Pubdate: Thu, 05 May 2016
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Column: The 420
Copyright: 2016 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Ngaio Bealum

SNIFF IT OUT

Is there such a thing as a strain identification resource? I have a 
bud from Philly that I love, but I'd love to know what it is.

- -H.M.

First of all, does Philly have good local bud? I am inclined to 
believe that your weed is from California, Oregon or Colorado. 
Kidding! I'm sure Pennsylvania has some good strains. Congrats on 
getting a medical marijuana law, by the way.

As to your question, the answer is: kinda. Leafly has a vast, 
comprehensive, and nicely laid out list of just about every strain 
ever. They break it down into different flavors and effects so you 
can cross-reference your observations and get a good idea about what 
you have in your bag (www.leafly.com/start-exploring). Say your weed 
smells like pine trees and gives you a super-buzzy high. It's 
probably Trainwreck, although it could be a Jack Herer or maybe a 
Pure Haze. It could also be a Trainwreck crossed with Haze. Or a 
Herer and Headband cross, or a T.W. x J.H. x Haze, or any of a 
kajillion different variations.

Pot strain identification is not an exact science yet. Mostly, you 
have to rely on your experience and memories to recognize the 
different strains. It's really like being a sommelier, except for 
weed. Someone should start teaching classes.

That being said, there are a few folks working to make it easier for 
cannabis users with less experienced pot palates. The folks over at 
the Cannabis Genomic Research Initiative 
(http://cannabisgenomics.org/research) are looking to map the DNA of 
cannabis, and the good people of MyDx 
(www.cdxlife.com/overview-video) will sell you a machine that uses an 
"electronic nose" to figure out the THC, terpenes and other chemicals 
present in your pot sample. My guess is that in another five to six 
years, you will be able to pop a sample into some sort of device and 
get all kinds of information about whatever strain you have. Until 
then, keep smoking different strains to increase your personal 
database. Also: You can always bring me a sample and I will taste it 
for you and give you my scientific opinion.

Can I get a quick California legislative update?

- -H.M.S. Wonkatania

My pleasure. There are two interesting bills going around right now: 
AB 2300 (http://tinyurl.com/AptSmoke) sponsored by Jim Wood, 
D-Eureka, would allow landlords to prevent cannabis users from 
smoking pot. Landlords can already prohibit tobacco smoking, and Jim 
Wood sees this as the same issue, never mind the fact that pot smoke 
may be less dangerous than tobacco smoke. Wood also has an excise tax 
bill in the works (http://tinyurl.com/PotExcise). Beside the fact 
that Wood sneaked this bill into an unscheduled hearing to avoid 
getting an earful from cannabis advocates, this bill is not a good 
idea. Weed will make the state plenty of money. Call him at (916) 
319-2002 and let him know how you feel.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom