Cannabis Awareness

darnold1975

Lighting Charcoal for Jack Herer and Accidentally Summoning My Cats

“Some celebrations are planned. And others are summoned by sage, chaos, and creatures with no respect for gravity.”

-This Puzzled Life

 Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Today, my friend, we are not merely celebrating a birthday. We are honoring the patron saint of mellow chaos himself. Jack Herer, the botanical Benjamin Franklin of “everybody calm down and drink some water.” And of course, my cats have taken this as a personal invitation to behave like they’re hosting the Met Gala of herbal enlightenment.

The moment I lit that charcoal and waved the sage like I was clearing out 300 years of generational foolishness, Piper strutted into the room wearing the energy of a cat who has absolutely Googled “how to roll a joint with no thumbs.” Coco followed behind her, pupils dilated like she’d just seen God or a laser pointer. Tinkerbell brought up the rear, dragging a toy mouse like an offering to the ancestors. I said to them, “Girls, we are honoring Jack Herer, not summoning him.” But they were already in full celebration mode.

Tinkerbell hopped onto the coffee table. Sat directly in front of the incense. And closed her eyes like she was leading a guided meditation for stressed-out houseplants. Every few minutes she’d crack one eye open to make sure I was watching her be spiritual. She’s the only cat I know who can turn a birthday celebration into a TED Talk.

Coco wandered into the kitchen. Opened the cabinet (don’t ask me how). And dragged out a bag of Temptations like she was preparing for a munchies marathon. Then she sat in the middle of the floor and stared at me with the intensity of a cat who suddenly understands the universe. She blinked slowly, which I think meant, I have transcended. Bring snacks.

Piper decided Jack Herer’s birthday was the perfect time to knock over every plant I own. Every. Single. One. She strutted through the living room like a tiny, furry botanist who had just discovered gravity. Then she sat in the dirt. And was very proud of herself. Just like she had personally cultivated the strain.

By the time the celebration reached its peak, the cats were sprawled across the couch like three exhausted festivalgoers who had eaten too much. And spiritually ascended at least twice. I sat there too. Sage still smoldering. Charcoal still glowing. And wondering how Jack Herer would feel knowing his birthday had turned my living room into a Southern-fried cat commune. Honestly? He’d probably nod, smile, and say, “Yeah that tracks.”

And just like that Tinkerbell knocked over the incense. Coco stole the snacks. Piper ate a leaf. And I realized that this household doesn’t need Jack Herer to get lifted. We stay elevated. Thanks for reading! And Happy Birthday, Jack Herer!

 Affirmation: I honor the wild, the sacred, and the ridiculous in equal measure. My life stays blessed, messy, and beautifully mine.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#ThisPuzzledLife

darnold1975

Budtender Moment: Rainbow Runtz Strain Review

“I’m not lazy. I’m energy‑efficient with a cannabis‑powered operating system.

-Unknown

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to tell you about a strain that’s perfect for Pride Month. And the name is Rainbow Runtz.

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, we’re talking about Rainbow Runtz, the strain that tastes like candy, smells like peace, and hits like a warm hug from someone who believes in your potential more than you do. This is the weed you pick when you want to feel emotionally moisturized, spiritually aligned, and just high enough to forget why you walked into the kitchen.

Rainbow Runtz comes from two parents who absolutely understood the assignment. Zkittlez is a cross between Grape Ape × Grapefruit × a mysterious third cousin nobody talks about. Do‑Si‑Dos is a cross between Girl Scout Cookies × Face Off OG. Together, they birthed Rainbow Runtz, a strain that tastes like a fruit snack and feels like emotional stability with a side of giggles.

Rainbow Runtz tastes like fruit candy, sweet berries, lavender that went to therapy, a little earthy “I’m still a plant, don’t get it twisted.” It’s dessert. It’s aromatherapy. It’s a mood. The terpene profile for this strain is Limonene, Caryophyllene, and Linalool. This terpene trio is basically the Holy Trinity of “I’m chill now.” Patients report getting relief from stress, anxiety, depression, mild pain, appetite issues, and mood swings. In general, “I need to chill before I say something unprofessional” energy. It’s the emotional support fruit snack of cannabis.

Rainbow Runtz is the strain you grab when you want to feel like a soft, fruity cloud drifting through your responsibilities with grace, humor, and a snack in your hand. It’s sweet, smooth, and it hits like a warm hug from the universe. Please keep in mind that each grow will be different and the flower’s effects will differ depending on which region of the country that the plant is grown. Thanks for reading! Keep blazin.’ Happy Pride!

Affirmation: “I honor my highest self by staying hydrated, staying lifted, and staying out of unnecessary group chats.”

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife

darnold1975

Budtender Moment: Poon Tang Strain Review

“Some joys don’t whisper. They strut in fruity, loud, and unbothered. That’s the kind you deserve.”

-This Puzzled Life

Light the charcoal and clear the air. We’re summoning joy, not negotiating with nonsense. Pride is in the room, the smoke is rising like a prayer for joy we forgot we deserved, and Poon Tang is already sashaying in like a loud, fruity cousin wearing rainbow glitter and carrying possibly‑infused fruit salad. This isn’t a strain you “try.” This is a strain you announce, the same way you’d step onto a Pride float wearing citrus perfume and generational healing.

Poon Tang aka Poon Tang Pie is a three‑way hybrid pulling the best from each parent Tropicana, Grape Pie, and Papaya. Tropicana is a cross between Tangie × Girl Scout Cookies. Grape Pie is a cross between Cherry Pie × Grape Stomper. And Papaya is a cross between Citral #13 × Ice #2. That’s why it hits fruity, tropical, creamy, and loud enough to make a rainbow blush. Let’s be honest, some strains are straight. This one? Absolutely not.

Poon Tang Pie is a Pride Month strain through and through. It’s fruity in the best possible way. It’s uplifting without knocking you out. It’s perfect for marching, mingling, flirting, dancing, or wandering around trying to remember where your water bottle went. And it’s warm, social, and connective. It’s the kind of high that makes you hug your friends and tell them you’re proud of them. It tastes like joy, resistance, sweetness, and showing up fully expressed. No shrinking. No dimming. No “maybe I should tone it down.” Just loud, fruity, unapologetic Pride.

Top terpenes in this strain are Limonene, Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Terpinolene, and  Ocimene. Patients report relief from stress, mood elevation, appetite support, and mild body relaxation It’s not a sedative. It’s a soother. The kind that helps you hydrate, set boundaries, and unclench both your jaw and your generational trauma.

It’s a Pride strain because it reminds you of this truth: You deserve sweetness, softness, and joy. Not just in June, but every damn day. May your bowl be full, your snacks be plentiful, and your peace be non-negotiable.Please keep in mind that each grow will be different and the flower’s effects will differ depending on which region of the country that the plant is grown. Thanks for reading! Keep blazin.’

Affirmation: I welcome sweetness without apology, joy without shrinking, and pleasure without permission. I am allowed to take up space in full color.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife

darnold1975

Budtender Moment: Triple Scoop Strain Review

“High? I prefer the term “vertically blessed.”

-Unknown

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to tell you about a strain that has one of the most flavorful profiles that I’ve tried thus far. Standby. Because I have a lot of information to cover. And the people in the Pride community who are in throughly relationships, this one’s for you. The name of the strain is Triple Scoop.

Triple Scoop is a 60/40 indica-dominant hybrid strain. It’s lineage is a three way cross between Super Silver Haze x Grape LA x Sorbet. Super Silver Haze is a 3-way cross between Skunk x Northern Lights x Haze. Talk about grassroots genetics. Grape La is a cross between Grapefruit x LA Confidential. Sorbet strains are a cross of 4 sativa strains that are Mexican, Colombian, Thai, and South Indian strains that are not identified. There is also another version that has more of the indica effects are a cross between Gelato #33 x 2 Scoops. From the rip you get the strong taste of fruit. The actual flavor profile is a sweet and creamy vanilla combined with fresh berries and citrus fruit. But I felt like I was full face down in a fruit bowl.

The top terpenes are B-Myrcene, B-Caryophyllene, and Linalool. Patients report relief from stress, anxiety, depression, minor aches and pains, inflammation, nausea, appetite loss, fatigue, and mood swings. The effects are very relaxing. But not too heavy to cause ‘couch lock’ at moderate levels. Please keep in mind that each grow will be different and the flower’s effects will differ depending on which region of the country that the plant is grown. Thanks for reading! Keep blazin.’

Affirmation: If my day starts with a wake and bake, it has to be a good day.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife

darnold1975

Budtender Moment: Bubba’s Wedding Strain Review

“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.”

  -Mark Black

Light the sage. Hide the good towels. Something blessed and slightly irresponsible is about to happen. And as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I love celebrating our right to marry legally. And really, we don’t know how long that will last. Today’s Budtender Moment is dedicated to Bubba’s Wedding.

It’s a strain that feels like somebody spiked the punch bowl with relaxation and then told you to “just vibe, darlin’.” This strain doesn’t walk into the room. It stumbles in, hugs everybody too long, and immediately asks where the food is.

Bubba’s Wedding is an indica-dominant strain. It is a cross between Bubba Kush × Wedding Cake. Bubba Kush is a cross between OG Kush × Unknown Indica. Wedding Cake is a cross between Triangle Kush × Animal Mints. A match made in cannabis heaven and probably officiated by somebody’s cousin who got ordained online at 2 a.m. Together, they create a strain that says, “Sit down, breathe, and don’t start no mess.”

This strain hits like a slow‑motion hug from an uncle who calls you “champ” even if you’re 40. And the effects of this strain are deep relaxation, mood lift, a gentle mental fog that makes everything feel like it has soft edges, and he sudden urge to sit down “just for a second” and wake up 45 minutes later feeling reborn. It’s the perfect strain for when you want to unwind but still maintain enough dignity to answer the door.

Top terpenes in this strain are Myrcene Caryophyllene Limonene, Linalool, and Humulene. Patients report relief from stress, anxiety, pain, sleep support, and emotional recovery after dealing with family group texts. It’s the strain that says, “You’re safe. Drink some water.” And that’s Bubba’s Wedding. The strain that shows up with a casserole, fixes your mood, and then falls asleep on your couch like it pays rent. If this strain had a motto, it would be: “Bubba’s Wedding, cause sometimes you need a break from your own personality.” Now go hydrate, stretch your back, and try not to start any arguments with appliances today.

Please keep in mind that each grow will be different and the flower’s effects will differ depending on which region of the country that the plant is grown. Thanks for reading! Keep blazin.’

Affirmation: I release the tension I don’t need and welcome the peace I deserve.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife

darnold1975

Budtender Moment: Rainbow Belts Strain Review

“Some days you don’t need a miracle. You just want a moment that tastes like possibility.”

-This Puzzled Life

 Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Let the room shift into that soft, humming frequency where truth tastes a little sweeter and colors feel like they’re leaning in to listen. Today’s strain steps into the circle like it’s wearing a neon tracksuit and a gold chain with its own name on it. The strain is called Rainbow Belts. And it’s the candy‑coated hybrid that doesn’t just hit. It glimmers.

Rainbow Belts is the balanced hybris child of two heavy‑hitters who knew exactly what they were doing. It is a cross between Zkittlez × Moonbow. Zkittlez is a cross between Grape Ape × Grapefruit. Moonbow is a cross between Zkittlez × Do-Si-Dos. This strain is basically the grandbaby of a fruit salad and a cookie jar. A family reunion where everybody smells loud and nobody whispers.

If nostalgia had a flavor wheel, Rainbow Belts would spin it. The flavor profile consists of sweet-tart candy, citrus peel, berry syrup, and a faint herbal finish that reminds you this is still a plant, not a bag of Skittles. The inhale is playful. The exhale is grown. The aftertaste is “I should’ve bought two eighths.”

Rainbow Belts usually expresses a terpene trio that reads like a mood‑stabilizing spell. Top terpenes in this strain are Limonene, Caryophyllene, and Linalool. Depending on the grow, you might also catch a cameo from Humulene or Myrcene. But the core vibe stays sweet, bright, and balanced. Patients report relief with mood elevation, stress relief, mild body comfort, creative spark, and a gentle “reset” effect. It’s the strain you reach for when you want to feel like yourself again. But with better lighting.

Every grower. Every climate. And every curing room leave fingerprints on this strain. In dry, high‑altitude regions, Rainbow Belts leans sharper and more citrus‑forward. In humid Southern climates, she fattens up, gets louder, and leans into her berry side. In cooler coastal grows, the terpene balance shifts toward floral and herbal tones. Same genetics. Different terroir. A reminder that cannabis is a living archive of the land it grows on. Thanks for reading! Keep blazin.’ What are your comments about this strain?

Affirmation: I honor the colors in my life. Even the ones that arrived before I felt ready for them. I breathe. I soften. I rise.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#ThisPuzzledLife

darnold1975

Glitter, Gays, and Good Weed: The Ultimate Pride Strain Lineup 

“If God didn’t want me to be this gay and this high, he wouldn’t have invented glitter or hybrids.”

-This Puzzled Life

 Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the glitter. And hydrate your inner diva. Pride Month is coming in hot. If you think I’m marching through a parade. Dodging microaggressions. Dancing on asphalt. And flirting with strangers named “Starfox” without the proper cannabis support system, you are out of your rainbow‑bedazzled mind.

We’re talking strains that uplift, energize, and moisturize the soul. And they keep you from cussing out the man wearing a “Straight Pride” shirt ironically. So, grab your fan, sunscreen, rhinestone koozie, and your emotional support joint. Let’s get into the Top Cannabis Strains for Gay Pride. It is being curated by your favorite Southern‑chaotic budtender who knows the difference between “high” and “spiritually elevated.” And has enough Southern gay energy to make the ancestors ask for a hit.

This is the kind of menu you’d find taped to the wall at a Mississippi back‑porch drag brunch. Where the preacher’s wife is pretending she “didn’t know” it was Pride weekend.

1. SUGAR PUSS (Cheetah Piss × Bakers Dozen)

Category: The Glitter‑Coated Crowd Pleaser 

Flavor Notes: Citrus sparkle, sweet pine, floral sass 

Effects: Giggly, uplifted, moisturized in the soul. 

Southern‑Gay Vibe: This is the strain that shows up to Pride wearing a sequined romper and a monogrammed flask. She’s loud, sweet, and will absolutely flirt with your mama.

2. RAINBOW BELTS (Zkittlez × Moonbow)

Category: The Fruit Snack of Queer Joy 

Flavor Notes: Tangy candy, nostalgia, fruity chaos 

Effects: Balanced, chatty, socially hydrated 

Southern‑Gay Vibe: This one tastes like the candy your cousin Trey hid in his sock drawer next to his “perfectly straight” fashion magazines. A Pride classic.

3. PINK ROZAY(Lemonchello #10 × London) Pound Cake #75)

Category: Soft Femme Icon 

Flavor Notes: Floral, berry, bougie 

Effects: Warm, glowing, emotionally expensive

Southern‑Gay Vibe: Pink Rozay is the girl who shows up to the parade in a pastel mesh top smelling like generational healing and Bath & Body Works “Champagne Toast.”

4. GELATO 41 (Sunset Sherbet × Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies)

Category: Chill Masc Bestie 

Flavor Notes: Sweet cream, earthy calm 

Effects: Relaxed but functional, supportive 

Southern‑Gay Vibe: Gelato 41 is the friend who holds your purse, your fan, and your dignity while you dance on a float you were not invited onto.

5. LEMON CHERRY GELATO (Sunset Sherbet × Girl Scout Cookies × an unknown lemon‑leaning cultivar)

Category: Loud, Proud, Fruit‑Forward Diva 

Flavor Notes: Bright citrus, cherry pop, fruity drama 

Effects: Euphoric, witty, ready to read 

Southern‑Gay Vibe: This strain is a drag queen with pyrotechnics. She’s fruity, she’s bold, and she will absolutely yell “Woo Girl” before you’re ready.

6. DURBAN POISON

* Pure African Landrace Sativa No parent strains. No hybridization. No backcrossing. Just nature + time + regional adaptation.*

Category: The Energized Parade Athlete 

Flavor Notes: Pine, spice, clean energy 

Effects: Focused, energized, ready for cardio

Southern‑Gay Vibe: This is the “I can walk six miles in platform boots and still make it to the after‑party” strain. Godspeed.

7. BLUE DREAM (Blueberry × Haze)

Category: Soft Masc Daydream 

Flavor Notes: Berry haze, sweet calm 

Effects: Floaty, loving, creative 

Southern‑Gay Vibe: Blue Dream is the emotional support water bottle of weed. Reliable, soothing, and always invited to the cookout.

May your joints be smooth. And your glitter be biodegradable. Prepare your soul for the rainbow‑drenched chaos ahead. Pride isn’t just a celebration. It’s a full‑body spiritual experience. These strains are here to keep you lifted, hydrated, and protected from bad vibes, exes, and anyone who says, “I don’t really watch drag.”

If God didn’t want me to be this gay and this high, he wouldn’t have invented glitter or hybrids.” Smoke responsibly. Laugh loudly. Love boldly. And may your Pride be as high as your standards and as colorful as your grinder. Thanks for reading! Happy Pride! And keep blazin.’

Affirmation: I am a radiant, rainbow‑drenched miracle with lungs strong enough to praise, protest, and puff without smudging my lip gloss.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#ThisPuzzledLife

darnold1975

Budtender Moment: Bat Shit Strain Review

“Bat Shit isn’t just a strain. It’s the moment your brain throws its hands up, laughs, and decides to take the scenic route back to sanity.”

 -Jenna “Highway to Chill” Morales, Cannabis Humorist & Accidental Philosopher

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Alright, let’s talk about a strain that does not care about your intentions, your plans, or your to‑do list. Bat Shit shows up like it’s been waiting in the parking lot revving its engine, ready to drag you into whatever nonsense it has planned. This is not a polite strain. This is a strain that kicks the door open like, “Who touched the thermostat?”

It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and honestly, there has never been a better time to talk about a strain named Bat Shit. If there were ever a phrase that perfectly captures the moment when your brain quietly unplugs itself and walks off the job, it’s this one.

Bat Shit is the ultimate description of losing mental control. Not in a scary way, but in that “my thoughts just left the building without clocking out” kind of way. This strain doesn’t just nudge your mind off the rails; it hands your brain a tiny suitcase, waves goodbye, and wishes it luck on its journey. You know you’re about to experience something that understands chaos on a spiritual level. Bat Shit doesn’t arrive politely. It shows up like it’s been waiting in the parking lot revving its engine, ready to drag you into whatever nonsense it has planned.

Bat Shit is the love child of two strains that probably should’ve never been left alone together. It’s usually described as a cross between Gorilla Glue #4 x Durban Poison. Which explains why it feels like someone duct‑taped a rocket booster to a recliner. Gorilla Glue is a cross between Chem’s Sister x Sour Dubb x Chocolate Diesel. Durban Poison is a pure African Landrace Sativa from Durban, South Africa. That’s it. No chaotic crossbreeding. No dramatic lineage. Just a true landrace, meaning it evolved naturally in its native region over generations.

Top terpenes in bat shit are Myrcene, Limonene, Caryophyllene, and Pinene. Patients report relief from stress & anxiety, mood elevation, pain and inflammation, and fatigue. Some strains whisper. Some strains nudge. Bat Shit does neither. This strain busts through the door like it’s late for a meeting it wasn’t invited to, holding a gas station coffee and announcing, “Alright, who messed up the vibe in here?”

The moment I cracked the jar, the aroma hit me with the same force as opening a forgotten Tupperware in the back of the fridge. I knew immediately that whatever happened next, I would not be in charge. This strain has the energy of someone who shows up to your house, asks where the bathroom is, and somehow ends up reorganizing your pantry. Bat Shit does not ease you in. It hits like a plot twist in a show you weren’t even watching.

This is the strain that makes you forget what you were doing, why you were doing it, and whether you ever actually started. It’s is the friend who convinces you to rearrange your furniture at 2 a.m., then leaves halfway through because they “just remembered something.” You’ll be confused, entertained, and slightly concerned. But you’ll also be having a great time.

If you want a strain that delivers laughter, chaos, and a temporary break from being a functioning adult, Bat Shit is the one. Just don’t expect to remember where you put anything afterward. Please keep in mind that each grow will be different and the flower’s effects will differ depending on which region of the country that the plant is grown. Thanks for reading! Keep blazin.’

Affirmation: “I rise in my queerness, I breathe in my peace, and I stay lifted in a joy so loud and unapologetic that even the universe has to adjust its crown.”

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife

darnold1975

Budtender Moment: Bubble Bath Strain Review

“Peace isn’t something you find. It’s something you steep in.”

-This Puzzled Life

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Today we’re stepping into the tub of truth with the strain Bubble Bath. It’s a strain that doesn’t just relax you. It baptizes you in a whole new denomination of “mind your business and moisturize your spirit.”

Bubble Bath is an Indica-dominant hybrid. It’s a cross between  The Soap × Project 4516. The Soap is a cross between Animal Mints × Kush Mints. Project 4516 is a cross between Gelato 41 × Gelato 45. It’s the kind that whispers “sit down somewhere” but with manners. This lineage is basically a family reunion where everybody smells expensive. Nobody brought paper plates. And someone’s aunt is definitely reading tarot in the corner.

Bubble Bath hits like a spa day in a smoke cloud. And the flavors consist of a creamy, soft vanilla, fresh herbal mint, a little floral soapiness (but in a “rich auntie’s bathroom” way, not “hotel lobby dispenser” way), and a lingering sweetness that feels like warm steam on your face.

The terpene profile is Limonene, Linalool, and Caryophyllene. Together they create a “take your bra off and exhale” moment. Bubble Bath is the strain you call when your whole nervous system is filing HR complaints. It may help with chronic stress, anxiety, insomnia, and muscle pain. This is the strain for when you need to be held but by THC instead of a person.

Please keep in mind that depending on differences in grows depends on what area of the country it is grown in. Ther will also be slight differences depending on when, where the plant was grown. Thanks for reading! And keep blazin.’ Have you tried this strain?

Affirmation: I release the noise. I welcome the softness. And I let my spirit settle like warm water.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#ThisPuzzledLife

darnold1975

Budtender Moment: Plum Crazy Strain Review

“Some people meditate. I medicate.”

-Unknown

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to tell you about a strain that goes along with Mental Health Awareness Month. And its name is Plum Crazy.

Plum Crazy is an 80/20 indica-dominant hybrid that is a cross between Original Blueberry x Purple Afghani. Original Blueberry is a cross between Afghani x Thai. And Purple Afghani is a cross between Afghani x Purple Kush. This strain has a very distinct blueberry taste. That also has the capability to mellow you out.

Top terpenes in this strain are B-Myrcene, B-Caryophyllene, and Limonene. Patients report relief from conditions like PTSD, insomnia, chronic fatigue, appetite loss, and nausea. Despite it’s indica dominance, it’s not crazy strong. But I would still use it in moderation. For me, any strain that has  Blueberry genetics works great on PTSD for me. I like it a little stronger, but this one is still very good medicine. This is a nice relaxing strain that’s perfect right before bedtime. Please keep in mind that each grow will be different and the flower’s effects will differ depending on which region of the country that the plant is grown. Thanks for reading! Keep blazin.’

Affirmation: I find comfort and tranquility within myself.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife