Browsing: Culture

When it comes to how the five senses perceive cannabis, the nose will always be king. The eyes aren’t far behind, however, and are extremely important in finding defects on your buds, such as mold, mildew, mites and other undesirable traits. After getting past all the health-code stuff, though, you’ll find vivid shades of violet, blue or scarlet, milky and amber trichomes, and rusted, tan pistils that can remind you of anything from a sunset to snow-covered Christmas tree.

I’ve been lucky enough to check out hundreds of sexy strains with this gig, some of which are so gorgeous that it’s bittersweet to break them apart and burn them to ashes. And 2018 hasn’t disappointed, with Denver’s pot shops pumping out a gallery of ganja that even my mediocre photo skills can’t ruin. Here are ten of the prettiest strains I’ve smoked so far this year.

Trail Blazers is a series of portraits by photographer Maria Levitov, spotlighting cannabis consumers from all walks of life.

Plenty of Denver residents like to blame the city’s influx of newcomers and rising real estate prices over the past few years on legal cannabis. Even if that were true, though, we can’t overlook all of the culture and innovation that pot has lured to the Mile High. Musician Nicholas Caputo, for example, recently moved here from Gainesville, Florida, “to pursue art and engage with cannabis culture.” He also wanted to treat his depression with cannabis.

A friend tried comparing Purple Kush to Blue Moon recently, saying he appreciated both for providing a gateway to craft consumption but had since moved on to more complex options. Say whatever you want about Blue Moon, I told the pretentious douche, but don’t you dare besmirch the Purp God.

Let me explain. Most tokers who started smoking chronic before dispensaries showed up have fond memories of Purple Kush…but who knows if that’s what it really was?

A group of 4/20 enthusiasts stand outside Purple Haze head shop on East Colfax Avenue. Snapping selfies, two ladies wear matching “Best Buds” T-shirts boasting big, green cannabis leaves as they prepare to get giddy over ganja. They came all the way from Dallas to partake in Denver’s legal 4/20 festivities.

Unfortunately, there aren’t many places to partake outside of one’s home yet — public cannabis consumption is banned in Colorado — leaving locals and tourists alike in a bind. Although Denver has been a weed destination for several years now, the city is still figuring out the best ways to implement adult consumption in lounges or social areas. But instead of waiting for legislation to change, friends Hal Taback and Brian Spatz found a loophole, or in this case, a Loopr.

Working in the legal cannabis industry might seem like a fun, easy gig for anyone who likes pot, but it comes with a lot more nuance and requires more attention to detail than you might think. To help prospective dispensary employees figure out if they’re ready to take the plunge, Bethany Weisbacher has now written the book on budtending.

During her years working in various positions for Colorado cannabis companies, Weisbacher noticed a lack of training manuals and literature for budtenders

In honor of 4/20, we’re presenting Maria Levitov’s portraits of cannabis consumers in Colorado, the first state to allow legal recreational sales. “The world can feel isolating and discouraging, so now more than ever, it’s important to show the things that connect us, not separate us,” says the photographer.

“I think cannabis is distinctive in that it mixes medicine with recreation in a way that feels inherently inclusive. By combining fine-art photography with the act of smoking, I think these portraits offer a different insight and perception. Plus, smoke is beautiful and ever-changing; it’s as unique as the participants in this project.”

If the pantheon of original cannabis strains named after primates were an Olympic event, Gorilla Glue would undoubtedly get the gold, and Grape Ape would take a strong and solidified silver. While the bronze slot might be up for debate, my vote for the next medal winner would be Kong, the hairy wonder of the pot world.

The hybrid’s complex effects and classic genetics have provided me dozens of stress-free evenings since college, and I’m happy to see it at more dispensaries lately.

Unless you’re a knowledgable comedy fan or watched a lot of Cheap Seatson ESPN Classic during the early 2000s, you may not recognize the Sklar brothers by name. But their faces and voices are a different story. The hilarious twins have made audiences around the country laugh with their unique, harmonious act while appearing in shows like Entourage, Better Call Saul and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Now, they’re showing off their stuff in an audio documentary.

In their new special on Audible, Sklars and Stripes, Randy and Jason Sklar visit ten different cities on tour with the help of HQ Trivia’s Scott Rogowsky, recording standup bits and traveling experiences along the way. The six-hour special includes more than forty minutes in Denver and Boulder, where the Sklars visited local landmarks like Casa Bonita, Comedy Works and Ballpark Holistic Dispensary.

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