A Very Green Eugene 4/20 Playlist

Curated by Kaylynn Wohl

The lighters are lined up ready for work, the glass pieces are prepped, cleaned and loaded, and the yellow dandelions are dancing around your blanket anxiously awaiting for the event to begin. Snacks ranging from mouth-watering hot chips to perfectly ripe mangos coated in Tajín chili lime seasoning are ready for indulging. For many people, it’s just another day in April to have resin-drop lips and smoke filled lungs; but for others, it’s a grand excuse to get medicated far beyond a reasonable amount while connecting with buds over our beloved girl, Mary Jane.

Whether you’re keeping it mellow or sparking up with your giggly girl gang to some girl blunts, Green Eugene has curated a 4/20 playlist perfect for any level of cannabis culture expertise. Don’t worry (or we’re sorry, depending): there will absolutely be no Sublime. This list is filled with goodies gathered by our fellow smoking community to ensure all ears can find a flavor they like and find cravings for more. Charge those speakers and get ready to channel your Dazed and Confused main character moment with this ultimate stoner soundtrack.

Self-love and Cannabis: The Anatomy of a girl blunt

Writer and photographed by Alice Yeager, modeled by Kelly DeLor

Cannabis has always been talked about in the context of medicine but when it comes to social and mental wellness, mainstream smoking culture has failed to create welcoming environments for all individuals. Girl blunts push back against the status quo of masculinity and over consumption in contemporary cannabis. They represent safe and positive smoking experiences for people who may feel uncomfortable engaging in the traditional cannabis lifestyle. When you’re coping with anxiety, trauma or any other mental barriers, creating safe spaces becomes essential in healing. Since cannabis has been a traditionally male-dominated world, girl blunts hold a sacred space for female smokers but are embraced in circles often excluded.

When I started my journey with cannabis I would have identified with being a social smoker. I was introduced to cannabis in a social setting and exclusively smoked in social environments. There was a lot of expectation in this way, pressure, and hyper-awareness on how I acted or how I was perceived. I started to grow unhappy with cannabis because I kept having these internal panic attacks, but always felt pressured to keep up, especially with male smokers. cannabis wasn’t an enjoyable experience anymore but yet it was the base of my social interaction. I did eventually give up cannabis as my anxiety worsened, which did result in me leaving that circle. It took a few years for me to explore cannabis again, this time on my own terms.

I began rolling my own weed, creating my own space and experience, and reconnecting with positive attitudes. My damaged relationship with cannabis was able to be repaired once I knew my limits and how to consume it with the intent of wellness. Girl blunts became my main consumption method. I cut my cannabis with lavender or mudwort when rolling to help limit my intake. Once I became more comfortable with my usage, I was able to slowly incorporate social smoking back into my experience. The ingredients in a girl blunt or joint can change but the community, comfort and care are transcendent.

Recipe to roll your very own girl blunt:

-Grab your favorite rolling paper or blunt wrap, I recommend Papers + Ink if you’re feeling fancy.

-Grind up your favorite strain, I prefer a dryer bud for rolling but it’s all about your own preference.

-Collect your herbs. I used organic lavender flowers and marshmallow leaf from Mountain Rose Herbs. You can also use rose petals, mugwort, or skullcap. Everyone’s sensitivities to herbs are different so I would recommend researching any allergies, especially if you take medication since herbs can sometimes interfere. You are also going to want to use organically sourced herbs that have not been sprayed.

-I usually roll my lavender and cannabis in equal parts or sometimes use a little more herbs than cannabis so I’m not overconsuming.

-Enjoy yourself or with a group of welcoming, safe people.

Beyond THC: Curating Your Cannabis Experience

written by Gino Savaria

Since the discovery of cannabinoids in the 1960s, both the spotlight and the microscope have been focused heavily on THC. It’s the molecule responsible for the majority of the psychoactive effects cannabis is known for, but it is far from the only one at play.

Cannabis contains hundreds of cannabinoids and terpenes. While many of these have a negligible impact on the body, several do have the potential to affect the overall experience.

The body produces cannabinoids that interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a series of receptors anchored to neurons ranging from the brain to the gut. Similar to a thermostat that holds a room’s temperature constant, the ECS keeps the body’s systems level by prompting important changes in behavior.

Foreign cannabinoids and terpenes can manipulate this system as well. For example, THC absorbed from cannabis binds to ECS receptors in the hippocampus, stimulating feelings of hunger even when the body may be full. When additional compounds are introduced, these feelings can aggregate or dull.

Hemp scientist Jay Noller explains further. “There are agonist and antagonist effects. If you go and take a certain analgesic like Tylenol and you want to add an anti-inflammatory like Advil, the two interact with both positive and negative feedback such that you actually feel better.”

THC and CBD interact similarly. According to Psychopharmacologist Ethan Russo, a healthy dose of CBD, which appears in cannabis at the second highest concentration, can counteract the rapid heart rate, anxiety, excess hunger and sedation created by THC. Choosing cannabis for its terpenes can take this a step further.

Terpene Chart:

Myrcene:

Found in mangos and herbs such as basil and lemongrass
Relieves pain and inflammation, but increases sedation
Thought to increase absorption of THC

Pinene:

Found in pine, as well as herbs like rosemary and basil
Relieves pain, inflammation, and anxiety
Dulls the effects of THC

Limonene:

Found in citrus, peppermint, and juniper
Relieves anxiety, pain, and inflammation
Can boost the immune system when inhaled

Linalool

Found in lavender
Relieves anxiety, pain, and inflammation
May help treat Alzheimers

Caryophyllene

Found in black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves
Relieves stress, anxiety, and pain
Might aid in the treatment of addiction

Budtender Spotlight: Sarah Salerno from The Herb Center

Written and photographed by Megan McEntee

Sarah Salerno began working at The Herb Center in Oregon City when she was 21 years old. Now, at the age of 23, Salerno is pursuing her degree in biology at the University of Oregon – with hopes of continuing her career in the cannabis industry. With her knack for science, passion for the plant and fun-loving personality, she’s paving the way for stoners in STEM to smoke loud and proud.

Since you’re going to school in Eugene, are you still working at The Herb Center?

Yeah, so I’m a limited employee – basically like a seasonal employee – because I come home and stay during the holidays. Over the summer I’ll probably become more part-time, but I’m still an employee. They even sent me a Thanksgiving and Christmas gift, which is very sweet.

How have you enjoyed your time at The Herb Center?

My boyfriend actually trained me on my first day, and that’s how we met. But it’s honestly the best job I’ve ever worked in so many different ways. For one, how the employees interact with each other – you’re way more open with your peers and other co-workers. You have at least one thing in common: you both smoke weed. It allows for you to instantly become close with everyone that you work with, or at least easily acquainted with those people. Also helping people is really, really a wonderful feeling – it’s very fulfilling to work there.

What’s the most rewarding part about being a budtender?

Being able to help people. It’s definitely my favorite job I’ve ever had because you feel good about what you’re selling to people. We know that it’s going to help them, even if they’re using it recreationally. And medical patients who come in that have illnesses and suffer from cancer and things like that, just being able to help them and put a smile on their face is amazing. It makes you feel like ‘oh my gosh, my prior research and knowledge as a budtender has actually led me to find something that helps this person.’ Having a job where you get to do that all the time and get paid… It’s so nice.

What do you plan on doing after you graduate?

I initially want to start out by working in the cannabis testing labs that they have around Oregon – to help make sure that all cannabis being sold in dispensaries around Oregon is safe to use. It’s also a job in very high demand. Eventually, I can hopefully get into cannabis research, which can’t be done until the FDA approves it.

What kind of cannabis research interests you most?

I eventually want to work with all sorts of medical patients, and try to find cures – or at least something that alleviates different symptoms in a more specific way, instead of just numbing the pain. I feel like one of the reasons that we haven’t gotten that far yet is because we don’t prescribe cannabis like we do prescription drugs. Doctors are trained on how to prescribe prescription drugs. If we have that sort of training on how to prescribe cannabis, I feel like the positive effect that it has on people would increase tremendously. But it definitely could take a while before that happens. I want to be a pioneer with weed, in true Oregon City fashion.

Have you studied cannabis science in your classes at all?

Not anything specifically with cannabis. I’m not sure how many schools are allowed to actually do that if they’re federally funded. But basically taking any botany or biology class, where you’re studying the foundations of life or you’re learning about plants, you’re gonna be learning about cannabis by proxy. You know, you’re gonna be learning about how it grows, and how it reproduces, and it can be applied to almost everything that we do in the cannabis industry. But something I would love to take a class on is terpenes. They’re something that’s so versatile because they’re in everything. Anything that has flavor has terpenes, so I’m sure that somewhere there’s a class on terpenes, but I haven’t heard of one at UO unfortunately. Maybe one day!

What areas of cannabis research do you think need more attention?

As of right now, basically all cannabis research needs to be given more attention. But more specifically, I think there should be more research on how to prescribe the cannabis that we are already selling, and the cannabinoids that we already know about. There’s so many different cannabinoids; THC is a cannabinoid, CBD is a cannabinoid. Now we’re finding out about CBG and CBN and THC-A. There’s so many different factors that go into using cannabis medically, and there just needs to be a lot more research on that, including knowledge around dosages. People are basically having to be their own doctors when it comes to cannabis. Somebody might come in while trying to get off a prescription pain pill, and so they’re trying to find strains and dosages that will actually help with their pain. It’s really hard for us sometimes because we can’t always get the dosages right. So we’re telling them to start small, and it can be disappointing when people come back and say it didn’t do anything. It’s not a doctor’s office – even though their doctor may have told them to go to the dispensary. And that’s a huge problem.

How did budtending influence your decision to further pursue a career in the cannabis industry?

I think it definitely was the main reason why I always knew that I wanted to do something with weed. I knew that I loved science, so anything with both weed and science I wanted to do. As I grew up I was thinking, ‘wait, was that just my immature brain speaking? Do I just want to do something with weed because I like smoking weed?’ And it was totally true, but once I started working at a dispensary I just became excited about helping people. Then I started wanting to learn the science; all the terpenes and cannabinoids, and which terps help which ailments. It definitely made me realize, ‘oh my god, I can be a weed scientist and help people.’ Just selling this weed is helping people, so imagine what would happen if I started getting into research with it.

How Community Values Helped This Local Dispensary Thrive

Firehorse Trading Co. prides itself on community and customer needs above all else.

Written by Alexa Brown

Firehorse Trading Co. found itself in an interesting position when it first opened its doors. Located on 7th avenue near downtown Eugene, the previous two dispensaries had failed in that exact spot. General manager Billy Scholten didn’t let this stop him from deciding to open Firehorse—which still boasts that storefront today, nearly four years later.

While many dispensaries have built their identities on specific themes or brands, Firehorse sticks to the basics. This locally-owned and operated dispensary provides accessible prices and focuses on ensuring the customers get products that would best fit their individual needs instead of simply pushing pricy products to make a sale. Much of Firehorses’ clientele consists of college students, as well as locals coming in on foot, bikes and skateboards, with a little something on the shelves for everybody.

“420 is all about the gathering of different cannabis users. We’re excited since this will be the first real gathering since COVID,” said Scholten, regarding buzz surrounding the upcoming 420 holiday.

Firehorse is known for its high-quality cannabis strains and clones and catering to local homegrowers. Different strains are rotated out depending on the season, where current rosters are updated on their website. Firehorse particularly prides itself on clones above all else; each clone is hand selected to bring customers a healthy and hearty plant, females-guaranteed. Local and beloved Pacific Northwest strains are available, as well as other exclusive genetics available only at Firehorse.

Firehorse values helping individuals find what cannabis products and brands work best for them. The staff is knowledgeable about all aspects of the cannabis industry from the inner workings of growing, to varying equipment, to information about diverse product pairings unique to the customer for sale in store. More than anything, Firehorse employees are passionate about cannabis and want to help people discover the benefits it has to offer, for recreational or medical purposes or both. Whether you are looking for cartridges, edibles, fresh flower or just have questions about locally grown cannabis, Firehorse is the place to go.

As a staple in the community, they also support and connect with other localized brands, such as Willamette Valley Alchemy, CBD Discovery and Fox Hollow Flora, to name a few. Maintaining great relationships with local businesses and brands is a core value that helps the business thrive in the downtown area.

Firehorse understands the importance of supporting the community and other businesses in the Eugene community. Every year, Firehorse donates to Food For Lane County. The storefront also buys paintings and other pieces of artwork from local artists, which they then decorate their lobby with.

The culture of the store aims to represent all of Eugene, creating a safe and comfortable space for folks of all backgrounds and communities. The interior of the shop hasn’t changed much since its opening—the salmon colored carpet is still there, the layout of the store is the same, and Scholten feels there’s no need for unnecessary change. In the day and age where everyone and every business is trying to distinguish themselves and stand out, Firehorse sticks with the basics and what they do best: providing great customer service and great cannabis. Many Firehorse employees have been with the store since its opening in 2017, and credits much of its success to the excellent community fostered between coworkers.

“Eugene’s a little weird, we’re a little weird,” said Scholten fondly.

Budtender Feature: Dylan Crisanti

Firehorse truly values its employees, and their low budtender turnover reflects that relationship. Budtender Dylan has been with Firehorse for the last three years and has been an integral part of the storefronts success.

Dylan became familiar with cannabis at a young age, as his father grew medical cannabis in their backyard for back issues. Growing up, Dylan had to hide that his family used and grew cannabis due to the stigma surrounding cannabis use.

“My dad grew medical cannabis at home—legally. He taught me to do it the right way and how to respect the laws,” said Crisanti.

Q: “What is the best part about working at Firehorse?”

A: “The regulars and reputation are definitely the best part about working here. People really trust my opinion about recommendations. It’s also a very family oriented shop.”

Q: “What differentiates Firehorse from other dispensaries in your experience?”

A: “There’s a lot of honesty and integrity here, and a mom and pop shop vibe. We also have affordable pricing and a pretty competitive nature, and we are very patient and take our time with every customer. We take a lot of time making sure each customer gets the best products that fit their needs, no matter how long it takes.”

Q: “What are some of your favorite products?”

A: “I really love Dutch Valley Flower and Fox Hollow Flower. Anything with a nice cure.”

233B West 7th Ave

Monday thru Thursday:10AM to 9PM

Friday thru Saturday: 10AM to 10PM

Sunday: 10AM to 8PM

Firehorse Daily Deals:

Medible Mondays: 10% off all edible products.

Tuesday: Student and Industry day! 15% off when ID card is shown.

Wednesdays: 1o% off all cartridges.

Three Joint Thursdays: Two house-rolled Firehorse joints for $5.

Firehorse Fridays: Wear your Firehorse gear, and get 10% off!

Shatterday: 10% off all concentrates.

Sunday: Top Shelf Sunday

A Very Verde 420

Written and photographed by Skyla Patton

It’s officially the best time of the year: 420 is just around the corner, and the cannabis community is bristling with excitement of all the thrills to come in the next few days. Whether you’re throwing a party for friends, bringing a bag of goodies to an event or settling down for a solo-sesh this holiday, local dispensary Verde is the ultimate one-stop-shop for all of your cannabis needs.

Check out this guide for how to enjoy a perfect THC-infused 420, compliments of Verde and their stellar budtenders.

The Party Favors: To get the festivities started right away, stop by Verde’s downtown location—1111 Willamette Street—when their doors open at 9am Wednesday to be first in line. The first 50 eager customers to walk through their door will receive a canvas goodie bag, packed full of exciting tidbits and Verde essentials to help celebrate. But don’t stop there! All prepackaged items in the store will be 30% for the day, so stock up on the basics while you’re at it to keep the party going all day long.

The Appetizer: Kicking things off with consumption-cult-classics, snag your favorite 50mg edibles for only $4. Tinctures, gummies, chocolates—oh my! Whether it’s the smoothest Indica chewy candies or an absolute party-in-a-drop Sativa RSO, Verde has the ultimate roster of edibles and doses to get things going and delight your fellow consumers across the board.

The Entree: Is it really possible to celebrate 420 without a hearty roster of flavorful and unique flower to puff on? Verde wouldn’t dream of it. With the new regulations allowing recreational shoppers to leave with not one but two beautiful ounces of flower, customers can score two ounces of sky-high quality The Sweet Life “A” buds for only $95, or one for $50. Celebrating on a tighter budget? Not a problem. Opt for $30 ounces of Verde “B” buds, just as tasty for the consumer while going easy on the wallet.

The Entertainment: Looking for somewhere to get out of the house and celebrate the holiday in the sunshine instead of at home? Drop by the Obie St. location for the same stellar deals and a bonus party just next door! Sweet Tooth Glass will be rocking all of West Eugene with live music, hourly raffles and mouth-watering munchies from Moo Ping Thai. There will even be a joint-rolling contest—with prizes!—for the connoisseurs who feel like bringing out their inner competitor. Come join the party and celebrate in style with friends and canna-family!

The Closer: A party that goes down in the books is one that has parting gifts for its guests, and there is no more impressive gift than a Verde Cannon. These massive prerolls stretch nearly the length of your forearm and are packed full of 14 grams of fresh, green “B” buds, anxiously awaiting to be sparked up and enjoyed. Choose between classic and beloved strains such as Grease Monkey, Wonder Dawg or Lemon Kush. Cannons will be on sale during 420 for a mouth-watering price of only $30 (normally priced at $40), perfect to gift to a beloved friend—or to enjoy on your own once the party goes home.

The Teaser: The excitement doesn’t stop when the holiday ends for this storefront: cartridge lovers, listen up! Verde is making waves as they prepare to release their first-ever line of branded cartridges, hitting the shelves sooner rather than later as they add the perfect finishing touches. Filled with a full gram of high-quality cannabis oil, these carts are certain to rip smoothly and pack a punch all in one, so keep an eye out for their big debut.

Bonus Sale! Both Verde storefronts will be honoring “Flower Friday” pricing for 420, so all of your favorite strains are on sale.

1111 Willamette Street

Mon – Sat: 9am – 10pm

Sun: 10am – 8pm

1000 Obie Street

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun: 10am – 6pm

Wed & Fri: 10am – 8pm

High Recommendations: Papers + Ink and the “Art of Rolling”

Written and photographed by Lily Brennan

I don’t know about you guys, but when I want to celebrate 4/20 I want to make it feel special. When you’re an everyday cannabis consumer it can be difficult to find just the right thing to make your holiday stand out from any other smoke sesh. I’ve finally discovered the cure for my own desires and added some spark to the process, and I’m stoked to bring you guys along the way. Papers + Ink’s Rolling Paper Kits adds a bit of color, fun and sophistication to your regular routine, perfect for celebration.

Papers + Ink Studio is a BIPOC female led collective with a mission to create products for the sophisticated smoker, rebranding rolling papers through the lens of the Art of Rolling™. “Tired of outdated stereotypes that didn’t reflect who we are,” the founders of Papers + Ink state, “we created the products that didn’t yet exist for us.” And that’s exactly what they did. With just a quick glance of their website, you can find sleek flameless lighters, ornate glass ashtrays, and even a cute little “nug sweeper” in the shape of a toy car. However, they’re most known for their Rolling Paper Kits, ethical and cruelty-free patterned rolling papers.

Inspired by travels, vintage textiles, botanicals and the occasional collaborator influence, Papers + Ink currently carries sixty-two unique patterns. They even have the option to order custom prints as well! What I’ve selected for myself to review are their prints Lukas Shrooms, an adorable cartoon print of the classic toadstool mushroom; Tie Dye Fantastic, exactly what your hippie dreams could imagine; and Party Plant, a colorful spackle of marijuana leaves – perfect for a 4/20 celebration.

When purchasing their Rolling Paper Kits you have two options to select from. First is their $28 Full Kit, consisting of 15 “queen-sized” rolling sheets, 15 premium filters, a bamboo packing tool, and even a How-to-Roll Guide. Their second option is then a $14 Mini Pak, consisting of 5 “king-sized” rolling sheets and 5 premium filters; perfect for sampling without a commitment. Both have sheets made with organic unbleached hemp rolling papers which are then printed with non-toxic vegetable based colorings. No matter the choice, you’ll be delivered a package with items of the highest quality.

It would be an understatement to say I was waiting eagerly for my package of goodies to arrive in the mail, and was pleasantly surprised when my papers came earlier than expected and in beautiful condition! As soon as I opened up my Papers + Ink haul I could tell just by its packaging that this experience would be vastly different from using any old papers you’d find in a store. It says a lot about a company when they take the extra time to design packaging that is unique, sturdy and individualized to the brand. The presentation alone made me feel like the “sophisticated smoker” they were advertising towards.

The papers themselves are incredibly smooth to roll with, made out of paper that glides together effortlessly. I especially found their lack of creases a huge bonus, something I’ve personally struggled with other papers in the past. The Full Kit seems like a perfect purchase for rolling beginners, as it gives you all the tools you’ll need for a successful roll! Still a little nervous? No worries, as Papers + Ink even includes video tutorials on how to use their kits on their website.

I’m incredibly impressed with the prints as well. Vegetable-based inks are usually difficult to achieve vibrant colors, but Papers + Ink have nailed their dyes for their consumers. Mixing their Mini Paks gives you the option to sample and explore all these colorful patterns they’ve designed. You’ll be impressed as soon as you open their high-end packaging, and set your eyes on patterns that look identical to what they advertise on their website. And, of course, the prints look really cool while lit too.

Overall, I recommend Papers + Ink’s Rolling Paper Kits if you’re looking for papers on the more luxurious side. These papers will wow newbies, veterans and anyone in between. They’re the perfect gift for a friend, a treat-your-self purchase, or 4/20 celebration. You can catch me purchasing from them every year as fun patterned rolls become a new tradition in how I celebrate the stoner holiday.

Socials:

@PapersAndInkSesh
Papersandink.com
talk@papersandink.com

Get Bak(ing)ed with these 420 Recipes!

Written by Lauren Leone, photographed by Alice Yeager

There are so many different ways to participate in 4/20, ranging from smoking your favorite bud, hitting a dab pen, using topicals, tinctures or sprays and my personal favorite: edibles.

When it comes to edibles, there are so many different kinds to choose from, the options are truly endless. For this upcoming 4/20 I wanted to challenge myself to create my own edibles, and combine my passion for cooking with my interest in cannabis. I researched easy ways to bake your own canna-butter and canna-oil that can be infused however you want.

Treat yourself with some infused baked goods like brownies or cookies, or go a more subtle route and make some infused salad dressing or a flavorful grilled cheese sandwich to give your dish an extra kick. The possibilities are infinite.

The first step, and the most important one, is the method of decarboxylating your weed. Decarboxylation is the process that marijuana goes through to convert THC-A into THC which allows you to get high.

Decarboxylation:

Set your oven between 240-248 degrees. These are the temperatures that decarboxylation occurs at.
Grind your cannabis into smaller pieces and lay out on a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cook your cannabis in the oven for 30-40 minutes, making sure to stir your cannabis every 5 minutes. This will ensure that everything cooks evenly.
Remove from the oven and set aside your cannabis in an airtight container. Your cannabis should have a slightly darker color to it.

Canna-oil:

Ingredients:

3.5 grams of marijuana
½ cup of olive oil
1 Mason jar (or any airtight container)
Cheesecloth

Instructions:

Once your cannabis has gone through the decarbing process, you can combine it with your olive oil and begin the infusing process in 2 different ways.
1. Cook your olive oil and cannabis in a slow-cooker/crockpot on low for 4-6 hours.
2. Combine your oil and cannabis in a saucepan and cook on low heat for about 3 hours, stirring regularly. It is recommended to add a small amount of water to your saucepan to prevent the oil from burning.
When the infusing has finished, pour your mixture over cheesecloth into your Mason jar to strain out all of the cannabis. Let your oil strain for about 10 minutes to make sure you maximize your yield.
Discard spent cannabis and cheesecloth.
Keep your oil at room temp and get your bake on!

Canna-butter:

Ingredients:

3.5 grams of cannabis
1 cup of butter
1 Mason jar (or any airtight container)
Cheesecloth

Instructions:

After you’ve finished decarbing your weed, melt 1 cup of butter in a saucepan over the lowest heat. Once your butter has melted, add ½ a cup of water. This will help cook everything more evenly.
Stir in your cannabis and cover your pot with a lid. Let your mixture simmer for about 3 hours, stirring regularly.
You can also use a crockpot or slow-cooker as an alternative by combining your butter, water and cannabis all at once and setting the temperature to low. Let this cook for 3 hours.
After the 3 hours is finished, strain out the spent weed into an airtight container or jar using cheesecloth. Once you’ve finished straining, you can discard your cheesecloth and weed.
Let your mixture sit for about 30 minutes, giving it plenty of time to cool before putting it in the fridge. Your butter will solidify on the top of your mixture, and you may have some excess water below which you can easily drain.
Store your butter in the fridge and get your bake on!

Tips and Tricks:

Always cook your butter and oil at a low temperature to avoid burning off any cannabinoids. Additionally, it’s important to store your butter and oil in an airtight container, which will also help with the longevity of your edibles.

To help with straining, I found it super helpful to make a large bowl in the opening of my Mason jar with the cheesecloth, instead of pulling it taut. Tie a rubber band around the Mason jar and cheesecloth to hold the cheesecloth in place while you pour in the mixture for straining. This will prevent any potential spills during the straining process.

Strain of The Month: Deadhead OG

written by Mac Larsen

The last time Jerry Garcia performed in Oregon was June 19, 1994, at the University of Oregon’s Autzen Stadium. I was, by a technicality, in attendance at the ripe age of negative six months old. My Mom describes herself as “Dead Tolerant,” she was dragged to the show while pregnant by friends from her undergraduate years and refuses to this day to tell me if she imbibed in any of the usual extra-curricular activities that accompany a Grateful Dead concert.

Some people think that the music you listen to can have a big influence on the tastes of your child-to-be, much like the foods that you eat can inevitably lead to culinary preferences (I’m looking at you, Taco Bell). For those that doubt this theory of musical conditioning, I would refer them to the thousands of hours of golden-age hippie jam-band songs I’ve consumed since that fateful day before I was born.

If you weren’t born into a primordial desire to listen to graying rock stars play 20-minute guitar solos, our Strain of the Month can provide ample support for your onboarding into the jam-band lifestyle. In recent years The Grateful Dead has seen a resurgence in popularity among the vintage t-shirt wearing crowd of younger audiences, buoyed by tours fronted by early-2000’s soft-rock wailer John Mayer.

To celebrate the high holiday this year we’re recommending Deadhead OG, an Indica-dominant hybrid combining Chemdog with SFV OG Kush. Aptly named after the fans of the good ol’ Grateful Dead, Deadhead OG is a hoppy flower perfect for a quiet night at home listening to live albums of your favorite throwback artists. Dank and floral, Deadhead OG is the sort of hybrid not so persuasive to stick you to the couch for the evening but not exactly feeling ready to run a mile at Hayward, either.

Weighing in at a potent 22% average level for THC, Deadhead OG is a perfect strain to include in your shopping during 4/20 sales at local dispensaries such as Eugene OG or Track Town Collective. For the discerning shopper, Deadhead OG is not the sort of Indica-dominant flower that leaves you unmotivated or tired. A progressive high, Deadhead OG can provide a euphoric early phase that develops slowly into a relaxing, preoccupied sense of calm. Describing Deadhead OG is quite a bit like describing one of the best Grateful Dead shows. It features jubilant highs and calming, mysterious lows, switching between the two with ease. A cannabis classic, I recommended combining a holiday celebration with Deadhead OG with a listen to the Dead’s best Oregon concert “The Sunshine Daydream,” you won’t be disappointed.

The Art of Reading Stoned

Written by Mac Larsen

If someone were to hypothetically ask me: Mac, I’m stoned, feeling ambitious, and want to read a book, any recommendations? I would reply: welcome to the club!

In a world filled with entertainment perfect for consuming cannabis, the stoned read has become something of a lost art. My three-word advice for anyone interested in joining the Stoned Book Club: Books. With. Pictures. So with a little help from our friends over at Books with Pictures Eugene, here are a few recommendations.

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

The beloved author of The Giving Tree was a 20^th-century renaissance man. He wrote children’s poetry, illustrated his own work, wrote “A Boy Named Sue” for Johnny Cash, and smoked an exorbitant amount of weed. Where The Sidewalk Ends provides endless amusement for adults and children alike with its witty rhymes and surreal drawings.

The Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak

Sendak is best known for the sweeping world of Where the Wild Things Are but his real stoner standout is The Night Kitchen, a picture book so psychedelically crafted it can induce munchies in even the fullest of bellies.

Saga by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples

I’ll just get right to the point, Saga is the best comic of the last 20 years. It doesn’t matter what sort of strain is your preference, Saga is a perfect companion. A Romeo & Juliet story set in space, Saga is a story so vast and one of a kind that only sitting down, rolling a joint, and diving in for yourself can really capture its magic.

Here by Richard McGuire

Here stems from a simple yet enormously creative idea in comic writing: each page is the same space but divided up into different panels, each showing a different scene in a different time. While one panel may feature a 1950s couple slow-dancing in the bottom of the page only an empty field is shown. Reading Here is a journey not only through history but through the places that are important to us.

Sandman by Neil Gaiman

I truly believe that the world would be a better place if high school English teachers required a full reading of Gaiman’s Sandman comic run instead of Catcher in the Rye. I like Salinger well enough, but does it include a complete revision of the history of Shakespeare, a baby gargoyle, or a convention for serial killers labeled as a cereal convention? No, it does not. Gaiman’s series was recently adapted into a Netflix series so it would be best for the ambitious reader to catch up on the entire series before Hollywood gets its greasy hands all over it.

Watchmen by Alan Moore

It feels a bit basic recommending Alan Moore’s seminal 1987 graphic novel, like telling someone to try pizza or mac & cheese. The most revered graphic novel of all time is in many ways the perfect stoned comic book reading experience. Fantastically moody and gothic, Moore critiques of a “superhero industrial complex” feel even more relevant today than they did 40 years ago.

The Incal by Alejandro Jodorowsky and Jean Giraud (Moebius)

If you’re a fan of Star Wars or Dune, The Incal is a perfect satirical addition to your collection of space opera stories. Oftentimes confounding and perfectly weird, Jodorowsky’s brand of science fiction is both hilarious and mind-melting.

What It Is by Lynda Barry

Equal parts graphic novel, diary and instruction manual on writing, What It Is by Lynda Barry is guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing through its stunning use of mixed-media and the creative use of every page. If you hope to get more than just eye-popping visuals from your reading experience, What It Is can provide a jumping off point for your own artistic endeavors.

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

It would be disrespectful to leave out a classic comic strip in this list of recommendations, and especially egregious to leave out the greatest of them all: Calvin and Hobbes. A fantastic choice for situations where you want your reading to act like comfort food, these collections provide plenty of timeless laughs and conversation starters for philosophical questions such as: What is Calvinball?

The Illustrated Book of Genesis by R. Crumb

Most well known for his raunchy cartoon Fritz the Cat, R. Crumb’s The Illustrated Book of Genesis is exactly what the name entails, a completely illustrated rendition of the first book of the Bible. It features the full cast of characters and original text, while taking some rather surreal liberties in true counterculture fashion.