the American ecosystem

in a way that these selectively bred high-

THC variants are not. Also, the misconcep-

tion of hemp as having the same narcotic

properties as marijuana must end in politi-

cal dialogue. It is clear that it does not.

THE HEMPFLAX FACTORY, GRONINGEN

ONE OF HEMPFLAX'S SPECIALIZED MACHINES,

PART OF THE INITIAL SEPARATION PROCESS

HEMPFLAX HARVEST TIME, WITH SPECIALLY-

MODIFIED COMBINATION HARVESTERS

THE USA'S FIRST HEMP HOUSE, IN

ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

29SEED BANKS

INTERVIEW WITH SWEET SEEDS

Attractively priced feminized quality seedsThe Spanish Sweet Seeds, a seed bank specializing in feminized seeds, conquered first Spain and then went on to conquer the whole of Europe. The secret of this seed bank is that they’re close to the grower and they have a good nose for what the public wants: in the first place, of course, feminized quality seed for an outstanding price. In addition to that, Sweet Seeds offers a number of unique package deals. For example, there are special Collector's Editions with three different varieties per package, or the possibility of putting together a combination of different strains one’s self.

Sweet Seeds is one of the first seed banks to plunge into auto-flow-ering varieties, a section in the catalog that is still being developed. Before the lads from Sweet Seeds began their company they were growers themselves, who, out of dissatisfaction with what was on offer, decided to tackle things quite differently. Undoubtedly their customers are grateful, and that is proven by the rapid growth of the company and the many prizes with which Sweet Seeds varieties have been crowned in various Cannabis competitions. Meanwhile, the seed bank has been steaming full ahead… J. Searcher

In recent years you have had an impres-

sive series of prizes credited to your

record. In fact, thanks to the entries

from various Spanish growers you

have even won more than any other

seed bank, and this year too there

have been more awards bestowed

upon Sweet Seeds. What are your most

honored plants, and to what do you

think they owe their success?

Sweet Seeds is delighted with the

recognition and the success achieved

by our varieties both in Spain and

abroad. We have not been in exist-

ence as a seed bank all that long, so

at this moment it is the varieties that

we have in our range that have won

the most prizes: Cream Caramel, Black

Jack, S.A.D., Sweet Tai and Ice Cool. It

is clear that their success in Cannabis

competitions is down to the recogni-

tion from gourmet experts, who know

what the end product of a Cannabis

plant should be all about: an intense,

pleasant aroma; potency, a good taste,

the quality and quantity of the tri-

chomes, the strain’s effect, etc.

We really want to take this opportunity

to thank all the Cannabis growers for

entering Sweet Seeds varieties in the

various Cannabis competitions where

they live. Often we do not even know

who they are. Every time one of our vari-

eties wins a prize we feel very honored,

so thanks again, champions!

Although you have been around for a

decent amount of time your seed bank

has only recently taken the interna-

tional market by storm. What is behind

this sudden international expansion?

We assumed that our success in Spain

was a visiting card with which our dis-

tributors could present us to other mar-

kets. In the last two years we have made

a huge publicity offensive at an inter-

national level, in order to increase our

name recognition and to get attention

for our range in the important Cannabis

periodicals in other countries.

We should not forget that it is the qual-

ity of the seed that is the most impor-

tant factor with which to keep your

customers happy and build sustainable

success on the Cannabis market, both in

Spain and elsewhere. Thanks to our low

prices we offer an outstanding quality-

price point, and that is certainly (in this

time of economic crisis) something to

be reckoned with.

At the same time it is also important for

us to offer shops and distributors a good,

fast service. And naturally you always

have to be aware, stay alert and remain

open to the possibilities of innovation and

improvement in a dynamic global market

that is completely exploding.

Can you say something about your

breeding philosophy?

We have a simple breeding philosophy:

most importantly we are Cannabis con-

sumers and collectors of genetics; which

is to say, we make a selection of the best

genetics that we can get our hands on

and store these for an unlimited time, so

that we can enjoy them today, tomorrow

or in 20 years.

The criteria that we apply in order to

select our best mothers have to do with

the desired qualities of the plants; and

not with their origin, ancestors or family

tree. With these exceptional plants we use

both traditional and modern breeding

techniques to arrive at populations of

99.9% female plants. At the moment we

are also very busy with the development

of new varieties of feminized, 100% auto-

flowering varieties.

We think that Cannabis is a gift from

nature and that no single variety should

be the property of anyone; but is some-

thing that should be for all humanity to

benefit from. We try to share with peo-

ple who are looking for the (according

to us) absolute best quality genetics,

people who recognize our passion and

love for the Cannabis plant. The best

way to protect a Cannabis variety is to

share it with us.

When you had just begun you gave

out a lot of information on how to

make feminized seed. Are you going

to do that again?

When we began making feminized seed,

we published reports of our experiments

on Cannabiscafe.net, the most popular

“WE AIM FIRST OF ALL TO CREATE PLANTS AS HOMOGENOUS AS POSSIBLE, SO WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THAT DIFFICULT BALANCE BETWEEN STABILITY AND HYBRID VIGOR.”

CREAM CARAMEL

30Spanish language Cannabis forum on the

Internet. In that time the method of femi-

nization without using gibberellic acid

was still a well-kept secret, one that only a

few growers worldwide knew and, at the

time, had only just started to creep out

onto the Internet. We were at that point

not busy with Sweet Seeds, and it seemed

to us a nice gesture to share this knowl-

edge with the world via the Internet, and

in doing so the forum members could

determine its truthfulness.

These days there are a huge number of

seed banks; it is a sector that has devel-

oped very strongly in Spain, and the

competition is enormous. We have not

stopped experimenting and perfecting

our techniques; but, although there is

certainly good communication and

exchange of information between the

majority of Spanish seed banks, it is also a

fact that there is a lot of information that

is not shared with competitor companies.

What is your take on the issue of stabil-

ity? Do think it is more important that

plants are homogenous or that you can

choose from various options?

For us a variety is stable when the indi-

viduals that form a population keep the

characteristics that define a variety in

future generations. We describe a seed

generation or population as stable when

there is no variation in the characteristics

of the individual plants that come from it.

The famous F1 seeds, for example, consist

of a population or generation of stable

seeds, but there are no stable varieties

because the following generations that

ensue are not.

The most extreme example of a stable

generation or population - that is to say

100% stability of all characteristics – is a

population in which the individual plants

are clones of the same mother. In this

example every plant is an identical copy

of each other and we should find no indi-

vidual variation.

However, those of you who have grown

plants from the same mother will have

noticed that there are always a couple

of plants among them that are higher

than the rest; that some get sick while

the rest remain healthy, root a cou-

ple of days earlier than the others or

yield more – while they were all iden-

tical clones of the same mother. The

differences or variations were caused

by environmental factors, such as cli-

mate or growing medium; and not by

genetic differences, ultimately, if we’re

talking about clones. So you must not

confuse the environmental factors with

the inherent genetic variation of het-

erozygote or non-stable populations.

We aim to create plants as homogenous

as possible, so we are always looking

for that difficult balance between sta-

bility and hybrid vigor. Variation need

not always be a problem, for example

when the various phenotypes have dif-

ferent – but still desirable – qualities,

such as two interesting aromas within

the same variety.

Do you give any advice to growers

who are growing with feminized

seed, or do you reckon they should

just work in the same way as they

would with ordinary seed?

There is no difference between growing

from feminized seed and regular seed. In

fact the only genetic difference between

populations of regular seed and popula-

tions of feminized seed is that those from

the feminized seed have no males among

them. Because they have been grown

from a seed, plants from feminized seed

are usually more productive, with better

aroma and are more stable than clones

from a strongly selected mother of the

same variety that had been raised from

regular seed.

How do you select your mother plants?

If you begin from seed, are they femin-

ized or regular seeds?

For the selection of the mother plants

for a breeding program it is important

that as well as the selection for excep-

tional structural, agronomic, organolep-

tic (taste and aromas) and chemotypic

(quantity and variety of cannabinoids)

qualities, you are also sure that the

plants have no hermaphroditic tenden-

cies, and that they lend themselves to

hybridization. This last point is easy to

check by performing progeny testing.

Above all, the female plants must react

well to the sex conversion technique

and produce enough fertile pollen for

the fertilization to take place without

manual assistance.

When we begin with seed populations, as

is the case with the auto-flowering varie-

ties, we use both feminized and regular

seed. For the reproduction we have also

tried both ways, with the final phase both

regular and feminized seed; or we work

in a breeding program starting with only

female plants. We figure it is better to

complete the feminized program without

the use of males, since by doing so we

avoid the probability of surprises at the

end of the program, in the response to the

sex conversion technique.

These days more and more attention

is paid to bonsai plants. When we

first met, which must be more than

ten years ago, you already had bon-

sai plants of three- or four years old.

Can you briefly explain the experi-

ments; say something about the sys-

tem that you used for making bonsai

plants and what the most important

problems were that were encoun-

tered during the process?

The bonsai plants were a nice experiment

that came about in an almost spontane-

ous manner when we tried to keep moth-

er plants as small as possible – mainly

for reasons of space-saving – so that we

could provide the mothers in our grow

space with enough light. The longer you

try to keep your plants small by taking

cuttings and snipping branches, the more

the stems age and fatten. After a couple

of months the soft tissue begins to harden

into wood, making them start to resemble

bonsais, although the process is not liter-

ally a bonsai technique: though the leaves

do get a bit smaller, you don’t get real

miniature leaves, which is what you get

with real bonsai trees.

In the same way that gardeners make

bonsais you can re-model the shape of

plants bit by bit by pruning them, letting

them grow or by bending branches, as

appropriate. These kinds of plant were kept

in three liter pots, but as time went on, the

salt concentration in the soil rose consist-

ently higher, with the result that the root

system was damaged. Before the plants

begin to show symptoms of deficiencies

that are not soluble by simply rinsing the

soil, which happens about once every six

months, the roots need to be trimmed and

the substrate replaced. At the same time as

these interventions we inoculate the roots

with various microorganisms that stimu-

late the growth of new roots.

The stems of Cannabis plants are not

designed to be alive for so long, and with

plants that are three- or four years old the

stems begin to rot quite easily, or they

become infected with mold. Keeping a

bonsai Cannabis plant alive for longer

than four years is really difficult.

These days we no longer work with bon-

sai plants; we prefer to keep our mothers

strong and healthy, and replace them

after a maximum of six months with new

young clones.

Which of your plants are you most

proud of, in the sense that most of its

potential has been realized?

To be honest, that is a question that is

not easy to answer. It is just like asking a

father which of his children is his favorite,

or which one he is most proud of. But

anyway, we can say of our first varieties

that they are now at a point where there is

nothing left to improve. I mean the varie-

ties that were mentioned at the beginning

of this interview, the quality of which is

not just recognized by ourselves, but by

the Cannabis scene. Although there may

still be room for improvement in one

of those varieties, it is very difficult to

say something has really achieved all the

development it is capable of.

Among our more recent varieties there

are indeed a few with the possibility of

more improvement. Sweet Cheese, Snow

Fruit, Speed Devil, Fast Bud and Big Devil,

for example, were still under development

in 2010, and in early 2011 there will be

improved versions added to our range.

Can you recommend a sativa and an

indica to us?

As a sativa I’d recommend the Jack 47 for

everyone who loves strong sensations,

a lovely incense aroma and a potent,

euphoric effect. For an indica I would go

for the Cream Caramel, with its unbeliev-

ably sweet aroma with earthy tones and a

super relaxed effect.

Which varieties from your catalog do you

reckon are best suited to medicinal use?

Normally medicinal users give the nod to

A HARVEST OF CREAM CARAMEL

AN OLD BLUEBERRY MOTHER

“IT IS A NEW GENERATION THAT SMELLS BETTER, CREATES MORE RESIN HAIRS, GROWS HIGHER AND

DEVELOPS MORE SIDE BRANCHES.”

31varieties with a strong indica proportion,

which have a high level of THC – the most

important medically active constituent

- and with sufficient CBD to compensate

for the euphoric psychedelic effects of

the THC. For that kind of user, Cream

Caramel, S.A.D. or Mohan Ram are the

most suitable. But you also have medici-

nal users who prefer the more sativa-ish

varieties. For them, Ice Cool, Sweet Tai or

Psicodelicia are very effective.

Nowadays you also have feminized

auto-flowering varieties in your range.

How do you tackle that challenge?

We believed right from the beginning in

auto-flowering genetics and think that

in the future these will only increase in

importance. Auto-flowering varieties have

been occupying us enormously in recent

years; there is more and more demand

for these sort of genetics because they

have a number of advantages when com-

pared with regular varieties: first of all

their speed, discretion and the opportu-

nity of getting more harvests from outside

growing each year, even in the spring. In

the meantime, auto-flowering varieties

have finally achieved sufficient quality;

thanks to which many growers are choos-

ing them for growing in their indoor grow

rooms – especially thanks to their short

cycle and acceptable quality.

Do you think that the auto-flowering

varieties in the coming year will be

better? How far can improvements con-

tinue to be made, do you think, and

how many years will it be before we get

to see the final results?

At Sweet Seeds we have already been

working for two years on projects aimed

at creating, from our classic varieties, femi-

nized auto-flowering seed. The first results

from these projects will start to become

available in early 2011. The first varieties

that will see the light will be S.A.D. auto,

Cream Caramel auto and Jack 47 auto. It

is our intention that in the foreseeable

future we will make and offer auto-flower-

ing versions of all the varieties in our cata-

log. The new auto-flowering varieties will

be hybridized and improved with Sweet

Seeds genetics and represent a leap for-

ward in quality when compared to the

auto-flowering varieties currently avail-

able. It is a new generation that smells

better, creates more resin hairs, grows

higher and develops more side branches.

They look more like non-auto-flowering

feminized varieties than we’re used to.

Many breeders are at the moment busy

hybridizing auto-flowering varieties

with their best mothers, so the auto-

flowering varieties will only get bet-

ter. Sweet Seeds has also worked hard

to improve the quality of Speed Devil

#2, Fast Bud #2 and Big Devil #2, the

three auto-flowering varieties in our

catalog, and the results of this work too

will become visible in the beginning of

2011, when they become available.

Can you tell us, out of all your experi-

ence of growing, one key piece of grow-

ing advice?

Let’s not forget that that Cannabis is a

magical plant that since time immemorial

has evolved through the actions of man,

and that still she rewards richly the care

and attention we humans lavish upon her.

» www.sweetseeds.es

SWEET AFGANI DELICIOUS

THE SWEET SEEDS SHOP

SWEET AFGANI DELICIOUS

32Readers Stuff

Attention Readers!Become part of the world wide growers com-

munity and star in Soft Secrets legendary

‘Dear Soft Secrets’ column. A marihuana

plant, a copy of Soft Secrets and preferably

your wife or girlfriend in a sexy bikini must

be in the frame.

Simply e-mail your entries to

[email protected]. NOTE: All entries

are handled with the utmost discretion.

Remember, we don’t publish out of focus or

low resolution pics, and we don’t like photos

of young plants in the veg stage. It’s fat buds

and sweet babes we want to see!

E-mail: [email protected]

Hi Soft Secrets, these are the pictures of my sec-

ond grows. Both of them were indoors or should

i say “intoilets” grown in Bio Bizz All-Mix soil,

under HPS 400, with two weeks of vegetative

stage. I have used Advanced Nutrients Iguana

Grow and Bloom with Sensizym,and Canna

PK 13/14. First one is Skunk 47 from Legend

Collection (World of Seeds), which unfortu-

nately had to be harvested a little bit too early,

because of the mud appearing on main stem.

Second one is “Space” from Diamond Collection

(World of Seeds), which was blooming for 9

weeks, including one week of flush. Buds were

very dense and sticky, with a harsh smoke.

Perfect mixture of head high with body stone,

which helped me to cure the constant pain in

my knees ;) Unfortunately variety has no smell,

even after 50days of curing.

P.s. Check out the pic “One love, one Soft Secrets” :)

Luv Ya All :P

G.

Not bad at all for a second grow, pat on the back

to you. A good example of what you can do with a

400 watt. The Skunk 47 (Skunk x AK47) is a pretty

plant to grow, and one of Space’s original parents

is reported to be a Black Domina x AK47. If these

are favorites of yours, you might try some other

AK47 crosses as well.

HOMER J

Wonderful example of a proper

pair of panties. It looks like you

have enough room to let the plants

get a bit bigger, or to grow more a

bit closer together.

PACO

Great example of a simple plant in a simple pot. Natural

lighting is free, and plants love it. What every household

can have when reason takes the day and growers are

allowed to come out into the open. You are on your

own on figuring out how to get beautiful women to run

around topless in polka dot panties though.

SILVIA, VALENCIA

Nice looking colas, if you trim off the lower limbs on the plant

that don’t produce well, you will find that the top gets bigger.

Her lower limbs are fine just the way they are. It also looks like

you have more space for another couple of plants if you chose.

33sMuGGler’s Tales

Morocco Bound

For this we have to go back to the late '60s, a far more liberal time. Morocco was just starting to produce its first good hashish. Only a few years prior an American had shown the farmers how to process their kif into quality hash; now loads of it were crossing the straits of Gibraltar on their way north. At first the Spanish Customs seemed unaware of the volume of traffic passing under their noses, but they soon wised up. The southern Spanish ports became some of the hottest in Europe, at their peak aver-aging a couple of big busts a day. It took real genius to pass through unmolested.

One such genius crossed into Morocco and arrived late at night in the mountain village of Ketama, a place with a reputa-tion for good hashish. Driving a specially-

prepared camper, he passed the village to a farm deep in the mountains. By first light the camper was hidden from prying eyes, and preparation of the hundred kilos it was to carry was already under way.

Ketama is in an area of the Atlas Mountains allowed to grow Cannabis by royal char-ter, and has been so for hundreds of years. Export is strictly forbidden and punish-ments for doing so are severe. This did not bother our genius; within a few days he was ready to go. A hundred kilos of the finest 'zero-zero' had been pressed up and all but ten grams had been welded into the framework of the camper.

The following day he drove down the mountain on one of the only two roads out. On the seat beside him, pressed into

a neat little block, was the extra ten grams of hash. Within an hour he reached the police road block, a permanent fixture on the road to prevent smuggling. Smoking a joint and making no effort to conceal the hash, the police arrested him immediately. The normal procedure at this point was to offer a bribe; but our genius didn’t, even refusing to do so when the police sug-gested it. The police had no alternative but to really arrest him and so they did. With a police escort he and the camper were driv-en down to the nearest large town, which was Fez, and to the main police station.

The Fez police suggested once again that the whole thing could be cleared up with a little exchange of cash; again he refused, accusing the arresting officers of plant-ing the hash on him. The next day he repeated his story in front of a judge and was remanded for trial and taken to the local prison. At this point the Consul from his home country came to visit. He was surprised he hadn’t paid the bribe and suggested he do so right away and save himself a lot of trouble. To the Consul’s amazement he refused.

Before the Consul departed our friend asked him one thing: could he take possession of the camper and arrange its shipment home? The Consul agreed and said he would return in a couple of days with the necessary paperwork. Meantime, he should engage a lawyer and prepare for trial.

Now, by this point you may have guessed our little genius’s ploy to get the load shipped to his home country by the embassy, but this took time and Moroccan prisons are notoriously bad. As the days passed it was hard to keep up the right-

eous indignation of the innocent. Sharing a small cell with five others didn’t help and that’s not counting the bad food, bed bugs and constant threat of sexual assault. The Consul’s next visit found him a lot more compliant.

Now Cannabis smugglers seemed to be blessed with a guardian angel that watch-es over them. As long as you run good hash and do it with a good heart, you’ll (hopefully) be protected.

A guardian angel was definitely present the when the Consul came to visit a few days later. He’d spoken to a lawyer and apparently the story of the police plant-ing hashish to extract a bribe was com-mon practice in Morocco. The judge was sympathetic and there was a reasonable chance of a dismissal, but it would take time. As an afterthought he mentioned the camper and the request to ship it. He was going on leave in a few days and would be happy to drive the camper back for him. Crossing borders wouldn’t be a problem because he had a diplomatic passport. Our little genius’s heart did a somersault; this was beyond his wildest dreams. Of course the Consul could drive it back; our friend would be very grateful... he even offered to pay for the gas.

A week later the camper, with its con-cealed load of 100 kilos, turned into the driveway of his house. His girlfriend was there to receive it and took a photo-graph to capture the moment. She then flew down to Morocco with the money to get him out. It took a day’s work and three fat envelopes before he walked out the prison gates. That night they were on plane home; it took a month but he had pulled it off.

It’s a great story and shows initiative, but unfortunately he told it to me in the exer-cise yard of a Spanish prison three years later, after getting ten years for a couple of hundred kilos in a sailboat. Sometimes it’s your time to get busted.

In a world of drug financed terrorism and blood-thirsty cartels, it’s hard to imagine a time when it wasn’t about the money, but sim-ply having a few kilos of something primo sitting on your kitchen table.Some of the craziest scams were hatched late in the night over a toke or two and a beer. Most died like vampires in the morn-ing light, but some got further and then you heard about them when they were busted. A few succeeded, despite enormous odds, and I’d like tell you about one of them. By O’Riodon

1968 BUS, 100 KILOS HEAVIER

MOROCCO'S FINEST CANNABIS AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE

34 DISPENSARIES

A PEEK BEHIND THE GREEN DOOR

Professional Pot PurveyorsThe inviting, classy and sexy, green and orange neon sign welcom-ing patients to San Francisco's Green Door medical club isn't the only thing that separates it from the hundreds of other clubs pop-ping up in California. As you enter the club, its spic and span inte-rior and professional ambiance put you at ease. It's not uncom-mon when reading patients' comments to see, "Hands down the best dispensary in the city." Robert Michael

Then you marry that sentiment with

the close ties the club has always had

with the city, the charity work it does

and the community respect it has gar-

nered, and you have a business model

that should be emulated by other dis-

pensaries. But that's not all: The Green

Door took home a lot of awards at the

festivals last year. At the High Times

2010 Medical Cannabis Cup they won

Second Place in the Sativa category for

their Candy Jack, and tied for Second

Place for Best Booth. They were excited

to be the only San Francisco dispensary

to take home an award. At the 2010

San Francisco Cannabis Competition,

the club's Boss OG Kush took home

the honor for Best Strain, and their

Grandaddy Purple tied for Second

Place; they also won Second Place in

the Concentrates category for their

G-18 hash, and tied for Second Place

with their Buddies Peanut Butter Pucks.

Since its opening in 2003, The Green

Door has prided itself on giving patients

access to a consistent range of top

quality medicine for affordable prices,

while offering an incredible assortment

of edibles, concentrates, dried prod-

uct and much more. They run their

business like, well, a business: custom-

ers and community first. The club is a

breath of fresh air and represents the

only way to move forward in the medi-

cal marijuana dispensary industry. Soft

Secrets USA caught up with Green Door

manager Justin Jarin to 'talk shop'.

SSUSA: How would you describe the

culture of the Green Door?

JJ: Words that come to mind are 'profes-

sional' and 'clean'. In eclectic downtown

San Francisco, we have easy access for

our patient flow. State of the art technol-

ogy and safety precautions, too, are very

important to us.

SSUSA: What was your vision when you

opened up in 2003?

JJ: Our goal was to provide patients the

highest quality medicine and the most

affordable price. We also pride ourselves

in being a compassionate dispensary.

SSUSA: Do you feel you've attained this?

JJ: 110%.

SSUSA: You've always worked closely

with the city from day one. Why don't

more clubs do this?

JJ: Being active in the city is just some-

thing we've learned is in our best interest

and the industry's interest because we are

the voice; we write and create the legisla-

tion, too. It's helped our business thrive

by us fighting for our patients' rights to

service – and they do the same, which cre-

ates loyalty within our community.

SSUSA: Words such as 'responsible'

and 'professional' come up all the time

when talking about the Green Door.

JJ: We have always held the highest stand-

ards of professionalism, and understand

the tremendous responsibility we have to

our patients and community to be a role

model for the industry.

SSUSA: And you give a lot back to the

community, correct?

JJ: For patients we have 'Compassion

Sundays' where they get a free gift

with purchase. We also are heavy con-

tributors to ASA (Americans for Safe

Access) and MPP (Marijuana Policy

Project). We also have donated money

to Yerba Buena Park and the beautifi-

cation of Howard Street. We also have

many other local charities we donate

to, like Black Rock Arts Foundation,

Friends of the Urban Forest and Maitri

AIDS Hospice.

SSUSA: What is the key to running a

successful dispensary?

JJ: The key is to provide the best product;

the newest products, at a compassionate

price with service to match. At the Green

Door we innovate and that is why we

continue to grow and keep the patients'

interest and loyalty. Our patients' satisfac-

tion is our number one priority.

SSUSA: What's next?

JJ: We have partnered with an upstairs

neighbor who is running a private events

space, and we are covering our patients’

admission to their lounge. It's a spacious,

luxurious, ventilated place for patients to

medicate, with flat-screen TVs, comfort-

able furniture and a pool table.

We are also in the process of updating the

methods of medicating available.

The Green Door has also arranged time

for Americans for Safe Access to use

'Lounge8four7' for their bi-monthly meet-

ings. We love what ASA does for the move-

ment and the community, and are excited

to offer our support for their cause.

» www.greendoorsf.com

“OUR GOAL WAS TO PROVIDE PATIENTS THE HIGHEST QUALITY MEDICINE AND THE MOST AFFORDABLE PRICE.”

36

From the Mountains of Holland – the Rise of King ConeSitting in the in the super-cool Greenhouse coffeeshop in Amsterdam, gazing at the carp cruising hypnotically in their 10-ft., under-floor pool, I must admit to mixed feelings as I wait to meet up with the legendary Arthur van den Berg – the ‘Henry Ford of Cannabis consumption’. Jules Marshall

On the one hand, he’s the creator of

the pre-rolled conical cigarette papers

with the world-wide registered brand

name Cones and a range of gizmos for

mechanically filling, rolling and packag-

ing joints that represent the biggest

step-change in rolling technology since

pre-gummed rice paper.

Essentially empty cone-shaped wrappers

made from cigarette paper with an inte-

grated cardboard roach, Cones can be

used in production machines and equip-

ment for creating pre-rolled joints, or they

can be filled manually by consumers. You

can see the range of cone-related equip-

ment and packaging at www.mountain-

high.nl and videos of the technology in

action at www.cones.tv.

They are an undoubted industry game

changer. In street corner tobacconists, in

blister packs of pre-rolled weed in coffee-

shops and pharmacies, these democratiz-

ers of joint smoking for the fumble-fin-

gered masses are now available in more

than 50 countries, from Nigeria to Finland.

On the other hand, as a proud and capa-

ble traditional joint roller, I can’t help

feeling like a Luddite witnessing the

potential loss of the hand-rolled craft.

OK, that’s maybe an overstatement, but

all you spliff-jockeys out there will know

what I mean, I think. It’s a new world

out there…there’s 'BC' and 'AC' – Before

Cones and After Cones.

Arthur enters in a whirlwind of energy,

greeting the staff (he still hand deliv-

ers his wares to leading customers,

to maintain the human contact) and

explains that he’d like to conduct the

interview in his ‘office’ – a black behe-

moth of a 4x4 parked outside.

So after sharing a quick joint (Cone of

course) of pure Shiva, it’s into his office

that we clamber with cappuccinos

to-go, and for the next 40 minutes we

cruise hair-raisingly through the small

backstreets of Amsterdam: Arthur at

the wheel, juggling phone calls, rum-

maging for merchandising in the glove

compartment and avoiding cyclists.

Arthur jumps around between stories

about his youth, excitement at current

developments in mediweed, anticipa-

tion of his forthcoming trip to a fair

in Denver, Colorado, sliding between

past, present and future, with extraor-

dinary energy and enthusiasm for his

business. The most common phrase

is: “Long story short…” It’s a huge-

ly entertaining conversation - and a

nightmare to transcribe and turn into

a linear story!

SS: Take me through your early years

prior to setting up Mountain High in

1994. What sort of things moved and

interested you?

AvdB: “I always wanted to work and do

my own marketing for my own prod-

ucts. But until I was 30 years old I didn’t

succeed - although I had all the ingredi-

ents. I had left commercial school early

because I was dealing hashish and earn-

ing a lot of money. But I was driven to

do something for myself and ended up

doing many different jobs and learning

different things in life.

So I worked as a bus driver for a while;

I used to daydream of having an inven-

tion and do my own marketing of this

invention. I was always convinced that

I would become a company owner;

maybe selling black pearls, which I had

access to. I sold advertising for Yellow

Pages, smoked weed and came up with

this invention.

So the joint machine invention by me and

my brother, that started with us setting

up a PO box and registered company and

already visualizing that it could be revolu-

tionary one day – at least, it was to us and

we were convinced it was so unique. We

had invented a centrifugal joint making

machine but of course we could not pat-

ent a centrifuge!

We sent plans of our invention to our-

selves by registered mail, opening one

copy and leaving the other sealed. So

we had that filed, and it cost us noth-

ing. It is not worth anything, but it is

still a good idea to do.

So that’s... how things started: work for

yourself. And the big innovation was

the cone paper.”

How is it made? Big bales of cigarette

paper…

“Yes, you have a bobbin of 11 miles of

paper, supplied by one of the world lead-

ers in paper making. Our idea was that just

as in England the rolling papers are called

Rizlas, we hoped when people talked

about a cone, they were not talking about

ice cream cones or traffic cones any more

but my Cones, with the watermark that

says ‘Cones’, with the TV station cones.tv;

it’s my word.

The watermark thing started 10 years ago

but before that we were under the

Radar. We hit the newspapers with that

machine, demonstrating it in the old

Drugs Peace House in Amsterdam, and

the following Monday there was an arti-

cle: No More Licking With New Rolling

Machine for Joints on the second page of

the Volkskrant, (newspaper) with a half-

page photo of me and my brother sitting

next to our own machine. It just looked

very natural and innocent. Amsterdam

was different back in those days (1995), a

very different situation to now.”

So you’re the marketing guy and your

brother Martin is the engineer? What’s

it like working with a brother?

“We grew up very close. My mother

ended up in a psychiatric hospital when

were small kids. My father was tech-

nical director of a cancer hospital in

Rotterdam and we didn’t care that we

were alone: we had a lovely life, growing

up in this hospital. We met people, we

explored under the hospital in the ven-

tilation ducts, with a torch and a rope

– we were less than 6 years old! We were

raised by the nurses and the 100 or so

people working there. We were ‘the kids

of Mr. van den Berg’, chief of the hos-

pital. Everyone knew we didn’t have a

mother. That’s the big story made short!”

And what about the moment of inven-

tion? Were the two of you sitting

around saying 'Man. There’s gotta be

a better way of making joints than roll-

ing them'?

“Long story short: we went to Bali

to check out the cigarette factories,

where I had heard they hand-rolled

cigarettes… (he breaks off to show me

a new packet of papers with a magnetic

flap). We had already invented how to

make the cones. Then we invented a

way of tapping down the tobacco/weed

mix into the cone so it was not too fluffy

but as tight as a Marlboro. We’d booked

a hotel resort in Bali and in the morning

we’d been surfing together and were

really close, we were like ‘wow, we’re

gonna do this mission, find where we’re

gonna produce them’ – and we did and

we still producing in Indonesia.

I’d heard about this factory where

cigarettes were made by hand and

figured we could have a lot of work for

them. So me and my brother started

traveling with a guide, meeting all the

factories. I had the sales training and

my brother was the engineer super-

man who knew the answer to every-

thing, so together we made an impact

at big factories where 10-15,000 peo-

ple were working. OK, I’m exaggerat-

ing, but there are working floors there

with 5,000 rollers, you know.”

You’re just back from America, and

you’re off there again in a few days.

“I was just checking out what’s happen-

ing over there and its amazing. If you

imagine all the weed medical patients are

using over there fitting in a Cone? Or just

one percent of that? It’s really taking off.

I travel to the US four or five times a year

and I’m off to Denver next Friday. There’s

a Cannabis happening there they expect

20,000 people over the weekend.

I flew in my machine, so it’s gonna be in

the entrance to the show with a lounge

for other companies from Amsterdam.

The machine will be spinning, and my

distributor also has a booth. After the

show I have a meeting with Snoop Dogg’s

manager to maybe bring his Snoop rolling

papers to Holland - it will be the first roll-

ing paper we have had in our collection.

We never intended to do it; the cone thing

is so unique we have our hands and heads

filled doing that.

But I was focused on America right from

the outset of our company; that’s why I

called it 'Vandenberg'; there was a well-

known band called that. My name is

THESE DEMOCRATIZERS OF JOINT SMOKING FOR THE FUMBLE-FINGERED MASSES ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN MORE THAN 50 COUNTRIES, FROM NIGERIA TO FINLAND

“I WAS FOCUSED ON AMERICA RIGHT FROM THE OUTSET OF OUR COMPANY.”

“MY MESSAGE IS: DON’T TRY AND RE-INVENT THE WHEEL. TALK TO ME; I’M ALREADY THERE. JOIN ME.”

37

Arthur van den Berg, which means ‘from

the mountain’. So I saw myself coming

down from the mountain and the com-

pany is Mountain High.

My job, I’m on the edge of the envelope,

you know? I deal with headshops and

coffeeshops; we surf through the whole

of Cannabisland but my product is fully

legal. So if one day somebody in NL thinks

they have to stop me, I’ll go straight on

TV and show my videos and ask: what am

I doing wrong? I’m 16 years in this busi-

ness now and cones will always be there.

I never had any trouble in the US. Once

only a pallet was sent back because it had

a Cannabis leaf on the packaging.”

The conversation is interrupted as we

search for a parking spot, and I finally spill

my reservations that, admirable as they

are, the first time I saw the cones I thought

NO, that’s killing off the old manual craft

of joint rolling…

“Are you recording? You know how

many times I’ve heard that in my life?

The most common comment in the

world from people who are good at roll-

ing by hand. What about all the people

who cannot roll? You no longer have to

do it for all the lazy girls!

We arrive back at the Greenhouse,

where Arthur drops me off and takes

a meeting with some Israeli medi-

weed suppliers, customers of his. I

speak briefly to Zach Klein, pioneer

of the Israeli medi-weed movement,

which bought 200,000 cones last year.

“Arthur’s cones were vital for our pro-

gress as they allow standardization of

dosage and therefore open up clinical

trials,” he says. “Also, they’re sterile, as

there’s no licking involved – vital when

you’re dealing with patients with com-

promised immune systems.”

“The new emphasis on medical mari-

huana is perfect for my business,” say

Arthur. “About five years ago it started

to take off, used in joints for dispensa-

ries. It’s like we’re selling auto tires: if

you drive a lot you buy a lot of tires. If

you sell a lot of joints you need a lot of

cones. We’ve helped a lot of companies

make serious money.”

A few days later he phones to say he

forgot the story about fire walking and

how important it is to meet again. “(Our

business) kind of all started with a cou-

pon, clipped from a women's maga-

zine for 25 guilders, of a workshop

at the Marriott Hotel in Amsterdam,

where a carpet of wet turf was laid out

and hot coals strewn on it to make a

33-ft. fire walk. You know, the 'think

cool moss' thing?

Arthur made it across but his brother

forgot his mantra. Unable to sleep,

consumed with a feeling that this was

the catalyst of some sort of special

moment, the night ended with his

brother sitting at a drawing board and

designing the machine.

A few months later and the van den

Berg boys are surfing in Bali where they

have traveled on the rumor that ciga-

rettes were still made by hand, ponder-

ing how they were going to make the

cones fill-able and compact-able when

it hit them: a centrifuge.

He’s is clear about his ambitions for the

future. “My email and phone number is

spread worldwide because I feel that any-

one who is enthusiastic about my products

can send me an email and tell me what he

thinks. I can advise a company like Philip

Morris if they ever want a good packaging

and production system; they’re stupid if

they don’t get in touch with me. My mes-

sage is: don’t try and re-invent the wheel.

Talk to me; I’m already there. Join me.”

ARTHUR SHOWS US HIS MOUNTAINHIGH

AD IN THE HIGHLIFE GUIDE

ARTHUR WITH SNOOP DOGG

Photo: Advanced Seeds

Kay

a 47

39ARE WOMEN BEING SIDELINED IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY?

Sexism in Pot CultureMarijuana-related media is becoming known for photos depicting semi-clothed models splashed all over their pages, to the extent that many women are increasingly put off most prominent pub-lications. It is preferable to avoid alienating any reader group, especially such a large and growing one – but many still take the easy route of using sex to sell magazines, knowing that the male readership currently far outnumbers the female, and using that classic, lowest-common-denominator technique that unfortu-nately shows no sign of losing its effectiveness. by Kali Mist

While women may not have so far been

as conspicuous as men in the battle to

legalize weed our voice is steadily grow-

ing, and as cultural attitudes towards

Cannabis use continue to relax I hope we

will see a sharp rise in the prominence

of female activists and supporters. In

this important incubation period for the

emerging industry we can afford few

mistakes – lowering the credibility of

the pot world through over-use of tacky

centerfolds is bound to have this effect.

It's not just women that are put off; it's

the establishment, which is having a hard

enough time coming to terms with the

meteoric rise of Cannabis as it is, without

being able to lump Cannabis industry

professionals into some sex-crazed smut-

peddling category first theorized during

the whole 'reefer madness' stupidity.

Embedded in the industry's perception by

outsiders is the very real possibility that

perpetuating misogyny in weed media

could assist in perpetuating sexist practic-

es in the wider weed industry. The major-

ity of dispensary owners are male, and

this trend continues for licensed growers.

There are some exceptions, but not many.

I, for one, would be devastated if the

future of weed was one where women

were relegated to a subordinate role, as

I've seen this trend at work before.

During my years living and working in the

Netherlands, I noticed a low level of sex-

ism within the coffeeshop industry, which

at the time seemed surprising to me. I

mean, in the shady drug-dealing world

that the Cannabis industry becomes

where it is criminalized, perhaps it's to

be expected that things will be a little

male-dominated – most organized crime

is. But in my naivete I thought that cer-

tain original hippie values had somehow

survived intact in Europe and the industry

there would be free and egalitarian, and

without misogyny. Maybe it's because the

industry isn't fully legal, and the wholesale

side of things is still a murky business,

but a sense of male superiority certainly

seems to pervade the scene.

Growers are mostly male – as I men-

tioned, it's illegal to cultivate Cannabis,

and males are statistically more prepared

to break laws. However, that doesn't

explain why in the coffeeshops them-

selves the gender division is usually dis-

tinct (but not always – a few of the most

knowledgeable and friendly dealers I

encountered were women, as was I for

a time): guys own and manage the cof-

feeshops and sell the weed; girls serve

drinks. There is a number of respected

female growers, coffeeshop owners and

seed company bosses, but this is a small

fraction of the total. I've heard, too many

times to count, that there is 'no place' for

women in the industry.

Some people have anecdotally sug-

gested there is an influence from the

Moroccan style of doing business, which

is apparently exclusive to men and plac-

es women firmly in a service role. While

this could be a factor, I also feel underly-

ing traditional Dutch attitudes towards

women play a part. I've experienced

firsthand the odd male customer who

refused to believe a woman could pos-

sibly know anything about weed.

Also, while there may not be a cul-

ture specifically associating pornogra-

phy and Cannabis in Holland, a nation

whose idea of legalized prostitution

involves requiring women to stand in

a window like mannequins, displaying

themselves for any passer-by to see,

surely cannot be deemed beyond the

temptation of easy sexualization for

the sake of easy business. At least a few

coffeeshops in Amsterdam have a local

THIS IS A FEMALE CANNABIS FLOWER. UH... JUST SAYIN'!

reputation for selecting girls on the

basis of looks and age, in the assump-

tion that it will boost their sales and

keep male customers coming back.

I can furthermore testify as to the dispa-

rate rates of pay given to the respective

roles – in some coffeeshops, dealers

earn upwards of 150% of a bar girl's

wage. Whereas here tips may be expect-

ed to cover that shortfall, the European

attitude regarding tipping can often

mean a bar girl takes a far smaller pay-

check home for working just as hard, for

just as many hours. I cannot see a basis

for this. I am therefore heartened to

see that there is a growing disapproval

of the trend for pitching products at

American marijuana conventions with

the help of half-naked girls. Not due to

prudishness – I just don't see why any-

body's intelligence should be insulted

that way, and when it's my intelligence

they're attempting to insult, I feel the

need to say something.

It seems to me that there is still a lot

of work to do before misogyny in pot

culture is dead. Obviously it's still alive

and kicking in most every walk of life,

but I feel that we have a head start in

a culture that is traditionally enlight-

ened and progressive, and we should

fight to press home the advantage. I'm

not naive enough to think that remov-

ing sexism from the Cannabis press will

remove it from the industry, but as long

as the magazines that serve the sec-

tor encourage objectification of women,

they are definitely not helping to change

prevalent attitudes. If, as many stud-

ies will testify, people are influenced in

their behavior by the press, then trashy

centerfolds are a force for the negative.

However, we also have a responsibility

– as weed loving women – to become

more active within the industry itself

(beyond trimming weed and making

space cakes). As long as we remain a tiny

minority we can expect discrimination,

so we must be fully prepared to over-

come it and become an equal force.

THE MAJORITY OF DISPENSARY OWNERS ARE MALE, AND THIS TREND CONTINUES FOR LICENSED GROWERS

BIO-HEALTH WELLNESS CENTER, LOCATED IN

DENVER, CO, IS ONE OF A SMALL NUMBER OF

RESPECTED FEMALE-RUN DISPENSARIES IN THE US

IN DUTCH COFFEESHOPS WOMEN

TRADITIONALLY SERVE THE DRINKS

AND DON'T TOUCH THE WEED

41MUSIC REVIEWS

THE ATTITUDE SEED BANK:

Complete your Cannabis CollectionWith Cannabis laws loosening in several dozen states across the US, many more people are becoming exposed to the industry. New grow-ers and smokers are popping up all the time, and we thought you might want to know where it all started. The Sativa Diva

In the charter issue of Soft Secrets USA,

we introduced you to Keith, owner of

The Attitude Seed Bank, responsible for

distributing the largest and most com-

prehensive list of quality Cannabis genet-

ics – from over 80 international compa-

nies. With more than 2,500 strain names

and flavor/effect descriptions to wade

through, we thought we'd provide a sim-

ple background for the origins of these

genetics. Since Cannabis has been around

much longer than we have, the indus-

try is constantly reviving and changing

thanks to hundreds of breeders around

the world, supplemented by private col-

lectors – who are quickly becoming an

important resource.

The Attitude, on a minor scale, is reminis-

cent of the Doomsday Vault, comprising

a massive collection of varying Cannabis

genetics from dozens of different coun-

tries and seed labels. Keith points out

that with so many good growers out

there and so many quality types of can-

nabis, it's easier to just offer customers

as many choices as possible, rather than

just offering one label, or only Cannabis

Cup winners. With so much over-hybrid-

ization bubbling up beneath the surface

of the industry, growers of all levels of

experience need to have a reputable

source upon which they can rely to stock

almost all of the old classics. It's becom-

ing a necessity for people to keep collec-

tions of old genetics (in the refrigerator,

of course) in preparation for a particular

strain's eventual demise.

Unlike today, when Cannabis flourishes

around the world in a variety of climates,

thousands of years ago, the hardy plant

was much more sparsely-located. While

its origins have been (arguably) attrib-

uted to Kazakhstan – whom we have to

thank for cultivated apples – one fam-

ily of Cannabis is much older than the

ruderalis (a.k.a. Russian hemp) native to

Eastern Europe. The indica family – those

short, stocky dark green plants with large

leaves and a relaxing effect – is indige-

nous to Central Asia, with the Hindu Kush

mountainous region holding a special

significance in the ganja world.

Sometimes referred to as 'the grandmoth-

er of all Cannabis,' the Hindu Kush was one

of the first few varieties to cross the barrier

from landrace to cultivar to commercial

hybrid. A cultivar is a plant strain that orig-

inated as a landrace variety (pure strains

indigenous to one particular region) and

were selected by local people for various

reasons, in some cases, over periods of

thousands of years.

Keith reminds us of the dominance of the

Dutch industry over the years, provid-

ing the original genetics to many other

seed companies around the world. He

also recalls famous breeders from the

early days, such as Sam the Skunkman or

Shanti Baba, with great reverence. They

were at the fore-front of the Cannabis

hybrid awakening, where tokers switched

from tossing some bag seed into their

back yards to seeking out and purchasing

quality genetics, becoming some of the

great growers of today. These days, it's not

even uncommon for, say, a Spanish seed

bank to exchange seeds or clones with a

company from California, whose strains

may have originally come from Canada.

However, this practice was not common-

place as of a few decades ago.

In 1979 Sacred Seeds was established

in California and the Lowland Seed Co.

was founded in the Netherlands. Officially,

despite thousands of years of the plant's

existence on the planet, these were the

first two Cannabis seed companies. In

1980, Sacred Seeds released the Skunk

No. 1, Afghani No. 1, Hindu Kush and

Original Haze; these genetics are still avail-

able today under the Flying Dutchmen

label (Skunk #1, Afghanica, Pot of Gold,

Original Haze). If you research the origins

of the first Cannabis cultivars, 'it' all started

with these four. Others were now able to

grow out and select these pure, reliable

strains, leading to an explosion of new

'breeders' on the Dutch scene.

1984 brought about some competi-

tion in the form of the Sinsemilla Seed

Co., responsible for the introduction of

Hashplant No. 1, (Hungarian) Ruderalis

and Jamaican cultivars. By 1985 they were

joined by the label Cultivator's Choice,

who brought out the California Orange,

Early Girl and South African (a.k.a. Durban

Poison); while the new Super Sativa Seed

Club released their Chitral Indica. At about

this time the folks at Seed Bank graced the

industry with Northern Lights.

Another famous name from this time is

Positronics, who in 1986 released their

Skunk USA, which was joined by another

legend, the William's Wonder, under the

auspices of the Super Sativa Seed Club.

The Seed Bank's Early Pearl also arrived.

Positronics jumped into the game again

THE ATTITUDE, ON A MINOR SCALE, IS REMINISCENT OF THE DOOMSDAY VAULT, COMPRISING A MASSIVE

COLLECTION OF VARYING CANNABIS GENETICS FROM DOZENS OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND SEED LABELS.

42in 1987 with Hollandsch Hope (a.k.a.

Holland's Hope) while Dutch Passion was

being established, celebrating with the

release of the Amstel Gold, Purple Star,

Purple Wonder and Four-Way. This amaz-

ing decade in Cannabis history was round-

ed out in 1988 by the Shiva and G-13 and

in 1999 with the Hindu Kush and Hawaiian

Indica, all under the Seed Bank label.

The early 90's saw a shift from Seed Bank

to Sensi Seeds, then to the Sensi Seed

Bank label, credited with the new Shiva

Shanti hybrids. At this point it seems as if

the industry, with regards to both estab-

lished seed companies and fledgling new

brands, took some time off to work on

their hybrids. With a whole slew of cultivar

strains from around the world as raw mate-

rial, some of the loveliest and strongest

hybrids were created at this time. These

days, it's very difficult to find new strains as

stable and hardy as these founding moth-

ers, as few people have the time, amount

of space and dedication necessary to prop-

erly select parents for new varieties. All this

experimenting, however, did not diminish

the needs for new cultivars, and so in 1998

Dutch Passion thrilled the industry with the

release of Blueberry and Flo. In the follow-

ing few years, Sensi Seed Bank rounded out

the surge of new cultivars with the release

of their Maple Leaf Indica.

So there's your tiny history of where it all

started. These varieties and seed labels

are important, not because people need

to get high, but due to the persecution of

Cannabis around the world, we as a com-

munity are losing (forever) some of our

most beautiful hybrids.

http://www.cannabis-seeds-bank.co.uk/

44 MUSIC REVIEWS

Nosolo ‘Aerosol Prankster’ AUDIOKIN.COMArising from the San Francisco Bay area – that infamous hotbed of creativity from freaks of all fashion, flavor and

form – five-piece outfit Nosolo release this free-to-all downloadable five-track EP.

Working together for the past ten years, the band exist to play and record live music, always delivering a highly

contagious, body rocking sonic experience that is embraced by both clubs and festivals alike. A unique sound has

been developed, forged from their combined experience and influences, based on the live and electronic music

scenes of Johannesburg, London, New York and the San Francisco Bay Area.

ALTHOUGH REMINISCENT OF 1990’S TRIP-HOP, THE ALCHEMICAL MELDING OF DRUMS AND BASS WITH INTENSE PSYCHEDELIC GUITAR, ALONGSIDE SHARP-AS-A-BLADE SKILLS AT THE WHEELS OF STEEL AND A CONSCIOUSLY INTELLIGENT, FUNKY LYRICAL FLOW, MOVE THINGS INTO A DIFFERENT DIMENSION.

This international ensemble not only draws together their individual cul-

tures but also deftly crisscrosses through the borders of musical genre,

stepping into styles from disco to dub and heavy metal, to a well seasoned

crock of dance music expressions and strange electronica. Most definitely

experimental, yet unpretentious; this highly listenable and deeply dance-

able mash-up, self-produced and mixed by Jonah Sharp of the sumptuously

lovely acid and ambient Space Time label, will place your inner stylus on a

groove strictly bound for the far reaches of the cosmos. Rewind selector!

Download at http://nosolo.bandcamp.com/

Africa Hi-Tech ’93 Million Miles’ WARP RECORDSAfrica Hi-Tech, the powerhouse production com-

bination of Mark Pritchard and Steve Spacek, are

set to release their debut album this May.

Released by Warp following the two digi-dance-

hall releases ‘Blen’ and the ‘HiTecherous EP’, the

11-track album sees the two producers develop

their “love for all things progressive within music,

whilst acknowledging that the roots of much

of today’s popular music can be traced directly

back to Africa.”

Having started working on the project when

they found themselves, by coincidence, living

in Australia, the album takes in the wealth of

experience both artists have (Pritchard as part of

Global Communications/Harmonic 313; Spacek

as a notable contributor to Dilla’s work and the

Spacek outfit), which sees them explore Detroit

techno, classic soul and Jamaican dancehall as

expertly captured on the excellent lead single

‘Out In the Streets’.

’93 MILLION MILES’ IS AN UNFLINCHINGLY AMBITIOUS PRODUCT OF INTERNATION-AL GLOBETROTTING THAT CARVES A NEW FAULT LINE INTO THE RAPIDLY EXPAND-ING TERRAIN OF BASS DRIVEN MUSIC.

Compilation ‘Generation Bass Presents: Transnational Dubstep’ SIX DEGREES RECORDS‘Transnational Dubstep’ is the first major com-

pilation to document the fusion of dubstep

and global roots music. Conceptualized and

compiled by co-owner/editor and the driving

force behind

the Generation

Bass blog, DJ

Umb in coop-

eration with

Six Degrees

Records, the

album pulls

together some

of the most

exciting new producers in electronic music,

who are incorporating sounds from around

the planet with the bass bin shaking thump

of dubstep.

BY UTILIZING INFLUENCES FROM CUMBIA TO BALKAN; CHINESE TO INDIAN; MIDDLE EASTERN TO JAPANESE, THE SONGS ON THIS UNIQUE COLLECTION REPRESENT THE CUT-TING EDGE VANGUARD OF A WHOLE NEW ELECTRONIC SUB-GENRE THAT IS READY TO CAPTURE THE EARS AND IMAGINATIONS OF LISTENERS WORLD-WIDE.

This 15 track hand picked compilation features

established producers like the Midval Punditz

and the Bandish Project, while introducing

breaking talent from the bass music commu-

nity: including Engine Earz, Alexis K, Jajuoka

Soundsystem, Knowa Knowone, Shem and

many more to a wider audience.

‘Transnational Dubstep’ is the flashpoint where the

ever-evolving bass music genre collides with the

global music continuum.

Etana ‘Free Expressions’ VP RECORDSReggae singer/songwriter sensation Etana returns

with her highly anticipated sophomore album ‘Free

Expressions’, a release that truly establishes her as an

artist of great might. Etana deems this second album

‘Free Expressions’ because she adamantly refuses to

be constrained by approach or lyrical content. Her

beautifully sweet, yet pow-

erful voice easily adapts

itself across a gamut of reg-

gae styles including lovers,

roots rockin’, one drop and

dancehall; not stopping

there, this songbird flut-

ters elegantly and ably into

soulful R&B and hip-hop.

Penning 12 of the 14 tracks herself, Etana has already

had three hit singles from the album so far- ‘Free’, ‘Happy

Heart’ and ‘August Town’. Socially conscious undertones

can be found in tracks such as the brilliant ‘Mocking Bird’,

‘Retribution’ and of course the popular ‘August Town’. In

the songs ‘Day by Day’, ‘Moving On’, ‘People Talk’, ‘Free’

and ‘Dance’ Etana croons uplifting messages of positivity.

What’s a reggae album without a little love? Etana sings

about the subject in the tracks ‘Happy Heart’, ‘I Know You

Love Me’ and ‘My Name Is’.

ETANA’S REGAL COUNTENANCE, UNCOMPRO-MISING MESSAGES OF SELF-EMPOWERMENT AND THE LYRICAL DEPTH OF HER SONGS ARE PROVING TO BE A CHALLENGE TO THE DOMINANT PERCEP-TION OF FEMALE ARTISTS’ IMAGES AND IDENTI-TIES. ENGENDERING REVOLUTIONARY CHANGES IN JAMAICAN POPULAR MUSIC, ETANA IS THE JILL SCOTT OF THE REGGAE WORLD.

Beats Antique ‘Blind Threshold’ ANTIQUE RECORDSGrowing like wildfire under the canopy of live electonica

and world roots music comes a masterful merge of modern

technology, live instrumentation and seductive perfor-

mance, built of brass bands and glitch, string quartets and

dubstep: the musical trio Beats Antique.

Since the group’s inception from the eclectic under-

ground of San Francisco’s performance art scene, Beats

Antique has been notorious for making it nearly impos-

sible to sit still. They meld their mediums as attentively as

they fuse the cultures that inspire their sound.

ALL SELF-PRODUCED AND COMPOSED, THE TRIO CREATES A UNIQUE COLLAGE: AN ANIMALISTIC, RAW MUSICAL EVENT THAT BLURS THE LINES BETWEEN THE PROVOCATIVE, THE SPIRITUAL, AND THE ARTIS-TIC; WHILE STILL MAINTAINING AN ALLEGIANCE TO THE MUSES OF CLASS AND BEAUTY.

With this, their third album, Beats Antique is best imag-

ined as an innovative creature built from the cumulative

heritage of the world’s music chasing its tail. However

vivid that image, when a

marching band groove crash-

es into bluesy folk chords,

only to be accompanied by

electronic beats and Middle

Eastern melodies, you’ll still

be surprised.

By Kaz Peet

45BOOK REVIEW

Grubbycup's Simple HydroponicsPotential hydroponic gardeners can

easily become overwhelmed by the

complex processes involved with soil-

less cultivation. Understanding the

basics prior to venturing into advanced

gardening manuals can help prevent

frustration and confusion.

An informed gardener is more likely to

succeed, and a successful gardener is

more likely to continue to garden.

Written by international gardening author

Grubbycup Stash, Grubbycup's Simple

Hydroponics is a starter primer on hydro-

ponic growing. The booklet is motivating

and interesting, filled with informative

pictures and easy to read text.

Written in conversational English,

Grubbycup breaks down hydroponic

concepts, and simplifies the technical

information. This book quickly deliv-

ers information to the reader without

talking down to them. Forty beautiful

color pages illustrate concepts includ-

ing artificial lighting, media choices and

basic nutrition.

Grubbycup is obviously passionate

about gardening, and helping garden-

ers improve. This booklet is informative

enough to understand the differences

between the most common types of

hydroponic methods without being

overwhelming.

Grubbycup's Simple Hydroponics also

outlines more advanced hydro systems;

however, the main thrust is for the

beginner – the person a little hesitant

to take that leap of faith and try hydro-

ponic gardening.

The booklet also touches on environ-

ments, lighting, growing media, humidity

and temperature; it is a book even the

most beginning gardener can follow.

Grubbycup’s Simple Hydroponics is avail-

able at hydroponic stores and online sites.

Mike Yocina - Owner, Nickel City Wholesale

Garden Supply

Photo: Debi Davis

WE WANT YOU / INDEX OF ADS / COLOFON46ColophonIndex of ads

Name Page

Advanced Seeds 1

All American Healing Group 43

Apothecary 420 16

Attitude the 2

Attitude the 4

Best Price Evaluations 23

BudGenius 11

Devil’s Harvest Seed Company the 28

Dinafem Seeds 35

Green Door the 48

Hemcy 43

Paradise Seeds 1

Royal Queen Seeds 47

Sensible Seeds 43

Sweet Seeds 1

Sweet Seeds 40

Soft Secrets USA is published by Discover Publishers USA, IncCentury Park Plaza1801 Century Park East, 24th floor / Suite 2400Los Angeles, CA 90067 E-mail: [email protected]

Editor in chief: Kristie Szalanski

Contributors: Grubbycup, Buddy Kush, Kali Mist, Robert Michael, The Sativa Diva, Lazystrain, O’Riodon, F.Red, Kaz Peet, et al.

Translations: Jules Marshall, TranSarah Traduzioni, Italy

Comic: O’Riodon

Editorial adress: E-mail: [email protected]

Advertisements: JessicaTelephone: +1-661-333 3151E-mail: [email protected]

Distribution by:P.A.I.N. DistributionCarlos GarciaCirculation Managerwww.magazinedistribution.orgTelephone: +1-310-488-1911

A word from the publisher:To the chagrin of the US Federal Government, almost half of the states have embarked on a process of relative liberalization towards the use of Cannabis, and Cannabis activists are engaged in broadening this progression. Some townships, mayors and police chiefs – on a local level – now actively support a ‘compassion club’ distribution system as a way of separating recreational stoners from the people who legiti-mately need therapeutic help, simultaneously decreasing the number of unnecessary arrests. Whether they are finding their way to the local medical distribution point or growing for per-sonal stash, Cannabis users are a menace to no one and are causing no discernible social prob-lem. Some politicians, and even more non-users than ever, are calling for the outright legali-zation of marijuana. Taxpayers are frustrated with funding the incarceration of first-time, non-violent drug offenders (read: pot smokers) as well as the social toll that high numbers of imprisonment brings to some towns and neigh-borhoods. Now we must be patient and see how the debate develops during a period of relative peace between both sides. In the meantime, the publisher hopes Soft Secrets will expose the positive aspects of the normalization of Cannabis use to the public, and is excited to offer a forum to both pro- and anti-legalization advocates. Soft Secrets forums operate under the assumption that the publisher does not necessarily agree with the views and opinions expressed in articles and advertisements therein. The publisher therefore distances himself explicitly from statements or images that might give the impression that an endorsement is being made for the illicit use or production of Cannabis. Soft Secrets does not advocate breaking any laws, whether local-, state-, Federal or international.

Nothing from this publication may be copied or reproduced in any format without prior permission from the publisher and other copy-right holders. The publisher is not responsible for the content and/or point of view of adver-tisements. The editors take no responsibility for unsolicited submissions.

Soft Secrets USA 3/11 out: June 21st, 2011

Do you have what it takes to become a

regular Soft Secrets USA contributor? Do

you have a fluent pen and green fingers?

Then don’t hesitate to apply as a freelance

writer with us! We’re looking for freelance

journalists and writers who can contribute

on a regular basis. Experience is not a

must, but a pro.

Please send your resumé with an

example of your writing skills to

[email protected], attn. of Kristie and

we’ll get in touch.

SOFT SECRETS USA IS LOOKING FOR WRITERS

We want you!

Black Jack, Sweet Seeds

Cream Caramel, Sweet Seeds

Soft Secrets U.S.A.- 02-2011

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