Month: January 2021

When it comes to historical cannabis strains, Chemdog — also known as “Chemdawg” — is easily one of the most influential. The original hybrid is well-known for its gassy aroma and potent effects that hit the body with a widely euphoric experience — it’s best reserved for those who have higher tolerances.

Chemdog’s unique qualities are the reason we as consumers revere gassy aromas as the most potent, most hard-hitting, and often the best of the best in cannabis. But how did Chemdog come to be, and how has it affected the lineage of other popular strains?

The history of Chemdog

Chemdog is a famous hybrid that has been around since the 1990s when many of the cannabis strains we all know and love today were first being discovered, bred, worked, and proliferated. 

As its origin story goes, three fellas named Greg (Chemdog), Pbud (Mike), and Joe Brand met in the summer of 1991 at a Grateful Dead show in Indiana. Chemdog was 18 at the time and Pbud was 21. Chem was walking around the parking lot looking for weed and heard someone say “kind bud”  — that someone was Pbud. Chemdog noticed it was some of the best weed he’d ever seen, so he bought a quarter of it, and the weed was so good that Chemdog got Pbud’s phone number in order to get some more. 

Years later, he reached out to Pbud and crew for more of that dank weed. They came through, and mailed a $500 ounce of it to Chemdog in Massachusetts. In that ounce, there were 13 seeds that popped into the three original Chemdog phenotypes: Chemdawg 91, Chem D, and Chem’s Sister. Years after breeding Chem 91, Chem D, and Chem’s Sister, Chemdog ended up sending some of the original seeds back to Pbud, and in 2006, Chem 4 was born.

The strain that Pbud had was originally called Dogbud, because after you smoke it, you roll over like a dog. However, the aroma was so strong, so gassy, so “chemmy” that they also called it “chem weed.” Put Dogbud and chem weed together, and viola: Chemdog was born.

Since Chemdog’s birth, it has grown to become a household name for cannabis breeders, growers, and consumers alike. The genetics of each Chemdog phenotype have been used to breed many other popular cannabis strains that you’re probably smoking right this second.

Here are seven Chemdog hybrids that carry on the original’s legacy.

Giesel

You can’t talk Chemdog heritage strains without mentioning the ones from the actual Chemdog.

Geisel, also called Superdawg, is Mass Super Skunk crossed with Chemdog. It’s expected to have many of the same earthy and diesel characteristics of the original Chemdog strains. You can expect high potency and a somewhat sedative effect.

Super Snow Dog

Super Snow Dog comes from crossing Chemdog with a Super Skunk. It’s a sativa-dominant flower that produces a flurry of trichomes — which look like snow — and it has floral aromas. With its genetics, Super Snow Dog’s effects are commonly expected to hit your head with a potent dose of creativity and euphoria.

Sour Diesel

Of this list, Sour Diesel is surely the most famous cross to come from Chemdog. Bred by Asshole J, it’s the result of accidentally pollinating a Super Skunk with Chemdog 91. It’s a sativa-dominant hybrid that many love for uplifting effects that can ease your moods.

It has a — you guessed it — dominant sour and diesel flavor. The effects are most commonly thought to be relaxed and happy, so it’s a really great strain for someone that needs a change in the day. Hit it mid-afternoon and cruise that afternoon slump.

Alien Dawg

The Cali Connection is a group of breeders who are known for giving us Deadhead OG. Additionally, they’ve also given us Alien Dawg, which crosses Chemdog with a strain called Alien Technology. 

Alien Technology is thought to be an Afghani landrace, which commonly feature berry and hashy aromas, so crossing that with the earthy diesel Chemdog results in Alien Dawg having a sweet, fruity, and gassy terpene profile. Effects-wise, you can expect to be extremely high and sleepy after that Alien Dawg takes hold of your body.

Stardawg

If you love Chemdog, you’ll definitely love Stardawg. Bred by Top Dawg Seeds, Stardawg is a hybrid that was created by crossing Chemdog 4 and Tres Dawg. The result is a cultivar well known for its high THC content and powerfully effective high, whether it be uplifting or sedative. Results will vary by consumer, but know either way will be a potent rollercoaster of an experience.

Tres Dawg

Tres Dawg is a parent strain of Stardawg that was also originally bred by Top Dawg Seeds. It’s an indica-dominant strain that comes from backcrossing a Chemdog and Afghani strain. Tres Dawg is often expected to produce a sedative high, though effects may vary.

GMO Cookies

GMO Cookies, also called Garlic Cookies, is showing legendary status in its recent years. It’s a cross of Chemdog and GSC that smells like funky garlic and tastes the same. The effects? You ever been hit by a THC bus? It’s that. When Mamiko Seeds bred this one, surely they had no clue it would blow up like it has.

GMO Cookies are potent and will hit your whole body with a high that makes you want to sit around and laugh at goofy shit. There’s a reason it was predicted to be one of 2021’s most popular strains.

Featured image by Gina Coleman/Weedmaps

The post Chemdog and 7 strains that come from it appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Source: wm

The rise of portable e-rigs completely revolutionized dab culture. Prior to technology redefining this genre over the past decade, dabbing was considered a sketchy corner of cannabis consumption, nothing like the futuristic market we see today. 

In all honesty, traditional dabbing was kind of sketchy. From the giant torche and the red hot rig, to the anonymous black goo of the early dab days, there was plenty not to love. Despite being one of the most effective and cleanest ways to consume cannabis, questionable factors like these alienated most casual and new consumers.

Since devices like e-rigs and electric dab straws made dabbing more accessible, concentrates — and the devices that vaporize them — have become the fastest growing facet of the weed market. The devices are beautiful, sleek, and user friendly. And as for the concentrates themselves, it’s way better to take a clean hit of extract than it is to take a lung-wrecking bong rip. 

Dabbing on the go is even more discreet. While the smell of smoke lingers, vapor’s gone in an instant. To celebrate these game-changing devices, here are the best portable dab rigs on the market today. 

Puffco Peak Pro

Puffco

One of the most influential cannabis products of all time, the Peak by Puffco pioneered the electronic dab rig. With its chic, simple design, consuming concentrates became as easy as pushing a button at a time when torches and rigs ruled the market. 

Puffco recently released its follow up, the Puffco Peak Pro, where upgrades focus on future-forward details like app-compatibility and wireless charging, without eclipsing the simplicity of the original design. The hottest device on the market, the Peak Pro has it all, as long as you can afford the $400 price tag.

Price: $399.99

Dr Dabber Switch

Dr. Dabber

Another device that’s worth the splurge, the Switch by Dr. Dabber, is a stellar option that is compatible with both extract and flower. After using mine for over a year in tandem with all other devices on this list, I can say the Switch has the most powerful battery and delivers hits that are closest in potency and vapor density to traditional torch dabbing. 

While the device is technically portable, it’s not exactly the kind of thing you would bring out and about. Part of the reason it’s so powerful is due to its huge battery and elaborate glass bubbler. It’s more of an at-home portable device, great for getting high in lockdown. 

Price: $399.95

Huni Badger Electric Nectar Collector Delux Kit

Another fabulous device that I would classify as an around-the-home-portable is the Huni Badger Delux Kit by Nectar Collector. 

Nectar Collector, the brand behind the eponymous OG dab straw, debuts a brand new take on the electronic dab straw. This little dude packs a serious punch, truly delivering on their promise of a torchless dab experience. And with its heady glass attachments, hardcore carrying case, and general sense of prowess, it’s worth springing for the Delux Kit edition. 

Price: $449.99

X Vape Vista Mini 2

The amount of power packed into this affordable little e-rig is truly shocking. At $159, you get the full e-rig experience, complete with water filtration, at a fraction of the cost of most of its competitors. While it doesn’t heat quite as evenly as some of the expensive options on this list, it’s a killer option for the casual consumer.

Price: $159

Exxus VRS

The Exxus VRS is a multi-use concentrate vaporizer for the versatile stoner on the go. It functions as a dab straw with water filtration, an e-nail dab rig attachment, and a cartridge vape pen — there’s no end to the combinations of consumption one can dream up. 

Having tried a number of versatile e-nail type products with little luck, I was downright shocked by how well this device works. It fully slaps and provides dab-esque vapor potency in every position.

Price: $119.99

Dr Dabber Boost EVO 

Dr. Dabber

The Boost EVO takes a nuanced approach to providing you the perfect dabbing experience. By spending years gathering customer feedback and building proprietary technology, Dr Dabber created a device that is all about temperature control. 

Unlike normal e-rigs that heat up to a point then shut off, their patent-pending temperature control sensor keeps you dialed in throughout your session, complete with six temperature settings to choose from. A fantastic option on our list, it hits like a dream, and is slightly more affordable than comparable devices. 

Price: $329.95

Dip Devices Evri

For a deeply portable take on the electronic dab straw, look no further than the Dip Devices Evri. This insanely versatile product lets you consume in three ways: extracts through the dab straw, 710 vape cartridges through the battery, and a chamber for refillable oil pods. 

This is a reliable and super affordable device that is a great intro to dabbing for those who are curious, but maybe not ready to splurge on a full rig just yet. 

Price: $69.99

Dab Tech Elite Plus

Simple and sexy, the Elite Plus by Dab Tech is all about power. With an insane 3000MAH internal battery, this little electric rig heats all the way from 280 – 800°F with the simple click of a button. Small enough to stow almost anywhere, and strong enough to take up to 40 dabs on a single charge, this inexpensive option is a stand out. 

Price: $199.99

Kandy Pens Oura Odyssey 

This highly limited, highly psychedelic edition of the popular Oura e-rig by Kandy Pens does not disappoint. With the simple touch of a power sensor, the Oura Odyssey delivers consistent, hard hitting vapor in four temperature settings. 

As powerful as it is eye-catching, the Oura is a good buy, it’s a pared down, albeit comparable,  alternative to some of the more expensive options on the market. 

Price: $369.95

Featured image courtesy of Puffco

The post The best portable dab rigs appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Source: wm

The Nova — the flagship multi-tool making the most of cannabis edibles through consistent cannabis decarboxylation — is the first product from all-star company Ardent. Attention to detail, from the coordinated packaging and design to the thoughtful and important information accessible from their website, is what makes them — and this product — so easy to love. 

The Ardent Nova uses precision science-backed technology to take the mess and guesswork out of decarbing cannabis, a previously tedious, smelly, and inconsistent process. Decarbing is not only an essential step in the process of turning cannabis into edibles, but also offers plenty of benefits for regular use like smoking and vaping. And as a multi-tool in the kitchen, the Ardent Nova makes infusing oils through decarboxylation easy, allowing people to have more control over the dosing and cost of their edibles. This is equally good news for those who use cannabis as medicine, as well as those who want to explore the fun and delicious world of edibles — or both.

Below, find out everything you need to know about the Ardent Nova.

What is the Ardent Nova?

The Nova is a culinary multi-tool used to decarboxylate cannabis flower and concentrates. It also doubles as an infusion chamber. The Nova was the first product launched by Ardent and is sisters to the Ardent FX. 

The design is sophisticated yet easy-to-use with deep magenta color and has no obvious cannabis markings, making it easy to keep with other kitchen appliances or on a shelf next to contemporary decor. The compact appliance consists of the primary base with connected power chord, chamber insert, silicon lid, and a locking lid. 

Ardent

How does it work?

Decarbing and infusing the classic way can be intimidating, so one of the best things about the Ardent Nova is how easy it is to use. There is one main power button that illuminates green when ready to be used, and red when it is in cycle. Activating a “decarb” or “infuse” cycle is as easy as pressing the button and the rest is automatic. A huge bonus: the decarboxylation process is odorless. 

The light flashes red when it is in the cool down phase and returns to green when complete. There’s no need to adjust anything when switching between decarbing and infusing. Each cycle takes around an hour and a half. 

Decarbing

The internal chamber holds up to one ounce of flower. There’s no need to grind and no minimum quantity restricting you, though users should avoid shoving or packing in material that doesn’t fit easily into the chamber. After running the decarb cycle, the flower will appear slightly toasted in color and aroma. 

Infusing 

Infusing is similarly straightforward, you simply add oil or butter to the decarbed cannabis and let it run for another cycle. It is recommended to decarb your material before infusing. The amount of oil is flexible; as long as the oil or butter covers the cannabis, it is good to go, though the potency and dosing will depend on your ratio of cannabis to oil. Once the cycle is complete you can strain off the infused oil and discard the flower.

How to clean the Ardent Nova

Keeping the Ardent Nova clean is easy, mainly due to the stainless steel chamber and silicon cap are removable and dishwasher friendly. The rest of the device can be wiped down with a cleaning cloth, dry or damp. 

Extras and kits

Built with real consumers in mind, the kits and accessories offered to enhance Ardent’s culinary tools are both luxurious and great starter packs for those just getting into infusions and edibles. The kits are especially helpful, as they take the guesswork out of how to make oils and fully composed infused dishes and treats. 

Here are some of the most useful and fun add on options:

• Infusion Sleeve: this small purple silicon insert makes it easy to keep the stainless steel chamber clean when working with sticky or gooey concentrates, and when infusing oils and buttes. 
• Frainer: A combination strainer and funnel makes it easy to transfer your newly infused oils into bottles without any extra plant material getting in. 
• Culinary Kits: Offering a wide and growing number of kits, they are designed to take the guesswork out of infusing oils, like coconut and olive oil, for use in any number of recipes, as well as complete edible kits, like the mini apple pies and truffle cups. 

What’s the appeal?

Given how useful the Ardent Nova is, it’s $260 price tag is nothing to gawk at. For anyone making infusions on a regular basis, this is sure to significantly reduce the typical hassle and mess. Similarly, anyone who is regularly buying edibles stands to save money by making them at home. 

The machine itself is cute and discreet, both in design and function — it won’t stink up the kitchen when in use. It seems almost magical that a single button can produce consistent results, and that is a testament to the science-backed technology that went into the product’s creation. 

Perhaps most importantly, this machine may be the key for those who want to take control of making and dosing their own medicine. But whether or not it is for medicinal purposes, the Nova captures a sense of fun and whimsy all while feeling grown up and sophisticated. 

Find the Ardent Nova on ardentcannabis.com. Photos provided by Ardent. 

The post Everything you need to know about the Ardent Nova appeared first on Weedmaps News.

Source: wm