This Puzzled Life is a mental health and recovery blog exploring addiction, trauma healing, LGBTQ experiences, humor, and the strange moments that shape us.
“I’m high on life. Oh, wait, sorry, that’s just marijuana.”
-Unknown
Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. And since tomorrow is Child Abuse Awareness and the ribbon is blue, I want to talk to you about one of my favorite strains for PTSD called Blue Dream.
This strain I was introduced in the early days of figuring out the state’s cannabis program. While Blue Dream is a slightly sativa-dominant hybrid. If you’ve been a survivor with PTSD, you understand how very uncomfortable the visual and audio overstimulation can be. It slowly engulfs you until something is able to break the forward motion of those symptoms. This strain is one that does just that for me.
Let’s look at this strain’s lineage. Blue Dream is a 60/40 sativa-dominant cross between Blueberry x Haze. Blueberry is a cross between Purple Thai x Afghan. Haze are landrace strains, which are naturally grown in the wild with no genetic manipulation from Mexican, Colombian, Thai, and South Indian decent. Typically, the hazy strains can taste like a sweaty sock. One of the best things about this strain is that blueberry flavoring is strong enough to offset the hazy flavors. And it lasts from packed bowl to last toke. But despite the sativa side, that hazy indica comes through to help quell anxiety provoking effects.
The top terpenes in this strain are Myrcene, Pinene, and Caryophyllene. The medical benefits include chronic stress, chronic pain, depression, and sleep disorders. This strain is perfect for a one-gram attitude adjustment. Make this strain a staple in your cannabis medicine cabinet. Thanks for reading! And keep blazin.’
Affirmation: I treat myself like I’m my kindest, best bud.
“If God didn’t want us learning about cannabis, he wouldn’t have made half my cousins impossible to tolerate without it.”
-Mavis “Two-Puffs” Delacroix
Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy, go on and get. Today, we are gathered here in this living room that smells like lavender spray, and cat hair. This will officially kick off Cannabis Awareness Month under the watchful, judgmental, and wildly unqualified leadership of my three feline board members.
Piper has already climbed onto the podium wearing a green tutu like she’s the spiritual advisor of the entire Gulf South. Coco is in the corner eating something that is absolutely not food. And Tinkerbell is perched high above us all. And blinking slowly as if to say, “I cannot believe I share a mortgage with these people.” And she has no mortgage. So, take a breath. Set your intentions. Hide your snacks. The cats are ready to educate the public. And Lord help us. They have prepared statements.
Welcome back to the only blog on the internet where Cannabis Awareness Month is celebrated with the same energy most families reserve for Easter Sunday and tax refunds. In this house, the educational programming is run by three cats who have never once read a law. Paid a bill. Or respected personal space. Piper is already wearing a green tutu like she’s the patron saint of responsible consumption. Coco is pre-gaming with the emergency snacks. And Tinkerbell is in the corner judging everyone’s life choices with the quiet authority of a Southern grandmother. If you came here calmly, you’re in the wrong place. If you came here for chaos, education, and a sprinkle of cat-led activism, pull up a seat.
Every April, the rest of America politely acknowledges Cannabis Awareness Month like it’s a PTA meeting. Meanwhile, down here in the Deep South, my household treats it like the Met Gala of Mindfulness. Except the outfits are Dollar General pajamas. The snacks are missing (because Coco). And the educational portion is led by three cats who have never paid a bill in their lives. But bless it, they try.
Piper “The Tootin’ Tutu Tornado” kicks off the month by dragging a green feather boa across the living room like she’s the Beyoncé of harm reduction. She hops on the table. Knocks over a brochure and says, “Cannabis Awareness Month means education, mother.”
She’s not wrong. Cannabis Awareness Month is all about understanding safe, responsible use. Reducing stigma. Learning the difference between THC, CBD, and “whatever your cousin grew behind the shed in 1998.” Knowing your limits. And for the love of Mississippi, not mixing edibles with a church potluck.
Piper then tries to teach the household about terpenes but gets distracted by her own tail. Awareness is a journey. Coco, the Snack Lobbyist, takes a different approach. She sets up a “Cannabis & Munchies Preparedness Station.” Which is really just an empty bag of Doritos. A half-chewed cat treat. And a sticky note that says, “PLAN AHEAD.” She insists it’s educational. Coco’s key message is ,“If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.” She’s basically a Southern auntie in a fur coat.
Tinkerbell, the dignified conductor of this circus, takes Cannabis Awareness Month very seriously. She sits everyone down for a lecture titled “Cannabis, Calm, and Why Y’all Are Doing Too Much?” Which covers setting intentions. Respecting your body. Understanding dosage. Avoiding the “I’m fine” spiral that ends with you reorganizing the pantry at 2 AM. And the importance of not letting Piper run any more workshops. She ends her presentation by flicking her tail and walking away. Which is cat for “class dismissed.”
Piper stands on the arm of the couch like she’s delivering the State of the Union. Coco is eating something he absolutely should not be eating. Tinkerbell is judging us all. Together, they recite the official household pledge, “We promise to consume responsibly, stay hydrated, respect the plant, and never, ever let Piper be in charge of snacks.” Amen.
And that concludes this month’s household seminar on cannabis awareness is brought to you by Piper’s unlicensed enthusiasm. Coco’s snack-based curriculum. And Tinkerbell’s unwavering belief that everyone else is doing it wrong. As we wrap up, remember to stay informed. Stay responsible. And never let a cat who can’t even find his own tail be in charge of dosage discussions. May your month be calm. Your snacks be plentiful. And your cats be slightly less dramatic than mine. But honestly, I wouldn’t count on it. Longest “Big Beautiful affirmation” in the history of our country. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Thanks for reading! Stay informed.
Affirmation: “I move through this month with clarity, humor, and a heart unbothered by chaos. I honor the plant. Protect my peace,l. And trust myself to stay grounded even when Piper is preaching. Coco is crunching. And Tinkerbell is judging from above. I am calm. I am capable. And I am fully prepared for whatever foolishness this household delivers.”
Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to tell you about a strain that is good for the time of year where we all begin enjoy the warm sun. This strain is called Suncake.
Suncake is a 60/40 indica-dominant hybrid. It is a cross between Sunset Sherbet x Wedding Cake. Sunset Sherbet is a cross between Girl Scout Cookies x Pink Panties. Wedding Cake is a cross between Triangle Kush x Animal Mints. It’s flavoring consists of a sweet, creamy, berry, vanilla cake, and tropical citrus. However, I just identified light citrus notes.
Top terpenes in this strain are Limonene, Caryophyllene, and Linalool. Patients report relief from conditions such as insomnia, chronic pain, appetite loss, nausea, chronic stress, depression, and mood swings. This strain I would call an easy and slightly indica dominant strain. Yes, you can use this during the day as long as you’re an experienced indica smoker. Novice smokers might enjoy this one better as night. Either way, it does not act real indica. The effects feel much more like a balanced hybrid with a nice elevation in mood.
Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to tell you about a strain called Platinum Kush Breath.
Platinum Kush Breath is a 70/30 indica-dominant hybrid strain. It is a cross between OG Kush x Afghani. OG Kush is a cross between Chemdawg x Lemon Thai x Hindu Kush. Afghani is a pure indica landrace strain found in the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan. I wasn’t able to determine a definitive flavor. But it’s reported flavors of berry, fruity, peppery, spicy, and sweet.
Dominant terpenes are Caryophyllene, Limonene and Linalool. Patients report relief from depression, headaches, migraines, chronic pain, inflammation, cramps, or muscle spasms. Even though this strain’s potency doesn’t hit hard to begin with, it acts very much like a creeper strain. The indica effects were slow but powerful once they settled in. I would say that this strain needs to be used in moderation. Because if your not careful “couch lock” might be upon you. Thanks for reading! Keep blazin.’
Affirmation: I am worthy of health and happiness, and I choose to relax my mind and body.
“It’s CBD. It helps with the healing process and inflammation, stuff like that…it’s make your life a better place.”
-Nate & Nick Diaz, MMA fighters
Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy, go away. Today is National CBD Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public about cannabidiol (CBD).
By now, millions of Americans have learned about the benefits of CBD. However, there are still individuals who choose pharmaceuticals over this natural aid. That is why it’s imperative to clearly state the advantages of using CBD, so others around the world can gain access to it.
CBD has helped many people with both physical and mental health needs, yet it continues to carry a stigma. The main reason for this is the long-standing legal ban on cannabis, since cannabis and CBD are derived from the same plant. When the 2018 Farm Bill federally legalized all hemp products, it clarified that hemp is a part of the cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% THC. With CBD, individuals can experience the benefits of the plant without getting high.
In 2019, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that CBD ranked fourth in the U.S. for wellness-related Google searches. This demonstrates CBD’s growing popularity and the public’s desire to learn more. Despite this, 35% of Americans were still unfamiliar with it at the time. In 2020, CBDMD founded National CBD Month to celebrate the availability of CBD products and to expand access to them. Their mission has helped highlight why CBD is sometimes prescribed to cancer patients when traditional medications fall short (https://nationaltoday.com/national-cbd-month/?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
Unfortunately, as if recent legislation hadn’t caused enough harm, a clause has been introduced that would ban these products starting in November 2026. While it’s true that some companies produced dangerously unregulated hemp products that were sold to minors and some consumers became sick, the response should have been regulation, not an outright ban. Instead of protecting consumers through oversight and safety standards, lawmakers chose to eliminate access altogether, which is one of many questionable decisions they’ve made.
My hope is that lawmakers will reconvene and recognize that banning this substance entirely will do more harm than good. Proper regulation would protect consumers while allowing people to make healthier choices for their medical and mental health needs.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for updates on this issue.
Affirmation: I choose informed, mindful wellness that supports my body and nervous system.
“I think people need to be educated to the fact that marijuana is not a drug. Marijuana is a flower. God put it here.”
-Willie Nelson
Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to tell you about a beautiful strain called The Bridge by Apotha.
I couldn’t find a lot of information about this strain. However, I’m going to give you what I did find. The Bridge is a 50/50 hybrid cross between Street Guru x 1987. Now let’s dive a little deeper. Street Guru is a cross between Gushmintz x Oooze. And 1987 is across between (Fort Collins Cough x Super Silver Sour Diesel) x ( Kali Mist x Super Silver Sour Diesel). Good gracious that’s a lot of genetic material! The flavors include sweet, fruity berry flavors with a little bit of hazy and a dash of spicy notes. The assortment of flavors resembles a party in your mouth.
The top terpenes include B-Caryophyllene, Limonene, and Terpinolene (good as an antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial). The medical benefits in this strain includes relief from chronic stress, chronic fatigue, depression, mood swings, ADD or ADHD, headaches, and migraines. Let me just say that this balanced hybrid is an experience that you will never forget. And I promise that it’s one that would be perfect for amateur and experienced smokers. You can smoke it throughout the day and not worry about the hard core “couch lock.” Thanks for reading! Keep blazin.’
“If weed puns are a sin, then I’ll see you inhale.”
-Unknown
Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to talk to you about the strain known as Apple Banana Bread. And this time of the year a freshly baked bread sounds pretty good.
Apple Banana Bread is an indica-dominant strain. The genetics include Platinum Cookies x Grandaddy Purple x Blue Power x Gelatti. And this might be one of my new favorite strains. Let’s look at the diverse genetic line a little closer. Platinum Cookies is a cross between OG Kush x Durban Poison. Grandaddy Purple is a cross between Mendo Purps x Skunk x Afghanistan. Blue Power is a 4-way cross between Sour Double x Master Kush x The White x Blue Moonshine. Gelatti is a cross between Gelato x OG Biscotti. What a truly beautiful genetic line. No wonder I love this strain.
On inhale the first taste is something very sweet and somewhat floral. The dominant terpenes in this strain are Pinene, Caryophyllene and Myrcene. The medical benefits include relief from stress, anxiety, pain, mood, appetite, and sleep. This strain has some truly hard-core munchies that hit with gusto. It’s not so strong that it will give you “couch lock.” It feels a lot like blue dream with more indica.
I highly suggest this strain as an everyday use. It can be used on a lunch break if used in moderation. And for nighttime use, it works good enough to send you gently into dreamland. The only thing that would be better would be a concentrate in this strain. And I am headed out to look for it. Thanks for reading! Keep blazin.’
Affirmation: I make health choices when it comes to weed.
Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to give you a list of the stop cannabis strains of 2025. I know. I have smoked acres of weed this year. And I always enjoy seeing the top weed strains of the year.
It’s that time of year where we find out top strains from across the country. I manage my healthcare by researching strains that work best on my symptoms. And then, I look to see if any of the strains are found locally. See if you recognize any of these strains.
1. Blue Dream: a hybrid that gives you that nice balanced high. This strain works very well for PTSD.
2. Gelato 41: Abalanced hybrid known for sweet flavoring.
3. Cocolato: A daytime use with chocolate and coconut flavoring.
4. Sour Diesel: This is a classic sativa-dominant hybrid strain used to help with anxiety and fatigue.
5. Lemon Cherry Gelato: An uplifting hybrid popular for citrus and berry flavors.
6. White Runtz: A good strain to help with both relaxation and mental clarity.
7. Pink Certz: Uplifting hybrid that I tried recently that is very impressive with its balanced effects.
8. Godfather OG: A potent indica-dominant strain that has the potential to grant you a “couch lock” session.
9. Ice Cream Cake: I love this strain! It works well on pain, stress, anxiety, and insomnia. And it will make sure you drift off into a nice little cannabis coma.
10. OG Kush: Another classic blend of indica-dominance. This is just a good all-around strain.
11. Permanent Marker: I tried this indica-dominant strain this year. It definitely has the potency and stink that aims to please.
12. South Diesel: Classic sativa-dominant hybrid that is sure to give you some “get-up-and-go” effects while putting a the sour and stink flavors in one luscious bud.
13. Biscotti: This is an indica-dominant hybrid that is known as a “dessert strain” flavoring.
14. Super Boof: This is a stain that is sativa-dominant that didn’t push my anxiety into a panic attack. But use sparingly if you’re really sensitive to sativa strains. Just a “WOW” strain in my opinion.
15. Cereal Milk: This strain is known for its sweet and creamy taste profile. It’s said to be sativa leaning. However, it feels like a balanced hybrid. A must try for anyone!
16. Blueberry: A classic indica dominant strain that is known as a suppressor for many conditions and rich berry flavoring. This strain is often crossbred to many different strains. And a big genetic factor for strains that work is known to work well on PTSD.
I can say with certainty that these are not the only strains that have been spotlighted for 2025. But it is a list that maybe you have tried and can attest to the power of their medicine. Thanks for reading! Keep blazin.”
Affirmation: Love flows to me, through me, and around me.
Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to tell you about a strain that reminds me of cold mornings when I was a kid. The strain is called Blueberry Muffins.
Blueberry Muffins is an 80/20 indica-dominant hybrid that many stoners love. It is a cross between Purple Panty Dropper x Blueberry. Purple Panty Dropper is a cross between Purple Haze x Oregon Grape x Matanuskan Mist. Blueberry is a cross between Purple Thai x Afghan. This strain is just loaded with great genetics. And it’s one that I really enjoy.
The major terpenes in this strain are Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene, Humulene, and Bisabolol. Patients report relief from conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, stress, nausea, headaches, and migraines. This strain is just an all-around good strain. It’s good for both day and nighttime. It’s still a very indica strain that is what I need with overstimulation. If you are used to smoking heavy indicas, this one is not that potent. Beware of the dreaded “couch lock” if not used in moderation though. But it is still strong enough to use at night. This is a very popular strain in the area in which I live. And I would highly recommend this strain for potency and that wonderful berry flavoring. Thanks for reading! Keep blazin’.
Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negativity energy, go away. Today, I want to discuss a strain known as Red Runtz. This sassy little strain gives you that get up and go” th50at is sure to make your day productive.
Red Runtz is a 50/50 hybrid cross between Runtz X Red Pop. Runtz is a very popular hybrid strain that is a cross between Zkittlez x Gelato. Red Pop is a 60/40 indica-dominant hybrid strain from Strawberry x Cookies & Cream. This strain has a very sweet and fruity taste.
Top terpenes are Caryophyllene, Limonene and Humulene. And patients report relief from anxiety, stress, depression, nausea, and insomnia. This is another good strain for that mid-day needing a “pick-me-up” at lunch time. Not bad for a strain where you can experience a nice “chill” moment to get ready for the rest of the day. Keep blazin.’ Stay safe.
Affirmation: I am grateful for the plant that helps me relax and find joy in life’s simple blessings.
This Puzzled Life 