One of the most righteous things about modern cannabis genetics (other than the sky-high THC counts) is the introduction of autoflowering seeds. The first hints of the autoflowering revolution popped on the scene as early as 1995, with the first commercial autoflowering strain (Lowryder) hitting the market around 2005. If you’re wondering why we’re making such a big deal about autoflowering seeds and the plants they produce, read on. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to become an expert in autoflowering marijuana. Photoperiod-Dependent SeedsBefore we explain autoflowering seeds, it’s essential that you understand the other side of the cannabis coin. Photoperiod-dependent seeds (or photoperiodic for short) are your classic indica, sativa, and hybrid strains with names even the newest of noobs is probably familiar with (like Blue Dream, Sour Diesel, and Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies). So what sets these apart from autoflowering seeds? It’s all in the name, man. But “photoperiod-dependent” isn’t the most self-explanatory of monikers. So let’s dissect and divide in order to better understand this multi-syllabic monstrosity.
Put all that together (and add in a few more words for clarity) and you come up with: Seeds whose flowering point is determined by the length of time they’re exposed to light. These types of seeds respond to changes in light (i.e., the length of exposure) to “know” when to produce flowers. And the flowers are the things that all your growing efforts should be aimed at. To better explain, think about the summer and fall seasons. During the longest days of summer, an outdoor plant might get 15 hours or more of sunlight. After the summer solstice, the number of hours of daylight decreases. This is usually the “cue” for plants to begin flowering. It’s the basic growing cycle that farmers have been dealing with for 11,000 years and that you probably learned about in kindergarten (only without the big words like photoperiod-dependent). So now that you’re familiar with the basics of regular seeds, let’s introduce the cannabis strain that made autoflowering seeds possible. Cannabis RuderalisCannabis ruderalis is a relative of the indicas and sativas that dominate the shelves at your local dispensary. Two things set it apart from the more common species:
It also looks quite a bit different than your average indica and sativa, but we’re not concerned about that right now. What we are concerned about is that last distinction: autoflowering attributes. Growers from way back noticed these autoflowering attributes and thought how great it would be to cross those plants with domesticated strains (like Chemdog, Yoda OG, and Kandy Kush) to produce a unique set of seeds with the best properties of both worlds. That’s where autoflowering seeds come in. Autoflowering SeedsAs we touched on in the last section, autoflowering seeds are a combination of regular indica and sativa strains with ruderalis varieties to produce mature plants that will begin to flower all on their own. That’s because autoflowering seeds do not depend on the ratio of light to dark hours (the photoperiod) to switch from vegetative growth to flowering growth. Instead, their switch depends on age (i.e., number of days). What that means for the average grower is that autoflowering seeds and strains don’t require as much work. Now that doesn’t mean that you can just plant the seed and walk away. There’s still a lot that goes into nursing a cannabis plant to maturity. But it does mean that you don’t have to worry about varying the amount of light the plants get like you do with photoperiodic seeds. How To Distinguish Autoflowering SeedsYou can’t tell an autoflowering seed from a regular seed. Similarly, once harvested, you can’t tell a Cherry OG strain from an autoflowering variety. So what’s a discerning cannaseur to do? Look at the name. Autoflowering seeds and the product they produce will usually have the following words somewhere in their name:
For example, you might see a Diesel Automatic, a Northern Light Auto, or even an Afghan Kush Ryder. That’s how you can determine a little bit more about where your ganja came from. And if all else fails, just ask your budtender for details. Benefits Of Autoflowering Seeds1) Small StatureMost autoflowering strains only average 19 to 23 inches in height. This makes them ideal for growing in small, compact spaces (like your windowsill or end table). 2) Short Grow TimeAutoflowering seeds grow quickly, and you can often expect yields in eight or nine weeks. That fast growth means that, with the right planning, you can get multiple harvests during a season (even if you’re growing outside). 3) No Light Exposure ChangeThe most obvious benefit of growing autoflowering seeds is that you don’t need to vary the light exposure to induce flowering. You can keep autoflowering seeds at a 16/8 ratio (16 hours of light/8 hours of darkness) from sprout to harvest. Disadvantages Of Autoflowering Seeds1) Low THC CountBecause of their ruderalis DNA, autoflowering seeds typically produce buds with less THC than their photoperiodic cousins. This isn’t always the case, but if you’re on the hunt for the strongest weed, you should probably skip the autoflowering variety. 2) Higher Cost To GrowAutoflowering seeds need a lot of light during the flowering phase in order to maximize photosynthesis and grow good buds. That can push your electricity bill higher than it might be with photoperiodic strains. 3) SizeAlthough the size of autoflowering seeds makes them great for growing in tight spaces, their shortness of stature means you’ll reap fewer rewards (consumable bud) in the end. Autoflowering Seeds And New GrowersDespite the cons mentioned above, autoflowering seeds are an ideal starting point for new growers. They allow you to grow a good personal cannabis crop without some of the variables (like size and light variation) that make indicas and sativas more difficult. If you’re new to the growing game, we suggest planting a few crops of autoflowering seeds to get a feel for how things work. Once you’re comfortable with the process from start to finish, tackle a photoperiodic indica or sativa and see if you like varying the light exposure to induce flowering. That way, you’ll know which method better suits you. How To Use Autoflowering Seeds1) Plant Seeds Early And LateYou can plant autoflowering seeds early in the growing season (e.g. March) and in the later months (e.g., September). Of course, it depends on what the climate is like where you live. To skip over that variable completely, consider the next step. 2) Grow Autoflowering Seeds IndoorsAutoflowering seeds are ideal for growing indoors. If you control the heat and the light, you can basically cultivate plants all year round. 3) Don’t Feed Too MuchBecause they’re so small and don’t spend much time in the vegetative stage, you don’t need to feed autoflowering seeds and plants as much as you would larger indicas and sativas. 4) Harvest SequentiallyInstead of harvesting everything on the plant at the same time, you’ll be better served to harvest autoflowering plants sequentially from the top down. Take the colas first. Then let the lower buds mature for a while before harvesting. 5) Don’t Be Afraid To OverlapIf you started one crop of autoflowering seeds, don’t be afraid to plant another batch while the first is still in the vegetative stage. If you overlap in this way, you can get multiple crops in a relatively short amount of time. Tips For Getting The Most From Your Autoflowering SeedsIf you want to get started growing your own photo-dependent or autoflowering seeds — or you’ve already got a few crops under your belt and you just want to perfect your technique — check out our super-informative guides: There you’ll find everything you need to know to get the most out of your cannabis plants, whether they are sativa, indica, ruderalis, or hybrids. In the meantime, here are some specific tips for producing a hardy crop of autoflowering seeds:
Just remember, no two environments are exactly the same (no matter how hard we try). Don’t be afraid to experiment with your autoflowering seeds and discover what works best for you and your plants. For more information on all things cannabis and to check out our 100-percent all-natural marijuana products, visit HonestMarijuana.com today. The post Autoflowering Seeds: The Expert’s Guide appeared first on Honest Marijuana. Source: https://honestmarijuana.com/autoflowering-seeds/ Autoflowering Seeds: The Expert’s Guide is available on Felicia Sullivan's Blog from https://www.feliciasullivan.com/2019/02/06/autoflowering-seeds-the-experts-guide/
0 Comments
In late January, Portland hosted the Cannabis Collaborative Conference (“CCC” or “Conference”), an annual forum created by cannabis industry leaders, aimed at addressing the most pressing issues facing this emerging market. This year’s conference focused on the future of the cannabis industry. Rick Garza, Director of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (“WLCB”), was one of the key speakers at this year’s Conference. Mr. Garza discussed the possibility of Washington state allowing small cannabis farmers to sell directly to consumers. This practice would be comparable to that allowed for wineries, breweries and distilleries. If approved by the Washington State Legislature, this move would afford small growers an opportunity to increase their sales and, consequently, boost the local economy. This initiative would mirror the practice adopted by several Canadian provinces, which allow licensed producers to sell marijuana to consumers at cultivation facilities, and states like Colorado and Oregon, which authorize licensed cannabis growers to concurrently hold retailer licenses. The Washington cannabis regulator was also joined by Steve Marks, Executive Director of the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (“OLCC”). Both discussed upcoming changes to the Washington and Oregon programs, which respond to the ongoing and growing issues of oversupply. As we previously discussed, Oregon’s supply has far exceeded local demands: the state is currently sitting on approximately 1.4 million pounds of marijuana that state and federal laws prohibit from selling outside state lines. This tremendous oversupply in Oregon has caused prices to crater, putting many licensed growers on precariously thin ice. In 2018, the wholesale price of Oregon flower dropped from $3.90 per gram at the beginning of the year to $1.86 as of the end of the summer. Washington growers find themselves in an equally challenging situation. In addressing the overproduction issue and interstate leakage, the OLCC leader said he expected more discussion about legislation capping the number of cannabis business licenses in Oregon. However, as we explained before, controlling supply by capping Oregon licenses as a fearful response to interstate leakage could also incentivize black markets, especially for Oregon sales, because a cap would increase the prices of cannabis. Mr. Marks also shared that he has seen an infusion of capital into Oregon cannabis companies from investors who believe marijuana will become federally legal. Similarly to those investors, we believe federal legalization is merely a matter of time and that it will help put an end to unapproved interstate leakage. Indeed, the federal prohibition of cannabis is encouraging unscrupulous and desperate cannabis businesses to cut their losses and sell their surplus in the black market. Although solving the issue of oversupply and interstate leakage will inevitably require the federal legalization of cannabis, it is encouraging to know that Washington and Oregon cannabis regulators are actively exploring ways to improve the industry and insure its sustainability. We expect to see some very important developments in both states in 2019, in addition to any federal law updates. Source: https://www.cannalawblog.com/the-future-of-cannabis-in-washington-and-oregon/ The blog article The Future of Cannabis in Washington and Oregon Find more on: Felicia's Smokin' Blog from https://www.feliciasullivan.com/2019/02/06/the-future-of-cannabis-in-washington-and-oregon/ There are more than 100 licensed medical cannabis producers in Canada today. The number has expanded rapidly in the last few months, as more producers came on board to meet expected demand after legalization.
How to Find the Right Licensed Medical Cannabis Producer for Your Needs? was initially seen on Felicia's Smokin' Blog from https://www.feliciasullivan.com/2019/02/06/how-to-find-the-right-licensed-medical-cannabis-producer-for-your-needs/ Gov. Ron DeSantis wants the Legislature to repeal a ban on smokable medical cannabis, but it's becoming clear some fellow Republicans might not be on board. The post Smoke It? An Idea Tough for Florida Lawmakers to Swallow appeared first on Leafly. Source: https://www.leafly.com/news/politics/smoke-it-a-medical-marijuana-idea-tough-for-florida-lawmakers-to-swallow The blog post Smoke It? An Idea Tough for Florida Lawmakers to Swallow is republished from https://www.feliciasullivan.com/ from https://www.feliciasullivan.com/2019/02/05/smoke-it-an-idea-tough-for-florida-lawmakers-to-swallow/ The California Bureau of Cannabis Controls Final Regulations Immigration Impact on Foreign Owners2/5/2019 On January 16, 2019, each of the three California cannabis agencies dropped a final set of regulations. In many senses, the Bureau of Cannabis Control’s (“BCC”) regulations were the most comprehensive and expansive (we summarized some of the highlights here, and summarized the highlights of the California Department of Public Health’s final regulations here). In one area in particular, the BCC’s regulations may have some unintended and far-reaching effects: immigration. For some reference, one of the biggest changes to the BCC’s regulations is in the “ownership” disclosure requirements, which now will require disclosure of persons as potential owners who may be far removed from the actual licensed entity. To recap, in the post linked above, we wrote:
What this could mean in other words is that more people, and people higher up a corporate chain, may need to make “ownership” disclosures. One of those disclosures is the requirement per BCC Regulation 5002(c)(20)(D) to provide a Social Security Number (“SSN”) or individual taxpayer identification number (“ITIN”), and another is the requirement to obtain a live scan. These are significant requirements for foreign persons who “own” cannabis businesses and, as described below, could affect their immigration status. SSNs are available for residents and citizens of the United States. ITINs may be available in limited circumstances to foreign persons who have a need for tax identification purposes in the United States, but they are somewhat complex to obtain and require certain documentation (either a federal income tax return or some “exemption” documents). And live scans are federal background checks that land in federal databases, and as a result, in hot water. The reason background checks for foreign nationals are problematic is that any direct or peripheral involvement in the cannabis industry is incompatible with the immigration laws of the United States. This applies to everyone who is not a United States citizen, including lawful permanent residents (i.e., green card holders), those living, studying, and/or working in the United States under an authorized nonimmigrant visa, those temporarily visiting the United States for business or pleasure, and of course, those who have no legal status in the United States. As explained previously, even where a foreign person is traveling to a state where marijuana is legal, federal law applies at all U.S. ports-of-entry and preflight clearance locations (the “border”). The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) officer at the border has the legal authority to question the foreign person about the purpose of the visit and has advance access to the list of airline passengers on each flight and the license plate of each vehicle waiting at a border checkpoint. By the time a foreign person is greeted by the CBP officer, seemingly unrelated dots between a web search and live scan and other databases have already been connected for the officer to use in questioning the foreign person about his connection to a cannabis business. If the foreign person wants lie about his involvement, he should absolutely not. The CBP has broad authority to search electronic devices, including cell phones and laptops. If the CBP officer finds any information to contradict the foreign person’s statements, it can potentially permanently ban him or her from entering the United States because of fraud or misrepresentation, and not just for violating the Controlled Substances Act. Under the BCC’s new ownership regulations and its live scan requirement, a few things are clear. First, persons who earlier may not have qualified as owners now might. This may include a host of foreign citizens who now need to obtain ITINs and undergo live scans. Second, live scans are part of a federal database, so federal agents may be able to stop and ask clients questions about why they have undergone live scans. Moreover, and third, under the BCC’s live scan memo (linked above), live scan forms won’t be sent until an application is made, so foreign persons entering the United States to undergo a live scan will by definition already have applied for a cannabis application and thus may risk being turned away. What’s clear is that ownership of a cannabis business is a risk when it comes to immigration. The BCC’s newest regulations may pass that risk on to a host of new persons. Stay tuned to the Canna Law Blog for more developments. In the meantime, for more on immigration and cannabis, check out the following:
Source: https://www.cannalawblog.com/the-california-bureau-of-cannabis-controls-final-regulations-immigration-impact-on-foreign-owners/ The California Bureau of Cannabis Control’s Final Regulations Immigration Impact on Foreign “Owners” Read more on: Felicia Sullivan from https://www.feliciasullivan.com/2019/02/05/the-california-bureau-of-cannabis-controls-final-regulations-immigration-impact-on-foreign-owners/ A milligram saved is a milligram earned. And the THC savings pile up in dab rigs, concludes research published in Forensic Science International this month. The post The Most Efficient Way to Smoke Cannabis? Study Says Dabs appeared first on Leafly. Source: https://www.leafly.com/news/science-tech/the-most-efficient-way-to-smoke-marijuana-study-says-dabs The following article The Most Efficient Way to Smoke Cannabis? Study Says Dabs is courtesy of https://www.feliciasullivan.com from https://www.feliciasullivan.com/2019/02/04/the-most-efficient-way-to-smoke-cannabis-study-says-dabs/ Recently, we’ve been getting tons of questions from clients regarding the international import and export of cannabis around the globe. 2018 was a historic year for the cannabis industry not just in the United States, but also internationally. Canada legalized recreational marijuana for the entire country. Many countries (e.g., Thailand, New Zealand, Mexico, Lithuania, U.K.) took significant steps to decriminalize or legalize medical or recreational marijuana. In December, Israel became the fifth country to pass legislation legalizing the export of medical marijuana (after the Netherlands, Canada, Uruguay, and Australia). Despite these advances, international trade in legal marijuana currently is limited. Under a 1961 international treaty (Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs), cannabis is classified as a controlled substance with no medicinal use or value (we explored this recently here). Most countries are signatories to this and other international treaties that set forth the ground rules for the international drug control regime for controlled substances. Individual countries, however, can and have begun to make their own determinations on whether cannabis should be treated as a narcotic substance. Countries that have legalized marijuana can agree to allow trade in marijuana between those countries. Dutch and Canadian companies have gotten a head start in the global marijuana trade with medical marijuana being exported to Germany, Italy, Croatia, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and Chile. Currently, Israel, Australia, Uruguay, and others are also pushing to get into the medical marijuana export game. While other countries have begun to legalize cannabis, the United States federal government still classifies “marijuana” as a Schedule I controlled substance with no medical use and a high potential for abuse. Thus, federal law effectively prohibits importation of marijuana into the United States. In September 2018, however, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) granted permission for a Canadian marijuana company (Tilray) to export medicinal cannabis to University of California San Diego for clinical trial. Although DEA’s approval of this importation may be just a one-off, this one approval could signal an eventual broader opening of the U.S. market to imported marijuana. If (or when) the U.S. finally allows the importation of cannabis products from other countries, it seems likely that some type of trade dispute will likely occur. Legalization of marijuana has often resulted in supply and demand imbalances that result in prices rising or falling sharply. In Oregon, prices for licensed marijuana plummeted with overproduction, and nearly 70 percent of the legal recreational marijuana grown has gone unsold. In Canada, medical marijuana dispensaries faced shortages as licensed producers shifted to selling to the much larger legalized recreational marijuana market. Italy faced consistent shortages of medicinal marijuana and ultimately permitted imports from Canadian companies to ease the supply shortages. Trade disputes often result when producers in one country complain that imports from another country are being sold at unfairly low or subsidized prices and harming the domestic industry. Domestic producers can petition their government to investigate imported products and often antidumping or countervailing duties are imposed. If imported cannabis products are allowed into the U.S., it would not be surprising if U.S. marijuana producers resort to U.S. trade laws in order to fend off import competition. Which countries might be likely targets of a cannabis trade dispute?
It’s hard to think of international trade disputes involving cannabis when it is still illegal for marijuana to cross U.S. state borders, let alone international borders. But as the trend of marijuana legalization continues globally, it is likely a matter of time before licensed marijuana products become treated like any other commodity subject to competitive market forces and resulting litigation over fair and unfair competition. Once imported marijuana products are allowed, it is not difficult to foresee the day when import competition in the legal marijuana markets may trigger some type of international trade dispute either in the form of an antidumping or countervailing duty petition or a patent infringement action. Source: https://www.cannalawblog.com/cannabis-and-international-trade-never-the-twain-shall-meet/ The following post Cannabis and International Trade: Never the Twain Shall Meet? is courtesy of Felicia Sullivan's Blog from https://www.feliciasullivan.com/2019/02/04/cannabis-and-international-trade-never-the-twain-shall-meet/ With Canada’s new trademark law set to take effect on June 17, 2019, U.S. cannabis companies should be considering whether it makes sense for them to file for trademark protection in Canada. Most significantly for foreign applicants, a Declaration of Use will no longer be required, meaning that you do not need to actually use your mark in Canada in order to qualify for trademark protection. This is in contrast to the United States, where trademark registration requires proof of lawful use in commerce. The upside to this regulatory shift is that U.S. companies can get a jump on procuring Canadian trademark protection prior to entering the Canadian market. But the inevitable downside is that trademark trolls will now have an open door to “squat” on trademarks that are used by companies in other countries. These trolls often aim to force companies into negotiations for use of trademark rights to their own brand. Filing for protection in Canada will be an important tool for U.S. cannabis companies to avoid such a scenario. Furthermore, cannabis goods can be specified in any Canadian trademark application. “The following terms are, at this time acceptable by the Office: ‘dried cannabis’ or ‘dried marijuana,’ ‘live cannabis plants,’ ‘medicinal marijuana for temporary relief of seizures,’ ‘medicinal marijuana for temporary relief of nerve pain.’” “Cannabis oil,” however, is not acceptable. It is important that the language used in your specification comports with the Canadian Goods and Services Manual. Another notable change to Canada’s trademark law is that a range of non-traditional types of marks will now be registrable, including scents and tastes, holograms, moving images and textures. Remember, though, that even though it is relatively straightforward to obtain a trademark for cannabis goods or services in Canada, there are many restrictions placed on how those cannabis trademarks can be used via the cannabis regulatory framework. For example, cannabis trademarks may not be used to promote cannabis goods:
Because of the removal of the Declaration of Use requirement in particular, we strongly urge all of our cannabis clients to consult with their trademark attorney to discuss applying for trademark protection in Canada. If you fail to do so, someone else may beat you to it, preventing you from obtaining any right to use your brand in the Canadian market. Source: https://www.cannalawblog.com/should-u-s-cannabis-companies-seek-trademark-protection-in-canada/ Should U.S. Cannabis Companies Seek Trademark Protection in Canada? Find more on: Felicia Sullivan from https://www.feliciasullivan.com/2019/02/03/should-u-s-cannabis-companies-seek-trademark-protection-in-canada/ We have been skeptical of cities being involved in the licensing cannabis businesses in the past. Cannabis businesses are taxed and regulated heavily enough at the state level–why involve cities as well? We have always thought that if a city is going to be involved in the licensing process, it might as well do some good along the way. Portland, Oregon has provided one example of what a city can do with those tax funds. As many cities in Oregon have done, Portland imposes a 3% local tax on retail cannabis sales. The City allocated $500,000 of the taxes to support neighborhood small businesses, especially women-owned and minority owned businesses and to provide economic opportunity and education to communities disproportionately-impacted by cannabis prohibition. Of that $500,000, $150,000 was allocated to specifically reinvest in minority- owned cannabis businesses. To receive a City Grant, a Cannabis Business must complete a Cannabis Tax Allocation Grant Application. The Grant Application requires the cannabis business to identify a project/program that meets the “Record Clearing” or “Workforce Development” goals of the grant. The Record Clearing goals focuses on awarding money to those that have been disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition by removing barriers to housing, employment and education through legal support including, expungement, fine reduction, and charge reduction. The Workforce Development goals focus on creating pathways for people disproportionately impacted by previous cannabis laws to obtain family-wage jobs, including training, mentorship, and other workforce reentry support. The application is detailed and requires the applicant to explain the background and mission of their organization, specific examples of activities to be completed, major milestones, along with questions regarding budget. The Portland City Council then reviews the applications and allocates the grants. The first recipients of grants intended to help communities historically harmed by cannabis prohibition were awarded on January 21, 2019. Green box, an African American owned cannabis delivery company, was awarded $30,000. Adrian Wayman has reported he intends to use the money to hire his first employee. The second recipient of $30,000 is Green Hop. Green Hop is an African American owned dispensary in North Portland. Green Hop also runs the “Green Hop Academy”, an apprentice program that provides training to individuals who hope to one day own their own cannabis business. The City plans to keep moving forward with the grants and has increased its allocations for the grants to $700,000 for the fiscal year 2018-2019. It is comforting to see money from cannabis taxes being reinvested into the community. While the grant application can seem daunting, it can certainly make a huge difference in the Portland community to assist those that historically have been disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition. Here’s to hoping other cities follow in Portland’s footsteps and reallocate taxes and other fees to good causes. Source: https://www.cannalawblog.com/portland-awards-cannabis-grants-to-minority-owned-cannabis-businesses/ The post Portland Awards Cannabis Grants to Minority Owned Cannabis Businesses is courtesy of Felicia Sullivan's Blog from https://www.feliciasullivan.com/2019/02/02/portland-awards-cannabis-grants-to-minority-owned-cannabis-businesses/ This week: We discuss 'looping,' compare vaping and smoking, and get all deep and spiritual with the weed, man. The post The Roll-Up #71: Is Cannabis Against Your Religion? appeared first on Leafly. Source: https://www.leafly.com/news/podcasts/the-roll-up-71-is-cannabis-against-your-religion The Roll-Up #71: Is Cannabis Against Your Religion? is courtesy of FeliciaSullivan.com from https://www.feliciasullivan.com/2019/02/01/the-roll-up-71-is-cannabis-against-your-religion/ |
ABOUT USAround Here, It's ALWAYS 4/20! ArchivesNo Archives Categories |