Marijuana Mondays: Ep. 2: Seeds & Grow Times

Well, ladies and gentlemen, we continue with the second episode of Marijuana Mondays. If you don't know what I am talking about it, read this: Marijuana Mondays. I've got three fresh questions regarding seeds and grow times. Email me your questions, issues, or concerns at anthonytaurus(at)hotmail.com. See the last episode: Marijuana Mondays: Episode 1: "I got that 'dro!"

Marijuana Mumblings

US Congressmen tired of pointless marijuana arrests
The title says it all. There's a growing faction in Congress annoyed with marijuana arrests and are doing something about it. The reasoning is two-fold.

First, Congress is realizing more and more that the targets of police aggression in regards to marijuana enforcement is towards mostly peaceful individuals - hard-working people as well as their children, people suffering from some terminal illness, and just the general population of fun-loving individuals. In contrast, the real criminals - violent attackers, killers, gun dealers - are basically getting away because they're the ones that know how to evade the law.
Think about it like this: DEA and local police departments are arresting hundreds of thousands of people per year yet there's no dent in violent crime and the big fish are still pumping out more and more marijuana every year. If the DEA and local police departments were interested in stopping crime that harms others, why don't they go after the big fish? Simply put, the big fish shoot back. They're scared to do their jobs so to save face they're arresting any petty individuals they can find.

Secondly, "we, the people" are responsible for Congress getting upset. This is evidence that democracy works. You've got to say something. But, you've got to speak to the right people. Don't just yell in the streets. Find out who's responsible for your area. SPEAK UP - district assemblyman, county lawmakers all the way up to your federal representatives and senators. Write complaints. Make them short and sweet because no one wants to read hundreds of thousands of 10-page letters. Show your support for marijuana. This is what democracy is about. We, the people! If everyone is quiet, then we are at the will of those who speak up - pharmaceuticals, tobacco, alcohol, oil industry, and so on.

Medical Marijuana Endorsed by Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the second largest cancer charity in the US. They are just another in a long list of medical-related organizations that support or endorse the use of marijuana medically. Why? Because it works. If it didn't work, there'd be no reason to support it

Questions & Answers (with real questions this time)

How long does it take to grow marijuana from start to finish?
From seed to first puff, marijuana can take approximately from 3-5 months. Marijuana has about four stages. The seedling stage, sprouting the seed, will take about a week. Vegetation, when the plant is growing, will take about 4 weeks. Flowering, when the plant begins to develop buds and mature, will take about 8-12 weeks. Since we can't, or shouldn't, smoke marijuana fresh from the plant, we come to drying and curing which can take about 1 week for the dry and 1 week for the cure.

These times can be drastically changed, more or less, by the person growing as well as the strain of marijuana being grown. The grower can manipulate the lighting and nutrients to signal the plant when to step into the next phase. Also, the strain itself has its own genetic timetable as well. Indicas have a shorter time-table than their lanky sativa cousins. A grower can rush or prolong a grow through the time spent in vegetation. The longer you keep a plant in vegetation, the bigger it will get. Inversely, shortening the vegetation time will speed it up but it won't be as big. However, that's not a bad thing. Some growers skip vegetation periods altogether to keep plants small and manageable for a personal grow by manipulating the light period.

Where do you get seeds from?
First, let me mention that acquiring marijuana seeds in the United States is a FEDERAL OFFENSE and most likely a crime in your state as well.
With that out of the way, there are three ways to obtain marijuana seeds.

• First, the dealer route. Low level street dealers usually sell you seeded marijuana which isn't as potent as sinsemillia, or seedless. However, and obviously, you get the gift of seeds.
• Second, the seed vendor. There are many companies overseas that sell marijuana seeds. They advertise in many US publications just like any other business. Grab a High Times or visit the website. There are rules to this game because the US Customs can intercept your package and you may be in for a legal rough ride or just a letter saying, "Hey, we took your shit. Don't do it again." Not those exact words but you get the idea.
  Anyway, the key here is to not trace it back to you or the actual grow area. So, no credit cards, no checks. Send money orders. Be careful because some companies will take your money. You can't complain because.. DUH.. you're committing a crime.
• Third, direct from the grower. If you should be so LUCKY as to meet a real grower, s/he may bless you with some grade A magic beans. But, don't be a dick and ask outright. Who the hell are you? At least be a friend first. Most growers, even though they sell marijuana, don't mind sharing/giving seeds if they can spare.
  

How do you know what you're growing with these found seeds?
You should always know what you're growing by where, or who, you got it from. Just ask that person. However, there are times where you simply won't know. The best you can do is identify it by the leaves as it's growing. Fat broad leaves are usually Indica. Indica should tell you, at least, how long it will take to grow and what kind of high you'll get which would be a body high also described as "couch lock".
Remember to send me questions: anthonytaurus(at)hotmail.com

Marijuana Tip of the Week

Tinctures: Part 1: Smoke marijuana right out in the open on a cigarette.
We'll be making what's called a tincture. A tincture is an herbal extract made from using alcohol.
Ingredients: 3.5 grams of marijuana, high proof alcohol (Bacardi 151 or Everclear 190 proof), coffee filter, 2.5 ounce baby food jar
Directions: Prepare your marijuana by grinding it nice and fine. Take a knife to it if you don't have a good grinder. Place the marijuana in the small jar. You don't want to use too much or else it'll be too diluted. Close it up and put it in a cool, dark place for about a week. Make sure you shake it up at least once a day. At the end of the 7th day, strain the mixture through a coffee filter to ensure you get pure liquid. Squeeze it through the filter to make sure you get every last juicy drop. And, this is your tincture.
Usage: Place a liberal amount of the tincture on a cigarette. Let dry and the alcohol will evaporate as well. Now, enjoy your cigarette.
Stay tuned for Episode 3 where I will continue with part 2 of Tinctures: Drinking marijuana