In this issue:

18+ For adults only. Soft Secrets is published six times a year by Discover Publisher BV Netherlands Issue 3 - 2012
Continues on page 3
FREE
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF
SEEDLINGS
The first 10 days after germination can be the
most crucial of your plants life. Just like a new
born baby, your girls are vulnerable to the
elements and are totally dependent on you to
give them the best start. Lots of growers, both
new and experienced, lose plants at this stage,
get disheartened and move away from using
seeds altogether. But taking care of seedlings
doesnt have to be difficult. Just follow a few
simple rules and youll raise healthy seedlings,
time after time.

22
Autoflowering
Cannabis:
Here To Stay! 18
A SPANISH SUBURBS
GROWING PLAN
At the beginning of March, the govern-
ment leaders of the Catalan town of
Rasquera entered into an agreement with
the Asociacin Barcelonesa Cannbica de
Autoconsumo (ABCDA). The ABCDA is one
of the non-profit cannabis growing organi-
sations for members in Spain. The town has
provided the club with 7 hectares of land,
in exchange for 650.000 per year. The
struggling town intends to use this income
to pay its debts off within the next two
years, and the project has also made 40
new jobs available. Following legal advice,
Mr. Pelissa, mayor of Rasquera, concluded
that the plan is in keeping with the cur-
rent regulations, but the Spanish law has
already announced the intervention as
soon as the first seeds are planted.
RPAS FIGHTING
AGAINST DRUGS
RPAS aircraft (remotely piloted air system)
will become more and more important in
future wars, according to defence experts.
Except during the war against the Taliban
who were unarmed, according to the
police RPAS aircraft have also been used
to monitor the United States-Mexico bor-
der since 2005. Frontier police have six
Predator B airplanes that monitor the con-
traband of both people and marijuana for
the 3100 km length of the border. Thanks
to the information provided by these high
tech busybodies, 7,500 arrests have been
made and about 20,000 kg of marijuana
have been seized. It might seem like a
lot, but actually this quantity represents
a mere 0.003 % of the cannabis the fron-
tier police have got their hands
on in the past six years. Each
Predator costs taxpayers
15 million Euros, not including the
cost necessary to fly surveillance aircraft
which, according to critics, amounts to
4,500 per kg of cannabis. For a small
percentage of that amount, they could
have just bought the ganja and smoked
it themselves!
MARIJUANA SCENT
CAN CAUSE CANCER
After a raid in Corby, in England,
which yielded 80 home-
grown plants, police
stated to local newspaper
Harborough Mail that the
scent of cannabis in the final
flowering stage can cause
cancer. Why would agents
wear gas masks and protec-
tive clothing when they
clear out marijuana
plantations? A logical
example that leaves
no space for doubt!
DID THE POLITICIAN
SMOKE A JOINT IN
POLISH PARLIAMENT?
Polish political leader Janusz Palikot is
amongst the most folkloristic politicians
in all of Europe. Palikot, an ex Philosophy
student who made his fortune dealing
in vodka, is known mainly for his radical,
anti-Catholic and dissolute ideals. In addi-
tion to his campaign for the legalisation of
cannabis, his party, Palikots Movement,
also fights for homosexual rights, abor-
tion and, in general, for everything the
Catholic Church stands against. In 2007,
Palikot caused commotion for a demon-
stration held during a press conference
when, gun and dildo in hand, he launched
himself against the police officers present.
At the end of January, a new incredible
action: as a protest against the Polish law
regarding cannabis, he allegedly lit
a joint inside Parliament. He wasnt
threatened with arrest, but Palikot
certainly struck a blow for cannabis
with his action.
DOUGH SINGH
In Belize, a small Central
American country,
Minister of Police
Dough Singh
requested that
the government
liberalise the use of cannabis quite
remarkable, as senior officials usual only
suggest ideas like this once theyve retired.
Singhs proposal focuses on decriminal-
izing the possession of small quantities of
marijuana. The minister, who has already
brought up the heavy question of diet, has
not yet decided whether to set the limit at
5 or 7 grams. Singhs proposal is a conse-
3
Moby Dick is Dinafems most psychoactive strain,
with a concentration of up to 21% THC and the
presence of THCV, a substance (present in equatorial
Sativas) produced in response to the suns ultraviolet
rays; this substance makes the effect of the THC
stronger, to the point that the effect can be felt after
just 2 or 3 hits. The low CBD concentration helps
make the effect psychoactively intense and lasting; it
speeds you up both physically and mentally and the
comedown is long, slightly physical and noticeable. It
makes you very hungry and thirsty, so it is advisable
to eat and drink well after smoking, to counteract its
effects. Due to this increase in appetite, Moby Dick is
recommended for treating the secondary effects of
chemotherapy and anorexia.
Outdoors with full sunlight, plentiful soil and water
and wide spacing, the plants will become practically
trees, which grow to 3 meters tall, and you will have
a harvest of up to 1500 grams per plant (!) in optimal
conditions.
The flowering period is quite fast indoors (60/70
days). Outdoors, the plant is ready by mid-October,
with good mould-resistance inherited from its Sativa
parent plant.
Moby Dick is already a legend in its own right, and is
destined to become one of the great classics of this
new century!
Genotype: Haze X White Widow
Genetics: Sativa/Indica with Sativa
dominance
Flowering period: 60-70 days
Outdoor Harvest: From 10th to 25th October
THC: Very High (16%-21%)
CBD: Low
Production: Very High
Outdoor Height: Can reach 3.5 m.
Creator: Dinafem M
o
b
y

D
i
c
k
Continued from front page
quence of his frequent dealings with the
many youths who are instantly branded as
criminals for minor infractions, thus enter-
ing a vicious cycle.
PROPOSAL FROM THE
LEFT
The German political party Die Linke is
once again trying to move something in
Germanys rigid cannabis legislation, this
time with a proposal that allows admit-
tance to cannabis clubs only to legal adults
and limits personal use to 30 grams. An
estimate shows that between 3.5 and 4
million Germans use cannabis and will
continue to do so, as the current law has
no influence on this fact. Die Linke claims
that prohibition simply encourages use,
contravening regulations. Germany should
instead consider education and prevention
as priorities, as well as controlling the drug
market, rather than criminalizing it.
FRENCH POLYNESIA
TURNS GREEN
In French Polynesia, a group of Polynesian
islands in the Pacific Ocean, law enforce-
ment authorities destroyed over 67,000
marijuana plants in 2011, nearly 17
plants per square km not counting the
plants that havent been unearthed yet.
Reason enough for Richard Didier, High
Commissioner of the islands, to explain
that the majority of crime on the 128
islands has to do with marijuana. Most
notably, according to Didier, psychiatric
wards in Polynesia are crowded with drug-
related cases. Colonel Valentini, head of the
local gendarmerie, added that drugs can
be found on the islands in ways unimagi-
nable in France. The call for decriminalisa-
tion on behalf of a representative of the
islands administration held last June has
yielded few results...
CANNABINOID
BECOMES PAINKILLER
In the past few months, forums for
patients suffering from chronic disorders
have been mentioning a new wonder
that works against nearly any chronic
pain. The product, which comes from
Italy, is called Normast and is sold as a
nutritional supplement. The active princi-
ple of Normast is Palmitoylethanolamide
(PEA), a cannabinoid considered equal to
a painkiller. The substance also has anti-
inflammatory properties and increases
the effectiveness of opiates. It presents
no side effects, and there is no problem
in taking it in addition to other medi-
cines. The only disadvantage is its cost:
about 30 for 20 tablets or 600 mg
sachets (enough for 10 days) is a lot of
money for a nutritional supplement but,
as the substance is not patented, its to
be expected that other producers will
begin proposing less expensive alterna-
tives. It is currently unknown whether the
substance is cannabis-derived and how
much is necessary to produce 600 mg.
IN ISRAEL, CANCER
PATIENTS ARE TREAT-
ED WITH MARIJUANA
A recent Israeli study shows that 67 % of
cancer patients who use marijuana for pain
therapy are satisfied with the treatment.
The study was promoted by the Sheba
Medical Center and presented this month
during an Israeli oncologists conference.
Many issues related to medical marijua-
na remain unsolved, but health experts
believe that the number of patients treat-
ed with medical marijuana in Israel will
soon reach 40,000. Only seven of twelve
official cultivation centres in the Holy Land
are currently active, because distribution
centres can only provide patients with the
equivalent of 75 of marijuana per month.
5
I would like to warn your readers about a strain called Red Dragon from Barneys Farm. When
grown it produced a few seeds at the base of the buds. which I then used as they would all
be female they grew very well , good and strong and all was well untill untill week 7 when
I noticed that the crop had seeded. I had had a heater fail and the temp dropped to 9 0c so
I put it down to cold stress and tried again with seed from the original grow, this time they
had perfect conditions 28 c max with lights on 20 c with lights off 12/12 to the second feed
and watered with care not to much not to little. However despite my care at week 7 plus 3
days I found the bannanas of doom [ see attached ] I strongly suspect this strain is prone to
this. I found 13 of these on four plants out of 8 . This photo was taken using my USB micro-
scope to the naked eye they just look like yellow blobs about 2mm across at the base of the
buds and on one plant on the stem at the base of a plant not easy to spot , if you grow this
strain constant vidulance from week 5 onwards is recommended I inspected mine every day
and the day before I found them there was no sign, your only chance is to spot them as they
open. I cropped them there and then not wishing to lose another crop but they would have
been better for another week.
ENGLANDER
Thanks for the heads up, Englander. Much appreciated. Were happy to pass the message
on and prevent other UK growers from experiencing the bananas of doom!
6week in GH seeds A.M.S 100% organic
d/w/c my 1st grow
BOBBY FISHER
Filling out nicely. Couple of bits of advice; try
to raise your oscillating fan so that its mov-
ing the air between the lamp and the canopy,
itll reduce heat and allow you to get your
lamps closer. Also, move that hot ballast away
from your DWC buckets, youll want to keep
the temps in those buckets between 18-24C.
Other than that, keep it up mate.
Attention Readers!
Fancy a FREE packet of FEMINISED seeds from
ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS? Then send us a picture
of your grow room or best cannabis plant,
including a visible copy of Soft Secrets, and
well send you 3 seeds. Should your photo
happen to feature your beautiful wife or girl-
friend wearing a sexy microbikini or super hot
lingerie, you will receive 6 seeds. Photo of
the Month will even receive 9 prime quality
feminised seeds. With compliments of Soft
Secrets and Royal Queen Seeds!

E-mail your entries to SSUK@softsecrets.nl.
NOTE: All entries are handled with the utmost
discretion. We dont publish out of focus pics,
and we dont like photos of plants in veg stage.
Its fat buds & sweet babes we want to see!
E-mail:
SSUK@softsecrets.nl
This woz my first time at growing , here is 6 Northen Lights crossed wiv Blueberry I used 2 400w HPS for veg then
added an exta 600w HPS light for flower, I vegged for 6 weeks then fowered for 8 weeks all my foods I used woz from
the Plant Magic range. I am lookin for sum usefull info to help me produce better plants.
Our advice would be to keep doing what youre doing! Great results for a first grow mate, you should be really pleased. We
hear a lot of good things about Plant Magic. For you next grow, try using some of their beneficials and see what difference
that makes. Keep up the good work!
6
LOLA AND BIG BUD !
Nice! Now lets have the same picture, without the buds!
A couple of articles in the current issue mention cancer and emphysema. I
have believed for many years (Ive been stoned since July 1971) that tobac-
co causes cancer and that cannabis can cure cancer but, after switching
from American tobacco (containing 5000 chemicals were told), to German
Pueblo tobacco (100% additive-free), my emphysema has actually got a lit-
tle better. Something the doctor said would not happen, even if I gave up
smoking.
This made me wonder about these chemicals they add to the stuff in the
drying process, I guess. Are they, in fact, more dangerous than the tobacco
itself? Why do they even add any chemicals in the first place? Pueblo is just
as good without any. American Crossroad tobacco claims to be additive-
free but if you read the small print on the inside of the pack, it admits
to using only natural additives, dur, arsenic is natural. I wouldnt trust
American Spirit iether.
The first reason for adding chemicals that came to my mind, is maybe
tobacco companies got worried because so many people were trying to
give up the habit. So how do you stop people giving up? By adding other
addictive substances to tobacco that no amount of nicotine chewing gum
will satisfy the withdrawal from. Could American tobacco barons be so mer-
cenary? Ye bet yer sweet ass (sounds funny with a yankee drawl). How far
would Yankees go? Maybe some of the Directors of the tobacco companies
also have seats on the boards of companies producing inhalers, for people
suffering from asthma and emphysema. So if they add chemicals to tobacco
to irritate the lungs, they would increase inhaler sales in the future. You may
think me very cynical for suggesting these things of Americans but how
can you trust people who live in cities built by slaves, in a country stolen by
genocide and who stay rich by robbing other countries. God Bless America.
KOFI ANAN
Some interesting points there, Kofi. Thanks for taking the time to share them
with us. Lets be honest, we wouldnt put anything past these companies.
Whatever their reasoning behind adding such chemicals is, the motivation is
always the same; greed and money! Keep fighting the good fight, mate.
Gilly hull, hey ups ther peeps wots good? and how dos to yous in the Netherlands
your a wealth of knowledge so thanks Im fairly new to all this green finger twitchin Im more of an original smoker than a grower but I ve had a crack at it this is my
attemp at Cheesewreck from Seedism seeds used Superthrive Coco A+B in veg and PK13/14 and corboload and Sensizym in flower under 600w HPS lights in a 60
40 Coco perlite mix n I thought Id treat the editor to a couple of pics of my handy work and more importantly our lass cos thats how we roll anyways the green was
belting but I think youll agree shes sumfing else mmm, tastey!
ANONYMOUS
Shes a bonny lass, sir. No doubt about that! Very tasty indeed. Some nice looking plants too, decent main colas. Weve been hearing good things from the UK about mixing
coco with perlite or clay pebbles, makes an airy free-draining medium with the back up of holding moisture in the coco.
Check our brand new website
www.plagron.com for tips&tricks
higher yields
are possible.
pass it on!
8
ANONYMOUS
Heres a pic of my
auto OG Kush, its
my first grow so
not a bad top bud
its the size of a 4
pinter of milk! And
then theres my
bud queen.
Look at the size
of that main bud!
Another impres-
sive auto plant
this month... and
an impressive lady
too! The only fault
we can find in this
picture is the choice
of football team on
those curtains!
This is my photo with
Big Bud XXL and
Zensation in third
week of flowering.
In the background is
my girlfriend
DAWID
Some stretchy looking
plants there, we hope
they fill out for you.
That lovely looking
lady certainly makes
things all better.
9
Hi SSUK
Great paper keep up the good work. If
my pics are deemed worthy of your fine
publication they are of my super silver haze
3 days into flush. Topped to keep them
unruly sativas in check. Ready in just 9
weeks! In sum of the pics you can see my
blackstar 600w LED, very impressive no
noticable difference compared to my 600w
hps. Grown in 2 BIG 8 pot wilma systems
using Atami ATA nutes.
11
Hi all at Soft Secrets HQ, here are
pics of my best plant so far. It is an
autoflowering AK47, grown in my
little cupboard with a 400w light
(metal halide for first 4/5 weeks,
then sodium for the final 5), the
others all grew quite tall and lanky
but all were started together and
had exactly the same soil, water
and feed so unsure as to why
the stretching occurred! Anyway,
am hoping for more like this one
when I start my next crop, hope-
fully with a few seeds contrib-
uted by your good selves at Soft
Secrets, bye for now
JEN X
Wow! These auto varieties get bet-
ter and better. Good work Jen. The
use of the MH light for a few weeks
has produced a nice dense plant.
Interesting that the others got the
dreaded stretch, maybe check the
distance of the the bulb from top of
the canopy? Keep it as close as you
can. Check out the Autoflower arti-
cle in this issue for more auto tips.
Hi
SSUK,
Here you can see my first crop of 26 Chronic (from clone) in a run to waste drip feed system (the waste goes into a them 5ltr
water bottles you can buy anywhere) which was highly recommended by a friend, fed with Canna Rhizotonic, Canna Hydro
vega A & B, Canna Hydro flores A & B, Hesi PK13//14 and Canna Booast. 4 600watt HPS lights in a 2.4 x 2.4 secret jardin tent
which has been fantastic, I had al kinds of problems at the start pH, Temp, Food and Light interruptions but in the we ended up
with 2413gms of dried grade-A smoke, made some great cannabutter out of the trim to. Sorry for not having a sexy girl in the
pictures but these 26 babies are enough for me at the moment. I will be starting the next crop immediately I welcome any feed-
back you have I want to learn as much as possible and make the next crop better! From what I read I just bearly made the mini-
mum of the 1 gram of dried herb for every watt of light!Thank you for your truly great magazine the information is soo helpful.
JIMINY CRICKET
Thank you Mr Cricket! Some good looking girls there; compact and dense. Plus you hit the magical gram per watt figure - con-
gratulations. We know a few UK growers that use aqua trays and run to waste, they swear by them. As for extra advice; keep
going with you feeding programme, but maybe add an additional foliar feed in there and see what results that brings.... oh, and
lets see some other female parts in the next picture!
12
PRODUCT FLASH
You decide
which way to grow!
From just plain simple to highly sophisticated, all Bio Nova ways are
incredibly effective.
Would you like to grow things, but lack a green thumb? No problem! Use
The Basic Way and be overwhelmed by the success of your effortless
input!
Are you a passionate grower who wants high quality? Use The Dedicated
Way of growing, it will blow your mind!
Or are you that perfectionist, who knows exactly what he is doing and
why? The Professional Way will be your path to ultimate satisfaction!
Your green companion in every way!
www.bionova.nl | Distributors United Kingdom:
Mariner Packaging Company Ltd. - Progrow Scotland
BLOOMSTIMULATORS 100ML
As always Atami remains responsive to consumer needs.
After the great success of the Bcuzz booster in 100ml containers, Atami has decided to bring out the famous Bcuzz
Bloomstimulator in a 100ml version.
For many plants the floweing period is the most important period in the cycle. The Bcuzz bloomstimulator wil force
the plant to flower earlier, so the flowering will be longer and more intense. The Bloomstimulator is 100% , directly
absorbed, available for each medium and leaves no residue behind. You can use the bloomstimulator as a seccessor
from the booster and can be used in combination with PK-containing products.
The stimulators and liquid nutrients from Atami are screwcap and light sealed so the quality is guaranteerd.
The Bcuzz bloomstimulator 100ml will be available at your supplier very soon!
For more information Atami B.V. 0031-(0)73-5223256
www.atami.nl
BN SOILMIX A-QUALITY
PRE-FERTILIZED SOILMIXTURE
For many years Bio Nova has been offering an excellent pre-fertilized potting soil
mixture called BN Soilmix A-Quality.
This mix consists of grinded and sieved garden peat (of a Regeling Handels
Potgronden- quality, i.e. Regulation for the Trade of Potting soil), Baltic white peat
(R.H.P.-quality), special PG mix, magnesium lime and specific additives.
This mix is delivered in plastic bags and is ready-to-use. The included fertilizer suffices
for the first three weeks, after this period use a liquid fertilizer such as Soil SuperMix or
Hydro SuperMix (see the fertilization schemes for more information).
This mix is of a sublime quality and does not set fast and is therefore suitable for re-use.
For an optimal distribution of water in potting soil it is recommended to use FreeFlow,
this product lowers the surface-tension of liquids. This makes possible equal wetting
of the soil in pots or trays.
When BN Soilmix A-Quality (or another potting soil) is re-used, it is recommended to do
an analysis a week before the harvest after which a specific fertilizer advice can be given.
This secures the mineral balance and a maximum yield of your crop.
www.bionova.nl
14
MEGA WORM FROM PLAGRON
POWERFUL WORM HUMUS WITH A NEW NAME
Plagron has a comprehensive range of additives. These UNIVERSAL prod-
ucts can be used with all substrates and can be combined with all fertilisers
from Plagron. One of these unique additives is Mega Worm.
This additive recently got a new name and new packaging. Mega Worm, former-
ly Worm humus, is a natural soil improver based on composted plant remains. It
creates optimum balance in the soil so the plant can grow and flower profusely.
Mega Worm has a very high organic content: it contains a quantity of trace ele-
ments, enzymes and minerals like Mycorrhiza and Trichoderma, which protect
and feed the plant.
Distinguishing manure
Mega Worm provides a rapid germination of seeds, a strong root development,
increases resistance and stimulates growth. Formerly, Mega Worm was only
available in the famous green bag. Now it is available in purple pots of 1 litre,
buckets of 5 litres and bags of 25 litres. Plagron has grown because of the worm
manure. Our worm humus still stands because of the extensive analyzes we
perform on the nutrition of worms. We only select the best manure.
Pass it on!
More information can be found on our new website, www.plagron.com. Here you
will find loads of information on Plagron products and growing in general. The info
on Plagron products will be easy to find on this site, giving you useful tips, showing
you our related products and FAQs for each product. This is an interactive website,
where one grower gets to meet the other and can share his/her experience or opin-
ion on Plagron products with other growers. Exactly how our slogan pass it on is
meant to be. Keep a close eye on our website for the latest news and developments
of our products and for growing in general. Dont forget to check out our Facebook
page for extra tips and tricks (facebook.com/plagron). Of course you can also con-
tact our servicedesk through servicedesk@plagron.com.
WILMA SYSTEM
The co-developed Atami Wilmasystem by Atami BV is since its launch a worl wide
success,which is particularly due to the combination of versatility, quality and simplicity.
This culture system is designed so that everyone can handle it, thus can be used at any loca-
tion and ideal in combination with tents.
The Wilma system is a tank and irrigation system in a set up and available as a stand alone,
or in reciculating edd and flood.
The Wilma system scan be used in combination with any medium, the pots are
easy to install and easy to remove, if necessary without removing the nutrition
supply to the other pots.
This highly versatile system is available in 6,5, 11 and 18L pots, using the easy setup and
automatic feeding saves a lot of work and you get great results in any medium.
For more information you can visit us at www.atami.com
PRODUCT FLASH
15
AMSTERRANT
15
HOW WOULD IT BE ENFORCED?
The Dutch 15% Rule
The government of the Netherlands recently announced the proposal
of a new law that would redefine any Cannabis product containing
more than 15% THC as a hard drug. It would preclude sales of most
hashish, especially the ice- or cold water extracted varieties the
Netherlands is so famous for and according to some, up to 80% of
the herbal Cannabis varieties currently sold in coffeeshops. Any esta-
blishment found during routine checks to be stocking illegally potent
strains would be subject to fines, and upon repeated violations,
potential closure and loss of license. by Kali Mist
The passing of the new law would involve
the modification of the existing Opium Act,
a procedure that has often been claimed
to be nigh on impossible to achieve. In
the past this argument has been used as
a way to explain previous governments
reluctance to legalize Cannabis; that leg-
islating against Cannabis would be so
easily accomplished is extremely telling of
the political direction the nation is taking.
Although the proposal is ostensibly made
with the developing youth, the unwary
tourist and the hopeless addict in mind,
it seems that it is truly intended to fur-
ther frustrate and hinder the beleaguered
ranks of the coffeeshop owners as part
of the ongoing campaign to make busi-
ness so full of red tape and taxes as to be
unappealing, and indeed nonviable.
Opponents of the law have pointed out
several fairly glaring errors of judgment
inherent in the proposal. Perhaps most
pressingly: while a very slim selection of
at-home THC testing kits is available, it is
very difficult to test THC levels in Cannabis
at point-of-sale. Most kits work on the
basis of thin layer chromatography (TLC)
and require a control specimen (of which
the THC percentage is confirmed) for pur-
poses of comparison.
If these control specimens were to be
acquired through liaising with a lab, speci-
mens would then need to be kept in a
state where the THC would not degrade
(unless specimens were sent out to all cof-
feeshops every few days which would
be ridiculous, not to mention costly.)
Providing such optimum conditions may
not be possible for most coffeeshops,
who are by their very nature not labora-
tories. Just sticking it in the deep freeze
is not quite what is meant by a scien-
tific approach, after all. Without a control
specimen, the most a TLC test can really
do is show the existence of different can-
nabinoids and give a rough idea of the
ratios in which they are present.
On top of all this, DIY testing programs
would likely be liable to a higher margin
of error than those conducted in a con-
trolled environment by trained techni-
cians. This fact remains even if one con-
siders the possibility of regulating the
cultivation of Cannabis, rather than its
sale, to retail establishments although in
some respects it would make a little more
sense as an option. Ideally, if the law must
be implemented, the grower will know
which strains will fall within the legal limit
before even attempting to cultivate any-
thing, and will be able to assess the levels
of THC throughout the grow in order to
ensure no loss of earnings from growing
unusable crops. A stable lineage can usu-
ally be expected to produce offspring that
will be similar in cannabinoid profile to its
parents, so buying good quality strains
from reputable seed companies should
provide some guarantee to the grower.
However, in practice one can never be
entirely certain of what one is purchasing,
and the possibility for anomalous potency
may also lead to the potential for laws to
be broken entirely unintentionally.
The common preference for clones is a
double-edged sword: while one can be
sure the genetic profile of the clone is
identical to the mothers, clones are only
available through the black market and
the likelihood of such genetics to be rigor-
ously tested and reliable is low. Potential
THC percentage may in the future be
discoverable through genomic testing of
young clones or seedlings; however, such
technology is in its infancy and is unlikely
to be available for some years. It is also
very unlikely that growers or coffeeshops
would be able to accurately implement
such exacting procedures.
Even if proponents were crystal clear
about how they intend to enforce the
rule, the thinking behind it remains dubi-
ous. The main argument seems to be: if
THC causes developmental problems in
young adults, schizophrenia, and depres-
sion, then products higher in THC will
therefore be even more likely to produce
these effects. Firstly, it is far from clear how
much blame can truly be laid on Cannabis
for many of these occurrences in humans.
Secondly, the argument fails to take into
account the importance of the cannabi-
noid ratio, which includes myriad different
compounds whose individual effects on
humans are yet to be determined let
alone the effects of their countless differ-
ent combinations. Specimens of Cannabis
that fall within the 15% THC limit may
contain ratios of other cannabinoids that
moderate the overall effect in particu-
larly harmful or undesirable ways. Until
we know more about this vastly complex
interaction between our two species, an
arbitrary rule such as this makes no sense
and may well do more harm than good.
It remains to be seen what methods
would be used by growers and wholesal-
ers to circumvent the rule. As many have
found out (after purchasing a bud that
turned out to be coated in weight-increas-
ing substances) those behind the scenes
in a criminalized industry seldom have
the best interests of the end-user at heart,
preferring to prioritize profit. If safety was
truly paramount, the Netherlands would
have a legalized and regulated industry.
Passing a law in the name of safety that
in no way ensures it is at best hypocritical
and at worst highly dangerous. However,
it has not yet passed the final stages of
the legislative procedure many such
proposals have not, in the past and the
fervent hope that it will not is shared by
many, both in the Netherlands and in the
wider international community.
ONE OF THE FEW AVAILABLE DIY TESTING KITS FOR CANNABINOIDS (PHOTO:
MONTANA BIOTECH)
TO ENSURE VALID RESULTS, SPECIALIZED CONDITIONS AND EQUIPMENT MUST
BE USED (PHOTO: TOUNOTOUJI)
THE DUTCH COFFEESHOPS ARE NOT HAVING AN EASY TIME OF LATE
(PHOTO: LIBER)
16
During a festive and moving ceremony,
the Cannabis Culture Awards 2012 were
awarded in Amsterdam. Two former
statesmen, Mr. Thorvald Stoltenberg,
former minister of Defense of Norway
and Mr. Dries van Agt, former Prime
minister of the Netherlands, expressed
their hope for a future without can-
nabis prohibition. Hope is almost as
important as life itself, said Stoltenberg.
Mr. Stoltenberg accepted the Cannabis
Culture Award on behalf of the Global
Commission on Drug Policy. Former
CCA winner Dries van Agt handed
him the award and complimented Mr.
Stoltenberg on his groundbreaking
work in this commission as well as in
Norway. Mr. Van Agt played a key role
in establishing the world famous Dutch
tolerance policy on cannabis. He was
very outspoken in his criticism of recent
policy changes in the Netherlands. This
policy change to more repression, or
even zero tolerance, is devastating
nonsense van Agt said.
Lester Grinspoon, associate profes-
sor emeritus of psychiatry at Harvard
Medical School, was unable to travel
to Amsterdam to receive his award.
Thankfully, the Hash Marihuana & Hemp
Museum was able to arrange a video con-
ference between the Academic Medical
Centre Amsterdam and the library of the
Harvard Medical School where Lester
Grinspoon first started his research. The
third Cannabis Culture Award Winner,
Psychiatrist Fredrick Polak, commented
on the most recent political develop-
ments: The resignation of the Dutch
government will hopefully lead to termi-
nation of the new rules for coffeeshops
and the so-called weedpass.
Worlds largest cannabis
museum opened in Barcelona
Four festive and magical days marked
the opening of the worlds largest can-
nabis museum in Barcelona, Spain. The
Hemp Museum Gallery is a branch of
the orginal Hash Marihuana & Hemp
Museum in Amsterdam.
The new museum is located in the
famous gothic quarter of Barcelona,
within walking distance of the beach and
the Ramblas boulevard. Ben Dronkers
(Sensi Seeds, Hempflax, Hash Museum)
purchased the wonderful 16th century
Palau or Palace Mornau in 2001 and
spared no expense or trouble to turn
it into a world class museum.His vast
cannabis collection of over 6500 piec-
es has finally been professionally cata-
logued and the original Hash Museum in
Amsterdam has been thoroughly reno-
vated and upgraded. Hats off to the
extended Dronkers family: the results in
both cities are spectacular.
The reopening of the Amsterdam muse-
um and the grand opening in Barcelona
coincided with the 2012 Cannabis Culture
Awards. In Amsterdam, the awards were
presented by former Dutch prime minis-
ter Dries van Agt, who received the award
in 2009. Winners included Norwegian
elder statesman Thorvald Stoltenberg,
father of the current prime minister
and member of the Global Commission
on Drug Policy and Dutch psychiatrist
and drug policy activist Fredrick Polak.
Finally an award was presented to the
legendary Lester Grinspoon. Because
of his inability to travel a Skype inter-
view with Ben Dronkers was shown at
both ceremonies.
The Barcelona ceremony took place on
May 9th, two days before the official
opening of the museum. The event was
dominated by Virgin founder Richard
Branson, who accepted an award on
behalf of the Global Commission on
Drug Policy. The two hours the British
super entrepreneur spent in the museum
were one big media blitz; a notable dif-
ference with the Amsterdam ceremony,
attended by only a handful of journalists.
Branson promised to urge the Global
Commission to issue a strong statement
denouncing the repressive course Dutch
cannabis policy has taken and stated
that legal cannabis could solve Spains
economic crisis.
The two other winners in Barcelona
were Todd McCormick and Fernanda de
la Figuera, Spanish grower and cannabis
activist since 1973. After the awards
ceremony, the party went on for four
straight days, with special openings for
the press, locals, members of Spanish
Cannabis Social Clubs and the general
public. The museum is a magical place
where even the most knowledgeable
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: FREEK POLAK, THORVALD STOLTENBERG, BEN DRONKERS OF
SENSI SEEDS AND FORMER DUTCH MINISTER DRIES VAN AGT.
Cannabis Culture Award Winners 2012:
Richard Branson is the founder of the Virgin Group, a
conglomerate of more than 400 companies. He founded
Student magazine at the age of 16 and would later go
on to establish a record label, music stores, a railway com-
pany, an airline and even a business offering trips to outer
space. In 2007, Time Magazine included Branson in its list
of the worlds 100 most influential people. Branson is a
member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy and
sits on the Honorary Board of the Drug Policy Alliance.
He is one of the most eloquent and famous advocates
for the decriminalisation of cannabis. An important
cornerstone of Bransons business success has been to
recognise when a strategy is not working and to have the
foresight to change direction when the situation requires
it. The war on drugs is a failed enterprise as far as Branson
is concerned. This is why he thinks that governments
need to learn from the failures of drug policy and have
the courage to enact better solutions.
Dr Lester Grinspoon is Associate Professor Emeritus of
Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Now one of the
most respected and outspoken proponents of cannabis,
Dr Grinspoon originally set out to prove it was a harm-
ful drug. In 1967 he began research to scientifically
define the dangers of marijuana. His studies led him to
a surprising conclusion, the opposite of his hypothesis.
Cannabis was not the dangerous drug that he, and the
general public, had been led to believe it was. His book
Marijuana Reconsidered (1971) reflected this reversal
of opinion and was followed by several more, including
Marijuana: The Forbidden Medicine in 1993.
One of the most dedicated, passionate medical marijuana
campaigners in America, Todd McCormick describes him-
self as an activist/author, traveler, photographer, friend
to many. He has been actively working on initiatives for
cannabis and health since 1994 and was instrumental
in promoting the implementation of new medical mari-
juana legislation following Proposition 215 in California.
He is the Editor in Chief of Hempire magazine and author
of How To Grow Medical Marijuana, an acclaimed step-
by-step guidebook (which he offers as a free download).
Currently he is working on the upcoming THC Expo in
Los Angeles, which last year attracted over 40,000 people.
cannabis afficionado can learn some-
thing. The best places might be the
small balconies at the front of the build-
ing, where you can sit and smoke canna-
bis, while looking at passers-by gazing
up and taking pictures. Certainly one
of those things you have to do at least
once in your life
Hemp Museum Gallery,
Carrer Ample 35,
Barcelona, Spain
http://hempmuseumgallery.com
Text Derrick Bergman (G0NZ0 Media,
VOC)
EVENTS
ZZZQLUYDQDQO
BBBB BBBB
$ 0 6 7 ( 5 ' $ 0
Guaranteed Quality
*** ***
FLOWERING
BIue Mystic Short Rider
BubbIeIicious Jock Horror
Northern Lights
18
GROW WITH LITTLE LEBOWSKI
Autoflowering Cannabis:
Here To Stay!
Unless you have been living in a cardboard box for the last few years, you cant have failed to notice
the craze for autoflowering seeds and their rise in popularity. Take a minute to look at the various
adverts for seed banks in this very issue of Soft Secrets, the vast majority have an autoflowering
option in their range. Some even deal exclusively in autoflowering stock! So, what is the deal with
this trend? What are the benefits? And. are they here to stay..? By Little Lebowski
So, what are they?
The term autoflower refers to Cannabis
plants that switch from the vegetative
to flowering phase depending on the
age of the plant, rather than the amount
of light they receive.
Regular, photoperiod sensitive, strains
of Cannabis are grown vegetatively on
18 hours of light and 6 hours of dark-
ness and are triggered into flowering
by altering the ratio to 12 hours of light
and 12 hours of dark. Reducing the light
fools the plant into putting out flowers
(growing buds); as, in nature, a reduc-
tion in daylight hours would mean that
Autumn is approaching and the plant
needs to reproduce.
Autoflowering plants will begin to pro-
duce buds, regardless of the amount
of light they receive. Grown from seed,
the plants will begin to develop buds
from around 3 to 4 weeks old. There is
no need to reduce the amount of light
hours they receive.
In an outdoor situation, regular
Cannabis Sativa and Indica varieties can
take 6 months from planting to harvest.
Grown indoors, they can take 3 months
to harvest.
In contrast to this, autoflowering strains
will grow from seed to harvest within 8
to 10 weeks. This means that you plant
them alongside your regular outdoor
crop and have a nice harvest in the mid-
dle of the season!
Basically speaking, you plant the seed,
wait for it to germinate, propagate for
a couple of weeks and then move into
your final container. No need for clones,
no need for separate vegging and flow-
ering rooms and no need to change the
timers on your lights.
Autos are the fastest, easy to grow and
most compact (and easy to hide) plants
available on the market.
How were they created?
Most of you will be aware of two types
of cannabis variety; Indica and Sativa.
The Indica plant varieties are typically
squat, bushy plants, highly resinous and
high yielding, producing buds with a
strong stoned effect. The Sativa plant
varieties are typically taller, less bushy,
with long thin leaves, producing buds
with a soaring high effect.
Put simply, breeders cross Indica and
Sativa varieties to produce mixed
strains containing the positive char-
acteristics from both parents. Check
online or on the back of seed packets
and the breeder / seed bank will usu-
ally advertise the % of Cannabis Indica
and Sativa in that strain.
Autoflowering strains introduce a
third Cannabis variety; the Cannabis
Ruderalis. Reports vary, but it is largely
thought that this variety originated in
South East Russia and spread into China
and further East. As a smoker or grower,
the pure Ruderalis plant is of little inter-
est; it grows small in height up to
around 60cm produces few female
flowers and the buds that it does pro-
duce contain relatively little THC.
However, as a breeder, the Ruderalis
contains a very interesting charac-
teristic; the variety has the ability to
grow from seed to adult in around 10
weeks (allowing it to grow in cooler
climates, with less available light). Also,
the female Ruderalis quickly generates
flowers without needing a reduction in
daylight ours. It flowers when it reaches
a certain age, rather than being depend-
ant on light. It autoflowers!
The first crosses of the Ruderalis plant
werent particularly popular but, as dif-
ferent breeders and seed banks got
involved, the quality quickly improved.
Now you can get autoflowering varieties
of many of your favourite strains and the
majority of them are also feminised no
need to sex your plants or change your
lighting, what could be easier?
What Are The Benefits?
Autos have quickly become popular
within the Cannabis community; heres
why;
- Ideal for beginners (or lazy growers!)
no change in photoperiod to worry
about, no need for separate vegging
and flowering rooms. Just plant your
seed, propagate for a couple of weeks
and let the genetics do their thing. Get
an Auto feminised seed and you dont
even need to sex your plants.
Also, the small stature of the Auto plant
lends itself well to the inexperienced
grower who needs to concentrate on
feeding and creating the correct envi-
ronment, rather than pruning or train-
ing their plants to ensure they dont
outgrow their room.
- More outdoor harvests because Autos
begin flowering automatically, growing
outdoors and starting a crop early in
the year (weather permitting) means
that youll be harvesting in the middle
of summer. Overlapping your plant-
ing and harvest times by a week or so
means that, even in the UK, you could
conceivably pull 3 outdoor harvests in a
year!! The short growth cycle also allows
you to start an outdoor crop later in the
year. So, if we have a crap spring (and
we usually do!) you can plant well into
the summer months and still pull an
outdoor harvest.
- Grow outdoors, up North! growers in
the North of England and Scotland can
conceivably grow an Auto outdoor crop
now that they are not reliant on a mild
spring and consistent daylight hours.
- Hardy plants the Cannabis Ruderalis
influence in the genetics of Auto strains
means that they are more resistant to
the cold weather, disease and moulds
(they grew up in Russia and Siberia
after all!). This is handy for outdoor
growing in the UK and for newer grow-
ers who dont have the experience
maintain a stable temperature in their
grow room.
- Small in size most of the Auto strains
(with the exclusion of the Super
Autos) will remain small. This is perfect
for growers with a small room or grow
tents and for guerrilla growers looking
for an easy to conceal plant.
- Beat your mates! we all know that
loose lips sink ships (and get grows
busted!), but we also know that there
is some healthy competition between
friends who are growers. Beat them to
the harvest time with an Auto strain!
- Interesting for hobby breeders the
Auto strains show their sex after just
3 weeks and a female can produce
100s of seeds despite standing less
than 2 feet tall! The fast harvest time
means that you can cross and produce
quickly. One tip: the Auto trait tends
to be recessive, so if you breed with
a photoperiod sensitive plant (rather
than another Auto), you are likely to
lose the autoflowering characteristic.
What Are The Down Sides?
Every positive has a negative, every ying
needs a yang! Autos are no exception;
- Much reduced harvest you will crop
less bud with an Auto plant. The plants
are smaller in stature anyway and you
cant control the vegging period in
order for the plant to fill out and fill
your growing space before flowering.
The Ruderalis plant, that Auto strains
descend from, produces less bud than
a Sativa or Indica strain anyway. Some
of the dwarf Auto strains, which fin-
ish in around 60 days, will typically
produce under an ounce per plant.
Although, with the introduction of
Super Autos this is now changing.
THE PLANTS WILL BEGIN TO PRODUCE BUDS,
REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT THEY RECEIVE
AUTOFLOWERING STRAINS INTRODUCE A THIRD
CANNABIS VARIETY; THE CANNABIS RUDERALIS
19 19
- Lower THC content the influence of
the Cannabis Ruderalis means that the
THC content of Auto strains can be less
than some of the stronger, more estab-
lished Indica or Sativas available. Some
of the early Auto strains produced
had very little psychoactive content
whatsoever, which gave the plants a
bad reputation with some growers.
However, with more and more com-
mercial seed banks and breeders com-
ing on board, the quality of Autos has
advanced rapidly and will continue
to advance take a look through this
magazine and see the big names that
are now producing Auto varieties.
- No clones growing Autos is really
only viable from seed. Its not impossi-
ble to clone an Auto plant but, because
the plants will mature and flower
regardless of the amount of light they
receive, you cannot prolong the veg-
etative phase to develop the clone. If
you take a cutting from an Auto plant
that is just about to flower, then that
clone will begin to flower. So, there is
no swapping or selling of clones.
Autoflower Growing Tips
Indoor Lighting Autos can be flow-
ered under 12 to 24 hours of daylight.
In theory, the more light they receive,
the greater the yield they produce
since the maturation is determined
by age rather than light hours, you
wont really shorten the growth cycle
significantly with more light, the plant
will just photosynthesise more and
produce more yield within the set
amount of time.
Economically speaking, its advisable to
think about your electricity bill when
you decide on the amount of light you
give. Is it worth keeping that 600 watt
lamp blazing 24 hours, to get a few
extra grams? Probably not, youll end
up spending more on electricity than
you get back on yield.
The best advice is to experiment
between 16-20 hours of light and see
what results you get with the same
strain. As with photoperiod sensitive
plants, using a blue / white fluorescent
or metal halide lamp in the first 3 weeks
will encourage vegetative growth and
give your plants a solid structure to
flower on. You could change to a HPS
lamp in the red spectrum once you
begin to see bud development.
Nutrients as with regular plants, using
a specific Grow and Bloom nutrient will
help to promote dense lateral growth
in the vegetative stage (first 3 weeks
after germination) and development
of buds in the flowering stage. Use the
Grow nutrient until the end of the first
week of flowering, just as you would
with a regular Cannabis variety. Root
and bloom stimulators and PK addi-
tives can all be used as normal.

Potting Up
As the majority of Auto strains will
remain at a relatively small size, it is
counterproductive to use very large
pots because theyll start to flower
before they fill them. Remember that
you cant prolong the vegetative stage
to allow the roots to fill the pot. The
plants will flower from around 3 weeks
old and you want all energy to be con-
centrated on bud production after this
time, so, one pot up after germina-
tion should be all they require, nothing
larger than an 11L container.
Outdoor growing autoflowering varie-
ties can be grown in the UK much further
North than regular varieties as the matu-
ration time is so much quicker. Just plant
out at the end of May / early June and
youll be harvesting at the end of summer.
Also, the small size of some the Dwarf
Auto varieties makes them ideal for
sneaky guerrilla grows or that space in
the greenhouse or garden, that is just
out of site of the neighbours!
The Future
As discussed, autoflowering plants have
grown in popularity to the extent that
many award winning and classic strains
are now available in Auto form. These
plants have aroma and strength compa-
rable with regular photoperiod plants
and arent too far off in terms of yield
production (when compared to a regu-
lar plant, flowered after 3-4 weeks).
A recent development in the field of
autoflowering is the emergence of the
Super Auto strains. These varieties are
far larger than regular Autos and have a
much longer vegetative period, allow-
ing them to grow to an impressive size
before flowering is automatically trig-
gered. Expects harvests after 110-120
days rather than the 60-80 days with a
regular Auto. The advantage with the
Supers is that the longer veg time (a
Sativa characteristic) will mean much
larger yields.
Its clear that Autos are more than just
a short term craze and for the begin-
ner, outdoor guerrilla or grower short
on space they can make more sense
than a regular variety. They are here
to stay!
- JUST PLANT YOUR SEED, PROPAGATE FOR A COUPLE
OF WEEKS AND LET THE GENETICS DO THEIR THING
20
GROW WITH GRUBBYCUP
The Fungus Among Us
The realm of things that are alive is separated into various kingdoms.
There are several different ways to do this, but a common way is to group
life forms into kingdoms of Bacteria, Protozoa (Amoebas), Chromista
(algae), Animalia (animals), Plantae (plants) and Fungi. By Grubbycup
Members of the Plantae kingdom are the
plants that gardeners grow. These belov-
ed members of their kingdom supply us
members of Animalia (people are mem-
bers of the animal kingdom) with treas-
ures of fibers, foods, flowers, and flavors.
But they are not alone. The neighboring
kingdom of Fungi includes both enemies
and allies including molds, mildews, mush-
rooms, yeasts, and mycorrhiza.
In general, fungi prefer dark, wet, undis-
turbed environments. While members of
the plant kingdom use cellulose to build
cell walls, fungi use chitin, which is the
same substance found in lobster shells,
insect carapaces, and octopus beaks. They
often reproduce by releasing spores, which
are tiny groups of cells that float through
the air in the hopes of landing in a hospita-
ble area to form a new colony. Spores from
common local fungi are often already pre-
sent in gardens, and they are just awaiting
proper conditions to begin growth. These
spores often require near continuous avail-
able moisture, and as a result overly humid
or wet gardens have a greater tendency
to have fungal problems. Humidity above
70% is ideal for fungal growth, although
outbreaks can occur at lower levels. Air
circulation can have a strong influence on
fugal growth, since poor air movement
can create pockets of high humidity air
around plant material that encourages det-
rimental fungal growth. Since fungi do not
use chlorophyll, they have no light require-
ments, and in fact often prefer darker areas.
Wet plant refuse in a pile is an open invita-
tion for an opportunistic fungal colony, so
garden waste should be dealt with and
not allowed to collect in damp conditions.
Fungal outbreaks can start with as little as
24 hours of appropriate conditions.
Stem Rot is a fungus that can develop on
and kill off overwatered seedlings. Once
contracted, it is usually fatal, but can be
avoided by proper watering. Root Rot is
also caused by overwatering plants, but
again can usually be avoided with proper
watering and root aeration. Gray Mold
attacks areas of poor air circulation, and
can usually be avoided with some com-
bination of proper ventilation, trimming
areas of dense growth, and trying the
plant open to allow for internal airflow.
Powdery Mildew is another moist garden
fungal menace, common to appear, but
with several treatment options includ-
ing milk and other homemade remedies.
Verticillium Wilt is a destructive fungus
that invades and grows inside infect-
ed plants, an almost always fatal and
untreatable arrangement. Dutch Elm dis-
ease is another terminal fungal ailment
. Prevention is easier than treatment,
so keeping humidity under control,
removing decomposing plant material,
and the elimination of standing water
are the best methods to avoid an initial
outbreak. Once a colony has become
established, in most cases it must be
treated. Correction of environmental
issues, removal of colonized plant mate-
rial, chemical fungicides, and biological
fungicides are all options for treatment.

Sulfur is a common treatment, as are
neem oil, and the bacterium Bacillus
subtilis (Serenade).
Yeast is a fungus commonly used to make
bread rise, and creates the alcohol in
wine and beer. Edible mushrooms can be
grown at home using logs inoculated with
the proper mushroom spores. However
some mushrooms can be toxic, so make
sure of the identity of any mushroom
considered for consumption.
Fungi assist in plant decomposition and
the conversion of waste plant material
into compost. They break down large
and woody plant material into forms
more accessible to further decomposi-
tion by bacteria.
Some fungi are so helpful they are inten-
tionally added to gardens. Mycorrhiza
are often added to plant root systems to
improve nutrient uptake, and some are
even used as biological pesticides. For
example, entomopathogenic fungi such as
Purpureocillium lilacinum have been used
to combat parasitic nematodes by infect-
ing their eggs.
Mycorrhizal fungi have formed symbiotic
(mututally beneficial) relationships with
almost all terrestrial plants. These colo-
nies are in a symbiotic relationship with
the plant, where each benefits more than
it loses from the presence of the other.
Mycorrhiza fungi are found naturally
occurring in healthy live soil. The com-
bination of mycorrhiza fungi and plant
root are what is known as mycorrhizae
(fungus-roots). Plants with well established
mycorrhizae tend to perform better than
those that do not. The plant provides a
carbohydrate source for the fungus, and in
return, the fungus helps assist the plants
in nutrient uptake, drought resistance,
and blocking their environmental niche
from pathogenic fungi. Mycorrhizae col-
lect and process nitrogen, phosphorus and
a variety of micronutrients and pass to
the plant. Of particular use is their abil-
ity to increase phosphorus uptake, which
dramatically increases over non infected
plants. Mycorrhizae thrive on carbohy-
drates, which is part of what they receive in
return from the plant in exchange for their
helping the plant to thrive. One way to
boost mycorrhizae is to feed them with a
carbohydrate additive such as molasses.
If using mycorrhizal inoculants, apply at
the beginning of the season to establish
the colonies early. Once established, the
infected roots should serve as a host to
allow the fungus to spread throughout
the root system. Much like a small colony
of mold will take over an entire loaf of
bread, in a healthy root system mycorrhi-
za will spread to fill the available space.
Plant improvements from inoculate use
are particularly pronounced when used
early in poor or sterile mediums. In soil
that already contains high levels benefi-
cial fungi, adding more spores has a less
pronounced effect.
Plantae isnt the only kingdom that fungi
interact with, lichen are part fungi and part
algae, and penicillin (Penicillium chrysoge-
num) is taken as penicillin by the Animalia
kingdom to combat invasions by members
of the Bacteria kingdom.
Speaking of the interaction between ani-
mals (us) and fungi, the hallucinogenic
psilocybin mushroom is another fungus
occasionally consumed for its effects.
While the dangers of eating a non-iden-
tified wild mushroom are very real. They
can be safely grown at home as a hobby
using a prefabricated kit such as the ones
offered from Back to Roots who sell small
mushroom kits made from recycled cof-
fee grounds. Several online merchants sell
spores and other equipment needed for
more the adventuresome hobbyist, but a
small kit is a fun way to try out the experi-
ence to see if it suits you.
There are good fungi, and then there are
some unpleasant ones. Like with every-
thing else, make friends with the good, and
avoid the bad where you can.
Peace, love, and puka shells,
Grubbycup
THESE OYSTER MUSHROOMS ARE AN EDIBLE FUNGUS.
MUSHROOM KITS ARE AVAILABLE
FOR HOME USE.
POWDERED MYCORRHIZA FUNGI IS
USED AS A PLANT ADDITIVE.
STEM ROT IS A FUNGUS THAT CAN DEVELOP ON AND
KILL OFF OVERWATERED SEEDLINGS.
22
GROW WITH LITTLE LEBOWSKI
How To Take Care
Of Seedlings
Growing from seed is great; there is a vast range of seed banks to
buy from and unlike growing from clones- you get to pick what-
ever variety you want to grow rather than relying on whatever
cuttings are going around at the time. By Little Lebowski
The first 10 days after germination can be
the most crucial of your plants life. Just like
a new born baby, your girls are vulnerable
to the elements and are totally dependent
on you to give them the best start. Lots of
growers, both new and experienced, lose
plants at this stage, get disheartened and
move away from using seeds altogether.
But taking care of seedlings doesnt have
to be difficult. Just follow a few simple rules
and youll raise healthy seedlings, time
after time.
Pre-Germination Tips
Some of the problems associated with
bringing on seedlings can stem from the
fact that not all of your seeds will germi-
nate at the same time. For example, keep-
ing the vents on a propagator closed while
you wait for all your seeds to show can
lead to the germinated seedlings rotting or
damping off.
To avoid these problems, you may
choose to germinate or pop your seeds
before you plant them into their growing
medium. This way you can be sure that
you have selected the healthiest seeds
and wont be waiting around for the
weaker ones to germinate.
There are a couple of tried and tested pre-
germination methods;
1. Cup of water take a cup of mineral
water and leave it in for a few hours to
bring it up to room temperature. Put
your seeds into the water and break the
surface tension with a (clean) finger so
that the seeds sink. Place the cup in a
dark place that stays at a constant tem-
perature, preferably between 19-24C.
Within 24-48 hours the seeds will have
cracked and the tap roots will show. The
seeds can be left in the water until the
tap root protrudes a few millimetres and
can then be planted out.
2. Paper tissue method sandwich the
seeds between pieces of damp tissue or
paper towels and place them in an air-
tight container, ziplock bag or between
two upturned dinner plates. Place in a
warm, dark environment; an airing cup-
board or on top of a fridge or dvd player
where warm air is constantly vented
out. The seeds should germinate within
48 hours and can then be planted.
Ensure that you plant the seeds a few mil-
limetres under the surface of your chosen
growing medium with the tap root point-
ing down, within a couple of days the
seedlings will break through and you wont
be left waiting around for any runts.
Choose The Correct
Environment
Without doubt, the absolute best environ-
ment for a young seedling is a propaga-
tor. Seedlings need consistency in order
to grow healthily; that means consistent
temperature, humidity and air flow. A
propagator provides this consistent envi-
ronment. Any changes to these environ-
mental factors need to be done as gradu-
ally as possible to prevent shock - and its
easy to do this with a propagator.
In its simplest form a propagator can be
made from any material that allows light
to reach the seedling and maintains a
constant environment by trapping heat
and humidity inside it. A clear plastic bag
sat over the top of a pot and attached
with an elastic band, forms a cheap but
effect propagator!
Your local hydro shop will stock inexpen-
sive plastic propagators that comprise of a
seed tray and a clear plastic lid or humid-
ity dome. The lids often have adjustable
vents that allow you to control the airflow
and humidity levels inside the propagator.
When seeds first germinate, you need to
maintain humidity of around 80%, this
is done by keeping the humidity vents
closed, which stops airflow and prevents
moisture from escaping.
Once all seedlings are showing, gradually
open the vents a little each day, this will
increase the airflow and decrease the
humidity, this process is called hardening
off and gets the seedlings ready to be
moved into the main room. It also pre-
vents damping off. After 10 days the lid
should be fully removed and your seed-
lings will be ready for transplanting up.
The ideal root zone temperature for seed-
lings to develop is between 19 - 22C.
Keeping temperatures uniform across all
seedlings will ensure that they develop at
the same rate and are ready to transplant
at the same time. This can be achieved by
placing your propagator onto a heat mat
or, if youre bringing on lots of seedlings,
invest in a heated propagator.
Use The Correct Light
Once your seeds have germinated and
have broken through the surface of the
growing medium, they will begin to pho-
tosynthesise and must have light for a
minimum of 18 hours per day.
Although it is certainly possible to start
Cannabis plants on the windowsill using
natural sunlight, this method carries its
problems; the main one being that the
sun is not as consistent as a grow lamp.
A hot sunny day is difficult to plan for
and you could return home to a window
sill full of wilted plants. Seedlings are
vulnerable and can wilt within hours if
the conditions are wrong. Direct sunlight
can fry them!
If natural light levels are poor, the seed-
lings will stretch for light, leaving you
with long, spindly plants that only
develop small yields. Remember, if youre
growing indoors, you need to maxim-
ise the available headroom under your
lights. You need to keep plants short and
squat until they are ready for flowering.
Otherwise you are wasting space on long
stems, rather than long buds!
Why spend good money on seeds and
then risk losing all of your plants on the
windowsill? It makes sense to invest in
some indoor lighting.
When plants are very small, excessive
heat and light can stunt their growth or
even kill them. For this reason it is not
practical to start them under a HID lamp,
youll certainly be wasting money if you
TWO FRESHLY POPPED BEANS.
GERMINATED USING THE TISSUE
PAPER METHOD FIRST SET OF TRUE LEAVES BEGINNING TO SHOW
A HEALTHY LITTLE SPROUT IN THE DIRT
- THE FIRST 10 DAYS AFTER GERMINATION CAN BE THE
MOST CRUCIAL OF YOUR PLANTS LIFE
23
do as youll need to place the lamp a
good distance away from the seedlings
(so youll be wasting heat and light).
Fluorescent lighting is less intense and
gives off less heat, so is much more suit-
able. The propagation lighting available
from your local grow shop such as T5
propagation strips or CFL eco lights will
have an output in the blue / white spec-
trum; this encourages plants to develop
roots, grow outwards rather than upwards
and will see your plants through the propa-
gation phase and into the early vegetation
stage of growth.
These fluorescent lamps are cheaper to
purchase and operate than HID lighting
and, because they give off much less heat,
they can be placed closer to your seedlings
so you waste very little light.
In the UK a single 24 watt T5 strip light will
cost as little as 20 from your local hydro
shop. This would cover 10-15 seedlings in a
small propagator. Bargain!
Feed At The Right Times
Before planting your seed, your growing
medium should already be moist, but not
completely saturated. Peat or coco plugs
should be soaked in water until they are
fully expanded and then allowed to drain
overnight. If you are using rock wool
cubes to propagate, soak them in a solu-
tion of quarter strength nutrient solution
that has been pHd to 5.5 and allow them
to drain overnight before using.
As discussed, the main objective when
propagating your seedlings is to quickly
establish a healthy root zone. To do this
it is good to understand the effects of
watering the root zone.
Roots grow in response to depletion
zones, i.e. outwards to search for water
and food. When a root has absorbed all
of the available water and minerals in
one area of growing medium, it grows
outwards to find more. This is how the
plant fills the growing medium with
roots. Therefore, it is essential to allow
the growing medium to dry out before
re-watering. This allows the roots to
use up the majority of the food and
water present.
When water and food is always available,
the roots dont need to search out for them
and the root zone will be underdeveloped.
Obviously, it is very important not to over
water seedlings, however it is a balancing
act, as under watering will cause the roots
to die back and this too limits development.
Its worth remembering that seedlings are
tiny and are unlikely to need any additional
food or water for the first 3 to 5 days after
germination. If in doubt, you can purchase
a soil moisture meter to double check.
The first feed can be given to your seed-
lings once the first real leaves appear;
these are the second set that develops
after germination. Dont feed stronger
than an EC level of 1.2, including back-
ground EC. Always stay on the cautious
side with your feed, its easy to give addi-
tional food if your plants need it, but its
difficult to correct over feeding with very
young plants.
Learn to read your plants; as a general rule,
if the lower leaves start to yellow, they
are hungry. If the edges of the leaves are
brown or curling, they are overfed.
Transplant With Care
If youve started your seeds in a propa-
gation medium like rock wool cubes,
peat or coco pellets then within 10 days
of germination they should be ready
to transplant onto the next stage. Even
seeds started in a small 3 inch pot of soil
of coco will probably be ready to move
up a pot within two weeks of germina-
tion. The seedlings will still be vulnerable
at this stage, so the main goal is to mini-
mise transplant shock.
For best results and to minimise shock
transplant into the same growing medium
that you started in, for example seeds ger-
minated in soil should be transplanted to a
soil pot, coco to a coco pot. This will speed
up the time the seedling takes to root in its
new medium.
The exception to this rule is rock wool,
which provides an inert, sterile starting
block which can be transplanted to any
medium. Each block is completely uniform
to the next, so each seedling will grow
consistently and will be ready to transplant
at the same time.
Contrary to popular belief, when trans-
planting into a new medium, its a good
idea not to water on the day of transplant-
ing. Its likely that the seedlings will have
suffered some root damage when they
were transplanted, watering immediately
can introduce pathogens into the dam-
aged roots. It is best to wait until the next
day and water in with a dose of plant stress
reliever, like SuperThrive.
This will also help to prevent root rot or
damping off.
It is also worth mentioning that you can
bury a plant up to the first node (or branch)
when transplanting. This allows you to
shorten the height of individual plants and
ensures an even canopy. This technique
can be done at every stage of potting up.
Timing is key for successful transplanting;
you want the roots of the seedling to have
appeared on the outside of the propaga-
tion medium. Transplant too early and you
can stunt top growth as you wait for the
roots to fill out the medium.
Transplant too late and the seedling may
become root bound in its cube, become
dehydrated or begin to develop deficien-
cies. If your seedlings begin to yellow then
they are in need of food and need to be
transplanted up and given additional feed.
Once seedlings have been transplanted
into their new pots or cubes, they can be
put back into the propagator for a couple
of days before hardening off and going
into the main grow room.
Label Up!
Labelling your seeds when you sow them
is really a must. When growing more than
one strain at a time, one thing that catches
out even the most experienced of growers,
is forgetting which plant is which! No mat-
ter how good your memory is, after a cou-
ple of joints, that stoned visit to your grow
room will inevitably lead to the seedlings
getting mixed up.
Different strains may need different levels
of feed, so its well worth remembering
which is which. Use plastic stake labels
rather than wooden ones, they are easy to
wipe and, in some instances, damp wood
can harbour the larvae of certain grow
room pests.

Now get germinating!!
INVEST IN A PROPAGATOR. YOUR GIRLS WILL LOVE YOU FOR IT!
TIMING IS KEY FOR SUCCESSFUL TRANSPLANTING; YOU
WANT THE ROOTS OF THE SEEDLING TO HAVE APPEARED ON
THE OUTSIDE OF THE PROPAGATION MEDIUM

Sale prohibited to people under 18 years old. Seed for coleccionist use exclusively. Its ilegal to make them germinate. Theyre not for agriculture purposes. Consult laws about cannabis aplied in your place of
residence. Sweet Seeds will not be acountable for ilegal use of this seeds done by third parties.
C/ Dr. Nicasio Benlloch n36-38 46015 Valencia Espaa +34 963 890 403 +34 963 473 730 / +34 963 404 289 (Wholesalers) Fax +34 961 934 843
+ Speed

Sweet Skunk

Auto
Sweet Cheese

Auto
Cream Mandarine

Auto
Sweet Special

Auto
Auto
Green Poison

Auto
Mohan Ram

SSSSSSSSpppppeeeeeccciiaaaalll EEEEEEddittionn
Cream 47
Big Foot
Green Poison
49,90
euros
SSSSSSSSppppppeeeeecccciiiaaaaIII EEEEEEddit tion n AAAuto ooweerinng
BBBBBBBBiig ggggg De DDDeeeevvvvvviill Sppecciall
Big Devil
Big Devil #2
Big Devil XL
47,60
euros
CCCCCCCooooooI IIIec ec ec eccttoooooorrrr Paackk AAuuuto oowe owerinng
JJJJJJaaaacccccckkkk CCCCCooooool llllle eecttor r
Black Jack Auto
Big Devil XL
Jack 47 Auto
53,00
euros
6 seeds properly labeled (2 seeds for variety) ~ Collector Edition ~
3s. 26,50 | 5s. 43,90 | 10s. 87,80
3s. 25,00 | 5s. 42,00 | 10s. 84,00
3s. 19,90 | 5s. 33,00 | 10s. 66,00
Big Devil XL

Autoowering 100%
Indoor/Outdoor Harvest:
9 weeks from germination
Height: 110-160 cm
Autoowering 100%
Indoor/Outdoor Harvest:
9 weeks from germination
Height: 100-150 cm
Big Devil XL
Big Devil #2
Big Devil #1
SSSSSSSSSSppppec pppe pe eeeccccciiiaaaal EEdiitio on n
AAAAAAAAAAAuuuto uuuto ut ttoooooow weerrriing #1 #1
Big Devil
Fast Bud
Speed Devil
35,00
euros
S.A.D. S1

Sweet Afgani Delicious

S.A.D. Auto

Sweet Afgani Delicious

1
er
Prize Indoor Bio
Cannabis Champions
Cup 2009
Cream Caramel

Jack 47

Indica/Sativa: 90%-10%
Blue Black x Maple Leaf Indica x White Rhino
Indica/Sativa: 90%-10%
Self-Pollination Black Domina
Indica/Sativa:25%-75%
Jack Herer x Ak47
Indica/Sativa: 50%-50%
Black Domina x Jack Herer
Cream Caramel

Auto
Black Jack

Auto
Also available in 2nd GENERATION
Autofowering
Also available in 2nd GENERATION
Autofowering
Also available in 3rd GENERATION
Autofowering
Also available in 2nd GENERATION
Autofowering
3s. 24,00
5s. 40,00
10s. 80,00
3s. 18,50
5s. 30,50
10s. 61,00
3s. 33,00
5s. 55,00
10s. 110,00
3s. 19,50
5s. 32,50
10s. 65,00 x10 x7 x2 x6
1
er
Prize Outdoor
Cannabis Champions
Cup 2009
Girl of the Year
2011
Best Seeds Bank
Expocannabis 2007
Best Seeds Bank
Spannabis 2008
Jack 47 Auto

3s. 20,00 | 5s. 33,00 | 10s. 66,00 3s. 18,50 | 5s. 30,70 | 10s. 61,00 3s. 29,90 | 5s. 48,90 | 10s. 98,80 3s. 24,00 | 5s. 40,00 | 10s. 80,00
Big Foot

3s. 24,90 | 5s. 40,90 | 10s. 81,80

Indica/Sativa:
50%-50%
Secrets Ingredients
Cream 47

3s. 28,50 | 5s. 47,50 | 10s. 95,00

Indica/Sativa:
50%-50%
Cream Caramel
Ak47
AAAAAlllsssoooo aaavvvvaaaailla aabblle ee::
SSSSppppeeeccciaall CCCCColllleeecccctto oor Pacck #1 - 38,0000
SSSS.AAA. A.DDDD. SSS11

BBBlllack JJack

Psico od ddelicia
SSSSppppeeecccia iall CCCColllleeeccccttooor Pacck #2 - 40,0000
CCCCrrea rea reammmm C CCCCaaaar ra aammmmmeel

S.AA.D. S1

SSwwweet TTai
SSSSppppeeecccia iall CCCColllleeeccccttooor Pacck #3 - 41,0000
MMMMMMoha oh ohaann nn RRRRaaam mmm

Cream m Car ramel l

Doubble W White
SSSSppppeeecccia iall CCCColllleeeccccttooor Pacck #4 - 50,0000
JJJJaaack ack ck 447 7777

WWWWWWi Wil llddd Rose e

Grreen PPo oi ison
SSSSppppeeecccia iall CCCColllleeeccccttooor Pacck #5 - 35,0000
SSSSwee wee wee we tt C CCCChhhe eee esssse e

Snoww Fru uit

BBlllack Ja ack
CCCCoooolleeeectto oor Paaacckkkk AAAAutofoowerring 2
nnd
Gene eration - 41,50
BBBBllac lac lackkk k J JJJJaccck kk A AAAAuuuto

CCream m Caraam mmel Auuto

SS.A.D. A Auto
CCCCoooolleeeectto oor Paaacckkkk AAAAutofoowerring + FFFastesst - 4 42,50
++++ Sp Sp Speee ed dddd

FFFFa Fa aas sttt Bud d #2

Speed d d d devil #2
CCCCoooolleeeectto oor Paaacckkkk AAAAutofoowerring La aarrge SSize C Collecttor - 52,60
BBBBiig ig ig DDDDDeev vvviiil l l XXXXXL XLLL

Greeen Po oison A AAuuto

JJack k 47 Auto o
Black Jack

3s. 20,90 | 5s. 34,50 | 10s. 68,70

3s. 23,90 | 5s. 39,50 | 10s. 78,80 3s. 22,50 | 5s. 36,90 | 10s. 73,80 3s. 14,50 | 5s. 23,90 | 10s. 47,80
3s. 24,90 | 5s. 40,90 | 10s. 81,80 3s. 19,90 | 5s. 32,80 | 10s. 65,80 3s. 14,90 | 5s. 24,50 | 10s. 48,70
Distributors
in UK!
Distributors
in Ireland!
www.sweetseeds.es
25
TRAVEL
DODGY STASH AND EVOLVING LAWS
Argentina
If only the Argentinian football team
was as easy to beat as the quality of
weed the country has to put up with!
Even so, from a cannabis perspective
Argentina is a very interesting coun-
try for a number of reasons; there is
a strong passion for cannabis culture,
and their legal and political progress
towards accepting our favourite plant
as a normal part of life is keeping pace
with the consensus in the streets... So
why is it so chuffing bloody hard to find a
decent smoke in this land of mullets and
gauchos then? For this issue of SSUK we
take a look at recent legal and political
developments in the Argie weed scene,
why their stock of marijuana is so poor,
and why it could improve rapidly in the
coming years...

Being in the back yard of the USA,
Argentina had, for a more than a gen-
eration, been on the receiving end of
the irrational, ignorant and highly politi-
cised US-led War Against Drugs. This all
changed in 2001 though. As a result of
the economic collapse of Argentina in
2001, a national rebellion against US
neocolonialism saw the Argies boot out
their US-supported fascist government
along with the inhumane economic
diktats of the IMF. A socialist-oriented
government was voted in and a political
revolution of the country began.

So whats all this got to do with weed? You
only have to take a quick stroll around the
streets of the capital Buenos Aires and
chat with a few of the locals to understand
that their politics and passion for ganja
are strongly interlinked the graffiti on
the city walls, the saturation of dread-
locked and pierced heads in the streets
and the amount of headshops hawking a
full range of bongs and skins also confirm
a story that needs no translating.

Their impassioned political debate
surrounding the decriminalisation
of drugs for personal use turned into
political reality in 2009 as a result of
the famousArriola case. Without going
into the precise details of this case,
the case-related comments of three of
Argentinas Supreme Court Judges (SCJ)
give us a great snapshot of the current
ways of thinking amongst many in the
Argentinian Judiciary:

In 2009 the standing law (Law 23.737) was
deemed unconstitutional because it vio-
lates Article 19 of the National Constitution,
in the sense that it invades the sphere of
personal liberty, which is excluded from the
authority of state organs... it incriminates the
possession of drugs for personal use under
circumstances that do not bring any concrete
danger or harm to the rights and welfare of
others. (SCJ Elena Highton de Nolasco)

SCJ Carlos Fayt went on to point out
that, with regard to drug trafficking the
approach of criminalising drug use is reveal-
ing itself to be ineffective...
In mind of the individuals affected by
the laws, Fayt added Criminalizing
an individual [for drug use] is undeni-
ably inhumane, subjecting the person to a
criminal process that will stigmatize him
for the rest of his life and subject him, in
some cases, to prison time.

The popular SCJ Raul Zaffaroni follows
that with: the criminal sanctioning of
drug users has become an obstacle for
the recovery of those few who are drug
dependent, since it only serves to stigma-
tize them and reinforce their identification
with drug use, clearly undermining pro-
gress in any type of detoxification therapy
and change of conduct that seeks pre-
cisely to build self- esteem on the basis of
values other than drug use.

An educated layman and avid smoker
then told us that now the main political
will is to punish only major traffickers; their
logic is that if every smoker had even only
one plant then narco-trafficking for can-
nabis would end within a few months...

At the political level the consensus
has been a little more divided though;
the move towards decriminalisation
is supported by the President Cristina
Fernandez de Kirchner, recently voted
in for a second term, but was opposed
by the old vice president, Julio Cobos.
At the time of writing we are still waiting
to see what consensus of opinion will
develop when Amado Boudou, the new
vice president, finds his feet in the job.

The arguments given by politicians
opposed to decriminalisation appear to
be more evasive and dogmatic rather
than based on facts or knowledge; in an
interview with THC magazine one politi-
cian argued that he wants a debate with
the security forces before any law changes
are introduced. Right now is a bad time
for the debate because there are a lot of
BUDS ARE A RARITY AND SELL FOR ROUGHLY FOUR
TIMES THE PRICE OF THE PARAGUAYAN IMPORT THAT 99%
OF ARGENTINIANS HAVE TO PUT UP WITH.
The Professor
26
big issues that need dealing with and this
is not a majority concern The vision for
a decriminalised Argentina is complicated
and has many critics.

Moving out of the linguistic gutter of
the political world, up at street level
the major force in raising public aware-
ness in all aspect of cannabis culture in
Argentina over recent years has been
the magazine THC. Our educated lay-
man and avid pot smoker told us we
are learning so much about the plant,
about the science, politics and the laws,
because of this magazine it is serving
an important purpose for us. One of the
things it is doing is letting us know about
cases that are being fought in the courts
so that people can support the defend-
ants with money and our good wishes for
them; this is important because now we
feel we are really part of a community and
that we have a way to make our voices
heard. Talk to any discerning pot smok-
er out here and the conversation wont
get far before they mention the maga-
zine; knowledge really is power and the
knowledge being shared through THC is
clearly empowering a lot of Argentinas
finest heads...

Cameron & Clegg Inc. and their latest
drugs advisory council would do well to
have an ear on the debate thats been
going on over here. Its great to hear
such considered thoughts coming from
people like Highton de Nolasco, Fayt and
Zaffaroni, people in power, even if they
are from the other side of the Atlantic.

Considering all the fuss thats being made,
youd think theyd have some nice smoke
knocking about then Fat chance!

Flowers (buds) are a rarity and sell
for roughly four times the price of
the Paraguayan import that 99%
of Argentinians have to put up with.
Exported Paraguayan weed is notorious
for its poor quality in both Argentina
and Brazil occasionally you can get
hold of a good ounce for 80-120 pesos
(15 quid-ish) but most of the time you
wouldnt want to pay that for the ounce
of crap you end up with; full of seeds
and stalks, compressed and packed wet
most of the time and sometimes even
cropped off-season And then theres
the joints they roll! Ive never been
passed so many spitting, bum-sucked
joint butts anywhere. Ever. Get it togeth-
er guys - joint rollings an art, not a way
of putting your mates off their food!

These old ways are all set to change
when/if the new law changes go
through though. We paid a visit to a
couple of the headshops where we
were told in the last two and a half to
three years the home growing scene is
just starting to take off. Were still not
allowed to sell seeds but we can sell lights,
and hydroponic equipment and fertilisers,
some people even come here because they
really just want to grow some plants or
flowers in their apartment and they need
the equipment we never really expected
those customers. Its a bit crazy though,
everything we sell is for Maria but its ille-
gal for us to sell the seeds!

There are a good few places in Argentina
where the climate is great for controlled
outdoor grow ops as well; in one of
these spots, living in a community of
like-minded souls, we found Luz

Me and a group of friends decided that
we would all grow four plants and share
whatever we managed to produce when
we cut them down we did that because
none of us had grown Maria before and
we didnt know if they would die, Im usu-
ally terrible with growing plants! I loved
those plants so much! They were the first
plants I ever grew that lived properly and
the police came and took them, and they
arrested me! I was at home one day and
my friends little son come running to my
house Luz! Luz! He was shouting, the
police have just come round to mamas
house to take her plants and theyre going
to take her as well! I rushed to throw
the plants away They were less than a
week away from being cut down! They
were so beautiful! The police caught me
in the garden trying to throw them over
the fence so they arrested me. Two of my
friends managed to hide their plants for
when the police came but me and my
friend had to go to the police station for
interviews. When they were interviewing
me the plants were on the table so every
time I got the chance, when the police
wasnt looking, I pinched some flowers off
with my nails and put them in my pock-
et At the end of the interview he told
me I could go and that theyd let me know
what action they were going to take if
I have to go to court or no A few days
later they sent me a letter and they said
that the matter was finished and that they
werent going to do anything more. I was
so relieved, Ive never been in trouble with
the police before and it would be really
bad for my job, but my friend said Thats
shit! They can come here and break into
your apartment and steal your plants but
then they dont do anything more She
told me I should take the letter to the
police and ask for my plants back I
thought she was crazy but we had a drink
and smoked a joint and she convinced
me! I went down to the police station the
next day with the letter and I ask them for
my plants back At first they couldnt
believe what I was asking but then they
told me to go home before they changed
their mind about giving me a punishment!
We have to do it though, I love to smoke,
usually just two or three nights in a week
but I love it, and this Paraguayan Maria
is so horrible its like they pee on the
plants when they cut them down, some
people think they do! Whenever we have
flowers its so good, thats always really
lucky times!

A lot of twenty-something Argentinians
have even left Argentina altogether
because of the lack of decent puff in the
country I have friends who spend most
of their time in Bolivia and Peru now, the
Maria is much better in those countries in
Bolivia its quite good and very cheap, but
in the north of Peru its the best weed in
South America; they have a great climate
and the soil is really good there for growing
most crops. These poor folk were talking
about have pretty much left their home
country altogether because of the cattle-
feed they get served by their dealers.

And before we leave you with the idea
that the Argentinian police are all as
generously humoured as the cops in
Luzs local north, very different stories
emerge about the cops in the south of
the country. An Aussie brother I met in
Buenos Aires ended up being chased,
beaten and locked in a cell for nine
hours along with his English hitch-hik-
ing pal by some bored southern cops,
for no apparent reason other than the
fact they were English speaking gringos.
Rumours abound that after the fall of
German Nazism in 1945 many of their
old guard fled to Argentina to avoid
being swept up by the war crime police
a lot of these peeps joined Argentinas
police force: add to that legacy the
recent Anglo-Argentine spat over the
Falkland Islands and you have a group
of cops down in the south of the coun-
try who arent too friendly to vulnerable
English travellers. Be warned.
THE MOVE TOWARDS DECRIMINALISATION IS
SUPPORTED BY THE PRESIDENT CRISTINA FERNANDEZ
DE KIRCHNER
28
CANNABIS FAIRS
BRBWHEB
YALEXIIA 2012
The history of cannabis fairs began with Soft Secrets magazine and the successful Highlife Fair organised in towns such as Utrecht, Amsterdam
or Barcelona. This first stage saw the public speeches mainly concentrated on hemp and its uses, namely in the textile, food or cosmetics fields.
Its also important to emphasize that this sector of our industry has by now become well-established, with several fairs held throughout
Europe, carrying on the concept of cannabis fairs that we began last century. author: El Druida
All this inspired the Soft Secrets group
to take a few years break before return-
ing with a completely new concept.
2012 is the year that saw the reorgani-
sation of the Highlife fairs under the
new name GrowMed, the fair dedi-
cated to self-cultivation of cannabis
and other medicinal plants. Returning
to a new city with a new concept is a
task to be faced with courage and long-
term vision. And thats exactly what
Soft Secrets did, trying to include every
aspect of this concept in the fair.
Feria de Valencia
This new vision led to the choice of the
Feria Valencia fairground for GrowMed.
Its one of the best fair centres in all
Europe, offering the highest possible
quality in services and resources. The
entire third floor of the central pavilion
wide, bright and professional was
reserved for the occasion. Its natural light
and 20,000 sq m capacity impress any-
one who walks through the doors. This
allowed us to organise a fair with wide
corridors and a smooth flow of visitors;
there were never any problems due to
over-crowding during the entire week-
end, not even on Saturday, when the fair
saw the largest number of visitors.
The wide, blue-carpeted sponsor cor-
ridor which the fair centred around,
hosted the brands that staked the
PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS AND CONFERENCES ON THE MEDICAL
USES OF MARIJUANA WENT ON ALL DAY.
WERNARD BRUINING CAME SPECIALLY FROM
THE NETHERLANDS TO SPEAK ABOUT HIS MEDIC-
INAL MARIJUANA OIL.
THE PUBLIC FOLLOWED EVERY CONFERENCE
WITH GREAT INTEREST. SWEET SEEDS WAS OFFERING A FABULOUS PAELLA
29
most on the fair, each with its 100 sq
m stand. The main sponsor was Royal
Queen Seeds, while other important
sponsors were Grass-O-Matic, Soft
Secrets, Future Care, Sweet Seeds,
Dinafem, Bio Ibo, Canna, Grotek, Hesi-
Hortitec, Atami, Plagron and GreenGo.
Mention must also be made of the
second-level Eva Seeds and Plantasur
stands, as well as the effective use
Paradise Seeds made of its space, by
placing its advertisements above the
stand, striking a balance between
volume and visibility. Several other
exhibitors, such as Grow Solutions or
Hemp Trading, also set up stands at
GrowMed. We certainly must under-
line the huge efforts on behalf of all
the exhibitors who realised the level of
professionalism that GrowMed aspires
to and made it their mission to rise to
the occasion with their stands.
Along with a significant national and
Valencian community delegation,
there was also a sizeable international
presence, with exhibitors hailing from
all over Europe. Luc, the owner of
Paradise Seeds, was quite adventurous
in choosing his means of transport, as
he travelled the Barcelona-Valencia
stretch by bicycle. In a show of friendly
rivalry for originality points, the differ-
ent brands displayed their mascots for
visitors to snap photos with from the
Royal Queen Seeds lions to Elite Seeds
BananaMan. As far as original mar-
keting goes, the Advanced Nutrients
Europe badges certainly stood out:
each one had a number written on it,
and when two lucky people ended up
with the same number, they received
500 at the Advanced Nutrients stand,
amongst much joy and celebrating.
Med Park
One of the main distinctions of
GrowMed was the central medical
arena. Four 70 sq m areas, outlined by
trees, aromatic and medicinal plants,
made up the medical arena, dedicated
to spreading information on medicinal
cannabis in its four main aspects: sci-
entific, legal, self-cultivation and clubs.
To promote contact with the public
during the talks, the format chosen was
that of round-tables with the addition
of information stalls.
The focal point of the Med Park was the
Medical Lab, where the round-tables
saw the participation of four members
of the SEIC (Spanish Association for the
Investigation of Cannabinoids). Thus,
Javier Pedraza dealt with cannabis and
pain, Koldo Callado spoke of cannabis
and neuropsychiatric diseases, Javier Daz
of the cannabinoid system and Manuel
Guzmn, president of the SEIC, spoke
of cannabis and cancer. Dr. Joan Pars
and assistant Monserrat Torres also par-
ticipated, on behalf of the medical con-
sultancy of the Catalan association MACA.
The round-table on cannabis and cancer,
which saw Javier Daz and Javier Pedraza
flank Manuel Guzmn, was indubitably
one of the highlights of GrowMed.
This area was also characterised by the
Canna foundation laboratory, where
experts analysed samples not only to
test their cannabinoid contents, but
also in search of possible contamina-
tion. An important note is that, for the
first time, the laboratory was directed
exclusively by one of the most impor-
tant scientists on the scene: Iaki
Garca. And his expertise showed in the
results, which seemed much more real-
istic compared to other series of tests.
An example of this new arrangement
is that the sample with the highest
THC content belonged to Hugo, of the
Bilbao grow shop Recoge y Siembra,
with 15% THC.
The legal area was coordinated by
the legal office Brotons & Albert.
Furthermore, this area as well as the
one previously mentioned boasted
the SEIC seal of approval, and sev-
eral lawyers belonging to the FAC
(Federation of Cannabis Associations)s
group of legal consultants were pre-
sent. Thus, Rafael Agull and Hector
Brotons dealt with the legal regime
of medicinal cannabis, while the pair
made up of Hector Brotons and Miguel
Torres explained the situation of social
cannabis clubs and therapeutic uses.
Finally, Alacannabiss legal consultant,
Esther Concepcin Sanchez, spoke
about medicinal purposes in self-culti-
vation. Brotons & Albert also provided
a consulting service for any growers or
users with doubts and legal problems.
The star of the self-cultivation area
was certainly Jorge Cervantes, with his
talk on outdoor medicinal self-grow-
ing in the United States. The world-
famous cannabis guru entranced his
audience with a great display of pho-
tos and scads of information. Wernard
Bruinings talk about his work using
AN IMPORTANT MEETING WITH THE TESTIMONIAL GIRLS.
30
medicinal tinctures for patients with a
variety of ailments was also extremely
successful. Joan Pars and Monserrat
Torres also spoke on this subject.
The club and associations area hosted
members of PUKA (National Association
of Consumers of Therapeutic Cannabis)
and of the RCN-NOK (Navarra Cannabis
Representation) therapeutic cultivation,
as well as members of the FAC. However,
we suffered two serious losses. Friday
morning began with the tragic news of
the death of Jos Julin Sanchez, known
as Coque, the president of therapeutic
association El templo del cannabis. Jos
Julin was a great supporter of medical
cannabis, a fighter and an example for all
of us. He was deeply committed to this
fair. On Thursday he was seen getting his
accredit and overseeing the fair assem-
bly, but he never made it to Friday. Jos
Julin was an agricultural expert who had
prepared a talk on the medicinal uses of
cannabis that we never had a chance to
enjoy. Its a great pity that he never got to
see the first European medicinal cannabis
fair, although his energy certainly accom-
panied us and intervened on behalf of
the success of this first edition, because
it was one of his greatest dreams. On
Saturday there was an emotional moment
of silence in his honour.
Martn Barriuso, president of the FAC,
was unable to attend due to a fairly
serious case of pneumonia that he still
hasnt recovered from, weeks later.
Although social cannabis clubs, which
have greatly benefited from his contri-
butions, are enjoying a moment in the
sun, the case is different for Pannagh
the club that Martn Barriuso is presi-
dent of. The club was confiscated and
Martn has invested all his money and
the money he has been lent to meet
bail. All this in addition to health trou-
bles. Pannagh is undoubtedly a refer-
ence point for European activism, and
the time has come for all of us to sup-
port the club, which has always fought
on behalf of all cannabis clubs. After
having battled for the model that has
helped us all, its time to return the
favour, by making a donation to Victims
of the Pannagh Breaking Up, 3035-
0104-27-1040051014.
Aside from the four main round-tables,
ten additional information stalls were
set up in the Medical Arena, where
visitors could directly contact several
groups and associations. The user asso-
ciation PUKA was present, along with
other mixed groups like THC Valencia,
Alacannabis and the FAC. Another
participant was the association called
Dulce Revolucin, dedicated to the
circulation of medicinal plants like
Stevia, Kalanchoe and many others.
Recreational program
Another aspect to set GrowMed apart is
that exhibitors werent allowed to set up
their own sound systems; the fair itself
took charge of background music with
several sound towers distributed through-
out the building. GrowMeds musical con-
cept was entrusted to Victor Santana, an
electronic music producer at the height
of fame, who also happens to be a grower
himself, and has followed our fairs since
the Amsterdam Highlife years, as he lived
in Holland at the time. During the three-
day weekend, Victor played soul, funk
reggae and other black musical genres,
much to the appreciation of all visitors.
Another important musical point was
the outdoor area or Smoking Lounge,
THE PROMOTIONAL MODELS WERE REAL BEAUTIES.
MIGUEL FROM ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS IS HAVING A GOOD OLD TIME.
sponsored by Resin Seeds. There cant
be a Soft Secrets fair without a smok-
ing area, so the outdoor truck access
(third floor) was reserved especially
for the Resin Seeds Smoking Lounge,
which also hosted representatives
of the Rototom festival an impor-
tant European reggae festival held in
Benicassim. It was a pleasure to have
our Rototom friends introducing us to
the music they play during their festival.
This area also hosted the giant pael-
la offered by Sweet Seeds and Hemp
Trading, which fed about 800 people!
Of course, these werent the only rec-
reational activities available during
GrowMed; there were also a Silent
Disco and an Art Space, which saw
the performances of artists such as
Moduleight, D.Forma, Mighty Mike and
Mr. Marshall. Not to mention Madame
Gimenos mini theatre - the famous
comedy club performer and the poet-
ry of Gonzalo Escalpa.
Another important spot was the
VideoWall, with its shining moment
with the cast of the series Malviviendo,
as well as documentaries like Exodus
and Rototom para el mundo, on the
Rototom festival, or La otra realidad,
on medicinal cannabis.
GrowMed 2012 Awards
The climax of GrowMed 2012s suc-
cess came with the presentation of the
awards on Sunday in the Medical Arena.
The winners were chosen by the exhibi-
tors themselves; this is the traditional
voting system used for the Highlife Fairs,
although the GrowMed organisation has
already announced important changes
in the system for future editions.
An overwhelming majority declared the
best stand to be Eva Seeds / Cactus
Martorell for their double plant factory
of illusions, which have caught the atten-
tion of the public at every fair theyve
attended. The award for second place
went to Sweet Seeds, and Atami won
third place. Deimoss Buddha Seeds won
for most popular variety, as well as for
Chica of the Year 2012, awarded in Soft
Secrets varieties special. Another com-
pany that scored twice was 00Box, whose
solar light won both for best accessory
and best new product.
The award for best medical bank
went to two seed banks who shared
a stand: Resin Seeds and CBD Crew.
The award for best grow product was
given to Advanced Nutrients Europe
and Plagron was declared the most
responsible stand.
Closing time: Gracias
On Sunday, at the end of the fair when
everything was being dismantled, sat-
isfaction was the general feeling on the
grounds. The newly-born GrowMed
passed its trial by fire and it was obvious
that its here to stay. Victor Santana, offi-
cial DJ for GrowMed, played a beautiful
and heartfelt composition of his own,
called Gracias- a fitting subject when all
that was left was to thank everyone who
helped GrowMed possible from the bot-
tom of our hearts workers, public and
exhibitors. Without the efforts of every-
one involved, it would never have been
possible to carry out the first Medicinal
Cannabis Fair in Europe.
The GrowMed documentary will be avail-
able online shortly, for you to relive the
GrowMed 2012 speakers speeches as
well as photos taken during the fair.
And... well see you at GrowMed 2013!
33
ED ROSENTHAL
Jane and I were in Florida in
February. Before heading back
to the West Coast we decided to
spend a few days in Jamaica, just
a short flight away. An old friend
who lives part-time in Negril had
invited us to stay with him.
We were strategically located near the
beach and spent a day there. Our goal
for the first day was to go to a stand on
Negril Beach, which was recommended
in Trip Advisor. The sun was shining in
its weaker winter mode, pleasant and
warming as we walked on the sand.
Summer sun in Jamaica is intense.
There was a time that the beach was
natural, of course, but that was decades
ago. Today it is totally tourist-oriented.
Our friend had never heard of Niahs
Patties and he was impressed with
both their size and quality. Most stands
just serve commissary-bought patties,
but Niah makes his to order.
We spent the next day going to YS
Falls in St. Elizabeth. It is a series a
falls dropping into swimmable pools.
Theres a stepped boardwalk that
makes it easy to climb to the top
pools. It was fun and relaxing to bathe
in the warm flowing water. We arrived
around 2:30 p.m. and within an hour
the tourist buses with almost all the
guests in the park departed. We were
virtually the only people there, and it
was romantic enjoying this paradise of
water, falls, pools, and even tiny fish at
the waters edge.
On our way back, we stopped at Cloggys
on the Beach where we chose from a box
of fresh just-caught fish. The sun was set-
ting as we shared a delicious dinner of fish
and prawns grilled with special sauces.
A VIEW OF THE RAISED BED GARDEN MADE FROM TIRES. THE TIRES WERE FILLED WITH SIFTED MINERAL SOIL LACKING
MUCH ORGANIC MATTER. THEN THEY WERE FERTILIZED WITH A HIGH NITROGEN (N) FERTILIZER SO THE PLANTS GREW A
BIT BEFORE THEY PUT MOST EFFORT INTO FLOWERING. THE SHIRT HANGING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GARDEN WAS USED
AS A SCARECROW AGAINST BIRDS THAT WOULD EAT THE NEWLY PLANTED SEED.
ABOUT 40 SEEDS WERE PLANTED IN A 33CM TIRE, MORE IN LARGER TIRES. MALES WERE PULLED AS SOON AS THEY
INDICATED, LEAVING 10-20 PLANTS. PLANTS GREW BETWEEN ONE AND TWO FEET TALL. ALL HAD SINGLE BUDS
BECAUSE THEY WERE FORCED INTO FLOWERING A SOON AS THEY GERMINATED BY THE SHORT WINTER DAYS CRE-
ATING MORE THAN 12 HOURS OF DARKNESS.
The driver had arranged to take me to a
garden on the third day. We drove about
an hour from town into the country.
Turning off the main road we took the
car through a winding dirt road barely as
wide as the taxi. We tortured the chassis
for more than a mile, and then the driver
parked the car in the shade where road
turned abruptly into a footpath. The
path meandered through brush and
forest, blending into the lightly covered
forest. We walked along one more turn
and the vista opened to a garden that
had been used for several years.
The garden was planted all year and I
arrived a couple of weeks before win-
ter harvest. These plants were started
in late November and would be ready
over a period of time. A few had already
been harvested and the rest would be
ready over a period of two weeks. The
raised-tire bed garden was packed with
mineral soil sifted from the rocky gar-
den. There is very little organic matter
in this soil and in most tropical soilsas
bacteria work at frenzied speed in the
heat and eat it up. The farmer had fed
34
the garden with a water-soluble high-
nitrogen fertilizer. However, the flower
size suffered from a lack of potassium.
The following day we went to The
Blue Hole, which is located at the site
of a future spa-resort. Although it was
listed as a destination it was hard to
get to; the final stretch of road was
unpaved, not a typical tourist spot.
When we arrived in late afternoon, the
workers had stopped for the day and
were just hanging out at the pool and
hole. The hole is an exposed cave filled
with deep blue water, which is 9 meters
below the surface and 9 meters deep.
The workers, young men, were making
acrobatic jumps, then climbing the lad-
der out. Jane and I declined the steep
jump and contented ourselves with the
swimming pool.
A woman who was staying there
brought out some bubble-blowing
gear and made giant undulating bub-
bles. The red tones of the sun begin-
ning to set lit the giant bubbles afire
with a red tinged rainbow. She contin-
ued creating these undulating sculp-
tures for about 20 minutes and then
mysteriously disappeared. It was like a
scene from an absurdist play.
This was the most laid back scene that
I experienced on the island. When we
arrived, people just accepted that we
were there. No one asked for an admis-
sion or stopped to help us. I started
a conversation with some of the very
friendly people and they explained that
RIPENING BUD. THE PLANTS WERE A HYBRID OF TRADITIONAL JAMAICAN AND NORTH AMERICAN ADAPTED DUTCH PLANTS SUCH AS KUSH AND SKUNK.
THE TIRES WERE LAID OUT IN ROWS. THEY VARIED IN SIZE FROM 33-45 CM. PLANTS
IN THE LARGER TIRES GREW LARGER THAN IN THE SMALLER ONES.
ANOTHER VIEW OF THE GARDEN SHOWING THE ROCKY LIME OUTCROP. CDS WERE
HUNG TO DETER BIRDS, AS WERE PIECES OF CLOTHING.
they were building the place. We used
the pool, which overlooked the ocean
and was surrounded by a beautiful scene
of forest green and the blue ocean.
As dusk approached, I suggested that
it would be great if we could see the
sunset from the roof. Others agreed
and we all climbed to the top of the
construction site, the roof of the future
hotel, to partake with our new friends.
Reggae filled the air with as we filled it
with smoke from our spliffs. After the
sunset, we left to return to Negril.
That evening was the last day of the
Bob Marley Festival, which was held in
a park just outside the center of town.
The bands were all local. The reggae
beat has evolved and was supplanted
with rap, but the festival stayed true
to Marleys philosophy of One-Love.
Unfortunately, the price of admission
was too steep for many Jamaicans who
would have attended.
We spent the last day at the beach fol-
lowed by dinner at Ivans restaurant,
where we had another great meal and
watched the moonlit ocean from the
restaurant veranda. It was a perfect
ending to a wonderful excursion.
The Jamaican Ganja I smoked was all
mid-grade, and the resulting hash was
not the purest. Still, I stayed pleasantly
high and the price was right. It cost
about $30 an ounce. Next time Ill bring
a screen to hand rub some hash.
Check out the video of the dives into the Blue Holea test of stamina and daring:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuXFDWTSV4U&feature=youtu.be
35
DRIED BUDS FROM THE FASTEST RIPENING PLANTS. DONT THEY LOOK JAMAICAN?
BUD CLOSE-UP.
HIGHER QUALITY JAMAICAN BUD FROM ANOTHER GARDEN. THIS BUD WAS THE RESULT OF A BETTER-FERTILIZED GARDEN. IT
WAS THE SAME VARIETY AS IN THE GARDEN I VISITED.
SKUNK BUD CLOSE-UP.
SKUNK BUD GROWN NEAR NEGRIL GIVEN TO ME BY A FRIEND. DUTCH-AMERICAN SEEDS
HAVE THOROUGHLY INFILTRATED JAMAICAN GARDENS.
WATER HASH PROCESSED LOCALLY.
MID-GRADE. UPBEAT.
FINGER HASH. NOTICE THE IMPURITIES
SUCH AS LEAVES THAT STICK TO THE
GUMMY MASS. THIS WAS REALLY WORTH-
WHILE. IT WAS FRESH AND FRAGRANT
AND PRODUCED A REALLY GOOD FEEL-
ING HIGH THAT WAS QUITE ENERGIZING.
37
GIANT BUBBLES REFLECT THE LATE AFTERNOON LIGHT. THE BUBBLE MAKER SET UP, BLEW BUBBLES FOR 20 MINUTES, THEN MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEARED.LUEGO
DESAPARECI MISTERIOSAMENTE.
THE SIGN AT NIAHS.
BRIDGE VIEW OF EGRETS RESTING AT SUNSET. NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE RIVER IS JUST A
FEW BLOCKS FROM BUSY DOWNTOWN NEGRIL.
SUNSET AT THE BEACH AT CLOGGYS. THE BEACH WAS UNDEVELOPED WITH
FEW VISITORS.
THE SETTING, OVER THE CLIFFS PRESENTS A DRAMATIC VIEW WHILE DINING. ALL
THE DISHES WERE EXCELLENT.
AT NIAHS THE PATTIES ARE PREPARED TO ORDER, NOT PRE-MADE. THE
RESTAURANT HAS A FULL MENU INCLUDING LOVINGLY PREPARED VEG-
ETARIAN DISHES.
THE FALLS FORM A SERIES OF POOLS THAT ARE FUN TO SWIM IN. THE WATER IS A COMFORT-
ABLE TEMPERATURE AND THE FALLING WATER IS INVIGORATING. THIS IS THE CARIBBEAN
AT ITS BEST. THE FRAGRANT WARM AIR ENVELOPS YOU AND ENTICES YOU INTO THE WATER.
[PHOTO: TRIPADVISOR]
38
GROW WITH JORGE CERVANTES
Jorge Cervantes is the author of: Marijuana
Horticulture: the Indoor/Outdoor Medical
Growers Bible in English and Spanish,
Jorge Cervantes Ultimate Grow DVD, Indoor
Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor Bible,
Marijuana Indoors: Five Easy Gardens,
Marijuana Outdoors: Guerrilla Growing and
Jorges Rx. He writes for 12 magazines in 6
languages. Jorges books are published in
Dutch, English, French, German and Spanish.
QUESTIONS
TO JORGE
Manicuring buds is time-consuming.
Budget 46 hours to manicure a single
pound (454 gm) by hand with scissors.
An automatic trimmer will cut mani-
curing time to 12 hours.
Use small easy-to-maneuver pointed
scissors to reach into crevices in buds.
Have 2 or 3 different pairs of scissors
available. Switch scissors when your
hands fatigue.
Manicure over a fine silkscreen, glass,
or slick-surfaced table. Scrape up fallen
resin glands on the table or under
the screen. This potent resin can be
smoked immediately or pressed into
blocks of hash.
Wear inexpensive rubber gloves to
collect finger hash. After trimming,
remove accumulated finger hash on
gloves with rubbing alcohol. Set the
hash-laden alcohol on the counter
overnight to evaporate. Scrape up the
remaining hash after all the alcohol has
evaporated. Or put the rubber gloves
in a freezer for a few hours. Cooling
will make it easier to scrape and rub
the accumulated hash from the gloves.
RScrape accumulated resin from scissors
when it clogs blades. Use a small knife to
remove built-up resin from blades. Ball up
small bits of scraped resin by rubbing it
together between fingers. The ball of hash
will grow as manicuring progresses.
Drying
Fresh green marijuana is not very
potent. Drying converts THC into its
psychoactive form and removes about
75 percent of the moisture from freshly
harvested plants. Moisture evaporates
evenly when plants are dried slow-
ly over 57 days or longer. Buds are
dry throughout so will taste sweet
and smoke smooth. Buds dried too
quickly retain chlorophyll and other
substances within foliage. Such poorly
dried cannabis tastes green, burns
unevenly, and tastes bad.
The temperature in the ideal drying
room is between 65 and 75F (18
24C) and humidity from 4555 percent.
Temperatures below 65F (18C) slow
drying, and humidity is more difficult to
control. Humidity above 80 percent slows
drying and increases the chances of mold
attacks. Temperatures above 75F (24C)
may cause buds to dry too fast, and humid-
ity can also fall below the ideal 50 percent
level more easily. Always use an accurate
maximum/minimum thermometer and
hygrometer to ensure temperature and
humidity are kept in the ideal range.
Small harvests can be dried easily in
a closet, cabinet, or a cardboard box
that is a fraction of the growing areas
size. Large harvests require much more
room. See Marijuana Horticulture: The
Indoor/Outdoor Medical Growers Bible
for more information.
Manicuring
39
Curing and Storage
Once buds are dry, they are ready for curing. The curing process lets buds dry evenly
so they smoke smooth and taste sweet. When properly cured, all unnecessary mois-
ture is removed and THC reaches its most psychoactive potential. Proper curing
ensures buds are completely dry and much less susceptible to mold when stored.
To cure buds, gently pack them into sealable airtight containers. Moisture will
move from stems to drier foliage. Place the containers in a cool, dry, dark place.
Open the container after 24 hours to let humid air escape. Leave the top off for
510 minutes so moisture evacuates. Close the container. Open the container for
a few minutes every few hours to release excess moisture before closing the lid
again. Depending upon moisture content, buds should be totally dry in a few days
to 2 weeks. Gently squeeze buds to feel if they are more pliable and moist than
they were a few hours before. Once they are evenly dry, they are ready to smoke
or seal in an airtight container for storage.
Store packaged buds in a cool, dry, dark place. The owner of this Volkswagen
Beetle stored buds in a cool, dry place, but he forgot to keep it dark. Buds stored
in the refrigerator will stay fresh a few months longer. Make sure buds are in
an airtight container when stored in the refrigerator to prevent moisture from
entering the container..
Use a small circulation fan to keep air moving in the drying room, but do not train
the fan directly on buds or they will dry unevenly. A ventilation fan may also be
necessary to help control temperature and humidity. Use an air conditioner or
heater to control extreme humidity and temperatures.
Check for dryness by bending a stem. The stem should snap rather than fold when
bent. The bud should be dry to touch, but not brittle. Dry buds burn well when
rolled into a joint. Once dry, buds are ready to cure. Curing is essential!
40
GROW WITH GRUBBYCUP
Organic Nutrients and
Chemical Shortcuts
One hotly contested topic of cannabis gardeners is whether to use che-
mical based, or organic nutrients. While it is fine to disagree, there are
benefits to both sides, and ignoring the camp you dont agree with has
been the cause of a lot of ignorance in the world. By Grubbycup
Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium
(K), and other nutrients are needed by
plants for healthy growth. These are ele-
ments, and as such, there is no difference
between the nitrogen (N) from an organic
nutrient, or a chemical nutrient. Elemental
nitrogen is the exact same thing regard-
less of the source.
What garden plants most often use to
allow them to take up nitrogen (N) is a form
known as nitrate (NO3), which is a nitrogen
(N) atom connected with three oxygen (O)
atoms. Nitrate (NO3) is easy for the plants
to separate the nitrogen (N) from the oxy-
gen (O), and therefore makes for a good
source of nitrogen (N) (woody plants like
trees can also use ammonium (NH4)).
Plant material that has fallen to the
ground and animals leaving waste mate-
rial are two sources of nitrogen (N) that
are naturally occurring in untended wil-
derness. To emulate this, organic nutrients
tend to be made from naturally occurring
materials with minimal processing. One
advantage to this is that the materials
can often be collected cheaply (i.e. leaves,
lawn clippings, livestock manure etc.)
Compost (3-1-2) is very similar to what
happens in nature when leaves fall, and
assorted other plant material winds up
on the ground when nobody is around
to rake it up. It is as these things decom-
pose (or compost) that bacteria and fungi
convert them into ammonia (NH3), and
ammonium (NH4). This process takes time
as the bacteria process the ammonia as
they get to it.
I like to compare organic nutrients to eat-
ing oatmeal for breakfast, they tend to be
bulky and release their nutrients over a
long period of time. Some forms of organic
fertilizers can continue to release nutri-
ents for more than one season, improving
the general long term health of the soil.
Because the percentage of nutrient to total
mass tends to be lower, the NPK values for
organic nutrients tend to be lower than for
chemical based solutions. Because they are
closer to a natural state, the NPK values for
organic products also tend to be less exact
than with chemical based fertilizers, which
can be made to exact recipes. With the
exception of high ammonia hotmanures,
organic nutrients tend to be less prone
to overfeeding. Compost, worm casting,
and fish excrement can be used in almost
unlimited quantities without causing nute
burn. Since organic nutrients tend to be
less processed, they also tend to be more
prone to clogging hydroponic systems that
rely on sprayers and pumps.
However,there is more than one way to
make ammonia (NH3) it can also be a
manufactured chemical made from nitro-
gen gas (N2) by applying heat, pressure,
and an iron catalyst. Ammonium sulfate
((NH4)2SO4 ) and ammonium nitrate (NH4)
(NO3) are other manufactured forms of
nitrogen that allow for later parts of the
process so be skipped over. Any of these
allow for a short cut in the process, and
makes the nitrogen available faster than
with the natural process.
Chemical nutrients are more like having
an energy drink for breakfast, they release
their nutrients quickly, and then need
more to avoid a crash. Since chemical
nutrients are shortcuts to the natural pro-
cess, they can allow for a greater level of
control as to how much and when the
nitrogen becomes available to the plants.
This can allow for a higher nutrient level
and resulting increase in performance
than is possible with organic nutrients.
With this level of control comes respon-
sibility however, as introducing an over-
abundance becomes a much more likely
temptation, which can result in nute
burn or overloading and damaging nat-
ural systems with the runoff. Adding a
chemical nitrate (NO3) for example, allows
for the entire nitrate (NO3) creation pro-
cess to be skipped, and immediately sup-
ply nitrogen (N) to the plants, but it is also
very water soluble, and what isnt taken
up by the plant will quickly wash down-
stream (unless recirculated) .
Overdosing plants with chemicals can
imbalance a natural system to the point
that becomes inhospitable to the benefi-
cial bacteria and fungi normally responsi-
ble for the process. Because chemical fer-
tilizers are shortcuts to the process, using
them to treat nutrient deficiencies will tend
to give faster results than an organic solu-
tion which is better suited for long term
release. Depending on the exact chemical
used, there may also be leftover residue
after the ammonia or nitrate is used which
can build up in the system over time. This
is where the practice of watering heav-
ily without nutrients for a time (flushing)
comes from, to help wash away any lefto-
ver chemical residue buildup.
Regardless of the source, if the ammonia
(NH3) is exposed to acidic conditions (pH
less than 7) it picks up another hydro-
gen (H) atom and converts to ammo-
nium (NH4). This is part of why pH can
have an effect on plant growth, if the
pH is too high, this conversion is inhib-
ited. Beneficial bacteria then convert the
ammonium (NH4) to nitrate (NO3) which
can then be used by the garden plants.
Phosphorus can be obtained natural-
ly from organic composts, rock phos-
phate or bone meal, or it can come from
chemicals such as ammoniated super
phosphate (5-50-0), or ammonium phos-
phate (18-46-0). Overuse of phosphorus
is one of the sources of environmental
pollution. Potassium can be from organic
sources like compost (3-1-2), kelp (1-0-4),
or from a chemical such as potassium
nitrate (13-0-44).
The differences between chemical and
organic nutrition are not as absolute
as they are often portrayed, they both
supply the same elements to the plants.
The primary differences are in how many
shortcuts are taken, and what remains
afterwards. Although purists on both
sides may strongly disagree, I believe
there is little reason not to make use
of the benefits of both in moderation.
Plants awaiting organic nutrients to
become available may benefit from a lit-
tle chemical boost to tide them over, and
long lasting organic materials can help
create a buffer for fast acting chemical
nutrient gardens.
Sometimes a big hearty high fiber break-
fast is what is what a person needs to start
the day, and sometimes you just need a
good strong cup of coffee to get your eyes
to open. As always, understanding why
you are adding something to your garden,
and how it works, goes a long way toward
picking whats right for you.
Peace, love and puka shells,
Grubbycup
AN ATOM OF NITROGEN IS THE SAME AS
ANY OTHER REGARDLESS OF THE SOURCE.
ORGANIC NUTRIENTS SIMULATE NATURAL EVENTS SUCH AS FALLING LEAVES.
THERE ARE MANY NUTRIENTS,
BOTH CHEMICAL AND ORGANIC
TO CHOOSE FROM.
WWW.ROYALQUEENSEEDS.COM
TEL: +31 (0)73-5479916
ORDER@ROYALQUEENSEEDS.COM
Facebook.com/RQSeeds
Twitter.com/royalqueenseeds
HIGHLIFE CUP, CANNABIS CANARIAS CUP, OIRTZUN CUP,
REFLEX SOFT SECRETS CUP AND MORE...
INCLUDING:
D
e
i
m
o
s

p
l
a
n
t

o
f

t
h
e

y
e
a
r

2
0
1
2
Breeder: Buddha Seeds
1
st
Step
Cross between auto x
Northern Lights (non auto).
2
nd
Step
1
st
generation 50% auto x
50% Northern Lights.
Neither is autoflowering.
3
rd
Step
2
nd
generation 25% auto
Autoflowering individuals
selected and crossed.
4
th
Step
3
rd
generation 100% auto
with approx. 50% Northern
Lights characteristics.
The best individuals are
selected and crossed.
5
th
Step
Selection of the
best individuals, to be
recrossed with the original
mother plant.
6
th
Step
The best individuals
obtained are crossed x the
original Nothern Lights.
7
th
Step
5
th
generation predominance
of Northern Lights genetic.
No autoflowering plants.
Selected 5th generation
plants are crossed with
each other.
8
th
Step
25% auto
Autoflowering individuals
are selected and crossed.
9
th
Step
We obtain 100%
autoflowering plants with
variations of the best quality.
We select the best individuals
to cross with each other.
10
th
Step
The generation of the
best 100% autoflowering
and individuals is ready
to hit the market with the
name of Deimos.
Mother Plant
Mother Plant
45
ENDANGERED STRAIN GUIDE
Durban Poison & Kali Mist
Durban Poison is not extinct, according to many. Its rare, but still pos-
sible to locate in California if you look for it. Others say that the form
available from dispensaries today is not the original, and samples have
been laboratory tested to be 90% indica and 10% sativa. The Poison
was originally sativa, as most South African landraces are, so while
the new strain may be a descendent, its hugely different genetically.
Rumor has it that a pair of breeders from the Bay Area introduced the
indica lineage a few years back; by now it seems to have effectively
replaced the old genotype, as its nowhere to be found.
The current incarnation is described
as having an intense psychedelic high
mixed with a full-on body experience
somewhat different from the clear, ener-
getic effect its predecessor is described
as having. Although it is a true inbred
landrace, little- to no original seed stock
is thought to exist. In the US at least, its
believed the genetic is lost, and the sur-
viving progeny heavily hybridized. The
pure-lineage descendents of the original,
however (or at least some very closely
related varieties), are still believed to per-
sist in South Africa, so while that particu-
lar phenotype is lost there is potential to
breed something very similar. Some dis-
pensaries are selling a pure sativa called
Durban Poison while this may be excel-
lent South African, it lacks some of the
distinctive traits smokers of yesteryear
remember so well.
The Durban Poison genetics were
brought over to the US in the 1980s,
where the unique high proved to be
greatly popular, although it has always
been rare due to its flowering time
(originally around 12 weeks) and del-
icate nature. Various different hybrids
appeared, usually bred with indica to
enable more indoor success, and much
shorter in flower time (usually 8-9 weeks
from what Ive seen). Maintaining such a
pure sativa in its original state for many
years would be tricky even in optimum
conditions, and most dont have the ded-
ication for sativas, so breeding programs
inevitably went in an indica direction.
It wasnt long before what was being
sold as Durban just wasnt what smok-
ers remembered it to be. To many, any
of a number of related South African
landraces can be called Durban Poison.
However, to some purists, they are
merely related and not the real thing.
The original strain is apparently very dis-
tinctive, with thin, dark leaves and a red-
brown coloration to its stringy, sticky
colas. It has an unmistakeable menthol
and licorice aroma that can be some-
what putrid. The taste is very intense,
both sour and earthy, but at the same
time fresh and cool. If youve smoked
it, youll remember it forever that why
so many of the old school stoners are
adamant that they cant get their hands
on it these days!
Another strain thats massively changed
since the original, but still goes under the
same name, is Kali Mist, queen of all sati-
vas. First bred by Serious Seeds in 1993,
Kali Mist was a Cannabis Cup-winner
by 1995. She was over 90% sativa, from
secret parentage (though the South-East
Asian landraces are believed to have
been greatly influential), and had an
unmatchable high. Then it was decided
that increasing the indica influence by
introducing an Afghan father would be a
good idea, as the original 84-day flower
time and low yield was thought to be
off-putting to growers.
However, the reaction from the fan-base
at losing their precious clear high made
it obvious that many are prepared to
go that extra mile to get results of such
quality. Unfortunately, it is never easy
to go back in time, genetically speaking.
Back-crossing can have almost miracu-
lous effects but the complexity of gene
expression is bound to mean that not all
foreign new DNA is eliminated.
So, a new father was again selected,
and while Serious Seeds managed to
recapture the pure sativa high by 1998,
many still complained that it wasnt the
same. Not long after this, a bust meant
that all specimens of the new male were
lost this was to result in a total lack
of availability of Kali seeds for almost
a year while the damage to the library
was repaired. Fortunately for the Serious
guys (and the whole stoner commu-
nity, in fact!) several very closely related
males were salvaged and the breeding
line was re-established. A third, more
highly-sativa father was also introduced
into the mix at around this point, and
by the time the new millennium came
around, the new Kali was back on cup-
winning form picking up the sativa
prize in the 2000 High Life Cup.
Kali Mist is known for its tendency to
stretch indoors, and often will need to
be tied down as her height easily reach-
es five feet or more. Outdoors, its a real
hot-climate favorite, with heights up to
ten feet and multiple branches laden
with heavy buds. The loose and airy
structure allows light to penetrate fully
and even the lower branches are able to
develop quality flowers. Its also mostly
humidity- and mold-resistant (although
it can be susceptible to mildew) and
produces a huge quantity of crystals.
Its good for relieving pain and the
effects of multiple sclerosis, and may
be helpful in treating depression and
fatigue. These days the sativa percent-
age is 80-90%, and while it may not be
identical to the original form it has still
become fully established as a strain, and
known and loved by many. Of course its
a shame that the prototype has been
lost, but the modern form is without
doubt one of the highest caliber sativa
strains available today. Kalis not the
easiest strain to grow but your patience
will be well-rewarded, so Id urge any-
one who can get their hands on some
seeds or clones to try for themselves.
DURBAN POISON GENETICS WERE BROUGHT OVER TO THE USA IN THE 80S; THE
UNIQUE HIGH PROVED TO BE GREATLY POPULAR
DURBANS LONG SUMMERS PROVIDE THE PERFECT HABITAT
FOR LONG-FLOWERING SATIVAS ( NORREBROGADE)
A MODERN DURBAN POISON, SHOWING WIDER, LIGHTER
LEAVES THAN THE ORIGINAL ( AEROSOUL)
A BEAUTIFUL STAND OF OUTDOOR KALI MIST
46
COLUMN
Dutch cannabis reforms:
where is it going to end?
Dr Dee
Well, whod have thought it? After all
of the will they, wont they specu-
lation, the Dutch government actu-
ally went ahead and passed their law
prohibiting anyone other than Dutch
nationals from using the coffee shops.
Personally, I was always of the opinion that
it would happen, given the centre-right,
Christian sort of stance of the gov-
ernment; consider, for example, the
reduction in the size of the red light
district in Amsterdam. Were not
suggesting that the two (weed
and prostitution) are in any way
connected, but its quite obvi-
ous to see why people of a
more conservative and/or
a Christian outlook might
have a problem with
both of these areas of
enterprise. While we
have no problem
with restrictions
on prostitu-
tion (dress
it up how
one likes,
its still
an
unsavoury and
exploitative indus-
try with the significant
involvement of people
traffickers and other crimi-
nals), the restrictions on cof-
fee shop use remain some-
thing of a mystery.
A number of Dutch friends assured
us that it would never get past first
base. How wrong
could they have
been? It appears
that Holland is
becoming like the UK in
that respect: proposed
changes to the law that
are plainly stupid on
a number of levels
being passed in
spite of the
misgivings
of many.
Understandably,
those involved in the
coffee shops and their chain of
supply are dismayed by these devel-
opments as their businesses are with-
out a doubt going to be adversely
affected. I expect that the police in
all likelihood arent overjoyed at the
prospect of having to deal with the
inevitable fall out that will come from
this move. And its not just growers
and suppliers and law enforcement
who are concerned: an acquaintance
of mine who runs a small business in
a town outside of Amsterdam - hes in
the bicycle trade, about as far from the
cannabis industry as one could imag-
ine thinks that the ban will inevitably
have some sort of knock on effect for
him in terms of tourist income.
One does wonder what the rationale
for this move really is. Were informed
(by the same Dutch friends) that the
problem lies with the towns on the
southern borders of the country, that
is to say, where Holland borders with
Germany. For many years weve been
aware of problems arising specifically
due to German drug tourists, and it
appears that someone has finally
decided to do something about it.
Presumably, a ban specifically
on our German friends would
have been fraught with prob-
lems (and almost inevitably
would have raised charges
of racial discrimination) and
therefore the ban has had to
be a blanket one. However,
other than Dutch nationals,
weve since been told that
the ban will not affect peo-
ple from Belgium. Belgium?
Whats that all about?
Of course, and this is quite perverse,
there are some who have the idea that
the dope ban on non-nationals will
actually make visiting Amsterdam a
considerably more pleasant experi-
ence than it currently is. Lets face
it, goes this particular argument,
theres nothing particularly pleasant
about sitting with hordes of stoned
Brits, Americans, Canadians, Germans,
nation of your choice here. And theres
an element of truth to this. I recall on
one occasion I visited Holland being
appalled and embarrassed by the
antics of a large crowd of my coun-
trymen. I do, therefore, understand
theres a perceived need for some-
thing like this. Its a just pity no enter-
prising scientist has come up with a
device that can screen for individuals
who are a pain in the ass when theyre
stoned or drunk. That would solve a
number of problems.
So where will this end? Will the new
law survive or will everyone as weve
heard suggested - merely ignore it
and carry on as they have been for the
past 30 years or so? Will there perhaps
be an unofficial ban on people from
Germany, leading to the potential for
a diplomatic incident?
Whatever happens, and weve said this
before, can the Dutch government
really afford to alienate such a huge
source of income in these days of
recession and hard times?
Comments welcome at:
dimethyltryptamine777@hotmail.co.uk
MA8IE8 AI W0k
0WNI0A 0 FEE 6AIAI0E AI WWW.I6h-FA88I0N.NI
0uTCh PASSl0l:
luM8ER 1 ll AuT0FEM
PRESElTS:
ThIlK
0IFFERElT
ThE lEXT 6ElERATl0l AuT0FEM
6roator oI tho ovo|ut|ooary
Fom|o|zod 8ood Iochoo|ogy
Amsterdam, hoogoorddreef 1O9,
te|ephoue OO31 (O}2O 4215O51
Maastricht, 6rote 6racht 4O,
te|ephoue OO31 (O}43 3215848
8FI8IN A6hIEvEMENI8!
AutoMazar
2O1O: 8est 0utdoor Yie|d 2O5 gr.
2O11: 8est ludoor Yie|d 35O gr. (LE0}
48
BACKGROUND
Sweden: The Dope Smokers
North Korea
A number of weeks ago I received an email inviting me to a confer-
ence in Sweden. The email itself was vague and other than the use of
the word drugs, it didnt really give too much away. There was a link
there though:
http://www.wfad.se/
Feel free to take a look at this. I did and my initial thought was surely,
this is some kind of a joke?
WFADstands for World Federation against
Drugs, and the conference was to promote
the aims and ends of this lot along with the
Council for Drug Free Europe, Drug Free
America, etc. Now, as any regular reader of
my stuff will be aware, Im of the view that
a drug free world is about as likely as the
paperless office and about as practical as
a paperless toilet.
All of these drug-free outfits are bizarre
set ups. Presumably a number of them
are funded from the public purse by the
financially beleaguered tax payer. Well, I
say this: what an absurd waste of public
money; talk about Canute trying to hold
back the sea; pissing in the wind. Im
actually rather appalled that in lean times
such as these that public money is still
found to propagate these sorts of anti
drug fantasies. As Ive said many times
before, Im not particularly big on the idea
of legalisation, but heres the thing: Im
a pragmatist, and we really need to get
around a table and engage in some adult
debate about the whole issue. However,
while we have irrational puritan drug
free groups like WFAD obstructing any
sort of rational and pragmatic discourse,
thats not going to happen.
Anyhow, as I had never heard about
World Federation against Drugs, I
thought Id look into all of this. Ive still
absolutely no idea why an email invite
should have come to me; after all, my
views are pretty public and about as
radically different to those of WFAD as its
possible to find, but there you go. Maybe
they wanted to try to convert me, or to
burn me in Stockholm central square.
Sweden is a strange country. The impres-
sion many people have is that its liberal,
its vaguely socialist and its wealthy. And
it appears that all of these things are to a
degree correct, and Im reliably told
that Sweden is a pretty wonderful
place to live...unless, that is, you hap-
pen to be a drug user (and unless you
happen to be an immigrant, but thats
a whole other story, and outside of the
remit of this article).
So, drugs. In many ways, the attitude
of the Swedish (or the Swedish govern-
ment at any rate) towards intoxicants and
intoxication reflects that of the American
government, which is to say with consid-
erable mistrust and fear.
The similarities go deeper than just this;
a strong Protestant/Calvinist/Lutheran
ethos apparently pervades both societies,
bringing with it a number of viewpoints
one would expect from such a mind-
set. In particular, Cleanliness is next to
Godliness (Acts 9:32-10:23)
This rather fundamentalist point of view
is what has informed a whole range of
policies and social rules: the Temperance
Movement, as one example, and the
Eugenics Movement, as another.
Both of these temperance and eugenics
are crucial to understanding the prohi-
bitionist mindset, and they both feed off
of each other in an unhealthy symbiotic
relationship. Both the temperance and
eugenics movements were very en vogue
in both America and Sweden for a num-
ber of years. The Temperance people (or
Drys) had some considerable albeit
temporary success in America with
Prohibition. In Sweden there continues to
be prohibition of a sort as regards alcohol,
but this has begun to change over the
past few decades.
As for Eugenics, both countries ran pro-
grammes of enforced sterilization of
imbeciles and anyone else it was decid-
ed might taint the gene pool. In both
countries, these sorts of public health
experiment ran quite far into the 20th
century before being utterly and com-
pletely demonised in the eyes of Joe
Public via newsreels of Dachau, Belsen
and the rest of them, where the Nazis took
eugenics to its logical conclusion with one
of the most the most severe and ruthless
social cleansing programmes in recent
history. Like the Germans, neither America
nor Sweden seem to be particularly keen
to talk about these specific parts of their
more recent history.
The concern regarding drug use appears
to come from a similar place; if you like, its
internalsocial hygiene. Drugs of any sort
taint the mind and the gene pool.
The mind set of successive governments
when it comes to the issue of intoxicant
use in Sweden appears to be along the
lines of we know whats best for every-
one, and well do what we see as best for
everyone, even if it means putting them
in prison and/or forcing them into treat-
ment for a drug problemthey may or may
not have. Its tough love, if you like; the
nanny state taken to the nth degree, we
love you but we have to protect you from
yourselves. This is why, for example, the
distribution and sale of alcohol is almost
completely under government control and
the price of alcohol is kept artificially high
in order to discourage over indulgence.
Alcohol aside, the very use of a controlled
substance equates to a problem; in
Sweden there is no drug use, only drug
abuse. Take cannabis as an example. Its
SWEDISH DRUG POLICY IS ONE OF ZERO TOLERANCE AND IS HELD UP BY (WHO ELSE?)
THE AMERICANS AND THE UN AS A FINE EXAMPLE OF HOW DRUG LAWS SHOULD WORK.
49
a controlled drug so if one uses it then
clearly one has a problem. Intoxicants
lead to crime and degeneracy. Theyre
deviant. Theyre used by non-conformists.
Theyre trouble. And theyre not safe. Safety
and risk aversion appears to be another
part of the Nordic psyche (see, for exam-
ple, cars that only operate with their head-
lights on even during daylight).
Swedish drug policy is one of Zero
Toleranceand is held up by (who else?) the
Americans and the UN as a fine example
of how drug laws should work. Anyhow,
according to the Swedish National Alcohol
and Drug Action Plan of 2002, the objec-
tive of Swedish drug policy should con-
tinue to be a drug-free society.
So what were talking about here is an
approach involving heavy handed polic-
ing, an almost blanket dismissal of the
harm reduction philosophy, together
with a focus on coerced abstinence-
based treatment.
Since 1993, the Swedish police have had
the power of arrest of individuals they
suspect may be under the influence of
a controlled intoxicant, even if that indi-
vidual is minding their own business and
bothering nobody. And as well as this, the
police have been trained in how to sup-
posedly spot any signs or symptoms that
might indicate that someone is under the
influence of a controlled substance; so
any spontaneous outbursts of a) giggling,
b) dancing or c) general joie de vivre will
not be tolerated. You have been warned.
Any transgression of the rules can lead to
a number of potential outcomes ranging
from a fine to a spell in prison. More likely,
however, is being put in the hands of the
rather sinister sounding Kriminalvrden,
which is a rehabilitation program
designed to help unmanageable dope
smokers and so forth see the error of their
ways and modify their behaviour.
But does it all work?
This, of course, is the bottom line, and the
answer seems to be that, while it used to
work quite well, it works less well now. The
restrictions on alcohol, for example, mean
that binge drinking is common and recent
years have seen an increase in teenagers
accessing illicit moonshine alcohol of
questionably quality.
Were told that Swedish policy is so
successful that the country has the low-
est level of drug offending. This, how-
ever, appears to be a fallacious piece
of propaganda as it would appear that
Sweden actually has one of the high-
est bust rates for possession in the EU
(EMCDDA 2011 report). Cannabis use is
lowest in Sweden but is most definitely
on the increase (EMCDDA). Drug-related
deaths in Sweden are more than treble
that of Holland, a country with a rather
different approach to the whole issue of
intoxicant use. Presumably harm reduc-
tion doesnt fit into the education agen-
da in Swedish schools.
Drunk as a Swede
Here follows a slight digression, but
youll see the point so please bear
with me. In my younger days, I lived
and worked in a number of port cities
on the east coast of Scotland and the
north east of England.
During these years, I had the misfor-
tune to witness firsthand what hap-
pened when large numbers of Swedish
men a lot of them apparently in the
merchant navy hit the town with a
lot of money certainly in comparison
to the local population and access
to cheap certainly in comparison to
Sweden alcohol.
Picture, if you will, a scene of a late 20th
century Viking raid: Berserkers, fight-
ing, pillaging, extreme drunkenness. Bar
fights the like of which most people only
saw in old Hollywood westerns.
Up to the first time I witnessed this, Id
heard the expression drunk as a Swede
but never really knew what it meant. After
all, Im a Scot and my race (Celts) could/
can give anyone a run for their money in
the alcohol consumption stakes.
This, however, was something quite dif-
ferent as it seemed as though normal
constraints, codes of behaviour had been
lifted, and these guys went way beyond
the levels of drinking I was used to (and
believe me, at that time I was no shrink-
ing violet where booze was concerned).
All in all, very horrible, and providing
some proof that, whatever the rules
were at home certainly didnt travel
beyond the borders of the country
(unless were talking about countries
with an even more prohibitive alcohol
pricing policy; Norway, for example).
Binge drinking when away from the
mother country is highly problematic
for the host country.
And yet, heres the thing; perversely,
Sweden is one of the few countries to
license Sativex the pharmaceutical can-
nabis drug - for medical use in the treat-
ment of multiple sclerosis. Go figure.
North Korea for drug users or not, on the
upside, Sweden thankfully doesnt have
the clout of the United States when it
comes to shaping (and enforcing) inter-
national drug policy. That really would be
a major problem for anti-prohibitionists.
To finish this article off, Id like to use a
quite from the Transform website (see
below) that I think sums up the whole
thing very clearly:
Dr Peter Cohen, Director of the Centre
for Drugs Research at the University of
Amsterdam, has argued that Swedens
low level of drug use and repressive
drug policy, rather than being causally
linked, are in fact both merely expres-
sions of its historically temperance ori-
ented culture, noting that Sweden also
has historically low levels of alcohol,
tobacco and prescription drug use. It
is also worth pointing out that Sweden
has low levels of social inequality, social
deprivation, and unemployment, com-
bined with a very high level of health
and social welfare spending. Theres a
lot to admire about Sweden, but even
they can play drug-war politics.
Please email any comments, complaints etc to: dimethyltryptamine777@hotmail.co.uk
Additional sources:
http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/annual-report/2011
http://transform-drugs.blogspot.co.uk/2007/05/swedens-drug-policy-reality-check.html
50
BACKGROUND
free in all coffee shops, grow shops
and head shops in the Netherlands.
Boy Ramsahai then decided it was
time to go European-wide. The first
Soft Secrets UK appeared in England.
Followed by Soft Secrets France. Then
came a Spanish edition, which at first
was called La Maria. The magazine has
become an instant success wherever it
is launched due to its simple formula
and the fact that the magazine is free.
In England, the magazine is so suc-
cessful that grow shops only give the
magazine to their best customers, as
it would otherwise quickly disappear
from the shelves.
Soft Secrets is now published in eight
languages, and appears throughout
Europe, the United States and Latin
America. People around the world
have discovered that growing their
own marijuana is not only a fun hobby,
but also a guarantee for good marijua-
na. Soft Secrets is their friend in that
process, one who gives them the best
tips and advice every two months. This
is how an obscure club magazine of
an Amsterdam grow shop became the
largest, most popular and widely read
cannabis magazine in the world!
www.softsecrets.nl
Soft Secrets
With a combined circulation of more than one million copies
printed annually in eight languages, Soft Secrets is by far the
largest and most successful cannabis magazine in the world. The
free bi-monthly magazine now appears on almost all continents
and the online digital version is downloaded daily by people from
around the world. Few know that Soft Secrets began as something
of a club magazine of the first grow shop in the world, Positronics
in Amsterdam. However, the magazine only began its steady global
rise when cannabis entrepreneur Boy Ramsahai bought the publi-
cation and hired Cliff Cremer as editor-in-chief. We look back at the
history of the now legendary Soft Secrets.
Amsterdam, 1985.The cultivation of
marijuana plants was a very rare activ-
ity in Europe at the time. Only a very
small group of cannabis pioneers in
Amsterdam were doing it, and in par-
ticular a group of enthusiastic hobby
growers revolving around Wernard
Bruining, a hippie and an idealist
who opened the first coffee shop in
Amsterdam in 1975, the Mellow Yellow
(not the Mellow Yellow that currently
exists in Amsterdam - ed.). The Dutch
government had implemented the
infamous tolerance policy in the sev-
enties, which legalised the sale of soft
drugs. It was an excellent policy, which
separated the soft and hard drug mar-
kets, so that recreational cannabis
users no longer had to rely on the
criminal world to acquire marijuana
or hashish. The tolerance policy paved
the way for the emergence of the
many coffee shops in the Netherlands.
However, these shops did of course
need to be supplied. In the seventies
and eighties, this was done through
massive import of marijuana from
countries like Colombia and Thailand,
and the import of hashish from coun-
tries such as Morocco, Lebanon and
Afghanistan. As good as the toler-
ance policy was, it did have one weak
point: the so-called back door system
of coffee shops. In all their wisdom,
Dutch politicians decided that coffee
shops were allowed to sell marijuana
and hashish, but could not buy it. A
strange loophole, which continues to
this day. Because coffee shops have to
rely on people who are by legal defini-
tion criminals, coffee shops will always
be associated with criminality.
Wernard Bruining decided that things
could be done differently. Home-
grown weed is better and safer than
imported weed. In 1984 he found-
ed the first grow shop in the world,
Positronics in Amsterdam. So-called
home-growth slowly but surely start-
ing gaining in popularity among
Amsterdam cannabis smokers because
the cannabis obtained from home-
grown plants is often much better
than the garbage that is imported
from Thailand and Colombia. Wernard
Bruining acquired his knowledge for
growing plants at home through close
cooperation with Old Ed, a legend-
ary American grower from California
who had been engaged in cultiva-
tion, refining and crossing of mari-
juana species since the early seven-
ties. Old Ed began teaching Wernard
and his shop Positronics became the
first shop in the world to sell items
used in the cultivation of marijuana,
such as lamps, nutrition and seeds.
The success of Positronics exceeded
every expectation. With ever-improv-
ing techniques, home growers were
generally very successful, resulting in
a true grow-boomin the Netherlands,
with growers selling their marijuana
by the kilo to coffee shops. The culti-
vation of Sensimilla, marijuana buds
without seeds, became the standard
for the entire industry. Customers
could become members of Positronics
and Bruining decided to set up a
magazine called Soft Secrets. His wife
became editor-in-chief. The magazine
looked like a school newspaper and
was not very interesting. If you were
not an insider at Positronics, you often
had no idea of what was going on.
Soft Secrets therefore began as an
unremarkable club magazine read
only by a few dozen people. Grow
shop Positronics closed its doors in
the nineties. Bruining decided to stop
Soft Secrets, also because his wife no
longer had time for it.
In the meantime, a glossy cannabis
magazine appeared on the Dutch
market in 1994, called High Life. The
founder of this highly successful bi-
monthly magazine, Boy Ramsahai -
wanting to publish another magazine
- purchased the name Soft Secrets
from Wernard Bruining for a few
thousand guilders. As editor-in-chief,
he hired Cliff Cremer, a writer and
freelance journalist from Amsterdam
who previously made High Life for
him. Cliff Cremer had clear plans for
Soft Secrets. His formula was simple,
and came down to just one thing:
a magazine for growers by growers.
The title was perfectly appropriate,
because the cultivation secrets were
not hard secrets, which no one could
know, but soft secrets, which everyone
could know. Gladly. After a year Soft
Secrets was a great success, partly
because the magazine was distributed
SOFT SECRETS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CLIFF CREMER AT THE HIGHLIFE CUP 2011
OLD ED IN FRONT OF GROW SHOP
POSITRONICS IN AMSTERDAM, 1985
THE LEGENDARY PIONEERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CANNABIS COMMUNITY (FROM
LEFT TO RIGHT): SOMA, WERNARD BRUINING, OLD ED AND ED ROSENTHAL
HISTORY OF A LEGEND

AMST E RDAM
Acid

Delahaze

Ice Cream

White Berry

Sensi Star

Lucid Bolt

Vertigo

Belladonna

Dutch Dragon

Allkush

Nebula

Automaria II

Jacky White

Spoetnik

Wappa

WWWW..PAARAADISSE--SEEEDS.COOMM FINESST SEEDD CCOOLLEECTIONN

Pandora

m
o
r
e

t
h
a
n
3
0

C
U
P
S
PARRADDI ISSEE SSEEEEDDS
VARRIETIEES S AARRREE
QUAALIIFIEEDDD FOOORR
MEDDICCINNA AL UUSSEE.
M
E
D
I CA
L

S
E
E
D
S
Delahaze

Wappa

Sensi Star
Jacky White

Automaria

Paradise Seeds Shop: 020 7371599 Paradise Seeds Ofce: 020 6795422
Fax: +31 342461027 info@paradise-seeds.com www.paradise-seeds.com
Postbus 377 - 1000 AJ Amsterdam- Holland
GRAVENSTRAAT 12 IN AMSTERDAM,
JUST BEHIND DAM SQUARE E.
PARADISE SEEDS FLAGSHIP STOORE
OPEN EVVEERRYY DDDDAAAYY 11100.0000000 AAAAMMM - 8.000 PM
P
A
P
A
P
A
P
A
P
AAAA
RRR
A
R
A
R
A
R
A
R
A
R
A
R
A
R
A
R
A
R
AA
R
AA
D
I
DDDD
I
D
I
D
I
D
I
D
I
DD
I
D
I
D
I
D
I I
D
ISSSS
E
S
E
S
E
SS
SSSSSSS
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
SSSSSSSSSS

SSS
T
S
T
S
T
S
T
S
T
S
T
S
T
S
T TTTTT
OOO
R
OO
R
OO
R
O
R
O
R
O
R
O
R
O
R
O
R
O
R
O
R RRRRR
EEEEEEEEE
- Winner Cannabis CCup CCa aannaddaa 22000111
- Treating Yoour rsel lf M Mediccinnnaaal CCaannnnnaabbiss Pllannt off tthee yyeaaarrr 2220111
Delahaze is a superb variety. It is extremely potent, giving high yields and nishes early in approximately 9 weeks.
To appreciate her fully let her ower one week extra which results in ne citrus/haze owers lling up your grow-
room with a beautiful aroma containing hints of citrus & mango. Still the typical haze scent remains dominant.

& SMMOKERRS, HAAVE RAATEDD
DELAAHAZE TOO TTHEI RR TTOP 3
Pandora is our novelty in automatic blooming varieties. The automat-
ic genes are preserved but other than that she is a real Indica variety
along the lines of Afghani, Spoetnik and Sensi Star. The plants are
compact and so are the aromatic buds.

AUUTTOOFFLLLOOOWWERI INGG PPLAANNTT



AND COMPACT BUDS
DISCOUNT WHEN YOU SHOP ONLINE
PUT IN CODE: SOFTSKUNK AT THE CHECKOUT
offer only applies to our online store 10%
52 Avenue Road
Bexleyheath
Kent
DA7 4EG
0208 304 0444
79 London Road
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1 4JF
01273 601140
184 Victoria Road
Aldershot
Hampshire
GU11 1JZ
01252 447752
U
K

P
R
E
M
I
E
R

O
N
E
-
S
T
O
P

H
E
A
D

S
H
O
P
!
53
MUSIC
Marijuana and Music
Part 1
Music is a pattern of interesting sounds
made by instruments, animals or voices.
Traditionally Music was a natural sound
produced by people, often aided by instru-
ments crafted from the trees. Today how-
ever music can also be created by using
a number of artificial materials including
worked metals, plastics and silicon.
The word Music comes from the Muses
or Goddesses of the Arts and Sciences
in Greek Mythology. Those concerned
with amusing people; or more specifi-
cally musing the minds of people with
creative thoughts. The origins of the word
Marijuana are Spanish-American.
Music and Marijuana have always shared
a close relationship throughout the his-
tory of people. The symbiotic connection
between Music and Marijuana however
extends way beyond our own time; back
towards more cosmic beginnings. A time
when natural vibrations helped to shape
and maintain life on earth.
Music in Marijuana
Despite lacking any so-called scientific
knowledge about Botany, many old
Herbalists over-stood the vibrational
context of plants. More recently qualified
Botanists and Plant Scientists have learnt
to understand that ALL plants vibrate to
and omit a specific resonance of sound.
Although lacking the adequate language
to explain this natural phenomena, it
would appear that the old Herbalists
were correct all along.
Moreover when one vibrational plant
frequency is removed from a Natural
environment, another being (plant or
animal) with the same frequency moves
into the area. Counter-acting any vibra-
tional difference and maintaining bal-
ance by compensating for the absence
of specific sound.
For a long time, Students of Horticulture
have been asked to conduct sound tests
over plants to observe how they react to
different types of music. Initially it was
thought that certain plants responded to
the tempo or frequency of a certain piece
of music over others. Only recently did
Botanists slowly discover that it was the
vibrational changes in air-pressure sur-
rounding the plant, as the result of a cer-
tain style of Music, that produced predict-
able results within controlled experiments.
At which point we must again remember
that plants put out their own vibration - as
well as responding to separate vibrational
frequencies surrounding them. Vibrational
plant frequencies then meet or react with
opposing frequencies within the environ-
ment. Whereby those vibrations that har-
monise or correspond directly with the
vibrations of the plants in that location,
naturally find the path of least resistance
and flourish with healthy growth.
At which point any sceptics are most
welcome to isolate two separate clones
from the same mother plant. Then sub-
ject one clone to Rock Music and the
other clone to Classical Music for several
weeks. In the majority of cases the clas-
sical works of Bach and Vivaldi are pre-
ferred over Guns and Roses or Nirvana.
For the majority of house plants anyhow.
All evidence would then indicate that
Cannabis plants will also omit and
respond to specific vibrational frequen-
cies. It would make sense that an inves-
tigation into Cannabiss most preferred
vibrational frequency should there-
fore be conducted by both Musicians
and Marijuana Growers (or preferably
Marijuana Musicians) forthwith.
Note: Lazystrain suspects that most ver-
sions of Reggae Music will sit happily
with most garden plants in frequency.
Still many an old Herbalist probably
already knew this.
Marijuana in Music
Cannabis (Marijuana) has been used as a
channelling akin to meditation (dissimilar
yet almost the same) for centuries. At such
a level of intoxication or esoteric enlighten-
ment the mind slowly begins to open out.
A state of mind which often plays tricks on
itself. Gradually we enter into a subcon-
scious almost trance like state. A state-of-
mind which while daydream like, is in fact
left wide awake.
Music naturally harmonises with Marijuana
in the mind during this time. Which in turn
motivates the body to feel upbeat and in
tempo with the pulse of Life itself. In other
words, when consumed Cannabis vibrates
the body in correspondence with the same
vibrations that the mind desires via the
music we enjoy. At which point, a state of
harmony or tranquillity may exist between
Marijuana and Music in the mind.
One of the greatest Sound Engineers, Lee
Scratch Perry, the man who once produce
Bob Marley & The Wailers, over-stands the
reason that Not everyone feels the same
vibration of music. Meaning that some peo-
ple feel the vibe of certain types of music
over other types of music. Just like plants!
Music in Medicine
Music has been applied as a form of sha-
manistic medicine for centuries. Today
music is known to help to relax people
both before and after surgical opera-
tions and during dentistry. People that
dance to music on a regularly basis
are generally healthier. More recently
Scientists have also discovered that
sound-waves can be used to treat a
variety of Cancers. This is because all
sound-waves vibrate and resonate to a
set pattern or frequency.

Music and Medical Marijuana
Having assessed that People, Plants, Pests
and Diseases respond to certain vibrations
better than others, we must then question
the role of Music and Medical Marijuana.
In theory, certain varieties of Cannabis
should respond to certain varieties of
music, which in turn may benefit certain
types of medicinal user. The cannabinoid
profile of a plant directly relates to its over-
all health (often during the later stages
of vegetative growth into mid-flowering)
regardless of its age, height, or structure.
It is then plausible that the cannabinoid
profile of a plant could be enhanced (or
even altered) during various stages of
growth with the addition of various types
of music (?)
As far fetched as this may initially sound,
pardon the pun. Let us think about the fan
with a broken bearing that makes a funny
noise, the constant humming of an old
ballast or a new ballast which is not seated
comfortably. Such might prove to be those
vibrational frequencies that plants like or
dislike. Who knows?
Now before you all disappear to listen-out
for strange noises in the garden. Please
remember that Music comes from the
trees [Lee Scratch Perry].
by Lazystrain
IT IS PLAUSIBLE THAT THE CANNABINOID PROFILE OF A PLANT COULD BE ENHANCED (OR EVEN ALTERED)
DURING VARIOUS STAGES OF GROWTH WITH THE ADDITION OF VARIOUS TYPES OF MUSIC
54
uk grow rks
hydroponic & horticultural specialists
10%
94 Upper Wickham Lane
Welling
Kent
DA16 3HQ
0208 854 5160
Unit4 Belltower Ind Est
Roedean Road
Brighton
BN2 5RU
01273 624327
<UP[-5VY[OLL[
Lower Road
Gravesend
DA11 9SW
01322 838131
DISCOUNT WHEN YOU SHOP ONLINE
PUT IN CODE: SOFTGROW AT THE CHECKOUT
offer only applies to our online store
AMAZON AMAZON
Your Pleasure is our Business
402 Ladypool Road - Birmingham - B11 8JZ
www.redeyeamazon.com | redeyeamazon@gmail.com | Tel: 07976 247 920
SEEDS - ROLLING PAPERS - BLUNTS - ONA - GRINDERS - BONGS - FLAGS
Seeds Legal Highs EDIT contact lenses Bandanas
Ofcial Retail Distributor
NEW
FORMULA
=
MUCH HIGHER
YIELD
Growkits and
0DJLF7UXIHV
Growkits and
0DJLF7UXIHV
Growkits and
0DJLF7UXIHV
Ask your local growshop Ask your local growshop
F
r
u
i
t

S
p
i
r
i
t
Royal Queen Seeds
Genetic Background: Blueberry x White Widow
Indica / Sativa: 25% - 75%
Height of the plant: 50-60 cm
Flowering Time: 8 weeks
Effect: High (sweet taste)
58
BACKGROUND
Fake Drugs
Recently a friend wanted to buy some
Jungle (on vinyl) for another friends
birthday. So we dropped into one of
our local music shops. Besides the
records and spray paint canisters on
sale, we noticed that the shop was also
now advertising Cannabis seeds. This
got us thinking about the cross over
between genres, as well as the way that
legal products are marketed in the UK;
especially Fake (legal) Drugs or Legal
Highs as they are sometimes known.
Many moons ago the only legal-high
available in the UK besides tea, cof-
fee, tobacco, alcohol and solvents, was
a herbal smoking concoction called
Yuber Gold. This product was normally
advertised in Viz magazine and was
mostly smoked by teenagers and/or
people that couldnt purchase any real
Cannabis. Today, following the gradual
decline of club-culture (and its associ-
ated ecstasy use) there are literally
hundreds of legal-highs (fake drugs)
available for young adults (like guinea-
pigs) to test and try. Arguably fuelled
by prohibition, in the absence of real
narcotics to consume, this trend in
sampling designer-drugs from online
outlets and head-shops, without any
prior knowledge of the product, is in
fact in vogue.
There is also plenty of debate sur-
rounding the UK Governments stance
in allowing such products to be sold
off-licence originally. The health and
safety of those young adults consum-
ing such legal-highs remains much an
unknown. Especially when contrasted
against more moderate traditional ille-
gal-drugs - which scientists and the
government fully understand the con-
sequences of.
During the 1990s the streets of the UK
were awash with Acid (LSD), Speed
(Amphetamine), Ecstasy (MDMA),
Smack (Heroin), and to a lesser extent
Coke (Cocaine) and Crack (Free Base
Cocaine). Today in 2012 the streets of
the UK are still saturated with Coke,
Crack and Smack; yet with several
fake (legal) drugs filling the gap in the
lack of supply in Amphetamine, Acid,
and Ecstasy. It would appear that our
youths are being corralled towards a
few limited options. No Drugs? Fake
Drugs? or Hardcore Drugs?
Many of the legal-highs available today
contain chemicals which are listed
as not suitable for human consump-
tion. It says so on the packet! The UK
Government has banned several legal-
highs in the past few months/years;
only for the Manufacturers to tweak
the composition of the product just
enough for it to register as a different
chemical compound. Thus requiring
re-analysis by the Government before
banning it again. By-which time the
youths will have switched onto the
next chemical compound completely .
Just breaking down the chemical anal-
ysis of many of these fake drug prod-
ucts involves a degree in Chemistry
-which few (if any) of the people smok-
ing, eating, or sniffing such substances
hold. Possibly because they are merely
sheep following other online-sheep ;
ignorant to the unknown long-term
effects of such substances ; and / or
they simply didnt know any better to
begin with. At which point the Elders in
the community need to regain a sense
of responsibility and step in.
The death of several young adults, as
a result of their experimenting with
fake (legal) drugs, which neither them-
selves or the Government knew any-
thing about at point of sale, is both
saddening and neglectful. It would
appear that completely Unqualified
Legal Drug Dealers (head shop owners)
are free to push an unknown quantity
of pills and powders into the online
shopping baskets of our youths (?) To
quote the name of a band at school...
Shit Stinks! And the UK Government are
in it up to their necks!
For as callous as the shop-seller is for
pimping such fake drugs into the nos-
trils of our youth to begin with, they
break no law in doing so. For as igno-
rant as the kids are for buy into the
whole meow-meow trend at high cost
to their wallets, they break no law
(when over 18) in doing so. Yet the
Government makes LOTS of money,
ever time a fake (legal) drug is sold over
counter or online, via the Governments
system of tax.
In truth, such legal-highs do not
expand the brain in the ways they
claim to on the packet. Nor do they
provide the body with a natural source
of stimulus. Much is placebo. In truth
such chemicals tend to make people
dumber than they were before they
ingested them! Which is exactly the
reason the UK Government is all too
happy to let youths continue destroy-
ing their lives with such substances.
Unlike the more traditional illegal hal-
lucinogens and uppers, which have
been tried and tested on millions of
people (including youths) world wide,
the modern scientifically engineered
products may only hold a shelf-life of a
few months - before they are complete-
ly withdrawn from sale. By which time
the mind and body of an individual
consuming such substances may be
permanently and irreparably damaged!
Lets face it, it doesnt take a Rocket-
Scientists to work out that snorting
plant food up the nose isnt good for
anyone; regardless of how high it might
get you in the process! Hell, snorting
bleach might be fun for a split sec-
ond (NOTE: do NOT snort bleach kids!)
My point is where does such madness
end? With more deaths? With further
prohibition on fake (legal) drugs? What
nonsense! Who regulates such mat-
ters in society? Clearly NOT the UK
Government or the retail outlets push-
ing this toxic filth into the minds and
bodies of our young!
We are NOT suggesting that Soft Secrets
readers boycott all head-shops or get
involved in any hardcore drug stuff!
But we would advise all ages of Reader
to stop playing about with potentially
lethal substances. Let us all remember
that just 1g of chemical is enough to
contaminate and pollute one billion
litres of water! Thats approximately a
small stream 30 miles long!
K


f

K
60
MUSIC
We understand that you have been
recording a new album with Youth.
How did you enjoy the process and the
collaborations that it involved? Are
you happy with the result?
I enjoyed making this album with Youth
very much; it was a very fruitful collabo-
ration. I collaborate with many people
and I do my thing working with different
people wherever I go. I met Youth and he
suggested doing this album. He wanted
to make something that was like jazz and
beatnik poetry. I said thats kind of what
I do. So we started working together and
he brought in other people to collaborate
with us. One of them was Howard Marks
who then invited me to do this tour with
him. As for the results of the recording, I
am really, really happy with it. We found
things that work together in a quite spec-
tacular way. It all really kicked.
Some things were new to me in terms of
fusing poetry with popular music because
he wrote choruses for some of my poems.
I would do a couple of verses and then
there would be a chorus with backup sing-
ers. That thrilled the hell out of me.
Do you think that it the album will
appeal to new generations of smok-
ers, heads, protestors, musicians and
artists? That the spirit of rebellion is
ageless?
I have no idea. I dont focus on what hap-
pens with something that Im making it.
Ive got to a point where I just make the
production and hope that somebody will
like it. The people that hear this will prob-
ably never have heard of me or my works
before so I felt free to just use whatever
I liked the best; so its a really interesting
experiment and I would enjoy it if folk
would enjoy and like it.
Do you see any modern day equiva-
lents to the infamous beat characters
of the 60s and 70s such as Ginsberg,
Leary, Kesey and Burroughs?
No I dont. Theres not even many of us left
that followed them, such as Ed Sanders,
and myself. They were too original. Now
they are just using all the stuff that eve-
rybody else did before in music, poetry
and art and everything; because theyre
getting paid for that. Nobody wants to
do this shit without getting paid anymore.
Theyre more interested in doing their own
television show. I dont even watch televi-
sion, I dont want a television.
What is the most exciting project, hap-
pening or moment that you have been
involved in?
Oh man, there have been so many. It
would be hard to begin to list them. Now I
would say my own radio station and being
able to make up programs and put them
on for people to listen to.
What is your smoke of choice your
favorite buzz?
Im a weed man. White Widow is my
favorite.
About the proposed legislation to pre-
vent coffee shops in Holland serving
non-Dutch people. Is this the end of
Amsterdam as we know and love it?
The only way I know here in Amsterdam
is the coffee shop world and I spend
most of my time in them. Everyone Ive
talked to, and I write columns about
this for papers in the United States, they
say its not going to happen and that
its definitely not going to happen in
Amsterdam. On the other hand, theyve
got it happening on a trial basis in sev-
eral other cities in the Netherlands such
as Maastricht. So I am following it very
closely. This whole thing is so un-Dutch
like and I cant understand it at all, it
doesnt make any sense whatsoever.
How do you see things now compared
to the 60s? Have times changed
much for you?
Well, in the 60s I was part of a mass move-
ment that was trying to alter the shape of
our society. Now Im just out here on my
own or with my friends, moving around.
Culturally, they havent really grasped the
great cultural movement of our history that
sustained me for example. I think when
they get beyond pop music and television
as their principle forms of entertainment
and information, and start looking into
great music, poetry and art, whenever it was
made, then things will get more interesting.
Im an art-oriented guy, for me everything
centers on art and I wouldnt know what
to live for without it. I feel like an isolated
individual in that respect and thats why
Im always moving around looking for oth-
ers who I can have conversations with.
In these often dark and difficult times,
what do you believe to be the most
important thing to be saying to people?
Its quite simple do what you want to do!
What is your advice to help people be
able to do what they want?
Turn off the television set. Thats the first
thing. If you want to get somewhere you
got to get some room to think and use
your mind. Modern media is all designed
to keep peoples minds tied up so they dont
ever get to think about what kind of world
theyd really like to live in and what they
want to do and how they could do it. Its
not very profound but thats just about it.
In the words of another beat-poet,
musician and radical Gil Scot Heron
The revolution will not be televised.
Tune into radio freeamsterdam.com
Beatnik Youth is available on Track
Records.
Emerging from the beatnik generation of the 1960s, which represented bohemia and liberation, John
Sinclair is now in his 70s. A Joker smoker, radical poet and lover of music, laughter and life, he is as active and
on point as ever. Massively inspired by Ginsberg, and manager of the New York punk band MC5, he inadvert-
ently shot to global underground notoriety when, after getting set up and nicked for marijuana, John Lennon
famously championed his cause at the legendary Freedom Rally in Ann Arbor. Currently on tour with Howard
Marks, John has recently released Beatnik Youth, an album which fuses his edgy spoken word with a Detroit
driven spectrum of rhythm n blues and rock n roll; co-written and produced by Youth with contributions from
a host of musicians including Bobby Gillespie, Larry Love and Mark Stewart. Soft Secrets swung by the 420
Coffee shop, where he is poet in residence, to share a spliff and a few questions. By Kaz Peet
STILL BLAZINWITH A LUST FOR LIFE
John Sinclair
61
SHOPREVIEWS
Green Park Specialists, Ruthland
Welcome to GPS!
Driving down the Leicestershire country lanes to get
to this shop is a treat in itself and makes it one of the
most discreet locations visited to date! The shop can
be found on a small industrial park, next to Ashwell
Train Station (not for public use) and has plenty of
parking and a loading bay for any customers wishing
to load up in private.
The partners behind GPS are professional individu-
als with over 18 years experience in the Horticultural
Industry as well as working with a well established
British Hydroponic wholesaler in that time. This installs
confidence immediately as they know what they are
talking about and will always offer a great deal on
bulk buys as well as only selling you what you need.
Customer service is what they are about, making sure
you get the best out of what you do at the best price!!
The shop is very well laid out with good product dis-
plays. Nutrients stocked range from Ionic to Cellmax
as well as being an official outlet
for Dutch Pro! Tent manufacturers
include Secret Jardin, Green Room and
GrowLab.
To all shop owners only - GPS also
wholesale air flow products including
in line duct fans and carbon filters &
more!! Call for cataloque
Green Park Specialists Ltd
Unit 6 Station Court
Whissendine Road
Ashwell
Rutland
LE15 7SP
(t) 01572 723485
Hydro 2 Grow Hydroponics, Surrey
Having met the team behind H2G it installed a lot of
confidence that these guys know what they are doing
and they are going to be trading for a long time to come
offering sound advice and support for all your horticul-
tural requirements.
Entering the shop you will be instantly impressed with
the amount of products available to purchase. They have
recently moved from a retail premises to a large warehouse
with lots of private parking as well as a loading bay within
the unit for customers requiring a discreet loading area.
All the usual nutrients are stocked; Canna, BioBizz, Ionic,
House & Garden, GHE and Plant magic+ as well as a cou-
ple of ranges chosen specifically by the owners such as
HydroTops and Ferro.
The team have over 20 years of horticultural experience
between them and will always ensure the customer leaves
with what they need, not what they think they can sell to them!
Systems available for purchase in store
include; IWS, Wilma, NFT, Oxy Pots and
Auto Pots and if there is something else
required it can be ordered and in store
within 48 hours.
H2G in their own words: BIG orders will
be rewarded with BIG discounts. So be
sure to take advantage!
Hydro 2 Grow (H2G)
299 Gander Green Lane
Sutton
Surrey
SM3 9QE
(t) 0208 6443780
(e) sales@hydro2grow.co.uk
Red Eye Amazon, Birmingham
Red Eye Amazon is a new shop to open on
Ladypool Road, Birmingham. It is the sister
shop to the well established Red Eye Jungle,
Walsall which has been open for over 12 years!
This experience and success has now resulted
in Red Eye Amazon being opened and the
product selection available will suit all require-
ments/ budgets. A lot of effort has been
made to ensure the shop stocks exactly what
is required with the main focus on souvenir
seeds which include:
Royal Queen Seeds, Dutch Passion, Dinafem,
Greenhouse and the well established
Birmingham brand, Big Buddha + many more.
What they dont have can be in stock within
24 hours!
The owner also prides himself on his collection
of rolling papers/ blunts and tips. It is a great
selection and any connoisseur would
be happy to shop here with the great
choice available. The shop also carries a
good range of scales, baggies (inc. Smelly
Proof ), grinders, pipes and bongs as well
as legal highs and room deodorisers such
as ONA. Other products available include
bandanas, flags and hats as well as a
small choice of CD packs.
Be sure to drop in soon to purchase all
your smoking accessory requirements.
Find us on facebook/redeyeamazon..
Red Eye Amazon
402 Ladypool Road
Balsall Heath
Birmingham
B12 8JZ
(t) 07976 247920
62
CANNABIS NEWS / INDEX OF ADS / COLOFON
Next issue out:
august 31 2012
Colofon Index of ads
Name Page
8 Ball Hydroponics 1
Advanced Seeds 10
Amsterdam Seed Center 47
Angel Grow Hydroponics 52
Atami 64
Big Stone River Indoor Garden Centre 51
Bio Nova 12
Bio-G-Power 63
Brit Crops 19
Buddha Seeds Bank 4
Bushman 59
Carbon Active 32
Clever Green 1
Clockwork Horticulture 41
Deep Impact Plant Care 51
Dinafem Seeds 13
Down to Earth Kent 44
Dr. Blooms Hydroponics 1
Dutch Passion 47
Eva Female Seeds 44
Funky Skunk the 56
Grass-O-Matic 27
Green Life Seeds 52
Green Park Specialists 52
Greenday Horticulture & Hydroponics 25
Grow Room (Worthing) the 55
Growing Underground 55
Growryder 27
Hesi 1
Hesi 2
Hydro 2 Grow 14
Hygrow II 56
I Grow Ponics 55
Jorge Cervantes 36
Junction 6 Hydroponics 35
LTT 59
Money Tree Hydroponics 8
Mycologics 56
Nirvana 17
Odysseed.nl 59
Paradise Seeds 1
Paradise Seeds 51
Phytolite 55
Plagron 7
Procare 56
Pyramid Seeds 21
Red Eye Amazon 56
Royal Queen Seeds 41
Seedmakers 31
Seeds of Life 28
Smokin Vinyl 59
Southern Hydro Centre 56
SouthWest Headshops 49
Sweet Seeds 24
UK GroWorks 55
UK Skunkworks 52
Wellingborough Hydroponics 56
Soft Secrets is published by
Discover Publisher BV
P.O.Box 362, 5460 AJ, Veghel, Netherlands
Telephone: +31-(0)73-5498112
Fax: +31-(0)73-5479732
E-mail: info@softsecrets.nl
Editor: Cliff Cremer
Contributors: Ed Rosenthal, Jorge Cervantes,
Lazystrain, Dr. John Dee, Grubbycup, Little
Lebowski, The Red One, the Professor,
ORiodon, Kali Mist and others
Comics: Jim Stewart
Editorial adress:
E-mail: ssuk@softsecrets.nl
Layout & print:
R&B Communicatie, Schijndel, Holland
Advertisements:
E-mail: james@softsecrets.nl
A word from the publisher:
The UK government has embarked on a pro-
cess of relative liberalisation towards the
use of cannabis, and cannabis activists are
engaged in broadening this engagement.
Several local councils and police chiefs now
actively support a Dutch-style coffeeshop
system as a way of separating soft and hard
drugs, as it has proven to do in Holland.
Whether they are finding their way to new
coffeeshops or growing for their personal
supply, cannabis users are a menace to no
one, and are causing no discernable social
problem. Some politicians and commenta-
tors are calling for the outright legalisation
of marihuana. Lets wait and see how the
debate develops during a period of relative
peace between all sides of the argument.
In the meantime, the publisher hopes Soft
Secrets will show the public a positive side
to the normalisation of cannabis use, and is
anxious to offer a forum to both pro- and
anti-legalisation advocates. This assumes
that the publisher does not necessarily agree
with everything that appears in articles and
advertisements. The publisher therefore
distances himself explicitly from published
statements or images that might give the
impression that an endorsement is being
made for the use or production of cannabis.
Nothing from this publication may be cop-
ied or reproduced in any format without
prior permission from the publisher and
other copyright holders. The publisher is not
responsible for the content and/or point of
view of advertisements. The editors take no
responsibility for unsolicited submissions.
LTT MAASBREE, HOLLAND
Horticultural
products at a
competitive price
Land en Tuinbouw (Agriculture and
Horticulture) Trading (LTT) Maasbree is
based in North-Limburg (Netherlands),
just over half an hour drive from
Duisburg (Germany). In a large (more
than four metres high) warehouse,
which is accessible by truck, LTT
Maasbree sells everything a grower
could possibly need. Parking and dis-
crete service are guaranteed. The ware-
house is located in an industrial area
and is easily accessible from the motor-
way. Soil, nutrition, seeds, irrigation
systems, equipment... Truly everything
a beginner or experienced grower
could need are in stock. LTT Maasbree
also has a selection of growth tents
available. For a reasonable price, Secret
Jardin tent offers a complete growing
environment, which is extremely easy
to assemble.

LTT Maasbree provides an exten-
sive number of services. In addition
LTT Maasbree
Groesweg 37
5993 NN Maasbree
The Netherlands
Opening times:
Mondays-Fridays: 10:00 17:00
Saturday: 10:00 15:00
Tel.: 0031 (0)77-4770919
Fax: 0031 (0)77-354 42 22
http://www.growshopltt.nl
Email: info@growshopltt.nl
to expert information on growing pro-
cesses, the company offers various pos-
sibilities in the field of delivery and pay-
ment. Customers are helped in German,
English or Dutch.
0
8
1
1
1
1
S
A
M
E
Q
U
A
L
IT
Y
!
!
!

N
E
W
L
O
O
K
!
!
!
4DANABNAODA@
!P=IE"a?QVVN=JCA
S
O
O
N

I
N

Y
O
U
R

L
O
C
A
L

S
H
O
P
!
ATAHI B - T. +31 I 0! 73 52 2325 - WWW. ATAHI . C0H