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Smokin’ on Sativa: Tony Don’t Smoke OG Ep. 105

Smokin’ on Sativa: Tony Don’t Smoke OG Ep. 105

If you asked Tony why people always give sativa strains a bad rap, he would tell you it’s because they never smoked a good, well-grown sativa.

If you asked a bunch of growers why there isn’t a lot of good sativa out there, they would tell you that it’s because most growers don’t want to put the time and effort — but mainly time — into growing a good sativa strain. They would be right.

Sativas are hard to grow, they take longer than indica dominant strains, and a lot of the time due to how its grown commercially, is lower quality than their hybrid counterparts. But those who do put in the effort reap the rewards. A well-grown and cared for sativa will taste great and provide an uplifting, euphoric effect that anybody who knows a good sativa will crave. Luckily, Tony and the gang know a good sativa.

Sativa or indica, it’s about knowledge

It all comes back to knowledge and educating people about what they are are consuming. Much like beer, liquor or wine, cannabis has a variety of different strains, characteristics, flavors and effects. It can also be grown with the utmost care, or none at all.

Some people will always go for the cheap domestic beer or the convenience store wine because they don’t mind sacrificing quality to save money. Others will always want the best, and only drink craft beer and fancy wine to fill their appetite. It’s all preference.

Suffice to say as the industry spreads, a lot of people will prefer cheap cannabis. Those coming from a black market especially, where prices are often steep, the option to get a $10 eighth or $70 ounce will always be enticing. Sure, they could splurge and go for the quality cannabis for $200 an ounce, but with such a vast difference in price for the same amount, many will at least try the cheaper option.

This will change. Everybody has their honeymoon phase with legal cannabis. There are so many options at such affordable prices, its almost impossible not to buy a bunch of different cheap strains to see how they smoke. But over time, people will start to try the more expensive stuff, and the difference will be instant. Once someone tries well-grown, quality cannabis, it’s hard to go back.

In this week’s episode of Tony Don’t Smoke OG, Chip and Tony are joined by Colin from The Werc Shop, a research group that focuses on the science of cannabis and all its chemicals, especially terpenes. If you’ve ever enjoyed a flavored cannabis vape pen, you have Colin to thank!

Join the gang as they smoke on some Big Sur Holy Weed and talk changing tastes in the cannabis consumer, why sativas get such a bad rap, and more. Tune in and enjoy!

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Grow Management and Lambs Bread

Grow Management and Lambs Bread

Tony Don’t Smoke OG Ep. 104

Roll it up, ya’ll! Tony Don’t Smoke OG Ep. 4 brings Chip and Tony together once more with their secret guest I225. The gang smokes on some Cookies in this one as they talk grow management and how to organize a cannabis business.

From constantly inspecting your environment to getting down into the dirt, managing a grow is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. Sure, growing a couple dozen plants with a couple hands on deck is manageable, but once you start growing your scale, it only gets more difficult.

Chip, Tony and I225 have decades of grow management experience between them, and share their knowledge and tips to boost productivity and reduce oversight. But it ain’t all about the technical stuff!

Cookies is one of the most popular elite strains in the cannabis industry today, with new crosses coming out left and right. The gang talks strain popularity, and what makes a strain so popular in the first place. Plus, we get to hear where the original Lambs Bread strain came from, and how Tony managed to get an original cut back in the day.

Listen to the full episode of Tony Don’t Smoke OG right now here on The Real Dirt, or listen on your favorite podcast app!

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Cannabis Tests: fact or faux?

Cannabis Tests: fact or faux?

Cannabis tests have become essential for new cannabis businesses looking to get their products onto dispensary shelves. This is a good thing, but it isn’t as well-rounded as it should be, yet.

According to the most recent round of testing for legal cannabis distributors, one in five products have failed the cannabis tests conducted since July 1st. This does not mean that the cannabis may be poisonous or too risky to consume. It just doesn’t meet the standards of the testers and their criteria. Since July 1st, California has tested over 5,000 batches of legal cannabis, with roughly 20% failing.

Cannabis tests in California

Before legalization, there was still testing. It was way more limited, and only select people did it. Some used cannabis tests to show off their THC content with the lab tests backing them up to boost their credibility. Others would only get their product tested if it was required by the dispensary they were trying to get the product into.

The shady side of cannabis tests becomes apparent when you examine who was conducting the tests. Many were found to be merely scams. Their tests were faked or their results falsified. Others charged exorbitant prices to get the tests.

Not only were the testers an issue, but the tests themselves. Back in the day, growers had the option of just testing for potency, or testing for everything like pesticides and other potentially harmful additives. With the potency testing being the cheapest and fastest option —and the majority of consumers focusing on potency as a signifier of quality — most opted for this test.

Testing in the new industry is now much more strict. Cannabis tests will test a batch for everything, including potency and other chemicals without needing separate tests. But with more people trying to get into the industry legally, labs are backed up across the state. There are currently just 31 labs licensed to test products for distributors serving more than 400 licensed dispensaries in the state.

It’s clear that the legal industry in California has some way to go before it will truly be standing on its own.

Hear Chip and Tony talk regulation and other aspects of cannabis on this week’s episode of Tony Don’t Smoke OG, straight out of Humboldt, the cannabis hub of the Emerald Triangle.

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The Origin of Trainwreck: Tony Don’t Smoke OG Ep. 102

The Origin of Trainwreck: Tony Don’t Smoke OG Ep. 102

It seemingly came out of nowhere. It’s origin is shrouded in mystery. Trainwreck is a legendary, elite strain that any cannabis connoisseur will recognize when they hear the name.

The heavy-hitting sativa-dominant hybrid blew up when it came around, with growers and consumers alike loving its energetic effects that came from it’s Mexican and Thai sativa heritage. The Afghan cross adds a little indica to the mix, making Trainwreck an ideal strain for the active consumer.

But where did it come from?

The mystery remains. But there are theories. And boy, do Chip and Tony have a few.

Listen to this week’s Real Dirt segment of Tony Don’t Smoke OG. Chip and Tony are joined from Dan of Humboldt Integrated Cannabis as they puff on some Trainwreck, talk about some hilarious stoner stories, and ponder the origins of the legendary strain.

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Humboldt Cannabis in a Crunch

Humboldt Cannabis in a Crunch

Humboldt is known for pumping out some of the best cannabis, feminized seeds and other cannabis products in the world, and has been known in that way since cannabis first started spreading across the country. The fertile lands, the perfect climate, and the farmers who are committed to the plant make Humboldt a unique place in and of itself.

New laws and regulations from the legal industry now may bring a hinderance to this mass-production area. From to licensing limits to outrageous fines for those who don’t comply, the state is not taking it easy on Humboldt county and the rest of the Emerald Triangle.

Humboldt cannabis farms in trouble

There a currently thousands of private market farms in the Emerald Triangle trying to figure out their next move. With barely more than 600 licenses up for grabs, it’s become a competition of luck and money to see who can get regulated in the legal market in time. As all the new legal regulations for California took effect in July, those who are not on top of this are already in trouble.

Those who haven’t gotten licenses or shut down their operations after 30 days of notice can be fined heavily — upwards of $30,000 — just for the initial fine. Those who continue to avoid regulations will be fined additionally for each day after the original 30 days that they do not comply. Suffice to say, a lot of people are going to lose a lot of money.

Humboldt cannabis growers have a long battle ahead of them. Those that do not agree with the new laws can fight it as long as they can, most likely going broke in the process. Those who got a head start already have their licenses, and these farmers are poised to flood the legal market with legal Humboldt cannabis soon enough.

Get on board or get out?

A lot of private Humboldt cannabis farmers will be forced out of the legal market simply due to the high costs. Local, craft farmers won’t be able to front the massive fees to get regulated before getting hit with more fines. This has some worried that only those with the most money will move on, making the legal industry in California pay-to-play.

This is already opening the door for larger companies to come in and buy up land and licenses before smaller businesses get the chance. This power-grab from big players could have negative consequences, most notably a commercialized market with a focus on profit instead of producing a healthful and safe product for the consumer.

Chip lived in Humboldt for years, and has steadily watched and studied the evolving industry in the state of California. Hear what Chip thinks about the current state of things in Humboldt and California on this week’s episode of The Real Dirt!

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CSI Humboldt: Breeding top shelf feminized seeds

CSI Humboldt: Breeding top shelf feminized seeds

CSI Humboldt is known for breeding some of the most elite feminized seeds and strains in the world. But Caleb the Nspecta, the founder of CSI Humboldt and Pirates of the Emerald Triangle, wasn’t always a legendary breeder.

Caleb was at a turning point in his life. He had seen some success as a graphic artist, working for the likes of D.C. and Marvel comics. But he was also growing his own cannabis on the side and started to build his feminized seeds repertoire. He was passionate about both, but realized he had to choose one to pursue full time.

It didn’t take him long after that to establish CSI Humboldt. A third generation Humboldt grower, Caleb’s family was well-known for their cultivation abilities and the quality of their cannabis. Add to that Caleb being one of the first growers to breed and pursue feminized seeds.

Today, CSI is one of the most well known seed banks in the world, with a massive following and growing seed inventory. Hear Caleb’s story, the story of CSI and more on this episode of The Real Dirt with Chip Baker!

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