Cannabis Cup - High Times 2013 - Presença Growroom?

Columbus · September 12, 2013

Será q rola um record internacional?

Se vai rolar eu não sei, mas se rolar a gente bate ! kkkkkkkkk

Boa trip pra vcs galera! Tragam bastante informação nova pra gente!

Ta foda! Começamos a esquematizar pra bater o de 20, veio o de 37.

Pra durar pelo menos 1 semana tem que ser um de 60, daí hajam euros. Kkk

Mas quem sabe...

Valeu galera!

Joao Pe de Feijao · September 12, 2013

Quando rolar uma desta por Terras Brasilis certamente muitos dirão: Festa estranha com gente esquisita ... E o mais inusitado é que nòiz seremos os felizes esquisitos.

Não sei quanto a Vcs, mas estou ficando ainda + desorientado com esta onda de cada um dos inúmeros breeders americanos de colocar o nome que quiser nas suas cruzas. Se antes o nome representava alguma coisa, agora o que vale é soar bem. Afinal, o que " Girl Scoll Cokies" tem haver com cannabis ??? Se conseguimos entender o pq o nome de uma variedade é Viúva Branca, Lemon, ou Kush;o mesmo não acontece quando os caras botam um nome apenas binitinho como "Goo".

Sem falar que como eles estão lançando novas cruzas a cada evento, dificilmente eles estão esperando as várias gerações necessárias para estabilizar o Fenótipo. Assim, se alguém comprar uma seed destes caras, não terá garantia nenhuma que a planta nascerá com as características que te fizeram escolher-la. Acho que esta é uma das razões que fazem com que os Growers de lá continuem a comprar seeds dos bancos de AMS.

Não sei se eles estão fazendo isso porque estão mais pulverizados do que os europeus, se é por conta de acirrada competição comercial que rola por lá, ou uma conjuntura de fatores.

Creio que logo logo terão que fazer uma regra internacional para denominação por origem, características, e região.

Se a qualidade da erva na Cannabis Cup de AMS passa longe da Americana... Nosso consolo é pelo menos saberemos o que estaremos usando...

Será?!? Será?!?!?!?

planta · September 12, 2013

galera forte nos concentrados, tem opção pracas pra ficar loko !!
[ ]s

Aí, acho que não rola tanto concentrado em AMS como nos EUA, mas certamente teremos alguma coisa pra provar, porque parece que, principalmente nessa época, eles tão umas adaptadas no cardápio para atender a demanda americana... Fiquei ansioso pra provar uns tipos aí... hehehe

Será q rola um record internacional?

Se vai rolar eu não sei, mas se rolar a gente bate ! kkkkkkkkk

Boa trip pra vcs galera! Tragam bastante informação nova pra gente!

Ta foda! Começamos a esquematizar pra bater o de 20, veio o de 37.
Pra durar pelo menos 1 semana tem que ser um de 60, daí hajam euros. Kkk
Mas quem sabe...
Valeu galera!

Aí, record de maior número de strains num beck acho que não vai rolar não, mas certamente a viagem já começa batendo o record de maior presença coletiva de growers do GR num evento canábico internacional (pelo menos que se tem notícia). E esse é só o começo!!!

Valeu a força aí Sano e Mofs! Esperamos honrar adequadamente a canarinha, que, tal qual a da nossa seleção nacional, tem história para contar!

Quando rolar uma desta por Terras Brasilis certamente muitos dirão: Festa estranha com gente esquisita ... E o mais inusitado é que nòiz seremos os felizes esquisitos.

Não sei quanto a Vcs, mas estou ficando ainda + desorientado com esta onda de cada um dos inúmeros breeders americanos de colocar o nome que quiser nas suas cruzas. Se antes o nome representava alguma coisa, agora o que vale é soar bem. Afinal, o que " Girl Scoll Cokies" tem haver com cannabis ??? Se conseguimos entender o pq o nome de uma variedade é Viúva Branca, Lemon, ou Kush;o mesmo não acontece quando os caras botam um nome apenas binitinho como "Goo".

Sem falar que como eles estão lançando novas cruzas a cada evento, dificilmente eles estão esperando as várias gerações necessárias para estabilizar o Fenótipo. Assim, se alguém comprar uma seed destes caras, não terá garantia nenhuma que a planta nascerá com as características que te fizeram escolher-la. Acho que esta é uma das rasões que fazem com que os Growers de lá continuem a comprar seeds dos bancos de AMS.

Não sei se eles estão fazendo isso porque estão mais pulverizados do que os europeus, se é por conta de acirrada competição comercial que rola por lá, ou uma conjuntura de fatores.

Creio que logo logo terão que fazer uma regra internacional para denominação por origem, características, e região.

Se a qualidade da erva na Cannabis Cup de AMS passa longe da Americana... Nosso consolo é pelo menos saberemos o que estaremos usando...

Será?!? Será?!?!?!?

Acho que nego sai dando nome mesmo. Na América não existe muito purismo e no final o cara quer simplesmente vender. Acho que vem do estilo comercial deles mesmo...

Nesse ponto tô contando com Pé Gordo, Granja Grower :335968164-hippy2: que já foram várias vezes ao CC pra colocar a gente na boa. Ainda vou fumar essas americanas, devem ser boas mesmo... Mas de verdade, nas duas vezes que estive em Amsterdam, não fumei nada médio. Depois de um bubble gum fumado a meia noite com um pint de cerveja num dos poucos coffee shops que vendem álcool (entrei por acaso), cheguei em casa às 3 andando sozinho que nem maluco pela cidade... Até o cabrobró que fumei lá era primoroso e não fazia feio para nenhum skunk...

Ainda bem que ficaremos 9 dias, porque vai faltar dia pra fumar tanta maconha, fora os concentrados que tô bem afim de provar...

Vamo Q Vamo!

Joao Pe de Feijao · September 13, 2013

Reforçando minha teoria de ontem ...

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Peyton Manning, da NFL, vira nome de maconha medicinal nos Estados Unidos

O quarterback do Denver Broncos e multirecordista da NFL Peyton Manning teve seu nome estampado em pacote de maconha medicinal nos Estados Unidos

Getty Images - Peyton Manning teve seu nome estampado em envelope de maconha medicinal nos Estados Unidos

Durante o passar dos anos, já vimos o QB Peyton Manning estampar seu nome em diversos livros daNFL, em campanhas publicitárias, e muito mais. Mas agora, um fato inusitado aconteceu. Manning teve seu nome estampado em um pacote de maconha, vendida somente para uso medicinal, como noticiado pelo radialista da Fox Sports norte-americana, Peter Burns.

O astro já disse, em oportunidades anteriores, que é completamente contra o uso de qualquer uma destas substâncias, e que não se droga. O pacote é vendido nos Estados Unidos, e somente sob prescrição médica.

Manning volta a campo neste domingo, quando enfrenta o New York Giants, liderado por seu irmão Eli Manning. Depois de igualar o recorde de touchdowns passados em um jogo, o QB do Denver Broncos tenta repetir a excelente atuação da estréia da temporada regular.

http://br.esporteinterativo.yahoo.com/noticias/nfl--peyton-manning--da-nfl--vira-nome-de-maconha-medicinal-nos-estados-unidos-162947759.html

>>> Sei que ta virando Off Topic... Prometo não falar mais disso neste tópico

to me

sano · September 13, 2013

Reforçando minha teoria de ontem ...

Peyton Manning, da NFL, vira nome de maconha medicinal nos Estados Unidos

O quarterback do Denver Broncos e multirecordista da NFL Peyton Manning teve seu nome estampado em pacote de maconha medicinal nos Estados Unidos

Getty Images - Peyton Manning teve seu nome estampado em envelope de maconha medicinal nos Estados Unidos

Durante o passar dos anos, já vimos o QB Peyton Manning estampar seu nome em diversos livros daNFL, em campanhas publicitárias, e muito mais. Mas agora, um fato inusitado aconteceu. Manning teve seu nome estampado em um pacote de maconha, vendida somente para uso medicinal, como noticiado pelo radialista da Fox Sports norte-americana, Peter Burns.
O astro já disse, em oportunidades anteriores, que é completamente contra o uso de qualquer uma destas substâncias, e que não se droga. O pacote é vendido nos Estados Unidos, e somente sob prescrição médica.
Manning volta a campo neste domingo, quando enfrenta o New York Giants, liderado por seu irmão Eli Manning. Depois de igualar o recorde de touchdowns passados em um jogo, o QB do Denver Broncos tenta repetir a excelente atuação da estréia da temporada regular.

http://br.esporteinterativo.yahoo.com/noticias/nfl--peyton-manning--da-nfl--vira-nome-de-maconha-medicinal-nos-estados-unidos-162947759.html

>>> Sei que ta virando Off Topic... Prometo não falar mais disso neste tópico

to me

Só mais um pouquinho de OT!

Acho que essas incertezas vão fortalecer o mercado de analises laboratoriais das flores e das extrações, pois o nome comercial de nada vai valer diante de um laudo das concentrações contidas nos produtos a venda.

Pé Gordo · September 15, 2013

O negocio esta que esta ... concentrados são raros e praticamente impossível de achar em Dam ... rola muito nederhash (hash holandes) pode ser o ice/bubble hash que vao de 15 a 100 euro/grama ou o skuff (hash feito com o pollinator) entre 10-30 euro/g, ficando raro pq a galera prefere o ice-o-lator.

Dam e o paraiso do haxixi importado (marrocos, libano, nepal, india e outros) ... isso nem nos EUA acha ...

Tem muita coisa boa, mas tem muita shit tb ... fumo sem 'flush' e muito comum em Dam (eu gosto de ficar chapado e não intoxicado), tem coisa molhada que não carbura se fumar puro (sem tabaco) isso esta mudando um pouco pq o pessoal esta reclamando (principalmente os que fumam sem tabaco, brasileiros, americanos).

Essa historias de sementes já e longa e velha ... tem gente que vende gato por lebre, outros roubam trabalhos de outros ... a industria de sementes 'fede' ... os únicos que eu respeito são os fazem/vendem as regulares ... esses são os verdadeiros 'cannabis breeders' o resto e copycat ... fazer sementes feminizadas e fácil vc precisa uma planta ... pra fazer regulares precisa pelo menos 2 plantas (macho e fêmea) e normalmente achar aquele 'macho' e um longo trabalho que so breeders tem tempo e paciência.

No Cannabis Castle da Sensi Seeds eu sei que tinha mother plants de mais de 25 anos de idade, mas tudo isso acabou qdo o governo holandês fechou o castelo. No começo da década de 2000 o governo holandês caiu matando nas companhias de sementes, muitas mother plants morreram, ai quando muitos holandês migraram pra Espanha com clones/mothers/sementes, dando começo ao bancos de sementes espanholas. Soma foi preso (acho q 2004) e perdeu toda a sua coleção de mother/father plants. que bom que ele tinha sementes de toda linha.

Nao sei muito sobre a industria nos EUA, mas alguns levam as coisas serias ... conheci estes breeders e foi muito bom saber que eles tem as mães, avos e ate bisavós das sementes que eles produzem (um bom breeder sabe que backcrossing e importante para estabilizar a especie) e tinham uma mother de SSH de 15 anos, super produtora, super potente ...

Girl scout cookies e pq tem sabor dos cookies que as escoteiras vendem nos EUA ... clones de plantas especiais custam mais de US$20.000,00.

Ja virou OFF-TOPIC ... sorry guys, just I love talkin' about it!!!!

Agora só em Dam com um baseado em uma mão e uma cerva na outra ...

OGKush · September 15, 2013

eu quero saber mermo é qdo vão organizar a field trip growroom pra christiania! essa eu participo!

PianinhoSC · September 15, 2013

Porra Pé Gordo , informação pracas heim ?? Show !

Essa galera do GR ...só quero ver, vou ficar Pianinho só maconheiro cabeção, vai ser bomba de tudo que é lado !

[ ]s

Pé Gordo · September 16, 2013

eu quero saber mermo é qdo vão organizar a field trip growroom pra christiania! essa eu participo!

Estou dentro, conheço uns ciganos que bebem urina por la ... a galera e muito louca ...

GanjaGrower · September 17, 2013

Galera,

Concentrados são muito difíceis de de achar em DAM. O teor de THC é controlado na Holanda e mesmo os Ice-o-lators que tem por lá não podem ultrapassar 28% de concentração de THC...

Mas podem relaxar que a "pancada na cabeça é grande.

Meu conselho é pros novados pegarem leve pois já vários caras passarem mal nos coffeeshops e os seguranças apenas te põe na rua.

Ninguém ajuda não, pois os donos dos coffeeshops não querem ter que se explicar pra polícia em caso de overdose de alguma droga ilícita que o camarada tomou antes de entrar lá...eles podem perder a licença, dá a maior sujeira.

Tem muito beck dá hora e como bem disse o Pé Gordo DAM é o paraíso do Hash... de todo tipo.

Abraços pra galera

Faltam 70 dias e contando...

Pé Gordo · September 18, 2013

Galera,

Concentrados são muito difíceis de de achar em DAM. O teor de THC é controlado na Holanda e mesmo os Ice-o-lators que tem por lá não podem ultrapassar 28% de concentração de THC...

Mas podem relaxar que a "pancada na cabeça é grande.

Meu conselho é pros novados pegarem leve pois já vários caras passarem mal nos coffeeshops e os seguranças apenas te põe na rua.

Ninguém ajuda não, pois os donos dos coffeeshops não querem ter que se explicar pra polícia em caso de overdose de alguma droga ilícita que o camarada tomou antes de entrar lá...eles podem perder a licença, dá a maior sujeira.

Tem muito beck dá hora e como bem disse o Pé Gordo DAM é o paraíso do Hash... de todo tipo.

Abraços pra galera

Faltam 70 dias e contando...

Isso não e verdade, tentaram implementar isso qdo mudaram a lei para estrangeiros ... tem coffee shop que mostra no menu iceolator com 60-70% THC ... mas ninguém mede o THC em Dam, nem as autoridades e nem os donos de coffeeshops ...

A cultura canabica na holanda não da pra comparar com EUA, a produção e ilegal ... então não ha um padrão de qualidade na holanda como ha no EUA ... mesmo para os coffeshops e difícil manter a qualidade e diversidade do menu ... oq e bom hoje amanha pode ser uma merda ... comprei um tangerine dream no barney's e estava perfeito um bud de 2g, no dia seguinte voltei e parecia palha ...

Noix que ir para o Colorado ...

planta · September 25, 2013

HIGH TIMES' Love Affair with Amsterdam

TUE SEP 24, 2013

As HIGH TIMES gears up for the 26th Cannabis Cup, our thoughts naturally to the great city of Amsterdam and all of its pleasures. Our staff offers their thoughts on the Amsterdam Cannabis Cup.

"The Cannabis Cup is a marijuana fantasy camp. Like Major League Baseball fantasy camps, where you meet legends of the game, the Cup allows you to meet our industry’s stars like Arjan, Soma, the DNA guys, and so many others. You get to interact with them, talk to them about strains and pick their brains.” – Danny Danko, senior cultivation editor

“Amsterdam provides a unique experience, exciting and memorable, unlike anything that’s offered in the US. The fact is the history and the traditions of the Cannabis Cup have made what’s going on in America today possible.” – Bobby Black, senior editor

“I love history and I love photography. One of my favorite things to do is get away from all of the Cup hullabaloo, walk the streets, and imagine life centuries ago. There are so many photo ops – night and day. It’s a photographer’s dream. And after trudging all over the city, a coffeeshop is the world's best oasis!” – Dan Skye, editorial director

“Meeting Mila, who’s known as the ‘Hash Queen of Amsterdam,’ was inspirational. In the male-dominated cannabis industry, Mila is an entrepreneur, an inventor, as well as a mom. She’s one of the Dutch cannabis industry’s legends and every year her seminar at the Expo is packed with her fans.” – Jen Bernstein, managing editor

“For me, Amsterdam is all about high dining. There are so many great restaurants and so many different types of food. One of my favorite places is The Pancake House where they make pancakes with ingredients from all over the world.” –Craig Coffey, IT director

Buy your tickets now for the HIGH TIMES Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam!

http://www.hightimes.com/read/high-times-love-affair-amsterdam

Dilos Farmer · September 26, 2013

Alguém de ultima hora afim de dividir um quarto?

Abs

planta · October 1, 2013

Alguém de ultima hora afim de dividir um quarto?

Abs

Dilos, fica naquele St. Christofer que te falei. Super custo benefício, já tem gente da galera e fica do lado do nosso ou fecha logo aqueles outros que você viu, se não vai ficar na roubada de última hora! Sempre tem aquela horda de americanos que pode babar o esquema.

Abraços e tamo junto!!!

53 DIAS SENHORES!!!

É noiz!

:party0023:

planta · October 2, 2013

LIVIN’ LARGE AT THE CANNABIS CUP

When the Cannab is Cup in Amsterdam draws nigh, it’s like the night before Christmas for HIGH TIMES staffers. Many admit to not being able to sleep before making their way to the world’s coolest city.

Over the past week, our editors have been posting a treasure trove of Cannabis Cup memories, photos, and recommendations so you can enjoy Amsterdam to its fullest. Right now, we’re finalizing our list of lecturers and panelists who will appear on our Expo stage. Like senior cultivation editor Danny Danko says, the Cannabis Cup is much like a Major League Baseball Fantasy Camp where fans play ball and mingle with stars of the game. Meet Arjan of the Green House, Derry of Barney’s, Soma of Soma Seeds, the DNA dudes, Milo from Big Buddha Seeds, and of course, the Sensi Seed legends, Ben and Alan Dronkers. Check out our archive of past Cups and get your tickets for the 26th annual Cannabis Cup now!

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What's Your Favorite Cannabis Cup Memory?

TUE OCT 1, 2013

The HIGH TIMES staff looks back at 25 years of Cannabis Cups in Amsterdam. Here are a collection of stand out moments. It's not too late to get your tickets for the 26th Cannabis Cup - head to CannabisCup.com for details!

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9 Great Places in Amsterdam (That Don't Sell Weed)

FRI SEP 27, 2013

Amsterdam is full of pot – pretty much anybody should be able to find smoke as soon as they leave Centraal Station... but then what?

Get your Cannabis Cup ticket, come to Europe and loiter at the spots that we frequent.

Here is a list of some of the best non-pot spots in Amsterdam...

1) AmsterBike
This is one of many bike rental spots in town – there may be one close to your hotel. Do yourself a favor and rent a bike as soon as you start your exploration. You will save enough on taxi fares to buy substantially more weed and hash.

2) Hemp Works
Stock up on all the things that you didn't bring on the plane... papers, pipes, lighters, bongs. Hemp Works is also a great place to buy a warm jacket and get gifts for your friends who couldn't make it to the Cup.

3) Skatepark Amsterdam
Bring your board... break something other than your mind on your trip to Europe (we hear Dutch hospitals are wonderful). This place is enormous, indoors and has a full service bar that you can ride your board right up to.

4) Borchland Golf Course
Get in a round of golf – the second most "stoner-friendly" activity after smoking weed.

5) Satellite Sportscafé
The International House of Dabcakes. Not the healthiest food in A'dam, but you can smoke hash at your table. This place has American sports on TV – sometimes you can have a dab and a pancake while watching NFL football at 2 in the morning... pure fantasy football fractalization heaven.

6) Wagamama
This city can run you down – it can be hard to stay on top of your nutritional needs with all the late nights and partying. This place offers a delicious, affordable and healthy meal.

7) Whiskey Bar
Many great nights here that no one can clearly remember. If you see a HIGH TIMES staffer here, we probably need help getting back to our hotel room.

8) Moulin Rouge
It's naughty time. This place is the not-as-adult-as-you-think adult entertainment spot. The infamous live sex show in Amsterdam is not as hardcore as it seems – it's actually a lot of fun. This place is not for everyone, but you will be shocked and amazed... bring your friends.

9) Powders Laundrette
Amsterdam is a dirty place, so make sure your suitcase is clean when you depart. This laundromat will take a suitcase full of dirty clothes off your hands and return a neatly packed suitcase full of clean clothes – all for a very reasonable price. There's a conveniently located coffeeshop across the street that you can chill at if you'd prefer to wash your own clothes.

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Amsterdam: The Cannabis Capital of Europe

BY BOBBY BLACK · THU SEP 26, 2013

Amsterdam is truly one of the greatest party cities in the world, especially if you’re a pothead. Not only is it home to some of the best marijuana in the world, but it’s also the freest in its attitudes toward smoking pot. Personal amounts of marijuana can be purchased and imbibed in any of a hundred different coffeeshops. Keep in mind that outside of coffeeshops, smoking is still frowned upon, so it’s not a great idea to light up in the streets. Before lighting up in a bar, be sure to ask the bartender if they allow cannabis smoking - most of them don’t.

If you take the train from Schiphol Airport – which is the cheapest, easiest way to get into town – you’ll arrive at Centraal Station at the north end of the city. From here, it’s just a short walk over to Haarlemmerstraat, where some of the city’s most prominent coffeeshops and restaurants reside. There, you can pick up some bud and breakfast at the Green House or Barney’s Uptown before heading to your hotel.

Dam Square toward the north is basically the heart of the city, surrounded by concentric semi-circles of streets (straats) and canals (grachts) that spread out around it toward the south. Cutting almost straight down through the middle is the main shopping strip, Leidsestraat, which ends at the bustling Leidseplein Square, filled with some of the best bars, restaurants and stores. Along the way, you can veer off to visit some of the chillest coffeeshops in the city – among them, de Rokerij, de Dampkring and one of the several Green House locations. For some of the best hash in the city, in terms of both quality and variety, head southeast of the Dam to the Bluebird, which has two binders displaying tons of domestic and imported hashish.

When the munchies hit, the Leidseplein has some great Indian, Thai and Italian restaurants, Argentinian steakhouses, killer falafel spots, as well as fast-food favorites like Burger King and Mickey D’s for the less adventurous. And if you want ketchup with your fries, you’ll have to ask for it – the Dutch eat theirs with mayo. If you’re feeling homesick, the Marriott and American hotels serve a traditional turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day (but make advance reservations!).

For art lovers, there’s nothing more fun than chowing down on a space cake and hitting a museum, particularly the Van Gogh or the Rijksmuseum, where you can see the gigantic Dutch Masters paintings come to life before your eyes. There are also the less conventional museums devoted to hash, sex, erotica and torture, as well as the sobering Anne Frank House.

One of the best things about the city is that it’s small enough that you can get just about anywhere on foot, so just pick up a map (preferably one from our Cannabis Cup Guide, which has the better coffeeshops marked) and start wandering around. Sure, you could rent a bicycle, but navigating the city’s busy, unfamiliar streets while high (and possibly drunk) is not very stoner-smart.

After a long, hard day of getting high, you’ll be ready for some nightlife, and Amsterdam has something for everyone. For those into hip-hop, house and trance, there are happening dance clubs like Sinners in Heaven and Odeon. Those who lean more towards hard rock can hit dive bars like The Cave, Korsakoff or The Black and White. For live music, the Melkweg and Paradiso book major international acts, or you can check out some cool blues or jazz at Bourbon Street. If you’re in it for the long haul, there’s usually after-hours at the Dolphins café. And, of course, there’s always the infamous Red Light District, where the randy and curious stroll the streets ogling the semi-nude prostitutes standing in the windows.

The weather in November is pretty chilly and rainy, so be prepared to bundle up. Sure, the weather there may be a bit nicer in the summer, but there’s just no substitute for that last week in November when the Cannabis Cup rolls into town. Coffeeshops prepare all year to impress the thousands of stoners who descend upon the city, rolling out the special offers and free samples – and HIGH TIMES throws one hell of a party, featuring big-name musical performances and a gala awards show.

Now that marijuana is becoming legal in the US, I’m sure many of you are asking yourselves, “Why go all the way to Holland when I can get great weed right in Colorado or California?” The answer is history. For decades, as the Drug War has raged here at home and people have been thrown in prison simply for enjoying some herb, The Netherlands has stood as a shining example of tolerance and rationality, allowing tourists to buy and consume cannabis without fear or guilt. The advances being made here in America wouldn’t have been possible if they hadn’t shown the world how things could and should be. And many of the top strains we enjoy here in the US were originated by the “Dutch Master” breeders.

Bottom line: making the pilgrimage to Amsterdam is something every true stoner should do at least once in their lifetime – and if you’re going to Amsterdam for the weed, there’s no better time to go than for the Cannabis Cup. As someone who’s been to more Cannabis Cups than just about anyone else on earth, I should know.

For more information on the 26th HIGH TIMES Cannabis Cup, visit cannabiscup.com.

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Marijuana Fantasy Camp

BY DANNY DANKO · TUE SEP 24, 2013

When people ask me what Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam is really like, I tend to describe it as "Marijuana Fantasy Camp." If you're a fan of baseball, you can travel down to Florida and take the field with some current and former players from the Major Leagues and if you're a fan of weed, you can do the same this November in Holland. It's amazing to rub elbows and be able to pick the brains of the cannabis industry's best and brightest bud breeders. Talking strains with the people who created them can clear up many misconceptions. Each time I go I return with a ton of great growing info to share with our readers and podcast listeners.

This year, I'll be hosting seminars with breeders such as Soma of Soma Sacred Seeds (pictured above), Simon from Serious Seeds, Milo from Big Buddha Seeds, Don and Aaron from DNA Genetics, Adam from TH Seeds and many more at our Expo location called Roest. Use promocode DANKO at THIS LINK for $25 off tickets to High Times 26th Annual Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam!

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A Stoner's Guide to the Cannabis Cup

WED SEP 25, 2013

The 26th Annual Cannabis Cup festivities are coming, and the city’s many coffeeshops, bars, restaurants, museums and other attractions are eager to greet and serve you with courtesy, quality and the finest herbal refreshments available.

It’s important to be aware that the Dutch coffeeshop scene is under severe political attack like never before. Incessant pressure from other countries (like the US, France and Sweden) and a rising conservative tide in the Dutch legislative body have left the shops more vulnerable today than at almost any time in history.

The coffeeshop movement dates back to the late 1960s and has been officially tolerated since 1972, but the past several years have seen tightened regulation of the cannabis trade. Coffeeshops have been forced to choose between serving alcohol or cannabis products, so now buying a bud and a beer in the same place is entirely a thing of the past: There is absolutely no consumption of alcohol allowed in any operating coffeeshops.

Next, the Dutch government mandated that there could be no advertising of the availability of cannabis products at any establishment. Even the ever-present cannabis menus at the shops must now be displayed facedown until the customer asks to examine them, or to see the buds of weed and blocks of hash on hand. And now, as part of an increasing trend across Europe, tobacco smoking is banned at restaurants, bars and all other public places -- and this includes coffeeshops where marijuana is still sold and smoked.

The ban on smoking tobacco took effect on July 1, 2008, forcing coffeeshop patrons who wish to smoke a traditional spliff (the half-weed, half-tobacco joint that is very popular among Dutch and European smokers) to alter their usual habits. While this may seem like a nuisance to many coffeeshop visitors, it’s important to remember the law was enacted ostensibly to protect the workers from secondhand smoke.

So please be aware that decriminalized public smoking is a privilege to be both enjoyed and respected while you’re in Amsterdam. It’s not a big thing to the Dutch citizenry, which looks upon marijuana smoking as an acceptable recreational activity best practiced in private or in designated public areas like the coffeeshops. Your stay will be most rewarding if you maintain a sense of decorum and respect the local customs wherever you go.

A sad fact for American travelers is the severe disparity in the value of the US dollar with respect to the local currency, the euro. When you change your American money for euros, you will immediately lose 25 to 30 percent of your dollars.

GETTING AROUND

Amsterdam has a terrific public transportation system that can get you to just about any section of the city in a short time by tram, Metro (subway) or bus. You can purchase tickets from the conductor on board, but your best bet is to buy a strippenkaart at a tobacco or tourist shop for €6.40. The attendant on board each tram will stamp your strippenkaart for two strips or more, depending on the number of zones you need to travel through, and you can travel in those zones by tram, bus or subway in any direction for the next hour at no additional charge.

Be aware that the trams and the Metro cease operation each night sometime between midnight and 12:30 a.m., so if you’re planning to catch the tram back to your hotel after an evening of entertainment or dining out, be sure to get to the tram stop right around midnight or catch a taxi home after that.

The taxi is another good (though more costly) way to get around town. There are taxi stands located near most large hotels and big public places. Taxis aren’t allowed to cruise for passengers in Amsterdam like they do in many other cities, so you must call for a cab to pick you up (dial 020-677-7777, or ask the staff wherever you are to call one for you) or head for the first car in line at the nearest taxi stand.

Bicycling is very popular in Amsterdam, and renting a bike is an excellent way to get around. Bike rentals tend to be reasonably priced, and locks are supplied as well. Don’t forget to use the locks or the bike is virtually guaranteed to be stolen: bike theft is one of the biggest categories of property crime in the Netherlands, so please don’t encourage this ugly tendency by buying a bike from someone on the street.

There are three lanes in each direction for traffic on most major streets: one for cars, one for bikes and the center one for trams and taxis. The sidewalks and bicycle paths are sometimes separated only by a line on the edge of the pavement. Pay attention to where you’re walking or standing on the streets at all times, and never stand still in a bike path. And when you hear the insistent tinkling of bicycle bells, get out of the way! If you get caught in a bike path and get hit by a bike, it’s still your fault.

Finally, there is always the intense pleasure of walking around this beautiful city. Fully half of the coffeeshops competing in the Cannabis Cup this year can be found on a leisurely stroll in the area between Centraal Station and Dam Square. The rest are located nearby on Haarlemmerstraat (just west of Centraal Station), in the Spui (just below Dam Square), or in and around the Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein, with only a couple of others in outlying areas beyond walking distance.

MUSEUMS

Amsterdam is the City of Museums. There are 33 museums located within the city limits, and those are just the ones that are regularly open to the public. Most are art museums -- Amsterdam has historically been home to many incredible artists, including Rembrandt and van Gogh, who both have their own museums -- but there are also several different science museums, as well as museums for media, photography, architecture, religion, shipbuilding and history. The renowned Rijksmuseum, the legendary treasure-house of the Netherlands, tops the list of the city’s cultural institutions, which also includes the Amsterdam Historical Museum, the Anne Frank House, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, the Botanical Gardens and the Artis Zoo. There’s even a Cannabis Museum and a Sex Museum. Go to amsterdammuseums.nl for complete information.

DINING OUT

Amsterdam is full of restaurants that offer just about everything to please your palate. The Leidseplein is a particularly fertile area, but the entire City Centrum boasts several fine breakfast spots and countless restaurants offering Indian, Afghan, Indonesian, Chinese, Thai, Argentine, Mexican, Turkish, Middle Eastern, Japanese, American, British and, of course, traditional Dutch food. A special tip: For steak and spareribs lovers, De Klos on Kerkstraat near the Leidsestraat (just a few steps from the Dolphins) is waiting for you with the stuff you like.

For vegetarians, there are great places like Deshima Proeflokaal (Weteringschans 65), Golden Temple (Uitrechtsestraat 126), De Bolhoed (Prinsengracht 60-62) and De Waaghals (Frans Halsstraat 29).

There are also lots and lots of fast-food joints, pizzerias and snack bars, from the Automat-style packaged sandwiches at FEBO to the myriad falafel and shawarma stands to the inevitable Burger King and McDonald’s franchises. Domino’s has invaded the city too, so the entire area is covered for pizza delivery. Get the phone number for the nearest one from the front desk at your hotel, where you can generally expect to find an entire selection of delivery menus from local restaurants available for your perusal.

If you’d rather eat in your hotel room and save money, take a trip to the closest Albert Heijn supermarket. They have takeaway meals as well as all of the basic supermarket items. Less pricey is the Dirk van de Brock chain, offering almost everything you can get at Albert Heijn but at somewhat cheaper prices. There are also smaller neighborhood markets everywhere you go.

Grocery stores tend to close by 8pm, and most are closed all day Sunday too. After 8pm, you can find various snack bars and avondwinkels (night shops) that are usually open till around 1 am; after that, you’re looking at the stuff in the vending machines in your hotel lobby. A little prior planning can keep you hip deep in the quality foodstuffs of your choice without having to travel around at all hours.

SHOPPING

They say that Amsterdam offers shopping opportunities galore, from high-end, designer-label boutiques to several excellent Old World street markets and literally everything in between. An elongated shopping street, the Nieuwendijk, runs between the Damrak and Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal and continues below Dam Square as the Kalverstraat; it features an incredible selection of shops of every description. At the southern end of the city, in the area called the Pijp, you will find the Albert Cuypmarkt, one of Amsterdam’s oldest and best-known open-air markets. There’s another big open-air market at Waterlooplein and a world-famous flower market not far from Dam Square, as well as a great used book market on the Spui every Friday.

Serious shoppers say that the best bargains in town can be found at the smaller marketplaces dotting the city -- and even if you’re not in buying mode, you can observe all kinds of interesting people and products at these colorful places. There are also some amazing little shops in the city’s many neighborhoods. You can find almost anything that you can imagine here in Amsterdam.

For some of the world’s oldest kind of shopping, there’s the legendary Red Light District, a unique phenomenon that gives the concept of window-shopping a whole new dimension. Prostitution is legal and regulated by the government, and the attractive ladies who offer their personal charms for sale display their wares in the red-neon-lit windows that front their working quarters.

Amsterdam is a center for diamond sales, with an abundance of jewelry stores and diamond centers that also offer tours of their facilities, where you can see stones being graded, cut, polished and mounted. You can get some really interesting deals at these places, but be sure to shop around if you’re planning to make a serious purchase.

One of the best shopping experiences in Amsterdam, believe it or not, is the mall at Schiphol Airport. There’s an incredible selection of places to shop (duty-free), and you can pick up all of your last-minute gifts and souvenirs for your loved ones at home before you catch your flight back to the States.

THE STONER'S GUIDE TO DUTCH CUSTOMS

The Cannabis Cup draws people from around the world to celebrate the spiritual, medical, industrial and recreational uses of cannabis. While in Amsterdam, please remember that the arguments for marijuana legalization become stronger when Cannabis Cup participants conduct themselves in a respectful and responsible manner.

A quick etiquette lesson in Dutch customs may help you to more fully enjoy your stay in this beautiful and tolerant city.

Be polite! Europeans are more formal than Americans. Remember to say “please” and “thank you.” Almost everyone in the Netherlands speaks English, so just say, “English, please,” and most will be happy to oblige. People in general are kind and willing to help, so if you need directions or other assistance, don’t hesitate to ask.

Public cannabis use is generally not acceptable in Dutch society. While marijuana smoking is tolerated by the government, smokers are wise to restrict their consumption to designated coffeeshops and private homes. Judges must be discreet out of consideration for nonsmokers and the local customs. Unless you’re in a coffeeshop or your own hotel room, always ask permission before lighting up. Also, do not smoke cannabis in your hotel lobby or corridors.

At the cannabis coffeeshops, marijuana and hashish are sold either behind the bar or at a separate window. Most shops provide a written menu, but due to government prohibition of any sort of advertising of cannabis products, you will usually have to ask to see the menu or to be shown samples. Many shops also provide free rolling papers and little strips of cardboard for making filter tips. A few coffeeshops provide pipes, bongs and/or vaporizers for customer use.

Coffeeshops are places to hang out, offering a living-room-away-from-home atmosphere where you may feel free to read, write, play games, talk to friends or meet strangers while enjoying a beverage and a relaxed smoke. Whatever their selection, it’s considered polite to eat or drink something while at the coffeeshop. In the tourist district (the Red Light/Dam Square area), some shops require that you purchase something in order to sit down.

Be patient. Even as you hurry from shop to shop for the Cup, be aware that Dutch service is unhurried and personal. Many Americans talk too loudly and are overly impatient by Dutch standards, so be cool and show your respect for the staff and other clientele. While the coffeeshops automatically run a tab if you don’t pay as you’re served, it’s easier to pay as you go during the busy Cannabis Cup period. Bear in mind also that in Holland, it’s considered rude for the server to present a bill before it is asked for. Your patience will be greatly appreciated, especially since the Cup brings more people to some coffeeshops in a day than they normally serve in a week.

A final word of warning: If you want to eat the cannabis concoctions called space cakes, be careful -- it can take an hour to feel the effects on an empty stomach, up to two hours if you’ve already eaten a meal. The effects last much longer and are more intense than from smoking cannabis. Panic reactions are common, even with regular users. Space cakes used to be more prevalent in Holland, but the Dutch government got tired of tourists getting too high and now views edible cannabis as virtually a hard drug.

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Cannabis Cup: The Joy of Judging

BY DAN SKYE · THU SEP 19, 2013

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Unlike our Cannabis Cups held in the US, the Amsterdam Cannabis Cup truly provides those who make the trip with an authentic judging experience. Stateside, attendees are able to sample the entries submitted by the regional dispensaries in the Cannabis Cup competition. However, they don’t vote. Instead, panels of industry experts, with legal accreditation to use cannabis, determine the quality of cannabis products.

But in Amsterdam it’s a different story. Due to the tolerant attitudes of the Dutch, the world is free to sample the fruits of the city’s cannabis scene. At the HIGH TIMES Cannabis Cup, coffeeshops enter their top samples of buds and hashish in the competition. Then, judges engage in what’s known as the “coffeeshop crawl” where they hike into the high country. During the last two days of the Cannabis Ciup Expo, judges are then able to vote for the best Neder (Dutch) hash, best imported hash, and, of course, the top strain they sampled at those coffeeshops. As in all of our American Cups, all judges vote for best product and bestv booth of the Expo, as well as best glass smokeware.

If there’s a better place to be during Thanksgiving week than soaking up the ambience of a coffeeshop in Amsterdam, we haven’t found it. Of course, we’re not looking that hard either. We’re perfectly cool being high in this Old World city, brimming with history and home to the some of the best cannabis in the world. We’re looking forward to seeing you there in November!

Visit the Cannabis Cup website!

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