Cannabis is uniquely versatile in that it can be enjoyed in many different ways, offering a countless variety of experiences with each creative combination. Between the vast landscape of available strains, preparations, and products available, one could feasibly enjoy a different strain and consumption method for each individual scenario. Understanding this is important when discerning between conducive strains and activities. Just as there are many ways one may pair cannabis properly with a given situation, it can be just as easy to improperly pair cannabis, leaving you with a potentially uncomfortable scenario.
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Creating a conducive pairing is a learned skill, so here are a few scenarios based on time of day, mood, and activity, where we recommend some appropriate strain types and consumption methods. Whether you’re using cannabis to wake up and motivate yourself or to relax and unwind, these are some of our favorite combinations to try out. (Keep in mind that these are merely suggestions; if you have a preferred consumption method, you’re free to substitute one of our recommendations with your tried-and-true delivery method.)
For Starting Out Your Day
Strain: A pure sativa (e.g. Durban Poison)
Medium:Concentrate or flower
Consumption Method: Home vaporizer
Ideal for: A morning workout, running errands, tidying your space
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Pure sativas like Durban Poison are essentially an espresso shot for the cannabis enthusiast. With the rise of hybridization, pure sativa strains are not easy to come by, but if your dispensaries carry them, pick up a strain or two as a morning pick-me-up. We recommend enjoying pure sativas either by use of a flower or concentrate vaporizer before heading out. The energy this strain will give you will complement any workout or morning activity perfectly!
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Strain: A hybrid (e.g Fire OG)
Medium: Flower
Consumption Method: Large tabletop water pipe
Ideal for: Unwinding with some relaxation time
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Hybrids are often the preferred strain type for individuals looking for a relaxing solo couch session. Larger water pipes offer a “one-hitter quitter,” meaning you can feel the effects after one or two big hits. Fire OG is especially known for encouraging heavy relaxation without being too sleepy in the head, offering a perfect pairing for a night in with your favorite movie or TV show.
For Exploration in the Kitchen
Strain: Any hybrid variety
Medium:Infused cooking oil
Consumption Method:Edible
Ideal for: A dinner party with friends
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Hybrid strains make for wonderful companions when it comes to infusing cooking oils for edibles. The next time you want to have friends over for a weekend dinner, try infusing your favorite hybrid strain into an olive oil to be used for meal preparations. Infused oils are also available in some markets, so don’t hesitate to ask your budtender about availability.
When having guests over, it’s important to consider the individual dosage preferences of each member in your party as overdosing a guest is not considered proper etiquette (that is, unless they’re fine with it), which is why olive oil is a great infusion option. In this case, you can offer it in a tabletop condiment, such as an infused salad dressing, to be dosed to meet everyone’s individual tolerances.
For Calm Self-Reflection
Strain: A high-CBD, indica-dominant option (e.g. Critical Mass)
Medium: Flower
Consumption Method: Rolled joint
Ideal for: A peaceful walk
If you’re in need of a stress-suppressing long walk, a mild indica-dominant hybrid like Critical Mass is your perfect companion. Many phenotypes of this strain exhibit elevated levels of the known stress-reducing compound cannabidiol (CBD). Who doesn’t like a nice joint and a peaceful walk? (Just make sure you’re enjoying your cannabis in the most non-invasive way possible when in populated spaces; also, keep in mind that many legal markets prohibit public consumption under penalty of fine or citation.)
For Discrete Consumption
Strain: Sativa-dominant hybrid (e.g. Sour Diesel)
Medium: CO2 concentrate
Consumption Method:Portable vaporizer pen
Ideal for: Quiet consumption while on the go
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Unlike a joint, which can be rather odiferous when consumed in the presence of others, vaporizer pens loaded with CO2 concentrates make for a discreet companion while you are out and about. A Sour Diesel extract, being a sativa-dominant hybrid, affords you the adequate energy boost you will need without alerting the world of your activities. Loaded in a vaporizer pen, this oil will carry out throughout your day while remaining as inconspicuous as it is portable.
For Relaxed Non-Smokers
Strain: Any indica-dominant variety
Medium: CBD-infused bath product
Consumption Method: Topical application
Ideal for: De-stressing after a long day
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You don’t have to inhale your cannabis to have a good time, and certain strains can make for fantastic infused products. Try a relaxing bubble bath with a CBD-infused bath bomb or topical lotion. Many times, these products are used by infusing cannabis concentrates into soaps and lotions for the purpose of topical applications. All cannabinoids, including THC and CBD, can be absorbed efficiently though the skin with a proper carrier oil. If smoking isn’t your thing, a product of this variety may be just what you’re looking for!
For Late Night Moments
Strain: A pure indica (e.g. Hindu Kush)
Medium:Concentrate
Consumption Method: Tabletop dab rig
Ideal for: A potent good night’s sleep
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Who needs a sleeping pill when you have a dab rig loaded with a pure indica concentrate? Forget couch lock; when dabbed out of a tabletop rig, indicas like Hindu Kush will put you right to sleep. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a strain like this, make sure you keep it around for those “hard to fall asleep” occasions.” Very rarely will a comfortable-sized dab of a heavy indica concentrate leave you anywhere but in the folds of your pillow.
