Pubdate: Thu, 26 Feb 2015
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Copyright: 2015 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Ngaio Bealum

DAYTRIPPING

I'm looking to experience Cali and would like your opinion on the 
finest this state has to offer. Any recommended strains or places to visit?

- -B Rockk

I am glad you asked. With springtime on the way, now is the perfect 
time to start planning daytrips through the cannabis countryside. You 
will need a letter of recommendation from a California doctor. 
Technically, you don't have to be a California resident to get a 
letter of recommendation, but some clubs will not let you inside if 
you don't live in Cali.

And now, letter in hand, let's work our way around Northern 
California. The problem is, there are so many good clubs it's hard 
just to pick a few favorites. In the Bay Area, I like Green Door, 
SPARC and Bernal Heights Wellness in San Francisco, Magnolia Wellness 
and Harborside Health Center in Oakland, and in Berkeley, CBCB and 
Berkeley Patients Care Collective are top-notch. Heading east on 
I-80, you may want to make a quick stop at 7 Stars Holistic Healing 
Center in Richmond, not just for the cannabis, but also because they 
are located in a shopping center full of Asian restaurants. I 
recommend some Red Congolese to go with your pork buns.

If you are going to swing through Vallejo, I suggest you hurry 
because the dispensaries are all in danger of being shut down despite 
the jobs and taxes they create for the city. Closing all the clubs in 
Vallejo would be a shame, since there is a vast medical marijuana 
desert between Vallejo and Sacramento. Everyone should call the 
Vallejo City Council and tell them (politely) to get their shit 
together. However, if the clubs are still open when you get there, 
check out 101 North and California Herbal Relief Center.

Up here in Sacramento, all of the dispensaries have been smashing it 
lately. I am hesitant to pick favorites, because my inbox is going to 
explode with all kinds of "why didn't you mention us?" messages, but 
here goes: I especially like A Therapeutic Alternative, Northstar 
Holistic Collective, 12 Hour Care, All About Wellness, Horizon 
Collective and Cloud 9. Two Rivers Wellness is also a good spot.

As to particular strains, I like any good outdoor. Northern 
California has always been known for growing the best outdoor weed. 
We are like the Napa Valley of cannabis. Some dispensaries will refer 
to outdoor pot as "SunGrown." I guess it's all branding these days. 
The thing is, it doesn't matter what you call it. A good outdoor 
strain generally tastes better than a plant grown indoors. It's all 
about the terroir, as the French say. Plus, outdoor is usually more 
affordable. You may also want to look for some regional strains, like 
Three Kings from Humboldt, or Ken's Granddaddy Purple or BOG's Sour Bubble.

Just hitting all the clubs in Sacramento and the Bay Area should be 
enough for a fun-filled weekend. If you want to talk about the 
farmers market in Clear Lake or visiting a farm in the Emerald 
Triangle, write me another email.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom