Hydrolife Magazine April/May 2016 (CAN Edition)

grow. heal. live. enjoy. 

THE 

420 

ISSUE 

FINDING THE 

PERFECT STRAIN 

ENDOCANNABINOID 

RECEPTORS 

CULTIVATING WITH 

KYLE KUSHMAN 

FREE! 

APRIL/MAY 2016

inside 

6 our crew / 8 from the editor / 10 own it / 12 ask kyle / 36 ask a nurse 

grow. 

heal. 

live. 

enjoy. 

14 Creating the 

Environment Your 

Cannabis Plants Crave 

18 Make Room for 

Mycorrhizae 

22 Cut & Dried: 

Strain Report 

24 It's (Probably) Not 

pH Lockout 

38 The Plant that 

Saved My Life 

42 Medicinal Marijuana & 

the Endocannabinoid 

Receptors: What We 

Know So Far 

48 Finding the 

Perfect Strain 

50 Cannabis Juicing 101 

52 Is Electronic Cannabis 

the Future for Medical 

Pot? 

54 Baking a Fool 

of Myself 

56 Ganja Goddess 

58 Enhancing Your Sex Life 

with Cannabis 

30 Growing Cannabis 

Naturally with Neem 

4 


myhydrolife.ca

myhydrolife.ca grow. heal. live. enjoy. 5

our crew 

Aly Amour 

Augustus Dunning 

Jessica Ferneyhough 

Toby Gorman 

Colleen Graham 

Cory Hughes 

James Kostrava 

Kyle Kushman 

Lacey Macri 

Ryan Martinage 

Alex Rea 

Watermelon 

apr/may 2016 

volume 1 - number 1 

Published by 

Hydrolife Magazine 

Inquiries to 

info@myhydrolife.ca 

No part of this magazine 

may be reproduced 

without permission from 

the publisher. The views 

expressed by columnists are 

personal opinions and do not 

necessarily reflect those of 

Hydrolife or the editor. 

Publication agreement number 

40739092 

Printed in Canada 

6 


myhydrolife.ca

GROW. HEAL. LIVE. ENJOY. 

Welcome to the inaugural 420 edition 

of 

Our vision with this 

publication is to connect growers, 

medical practitioners, patients and health 

enthusiasts by offering the information they need 

to enhance their lives with medicinal cannabis. 

With more and more states legalizing the use of 

this life-saving plant, this is an exciting time in 

the industry. In our Grow, Heal, Live and Enjoy 

sections, you’ll find inspiring stories, lifestyle 

tips, straightforward how-to growing advice and 

the latest, cutting-edge medical information. 

For those of you who are growing your own, we 

dish up grow advice straight from the experts, 

including world-renowned cannabis cultivator 

Kyle Kushman, who answers your most pressing 

questions in his regular Ask Kyle column. Email 

editor@myhydrolife.com to get your question 

answered! Our resident Ask a Nurse columnist, 

Jessica Ferneyhough, also answers people’s 

questions, this time on the medical side of things, 

to help people on their journeys to wellness through 

cannabis. Alex Rea examines the future of electronic 

cannabis, and Augustus Dunning examines the 

endocannabinoid receptors found in human bodies, 

which allow us to respond the way we do to plantbased 

cannabinoid compounds. 

From growing to healing to living and enjoying, 

Hydrolife will provide you with new ways to improve 

your health and lifestyle. Enjoy! 

8 


myhydrolife.ca

1 

2 

3 4 

own it 

1. The Misty by Smokies 

Toke Couture is a large, 

hand-wired, beaded 

chain necklace with 

faceted, smoky-green, 

iridescent glass beads 

fastened into a gunmetalwire 

chain. The beads, 

which are called Aurora 

Borealis, reflect the light 

and subtly pick up the 

colours around them. This 

vintage-style, steampunkinspired 

necklace features 

a large, antique-silvertone 

cannabis leaf with 

embossed detail. It is 

named after the Misty 

marijuana strain and is 

made to order. 

— etsy.com 

2. Classy Stash from 

Walnut Studiolo is a 

throwback to the days of 

meticulously crafted liquor 

cabinets and cigar boxes. 

This hand-crafted stash box 

organizes your herbs into 

three amber-glass stash jars 

(included), protecting them 

from the light, preserving 

them from drying out and 

confining odours. The 

Classy Stash is made of 

hand-dyed, vegetabletanned 

leather, making it 

worthy of a display case, 

yet strong enough to get 

knocked around. Class up 

your stash! 

— walnutstudiolo.com 

3. Coco Premium Chips 

Blend 50/50 from 

Nutrifield resists breaking 

down or compacting during 

use, ensuring optimal 

conditions for your plants 

to thrive in. It possesses a 

unique moisture-retaining 

capacity, while offering 

ultimate drainage and 

maximum air porosity due 

to its open-pore structure 

that aids in faster, more 

efficient nutrient uptake. 

For a more aggressive 

growing style with optimal 

results, use Coco Premium 

Chips. See the perfect blend 

of airflow and moisture 

retention in one product. 

— nutrifield.com.au 

4. iBamboo Speakers 

are machined in a way that 

allows you to place them 

on a flat surface and insert 

your iPhone at the top. The 

natural resonance of the 

hollow bamboo speaker 

body amplifies sound. This 

unique property makes 

bamboo an ideal material 

for making an all-natural, 

no-power-needed iPhone 

amplifier. Since iBamboo 

speakers are crafted from 

a natural material, no two 

speakers are identical. 

— ibamboospeaker.com 

10 


myhydrolife.ca

5 6 

7 

8 

5. The Dr. Dabber 

Percolator Attachment 

is a fully functional, 

handblown-glass, percolating 

filtration system that fits 

on any battery with a 510 

threading. It is the latest 

development in vapour 

technology. To use, simply 

fill the unit with water, then 

attach the adapter to your Dr. 

Dabber Ghost battery for the 

smoothest, cleanest vapor 

possible. Delivering large yet 

surprisingly manageable hits, 

this is one of the best ways to 

enjoy oils and waxes. 

— drdabber.com 

6. The Greendea is an 

indoor hydroponic garden 

that allows you to grow 

year-round without any 

prior hydro knowledge. 

Greendea is programmed 

to automatically grow from 

seed to harvest. To begin 

your cultivation journey, 

simply add tap water to 

the hydroponic pot, sow 

your seeds, fire up the 

Greendea and then sit back 

and admire your seedlings 

growing. Greendea allows 

you to enjoy fresh herbs, 

veggies and flowers that 

have been self-produced 

in a simple, clean way. 

— green-dea.com 

7. Hollow Leg is the debris 

and harvesting bag you 

wear. It’s a fabric sack that 

attaches to a belt so you can 

wear it while you work in the 

garden. Use it while doing 

light pruning, dead-heading 

and spot-weeding. It’s 

handy for fruit and produce 

harvesting, too. There’s even 

a Velcro-closed pocket for 

your phone or iPod! No 

more buckets that smash 

your groundcover or other 

plants. When your Hollow 

Leg is full, it is easy to empty 

using the fabric handle at the 

bottom of the bag. 

— thegardenershollowleg.com 

8. Custom O.penVAPEs 

are one-of-a-kind, laseretched 

vaping pens that 

allow you to select a 

colour, pattern and add 

up to 16 characters of text. 

Get your name, favourite 

strain or dominance 

etched on the O.penVAPE 

to keep track of your 

supply, or order in bulk 

for your next bachelor/ 

bachelorette party, 

wedding and other special 

events. Available in seven 

colours and five patterns, 

Custom O.penVAPEs are 

delivered to you in two 

weeks or less. 

— openvape.com 


ask kyle 

QI’ve heard that some growers like to 

flush their systems during the final week 

before harvest. Is this something you 

recommend doing? If so, why, and how 

do I know when to start this process? 

Thanks, 

David 

aFlushing your plants before harvesting them, 

regardless of what you’re feeding them, is always a 

good idea. Healthy, rapidly growing plants will store 

excess nutrients over time. Much like humans store 

fat, plants store excess nutrients within their leaves that 

they can use if nutrient levels run low. 

I recommend a gradual reduction of nutrients, much 

the same way we gradually increase nutrients as plants 

mature. Three weeks out from harvest, I cut the levels of all 

N-P-K products in half and discontinue all micronutrient inputs. 

Reducing nutrient applications before completely discontinuing all 

inputs helps plants transition to the ripening stage. 

Two weeks from harvest, feed your plants plain water and an 

enzymatic formula. For plants grown in soil or soilless media, there’s no 

need for any pH adjusting during ripening. One week before harvest, only 

feed your plants plain water. All growers, regardless of the methodology or 

grow media being used, should use this flushing method. 

Knowing when to begin this process can be as simple as looking at the 

calendar. You should be recording all factors concerning your crop cycle, 

and you can use the recommended flowering time your strain is known 

for. However, growth rates, overall health and other factors can reduce or 

increase the ideal harvest date by as much as 10%. But you’re in luck, there is 

a way to judge when that perfect harvest time has arrived. 

Using a 30X, lighted magnifying glass, look over a few areas on several plants. 

Inspect the flowers to get a good view of the trichomes. Under magnification, 

trichomes look like little mushrooms. Early, immature trichomes are clear as 

glass and the heads are small. As they mature, these heads will swell to 2-4 times 

the thickness of the stalk. As the trichomes get closer to maturity, the stalks turn 

opaque. Within a week, trichome heads will turn milky or opaque as well. Once 

they begin to turn dark amber, you are nearing peak ripeness. When 5-10% of all 

the trichomes have turned amber, you have reached peak ripeness. 

Kyle Kushman is an internationally renowned marijuana 

cultivator whose collaborations have earned 13 Medical 

Cannabis Cup awards, including three US Cannabis Cups for 

Best Flowers. As the creator of Vegamatrix, the only line of 

vegan and organic nutrients designed for growing cannabis, 

Kyle continues to make advances for people who want to 

cultivate the purest, cleanest medicine possible. 

Do you have a question for Kyle? 

Email editor@myhydrolife.com to get an answer. 

12 


myhydrolife.ca

grow 

Creating the 

Environment 

Your Cannabis 

Plants Crave 

by Cory Hughes 

Environmental control in 

the growroom can drive 

you crazy if you let it. It 

is simple in theory, yet it 

can be difficult in practice. 

Balancing the factors 

that create a formidable 

environment can, at times, 

make you want to give up, 

but hang in there. Examining 

your environment and 

taking a simple, analytical 

approach to solving 

problems is the most 

effective way to grow highquality 

cannabis indoors. 

14 


myhydrolife.ca

grow 

“A growroom’s 

environment includes 

more factors than 

just dialing in your 

temperature and 

humidity levels, but 

this is where growers 

should start.” 

So, the time has come. You’ve 

waited for this your whole life, and 

now it’s finally here. Cannabis is 

legal and you want to get to work 

setting up your own indoor grow. 

While anyone can drop a clone 

into some grow media and hope for 

the best, to grow the best-quality 

plants and maximize your yields, 

you really need to focus on the 

basics. This includes figuring out 

how to maintain a proper indoor 

environment. Achieving and 

maintaining the optimal growing 

environment is, in my opinion, the 

single most important factor in 

producing quality cannabis. 

Maintaining the optimal growroom 

environment means putting 

processes in place to deal with all 

the outside factors that interact with 

your plants and have the potential to 

shape their growth, or lack thereof. 

A growroom’s environment includes 

more factors than just dialing in your 

temperature and humidity levels, 

but this is where growers should 

start. If you can maintain proper 

temperatures and moisture levels, 

you will save yourself a slew of 

problems with pests and diseases. 

the Right Temperatures 

Cannabis plants thrive in 

temperatures around 19-26°C. 

Sounds easy enough, right? Just 

set the AC and forget it? Not 

so fast! The temperature and 

humidity levels in your grow are 

affected by numerous factors, 

which can, at times, make you feel 

like you are constantly juggling 

things that are out of your control. 

Your light system is a major player 

when it comes to affecting the heat 

in your room. For years, cannabis 

growers have been using grow lights 

with built-in ducting for HVAC, 

which was required to cool the 

bulbs. Large HVAC units blowing 

through your lights is a great idea 

in theory, but depending on where 

the air is coming from, you could 

be contaminating your entire grow 

with pests. If the HVAC pulls air from 

outside, you will not only be sucking 

in the outside air, you’ll also be 

sucking in mites, mildews and more. 

The alternative to complex, HVACvented 

lighting systems is to go 

with a cool-running LED or plasma 

system, or a double-ended, compact 

system that uses HPS bulbs. The 

majority of double-ended lighting 

systems are designed around the 

concept of no direct cooling through 

venting. They typically have a 

smaller frame, and removing the 

cooling system from the equation 

allows the lights to be hung higher, 

which provides more space between 

the light and the plant canopy. The 

great thing about raising the lights 

is that you get more plant coverage 

per light than you do with a vented 

system. The downside is that your 

room’s AC needs will increase 

dramatically, which will cost you. 

Luckily, to better manage everything, 

there are a ton of plug-and-play tools 

to help you monitor everything from 

your phone while you are on the go. 

the Right Humidity Levels 

Humidity refers to the amount of 

water in the air and can be tricky 

to master. You want to maintain a 

humidity level of around 40-50% 

during the flowering stage, while 

your clones and veg plants should 

start at around 70% humidity and 

drop over time. The biggest factor 

affecting your growroom’s humidity 

levels is where you live. 

While indoor grows are 

supposed to be isolated from 

the outside, there is no escaping 

the effect varying outdoor 

temperatures have on the indoor 

environment. Whether it’s due to 

leaky doors or windows, a drip 

in the roof or a myriad of other 

factors, outside air can always 

creep its way indoors. 

If you live in a desert-like climate, 

you are going to need a swamp 

cooler. Of course, there are other 

cheap ways to increase humidity 

levels if you stay diligent. Leaving 

one or more buckets of water around 

is probably the easiest and cheapest 

method. If you are more into the 

mechanical stuff, a swamp cooler is 

probably your best bet. 

If your humidity levels are too 

high, you are—beyond a shadow 

of a doubt—going to run into pest 

and mould problems. In higher 

humidity grows, powdery mildew 

becomes prevalent if you’re not 

careful, as do spider mites, which 

flourish in hot, wet environments. 

If you are having a hard time 

maintaining your growroom’s 

humidity levels, it’s worth it to 

invest in a high-end maintenance 

and monitoring system. 

No matter what it takes, you need 

to shield your indoor environment 

from the outside as best you can. 

If this means fixing that leak in 

the roof, it means fixing that leak 

in the roof. And if it all leads to 

healthy plants at the end of the 

day, it will all have been worth it. 

Cory Hughes is a former police officer 

turned full-time commercial grower in 

Denver, Colorado. 

16 


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grow 

Mycorrhizae! 

MAKE ROOM FOR 

BY SUSAN PARENT & ED BLOODNICK 

There’s an easy way to keep 

plants from getting stressed 

out in the garden, without even 

having to lift your green thumb. 

All you’ve got to do is toss a few 

mycorrhizal fungi superheroes 

their way, and they’ll be happy. 

18 grow. heal. live. enjoy. 

myhydrolife.ca

grow 

Over the past several decades, there 

has been a growing interest amongst 

plant scientists in the field of beneficial 

soil organisms. These workhorses 

of the garden can be considered the 

superheroes of soil, as bacteria and 

fungi can help plants combat diseases, 

locate nutrients and acquire water 

when in short supply. 

Within the beneficial organisms 

family exists a complex group called 

mycorrhizal fungi. These fungi grow 

in association with most plants and 

have been identified as growth and 

quality enhancers for many crops. Most 

mineral soils contain mycorrhizal fungi, 

but often at levels that are too low for 

adequate colonization, especially in 

depleted soils such as tilled fields, 

newly planted gardens, over-worked 

landscapes and in new housing 

development plots. Mycorrhizal fungi 

are host-specific and will only colonize 

certain plants. This means in some 

soils, there may no longer be native 

fungi present to benefit what you’re 

about to plant. Therefore, most plants 

benefit from the addition of mycorrhizal 

fungi to the soil, while in other grow 

mediums, adding them becomes 

mission critical. Take greenhouse-grown 

crops, for example. They are grown 

mostly in soilless media that are void 

of mycorrhizal fungi, so these beneficial 

organisms need to be added to mediums 

like peat, coco coir, perlite, bark and 

expanded clay pebbles. 

Mycorrhiza (singular), which means 

fungus root, describes the mutually 

beneficial, symbiotic relationship 

between fungi and plant roots. 

Symbiosis begins when fungal spores 

germinate and emerging threadlike 

structures called hyphae enter the 

epidermis of plant roots. After colonizing 

the roots, the fungus sends out a vast 

network of hyphae throughout the soil 

to form a greatly enhanced, absorptive 

surface area. This results in improved 

nutrient acquisition and uptake by 

plant roots. Mycorrhizae are particularly 

effective in mobilizing elements like 

phosphorus, zinc, manganese and 

copper. In exchange for the glorious 

gift of nutrients, the plant gives 

carbohydrates to the fungi to snack on. 

There are more than 150 species of 

mycorrhizal fungi found around the 

world in all types of soils and climates. 

There are several general classes used 

to categorize them, but the two most 

common classes are ectomycorrhizal 

and endomycorrhizal fungi. For 

herbaceous, greenhouse-grown plants, 

endomycorrhizal fungi are the most 

beneficial. So, how exactly do they 

benefit plants? It’s simple, really. They 

help plants endure stressful situations 

by delaying the symptoms that come 

with the stress. Other benefits include: 

20 


“ 

• Reduced 

nutritional 

deficiencies. 

Endomycorrhizal 

fungi mine the growing medium 

where plant roots are not present, 

looking for nutrients like phosphorus, 

copper, manganese and zinc. Then 

they deliver the nutrients they find 

to plants, which prevents or delays 

nutrient deficiencies in the garden. 

• Potential reduction in fertilizer use. 

Since the fungi mine the growing 

medium for nutrients, many growers 

find they are able to reduce 

fertilizer application rates. 

• Delayed wilting. Endomycorrhizal 

fungi acquire water from the growing 

medium where plant roots may not be 

able to access it. This additional water 

for plants delays or prevents them from 

wilting due to water stress. 

• Improved growth. When plants can 

more effectively uptake the nutrients 

they require, they can maintain their 

optimal growing rates longer, which 

means top growth and root growth 

are not compromised when plants are 

supplied with endomycorrhizal fungi. 

• Resistance to salt toxicity. 

Numerous studies have shown 

that endomycorrhizal fungi 

protect plants from high-salt and 

micronutrient toxicities. 

most plants benefit from the 

addition of mycorrhizal fungi 

to the soil, while in other 

grow mediums, adding them 

becomes mission critical.” 

• Reduced root disease attack. 

Endomycorrhizal fungi make plants 

less susceptible to attacks by root-rot 

pathogens. They do so in two ways: 

first they serve as competition to 

root-rot pathogens by consuming root 

exudates, such as carbohydrates. 

Second, they help thicken the cell 

walls of the cortex, making pathogen 

penetration more difficult. 

• Increased fruit and flowers. Since 

plants grow to their fullest potential 

when supplied with endomycorrhizal 

fungi, they produce either more crops 

per plant, or larger vegetables and 

fruits. Flowering plants often produce 

more flowers. Overall, plants often 

grow larger when they are given 

endomycorrhizal fungi, especially if 

they have been initially planted into 

poor-quality, low-fertility soils. 

So, endomycorrhizal fungi assist 

plants by enhancing plant nutrient 

and water uptake, reducing environmental 

stresses and improving the 

overall growth of plants. Numerous 

studies have demonstrated the benefits 

for plants used for land reclamation, 

landscape installations, home gardening, 

farmers of fruit and vegetable 

crops, and growers of greenhouse/ 

nursery crops. These benefits can improve 

efficiencies in plant production 

and reduce plant production costs for 

growers. When the choice comes down 

to mycorrhizae or no mycorrhizae, it’s 

plain to see that added mycorrhizal 

fungi takes the prize every time. 

Susan Parent is a horticulture specialist 

in the Growers Services department of 

Premier Tech Horticulture. She can be 

reached at pars@premiertech.com. 

Ed Bloodnick is the director of product 

development in the Grower Services department 

of Premier Tech Horticulture. He 

can be reached at bloe@premiertech.com. 

myhydrolife.ca

grow 

by Lacey Macri 

Cut and Dried: 

A Monthly Look at Different MMJ Strains 

Lacey Macri caught up with CJ, a long-time medicinal 

cannabis cultivator, who shares some expertise on two of 

his most recommended strains. Here’s the low-down on 

Maui Waui and Blue Ribbon, which are both well-known for 

their positive effects on users. 

MAUI WAUI 

Origin & Genetics 

This sativa-dominant strain originated 

in Maui and has been grown for close 

to 20 years on the mainland in Hawaii. 

Since then, Maui Waui has been in 

the hands of a select few. Although 

there are several variations out there, 

the effects of this specific phenotype 

feel as pure as its genetics have 

been maintained. Unlike many other 

sativa-dominant strains, Maui Waui is 

incredibly light and clear, without the 

common side effects associated with 

other sativas, such as an increased 

heart rate or decreased attention 

span. CJ’s Maui tests between 13 and 

14% THC and he recommends it for 

beginners who want to remain sharp 

and in touch with all of their senses 

throughout the day. 

Physical Description 

The buds of Maui Waui are light-green 

with bright-orange pistils covering 

its large colas of moderate density. 

The aroma is a strong, lemony-citrus 

scent with hints of pine. CJ says the 

smell reminds him of sitting on a porch 

overlooking the ocean, with the crisp 

sea breeze blowing its tropical scents 

gently across his face. 

Medicinal Uses 

Maui Waui is a great daytime medicine 

that doesn’t bog down your senses. 

The effects are great for those who 

suffer from depression, anxiety, 

stress and listlessness. Because it is 

considered a light sativa, patients can 

be confident they won’t experience any 

uncomfortable side effects during use. 

Maui Waui may also help relieve minor 

to moderate pain associated with 

spontaneous headaches and nausea. 

Growing Patterns 

If you’re thinking about growing this 

strain, make sure you plan ahead! Maui 

Waui is known for its massive stature and 

height, so it is commonly grown outdoors, 

where there is no limit to how tall it 

can grow. CJ describes it as “a vigorous 

grower in the vegetative stage that takes 

off like she’s on a mission during her 

stretch in flower.” If grown indoors, when 

possible it may be best to cut Maui’s vegetative 

stage short and force it to flower 

long before it has reached its full height. 

Maui does best in somewhat tropical 

climates, similar to its original home in 

Hawaii. It is an amazingly resilient plant, 

resistant to a lot of the pests and diseases 

that commonly take out other varieties. 

Because the colas tend to get large, bud 

rot can occur, so it is important to keep 

airflow constant. Some growers will even 

top their Maui plants to help produce 

multiple smaller colas, as opposed to one 

large chute that may be more susceptible 

to developing bud rot. 

22 


myhydrolife.ca

CH 3 

CH 3 

H 3 

C 

CH 3 

O 

CH 3 

BLUE RIBBON 

Origin & Genetics 

This indica-dominant strain packs 

a serious punch. A cross between a 

true blueberry male and OG Kush 

in the Sierra foothills, CJ’s specific 

phenotype tests between 24 and 

26% THC on average. There are 

several different phenotypes out 

there that were bred with the same 

parents, but the THC concentration 

is not as strong. These alternative 

phenotypes are specifically bred for 

high concentrations of cannabidiol, 

or CBD, to help patients suffering 

from severe pain. 

Physical Description 

The buds of CJ’s Blue Ribbon are a 

lush, dark-green colour and covered 

in sticky, sparkling trichomes. CJ 

describes them as reminiscent of the 

snowy peaks of the Sierras. The rockhard 

density of Blue Ribbon’s flowers 

carries that classic aroma of blueberry 

sweetness up-front, following through 

with earthy undertones and leading 

to an ultimately spicy finish. If this 

strain is exposed to unusually cold 

temperatures during cultivation, a 

blue-violet ribbon may appear to be 

spun around the buds of this medicine. 

Medicinal Uses 

Similar to other powerful indicas, 

Blue Ribbon excels in the areas of 

pain reduction, sleep aid and stress 

relief. For those suffering from 

anxiety and depression, Blue Ribbon 

may help alleviate these negative 

symptoms by producing a calm sense 

of euphoria. Keep in mind this strain 

is considered a heavy indica, so it is 

best used in moderation, especially 

for newer patients. 

Growing Patterns 

This strain has an average-sized stature 

and is suitable to grow both indoors 

and out. CJ prefers to grow Blue Ribbon 

indoors in a controlled environment 

to take advantage of all of its finest 

attributes, including bud density, 

trichome production and strong, fruity 

flavours and aromas. This strain is not 

known for producing heavy yields, but 

when grown correctly, Blue Ribbon may 

weigh more than your average, indicadominant 

strain and most definitely 

makes up for any lost weight with its 

uniquely superior quality. 

Lacey Macri works as head of sales at 

CleanGrow, focusing her time on business 

development within the company. 

She received a bachelor’s degree in 

communications and psychology from the 

University of California, Davis, where she 

worked at the California Aggie student 

newspaper on campus. 


grow 

IT’S (PROBABLY) NOT 

pH LOCKOUT: 

TROUBLESHOOTING COMMON 

PROBLEMS IN THE GROWROOM 

BY RYAN MARTINAGE 

Are you encountering some problems in the 

growroom that you don’t know how to correct? 

Ryan Martinage offers solutions to the most 

common problems he sees in indoor gardens. 

24 


myhydrolife.ca

grow 

Iremember walking into a hydro 

shop for the first time years ago and 

feeling overwhelmed at the amount 

of equipment and products involved 

in indoor gardening. Then, after I 

encountered my first real problems, I 

started asking questions. I was almost 

always told that pH lockout was the 

culprit. Fast forward a number of years, 

after being a hydro store worker and 

manager, and now a product specialist 

for a leading nutrient company, I’m here 

to detail for you the most common realworld 

problems you’ll face. And I can 

tell you: it’s rarely pH lockout. 

pH LOCKOUT 

OK, sometimes it is actually pH lockout. 

In the realm of indoor gardening, 

pH works as a sort of sliding scale of 

nutrient availability. The scale runs from 

0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline). In 

hydroponic gardening, a pH in the 5-6 

range is optimal for most plants. In this 

range, the minerals plants need are 

in the best compromise of availability 

while also being in an acceptable environment 

for plants to flourish. 

Nutrient lockout occurs when a 

substantial, prolonged change in pH 

occurs. As the conditions slide too far 

towards the acidic or alkaline sides of 

the pH scale, plants are no longer able 

to uptake adequate amounts of the 13 

minerals they need from fertilizers. 

Due to this inability to uptake specific 

minerals, depending on the degree of 

the pH swing, plants will show signs of 

deficiency for the various minerals they 

are unable to absorb. Typically, if you’re 

experiencing true pH lockout, you are in 

one of the following situations: 

• You’re watering in nutrients on top 

of a potting mix and complications 

develop. Contact your soil and nutrient 

manufacturers to ensure the products 

you’re using are compatible. Sometimes 

modifications are needed. 

YOU WANT THE MEDIUM TO 

BE SATURATED, BUT NOT 

OVERLY SO. GRASP BOTH 

SIDES OF THE POT AND 

PICK IT UP. YOU’LL BE ABLE 

TO FEEL IF THE MEDIUM IS 

EVENLY SATURATED. 

• You are using a homemade potting 

mix with ingredients that influence the 

nutrient solution in a substantial way. 

A typical source of this is compost that 

has not finished decomposing. If the 

compost is still decomposing, it can 

make the soil unstable. A lack of lime 

or similar buffering ingredients, or an 

imbalance of added amendments, can 

also be causes. 

• You’re using a recirculating 

hydroponic system. In recirculating 

systems, everything moves faster, 

and constant pH fluctuations may be 

attributed to contamination in the 

form of light getting into the system, 

enabling bacterial growths. Organicbased 

products containing particulate 

matter can be forced into crevices by 

the movement of the solution. These 

organic deposits can also give off 

compounds as the conditions break 

the solution down. Such secretions, 

if unchecked, can cause prolonged 

periods of extreme pH fluctuation. 

In the scenarios mentioned above, 

regular maintenance and habitual pH 

monitoring can prevent unfavourable 

conditions from lasting long enough to 

cause pH lockout. With that out of the 

way, let’s move on to the things that can 

go wrong in the growroom that pH lockout 

commonly gets blamed for. 

OVERWATERING 

Overwatering is the most commonly 

overlooked problem in the growroom. 

Different growing mediums require 

different amounts of nutrient solution to 

be adequately saturated, and spacing 

those feedings properly is a key skill you 

must learn to be a successful grower. 

Providing the right amount of 

oxygen to the roots is essential to 

achieving maximum yields. Here’s a 

breakdown of overwatering situations 

by growing medium: 

• In hydroponics, plants sit in water, but 

the water must be aerated properly. 

If the solution goes stagnant, your 

plants could drown. Check your 

system’s water and air pumps to make 

sure all is well. 

• Potting soil contains compost, which 

is quite dense and can easily turn into 

a brick sitting on your plants’ roots. If 

this occurs, water less often. 

• Soilless mediums are often mixtures 

of peat, coco, perlite and other inert 

ingredients, and different mixes 

have varying water-holding capacities. 

In an indoor setting, you may 

not need a mix with the maximum 

water-holding capacity level. 

Like certain potting soils, soilless 

mediums can get heavy when oversaturated. 

Providing plants with less 

feed more often may be the trick. 

• A final tip for growing in potting 

soils or soilless mediums is that you 

want the medium to be saturated, 

but not overly so. Grasp both sides 

of the pot and pick it up. You’ll be 

able to feel if the medium is evenly 

saturated. You don’t need additional 

feed after this point. 

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grow 

OVERFEEDING 

When it comes to nutrients, people 

often think the more gas, the bigger 

the bang. But more is not better when 

it comes to nutrients, and careful 

management of your feeding schedule 

is crucial. Here are some common 

overfeeding situations: 

• You’re feeding nutrients to a plant 

you’ve just put into potting soil. Hold 

the nutes! Potting soils most often 

contain their own source of fertilizer in 

the form of compost and amendments. 

The food present in the medium is 

usually adequate to feed the plant for 

up to 4-6 weeks, depending on the size 

of the plant and its container. As the 

plant signals the start of deficiencies, 

start feeding at 25-50% of the 

recommended feeding strength listed 

by the nutrient manufacturer. You can 

always go up in strength. 

• You are running high temperatures. 

If your growroom is on the warm side, 

your plants take in more fluids and 

can actually take in too much food, 

causing discolouration. 

NUTRIENT LOCKOUT 

OCCURS WHEN A 

SUBSTANTIAL, PROLONGED 

CHANGE IN pH OCCURS. 

• You are using water with lots of 

minerals. Depending on where you 

live, your water may already be 

saturated with undesirable solids, 

which makes it harder for plants 

to take in nutrients. If you do not 

correct for these levels, plants may 

be stunted in growth or show signs 

of deficiencies. This is why many 

manufacturers sell hard-water 

formulas or offer charts to modify 

feeding schedules for these conditions. 

• You are using additives on top of a full 

nutrient line. Nutrient manufacturers 

put a lot of work into making feeding 

schedules. They must be stable, work 

in a majority of situations and have a 

largely known outcome with popular 

growing methods. If you’re using a full 

line as well as additives, especially 

flower-bulking additives, you may 

need to cut out the redundant product. 

Contact the manufacturer to ensure 

your products are compatible. 

Before you immediately diagnose a 

complex issue or change up your entire 

method of growing to fix an issue, start 

with the basics. Analyze your feeding 

practices, watering methods, medium 

type and environmental conditions. More 

often than not, modifying a few basic 

principles will fix problems that at the 

start seemed much more exotic. 

Ryan Martinage has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and an established 

career in the indoor gardening industry. First learning the ropes as a hydro store 

employee and then moving into management roles, Ryan is now a representative for SJ 

Enterprises, which manufactures the Cyco Platinum Series brand of products. 

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grow 

by James E. Kostrava 

Naturally 

Discover how growers have captured the essence of robust plants from 

sub-Saharan Africa and transferred that biotechnology to their cannabis plants. 

30 


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grow 

Medicinal cannabis patients often say they 

love the effects of the medicine, but they 

don’t like how it burns their lungs when 

they smoke it. But it is not the pot that is 

burning their lungs, it is the heavy metals 

in the synthetic pesticides used to grow it. 

To combat this, organic growers look for 

fertilizer and pesticide products that are 

approved for use in organic gardens, such 

as neem products. Fruits, vegetables and 

medicines grown with the pure essence of 

neem contain no pesticide residues, and 

there is no need to flush plants before harvest 

because there is nothing to flush. 

WHAT IS SO MAGICAL ABOUT NEEM? 

Neem trees are loaded with bioactive 

nutrients. Over the centuries, they have 

evolved to survive in the harshest climates 

on Earth, such as sub-Saharan Africa. You 

see these trees whenever you see an African 

lion safari on TV. You see the dry, desolate 

landscape of Africa, and then, in the middle 

of nowhere, a giant, lush, green neem tree. 

Not only are they loaded with rich, bioactive 

nutrients, but when locusts come through 

and eat everything in sight, the only plants 

left are the neem trees because they contain 

a substance called azadirachtin that tastes 

bitter and smells awful. Azadirachtin does 

“ AZADIRACHTIN 

DOES NOT 

POISON INSECTS LIKE 

A SYNTHETIC PESTICIDE 

MIGHT. INSTEAD, IT TRIGGERS A 

STOP-EATING RESPONSE SO BUGS 

STARVE TO DEATH.” 

not poison insects like a synthetic pesticide might. Instead, 

it triggers a stop-eating response so bugs starve to death. 

Neem is effective against many pests, including aphids, 

beetles, cockroaches, flies, fruit flies, fungal infections, 

grasshoppers, leaf miners, mosquitoes, moths, nematodes, 

snails, spider mites and thrips. 

BRINGING NEEM TO THE MASSES 

In 2006, a PhD research scientist who spent his entire career 

at a global chemical company, and who literally wrote the 

book on chemical extraction, found a way to extract the pure 

essence of African neem trees. He was also able to make this 

concentrated liquid emulsifiable so it could mix well with 

regular water instead of oil. He sprayed this pure essence of 

neem on plants and saw instant results. Weak plants became 

healthy, and healthy plants became even healthier. Stress 

from pests and diseases was greatly reduced, while yields increased 

like crazy. Crops grown with neem extract also stayed 

healthy longer after being picked. 

Field trials on plants grown with the pure essence of neem 

have been conducted by several universities. At Saginaw 

Valley State University, tomato growers saw a 70% increase in 

cumulative yield mass, compared to untreated control, and on 

cherry tomatoes there was a 17% increase in fruit count, compared 

to untreated plants. At Michigan State University, blueberries 

grown with neem outperformed the ones grown with 

chemical inputs in total percentage of marketable fruit, and 

organic apples were healthier and happier than those grown 

without neem. Finally, at Hillsdale College, greenhouse-grown 

strawberries saw a nine-fold increase in fruit count, compared 

to the untreated control. 

NEEM FOR MEDICINAL CANNABIS PLANTS 

With more people using medicinal cannabis, there is a greater 

need to grow plants organically, which is where neem products 

come in. World-renowned scientific experts such as Dr. Sanja 

Gupta and Dr. Mehmet Oz have boldly changed their positions 

on the use of medicinal cannabis and its many benefits. In 

Dr. Gupta’s two CNN specials, Weed and Weed 2, he provides 

solid research to make the case for cannabis as medicine. 

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grow 

“ IN ADDITION TO WEEKLY 

FOLIAR FEEDING WITH PURE 

NEEM EXTRACT, HYDRO 

GROWERS LIKE TO ADD A 

SMALL AMOUNT OF IT TO 

THEIR RESERVOIRS TO HELP 

BUILD UP THE ROOT SYSTEM.” 

34 

The Leaf 

Doctor 

Doc 

Deadhead 


More to the topic at hand, in Weed 2, Dr. 

Gupta quoted the Journal of Toxicology, 

whose authors stated that they found 

levels of pesticide residue in medicinal 

cannabis as high as 69.5%. Novice growers 

may give their plants a good flushing to 

remove any toxic pesticides, but while 

flushing may remove what is on the surface 

of the plant, it cannot remove what is 

in the fabric of the plant. This is why pesticide 

residue numbers can creep so high. 

Since 2010, field trials on medicinal 

cannabis treated with pure essence of 

neem have been conducted in Michigan, 

Colorado, California, Oregon, New 

Mexico, Washington and Arizona, all 

with positive results. In Michigan, 

specific strain trials were conducted 

by a chemical technician at one of the 

state’s largest dispensaries. The trial 

groups showed improved plant health 

and increased yields at an average of 

55.6%, and as much as 82.7%. Here’s the 

yield increase on six strains of medicinal 

plants that were sprayed with the pure 

essence of neem: 

Green Crack (DWC): 29.7% 

Purple Afghani (DWC): 64.9% 

Fire Bubba Kush (DWC): 47.5% 

Master Kush (Soil): 61.4% 

Critical Mass (Soil): 82.7% 

Burmese Kush (Soil): 50.2% 

When foliar feeding with pure neem 

essence, remember that less is more. You 

want to use the finest mist possible. This 

allows plants to breathe in the nutrients 

through their pores, creating a protective 

shield against environmental stresses. 

In addition to weekly foliar feeding 

with pure neem extract, hydro growers 

like to add a small amount of it to their 

reservoirs to help build up the root system, 

and soil growers add a granular 

soil adjuvant made from the shucks of 

neem seeds after the essence has been 

extracted. Since it is granular, it needs 

to be applied just twice during the 

growing season: once at the beginning 

and once halfway through. 

AWARD-WINNING RESULTS 

Commercial growers who grow with 

the pure essence of neem have gone on 

to win awards at various High Times 

Cannabis Cups. The Strongest Strain on 

Earth winner, Ghost Train Haze #1, was 

grown by Michigan’s King of Cannabis, 

the Leaf Doctor, who swears by neem 

products. His award-winning strain 

tested at 27.5% THC. 

Doc Deadhead, a winner of four cannabis 

awards, says the pure essence of 

neem helps leaves communicate with 

roots, allowing for the full genetic potential 

of the strain. He also believes it to 

be a genetic booster. “Pure neem extract 

increased my yields by 30-50%,” he says. 

“It completely controls all pest issues 

while preventing powdery mildew. At the 

same time, it increases potency—26.4% 

THC speaks for itself.” Doc Deadhead 

won the Second Place Medallion for his 

hash at the High Times Cannabis Cup in 

Flint, Michigan. 

Professional growers often have to suit 

up with special protective gear before 

they apply synthetic plant nutrients and 

pesticides, and then they need to vacate 

the treated area for a period of time so 

they don’t poison themselves. Luckily, 

they don’t have these same concerns 

when using pure, neem-based products 

because they are made from plants and 

nothing else. What could be better than 

using all-natural, organic products on 

anything you plan on ingesting? 

James E. Kostrava is the founder and 

CEO of Organibliss. Organibliss is an 

all-natural, organic, OMRI-listed plant 

growth enhancer that is primarily made 

from the pure essence of neem. For more 

information, visit organibliss.com. 

myhydrolife.ca

ask a nurse 

Herbal 

ASK A NURSE: JOINT PAIN RELIEF 

I have aches and pains from my diagnosed 

Q 

rheumatoid arthritis and I’ve been hearing a lot 

about medicinal marijuana lately. I don’t want to 

keep taking my prescribed pills, and although I don’t 

like the thought of getting high, I long for relief from 

my joint pain and a good night’s sleep. Smoking up is not 

appealing to me because of the smell, and I’m worried about my 

neighbours. I smoked grass a few times about 40 years ago and 

had nothing but positive experiences with it. Any suggestions? 

Sincerely, 

Grandma Looking for Answers 

Oh, mystery Grandma, I’m glad to hear you were 

A 

toking 40 years ago. It warms my heart. First and 

foremost, transitioning from any pharmaceutical 

should be monitored and discussed thoroughly 

with a doctor. The good news is, you don’t have 

to get high to get joint relief with medicinal cannabis. 

Cannabis without the high can be found in strains with less 

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and higher CBD (cannabidiol) 

ratios. It is the CBD’s non-psychoactive component of cannabis 

that provides you with your physiological relief. Some strains 

commonly used for arthritis include Sensi Star, Pennywise 

and White Lavender. You can check out leafly.com to research 

strains and get a better understanding of strain specifics. 

If smoking joints isn’t in the cards for you, you can always use 

a vaporizer for quick relief and your neighbours won’t smell a 

thing. An infused cream or salve is also a nice topical option to 

massage into your hands. If you don’t have access to pre-made 

lotions, you can make one yourself. Cannabis-infused coconut 

oil is an easy way to get the most out of your dried cannabis 

and provide you with some intake diversity. To make cannabisinfused 

coconut oil: 

1. Place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet. 

2. Bust up your dried cannabis and spread it out on the tray. 

Bake in your oven at 220°F for 20 minutes. 

3. Grab your slow cooker and put in one cup of cannabis 

to two cups of coconut oil. Leave it on low and slow 

cook for 4-6 hours. 

4. After the oil has been infused, strain it and discard the 

cannabis in the compost. 

A jar of cannabis-infused medicine will go a long way. For 

example, if you pour it into ice cube trays, you can run the 

frozen cubes over hot or inflamed areas like the back of your 

neck, your feet, your hands or any area that is causing you 

discomfort. This oil can also be used to make raw chocolate or 

healthy edibles if you’re feeling inspired. The most important 

rule of thumb, Grandma, is low and slow. Try a small amount, 

wait 30 minutes or so, and check in with yourself. A little is a 

lot, and impatience can be your worst enemy with edibles, so 

take little bites and savour. Keep a water bottle with you as 

well—hydration and cannabis go hand in hand. 

I hope this response has answered your questions, and I wish 

you all the best on your cannabis journey. 

Shine on, 

Jessica Ferneyhough, RPN 

Do you have a question for Jessica? 

Email editor@myhydrolife.com to get an answer. 

Jessica Ferneyhough, a registered practical 

nurse, brings a unique approach to care, 

empowering patients as a medicinal cannabis 

nurse and horses for healing advocate. 

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heal 

by Brett Strauss 

THE PLANT THAT 

Saved My Life 

... and How It Happened 

After two-time cancer survivor Brett Strauss experienced the medicinal benefits of cannabis 

firsthand, he immediately sprang into action, spearheading policy change in Colorado. 

My name is 

Brett Strauss. I 

am a two-time 

cancer survivor 

and the CEO of 

Pure Nutrients, 

a company that 

manufactures and 

develops pesticides 

and washes that 

are safe for both 

plants and the 

patients who medicate with them. 

I was first diagnosed with cancer in 

May 2007. Three months later, I had surgery 

on six tumours that were imbedded 

in my thyroid. I had a 100% thyroidectomy 

at that time. Fast forward to January 

2010, when I had a routine ultrasound 

that showed five masses in the lymph 

nodes in the soft tissues of my neck. 

The medical staff instantly took a 

fine-needle biopsy of all five masses, 

including one that was tucked behind 

my carotid artery. A week later, I was told 

that all five tumours were malignant. 

I received the news while working in 

Pueblo, Colorado, in my greenhouse. I 

was in the middle of unloading a semitruck 

full of Sunshine No. 4 Potting Soil. I 

was not only severely devastated by the 

news, I also ended up severely damaging 

a muscle in my back that day. The following 

day, crippled by the news and the 

severe back pain, I hobbled into my office 

at LAKK Investments in Colorado. LAKK 

invests in marijuana businesses, and 

owns and controls the grow operations for 

Garden of the Gods Wellness, an upscale 

dispensary in Colorado Springs. 

When I limped into my office, I was met 

by Olympic gold-medalist wrestler Jeff 

Cervone, who operated the dispensary. 

After hearing the news of my wrecked 

back and cancer diagnosis, Jeff suggested 

I try a high-CBD cream on my neck that he 

had just received from a lady at Elsie’s Edibles 

in Grand Junction. I said, “No thanks. 

I have severe back pain and cancer. I need 

heavy-duty painkillers, not some voodoo 

marijuana cream.” 

Jeff urged me to reconsider, so I gave the 

cream a try. Within 30 minutes of applying 

it to my back, the pain was completely 

gone. Later that day, I met a lady named 

Kathy who came to me to help her open a 

local MMJ center. Kathy suffered from crippling 

arthritis and wore soft casts on her 

hands. She could barely move her fingers 

or hands. As I was newly won over by the 

MMJ balm Jeff gave me, I gave her some 

to try. Within minutes, Kathy was able to 

move her hands again. 

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heal 

As a result of what happened to me, I became more involved 

than ever in the cannabis plant, in alternative methods of 

healing, in other patients and in the development of safe 

pesticides that would not add cancer-causing agents to what 

I now believed was a medical cure for a terminal illness.” 

At that point, I had seen all I needed 

to see, and started to apply the balm to 

my neck as well as my back. My next 

surgery was scheduled on the Ides of 

March—March 15, 2010—three months 

after my second cancer diagnosis. I was 

so nervous for my surgery that I named 

my new Rottweiler Caesar, in honor of 

the Ides of March and the day Julius 

Caesar died. I was thinking that if I 

died in surgery, I could live on through 

my new puppy. It sounds crazy now, 

but this is what fear and cancer does 

to the mind. I remember my friend Nate 

Vasquez being there as I went under, the 

same man who was there the first time I 

came out of surgery in 2007. 

I was in surgery for approximately 

four hours. When I came out of surgery 

and read the results of the post-surgery 

biopsy report, it was incredible. Four 

of the tumours in the lymph nodes of 

my neck were completely benign, but 

the one behind my carotid artery was 

still malignant. The report basically 

said to me that every tumour the CBD 

balm came into contact with was cured, 

and the one it couldn’t reach, behind 

my carotid artery where it couldn’t be 

touched, was still cancerous. I had 

been 90% cured. I continued to use 

the cream and took radioactive iodine 

treatment as a counter measure. As I 

write this story in early 2016, I am still, 

to this day, cancer-free. 

The news of what happened to me 

became a high-profile story in the 

media—so much so that I was asked to 

be the keynote speaker at the Capital in 

Washington, DC, on 420 that year. Doctors 

validated my medical results in the 

newspaper and on TV. For many, it was 

the first credible report of its kind. 

As a result of what happened to me, I 

became more involved than ever with 

the cannabis plant, in alternative methods 

of healing, in other patients and in 

the development of safe pesticides that 

would not add cancer-causing agents 

to what I now believe is a medical cure 

for a terminal illness. I started my own 

study, and partnered up with two doctors 

who were members of the alreadyestablished 

Colorado Compassionate 

Physicians, a local office dedicated to 

helping those in the community find 

alternative methods of pain relief. We 

set out to arrange free doctor visits for 

anybody dealing with a possibly terminal 

illness. Our goal was to get these 

people recommendations for medical 

marijuana, and either cover the cost of 

their medication or provide it at cost. 

I also got heavily involved with the 

State of Colorado and even took over 

a group looking to get House Bill 1284 

passed. House Bill 1284 was a dead bill 

at the time and had zero support from 

law enforcement or the growing community. 

It was a gray-area bill that allowed 

patients to use and grow of marijuana, 

but did not allow for the sale of pot. So, a 

person could grow pot and provide it for 

patients, but selling it to others was still 

considered illegal. Not only were people 

not able to get the medicine they needed, 

they were losing their freedom under a 

law that was subjective and ambiguous. 

I took over this task force after meeting 

with Senator Chris Romer’s office 

at the state capital. They informed me 

that they trusted this task to others, 

but they never got behind it and the 

bill had little support. I quickly got to 

work organizing the Colorado Grown 

Community. This rag-tag group of 

growers, business owners, law-enforcement 

officials, doctors, patients 

and lawyers started a dialogue and 

began taking the bill apart to make 

it work the best we could for all parties 

concerned. I wanted to be part of 

the solution, so I financed and paid 

for the endeavour myself, including 

covering all the legal fees. 

We worked day and night, 

disseminating our information to the 

House and Senate members across 

party lines. Subsequently, the oncedead 

bill passed (with some revisions) 

and the boom of medicinal cannabis— 

and now recreational marijuana— 

began in Colorado, once it was 

legalized and legitimized. Colorado 

became the first state to legalize the 

sale of pot as we know it, and now, 

thousands of patients of all ages 

continue to move to Colorado every 

year to get the lifesaving medicines 

they need, without the fear of legal 

repercussions or any negative stigma. 

Along with my crusade to legitimize 

Colorado’s cannabis industry, in 2012 I 

founded Pure Nutrients to help develop 

safe pesticides and fungicides that not 

only protect the plants, but protect the 

patients, while providing growers with 

a safe alternative to chemical pesticides 

that works better. I was tired of manufacturers 

not telling growers what they 

were putting in the products that were 

being used on plants. It made me suspicious 

that hazardous, cancer-causing 

chemicals were being used on cannabis 

and our food crops with little or no care 

or disclosure to the end user. 

This is a fight we are still fighting at 

Pure, and one we intend on winning. The 

cannabis plant, in my opinion, saved 

my life, and in return, I have and will 

continue to do the same for it. 

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heal 

Medicinal Marijuana 

& the Endocannabinoid 

Receptors: What We Know So Far 

by Augustus Dunning 

The human body contains 

naturally occurring receptor 

sites for endocannabinoid 

compounds, which is what causes 

our minds and bodies to react 

to plant-based cannabinoid 

compounds. These receptors 

are what make cannabis so 

effective in terms of its medicinal 

applications, and the truth is 

it’s always been this way, as 

archaeology has confirmed. 

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WORDS TO KNOW 

Trichomes - Fine outgrowths or appendages on plants with 

diverse structure and function. Including hairs, glandular hairs, 

scales and papillae, they are the primary source of cannabinoid 

and terpine development of the cannabis plant. 

Landrace - A local and often isolated variety of a domesticated 

plant species that has developed over time, through adaptation 

to the natural environment in which it lives. 

Indica - One of the two main subspecies of cannabis, indica 

tends toward shorter, wider plants with a deeply relaxing and 

calming effect helpful for treating anxiety, pain and sleeping 

disorders. Best suited for night use. 

Sativa - One of the two main subspecies of cannabis, sativa 

plants are tall and thin with an energetic and uplifting effect 

helpful for treating emotional imbalance and depression. Best 

suited for day use. 

Cannabinoid - Diverse chemical compounds that act on 

cannabinoid receptors and repress neurotransmitter release 

in the brain. The active constituents of cannabis, at least 85 

variations have been isolated, including THC and CBD. 

THC - The cannabinoid called tetrahydrocannabinol is the 

primary psychoactive compound of cannabis. 

CBD - The cannabinoid called cannabidiol is the secondary 

constituent compound within cannabis. 

Terpine - A large and diverse class of organic compounds 

produced by a variety of plants that provide aromatic and 

flavour diversity. 

Receptor - A protein molecule that receives chemical signals 

from outside a cell. 

CB1, CB2 - Human body cannabinoid receptor types. 

G proteins - Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. 

Guanine - One of the four main nucleobases found in the nucleic 

acids DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid). 

Nucleotide - Organic molecules that serve as sub-units of 

nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. 

Cell Membrane - The semi-permeable membrane 

surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell. 

Amino Acids - Biologically important organic compounds 

containing an amine (-NH2) and a carboxylic acid (-COOH). 

Endocannabinoid - Substances produced naturally within 

human and animal bodies that activate cannabinoid receptors. 

Neurotransmitter - Endogenous chemicals that enable 

neurotransmission (communication) by transmitting signals across a 

chemical synapse, such as a neuromuscular junction, from one neuron 

(nerve cell) to another target neuron, muscle cell or gland cell. 

Cytokine - Intercellular messengers that play key roles in the 

regulation of the immune response as the source of soluble 

regulatory signals that initiate and constrain inflammatory 

responses to pathogens and injury. 

— Wikipedia.com 

Cannabis has been used as a natural, effective, 

plant-based medicine for at least 7,000 years, which 

is as far as back as we can determine using historical 

dating. Use of the plant likely goes back even further 

than this, but it’s nearly impossible to gauge how 

far given that researchers are dealing with rapidly 

decaying archeological records. 

Chemical analysis of Egyptian and Peruvian 

mummy bones and tissues has revealed cannabinoid 

compounds dating as far back as 2,900 BC. 

Hieroglyphic evidence of therapeutic administration 

is consistent with this time-dated analysis. In 1993, 

a team of German anthropologists published the 

results of an analysis of various tissues from 72 

Peruvian mummies circa 1,800-500 BC. The bones from 

20 of them contained cannabinoids. In addition, an 

MRI analysis of a 2,500-year-old Mongolian princess 

mummy revealed she died from breast cancer and was 

buried with cannabis in her tomb. The cannabis was 

recovered and its psychoactive compounds were still 

active. In fact, the secretory reservoir on the trichomes 

had fossilized and turned bright red. 

“ 

It is the stimulation of the CB1 receptor 

that gets people high and leads to things 

like increased appetite, mood elevation, 

stimulation of thought and creativity, and 

enhanced sensory sensitivity and perception.” 

Following the Cannabis Trail 

Many people believe the cultivation of naturally 

occurring landrace varieties of cannabis began in 

the Hindu Kush mountain range in Asia, and moved 

out via trade routes—southwest into Egypt, east into 

Mongolia, west into the Mediterranean, and as far 

north as England and Scandinavia—all by the time of 

the Roman Empire. A sub-strain called C. Ruderalis, 

which is self-pollinating and is not photoperiodsensitive, 

evolved in southern Russia. 

Today, cannabis use is global, and its application 

in spiritual ceremonies and applications by shaman 

healers are well-documented. My work focuses on 

the chemical analysis of landrace varieties from 

Afghanistan (Hindu Kush), Morocco (Atlas Mountains) 

and South Africa (Kwanza Zulu). These are all pure, 

ancient, isolated, unadulterated strains of indicas 

and sativas. I am using these strains to develop a 

baseline cannabinoid distribution analysis. I will 

use my analysis to compare modern hybrids as they 

relate to the distribution of different compounds in 

the landraces, and how they are expressed in modern 

cross-pollinations to create such varieties as Blue Sky 

Cotton Candy or Orange Bud. For instance, there may 

be a way to associate their therapeutic effects with 

their terpene compounds. 

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Understanding Receptors CB1 and CB2 

As the human race has grown up, cannabis use has grown 

along with it. Cannabis plants and humans are genetically 

and biologically compatible due to the receptor sites in the 

human body. One might make the case that the cannabis plant 

is genetically one of many ancestors of the human genome. 

There are two types of cannabinoid receptors in the human 

body—cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid 

receptor type 2 (CB2)—that sense molecules outside the 

cell and activate inside signal transduction pathways and 

cellular responses. As they are coupled with G proteins 

(guanine nucleotide-binding proteins), they fall into the 

category of seven-transmembrane receptors, meaning they 

pass through the cell membrane seven times. 

“ 

Selective CB2 receptor 

agonists have become 

increasingly popular 

subjects of research for their 

potential anti-inflammatory 

and anti-cancer effects.” 

CB2 receptors are mainly found on white blood cells, in the 

tonsils and in the spleen, which allows for the blood-borne 

distribution of compounds to various parts of the body. In the 

immune system, one important function of the cannabinoid 

receptors is the regulation of cytokine release. 

It is the stimulation of the CB1 receptor that gets people high 

and leads to things like increased appetite, mood elevation, 

stimulation of thought and creativity, and enhanced sensory 

sensitivity and perception. In contrast, these effects are not 

seen when the CB2 receptor is activated. Therefore, selective 

CB2 receptor agonists have become increasingly popular 

subjects of research for their potential anti-inflammatory and 

anti-cancer effects. The fact that the CB2 receptor is found 

on macrophage cells indicates the immune system 

cells can bring the cannabinoid compound to 

the site to assist in the fight to kill diseases, 

reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. 

Cannabis…it does a body good! 

The CB1 receptors are approximately 

473 amino acids in size and are 

located primarily in the central and 

peripheral nervous systems. They are 

activated by the endocannabinoid 

neurotransmitters anandamide 

and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, and 

by plant cannabinoids. CB2 is a 

cannabinoid receptor, 

approximately 360 

amino acids in size, 

from the cannabinoid 

receptor family that, 

in humans, is encoded 

by the CNR2 gene. 

CB1 receptors are primarily located on 

nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, 

but they are also found in some peripheral 

organs and tissues such as the spleen, 

white blood cells, endocrine gland and 

parts of the reproductive, gastrointestinal 

and urinary tracts. In the brain, CB1 

receptors are abundant in the cerebellum, 

basal ganglia, hippocampus and dorsalprimary 

afferent spinal cord regions, 

which is why cannabinoids influence 

functions such as memory processing, pain 

regulation and motor control. In the brain 

stem, the concentration of cannabinoids 

is low, which may be why cannabis use is 

not associated with sudden death due to 

depressed respiration, as is the case with 

heroin overdoses. 

Augustus Dunning is the CEO of Eco Organics and is 

a physicist, chemist and an inventor. He is the former 

systems ops designer for the International Space 

Station and a former regional manager of liquid, 

solid and electric propulsion systems. 

46 


myhydrolife.ca

heal 

Sour Diesel 

Girl Scout 

Green Crack 

OG Kush 

finding the 

perfect 

White Rhino 

Chocolope 

Blue Dream 

LA Confidential 

White Rhino 

Jack SHerer 

Bubba Kush 

AK-47 

Trainwreck 

T 

Pineapple by Jessica Express Ferneyhough 

Identifying the perfect strain of 

cannabis is like brushing up against 

the perfect set of lips. Moments can 

Northern pass in complete Lights bliss and elevate 

you from whatever ails the spirit. Time 

Headband 

becomes irrelevant as this boundless 

bliss encompasses you and the worries 

you had, just moments before, seem less 

Blue Cheese 

urgent. The healing hits its highest point 

when you begin to let go and have less 

Purple fear around Kush exploring intake methods. 

Deciding which intake method is right 

Durban for you takes Poison a warrior’s spirit. You 

must be willing to explore strains for 

Gorilla specificity. Glue Open up and #4have a little fun 

as you balance your CBD with your THC. 

Chemdawg 

Notice as your vibe becomes your guide 

to healing. Do you mist your medicine 

on your tongue as you feel the tension 

Lemon Haze 

creeping up? Or is it the softness of a 

CO 2 pen that you prefer? Has it been 

Super rubbed Silver on your arthritic Haze hands, only to 

feel the continuous throbbing dissipate 

Alaskan moments after Thunder 

application? Or are you 

a parent with an epileptic child who you 

Strawberry administer CBD oil to? Cough 

Lives are being transformed with 

Grape this incredible Apeplant as she finally 

showcases her healing capabilities 

to the world. Regardless of whether 

Blackberry Kush 

you are pro-cannabis or ignorant of its 

medicinal capabilities at this point, 

Blueberry 

it’s helping with an expanding list of 

ailments and diseases daily. Cannabis 

Cheese assists with epilepsy, pediatrics, 

PTSD patients, animals, elderly, the 

Master sick, the lonely Kush and the believers of 

better days to come and brighter ways 

Super to be. Embracing Lemon cannabis Haze is about 

bouncing back from days of heavy 

Cherry 

sickness and 

Pie 

pharmaceutical haze. 

R 

A 

Jessica Ferneyhough leads us 

through the journey of finding the 

right strain for what ails you. 

I 

The dark shadows that chemical 

pharmaceuticals are trying to cast upon 

its victims are coming to an end. More 

people are rising up to take control of 

their healing path. They want legal 

access to it. My hope is that they are 

working with someone who is not only 

well-informed of its many benefits, but 

also its accessibility. If this is not the 

case, head to a cannabis clinic. 

In my opinion, dignified access to 

medicinal cannabis is a human right. 

It has become my personal mission 

as a nurse and as a medicine woman 

to destigmatize marijuana and uplift 

the downtrodden with her influence. 

Empowering patients to work with their 

own medicine has boundless rewards. 

Science is dancing to her magic 

and the vibrations are producing 

precise medicines. CBD eye drops for 

glaucoma are coming, there is CBD oil 

available for patients and there are 

cannabis creams for joints and edema. 

My inner child beams with delight as 

I find more of these forms of treatment 

for such common ailments. 

There is no judgement from cannabis. 

Your endocannabinoid system is 

begging for it. It takes the heart of 

an adventurer to really enjoy this 

medicine, one who seeks truth and 

understands that our greatest healing 

comes from within. 

Jessica Ferneyhough, a registered 

practical nurse, brings a unique approach 

to care, empowering patients both as a 

medicinal cannabis nurse and horses for 

healing advocate. 

Lemon Kush 

God's Gift 

N 

Skywalker 

Purple Urkle 

Tahoe OG Kush 

G13 

Death Star 

Agent Orange 

Hindu Kush 

Purple Haze 

Mango Kush 

Granddaddy Purple 

Master Kush 

Cherry Pie 

Maui Waui 

Afghan Kush 

Amnesia Haze 

White Rhino 

Chocolope 

LA Confidential 

Lemon Kush 

Skywalker 

Tahoe OG Kush 

Purple Haze 

Bubba Kush 

AK-47 

Trainwreck 

Pineapple Express 

48 


myhydrolife.ca

live 

Get out the juicer! It’s time to 

make a cannabis smoothie. 

CANNABIS 

50 


JUICING 

101 

by Colleen Graham 

One of the latest—and some say greatest—ways to ingest medicinal 

cannabis is juicing. There are many reported health benefits to juicing 

cannabis and it appeals to many patients because it does not get you 

high. Heat is required to trigger the psychoactive properties of THC and 

juicing bypasses that completely. It is easy to create a completely innocent, 

healthy cannabis juice. Here are a few things you should know first. 

myhydrolife.ca

BLENDER VS. JUICER 

The biggest decision in juicing is which 

machine to choose. It is possible to juice 

cannabis in a blender and this is a good 

place to begin if you want to experiment. 

For those who really want to get into 

juicing, a masticating juicer is your best 

bet. These can range from $100 to several 

thousand and are designed to juice the 

driest vegetables and leafy greens. If kale 

and wheatgrass smoothies are on your 

wish list as well, a decent juicer is a good 

investment. Follow the juicer’s instructions 

for leafy greens and you are done! 

BLENDING CANNABIS JUICE 

If you decide to stick with your trusty 

blender over a juicer, a decent one will 

be able to create cannabis juice: 

• Remove the stems from 4-5 fresh 

cannabis fan leaves. 

• Rinse well and add them 

to the blender. 

• Add 1 cup of distilled water. 

• Cap the blender and give it a few 

good rounds on the pulse setting. 

• Switch to liquefy and watch your 

fresh cannabis juice form. 

• Strain out the big pieces of pulp 

and enjoy! 

PULP OR NO PULP 

Many medicinal cannabis juicers prefer 

to leave some pulp in the juice, as the 

pulp has extra fibre and nutrients that 

are beneficial. It does make the juice 

thicker and can be harder to drink if 

you are not used to it. Strain the juice as 

many times as you like. One trip through 

the strainer will remove most of the pulp. 

CHOOSING & PREPPING 

THE CANNABIS 

Juicing cannabis for its medicinal 

benefits requires a few decisions. Most 

importantly, begin with a type that is 

preferred for medical use, such as high- 

CBD cannabis. The cannabis also needs 

to be fresh. Dried leaves are a waste of 

time. Fresh from the plant is best and if 

you must store the leaves, place them in 

the refrigerator in a loose plastic bag. 

Don’t expose them to any heat. 

Some people will add fresh buds to their 

mix as well, but this is not necessary. 

Besides, juicing is a great way to use up 

leaves that may be discarded. If plants 

have been sprayed with anything, be 

sure to rinse the leaves thoroughly. 

STORING CANNABIS JUICE 

Fresh cannabis juice can be stored for 

up to three days in the refrigerator. To 

extend its shelf life, freeze the juice in 

an ice cube tray and pop out cubes as 

needed. With this method, the juice can 

be used for up to three weeks. 

MASKING THE TASTE 

Let’s face it, the taste of raw cannabis is 

not for everyone. If you love a straight 

shot of wheatgrass juice, you may not 

have a problem with it. For everyone 

else, it is an acquired taste you may or 

may not get used to. 

To make cannabis juice easier to drink, 

mix it with other juices. Carrot is a 

favourite and some people recommend 

a blend of one part cannabis to 10 parts 

carrot. That’s great, but let’s make it 

more interesting! Choose light, sweet 

fruits that will offset that bitter cannabis 

flavour. Banana, mango and peach 

are great places to start. Add a little 

sweetener and milk or yogurt and you 

have the foundation for a great-tasting 

cannabis smoothie. 

Peachy Green 

Smoothie 

• ½ large peach, chopped 

• ½ banana, sliced 

• 3 cannabis juice ice cubes 

• 1 tbsp agave nectar or honey 

• 3 ounces milk or ½-cup yogurt 

Place the ingredients in a blender. 

Pulse to chop everything up, then 

liquefy until smooth. 

Adapt this recipe however you 

want. That’s the best part about 

juicing…there are no rules! Try 

soy, almond or coconut milk or a 

flavoured yogurt (blueberry with 

peach is delicious). If the mix is 

too thick, add more milk or two 

plain ice cubes and blend again. 

You can also begin with just 4 or 

5 large cannabis fans and skip the 

cubed juice completely. 

Colleen Graham is a writer and freelance photographer from the Midwest who 

specializes in mixed drinks and covering the liquor industry. She is the cocktails 

expert for about.com and author of the book ¡Hola Tequila! Gardening and 

kayaking with her husband are two of her favourite pastimes. 

myhydrolife.com 


live 

Is Electronic Cannabis 

by Alex Rea 

To vaporize, or not to vaporize? 

A growing number of medicinal cannabis 

patients are turning to this method 

of consumption. Here’s why. 

Cannabis has grown up quite a bit in 

recent years, ever since entrepreneurs 

set their minds to creating products 

that appeal to adults who need to 

medicate discreetly. Vaporization 

is the new craze taking over the 

cannabis industry, as it uses less 

cannabis, is better for your health 

and doesn’t leave that lingering, 

unmistakable odour of burnt cannabis. 

Vaporization of medicinal cannabis is 

nothing new, but there are a few new 

developments set to make profound 

changes to how people consume 

cannabis as medicine. 

for Medical Pot? 

“ 

VAPORIZATION 

USES LESS cannabis, 

is better for your 

health and doesn’t 

leave that lingering, 

unmistakable odour 

of burnt cannabis.” 

The Herbal Vape 

The herbal cannabis vaporizer 

has been around for at 

least 30 years and works by 

gently heating cannabis to 

around 200˚F, until the active 

ingredients become vapours 

without the harmful compounds 

that are created by burning cannabis. 

Vaporization is more efficient because 

in smoked cannabis, a lot of the active 

ingredients are burnt before your body 

can use them. Vaporizer users need less 

than half the medicine than those who 

smoke it. As well, more of the pleasantsmelling 

terpenes and other compounds 

in cannabis can be tasted. 

The Portable Vaporizer 

Thanks to improvements to battery 

technology and manufacturing, portable 

vaporizers let you take the high-quality 

vapour of the large desktop versions on 

the go. The only downfall is having to 

charge the batteries, load new cannabis 

and get rid of spent cannabis, which can 

be a real hassle when away from home. 

The Oil Pen 

The next breakthrough in cannabis 

consumption is the oil pen. Patients, care 

providers and compassion clubs have 

been developing methods of extracting 

high-quality cannabis oil from their 

resinous plants. The oil can then be 

loaded into an electronic device with a 

coil that heats up to vaporize the oil. 

The issue with this method is that often 

the oil is created using solvents such as 

butane, hexane, alcohol or other organic 

solvents. The liquid solution of solvent and 

plant extract is then heated or subjected to 

a vacuum to remove the solvents, leaving 

a sticky, clear, sometimes solid plant 

extract that can be as high as 90% THC. 

These solvents are great at removing 

the oils from the plant, but the product 

is often left with trace amounts of the 

solvent, which can be hazardous to human 

health over time, not to mention the 

process can be dangerous when done 

at home. The other issue is that it can 

be a messy, sticky business trying to get 

the oil into the pen, which can be nearly 

solid at room temperature. Pre-filled oil 

pen cartridges have had a big impact on 

cannabis distribution and consumption. 

52 


myhydrolife.ca

E-cigs 

Some thoughtful patients have adapted e-cigarette technology 

to be used as a cannabis delivery device with a bit of at-home 

ingenuity. Simply soaking a mixture of heated cannabis, 

propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin in a crockpot can 

produce a tincture that can be used in a standard, refillable 

e-pen. It does not make the most potent tincture, unless you 

ingest a few milliliters of it, and the medicating experience is 

discreet, easy and enjoyable. 

Oil Cartridges 

New products are now on the market that use e-cigarette 

technology with only high-quality, CO 2-extracted oils. Known 

as oil cartridges, these somewhat disposable cartridges with 

rechargeable battery units come with strain and potency 

labels. Made from solvent-free CO 2 oil, all the negative points 

of current smoking and vaping methods go away. 

The Future 

The biggest development in vaping technology is that the 

active ingredients in cannabis can now be extracted in the 

form of an oil that can then be loaded into vape pens. New 

industrial methods of extracting plant ingredients, such as 

supercritical CO 2 extraction, are revolutionizing the extraction 

process. Supercritical CO 2 extraction uses huge machinery and 

is expensive, but is the most efficient and safest way 

to produce the potent extracts the medicinal 

community needs. 

The emergence of CO 2 extraction has created highly potent, 

safe and consistent oils that can then be loaded into vape 

cartridges and sold to the public. The pens are sensitive 

to the pressure change when the user inhales and turn on 

automatically, so there is no button to press. You don’t have 

to know how to roll a joint, or how to program a vaporizer, just 

inhale from this device to get your medicine. 

I believe the portable, pre-filled oil pen has the most potential 

to reach the cannabis-naïve masses and help those who suffer 

from the stigma associated with its use to avoid scrutiny from 

others. People who would never have considered cannabis as 

medication may think twice about conventional forms of treatment 

such as opiates and choose cannabis instead. 

Alex Rea is the vice-president of Homegrown Hydroponics in 

Toronto, Ontario, and the co-founder of Phytomedical, a cannabis 

consulting clinic. As a patient, advocate and business person 

in the cannabis industry, Alex has a keen understanding of the 

political, economic and social hurdles that underpin cannabis as 

medicine in North America. 


enjoy 

Baking 

A FOOL OF MYSELF 

A CANNABIS 

CULINARY COLUMN 

by Watermelon 

THREE STEPS TO MAKING EDIBLES 

In her first-ever column for Hydrolife, Watermelon 

reveals the three steps she takes before baking 

the tasty edibles that made her famous. 

Before I dive into my first column, I figure I should introduce 

myself. I was born Mary Jean Dunsdon, youngest 

of four, to a Top Gun fighter pilot and a macramé hut/craft 

storeowner. So I come by my current profession honestly. I 

have been unapologetic about my marijuana use and food 

production since 1993. I sold my first cookies on the worldfamous, 

clothing-optional Wreck Beach that same year. 

Before selling cookies, I sold slices of watermelon and 

T-Shirts to nude people. The T-Shirts had pictures of my best 

friend on them. He was an 80-year-old Irish bootlegger named 

Paddy White. Paddy loved to smoke pot. I sold the watermelon 

for $2 a slice—except to children. It was always free for 

children. This is where I got my name, Watermelon. 

54 


myhydrolife.ca

Since those early days, I have easily made and sold more 

than 1 million Ginger Extra Snap Cookies, Rum-Resin Balls, 

Bud-der Tarts, Weedish Meatballs, Spinakopita Puff Pastries, 

Nice Cream Cones, Quiche Your Ass Goodnights and so much 

more. I love to host marijuana-tasting salons in my home a few 

times each year. I cannot stress how important it is to know 

about serving size and cannabis conversion when hosting 

such parties. I want everybody to have a great time without 

sleeping over or freaking out. I have some great party tricks I 

will share with you in a later column, but for starters, I want 

to break down my rather simple process, step by step. When it 

comes to baking edibles, there are three steps to nail: 

• Making your shake flour 

• Determining your serving sizes 

• Converting your cannabis 

These processes can be used for almost any recipe. I always 

encourage responsible edible creations that can be enjoyed 

by the average person. Advanced edible eaters can have 

two servings. For me, the easiest method of all for making 

edibles is by starting with some shake flour. 

MAKING SHAKE FLOUR 

Shake flour, quite simply, is finely ground, dried cannabis flowers 

and/or leaves. To make your own, pulverize cannabis flowers and/ 

or leaves into a fine flour using a blender or coffee grinder, and 

then sift off any fibrous material. Store in an airtight container in 

the fridge until you're ready to use it on a recipe-by-recipe basis. 

SERVING SIZES & PORTION CONTROL 

The most important kitchen tool you will need for creating 

edibles is a scale. My serving guidelines, which I believe offer 

the perfect dose for the average person, is 0.5-0.75 grams per 

serving. So, if your recipe says serves 10, you will weigh up 

enough shake flower for 10 servings only. This equates to 5-7.5 

grams, depending on the quality of your shake/bud. Don’t be a 

hero unless you like sleepovers. Less is always more. A little 

goes a long way. As my mama says, “You can always go back 

for seconds.” 

You can then add your weighed shake to the fat, oil, alcohol 

or whatever you are using for your cannabis conversion. This 

helps avoids any confusion on how much to eat, or how much 

pre-made canna butter to add. 

CANNABIS CONVERSION 

You need to convert dried cannabis to make it active, meaning 

it gets you high when you ingest it. Scientifically speaking, you 

need to knock the carbon molecule off the cannabis so it can 

bind with your cannabinoid receptors. Cannabis molecules 

cannot easily bind to your receptors with the carbon molecule 

intact. This is similar to a key that won’t fit into a lock. After you 

knock the carbon molecule off, the key fits perfectly. 

You can knock carbon molecules off using heat, alcohols or fats. 

This is the process of cannabis conversion taking place. There 

are many different types of fats you can use to convert cannabis 

for edibles, including butter, coconut oil and bacon fat. There 

are also many different types of alcohol you can used to convert 

cannabis for edibles, including rum, vodka and black sambuca. 

Another way to covert cannabis is using dry-cooking techniques 

done in an oven or a slow cooker, and some patience. 

Once you have some understanding of these three easy 

steps to baking your own edibles, we can venture into 

the wonderful world of edibles in future issues. 

Reduce shadow patterns for better yields. 

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enjoy 

Ganja 

Goddess 

Meet Jessica Ferneyhough, a registered practical nurse 

who helps medicinal cannabis patients sort through 

what’s what. As Hydrolife’s first featured Ganja Goddess, 

and our resident Ask a Nurse columnist, Jessica reveals 

how she got into the cannabis industry and shares 

where she plans to take what she’s learned so far. 

56 


myhydrolife.ca

How did you get into the cannabis industry? 

A contract was presented to me through a friend, inviting me 

to manage a new cannabis clinic called PhytoMedical and 

work in the sales department of Homegrown Hydroponics in 

Ontario. Since I’m always up for a challenge, I accepted. 

Tell us a bit about yourself and your current career. 

I love adventure travel, alternative medicine and diversity in 

all forms. My current career allows me to work as an advocate 

for patients, providing dignified access to cannabis while 

writing and staying open to new opportunities. 

What do you like best about working in this industry? 

The people, hands down. 

Can you share one tip many medicinal cannabis users 

could benefit from? 

Low and slow! Try new strains and intake methods regularly. I 

like to think of Mary Jane as a woman. If you keep approaching 

her the same way and expecting different results, you’re going 

to be disappointed. Mix it up! 

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

Play in the forest with the horses, ride motorcycles, dance, read 

and play Nerf wars with my little man. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 

I see myself on a wellness ranch, providing dignified access to 

cannabis at a retreat centre and working with horses for healing. 

Finally, give us three random facts about yourself. 

1. I can tie a cherry stem with my tongue. 

2. Headstands are my signature move. 

3. I smell like patchouli and sandalwood. 

“ Jessica Ferneyhough 

Age: Residence: 

I like to think of Mary Jane as a 

woman. If you keep approaching 

her the same way and 

expecting different results, 

you’re going to be disappointed.” 

31 Ontario, Canada 

Occupations: 

Registered practical nurse, medicinal 

cannabis consultant, corporate sales manager, 

wilderness horseback guide, actress, writer, 

raw chocolatier, superfood advocate 

Favorite Feature: 

My eyes 

Inspirations: 

My son, the wilderness, horses and wellness 


enjoy 

Enhancing Your 

SEX LIFE with Cannabis 

BY ALY AMOUR 

WITH CANADA ABOUT 

TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA, 

IT SEEMS LIKE A WORTH- 

WHILE MOMENT TO 

CONSIDER THE EFFECTS 

OF CANNABIS ON COITUS. 

How does cannabis affect your 

performance in the bedroom? It 

depends on how often you smoke or 

eat it, what type of high you have and 

the state of your relationship with 

whom you’re sharing the experience. 

Let’s look at what can make it good 

and what can make it bad. 

THE GOOD 

The science applied to marijuana 

cultivation means you can choose 

exactly what you want out of a high. 

So, a place to start is to ask yourself 

what makes sex good for you. For 

most of us, touch is key. Weed that 

causes a yummy, lovely body high is 

a good place to start. An open heart 

also helps. A strain that guarantees a 

happy, mellow, accepting feeling will 

create an enhanced experience. 

THE BAD 

• Paranoia. This is the worst-case 

scenario. If you are inclined to feeling 

paranoid or like to be in control, choose 

your strain carefully. 

• Sleepiness. Having a nice sleep after 

a good shag is a wonderful thing. Weed 

can help with that, especially if you have 

trouble sleeping to begin with. However, 

you don’t want to feel drowsy immediately, 

or doze off in the middle of the action. 

• Munchies. As everyone knows, overeating 

is one of the quickest ways to kill 

your libido. Hence Dan Savage’s whole 

“fuck first” movement. 

• Body numbness. This is a not-socommon 

pitfall, but it is out there. If the 

strain of cannabis you’ve chosen causes 

a serious mental high, but leaves the 

body out of it, you may find it hard to 

feel much of anything at all. 

Armed with this knowledge, my husband 

and I decided to try it out. For us, it 

was wonderful. We have a healthy sex 

life, but we found that getting high first 

made us feel more connected. It made 

us slow down and take our time in a 

way we hadn’t in a while, and it spurred 

us to try new things. The world melted 

away and it was easy to simply stay in 

the moment and enjoy each other. 

Touch was definitely enhanced for me. 

My first orgasm was loud and massive, 

and seemed to last for a long time. I 

think it was simply slowed down the 

way cannabis slows everything down. It 

was also easier to have multiples. I don’t 

know if this was because of the enhanced 

touch or simply because we put more 

effort into it, and we were both dealing 

with the same deck of cards. 

My husband reported he didn’t feel 

enhanced touch sensations, but he 

enjoyed himself immensely, partly 

because it was something out-of-ourquite-colourful 

ordinary, and partly 

because it went on for a long time. 

One of the key things we did that 

ensured a considerable body high for 

me was we ate it. This adds a level of 

complexity to the experience because you 

have less control over your dose. But for 

most people, it’s a nicer high. It also eliminates 

any coughing and that oh-so-lovely 

cotton mouth. If you don’t use a lot of pot, 

talk to someone who knows what they are 

doing about eating safely and happily. 

In conclusion, if it’s something you’ve 

always wondered about, it’s worth 

trying. Simply spending time so 

connected to your physical self and 

your partner is wonderful. 

Aly Amour has been having and enjoying 

great sex throughout her adult life. 

Once she became a writer, she thought 

combining her two passions just made 

sense. Her first attempt at a sex column was 

in university, and now, 11 years later, she 

has learned the more she knows, the less 

she knows about this topic that makes the 

world go round. 

58 


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Hydrolife Magazine April/May 2016 (CAN Edition)

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